IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 4p 1.0 I.I 12.5 1.8 1-25 1.4 ||.6 •• 6" ► V] vg ^> i^.%^,^^ .^^V* ^ 'T '/ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTM.N.Y. MSSO (716) 872-4503 .re acted i for, as Geography with- out History seemeth a. carkasse without motion, so. History without Geogr.iphy wandereth as a Vagrant, without a eertaine habitation." The works whii-li have been carefully examined by the author in the prosecution of his design, and from which most of the facts em- bodied in this outline of history and description have been obtsiined, are the following: Aincricuii Aiiliqiiltii's Htid Rosdiirchcs into ! The XnturnI History of Man ; by Jamei tliK Origin mid Illslnry ol' tlie Red Unco; j Oowles Priclmrd ; by Alexiiiidor VV. liiadi'onl ; LetterH mid Notes on the Nfimners, CustDins, Tlu! Ilioifriipliy nml History of tho rndinns mid Condition of the Nortti Amurieau In- of North America ; by Sa(nutpi.- . IBl lio liidiuiis, 1U4 Siiiiioscl— mil' ill I'iif II ol I'liilip, 19'J < ilillmiii— Foil— Tho . 209 I iiiiii Miaii- |H1 I'lMlllOlH . 219 I'ololii.slH — -l''.iiil.'*!'nrin9 woshoiiks- . 228 is' BriilRR — iiokllt'ld, . 2:17 1— »;(jfl'n Iho aiiilllultiiUt Ucdiiclioii— iii,\Varwick, II Kavai;(», 346 ses — Church hoiiks: with lip seen: lii» I ol Philip, . 2.-)fi CONTENTS. 7 PA.nB CiiArxKR VIII. Piirsiillof Annnwdii and Mis Party— Darlnu Priiccdiirc of Captain Church— Kiid of the War, and Final Dlnposal of Prisoners— Hiiinniiiry of the CuUmial Losses, 21)7 ('lUPTKR IX, The Kastern liullnns— -Their Friendly Disposition— Seizure of thnso lin|ilicai.e- i)f nSD- iliiiilir'uu- iir Klctioo lul tirBiiti iimnscli to — (imitiral (ten, tc. — I'ur, . . 4(« sunt Loca- . . 411 -Accounts >r Ciuioe— -Kiri'Cts of Ciifllume— ng— Mentul • : ('tiissillca- ;fmi!terlea — m riwir IIoHpi- uil» of Mim- icr— Mamliiii IrtMil Anmml Aiuiiliilii- ircrtiDii— Kx- lhi!i MiiU'riiil llii' liidiiiriH— liTd!*, uiid WiiiliT Id llic liitliT liml hlsOili'st ridiiiiiWiro Ccrci's— Thtiir ■'liiltt'iiiiiK Iho lliu CuUiinbitt l()ol-(li(,'Ki!r8— loraemiuisliil't Mu(iue3, 4r..-) 403 473 477 SOUTH AMERICA. TRIUKS OF THE WK8T INDIES, AND Tlllt NnmilKIlN rROVINi'K!) (tV Son I II AUVHU'K riO» t'liAPTKR I. IncliiuiM (lr«l df'i'n by C(iliimbii»— liiiii II 10 CONTENTS. Challcuchitnn — Mossengerg sent to Ciizco— Immense Treasure collected nt Caxu- malca — Trial and Murder of Atahiiallpa, . . 551 Cbaptxr V. March towards Ciizco— Ojiixisitiim of the Natives— Death of Toparca, and Murder of Challcucliimn— Manco Capnc— JOntry into the Capital— Booty ob- tained—Escape of Manco, and General Insurrection— Siej?e of Cnzco — Reverse.' of the Spaniards— Civil Wars— Further Hostilities of Manco Ca|)ac— Cruel Trtatnieiit of the Natives— Death of Mnnco Capac— Uefurms under Pedro de la Gnsea— Tupac Amaru— Insur-ection of 17H1— Present Condition of the Peruvian Indians, . . 563 THE ARAUCANIAN KACE Chapter I. Their JiOention, Appearimce, &c. — Purchaa' Description of Chili— Divi- sion of the Tribes— Peruvian Coiniuests— Aijriculture, Arts, &e., among the Natives — Almagro's Invasion — Kxpedition of Pedro de Valdivia— F'oundiiiB of St. Jago — Battles with the Mnpochinians- Destruction of S|)ani8h Miners— Peace with the Protnuuciiuis, 574 Chapter II. The Araucanians Proper— Character and Habits of the Tribe — Houses and Dress— Sectional Divisions and (iovernment— System of VV'arlare— Courage and Military Sliill— Iteliglous Belief and Superstitions — Patriotism and Public Spirit of the Natives— .Molina's Kulogium, . , 579 Chaptkk 111. Army sent to Oppnse the Progress of tho Spaniards— Battle on the Adalien—Lincoyan's Campaign — Valdivia's Marcli Southward- Foundalionof Val- divia, and Kstablishment of Forts in the Araucanian Territory — The Natives roused by Colociilo — Caupolican made Toipii — His .fuceesses — (Ireal Victory over thu Spaniards— Death of VaUliviu— Invasion of Arancu by Villagran — His Defeat — Deslrnelidii of Conce])tion— I.autaro's Fatal Kxpedllinii .Against Santiago, . . 585 CiiAPTKii IV. D(Mi (Jarcia de Mendoza; His F.stablishnieiit at Uuiri(iuiini — Fort of Miiunl Pinto attacked by Caupolican- Don (larcla's luvaslun of Arauco; His Cruelties— Fxpedition to Chiloe — Arit'ul .Management of the Cunches— Seizure and Cruel death of Caupolican— Sul)SiMiuent Successes of the Spaniards— Uelreat of the Natives to the .Marshes of Luinaco— Indian Victory at Mount Mariguenu— General Summary of Succc eding Hostilities, 594 CilAPTKR V. Vicerciyally of Martin Loyola— Paillainachu — Renewal of the War — Loyola Slain — General Insurrection of the NiUives— T'c Spaniards Driven from Iho Country South of the Hio-Hio— Bloody Campaigns iiihlcr several succossive Toquis —Pence of 1040— Ten Years' War— Subsequent Treaties and Hostilities— Present Position of the ...aucanians, 602 INDIAN TRIBES OF BRAZIL. CitAPTER I. Physical Characteri.itics- Piiizon's Discoveries — Landing of Pedro Al- varez Cal)ral upon the Brazilian Coast— Kxpedition under Vespucius— Cannibalism — Colonization of the Country, and Wars with the Natives— Fate of Juan do Soils, at the Fstuiiry of La Plata— Settlement of Bahia deTcidos Santos by Diogo Alvarez — The Jesuits- Particulars of the Cannibal Propensities of the Natives— The Boto- cudos, . • • 609 CiiArrER II. Success of the Portuguese Against the Natives— Their Cimtests with Settlers from other Countries of F.urope— F.nglish Colony at Paraiba — Kxpulsion of Guarani Tril)es from their Country on La Plata— Division of Brazilian Nations- Daily Routine of Indian Life in the Forosts- Uefleclions, 610 THE PAMrA,S INDIANS Their Horsemnnshlp— Their Mode of Lilo— Sir Francis Head's Description of the Race- Female Captives among tho Indians— Trading Visits to European Settle- men Eun Early ] of th In ha Scan riod IslaiK Expe Of the Of Inter \l P.4.0B at Caxa- . . 551 Toparca, Booty ob- BvorsCk' of rieatmeiit ;a— Tupac 3, . . 563 liili— Divi- lie Natives St. Jago— ! with the . . 574 e — Houses I— Courage jia Public . . . 579 tie on the .it)ii of Val- ves rouat'd ■ over tho a Defeat— ;(), . . 685 la— Fort of •auco; His 'I'iziirc ami Ireat of the u— General . . . 594 the War- en from tho aive Toijiiis ea— Present . 602 if Pedro Al- >nnibaliam an do Sella, ugo Alvarez —The Boto- 609 intests with Kxpulsion of n Nations — 619 ption of the pean Settle- CONTENTS, 11 menta-Classiflcatlon of Tribes-Change in their Condition by the Introduction of European Domestic Aniinujs, THE PATAGONIANS. Early Exapgernted Reports concerning them-Raco to which they belong-Nature of tho Country-Terra del Fuego-General Description and Classiaealion of the Inhnbitants-Caplain Fitzri.y's Narrative-Physical Conformation of the Natives- Scantiness of their Ciolhing-Their Hu.s, Resources for Food, etc.-ruegians car- riod to England by Filzroy-Atlempt at tho Introduction of Agriculture on the Island-Pecherais described in Wilkes' Narrative of the United Slates' Exploring Expedition, ... . » s PAr.B 624 INDIAN POPULATION Of the United States and Territories, IMPORTANT ERAS AND DATES Of Interesting Events in Indian History, 629 485 637 f'Ji T 1 LIST OF ILLUSTRATlOxNS I SUBJECT. PAQX Prontispikck— Interview between Cortez nnd Montezuma, . . • 1 Indiiiii iliiw mill Ari'ows, Ilarixnin, llaxket. Pot, Kowl, &c. . . S4 Iiidiun Tomnliiiwk, Kettle, S|)(i(in, Pipe*, &c. . . , . , . 25 Pdrliail (if Miuiliziitnii, in liis MiiKiiillceiit Kexiil DreBS, . . . 54 Heiniiiidd Cmtez, fnun iin DiiKiiml Pdrtrail by Titian, . , . . 5t5 Execiitldii ( f (ill Iiidiiui Captive, ...... vn Porliait df Osceola, the Celebrated Florida Chief, .... . laj Portrait of Captain John Smith, the Pioneer of Vii'Kinia, . , IM Pocahontas liiterposiiii,' for the Lito of Captain John Smith, , , . 161 Interview of Samoaet with the Pilgrims, ..... iWU The Colonifts (foini,' to Church Armed, diirini,' the Early Indian Wars, . . Silt) Kill!,' Philip, the Ahorii?iiial Hero of Moiiiit Hope, . , . 233 Portrait of Captain lleiijaiiiin Clmich, ...... . 273 Joseph Hrant, (Tiiaye.ndankoka.) of VVy( iiiim; Notoriety, . . 2117 Red Jacket, the Masterly Orator and Chief of li.e Seiieaig, . . . . 330 Hall-Playini;, as practised by the Western Tribes, .... 343 Portrait of William PcMin, the Founder of Pciiiisylviinia, . . . . 34!t Colonel (leoi'Ke WiLfhinijlon, as Aid de-Cainp to (ieiieral Uradduck, . . 352 lioiiler I'.ucoimter, a Scene from Early Weati'rn Life, . , . . Still Trappini; the Hear, .... .... 301 fieiienil Harrison, surrounded with niipropriiile N.itional Eniblutng, . . 308 Tecuiiiseli, the renowned Chief of the Western Tribes, . 3t)>.l The Eacle, a Type of Swiftness, StreiiKth, nnd S^iiperiority, . . . . 3U2 Indian Settlement, represeiiliiii} their Costumes, Tents, 4tc. . . 3<.I3 fieiieral Ji.cksoii, on bis favorite White Charter, .... . 411'.) The Silver Fox, ofleii confounded with the Loup Noir, or Illack Wolf, 4J1 Indians Watching for Salmon, ....... . 433 Indian War-Dance, as practised among tho Mundnns, . . . 44t< Indian Encampment, West of the Mississippi, ..... . 40.-) Tlie Deer, formerly one of the most valuable Animals of America, . 472 Tlie Bison, generally called the Hulfalo, , . , , . 470 Tlie lilfick S(|uiriel, a beautiful little Animal of North America, . 477 The Crizzly Hear, abounding in the Nortli-wuwt Territory, . . , . 47o Hulfalo Cliaio, peculiar to the Western Indians, .... 4W) Portrait of Christopher Columbus, ...... . m> Mniiuarri IJance, in the Lower Dislricl of Pomeroon, . . , 512 An In('.:.ii Sorcerer performing hia Ceremonies over the Siclt, . , . 513 Portrait of Francisco Piznrro, ... .... 520 The Inca Alahualiia before Pizarro, ...... . 501 The Cotigar, found in North and South America, .... CIO I L- 11 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF THE NOllTII AMERICAN INDIANS — SOME OF THEIR GENERAL CUSTOMS AND PECULIARITIES. I • ulf, 11 ^ Oi'r] 'JTsp (p'jXXwv j'SVi'i], Totrfis xai avSpuv, "Like leavea on trees the nice of man is found, Now green in youtli, now witiieriiig on tlie ground; Anotiier race tiie following spring supplies." — Iliad. It were liir easier to foretell the period when tlae extinc- tion of the Indian races must be consummated, and to explain the causes that must sooner or later terminate their national existence, tlian to trace back their early history. Even a succinct account of the various theories, with the arguments u\K>n which they are based, as to the prob- able sources whence the early inhabitants of the Western hemisphere derived their origin, would furnish matter for a volume: we shall therefore do little more than allude to the dillerent hypotheses upon the subject, leaving tin reader to follow up the inquiry, if his inclination so move hiin, by the examination of works especially devoted to the discussion of this vexed question. The want of a written language among the aborigines of America; the blindness of the system of hieroglyphics used by the more advanced nations of the continent; and the wild discrepancies in their fanciful oral traditions leave U3 little hope of satisfactorily elucidating the mystery by "■>. 14 INDIAN liACKS OF AMERICA. any direct information obtained from the people tliem solves. Analogies in physical conformation, customs, archi- tecture, language, and religion, must form our principal clue in deciding the question of their origin. That America Avas first peopled by wanderers from the Old World seems to be a conclusion to which most of those who have treated on the subject have arrived. Exclusive of the supposed necessity for maintaining the truth of Sci'ip- tural history by deducing all tlic races of the globe from a common ancestry, abundant facilities for an intentional or casual nn'gration have been pointed out by geogra]ihers. The numberless isles of the Pacific offer readv resting- ])laccs for adventurous or bewildered navigators, and might have been peopled successively l)y wanderers from Sontli- eastern Asia. Some of the natives of that portion of the P'astern continent possess a skill in nautical aftairs wliich would abundantly qualify them for voyages as haziardous as any to which they would be exposed in crossing tlie Pacific from island to island in th(}ir swift proas, 'flio near approach of the two grand divisions of the globe at Behriug's Straits presents still greater facilities for a pass- age from one to the other, when the waters are closed by ice, during the severe Northern winter, or when they lie open, affording a free passage for caiHjcs. That the North-eastern portions of America were visited and probal)ly peopled, at a very early date, by adventurers from the North of Phirope seems to be fully established. Man}'- Avild and imi^robable legends indeed exist, touching these early voyages, and we can sympathise with the man- ner in which the old historian of Virginian colonikiation dismisses the subject: "For tlie stories of Arthur, Malgo, and Brandon, that say a thousand yeares agoe they were in the North of America, or tlie Fryer of Linn, that by his black Art went to the North Pole in the yeare 13G0. In that I know them not. Let this suffice." I lie them ms, arclii- cipal clue from tlie it of those Kxclusiv'^ .1 of Scrip- )be from a ntional or rraphcrs. [j rcsting- aud might om South- tiou of the ■airs ^vhich hazardous 'ossiiig the oas. The le globe at or a pass- closed hy leu they lie 'ere visited [venturers 'stablishcd. touching the nian- nloni/ation lur, Mai go, they were in, that by eare 13G0. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 15 Modern investigation has brought to light abundant evidence of visits by the Northmen to Greenland and the neigliboring American coast, at the close of the tenth and in the beginning of the eleventh centuries, and it is not improbable that intercourse had subsisted between the two countries at a much earlier period. The marked dif- ference between the Esquimaux Indians and all other tribes of the Western continent points plainly to a separate ancestry. "vVe shall speak more at large upon this subject when we come to treat of the natives of that vast and desolate region lying between the Canadas and the frozen seas of the North. Vague accounts of islands or continents at the West are found in the works of many early writers. I^he Athuitis of Plato, the Ilesperides, and a host of other uncertain fables have been tortured by ingenious antiquaries into 2)roof of more extensive geographical kiiowledge than is generally attril)uted to the ancients. Some theorists have indcfatigably followed up the idea that we are to search for the lost tribes of Israel amouf O the red men of America, and have found or fancied resem- blances, otherwise unaccountable, between Indian and He- brew words, ceremonies, and superstiticjus. Others have exhibited equal ingenuity in carrying out a comparison between the Moors of Africa and the iVmer- icans, claiming to establish a near aflinitv in character and complexion between the two races. Tliey suppose the Mooi'ish immigrants to have ariived at the West India Islands, or the ilastern coast of South America, and thence to have spread over the whole continent. However variant, in some pai'ticulars, the diflerent nations of America may appear, tlicre are peculiarities of language which arc noticeable throughout the continent, and which would seem to prove that neither of these nations has subsisted in an entirelv isolated condition. iSfJ 16 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. According to lliuuljoldt; "In America, from the coun- try of tlie Esquinuiux; to tlic banks of tlic Oi'inoko, and again, from those torrid banks to tlic fro/eu climate of the Straits of Magellan, mother tongues, entirely different with regard to their roots, have, if we may use the expression, the same physiognomy. Striking analogies of grammat- ical construction have been recognised, not only in the more perfect languages — as that of the Incas, the Ayniara, the Guarani, the Mexican, and the Cora, but also in Ian- Kuaires extrcmelv rude. Idioms, the roots of which do not resemble each other more than the roots of the Scla- vonian and liiseayan, have resemblances of internal me- chanism similar to those Avhich are found in the Sanscrit, the l\'rsian, the Greek, and the (Jerman languages." Of the pi'imary roots of the ditferent Indian dialects, it is said that there arc four more prominent than the rest, and which can be traced over nearly the whole continent. These are the Karalit or Esrpiimaux, the Iroquois, the Lcnni Lenapc, and that of the Chcrokees, Choctaws, and other t bes of the South. Tlie great body of the American aborigines, notwith- standing tlie country over which they arc distributed, liavo many loalures of physical conformation in common. Tlic exceplit)ns to this general truth, exliibited principally in the })ersons of the Kscpiimaux, and in certain white tribes at the West, deserve a sei)arate consideration: at present, our remarks will be confined to the red men, and particu- lai'ly to tliose of the present United States and territories. Tlic ap]X'llation universally bestow(Ml U])on this people is in itself a strange misnomer, and would hardly have obtain- ed so generally, had not the error in wliich it originated been one whieli early voyagers were slow to acknowledge. The Americans have, indeed, usurped the name of those for whom tlicy were so long mistaken, and whom we are now reduced to distuinguish by the title of East Indians. of age tha: of J 1 the oft Has — le.' GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 17 nil ban tlie rest, Ic continent. 1 iroqvioiri, tUo Loctaws, and 1C3, notwith- •ibutcd, have iiimon. The H'inciptilly in 1 white tribes i: at present, j , and partieu- , nd territories, this people is y have t)btain- it originated acknowledge, luune of those whom we are East Indians. The general appearance of a North American Indian can be given in few words; the resemblance between those of different tribes — with the exceptions to which we have referred — being full as close as between different nations of either of the great families into which the human race has been arbitrarily divided. They are about of the aver- age height which man attains v/hen his form is not cramped by premature or excessive lalor, but their erect posture and slender figure give them the appearance of a tall race. Their limbs are well formed, but calculated rather for agility than strength, in which they rarely equal the mo"e vigorous of European nations. Tliey generally have small feet. The most distinguishing peculiarities of the race are, the reddish or copper colour of the skin; the prominence of the cheek-bone; and the color and quality of the hair. This is not absolutely straight, but somewhat wavy, and has not inaptly been com])ared to the mane of the horse — less from its coarseness than from its glossy hue and the manner in which it hangs. Their eyes are universally dark. The women are rather short, with broader faces, and a greater tendency to obesity than the men, but many of them possess a symmetrical figure, with an agreeable and attractive countenance. It was formerly quite a general impression that the Indians were destitute of beards. This error resulted from the almost universal custom prevalent among them of eradicating what they esteemed a deformity. Tweezers, made of wood or muscle-shells, served to pluck oiit the hairs as soon as they appeared ; and, after intercourse with the whites commenced, a coil of spiral wire was applied to the same use. It was esteemed greatly becoming among the men, to carry this operation still farther, and to lay bare the whole head, with the exception of a top-knot, or ridge like the comb of a cock, in which feathers or por- cupine quills were ftvntastically interwoven. 2 m I m ligi 18 INDIAN RACES OP AMEKICA. Of the liidcous custom of flattening the heail, and the means by which it was accoiiiphshcd, we shall speak when describing the tribes among whom it was pi-actised. No nations on the Eastern (!ontinent approach so nearly to the American Indians, in bodily conformation, as do certain tribes of Tartars. A similarity in habits of life, in dress, festivals, and games, is also (observable between the two nations. This, combined with the proximity of their coun- tries, and the ease with which a passage could be effected, woidd seem to afford a rational presumption as to the direct origin of no small })ortion of the red tribes of North Amer- ica. Who can undertake to decide, however, as to what admixture of races has here taken ])lace, or how often fresh arrivals, from dilferent portions of Eastern Asia, have given rise to new colonies, or desti'oyed by amal- gamation, the distinctive characteristics of the earlier peo- ple? Above all, can we account for the wonderful remains of anticpiity describe(l in another chapter, by n^ferring them to tlie same races as were foimd inhabiting these wilds when the white man first ventured to ex])lore them? The difficulty of the subject is sufficiently manifest from the contradictory conclusions drawn by laborious but dog- matic anti(piaries; and still more by the doubt and unc(U'- " tainty in which more candid but e(|ually diligent labonu's in the same field have confessed their researches to have resulted. There have not been wanting those who have main- tained the theory that the Indians were indigenous to Am(!rica. Some who have adoj)ted this idea consider that it involves the doctrine of a separate creation, while others, that they might not discard the ordinarily received opin- ion that all mankind have sprung from a single pair, place the seat of paradise somewhere upon the Western Con- tinent, and consider the ICastern nations as descendants of emigrants from America. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS, 19 , and tlie ,11 si)(jak )nictiscd. nearly to lo certain , in dress, I the two heir eoun- c effected, the direct rth Anicr- as to what how often torn Asia, I by amal- 3arlier peo- fill remains V n.'ferring liting these )l()re them? mifest from us but dog- and uncer- :!Ut laborers les to have have niahi- ligeuous to onsider that ,vhile others, scived opin- e pair, place Tcstern Con- seendants of Ilowever interesting these speculations may prove to the antiquary, they must appear siin^iy wearisome to the reader who is not willing to give tlie subject a full inves- tigation. I'he two hemispheres remained sundered for so long a jieriod, that the history of their former connection by intercourse of their respective inhabitants is now reduced to little more than speculation; and we will pass to mat- ters of which wc can speak with certainty, and which appeal more closely to our sympathies, and attract our attention with more lively interest than such groping amid the dim relics of antiquity. A knowledge of the habits and peculiarities of the Indians can be acquired in the most pleasing manner by the perusal of their history, inters[)ersed as it is with the quaint descrijitions of old chroniclers, who wrote when the events and scenes were vividly impressed vipon their minds, and before modern refinements had done away with that directness of expression which marks their narratives. Such details make, moreover, a far stronger impression upon the memory than can be effected by a series of drv generalities. We shall therefore refer the reader to the historical portion of this work for most of the information which we shall attempt to convey. In this, and in the ensuing chapter, wc may frequently speak of usages and characteristics, as belonging to a past age, which are still to be observed among the more remote Western tribes. The difficulty of always drawing the distinction in a series of such general remarks as are here submitted, must form our excuse for such seeming ana- chronisms. We notice in the Indian a remarkable gravity and innate dignity which leads him to avoid, with the most ui I I m f 20 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. scrupulous care, all involuntary or impulsive expression of his feelings. This is not confniud to the oeeasions upon which he calls forth his powers of endurancn in suf- fering the niost cruel torments with jipjiarent insensibility or even with exultation, but enters into all the acts of his daily life, lie betrays no unseemly curiosity or inij)a- ticnee under circumstances that would naturally exeite both in the highest degree, lias he been long absent from home on a war-])ath, or on a visit to cities of the whites; has he learned some great and threatening dan- ger, Of has the intelligence reached him of the death of those whom he most values; his conduct and meth(jd of (.•ommunicating his adventures or his infoJination, are governed by the same deliberation and immobility. Returning half famished from an unsuccessful hunt, he enters his wigwam, and sits down uncpiestioned, showing i\o symptom of impatience for food. His wife prepares his refreshment, and after smoking his pipe, and satisfying his hunger, he volunteers an account of his (experience. Catlin gives a striking description of the meeting betwtjcn a chief named Wi-jun-jon, who had Just returned from an embassy to Wjushington, and his family, lie landed from the steamer at his home in the far West, "with a com- plete suit en onilitairc, a colonel's luiiform of blue, pre- sented to him by the president of the United States, with a beaver hat and feather, with epaulettes of gold — with sash and belt, and broadsword ; with high-heeled boots — with a keg of whiskey under his arm, and a blue umbrella in liis hand. In this plight and metamorphose, he took his position on the bank amongst his friends — his wife and other relations; not one of whom exhibited, for an half hour or more, the least symptoms of recognition, although they knew well who was before them." The conduct of the chief was of the same character, but, half an hour afterwards, "a gradual, but cold and exceedingly \Bi j"'i ., OENKUAL CHARACTERISTICS. 21 prcsaion >cciisit)U3 ;r( in Suf- nisibiVity ;ts of his or iTn])a- ly excite \ir absent ics of tlio uing (Ian- . death of method of lilt ion, are lity. \\ hunt, he d, showing e prepares 1 satislying experience, iig between led ironi an anded from rith a com- ' \)lue, pre- States, with roXil — with !led boots — uc \imbrelhi, f)se, he took lis — his wife jited, for an recognition, Lhem." The ter, but, half exceedingly formal recognition began to take place," after which, all went on as if he had never been absent. — Tliis strange demeanor does not, by any means, result from real indif- ference, but from the supposed propriety of su})pressing any ()ut})rcak of emotion. No doubt all the parties to the seene above descrilxvl, were in a state of tiie greatest curiosity and excitement, and the family doubtless felt the most exuberant joy at the reunion; but custom, or their ideas of good taste, prohibited the exhibition of a "seene." Those who are best aciiuainted with the char- a(!ter of the Indians agree that with them the tics of fam- ily allection are exceed! ngh* strong and enduring. The most touching descrij)ti()ns are given of the manner in ■which they mourn for the dead, and of the tender and faithful remembrance of lost relatives that no length of time seems to obliterate. Carver says, "I can assert that, notwithstanding the ajipareiit indill'erence Avith which an Indian meets his wife and children after a long absence, an indifference proceeding rather from custom than insen- sibility, he is not immindful of the claims either of con- nubial or })arental tenderness." The same author who had witnessed the most bloody and savage scenes of Indian warfare, and who was familiar with the cruelties and unrelenting spirit of revenge peculiar to the race, candidly bears witness to their good qualities: "No people," he says, "can be more hospitable, kind, and free The honor of their tribe and the welfare of their nation is the first and most predominant emotion of their hearts; and from hence proceed in a great measure all their virtues and their vices. * * ^ No selfish views ever influence their advice or obstruct their consultations. * * They are at once guided by pa&sious and appetites, which they hold in common "with the fiercest beasts that inhabit their woods, and are possessed of virtues which do honor to human nature." I «: (if' I 22 IXDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. The Tiidinns aro natiiriilly tucituni, but fond of sot S|H:r('hi'S. 'I'licir oratory is of no inciui onlcr, and is ars, upon investigation, to be rather a national custom, gratlu- ally reaching a climax, than to havo arisen from any innate h)ve of inflicting ])ain. It is perfectly certain that, if the children of tlic most cidightoncd nation on earth should Ijo brought up in occasional familiarity with scenes like those witnessed at the execution of a prisoner by the American savages, they would experience no liorror at the sight. "We need not seek fartlier than the liistory of religious and political persecutions in Kuroi)e, or the cruelties practised on repute(l witches in our own country, to satisfy us that the character of the Indians will sulfcr Uttle by compari- son with that of tlieir contemporaries of our own race. Among some of those nations which included an ex- tensive confederacy, where a .system of government had become settled by usage, and the authority of the cliief had been strengthened by long submission to him and hi.s predecessors, an arbitrary monareliy seems to have pre- vailtid; but among the smaller tribes, the authority of the chief was ratlier advisory than absolute. There was gen- erally a king who held hereditary office, and exercised the powers of a civil governor by virtue of his descent, '7 4 OKVKllAI. C'FIAIIACTKIMSTICS. 28 1 of sot 11(1 irt (liM- lf worthy of the jiosition. All matters of national interest were discussed at a sol- emn conn(!il, consisting of the princii)al men of the tribe, and at which great decorum and formality were observed. As the debate procecdi'd, the whole conclave, whenever a remark from the orator speaking <>X(>ited th(>ir appro- bation, would give expression to their approval by a gut- tural ejaculation. A natural instinct of retributive justice ordaineil that the crime of murder slioidd be ])unishod by the hand of the deceased person's nearest relative. An interesting incident, connected with this custoiu, is told in a notice of the ])ublic lil'c of the TTon. Pierre A P(^st, of TiOuisiana, given in the Fnited States Law ^faga/,inc, for ^farch, lSr)2. He is here said to have been the fir.st to suggest the pro- ]u-iety of interference in these matters on the part of tho State Courts. In a drunken fray, an Indian had been accidentally killeil. "Tho relatives of the deceased wore absent at the time; but they soon heard of his death, and came from the Indian territory to exact blood for l)lood from th(^ homicide. Tic was advised to flee, but would not, and. in blind submission to the law of the red man, agreed to deliver himself on a certain day to be .shot. The Tourt was then sitting, and ^fr. Ro.st proposed to the presiding judge to prevent the horrid sacrifice, by giving the victim a fair trial by jury, many membci-s of which were known and respected by the relatives of the deceased, and impressing u])on the latter the necessity of abiding by tho verdict, whatever it might be." This was done, and everv thing was conducted with due form and solemn- 4. CJ 24 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ity. The Indian witnesses gave tlic most satisfactory answers when questioned as to tlieir ideas of the obliga- tion of an oath, and, after a full hearing, the defendant was acquitted. The decision was translated to the com- plainants, and they were told that to kill the prisoner would now he murder, and would subject them to the penalties of that crime, "^fr. Eost then rose, and stated to the Court that the prosecutors had left their hunting-ground to come and avenge the death of their relative, as it was their duty to do; that justice had been done to the accused, but that was not sufficient. Justice must also bo done to the other side; they must be indemnified for the inconvenience they had been put to, and the loss they had sustained ; and, as the coffers of the treasury would not uidock at the bidding of his honor, he moved that the bar, jury, and by-stand- ers, contribute a sufficient amount to satisfv them. This was done as soon as proposed, and the ])rosccutors declared themselves satisfied," The institution of marriage among the American Indians is by no means so restrictive a system as that adopted by enlightened nations. It is for the most part di.«soluble at the ^ Icasure of the parties, and polygamy is extensively practised. As with other l)arbarous nations, tlio woman is conqx'llcd to undergo the drudgery of daily labor, wliili> her loid and master lounges indolently about the villfige, except at times when his energies are called forth for hunting or war. When once engaged in tlicse pur- suits, his fixedness of purpose, and the readiness with which he will undergo the extremes of toil, exposure, hunger, and privation, is marvellous. ^ I XI) I tisfactory G obliga- Icfendant the corn- prisoner im to the -, that the come and ih' duty to ., but that I the other icucc they d; and, as he bidding I by-stand- cm. This rs dcchired an Indians il(>]-)tcd by swAuble at xtcnsivcly :li(i Avoman ally hd)or, about the alk'd forth tlu^sc pur- linet^s with exposure, i a >'i i.\i)t.KV nil ly .1X1) .lumnys. n.mruojv, pot, 4-c. "^ i • .11 ^ -* ^«a i N ? 1 /.//)/.'» A" rt/M.I H.l UK, KF.TTI.E, SI'OO.V, PIPKS, *e. fear ; PIPES, SfC. GENERAL CIIARACTEniSTICS. 25 CHAPTER II. RELIGION OF THE INDIANS — THEIR WEAPONS, AND SYSTEM OF WARFARE — THEIR LODGINGS, DRESS, ORNAMENTS, ETC. "Yet simple nature to liifi hope has given, Behind the cloud-topp'd hill an humbler heaven; Some safer world, in depths of woods embraced. Some happier island in the watery waste." — Pope. The Indians, before receiving instruction from Euro- peans, generally believed in the existence of a Supreme Deity, embodying a principle of universal benevolence, and that to him their gratitude was due for all natural benefits. On the other hand, they stood in fear of a spirit of evil, whose influence upon human affairs they considered as being more direct and familiar. To this being, known among many tribes as Ilobaniocko, much more assiduous devotion was paid than to the Great Spirit, it being fiir more essential in their view to dejDrecate the wrath of a terrible enemy, than to seek the favor of one already perfectly well disposed towards his creatures. Besides these two superior deities, a sort of fanciful mythology, not unlike that of many ancient Eastern nations, invested every notable object with its tutelary divinity, and bestowed on each individual his guardian spirit. A general idea that tlie good would be rewarded, and the bad punished, was entertained. Far away to the warm South-west, a pleasant land was fabled, in which the hunter, after death, should pursue his favorite emi)loyment, in the midst of abundance, and a stranger for ever to want or fear; "Where everlasting Autumn lies On yellow woods and sunny skies." y 26 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Their lieaven was as far removed from the sensual para- dise of the Mahometans, as from the pure abstractions of an enlightened religion. Ease, comfort, and a sufficiency for the natural wants, seemed all-sufficient to these simple children of nature, to render an eternity delightful. The description handed down to us of the Indian pow- wows or conjurers, and their medicine-men, derive an additional piquancy and interest from the fact, that those who detail them were generally as superstitious as the poor natives themselves. We might cite pages in which the necromantic performances of the red men are spoken of witli all the 2)ious horror that would naturally be excited by what were considered the direct operations of the devil, as displayed in the works df his children. Winslow, taking occasion to explain the meaning of the word "Pan- iese," often applied to notable warriors in New England, says, "The Panieses are men of gi'cat courage and wis- dome, and to these also tlic deuill appcareth more famili- arly than to others, and, as wo conceiue, maketh couenant with them to prcserue them from death by wounds with arrowes, knives, hatchets, &c." The works of the learnea divine. Cotton Mather, are filled with similar extravagancies. These powwows, says Gookin, "are partly wizards and witches, holding familiarity with Satan, that evil one; and partly arc physicians, and make use, at least in show, of herbs and roots for curing the sick and diseased. These are sent for by the sick and wounded ; and by their dia- bolical spells, mutterings, exorcisms, they seem to do won- ders. They use extraordinary strange motions of their bodies, insomuch that they sweat until they foam; and thus they continue for some hours together, stroking and hovering over the sick. — These powwows are reputed, and I conceive justly, to hold familiarit}'- with the devil." Wherever the Indians have enjoyed free intercourse glue M0 '-1 GENERAL CnARACTERISTICS. 27 sual para- iu;tions of mfficicncy ese simple tful. idian pow- dcrive an tliat those ous as the !S in which ivrc spoken ^ be excited )f the devil, Winslow, ivord "Pan- w England, TO and wis- nore famili- th couenant rounds with Mather, are wi:?;ards and ril one; and in show, of ised. These jy their dia- n to do won- :)ns of their foam; and stroking and are reputed, the devil." intercourse :i with the whites, they have been no less eager to adopt than apt to acquire the use of their more efficacious weapons. It is of the primitive instruments for offence or defence that we shall now speak. Scattered over the whole country, even at the present day, small triangular bits of wrought flint, quartz, or other stone are turned up by the plough, or seen lying on the surface of the ground. These arrow-heads, with occasionally one of a larger size, which might have served for a lance, a stone tomahawk, a rude pestle, or the fragment of a bowl of the same mate- rial, constitute almost the only marks now visible, in the thickly settled Eastern states, of the race that formerly inhabited them. The opening of a tomb sometimes brings to light other relics, and various specimens of native art have been preserved among us from generation to gen- eration, as curious relics of antiquity ; but until we arrive at the Western tumuli, (commencing at the state of New York) we find but slight impressions upon soil at the hands of the red men, and the few and simple articles to which we have alluded, constitute the most important pro- ductions of their skill, except those formed from a perish- able material. How the arrow and lancf^ heads could have been attached with any degree of firmness to the wood, seems almost incomprehensible. Captain Smith describes a species of glue which assisted in accomplishing this object, but the shank or portion of the stone that entered the wood is in some of the specimens so short and ill defined, that it seems impossible that it should have been held firm in its place by such means. The arrow-heads were chipped into shape, presenting something the same surface as a gun-flint, while the tomahawks and pestles, being of a less intractable material, were ground smooth, and some of them were highly polished. A handle was commonly affixed to the "tom-hog" or tomahawk by inserting it in a split sapling, o> 28 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. and waiting f()r the wood to grow firmly around it; after which, it was cut o(l' at the requisite length. The Indian bow was shorter than tliat formerly used in England, and was so stiff as to require great strength or skill to bend it. It became a much more effective weapon after the introduction of steel or iron arrow-heads, which quickly superseded those of stone. Clubs, sometimes armed with flints, with the bow and tomahawk, constitute the principal weapon of the race. Daggers of flint or bone, and shields of buflixlo-hide, were in use among some of the AVcstern tribes. Divided into innumerable petty nations, nearly the whole Indian ])opulation lived in a state of insecurity, from the constant hostilitj^ which prevailed between different tribes. So strong a clannish spirit as they all exhibited has seldom been noticed in any country, and the bitterest hatred was inherited l)y every individual towards the members of an unfriendly tribe. War, as in most nations, whether bar- barous or enlightened, was ever esteemed the most honor- able emjiloyment. The manner in which hostilities were conducted will appear by a detail of some of the more noted Indian wars, as given in the ensuing chapters of this work. The whole was a system of stratagem and surprise ; a pitched battle in an open field was almost unknown, and greater honor was ascribed to the chief who, by a night attack, destroyed his enemies at a disadvantage, and brought away their scalps in triumph, without loss to his own people, than to deeds involving the greatest personal exposure. The remorseless cruelty with which women and cliildren were destroyed in the heat of conflicjt, has furnished a theme for many a tale of horror. Previous to a declaration of war against another tribe, the chief men and councillors of the nation were in the habit of holding solemn consultations, accompanied by numerous fantastic ceremonies. When fully resolved upon indignil i dit; after •ly used in trciigtU or vc woapon ads, which soinctimcs , constitute of Hint or inong some y the whole y, from the .>rcnt tribes, has seldom hatred was nhers of an ihether bar- iiost honor- tilities were )f the more otcrs of this nd surprise ; known, and , by a night intage, and it loss to his est personal lich Avomen conflict, has lother tribe, were in the npanied by isolved upon GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 29 hostilities, the first step was to secure the assistance of as many of the neighboring tribes as possible, for which purjjose ambassadors were sent, to set forth the advantages of the union, and to cement a treaty by exchange of wam- pum. When all was ready, a hatchet or other weapon, painted red, was sent as an intimation to the enemy of what was in store. We arc told that the reception of this ominous token, frequently excited such rage in the minds of those to whom it was sent ; "that in the first transports of their fury, a small party of them would issue forth, with- out waiting for permission from the elder chiefs, and, slay- ing the first of the offbnding nation they met, cut open the body, and stick a hatchet, of the same kind as that they had just received, into the heart of their slaughtered foe." When, weary with the war, either party desired to ter- minate hostilities, the message was sent under the protect- ive influence of the calumet, or pipe of peace, which, like a flag of truce among other nations, every where secured the person of those who bore it. This pipe, so widely celebrated, and of such universal use, was most elaborately carved and bedecked. Each nation had its own peculiar style of ornament for this all-important symbol, which vvas known to all the neighboring tribes, A solemn and ceremonious smoking of the calumet, formed the token of ratification to every treaty. When used at the conclusion of a peace, the painted hatchet was buried in the ground, and belts of wampum, so figured and arranged as to com- memorate the essential articles of the pacific agreement, Were presented, to be kept as a perpetual memorial. The treatment of captives exhibited the opposite ex- tremes of cruelty and kindness. Greatly to the credit of the race, it was observed that, in most instances, white women who fell into their hands met with no outrage or indignity. They were generally kindly treated, and every respect was paid to their feelings. The men taken prison. I ""^ f;» ^'1 "ill i;'i ?!!• 80 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ers of war, were either adopted to supply the ])lace of those who liad fallen in battle, — in which case they were to undertake all the responsibilities, and were entitled to all the privileges of the one in Avhose place they stood, — or they were sulemnly devoted to death, by the most refined and cruel torments that diabolical ingenuity could devise. On such occasions, all his native powers of stoical endu- rance were called forth on the part of the doomed wan lor. When told what was the fate before him, he would briefly express his satisliiction ; and when led to the stake, and sub- jected to every torture, by fire and mutilation, he would maintain a ])roud composure, recounting his exploits, and the injuries which he had inflicted upon his tormentors in former battles, taunting them with their unskilfidness in the art, and describing the superior manner in which he and his friends had tortured their relatives. Not nnfre- quently thf. rcge of the surrounding company would be so excited by these expressions of contempt, and by their inability to break tlie warrior's spirit, that some of them would rush upon him, and dispatch him at once by a blow of the tomahawk. The habitations and clothing of the Indians varied greatly with the temperature of the climate. In the warm regions of the South, a slight covering proved sufficient, while to resist the severity of a New England winter very efficient precautions were taken. The usual manner of building their wigwams, was by fixing a row of poles firmly in the ground, in the form of a circle, and then bending and confining the tops together in the center. A hole was left for the smoke of the fire to escape, at the top of the cabin; every other part being warmly and closely covered with matting. A tight screen hung over Lce of those ;y were to titled to sill stood, — or lost refined )uld devise, toical endu- led warrior, ould briefly ke, and svib- n, lie would xploits, and tormentors mskilfulness ler in which Not nnfre- ly would be and by their 3ine of them ce by a blow lians varied In the warm ed sufficient, L winter very ,1 manner of row of poles jle, and then le center. A escape, at the warmly and jn hung over GENERAL CIIAKACTERISTICS. 81 the doorway, which was raised when any one entered, and then allowed to fall into its place. A species of matting was pre{)arcd by peeling the bark from trees, and subjeeting it, packed in layers, to a heavy pressure. With this material, or with nuits woven from rushes, &c., the walls of the huts were so closely thatched, as to efreetually resist wind and weather. Some of these wigwams were of great size, being from fifty CO a hundred feet in length, but the generality were of dimensions suitable to a single family. Their bedding consisted of mattresses disposed in bunks attached to the walls, or upon low movable couches. Bear and deer skins furnished a<<" or roiiml cliiiii ruriiislicd tlio )>riii('i|>id miiti-riiil lor tliw coin, the Viiric;j!itt'il purplt' |ioitioiis of the .slifU hrlw^ iiiucli tlio most vidu!il)U'. Tbr "•reut lubor in jiri'ii;iriii<^ it, was the boriiij^', uiiich was elVected by a nharp Hint. Whni we <;oiisider tlie shjw nature of such a j)rocess, we can scareo credit the accounts given ol' th(! iinnicnsi' <(uantitics of wampum that were })rocured by tiie wliite colt)nists, wliiie it retained its value, in exehan;i:e for Munipean commodities, or which were exacted as tribute, in atonement for nutionul o Hen CCS. "The wompompeaguc," says Gookin, "is mailc princi- pally by the Block Islanders and Ji(jng Island Indians. I'jion the sandy flats anil shores of those coasts the wilk shells are Hnuid. With this womponqieagut; they pay tribute, redeem captives, satisfy for murders and other wrongs, purchase peace with theii' jjotcnt neighbors, as occasion reipiires; in a word, it smswers all occasions with them, as gold and silver dcth with us. They delight much in having and using knives, eond)S, scissors, hatchets, hoes, guns, needles, awls, looking-glasses and such like necessa- ries Avhieh they purchase of the Knglish and Dutch with their pcagne, and then sell them their peltry for their wompeague." The principal articles of food used by the aborigines of the present United States, were the ])roducts of the chase, lish, beans, some species of squashes and pumpkins, and maize or Indian Cqru. Wild rice, growing in rich wet land in the interior of tlio coimtry, furnished a wholesome and easily gathered supply of farinaceous food to the tribes of the tcm})erate portion of the United States. Shell fish were a very important addition to the resources of those who dwelt near the sea-coast, and in the interior, various 34 INDIAN EACES OF AMERICA. .'n>- delicions." lavc been although II which it n adduced that inimi- ro mingled ics. If the ■Ik, had at n-aeticable, cle of sub- ut entirely way. f the more GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 35 marked Indian traits and peculiarities, we will dismiss this portion of our subject; and, dealing no more in generalities, jn-oceed to take up the history of various tribes and nations, somewhat in the order of the dates of their first intercourse with Europeans. AVe need make no apology for tho omission of man}^ minor clans, or for avoiding that par- ticularity, in tho delineation of private character, v\diich belongs rather to biography than to general history. .-f t^•J,.^m•■]a^ ,.^ :;- If " ' '« If ^r^' 1 1 '■■ "111,' •hi AMERICAxN Ax\TIQUITIES. CIIAPTKU I. UNITED STATES TKKUITOIIY, ETC. "But what are. These, still standinnf in tlie midst? The Earth lias roeked heiieatii; the Tiiiiiuler-stoiio Passed thronirh and throtiirh, and left its traces tiiere, Yet still they stiind as by some Unknown Charter! Oh, they are Nature's own! and, as allied To the vast ilountaiiis and the eternal Sea, They want no written history; theirs a voiee For ever speakinir to the heart of ]\[anl" — 11(k;f.i:s. In tlic absence of any written record of tlio.se numerous races Avliicli formerly peopled tliis liemisi)liere, information must be sought in their monuments, and in the disinterred relics of their ancient m;inner of life. These, consideriiiir the almost unbroken wilderness which presented itself to the first white adventurers, are surjn-isingly numerous. They indicate the former existence of jiopidous nations, excelling in many of the arts of civilization, and capal)le, by their numbers and combination, of executing the most gigantic works for religion, ])ublic defence, and commem- oration of the dead. Such rcHcs, though, for the most piirl, not immediately pertaining to the history of the Indian ti'ibes, have su])})ortcd the conjectures advanced by Ilum- b(/ldt and other t'liiinent cobmogra])]iers, that these races are but the dwindled and degraded remains of once flourishing and poj)vdous nations. The retrograde process to which certain forms of incomplete civilization a})i)ear doomed, has .id )iie liere, ter! F.liS. ' numerous .formation Usinterrcd :>nsulei-ing ited itself numerous. IS mitions, d capable, If tlie most . commeni- 1 most i)nrV, tlie Indian 1 1 by llum- sc races are (lourisliiii.ij; ■(s to Avliirh oomed, luis AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 87 perliajis been most strikingly exemplified in the difference to be discovered between tlie feeble and scattered tribes of the red r:.je, and those powerful and populous com- munities who occupied the soil before them. The relics of the former people, usually discovered on or slightly beneath the surface of the ground, arc of a rude and simple character, differing little from the specimens common among their descendants of the prcseiit day. The flint arrow-head, chipped painfully into shape — the stone tomahawk, knife, and chisel — the pipe, the rude pot- tery and savage ornaments, are their only relics; and these diflbr but little from the same articles still fabricated by tucir successors. Except among the Esquimaux, who occasionally use stone, and who avail themselves of the arch and dome in the construction of their snow huts, nothing like regular architecture can be assigned to the late or modern tribes occupying this continent northward of Mexico. The Indian tumuli, or mounds of burial, are generally small and of p'mple construction. It has, however, been ration- ally supposed that the force of religious custom, surviving art and civilization, has preserved to the red tribes tliis characteristic method of their forefathers; and that the rude barrows, which they still erect, are but the puny and dwindled descendants of those mighty mounds and ter- raced pyramids which still rear their lieads from tin; isth- mus to th'^ lakes, and from the shores of Florida to the Mexican Cordilleras. The origin of these and of other unquestionably ancient remains, is to the antiquarian a question of the most lively and perplexing interest. Here, in unknown ages and for unknown periods, have existt'd wealth, ])ower, and civil- ization ; yet the remains by which these are indipated seem to furnish but a slight clue to the cpocli and hi.-story of their long-vanished constructors. Within the mounds and 38 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ■-■,;(" , IP • h ■'II'- r It" mural embankments scattered tlirongh a large portion of this country, arc found tlic remains of liigli meolianical and scientilic art. Pottery, the most fragile of man's works, 3'et almost indestructible by time, still remains in large quantities and in good preservation. In tlie com- position and ».«jloring of these articles, mucli chemical skill is evinced; wh'lo in many cases, their grace of forui and perfection of imisli rival tlie remains of Grecian or I'^rus- can art. Some of these ^ancient vessels arc of innnense size; one, disinterred from a Western mound, being eight- een feet in length by six in breadth. (Jlass beads of rare and elaborate construction have been Ibnnd; stone orna- ments, skilfully wrought, and brick, much resembling that in modern use, have been often discovered. Metallic ren^ains arc frequent. Copper, used both for weapons and for ornament, has often been found, and occa- sionally specimens, plated with silver, have been disinter- red. At an ancient mound in Marietta, a silver cup finely gilt on the inside, was exposed to view In' the wash- ing of a stream. It has been often questioned whether the use of iron was known to these aboriginal races; but except the occasional 2iresence of rust in the excavations, little has been ascertained with certainty— the perishable nature of that metal peculiarly exjiosmg it to the destroy- ing influence of time and dam})ness. Inscriptions upon rocks, mosdy of a hieroglyphic char- acter, f.re niimcrous; and on the walls of several caverns in the west, some extratjrdinary specimens may be seen. In the same gloomy receptacles have been found lunnbers of a species of mummy, most carefully pre[)ared, and beautifully covered with colored f(>ath(!rs, synunetrically arrangetL Stone colhns and liurial urns of great beauty have also been disinhumed from the Western mounds. Th lie AMElilCAN ANTIQUITIES. 89 Drtion of x'luvnical rf man's MuaiuB in tlic com- lieal skill form and or Etrus- immensG ing ciglit- 1h! of rare ;onc orna- escinbling I Loth for and occa- II disintov- silvcr cup ,• tluMvasli- (1 whether races; but sccavations, perishable he destroy- yphic cliar- ral caverns ay be seen. \(\ numbers 'panMl, and inmctrically reat beauty wiounds. MOUNDS AND FORTIFICATIONS. «* * * * An- tlii'y litTc — Tiie (k'iul of other d.iys? — And did the dust Of tlii'sc t':ur solitudes once stli' with life, And burn with passion? — Let tlie iniylity mounds That overiooli the rivers, or that rise In tile dim forest, crowded witii old oaks, Answer. A race that lonjr has passed away Built tliein: a diseiiilitu'd and ]iopulous raee Heaped, wilh long toil, the earth, while yet the Greek Was hewing the I'eiitelieus to forms Of symmetry, and rearing on its roek The glittering Parthenon. These ainpUt fields Nourished their harvests; here their herds were led, When haply by their stalls the bison lowed, And bowed his maned shoulder to the yoke." Bkyant. The mural remains, in the United States alone, are of almost incredible number, and of most imposing magnitude. It has been asserted by an accurate western antiquarian — "1 should iu)t exaggerate if I were to say that more than five thousajid might be fcnmd, some of them enelusing more than a hundred acres." The mounds and tumuli, he renuii-ks, are far more numerous. Professor Hannesipie asi'ei'tained the existence (>f more than live hinidred ant'ient monniniMils in Kentucky alone, and lliurteen hundred in other slates, mi>st of which he had personally examined. Tliese remains appear most numerous in the vicinity of the Mississip])i and its tributaries, and near the great lakes and the rivers which flow into tliein. A striking jiroof of their immense anticpiity is to be Cound in the fact that the latter stand upon the ancient margin of ihe lukes, from which, in some immemorial age, their waters are known to have receded. It is remarkable that these peculiar works of antiquity touch the ocean only in Florida at the southern extremity a' ■I ■iO INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA, ■v of the Atlantic coast; aivl ilu'ir iircater number and mag- nitude in the soutli ami west sei-ms to fortify the su])j)osi- tion tliat their founders came originalfy from Mexico, and were, ijerhajDS, a people identical with the builders of Cho- lula and Teotihuacan. The extent of some of those works is extraordinary. In New York, (where at least a hundred of theni have been survej'cd) in the county of Onondaga, formerly existed the remains of a fortilieation enclosing more than five hundred acres. Three ciivular forts, disposed as a trian- gle, and situated about eight miles distant from each other, served as its outwjrks. In many of these fortilied places, considerable military skill is evinced; angles, bastions, and curtains, being frequently tniceablc. "Though much defaced by tiiUe," says a traveller, of the entrenchments near lake Pei)in, "every angle was distinguishable, and n[ipeared as regvdar, and fashioned Avitli as much military skill, as if jilanncd l>y Vauban himself" Some of the most remarkable of tliese works have been discovered "i Georgia. On the banks of the Little River, near Wrigh ftorough, are found the renmantfi of "a stu- pendous conical pyramid, vast tetragon terraces, and a larfc sunken oi excavated area of a cubical form, encom- passed with banks of earth, anssive I'aces, and the most ven- erable antiquity seems attached to the forest-covered mounds of the West. Mr. Bra(ll(jrd, in his interes;." ,' Researches into the Ori- gin of the lied liace, (from wmch many of the foregoing * Many others ot'crroat sizis varyiiif^ s(miL'\vl;:»t in f()rm,yetull evincing a striding similarity in construction, might lie ili scribed. J m AMKinCAN ANTIQUITIES. 43 ;a mirrors .re among i lavc boon ten found nty, Ohio, •ntu'i^ was roiid; ami cs various Micy were ' tlie earth. ;<; uuiiilu'r (Is toward the circuit ,y mounds, iicrly oi'cu- 1 1 iiiiu'ty feet jj lice. It is liich these || liave been J onal exist- Ill to iiidi- struetures f >rs of these . south-west- ' '1 j)r(ji)al)ly j most veu- j ■e.. "Tiiat they possessed a decided system of rehgion, and a mythology connected with astronomy, Avhich, Avith its sister science, geometry, was in the hands of the pric'-Uiood. 10. "That they were skilled in the art of fortification. 11. "That the epoch of their original settlement, in the United States, is of great antiquity; and. Lastly, "That the only indications of their origin, to be gathered from the locality of their ruined monuments, point toward Mexico." tf^^l u INDIAN RACES OF AMKHICA. CHAPTER II. ANTUIUITIES OF MKXICO, ETC. "Tlii'V >*1mii(1 Ix'twi'cii till' moimtiiins and the sea; Awful iiit'iiKirials, Imt of wliimi we know not! — Tinii! WMs tlicy stood idonf^ tlio, crowded street, lVnij)le.s of (Joils!" — RotiKUS. Tiii<: Sontli-wostorn rogions of Nortli Antorio.'i prosiMit a most extensive and interestingiieldfbr antiijuariaii researeli. Tlic long-continued existence of powei'ful, civili/ed, and po])iilous races is fully pi'ovcd by the occurrence of almost innumerable ruins and national relies. Kven in tlu' six- teenth century, tlie S})anisli invaders found these re.Lfions in the possession of a highly-])r(jsjKM'ous and ])artiall_v civilized people. Government and social institutions were upon that lirm and well-denned l>asis wliieli betokcnrd long continuance and strong national sentiment. Jn many of the arts and sciences, the subjugated races Avere equal, and in others superior, to their Christian conquerors. Their public ediliees and internal improvements were on as high a scale, and of as scientilic a character, as those of most European nations of the day. The fanatical zeal of Cortex and his successors destroyed invaluable records of their history and nationality; and many of their most sjjlendid ediliees fell beflire the ravages of war and bigotry; yet numerous structures still exist, though in ruins, attesting the art and industry of their founders. iVramids, in great numbers, still rear their terraced and truncated surliutes through tlie land, in the first fury of the conquest, the great Teoealli, or Temple of the city of ^lexico, was levelled to the ground, and weeati only learn by the deseri])tion of its destroyers, with what pDHip and ceremony the Mexicans celebrated on its •.■i i )■ 48 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKIllt'A. of Znpotoca, oc'ciii' spiviincnH of an liitooture of llio moat iii)l)osiM<( clinniclcr. Six ])()r|iliyry coliiiniis, each nine- toon foot in liciirlit, and of a siii<,'lo stoiio, doooralod tlio intfrioi- of the |)iiiicip;il ItuiMiii;^'. Klaborato Mosaii; work ami illiisliMtivc |)aintiii;xs abound, strongly rosoinbliiig aoino of the chissicid aiiti(|iiiti('s. Tlio ruins of l'aloii([iio, in ('liia|»a, aro among tlio most oxtt'iisivo and romarkablo. Hero formorly stood a groat oity, tlio i'('iii:iiiis (if wliioli oan bo traced, it is said, over u space six or seven leagues in cii'cunifcrcnce. ^luch elab- orate scu]]itinv, oNliiliiting curious liistorioal rolieis, is dis- covered in tlu' forsaken apartnients of tlic ancient jialacos and temples. Tliese I'cprc^scnt human sacrilii'cs, dances, devotion, and other national eustotns. The richly-i'arved ligure of a ci'oss excites sui'priso and Sjioculation— the same eiiibleiii having becMi discovered olsowhore, as well as .,1 Xoi'tliern America. ^^any surprising remains, both of erection and oxcava- ti(m, aro to be found near Villa Xueva, in the ])rovinc(; of y^acati'cas. A rocky mountain has been cut into terraces, and extensive ruins of pyramids, causeways, rpiadrangu- lar ciiclosui'cs, and massive; walls are still standing. At Copan, in Honduras, among many other reinai'kablc works, aro found numerous stoni; obelisks, of little height, covered with hieroglyphical representations. The I'clics of a fantastic idolatry aro frequent. "Monstrous tigures aro found amongst the ruins; one represents the colossal head of an alligator, having in its jaws a figure witli a human face, but the paws of an animal; anotlier monster has the ajipoarance of a gigantic toad in an erect j)oa- turo, with human arms and tiger's claws." At the time of the Sjianish conquest, Copan was still a large and popu- lous city. It is now ut1(U'ly deserted. The extensive ruins of Uxmal or Ttzlan, in Yucatan, liavc boon, ever since the memory of man, overgrown with AMKUU'AN ANTHjIITIKS. 47 f tlio moat racli iiiiio- ;'()nitc'(l the losii'u! work rcsi'inbliug ! I \if tilt' most Odd a 'Mvat ' siiiil, over a \ ^fui'h clal)- I'liol's, is dis' •ii'iil ]talae('S ices, (laiici'S, iclilyfiirvcd Illation — tln^ here, as well and exeava- |)rovinee of into terraees, , f|nadrangu- idinjr. r r(Miiai'lle little li('i,Ldit, 'Vhc relies ;trons iiii'iires tlie eolossal fiLrure Avitli a tlier monster m ereet poa- U the time of re and popu- I in Yucatan, ergrown with an ancient forest. At this place is a large court, jnived entirelv with tlic figures of tortoises, beautifully carved in relief. 'I'liis carious pavement consists of more than foi'ty-thrcc thousand of these reptiles, mueli worn, though cut uptni very iiard .st(Mie. A large jiyramid and temple ari^ still standing, containing some elegant statues, and, it is supposed, the re[)resentatioii of the elephant. (Ireat matlu'iuatical accuracy and adhesion to the cardinal points distingui.sh the relics of this city. Many other extraordinary remains might be cited. The works of the Mexican nation, such as it was found by the Spaniards, were of a massive and enduring character. K'xtensive walls, designed for a dt>fenco nuaiust foreign enemies; large public granaries and baths, with admir- able roads and arpieducts, evinced a degree of ])o\ver and enlightenment to which the colored races have sel(h)m attaitied. Scidpture and elaborate carving were favorite occupa- tions ot' the ^[exieans, as well as of tlieir forefathers, or the races which i)receded them. The famous Stone of Sacrifice, the Calendar of ^fontezuma, and the hideous idol Teoyamiqiie, all still preserved, attest the grot(>si[ue- ness and elaborate fancy of their designs. The latter image, as described by a traveller, "is hewn out of one solid bl ick of basalt, nine feet high. Its outlines give an idea of a deformed human figure, uniting all that is ter- rible in the tiger and rattl(>-snake. Instead of arms, it is su])plieil with two ]arg\> serpents, and its dra}iery is com- posed of wreathed snakes, interwoven in the most disgust- ing manner, and the sides terminating in the wings of a vulture. Jts feet are those of a tiger, and between them lies the head of another rattle-snake, which seems descend- ing from the body of the idol. For decorations, it has a large nc' vlaco composed of human hearts, hands and skulls, and it has evidently been painted originally in !l" \i^ h r;l >,")'(' i Mb^ ■I 48 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ' ,,ili' natin-al colors." Oilier iigurcs of tlie deified rattle-snake have been discovered. Great skill existed in the art of pottery, and many ves- sels of exquisite design and iinish have been disinterred. The hieroglyphic: 1 paintings and inanuscri})ts of the Mexicans were, "vvith. few exceptions, destroyed by their fanatical conquerors. Some clioice specimens, however, still exist, jH'incipally exliibithig the migrations of tlie Aztecs, their wars, their religious ceremonies, and the genealogy of tlieir sovereigns. Almanacs and other cal- ens. Other nations, in their vicinity, of whose history we are ignorant, also possessed a considerable share of power and imlcpendent government. Tlie antiquities of these regions, so similar to those of the Xorthcru continent, appear to jirove a similaritv of origin in their founders. Very numerous mounds occur, some of them two hundred feet in height, and containing relics of Ihe dead. Urns of fine construction, and human 1 odios interred in a sitting posture have been excavated. Embalming has evidently been extensivelv practised, and in many instances the arid nature of the soil, without this prccaiition, has preserved the bodies of its ancient inhabit- :ants. Caverns appear to have been freqnentlv ad()pt(>d as cemeteries. In one of these, six hundred skel(>tons were found, bent double, and rejrularlv ari'anged in bask- ets. Stone tombs, of a very massive ('(instruction, have also been disinhumeil. In these mounds and graves are found a gr(\it variety of ancient implements, of gold, copper, and sto?u\ Exqui- site carvings in stone, and jewels evincing great skill in 4 50 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. the lapidaiy, have been discovered. The idols of gold and copper are often of singular construction, being foruied of tliiii plates of metal liamniered into their resjieetive shapes, without a single seam. Stone mirrors and vases of marble, weapons, domestie utensils, cotton cloth of fine texture, and the im})lements of ancient mining, have also been frequently brought to light. The system of ancient agriculture and of artificial irri- gation ap^iears to have been extremely ingenious, and well adapted to the nature of the soil and cliiuile, reminding ns strongly of the Chinese industry in Ll^loting similar objects. The steepest mountains were laitl out in terraces, anads and causeways laid out by tins aiicient ]>eople, may justly compece with the most celebrated woi'ks of the same kind in the old world. Their Cyclopean an hi- teeture, and the ingenuity with which the greatest natural dlfliculties have been overcome, excite the as(Hl only of hard cned copper. Of this material, their wea})ons, often of exquisite manufacture, were composed. Far to tlie north- ward, beyond the dominion of the Incas, inscriptions and figures may be found sculptured on the rocks. "(,)n the banks of the Orinoco and in various parts of Guiana, there are rude figures traced upon granite and other liard stones, some of them, like tlios(! in the I'nited Shites, cut at an immense height upon the face of perpendicular rocks. They re])resent the sim and moon, tigers, ci'ocodiles and snakes, and oci-a.'^ionally they appear to be hicroglyphical figures and I'cgular cliaracters." The surprising number of these ruins and I'clics, and the great st)ace over which they extend indicate the (>.\ist- ence, fur many ages, of a people possessing all the powci which regular govermiuMit, settled institiilions, and national character can give. "In examining," says .Mr. lii'adlord, "the line of civilization, as indicated at j)rcseiit by these ancient remains, wliieh is found to commence on the plain.s of Varinas, and to extend thence to tlie ruins of the stone edifices, which were observed about the niiddle of tlie last century, on the road over the vViidcs, in the pi'ovince of C'ujo, in Chili, or to the road described by th(> .b suit Imonsff, or to tlu; ancient aqueducts upon tlu; l)anks of the river Maypocho, insoutli latitude thirty-three degrees, ei.Kteen minutes; wo are surprised to discover a continuous, unbroken chain of thesi> replies of alioi'iginal civili/.ation. l;ev(>rting to the e})ocli ol' their construction, W(> nvo. pre- si nte.d with tln' astonishing spe(!ta(;le of a great raet^ cid- tivatiiig the earth, and possi'ssing jnany of the ai'ts dilbised ;k, exceed- lictacy, still t is coiisid- inluil)ituntri ly ol' litird s, often of I the nortli- iptions and , "On the liana, there lard stones, s, cnt at an ular n)cks. codiK's and ■ r(\!j,-ly[)hi('al I'dics, and l«' the exist- I the |Hi\vei md iiiitioiial r, P.radl'oi'd, it by th(^se II the plains )(■ the stone '. of till" last lilMN illCC ul tll(> .hsuit If hanks of \vc degrees, .continuous, eivili/ation. \vt> are i>re- 'at raee eul- arts dilViised AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 53 at an early period throngh an immense territory, three thonsand miles in extent. Even up to the tim.e of the diseover\r, most of this vast region was occupied by pop- ulous tribes, who were dependent upon agricixlture for subsistence, were clothed, and in the enjoymetit of regular systems of religion, and their own peculiar forms of gov- ernmei:t. From conquest, and various causes, some sov- ereignties had increased more rapidly than others; but still, whether we are guided by the testimony of the Span- ish invaders, or by the internal evidence yet existent in the ancient ruins, it is impossible not to trace, alike in their manners, customs, and physical aiipearance, and in the general siinilitTide observable in the character of their monuments, that they were all luembers of the same fam- ily of the human race, and probably of identical origin." THE ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. CHAPTER I. GENERAL REMARKS EXPEPITION OF GRIJALVA HERNANDO CORTEZ. "* * » The Racfi of Yore; How are they blotted from the things iliat be!" Scott. The kingdoms of New Sjiain, as Central America and tlie adjoining country were tirst called, presented a for dif- ferent aspect, wlien first discovered by Europeans, i'rom that of the vast and inhospitable wilderness at the North and East. Instead of an unln-oken forest, thiidy itdiabited by roving savages, here were seen large and well-built cities, a people of gentler mood and more refined manners, and an advancement in the useful arts which removed the inhabitants as far fi-cm their rude neighbors, in the scale of civilization, as they themselves Avere excelled by the nations of Europe. When first discovered and explored by Europeans, Mex- ico was a kingdom of gi'cat extent and power. Monte- zuma, chronicled as the eleventh, in regular succession, of the Aztec rnonarclis, lield supreme authority. His domin- ions extended fi'om near the isthmus of Darien, to the undefined country of the Ottomies and Chichimccas, rude nations living in a barbarous state among the mountains of the North. Ilis name signified "the surly (or grave) Prince," a title justified by the solemn and ceremonious homage which he constantly exacted. ]0. A — e!' merica and ;ed a far dif- pcans, iix^m it the North ly inhabited (1 well-built ed manners, removed the in the scale elled by the jpeans, Mex- rer. Monte- ucce?sion, of His domin- :vrien, to the iimecas, rude le mountains ■ly (or grave) ceremonious f'^^H ' Juiin and B 1 aticl 1 1 i T A in t'l j <';iiis( j civil Ana ' that the ii rt'li,<>'i| itantJ the f| ive (1 tlie \1 su/Ii(' ABORIOINKS OF MEXICO. 55 When the Sptviiiards first appeared on tlie coast, the natural terror excited by such unlieard-of conquerors was infinitely heightened by divers portents and omens, which the magicians and neei'omaneers of the king construed as warnings of great and disastrous revolutions. This occa- sioned that strange, weak, and vacillating polie}', wliieh, as we shall lunvafter see, he adopted towards Cortcz, Comets, coullagrations, ovei'llows, monsters, dreams, and visions, were constantly brought to the notice of the royal council, and inferences were drawn therefrom as to the wisest course to be pursued. The national character, religion and customs of the Mex- icans jjresented stranger anomalies than have ever been witnessed in anv nation on the earth. Thev entertained abstract ideas of right and wrong, with systems of ethics and social jn'oprieties, which, for truth and purity, com- jiare favorably witli the most enlightened doctrines of civ- ilized nations, while, at the same time, the custom of human sacrifice was carried to a scarcely credible extent, and accompanied by circumstances of cruelty, filthiness and cannibalism, more loathsome than ever elsewhere disgraced the most barbarous of nations. A vast amount of labor and research has been expended in ellbrts to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion as to the causes which led to the Mexican superiority in the arts of civilization over the other inhabitants of the New World. Analogies, so stiMgas to leave little doubt upon the mind that they must be more than coincidences, were Ibund, on the lirst discovery of the country, between the traditions, religious exercises, sculpture, and language of the iiihab- itants of Central America, and those of various nations in tlie 01(1 World. Notwithstanding this, the great distinct- ive dirterenee in the bodily conformation of all natives of tlie Western Continent, from the people of the East, proves suificiently that, previous to the Spanish discoveries, tlie m ivt fM "^ I- 6b INDIAN RACES OK AMJCIilCA. timo clapscMl sinoc any direct coininuiiiralion could hrivo fxistcd between the two, niut^t liuve been wry <,a'eat. '^J'lic obvious aii(i(|uity ol' the areliiteelural vemains carries us back to a most reiaoto era: sonio maintain th.it pf)rtions of tlieso must have been standin;^ lor as many centiiiies as the great pyramids of Kgypt, while others refer them to a much later origin. The jjcrnicious habit of lirst adopting a theory, and then searching for such facts only as tend to Pii[)port it, "was never more forcibly exenijililied than in the variant hy])othescs as to the origin of Mexican el vili/ation. The valley and country of Anahnac, or Mexico, was Siicccssivcly peopled, according to traditioii and the evi- dence of ancient hieroglyphics, by the Toltecs, the Clii- chimecas, and the Xahuatlacas, of which last-mentione(I people, the 7\/tecs, who iinally obtaiiicd the ascendancy, formed the princi})al tribe. Thesi; immigrations wei'e from Homc indeterminate region at the noi'lh, and appear to have been the result of a gradual ])rogression southwiird, as traces of the j'jccnliar architectural structures of the ^Nfex'can nations are to be found str(>tching' throughout the country l)etwecn the l^ielcy Mountains and the sea, as iiir north as the (ula and Colorado, The ]H'rio(ls of these several arrivals in Anahnac are set down as follows. That of the Toltecs. about the mid- dle of the seventh century, and of the rude Chichimeeas the year 1070. The Nahuatlacas conunenced their migra- tions about 1170, and the A/.tecs, separating themselves from the rest of the nation, founded the ancient city of Mexico in the year 1325. The talc of cruelties, oppressions, and wholesale destruc- tion att(!ndant ujion the S])anish invasion and concpicst, is a long one, and can be here but briefly epitomized; but enough will be given to leave, as far as practicable, a ju.st impression of the real condition of these primitive nations, and the more marked outlines of their history. 1(1 liavo X. 'J'lic irrics us portions jcnturios them to uloptiiig ^ tt'iid to ;iii ill tlie ili/ation. :ic(), NViis the ovi- tin; Chi- KMitioiied (■ndiiiu'V, /ri'c fruiii ipjxMr to iitliwiinl, s of tlio i-1i()\i1 the H'ii, as i'ar hnae arc llie iiiid- chiniecas •ii' iiiiii'ra- lemselves it city of V. (h\struc- COlKJUCSt, li/.ed; but l)le, a just -c nations, m mi m I I HUM A.N OlIKilNAr, "(IRTRAIT HV TrTIAN. was witli tiio "si t] KMl ABOUIUINKS oy MKXICO, 67 In the early [lart of tlie sixteenth century, the enstern sliore of Mfxic'o and Central Amcriru had lu'cii t'X|ili»rc'd by S|>anisli navi^atorH; and Vasoo Is'n^iiez dc Balboa, led by tlie ordinary attraction— talrs of a eonntry ricii in ^'old and silver — had, in Sei)tend)er, IHiy, crossed tlie i.stlnnns t(j the great and unknown ocean of the West. 'J'lie con- dition and character of the natives was but litth; noticed by these early c.\])lo re I's, and no motives of i)oli(;3Mn' luunan- ity restrained tlieni from ti'eating tliose they met as eaprico or fanaticism might dictate. Balboa is indeed .si)oken of as inclined to more huuKine courses in his intercourse with the natives than many of his contempc^raries, but even he showed himself by no means scrn])nlous in the means by which he foreeil his way through the country, and levied contributions njion the native chiefs. The mind of the Si)ani.sli nation was at last arovLsed and inflamed by accounts of the wealth and power of the great country open to ad, and Grijalva returned to Cuba, carrying with him many samples of native ingenuity, and of the wealth of the country, in the shape of rude figures of lizards, birds, and other trilks, wrought in gold imperfectly refined. The Cuban governor, Velasquez, determined to pursue discoveries and conquest at the west, and appointed ITer- nando Cortez, a Spanish cavalier, resident upon the island, to command the new expedition. That the reader may judge what strange contradictions may exist in the char- acter of the same individual; how generosity and cu])id- it}^, mildness and ferocity; cruelty and kindness, may bo 4 was ing mail Vv< ern cd uuin Ilava weig briga are t sixtee an ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 39 Prince of they lieard attention," | reposal to j! I them was i } to inquire li they loved | coast, Gri- thc Span- Qall island j )aroiis reli- | Lime and j nire, and a i I r the Steps , I of six or j and their westward, irds named ii, they were v:is tliat these el, or that the leh Sliape; so s figure, was Icstruction of )pay attcutiou ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 61 ■ IS to the teachings which were so carncstly"'imprcsscd upon them by the strangers, and appeared to hold the symbols of their w(n'sliip in some veneration, offering incense before them, as erstwhile to the idols. Cortcz heard one of the Indians make many attempts to pronounce the word Castilla, and, his attention being attract(>d by the circumstance, he pursued his inquiries until he ascertained that two Spaniards were living among the Indians on the main. lie immediately used great diligence co ransom and restore them to liberty, and succeeded in the case of one of them, named Jeronimo de Aguilar, who occupies tin import- ant place in the subsequent details of adventure. Tlie other, one Alonzo Guerrero, having married a wife among the Indians, pivfei-ri-d to remain in his present condition. He said to his companion: "Brotlier Aguilar, I am mar- ritvl, aiul have three sons, and am a Cacique and ca})tain in the wars; go you in Ciod's name; my face is marked, and my ears bored; what would those Spaniards think of me if I wont among tlu'in?" Do Solis says of this man that his natural affection was hut a pretence "why he would not abandon those dejilor- able Conveniences, which, with liim weigluMl more than Honour or Religion. We do not fuid that anv other Spaniard, in the whol(> Course of these Conquests, com- mitted the like Crime; nt)r was the name of this Wretch worthy to be remendjered in this History: 15ut, being found in the writings of others, it could not be eoncenled; and his I'lvanqile serves to show us tlie Weakm-ss of Nature, and into Avhat an Abyss of ^lisery a man may fall, wlien God has abandon'd him." Poor Aguilar had been eight years a captive: latooed, jieai'ly naked, and browned by sun, he was scan-o distin- guishable from his Indiun companions, and the onlv Cas- tilian words which he was at (irst al)le to recall were "Dios M,H;odies of Imlians, in canoe.'", and on both banks, Avhose outcries were interpreted by Aguilar to be expressions of hostility and (li'iiance. Night came on before any attack was made on cilher side. Next morning, the armament recom- menced its })rogress, in the foi'in of a crescent: the men, protected as well as ]K)ssible l)y their shields antl ((nilted mail. Were ordered to keeji siliMice, and oiler no violence until ordered. Aguilar, who undei'stood the language of these Indians, was connaissioned to exjilain the friendly purposes of his eom])anions, and to warn tlie natives of tl le conseiiuenees that would resu lit fn m: their opposition Th • In.l lans, Av ith siirns of yreat fiirv and violence, refused to listen t( iim. or to grant jiermissioii to the l^paniards to supply themselves with wood and wa'cr. '^i'he eii;i:agement conmienced bv a shower of arrow;, from the canoes on the riv er, aijii an iiMnn'tise mn Ititiak ojjposed the landing of the ti'ot)ps. Numbers and bravery could not, however, avail against the European skill and imj)lements of warfare. Those in the canoes were easily iL iiii poweij and sj cliorejl I sertedf Taliasi He exl whosel abusecj of tl lei ,11' ■I I!; ""^w. '*!Si, of liis old er tbe tat- ;r. -wrecked le muu\)eT, litiease and f the coiin- rc occasion in escaping I ov the liver j Utrch, 151.9. 1 c boats and .^ft at anchor L the stream. oTcat bodies luse outcries .s of liostility vk was made iiKMit rcconi- nt: the men, :4 and quihed r no Yii)lenee ij hmguage of ihe iVienilly lie natives of 'ir oppt^silion. )leuce, refused the Spaniards vver of arrowb use multitude >rs and bravery ipean skill ami oes were easily ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 63 driven off, and, notwithstanding the. difTicultics of a wet and marshy shore, where thousands of the cneniy lay v^on- cealed to spring upon them unawares, the Spanish forces made their way to the to^\'n of Tabasco, driving tlie In- dians into the fortress, or dispensing them in the forest. Tabasco was protected in the ordinary Indian style, by strong palisades of trees, a narrow and crooked entrance being left. Cortez immediately attacked the town, and, by firing through the palisades, his troops soon drove in the bow- men who were defending them, and after a time, got coin- l)lete jiossession. The town was obstinately defended, even after the Span- iards had ellectcd an entrance. Tlie enemy retreated be- hind a second barricade, " fronting " the troops, "valiantly wliistling and shouting 'al ealachioni,' or 'kill tlie cap- tain.'" They were linally overpowered, and fled to tiie woods. CHAPTER II. GREAT BATTLES WITH THE NATIVES — CONCILIATOnV INTEncoUKSE — DONNA MAUINA. Hitherto a blind superstition, by wliich supernatural powers were ascribed to the whites, had quelled the vigoi and spirit of the Indians, but an iutcipreter named Mel- cliorejo, whom Corteii liad brought over fron. Cuba, de- serted from the Spaniards during the first night spent in Tabasco, and urged the natives to another engagement. He ex])lain(Ml the real nature of the mysterious weajions wli(«ellash and thunder had creatxMl such terror, and dis- abused the simple savages of the ideas entertained by them of the in\ulnerablo nature of their foes. They proved in Pn "'^ i 64 INDIAN KaCES of AMERICA. tlio subsequent battles much more dangeror.s opponents tliau before. The narrator mentions, with no little satis- fiietion, the fate of this deserter. His new allies, it seems, "being vanquished a second lime, revenged themselves on the adviser of the war, by making him a miscra jle sacri- liee to their idols." All was as still, upon the succeeding day, as if the coun- liy was abandoned by its inhabitants, but a party of one hundred men, on a scout, was suddenly surrounded and attacked by such hordes of the enemy, that they mJght have l)een cut ofl'from sheer fatigue, but for another coui- ])any which came to their assistance. As the Spaniards ondeavored to retreat to the camp, the Indians would itish i;[)()n tlicui in full force, " wlio, immediately u]i<)n their facing about, got out of their reach, retiring with tlie same swiftness that thev were attacked; the motions of this great multitude of barbarians from one side to another, resembling the rolling of the sea, whoso waves are driven back bv the wind." Two of the S]ianirrds were killes wei-e brought on shore, and care Avas taken tc; icstorc! their animation, subdued by confinement on board shij). As soon as day broke. Mass was said, and the little army was put in motion to advance u[)on the enemy, '^riiey were discovered marshalled on the vast plain of Cintia, in such numbers that it was impossibh; to compute them, They exteiuled so far, says Solis, "that the sight could not reach to sec the end of them." The Indian warriors were painted and plumed, their arms were bows and arrows, WOUlJ of dcj and ,s| Lo{i underf field (I pponcnts ttlc satis- it seems, irielves on i)lc sacri- tlie coun- rty of one indcd and jl hey m^'j\^t other coui- Spaniards iipon their thtiiesanio, ; oiis of tliis to another, s are driven en -wounded lyin<;5 dead Vroin these (fathered to I,. lit phdined ic most dili- vcvehronalit r [uiimation, u! httle army u-uiy. They liu of Cintia, .mpnte them. ,rlit eouhl not warriors were iind arrows, ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 65 slings, darts, chibs armed with sharj) flints, and heavy wooden swords. The bodies of the IcadeT-s were protected by quilted coats of eott- n, and they bore .sliields of tor- toise-shell or wood, mounted, in some instances, with gold. To the sound of rude drums, and tlie blast of sea-shells and large flutes, the vast crowd fell furiously upon the Spaniards, and although checked by their more eflieient weapons, only retired to a convenient distance for hurling stones and discharging arrows. The field-pieces mowed them down by hundreds, but concealing the havoc by rais- ing clouds of (lust, and closing up their ranks with shouts of "ala — lala"' (the precise sound of the Turkish war-cry, viz: a constant rcpgi-ition of tlic word Allah), they held their gvotind with the most determined courage. The little handful of cavalry, which, led by Cortcz in pei-son, had made a detour to avcjid a marsh, now fell upon the Indians iVom a new quarter, and, riding through and through tiic crowded mass of savages, so bewildered and anui/ed them, that they fled in dismay. No such animal as tiie horse had ever before been seen by them: they t()ok the monsters, says D\t\z, for centaurs, supposing the horse and his rider to be one. On the field of battle^ as tiie conquerors passed over it, lay more; than eight hundrc-d dead or des])crately wounded. l)Ut two of llie Spaniards were killed, although seventy of tlieir inmd)er were wounded at the first rush of the barbarians. The vi(!tors having rendered thanks "to God and to our Lady, his blessed Mother," for tlieir success, dressed their wounds, and those of the invaluable horses, witli the fat of dead Indians, and retired to refresh themselves by food and sleep. Lopez de Gomara affirms that one of the holy a])Ostles, under the form of Francisco de Morla, appeared ii])ont!ie field during this bloody engagement, and turned the scale 5 i ' 1 ;iJ ir'l "»SlK I $ I! 0, 68 INDIAN RACES OF AMKKICA. of victory. Diaz says: "Tt rni^lit be the cfise, and I, sin- ner JUS I jun, was not jjerniilted t(j see it. Wliat 1 did see wixa Francisco de Moi-la, in company with Cortez and the rest poll a " csnat horse — But althou<^di I, unworthy sin- ner ■;:•■, ' ii, wii.^ unlit to behohl eitlier of those holy apos^U..,-, uj vw,,.ds of four liundred of us were present; let their tc-''. •.oay be taken," JIc adds, that he never heard of the incident ii, ' he read of it in Cioniara's history. Several prisoners were taken in tliis battle, among them two who appeared to be of t'^ perior rank. These were dismissed with presents and favors, to carry proixtsals of ]icace to their friends. The result was highly satisfactory: lifteen slaves, with blaekene(l faces und ragged attire "in token of contrition," carnc bi'inging ollerings. Permission was given to bury and burn the bodies of those who li'll in the terrible slaughter, that they might not bi- devoured by wild beasts ("Jjyons and Tygers" according to 'Maz). 'J'his duty accomplished, ten of tlie caciques and jtriiu-ipal men made their appearance, chul in robes of state, and expressed desire for peace, excusing their hostility, as the result of bad advice ironi their neighbors and the persua- .sion of the renegade whom they hail sacrificed. Corlcv. took })ains to impress them with ideas of his power and the greatness of the monarch he served ; lie ordered the artillery to be di.^charged, and one of the mo.st sjtiritcd of the horses to be brought into the reception-room : " it being so contrived that he should show himself to the greatest advantage, liis apparent fierceness, and his action, struck the natives with awe." Many more chiefs cainc in on the following day, bring- ing the usual presents of little goM tignres, th(> material of wliich came, they said, fn.an "Culchua," and ironi "Mex- ico," words not yet familiar to the ears of the Spaniards. Twenty women were, moreover, offered as j)re.sents, and gladly received by Cortez, who bestowed one upon each I .n«l I, sin- , , I (lid sec j 7. and the j rortliy sin- ' iUose luAy resent; let over heard history, nong them rhcse wore iroi^uMvls of ;alis(iU'U>ry. d attire "in Permission ose wlio I't'ii he devoured njr to 'Muz). ,11(1 prineipnl )f state, and utility, us the 1 tlie jiersmi- eed. (NTtez s power uud ordered the ist si'irited of )in: "it being ) tl>e greatest aetion, struck jT duy, l)ving- tlie material llrom"Mcx- ,0 j^paniurds. presents, aim no upon each ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 67 of Ills oflTiccrs. Tliey were all duly hapti/ed, and liad the ])leasure of listenin<5toa discourse upon the mysteries of his faith, delivered for their esj)ecial beuelit hy Fatlier llartholoTucw, the sj)iritutd guide of the invaders. Know- ing nothing of the lanj^'aago, and having no competent inttM'preter, it probably made no very vivid iinjm'ssion, l)ut these captives were set down as the first Ciiristian women of the country. Among them was one young woman of rcmarkaljle beauty and intelligence, whom the Spaniards christened Marina. Slio was said to be of royal parentage, but, fronv ]iarental cruelty, or the fortunes of war, had l)eeu held in slaverv at a settlement on the borders of Yucatan, where a Mexican fort Avas established, and afterwards fell into the hands of the Tabasean cacique. Slie .spoke both the Mexican languuge, and that common to Yucatan and Taba.sco, so that Cortez was able, by means of her and Aguilar, to communicate with the inhabitants of the interior, through a double interpretation, until Marina had mastered the Spani.sh tongue. She accompanied Cortez throughout his eventful career in Mexico, and had a .son by him, who was made, says Soli.s, "a Knight of St, Jago, in consideration of the Nobility of liis brother's birth.'' liefore this coimeetion she had been bestowed by the com- mander upon one Alonzo Puerto Carrero, until his depart- ure for Castile. • '^ 68 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKHICA. CIIAl'TEU III. COMMUNICATIONS WIT>I TIIK MF.XICAN i:?IPEROR — THE ZKMl'O ALLANS AM) QUIAVISTLANS. "TIkih too (lost purfTo from r;irtli its liorrihl'.' And old idoliitrits; — t'roiii tlii'ir pnmd laiioB Eiii'h to Ills ifriive tlicir i)n,'sts jro out, till iioiiu Is left to ti'iu'li their worsliipl' ]5i:vant's llijnv. lo l)i',ilh. BKl''OltK liis (Icpiirtnre from Tiiljasco, Cortcz ami liis ])iiest inatle strenuous oflorts to c>\i)laiii the principles of liis religion to the chiefs autl their ])e()j»le. This, iiuleed, seems really to have been a purpose ni)permost in his heart throughout th.o whole of liis bloody camjtaign; but, as may well be supi)osed, the subject was too abstrat't, too novel, and too little ca])able of pr(.)ols which a]tp(\d to the senses and inclinations, to meet with much favor. "They only complied," says Solis, "as men that were subdued, being more inclined to leceive another (Jod than to part witli any of their own. They hearkeiieil with j)leasure, and seemed desirous to comjjrehend what they heard: but reason was no sooner admitted by the will than it was rejected by the uiKh'rstanding." They acknowledged that "this must, indeed, Ijc a gri'ut G(^d, to whom such valiant men show so much respect." i-'rom the river Tabasco the fleet saileil direct for San Juan de L'lua, where they were no sooner moored than two large ])iraguas with a number of Indians on board came boldly alongside. By the interpretation ol'^rarina, Corte/ learned that these came in behalf of Pitalpito(pie and Tendilc, Governor and Captain of tlic district, under Montejcuma, to in(piire as U) his purposes, and to make offers of friendshi]) and lussistancc. The messengers were f' -THE hath. Ills, iiulced, I lost in his paign; l)ut> j abstract, too pneal to the or. "TUey •e suh(hu'nt, a crimson velvet cap, with a gold nu'fjiil upon it, some ornaments of cut glass, and a chair of tapestry. Pitalpito((ne now settled himself, with a trrent eoTnf)any of his jK'opli', in a temporary collection of huts, built in the innn(vliate vicinity of the Spanish camji, while ']\\n- dile attended to the delivery of the message to his mon- arch. Diaz says that ]u\ went to the royal court, at the city of Mexico, in pei'son, being renowned for liis swift- ness of II>ot; but tlie more probubU; account is that he availed liimself of a regular system of couriers, cstal)lished over the more important routes througlmut tlu; empire. However this may be, an answer wa.s rcturne(l in seven day.s' time, the distance bi-tween Mc^xieo and San -luan being sixty leagues, by the shortest road. With the in(\ssenger returned a great ollicer of the court, named Quintalbor. who bore a ino,-;t striking resem- blance to forte/, and oih' huiidn-d dther lhili;ms, loadeil with gifts lor the Spaiiianls. J-iscorted by 'rendile, tlie cndiassy arrived at the camp, and, aftiM' perf()rming the usual cercMuony of solemn salutations, by burning incense. Sec, the Mexieiui lords I'aused mats to be spreail, and dis- played the gorgeous j^rescnts they had brought. These consisted of beautifully wo\'en coMon cloths; ornamental work in feathers, so skilfiillv exeeuleil that the figures I'cpresented had all the eil'ect of a juiinting; a quantity of gold in its rough state; images wrought or cast in gold of various animals; and, above all, two huge jilates, one of gold, the other of silver, faneifully (diased and end)Ossed to represent the sun and moon. Diaz .savs tbat the golden sun was of the si/e of a carriage wl and that the silver plate was still larger. ProHering these rich tcjkens of gO(jd will, totxell lecl lerwnli numerous minor articles, the chiefs delivered their nion- ine liis ovUt ami porai T visi( stoi'e honi( same ses, II % 'ic'A sent, \\ a gold (\ a cliair company a, \)uilt in .vliilr TiMi- I his inoM- ,urt, at tli(5 • him swil't- 1 is lliat lie j C8tal)lif^l^«^1 j tho oinpirc. ' .(1 in seven \ San Juan iVu'or "f tho ikin,!/ rt'scni- li;itis. loaded TriKliU', tiio orminjj; the iii<_r iiu'cnsc, vw\, and (lis- ht. iitou clotii^; • xirilU'd tliat I' :i jmiiitin!-'-; cs wroujflit or .,11, i\v() ha>ro .•il'iiUy chascil ,11. Diaz says ■arriago whucl, toLTcthcr with ;red their mon- AUOIUOINKS OF MKXICO. 71 ttrch's mission. A('0()trii)atiit'(l hy cvory oxprossion of j^ood will, his rc'Ciisiil was (hrlarcil to allow the stran^'orn to visit his court. Jiad roads and hoslilc tril)es wore alh',i,'('il to coiistiliitc insniKTalilc dilUcultii's, Ixit it wa.s liiiited Ihattnoiv important, thoii.iih inicNplainablo reasons e.vistcd why tlnj interview conld not take jduce. Cortc/, coiiitconsly, Imt (irmly, jtcrsistcil in his (h'ter- niinatioii, and disu.issi'd the anil)assa(U)rs with renewed ,L^i('ls; expressinji; himself eontiMit to await yet another messa;4e from Montezuma, lie said that lie eould not, without dishonoring llio king his master, return before having ])er.^onal (lommunieatiou \\'ith the einperor. lie, meantime, sent a detaehment further n\) tlie coast, with two vessels, to seek for a more convenient aiul li(>altliy place of encampment than the burning plain t)f Siind uliei'e tlit^ army was now ipiartei'ed. ^^ontczut^a pcrsi.^ted in objections to the advance of the Spaniards, and Cortcfz being etpcilly inunovablc in his (h'teiiiiinatioii to proceed, the IVieiidly interconr.-^c hith- erto maintained Ijctwcen the natives and their guests now c(>;ise(L 'I'endile took his leave with some ominous threats, and l'ital|)itoque with his people departed from their tem- jiorarv domiciles. The sol'liers, cut olf IVoui t'leir I'ormer su]>[>lics of pro- vision, and seeing nothing bi;t ihinger and pi'ivatioii i;i store for them, began to rebel, -ind to talk of returning home. Corte/i checked this iiK^NCiiiciit by ju'ecisi'lv the same policy that was resorted to by Agamemnon and lllvs- ses, under sonunvhat si lilar circumstances, as will be found at large in the second Ufok of the J/ini/^ line 110 rt .scq. Ho seemed to assent to the arguments of the spokesman of the malcontents, and proceeded to proclaim his purpose of making sail for Cuba, be*^, in the meantime, engaged the most trusty of his friends to excite a contrary feeling :' among the troops. The effort was signally successful : the h 72 IXDIAX RACKS OF AMERICA. '■* coinmnndor graciously coiisontod to remain, and lead tlicm to furtlier conquesis, cxj>ro.ssiiig his great satisfaction in fuuliug them of sueh bold and determined spirit. About this time, Bernal Diaz and another sentinel being stationed on the beach, at some distance fi'om tlie camjt, })erceived five Indians (jf a different a])2)earance from any hitlierto seen, apjiroaeliing them upon the level sands, Diaz conducted them to the general, who learned, by ^Marina's interpretation, that they came in behalf of tlie cacique of Zemj^oala, or Cempoal, to proffer ihe services of their king and his jieople. This tribe held the Mexi- cans in great fear and detestation, and rejoiced in the op})ortmiity now presented for attempting some retaliation for former oppressions and injuries. The exploring expedition had discovered a desirable location, at the town of Quiavistlan, a few leagues north of the encampment, and Cortez concluded to move thither immediatel)'. Before taking i'lirther steps, he established himself more Hrniiy in command by resigning his commis- sion under Vahxsqiie/, and taking the vote of his followers as to whether he should be their cajjtain. This being settled to his satisfaction, he marched for Quiavistlan, ])assing the river at the spot where Vera Cruji was afterwards built. Zemjioalla lay in his route, and there the arm}'- was tnet by a deputation from die cacique, he being too cor- [)ulent to come in person. Sweet-smelling flowers were offered as tokens of friendship to the Spanish officers. The town was well built, and ornamented with shade- trees. The inhaliitants collected in innumerable but or- derly crowds to witness the entrance of the cavalcade. The "lilt cacique" entertained his guest.s handsomely, making grievous complaints of the oppressions and exac- tions suffered by him and his tribes at the hands of Mon- tezuma's officers, lie had been subdued by the great emperor, and was now his unwilling tributary. 1 L. scttlotl ABOUIGINES OF MEXICO. 73 Quiavistlan wtis situated upon a rocky eminence, up wliich the army advanced, prepared to crush any opposi- tion on tlie part of the inhabitants. Tlicse, however, had mostly fled from, their hon^cs on the approach of the S])an- iards. In the principal square, Cortez was met, and saluted with the usual fumigations of incense, by fifteen of the chief men of the town. They excused the timidity of their people, and promised that they should immediately return, as no injuries were intended by the strangers. They came accordingly; the chiefs, together with the corpulent cacique of Zcmpoalla, being borne upoii litters. All united in lamentations over the cruel state of degra- dation and servitude to which they •\vcrc subjected by the tyrant Montezuma, lie ijlundered them of their treasures, seized and carried away their wives and daughters, aiul sacrificed no small number of them to his gods. While they were 3'et consulting and beseeching assist- ance from the Spaniards, the whole conclave was stricken with terror by the intelligence of the arrival of live royal emissaries or tax-gatherers. These stately personages, to whom the Quiavistlans hastened to minister with criiio-in army was now set to work at tlie foiiinlation of a permanent fortilication and town. By the willing assist- ance of the natives, the walls of Vera Cru/, rose ra];)idly. To ex(Mte a si>irit of industry and emulation, Cortez t'om- menced the woik of digging and carrying materials with his own hands. Thirty caciques, from the mountainous districts of the Totonaques, led by reports of Spanisli valor and virtues, came in to ofler their services and alliance. Their followers are numbered by Jlerrera (an author who speaks too confidently of particulars) at one hundred thou- sand men; wild mountaineers, but bold and efficient. tani wit T bctw vant Jiei< eing. a tn assir- dred Sj )a n eiK'in town, friars aries 'M. ;er. The ,t horror- )ldly and extreme, a kind of modioiis; ing tlicin •rs to ease 3 of tliem, ,11 farther, lot Cortc/i ec to Mon- ty moment considera- ) effeet the ) o'ive liini '() ])ivserve il);)ardone sea) under proelainicd eroafter be part of the diition of a Ulii.ii: apsist- ise, ra[>idly. Corte/. com- iterials with iir)iuitainonrf panisli valor tid alliance, anthor who iiidred thou- ifficicnt. ABOllIGINf^S OF MEXICO. 75 While all hands Avere at work upon the new town, mes- sengers once again appeared from Montezuma. His anger, greatly excited by the first reports of the seizure of his officers, liad been mitigated by the flivorable report of those who had been allowed to escape; and he now sent two of his own nephews, accompanied by four old lords, and a splendid retinue. Acknowledgments were m;idc by the embassy for the service rendered by Cortoz in setting the two tax-gatherers at liberty; but he was, at the same time, vehemently requested to leave the country, and not hin- der, by the respect due to his presence, the just punish- ment of tlic rebels with whom he was cohabiting. Ho was adjured not to dream of making further progress towards the royal court, "for that the impcdinients and dangei's of that journey were very great. On which point they enlarged with a mysterious tediousness; this being the princi})al point of their instructions." (Jortez r(>plied that danger and didieulties would but give zest t(> the adventure, feu* that Spaniards knew no fear, and only songht for glory and renown. He enter- tained the ministers handsomely, and dismissed them with ]M'esents. 'I'll',' Zempoalans thonght that the friendship cemented iHtw, (Ml them and the foreigners could not be tahen ad- vantage i_>f better than by engaging them to subdue a ]ieighl)oring tribe, whose chief town was called ('ingapa- cinga. They tlierefore induced Cortez, by pn^tentling that a troul)le. from ii ..won followed the 'iiida- cious act, the pliable natives seemed readily to fall in with the pro})osed change, and, burning the fragments of tneir idols, they ajied tlie jiosture atid formula of the devout Spaniards. An old and partially disabled t:oldier, named Torres, agreed to remain as keeper of the newly-conse- crated t''n!pl(', on the di'parturc of the troops. rp ottcd with les should thy, loath- rccT, as no od face on Ic arrange- ras brought, e extent, to \ jricd; rud i bodies v^' \ ) covivhidcMi , of tiic tviu ; 1 to iivluce thi Y v. ^nld be 'ruil i't ri dostn.vrl V the bl-nxly r, tM\.'Cto(.l ail As no pTO- cdth-? Mida- fall in wiiU lents of tiicir f the devout jldier, named newly-conse- s. ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 77 CHAPTER IV. THE MARCH TO TLASCAI.A— OCCI'PATION OF THE CITY— GREAT MAS&ACUE AT CHOLULA— ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY OF MEXICO, AND INTERVIEW AVITH MONTEZUMA DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE, ETC. "What (liviiK- monsters, Oli y(^ gods, are these, Tliat fl(,at hi air, and Uy upon tlie seas! Came they alive or u^ad upon tlic siiorel" Dryden. TiiK bold and adventurous leader of the Spaniards now began to set in earnest about his work of conquest. He dispatched one ship direct for Spain, to obtain a confirma- tion from the sovereign of his authority in New Spain; and, with the consent of most of his companions, dis- mantled and sunk the rest of the licet, that ail might l)e nerved to the most desperate eilbrts by the alternative ])res(MiU'd them of death or complete success. Leaving a garrison at the coast settlement, he com- menced his march into the interior, accompanied by a body of Zempoalans, The Indians of Jalapa, Socochiniii, and Texucla, oflered ihem no molestation, and, after en- during great hardships in the jiassage cf the rugged mountains, the army reached Zocothlan. iS'ear the religious temples of this town, Diax, ailirms, with rejieated asseverations, that he saw human skeletons, so ofderly arranged, that their numlK'rs could \)c com- pnttMl with certainty, and that tliey could not have amounted to less than one hundred thousand. Beside these were huge piles of skidls and bones: other remnants of mortality were hung from beams, Tliree })riests liad charge of these relics. Contrary to the advice of the cacique of this province, kfm ;'i!\j f .•SiS --»!» 78 INDIAN llACES OF AMERICA. Cortcz determined to pass througli the country of Tlas- cala, wliosc inliabitauts were inimical to ^ronte/uina. Four Zenipoalan Indian?-", decked out in the style deemed suitable for ambassadors, and bearing arrows, feathered witli white, and carried point downwards, in token of a p''aceful mission, were sent to wait on the Tlascalan autliorities. They were received with respect by the sen- ate or chief council, whose members were ranged in order, in a great hall, seated ujjon low chairs, eacli made from a siugh' block of some remarkable wood, (ii'cat debate ensued as to whether the strangers should be i)eniiitted to ]^ass through the country. On the one hand, ancient jn'oidiecies were cited of an invincible race that should come from the East, The remarkal)le fulfil- ment in the landing of these white men, of many attend- fint cireunistanees foretold, '.•niching the ships, arms, and valor of the invaders, was enlarged upon, and it was ])ro- Tiounee(l madness to cope with them. On the other hand, it was suggested that the Sj)aniards might be nothing blot- ter than "iiioiistei-s flung up by the sea upon tlie coast.^," and. 'f not, that their sacrilege and cruelties Ibrbade the idi\i that the\' (,ould be other thati evil and av; li'lClOUS })arl > >arians, who sliould be crushed as noxious rejitiles. It was concluded to try the strength of the whites, and, if they couM not be resi.^ted, the assault should be attri- buted to the intractiliility of the Ottomies, a nation of rude and warlike mountaineers. The result might reailily be foreseen: no force, how- ever overwhelming in numbers, could resist the iiro-arms, the di.seipline, ami more csj)eeially the horses of the Span- iard? Tl ic-^e aniini ■0 su[)eriia tural !ps of ca\ah\. In several engagcnienti!, altiioULfh uiidei advania'ieous circumstances, as in ambin- yofTlas- : ^Ic deemed , feathered token of a ■ Tluscalau by the seii- >d in order, lade from a iirors should On the one ancible race i-kabie fuira- nany attcnd- )S, arms, and d it Ava:^ pro- ., other hand, uotliin.u; iiet- I the coasts," s forbade the id avaricious ,;s reptiles, c wliites, and, 3ukl \)C altri- i, a nation of 10 force, liow- 1, the lire-arms, >s of the Span- monstrous in , that they trod ) from tke rush L enira.^ements, is, us in anil)ii-i- ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 79 «! cades and night attacks, tlio Tlascakins were routed, and vast rmmbers of tlieir wai'riors Avere slauglitered. Cortez, to strike farther terror, cut off tlie liands or thumbs of fourteen or iiftccn cajjtives, arid sent them to their ■own people to report what ■naruier of men he and his followers were, Montezuma, hearing of these successes, sent more mes- sengers to endeavor to persuade Cortez not to make fur- ther advance, and at the same time to obstruct the con- clusion of a peace between him and the Tlascalans. These eflbrts failed signally: Xicotencal, the general of the 0}ip(xsing forces, in behalf of the town and nation, made an amicable settlement of difficulties with the Spaniards. With great pomp and ceremony, Cortez marched his army into the town of Tlascala, on the 23d of September, (1519). The situation of the place was rugged and moun- tainou:^, giving tlie streets great irregularity; but the build- ings were substantial, and the fortilications massive. Here tli(^ army tarried twenty days, and then marched for Cho- lula, a great city, entirely subject to the emperor. Before they set out, Montezuma had again sent heralds to an- nounce his linal consent to a meeting, and that quarters for the Spanish troops should be made ready at Cholula. Several tliousand Tlascalans, armed and e(|uij)ped, volun- tarily offered tlu'ir services, and the whole army reached Cholula without molestation. Here tlic magnates of the town met tlu'in, objecting to the entrance of the Indian allies, as they had been enemies of the nation; and it was agreed that the Spaniards and Zemj)oalans alone should be quartered in the city, while the rest should encamp in the suburbs. Here were seen evidences of greater wealth, and higher attainments in architectural skill, than at any l)lace before visiti>d. The catuques ap]-)eareil friendly, and furiiislied provisions for the troojis for several days; but linally discontinued botli their \-isits and supplies. Tkia I h 80 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKKICA. aroused the sas])ieions of (Airtc/, and lie determined to maintain the utmost vigilance. At tliis juncture an old woman of rank came to Marina, for whom she had contracted great friondsliip, and begged her to forsake the Spaniards, and come to live with her and hor friends. Marina, ever on the watch to serve her lord and master, pretonck'd compliance, and, by judicious questions, elicited from the old woman all the particulars of a formidable i)lol for the destruction of the Spaniards, .^[ontezuma had sent twenty thousand men into the vicin- ity, part f)f whom were already secretly brought within the walls; })it-falls with sharp stakes at the bottom had been pre] )a red in the jirincipal highways for the destruction of the horses; and stones were piled on the roofs of the houses to hurl down upon tlie dcvott'd army. l)iaz says: '"'riic recompense which they intended for our holy and friendly services was to kill us and eat us, for which })ur])ose the ])ots were alivady boiling, and prepared with salt, pepper and tomatas."' Seven human victims liad been sacriliced tti [tropiliate the favor of the gods, and it was purjiosed to devote twenty of the Spaniards to the same fate, as soon as thoy could be secured. 7\]l these things were conlirmed by a searching examin- ation of some of the caciques, who, surprised at the su))er- natural penetration of the Sj)aniards, confessed the wlioji'. but attributed it entirely to Montezuma. With his usual duplicity, Cortez spoke of this consi)iracy in confkh'nce to the ambassadors from the court, pretending that he had no suspicion of the part M(.)ntezuma had taken. lie then gave j)ublic orders for marching on the ensuing day. in on ler t o Dree I pitate the hostile movement, i)ut, attiie sai 111' ice time, had all his ])lans arranged for battle, and intelligei conveyed to his Tlasealan troo])S to be ready to assist hiii at the dawning of day. "With the first light all was in motion; the Cholulaii; M mined to ^tarina, id bc'TLTt-'d \vitli lier ,; serve licr ij judicious \\ particulars " y^paniards. ■ ; 1 tlu! vicin- ij ^Yitlli utile ij iiiadl)eeu |1 . truction of ji 'tlieiiouses | ;ays: "'Hh; ;; nd f'rieudly - )urpose the salt, pei>i'<'r ■11 sacriliccd juirposed to ate, as soon iiip; .('xauiin- it llie SUIHT- \\\c wliol''. itli liiri usual otifidence t'' that lie had 11. He thea ,uiii,i:- day. in t, at the sanii,' 1 iutellipviu'O to assist him iic Cholulai'.:^ :i: ABOKIGIN'KS OF MEXICO. 81 appointed to carry the l)aggage, and those who came armed on pretence of acting as a guard, but, in reality, to fall upon the rear of the army, poured into the great square. At a given signal from Cortez, a horrible massacre was commenced, which continued for two days. The Tlasca- lans of the party, reinforced l)y multitudes from their own town, who came at the first news of the attack, ravaged and plundered tiie city with unrestrained barbarity. Cor- tex at last checked these outrages, and compelling such of tlie plunder and prisoners as lie could discover to be deliv- ered up, proclaimed peace and general amnesty. He set free tlie unfortunate prisoners, who were confined in cages to be fattened for sacrifice, and vainly endeavored to con- vince the priests and ])Cople of the enormity of their reli- L'ious rites and the truth of his own doctrines. Cholula was one of the most noted cities of !^^exico, botli for its beauty of situation and structure, and its posi- tiou as the head-quarters of the religion of the country. The immense hill or tem])lc of sacrifice has ever been the subject of admiration and astonishment to all beholders. Montezuma dared no longer ojienly oppose the advance ( )f the Spaniards. The terror of their arms and the gloomy prognostications of the priests cowed and subdued his spirit, and he sent messengers with gifts and invitations to Cortez to visit his court. The general impression con- stantly gained ground among tiie Mexicans that these white men must be "Teules," or supernatural beings, against whom it were hopeless openly to contend. Fourteen days after the arrival at Cholula, the army was again ]iut in motion. The Zem])oalans were dis- iiiissc(l at tluMr own rcijuest, and their jilaces were suj)plied by Tlasealans, who were ready by thousands to share the danger and profit of the expedition. On the march over the rough mountainous district through which lay their |)atli, strong l)odies of Mexicans had been placed in am- m ajUmk^^ :.?*" 82 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. busli ])y tlic order of the kiiift but tliclr licarts failed them on the approaeli of tlie iiivadens. Cortez reai-hed Clialco, near the imperial city, not only without serious ('i)position, but with his forces increased by as many natives of the provinces through which he passed, as he chose to eulist under Ids banners. Eiiehantnients and conjurations, to which Monte/uuia applied himself, with liis whole cor[)S of magicians, pi'iived as inelfectual as his ai'inii's to arrest the enemy. It was still Ids purpose and hope, as the in- vaders well knew, to overwhelm and destroy theni at a disadvantage, when they should enter his city. The S] laniards reached T/.tapalapa, on the great lahe in which the city of ifexico was built, without further blood- shed, except the destruction of a few poor Indians who ap]iroachi'(l "too near" the encampmentat Anieincca, ])i()b- ably from motives of curiosity. The lord of Te/.cuco, upon the iiorfh-easiern border of the lake, a nephew of the em- peror, visited theni on their route with .solemn ceremony. Tztaimlapa was built ])artly in the lake, although the receding waters have left the site mostly dry. Tlie appear- ance of the place was truly Venetian. Over the ]>\\w\ expanse of water were seen the towers and buiklings of numerous towns, at beholding which, together with the great cau.sey which led to tlie island city, the Euro])eans, in the words of Diaz, "could comjiare it to nothing but the enchanted scenes read of in Aniadis of Gaul, from tht> great towers and temples and other edifices of lime and stone which seemed to rise ont of the water." "Never yet," he adds, "did man see, hear, or dream of anything equal to the spectacle which, appeared to our eyes ou this day." The lords of the city assigned splendid buildings of stone for the troops to quarter in; and such was their astonishment at the perfection of the architectural skill dis- played in the palaces ; the beauty of the gardens ; the alleys raisii a(lori g'"ld| the i of ill deniij Col nion;l restnl dee nil Al ccedc ■i le.l them 1 Chaleo, iporiition, cs oi the J to enlist iitions, to U)lc COl'l'S 3 to arrest as the in- tUcui at a vid lala> in i thcr Itldotl- : idians who J larca, prob- j! ^x'\m\ upon j of the en\- i (•(•reniony. ihouj^'li tlio riie appear- r the hroad )uihlin,ii'S ot" rr with the Knropeuns, notliinii' hut ml, IVoni tlie (,r lime and ,.." "Never of anything our eyes on Luildings of ell was their hiral skill dis- lis; the alleys ADOIUGINKS OF MKXICO. 88 of fruit and aromatic trees; the fountains, aqueducts, and nrtiricial pools; and the vast eoiieourse of curious natives, erowdiiig the street and causey to f^azo on the novel siglit, or skimming the water in their light canoes, that "to many it appeared doubtful whether they were asleep or awake." On the ruorning of the 8th of Noveud)er, lol9, Cor- tc;^ led his followers over the main causey into the impe- rial city. A great deputation of nobles and olfiecrs came out to meet him, and escorted the army into the city. The streets were em})ty, that the eeremou) of the royal audience might not be impeded; but windows and balconies wtn-e thronged with eager spectators. ^fontezuma now appeared, borne in a glittering palan- quin, and accompanied by his chii'f ollicers, magnilieently ailorned, and dis])laying in their downcast looks and silent obsequiousness the reverence in which they held their monarch. As he dismounted and walked to meet Cortez, leaning on his relatives, the lords of Tezcuco and Iztapa- lapa, attendants spread carpets befu'e him. With unheard-of condescension and expression of respect, the king saluted the Spanish commander in Mexican style, stooping and touching the ground with his hand, and tlnni raising it to his lips. lie wore a robe of fine cotton, adorned with gems, golden sandals, and a light crown of gold supporting the ornamental circle of plumes, esteemed the most gracefid head-di-ess. ITe was about forty years of age, of light complexion, and of majestic aspect and demeanor. Cortez advanced, and placing a showy necklace round the monarch's neck, would have embraced him, but was gently restrained by the attendant lords — such familiarity being deemed unsuitable to their Siovereign's greatness. After mutual friendly speeches, the whole throng pro- ceeded to the palaces set apart for the Sjianiards' use, and iH'^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) A 1.0 I.I ■a K |||||22 I. 1. 1.8 1.25 1.4 1^ ■• 6" - ^ v] >,^ i? / S Hiotographic Sdences Corporation S: :<\^ ^ ^•v S^ ^\ ^% "^ '>^ o^ 'o- ^ '^_f^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4ij ^*' % MP.. 6 84 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. Montezuma, leading Cor-tez by the hand, conducted him to his apartment, and placed about his neck a golden collar. During the Aveek succeeding the entry into Mexico, cere- monious visits were interchanged by Cortez and the em- peror. The Mexican prince conducted his guests through the ro^-al palaces and gardens, and, in their company, visited the great temple of sacrifice. The historians of that day can find no language strong enough to exjoress the wonder and admiration which the magnificent spec- tacle excited in the minds of the Spanish behrlders. The j)omp and state of tlie monarch; his crowd of obsequious attendants; his pleasure houses, aqueducts, fountains, and gardens of odoriferous shrubs; the extent of his wealth in jewels and the precious inctals; liis store of arms, and the numl)er of his skilful artisans, are described and en- larged upon at great length. It remains to this day a matter of astonishment that such huge buildings of hewn stone, as every where met tlie eye in the ancient city, could have been erected with- out the use of iron. Copper, hardened by an alloy of tin, was the only metal of which the tools were made by which the hard rock was laboriously shaped. The indignation and horror excited by the bloody religious rites of the country, led Cortez to strive contin- ually to impress u})on the mind of his host the folly and absurdity of his religion. The only good efl'ect that is paid to have resulted from these arguments was the aban- donment, on the part oi the king, of the custom of hav- ing human flesh set upon his own table. The principal temple is minutely descril)ed, and must, indeed, have j^resented a singular scene of horror and magnificence.- It was surrounded by a wall, faced with wreathed serpents, carved in stone, the gateways to which were surmounted with statues. The roof of the main building was flat, and paved with beautifully polished I coul I J ].le froj ZUIl sincl potj wh[ thel no d loxm collar. 3, ccre- kc ein- lirougli iipany, ians of express it spec- 3. The cquioiis ins, and 1 -wealth •niP, and and en- lont that lere met ted with- oy of tin, hy wliieh B bloody ■0 contin- foUy and ct that is the aban- m of hav- and must, lorror and Faced with 'S to which the main y polished i 1 abohiginp:s of Mexico. 85 stones; and thereon appeared two hideous idols, seated upon tlirones of state in al!. the splendor of barbaric orna- ment; while before them stood tlic terrible stone of sacri- fice. This was a green mass, of rock, five spans high, presenting a sharp angle at the top, over which the miser- able victims were stretclied, wliile the priest gashed open the living body witli a rude Icnifc of flint, and tore out the palpitating heart. "I devoted them and all their wickedness," says Diaz, "to God's vengeance, and thought that the time would never arrive that I should escape from this scene of human butchery, horrible smells, and more detestable siglits." lie tells of an ajDartment filled with Avild animals and venomous reptiles, who were fed with the sacrificial flesh. Of these, the most dangerous ser- pents had "in their tails somewhat that sounds like casti- nets." — "These beasts and'horrid reptiles were retained to keep comjiany with their infernal Gods, and when these animals yelled and liisscd, the palace seemed like hell itself." From this elevation, a beautiful view was ob- tained of the whole of the great salt lake in which the city stood, the towns of the vicinity, the long and well- built causeys connecting them, and the magnificent moun- tains beyond. It would be tedious to relate the ceremonies of the royal court, although many of them arc singular, and well worth the examination of those who would obtain a com- plete knowledge of a time and pe%le varying so widely from any thing now known on earth. Among ^[(inte- zuma's means of luxury or relaxation were the habits of smoking tobacco, drinking a fermented liquor of no little potency, and listening to the remarks of a set(\f bufibons whom he kept about him, in the same cai^acit-^ as that of the court-fools c past I'ope. An analogy to rites and customs of the Old World, no less striking, was noticed in many of the popular m 80 INDIAN UACES OF AMEKICA. religious observances. "It sliould seem that the Devil," as Do Solis has it, "the Invcutor of these Eites, was ambitious to imitate llaiitism and Circumcision, Avith the same pride with which* he endeavored to counterieit tlic other Ceremonies, and even the Sacraments of the Catholic Church; since he introduced among these Barbar- ians the Confession of Sins, giving them to undei'stand tliat thereby they olMaiticd the Favor of their Gods. He instituted likewise a ridiculous sort of Communion, which the Priests administered upon certain Da^-s in the Year, dividing into small Bits an Idol made of Flower, mix'd up into a Past with honey, which tUey called t/ie God of Ptitikncey — "Nay, they even gave their chief Priests the title of Pajms in their Language; by which we iind that this Imitation cost Satan a very particular study and a])i)lication." Marriages were performed by the jiriest's tying the veil of the woman to a ])ortion of the man's dress, after certain prescribed jn-eliminaries. In this guise the pair walked home together, and concluded the ceremony by pacing seven times round the domestic hearth. Divorces were at the discretion of the jxirties, and when they took place, the sous belonged t<:) the man, tin- daughters to llie woman. Hasty sejiarations were guartled against l)y a ])rnvision that, should they again coliabit after having once broken the bon 88 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. •4 palace. He conversed with Moutezuma concerning the attaclv on the garrison at tlie coast, and i^rofossed belief in the Mexican prince's asseverations that he had no part in it; but added tliat, to quiet all suspicion on the part of the great emperor of the J^]ast, it would be best for him to remove to the Spanish quarters! Montezuma saw at once the degradation to which he Avas called u])on to submit, but looking on tlie fierce Sjianiards around him, and hearing an interpretation of their threats to dispatch him innnediately if he did not comply, he sulfered himself to be conducted to the palace occupied by his false friends. To Lnle las disgrace from his subjects, the iniuappy monarch assured the astonished concourse in the sti'cets that lie went of his own free will. Cortez, while; he keiit his prisoner secure by a constant and vigilant guard, allowed him to j>reservo all the outward tokens of royalty. Meanwhile, Qual])opoea, the governor of the district where Jnan de Kscalcnte lost his life, was sent for, to- gether with his associate oOicei's. AVhen they arrivcl, Cortez was allowed by Montezuma to punish them at his own discretion, and the inhuman monster caused them to be burned alive in the siglit of the jio})ulaee. Tlu^ fuel used for this purj)osc consisted of the royal stt)res of arrows, darts, and other warhke implements. Still further to quell the spirit of the king, fetters were ])laeed U2)on his ankles during the execution of this cruel sentence. The people of Mexico could not be blinded to the true position of their sovereign, and it was not long before onunous signs ap})eared of a general determination to avenge his wrongs, and vindicate the insulteil hoiioi- of the nation. The young lord of the ancient and powerful citv of Tezcuco was foremost in arousing this s[)irit of resist- ance, but by artilice and treachery he lell into the hands of the Spaniards, and his brother was proclaimed gov- ernor in his stead. lie w] ph wa liis CXC e\;i tivi a tioi ag;i La.l iiiug tlie belief in part in the part best for 'Aim a saw 1 upon to )U1h1 liini, ) dispatch x\ himself sc friends?. ; unhappy the sti'eets ilc he Ivcpt lut lacing the leader in confinement, hastened back to the city with his powerful auxiliaries, llis return was timely indeed. Alvaran-gical or spiritual from the Spaniards, In three days, mg nun ] m )( ]>osi wli; an pan cans l)roi| ch cro\l cauti troo iiig a Ian ci-y reso L 'I \ii(T licre- been ton diina, we ' r soltlii'Vrf )ng Chris- enition as us." 'H.c aiuls were comriuV'S, noss. The nous cxpc- troncral to I") lilauts, who II tbc vicin- I we IX! cou- Miipanies of Hiterior elis- iuns. Many K'ing pi'iuci- nl. lacked ill lii;^ K-lilcli he had )\ihice. 'I'ho t Avheu thrv staid au\oii;_' lee gave Nvay id roproaeheri arrows, 'i'hc Aiiehls to pi-o- upon the head X at the sacri. jrk was done: aire, uiortitieii- .istaiiee, either In three days, ABOHIfilNKS OF MEXICO. 93 ll says do Soils, "he surrendered up to the Devil the eter- nal Possession of his Soul, employing the latest moments oC his Breath in impions Thoughts of saerilieing his Knc- niies to his Fury and llevenge." l^'or the particulars of the various sorties; the ceaseless fighting; and, ahove all, the terrible scene at the storming of the holy temijle, the reader must refer to more exten- sive treatises than this; sulliee it that, weakened by con- tinual fatigue, and day by day less able to resist the as- saults of the enemy, the Sjianiards finally concluded to evacuate the city. One Botello, a sohlicr who was rejfuted a necromancer, as he "spoke Latin, and had \ en at Home," announced a certain night as the oidy time when the army could escape utter destruction. Cortez, whether moved by su]ierstition or aware of its influence with the army, and ho])eless of longer maintain- ing a hold on the cajiital under existing circumstaiiei's, made i)rej)arations to march. He attempted to blind his ])roceedings by pretended treaties with the Mexicans, pro- posnig to evacuate the city peaceably^ within eight days, while, at the same time, he was ordering every thing for an instantaneous dejiarture. A portable bridge was ] ire- pared to ailbrd the means for crossing the gaps in the causey made by the enemy. On the night of the fn-st of July, (1520), the general brought out the inunense treasures of gold stored ui his chamber, and, having separated the portion allotted to the crown, told the soldiery to take what they woulil, but cautioned them against encumbering themselves. It was near midnight, and dark and rainy, when the troops were put in motion. They were in the act of pass- ing the fu'st breach, over the portable bridge, \vhen the alarm was given that the "Teules were going," and the cry of "Taltelulco, Taltelulco, (out with your canoes)" resounded over the water. The Spaniards were doomed 04 INDIAN RACES OF AMKHICA. to ;j!;ivator disiistcr ami luisiwv on this tii;_''lif, known as flio "noclic tristf," or niLrlit of sorrow, tliiiii tlii'V liml ever yet cxpcricnceil. An iiinuincrahlc horde of dusky liii^un'S Ix'Sft the eausey, and attackril the fuL,'itivi'.s in front, llank, anil rear. ]?y a ooniplication of inisfortuno, the l)rid,L:v broke, and from ih(> stru<.',aliii^ mass of men and liorsoa, the H'W who conlil obtain footini^ on the causey wore mostly kilK'tl, or their cries for help were heard by their eompanioiis as they Avere ])orne oil" in the canoes of tlie enemy, doomed victims for sacriliee. The cavalry, who were i:i advance, hastened Ibrward, hopeless of relieving!; those wliose re- treat had been cut oil", ami who were blindly contending in the darkness with tlie tierce and enraLred A/.ti'es. Alvarado, dismf)iinted Jiml wounded, came u[) with the advance, on foot, accompanied liy three soldiers ai'.d ciLfht '^riaseahiiis. lie reported the destrueli()n of the rear-L^nard, to;_''etliei- with their h-ader, N'elasqut'X de Leon. Aeeorilini,' to some accounts, Alvarado had made his escape by an extraordinary lea[) over the ^^i]), but Dia/. denies the pos- sibility of the act. Th(! wcarie I'l'W' who •A :i(lv:Uii'i<, whoso, ro- ; contoutVuij^ * /,ti'''S. np with the > ri«iir-;4'i:inl, -capo \)V uu I'u'S the pus- iroutl »i'ii>y ii.Uy (Vistr'u't ith insnltiu;^ wailc'l thi'iii. s wore foiiml ohstruc't the Miiuii'ucnl on vv to avoid a rved hiinsolf Bcrmd V>\'XA— ttlcl how wo e dof^s fou,ulit us with thoir la '! AIWRIOINKS OF MEXICO. 05 l.iiioos fin3!#r I 98 INDIAN RACES OF AMELIICA. .;i> Struggle, nearly all tlic iiilial)itaiats deserting it in their boats. Here it was determined to await the completion and arrival of tlie brigantines. Wiiile all these formidable preparations were going on, important changes had taken ])lace in the Aztec monarchy. Cuitlahua, or Quctlavaca, liad perisheox, which was introduced from the old country by one of Narvaez's ships, and which spread over all Mexico, carrying oif thousands of the natives. The new emperor Guatimozin, a brave and nol)le youtli, was nephew and successor to Montezuma. The beauty and gallant bearing of this prince excited the admiration of all beholders; while his intelligence and valor, combined with the haired which he bore towards the whites, made him an enemy to be dreaded. He had devoted his whole attention, since his accession, to fortilying and defendinir his capital. The unserviceable inhabitants wei'c sent into the country, while warriors from all sides were called to rally round the Aztec banner within the city. The rciiiainder of the winter and the early months of spring were oc(;u[)ied by the Spaniards in sallies against neighboring towns and districts; the reduction of the dis- alfected; the conciliation of tliose inclined to Ciioperatc with the besiegers; and, above all, the completion and trans- pollution of the vessels. W'l^ must pass over the skir- mislu'S and l)attles which cieeurred during this pi'riod. li would be little n\ore than a repetition ol" scenes of ci'uelty, horroi', an gapj per.J riv;il exci vltv it in their j eorapletion i i; c going on, 'l inonarcliy. 11 ;iat terrible ji rom the old jl spread over 1^ avverf. The youth, was beauty and liuiratiou of )r, combined whiti'?, made ,ed his wliole id delendini,' ^■(•]V sent into ,-ore ealled to Iv numths ol ;;iUies a;j:ainst on "1' the dis- [ to c'r>operate lion and trans- over the skir- his pi'riod. h ,s of cruelty, ,. A /tees \v:i.- ,tilv refused to /, ron\u\issionf'l Dve him. ^>"^'' towns, together ) (Mieourage tlu' Thonsaiids ot' \ i,y which the ABORIGINES OF Mi:XICO, 99 h little fleet should be launched. The beams and planks of the vessels ready to be joiued, with all the paraphernalia of nautical outfit, were carried in state by an inunense con- course of Tlascalans, charged witli the burtlicn, or acting as a guard of protection. Diaz says that no less than eight thousand men served in each of these capacities, vv hile two thousand more followed with provisions. About the last of April (1521) the thirteen brigantines, fitted for service, were launched into tlie canal. The addition of an armed flotilla, w^hieh, urgixl by wind and onrs, could bear down upon and scatter the frail canoes of the natives, proved of incalculable advantage. The size of the vessels, the thunder of their cannons, their speed, and the skill with Avhich they were managed and controlled, must have filled the Mexicans with amaztMnejit. Near the end of ^fay a regular system of siege was en- tered npon, by the occupation of the three great approaches to the city. The inhabitants were unwearied in their iittaeks, and a degree of vigilance and courage on the part of the S]>aniards, scarce cipialled in any age or country, oidy preserved them from utter destriietion. *' For ninety- three davs together," says Diaz, "we wenM-mployed in the siege of this great and strong city, and every day and every night we wen; engag(Ml with the enemr. — Were I to extend my narrative to every action whit'h took place, it would be almost endless, and my history would resem- ble that of Amadis and the other books of ihivalry." Kvcry expedient, of driving sunken p;ilis;ides to (uitan- gle the vessels; of ])it- falls for the cavalry; and of I'.utting gaps in the causeys, was resorted to by the luvsiogcd, and pers(>vered in with a determination and obstinacy only rivalled by the stern temper of the ol)durat(> invaders. There was necessarily great sulVering on both sides, exclusive of the horrors of actual warfiire, fi'om the scar- vity of provision. Maize was the principal resort; but ■M 100 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. tlic hordes of Indian allies sustained existence by a more foul repast, feeding upon the bodies that were every where scattered over the causeys, or floating in the lake — ghastly memorials of each day's slaughter. Knowing the insufll- ciency of their own su])plies, the Spaniards dared not for- bid this practice. Cortez at last determined upon an assault from three difterent quarters, with his whole force. Fierce battles had already been fought within tlie city walls; the great Teocalli had been a second time carried by storm, and its ofliciating priests thrown from its summit; the roval jialace, with its adjoining buildings, and the old fortress where the S})aniards had formerly quartered, had been destroyed; but no general assault had been made. After some discussion, in which the hazard of risking so mueli u]iiin a single onslaught was fully discussed, the general dt'termiued to undertake it, and issued his orders fur a simultaneous advance — the march over the causeys to be protected by the cooperation of the brigantines. The three divisions under Cortez, Alvaradi*, and San- doval, were put in motion on the ensuing morning. Or- ders were given that each jnirty should secure a safi' retreat by thoroughly lilling up all gaps in the causeys as they made their way towards the heai't of the city. Neglect of this prudent arrangement ])n)ved most disastrous. An advanced force, under Aldert^te, encoui'agcMl by the little show of resistance, ])ressed on nearly to the great s(pian', leaving behind them a breach in the causey, (through which the water fi'om the canal on either side was flowiiii.' to a depth of two fathoms) with very slight aiid ineflicieiit means for recrossing. As Cortez came \i[) to this spot, ho began to suspect that his men were cntraj)ped; he saw- that the causey hai'- secure a sati' the causeys as icity. Kegled i^^astrous. An (1 V.y the little 3 great s(iuan', usey, (througli ide\vas(1oNviii;.' t and inclViciciit to this spot, lio ■apped; he saw , lynce pe^-ccivt'il case of precivi- for this careless- ABORIGINES OP MEXICO. 101 ness by fdling the dike, Cortez and his followers heard the blast of the horn of the Aztec emperor, Guatimozin, followed by a deafen iiig yell from his enraged warriors, and sliortly after, Alderete's party were seen crowding the causey in their flight from an overwhelming mass of the natives. At the gap a scene of terrible slaughter ensued. Men and horses, floundering in the deep mud to which the A^•^y was reduced; thrust into the water by the pi'cs- sure of tlieir own numbers, and seized by the enemy, whose canoes filled the canals, ])resented a miserable scene of hopeless disorder, Cortez himself Avas nearly borne away captive, in his endeavors to rescue the drowning suderers from the dike. Six stout warriors laid hold of him, and would have secure*! him as a notable cllvring to their idols, but for the sclf-sacrilicing devotion of his oflficcrs and men. His whole surviving party were obliged to I'etroat, making their Avay back to the camp under the ju'otecting fire of the brigantines. 'J'he division nnder Alvarado was also driven from the city, after having made some hopeful advance, driving in their first o]iponents. The second body of natives who stopped their progress, threw down five Spanish heads, saying that they were those of Cortez and his oflicers. In the retreat the great drum was heard sounding from the summit of the principal teocalli: "Its h.ourirful noise was such as may be imagined the music of the infernal gods, and it might be heard at the distance of almost three leagues." Diaz, who gives this description, says that the enemy were then sacrilicing ten of the Spaniards' hearts to their gods. This was just before the blast of the royal horn— a signal which roused the Aztecs to an indescriba ble |)itch of fury and courage. Sandoval ftired little better than the rest, nnd the Span- ish army, completely foiled, returned to the several en- campments, fi-ightfidly reduced in nundiers, deprived of !.«. t>\*f 1,(1'* .' iji b1 W .IB ' 'f'ittrtk^ \ -i^ji. '"'asts ^\yv\s tlic mangled remains down the stone step.s. — Some of the in- dian.s, mid their taunts and reviltngs, averred that the Spanisli flesh was "too l)itter to be eaten; and truly, it seems that such a miracle was wrought." "Jjct tlio reader think," says the old chronicler, Diaz, "what were our sensations on this occasion. Oh heavenly God! saiil we to ourselves, do not suffer us to bo sacrificed by these wretches." To add to the Spaniards' distress, the great body of their Indian allies deserted them at this crisis. 'I'hey had be- ])e[ fuf a gul ce Til arl IL. ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 103 dispirited tlircu were i ms at their j i ircat drum i iiiunls, and, i\\ perceive ip for sacri- . A strong L tlieir white oo palpably above even Itant shouts, lek upon the iiuloniitahlt' continueil t'> ho city could orv cnilcaYor t'iidy and en- (Ml SUI'CCSSWC ;inish ])risoii- ,lVt till' poW.T ir hearts were •iosts drew tin' )me of the In- M-red that tli>' ■ n; and truly, t;' "Let the x/,, "what were iMdy God! sai'l iticed by these at body of their They had Ix'- gun to lose their confidence in the invincibility of the whites; and the prediction of the Mexican priests, that within eight days the besii gers should be destroyed, liad its elfeet upon tlicir superstitious minds. Ixtilxochitl, the Tczcucan chief, who had been raised by Cortc/ to the government of the city on its abdication by his enemies, remained faithful. When the eight days were passed, tliese fickle allies began to return, with Iresh confidence, to the assistance of the besiegers. With determined energy the Spaniards forced their passage, foot by foot, towards the centre of the cap- ital. Securing their way behind them, and dtiuolishing the buildings as they })roeecded, they more than recovered from their grand reverse. The miserable inhabitants were reduei'il to the utmost extremity by famine. Crowded together in the cpiarter of the city to which they were driven, they perished by thousimds, but nothing seemed to tamo their fierce and unyielding spirit. Guatimo/Jii ivliised to listen to terms, although Cortc/^ repeatedly sent embassies of prisoners, proposing a peaceable cession of the })lace. Stores and men were added to the Spanish resources, by the arrival at Villa Kiea of a vessel belong- ing to a ileet fitted out by De Aillon, which was mostly destroyed on the reefs of Florida. After the three divisions of the army had worked their way completely through the city, audGviatimo/iu and his people were confined in a limited district on the lake, the fury of their sallies seemed undiminished, \\nieu they were liiuilly unable longer to keep their monarch in safety, a last attomj)! was made to ctfect au escape in the pira- guas or lai'ge canoes. The brigantines were immediately dispatched to inter cept and destroy the flotilla which now spotted the lake The natives fi)ught desperately, as usual, attacking the armed vessels of the Spaniards, regardless of the destruc- M «.ki'>ilkased when this was aecoini)lished. Diaz says: "\Vc felt liice so many men just escaped from a steeple where ah the bells were ringing about our ears. — This was owing to tho continual noise of the enemy for ninetv-thrcc days — ShoutiiiL', call- iiig, whistling, as signals to attack us, &c.— Then, from the temples and adoratories of their aeeurst'd idols, the tindjals and horns, and the mournful sound of their great drum, and other dismal noises were incessantly assailing our eai'S, so that day or night we could hardly liear each other s]i('ak." Vty (juatimozin's request, the city was cleared of its inhabitants, that it might be effectually purified. The cause\'s were crowded for three successive days and nights with a horde of such miserable, diseased, and helidess wretches, creeping slowly away from their former jjruud ca])ital, "that it was misery to behold them." The booty discovered by the concpierors in no degree equalled their anticipations. It was su|>posed that great quantities of gold had been thrown into the lake, and divers were employed in the search for it, but with little cllect. The unibrtunate Guatimo/cin, and the lord of the city of Tacuba were put to the torture, with the assent of Cortez, to extort from them information as to the places where they had concealed their treasures. Cortex objected to tliis ])iece of barbarity, but ])ermitted it that the susj)i- cioii might not rest upon him of having, b}- connivance, a]»propriated the plunder to his own use. The young monarch, in this extremity, preserved his dignity and composure, enduring the cruelties of his tor- mentors with Indian fortitude. ^Vllcn the barbarous in- flictions of the Spaniards drewfbi'th groans or complaints from his companion in suffering, Guatimozin silenced him ■M mi 106 IXniAN IfACKS OF AMKUH'A, ■\vitli the caltii iiitovro^'iitivo, "'J'liink'.st thon, tlicii, that I am tiikiiij^' in_v]jlciisurc in my li;itli?'' IS\)tliiii<>fadiii multitudes Hocking from the Old World to seek wealth or novelty in the suimy elinies oi' Ni'w Spain. The modern eity of Mexico presents a \evy dillerent a.s])eet fr(;m that of the ancient capital. By the drainage of the lake, it no loi.ger stands upon an island; and the causeys, which k'd to it, still used as public roads, are said to be scarcely distinguishable from the other highways. t( til sl til til \\\ sl AHOIUGINKH OF MKXICO. 107 lOTl, tllilt I vas Ki""*'*! jiL'for toUl ivown, iind !l1 !l house lahly iniide fuisli. [I POWER iTlMOZlN ze oil, r" i ITANT. i lavc just de- lis rose IVom vliat (lilVnvut ir.st establish- to d(<,iATa«liug H,r the Ik'UG- WCY daily iu- ()M World to )l'Ne\v Si.aiu. yvvy dilVerent V the drainage land; and the roads, are said r highways. All the surrounding tribes who did not yield implicitly to the dictates of the general, wiien the great city was de- stroyed, were jironiptiy ipielled and humbled. Conlirmed in ids authority liy royal commission — for tiic ellbils of liis enemies could avail little against the universal accla- mation which ibllowed the news of his successes — CorteJi contiiined to increase the extent of Spanish dominion, and still more clVeclually to crush all spirit of o])[)osition among the miserable Mexicans. We cannot detail the terrible examples of vengeance which followed any attempt to throw off the galling yoke. With such coadjutors as Alvai-ado, Sandoval, and other of his veteran ollicers, resistance to his sui)remacy proved worse tlum vain. The stake or the halter was the ready instrument by wduch the crime (;f rebellion was punished. In Octobei- of 152f , Cortez, with a small force of Span- iards, and a large body of natives, undertook a long and dillicult march to Honduras. Jlis jiui'pose was to chastise the rebellious de Olid, who had thrown olT his gt'iicral's authoi'ity. Although the details of the dangers, hard- ships, and adventures in this expedition are minute and interesting, we oidy refer to it as giving occasion for the desti'uetion of the last A/.tce monarch. Continually ap- ])rehensive of a new revolt, Cortez had, ever since the con(|Ucst, kept his I'oyal prisoner a close attendant on his person. Together with his faithful vassal, tlu; h^rd of 'J'aijuba, Guatimo/dn was taken to accomjniny the ])arty to Ilondui'as. At (rueyacala, or Aculan, a consjMraey of the Mexicans in the train to fall u])oii and massacre the Spanianls, was reported to the gencrid, and attributed to the influence of these two nobles. All jiarticipation in this jilot was denied by the captives, but slight suspicion was sullicient to furnish an excuse to the unscrupulous Sj)aniard for ridding himself of a constant source of anxiet v. Guatimozin and the Tacuban governor were both han/ sulVfivd (llstractctl lis lit-'iiij,' ta curt 1 1 as ivh rclativo ji iiiii Marina. 1 lativo jirov- || \c of cliiuis til tlu'Spau- Tlie iiiina- dauilliti'r as at hantl, l>nt her olVeriM^;s avoweil lirr 1^ oxi'rcssiii.L' ho, iiuribanil, iKjlAc niasli-T etail of :Mox- • condition of clian.m'S siiii'c of a foreign were compel- 10 plantations, ir oppressors. AUOUKUNES OF .MKXICO. 109 Cortex felt and c\))rcss(>d .some oompnnetion.s visitin,^nt of CDiiseiencuat the adoption of this general .system ol' shivery, but fell in with it us biiini,' essential to the niaintainaneo of Spanish power and the .speedy growth of the cohjnies. lie .saw that the mental ca])a('ity of tlic people was far superior to that of the other Xoi'th American aliorioines^ and felt sonit! natural rej^'ret that their national ])ride should he entirely humbled, and their opportunities for eivili/ation and imiirovenient bo so entirely cut off, A better state of things was gradually brought about, and tlie inhabit- ants of pure native descent arc now .spoken of as a cheer- ful, eoiirtt'oiis ra('(>, busying themselves in the simpler arts of manullieture, cultivating their lield.s, and enjoyiug th(> C( [liable freedom from anxiety, so congenial to the mild and delicious climate of their country. J'nliiue, the intoxicating drink of the Mexicans, is j)ro- diictiveof the evil ellects that such beverages abvays ])ro- diice among the Indians of America; and, in the largo cities, a disgusting horde of laxaroni disligures the i)ublic .S(]uarc.s. In the city of Mexico, these beggars are espe- cially numerous. The half-breeds, who form at the present day so exten- sive a portion of the population, jiresent every variety of .social position. Some of Monte/.uma's descendants mar- ried into noble families of S})ain, and their po.sterity ar- rived at great wealth and dignity. The wife of Guatimozin, after his execution, mari'icd successively no less than three Castilians of honorable family, She is every where spoken of as a woman of charming a])pearance and attractive mannens. A descendant of the Ibrmer cmjieror of the Aztecs held the office of S{)anish viceroy in Mexico as late as the close of the seventeenth century. THE FLORIDA INDIANS. CUAI'TEU I. EAUI.Y F.XriMIITIONS 01- SPANISH ADVKNTIIinCHS ro.NCK UK LKON L. VALASlJUEZ DK AVLLON PAMI'IIILO DK NAKVAi;/, I'Kli- NA.N'Di) hi: SOTO HIS I,AM)IN"(i AM: KSTA HLISIIM K.NT AT TAMl'A STOUY OF JOHN OUTIZ, A SI'AMSH CAi'TIVIi AMO.NT; THK INDIANS. Fkw })ortions of the Western Continent have witnessed sucli scenes of barbarous warfare between the natives and I'lnropean advenliirei's, or between subjects of coniending nations at the I'last, as the long low peninsula wliicii lies at the soullierr' extremity of the Atlantic sea-coast of the United States, lis whole history is strangely romantic, and might well tempt us away I'rom our subject, were there room to chronicle all the interesting details of its discov- ery, conipicst and scttlemt-nt. The Inst picture presented to our minds, when wc turn back to th(\ name of Florida, belbre Knglish settlements were made upon the coast. Failing in his first search, Leon undertook a second expedition into the unknown world, in hopes of finding mines of the precious metals, but was killed in a fight with the natives. M) S|l cJ df i i IXON — I'l'.li- itncssccl ves iuid itendiiiij; lich lies ;t of tlio omantie, >re there s discov- wc turn :!on, gov- to pcareh lit t^liould and llow- i pleasing ath, i'rom the almost impassable natui'al conforma- tion of the country; and worn out by incessant exertion, Isarvaez ami his men reached Ante only to liiul it burned and deserted by its inhabitants. Many of the l>arty having already jierished, the I'est, hopeless of making further jirogress by land, set to work to construct boats in wiiich liny might reach a port of sali'ty. With singular ingvnuity liu'V prepared tonjs from the iron ol' their accoutri'nicnts; and, with no further mate- rials than were furnished by the ])roductions.of the I'orest, and the numes, tails, and skins of their horses, live small boats were built. They embarked and set sail, but nearly I an lai (In vai CCi de; but nea sess l,ea Sot llUI USCi bar l 4^ ^C Soto'3 .11(1 staid this dis- uuul: lie r designs j; liiniselt' iioi' world lis." His lerstitious lose, they Minuission K)SSCSsion, ;rs ;it K;ist ■ossrd the kind trc:it- iVum tlu'ir quii at til is its on their 1 o the so\ith j liy hidden j ;W\A\ beset , eoiiforiiiii- it exertion, d it bnrncd •d, the rest, set to work ■h :i port of d tools from 'urther mate- ,r the forest, -s, live small 1. l)Ut nearly FLOltlDA INDlrVN'S. 113 .1,11 perished, either hy famine or by the dangers of the sea. Only a handfid of the number were ever heard from, among whom was Alvar Nunez Cabcza dc Vaca. With only four companions he ke})t on his course to the West, and, after yeaivs of peril, hai'dship, and servitude, reached the Spanish settlements of Mexico. The next S})anish expedition to Florida was of far more importance and interest than either that had precedeaeeable terms with the natives, but hostilities soon follo\ve(l. Some skirmishes took j)laee near the point of landing, and the Spaniards speiMJilv pos- sessed themselves of the nearest village, where were the hcad-(piarters of the caeicpie Fcita or Iliriga. Ilci-e De Soto established himsell' in ''the lord's house," which was built upon a mound by the sea-shore; while the soldiers used the materials of the other buildings in constructing barracks, 8 "^ f ^ t \ '> H l\\ ' id yt 1' 'I 114 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. t At the inluud extri'initj of tlic town stood tlic temple devoted by the Judiaiis to rehgious observiinces. Over the eiitrauco of this buiUhng was tlic wooden iigure of a ibwl, having the eyes gilded — placed there for the pnrpose of ornament, or as symbolic of the tutelary deity (jf the })lace. Clearings were mnv made around the village, to give free scope to the operations of the cavalry, and parties were sent out to explore ^he country, and to malvC prisoners who should sei'vi^ as guides or hostages. The remembrance of hoi'i'ible outrages committed ujion himself and his people by Narvae/, had so end)ittered the old eliief lliriga against the whites, that no jirofessions of friendship and good will could appease his hati'ed. J)e Soto released prisoners who were taken by his scouting parties, charging them with presents and conciliatory mes- sages for their chief, but all in vain. In the tangled forests and marshes the Indians were found to be no eonteniptible oi)ponents. Tiiey were de- scribed as being "so dexterous fierce and nimble that loot can gain no advantage^ u|»on them.'' Their bows and aiTows were so elVective that coats of mad did not prove a sulli- cient ])roteeti()n agains:^ their force. 'J'iie arrows wei-e headed, as usual, with stone, or with fish-bones; those v/hich were maile of canes or reeds produced the dead- liest enet t. A jiai'ty, iindi-r Gallegos, scouring the count ry a I miles from the camp attacked a small body of lndian^ piit th(>m to flight; but, as a horseman as changing his lance at one of the number, 1 h tl e\v , aii'l with le was amazed to near 1 t. m cry out: "Sirs, Lam a Christian; do not kill me, nor ies(! poor men, who li;i\t> given me m ylif( Naked, snn-biirned. and painted, this man was scarce distinguishable from I lis wild associates. Jl IS name; was John Ortiz, and he had lived with the Indians twelv.i years, U'iiig one of the few followers of Narvaez who e\] th.i I). acij sul On .I'l in whl fini pe^ of ■s? ! temple Over the if a fowl, qiose of he phice. oive free ties were prisoners Iteil upon ttered the forisioiis of i j vtred. IK- 1 s scouting i latory mcrf- ij flians \V(M-e ' V \\v\v (If- I ic that foot and arrows ove a sulli- rows were )nes; those i the dead- Ill try a few liidiaii>, and K'l.-ii'ini!; Willi izt'd to hear kill me, nor 1 was scarce is namc^ was lians twelve Sarvaez who FLORIDA IN ni ANSI. 115 escaped dcsti-iiction. Since tlie disastrons failure of that expedition he had made his way to Cuba in a small boat, and liad returned again to Florida in a smtill vessel sent in f[uest of the lost ])arty. Th' Indians enticed a few of 1lie crew on shore, and made thern prisoners. Ortiz, was among the number, and was the only one who escaped immediate death. After amusing themselves by various (wpcdients to terrify and torment their captive, the sav- ;iges, by the command of their chief, Iliviga, bound him to four stakes, and kindled a fire beneath hiin. lie was ])re- servcd, even in this extremity, by the comjiassionate entrea- ties and persuasions of a daughter of the cacique. ITis burns having been healed, he was deputed to kec]) watch over the temple where the bodies of the dead were depos- ited, to defend tlicin from attacks of wolves. His vigilnnce and resolution, in dis])ati'hing a wolf, panther, or "Lyon," (according to one- account) which had seized the body of a cliild of one of the principal chiefs, aroused a kindly feel- ing tov\-ai'ds him, and he was well iised for three years. At the end of that tiine Tliriga, liaving lieen Avorstcd in fight with Moscoso, a hostile chief whose dwelling was at a distance of two days' journey, thought it necessary or expedient to make a sacrifice of his Christian subject to the devil. "Seeing," says onr Portuguese historian, "the Devil holds tliesi' pco[ile in deplorable bondage, tliev are accustomed to oiler to him the life and blond even t)f their sul)jects, or of any body else that falls into their hands." l*\)re\varncd of this danger by his former benefactress, Ortiz fled in the night towards the country of ^loseoso. Upon lirst meeting with the subjects of this chief, lu^ was in great danger from the want of an interpreter to exj)lain whence he came, and what was liis errand; but, at last, finding an Indian who understood the language of the people with wdiom he had lived, he (piieted the suspicions of his hosts, and remained with them in friendship no less m '4 ■-},■> wfi m » ■S,\i,ii;'f r I* "^ K^'t'i I 116 IN'DIAX KAOES OF AMERICA.' than nine years. Moseoso, lieaj'ing of tlie arrival of De Soto, generously furiiislied liis eaptive lyitli an eseort, and gave lilna free ponnission to return to his eountrymen, in accordance with a promise made when Ortiz lirst caine to his territory. The long-lost Sjvuiiard was joyfully received, witli his companions, at De Soto's camp ; his services as guide being considered invaluable. In answer to the lirst inquiry, however, where gold was to be sought, he could give no satisfactory in formation. The cacique ^^oscoso being sent for, soon presented him- self at the Spanish cncamjtment, and after spending some days in familiar intercourse with the wonderful stranger.s, dejxvrted, exulting in the possession of a shirt and other tokens of royal munificence. CHAPTER II. I'KOGRESS NORTFrWARD — CONTESTS WITH THE NATIVES VITACHUCO EXPEDITION TO CUTIFACHUiUI DEI'AKTURE FOR THE WEST. *• * * * * The long bare iirnis Aiv I)ca\ I'd aloft, bows tw;ing and arrows stream ; Eai'li niakoH a tree his shield, and every tree Sends forth its arrow. Fieree the tiyht and short Aa is the wliirlwind." — Bryant. De Soto now concluded to send his vessels back to Cuba, and leaving a strong guard in Iliriga's country, to ju-ocecd northward. Favorable accounts were brought by his emis- saries from the adjoining district of Paracoxi, and delud- ing hoj)es of procuring g(jld invited to still more distant expluration in Cale. Vasco Porcallio, wearied and dis- gusted with lio])elcss and desultory .skirmishing among the stra tli(i cat anJ M 1 of Be ;ort, and nncn came to idi' being inquiry, d give no ■ntcd \rnu- iling some straiigevs, and otlicr —viTAcnuco riiE WEST. !iin ; wxi acl< to Cuba, V. to prof Oftl :l,yl\isenii<- i, ;ind ddud- more distant (h1 and tlis- (1- iunotig t'l^' FLOUIDA INDIANS. 117 swamps and morasses, resigned bis conunission, and left witli the squadron. The Spanisli force, proceeding np the country, passed with great dillieulty the extensive morass now known as the AVahoo Swamp, and came to Calo in the soutlierti portion of Alaclma. The inhabitants of the town, wliirh was hirgo, and gave tokens of thrift and abundance, had fled into the woods, except a few stragglers who Avere taken pi'isoners. The troo]>s fell upon the stored provisions, and ravaged the fields of maize with the eagerness of fam- ished men. Leaving Cale on tlie 11th of August, De Soto pressed forward to the populous town of Ochile. Here, without pretence of coming as friends, the soldiers fell upon tlie inliabitants, and overpowered them by the suddenness of their attack. The country was imder the rule of three brothel's, one of whom was taken prisoner in the town. The second brother came in afterwards upon the receijtt of fi'iendly messages from the Spanish general, but the elder, Yitacliuco, gave the sternest and most liauglity responses to all embassies proposing conciliatory measures. Appearing, at last, to be convinced by the persuasion of his two brotluM's, who were sent to him, he consented to a meeting. "Witli a large company of chosen warriors, he proceeded to De Soto's encampment, and, witli due f )rinal- ity, entered into a league of friendship, l^oth nrniies betook themselves to the principal village of Vitachuco, and royal entertainment was p/epared. The treacherous cacique, notwithstanding these demon- strations, gathered an immcns(> fu'ce of his subjects around tlie town, with a view of surprising and annihilating the Spaniards; but the vigilance of John Ortiz averted the catastrophe. Preparations WTre at once made to anticipate the attack; and so successful were they carried out, that the principal i^:^. < U >M ^>'k m 118 INDIAN BACKS OF AMERICA. ciiciquc AVU3 sceuivd, and his army routed. Muny of tlie fiiifitives wore (.Irivcn into a lake, wliere tlioy foiicTuled thcrnselves by covering' their lieads with tlu; leaves of water-lilies. The lake was surrounded by the Spanish troops, but sueh was tht; jvsolution of the Indians, that they remained the whole nijjfht innuersed in -water, and, on the followin,u; day, when tlie rest had delivei'ed them- selves up, ''bein^u- t'nnstrained by the sharpness of the eold that they endured in the water," twelve still held out, resolving' to die rather than surrender. Chilled and stu- jiefled by the exposure, these were dra;:^<^'ed ashore bv some Indians of I'araeoxi, belonging to De iSoto's party, who swam after ihem, and seized them by the hair. Although a prisoner, with his ehief warrii)rs nduced to the condition of servants, Vitaehueo did uot lay aside his daring purposes of revenge, lie managed to eireulate the order among his men, that on a day ap])ointe(l, -while the Spaniards were at dinner, every Indian should attack th(> one nearest him with v.hatevei- weajton eame to hand. AVhen the time arrived, Vitaehueo, who was seated at the general's table, rallying himself for a despei'ate ellbit, s])rang uj)on his host, and endeavored to strangle him. "This blade," says the Portuguese mirrator, "fell up.-n the general ; but before he could get his two hands to his throat, ho gave him such a furious blow with his list u]ion the face that he jnit him all in a gore of blotxl." I)e Soto had doubtless ])erislied by the unarmed hands of the mus- cidar and determined chief, had not his attendants ru.shed to liis rescue, and dispatched the assailant. All the other prisoners followed their cacique's example. Catching at the Spaniards' arms, or the "pounder where- with they pounded the macs," each "set u])on his master therewith, or on the lirst that fell into his hands. Th(>v made use of the lances or swords they met with, as skil- fully as if they had been bred to it from their childhood: so \y of llie It'll ves of « Siianisli iiUiH, that liter, and, ivd tluMll- f the roll I lu'lil out, il and stu- vc])y sotiH> parly, who nducod to IV asiilt' hi;^ roihito thti "1, \vliik' iho 1 altark the .0 liaml. as scateil at erato (.'tVort, ;ranj,de liiin. fell up.'ii the to his throat, ist upon the I." Do Soto ! of thr inns- dauts rushed lUi's example, under ^vhere- on his nuist(!r lands. 'i'hi\v Avith, as skil- childhood; so FLOllIUA INDIANS. 119 that one of them, with sword in hand, made liead against fifteen or twenty men in tlie open i)hiee, until lie was killed by the governor's halbardiers." Another desperate war- rior, with only a lance, kept possession of the room wlien^ the Indian coi-n was stored, and could no', he dislodgecl. lie was shot througli an aperture in tlie rocu The Indians were at last overpowered, and all who had not pei-ishcd in the struggle, were bound to stakes and put to dealli. Tlu'ir executioners were the Indians of Puracoxi, who shot • them with arrows. Napetaca, the scene of this event, was left by the Span- iards in the latter part of September, Forcing their way tlu'ough the vast swam))S and over the dee}) and miry streams that intercepted their path, and exposetl to the attacks of the revengeful proprietors of the soil, tlu-y came to the tt)wn of U/aehil, somewhere near the present Oscilhi river, midway between the Suwanne and Ajtjialaehicola. Kncundjcred with horses, baggage, and armor as they were, their })rogress is surjirising. Uzachil was deserted by the Indians, and the troops revelled in store of pi'ovision left by the unfortunate inhabitants. Marauding parties of the Spaniards succeeded in seizing many prisoners, both men and women, who were chained by the neck, and loaded witli baggage, when the army recommenced their march. The jioor creatures resorted to every method to effect their esea])e; some tiling their chains in two with flints, and others running away, when an ojiportunity ofl'ered, with the badge of shu'ci'y still attached to their nerks. Those who failed in the attempt were cruelly punished. The natives of this north-western portion of Florida evinced no little skill and good management in the con- struction of their dwellings and in their method of agricul- ture. 1'he houses were pronounced "almost like the farm- houses of Spai n, " and some of the to w ns were (piite pojmlo us. >> wm I bi.-i H i«i •I- •I •k. 120 INIiIAX IIAi.M;S OV AMKIUOA. Making a liiilt at Aiiliayca, llio capital town of the dis- trict of I'alaohe, Do Soto sent u Jjarty to viow tiio scii-coivst. ''^iio men ooniniisioiicfl I'or this scrvico discovtM'ed tokens of tlio ill-fated expedition of Narvae/, at Ante, wIhm'o the live boats were built. These were a manger hewn I'roni the trunk of a tree, and the l)ones of the horses who had been killed to sujtply th(^ means of outtit. Do Soto, aljout tlio last of Novend)er, sent a detai'h- ment back to the bay of Kspiritu Santo, with directions for two caravels to repair to C'ul)a, and tiie other vt'sst-ls, which had not already l)een ordtnvd home, to come round by sea and join him at i'ahiciie. 'I'wcntv Imhan women were sent as a })resont to tlie geiiei-al's will-, honna Isabdhi. In one of the scouting e\i)editions, during the .stay at I'alache, a remarkable instance of .sell-devotion was seen in two Indians, wiioiu the troops came upon as thev were gathering beans, with a wotnan, the wile of out^ of them, in tlieir com])any. '''I'lioiigh ihiy might have saveil themselves, vet th(>v eliose rather to die than to abandon tl le woman. 'J'hev wounded tl ree hoi'sc: wiiereot one died,'" before the S[ la.iKfd succeeded in destroving then Early in March, lolo, the Spanish forces were [mt in ai' to the north-(\ist. A voum hal mil, motion for an e.\pe(liiioii to ^'||pilha, I (iold was still the obji'ct of seaiH'h. who was maih! prisoner at Napetaea, alleg(>il thai he had come from that country, and that it w;is of great extent and richness, lie said that it was subject to a female cacique, and that the neighboring triln's paid her tribute in gold, "whereupon he described the manner how that gold was dug, how it was melted and refined, as if he had seen it >.one a hundred times, or as if th( Devil had taught him; inasmuch that all who understood the manner of working in the mines, averred that it was inijiossibh; for him to speak .so exactly of it, without having .seen the same." It would l)e foreign bj our [)rescnt subject to follow De f tho (lis- SCU-COilSt. •d tokens vliiM'c the •Wll IViMIl who hull !l I lot; uii- liivrtioiis er vessels, j >mc roiitiil i Ul WlilllCll ' alsalH'U;!. j ho stiiv at 1 was si'rn they wcrt^ c of thciii. I avc savcil i tibaiidou ■hereof one vinu tht'iii. vvv put iu noi'tli-east. iiu; Indian, hai- lie had I'cat extent to a irinale her ti'ihnte M* how that as if lu^ had had tau same." Lo follow l)e 'foVl >3f»'' If FLOKIDA INDIANS. 121 m ,^,\ .(i- Soto in this tour; niul, intlecd, tlio position of many of till) loeulitios which urc (U-scriluMl l)y his liistoriiuis, and tlici (hstiiiicos iind directions of his \v<'aris(;inc and perilous journeyiiigs, must, ut tlie i)reseiit (hiy, bo matters of con- j(M!ture. It may not, however, bo amiss to mention brielly tlie aeconnts preserved of the appearance of .some of the tribes througli wlioso dominions \\c passed before liis return to tlic nortli-western districts of mo(h'rn Florida. As ho moved nortliward, a marked elianj.'e was per- ceived in the buildings. Instead of the grass-covered huts which served well enough in the genial climate of the peninsula, the people of Toalli had '4br th.eir roof little canes placed together like Tile; they were very neat. Some had the walls made of poles, so artilicially inter- woven, that they seemed to be built of Stone and lime." They could be thoroughly warmed in the winter, which was there jJi'e'tty severe. The dwellings of the caci(pies were roomy and commodious, and were rendered conspi- cuous by a balcony over the entrance. Great skill was shown by these people in the manufacture of cloth from grass or fibrous bark, and the deer skins, of which they made leggins and other articles, -were admirably well dressed and dvcd. The most remarkable of the countries visited, on this Northern exploration, was Cutifachi([ui, su])posed to have been situated far up the Chatahoochee, Avliii'h was gov- erned by a female. The Spaniards were astonished at the dignity and refmement of the queen. Iler reception of Do SuLo reminds one of Cleopatra's first meeting with Anthony, as described by the great dramatist. She was brought down to the water iu a palanquin, and there seated in the stern of a canoe, upon cushions and carpets, with a pavilion overhead. She brought presents of mantles and skins to the general, and hung a neck-lace of large pearls about his neck. 'M m 122 INDIAN EACES OF AMERICA. The Iiulians of the country were represented as "tawny, well-shajied, and more polite tlian any before seen in Flor- ida." Their numbers had been greatly reduced, two years previous, by a pestilence, and many deserted dwellings Avere to be seen around the town. "J'he accounts given of the quantity of })earls obtained here, by searching the places of sepulture, are incredible. Departing from Cutifachiqui, De Soto had the ingrati- tude to carry the queen along Avith him, compelling her even to go on ft)ot. "In the mean time, that she might deserve a little consideration to be liad for her still," she induced the Indians by -whose houses the cavalcade passed, to join the party, and lend their aid in carrying the baggage. She succeeded, finally, in making her escape. AVc must now dismiss De Soto and his band upon their long journey through the Avestern Avilderness. lie died upon the l?ed Eiver, and those of his companions Avho escai)ed death from exposure, disease, or savage weapons, years after the events above described, made their Avay down the Mississippi to the gulf, and thence reached the Spanish provinces of Mexico. CHAPTER III. FROM THE CONQUEST BY DE SOTO TO THE YEAR 1818— MISSIONARY OPERATIONS BY THE SPANIARDS MOOke's INVASION OF FLORIDA BOAVLES — AVARS OF 1812 DEFEAT OF THE SEMINOLES BY GENERAL MCKSON. We can but briefly touch upon the incidents of Flor- ida history for nearly two centuries after De Soto's inva- sion. The French Huguenot refugees, avIio settled upon St. John's river in 1562, found the natives placable and "t;iwny, in Flor- wt) years Iwellings uiven of liing tlie c iiigvati- lling licr ihc might still," dxo cavuleude canying ler escape. apou their lie died iiions who c wea}ions, their way •cached the -MISSIONARY SIGN OF T OF I nts of Flor- I Soto's inva- \ lettlcd upon < )]acable and FLORIDA INDIANS. 123 generous. Altliough their kindness was hut ill recipro- cated by the colony, no very serious difficulties occurred between the two races. The power and self-confidence of the Indians had been broken, and their numbers greatly reduced by the desolating ravages committed by the Spaniards. In the brutal and murderous wars between the French and Spanish colonies, which succeeded the new attempts at settlement ; the Indians, although they took no conspi- cuous part, were occasionally involved in hostilities. The most important era in the native history of this period, is that of the establishment of a regular missionary system of instruction. The central point of these operations was the convent of St. Helena, situated at St. Augustine. Don Pedro Men- endez de vVvilla, the Spanish governor who founded this town, and who had been commissioned by the king of Spain to spread the Catholic religion among the Indians, was indefotigable in carrying out his sovereign's inten- tions. The success met with by tlic ecclesiastics sent forth among the various tribes, is astonishing. In the Avilder- ness of central Florida may still be seen the ruins of buildings erected by their means for religious exercises. Their efforts were not confined to the vicinity of the col- onies: emissaries penetrated the western forests, even to the Mississippi; and amid the rough mountain districts of the north, they were to be found living with the In- dians, and assiduously instructing them, not only in their religious creed, but in language and useful arts. The Spanish influence might perhaps have been main- tained over the Indians during the existence of the colony, but for the jealous suspicions of Cabraua, who was made governor in 1680. He put to doath the principal chief of the Yem-asees, or inaabitants of East Florida, upon an accusation of having given aid and comfort to the English V JJ^li m '^t^,"*! m '1? I ''■ ^ IT I J Slji''i 124 INDIAN KAv"KS OF A^IEJUCA. settlers on the St. John's, then called May river. The con- sequence of this act was a lon^^ and troublesome war. The unibrtauate Indians were for many years after this event made the tools of the hostile European colonies: lirst in the Vrench and Spanish wars, and afterwards, in 1702 and 1704, when governor Moore, of Soutli Carolina, invaded Florida. In the north-western districts of the peninsula dwelt the Appalachccs; the rest of the country was inhabited by the Vemasecs. These two nations had formerly' been upon terms of the bitterest emnity, but had been reconciled by the mediation of the Spaniards. ^Moorc, ibllowcd by a con- sideralile body of English, and a large force of Creek Indians, ravaged nearly the whole countr\-, beginning at Appalachee, and proceeding south-easterly to the Atlantic sea-board. He carried away many Indians of the con- quered tribes to the English plantations as slaves. After a long period of hopeless and i)rofitless warfare, in which they had nothing to gain by success, and by meanj- of which they were disabled from agi'iculture and de])rived of a settled abode, the scattered renmants of the Inilian tribes gradually took up their quarters in the heart of the country, and further towards the South, in the latter part of the eightcentli century they acquired the name of Seminoles, said to signify "v,-anderers." In the year 1792, an unprincipled adventurer from Eng- land, named Bowles, made strenuous attempts to excite the hostility of the Indians against the Spanish settlers. Failing in a direct attempt to plunder an Indian trading- house on the St. John's, and linding himself abandoned by his associates, he betook himself to the Creeks, married a woman of that tribe, and jjcisuaded the Indians that tlie store of goods which he had attacked belonged rightfully to them, lie met with considerable success in deceiving the simple-minded luitives, and, assisted by several chiels mg Soin of s] III mort lie con- tir. fter this olonies: lU'ds, ill j luroliiui, I 1 welt the ! )ited by :ou upon cilcd by .)y a coii- if Ci'cek lining tit Alliuitic the con- j , wavfure, , and by tare and its of tlic the heart , In the uired the trom Eng- to excite Li settlers, trading- idoned by married a s that tlie rightfully deceiving eral chicfd FLOiaOA INDIANS. 125 of the Creek nation, he got possession of the fortress of St. Marks. Delivering himself up to riot and drunken- ness, with bis follo\"ers, it proved no diflicult task for the Spanish troops to retake the fort. Bowles was allowcul to escape, but was afterwards delivered np by his liKliau allies, and taken to Cuba a prisoner. The Seminolcs were partially involved in the wars of 1812 and the two succeed- ing years, when the Americans invaded Florida. Their chief leaders were King Payne and his brother, the noted IJoleck or Bow-legs. Having done no little damage by ])urning buildings and plundering the plantations in tlu-ir vicinity, they purposed to inarch northward, but were en- gage-^ .lud routed nearer home, by General ^cvvnian, with a body of troops from (Jeorgia. 'J'his force having crossi'd the St. John'.s, marched into Alachua, and encountered Payne within a few miles of his head-quarters. The Indians fought bravely, but could not resist the sii})erior skill of the whites. Payne was killed, and his men were driven oil' in the first engagement, but they rallied, and retnrneil to the attack with redoubled energy. They pos.^essed them- selves of the body of their chief; and afterwards surround- ing the American forces, ke|)t them in a state of siege for a nuiid)er of days, imperfectly protected by a structure of logs. After this ]H>riod, and ])revious to the (tession of the Flor- idas to the L iiited Stat(\s, the all'airs of the Seminolcs and their American neighbors were unsettled, and some blood\' scenes were enacted. .Fugitive slaves from the adjoining states found a secure asylum among the immense wilds of the marshy and uiunhabited terrhory of the Floridas, aud conilieting claims of Indians and whites respecting negroes long after formed a fertile source of quarrel and conij)laint. Some of the Seminoles became possessed of large numbers of slaves, holding them by undisputed title. In the month of ^[arch, I8ly, General Jackson, with more than three thousand men, over one half of whom were 1iP '.''•.''■■•I,„:..JH! 1 ii 1 ' i- *: '; * '«■'•■ 1 *■■;, '\f\ \ ' *■'■ ■■f. , v^4 ■.I'l'fl &m k , it ,'. t. .' ■J ■;* -■' ■ (,► >i li 126 INDIAN" RACES OF AMERICA. Creek Av.arriors, marched into West Florida to piinish and check the ravages of the Seminolcs, With little opposition from the inhabitants, the towns surrounding the lake of Miccosukic were dostroved, and much booty, in corn and cattle, was t^ecurod. The Indian villages upon the Oscilla and St. Mark's -ivcr-!, known as the Fowel towns, met with a similar fate. St. Marks M^as soon after occupied by the invaders, and, in tlie ■ :suing month, the great body of the Seminolcs, aided by large numbers of negroes, was defeated on the bordt rs of the Suwanee, and several hundred were taken prisoners. The rest lied into East Florida. CHAPTER IV. COMMENCKMI'NT OF THE LATK FLORIDA WAlt — TUKATY OF MOUL- TKIE CliKKK — TUFATV OF I'AINK's LANDING OSiKOLA DK- STRI'CTION OF DADE's COMMAND HATTlE OF THE OUITHLACOOCIIIE CONFEKENCE Wmi INDIAN CHIEFS, BY (iENEUAL C.AINES. "* * * Hark, tliiit inents inc tlie lat- 823, tlR-re- concluded FLORIDA INDIANS. 127 at the camp on ^roultric Creek, between coTamis.sioner3 from the United States and a number of Seminole ehiefs, ■wliereby it Avas stipulated: that all territory not reserved by the articles shonld pass to the Anierican government ; tliat the Indians should confine themselves to a large dis- trict described by courses and bounds in the heart of the peninsula; that fugitive slaves should be delivered up, the reasonable expenses of securing thein being provided for; and that certain sums should be paid by the gov- ernment to compensate for the expenses and losses of re- moval, and to establish the Indians comfortably in their nc'.v quarters. Various minor particulars were embodied in the treaty, which was signed with mark and seal, on the part of the Seminoles, by the principal chii.'C ^lieanopy; by ^I'uslvi- Ibijo, iMnathlochoe, Mconchatimico, Tokose- mathla (k-ncnvn as Hicks). Charley Anuithia, TushMingge, John ]51uat, Mulatto King, Philiii, Nea Matlda, and twenty- one others, pixsse.ssed of or elaiming the autuority of cliit'fs. An exception was made, by an additi(pnal article, in fivor of six (if the signers; who were alhjwed, in consid- eration of former scrvict>s, to remain ujjon the lands then occupied l)y thoni. »* Micauojiy is de.-^cribed by Williams as a "large fat man, ratlier obtuse in intellect, but kimi to his people and slaves." The Indians were removed in accordance with the provisions of tlie agreement, and, until 18o5, no sc.'ious hoslilities took place between them and the whites. Com- planits wcM-e, indeed, made on both sides of uiu'edrcssed wrongs and (outrages. I'he Alacliuan settlers lost their cattle, and attribiiti'd the thefts to the Indians: on the other liand, the Indians complained, with Justice, of imm- berless impositions and deceptions to whieli tliey were exposed in their intercourse with unprincipled traders and speculators. To quiet all disturbance it was at bust decn\cd expedient il/Wf'li.,. ■ ^^ 'is f A ,M '^ ' '' VI Sjr' If? « * Ml ' 1 1' >l M.i 128 INDIAN' HACKS OF AMKHICA. . ii : ;• by the Ann^rican iroveniniciit, to ofllvt an entire removal of the Seiniiioles to the west of tlie Mississipjti. Aceord- inglv, a V'.ieetiiig was appoiiiteil by ^rieano]n- ami the ji-ov- crniueiit emissaries, to be held at Payne's Landing, on the Oeklawaha river, on the ciglitli of May, 1832. Fifteen cliiefs were present, and, after nineh argument, signed an agreement, in belialf of tliemselves and tln'ir jieople, to accede to the [iroposals of goverinnent; provided tiie new lands assigned them slionld jirove acceptable to a dejmta- tion from tlieir nnnilnM'wlio sliould llrst go to make exam- ination. The bnited States were to i)ay tlie trilte iifteen thonsaiid lonr liuiKh'cd doilars, ai'd llie removal was to take place within three years. The authority of the sign- ers of this treaty to bind the whole of the Seminole tritn's has been frequently, and with no little jvason, called in question. Certain it is, that to a majoi'ity of the nation the pidposition was highly distasteful. Sevei'al cliiels, with Micanopy's ju'ini;' eounselloi- Abra- ham, an astute negro, undertook the survey of the W(\-<1- ern reserve, and sig- ^d a wriLing expressive of tlieir satis- faction with its ap[., iirauce. It was claimed by the In- dians, and their pai'tisans, that some deception was used both ill the wording of this certificate, and generally as to the conclusiveness of the arrangements entered int(. at Payne's Landing. As the end of the term prescribed, w ithin which they must leave their homes, drew near, ojiposition to reino\al, anil detenninatioii to resist it, eontiniieil to gain foree among the Indians. They complained of tlu' ae('()nnts brought them of the belligerent character of the sa\ages who would be their near neighbors, and strenuously oh- jeeteil to a jilan, set on foe' at AVashington, for uniting their 1ril>(> with that of their old c'.iemii's the Creeks. Serious disturbances coinrn..\'!ccd in 18o5. Some months previously, whites had be( ii, upon one or two occasions, m w iioval ? .L'OV- )!! till' ii'ti'i-n loil :in pic, to If new cplltll- I'xaiu- llftl'LMl was to le sijin- c tribcri ]\vi\ in nation >i-A1>ra- j 1h> w.-st- I rir siilis- ^ ■ the In- I vas 11 set I i (■rally as i il int(. at 1 iir1i tli(\v removal, :ain f'oivc ai'coiintri I' sava.uvs lOUslv t'l)- ir iinitiii;-r erks. nc months occasions, vi;y ti\ ft ,Sv'5 .i > , r; Th niatell that acutci He ^\-l Frenc bciiife, lishni chief. vious ^f.^-'-' VS(:EUL.>i. FLORIDA INDIANS. 129 fired upon by the Indians, and mutual wrongs, insults, and injuries, had excited general ill-feeling between the two nations. In the month of October, of this year, sev- eral Indians were detected in killing a cow near Kenapaha jiond, not far fi'om Miccosukie. They were set upon by seven whites, who seized their arms, and commenced beating them with whips. An affray succeeded, in which several were wounded on both sides, and two of the In- dians were killed outright. This may be considered to be tho commencement of the war : it was the first blood shed, but was soon followed by other outrages. The mail rider, upon his route from Fort Brooke, on Tampa Bay, to Fort King, fell a victim to Indian revenge; his body was found hacked and mutilated. It now appeared that the Scminoles, determined to main- tain their ground, had been, for some time, purchasing :ind hoarding great stores of arms and ammunition. Their mvmbers were considerable ; they had among them lead- e'.'s known to be bold, determined, and sagacious; they considered themselves wronged and ojipressed; and all these circumstances, combined with their intimate knowl- edge of the impassable wilderness to which the}'' could at any moment retire, convinced the discerning that a war with them must be fraught with danger and difficulty, and might be indefinitely protracted. The young chief, Osceola, whose name is more inti- mately associated than any other with the bloody events that succeeded, now began to attract attention for his acuteness, energy, and determined hostility to the whites. He was a qaadrooTi of the Red Stick (anglicized from the French "Baton llouge") tribe, of Miccosukie; his mother being a half-breed, and his father supposed to be an l^hig- lishman named Powel — a name ordinprily borne by the chief Osceola had opposed the plan of removal at pre- vious councils, with great vigor, and on one occasion 9 {<('■( '■ill li ■' » ' >•• tra ■ ■' ■ • , ■ ■; 'I';. ' ■' ■ ,■ 'Vj!*;''' ■ t ■ . 'V v:-^^vy m ''im ■ ' W" 130 INDIAN RACES OF AMElilCA. demeaned liiinsclf with such violence that he was seized by General '^riionipson, the government agent, and kept for a day or two conlined in letters. Dissend)ling his rage, he, for a time, managed to disai'iu suspicion; bringing in a great number of his followers, and solemnly rati fy i\ig the treaty. His true purposes and feelings were first known by the ]iart he took in the murder of John llieks and Charley Ainathla, two ehiefs who had been prominent in forward- ing the treaty of removal. lie obtained great ascendancy for himself and followers among the whole nation of tlie SMiiiiiolcs; and mainly through his influence, instead of cnllecting their cattle and stock for appraisal, at the time when they were notified that they must leave the country, the warriors of the tribe secreted their women and chil- dren in swamps remote from white settlements, and scoured the country in hostile attitude. Troops were ordered to Florida from various quar- ters. Major Dade, arriving at Tampa Bay, with a com- pany of United States' infantry, being reinforced, with two other companies, started, on the 24th of Decend)er, to the relief of General Clinch, at Fort King. His force consisted of over one hundred I'cgular troops, sup])lii'd with ten days' provision: they took with them a small ficld-picce. Sonic delay occurred u2)on the march, owing to the difliculty of transporting the cannon, and on tiie 28th they had advanced no farther than a few miles to the northward of the forks of the Ouithlacooehee. Here they were attacked by an uidcnown multitude of Iiulians, under the command of Micanopy, and his brother-in-law, the celebrated Jumper, who had avoided signing the treaty of Moultrie Creek. The savages were crouching among the long wire-grass, and protected by the trunks of the pine-trees, when they commenced their fire. The effect was deadly; Major Dade and a great number of J was l| compd rest el In destn on thJ On tlf been Fort quarte 'g ling the roucliing e trunks re. The Lmuer of :zzr--J FLOHIDA INDIANS. 131 his men were killed at the first discharge. The soldiers continued to fight bravely, .sheltering themselves as well as possible behind tree.s; and, as the Indians rose up, poured in their fire so briskly as to drive the enemy from the field. J^Jvery histant was now occu])ied in forming a slight protection by cutting and piling up the truid\S of pines. The Indians, liowever, soon returned in great force, and, surrounding the little entrenchment, destroyed nearly every man of the company. After they had ttiken ]H)ssession of the arms which lay scattered around, the Indians retired, but a body of mounted negroes are said to have come up, and finished the murderous work by knocking out the brains of the wounded. Only four men escaped, being jtassed over by the negroes and Indians, as they lay wounded and motionless among the dead bodies. One of these was killed on the following da}', while en- deavoring to make his way back to the fort: the other three, cautiously threading their path through the wilder- ness, arrived safe at Tampa Bay. On the same day with the destruction of Dade's com- mand, Osceola revenged himself upon his hated foe. Gen- eral Wiley Thompson, by whom he had been imprisoned, as before mentioned. A company of nine, among them General Thompson, were dining at the house of a ^^r. I?ogers, within fifty rods of Fort King, when the liouse was beset by Indians, and a volley poured in upon the company. Thompson and four others were killed; the rest escaped to tlie fort. In the course of the month, various plantations -yerc dostro3'ed in di fie rent parts of the country bordering on the Indian reserve, and some skirmishing took place. On the last day of December, General Clinch, who had been stationed at Fort Grane, thirty miles north-west of Fort King, being on his march towards Osceola's head- tpiarters with a considerable force of Florida volunteers m^i ■j::4' ,, ' ■ ■ ■ .V i-. r.'V '^i ,' i" viM' '■•AM ' -::i>'!f/: ■vvft;,*tnl :■•■■!;■!:<,' ut^lVir ■'/:..■'■ .'• J-'W H?i ••'U^',^ V ;'■,. MJl.'lai . .t,i«> ! ,• '.''lYvlltRI -^m ^uim^M '■'•^■•,'.'•^1 182 INDIAN KACEH OK AMERICA, and about two hundred regular troops, encountered the enemy upon the left bank of the Ouilhlaooocheo. The ]ii(Haiifl, nuinbcrin^'', as was supp()S('(l, about six huiub'ed, heachnl ])y Oscoola, loll ii[)()ii tlio iirst division ol" the Ainorican army tliat liad eft'ected the passage of the river. The stream, contrary to expectation, was in no ])laec lonhible, and the only means of crossing was by a single canoe; the horses passed the river by swiuuning. The Tn[r. Motte, residing at that place, was murdered, and h. esrab- lishnient was destroyed. Early in June, the Indians, emboldened by success in tiie destruction of plantations, and the expulsion of the whites from such extensive districts, beset the fort at Micanopy, which was garrisoned by a company uuder the command of Major lleillman, then at the head of the army west of St. John's river. They were driven oif, bu.' not without some loss on the part of the whites In July, Fort Drane had become so unhealthy that it wius thought necessary to abandon it. As the troops were on their march u})on the evacuation of the place, they had a sharp brush with some hundreds of Indians who lay in wait for them near Welika Pond, in the vicinity of Micanopy. Towards the close of the month the light- house at Cape Florida was destroyed. The kee])er, named Thompson, was singularly preserved by clinging to the top of the stone wall of the building, while the wood-work was burned out from within. After the Indians had, by their own act, cut off the means of access to the sunnnit, they descried tlie unfortunate "vm^ half dead with the heat and smoke, and shot at hi n a long time without eifect. He was able to crouch in such a manner upon the top of the wall as to elude their aim, until they took their departure. 1 1 Ult it were they who lity of hght- FLORIDA INDIANS. 187 It would be impracticable, in a sketch of this kind, to give full particulars of the skirmishing, plundering, and murders which were to be heard of on every side during tlie summer of 1836. About the middle of August, it was ascertained that Osceola and a large company of his fol- lowers were staying in the vicinity of the abandoned Fort Drane, for the sake of securing the corn growing upon the neighboring plantations. They were attacked and defeated by Major Pierce. In September a marauding party of Indians made their way to within seven miles of Jacksonville, where they attacked the house of Mr. Iligginbotham. There were only two men in the house, but, having a number of guns, and receiving resolute assistance from the women of the family, they successfully resisted the assault. After the Indians had retired, Iligginbotham hastened with all speed to Jacksonville, and procured a party of twelve men, under Major Hart, to pursue them. Taking the Indian trail, the company followed it to the house of Mr. Johns, ten miles distant from the scene of the attack. Tlie build- ing had been reduced to ashes, and the half-burned body of its proprietor lay among the ruins. Mrs. Johns had been scalped, and left to perish. Before their departure, one of the savages set lire to her clothes, but she managed to extinguish the flame, and to creep away from the burning building. In this miserable condition slie was discovered, lying by the border of the swamp, and kindly cared for. The perpetrators of this outrage, having secured good horses, effected their escape. Before the end of this month, additional forces from Tennessee were brought into Florida, and a body of nearly a thousand Creeks, led by the Chiefs Paddy Carr and Jim Boy, came to lend their aid against the Indians of tlie penin- sula. An army of from one to two thousand men, includ- ing the Tennessee bri^j-ade, under Governor Call, inarched, .. ;' ,'1./ -i -i'^^^^'.-.tia ■f .,,. ■ I'-'J.-,, ■..j-i;i:(i:9 ,ii''.K- '■■.;'-•; ■■■. . '■■ifi^rf' *^^!V?'^-(1 •V.-1 I'rrTiMlt'ri^t: ■;' ',■ ". ,- I 138 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. in the beginning of October, to the desertcc' Fort Drane, but found that the Indians had recently left their quarters in that neighborhood. The trail of the fugitives was fol- lowed towards the Oiiitlilacoochce, but the pursuit of sav- ages, in their own country, especially in such a country as 1^'lorida, by regular troops, encumbered with baggage, and ignorant of the fastnesses of the enemy, proved as futile in that instance as upon former and subsequent occasions. Litlle was accomplished against the enem}'', who were ena- bled, at any time, to retreat beyond the reach of their jnirsuers, and only showed themselves where they could attack the whites at a disadvantage. Under existing cir- cLunstances, the main force was obliged to return to Fort Drane, not without the loss of a great number of their hcn'ses iVom hard service upon indifl'erent food. Colonel Lane, with a strong force of Creek Indians and regular troops, made an excursion into the enemy's country fi'(Mn Tampa Bay, during the early part of this month. Near the Ocklikany Lake, called the Spotted Lake, from the great number of small wooded islands which cover its surlace, about sixty miles from Tampa, an Indian trail was struck. The party followed this track to the south- Avard, and came successively upon several considerable Indian villages deserted by the inhabitantvS. Large corn lields were seen in the vicinity of these settlements, and some hundreds of cattle were secured by the Creek Indians of the company. At one advantageous povSt, where the thick underwood on the borders of a small lake offered protection to an ambush, the Seminoles attempted, \insuc- cessfully, to resist the invaders. They were driven out into the open country and dispersed. Lane and his detach- ment joined General Call at Fort Drane on tiie 19th. lie survived this service but a few days, being found in his tent, nearly dead, with the point of his sword thrust into the brain over his eye: there was little doubt among those proceed Lake, been aji four liuil FLORIDA INDIANS. 139 conversant witli the circumstances of liis death, but that it occurred accidentally. The combined army, of more than two thousand rnen, marched to the Ouitlilaeoochee in November. This region, which had been a favorite resort of the Seminolcs through- out the war, Avas now found entirely abandoned, and trails were discovered trending towards tlie great Wahoo Swamp. That the nicun body of the enemy had moved in that direction, was also affirmed by an old negro, found at an abandoned village on the river. Taking up the pursuit, a portion of the American forces followed the trail, and had a sharp engagement with the Indians on the border of the swamp. There was, however, abundant space for the fugitives to retreat into, where the whites Avere unable to follow them, and po heavy loss occurred on either side. Another battle took place on the 21st, in which the Seminolcs displayed more resolution, and stood the charge of the regular troo})s with greater firmness, than had ever before been observed in them. The dangers of the exten- sive morass to which they retreated prov'ed more insur- mountable than those attendant upon the contest witli the savages themselves. Provisions being nearly exhausted, and it being impos- sible to procure supplies in such a wilderness, the army proceeded to Volusia, between Lake Georg(^ and Dexter's Lake. There it was joined Ijy General Jessup, avIio had been api)oiuted to the chief command in Florida, Avith four h'.iudred mounted volunteers from Alabama. : ■'■ ■\:r.rs} ■:(.,: --Ill f-r U .:.,■ I ::itM it'. ' -r ■''><'■■>:. ^Mh uo India:: kaces of ameuica. CHAPTER VI. PUUSUIT OF THE SEMINOLES SOUTHWARD — ENCOUNTKR ON THE HATCIIEE LUSTEE — CONFERENCE AND TRUCE WITH THE INDIANS RENEWAL OF THE TREATY OF PAYNE's LANDING NEGLECT O.N THE PART OF THE INDIANS TO COMPLY WITH ITS PKOVISIONS CAPTUKE, SURRENDER, AND TREACHEROUS SEIZURE OF VARIOUS CHIEFS — DEATH OF OSCEOLA COLO- NEL Taylor's campaign. "Wk have already given more space to the details of the Florida tiim])aign, than such ill-advised, ill-coiiductod, and trivial operations deserve. We would be the last to en- deavor to detract from the deserved laurels of many of the brave men who were engaged in them, -svliile we can but lament that their lives should have been sacrificed; less by the weapons of the savages than by the diseases of the country; that the public money should have been sf^ landered; and the whole peninsula so long kept in a state of agitation and suspense, when pacific measures might have kejit matters comparatively at rest. Before the first of January, General Jessup, marching wdth his troops from Volusia, with the cooperation of Colonel Foster, dispatched from Tampa, ranged the whole country on the Ouithlacooehee and other haunts of the Seminoles, and examined the deep recesses of the Wahoo morass, without finding an enemy. The Indian trails wliieh were observed, all led to the unexjilored wilderness of the south. Thither he started in pursuit of the fugitive Seminoles, on the 22d of January (1837). On the succeeding day, a detachment, under Cohjiiel Cawfield, sur])rised Osuehee or Cooper, a Seminole chief, then encamped at Ahapopka Lake, from which flows the Ocklawaha. The chief and tee C^r Cyjn'(>; iiiiule litrone- hy. Seniiiu JIavin< turnec es('oile( camp, and a nt Foi Jislimei tliat ijo On t by Phi N THE I ANS of the ?fl, and , to en- uiiiy of I we can | rillced; ' :'liseasca i ire Lcen ] pt in a icasures arching Coloiicl country rninolcs, inoraps, i(.'h were 10 south. ninoles, g (hiy, a uchec or hapopka hicf and P'LORIDA INDIANS. 141 several of his warriors were killed, and a number of pris- oners were taken. The main army, still following the course of the Indian track, now came to the high ridge of sandy hills lying directly south of Lake Aha])opka. The second day after passing these hills, cattle of the Indians were seen, and shortly after a scouting party, under Colonel Henderson, discovered the enemy upon the borders of the stream of Ilatchce Lustee. The troops instantly charged, and drove them into the swamp, taking twenty or thirty prisoners, mostly women and children. On the same day another large body of Indians was discovered a little farther to the westward, who fled pre- cipitately upon the approach of troops. One of the Semi- nolcs was found watching by his sick wife, who had been left as unable to travel. This Indian was sent the nexii morning (January 28th) to invite the Seminole chiefs to a conference. The army was marched to the border of Tohopekaliga Lake, (into which emjities the Ilatchce Lus- tee Creek,) and encani{)ed between its waters and the Big Cyjiress swamp, to await the return of the messenger. He made his apuearance on the following day, bringi g intel- ligence from the hostile chiefs, who agreed to have a par- ley. The first who presented himself, on the part of the Seminoles, was Abraham, Mieanopy's negro counsellor. Having held a consultation with General Jessup, he re- turned to his people; but three days after, February 3d, escorted Jumper, Alligator, and two other cliiefs to the camp. It was concluded that a grand talk should be held, and a new treaty entered into on the 18th of the month, at Fort Dade, on the Big Ouithlacoochec. To that estab- lishment the army immediately repaired, as it was agreed that liostilities should be suspended until after the council. On the 8th of the month, several hundred Indians, led by Philip, the chief who had long been the terror of the m f. • '■•.it'll m '.i'l 142 IXDIAX HACKS OF AMKUICA. Mr n eastern portion of the jic'iinsnln, attacked Colou(^l Fanning, then in tlie oe't-iijiation oi^ ii station on liuke ^fonroe, with a mixed nanison of re,L;,idars, volunteers and Creeks, The Creek eliief Paddy Carr was of tlic coini)any. Tlio assail- ants were driven oil" with h-ss, and, in cheir retreat, met a messenger sent by Micano])y to convey intelligence of the truce. Some delays occurred 'n bringing about the conference assigned foi' the ISth, but at last most of the principal Seminole chiefs signed a treaty similar to that of Payne's Landing, wherel)y they agreed to remove west of the iMississipjii. The United States' government was to make renumeralion for the stock which must necessarily be left behind, and to pay stijudated annuities as before agreed. There can be Init little doubt that, even on this occasion, the Indians had no real intention of complying with the re(piisitions of government. Few came in on the days a})poiuted, and rumors were circulated among them — whether actually believed, or only used as an excuse ft)r absenting themselves, does not aj)i)ear — that the wliites intended to destroy the whole tribe as soon as they should be secured on board the government vessels. Osceola and Coe Ilajo, still })retending that their endeavor was to collect their jjcople for transjxjrtatlon, held a great festival or giime at ball near Fort Mellon, upon Lake Mon- roe, at the eastern part of the peninsula, ^fhey doubtless chose this place for gathering their followers, as being at a safe distance from the ])oiiit of end)arkation on Tampa Bay. On the 2(1 of June, Osceola took two hundred of his warriors to Tampa ]5ay, and, either by force or persua- sion, induced the old king Micanopy, and all the other Lidians who had rendezvoused there in pursuance of the treaty, to iuove off again to the wilderness. Hearing of this, the commandant at Fort Mellon, Colonel Uaruey, made up his mind to entraj) such of leadint hood that till Gen but thi J^rdlon, such of FLOKIDA IXDIANS. 143 tlie chiefs as were in his vicinity, untlcr pretence of a conferenco ; and retaliate upon the Seniinolcs for thoir breach of faith at Tampa, by seizing those who should ajipcar. Osceola got wind of the design, and it conse- (pu'utly proved futile. Fort Mellon and Volusia were abandoned during this month; the sickness attendant upon the season having commenced its ravages among the troops; and the Indians were left free to roam over that whole portion of the coun- try, while the settlers whose dwellings were exposed to their assaults, Avere forced to fly to places of jjrotection. 'J'he last of the month. Captain Walton, keeper of the floating light ■ n Carysford reef, was killed, together with one of his assistants, at Key Largos, the most consider- able of the Florida Keys. He had a garden at this island, and had just landed, coming from the light, when he and his J'arty were lired upon. The whole south- eastern sea-coast was then in undisturbed possession of the hostile Indians. In September, Grcneral Hernandez, stationed at Fort Pey- ton, a few miles from St. Augustine, made an ex})editiou to the southward, and ca})tured the dreaded Philip, L'^chee Billy, and nearly one hundred other Indians and negroes. Philip's son coming with a flag of truce to St. Augustine, was taken prisoner, and retained in captivity. Other chiefs and warriors — among them Tustenugge — delivered themselves uf) at Black Creek, and several caj)- tures were made at other points; but the most important transaction of this autumn — whether justifiable or not — was the seizure of Osceola, Alligator, and six other of the leadinfic Seminoles. Thev had come into the neighbor- hood of Fort Peyton, and sent word to General Jessup that they desired a pai'ley. General Hernandez was deputed to hold the conference, but the talk of the Indians being pronounced "evasive ;;i'?' ■' ■'i■^I:";'■'l>■i'u''■r'!''f*il iVi- I'M ■I , -,' •Kf^jp- .1 "' V,. ,M 1-41: INDIAN RA.CyS OF AMEKICA. nnil nnsatisfactory," tlio commandor-in-cbief dispatched a forec to capture the whole body; these chiefs accordingly, with over sixty followers, fell into the bands of tbeii' ene- mies. The excuse giV(Mi for this act wius that the treachery of the Tuihans upon former occasions had deprived tliem of all tlaiins to good faith on the part of the whites. Osceola waa removed to Charlest(ni, and died in confme- :iK ut on the 30ih of January, 1S?8. If he liad survived, he was to have been taLcn, with other Seniinoles, to the west of the Afississijipi. In tiie same month various otlier captures were made, until the Indians in bondage at St. Augustine nuiid)?rod nearly one hundred and 'ity. The United States forces, consisting! f rcguhais, volunteers, seamen, and Indian allies, distributed among the various posts in Florida at this time, are set down at little short of nine thousand men! Sam Jones, or Abiaca, was, after the cajiture of Oscet)la, one of the most forward of the Seminole chiefs, lie ap- pears to have been spokesman at a conference held, not far froni this time, between his tribe and deputies irom the (Jreek nation, bearing proposals and advice from their celebrated chief John Ross. We must next proceed to the campaign of Colonel Zaiih- ary Taylor, tho hero of many battles, and afterwards the di^-.tinguished President of the Unit(;d States. He left Fort Gardner, a station sixty miles due cast from Fort Brooke, on Tam])a Bay, with some six hundred troops, to follow the enemy into their hidden retreats at the south. Pursuing the course of the Kissimce, the army had ad- vaiiccd within fifteen miles of the great lake Okeechobee, on the northern borders of the unexplored everglades, when intelligence was obtained from a prisoner, that the Seminoles were encamped in force on the eastern shore of the Kissimee lake. "With a portion of his army. Colonel Taylor crossed the river, and hastened to attack the In- dians befoi and : coura dispei of th( no les being VARion; OF I.\l FROM CHI ( ll ." ;i Dl'H 1 j import; /J Many j \ 1 Mellon u St. Job ! : the Suv near Fo 5 in Avhic I i taking ; 1 I On tl jl t'ompan_ I I gage me . j Uriven 1 — - — 1 4 I' !'■',« M-iiludes, FLOniDA INDIANS. 1^5 (liana in tlic lianimock wliere tlioy were posted. Never before bud the Indian rillos done more deadly execution, and never liad tlieir warriors evinced more determined courage. They were, with great difTiculty, dislodged %nd dispersed: the number of killed and wounded on the part of the whites considerably exceeded that of the Indians, no less than one hundred and eleven of Col. Taylor's men being wounded, and twenty-eiglit killed. CHAPTER VII. VARIOUS MINOR ENGAGEMENTS — SURKENDER OF LARGE NUMBERS OF INDIANS CONTINUANCE OF DEPREDATIONS — BLOOD-HOUNDS FROM CITBA ATTACK UPON A COMPANV OF ACTORS SEMINOLE CHIEFS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE WEST TO REPORT THEIR CONDITION TO THEIR COUNTRYMEN — COL. HARNEY's EXPEDITION TO THE EVERGLADES — END OF THE WAR — INDIANS SHIPPED WEST — NUMBERS STILL REMAINING IN FLORIDA. During December (1837), several encounters of minor importance took place in different parts of the country. Many prisoners were taken in the district between Fort Mellon and liake Poinsett, near the head waters of the St. John's, and a small skirmish occurred as far north a.s the Suwanne. There was a more severely-contested action near Fort Fanning, on this river, early in January (18oi'~!), in Avhich the whites met Avith some loss, but succeeded in taking a number of prisoners. On the eastern sea-coast, not far from Jupiter Inlet, a company under Lieutenant Powell was worsted in an en- gagement, and retreated with loss. The Indians had been driven into a swamp on Lochahatchee Creek, where they 10 tr.''.] •.■i.vj< |<|f/7| •';'■"■" '•'»•' ,'.Ml I ■ . . ' ;■'■.','..' '* . .'.rig ■' > *- 'I 1-10 INDIAN UACEH OF AMKIUCA. miulu a spii'itetl resistance until their pursuers found it ne(!(\ssury to retreat. General Jessup attaeked and broke up this cncainpnieiit of the Indians, towards tlie end of .January. lie was him- self wonnded ill the action. TosU-e^^cf was the chief wiio connnand(,'d the Seminoles in both tliese battles. Tiie (Jeneral was now anxious to C(Mielude a treaty witli the Indiiins, by which they shouhl be ,'llovved to remain in their own country, eonlining themselves to speeitied districts, bnt the govcrnuient refused assent to any such ])roposition. He nevertheless ])rocce(led to bring about parleys with his saviige o[)ponents, as it was eviilent that desultory hostilities might be indefinitely protracted. Tlu' Scmimiles, miserably reduced by the troubled life they ha'l led s<^ l<»ug, and weary of proiitless warfare, hard- ship and I'xpusure, were induced to surrender in large numbers. They ai>parently expected to be allowed to remain in the country, as they were assured by the olliccrs ^vith whom they treated, that every endeavor wi>uld be made to procure that permission from the government. When General Jessuj) left Florida, in A})ril, I808, leav- ing (jcneral Taylor in command, more than two thousand of the dmigerous tribe were in the power of the whites. Part t)f these had been captured, but the larger portion ha, luinl- \ ' u Uu'j-'o )\vril to ;ollicrrs oulil be 1 lUMlt. 8, U'av- lousaivl whites!. portion to tlie he Avas the war Murder.-^ pr owliiii. country. Morida, OIKS of the whenever FLOUIDA INDIANS. 147 a vessel was in distress upon the dangerous enstcrii and Routliern coust. This desidtorv warfare, marked by many piiinful and horrible detiiils of private sud'erin,!^ and disaster, continued mitil the sprin";of bs;{(>. No ediiferenee could \h' obtained with the leadin;^ ('hiefs, and Indians were every where lurking in small bands ready to fire upon tlie solitary trav- eller, or to ru.sh at an unguarded hour upon an isolated l)lantation. (Jeneral Afacond), who had eoiuniand of the army during April and Ma^', suecei-ded in bringing about a parley with some of the Seminoles, in which it was agreed that the tribe shouhl stay peaceably in i''lorida until intelligence could be brought of the sate arrival and prosperous con- dition of the captives already sliijijicfl wi'stward. 'I'lu; Tallahassee chief Tigertail, and Abiaea, having had no concern with this treaty, refused to abide by it, and blo(tdy skirmishes and assassinations continued to be heard from on every side. The govei'ument of Florida now offered a bounty of two hundred dollars for each Indian secured or killed. We cannot even enumcrato one half the jielty engage- ments and sanguinary transactions of the ensuing winter and spring. In March, 1840, bloodhounds were hrought into Morida from C'id)a, to aid in tracking and ferreting out the savages from their lurking places. Cieneral I'ay- lor had been authori/.ed, during the i)reeeding autumn, to ])rocnrc this novel addition to the elUcient force of the army, and natives of the island were also secured to train and manage the dogs. ^J^herc was a great outcry raised, and i)erhaps justly, at this barbarous plan of warl'are, but little seems to have resulted from the o[ieratiou except the furnishing a valuable breed of the animal for future do- mestic use, and the supplying of excellent subje(Jt matter for the caricaturists, who made the war a theme for ridicule. -f! I •■ 1 \ ' .'ill i V kv, m* '^vl Jlii;,ii,w.. 1.1. 1 - ,.' 1 1 '"■^.i'lcv; 'I -I 148 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. Before tlio 1st of June, many more families wcro mas- saered, and several bloody engagements occurred between comparatively small comj)anics of Avliites and Indians. Near the close of May, a ludicrous though tragical inci- derit took place on tlie road between Picolata and St. Augustine. A company of play-actors, en route for the latter town, were set iipon by the noted chief Wild Cat, with a large body of Indians. Four were killed, and the "property " of the establishment fell into the hands of the savages. Nothing could have delighted them more than an aec{uisi- tion so congenial to thei'' tastes. The tawdry red velvet, spangles, and sashes, which every where obtain as the ap- propriate costume of the stage, were now put to a new use, and served as royal appendages to the dusky forms of the Seminole warriors. Decked in this finery, they made their exultant appearance before Fort Scarle, challenging the little garrison to an engagement. The month of August was marked by secnes of terrible interest. On the Suwannee, eleven families were driven from their homes, and many of their members mui'dcred: the settlement on Indian Key was almost totally destroyed, six person^ being massacred. Nothing was accom])lished in any way tending to bring the war to an end, or to miti- gate its horrors, until autumn. It was resolved, at last, to try fair measures, since foul proved of so little avail, and a number of the principal Seminoles who had experienced the realities of a western life, among whom were old Micanopy and Alligator, wei'c brought back to Florida, for the pur})ose of ])ointing out to their brethren the advantages of their new homes, anil inducing peaceable comj)liance with the intended removal. A meeting was obtained at Fort King, early in November, with Tigertail and other Seminole chiefs, but after a few days of profitless parley, the whole of the hostile party Th SUITC blee j Koi't j unsafe I suHic; ' \y\ ted-ioii tlid nc consic pursue suvagt ator)' -loh re|)ort( fil'ty Ii Florid I FLORIDA INDIANS. 149 rnas- wecn iians. inci- d St. town, large ,ert3" vagcs. ^quisi- ,'elvet, lie ap- a new rnis of - made engnig. :crrn)le driven rdered : troved, )lisl\ed to niitl- nce foul irincipal western (.)r, were ting out nes, ami removal. )veinber, ter a tew ilo party disappeared, and witli them all prospect of an aniieablo settlement of didieulties. The Indians continued their depredations, murdering and plundering with greater boldness than ever. In iJe- cember. Colonel Harney attacked the enemy in quartei'S, which they had till then occupied in undisturbed security, viz: the islands and dry spots of tliat waste of "grass- water," as the natives term it, the l^A'erglades. He liad obtained a negro guide, who knew of the haunts of the chief Chaikika and his people, and, taking a considerable company in boats, he j)rocceded to beat up his quarters. The }iartv came upon the Indians most iinexpectedly : Chaikika was shot by a private after he had thrown down his arms, and his men, with their families, were surrounded and taken before they had time to escape. Nine of the men were hanged! on the ground that they were concerned ill the Indian Kc}' massacre; some of the property plun- dered on that occasion being found in the camp. The only other important event of the month was the surrender of a son and a brother of the old .md implaca- ble chieftain 'i'lgertail. They delivered themselves u]> at Fort King. In Middle Florida, travelling continued jls unsafe as ever, unless in well-armed companies, of force sulUcient to keep the lurking savages in awe. We have now chronicled the principal events of this tedious, harassing, and most expensive war. Hostilities did not, indeed, cease at the period under our present consideration, but a knowledge of *he true policy to be pui-sued towards these ignorant and truly unfortunate savages began to be generally dilfu.sed, and more WMicili- atory measures were adopted. -lohuC. Spencer, Secretary of Wa^, in Novendior, 1842, reported that, during the current year, four hundred and fifty Indians had been S(?nt west of the Mississippi from Florida, and that two hundred more were supposed to have 150 IXDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. surrendered. Tliis report proceeds: ''The number of troops has been gradually diminished, leaving an adequate number to proteet the inhabitants from the miseraljle rerimants of tribes, still remaining. We have advices that arrangements have been made with all but a very few of those Indians for their removal west of the Mississi])pi, or to the district in the southern part of the peninsula assigned them for their habitation; and it is believed that, by this time, all the bands north of that district, have agreed to cease hostilities and remove there. Two or three instan- ces of outrages have occurred since the orders were issued for the termination of hostilities, but they are ascertained to have been committed by bauds who were ignorant of the measures adopted, or of the terms offered." Some dilliculty arose from the extreme dislike whii;li tlie Seminoles who were moved westward entertained of being located upon the same district witli the Creeks, and a deputation from their body of a number of warriors, including Alligator and Wild Cat, repaired to the seat of government for redress. Measures were taken to satisfy them. The Indians wlio still keep possession of a district in Southern Florida, consisting of Seminoles, !\[icasaukies, Creeks, Uchees and Choctaws, are variously estimated as numbering from three hundred and fifty to five liundred, including women and children. Seventy-six were ship})ed to the west in iSuO. As a tribe, they haVe long been at peace with their white neighbors, although some individuals of these })eople have, and at no distant date, given proof tluit the spirit of the savage is not yet totally extinct. sea vice ; captiv] Bai'thc land settleni 1^'orl termii L- of uate •able that \v of ji, or "■ned D ' this id to istan- ssued Liiuod I .nt of I ivhich led of >, and rriors. cat of ?atisiy I'ict in lukics, tod as udrod, Liipped r white people pirit of THE INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTER I. EXPEDITION OF AMIDAS AND BARLOW OF SIK KICHAKD GKENVILLE OF BARTHOLOMEW GOSNOLL, WITH CAPTAIN SMITH — SETTLE- MENT AT JAMESTOWN VISIT TO POWHATAN IMPROVIDENCE AND DIFFICULTIES OF THE COLONISTS EXPLORATION OF THE CHICKAHOMINY SMITH TAKEN PRISONER HIS TREATMENT BY THE INDIANS. " He lisi'd, the impersonation of an age That never sliall return. His soul of firo Was iiindled by tlie breath of the rude times He lived in." — Bryant. Tjie most complete and veracious account of the man- ners, appearance, and liistory of the aboriginal inhabitants of Virginia, particularly those who dwelt in the eastern portion of that district, uj)on the rivers and the shores of Chesapeake Bay, is contained in the narrati ve of the re- doubted Captain John Smith. This bold and energetic pioneer, after many "strange ventures, happ'd by land or sea;" still a young man, though a veteran in military ser- vice; and inured to danger and hardship, in battle and captivity among the Turks, ' "tied his fortunes to those of Bartholomew Gosnoll and his party, who sailed from Eng- land on the 19th of December, 1606, (O. S.) to form a settlement on the Western Conthient. Former attem})ts to establish colonies in Virginia had tei-miuated disastrousl}-, from the gross incompetence, ex- — .'I /,wt * I I v. - V' '- m '£ ^A ' m '4 ri .1 % lo2 INDIAN' KACES OFAMi'JUCA. II travfigant expectations, improvidence, and villanous con- duct of tliose engaged in tlieni. In 1584, Sir AValter Kaleigli and his associates, unde^ a patent from Queen Klizabetli, had sent out two small vessels, eonnnanded In Amidas and Barlow. By the cir- cuitous route then usually adopted, the exploring party passed the West Indies, coasted along the fragrant shores of Florida, and entered Ocrakoke Inlet in the month of July, eni'aptured with the rich and tiaiitful appearance of the country. Graphs grew to the very borders of the sea, ovcrs}n-eading the bushes and climbing to the tops of trees in luxurious abundance. Tlieir intercourse with the natives was friendly and ]icaceral; as they reported, "a more kind, loving people could not be." They carried on trade and barter with Grang.uiimeo, brother to Winginia, king of the country, and were royally entertained by his wife at the island of Roanoke. Wingandacoa was the Indian name of the country, and, on the return of the expedition, in the ensuing September, it was called Virginia, in honor of the queen. Sir Eichard Grenville, an associate of Raleigh, visited Virginia the next year (1585), and left over one hundred men to form a settlement at Roanoke. Being disappointed in their antiei[Kitions of profit, or unwilling to endure the privation^ attendant u))on the settlement of a habitaticm in the wilderness, all returned within a ye;,r. A most unjustifiable outrage was committed by the English of this party, on one of their ex])loring expeditions. In the words of the old narrative, "At Arpiascogoc the Indians stole a silver cup, wherci'ovo wo hunU the Toicut (iml sjtoykd tlicir curne; st retu.rned to (jur lleete at Tocokon." Tliis act is but a fair specimen of the manner in which redress has been soughtfor in juries sustained at the haudsuf th^> natives, not only in early times, but too often at the present day. ■'Jill < / /' •/•/ I.Y .10 HX XMI Til. m rI m i M r«i T ' h IP • '■M ft ' '■':'■ * •ri,-if Vti I L \ .'v /!! P i INDIANS OF VIUGINIA. 153 It is not surprising that thereafter tlic Indians should have assumed a hostile attitude, Grauganimco was dead, and Wingiuia, who had now taken the name of Pemissa- pan, formed a plan to cut olf these disorderly invaders of his dominions. This resulted oidy in some desultory skir- misliing; and, a few days afterwards, the fleet of Sir Fran- cis Drake appearing in the offing, the Avholc colony con- cluded to return to hlngland. Mr. Thomas Ileriot, whose journal of this voyage and settlement is preserved, gives a brief account of the sujoer- stitioiis, customs, and manner of living which he observed among the savages. In enumerating the animals which were used foi' Ibod by the Indians, he mentions that "the salvages sometimes killed a Lyon and eat him " lie con- cludes his nan itivc by very justly remarking, that some of the company "shewed themselves too furious in slaying some of the people in some Townes vpon causes that on our part might have bin borne wicli more milducsse." (irenville, in the fellow ing year, knowing nothing of the desertion of the settlemoit, took three ships over to America, well fiirnisheil for the support and relief of those whom he had left on the preceding vovage. Finding the place abandoned, he left fifty settlers to reoccupy it, and returned home. On the next arrival from Eiu'land the village was again found deserted, the fort dismantled, and the plantations overgrown with weeds. The bones of one man were seen, but no other trace appeared to tell the fate of tlic ccjlony. It afterwards a})peared, from the nai-ra- tions of the savages, that three hundred men from Aquas- cogoc and other Indian towns had made a dt^scent upon the whites, and massacred the whole number. The experiment of colonization was again tried, and again failed: of over one hundred persons, inclu ling some females, who landed, none were to be found by those w"io went in search of them in 1589, nor was their fate ever m i ' , ' ■'■■^•'r'i'i-.. ■ nnce of sundry absurd and jealou.s ;-fus])icions which had been excited against him on the voyage, and he was therefore refused all share in the direction of the public ailairs. Before the return of the ships, however, which took place in June, the weak and ill-assorted colony were glad to avail themselves of the services and counsel of the bold and persevering ea])tain. His enemies were disgraced, and his authority was formally acknowledged. Meantime, the settlement was commenced at Jamestown, forty miles up the Powhatan, now James' river. The Indians appeared friendly, and all hands fell to work at the innumeralile occupations which their situation required. A few ruins, and the picturesque remains of the old brick church-tower still .standing, utterly d serted amid the growth of shrubs and willows, are all that remains of the intended city. Nev port and Smith, with a company of twenty men, were .HMit to exj^lore the upper portion of the river, and 1 \)vvn re fore Hairs. \ \ place ad to I ■ bold i raced, , iitirno, ! miles pearcd leralilc : !-uins, i-tower plirulis ity. V men, ,'er, and INDIANS OK VIUGINIA. 155 made tlieir way to the town of Powhatan, situated upon a bluir just below the lulls, and at the head of navigation — the same S2)0t afterwards choser. for the site of the eapitol of the state. The natives were peacefible and kind to the adventurers, receiving them with every demonstration of interest and pleasure, and rejoiced at the opportunity for trallie in beads and ornaments. As they approached Jamestown, on their return, they perceived some hostile demonstrations; and arriving there, found that seventeen men had been wounded, and that one boy had been killed hy the Indians during their absence. Wiuglield, the president of the colony, luid injudiciously neglected to make any secure fortifications, and the jieople, halving their arms stored apart, set to work witliout a guard; thus giving to the liu-king foe convenient opj>or- tunity for an assault. After Captain Newport had sailed for England, the colonists, lelt to their own resources, were reduced to great straits and privation. Most of them were men utterly unfitted for the situation they had chosen, and unable to endure labor and hardship. Feeding upon damaged wheat, with such fish and crabs as they could catch; worn out by unaccustomed toil; unused to the climate, and ignorant of its diseases; it is matter of little wonder that fifty of the C()mi)any died before the month of October. Smith, to whom all now looked for advice, and who was virtually at the head of aftairs, undertook an expedi- tion down the river for purposes of trade. Finding that the natives "scorned him as a famished man," deri- sively olVering a morsel of food as the price of his arms, he adopted a very common exi)edient of the time, using force whore courtesy availed not. After a harmless dis- charge of muskets, he landed and marched up to a village where much corn was stored. He would not allow his men to plunder, but awaited the expected attack of the ■rr^*'-^ ■ it'i : ■ -I -.'.If! ■ '■■■ 'Viii#P>'r-W''l 156 IMtlAN llAVKH OF AMKHICA. natives. A party of sixty or seventy presently appeared, " with a most hideous noise — some bhiek, some red, sonic white, some jiarti-colored, llioy came in a sf[uare order, singing and dauufiiig out of the woods, with tiieir Ukee (whii'h was an J(h)Il made of skinnos stulfed with mcjsse, all painted and hung with cha.ines and copper,) borne before thein." A discharge of pistol-shot from tlie guns seatten-d them, and they lied, leaving their Okee. Being now ready to treat, their image was restored, and beads, copper and hatchets were given by Smith to their full satisfaction, in return for provisions. The inij)rovi(lcut colonists, by waste and inactivity, counteracted the ellbrts of Snath: and Winglield, the former i)resident, with a number of others, formed a plan to seize llie pimiace and return to England. Tlii.s con- S])iracy was not checked without some violence and blo(xl- shed. As the weather grew colder with tlic change of season, game became fat and plenty, and the Indians on Cliickahamania I'iverwere fourid eager to trade their corn for Kiiglish articles of use or ornament; so that all'airs began to look moi'e ]irosperous. During the ensuing winter. Smith, with a barge and boat's crew, inidcrtook an exploration of the sources of the Chickahamania, (Chickahominy,) Avhich empties into James' river, a few miles above Jamestown. After making his way for about fifty miles up the stream, his progi'i>ss was so impeded by iallen trees and the narrowness of the channel, that he left the boat and crew in a sort of bay, and j)roceeded in a canoe, accompanied only by two Ktig- lishmen, and two Indian guides. The men left in charge of the boat, disregarding his orders to stay on board till his return, were set upon by a great body of the natives, and one of their iminber, George Cassen, was taken pj-is- oner, intentions or ineir immuer, ueorge L/assen, was talcen pj-i Ilaving compelled their captive to diseh)se the and jDosition of the captain, these savages }iro- and, li unusiia dered Deli to the and frie king, pi'occcc scientili wild CI astonish courage ready t» sign fr( where Whe was per INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 1D7 ccedod to put him to doath in n most barbarous manner, sovcriiig his limbs at the joints with shells, and burning tlicm bt'lure his liicc. As they dared not attack the arnu'(l company in the boat, all hands then set out in hot j)ursuit ul' Smith, led by Opechuneanough, king of I'amaunkco. Coming upon the little party among the marshes, liir up the river, they shot the two Englishmen as they wei'C sleeping by the canoe; and, to the number uf over two hunilred, surrounded the gallant captain, who, accompa- nied by one of his guides, was out with his gun in search of game. Binding the Indian fast to his arm, with a gar- ter, as a j)rotection from the shafts of the enemy, Smith made such good use of his gun that he killed three of his assailants and wounded several uthers. The whole bcdy stood at some distance, stricken with terror at the unwonted execution of his weapon, while he slowly retired towai'ds the canoe. Uidbrtunately, attenij)t!ng to cross a creek with a miry bottom, he stuck fast, together with his guide, and, becoming benumbed with coUl, lor the season was unusually severe, ho threw away his arms, and surren- dered himself prisoner. Delighted with their acquisition, the savages took him to the lire, and restored animation to his bnd)s by warmth and friction, lie inunediatoly set himself to conciliate the king, and jiresenting him with an ivory pocket com})ass, proceeded to explain its use, together with many otht-r scientific matters, greatly beyond the comprehension of the wild creatures who gathered around him in eager and astonished admiration. Perhaps with a view of trying his courage, they })resently bound him to a tree, and all nuido ready to let fly their arrows at him, but were stayed by a sign from the chief. They then carried him to Orapaks, where he was well fed, and treated with kindness. ^Vhen they reached the town, a strange savage dance was performed around Opechancanough and his ea])tive. -f.', ,0 - ■ ,!■'. if' ' " 1 ».. fir I' •, .' Kfll ' ■ V v.. ". '^A ^>!i.*',:v ■';•>■■'*'' '^1" ■.'■.••,1 ; mm ms TNHTAX RACKS OF AMKHICA. by tlie wliolo hndy of wiirriors, nrmed and piiintcd; whiU^ the women and cliildrcn hiokod on with wonder and ciiri- ositv. 'IMie ^'uudy color of the oil and jHK'ones with wliieh tlu'ir bodies wei'e eovereil, ''ina(h' an exeee(liiiLr iuuidsoine show," and each had ''his bow in his hand, and, bringing with them the articles reipiested in the letter, "to the wonder of all that heanl it, that he enuld cither divine, or the inqier could speake." A plan was at that time on foot to rnaki^ an attack uj)on the colony, and such rewards as were in their power to be- stow — "life, liberty, land and women" — were ))roffered to Smith by the Indians, if lie would lend his assistance. They now made a trinm))hal progress with their illus- trious eai)tive, among the tribes on the i^ai)pahan(jck and Potomac rivers, and elsewhere; exhibiting him to the Youthtanunds, the Mattapamients, the Payankatanks, the INDIANS OF VllWlNIA. 169 NiintanfrlitiuMinds, ami OiKiwtnniiioiits, Ifituniin^' to Vn- iiiaiiiikfc, a snk'iiiM iticantatiDii was iicrtliniicil, with a view to ascL'i'tiiiii liis real lrrliiij,',s towards tliriii. Iliiviiij; seated liiiii mihui a mat hd'oi't' a lire, in one of tiif iai',!^;('r cahiiis, all rctiriMi, "and iircsciitly caiiic skip- ping' ill a great grim IMIow, all painte(| over witli coal ininiiKMl with ovle; and many Snakes and Wesels skin.s stutl'ed with mosse, and all their tayles tied together, so as they met on the erowne ol' liis head in a tassel! ; an perspi- ration started from his body. "At the conclusion thi'Y all gave a short, groane, and then laiddi)',\n three grains more." Th^ oiHU-ation was contii.ued "till they had twice incireuled the lire," and was then varied by using sticks instead of corn. All these ])erforinauees had sonu; mystic signilicatioii, which was in part explaimnl to the captain. Three days were s]ieut ui these wearisome barbarities, each day being passed in listing, and the nights being as regularly ushered in with leasts. Smith Avas, after this, entertained with the best of ch 'er at the house of Oiiitcha- pam, brother to the king, lie still observed that not one of the men would eat with him, but the remains of the feast were given him to be distributed among the women and children. ■ ,.' ■'!' ■sf'9» **■*,'• SKI 'i:'>1l}:th'^i^; '•>■■'"; ;iV,^| IGO INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. lie -svas hero shown a bag of gunpowder, carefully preserved as seed against the next planting season. CHAPTER II. COURT OF POWHATAN SMITH S PUKSKIIVATION BY POCAHONTAS SUPPLIES FIJKNISHKD HY THE INDIANS NKWPORT's AltUlVAL smith's expeditions up THE CHESAPEAKE. The great inonarcli of tlic country, Powhatan, at this pei'iod, was liolding his court ut Werowoconioco, on tlie left bank of York ri\er, and thither Smith was conveyed to await the royal pleasure. The reception of so import- ant a captive was conducted with suitable solemnity and parade. Powhatan sat u])on a raised seat before a lire, in a large house, clothed with a robe of racoon skins, the tails lianging in ornamental array. He was an old man, about sixty years of age, of noble figure, and that com- manding presence natural in one born to rule with undis- puted authority over all around him. A }ouug girl sat on each side of the king, and marshalled around tlu; room were rows of warriors and women, bedecked with beads, feathers and paint. Smith's entrance was hailed by a shout; the queen of A])i>ainatuck brought him water to wash, and he was magnificently entertained, as a distinguished guest of the king. The strange scene which ensued, so replete with pathos and poetic interest, must be given in the simple language of the old historian. Having ended his repast, "a h)ng consultation was held, but tlie conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powliatan: then as many as could, layd hands on him, dragged him to thcni, and thereon laid his head, and •j-ir r^T-s :,;lr Miv-t 'Ji''s*;'«'i-:;tf< i'"V' (-;»*%; ■■ /', ; ',''{ / m- }'(n .1 H U.VJ.1 s i.vj' n i< r<'s i.vo ion (.ii't.iix s.vith. ii^ INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 161 being ready -witli their clubs to beatc out his braines, Po- cahontas, tlie king's deai'cst daughter, when no intreaty coukl prevaile, got his head in lier amies, and laid her ownc vi)on his to saue him fi'oni death: whereat the Km- ]ierour was contented he should line to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads and cop})er; for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselues." The worthy captain's own rhymes describe hit appear- ance and state of mind at tliis crisis: "Tliey s:iy lie bore a pleasant sliow, but sure Iiis heart was sad: For wlio can pleasant be and rest, lliat liuus in fear and dread?" Kntei'taining his captive as a privileged guest, Powhatan now held long consultations with hin:, giving wonderful accounts of the vast western country and its inhabitants. Smith responded with details, equally amazing to the sav- age monarch, of the power and magnificence of the East. After two days of friendly intercourse, Smith Avas informed that he should return in safely to Jamestown; but as a prelude to the conveyance of this satisfactory intelligence, Powhatan was at much pains to get up a theatrical sct.-ne that should iip})ress or terrify his prisoner. Left alone in a large c.;.lin, Smith's ears were saluted Ity strange and frightful ncises from behind a mat partition, and, inconti- nently, Powhatan, with some hundreds of attendants, all like himself in hideous disguises, made his ap}K'araiice. lie appointed twelve Indians to guide him to the settle- men', requesting that a grindstone and two great guns sliduld be sent back, by thrui, in return for liberty ..;ul favours received at his hands. Captain Smith, well knt)wing the capricious disposition of his C!i]itors, felt little seeuritv or ease, until he was snfely restored to his eomitanions at .Ja'uestown. His absence had been severely felt: confusion and dis- sension were rife among the inhabitants of the colony, and 11 mi ■vN nsijir I.. " "i ' 'tl ■ Ik l^thi 162 INDIAN KACES OF AMEBICA. the strong arm and determined will of the bold captiin were required to keep order, and restrain those who were again inclined to elleet an escape in the pinnace. The two guns (demi-cnlverins), together with a mill- stone, were l)roiight out, and protlered to the guides; but, seeing the terrible efl'ect of a discharge of stones among the branches of an ice-covered tree, the poor savages were greatly terrified, and thankfully accepted divers toys in place of so weighty and dangerous a present. So reduced were the settlers at this time, that all must have jierished with starvation but for the intercourse established by Smith between tlu lU and the j)eop]e of Powhatan, h]\'ery four or five days, his noble and gener- ous little prtjteetress, Pocahontas — she was then only about ten years of age — would make her aiijiearance, a^H'ompa- nied by attendants j.xden with provisions. J'iU't of tliese supplies eanie as ])resents fi-om the king or his daughter; .'or the rest, tlie price paid in toys and actii'les of use ^^ as left eutii'ely at Smith's diser 'ton, ".so had he inchanied these poore soules. being theii [Jiisoner" Cai)tains Newport and Xelson now ;U- "ved froiu Eng- land, with two .^hips, laden with nei'ev-'.'i.ies and articles of tradic. licjoiced at the arrival oi' friends and ])ri;vi- sions, the colonists allowed the sailors to hold what inter- course they pleased with tlie natives, and the consetuient'e was that the market was soon spoile(l by the irr(>gu]ai'ity of prices offered by the English for the Indian commodi- ties. Smith had ])os.sessed Powhatan and his })eo})le witli extravagant ideas of the powei- and majesty of Newjiort, whose speedy arrival he })rcdicted, ami preparations were now made to give a still moi'c forcible impression. Mes- 8(!r.ji'rs were sent to inform the Indian monarch that the great ea])tain of the .seas had reached Jamestown, and vould make Ji visit of state to his royal friend and ally. Tlie piniiace was made ready for this purpose, and "a great coyle arrive tious. Smith compn creeks bridge })oscd were t Smith rcted a ! I against \\ All 1 ceived 1 I tliem h J! .'ind dar I! .y^'t di.s( \\ Ilis iijifj rcqucsttj that he to give • I'ort wi.-J niuuific'. I tioii, iu ilis eoril Spain." canglit avarice, with th(| of tlie .si in the v,\ of SU(!ll| paid am the gain royal 111 Li-.-rr INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 163 in coyle thero Avas to set liim forward." When they had arrived at Werowocomoeo, Newport was wary and cau- tious, fearing treachery on the part of the savages, and Smith therefore volunteered to go forward, with a small company, and see that the coast was clear. Over the creeks which meandered through the mai'shy country, bridges were found, but of so fi-ail a structure, being com- posed of poles bound with bark, that some suspicions were entertained that they might be intended as traps. Smith therefore kept some of the chief Indians, who r.cted as guitlcp, in the midst of his comj^any, for security against attack. All their suspicion proved groundless: Powhatan re- coivt'd the officers with tlie greatest distinction, entertained tliem hospitably, and cc^lebrated their coming with feasts and dances. Tlie great king "carried himself so proudly yet discreetly (in his salvage manner) as made all admire his naturall gifts." He declined any petty trallie, but I'equested Newport to bring forward at once all the goods tliat h(> had brought for trade, expressing his willingness to give full return. His desire was complied with, New- port wisliintz: to outdo the king in u'enerositv and show of munilieenee; but the result hardly equalled his expecta- tion, for the cunning savage, says the narrator, "valued his come at sucli a ratt; that I thiidc it better eiieape in Spain." A few blue beads in the })ossession of Smith now cauglit the eye of Powhatan, and aroused his eui'iosity and avarice. The wary cat>tain pretended to be h)th to part with them, as being of a " most rare substance of the colour of the skyes, and not to be worn but by the greatest kings in the world. This ma.de him half madde to be the owner of such strange lewels," and, to obtain them, he readily paid an immense quantity of corn, esteeming hhnself still the gainer. The trade in blue beads, after this, became a royal monopoly. Uuh 1% J, J' , '1 M-' 164: INDIAN" RACES OF AMERICA. Tlie party returned to Jamestown ; but only to experi- ence greater privation and hardship than ever. The town took fire, and much of tlieir provisions, cloth- ing, find other means of comfort wac destroyed. The wii.ter was bitterly cold, and nearly the whole colony, together with the crews of the ships, were possessed with an insane desire to search for gold, to the neglect of the labors necessary to secure health and prosp(>rity. From these causes )norc than half their nundier perished. The Indians, seeing their weakness, became insolent and exacting, and, but for Smith, whose prompt and energetic action, without actutd bloodshed, subdued and brought them to terms, they might have completely overawed, and porhn])s have extirpated the colony. Those whom the English took prisoners insisted that the hostilities were in af^cordance with the orders 'if Powhatan: but he, on th(» other hand, averred that it was tin; work of some of his unruly subordinates. The conciliatory nu's- sage was brought by "his dearest daughter I'ocahoiitas," whose appearance ever had the most potent inlluence with the brave mai for whom she felt such tilial attachment, and who ^\as bound to her by every tie of gi'atitude and aflection. Upon the 2d of June, 1608, Captain Smith, with four- teen companions — one half "gcntlemiin," the rest "sol- diers" — undertook his celebrated exploration of Chesa- peake Bay. Their conveyance was a large open bai'ge. They lirst shaped their course for the isles lying off Cape Charles, still known ixs Smith's Isles, and thence reentered the bay. Passing Cai)e Charles, tlu^y saw "two grim and stout salvages," armed with bone-headed lances, wh.) fc^arlessly rpiestioned them as to whence they came and whither they were bound. They were subjects of the Werowance of Accomack, on tli'- euHtern shore of the bay; and, being Kindly entreated, n'S]MMi(lid with li equal head-q The. savage gave a not Ion, Two el 1 case, ar j phantas I their dc j the eye.' ; (hough ci'owds I sliortlj' c. Tliese tallied S and adv; iiig on t AV^gheoc ants ex i no harm ; to daiieii i novel s| I aiidSmi ing aloi li j Cuskara\ ' along th tluiir ar presse o give the charge < usual clli landing, fore left copper ill Ibiir- "sol- INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 165 equal civility, and directcfl the English to their king's licad-quarters. Tliey found the cliicf to be the "comliest, proper, civill savage" that they had ever held communion with. He gave a most singular account of a pestilence wliich had not long before carried off the greater portion of his people. Two children had died, probably of some infectious dis- ease, and "some extrcame passions, or dreaming visions, pliantasies, or affection moued their parents againe to revisit their dead carkases, whose benummed bodies reflected to the e3'es of the beliolders such dclightfull countenances as though thoy had regained their vitall spirits." Great crowds gathered to see this sj;)ectacle, nearly all of whom, shi)rtly after, dictl of some unknown disease. '^IMieso Indians spoke the Powhatan dialect, and cnter- taiiicil Smitli witli glowing descriptions of the beauties and advantages of the bay, to the northward. Proceed- ing on their voyage, the navigators entered hhe river of ^Vighcocomo^'o, on the eastern shore, whcj-e the inhabit- ants exhibited great rage and liostility, but perceiving that IK) harm was intcnd(>d them, with true savage caprice, fell to dancing and singing, in wonder and merriment at the novel spectacle. No gx)otl water was to be obtained here, and Smith with his crew made short tarrying. Still coast- ing along the eastern portion oi' the bay, they reaehed the Cuskarawaok, where great tn^Of^s of savag(?s followed them along the bank, climlnitg into the trees, and discharging their arrows with "the greatest passion they could ex- presse of their anger." As the party could not by signs give them to understand that they came peacefully, a dis- charge of pistol-shot was directed, which produced the usual effect, scattering the Indians in every direction. On landing, not a native could be found: the English there- fore left a few be-uls, bells, looking-glasses, and bits of copper in the huts and returned on board their barge. '■', f f 1 r:ii 166 IXDIAN RACES OF AMERTOA. Next iiiorniii^ tlio poor simple savages, dismissing all fear, gatliercd round tlieni to the nund)er, as appeared, of two or three thousand, eager to offer whatever was in their power to bestow for "a little bead" or other trivial toy. These people were the Sarapiiiagh, Nause, Arseek, and Mantaipiak, and they showed such readiness to trade, that Smith pronounced them the "best marehants of all other salvages." They gave wonderful aeeounts of the jiower- ful and warlike Afassawomekes, who lived to the noith- WJird, and were identical with the Tnxpiois or .Six Nations. Some of tlie erew liilling sick, and the rest bee(~>niing weary and discontented with their unaccustomed fatigue and exposure, Smith, inacli against liis inclination, turned towards home, "leaving the bay some nine miU's broad, at nine and ten fadom water." Entering the Potomac, on the Kith of June, it was determined to explore it, as the sick jnen had recovered. No Indians were seen until the coirfian}- had passed thirty miles uj) the river; but, ar- rivin.t at a ci'cek in tlie neighborhood of Onawnianimt, "tlie woods were layd witli andjuseado's, to the number of three or fourc tliousand salvages, so strangely ])aynted, grimed and disguised, shouting, yelling and crying as so many spirits from hell eould not have shewed more terri- ble. Many brauado's they made," but a discharge of bul- lets, over tlie surface of the water, (piickly changetl their mood. Arms were flung down, liostages given, and court- esy and kindness succeeded the truculent demeanor which was first exhibited. ]?y the account of the Indians, Pow- hatan had directed this intended attack; and, if their ro- presentation was true, he was stimulated to such a course by sundry of Smith's enemies at Jamestown. The l)oat's crew made their way as fir up as the river was navigal)le, encountering various other tribes, some of whom were friendly, and others hostile. The thunder of the English weapons never failed to awe and subdue them. Eve were i stream were ] omeke Jt was dug on The 111 then, ]) t() ])ain looke li port ass assayed but all On t slioal wi wliich w sw'tu'd fi| conditi hut a I(. I is ;i ni : hi'ai-ilci , wrist of I and pai brave gra^'e U boring physic'i: nnu'li f supper.' As t| judged! in nolalj age, avtl from thi INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 167 Ever liaiikoring after tlie proeioiis metab, the adventurers were attracted by glittering particles in the hed of various streams; and, making it a constant ohjeet of inipiiry, they were led by some Indians, subject to the king of J'ataw- omeke, to a noted mine, ou the little stream of Quiough. It was on 11 rocky mount, and the material sought, when dug out with shells and hatchets, sparkled like antimony. The Indians were accustomed to wash and cU^anse it, and then, jmtting it in small bags, ''sell it all oner the country, to ]iaiut their bodyes, faces or idolls; which made thciu looke like Illackamoores dusted over v/ith siluer."' New- port asserted that the contents of soiue of those bags, when assayt'd in Kngland, jn-oved to be exceedingly rii-li in silver; but all that Smith and his men collected was worlhh^ss. Ou the way towiu'ds .Jamestown, as the barge lay in shoal water, the crew amused themselves by spearing iish, which were exceetlingly plenty. Ca})tain ►Smith, using his sword for this purpose, drew up a fish, ("not knowing her concbtion,) bi'iiig much of the fashion of a 'riiornbaek, but a long tayh; like a riding roddc, whereou the nuddest is a most poysoned sting, of two or three inches long, bearded like a saw on each side, which she struck into the wrist of his arme neare an inch and a halfe." The swelling and pain consequent upon this, were so great that the lu'ave captain, despairing of recovery, oi'dered his own grave to be dug; which Avas accordingly done on a neigh- boring island. His time, howi'ver, liad not yet come: the physician of the i»arty succeeded in relieving him, inso- much that, that ver}'- night "hee ate of the fish to his su]iper." As they returned to their old cpiarters, tlie Indians judged from their a})pcarance that they had been engaged in notable wars; an idea which tliey fliikxi not to encour- age, averring that all the spoil brought home was taken fjom the redoubtable Massawomekes. ; ■( ...I 5 ■.■(,'„% I ; ' '1 '1 (I ■'i.ii '■'■■ ,i: I "M .■■■mm 1G8 INDIAN JJACEri OF AMERICA. At Jamestown all was found in di.soriler and misery, as was f^ciK'vally the ease when the master-spirit was absent. Thus ended the first exi)loration of the unknown waters oC the Chesa})eake, leaving the blnglish still in doubt as to its extent, and still hopeful of eventually tiudiug a pass- age thereby to the South Seas I On the 2-J:th of July, a seeond expedition was undertaken up the bay, by Smith, with a boat's crew of twelve men. The Indians of Keeoughtan, v.ilh whom they spent several days, exulted greatly in the su})i)osition that the Knglish were out on a war expedition against their dreaded ene- mies, the Massawonii'kes. Troeeeding up the bay, niore than half the party were {ii'ostrated by the diseases of the elimate, and in this erip- pl(>d eonditiou they eame upon seven or eight eanoes, tilled with Imiians of the warlike tribe they were supposed to be in seareh of Seeing that the English showed no I'eai', but prepared briskly for an engagement, these Mas- sawomekes eoneluded that discretion was the better part of valor, and fled to the shore. .15eiug tempted by the jifer of some trilling ten's, they at last came out to the barge unarmed, bringing presents of provisions, targets, skins, and rude imijlements of warfare. They had been engaged in war witli ihe Indians of the Toekwogh or Sassafras river, as their fresh wounds bore witness. They disai)peared during the following night, and the explorers made their way into the river of Toekwogh. Seeing the Massawomeke weapons, the Toekwoghs were in eestasy, supposing that their enemies had been defeated; and led Smith up tu their i'ortilied town: "Men, women, and children, with daunees, songs, fruit, furres, and what they had, stretching their best abilities to expresse their loues." lL3re Smith made some stay, sending messengers to invite a deputation from the renowned Sasquesahanocks INDIANS OK VIUOINIA. 169 to visit liiin. Sixty of "iIioho irynnt-liko in'oplo," nccord- iiifrly Clinic down I'roia tlioir country, l)riii;^iiij( presents, and liolding bold and liuniliiir intercourse with the stran- gers. I'he daily devotional exercises of prayers and psalms, wliich our pious Captain regularly observed, Avero re- s[)onded to, on the part of the wondering savages, by strange ceremonies of their own. "Tlu'y began in a most jtassionate manner, to hold vp their hands to the Suniie, with a nujst feareful song, then iinbracing our captaine, they began to adore him in like manner: though he rebuked them, yet they proccedtnl till their song was ilnished: which done, with a most strange iurioiirf action, and a hellish voyce, began an oration of their loues." They then clothed him Avith rich skins and mantles, and })roll:ering beads and toys, declared that they, and all they liad, were at his service, if he avouUI but lend his assistance against the terrible ^fassawomekcs. lieturning to exaiuine the river Ka})ahanock, Smith fell in with a former accpuiintance, one Mosco, of Wighcoco- nioco. lie was doubtless a half-breed, and was supposed to be some Frenchman's son, as he rejoiced in the distin- guishing mark of a "thicke, black, bush beard, and the Salvages seldome haue any at all." The English fortilled their boat by making a breast- work around the gun-Avale, of the Massawomeke shields, which were so thickly plated as to resist the arrows of the savages. This stood them in good stead in divers skir- mishes wilh the Rapahanocks. On one occasion, thirty or forty of that tribe so disguised themselves with bushes and branches, that, as they stood discharging their arrows upon the edge of the river, the English supposed their array to be a natural growth of slu'ubs. Mosco accompanied Smith in his visits to many nations on the Chesapeake, and proved of no little service, whether !|l. ' 'M I 1 '. ''•■■'■ '■■■'Xl .,/ ;U,'\; ■;;'•; 'Vrl '■■■ '"k'i'ti •I /:; *':;. ■K: ■;i...ij»!i!.Ji!'$f ,% % IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. 4. :/. 1.0 1.1 ■ 50 ^^ If 1^ ||M IM 1.8 1.25 1.4 J4 ■• «" - ^; ^> <* V. ^^,^ 7. ^ w w "^'/^^i '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4^ '^^'4^ s m d 170 INDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. I''*,''"., ■ the reception at tlieir hands was friendly or hostile. The good will of d, together with the lower portions of the principal rivers emptying into it; and an accurate chart of the whole country still bears witness to the skill and perseverance of tlie brave com- jnander. Curious sketches of native chiefs, and of en- counters between them and the J^^nglish, accom]»any the maps which illustrate the quaint and interesting narrative from which this porti()n of our history is drawn. Before returning to Jamestown, the party sailed for the southern shores, and passed up the Elizabetli river into the "Chisaiteack" country. T'ley saw but few dwellings, surrounded by garden plots, but were struck with tlie magnificent growth of pines which lined the bardcs. Thence coasting along the shore, they came to the mouth of the Nandsanuuid, where a few Indians were engaged in fish- ing. Thes!', lied in aflriglit, but the English landing, and leaving some attractive trilles where they would find them. mcr INDIANS OF VIKGINIA. 171 their demeanor was soon clianged. Singing and dancing, tlicy invited tlie party to enter tlie river, and one of them came on board the barge. Complying with the request, Smith went up the stream seven or eight miles, when exten- sive corn fields were seen. Perceiving some signs of treach- ery, he would not proceed fiirther, but endeavored to regain the open water with all possible expedition. His fears proved to be well grounded ; for on the way down, arrows were poured into the boat from either side of the river by hundreds of Indians, while seven or eight canoes filled with armed men followed "to see the ccuclusion." Turn- ing u2:)on these, the English, by a volley from their mus- kets, soon drove the savages on shore and seized the canoes. The Indians, seeing their invaluable canoes in the ene- mies' power, to save them from destruction readily laid down their arms; and, ujjon further communication, agreed to deliver up their king's bow and arrows, and to furnish four hundred baskets of corn to avert the threatened vengeance of the terrible strangers. CHAPTER III. CORONATION OF POWHATAN SMITh's VISIT TO WEKOWOCOMOCO FOR SUPPLIES — TREACHERY OF POWHATAN SMITH A SECOND TIME PRESERVED BY POCAHONTAS VISIT TO PAMUNKY FIGHT V.'IT:I THE KING OF PASPAHEGH — ASCENDANCY OF THE ENGLISH. In the ensuing September, Smith was formally made president of the colony at JaiiiestoAvn, and set himself promptly to correct abuses and perfect the company in the military exercises so suited to his own inclinations, and so essential in their isolated and dangerous position. !^> ' ; '1 /•^' :.'ti< ';■■■ 172 INDIAN KAC^ES OF AMERICA. TLe Avandcring savagi-.s would collect in astonisliment to see these perfonnaiu'cs, standing "in amazement to Lohnld liow a lyie would batter a tree, where he would make them a marke to shoot at." Newpoi't, soon after, made his appearance, bringing out from England many adventurers ill-suited to the life before them in the new country : "thirty carpenters, husband- men, gardiners, llshermeu, blacksmiths, masons, and dig- gers vp of trees' roots," says Smith, would have been worth a thousand of them. By the same arrival, came a lai'gc boat, brought out in live pieces, to be used in further explorations in search of the South Sea, and a crown, Avith brilliant trapj»ings and regalia for the solenm coronation of I'owhatan. Smith speaks with great contempt of this transaction: the "costly novelties had becne much better well spared than so ill-spent," for they had the king's "fa- vour nnich better only for a plaync peece of Co])per, till this stately kind of soliciting made him so much overvalue himself that he respected vs as much as nothing at all." 'i'he captain, with four companions, volunteered to go to Werowocomoco, and invito Powhatan to come to James- town and receive his i^resents. Arriving at the village, they found that the chief was thirty miles away IVoni home; but a messenger Avas disj)atched fur him, and, meanwhile, his daughter Pocahontas exerted herself, to thu best of her ability, to di\'ert and entertain her guests. This Avas done after a strange fashion. A masquerade dance of sonie thirty yoi;ng Avoraen, nearly naked, Avas uslu'red in by such a "hydeous noise and shrieking," that the Kng* lish seized on some old men who stood by, as hostages, thinking that treachery was intended. They Avere relieved from apprehension by the assurances of Pocahontas, and the pageant proceeded. The Icsader of the dance Avas decked Avith a "fayre paire of T)uck's homes on her head, and aa Otter's skinne at her girdle." The others Averc also horned, and pai devises, rushing about th variety.' AV'igAvam CA^er Avit] tediouslj Upon Jamestoi a king; round to nmst luiA Avere bro ture set \ put on hi not hurt kneele tt nuiiesty r endured as tyred ers, he a their ban pistoll th that the Avas AVcll. After t made soi among th mines of tions and The In hatan see the colon in enforci INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 173 nt to tlicra ig out acforc ibiind- 1 dig- been :ame a iirtlier 1, with nation jf this i better I J rf Jil- icr, till rvalue i all." o go to tlaiiics- ilhige, IVoni , and, to the glU'StS. .) dance IS he red ic Kng- •stages, lieved as, and deeked and an liorncd, and painted and equipped, "every one with their severall devises. These fiends with most hellish shouts and crycs, ruslung from among the trees, cast thernselues in a ring about the fire, singing and daimcing with most excellent ill- variety." Afterwards, when Sniitli had entered one of their Avigwams, "all these Nym})hs more tormented him than ever with crowding, pressing and hanging about him, most tediously crying, Love you not me? love you not me?" Upon Powhatan's return, he proudly refused to go to Jamestown for his presents, standing upon his dignity as a king; and the robes and trinkets were accordingly sent round to Werowocomoco by water. TJjc coronation scene nmst have been ludicrous in the extreme: "the presents were brought him, his Bason and Ewer, Bed and furni- ture set vp, liis scai'let cloke and apparcll with much adoe put on him, being persuaded by Namontaclc, they would not hui't him: but a Ibule trouble there was to make him kneele to receiue his Crownc, he neither knowing the niaiesty nor meaning of a crown, nor bending of the knee, endured so many perswasions. examples and instructions as tyred them all ; at last, b}' leaning hard on his should- ers, he a little stoojied, and three having the crowne in their hands, put it on his head, when, by tlie warning of a pistol! the Boats were prepared with such a volley of shut, that the King start vp with a horrible feare till he saw all was well." After this, Newport, with one hundred and twenty men, made some unimportant explorations, above the falls, among the Monacans. Their continual greedy search for mines of the precious metals interfered with useful opera- tions and discoveries. The Indians now became unwilling to trade, and Pow- hatan seemed to have add corn. Smith started for the camp of Powhatan towards the last of l")ocembcr, (1008,) accom})anicd by twenty-seven men in tlic barge and pinnace, while a number of others crossed the country to build the proposed house. At War- raskoyaelc, the friendly king cautioned him against b'jiiig deceived by Powhatan's ex[)ressions of hinduess, insisting that treachery was intended, Christmas was spent by tlic party at Kecoughtan, on the left bank of James' river, near its mouth; and meriy cheer was made upon game and oysters. Tlwy reached Wero- wocomoco on the 12th of.lanuarv, and landed with much dinicultv, as the nver was bordered with ice, to break through wliich they Avere obliged to wade waist-deej>, "a llight-shot through this muddy fro/en oase." Powhatan gave them venison and turkies for their immediate use, but Avhen the subject of the corn was broached, he protested that he and his pe()[)le had little or none, and (leman(le(l forty swords in case he should ))ro- cure forty baskets. Smith rejjlied .sternly, upbraiding hini for duplicity and faithlessness, and cautioning him not to provoke ho.stilitics where friendship only was intended. The wily chief, on the other hand, made many dei)recatory speeches, continually urging Stnith to direct his men to lay down their arms, that the conference should appear to be peaceful, and the Indians feel at case and in safety, while bringing in their corn. Jiv ■■ ■•»s^ • INDIANS OP VIRGINIA. 175 After much bargaining and haggling, a small quantity of corn was j)rocured, and Powhatan made a most ])lau.si- blc and characteristic speech to persuade Smith that noth- ing could be farther from his intention thiui hostility. Can you suppose, said he, that I, a man of age and ex[)erience, having outlived three generations of my people, shoiUd be "so simple as not to know it is better to eatc good meate, lye well and slecpe (piietly with my wtjmen and children, hiugh and be merry with you, liaue copper, liatchets, or what I want being your friend: than be forced to flic from all, to lie cold in the woods, feede vpon acornes, rootes, and such trash, and be so hunted by you that 1 can neither rest, eatc nor slcepe; but my tyred men must watch, and if a twig but breake, every one ciycth, there commeth ('ii])taine Smith." 'I'lius the time was s[)ent in useless discourse, and Smith, perceiving th;,t tlu; Indians were oidy watching Ibr an oi)poi'lunity to attack him unawiircs, onlcri'd tlu; barge to he brought to shoi'c, and the ])ittanc(' of coi'n to be stowed on board. Powhatan then disappean'd, but immediately sent his warriors to surround the house and cut oil" Smith whil(> the body of the English were engaged with tin; barge. Aided only l)y one com[)anion, the valiant caiitain rushed forth, "with his ])istoll, sword and target," and "made such a ])assage among these naked Diuels, that, at his hrst shoot, they lu'xt him tundtled one oner another." Seeing tliat Smitii had rejoined his company, Powhatan pretended that he had sent his people to guard the corn from being stolen, and renewed his protestations of friendship. Tlu! boats being left ashore by the tide, the cajitain was obligcvl to spend the night on shore. Powhatan now con- ceivc(l himsc'lf sure of his victims, and gathered all his people, with the intention of surprising Smith undercover of the night. "Notwithstanding tlie eternal all-si'cing God di.d preuent him, and by a strange mcanes. P'or Poca- I III 1' "! ! ':k-f' <>';';•■';'! «;''S]nint were given. All now made friendly protestations, and l)rought in abundance of pro- vision; but, as Smith lay down to recruit himself with a little sleep, a great number of the savages rushed in to overpower him. This attack was repelled as successfully 12 173 INDIAX RACES OF AMKUICA. and jti'diiiptly iis tlic lirst. l^ho king in a Icnytliy speech excused and cxplaiiicd tlic movement, and the day ended in pcacelld ti'inlf und barter. At this time iirrivcd one Richard Wyfhn, wlio had ven- turously niiide his way alone throii.Lili tin; wil(U'rness to announce to Smith a great h)ss whicli the colony had met ■with in the death of (losnoll and eight ct)mpanions. They had started in a skill" for tli(> Jsle of Hogs, and were upset by a gale "(that extreame frozen time)" and drowncil. AVydinhad stopped at Towhatan's head-((uarlers, and only escaped (l(>stnictiou by tiie kindness of the JMiglishman's fast iVicnd I'ocahontas. She "hid him lor a time, and sent them who pui'sucil liiiii the clvanc! contrary way to set'ke him." Concealing this (hsastrous inttdligciici, from his Cul low- ers, Cajitain Smith set Dpechaneanough at liberty, an(l again embiirkcil, intending, ere his return to Jamestown, to secure the person oC Powhatan, 'i'liat chief had issued general orders for the destruction of Smith, and everv where, ;is the boat passed along tlie river bank, crowds of Indians would appeal', bringing corn in baskets, and oHIt- ing it to the conipany if they would come Ibr it unarmed. Tiieir intention was evidently to draw the Knglish into an arhbuscade. The captain sueceedeil in sur()rising one of tliese parties, and olitaining their provision. Some of them, who consented to ti'ad(\ supplied the ]Onglisli with poisone(l food, which was eaten bv Smi'ili and others, but the ])oison did not ])rove sulhciently potent to destroy their lives. Suspicion (ell upon a vigonMjs young warrior named Wecuttanow, as the author of this treachery; but he, having li)rty or lifty companions with him, "so proudly braueil it as though he cxj)ecte(I to in- counter a revenge. — Which the President (Smith) ])erceiv- ing in the midst of his company, did not onely beate, but spurned him like a dogge, as scorning to doe him any worse mischiefe." :■,■*■ aim INDIANS' OF VIUfllNIA. 179 At other pliicos wIrtc {irovision Wiis soiiglit, it \va.s pUiiii that tlu'. Indians wore tlicinsclvcs in want, and "imparted that little they had with sueh e(»ni[)laints and tears from the eyes of women and ehildren as hr, hadboeno toocruell to hane becne a Christian that wouKl not hauo bceno satis- lied and inonegh, "a most strong .stout salvage," and a terrible personal encounter ensued. The Indian closed upon him, so that he could make no use of his fal- cliiini, and, by sheer strength, dragged him into the river. vVfter a desperate struggle, Smith suecec^ded in grasping the Favagc by the throat, and in drawing his weapon. " Seeing ''■W'f^^ Hun \W CO with hv suj)- n ilium I! I I s:ivaj::i'S (ccurrfd ;t()l \w\ o broth- i/am1, to of llu- liaiiiio'l Sinitli, sent him i?:5ht, his alva!id. His brother, ovorwhcliiuMl witii ;^'riof, nttorcd such toiichiii;^' lamciitiitions over tli(^ body, thut Ciiptaiii Sinitli, ultlioiigli ll't'liii^' little h')ji(M){' nueeoss, iissiuvd liiiii that ho would briiij^ the dead Indian to lili', provided he and his fellows would jrive over their thieving. Kncrgetic treatment restored the pooi' fellow to conseiousness, and, his burns being dressed, the, simple [)air were se' * on their way, each with a small present, to spread the rei)ort, far ami near, that Captain Smith had j)ower to restore the (lead to life. Not long after, several Indians were killed by tlie e\|)losion of a (piantity of powder, which tht^y weri' attempting to dry upon a jilate of armor, as they had s<'en the Knglishdo. '"I'heseand many other such pretty Aecidetits, so amazed and frighted Ixjth Powhatan and all his people," th.-it they came in from all quarters, returning stolen property, and begging for favour and peaee: "and all the eouutry," says the narrator, "became absolutely as five for vs. as for themselues." CHAPTER IV. DISTRKSS OF THK COLONIES — MAKTIN AND WRSt's SETTLEMENTS — ARRIVAL OF LOUD DK LA WAUKK — UETALIATIONS UTON THE NATIVES SEIZURE OF POCAHONTAS: IIEK MARRIAGE PEACE WITII THE INDIANS — POCAHONTAS VISITS enoland: her death — death of row- HATAN — rOKV's SETTLEMENT. While Captain Smith remained in America and con- tinued in ])ower, he maintained his authority over the natives. In a grievous famine that succeeded the events we have just detailed, they proved of infinite service in providing the wild products of the forest for the starving mm of}' J-'i' .■I ■ r XlYM •,v.'' t' ■^'% ^ ■ 'M "»''■■ '"'1. ' 1 ,j . >}J>-i' <■ '■-v , >,. ' )■■ L • ■m 182 IXniAN RACES OF AMERICA. colonists. Many of tlie Englisli wore sent out to live with the savages, and learn their arts of gathering and prepar- ing the loots and otlier edibles tliat must take the place of corn. These were treated witli every kindness by the Indians, "of whom," says Smith, "tliere was more hope to make better Christians and good subjects than tlie one- halfe of tliose that counterfeited themselnes both." Kemp and Tussore, who luid been set. at liberty, remained tlierc- after staunch adherents to the English interests. Sundry malcontents belonging to the colony had lied into the woods, thinlving to live in ease among the natives, wlioni they promised revenge upon their old conqueror, tlie })residcnt. Kemp, liowever, instead of giving ear to these persuasions, fedtliem "witli this law, who would not woi'k, must not eate, till they were necre starued indeede, con- tinually threatening to beat them to death;" and iinally carried them forcibly back to Captain Smith. \n the early part of the sununer of 1009, large su])pli('s came over from England, and a great number of liu-tious and disorderly ad\'entui-ej's were brought into the new settlement. Unwilling to submit to the authority oi' the president, insatiate after mines of gold and silver, cow- ardly in battle, and cruel and treacherous in peace; their distress proved commensurate with their untlirift. At Kansemund, a company, under one Caj)tain Martin, after wantonly i)rovoking the ill-will of the natives, w;u- unable to resist their attacks; "and another division, under AVcst, wiiich attempted a settlement at the falls of James' ri\er, proved equally incfTicient and impolitic. "The poore sal- vages that daily brought in their contributions to the President, that disorderly company so tormented those poore soules, by stealing their corne, robbing theii- gjir- dens, beating them, breaking their houses and keeping some prisoners, that they daily complained to Captaine Smith, he had brought them for protectors worse enemies - i u, after ; miablo Wost, river, lore sal- to the 1 tliu.sc fir gar- seeping 'aj)taiiic enemies INDIANS OF VIUGINIA. 183 than the Monacans thcmsclucs: they desired pardon if hereafter tliey defended tlieiaselues." Carrying out this intentit)n, the Indians fell upon the fort immediately after Smith's departure, Jic having set sail for ,] amestown. llis vessel taking ground before he had proceeded far, he was called upon to interfere, and brought matters to an amicable conclusion, removing the English from the inconvenient spot they had selected fur their habitation into the })leasant country of Powhatan. Before reaching Jamestown, Captain Smith met with so severe an accident by the firing of a bag of gun-powder, that he was thereafter incapacitated from furthei- service in tlie colony. So terril)ly was his flesh torn and burned, that, to relieve tlic pain, he instantly threw himself into the river, from which he was with difficulty rescued. Tt being impossible to procure the necessary medical assist- ance for the cure of so extensive an injury, ho took pas- sage for England by the first opjioi'tunity, and never again revisited the colony he had planted and suj)ported with such singular devotion, energy, and courage. The fate of the two principal of the Duteh conspii'atoi'S against his life, is thus chronicled: "But to see the justice of Cod vpon these Dutchmen : — Adam and Francis were fled againe to Powhatan, to whom they promised, at the arri- vall of my Lord (La Warre), what wonders they would doe, would he suil'er them but to goc to him. But the king set'ing they would be gone, rc>plved; you that would luiue betrayed Captaine Smith to me, will certainely be- tray me to this great Lord for your peace; so caused his men to l)(>at out their braines." Smith's departure was the signal for general defection among the Indians. They seized the boats of the settlers under Martin and West; ^lio, unable to keep their ground, returned to Jamestown, with the loss of nearly half their men. A party of thirty or fort}', bound upon a trading MSIR * t mi ill ^ fflliB ffl .^Wffi ► . r,.j'.i .^--'^v; :-'.:;;; !;'■ I'- '-■'*■, ■f.1 i' ,.!'> • ■} 'M, *' ' •' i 'i, ■■.r?il '<■'■/'■, /■•/-' /'^i'i^i ■"m:^i: ;/ -.i' ■": 'M' '. ■•'. ■■ ,■ ■ . ■ ■ , ! I 184 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. exjjcdition, was set upon by Powhatan and his warriors, and all except two were slain. One of these, a boy, named Henry S})ilman, was preserved by the intervention of Pocahontas, and sent to live among the Patawomekes. Peduced to the gi'catest extremity, the English were obliged to barter their very arms for provisions, thns add- ing to the power of the enemy in the same ratio that they weakened their own resoui'ees. Famine, pestilence, and savage invasion reduced the colony, which befc^-e had nnmbered live hundred inhabitants, to about sixty miser- able and helpless wretches, within the short space of six months fi'om the time that Smitli set sail. The crude pro- ducts of the forest formed their ])nncii)al food; "nay, so great was om' famine," jiroceeds the narrative, "that a ISal- uage we slew and buried, the })oorer sort took liim vj) againe and eat him, and so did diners one another, boyled and stewed with roots and hei'1)s: Awd one amongst the rest did kill his wife, ]iowdered her and hail eaten part of her before it was knowne, for which lie was executed as he well deserued."' Lrpon the arrival of a shi{), with Sir 'J'homas dates and company, all the unfortunate settlers, abandoning their town, took })assagc with him f >r iMigland. At the com- mencement of tiie voyage, tiny fell in with Lord ].a AVarre, who was on his way to Janiestown, bi'iiiging with him large sui)plies of nu.'n and necessaries; and all returned together to Jamestown. Fortunately tlie Indians had not, as yet, destroyed the fort, arid the numbers and eniciency c he whites were so far increased, that they were "able to tame the furie and trecherie of the Saluages." On the loth of June (1(510) Captain Argall, being en gaged in a trading expedition among the Patawomekes, found there the young ])risoner, Henry Spihnan, wlio iiad met with kind treatm(;nt, and by whose intervention abundj made history while c on shoi and, aft a great head tl; anchor slaine i; That ncwly-a sufheiei ' ' venged ! JS'(jt sat II ])Ut to ( i: into tlie il ^" ^' '' some (I jj coi'n w;; ; I Sahuigc ! was at 1 ! justi(ie( upon to some ' corn, ! who hat ure, w: I mnu'd hr;stag(. coyed li treadle "theoh as Poc, them tl INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. li)5 abundance of corn Avas procured. Frequent mention in made of Spilman in subsequent portions of Virginian liistor3\ He wa.s killed by the Potomac Indians, in 1623, while on a trading cxj^cdition up the river. Having gone on shore with some of liis compau}-, some difiicult}^ arose, and, after a short skirmish, those on board the boat, "heard a great b/xutc among tlie Salvages a shore, and saAV a mans head throwne downe the banke, wherciipon they weighed anchor and returned home, but how he was surprised or slaine is uncertaine." That the colonists were not slow in making use of their newly-acrpiired power over the natives in their vicinity, sullicientlj' appears from the manner in which they re- venged some injuries received froin those of Paspahegh. Not satisfied with burning tlieir town, they deliberutely ])ut to death the (picen and her chikb'en, who had tlillen into their hands. In the following year the Ajipomatuck Indians, for some (jll'ences, were driven froni tlieir homes, and their corn was seized, "without the loss of any except some few Saluages." The manner in which j'cuceful intercourse was at hist established with Powhatan, however it maybe justified upon the plea of necessity, refiects but little credit upon the English. Argall, in the year 1613, (accoi-ding to some chroniclers,) while up the Potomac in search of corn, heard iVoni the sachem Japazaws that Pocahontas, who had not been seen at .lanu'st(_)wn since Smith's depart- ure, was ri'siding among his people. The cajttain deter- mined not to lose the opportimity to secure so valual)lc a hostage, and having, by the assistance of .Tapazaws, de- coyed her on board his ship, lie made her prisoner. The treachei'ous Potomac sachem pretended great disti'css; "the old lew and his wife began to howk^ and crie as fast as Pocahontas," but api)eai\'d ])acified when Ai'gall told them that the princess should be well treatc(l, and restored «• < r,. In ",i i ! < >:^i if( > <1 •i 1 ' / - ' f ( 'f /ill 1 ti'ifi 186 INlflAX HACKS OF AMERICA. as soon as Powliatan would make restitution of tlie goods he liail purloined and jilundered from the colony. Wlien the emperor learned of this transaetion, the "vnAveleonie newes mueli troubled him, because he lourd both his daughter and the English eonuiiodities well;" and he left Potiahontas in the enemies' hands for several .months l)ef(ii'e he deigned to pay the least attention to their demands. It has been supposed, and with great sliow (if reason, that the kinddiearted a'irl liad lost lavoi- Avith her father bv her svmpathv witli tlie Enulisli, and bv endeavoi'iiig to save them at thr time of the massacres whicli jii'ecedi'd tlie last arrival; and that this was the cause of her retirement to Potomac. When Powhatan at last consented to treat, his oilers were entirelv nnsatisfaetorv to the Knu-lisli, ami another long inter\al (hqiscd without any communieatiijii from him. Mcanliiiic, an ardent attachnnMit lia with the English pro))osals. AVheu I'owhatan heard of the propo> I < ^\ ' Ml '1 fl ' -'id ttwjjJdL--, t . K< 4 188 INIJIAN KACES OF AMERICA. and the enlarged ideas attendant upon edneation and inter- course with intelligent Eury his .second brother Itopatin. The new king, as well as the formidable Opechancanough, seemed desirous of continuing at peace with the whites. Despite his protestations of friendship, and renewal of Holenm leagues and covenants, th(> old king of Pamaunky was still held in sore susjucion, and it is plain tliat Indi'u power, if roused against the colony, was growing formida- ble. The historian expresses his amazement "to undei'stand ,.^y,,.;,;,:,/V;;,j;J 190 INDIAN UACEH OF AMKUICA. liow straiiLTi'ly the Salii;iu,vs hud bcciie tuuglit the use of arms, aiul iinjiloied in hunting and fowling witli our fcnvl- ing })iccc.s, antl our men rooting in the groxind about Tobacco like Swine." .lohn Tory, .secretar_y' of tlic colony, undertook a settle- ment on the eastern shore in 1(521, Namenacus, Icing of I'awtuxent, visited him, and expressed his good-will in stylo characteristic of Indian meta])lu)r. Baring his breast, says Pory, he asked "if we saw any deformity v})on it, we told him, Xo; No more, said he, is the insiarty reached IIk; dwelling of Namenacus and his ln'cAher Wamanato, they were most hospitably received and entertained. Boiled oysteis were set bi fore them in a "brasse Kettle as bright ^vithout as williin," and the alliance was <;emented by exchange of presents, "Wamanato promised to keep what he had received "whilst he lived, and burie tliem with him being dead. Ilee much w(jndered at our Bible," proceeds Pory, "but much more to heare it was the law of our God, and the first Chapter of (lenesis expounded of Adam and Eve, and simple marriage; to which he replied he was like Adam in one thing, ibr he ncuer had but one wife at once; but he, as all the rest, .seemed more willing of other discourses they better vnderstood." INDIANS OF VIltr.INIA. CilAI'TKU V. 191 THE VIllGlNIA MASSACUKS Ol- KJ-J-J, AND OK Kill (ou 1044) DKATII OI'" ()l'i:i,'HA.N(A.\()i;(iH. The spring of 1022 was rrn'moniljlc (or a deep-ltiid and partially-successful plot, itttributed in no small ini'asure to the contrivance of OpcchancunoM^li, lor the extermina- tion of the Kn,L;lish (;o1om y. The settlers had come to look upon the Indians with a mixture of coiulcscension and contonipt; they admitted them freely into their houses; sulfered thein to ac([uire the use of Kn.ulish wH-aixms: and took little or no precautions against an outbreak. The plantations and villages of the whites were widely sepa- rat(Ml and ill-[)r()tecti'il, olfei-ing an e;isv opportunity lijr a sudden and concerle(l attaek. No susi>ici()ns whatevci' \vei'i> enteilainetl of any hostile intent upon the part of the savages until Just belore the massacre CI immrnecd, and then tliciT was neither time nor opitortunity to convty the intelligence to the distant set- tlements, ^riie plot was so arranged that uj)on a day appoinleil, the 22d of March, the Indians spread them- selv«'s thrixighout the settlements, and, going into the houses, or joining the lahoi'ers in the Held, on preteiu'c of trade, took the; iirst oppoi'tuuity to kill those with whom they Avere conuuunicating, by a blow fj'om behind. No le^s than three hundred and fortv-seven of the Knuvenient house for the saeliem, "altei-the English fashion, in which he took such ])lcasui'e, especially in the locke and key, which he soe admiicd as locking and vidocking his (h)ore a hundred tinu^s a day, he thought no device in the world comparable to it." It was su])posed that the motive which ojierated most forcibly upon ()peelianc:nioiin|i, in urging him to tlies(; enormities, was the death of Nemattanow, one of his favor- ites, styled "Jack of the lA'ather, Ijccause hee commonly was most strangely adorned \\ ith them." This Indian was shot,- about a fortnight before the massacre, for the mur- der of a on jiretf Little of the r oral eng, savages liundi-ed ,1 the conn the b { I tween th( i , the pale fi j| open War long a till I'ill, niui organized i even ;i ]j| sacre of 1 ,' by some, 1 ,'! Alter ! that the and the a Was carricl j ties and a I ' indignity dier, in i'c| Althouglil utterly iu'l out assist ij nity and Berkley, around aii It is s;J of VirginI and the hi over u naJ 13 I TN'l'IAXS or VIKdINIA. 1!)3 (Icrof a man named Nforgau, whom he enticed from home on pretence of ti'ade. Little active ellorts were made to revenge the uprising of the Indians. After the bloody day in March, no gci- oral engaginncnt took })lace betwetMi the l*]nglisli and the savages until the ensuing autumn, when an army of three hundred colonists marched to Nandsamund, and laid waste the country. The bitterest animosity pre\ ailed for many years be- tween the rival claimants to the country — the; Indians and llic^jale fact.vs, who were su])[ilanting them, insiiliously, or by open warfare. Tha old chief Opechaneanough remained long a thorn in the sides of the colonists; and, as late as btll, nine years alter the conclusion of a settled peace, he organi/edact)nspirae.y, which residtiMl in thedeslruclion (A' even a larger number of the whites than fell in the nnus- sacre ol' 1()22. '1 1m' time of the second uprising is ti.ved, by some, three years later than the date above mentioniid. After that event, tin; wai' was pursued with the energy that the dangerous circumstances of tlu; colony required; and tlu! aged chief, falling into tlu' hands of the Knglish, was cai'ric\l captive to Jamestown. Regard to his inlirnii- tics and age restrained the authorities from showing him indignity or unkindness, but he was shot by a private sol- dier, in revenge, as is supposed, for some Ibriner injury. Allhougli so enfeebled by the weight of years as to be utterly helpless, and unable even to raise his eyelids with- out assistance, the venerable chief still maintained his dig- nity and lirmness; and. Just betiu'c his death, rebuked Berkley, the governor, for sullering his people to crowd around and qhzg upon him. It is said, by some historians, that he was not a native of Virginia, but that he was reputed among his subjeet^s and the neighboring tribes, to have been formerly a king over a nation far to the south-west. 13 '^^ 11 §m m ';,'■' '. H\ '^'f V,v] .' ' ti';» , .' " 1 , , , , ■\ ■■■■■"( '■' ■ ■ w-n : _ ;,,;^: ' ■ . . 'H . ■'■"■• ^ < \V ' •■.'1 .-r^n:. :',*:•,;■ ''i.'i \ ^■-^'■v; ! .1 ■ ,1 ■ <■ .'v^e, ), or king. The .stature and gcMieral ai»])earance of dilferent races among them |»re.si'nted considei'able di.s('re[)aiiey. 01" the KO Sa.S(]U(.'sahanoeks, Smith says: "Such great and well-])n 2)ortioned men an^ scldome semie, for they seemed iil giants to the English. — For their language, it may well be.seemc their ])roi)(irtioiis, sounding from them as a voyce in a vault." One of their chief Werowanees measured three-quarters of a yard about the calf of his leg, "and all the rest of his limbs so answerable to that pro])ortioii, that he seemed the gcjodliest man we ever beheld. J lis hayre, the one side, was long, the other shore close, with u ridge like a cock's combe." These j have Cas man's lie; of the J{( liiuiging I iiind him had the 1. Iiis tobac( 1 1 earned wi great end, Kiirther ailjaceiit ri The Moiia trihcs, will ilissimilar nicate by i The cloi of skin.s, (I till' season. .'Mid thick I like a natui tliernselvesi woven from cially amoij pocone, mi to satisiy tl hody. il(. strolls to b| I'oiidanls oi "'Some of and yclloui which, era| oftentimes Their vvi J hut smoky, INDIANS OF Vlur.INlA. 195 Thosn people w(M(' (li'fsscd in bciir uiid vvdlf-skiiis: "some have Ciussiieks iiuule ol' JJcjire's heads uud skiruies, that a man's head goes throu<,'h the skiniies neck, and the emus of the lieare fastened to his shoidders, the nose und tecitli lianjfjnj^ downe his breast, another Beare'.s face split l>o- liitid him, and at tlit! end of the nose huiif^ a paw. -One had tiie liead of ii Wolle lian- ciully amon^f the women, and the red powdered root of the |iiicone, mixed with oil to the eonsisteney of [)aint, served to satisfy their barbaric taste for I'aueilully coloring the body, lie was ''the most gallant who was the most mon- strous to behold.'' ^I'lieir ears were generally bored, and l"'ndants of copper and other ornaments were attached. ''Some of their men weare in those holes a small green and yellow coloured snake, lu'ar half a yavde in hMigth, whi(;h, crawling and lap))ing herself about his necke, oftentimes would familiarly kisse his li[)s." Their wigwams were nmeh after the usual fashion, warm, but smoky, and stood in the midst of the planting gi'ounds 1 !„■ -i\' ' ,-'■'■ '' ( '''■ , , i . '\''^: n 1 ,1:1; ./fj 1 >1 \''-' I .c^l !^!^i^'', ',r'.-:.-, \; •'■1 Victim--, ■ ' iii ^"•, :m'7 ■*. 1 '. ■ ii.. •. ^w nn 196 INDIAN IIACES OF AMERICA. where tlioy raised their beans, corn, and ponipions. iVboiit the dwellings of sonic, mulberry-trees were planted, ami fine groves of the same grew naturally in various jjarts uf the country. 'I'lic English made an altern[)t to rai-j silk here, "and surely the wormes prospered excellent well till the master-worknuvn i'ell siekc. During which time they ■wee eatiMi with rats." To ellect a clearing, the custuni of'tlic natives was to girdle the trees by bruising and burn- ing the bark near the root; and, in the ensuing year, the soil was rudely loosened for the reception of the seed. During a great part of the year they were obligcil to resort to the natural productions of the Ibi-est, sea, and rivers for their su]iport; and, as their diet varied with the season, "even as the deere and wild beasts, they seemed fat and leane, strong and weake." In the spi'ing they re- lied chiefly upon lisli and small game; in sunnner, l)elure the green corn was ready for use, they were obliged It. eke out a subsistence with roots, acorns, and shcll-lish. vSouic species of acorns, besides being usel'ul as food, furnished an oil with which the natives anointed their heads and ji)iiits. Smith enumerates many of the wild fi'uits and game which were SiUight by the Indians, describing them in quaint and fured)le Ianguag(\ It is singular to observe how the original Indian names of j)laiits and animals have been altered and corru])ted on their adoption by the Ku;''- lish. All will recognize the "putchamin," whose "fruit is like a medlar; it is first green(>, then yellow, then red, when it is ripe, '' it be not ripe, it will draw a mans mouth awry, with much torment." Broth or bread made from the "C'heeliinciuamin," (Chincopin), was considered ii great dainty. With a slight change of orthogi-aphy, the "Aroughcun, a beast ranch like a badger, but wliieh useth to live on trees as squirrels doe," becomv.'S familiar, as do also the "Opiissum" and "Mussascus." m INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 197 Among tlic fish, a kind of ray attractccl the worthy cap- tain's special achniration, being "so like the jtictiirc of St. George his dragon as possible can be, except his legs and wings. Tlic Indians fished with nets, woven with no little skill; with hooks of bone; with the spear; and with arrows attached to lines. For other game, the principal weapon was the bow and ari'ow. '^Fhc arrows were generally headed with bone or fiint, but sometimes with the spur of a turkey or a bird's bill. It is astonishing how the stone arrow-heads, which are, to this day, found scattered over our whole country, could have been shapiul, or attached to the reed with any degree of firmness. Smith says that a small bone was wtu'u constantly at the "bracert" fortlie purpose of manufacturing them— })robably to hold the fhnt while it was chipped into shape by another stone — and that a strong glne, obtained by boiling deer's horns and sinews, served to fasten them securely. Very soon after intercourse with Europeans commenced, these rude implements were superseded by those of iron. Deer were IninteM with most efiect, by drivhig in large companies, dispersed through the woods. When a single hunter underttwk the pursuit, it was usual for him to dis- guise himself in the skin of a deer, thrusting his ann dn-ough the "cck into the head, which was so .stulled as to resemble that of the living animal. Thus accoutred he would gi-adually ai)proach his [irev, imitating the motions. of a deer as nearly as ])0ssible, stopping occasionally, and appearing to be occupied in licking his body, until near cuougli for a shot. In war these Indians pursued much tlu^ same course as the other eastern nations. On one occasion, at Matfapa- nicnt, they entertained Smith and his companions with a sham fight, one division taking the part of Monacans, and tlie other of Powhatans. After the first discharge of ^iii^itMi ■ Iff ^ M ■^■. " ■ i •■ ; i (I -m m r^i -■' ,.- ■■■(■ rLlj; ■■■^•^'ii'f'''' '■'♦il 198 INDIAN RACES OP AMERICA. arrows, he says, "they gave such horrible shouts and ' screcclios as so many infcrnall hell-hounds could not haue made them more terrible." During the whole perform- ance, "their actions, voyces, and gestures, were so strained to the height of their quality and nature, that the strange- nesse thereof made it seenv^ very delightful." Their martial nuisie consisted of the discordant sounds produced bv rude drums and rattles. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. CHAPTER I. CONDUCT OF EAULY VOYAliKKS — AHKIVAL OF THE MAY-FLOWER — SAMOSET TlSqilANTUM — MASSASOIT — WESTOn's COLONY CAUNBITANT's CONSIMKACY TRADE IN FIRE-ARMS THOMAS MORTON DEATH OF MASSASOIT AND ALEXANDER, AND ACCESSION OF PHILIP. " Erewhile, where yon g;iy spin's their brightness rear, Trt'c's waved, and the brown iiunter's slionts were loud Amid tlie forest ; and tlie bounding deer Fled at tlie glancing pluiue, and the gaunt wolf yelled near." Bryant. It is lamentable to reflect that in the primitive dealings between the venturous Europeans and aborigines of Amer- ica, the kindly welcome and the hospitable reception were the part of the savage, and troacherv, kidiKipi)ing and murder too frequently that of the civili/cd and nominally Christian visitor. It ajipears to have been matter of common (ustom aiiKHig lli(>se unscrupulous adventurers to seize by force or ihtiul on the persons of their simple entertainers, and to (tarry them oil' as curiosities to tlie distant shores ()f Europe, ('olumbns, with kiii'ri': '1 "" mmm ;il cious of all \va.-' the co )U' 111 I his 1 V'SPCH f. ^Fost mluct ol' 'riiiuiias Ihiiil, \vi ;itro- K), ill 1('14, iit Monliignii, enticed tweiity-ibiir oi' t\\vse(piiMit liostihtK New Knu'laiid. On the Othoi'Sepleinber, l-,2(), the May-Klower, I'reighted wiih Ibrtv-oiie adventiii'diis enthusiasts, the genu of a weslern eiiipiri', sailed l'''oni I'lvniouih in i'lnglaiid; and on tlie ilth (.1' the i; .iWlll'. X oveiiiher ari'i\-e(i. on lie b iri'cn am I iuelenieut shon >r Cape Cod. A 11 'W days afterwards a reconuoiteriiig party caught sight ff a .-mall uniiiber of the natives, who, ho\vevi>r, lied at their ap- pri'aeh. On llii' 8th of Deceuiber, a slight and dcsnlt Indians atti'inpting to sni'prisi,' t! Mr\- action occurred th 1' iliiriius bv niLilit hev Avere, however, d'icoinlited am coiiiiielled to retreat, leaving, among other trojihii'S, eighl- ecu arrows, 'liead(.Ml with brass, some with hartsdmi'is, and others v.itli eagles' el On thr llth of Dee uvs. em;)(M' (< ). S.), uiemorablc in the nil [lis of Anieric'a, tl htl e hand ol pilgrims land ed, and fixed tlieir hr 4 settlement at Plymouth. The Indians, it WuUU 1 a]ipcar, looheil Avitli evil eyes upon the { 111 HIS l'( ilo- nists; Ibr, savs an old narraliu', "tliev iiot al lie powaws in the country, wl 10, ibr thrtx' lys toLi-etlier, in a horn and devilish maiiin'r, ilid curse and exerrate '''..m widi tlieir conjuratioiis, Avhich assembly and seryice thev held in a dark and dismal swami). Behold how Satan labored to hinder the gospel IVoui coming into Xew Knglaud." The aj)pearancc of the friendly chief Samoset, at the settleineut; his welcome in br.>ken Miuili-h; his inanners, aiK I discourse; are ([luiintly detailed by thr historians of tlie colony. He liatl ac(piiied some \ siiowlcdw u )f tl le A ■';'■(. ?«!,>■')-■ i I!" f I i.vrr 11 r / r: n- of > . / .1/ o n k /■ it 1 r 11 r 11 r r / 1, a u /.»/». \Mn,U:- Englisl] tci\s of readily n'Huii'tM iiiliahiti the (listi only fu circuins owofl it.' JJclbr tlie oiilj original li;itiii-:il tious lie and iiicii \vant of; advcutu] jl' lli(,' (•( 1 1 w; cati'>ii u veiitioii II i> 11: eoin])iii one oi' jieriod. liis ac(|u great sc iiiiti on his an exj snpiilies inici'cst viecaliK ivstorat ."istanec where li NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 201 English language bj^ intercourse with the crews and mas- ters of vessels employed in fishing n])on the coast, and readily comniuuieated such inroniuitioii as the settlers reijuired concerning the nature of the country and its inliabitants. Ue inlonniMl them of the manner in which the district where tliey were located liad been dei)()pulated only four years })revions, by some; incural)le disease; a circumstance to which tlie leeble colony not improbably owed its preservation. IV'fore tlie bold and friendly advances made by Samoset, tlie only communication between the colonists and the original iidiabitants had been of a hostile character. The natural iears and jealousy of the savages, and the supersti- tious hori'or of the English at the heathenish powwaws and incantations wliich they witnessed, together with the want t)f a common language, had kept the little company of alvcntureis in a state of complete isolation duringthe whole jf the cold and dreary winter that succeeded their arrival. It was in the month of March that a })eace('ul comnuuii- cation was established with the natives, through the inter- vention of Samoset. He introduced, among other of his ciiinjianioiis, the noted Tisquantum, or Sipianto, who was one of the twenty-four kidnapped by Hunt, ;it a former period. IW his knowledge of the country and coast, and his accpiaintance with their language, Squanto became of great service to tlu^ colonists, and continued their friend until his death, which took jilace in 1622, while he was on his passage down the coast, in the e.ipacity of pilot to an expedition fitted out for the purpose of jiurchasing supplies of ccjrn and other necessaries. Afuch of romantic interest attaches lo the history and adventures of this ser- viceable Indian, both during his ca})tivity and after his restoration tt) his own country. Escaping by the as- sistance of certain kindly-disposed monks, fi'om Sj)ain, where he, with his companions, had been sold in slavery, 1i'-, !i I' ( .1 '\ 'M I ] ' (• rl ,s ^.f. ,..,,d.,,.J ,1 );-"•'•" 202 INDIAN RACES OF AMElilCA. he roachod Kn.ujlaiul, and was taken into tlio ontiployment of a London merchant, nanuvl Slaney, by whom ho wjiti sent as pilot, or in some other capaeity, to various places on the eastern eoast. He was l)rou,L,dit back to Patuxet, the Indian name; of the country in which the pilgrims first huided, by Captain 'Hionins Dermer, who sailed in the employ of Sir Kcrdi- nando (lorges, during the summer preceding the arrival of the May- Flower. After his introduction by Sanioset, he rcuuiined with his new allies, instructing them in the i!io(h' of raising corn, to which they were strangers; in the best methods of fishing; and making himself of inestima- ble service. By the friendly influence of Squanto and Samosct, who acted as iiitcr])reters, a league of amity and mutual pio- toction was (>ll'ected l)et\vecn tlic colony and the poweifnl sachem Massasoit, father of tlie still more celebrated IMiilij). Massasoit's head-quarters were at Mount IIoj)C, on Xarra- gansett bay, overlooking the present town of Bi'istol ; a striking feature in a landscape of renuirkable beauty, and conunanding from its summit a magnificent prospect of island, bay and ocean. His authority extended over all the Indian tribes living in the vicinity of the PlymoiUJi colony, and he held an uncertain but inlluential sway over portions of other nations far into the interior. In the month of July, 1()21, some of the nrincipal inhabitants of the settlement, among others, Edward AVinslow and Stephen lIo})kins, went on an embassy to the court of this chief, as well to observe his power and resources as to renew the amicable treaties betbre entei'e(l into. Tlicy carried such attractive ornaments and apparel as wouhl please the eye of a savage. They were accomjtanicd by Squanto; and although their entertainnient, both as rcsitects Ibod and lodgings, was but Borry, yet they were recciv^ctl in a spirit of ii'ieiulliness. succeedi NEW ENflLANI) INDIANS. 203 They obtained nmcli ii.si'fiil information conccrninf^ tlie sviiToiuidiMj,' tribes, and also learned the power and by want. I'o add U) tiieir troubles and fears, the Xarra,^ansetts sent lliein a liostile message, expressed by a bundle of arrows tied witli a snake skin. I'hc skin Avas returned lilled with bullets, and the ji;overnor n.ade the spirited rci)ly — "that, if they loved war ratlior than peace, they might begin when they would." The houses were thcnceftirth inclosed in palings, and every precaution was taken, by watch and ward, to guard against a sudden attack. J)uring the ensuing year, 1<)22, two ships were sent over from Mngland by a Mr. 'J'homas Weston, with a consider- able nnmluM" of colonists; in one of tlu'm came "sixty lusty men.'' A new settlement was formed by them at Wesagus- quaset, on Massachusetts Bay. known as Weston's colony. ^riie dishonesty and wastt'fulness of these new comers produced very injurious cHeets upon the welfare of the <'()lony at large. The hostility of the Indians was excited by their depredations, and, if we may believe the old nar- rations, thev were even base cnousiii to cii'culate among the natives false reports of an intenti(Ui on the part of the Plymouth authorities to attack them, and forcibly sci/.e their corn and provisions, the tinu^ b(>ing one of great scarcitv. Weston's men were in pos:"essiou of a small vessel, in which they proposed to their Plymouth neighbors to un- dertake an expedition round Cajie Cod, for the i)urpo.se of trading for supplies from the natives. After two unsuccess- ful attempts, having been delayed by rough Aveather, they succeeded in reaching IS' auset tuid ^lattaehiest, where they ■mm ,.v ■( '■ I •11, .r .', '' .'• •*'K ■■;>■■. 1 ..■ 4| i (I >i fl ■ ■i H :": ',< 'i' y I'J ■■>■■ '/:. "^il-iMi of Ci dcstiv also. distill plot. the !•; of iiit tlcsi,Hi JllOlltl liiul ci tlu'ir I Ifaviii iSCllt i( low ai liuvc 1 liistoi'v U()i»aii III (I Staiidi,- sct, aiii ton's 111 aiiioiio- j This 'rll I tlio ;;i-| ' dcclan man's lie is (' Not |(iii| knives ;uiionu> knife (I I have that ii; must n and by ^■«i »l Ni:\V' ENCiLANl) INDIANS. 20o of Ciipcvvack, or Maillui'i^ Viiicyanl, Ibr llio purpose of destroying' Wi'ston's roloiiy, iiiid perhaps that at I'lyiuoutli also. Caunbitaiit, or ('orbitanl, one o|' ^^assasoit's most distinguished subordinate cliiels, was a piinic niovi'r in this plot. He had always entertaiu(!d hostile I'eelings towards the Mn.uiish, and req'arded their inerease and prosperity as of I'atal tendency to the welfare of his own peo[ile. Tho desii^n was made known to some of the ehief men of Ply- mouth, \>y Massasoit, (whom the leaders of the couspiraey had endeavored to draw into their plans,) in gratitude for their havin.ii; ivstored him frum a dan,L^'rous titof siekness. Having been, as he su[i]M)sed, at ihe ])oint of death, ho sent for assisfanec to the colony, and Mr. i'ldwai'd Wins- low ami dohn Ilamdcn, (supposed liv some wrilri's to luiv(> liciMi the same ai'lcrwaids so celeln'ated in i'higiish liistorv liir his resistance to royal cucroaehiniiits) with liohaiiKik as interpreter, were dispatt'hed to his assistance, Tn oi'di-r to check th(< pui'[Mise(l uprising, Captain ^lilii'S Stamlish, witli only eight men, proeeed"d to Wesagusipia- ?v.\, and attacking the hulians, in eonjimction with Wes- ton's men, overpowei'ed them, killing si\ of their nundier; among the ivst, the noted and dangei'ous Wittuwanuit. This eliief had displayed gi'eat l.oldn( ~s and spirit. C)ii the arrisal •)f Standish, he, with others ol' his coin]ianv, declared that ln' was in no wisi' i'jnorant of the Mnu'lish- man's intentions, '"'fell Standish,' said hi\ 'we know he is come to kill us, but let him begin when he dare.' Not long after, many would come to the fort, and whet their knives before him, with many braving speeches. One amongst the rest was by Wittuwamat's bragging he had a knife that on the handle had a woman's face, but at humo I hiiV(> one that hath killed both French and English, and that hath a man's face upon it, and by and by these two must marry; but this her(> by and by shall see, and by and by cat but not speake." Of the manner of this Ii^- MBkL'' • ' t' t'-U H^HFt ■<• ;. 4>R Dh^IDI. ' ■ •'•,. ■»(( ' ' ' ' 4r H^HD* ' '■ ■ *''\f^ ■ ' i'f K' u^^K^^' ,..■»,' ■' t ('" ; . I:'. ■i.yn I'd niisMikv been \)v what till (Iriiikiii; si'ttiiifT I frisili..I, and iiini riii.L;' of (liaiis ju'i No V( mouth <• we ha\( li>r the duct (.( aii'i' (ri'oc bo drtai In the at this nam, otb( and .solo umitv wi I.' NKW KN(ihANI) INDIANS. 207 iiiisnilc," with 11 at!t of disonlcrly coiiipiiiiioiis win) had hccn l)i'ouy came out t)f little holes in the ground, and d'.d eat up the gi'ecii things, and made such a constant yelling noise as made the woods ring of them, and rcatly to ileafen the hearers." Tlu" In- dians prophesied sickness from this sign. No vci'y serious hostilities occurred bi-twceu the Ply- mouth colonists an is gtMiei'ally styled at this piM'iod, Woosameipien, brought his eldest son Mooa- nam, otherwise calleil \^^lmsutta, to the court at IMymouth, and solenudy remnvcd the former league of peace and amity with the colony. I » ! i' > ' I ■'■,) ' ' '.*'' ?l ■ \ i % i '.■r\ A ^'iwm M ■■It",., 208 INDIAN RACES OF AMKHIUA. After tlic death of tlio friendly and powerful saclicm, liis sons Wanisntta and !Metacoinct continued their jn-ofes- sion of j^ood-will to\varrond spirit, that it threw him into a fever, of which he died shortly after. Contradictory n^porls have been handed down to us concerning the manner of his treat- ment during this brief caj)tivity, and the circumstances attending his death. Shortly after this event, Philip, now sachem of Pocanoket, came to the court at Plvmouth, witli renewed aeknowlcdii'- mcnts of subjection to the king of Kugland. and ju'oiuises to fullil all engagements theretofore entered into by liitn- self, his father and bi'other. lie covenanted, nu^reover, not to sell any of his lands to strangors witluMit the knowledge arid consent of the authorities at Plymouth. si i", 'I")a. '. • *l 'h; A'*'^-! I < > -"J 1 i a « ■;•^. ;. ■ .'■ .'■*■ J) ^;r ^'^^ H^ii:' ttfttii'' lii.i^i ;* "^^ \H )!h::^ ^ ''i t;*"'i ^ * - vf • 'Ml THE NAl OLD! "D; T II II «l Ai II( Si II. Ai The i.^ wliit'h sti liowerf'u c'xtoudet the couni rated by Their goverue( nephew founder always towards and exer ])ower in Canonieu of liis de Mr. \V 1. ■'- # ^' NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 209 CHAPTER II. THE NAItRAGANSETTS — TIIK PEOUOTS — MURDER OF STONE AND OLDHAM ENDICOTt's EXPEDITION THE PEQUOT WAR DESTRUCTION OF THE PEQUOT FORT — THE TRIBE DISPERSED AND SUBDUED. "Diirk as the frost-nipped leaves that strew the ground, The Indinii Imiitcr lu-re liis slielter found; Il'.'re cut his bow, and shaped his arrows true, Here built his wigwam and his bark canoe, Speared the quick salmon leaping up the fall, And sUvv the deer without tlie rifle ball; Here his young squaw her eradl'ing-tree would c'loose. Singing her chant to hush her swart papoose; Here stain her (luills, and string her trinkets rude, And weave hur warrior's wampum in the wood." Brainard. Tjie islands and western shores of the beautiful bay which still bears thei" name were, at the time of the first European settlement, in the possession of the great and jiowerful tribe of the Narragansctts. Their dominions extended thirty or forty miles to the westward, as far as the country of the Pequots, from wliom tliey were sepa- rated by the Pawcatuck river. Their eliief sachem was the venerable Canonicus, who governed the tribe, with the assistance and supjiort of his nephew Miantonimo. The celebrated Roger Williams, the founder of the Rhode Island and Providence plantations, always noted for his kindness, justice and impartiality towards the natives, was high in favor with the old eliiel', and exercised an inOiience over him, without which his j)ower might have been fatally turned against the English, Canonicus, he informvS us, loved him as a son to the day of his death. Mr. Williams had been obliged to leave the colony at 14 ,:^;^:VlHl.^•, ■:,!'■■ I i ,;i ■". ,■". :}t . ■ ' •■•:' ■ ^1 : I'' 1 < Hi 1' ,1 i^ \ ''4! 210 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. tlic eastward, in consequence of his religious opinions, "wliieli did not coincide witli those so strictly interwoven ivath the goveriinient and policy of the puritans. lie was a man of whose cntcr])rise and wisdom the state; whii.'h he iirst settled is justly prou.', and whose liberal and niagnaui- mous disjiosition stands out in striking relief when com- pared with the intolerant aud narrow-minded prejudices of his contemporaries. Miantonimo is described as a warrior of a tall and connnanding appearance; proud and magnanimous; "sub- til and cunning in his contrivenients;" and of undaunted courage. The Fequots and Mohegans, who formed but one tribe, and were governed during the early period of Knglisli colonization by one sachem, appear to have emigrated from the west not very long before the iirst landing of Europeans on these shores. They were entirely discon- nected with the surrounding tribes, with wliom tliev weiv engaged in continual hixstilities, and were said to havi^ reached the country they th<-n inhabited from the north. They ])robably formed a portion of the Mohican or Mohe- gan nation on the Hudson, and arrived at the sea-coast by a circuitous route, moving onward in search of better hunt- ing grounds, or desirous (jf the facilities ibr procuring 8U]>p(irt olfered by the productions of the sea. In var'ous warlike incursions they had gained a partial };o:.>.jssion of extetisive districts upon the Connecticut river, and from them the early Dutch settlers j)urchascd the title to the lands they occu])ied in that region. In the year 163-i, one Captain Stone, a trader fi'om A'ir- giuia, of whom the early narrators give rather an evil rejjort, having ])ut into the Connecticut river in a small vessel, was killed, together with his wIkjIc crew, by a party of In- dians whom he had sull'ered to n^main on board his vessel. Two years later, a Mr. John Oldham was murdered at Block body o tlie ves hiost of The partici]) his con ij edged t 3'ct thej murder ing that English. To re /it ted oui tion of d( and of ei engaged H»tt, Ian J NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 211 Block Lsland, (called Manisses in the Indian tongue,) by a, body of natives. Tlicy were discovered in possession of the vessel, and, endeavoring to make their escape, were tiiost of them drowned. The Narragansctts and Peqiiots both denied having partici])ated in this last outrage, and, as respects Stone and his companions, although the Pequuts afterwards acknowl- edged that some of their people were the guilty parties, yet they averred that it was done in retaliation lur the murder of one of their own sachems by the Dutch, deny- ing that they knew any distinction between the Dutch and English. To revenge the death of Oldham, an ex})edition was litted out from Massachusetts, with the avowed determina- tion of destroying all the male inhabitants of Block I>Iaiid, and of enforcing heavy tribute from the Pequots. 'J'liose engaged in the undertaking, under the command o/ Endi- cutt, landed on tlu^ island, ravaged the corn-fields, and burned the wigwams of the inhabitants; but the islanders succeeded in concealing themselves in the thickets, so that lew were killed. Endieott thence proceeded to the Pe( juot country, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Gardiner, oonnnander of "^he garrison at Saybrook, who told him that the consequence would only be to "raise a hornet's nest about their ears." Disembarking near the mouth of the Tliames, the aib'cnturers were surrounded by a large body of savages, mostly unarmed, who questioned them of their jjurposes with much surprise and curiosity. The English demanded the murderers, whom they alledged to be harbored there, or their heads, The Indians rei)lied that their cliief sa- chem, Sassacus, was absent, and sent or pretended to send parties in search, of the })ersons demanded. Endieott, impatient of delay, and suspecting deceit, drove them olf, after a slight skirmish, and proceeded to lay waste theii f. i • t I I STI :-^;p---' ' '-Ellis'!!' ^iij 212 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. corn-fields and wigwams, destroying their canoes and doing tliem inealculAble miscliief. Tlie same oi)crations were carried on the next day, uiiou the op[)Orfite bank of the river, after whicli the party sot sail for home. The ell'ect of procc(hires like these, was such as iniglit have been expected. The hostility of the Pecpots towards the whites was from this period implacable. For several years the tribe had been engaged in a desul- tory war Avith the Narragansetts, arising from a (luarrel, in lGo2, respecting the boundary of their respective do- mains. Sassacus at once perceived tlie necessity or poliey of healing this breach, and procuring the as^nstance of his powerful neighboi's in the itUticipated struggle. He tliei\'- fore sent and)assadors to Canonicus, charged with ])r(ipn- sals of treaty, and of union against the usurj-iiig Kiiglish. A grand councnl of the Narragansett sachems was call<'d, and the messengers, according to Morton, "used many ]»crnicious arguments tc ^ove them thereunto, as that the English Avere strangers, and began to oversj»read their country, and would deprive them thereof in time, if they v/ere sulfered to grow and mereiise;" that they need not "come to open battle Avith them, but fire tlieir houses, kill tlieir cattle, and lie in ambush for them," all with little danger to themselves. The Narragansetts hcsitatcnl, and AA'ould not improbably have acceded to the projxwals but for the intervention and ])ersuasion of their friend Roger "Williams. His infiuence, combined Avitli the hoi)e, so dear to an Indian heai't, of being revenged ujion their old adversaries, finally pre- vailed. Miantonimo, Avith a nuadjcr of other chiefs and Avarriors, proceeded to lioston; ^vas received Ayith nuieh para'^'i'':r •■ '['■■■ y^fr ■'.:• J''\ ■'..• '■- ' i " ■ ■ - ' '',t .",■>■■.;..■'•..•;;' ..::4 ' 'I ' . > ..'^'' ,■<;'•-: <.':''■■' .■,",;J ■•";'-'!,5> 'P^l'- '■> ' » ''.I "■'''■'Mi 2U INDIAX UAOKS OF AMEUICA. The Tii(Ii;ms were accustomed to imitato and deride llie cries and tokens of pain wliicli tliey usually elicited from the whites, as hi'ing' unwoi'thy of men, and tolerable only in women or children. In Ajiril of this year (1037), an attack was maile njioii the villa,!4c of Wethersfield, by a body of Pequots, assistrd or led by other Indians of the viehuty, whose enmity had been excited by some unjnst treatment on tlu; part of the white inhabitants. Three women and six men of the colonist.^, were killed, and cattle and other property de- sti'oyed or carried off to a considerable extent. Two youn<^ girls, dan^hters of one Abraham Swain, were taken and carried into caj)tivity. '^^Fheir release was afterwai'ds ol)- tained by some Dutch traders, who in\'ci,i:,led a number of lV(|Uots on board their vessel, and threatiMied to throw them into the sea if the girls were not delivered up. Dur- ing the time that these prisoners were in the power of tli<'. Indians, they received no injury, but were treated with uinform kindness, a circumstance which, with man\- otiicrs of the same nature, marks the character of the barbarians as being bv no means destitute of the finer feelings of humanity. The settlers on the Connecticut now resolved uj)on active operations against the Pequot tribe. Although the whole nundx'r of whites u})on the river, capal>le of (hung military .service, did not exceed three hundred, a force ol' ninety men was raised and equipped. Captain John Ma- son, a soldier by profession, and a bold, energetic man, was appointed to the command of the expedition, and the Keverend ^Ir. Stone, one of the first preacHien at llartiord, Avho had accompanied his ]H!ople across th.' . .i (!rn ess, at the time of the first settlement of that to\v , undi-rtcjok the office of chaplain— a jiosition of far greater importance and responsibility, in the eyes of our forefathers, than is accorded to it at the present day. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 215 Letters wcro written to tlie juitlioritics of ^fussacliusetts, requesting .assistance, inasniuch as tlie war was owing, in no .small measure, to tlie ill-ad vised and worse-eonc^iieted expedition sent fbrtli, as we liave before described, by that colony. The required aid was readily furnished, and a considerable body of men, under the eonnnand ol' Daniel Patrick, was sent to the Xarragansett sachem, to pioeure Lis eoo}>eration, and afterwards to join the forces ol' Mason. The little army was I'urther increased by the addition of a party of Indians, led by a chief afterwards so ce'e- brated in the annals of the colony, as to deserve more than a casual mention upon the occasion of this, his lirst introduction to the reader. lliicas, a sachem of the Mohegaiis, whom we have be- fore mentioned as forming a portion of the I'cipKjt tribe, had, some time previous to the events which we are now recording, rebelled against the authority of Sassacus, his su))erior sachem, to whom he was connected by ties of alHnity and relationship. lie is described as having been a man of great strenui;h and courage, but grasping, cunning, and treaclierous, and possessed of little of that magnanimity which, though counterbalanced by faults peculiar to his race, distinguished his im])lacal)le foe, Miantonimo the Narragansett. With his followers, a portion of whom were Mohegans, and the rest, as is sup[)osed, Indians from the districts on the Connecticut, who had joined themselves to his fortunes, Uncas now made ct)mmon cause with the whites against his own nation. CJardiner, the comnumdant at Saybrook, to test his fidelity, dispatched him in pursuit of a small party of hostile Indians, whose position he liad ascertained. Uncas accomplished his mission, killing a portion of them, and returning with one prisoner. This captive the In- dians were allowed by the English to torture to death, and they proceeded to pull him a.sunder, ftistening one leg to ^'^i.::.: t'i V 1 ' I ■' ) '. 1 't i''-. ■ 1 I'll :(,^i*;i ■"-. — ^:'liP '!■■. '' i '■■■■■ ml IIP 216 INDLVN KACES OF A5[ERICA. a post, and tyiiiarty. A large body of Narragansetts and Xehantics attcidcd them on their march, at one time to the nundjcr, as was su]){K)sed, of nearly live hundred. In Indian style, they made great demonstration of valor and determination ; but as they approached the liead-quarters of the terrible tribe that had held them so long in awe, their hearts began to fail. Many slunk away, and of those who still hung in the rear, none but Uncas and Wcquash, a Nehantic sachem, were ready to share in the danger of the first attack. The Pequot camp was upon tlic siimmit of a high rounded hill, still known as Pequot hill, in the present town of Groton, and was considered by the Indians as impregnable. The people of Sassacus had seen the Eng- NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 217 lish vopsolfl pjips l)y, and supposed tliat danger was for the present averted. After a great feast ans) was suppo.sed to Ix; over four hundred, no small portion of which consisted of women and children. The spirit of the times cannot be better portrayed thau by citing the description of this tragedy given by Moilon: "At this time it was a fearful sight to sec them thus fry- ing in the fire, and the streams of blood (pienching the same; and horrible was the stink and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God, who had wrought so wcjiidcrfully ibr them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands, and t-.: <■ ■'•," f M mm >,. ;"'•■■: "•»,j|iii-,iiji£ 218 INIHAX |{A('i;S OF AMKiaCA. give tliom so sjiopdy n victory over so jin^iul, insnltiiifr iiuil l)l!isiili('iii<>iis nil (MK'iny." Dr. [iiorciiso Mtitlicr, in iniicli i\\r. siiiiic vt'iii, siiys: "Tliis diiy wc brought .^i\' IiiiihIihmI Iiidiiiii souls to lu'll." Ill Idokiug back ii[)oii this iiiHssacrc, althougli iiiucli allowance must bo made for the rudeness oi' the age, and the circumstances of terror and anxiety which surrdunded the early settlers, yet we must confess tliat here, as on otlicr occasions, tlicy exhibitcMJ the utmost unscrupulous- ness as to the rneuna by which u desired end should ho ai'complished. The loss of the n.ttacking party in this engagement was trilling in the extrcMuc, only two of their iiumlier bein^ killed, and about twenty wounded. Captain Patrick with his sohbers from Massachusetts, did n(jt reach the seeno of action in time to take part in it — Underhill, however, with twenty men, was of the party. Tlu! I'csult of this conllict was fatal to tlic Pequots as a nation, ^VHer a few unavailing attempts to revenge their wrongs, they burned their remaining caini), and com- menced their flight to the haunts of their forefatliers ut tlu" westward. They were closel}' pursu(>d by the whites and their Indian allies, and hunted and destroyed like wild beasts. Till- last imiiortantengagcment was in a swamp at Kairlield, where they were com[)letely overcome. Most (jftlie war- riors were slain, fighting l)ravcly to the last, and the women and children were distributed as servants among the colonists or shi))])(>(l as slaves to the West Indies; " Wc send the male children," says Winthrop, "to Hunnuda, by ^h. William Pierce, and the Avomcn and maid children are dispersed about in tlic towns." It is satisfactory to reflect tli.'it these wild domestics proveil rather a source of annoyance than service to their enslavers. Sassacus, Mononotto, and a few other Pc»|uot warriors, ileatli, ui The n fluccecdo however L'atli Till iiccticut, Many of I'Mcas; f ami Moll ilelil)erat( The CO had been hlood sho ill retaiiiii iiig the ])c he so assic QUAHRELS A s^L\lJ attenijjt tol sent againf sioiis wcrej The desl of countrj Uncas lani The j)owe had becoil treaty an.tl addition ti i i ' « I NEW EXr.r.AIs'D IXDL\:s-S. 219 Buccoodod in cfTcctiiii,' their cscapn to tlio 'Nfolifiwlcs, wlio, liDWcver, put the suclioiii and iiicst of his c()mj)aiii()ii.s to death, cither to ol)]i<((! the l^liiglish or the Narra<,'ansi'tts. The members of the tribe who still remained in Con- necticut, were linally brought into complete subjection. Many of them joined the forces of the now ])owerlul I'lieas; others were distributed between the Narraganstitts anil Mohegans; and wo small number were tukeu and deliberately nuussaered. The colonial authorities demanded that all Pequots who had been in any way concerned in shedding Knglish blood should be slain, and Uncas had no small dllliculty ill retaining his usei'iil allies, and at the same time satisfy- ing the powerful strangei's whose patronage aud proteetiou he so assiduously courted. CllAPTKR III. QUAKRELS HKTWKEN THE NAUrvAOANSETTS AM) MOHEGANS UNCAS AND MIANTONIMO TUE MOHEGAN LAND CON- il TKOVERSY — SUnSEqiJENT CONDITION OF THE 1 1 I'EQUOTS AND MOHEGANS. A SMALL body of the Pequots made one more futile , attempt to settle in their old country; but a company was sent against them, and they were driven off; their i)rovi- I sioiis were ])lundered, and their wigwams destroyed. The destruction of this powerful tribe left a large extent of country unoccujiied; to no small portion of which ,! Uucas laid claim by virtue of his relationshi}) to Sassacus. .\ The power and influence of this subtle and warlike chief had become, by this time, vastly extended, not only by treaty ar.>l alliance with the Europeans, but by continual addition to the number of his warriors; as many strag- '. V • 'I ' ■' .■ 1,:, J I • , ' ■■.,, . :.:, .|t'., I ■■i't' ' • ,1,., ■. v!..tUjja 220 INDIAN IIACES OF AMERICA. gling Pcquots, and wanderers irom other tribes, were eager to join liis rising fortunes. Between him and Miantonimo, old feelings of jealousj'^, rivalry, and national antipathy were now aroused anew by various acts of petty hostility and mutual treachery. Uncas and his followers succeeded in exciting in the minds of the English a deep and abiding mistrust of the Narra- gansettF, which Miantonimo, upon repeated citations before tlie Court at Plymouth, Avas unable wholly to remove. His wisdom, cautiousness, and sagacity, excited the ad- miration of all who heard him, but, with all his tact, he failed to convince the authorities of his good faith and innocent intentions. The animosity of the two chiefs at last broke out into open hostilities. Miantonimo, accompanied, as was com- puted, by over nine hundred warriors, came suddenly upon Unoas, Avho was supported by only about half that number of eifectivc followers. Before joining battle, the Molicgan sachem challenged his opponent to single combat, proposing that the vanquished party should, with his men, submit to the victor. Miantonimo refusing to accede to this proposal, Uncas, according to a preconcerted signal, prostrated himself; and his warriors, discharging a flight of arrow", rushed forward with such impetuosity that, despite the disparity of num- bers, they completely routed the Narragansetts, and drove them from the field. The chief of the invaders was taken prisoner in his flight by Uncas himself, assistec by two other warriors. He had been impeded in his motions by an old corslet, a piece of defensive armor which had been prescnied to him by an English friend, but which proved fatal to hiin. Seeing that resistance was hopeless, he seated himself upou the ground, with true Indian stoicism and silence. Uncas took his prisoner to Hartford, and requested the NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 221 advice of tlie authorities as to what course he should pur- sue respecting him. They referred the question to tlie general court of commissioners for New England, which sat at Boston, in September (1043). The court, unwilling to undertake the responsibility oi ordering the death of the illustrious captive, submitted the matter to the decision of the clei'gy, then in high council at the same city. These worthies, less scrupulous than the laity, came to the con- clusion that his life must pay the forfeit of his attacks upon Uncas, and his general turbulence, not to mention til- fact that he had, in one instance, beaten a follower of a saelienx who was allied to the English! Tlie unfortunate sachem was therefore redelivered into the hands of the Mohegans for execution, and two of the English were appointed to attend the proceeding, and see that he was j)ut to death without torture. There is some discrepancy in the accounts as to the place where Mianto- nimo met his fiite, but it appears to have been in the township of Norwich, where a pile of stones was long after pointed out iis marking his grave. The manner of his death was this : Uncas, with his brother, Wawerpia, and a party of other Indians, accompanied by the two whites, was leading his prisoner along a path, when, at a silent signal from the chief, Waweqna buried his tomahawk in the skull of the cai)tive from behind. It is said that Uncas cut a portion of flesh from the shoulder of his fallen en- emy, and eat it, declaring that it was the ''sweetest meat he ever eat; it made his heart strong." The Narragansetts lamented bitterly over the untimely end of their famous and beloved saehem, and complained of the treachciy of Uncas, averring tliat large quantities of wampum had been sent as ransom to the Mohegans, and appropriated by them, regardless of the conditions attend- mg its mission. Pessacus, a brother of Miantonimo, continued to make I ^ ^ It < >l < ^1 v^r •• I >f.! > , <^^ 1- I I If ' I,' "- ,»! ' ■• —1 222 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. troublesome inroads upon the Mohegan domains, but tlie English still held Uncas in fovor, and warned the Narra- gansetts that they would support him should he re{j^uire their aid. In 1044, the complaints and mutual recriminations of the rival tribes were heard and examined by the commissioners of the colonies, who decided that Pessacus had not proved his charges, and enforced a temporary treaty. This was soou violated by the Narragansctts, who continued their dei)rc- datit)ns as heretofore; and in the ensuing spring, Pessacus, having don'^ great damage to his oi)poncnt by predalos v excursions, fiiMdl}' besieged him in a fort on the Tluui.>'., where he wouldprobably have reduced him by I'ainine, had not supplies been secretl v furnished by certain uf the Kuglish. The tyi'anny and exactions of I ncas over the l\'4U()ts Avho hail become subject to him, aroused tlieir iudigiialiou; while his treachery towards his own people, and alliance with the whites, secured him the hostility of every neigh- boring tribe. He was engaged in perpetual (•[uarrels with Kinigret, a celelirated Nehantic sachem; with Sc([nasseii, whose authority at an cai'lic-r dale extcMuled over tlie Tunxis tribe, at the westward of the Connecticut; and with the grieved and revengeful Narragansctts. AVhenevcr these interminable disputes were brouglit before the court of the New England commissioners, the decisions of that body ap])ear to have favoi'cd the Mo- hegan. Assisted liy the counsel of a crafty and subtle Indian, named I'oxun or Poxen, who scrveil him in the capacity of ciiicf advocate and adviser, and whose wisooin and sagacity were widely noted, he generally managed to explain away his ini'iuities; at least so far as to satisfy an audience already prejudiced in hi. .avor. When his erimcs were not to be concf'aled, a reprimand and caution were generally the extent f)f lij;' punishment. Ou the other hand, when susjucions arose against'>thc Nar- raganse resortet. was exi principf war ant iate tliei In Se^ had not j)laco bj eastern f sc])arate -| This h { tion, had sell-eonst siiiament, of NiniuT I ^J'lu.yl, '■ allotted t(j payment adoption vuTe to lid CassinniiKi It will and contn in tlieir vl The nativi tion of till former hoi bee" KG si I I It is pit Jioes, the . they liiul ; dent, and the aseeiul tions, and • -f ■ at tlie Narra- cquirc ' ! ij ; of the :! sioners ; I provi', luul KtigVit^h. Pci^viots illation; alliaueo V iieidi- rcls wilU ([iiasson, over tlio Mit; and INDIANS OF NEW ENGLAND. 223 ragansetts, tlic mosu 2)i'ompt and violent proceedings were resorted to : the payment of an immense amount of wampum was exacted; the d(;livery of hostages from among the principal people of the tribe was demanded; and threats of war and extermination were used to humble and humil- iate them. In Scjitember, 1655, a few of the scattered Pequots who had not joined the forces of Uncas, were allowed a resting- place by the commissioners, upon a portion of the south- eastern sea-coast of Connecticut, and their existence as a separate tribe was formally acknowledged. This little remnant of the crushed and overthrown na- tion, had been, for some time, under the guidance of two selfconstituted sachems, one commonly called Kobiii Cas- BinaiiK-nt, a Pecpiot, and tlie otlier Cashawashet, a ncjiliew of Ninigret, known among the English as irermon Garret. Th(!y liad formed small SL'ttlemeuts upon tlie tract now allotted to them, which tlicy were allowed to retain upon payment of tribute, in wampum, to the colonies, and the adoption of a prescribed code of laws. Their governors ■were to ho chosen by the English; and Cushawashet and Cassinament received the first appointment. It will readily be perceived to what an extent the jiower and control of the colonists over the atlairs of the Indians in their vicinity, had increased, even at this early period. The natives were lujw glad to settle down under the protec- tion of their masters; to ]iay yearly tribute as amends for former hostilities; and to hire the lands of which they had bee" so short a time previous the undisturbed possessors. Jt is })itiful to read of the coarse coats, the shovels, the lioes, the knives, and jews-harps, in exchange for which they had parted with their broad lands. Utterly impi'cni- dcnt, and incapable of foreseeing, or hopeless of averting the ascendancy of the whites *]icy yielded to their exac- tions, and submitted to their u!?tation. 1 mmm ■r, H- Wf' V ■:'".■'/?:■ ■•'■■'I'?': t|:*i wf ?tP ''i,'". Tj X", ;t;l ■■' ■ , ■ '■•"• 'I Ki :,K-i.-,-*^ ^ ' , .' ; ' ■'■' ..'■■ ^'h:S -r-i -'' '■ \' ■' ji^.v«' '-' 1' . ■ W'f .- ,,^;(>j'!hv^ ^■[■/'^U :,i .i ? .i'r;.v 1 : ■ . ,' ■ "» < J',,.;. ■:„',■ • '■' ,■ "'V.r iV^'r. J '., ■ 224 INDIAN EACES OF AMERICA. Sauntering indolently about the settlements, and wasting their energies by excess in the use of the novel means of excitenicnt offered by "strong Avaters," they lost much of that native pride, dignit}', and self-respect which distin- guished them wlien intercourse with foreigners first com- mcneed. Tlicir numbers, which appear to have been grossly exaggerated, even in theiv most flcnrishing days, were rapidly diminishing; their game was becoming scarce; and the refinements and comforts of civilization, rude in- deed L3 compared to what now exists, presented to their eyes at the white settlements, only aggravated the con- sciousness of their own poverty and distress. The Tunxis and Podunk Indians, who inhabited either side of the Connecticut, in the vicinity of the English set- tlements; the Quinnipiacs on the sound, where New Haven now stands ; the Nchantics, to the eastward of the river ; and the feeble Pequot settlement, were subject to, or in cfU'ct, under the control of the colonists: Uncas was their "friend and fast ally;" and the Narragansctts, though under susjii- cion of various treacherous plans, were nominally d peace with the whites, and quelled by the terror of their anus. Tliis condition of affairs continued, with the excej)tic)n of the great and linal struggle between the colonists and the natives, known as Philip's war — to be detailed in a suc- ceeding article — until the death of Uncas, about the year 1GS2. He left the title to his extensive domains involved in inextricable confusion. In consequence of deeds and grants from himself and his sons Owenoco and Attawan- hood, to various individuals among the white settlers, and for various purposes, the effect of which conveyances were probably unknown to the grantors, numerous contradictory claims arose. The same tracts were made over to diffei'eiit persons; oi;e grant wonld extend over a large })or<^ion nf another; and, to crown all, Uncas, in the year K!.")!), had aliened his whole possessions by deed, regularly witnessed, NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 225 to John Muson, of Norwich. This conveyance av.is evi- dently intended by the sachem merely to confer a general power as overseer or trustee upon a man whom he con- sidered as friendly to his interests, and whose knowledge would prove a protection against the overreaching of pro- posed purchasers. According to the Indian understand- ing of the transaction was the claim of Mason and his heirs, who arrogated to themselves no further interest or authority than that above specified. The Connecticut colony, by virtue of a general deed of "surrender of juris- diction," obtained from Muson, insisted on an unqualified property in the whole domain. Owenoco succeeded his father as sachem of the Mohe- gans, and pursued a similar course to secure his lands, conveying them to the sons of Mason as trustees. His Indian improvidence and intemperance led him to disre- gard this arrangement, and to give deeds of various tracts included in the trust conveyance, without the knowledge or assent of the overseer. In July, of the year 170-4, in order to settle the conflicting claims of the Avhites and In- dians, and to restore to the tribe the porti.^ns illegally obtained Irom them, a royal conunission was obtained from Kiigland, by some friends of the Mohegans. to exanune and settle the disputed questions. The colony ])r()tested against the })roceeding, denying the authority of the crown to determine upon the matter, and refused to apjKNir before the commissioners. The conduct of the case being ',;■ jmrtc, a decision was given in favor of the ^lohegans, restoring them to a vast extent of territorv alledts of parties, vi/: the Connecticut colony; the two claimants of the title ><[' Sachem of the Mohcgans, JJen and John, a descendant nl' the elder branch; and those in possession of tin; lauds in ((uestion. Tlie decree was in favor of the colony, which was sus- tained on the concluding examination of the ease in Kngland. Two of the commissioners dissented. 'I'lio Mohegans still retained a re.'jervation of about four tliou- satid acres. Their number reduced to a few hundred; distracted bv NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 227 tlic uncertain tenure of tlieir property, and tlic claims of the rival sacliems; rningleil with the whites in contentions, the merits of which they were little capable of compre- lunding; with drunkenness and vice prevalent among them; the tribe was fast dwindling into insignificance, licstrictive laws, forbidding the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians, were then, as now, but of little effect. Of the celebrated and warlike tribes of the Mohegans and Pequots, only a few miserable families now remain, upon their ancient territory. '^I'hcse are mostly of mixed l)lood, and little of the former character of their race is to he seen in tlicm except its peculiar vices. ^i''hey an; sc!antily su])ported by the rents of the lands still reserved and appropriated 1o their use. A number of the Mohc- gjins removed to IIk; Oneida district, in New York, some years since, but a few still remain near the former head- ipiartcrs of their tribe, and individuals among them retain ihc names of sachems and warriors noted in the early ages of the colonics. Mueli interest attaches to the efforts which have been made for the instruction and improvement of this remnant (if the Mohegan nation; especially as connected with the biography of Samuel Occnm, their native j)reaeher; one (if the few Indians who have been bronglit under the influence of civilization, and have ac(piircd a liberal education. In reviewing the character and histor}' of these, as of most of the native tribes, and reflecting u])on their steadv and hopeless decline before the European immigrants, we cannot but feel influenced by contradictory sympathies, ^llieir cvuclties strike us with horror; their treachery and vices disgust us; but, with ail this, we still may trace the tokens of a great and noble spirit. It is painful to reflect that this has more and more declined as their communion with the whites has become the more intimate. They r 1,5' J^t* V ^^'.'-f li -A ' " (,'J 228 IXDIAN UACKS OF AMERICA. have lost tlieir nationality, and witli it tlieir priile and self-respect; the squalid and poverty-stricken iigures haiii:- ing about tlic miserable huts they inhabit, convey but a faint idea of the picture that the nation presented when in a purely savage state; when the vices of foreign ers had not, as yet, contaminated them, uor their superior power and knowledge disheartened them by the contrast. CllAPTKR IV. KING PHILIP'S WAR. THE INDIANS FUHNISHED WITH KIltK-ARMS — SITUATION OF THE COLONISTS I'lIILIp's ACCESSION HIS TREATIES WITH THE WHITES HIS Tltl'K PLANS EMMISSARIES SENT TOSOGKON/TE CAPTAIN HENJAMIN CHURCH HIS INTERVIEW WITH AWOSHONKS MUR- DER OF JOHN SASSAMON. The events of which we sliall now proceed to give a brief synopsis, were of more momentous interest, ami fraught witli more deadly peril to the New England coin- nies, than auglit that liad preceded them. The wiM inhabitants of the forest had now become far more dangiM- ous opponents than when they relied uj)on their rude Hint- headed arrows, or heavy stone tomahawks, as the oiilv efficient wea])ons of oflence. Governor Bradford, maiiv years before the breaking out of the hostilities which we are about to detail, had given a graphic description of the elToct produced upon their deportment and sclf-eonridence by tlic introduction of European weapons. We (pxote from l^i'ail- ford's verse, as rendered in prose in the ai)pendix to Davis' edition of the New England Memorial. "These fierce natives," says he, "ai-e now so furnished I NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 229 with guns and nuisqncts, and arc so skilled in tliem, that they keep the Knglish in awe, and give the law to them when they please; and oC powiler and sliot they have such abundance that sometimes they refuse to buy more. Flints, so'vw-plates, and moulds for all sorts of shot they liave, and skill how to use them. They can mend and new stock their pieces as well, almost, as an Knglishman." lie describes the advantages which they thus obtained over the whites in the [lursuit of game; their own con- sciousness of ) lower, and boasts that tiiey could, wdien tlioy pleased, "drive away the English, or kill them;" and fmally break." out into bitter upbraidiiigs against tlic folly and covetous'iess of the traders who had su])plied them with amis, ilis foivbodings were tndy proi»hetic: "Many," says lie, "abhor this practice," (the trade in arms and ammunition,) "whose innocence will not save them if, which (jod tbrbid, they should come to see, by this means, some sad tragedy, when these heathen, in their fury, shall cruelly shed our innocent blood." The Knglish settlements were small, ill defended, and widely scattered. Whoever is acquainted with the rough nature of the New I'higland soil, must at once perceive how necessary it became lor the lirst settlers to select the spots most favorable for cultivation, and what an inhos- ]iitable wilderness must have separated their small and ill-l)rotected villages. The whole number of the European inhabitants of New England, in 1(575, when the memoral)le Indian war broke out, has been computed at about lifty thousand, which would give an ellective force of not far from eight thousand men. It were but wild conjecture to attempt a comjuitatiou of the number and force of the native tribes who took part in ihe war. Old historians frecpiently sj)eak jiositively, and in round numbers, when enumerating the aborigines; ■ " i'i > ".it ■ ■ ',( . ' ' ' ■ . "i ,r':-V-'^ ■ 'i* ' ■•^«V,^i ■ 1 vis.;''-5:i!!i 230 INDIAX HAOKri OF AMKUKA. but, ill many instances, we can perceive, witli tolcrublo certainty, that tliey luivo been guilty of grass exaggei'.itioii, such as the whole circumstances oC their intercourse with the savages would natura.l/ lead to. An enemy whose appearance was sudden and inicx- jjccted; wlio, in seeret and)uscade or niitbiight assault, used every device to increase the teri'or and bewildcrmcni, of theiT victims, might well be over estimated by tliosu whos(> iill was at stake, and wbo were waiting in fearl'iil uncertainty as to where the danger hiy, or when they bliould next le called U) resist it. In i(i(t2, ]'hiliji, Metaeonu't or ]'omctacoin, as we have already .seen, succeeded his brother Alexander, within u lew months of tlie di itii o'' their fatlier, Massasoit. rpmi the (K'easion oi' liis assuming the ilignity (^f saelieni ovci' llie \Vamj)anoags, there was a great eoUeeiion of .saeheins and warriors from all j>ans of the eonntiy, tn unite in :i ieast of rejoicing at Aloimt Hope, where he held his cuiiii. Although tlie m;w chief renewed his treaty' with the English, and for nine years alter his accession made no open denion.strations of hostility, yet Ins mind a]ip(*ars ii'dui the first to ]ia\c been aliened from the intriiders. A\'!ieihc!' Irom angx-r at the ].rocce(lings attendant on llic death of his brother, or from sympathy with his injuifd allies, the Narragansett.s, or that his natural sagacity .sug- gested to liim the ruin which must j'all upon his jieojilc hv the s])read of the whites; certain it is that his feelings of enmity were nourished and brooded ovei-, long belbre tl'cir final exhibition. Like his father before him, he never inclined an ear to the teachings of the Christian religion. Mather meiili(jiis a signal instance of his .coiitem])t for this sj)ecies ol' in- struction. The celebrated pix'acher, Kliot, had expounded the doctrines of Christianity, and urged their acceptance upon J'hilip, with his usual zeal and sincerity; but the NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 281 sachem, approadiing liim, ami laying hold of a button on his coat, told him that ho carod no more lor his Gospel than for that button. In the year 1071, Philip made grievous comjilaiiils of tres[)ass('.s upon the ])lantiiiL;-lands (jf liis jx-opK': uccordiiij^ to lJul)bard, "tlic devil, who was a iiiui'derer from the beginning, had so (illed the heart of this savage miscreant witli envy ami mulicc against the KngHsh, that ho. was ready to break out into ojkmi war against the inludtitants of IMyniouth, ])reteudiiig some trifling injuries (U)iie liim in his phinting-land." Tliis matter was for tiie time settled, the eomj)l:iints not a|ipearing to the colonial authorities to lie satisfae- tmilv substantiated. A meeting wns brought about, in April, 1(!71, at 'fauiitoii, bi'twee;i i'liili}), aeeompanied by a j)arty of his warriors, in war \k[U\\ and hostih; tra])jiings, and conunissionei's from Massachusetts. 'I'he Indian eliief, iniabK' to aeeount for the hostiU- i)reparations in wdiieh ho was ]iroved to have been engaged, became confused, and perhaps intimidated. He not only acknowledged himself in the wrong, and that the rebellion originated in the ''naughtiness of his own heart," but renewed his submis- sion t(.) the king of Kngland, and Jigreed to surrender all his Knglish arms to the government of New Plymouth, •'to be kept as long as they should see reason," Jn pursu- ance of this clause, the gims bi'onght by himself ami the party who were with him were di'livered uji. 'J'he colonists, now thoroughly alarmed, made elVorts during the succeeding sununer to deprive the neighboring trilies of arms and annmmition, making further prohibitory eiu\ctments as to the trade in these articles. Philip having failed to carry out his agreement to surrender his weapons, the Plymouth government referred the matter to the authorities of Afassachusetts; but Philip, r(>pairing himself to I5ost(ui, excited some feeling in his favor, and the I {' I I: 5-' m Vl '^\^ ' ■ ■,' ('.■.>* ''' 'Mi 232 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. claims of Plymouth were not fully assented to. Another treaty was coiicluded in the ensuin<^ S('[>tend)er, whereby riiiUp agreed to jniy eertain stipidated eosts; to eonsidcr liinuself >sul>jeet to the king of Knghmd ; to consult tlie governor of I'lynionth in the disposal of his lands, as also in thc! making of war; to render, if practicable., five wolves' heads yearly; and to refer all dilferenees and causes of quarrel to the decision of the govi'rnor. The iriiis put in possession of the Knglish at thc time of the i iceting in April, wel'C declareil forfeit, and conliscated by the I'ly- mouth government. There can be but little doubt as to lMuli])'s motive for signing these articles. Feelings of enmity and revengt! towards the whites had obtained complete possession of him, and he evidentU' wished merely to ([uiet suspicion and avert impury. It is almost universally allowed that he had long fornu'(l a d('c|) and settled jilan to exterminatr thc white settlers, and, mi pursuaiii'c of it, had made usr of all his powers of artful persuasion in his intercourse with the surrounding ti-lln's. ^fhe time for a general up- rising was said to have been tixed a year later than the })eri()d when hostilities actually connuem-i'd, and the pre- mature development of the consijiracy, brought about in a manner to whieli we shall presently advert, has been considered the salvation of the colonies. Hubbard, indeed, who is ever unwilling to allow that the Indians were possessed of any go(;d or desirable (piali- ties, and who can see no wrong in any of the outrages of the whites, suggests that Philip's heart wc'uld ha\e failed him, had ho n(.)t been pressed on to the undertaking by Ibrcc of circumstances. lie; tells ns that, when the great sachem suecundjed t(j the Knglish demands, in the spring previous, "one of his ea])tains, of iiir better courage and resolution than himself, wlien he saw liis cowardly tem])cr and disposition, flung down his arms, calling him a white- I •1 'fWWH 1 1 f ■ ; .. 1 '"■*>, ■ 1 4vV, livered c never ov time, lia1 this day, PliilijD acquaint! fifty yea] colonists to adopt notice, y, themselv tions so 1 To roil struggle; out the d spread, ro proved ]i the concii nation ah than nios league fa: necticut every dir Six o patched eastern s tlie sea cc the tribe, appointee but, at til gence of i and Geor tain Bcnj in that pj This re NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 233 livered cur, or to that purpose, and saying that he would never own him again or fight under him ; and, from that time, hath turned to the Enghsh, and hath continued, to this day, a faithful and resolute soldier in their quarrel." Philip had mingled much with the whites, and was well acquainted with their habits, dispositions, and force. For fifty years there had been comparative peace between the colonists and their savage neighbors, who, although slow to adopt the customs and refinements now brought to their notice, were apt enough, as we have seen, in availing themselves of the weapons which put the contending na- tions so nearly upon terms of equality. To rouse a widely-scattered people to such a desperate struggle; to reconcile clannish animosities, and to point out the danger of allowing the colonies to continue their spread, required a master-spirit. The Wampanoag sachem proved liimself qualified for the undertaking: he gained the concurrence and cooperation of the Narragansetts, a nation always more favorably disposed towards the l^higlish tlian most otlicis of the Indian tribes; he extended his league far to the westward, among the tribes on the Con- necticut and elsewhere ; and sent diplomatic embassies in every direction. Six of his warriors, in the spring of 1675, were dis- patched to Sogkonatc, now Little Compton, upon the eastern shores of Narragansett bay, and extending along the sea coast, to treat with Awoshonks, squaw sachem of the tribe, concerning the pro])osed uprising. The queen appointed a great dance, calling together all her people, but, at the same time, took the precaution to send intelli- gence of the proceeding, by two Indians, named Sassamon and George, who understood English, to her friend. Cap- tain Benjamin Church, the only white settler iheu residing in that part of the country. This remarkable man, wliose name occupies so prominent I flu v.,v', 1^ III' .... . ^.j';^r-;iii|*: M M b ■ ■■': ;-i w ; i:i;,; ,._ ! ; ', ;. -u,-' M ■'•1 v;>| ■111-'- -^^.l-'^''^ 234 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. . ^' ■ . " -♦■ a place in the lis , of ovir early militaiy licroes, liad moved from Duxbury into the unsettled countr}' of tlie Sogkonates only the year before, and -was busily and laboriously en- gaged, at tliis time, in building, and in the numerous cares attendant upon a new settlement. He was a man of courage and fortitude unsur])assed : bold and energetic; but with all the rough qualities of a soldier, possessing a heart so opea to kindly emotions and the gentler feelings of humanit}'' as to excite our surprise, when we consider the stern age in which he lived, and the scenes of savage conflict in which he boi'e so conspicuous a part. 1'ruc courage is generally combined with generosity and magnanhnity. The brave man seldom oppresses a fallen foe; a flict strikingl}^ exemplified in Church's treatment of his prisoners. He seems to have harbored none of those feelings of bitterness and revenge which led the colonists to acts of perfidy and cruelty hardly surpassed by the savages themselves. Tlie manner in which he was able to conciliate the good-will of the Indians, known as he was among them for their most dangerous foe, is truly aston- ishing. It was his custom to select from his captives such as took his fancy, and attach them to himself, and never was ofilcer attended by a inore enthusiastic and faithful guard than they proved. Ilis son tells us that "if he perceived they looked surh', and his Indian soldiers called them treacherous dogs, as some of them would sometimes do, all the notice he would take of it would only be to clap them on the back, and tell them, 'Come, come, you look wild and surly, and mutter, but that signifies notliiiig; these, my best soldiei'S, were, a little while ago, as wild and surly as you are now; Ijy tlie tinie you have boon but one day with me, you will love me too, and be as brisk as any of them.' And it proved so, for there was none of them but, after they had been a little while with him, and seen his behavior and how cheerful and successful his men NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 235 were, would be as ready to pilot liim to any place where the Indians dwelt or haunted, though their own fathers or nearest relations should be among them, or to fight for him, as any of his own men," Captain Church was in high favor and confidence with Awoshonks and her tribe ; he therefore accepted her invi- tation to attend at the dance, and started for the camp, accompanied by a son of his tenant, who spoke the In- dian language. He found the queen leading the dance, "in a muck of sweat," surrounded by a great body of her subjects. She received her visitor hospitably, told him of Philip's threats, and inquired concerning the purposes of the English. Church told her that no injuries h^d been meditated by the whites, as Philip averred, but that the sachem was the aggressor. He advised her to keep upon good terms with tlie English, asking her whether it was a probable thing that he should have come down into the wilderness to set- tle — if there were warlike preparations in progress among his people ; and silenced the six Mount Hope ambassadors by recommending that they should be knocked on the head. A stormy discussion ensued among the Indians, and one Little Eyes, a man of importance, endeavored to draw Church aside to dispatch him quietly ; but the captain was unmoved, and upbraided the Mount Hopes for their bloody intention, assuring them that, if they would have war, he would prove a thorn in their sides. Awoshonks inclined to his advice, and, having appointed two men to guard his house during his absence, desired him to go to Plymouth, and make known her good faith to the colonies. Church started on his mission, and, on the way, gained further information concerning Philip's movements from Peter Nunnuit, the husband of Wectamore, queen of Po- cas'iet, now Tiverton. Philip, it seems, had been holding a protracted dance for a niunber of weeks, rousing a ninv- '•.■■liii.PUf • I '•J'),." \ ■ ' 236 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. tial spirit in the minds of the young warriors \,^ho were gathered about him from far and near. lie had finally promised them that, on the succeeding SaVoath, they might plunder the English settlements, while the people were engaged in religious services. We may hero mention a circumstance which was con- sidered, by Htibbard and others, as having an important bearing upon the premature commencement of hostilities on the part of Philip : this was the murder of John Sas- samon, and the subsequent execution of the guilty parties. Sassamon was one of the few Indians who, at that time, had received the rudiments of an English education. He was a professor of Christianity, and had been employed among his people in the capacities of schoolmaster, preacher, and royul secretary. In 1662, he occupied this latter post under Philip, to whom he was subject, although born a Massachusett — and sjiecimcns of his imperfect communi- cations with the colonies, in behalf of his sachem, are still preserved. Becoming aware of the dangerous conspiracy fomented by Philip, he disclosed the whole plot to the officers of the colon}'; and, not long after, his body was found in Assa- womsett pond, with the neck broken, and presenting other marks of violence. His gun and hat were so disposed as to give the impression that he had accidentally fallen through the ice, and been drowned. The matter was strictly inquired into, and three Indians, of Philip's party, falling under suspicion, were regularly tried befoi'c a jury, in })art at least of their peers, as it was composed of wliitcs and Indians. The culprits were convicted and executed, two of them up<>n what would appear to us as very insuf- ficient evidence. Mather speaks of the blood ooiiiag from tlie murdered body on the approach of the accused ; but whether this circumstance made a part of the evidence before the court does not appear. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 237 Philip himself did not come forward to attempt to clear himself of the charge of being concerned in this murder, but kept his warriors in preparation for battle, receiving and entertaining all the roving and unsettled Indians who would resort to him, and "marching up and down" con- tinually during the pendancy of the trial. CHAPTER V. ATTACK ON SWANSEY — COLLECTION OF TROOPS — FIGHT AT MILEs' BRIDGE — PHILIP DRIVEN FROM THE NECK — CHURCH AT rUNKATESE DESTRUCTION OF BROOKFIELD. It was on the 24th of Jnnc, 1675, that the first open attack was made upon the colonics. The small village of Swansey lay within a few miles of Mount Hope, and here the first blood was shed. Some days previous, a party of the natives had committed a few slight depredations at this place, and conducted themselves with insolciice, evidently desirous of provoking a quarrel. The squaws and children of Philip's active force were sent, for safety, to the country of the Narragan setts, before any open demonstration of hostilities. Some little discrepancy occurs in the early accounts of the first fatal attack, but it h certain that, on the day above mentioned, eight or nine men were killed in different parts of SwatiS'^y. A company returning from religious exer- cises, "in a way of humiliation," were fired iipon with fatal et&ct, one being killed and several wounded. Two more, who had started in quest of a surgeon, were slain, scalped and mangled; and six men were killed at a dwelling-house .situated in another part of the settlement. From this period all was terror and confusion. Swan- 'I t r ' L 2S8 INDIAN EACES Ox^ AMERICA. i>.-v, ■ ; "■\-.y ..;■ V '■•■■• >■ sey was deserted by its inhabitants, and mosil}' rednced to ashes by the Indians. Deputations were sent to Boston, to lay the ease before the Massachusetts uuthorities, and to sohcit some prompt and efficient protection in this ter- rible emergency. A party of horse and foot were at once dispatched in the direction of Mount Hope, under the command of C'ap- tains Henchman and Prentice. Samuel Mosely, a bold and martial character, who had pursued the calling of a priva- teer, raised a volunteer company of one hundred and ten soldiers, and joined the expedition. He was, it is said, ac- companied by several bucanecrs of his own class, with a number of dogs; and the feats performed by them, upon divers occasions, savor rather of the marvellous. The head-quarters of the united forces were at the house of a minister of Swansey, named Allies, and hard by was a bridge, affording convenient access to the domains of Philip. Captain Church, with the Plymouth troops under Major Cutworth, were now acting in concert with the men from ^Massachusetts. The Indians lay concealed or skulking about the garrison, and succeeded in killing a number by sliots from covert, but showed themselves warv of cominar to Open combat. A detachment of Prentice's men, led by a Mr. Gill and one Belcher, made an attempt upon the enem_; in their own quarters, but, upon crossing Miles' bridge, were fired upon by some of the Indians lying in ambush, and one of their number was killed. Gill was struck by a ball, which would have proved mortal but for a singular spe- cies of defensive armor, viz: a quantity of thick brown paper which he had inserted under his clothes. The troops retreated, leaving Church, Gill, and another to bring off the dead man; v/hich, being accomplished, Church pur- sued and regained his horse, under the full fire of the enemy. The next day the bridge was crossed by a larger force, NEW EXGLAXD INDIANS. 239 and, after some skirmisliing, in vhi' h "Ensign Savage, that young martial spark, scarce twenty years of age," was shot through the thigh — as Church says, by an accidental ball from his own party — the neck of Mount Hope was cleared of Indians. The English there found Philip's de- serted wigwam, and the mutilated remains of a number of the murdered whites. It was now proposed to secure the ground already gained by the erection of a fort. Church ridiculed the plan, and urgently advocated a brisk pursuit of the enemy in tlic Pocassct country, whither they had doubtless fled. Fj'om disregard to this advice, Philip had free scope to extend his devastations unchecked toward the cast, and terrible destruction ensued, as we sliall see hereafter. Early in July, Captains Church and Fuller, Avitli six files of soldiei's, were sent across to Khodc Island, thence to cross Sogkon ate river, and endeavor to communicate with tlic Pocassct and Sogkonate Indians. About the same time, Captain Ilutcliinson, frora Boston, arrived at the English encampment, having been commissioned to treat witli and gain over the Narragansetts. In pursuance of this pur- pose, Ilutcliinson, witli Mosely and the ^Massachusetts troops, proceeded in arms to the Narragansett ctjuntry, where, in concert with conunissiouers from Connecticut, they concluded a futile and inoperative treaty of amity with certaiii Indians claiming to be chief counsellors of the prominent sachems. IMie Narragansetts were bound, by the stii)ulations of this alliance, to render up all of Philip's subjects who should be found in their country — receiving two coats for every prisoner, and one coat for every head — and to carry on active war against the enemies of the whites. Hostages were given to ensure the per- formance of the engagement. While this child's play was enacting. Fuller and Church, with their little band of thirly-six men, had penetrated W0 ■ ■ Pi' 'mi I ;' f-''/: 240 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. into the country of the Pocassets. After some ■unsucces.'irul attempts to entrap the enemy by means of ambuscude, (tlic concealed compp- y bein'r betriyed by incautiously grati- plague, lust after tobacco,'') 'V companions, with the consent ; ust at Pocassct, and marched .IT: I w ..' fying their "ej^ Church and fiftee. of Captain Fuller, southward. They struck an Indian trail leauing towards an extensive pine swamp, but the company becoming u; armed by the numbers of rattlesnakes which abounded there, left the track, and w^nt down into Punkatese neck. At this place, which is situated on the south-western part of the modern town of Tiverton, they encoimtei'ed a large body of the natives in and around a pease-field of Captain Alniy. They numbered, as Church was afterwards told by some of their own party, about three hundred ; but, as they pursued the usual course of savage warfare, fh-ing from behind trees and thickets, the English could form no estimate of the force with which they were to contend. In this extremity the courage, coolness, and self-posses- sion of the gallant captain were eminently conspicuous. As forcibly expressed in Church's narrative, "the hill seemed to move, being covered over with Indians, with their bright guns glittering in the sun." A detachment had been sent down the river in boats to support the troojjs on land, and could be plainly seen, landed upon the Ehode Island shoi'e, across the river. Church bade his men strip to their shirt-sleeves, and fire signal guns to attract attention, and show their allies tliat the party engaged was Knglish. This course succeeded, and a boat put out, and approached the combatants ; but, on approaching the shore, the crew received such a volley from the guns of the Indians, that they pulled off again. Church, e' raged at their pusillanimity, finally ordered the boat oft", and threatencKl to fire into her himself. Tliese m- e, (the • gratl- acco,'") ;onsci>t larclied tensive by tlie left the is place, modern \j of the L Alnij% some of piirsnccl bchiiHl imate of If-posses- picuous. the hill luis, ^villl boats to j nly seen, ic river. and fire Hies that uccecdetl, ints; but, 1 u volley otf again, (lercd the f. These NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 241 few men, thus loft to shift for themselves, now seemed to be in a desperate eondition. They were faint for want of food, as they had neglected to bring any provisions, other than a few cakes of rusk, and had beeu driven from the pease-field while endeavoring to allay their hunger with the crude nourishment within their reach. The Indians beset them on all sides, and, gaining pos.session of the ruins of an old stone-house, poured their bullets upon the English from its shelter. The ammunition of Church's party was nearly expended, and their jtowder was poor and inefficient. In the midst of these difficulties, the captain succeeded in preserving t)ie courage and spirit of his men, pointing out to them how providentially the balls seemed to be directed. • They were finally relieved from their perilous situation hy the arrival of a sloop of Captain Golding, an acquaint- auee of Church. Mooring the vessel at a short distance, he cast olf a canoe, and sufi'ered it to drive ashore. In this slight vehicle, which would carry but two at a time, the whole of the party got off to the sloop, by a repetition of the same operation. Church, who had left his hat at a spring, declared that the enemy should not have it as a trophy ; and, loading his gun with his last charge of pow- der, he went up alone, in the face of the Indians, and recovered it. When going on board in the canoe, a ball struck a small stake just before his breast, and another passed through his hair. Joining company next day with Fuller's party, who had also been engaged with the Indians at Pocasset, they all returned to the encampment at Mount Uope, where the army, as Church averred, "lay still to cover the peo})]e from nobody, while they were building a fort for nothing." Shortly after this, being upon Ehode Island, in pursuit of supplies for the garrison. Church fell in with Alderman, a deserter from the forces of Weetamore, queen of Pocas- If . ; :,V'; 'li't.^'iij r ■■>; i^. r^vi 3 VS ?»': : ,, if iilf 1:1 J^-K -V. .:. 242 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. set. By conversation witli this Indian, he learned tlio precise spot at wliich the squaw sachem was eneannjcd, and, in pursuance of his auggcstion, an expedition wiis immediately set on foot against her. ^I'lic attemi)t termin- ated in an unimportant skirmish; the chief officer of the riymouth men being timid, and the Indians retiring to a swamp of difficult access. On the 18tli of July, the united forces of the colonists drove Philip, with a large body of his warriors, into an extensive swamp in Pocasset. After an imperfect exam- ination of the Indians' place of retreat, the forces were drawn off, having sustained considerable loss by the fire of the lurking enemy. It was averred, indeed, by some, that half an lujur more of energetic pursuit would have secured Philip, and ]>erhaps have ended tlic war. One hundred ne^vly-erected wigwams were found deserted in the vicinity of the swamp; and an old man, who had been left behind in the pre('ii)itato retreat, confirmed the supjjo- sition that Philip had but lately fled from the camp. Not farfroiM this time, the town of Dartmouth havinc,^ been, in great measure, destroyed by the enemy, a large number of Indians, no less than one hundred and sixty, who had dwelt in the country thereabout, and were not active partakers in the destruction of the town, delivered themselves up to one Captain Eels, u])()n promises of giKid treatment. They were, nevertheless, taken to Plymoutli; sold by the colonial authorities as slaves; and transported to foreign parK Captains Church and PJels made, upon this occasion, the most vehement remonstranci'S, exijresscd by Church with his charactc^ristic energy and .spirit; but all to no purpose, as it only secured him the ill-will of the government. The act wivs grossly impolitic, as well as perfidious and cruel. The English entertained hopes of being able to confine Philip within the limita of the swamp to which he had rctircf an exj futile 1 had ab which |! the riv people 1 tended tion or i A p;i ' j Ilenclm r the Mol 1 I cashad ^M of the A of gOO(i ;, 1 against J i 1 Jlcnch 1 '! dcnce, ai H once on ■ '; portion ■ about th ■ ' liogans s I 1 and fi'(jti ■ J Ilenchni ■ ! while th ■ 1 own cou ■ the KudJ 1 scttlemeil I j TheNi ■ 1 crn porti -. M adjoininj to have ■ ^H don, a sni , ■ dence, a| . H settlemeil y^ NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 243 rctir(3(], and proceeded to erect another fort at Pocassct; an cx|H(liciit whicli seems to have been as ill-advised and futile as the garrisoning of Mount Hope. The sachem had abundant leisure to prepare canoes, an opportunity of which he diligently availed himself, and secretly passed the river with all his warriors. They were seen by tlic people of Rehoboth, crossing the open country, which ex- tended for some distance, and offered no means of protec- tion or concealment to the fugitives. A party was speedily sent in pursuit, under Captain Henchman, accompanied by Ownioco, the son of Uncas the Mohegan, and a considerable band of Avarriors. Un- cas had sent this detachment to Hoston, upon the summons of the Massachusetts authorities, to renew his assuranc(>s of good faith, and profler assistance in the campaign against Philip, Henchman's company proceeded up the river to Provi- dence, and being there somewhat reinforced, hastened at once on the trail of the NVampanoag. Coming up with a portion of the enemy, a sharp engagement ensued, and about thirty of Philip's warriors were killed, but the Mo- hogans stopping for plunder, the principal force escaped, and from that time were no more seen by the pursuers, llcnchman retu''ned with his men to the eastern colonies, while the Mohegans took their way .southward to their own countrv, leaving Philip to pursue his course towards the Hudson, and to rouse up the war among the westei-n settlements of Ma.ssacliusetts. The Nipmucks, a large tribe inhabiting the north-ca.st- ern portion of the present state of Connecticut, and the adjoining Ma.ssachusetts districts, appear, ere this period, to have become involved in Philip's undertaking. Men- don, a small town, twenty-four miles westward from Provi- dence, and standing at some distance from any other settlement, had been attacked on the llth of July, and a >H fiif&f 'I t Jtll , 1 ,-, ■ kH.','. '.. if'-'''. number of men killed by shots from an unseen enemy. The whole of the inhabitiiiits deserted the phieo in terror, and it was reduced to ashes l)y the assailants. The colonies att(Mn[)tetl, after this, to treat with the Nipnuu'k saehenus, but found them reserved and "surly." A meeting was, liowever, apjioiniod between them and nn embassy fnnn the Massachusetts goverinnent. Captains Wheeler and Hutchinson, with a considerable body of mounted men, repaired to the place of meetin^f at the tiim; designated, vi/: the 2d of August; but, instead of coming forward in friendly conference, the Indians, to the number of two or three hundred, formed an ambuscade, and, firing sud- denly from tlieir cover, killed eight of the whites at the fn-st discharge. Hutchinson was killed and WluM'lcr wounded. The company, avoiding the other spots whert; they sns- l^ected the enemy to be lying in aml)ush, made the best of their way to Brookfield, a solitary village near the principal head-quarters of the Nipmueks, The Indians, in great numbers, pursued them into the town. Thev found the terrified inhabitants colle(!ted in a single house, which stood on a rising ground, where tlu-y iiad foililicd themselves as well as possible, upon such an emer- gency, by ])iling logs and hanging feather beds against the walls. Wheeler and his eomj)anions also entered the house, and the savages, after burning all the buildings in the town, with the exception of a few immediately adjoin- ing that where the whites had retreated, laid close siege to the frail fortification. Seventy peojde, inchuling Avonxni and children, were here crowded together, with such slight defences as wc have mentioned; while an enraged and re- morseless enemy was pouring showers of bullets through the walls, and using eveiy endeavor to fire the hoiisi;. The Indians shot burning arrows upon the roof, and, attaching rags dipped in brimstone to long poles, they set fire to them, and thrust them agjiinst the walls. From the fT"- aflerno evening ' the bes mable i attacluM distance in the e ing CO III heavy s mass. 1 gem," bi have b('( en into t tinnally lo ex( J)laeed w town; bn 1 1 the India ' (ion of 1 ;; olli'cting night. I i as tiiey p, her of te { conflagra the dark stance, as| •Irew olf tired to Philip wil was killei said, neaj A garri for some I was burn desolate. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 245 iiftcrnoon of Monday tlie 2(1 of vVu<,mst, till Wednesday evening, these uHsaults eontinned; and, as a last uttctnpt, the besiegers loaded a eurt with hemp and other in Ham- mablc materials, and binding together a number of ])oles, so attached to the vehicle that it could be moved from a sale distance, wheeled it blazii'.g against the building. Tliis was in the evcsning. Mid, according to Wheeler's account, noth- ing could iiave ])rcscrvcd the unfortuiuite inmates, had notii heavy shower of rain suddenly extinguished the burning mass. In the words of Hubbard, by "this develish strata- gem," but for the rain, "all tiie poor peoiile would eitlicr have b(!en consumed by merciless flames, or els(' have I'all- cn into tlu; hands of their cruel enemies, lilvc wolves con- tinually yelling and gaping for their prey." To exclude all assistance from without, the Indians had ])laced watchers and and)uscadcs niion all sides (>[' tho town ; but Majcu' Willard, who had been dlsj)atched against the Indians west of Groton, hearing of the probabli! condi- tion of Brook field, marched to its relief, and succeeded in ellccting an entrance to tho fortified house on this same night. He had with him forty-six men, but it is said that, as they passed ihrough the ruins of the town, a large num- ber of terrified cattle, who had not been destroyed in tho conflagration, followed them for prot(>ction; and that, in tlie darkness, the Indians were dcceiveci by this ciixtum- .stance, as to the number of the party, and accordingly drew off their forces early, the next morning. They re- tired to a swamp, twelve miles distant, where they met Phili]i with a band of his warrioiv ^idy one of the whites was killed on this occasion, while tho Indians lost, it is said, nearly eighty. A garrison was maintained at the only remaining house for some months, but was finally drawn off, the building was burned by the savages, and the town left entirely desolate. ■■'■ :yim ,' • ' ■,'■■>.,' m 1 1'' tfif 246 INDIAN RACES OF A5IEKICA/ CHAPTER VI. PHIMP MOVES WESTWARD ATTACKS ON HAUI.KY AND DEERFIELD— . GOFFE THE REGICIDE DESTRUCTION OK LATHKOp's COMMAND ASSAULTS ON SPRINGFIELD AND HATFIELD EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAKRAGANSETTS : OUTRAGEOUS CRUEL- TIES IN THEIR REDUCTION PHILIP ON THE HUDSON DESTRUCTION OF LANCASTER, MEDFIELD, SEE- KONK, GROTON, WARWICK, MARLBOROUGH, ETC. CANONCHET TAKEN AND PUT TO DEATH FURTHER INDIAN RAVAGES. "All died — the wailiiio; babe — the sbrickiitg ii'uid — And in the flood of tire tlmt 8i:atlied the glade, •Tlie root's went down." — Bkyant. We can do little more, in continuing this account of Indian ravages, than enunierate the towns and settlenieiits destroyed, and the little coininunities massacred or driven from their homes in utter destitution. The terrible uncertainty whicli attended these calamities rendered them the more distressing. No one could toll, for many months from this time, where Philip was to Ije found, or at what point he meditated the next attack. Ife continued his westward progress, as is supposed, nearly to the Hudson, through the Mohegan country, lie was thought to be present at many of the successful and mur- derous assaults that were made upon the white settlements; but, if so, he was enabled so to disguise himself as not to be distinctly recognized. Moscly and others in vain scoured the country in ])Mr- suit of the Indians. The enemy, neglecting agriculture, and deserting their usual haunts, concealed themselves in swamps and thickets, retiring unpcrceived at the approach of regular troops, and ever ready to take advantage of any weak and unprotected quarter. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 247 The Indians in the vicinity of Ilaclley and Springfield, on the Connecticut, were relied upon by the whites as friendly and well-disposed; but ere long it was sufficiently plain that they had made common cause with Philip. On the 1st of September, Iladley and Deerfield were both fiercely assaulted, and the latter town in great meas- ure destroyed. At Iladley the Indians were driven oif after much hard fighting. The inhabitants were engaged in religious exercises at the meeting-house, with arms, as usual, by their sides, when the Indians came upon them. So sudden and desperate was the attack, tliat they became confused, and might have been totally discomfited, but for a strange and unlooked-for champion. This was an old man, with white and flowing locks, and unusual costume, who appeared from some utdcnown quarter, and at once assumed the command of the panic-strieken congregation. With military skill and coolness he directed every ma- lueuvre, and so reestablished their confidence and spirit, that the enemy was speedily put to fliglit. He disappeared immediately after the engagement, and many of the aston- ished inhabitants were persnaded that an angel from heaven had been miraculously sent for their deliverance. The old warrior was no other than Major-general Gofi'e, who, with his companion, Whalley, lay for a long time con- cealed at the house of Mr. Russell, the minister of Iladley. Ten men were killed at Nortlifield about this time, and a party of thirty-six, under a Captain Beers, who had been sent to relieve the town, were nearly all cut oil' by an ambush. The bodies were mutilated, and the heads set on poles. " One, (if not more,") says Hubbard, " was found with a chain hooked into his under jaw, and so hung up on the bough of a tree, (it is feared he was hung uj) alive.") Several thousand bushels of corn had been stored at Deerfield, and a company of nearly one hundred young men, "the flower of the country," under the conunand of I. . ft jitj I. . V:' ■ if i ill ^« M' mm l.^: •I'V r 1 m ;?.:■ >i^'^ v';','''f'Sl 'i.'.'l — ll 248 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA, U'^!?.vv a youthful and gallant officer, Captain Latlirop, marched to secure it. On their way, an immense body of Indians fell upon them, and slew nearly the whole party; among the rest, the brave commander; only seven or eight sur- vived. This defeat is attributed to the circumstance that Lathrop, aware of the disadvantages which a compact body of troops must labor under, when contending Avitli an enemy who always fired from cover, ordered his men to sej)arate, and take to the trees, like their o])ponents. Tliis being done, the disproportion of numbers proved so great, that the Indians were enabled to surround the English, and cut them off separately. 'I'lie ISpringlield Indians had ])retended unbroken friend- sliij) for the wliites, and had given hostages as pledges of good faith; but the liostages succeeded in escaping, and the whole body joined the hostile confederacy, witli those of Iladky, "lianging together like serpent's eggs." The town of ,Si)ring(ield received great in-ury from their attack, more tlian tliirty houses being burned; among tlie rest, one containing a "brave library," the finest in that part of the country, which belonged to the Rev. Pehitiah Glover. Hubbard considers that this act "did, more tliau any other, diseovei' the said aetoi'stobe tlie children of the devil, full of all sul)tiltv and inaliee," as they had been upon friendly terms with the whites for more than forty years. On the 19tli of October, seven or eight hundied of Philip's coadjutors made an attemjit upon ITatllcld; but, the place being well defended, by Alosely and ')tliers, the enemy "were so well entertained on all liands, tliat chev found it too hot for them." This was tht; last imi)ortant engagement at the westward part of the colony. Most of Phili{)'s men are suj)posed to have betaken themselves, before winter, to i\\o Narra- gansctt country; and whether the great sachem himself remained concealed among them during tluxt season, or NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 249 wandered to the west, hatching new plots in the vioinity of the Hudson, is not certainly known. The condition of the hostile Indians, notwithstanding their signal successes, must b}' this time have become sufficiently miserable. Living almost exclusively upon animal food; ill protected from the inclemencies of the weather; and continually shifting their quarters, it is surprising that they should so long have retained their energy and fixedness of purpose. In September of this year, 1675, the commissioners of the united colonics of Plymouth, Connecticut, and Massa- chusettSjbeing in session at lioston, concluded arrangements bv which the war should be jointly and systematically pr(«ecuted. One thousand men were to be levied and equipped; the proportion wliieh each colony should furni^'h being settled according to th(ur comparative popuhition and "csources. On the 2d of November it was agreed, by the same body, that an additional force sliould be raised, and active measures be taken against the Narragansetts. The reasoi^.s allcdged for attacking this tribe were, that the stipidation made by those snchenis, who had treated with the colonies to deliver up all of Piiilip's party who should take refuge at Narragansett, had not been fullilled; but that women, children, and wounded men had been succored and received by them! In addition to this, some of the tribe had ex- pressed satisfaetioii upon hearing of the Indian successes at Iladley, and it was "credil)ly rejiorted" that they had killed and taken away numy cattle from the neighboring English. These, with a detention of a Mr. Smith and Ins family, for a short time, — no other harm being done them, — were all the ostensible grounds upon which a f()rmida1)le army was sent to exterminate the Narragan- setts with fire and sword! '•0 doubt their sympathies were with those of their own [L ' t' '•'■U ■ t, '! 250 INDIAN KACES OF ASIEllICA. I i L race, and, had tlicy fully joined the conspiracy, the addition of so numerous a tribe to the enemy might have turned the scale, and resulted in the annihilation of the whites. Josias Winslow, governor of Plymouth colony, was chosen commander-in-chief of the English force. Church, at the request of Winslow, joined the expedition, altliough he would not accept of a commission. A considerable body of ]\toliegans, subjects of Uncas, accompanied the detachment fi'om Connecticut. After destro3nng many deserted wigwams, and taking a considerable number of prisoners in desultory warfare, a guide was obtained to pilot the invuders to the chief fort of the Narragansetts. The encampment covered five or six acres of elevated giound, forming an island ir, the midst of na extensive swamp. In addition to the natural defences of the ])lace. the whole village Avas suriiMiuded by a strong palisade, and the ,ily means of ai)proach \^as by crossing the marsh upc i huge fallea tr<>o. 'I'x wigwams within, to the nuril ^ of five or six huuditvl, were rendered, to a great extern, 'ull'^tproof by piling up tubs of grain and other stores abor.i Jiie sii|.s. It was upon the 10th o^ December, coi .■ in the after- noon, that the English forces reached this place of retreat. With determined and desperate courage they rushed to the attack. I'ile after file of soldiers, with their olhcers at their head, was swept from the narrow bridge by the fire of a party within, posted in a log hut, from which the approach was connnanded. They continued to jn'ess on, and succeeded in driving the Indians from this covei't into the main inclosure. A scene of terrible carnage ensued for several hours ; but the assailants steadily gained ground, driving many of the enemy into the swamp, and covering the an'a within with dead bodies. Church, who had m-^de an excursion, with a small party, f'llo the /.vamp, to attack the Indians in the rear, and who. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 251 after doing good service, Avas severely wounded in tlie tbigli, seeing some setting fire to the wigwams, made strenuou? efforts to jjrc v'cut their destruction. The weather was intensely cold; right was coming on; many of the troops were destitute of provisions ; a heavy snow storm Avas brooding; and sixteen miles must be traversed by i;ho army, encuuibered by their wounded, before they jould roach sheltci-. lie represented all these circum- stances tc the general, pointing out the advantages of obtaining j)lentiful supjilies of food, and a warm cover ^A^.ere the wounded could receive requisite attention. vV;. will hope that some feelings of humanity towards the I'liibrtunatc women and children, with which the huts were crowded, formed a part of his motives for this advice. The general inclined to Church's counsel, but other officers, fearing that tbe Indians would rally and attack t';em Ml force, should the army take up their quarters for the night, vehementlj' opposed him, and the woi'k of de- btruction proceeded. Now was reenacted the terrible scene at the tort of the Pequots. Great uumbers of old men, women and children were burned alive in the blazing wig- ivams, or mercilessly slain in their attempts to escape. Hubbard, the reverend historian of the Indian wars, speaks of this "firing of at least five or six hundred of their siiioaky cells," as follows: The Indians were about pre- paring their dinner wlien "our sudden and unexpected assault put them beside that work, making their cook- room too hot for them at th.it time, when they and their mitchin fried together; and probably some of them eat their suppers in a colder ])]acc that night : ]\Iost of their provisions, as well as huts, being then consumed with fire, and those tho': were left alive forced to hide themselves in a cedar swamp, not far off, where they had nothing to de- fend them from the cold but boughs of spruce and pine trees." The whole town was reduced to ashes; and, leav- '"■'[•'i'ii' '.1 .'( j'-'ij. jiiiii'ir'' !(' i-iis, ■t'' :% . h'h 252 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. .■!,.#,. ing the inclosure a smoking ruin, every where strewn with burned .and mangled corpses, the army commenced a re- treat, worn out by cold, fatigue and hunger, !^^auy per- ished by tlie way, and many more must have died from starvation, but for the fortunate arrival at their rendezvous of a vessel from Boston Avith provisions. Eighty of their number were killed, and one himdrod and iifty wounded in the engagement. Besides an uutokl number of the helpless occupants of the wigwams who perished in the flames, it was supposed that not far from thi'ee hundred Indian warriors were slain outright, and seven hundred wounded, of whom many died from expo- sure duvliig the storm and cold of that terrible light. Most of the survivors of the tribe fled to the Nij)uuu'ks, after some inconclusive negotiation for peace with the Eng- lish. The old sachem Niuigret seems to Luv'c been inclined to make term^, but Canonicus, or Canonchet, a son of ^liaii- tonimo, and a brave and energetic chief , nourished tlie most unyielding hostility towards the destroyer of his i)oo]>le. On the lOtii of Jimuarj'^, an Indian was found concealed in a barn, "but itier he was brought to the head-qua' ters"' (in the words of Hubbard) ''he would own nothing l)Ut what Wiis forced out of his mouth by the icoohHivj of liis head ivitli a cor I, wherefore he was presently judged to die, as a Wampanoag." One Tift, an English renegade, who had joined the In- dians, married one of their women, and assisted them in their battles with the whites, was laken and put to death. "VVinslow, in the latter part of January, pursued the Narragansotts into the Nipmuck country, whither they had fled, committing divers depredations on the route, and killed about seventy of those whom he could come up with. The larger portion, however, sncu'ccd.'d in joining the forces of the Nipmueks, while the English were vnwv pelled tu retuip to the sctthnient for want of {)rovisioiis. NEW EXGLAND INDIANS. 253 Philip is supp6scd to liave fled about this time as fur west as the Hudson river, ^s'•here, it is said, "the Mohags (Mohawks) made a descent upon hini, and killed many of his men, which moved hmi from thence." Some au- thors, notwithstanding, sjicak of hini as having been pres- ent at various places in Massaclnisetts, attacked by Indians during the latter j^iart of tlie winter. About the 10th of February, (old t-f^^yle,") Lancaster was destroyed by a largo force of the enemy, cor sisting of Nip- mucks, Nashawas, and Narragansetts, under the noted Sagamore Sam. The house of Mr. Rowlandson, tlie minis- ter, which was garrisoned, and coiiUiiued iifty-ilvc persons, was set on fire, and the imnates were killed or made cap- tives. More than twentv women and children ft'll into the hands of the assailants. I^hey were n\ost of them well treated during their captivity, the Indians "oflcring DO wrong to any of their persons save what they could not help, being in many wants themselves." Mrs. K^iw- landson, wife of the minister, was among tlie jtrisonovis, and her account of Indian manners and pcciiliaritics, wit- nessed during the three months of her captivity, are ex- ceedingly interesting. Cluu'cli says that Philip's next "kennclling-place" Avaa at the falls on the Connecticut, and he probably gave di- rections concerning many of the devastations eunnnitted in February and March, if not ]ierson".lly present at them. On the 21st of February, the town of Medlield, only about twenty miles from Boston, was mostly tlestroyed. The Indians had concealed themselves, during the previ- ous night, in every quarter of the place, and, at eaily dawn, lired about fifty buildings simultaneously. One liuu- dred and sixty soldiers wer(> quartered in the town, but so sudden and well concerted was the attack, that it Avas impossible to save the buildings which had Iven set on fire. Nearly forty of the inhabitants were killed or ?• lit 2:. I INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA, wounded. Being compelled, at lust, 'to retreat across Cliurles river, the Indians burned the bridge behind them, and left a jiaper, written by some of their number who liad received education from the English, to the followiiif^ c'lfect: "Know, by this paper, that the Indians wliom tlum hast provoked to wrath and anger, will war this 21 years if you will. There are many Indians yet. We come 300 at this time. You must consider the Indians lose nothing but their life: You must lose your fair houses and cattle." One account states that Philip himself was seen at tliis action, "riding upon a black horse, lea[)ing over fences, and exulting in the havoc he was making.'' Through the months of February and March, the .sav- ages met with signal success. Seekonk, Groton and War- wick were destroyed; Nt)rthampton was assaulted; one liouse was burned in tlic very town of Plymouth, and a number of buildings at Weymouth, oidy eleven miles from Boston, shared a similar fate. Thii'ty houses were burned at Pi ) 'idencc. Captain Pierce, of Seituate, Avlio had been sent with a party of fifty whites and a number of IViendly Indians on an excursion against the enemy, was slain, with the entire company of P]ngli.sh. Only a lew cif the Indian allies escaped. On the same da}'', Marlborough was destroyed, with the exception of the hou.ses which had been garrisoned. This attack was probaldy matle by Philip himself, witli the Nipmuck and Narragansett Indians. Continuing their mareli, they did much damage at Sudbury, and "met and swallowed up valiant Captain \Vadsworth and his com- pany," consisting of fifty men, with whom he was hastening to the relief of the town. One of the first sev(>rc reverses experienced by Philip, waa the capture and execution of the younger Canonicua or Canoncliet, the noblest and most infhiential of the Nar- ragansett sachems. This was accomjilishcd by a i)arty >• >l NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 255 led by Captain Dennison, from Connecticut, consisting of Knglish, Nehantic Indians, subject to Xinigrct, and Molie- guns, under the connnaud of Owenoco, son of Uncas. Caiioncliet, with a small band of warriors, came to Narra- gansott early in April, for the jjurpose of procuring seed- corn for his people in the western settlenieuts. Dennison, having heard, from a captive scpiaw, of the sachem's proximity, pursued and took him. The proud chief, ujion his ctipture, being addressed by a young man of the party, according to Hubbard, "look- ing, with a little neglect upon his youthful face, replied in broken English: 'you much child: no understand matters of war; let your brother or your chief come:' acting herein as if, by a I'vthiigorcan nietemj)sychosis, some ohl Jiouian ghost had }>osscss(.'d the body of this western Pagan." lie was carried to Stonington, and there sliot: his head was sent to Ilartf()r(l us a ti'o[ih3'. lie a})[)roved his sentence, saying that "lie sliould die before his heart was soft, and before he had spoken any thing unworthy of himself" lie had been Philip's faithful ally to the last, and ever refused to "deliver uj) a AVamjtanoag, or the paring of u Wauipanoag's nail," to the Knglish. Dennison and his men afterwards made furtlier spoil of the enemy, killing and capturing a large number of the Narragansetts. During the months of April and ^fay, twenty or thirty buildings were bui-ned in Plymouth; '^i aunton and Scituato were attacked, and Bj'idgcwater sustained no small injurv from an assault by three hundred Indians, under the sachem Tisguogen. Great numbers of hostile Indians having congregatctl at the falls of the Connecticut, during the month of ^lay, for the purpose of lishing, a strong force of soldiers and iid'ab- itants of tlie towns on the river, under the command of Captains Ilolyoke and Turner, made a descent upon them. The Indians were encamped in careless security, and, the t f A ^ • i' t .::\'./y :••;»; '(I ' ''■ , •l * ' .■•■'(!l *': ■ ' ■■;;,'"»■< I ' !'• ' "' Z . ,1, li . J • i\ r 1 ■■; '';t '. •• '*!.», , . it 256 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. attack being matle in tlic niglit, some two liundivd woro killed, or drowiu-d in attempting to cseape across the river. In the midst ol' this success it was reported to the Knglish, by an Jndian, that Philip in })erson, witli an immense force, was coming upon tiicm. Commencing a retreat, upon this news, the Indians recovered from their panic, and pursuing the party from wliich they had so recently iled in confusion, killed from thirty to forty of their number. On the oOth of ^lay, six hundred Indians attacked Hatfield, and burned many buildings, but the place was bruvcly defended, and the enemy was driven olf. A still larger ninuber, about a fortnight later, assaulted Iladloy, but, by the assistance of troo})s from Connecticut, the in habitants successfully rei)ulled them. CHAPTER VII. Philip's FuvrriiN to fokanokkt — major tai.cott's successes — CHUKCFI COMiMISSIONKI) BY THE COUKT AT PLYMOUTH HIS IS- TEKVIEW WITH AWOSHONKS : WITH THE SOGKONATES AT SANinVIClI ins CAMI'AKi.N ACAINSTTHE INDIANS PHILIP seen: his wife AND SON TAKEN DEATH OF WKETAMOHE, QUEEN OK POCAS- SET — DEATH OF PHILIP. Philip's power was now upon the decline: his forces were discontented, and in separate bodies wandered about the country, undergoing much hardship and ])rivati()ii. Losing influence with the river Indians, and unable to concentrate tlie various tribes, with effect, he returned to his old quarters in the vicinity of Narragansctt bay, ac- companied by the trusty warriors who still adhc^red to liim. Major Talcott, from Connecticut, with a l)ody of mounted men, accompanied by many Mohegans and Pequots, sig- NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 257 nalized himself during the month of June, by several incursions into ar.irragansctt. On a single occasion, he killed a great number of the enemy, and took from one to two hundred prisoners. To the everlasting disgrace of the whites of this coini)any, they allowed their Mohegau allies, upon one occasioi;, to torture to death a young warrior who was made jirisoner. "The English, " says Hubbard, "at this time were not unwilling to gratify their humor, lest, by a denial, they might disoblige their luiliuu friends — partly, also, that they might have an ocular demonstration of the savage, barbarous cruelty of the heathen." This young warrior had killed, as he averred, many Englishmen, and now, the narrative proceeds, "this monster is fallen into the hands of those that will repay him seven-fold." The Molu'gans cut round the joints of his fingers and toes sue(!essively, and then "brock them off, as was for- merly the custom to do with a slaughtered beast." Tlie victim bore all unflinchingly; replying to their taunts, with asseverations that he "liked the war well, and found it as sweet as the Phiglishmen do their sugar." They compelled him to dance and sing in this condition, till he had "wearied himself and them," and then broke his legs. Sinking, in silence, on the grt :id, he .sat till they iinished his miseries by a blow. Meanwhile, the Engli.sh stood by, and, although the sight brought tears into tiie eyes of some of them, none offered to interfere. Famine, disease, and I'xposui'c had, by this time, begun to do their work upon the miserable outcasts wlio had so long kept New England in terror. A large body fled westward, pursued by troops from Connecticut, and, after sustaining considerable loss, suc- ceeded in joining the Mohicans of the Ilud.son, with whom they united, and formed thereafter a portion of that tribe. The colonial authorities now oflfered terms of peace to I 17 U' ■■•(vi, ■' X i i: I ■ ' ,1 » J /■VP .' '■";t| •'. '■'■',■ ■'■■:. .>'m'' ■' ^aJ ^; IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 [fi- III I.I 2.5 •^ 140 I. 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■• ■ 6" ► V] <^ /2 /a "^A" sy^ 0/ /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y, 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ V SJ A \ ^r..v. , Jf:- ;. >.' :. ■ *;;/. 258 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. the enemy, promising good treatment to all wlio should surrender and deliver up their arms, with the exception of notorious offenders. Within a few weeks from this proclamation, five or six hundred of the Indians came in and submitted to the English. Some of their chiefs, and noted warriors, and those who had been chiefly concerned in the outrages upon the settlements, were put to death ; the others had lands assigned them; were disarmed, and kept under tlie surveillance of overseers. As Church took so prominent a ^jart in the final reduc- tion of Pliilip and his chief sachems, we will now briefly review his proceedings during this summer unti' the death of Philip and the . close of the war. He had been sum- moned to Plymouth in tlie spring, to assist at the council of war, and, at tliat time, proffered advice, which, if ap- proved by his associates, might have saved much Iuivdc and bloodshed. Uis plan was to "make a business of the war, as the enemy did;" to employ large forces; to eiili.'^t all the friendly Indians who were available, and to pursue their opponents into their own country, and fight thein in their own manner. Not being able t^ persuade the au- thorities to his views, he remained inactive, with bis family, at Duxbury and on Khode Island, until early iu June, when he again betook himself to I*lymouth, where he was gladly welcomed by the general court, then iu session. The members "told him they were glad to see him alive, lie replied, he was as glad to see them alive, for he had sccii so many fires and smokes towards their side of the coimtry, since he left them, that he could scarce eat or sleep with any comfort, for fear they had all been destroyed. For all traveling was stopped, and no news had passed for a long time together." The court had now concluded, according to Church's plan, to raise a largo force of English and Indians, and eagerly accepted the captain's offer of cooperation. He vV NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 259 was to return to Ehode Island, and there enlist a company for the campaign. Eeaching Elizabeth's Island, he could find no conveyance homeward otlier than a canoe, manned by two Indians. Their course took them near Sogkonate (commonly called Seaconnet) point, the wild mass of rocks which juts into the ocean, at the southern extremity of Awoshonk's domains. Church saw some of the Indians fishing upon the rocks, and bethought him that here might be further opportunity of communicating with his old friend, the squaw sachem. Notwithstanding her early counsel with Church, she, or her people, against her incli- nations, had been drawn into Pliilip's plans, and the Sogkonates had taken active part in the hostilities. The canoe was soon hailed from shore, but the surf beat so heavily against the rocks that the reply could not be hoard. Two Indians, one of whom was George, the inter- preter, therefore came out upon a long point of sand, where Church could land without danger of being surprised, and, on his approach, they informed him that Awoshonks had left Philip, and would be glad to have a conference with him. An appointment was therefore made for a meeting, on the next day that the weather would permit, at a well-known rock, upon the Richmond form. None were to be present except the queen, her son Peter, and Nompash, an Indian known to Church. Arriving at Newport, and detailing his plans to the authorities, they pronounced him demented to think of risking himself unprotected among such a body of the enemy. He replied that he had always wished for an opportunity to confer with the Sogkonates, not doubting but that he could secure their friendship, and that he was determined to prosecute the adventure. He accordingly crossed over the next day, to the place appointed, accompanied only by "his own man," and the Indian who had paddled him from Elizabeth's. He was ji^*. M lis i'fi M'^' ♦ ♦ - ■'■■■■' '■•■>■■ '":^''T'^€'/'V "■ ^ '■ if 4im,^:M ;:. .■,*'! ;t';S 'i^;' ■•■ ^:- V^^i^'k . ,■ ■■;■', -i'''i'?S"^ '' '■ '■ '■■''■ ■* ,■>,;- «:-:wjr5l ti !!■ "'J -Jr* . >^t)'^ 'iSk* »u*"' •■ i-l ..r^t ^^m :??;;: nl 260 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. met by the queen and the other two, who had been desig- nated ; but, upon retiring a short distance, to a convenient spot for discussion, a crowd of armed and painted war- riors sprang up from amid the long grass around them. Church betrayed no signs of surprise or fear, but, having first obtained directions from Awoshonks that the Indians should lay down their guns, he pulled out a bottle of rum, and opened the conference by proffering her a dram, ask- ing, "if she had been so long at Weetuset as to forget to drink Occap'^ches." Having first swallowed some him- self, from the hollow of his hand, to quiet any suspicions of treachery that she might entertain, he distributed the rest, together with some tobacco that he had V>ronght, among those standing by. He then answered her inquir- ies as to the reasons why he had absented himself so long, using all his powers of persuasion to revive her old friend- ship for the English ; promising favor and protection from the government, if she would enlist her forces against Philip ; and by his bold and frank demeanor, disarming the suspicions and softening the surliness of the warriors. At one time, as related by Church, "there arose a mighty murmur, confused ncise and talk among the fierce-looking creatures; and, all rising up in a hubbub, a great surly- looking fellow took up his tomhog, or wooden cutlass, to kill Mr. Church, but some others prevented him." This man had lost a brother in the fight at Puukatese, but Church explained how, with only a handful of men, he had been suddenly set upon, and how his intentions were, even then, friendly to the Sogkonates. His counsels finally prevailed, and it was agreed that an oft'er of services should be made at Plymouth, in be- half of the tribe; five men being chosen to accompany Church on the embassy. Having returned to Rhode Island, and, with much dif- ficulty, procured a vessel. Captain Church set sail for Sog- NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 261 konatc, whence tlie Indians espied liiin, and stood waiting upon the rocks with an old canoe, ready to come on board. The sea ran so high that no one but Peter Awoshonks was able to reach the vessel; and when, after much danger and trouble, he was taken in, a strong head wind prevented the prosecution of the voyage, and all returned to New- port, making the circuit of Khode Island. Church, after this delay— the arrival of the army at Pocasset being shortly expected — was unwilling to leave the Island, and accordingly sent Peter back to Sogkonate, Avith directions to take the selected number of his com- panions, and proceed across the country to Plymouth, with letters for the governor. The Plymouth forces reached Pocasset, under command of ^Injor Bradford, and, having been joined, by Church, marched to Punkatese. Awoshonks and most of her war- riors, having been notified to attend, came to this place, and proffered their services ; but, to their great grief and disappointment, v/ere ordered to repair to Sandwich, on the coast to the eastward, and await further directions from the government at Plymouth. Church advised them to comply quietly, and promised to join them, himself within a week, with a commission to employ them, if he could obtain it. During the ensuing week, according to the opinion of some, an opportunity was lost of surprising and destroy- ing nearly the whole of Philip's remaining force, who had gone to Wepoiset, in search of clams; provisions being very scarce with them. Captain Church, with only one companion, rode from Rchoboth to Plymouth, starting at sunset, and reaching the town early in the morning. He there saw the gov- ernor, who had received the messengers from Sogkonate with favor, and who readily promised him the desired commission, and ratified his agreement with Awoshonks. 5 >.•• • i il«l ij;v ^:^];r!',,, i^^'.4« •,t.,n; '■■m 262 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. , !>';''■' ■' t Not finding tlie Indians at Sandwich, Captain Church, with a few companions, proceeded along the coast, and finally came upon the whole tribe, scattered over the level sund-beach, engaged in various occupations and diver- sions- — "A vast company of Indians, of all ages and sexes, some on horse-back running races, some at foot-ball, some catching eels and flat-fish, some clamming, &c." He was received by Awoshonks and her chiefs, and royally entertained. When night came on, an immense heap of dry pine branches and other fuel was set on lire, and all the Indians, gathering round it, commenced those dances and ceremonies deemed by them so essential in cementing a league, or in entering upon any important adventure. A stout chief would step within the circle, armed with spear and hatchet, and appear to fight the fire, with every gesture and expression of energy and fury, naming suc- cessively the several hostile tribes; "and, at tlie naming of every particular tribe of Indians, he Avould draw out and fight a new fire-brand, and at finishing his fight with eauli particular fire-brand, would bow to him and thank him." He would then retire, and another would repeat tlie same operation, "with more fury, if possible, than the fii\st." Awoshonks and the chiefs told Church that hereby they were his sworn soldiers, and, one and all, at his service. lie therefore selected a number of them, and took them to Plymouth the next day, where he was regularly com mis- sioned, by Governor Winslow, to raise volunteers, both English and Indian ; to fight the enemy at his discretion ; and to make treaty and coni])osition with any, as he should see reason, "provided they be not murderous rogues, or such as have been principal actors in those villanies." The commission was given, under the public seal, the 2-Itli day of July, 1676. Being now furnished with a suflicient force, and being ¥'■■ .. NEW ENGLAND INDJANS. 263 at liberty to carry out his own plans, Church commenced a vigorous and cflbctive campaign. Spreading through the forest with his men, keeping himself continually in- formed by scouts of the position and number of the ene- my, and following up his advantages with unwearied energy, he reduced his opponents to the greatest straits. The army, under Bradford, remained at Taunton and vi- cinity, cutting oirriiilip's return from the eastward, while Church and liis corj)S scoured the woods, surprising and killing, or taking captive large numbers of hostile Indians. On one occasion, he fell in with Little Eyes, the Sog- konate who attempted to make way with him at the fu'st interview with Awoslionks, and wlio had separated fi'om the rest of the tribe with a few comj)anions. His Indian allies urged Church to take this opportunity for revenging himself, but he refused, and showed the unfriendly chief quarter and protectii)n. Philip and his party, chiefly Narragansctts, anxious to effect a retreat to the Narragansett country, came to the banks of Taunton river, and felled a large tree over the stream for the purpose of crossing. At this spot. Church with his company and a detachment from Bridgcwater, attacked him, on the 1st of August. As the English secretly approached the fallen tree, a single warrior was seen seated upon the stump across the river, and as Church was taking aim at him, one of his Indian followers called to him not to fire, thinking that it was a man of their own party. At this moment the Indian sprang from the stump, and elfectcd his escape down the river-bank, but as he turned his face, he was distinctly recognized to be Philip himself The whole body of the enemy then scattered and fled through, the woods, but succeeded in effecting a passage of the river at a ford, some distance beyond; hotly pur- sued by the English. Many women and children were ■1i.'i- 264 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. \'':-"W^r :■ . ^r,.^ captured ; among the rest, Pliilij)'s wife, Wootonekanuske, and his son, a hid only nine years of age. The Sogkon- ates, following closely upon the fugitives, killed several, ard made thirteen prisoners. As the flight was eontinued, the women and cliildron became wearied, and, being unable to keep pace with the company, fell into the hands of the pursuers. They were ordered to follow the trail, aiid were assured that, if submissive and obedient, they should be the more favor- ably treated. Philip, and his band, being suddenly surprised, while they were busily engaged in preparing breakfa.st, lied into a swamp, leaving " their kettles boiling, and meat roasting upon their wooden sj)its." Here they were hemmed in, and, after some hard lighting, no less than one hundred and seventy-three, including those who had followed the party, as directed, were taken prisoners or killed. A large divisi(jn of these were so surprised and panic-struck by the number and determination of the pursuers, that they "stood still and let the English come and take the guns out of their hands, when they were both charged and cocked." Philip, and .some of his princi])al chiefs, escaped. The prisoners, having been well supplied with food, Avere confined in the pound, at Bridgewater, and passed the night in merriment, expressing little despondency or apprehension. They rei)orted Philip's condition and frame of mind as being miserable in the extreme. His wife and son made prisoners; his allies overpowered, or treacher- ous; reverses coming thick upon him; and his force dwindling to a handful of warriors, nothing but destruction seemed to await him. On the 6tli of August, Weetamore, queen of Pocasset, and widow of Alexander, Pliilip's eldest brother, who throughout the war had been a most valuable and laithful coadjutor to her brother-in-law, perished in attempting to !1 ■^■:-^.. ,i/ iiH NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 265 escape over the Tehticut river, into her own country, upon a raft. She hud been sur])rise(l, with twenty-six of her subjects, who were all taken prisoners. The dead body of the poor qneen was found stur/c naked, near the river bank, wliere she had probably crouched half drowned, and died from exposure and famine. Her head was cut oif by those who discovered her and fixed upon a pole at Taun- ton, where it was recognized by some of her loving subjects kept there in caj)tivity. Their burst of unre- strainable grief at the sight, is characterized by Mather, as "a most horrid and diabolical lamentation." Church returned to Plymouth, where he received the thanks and gratulations of the authorities, but was allowed little rest, as some of the enemy, under the great sachem Totoson, were lurking around Dartmouth, and his aid Avas required to dislodge them. The ex})cdition was successful, but 1 otoson, with an old squaw and his little son, escaped. The sipiaw afterwards came to Sandwich, and reported the chief's death, saying that, "reflecting upon the miserable condition he had brought himself into, his heart became a stone within him, and he died." She said that she had covered his body with a few leaves and brush. Worn out by hard service, hard ftxre, and exjiosure, Captain Church now sought to recruit his strength by rest; but, being urged by the government to pursue Philip to the death, and receiving promises of satisfaction for former neglect, he marched to Pocasset with a company of volun- teers, and thence crossed over to Rhode Island. He there visited his wife, whom he had left at a !Mrs. Sandford's, and who fainted with surprise and joy at meetiiig him alive; but hardly had the first greetings been exchanged, when tidings came post that Philip was to be found at his old quarters in Mount Hope neck. The horses upon which Church and his companions had just arrived stood at the door; and, telling Mrs. Church that ' I..' iili ■•^■i■■■r■^:^f]'■':M i , 1. « ' 9, 1 i\ '•;i'!; •■: '■,'■■ ''> ^\i:* '■■:.,■: . i*vi^» V 266 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. hi' m 1 ! ., I "she must content lioraclf witli a, short visit when such gjinio was iiliead," they till niuunted and si)nrred oil". They learned from the deserter who haroached the spot during the night. Having distributed a portion of the force in such a maimer as to command all the places where the enemy would be likely to attempt escape, another detachment, under Ca])tain Golding, ])roceeded to "beat up Philip's head-quarters;" with directions to make all the noise jiossible, while pur- suing the fugitives, that they might be known by those who lay in ambush. The Indians, startled by the first fire, rushed into the swamp, with Phili]) at their head. Half clothed, and flinging his "})etunk" and powder-horn behind him, the doomed chief came, at full speed, fully within range of tlic guns of an Englishman and an Indian, who lay concealed at one of the points of ambuscade. The white man's gun sna])pcd, but the fire of his com- panion was fatal. Philip fell upon his face in the mire, shot through the heart. This event took i)laee eai'ly in m the morning of Saturday, the 12tli of August, 1670. Thus the main object of the camj)aign was accomplished; but most of the hostile party managed to escai)e. Among them was the old chief, Annawon, a great captain under Philip, and Massasoit, his father. lit "seemed to be a great surly old fellow," hallooing, wiih a loud voice, "lootash — lootash!" Peter, Church's man, said that ho was calling on his men to figlit bravely, and hold their ground. Several of Church's Indians dragged the body of poor Philip out of the mire, " and a doleful, great, naked beast NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 287 he looked." By tlic direction of the ca])taiii, who averred that, Imving "caused many an Enj^lislinian's body to bo unbiiried and to rot above ground, not one of bis bomvs should be buried," one of the Indians beheaded and ciuar- terod the body of the fallen suehcm, an was the custom towards traitors. The old executioner, who was ajipointod to this ofhcc, first made a short speech, which, but that it was rather more coarsely expressed, might remind one of the exultation of the heroes of Homer over a concjucred foe. However far removed from that absurd and morbid sensibility which i)erceives greater tokens of i' pruvity in an indignity oiTcred to a senseless carcass than in acts of cruelty and injustice towards the living, we do not care to defend this act of Church. One of Philip's hands, which had been formerly marred by the bursting of a pistol, was given to Alderman, the Indian who shot him. The ex- hibition of it }>roved a source of no small jirofit. The head was long exposed at Plymouth, and the devout Mather exults in having, with his own hand, dis})laced the jaw from the scull of "that blasphemous leviathan." CHAPTER VIII. PURSUIT OF ANNAWON AND HIS PARTY — DARING PROCEDURE OP CAPTAIN CHURCH — END OF THE WAR, AND FINAL DISPOSAL OF PRISONERS — SUMMARY OF THE COLONIAL LOSSES. After the death of Philip, the company returned to Plymouth, and received, as premium for their services, thirty shillings for each Indian killed or taken. Toward the cud of August, Church was again called from Plymouth to go in pursuit of Annawon, who, with the feeble remains of his force, was scouring the count r\' ( r • ' ,t, .' - ill' ^m • ^ r.» i ^ ■ I M.Ik* '. ^ ii ^. '.i I 268 INDIAN RACES OF AMKHICA. around Reliobotli and Swaiiscy. Ho accorditif^ly took a fi'W faitliful soldiers, with liis bravo mid tried licutoiianl Jabe/, Ilowlaiid, luid liasteiied tliroii^di the woods to I'o- casset. IIo intended passing' the Sabbatli on Uliodc Ishuid. but lioarinj^ that Indians had been seen crossing from Prudcnec Ishind to Pojipasciuasli neck, he hastened at onee in quest of tlieni. As they were jiassinjr tlie river in canoes, so lieavy a gale sprung up that, after tlu; captain and fd'teen or sixteen Indians were over, the boats could no longer venture. Without waitirg foi' their Knglish companions, this little company marched round through the northern ])art of the present town of Bristol, and sju'cading ai'ross the narrow jiortion of tlic neck, scut scouts to ascertain the position of the enemy. They there passed "a very solitary, hungry night," having no j)rovi- sions. Karly in the morning, Nathaniel, an Indian of the scouting parly, ai)pcarcd, and told how he, Avith his com- ])ani()n, luul taken ten prisoners, by lying concealecl, and attracting the enemies' attention by howling like a wolf. One after another, they would run to. see what caused the noise, and Natluiniel, "howling lower and lower, drew them in between tho.se who hiy in wait." They afterwards .secured the wives and children of these cajitivcs, all of whom said that Annawon never " roo.stcd twice in a jilaee," but continually shifted liis quarters. Tlu-y represented Annawon as the bravest and mo.st .subtle of all Philip's warriors, and said that the men who still adhered to him were valiant and resolute. An old Indian, accompanied by a young squaw, were next taken, both of whom had come direct from tiie greiit cliief's encampment, which was in Squannaconk swamp, in the south-easterly part of Rehoboth. The old man, in consideration that his life was spared, agreed to pilot Church to the spot, but begged that he might not be com- pelled "to fight against Captain Annawon, his old friend." NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 209 It was a bold act, indeed, on tlie part of Clinrcli, to under- tiikc the C!H)turc of such u warrior, svith so small a force; lor, having been obliged to send some back with the jirisoners, only half a dozen Tn(Uans now accompanied liiin. lie was not a man to let slij) an opportunity, and started at once for tlio camp, having much ailo to keep pace with the hard} old Indian who led the way. Annawon's "camp or kennelling place," was pitched in a recess in a ledge of precipitous rocks, which Aood upon a rising ground in the swamp, and the only way to approach it unj)ereeiveil was by elambering down tlie clilf. It w.'is night when Chureh arrived there; .stopping the guide with his hand, he crawled to the edge of the rock, and looked down upon the scene beh)W. Annawon's hut consisted of a tree felled again.st the wall of rock, with birch b\ishes piled against it. Fires were lit without, over which meat was roasting ami kettles were boiling, and the light revealed several companies of the enemy. Their arms were stacked together, and covered with a mat, and in close ])roximity to tliem lay old Annawon and his son. An old squaw was pounding corn in a mortar, and, as the noise of her blows continued. Church, {)receded by the guide and his daughter, and followed by his Indian idlies, lot himself down by the bushes and twigs which grew in the crevices of the rock. AVith his hatchet in his hand, ^0 stepped over the younger Annawon, who drew himself into a heap with his blanket over his head, ai:- ■ reached the guns. The old chief sat up, crying out " Ilowoh !" but, seeing that he was taken, lay down again in silence. The rest of the company made no resistance, supposing that the English Avere upon them in force. Church's Indians, going among them, enlarged upon his benevolence and kindness, and advised them to submit quietly, which they did, delivering up all their arms. Annawon ordered his women to get supper for Ca])tain ' I 'S < tl.-. (I ,' '''■■f^ •"■".J <'i if Jih'' «^;i I'^^'^i M »■ ''■ .11 1! 'i5*wii .9. '.L 5 , >i:',«1 270 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Cliurcli and liis men, and they all supped togetlier in liar- inony. The Captain, wearied out by long ■\vatcliing uiid labor, now tried to get a little sleep, but was unable to compose himself. Looking round he saw the whole party, friends and foes, sleeping soundly, with the exception of Annawou; and there lay the two rival leaders, looking at each otlicr for near an hour. Annawon then got up and retired a short distance, and, as he did not immediately return, Church suspected that he might have secured a gun, with intent to dispatch him, and therefore crept close to young Annawon, as sccui'itv. The old man soon reappeared, bringing with him Philip's regalia, and, kneeling down before Church, to his great surpi'ise, addressed him in English: "Great captain, you have killed Philip and conquered his country ; for I believe that r and my company arc the last that war against the iOng- lish, so suppose the war is ended l)y your means, and there- fore these things belong to you." lie then han(le(^ iiiin two broad belts elaborately worked in wamjunn, one of whi(;h reached from the shoulders nearly to the ground, "edged with redhair,from the Mahog's country ;" two luirns of powder, and a red cloth blanket. lie said tliat Philip used to ornament himself with these upon great occasions. All night long the two captains continued their con- verse, and Annawon detailed his advi'ntures, and "gave an account of what mighty success he had formerly, in wars against many nations of Indians, when he served Asuincquin (Massasoit), Philip's father." The next day the party proceeded to Taunton, and Chnrch, with Annawon in his company, went to Phode Island, and so on to Plymouth. There, to his great sor- row, the authorities refused to spare the old chief, but put him to death. At the same time they executed Tispaquin, the last of Philip's great sachems, who had surrendered himself upon promise of mercy. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 271 The war was now at an end, with the exception of a few "liuutiiig excursions," after some stragglers of riiihp's men who yet lurked in the woods. Such of the prisoners, now in the hands of the English, as had been active in hostilities, were put to death: the rest were sold in slavery in the colonies, or sent to toil in the West Indies. It wa.s much discussed whether the poor boy who was so eul])a- ble as to be the son of Philip, should die. Tiie clergymen seemed inclined to the belief that such should be his f;ite; Increase Mather cited the ease of Iladad, saying that, "had not others fled away with him, I am apt to think that David would have taken a course that Iladad should never have proved a scourge to the next generation." lie was finally sent a slave to Bermuda. Baylies thus sums up the disasters of the eventful pei-iod of Pliilip's hostilities: ^^In this war, which lasted but lit- tle more than a year and a half, six hundred Knglishmen were killed. Thirteen towns in ^[assachusetts, Plymouth, and llhode Island, were tiestroyed, and many others greatly injured. Almost every family had lost a relative. Six hundred dwelling-houses had been burned. A vast amount, in goods and cattle, had been destroyed, and a vast debt created. But the result of the contest was decisive; the enemy was extinct; the fiu'tile wilderness was opened, and the rapid extension of settlements evinced the growing prosperity of New England." '■^ p ' • ^t: llfk ■'I '! .!'■ '^ 1 i (: 'i'\ ' '■? .: V ■* * ■. ' ■','■ ^'^!;^' ■ '■«!' ,'" ■•■ ■J 'r » , if I; ■f!:"i ^ixni 1 :l • -ji •': ? ,' li' '■'■*i.'l- 'AM '\l ■>ji %»^it f'i'fcif i\ J !'! It. ''Mm .;.;-:•■•.. 272 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. CHAPTER IX. |/.;v>>i.,i,i.': ■n THE EASTERN INDIANS — THEIR FRIENDLY DISPOSITION — SEIZURE OF THOSE IMPLICATED IN PHILIp's CONSPIRACY FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR OF 1089 — ATTACK ON COCHECO — MURDER OF MAJOR WALDRON WAR OF 1702 — CHURCH's LAST CAMPAIGN — WAR OF 1722 — CAPTAIN • JOHN LOVEWELL. The services of Captain Benjamin Church, in the early Indian campaigns, did not end with the death of Phihp and the reduction of the hostile tribes united by that chief in enmity against the colonists. In the war which after- wards broke out with the Indians of New Ilamiishire and Maine, the old soldier was again called upon to take the Held. Our accounts of the early history of these Eastern tribes are not very voluminous or connected. Some description is given, in Ca])taiu John Smith's narrative, of the gov- ernment and division of the nations and tribes on the coast ; and, in subsequent times, tales of noted sagamores and war- riors, with detached incidents of adventure, are not want- ing in interest. Tlie first English settlers in Maine and New Hampshire had little to complain of in the treatment they received from the aboriginal inhabitants: according to Ilul^bard, '•Ever since the first settling of any English plantation in those parts about Kenncbeck, for the space of about fifty years, the Indian? ^ways carried it fair, and lield good correspondence witn the English, until the news came of Philip's rebellion and rising against tlie inhabitants of riiniouth colony in the end of June, 1(575; after which time it was apprehended by such as had the examination of the Indians about Kenncbeck, that there was a general surmise amongst them that they should be re(p.iired to t f ( ') '*r ' i «*,i i 1 1-1 / i ^f'^ . "■'ii' fc --I*! >,^f >i . " '» * i . ;r* -f ^ > * , * 'If* , 1 1 'V' * , ' T 7! tf 1 I \i'i. 1ii;n.i.\mi\ Cm Kill. '-;' m3. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 273 assist the said Philip, altliough they would not own that they were at all engaged in the quarrel." When Philip's forees were destroyed or dispersed, many of them took refuge at the East, and the search for and seizure of these served to arouse and keep alive hostile feelings which might otherwise have slumbered. By the contrivance of Major Waldron, a noted character among the first settlers at Cocheco (afterwards Dover), in New Hampshire, some four hundred Indians, of various tribes, were decoyed into the power of the colonial troo})s by the pretence of a sham-fight exhibition. They were then examined, and all who were adjudged to have been con- nected with the war, to the number of over two hundred, were sent to Boston, where eight or ten of theui were hanged, and the rest were sold as slaves. Many scenes of depredation and bloodshed are described by historians of those early times previous to the regular campaigns of 1689, and the years ensuing, against the French and Indians. During the war of 1G75-6, connected with Philip's conspiracy, the most inijiortant alfairs were the burning, by tlie Indians, of the towns of Casco and Saco. Under the administration of .SirKdniund Andross, the conflicting claims to territory in Maine, between the Baron of St. Castine and English proprietors, brought about a war in which the neighboring Indian tribes were involved. With their usual su(;cess, the French excited the eastern Indians to espouse their cause, and a series of depredations upon the English colonists ensued. At Cocheco (Dover), Major Waldron was still in author- ity, with a e(msiderable force imder his command, (H'cu- ]ying livQ fortified buildings. In the summer oi' it)8!), a ]tarty of Indians ])lanned an attack upon this jiost, as well to strike a signal blow in behalf of their wliitc allies, as to revenge the former wrong done to their friends by Wal- dron. The English considered themselves perfectly sccurt!, 18 : V 1^ if ^'•'•4'.^;fi '■■•'i ' ". 41 ' ' L V,.N 7;^r . • ., and kept no wjvtch — a circumstance whicli had been ob- served by the enemy. On the 27th of June, two squaws obtained leave to sleep in each of the garrisoned houses. During the night they rose quietly, unbarred the doors, and, by api)t)inted signals, announced to the warriors lurk- ing without that the time was proj)itious for an attack. The English were completely overpowered, lifty-two were killed or carried away captive; among the former was Major Waldron. The old warrior (he was eighty years of age) defended him.self with astonishing strength and courage, but was finally struck down from behind. Bruised and mangled, he was placed in a chair upon a table, and the savnges, gathering round, glutted their long- cherished vengeance by cutting and torturing the helpless ca2)tive. He was in bad odor with the Indians for haviiiir, as they alledged, defrauded them in former ti'ading trans- actions. It was reported among them that he used to "count his fist as weighing a pound, also that his accounts were not crossed o\it according to agreement." Placed as above mentioned, upon a table, some of them "in turns gashed his naked breast, saying, 'I cross out my account.' Then cutting a joint from his finger, would .say, 'Will your \ i weigh a pound now?'" — {Drake'' s edition oj ChitrcJi's Indian ll'o'v.) They continued these cruelties until he fainted from loss of blood, when they dispatchcil him. It is said, by the above author, that one of tlio s(juaws, to whom was assigned the duty of betraying Wal- (Iron's garri.son, felt sonic compunction at the act of treai'li- ei\y, and endeavored, ineffectually, to warn the command- ant by crooning the following verse: "Oh, Jh.jor Waldo, Vou giv;it siiiruiiiore, () wliat will you do, Indiiiiis iit your door!" In September of this year (1089) Captain (now styled po.st at ; G\um\ was airai little resl English the faniil magus, dered b^ left to d'i CIrnrch merly juj a warniij I' j against ij fugitives shoidd c| sacre of NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 275 >rn.jor) Church was commissioned by the authorities of the United Colonies to prosecute the war in Maine, and he sailed accordingly with Lis fonies (or Ciusco Bay. He had Avitli him two hundred and fifty volunteers, Knglish and friendly Indians, and two companies from Massachusetts. His arrival was seasonable, as a large party of Indians and French was ascertained to be in the vicinity, intend- ing to destroy the place. Some smart skirmishing took place upon the succeeding day, but the enemy linally drew off. When afterwards ordered home with his troops, Church l)Ostirred himself to bring about some action on the part of the government for the more eifcctual protection of the luifortunate inhabitants of Casco (the country in the vi(!iu- ity of the })rescnt town of Portland), but in vain; and in the ensuing spring the whole district was ravaged by the enemy. The Knglish settlers at the East, after the event, no longer dared to remain exposed to attacks of the sav- ages, and, deserting tluMr homes, collected at the fortified post at Wells, ill the south of Maine. Church's second eastern expedition, in September, 1090, was against the Indian forts on the Androscoggin. With little resistance he drove olf the occupants, released several English captives, and took ])risoners several members of the families of the noted Sachems Waroiubo and Kaidca- niagus. A number of Indian {)risoners were brutally mur- dered by the successful party ; but two old squaws were left to deliver a message to their own peo])le that Captain Church had been there, and with him many Indians for- merly adherents of King Philip; and to re])ort fui-thcr, as a warning, what great success he had met with in the war against the great sachem. Word was also left that if the fugitives "had a mind to sec their wives and children, they should come to Wells' garrison." With respect to the mas- sacre of prisoners on this occasion, Ave arc left to infer that :a i'i if if ■ ■ '?'! mm ''A ■# 'lil' yi. -' I \ .• >, ..V' '.;•«. \i ■*'■ . ,:■ *i' • ;.' , ■-':■:• ' ^^mim ■■', i If ■•' i', If V ■1V.-1 fe i I -:f» w ^ u 27G INDIAN racp:s of amkrica. •> ■■■'■ a portion of tliom, at least, consisted of women and children. Tlio old nan-!itivo here as elsewhere is rather blind, and deficient in detail, but if the facts were as alxn'c su^csted, the rt'hole history of these Indian wars does not |)rescnt a more revolting instance of cold-blooded barbarity. That the act was done by Church's orders, or that it was coun- tenanced by him, seems utterly incredible when compared with his usual course towards ))risoners. Of one man, who Wivs cai)turi;d in the takinir of Waronibo's fort, it is said: "The soldiers being very rude, would hardly s))are the Indian's life while in examination;" and it is possible that they might have committed the wanton butchery above mentioned without their commander's concurrence. We would not, however, endeavor to screen the guilty; and if Church is to be held responsible for the murder, it certaiidy mu.st leave a black and indelible stain upon his character. From the j)lundered fort Church proceeded to Casco, where he engaged the enemy, and beat them oil", but not without the loss of about thirty of his own men in killed and wounded. In August, 1092, Church was again commissioned by Sir William Phii)i)s to undertake an expedition against the Indians at Penobscot; and, although he failed to sur- prise the enemy, who escaj)ed in their canoes, he destroyed a quantity of their jtrovision, and brought away a consid- erable amount of jilunder. A force, sent into Maine, in 1093, under Major Convers, was opposed by none of the natives, and, within a short time after, these miseral)le peojde were glad to conclude a treaty of })eace with the English at Pemmaquid, where a strong fort had been erected in 1090. At this negotiation the hostile tribes delivered hostages as a security that they would cease depredations and renounce their allegiance to the French. Many of them were, notwithstanding, in- ■'»:; hihlnn. lid, and ^gosted, prosont r. That as coun- jinpared ne man, fort, it is Uy sparo ; possible butchery curvence. e guilty; • niuvdor, ;ain upon to Casco, r, but not I ill killed sioiied hy m against ed to snr- dt^stroyed ,' a con sid- ,r Convers, liii a short conclude a 1, where a negotiation y that they Icgiancc to Binding, ia- NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 277 duccd to join tlic invasion under M. de VilUcre, in the following year. In this campaign, the first object was the destruction of the settlement on Oyster river, near ]>'^vcr, New Uanip- sliire, where twelve houses liad been garrisoned and ])iit in a state of defence. Five of these were forced, (ind nearly one hundred persons were killivl or taken jn-isoneiN; the other strongholds made a suceessful defence, but liftei'ii unprotected houses were burned. Nothing of special interest occurred in connection with tlie Eastern Indians from this time until 1(596. During the summer of that year, some blood was shed by the savages at Portsmouth luul Dover; but the most important occurrence of the season was the reduction of the strong fort at Pemmaquid liy the enemy. Church was also engaged in another east- ern canii)aign in the months of August and September, but (,)wing to orders received from the colonial authorities, lie was im])eded in the prosecution of his plans, and noth- ing of s[>eeial iiKnuent was elfectcd. In January, 10119, the war with the French being at an end, the Indians of Maine and New Hampshire entoi'cd into a treaty of jieace with the English colonies — acknowl- edging, by their principal sachems, allegiance to the King of England. When war was again declared, in May, 1702, the old diniculties with the Indians were speedily renewed. Gov- ernor Dudley, of Massachusetts, endeavored to preserve peace with these tribes, and concluded a negotiation with many of their chiefs, at Casco, in June of the following year. This a})pears to have been a mere blind on the i)art of the savages, then, as ever, favorable to the French; lor only a few weeks subsequent to the treaty, a simultaneous attack was made upon the eastern English settlements. Every thing fell before the enemy ; houses were burned, property of every kind was destroyed or plundered, and '\.' Indian cruelties, incited Major Church to volunteer his further service!; against the enemy, "Ilis blood boiled within liini, mak- ing such impulses on his mind thai he forgot all fonnci' treatments, which were enough to hinder any man, esju-- cially the said Major Church, from doing any further ser- vice." His offers were gladly accepted, and a very con- siderable force was put under his command, with a good supply of whale-boats, the necessity for which he hail seen in former campaigns along the irregular and indented coast of Maine. This was the last military duty undertaken by the old soldier, and it was performed with his usual skill ami energy. The Indian towns of Minas and Chigneet(j wciv taken, and the enemy was successfully engaged at otlici' points. The most noted event of the expedition was tho night attack at Passamaquoddy. In the midst of the con- fusion incident to the marshalling of disorderly and undis- ciplined troo])s, an order was i.ssued by Church Ibi' tlic destruction of a house, and of its iidiabitants, who lunl refused to surrender. In his own words: "I hastily bid them pull it down, and knock theni on (lit limd, never ask- ing whether they were French or Indians — they being all enemies alike to me." In a note to this transaction, Mr. Drake says: "Jt does not appear, from a long career oC useful sei'vit.'cs, that Church was ever rash or cruel. From the extraordinary situation of his men, rendered doubly critical by the darkness of the night, and the almost cer- tain intelligence that a great army of the enemy were at hand, is thought to be sufficient excuse for the measure." The major, in his own account, adds: "I most certainly NEW KNGLANU INDIANS. 279 know tliat I was in an cxcectling grout passinn, but not with those poor niiserablu oncniiea; for I took no notico of a half a dozen of the enemy, when at the same time I cx[)cetcd to be engaged with some hundretls of them. * * In this heat oi' action, every word that 1 then spoke I cannot give an account of; and I })rcsunic it is impossi- ble." Quarter v.'.i.; sliown to all who came out and sub- mitted, ui)on requisition. From the close of the war, and the conclusion of peace with France, in 1713, luitil 1722, there was little to disturb the eastern frontier, further than some contentions between the colonists and Indians arising out of disputed titles to land. A Frenchman named Halle, of the order of Jesuits, resided, in 1721, among the Indians at Norridgcwock, and being suspected by the English of exerting a pernicious influence over his flock, a party was sent, by the Massa- chusetts government, to seize upon his ]i(>rsnn. Halle escaped, and the undertaking only hastened hostilities. Indian depredations soon commenced, and war was regularly decl.'ired by ^Massachusetts. For three years the frontier settlements sulfered severely. IMie Knglish suc- ceeded in breaking up the princiixd head-cpnartm-s of the enemy, viz: at the Indian castle some distance up the Penobscot, and at the village of NoiTidgewock. At the taking of the latter place, Halle, with from fifty to a hundred of his Indian comrades, ])erishcd. One of the most noted among the Englisli campaigners during this war, was the famous Ca]>tain John Lovewell, of Dunstable. Ilis adventures, and particularly the flglit at Pigwacket, on the Saco, in which he lost his life, wei'c widely celebrated in the rude verse of the times. This engagement was the last important event of the war; the Indians were greatly reduced in numbers, and, when no longer stimulated and supported by the French, were incapable of any systematic warlike operations. •I .<'!/' mm /■■■ '>;;3' ",1 ''^".ii ;».'■■ :•■ ; Him THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. CHAPTKU I. * OENERAI, OtrTLlNES (iF ClfAKACTEK. ETC — IMl'IIKSSIONS OF THE INIIAHITANTS OF NI'.W EN(iI,ANI) HE.sl'KCTI N'C THE IlloqUOlS — GAKANGULA: IIIS speech to M. DE 1,A liAUllE. None ,^f the Tiulian nations of tlic rnitml States have occu})iod a more iniportnut j)la('o in our national liistory, than the I'tMiownciI (lonfcMlijraey wliirli forms the sultject of our })r('sent consi(U'ration. Various Now Kugland trihes wore rothiood to a (hsj^raeofiil trihuto to the imperious Moha,[ohawks or Macjuas; tlic groat nation of I'owliatau stood in awe of the warli]s, furnished the fiercest and most nMloubted warriors, ^fo give an idea of the estimation in which tliey wore held by the Indians of New i'lngland, we cite the following account, given by (uKikiii, in his historical collections, written in 1()74, of the lirst of the tribe Avith whom the eastern colonists held any intercourse. "These Ma(iuas are given to rapine and spoil; and had for several years been in hostility with our neighbour In- dians, as the Mas.sacluisetts, I'atituckets, &,e., &e. And, in truth, they were, in time of war, so great a trrrour to all the Indians before named, though ours we'-e far more in number than they, the ap[)earanee of four or live Maipias in the woods, would lVight(.'ii tliem from their habitalions and cornfields, and reduce many of them to get together in forts." In September, of 10(!5, "there wen; five Maw- hawks or ^^aquas, all stout and lusty young men, and well armed, that came into one John Taylor's house, in Cam- bridge, in the afternoon. They were seen to come out from a swamp not far from the house." Each had a gun, m !• -' .'>■ „'*1 ' ■v(i ■■n '■f>'. ■■■' . .': 'i :( •' , ■ •fi ;< ■■• rem,,, t-:, ■,.,'■• 282 IXUIAN RACES OF AMERICA. V '^•'^■M. pistol, luilclict, ami long knife, and "the people of tlic house ptTceived that their speech Avas dillerent iVoin our neighbour Indians; for those ^Marpiaa speak hollow and through the throat, more than our li dians; and their lan- guage is understood hut by very few of our neighbour Indians." It seems these Mohawks came with the intention of being apprehended, that they might see the ways of tlic English, and display, at the same time, their own eoura'^u and daring. They made no resistance when a party eanic to seize them, but, "at their being imprisoned, and their being loaden with irons, they did not ap})ear daunted er dejected; but as the manner of those Indians is, they saii"- night and day, when they were awake." On being brought before the court at Boston, thev disa- vowed any evil intent towards the English, saying that they were come to avenge themselves ujion tlieir Indian enemies. "They Avere told that it was inhumanity, ;; and more like wolves than men to travel and wander so IJir from home merely to kill and destroy men, women, ami children, — for they could get no riches of our Iiiihaiis, who were very poor, — and to do this in a secret skulking- manner, lying in and)ushment, thickets, and swamps, ]>y the wayside, and so killing people in a base and ignoble manner," ko. — " To these things they made answer sIk )rt] v : 'It was their trade of life: they were bred up by their ancestors to act in this way towards their enemies.'" - 11 the Indians, in the vicinity of Boston, were eager that these ea])tives should be jait to death, but the conrt adopted the wiser policy of sending them home in safety, with presents and a letter to their sachem, cautioning him against allowing any of liis people to make war against the i)eaceable Indians rnider the protection of the English. About the middle of the seventeenth century, the Iro- quois, having amiihilated the powerful. nation of the Erie.-, of tlic Erict, THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 283 occupied no small portion of that vast extent of coun try, lying between the St. Lawrence and the great lakes, and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Tlicy even extended their hostile incursions '\v south and west of these great boundaries. The })reseiiL state of New York contained their principal cstabUsliments, and the picturesf|ue river and lakes U])ou wliieh tliey dwelt, still perpetuate the names of the eoufederate tribes. These people held inter- course with the whites, of a very diiferent nature iVoia that which characterized the reduction and huniiliation of the unfortunate natives of Xew England. Placed as they wei'e between powerful colonics of contending Kui'opean nations; their favor courted upon terms of ctprality by emissaries IVom either party; the authorit}' of their chiefs acknowledged, and the solemnity of tlieir councils respected by the whites; and conscious of proud sii})eriority over all surrounding native tribes, it might well be expected that they would entertain the higlicst sense of their na- tional importance. No American tribe ever produced such an array of renowned warriors and oratoi'S as those immortalized in the history of the Six Nations. Such a regular system o£ federal goverimient, where the chief-men of e;ich member of the league met in one grand council, to sustain the interests of their tribe, or enforce the views of thcii' con- stituents upon subjects of state policy, in matters ol' vital importance to the whole nation, elicited all the jiowers of rude native eloquence. Never in the histoiy of the world has the stirring elleet of accomplished oi'atory been more strikingly displayed than in the councils of these untaught sages. The S2)eechcs of Logan, licd-.lacket, and others, fortunately preserved, have been long considered master- pieces of forcible declamation. The addi'css of Garangula, or Grand Gueule, to the Canadian governor, M. de la Barre, has been often tran- *■ :,t. '< ■.,■:■: ■um :iC*K !,r^ .:.Ar^ !>f ■•■ilfe ''mm 284 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. '■^*fv^^; ■*.;.;,.. scribed, but is so strikingly characteristic of Indian stylo, that we must find place for at least a portion of it. About the year 1684, the French, being at peace Avith the Iro- quois, took the opj)ortunity to strengthen and enlarge tlieir dominions by fortifying and adding to their posts upon the western waters. In carrying out this purpose, they si-nt large supplies of ammunition to their Indian allies; tribes hostile to the confederacy. The Iroquois took prompt measures to check this transfer of means for their destruc- tion, and the French governor, angry at their interference, determined to humble them by a decisi.c pampaign. lie collected a strong force at Cadaraqui fort; but, a sickness breaking out among his troops, he was obliged to give over, or delay the prosecution of his purpose. He there- fore procured a meeting with the old Onondaga sachem, and other Indian dejiuties at Kaihoage, on Lake Ontario, for a conference. He conuucnced by recapitulating the injuries received from the Five Nations, by the plunder of French traders, and, after demanding ample satisfaction, threatened the destruction of the nation, if his claims were disregarded. He also falsely asserted that the governor of New York had received orders from the P^nglish court to assist the French army in the proposed invasion. The old chief, undisturljed by these menace's, having taken two or three turns about the apartment, stood before the governor, and, after a court(.!ous and formal jorologue, addressed him as follows: (\ve cite from Drake's Book of the North American Indians) "Yonondio; you must have believed, when you left (iuebeck, that the sun had burnt up all the forests which render our country inaccessible to tlie French, or that the lakes had so far overflown the banks, that they had suri'oun(l(Ml our castles, and that it was im- possible f(jr us to get out of them. Yes, surely you nuist have dreamt so, and the curiosity of seeing so greiit a wonder has brought you so far. Now you arc undeceived, =^ ri (' •'' '-f™ THE IllOQUOIS, OK SIX NATIONS. 285 since that I, and the warriors here present, are come to assure you that tlic Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and Mohawks are yet aUve. T thaidc you in their name, for bringing back into their country tlic cahimet which your predecessor received from tlieir liands. It was happy for you that you left under ground that murdering hatcliet that has been so often dyed in tlie blood of the l^'reuch. "Hear, Yonondio; I do not slccj:); I have my eyes open; and the sun which enlightens me, discovers to me a great captain, at the head of a com2)auy of soldiers, who speaks as if he were dreaming. He says that he oidy came to the lake to smoke on the great calumet with the Onon- dagas. l^ut Cirangula says, that he sees the contrary; that it was to knock them on the head if sickness had not weakened the arms of the French. I see Yonondio raving in a cam]) of sick men, whose lives the Great Spirit has saved by inflicting this sickness upon thern, "Hear, "^\)nondio; our women had taken their clubs, our children and old men had carried tlieir bows and arrows into the heart of your camp, if our warriors had not disarmed them, and kept them back when yourmessenger, Akouessan, came to our castles. It is done, and I have said it. "Hear, ^'onondio; we plundered none of the French, but those that carried arms, })Owder and ball to the Twightwies and Chictaghicks, because those arms might have cost us our lives. Heroin we ibllow the example of the Jesuits, who break all the kegs of rum brought to our castles, lest the drunken Indians should knock them on the head. Our warrioj's have not beaver enough to pay for all those ai'ms that they have taken, and our old men are not al'raid of the war. ^J'his Ixlt preserves my words." The orator continued in the same strain, asserting the independence and freedom of his nation, and giving sub- stantial I'casons for knocking the Twightwies and Chic- "^1 I ( •« '*■*: M • iW ( 1 u ,1 f! 1 ■V ,1 ^;r'1 t 45;u!..f1. 1 . k 1 ; ^,• . ' \ S**!^ S ;; If ;. ^^^*^tiffll . > lir. '' ' * mWiM »;■' f ; t'i iufslMtlMSSi ,i'.* Msm wriim™ it: Y. ii 'ft V 286 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. tagliicks on the head. He concluded by magnanimously olleriiig a present of beaver to the governor, and by in- viting all the company present to an entertainment. At the end of each important section of a speech, it was usual for the speaker to proffer a belt of wampum, to be kept in per- petual memory of that portion of his oration, a circumstance exjDlanatory of the concluding words of the above quotation. CHAPTER II. IROQUOIS TRADITIONS RELATIVK TO THKIR FOUMKR HISTORY — A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF TIIK DIFFERENT TRIBES BELONGING TO THE CONFEDERACY, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR UNION INCIDENTS OF EARLY WARFARE. Some fanciful tales of a supernatural origin from the heart of a mountain ; of a migration to tlie eastern sea- board; and of a subsequent return to tlie country of lakes and rivers where they finally settled, comprise most that is noticeable in the native traditions of the Six Nations, prior to the grand confederation. Many of the ancient fortifications, the remains of which are still visible through the state of New York, were said to have been built lin' defence while the tril)cs were disjoined, and hcjstile to each other. The period when it was finally concluded to adjust all differences, and to enter into a ' • ,gue of mutual protection and defence, ^s altogether uncertain. The most distin- guished authors who have given the subject their attention, incline to the opinion that this took place ^vitliin less than a century anterior to the English colonization in the (\ist. Whatever may have been the precise time of the new organijcation, its results were, as we have seen, brilliant in the extreme. None of the ruder nations of Eastern THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 2«7 America liave ever dispLiyed such a coml)i nation of qual* ities tluit command rcsjiect as tliosc of wliom \vc arc now treating. Tlio nature of the league Avas decidedly demo- cratic; arbitrary power was lodged in the liands of no ruler, nor wa.s any tribe allowed to excrci,se discretional authority over another. A singidar unanimity wa.s gen- erally obsevvaljle in their conncils; theriglits and opinions of minorities were respected; aiid, in no instance, were measures adopted which met the sanction of but a bare majority. We arc told that for a long period before the revolution, the Iroquois chiefs and orators held up their own confed- eration as an example for the imitation of the English colonics. Each tribe had one principal sachem, avIio, with an uudefiued nunilxT of associates, took his post in the great councils of the nation. A grave and decent dolibcrnlion was seen in all their iissend)lics, forming a striking contrast to the trick(>ry and chicane, or noisy misrule too t)ften vis- ible in the Icirislative halls of enlightened modern nations. The Mohawks were esteemed the oldest of the tribes, and, as they were always the most noted in warlike ti'aiis- actit)ns, one of their sachems usually occujiied the position of conuuandcr-in-chief of the active forces of tlic united people. The settlement of this tribe was in eastern Xew York, U[)on the ^^ohaw]c river, and along the shores of the Hudson. From their villages, in these districts, their wai'- parties ravaged or subdued the feebler nations at the east and south, ami their favor was only obtained by trilnite and submission. Next in order, proceeding westward, dwelt the Oncidas, whose central locality, suiiplying the place ol' a state capital for the national council, was the celebrated Oneida stone. This mass of rock, crowning the sununit of a hill which comnumds a beautiful view of tlie vaUey, is still .^f ■:i-J .(.'■' ,"■ ;/ '■ ' ■"'''' '■ v? ] .1 m '1 n j rri 288 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. pointed out in the town of Stockbridge, about fifteen or twenty miles south-east of the Oneida hike. 1'his tribe is su])posc(l t(j liave been tlie hast of the Five Nations to have adoi)ted a sej)ai'ato name and government, in early ages, prior to the grand union. It produeed bold and enter- prizing wai-riors, who extended their excursions far to the south, and by some of whom the sixth tribe — the Tusca- roras — was lirst conducted northward. The Onond-igas oecujiied the country between the Oneida and Cayuga lakes. According to some theories, all the other tribes were derived from this, and certain it is that the ci\"il ruler of the confederacy was iUways from Onondaga, and here was ever the grand central council- lire. Monarchs of the tribe were said to have reigned, in regular succession, from the first period of its nationality to the time of Europcon colonization. In near })ro\imity to each other, upon the beautiful lakes which still bear their name, were settled tlie C"yu- gas and iSenecas. The last-mentioned tribe has always been by far the most numerous of those uiiiteil by the league. 'i'he Tuscanu'as were, by their own account, a braiieh from the original stock of the Iroquois. Migrating fir.st to the west, and thence south-easterly, they had finally set- tled upon the Neuse and Tar rivers, in North Carolina, Surrounded by hostile Indians, who proved unable to cope with the interlopers, these warlike peo2)le maintained their position until early in the eighteenth century. They then endeavored to exterminate the English coloni.sts ol' their vicinity. r)n an a))pointed day, (September 22, 1711,) divided in small ])arties, they entered the villages ol' tlic whites, in a manner intended to ward olf sus])icioii, and attempted a general ma.ssacre. Other coast Indians were involved in tlic conspiracy. One hundred and thirty whites arc said to have ])erishoil on that day; but so far from being a successful blow i 'mi W.f ndiiuis wore TUE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 289 against the advance of tlie colonies, tlie plot only aroused a 8i)irit of retaliation, wliich resulted in the expulsion of the tribe. With the assistance of forces from South Caro- lina and Virginia, the war was carried on vigorously; and in ^fareli of 1713, the main fort of the Tuscaroras, upon Tar river, to which they had retreated, was stormed by Colonel Moore, and eight himdred prisoners were taken. Being now reduced to submission, such of the tribe as remained in Carolina yielded to the reciuircmcnts and regulations of their conquerors. The major portion movcnl to New York, and formeil the sixth nation of the Tro(piois. They were established in the immediate Jieighborhood of the Oneidas. Many strange legends of early warfare between the Iro- quois and distant tribes at the south and west have been preserved. The particulars of some of those narratives can be relied upon, while others are evidently exaggerated and distorted in the tradition. At the south, the most famous of their op})onents were the gi'oat nation of the Delawares, the Cherokees, and the ancient tribe from whom our principal chain of mountains dei'ive a name, 'i'hey always claimed that the Lenni Lena})e, or Delawares, were a conquered peoj)le, and avssumed the haughtiness of supe- riors in all their conferences and dealings with them. No hostilities took place between the two nati(.)ns after hluro- pean settlements were established in the et)untry. The Clierokee war gavt rather an opportunity for displays of individual energy and daring, than lor any ile- cisive exhibition of national power. Tlie distance to be traversed was so great, that it was never undertaken by any large body of warriors. Small }iai'iies, who could make their way unpereeived into the heart (^f the enemies' country, and retire as stealthily with their tro])hies of scalps, frequently sought such opportunity of jtroving their hardi- 19 '■•- '; (!; ■•"■*',.'-■> ■;';.' '', f'it . ■->;■■.■., ''■'>'■;>,■ W ■■^■:M ■'^■.■■'tM V t ■i' ■• ,V.S. ■■':;''^ih " .■ :' . ■■t ■ ^-^:f: ".( * ' ■'^v'i'Hi ■ '. ' ' ■ <■•' m ■:i ■ ", "■«'l '' '' l' '■' ili'-''' •■•' .i •.■'.,-■■■■■, ' 4 '' ■.■''•i'vi'S =S1 290 INDIAN JiACES OF AMEllICA. ■I 1 u liood. Olio of llit^ stories told of tlioso early exploits, is thiit of the ScMHM'ii waiTior, Ifiiideoiii, He is said to huvc started aloiu^ on a war-path, and to have p(uu'lrated tho country of the Clicrokees, supported l)y sueh {)rovisioas as he could procure on tho route, and a little parched corn which he carried with him when he set out. Prowling about the enenues' villages, ho managed to dispatch two men and to secure their scalps. He then started on his return, and, late in the evening, killed ami scalj)ed a young man wliom he saw^ coming out of a retireil wigwam. The hut appeared to he empty, ami lie coiiM not resi.st the temptation to enter it in search of ])hmder; especially that he might satisfy his craving for tobacco. While there, the young man's mother entered the wiu- wain, and, mistaking lliadeoni, who had thrown hiniself upon the bed, 11 ir her son, told him that she was going awav for the night. Tlie weary Seneca, seduced by the case of a long-unaecustDiiicd couch, fell into a sound slumber, from which he was only awakened by the old woman's return in the morning. Taking advantage of a moment when shcliaij left the hut, to slip out, he made the best (^f his way north- ward, but tlie alarm had been given, and it was only ly his great swiftness that he escaped. lie carried the thrci' scalps in triumph to his own people. Many similar legends arc preserved among the Indians, of the bravery and determined spirit of revenge in which tlieir forefathers gloried. One of those which has been given with the greatest particularity, is the noted c.\})C(li- tion of the Adirondack chief Piskanit and his four a.-^so- ciates. In the long and bloody war between that tribe and the Five Nations, the latter had attained the ascendaiicv by a scries of victories, and the five w\arriors alluded to undertook to wij)c away the disgrace of defeat. Proceed- ing up the Sorcl, in a single canoe, they fell in witii five boat-loads of the enemy, and immediately commenced their deatli-j useless from t small c tlieir o were ca water: and toi Piskarc Olid wa glory ct mcnt ol further started ji every ])r , ravages; Jiarty as choosing he reacln coaled dii ciiciiiies pcaljicd tl was statif , iiig an oil lioad, a nil His spcrJ ' and, thrj advance ertions. the day's ceiving til and carril The Ir and, witlJ ofDcla TUE IliOQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 291 death -soTifr, as if oscnpo wcro inipoHsiblo and rosistance useless. As the Iroquois ajtj.roaehcd, u sudden discharge from the Adiroiidaek muskets, whic.li were loaded with small chain-shot, destroyed the frail bivch-bavk canoes of their opponents. At such a disadvantrgc, the Iroquois were easily knocked on the head as the^ floundered in the water: as many as could be safMy secured were taken alive, and tortured to death at their capt(jrs' leisure. None of Piakarct's companions would accompany him upon a sec- ond war-path wliich he jiroposed. They had acquired glory cnougli, and were content to remain in the enjoy- ment of .1 well-earned reputation, without undt'r^ding further hardships and danger. The bold chief tliercforc started alone for the heart of the enemies' country. C^sing every precaution for concealment and deception known to savages; reversing his snow-shoes to mislead a pursuing party as to the direction he had taken; and carefvdly choosing a route where it would be dillicult to track him, he reached one of the Iroquois towns. Lying closely con- cealed during the day, he stole into the wigwams of his enemies on two successive nights, and murdered and scalped the slee}Mng occu])ants. The third night a guard was stationed at every lf)dge, but I'iskaret, stealthily wait- ing an opportunity, knocked one of the watehmeu on tho head, and fled, hotly pursued by a party from the village. His speed was superior to that of any Indian of his time, and, through the whole day, he kept just sufhciently in advance of his pursuers to excite them to their utmost ex- ertions. At niglu, they lay down to rest, ami, wearied with tlic day's toil, the whole party fell asleep. Piskaret, })cr- ceiving this, silently killed and scalped every man of them, and carried home his trophies in safety. The Iroquois were generally at enmity with the French, and, within a few years after the futile attempt on the part of Dc la Banc, which we have mentioned in a preceding '' "i'f i mp 1' ' !' % i W^-r. ! ,: "u',nnfti-i'. ^''■'^■r'^Pn - I- -n ^:Jr\^ ' ■ , 1; /V'lt- ■..■!, . . •' 'S'V'V.jVi' ■'•■;<; '-vv;'?;'i ■■ -'.y '^-rm ': ■■.'■■■-'r| • - 1 :• •' ' »tK ■ • ■-. ' ''"'v,;'.i:p ■ :A ^'-i-M •' •■:'-' ■'11 ■' ■■■'■::"M ■ ••::, ■'■vi *-■ .itm '•.'■■'5l %u 292 INDIAN' HACKS OF AMERICA. If •' /- cliaptcr, scenes of frightful cruelty and hlooclslied were enacted on both sides. The confederacy was then, as long afterwards, in the English interest, and the conquered Ilurons, or AVyandots, whom tliey had driven far west- ward, naturally espoused the cause of the French. Having, however, no cause for ill-will against the English, exce])t as being allies of their foes, the Ilurons were not unwilling to hold intercourse with them for puri)oses of profitable traffic. A strange piece of duplicity, conducted with true In- dian cunning; by Adario, or the Rat, sachem of the Diiumdadies, a Wyandot tribe, vvas the immediate Ciiiise of hostilities. He lell his head-quarters, at Miehiliniaek- inae, with one hundred warriors, whether with intent to make an incursion upon the Jro(piois, or merely upon a sort of scout, to keep liimself informed of the movements of the contending parties, does not a})}iear. He stoi)pi'(l at the French fort of Cadaraqui, and learned from the oHicer in command that a })eace was about to be concluded between the French and Iroquois; dcjmties for which purjtose were even then on their way from the Six Nations to Montreal. X(jthing could be more distasteful to the Kat than a treaty of this character, and lu; promptly determined to create a breach between the negotiating })arties. lie therefore lay in wait for the ambassadors; fell iq)on theiii; and took all who were not slain in the conflict prisoners. He pretended, in discourse with these cajitivc.^, that lie was acting under the direction of the French authoritie.«i, and when the astoni.shed deputies made answer that they wen; bound upon peaceful embas,sy, in accordance with the invitation of the French, he assumed all the aj)pearance vt astonishment and in(ligiiati(m at being made an instrument fo;r so treacherous an act. lie immediately set his prison- ers at liberty, gave them arms, and advised them to rouse up their people to avenge such foul injustice. >•'';, ».-'!' : ri ^fl THE lUOQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 293 By this, and other ornially artful irianagcmcnt, A(hirio stirred up the iiiDSt uneoutrolhiblc ra<:;c in the minds of tlio Troquois against the French, and a long and disastrous war followed. It was in vain that the Canadian governor attcmjjted to explain the true state of affairs. The Iro([U()is ever held the French in suspicion, and would not be dis- iil)used. They invaded Canada with an irresistible force. We have no record of any period in the history of Amer- ica in which the arms of the natives were so successful. Twelve hundred warriors ])assed over to the island upon which Montreal is situated, and laid waste the country. Nearly a thousand of the French arc said to have been slain or reserved for death by fire and torture. Neither age nor sex proved any ])rotection, and the scenes desci'ibed surpass in Injrror any thing before or since experienced by the whites at the hands of the Indians. The war continued for years, and the name of Black Kattle, the most noted war-chief of the leagued nations, became a word of terror. He fonght successfully against superior nnnd)ers of the French; and it is astonishing to read of the trifling loss which his bands sustained in many of their most desjierate engagements. The great orator of the nation, at this period, was named Decanisora; he appeared more preeminently than any other in all the public negotiations of the tribe, and was one of the deputies who were duped by the subtle contrivance of Adario. We have already mentioned that the Six Nations gen- erally Aivored the Flnglish, and that between them and the French, feelings of the bitterest animosity prevailed. The recollection of the scenes which attended the sack of Mon- treal must constantly have vstrengthened this hatred on the part of the Canadians, while, on the other hand, the In- dians could point to acts of equal atrocity and cold-blooded cruelty exercised towards some of their own number ;' I, ', , r.' I'', ly J v. - J i < 1<> <*^-i , ': ..-fill: 29J: INDIAN RAOEH OF AMKUICA. when talvhose stivn'ith in battle, hail bi'i-n so thorouf^dily testtMl, In the }■ ear 1710, throe Inxiuuis and two Mohof^an sucheuis were invited to visit tlu; I'lii.^lish eonrt, and they sailed for Knjilaml aeeordin-^iy. The j^n'tatest interest was lelt hy \uy:h and low in their a})i)earanee and derni'aiior, TIk^v were royally aeeontered, and presented to Qnccn Anno with courtly ccroniony. 'J'he anthentieity of the set speeches recorded as ha\in;^- been delivered by them on this occasion, has been shri'wdly called iti question. Tlio Spectator, of April '27th, 1711, in a h'tter written to show liow the absurdities of Kn<:,lish society niij^dit strike a i'^y- oi<4'ner, gives a sort of diary as having been written hv one of these sachems. The article opens thus; "When the four Indian Kings were in this country, about a twelve- month ago, I often mixed with thi^ rabble, and Ibllowcd them a whole day togetlu-r, being womlerfully struck with the sight of every thing thai is new or uncommon." The writer })artieuluri/.es "our go '. brother 1']. Tow O. Koani, king of the Rivers," and spiaks of "the kings of Granajali (Canajoliarie) and of the Six Nations." This latter a]»pel- latioii, as observed by Mr. Drake, seems to call in ([uestinn the correctness of the date usually assigned to the event of the auuexatiou of the Tuscarorus. A IL^^ TUE luoyi'ois, on six nations. 295 CIIAI'TKU 111. iMrOKTANT rHARArTKHS AND KVKNTS OK TIIK RHIIITKKNTH TEN- TiniS' — llltA.NT — C11KSA1''.S WAU, AND lllSTdllV Ol' I,()(iAN. DuiilXd the loii<^ luul bloody w.ars bt'twccu the Mii^lish and l''i'ciu'h, the Six Niitioiis were coiitimuilly involved in hostilities, oc('ii])yiiijr, ;is tliey did, a ]iositioii hetAveen the (■(iiiti'iidiii;^^ [KirlieH. 'r(j describe ull the juu't they took in ili(>so tfansiietions, would bo to <,nve u history of the wur. Tliis is Ihr iVoiii our imrposi^ to uudertuke, and, in hi'in,if- iii.u; down events to the jieriod of the i\nierie;m revolution, we shall bestow but a iiassin<^ notice upon some of the more |ii'oinineut incidents in whieli tiie Ii'oi|Uois, as a na- tion, or distinjj,uished individuals of their tribe, bore u i'(iiis]iicuous part, Joseph Ibanl. — Thayendanaj^eji., (as he usually si;j,ued liinisell',) was horn in the year i7-i2. It has been a matter iiiiicli disputeil whether he was a h;dfd)reed, or of pure liidiiiii (h'scent, and also whether he was entille(l to the di^'- iiitv of a chief l)y birth, or ros(! to it by his own exertions, liis bio,L;ra])her, Stone, prononnees him to have been tho sou of "'rehowa^^'hwen.uarauhkwin, a fulhblooded !Mo- hiiwk, of the Wolf tribe.'' His j>arents resided in the valley of the Mohawk, but were u})on an exj)editiou to the Ohio river when -Joseph was born. Younlish colonial agent for Indian ail'airs, under whose conunand he gained his lirst knowledge and experience of military alfairs. Many have exj)re.«sed the 0))inioii that Brant was ;i son of Sir William; but we can account for their mutual interest in each other's welfare upon other grounds than those of natural ail'eetion. Sir AVilliani Johnson was idolized by the whole Mohawdc tribe for tho favor and respect which lie had shown them, and for his ' '■> ■'•'■4. ■■'-^ V' l;Ui ::('■ '■;|3jafei!ai t-i-ii^ani'.e'] *■■ '*Hi«Pi ' ' '"''k 1 I 296 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. princely liospitiility. With the fumily of lirimt he was more closely connected by a union with ^lollv, a sister of Joseph's, Avho lived with him as a mistress until his death. In the year 1755, Brant, then but thirteen years of age, took ))art with his tribe in the battle at Lake George where titc French, under Baron Dieskaru, were defeated by Sir William Johnson and his forces. Old king Ilcn- driek or Soi-en-ga-rah-ta, the noted sachem of the Mo- hawks, perished on tiiis occasion, lleudriek was nearly seventy years of age, but years had not diminished his energy or courage. Historians vie with each other in tin' praises which they bestow upon the eloquence, braver\-, and integrity of this old chief lie was intimate with his distinguished Knglish co)nmander, and it was between them that the amusing contention of dreams occurred, tluit has been so often narrated. With the Iroquois a dream was held to import verity, insomuch that it nuist be I'ullil- led if })raeticable. Sir William (then general) J(^hnsun liad dis])layod some splendid and costly uniforms l;)elbre the eyes of his admiring guests, at one of his munilieent en- tertainments. Old Ilendriek came to him one morniii'f shortly after wards, and gravely aflirmed that he had dreai I lei 1 of receiving one of tlujse gorgeous suits as a present. The general instantly })rese!ited it to him, ^ut took the opiior- tunity to retaliate by dreaming of the cession of three thousand acres of valuable land. The sachem was not backward in carrying out his own })rinciples, but at the same time avowed his intention of dreaming no more with one whose dreams were so hard. To return to young Brant : after acecmpanying his jiatroii in further cam]):iigns of the bloody French war, he was placed by him, together with several other young Indians, at an institution in Lebanon, Connecticut, called the Ab)or School, after its founder, to receive an English educali(»ii. This was about the year 1700. After attaining some ])ro- ;| m am ficiency i wards tu again en Sii* -^j'. josF.m iiii-1 Y r- •/■ n.i YFxn -i .vf.o f:.i. THE IliOQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 297 ficiency in the first rudiments of literature, wliicli lie after- wards turned to good account, Brant left the seminary, and again engaged in a life of active warfare. He was em- ployed in the war with Pontiac and the Ottawas, but the particulars of his services are not handed down to us. In 1705, we find him married and settled in his own house at the Mohawk valley. Here he sj)ent a quiet and peace- ful life for some years, acting as interpreter in negotiations between his people and the whites, and lending his aid to the cfForis of the missionaries who were engaged in the work of teaching and converting the Indi.nis. Those who vi.sited his house, spoke in high terms of his kindness and hospitality. On the death of Sir William Johnson, in June, 1774, liis son-in-law. Colonel Guy Johnson, held his office as Indian agent; while his son and heir. Sir John Johnson, succeeded to the jiaternal estates. Colonel Guy continued the favor shown by his flither to Brant, and appointed him his secretary. Ill the spring of this same year a war commenced, the causes of which have been variously represented, but whose consequences were truly disastrous. We allude to the scenes in western Virginia and Pennsylvania, so inti- matelj' connected with the names of Logan and Cresap. Colonel Michael Cresaj) has been, for many years, hcl 1 up to public omum by nearly every historian, as the cruel and wanton murderer, whose unscrupulous conduct was the sole or princi})al cause of the bloody Indian war of which we arc now to speak, and which is still spt)ken o!" as Cresap's war. On the other hand, some recent investiga- tions, made public by Mr. Brantz Mayer, of Baltimoi-e, in an address delivered before the Maryland Historical So- ciety, seems to remove no little portion of this re;«ponsi- bility from the shoulders of Cresap, or at least prove that the acts with which his name has been so long associated ■ffi !;v (•' I • 1 ..air ^ 298 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. , ' , ..■« • r.M" were not directly uttributtible to liiin. He is sliown to Lave been a prudent and cautions man, who exerted his inniience to restrain the reckk^ss adventurers under his command from wanton outrages upon the Indians. AVc shall xiot 'ittempt to decide upon the question as to how- far he was blrmcable, but give, in few words, the cireuin- stances wh! ;i. brought about liostilities. Logau was the son of Shikellimus, a Cayuga ehii'f, who had removed to the banks of the Susquehiuma, and ruled oN'er those of die Iroquois who had settled in that vicinity. Logan himself had attained authority farther to the westward, upon the Ohio, in the Shawanese count rv. He had ever been of a peaceful disposition, and fricndly to the whites. A party of land-hunters, who had chosen Cresap as their leader, arc said to have committed the first direct acts of hostility, in retaliation for a supjiosed theft of some of their horses. We are told that they fell upon and treaehemusly murdered several of a party of Indians whom they lell in with, on the bank of the Ohio, below the spot where Wheeling now stands, and that among the slain were some relatives of Logan. AVith the next rilptui'e, Cresiip had certainly no connection. It occurred at a white settlement, thirty or forty miles further up the river. Two men. named Greathouse and Tondhison, were the principal leaders in the aft'air. They had ascertained that the In- dians, then encamped on tlie other side of the river, intended an attack upon the })lace, in retaliation for the mni'dcrs committed by Cresap's men. Finding, on examination, that the Inclians were too numerous to be safely assaulted in their camp, Greathouse opened a communication with them, and invited them to come and drink and feast at liis house. A party of armed whites lay concealed in a separate apartment, and when the Indians became intoxi- cated, slaughtered the whole number, of both sexes, spar- TUE IROQUOIS, OH SIX NATIONS. 209 ing only one cliild. A brother and sister of Logan were among tlie slain. Mr. Mayer's aeeount (in which the scene is laid at the house of "Baker," instead of Greathousc,) is as follows: "The evening before the traged}', a squaw came over to Baker's, and aroused the attention of the inmates by her tears and manifest distress. For a long time she refused to disclose the cause of her sorrow, but at last, when left alone with Baker's wife, confessed that the Indians liad resolved to kill the wdiite woman and her family the next day; but as she loved her, and did not wish to see her slain, she had crossed the river to divulge the plot, so as to enable her friend to escape." Next day four unarmed Indians, with three squaws and a child, came over to Ba- ker's house, where twenty-one men were concealed, in anticipation of attack, as above mentioned. The party became intoxicated, and Logan's brother was insulting and abusive: at the same time canoes filled with painted and armed warriors were i^^icn starting from the opposite shore; upon which the massacre commenced as above stated. After this savage murder of women and unarmed men, the whites left the house, and, firing upon the canoes, jire- venicd their landing. These occurrences, with the death of the old Delaware chief. Bald Eagle, who was causelessly murdered, scalped, and set adrift down the river in his canoe, and the murder of the Shawanees sachem. Silver Heels, brought down the vengeance of the aggrieved parties upon the devoted settlements. Tlie ensuing summer witnessed terrible scenes of surprise and massacre, the chief mover in which was the injured Logan. Stirred as he was by revenge, the natural kind- ness of his heart was shown in his disposition towards captives, w^hom, iri various instances, he favored and saved from Indian cruelties. i , ¥ «. .-if * *<\ 'h 1 i ,»fc -\ A 300 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. I'' ■•■. I ^1 Tlic hostile tribes ^vere those of the Iroquois who dwelt in the western country, the Shawanecs, the Delawares, tho lowas, and other nations of the west. Indecisive skir- mishes occtipicd the summer, and not until the 10th of October was any general engagement brought about. Oil that day a battle was fought at Point Pleasant, where the Great Kanawha em})ties into the Ohio, between the combined forces of the Indians, and the Virginia troops, under Colonel Andrew Lewis. Lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, was to cooperate by a movement upon the other bank of tho river, but did not actually take any part in the contest. The Indians numbered probably over a thousand, and were led by Logan and the great warrior Cornstock. Never had the natives fought more desperately, or made a stand against PJuropean troops with more determined firmness. They had prepared a sort of breast-work, be- hind which they maintained their position, in spite of tlie repeated charges of the whites, until night. They were at last drl n from their works b}' a company detached to fell upon their rear, and, crossing the Ohio, the survivors retreated westward. At Chilicothe, en the Sciota, the chiefs held a grand consultation; and their princij)al warrior, Cornstock, si'o- ing that the rest were determined upon no certain plan of proceeding, expressed his own intention of concluding a peace. He accordingly sought Lord Dunmore, who w;is approaching the camp on the Sciota, and brought about a scries of conferences, whereby hostilities were for tlio time stayed, Logan would take no part in these negotiations; he is reported to have said that "he was yet like a mad dojr; his bristles were up, and were not yet quite fallen ; but tlie good talk then going forward miglit allay them," A mes- senger was sent by Lord Dunmore to strive to appease THE lUOQUOIS, OE SIX NATIONS. 801 him, and it was upon that occasion that the Indian chief dchvered himself of those eloquent expressions that have attained such a world-wide celebrity. lie walked into the woods with Gibson, who had been sent to visit him, and, seating himself upon a log, " burst into tears," and gave utterance to his feelings in these words, as they were writ- ten down and re}KU'ted at the time: "I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not? During tlie course of the last long and bloody war, liOgan re- mained idle in his camp, an advocate for 2)eace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as I passed, and said: 'Logan is the friend of the white man!' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, nuirdercd all the relations of Logan, not even sj)aring my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on mc for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rej'oice at the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear, Ijogau never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one !" Tlie subsequent history of this renowned warrior is soon told. He led a wandering, intein})erate life for several years, and took part in the wars at the west in 1779 and 1780. He is described as having become melancholy and wretched in the extreme, and as being deprived of the full use of his reason by the pernicious habit of indulging in strong drink. He came to his death in the latter year under singular circumstances. lie had, as he supposed, killed his wiiii during a fit of intoxication, and fled from L j:.;.;|| - \' '''''•'■Kn.\ •r. ■ ''■'•;*'■;: ■if I '■\m m "'if i If ;> i : 7 '■' ' '■/■■I'' ■'". ... ■•".^t ,ii^;','^ •■!., V '* '. '" -.■•f' i ; . ■•S't; J. fit:": %•.,:: ¥' W§0i ^ 1 1 S»li wl^^wti^ ' li^w! la ; ^i|^^ >;; IH^^ ■i-'V.^^ w^ 302 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. Detroit, where he had hecn present at an Tiidian ennnoil, to evade tlic piiiii.shmeiit awarded by the native eode. On liis way towards Sandusky, he fell in with a largo party of Indians, among whom was a relative of his, named Tod-kah-dohs, and whom he took to be the one appointed to avenge the murder. According to Mr. ^fay- er's account, " rashly bursting forth into frantic pa.arty should fall benciith his weapons. Tod-kah-dohs, seeing their danger, and ob- serving that Logan was well armed, told his companions that their only safety was in getting the advantage of the desperate man by prompt action. Whilst leajiiiig fnuii his horse, to execute his dreadful threat, 'J'ud-kah-dnlis levelled a shot-gun within a k\v feet of the savage, and killed him on the spot." It may well be supposed the whole of the Iroquois tribe should have been roused to indignation by the oc- currence which we have described, and in which some of their own brethrt'U had borne so conspiciU)US a part. "We are told that this v^as the case with all of them except the Oneidas, and that disaflectiou towards the colonies hud become general amorfg the western tribes. CHAPTER IV. HISTOUY OF BRANT CONTINUED: CONNECTION OF THE SIX NATIONS } WITH THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. * Ix the year 177";, when d' fhculties between the American colonies and the old cour.i ■ were rife, and the ju'ospect of a long and desperate co. jntioii kept the minds of all in fear and anxiety, it was felt to be necessary on the part of the Americans, and politic on the i>;irt of the English, to use every endeavor to secure the services of the Six ■t'i; THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 303 Nations. The ivniLMnbraiice of their noble jmtroti, .Sir William .Jcjluison, caused the Mohawks and uiaiiv others of the coiii'ederacy to adhere firmly to his son-in-laAV and successor, Guy Johnson, and when he fled westward to the lakes, to avoid the danger of capture by the Amer- icans, Brant and the principal warriors of the tribe accompanied him. A great meeting was held l)y them, to discuss the policy which theyshoiild pursue; after which, Johnson and his chiefs proceeded to Montreal, foUcnved by a strong body»of Indian warriors. Sir Guy Carleton encouraged the Iro([uois sachems to accept commissions under the king, and, what with his pi'omises, their atta<'h- nient to the Johnson family, and the renuMubrance of old pledges, they were thoroughly confirmed in their [uupose of taking a decided stand in favor of the royal cause. The edbrtsof the Americans proved loss successful. By the aid of a Mr. Kirkland, missionary to the Oneidas, Ihe favor of that ti'ibe was greatly conciliated. J lis ellbrts wore assisted by the inlluencc of the Indians of Stoek- bridge, a town in wi-sti'rn Massachusetts. These were the remains of varicnis celebrated tribes which had long ceased to maintain a separate national existence. 'J'ho principal portion of them were descendants of the ancient Moheakannuk, ^rohicans, or Biver Indians, who dwelt on the banks of the Hudson in the early times of American culoni/.ation; but with theni w^re associated many of the Narragansetts and Pec^uots, from Bhode Island and Con- necticut. They wx^re entirely under the influence of the Americans, and favorable to their cause. A very touching incident of private history, connected with this collection of dismembered tribes after thei;" re- moval westward, has been immortalized in tiie beautiful poetical legend by Bryant, entitled "Monument ^Nfountain." The mountain stands in Great Barrington, (western Mas- sachusetts,) overlooldng the rich and pictures(p;e valley of I -.* I A. •■^•1 J f.l • ' "J !*4 **>•: I- :. iB-.,Ji-Miiij.-.-i;W.'.i 30:t INDIAN HACKS OF AMEUICA. fie Ilousntoiiic. The following note is appended to the poem. " Until witliin ii few years })ast, small i)artio« of tliat tribe used to arrive, from their settlement, in tlie western i)art of the state of New York, on visits to Stoek- bridge, the place of their nativity and former residence. A young woman, belonging to one of these parties, related to a friend of the author the stoiy on which the poem of Monument Mountain is founded. An Indian girl had formed an attachment for her cousin, which, according to the customs of the tribe, was unlawful. She was, in con- sequence, seized with a dee}) melancholy, and resolved to destroy herself In company with a female friend, she repaired to the mountain, decked out for the occasion in all her ornaments, and after })assing the day on tlie sum- mit, in singing, with her companion, the traditional songs of her nation, she threw herself headlong from the rock, and was killed." * * * "Here the friends sat tliem down, And sang all day old songs of love and death, And decked the poor wan vietini's hair with flowers, And prayed tiiat safe and swift iniglit be her way To the ealm world of snnshine, where no grief Makes the heart heavy, and the eyelids red." A conical pile of stones marks the spot where she wa.^ buried, on the southern slope of the mountain. The regular successor to old king Ilendrie, among the Mohawks, was Little Abraham, a chief well disposed towards the Americans, and who remained in the ^fohawk valley when Johnson and his followers fled to Canad'i. lie appears to have [jossessed but little authority dui'iiig the subsequent difficulties, and Brant, by a sort of univer- sal consent among those in the English interest, obtained the position of principal chief He was commissioned as a captain in the British army, and, in the fall of 1775, TUE moQuois, on six nations. 805 sailed to England, to iiold j)crs()ii;d conference with the oflicors of government. He was an object of much curiosity at London, and at- tracted the attention of persons of high rank and gresit tvlehrity. Ilis court dress was a brilhunt eciuipiniint niod- oled upon the fashihj, =1 15;: ■: TiiK iiu)gi:t>is, oil SIX naiklns. 8'J< Tlie only blood shod ni)oii tlio oaciisioii wns llmt of Lieu- tenant Wormwood a yonn^ ofl'iccr whom the Indiana waylaid and shot, as ho was Icavinir the jdaco, arcompa- nied by a sin<^Ic c'oin|)anion, bcarinj^ dispatclics. Brant is said to have scalped him with his own hand. The Indian chief wns deceived as to the strength of the place, by the duplicity of the disiiatches, and by the eireurnstanee that a number of boys wore goinj^ throutrh military evolutions at the settlonuMit, whom he mistook, in the distance, lor soldiers. lie therefore retired without making any further (lomonstration. Jn June, he visited TJnadilla, on the small river of the same name, which empties into the Sp (uehanna, forming tlic boundary between Otsego and ('honango counties, llis puqioso was to procure provisions, which were per- fiirce I'urnislied him; as he avowed his intention to take thorn by violence, if necessary. At a conference held, at this time, with some of the authorities. Brant expressed liimsolf deeidodly in favor of tlu; royal cause, alluding to the old covenants and treaties which his nation had in former times entered into with the king, and comiilaining of ill-treatment roeoived at the hands of the colonists. Shortly after, during this same month, General Ilerlci- mor, of the American militia, took a strong force witli liim, an is for a mere meeting of conference. He fully confirmed the supposition that he was determined to support the king, and evinced a i-'oud dependence upon the power and courage of his own tribe. The {)arlev terminated most unsatisfactorily, and anotlicr appointment was made. We arc sorry to record an in- stance of such unjiardonable treachery as Herkimer is saiJ to have planned at thi.^ juncture. One uf his men, Jusejili Waggoner, aflirmed tliat the general privately exhortcil him to arrange matters so that ]')rant and his three ])i'inci- pal associates miglit be assassinated when they slioulil present themselves at the place of meeting. 'I'hc Indian chief, when he came to t^'C council, kept a large body uf his warrioi-i- within call, so that tlu; design, even if it hail been seriously entertained b}'^ Waggoner, could not he safely carried out. Brant counselled the general to go quietly home, as lie could not but pert?ive how much he was out-nundjcred if his intent was liostile. lie disavowed any present inimi- cal design. Herkiiner accordingly took his depaitmv, and Brant, not long after, marched his warriors to the Briti.sh place of i-endezvous, at Oswego. Here a givat council was held with the Indian tribes by English emissa- ries, who enlarged upon the ingratitude and relx'lliou!^ THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 309 spirit of the provinces, and compared the power and wealth of tlieir own monarch with the jiovcrty of the Americans, Ai.)iin(hince of finery and warlilce imiilements were spread bef )re the greedy eyes of the warrior-s, and they were told that "the king was rich and powerful, both in money and subjects, llis rum was as plenty as the water ill Lake (Ontario, and his men as numerous as the sands upon its shore; and the Indians were assured that, if they would assist in the war, and persevere in their friendship for the king until its close, they should never want for wiods or money." The bargain was struck accordingly, and each warrior wlio plcflged himself to the royal cause received, as earn- est of futui-e fa\'ors, a suit of clothes, a brass kettle, a loiualiawk, a scalping-knife, and a supply of ammunition, ln'sides a small ])reseiit in money. The sagacity and enterprise of the chief, whose power was now almost universally submitted to by those of the Six Nations that favored the cause of tlie king, rendered the alliance a f Hiiiidalile one. The gloomy prospects of the colonies, disheartened as tluy were by reverses and pecuniary distress, grew tenfold darker at the a])prehensiou of such a bloody and cruel 1m 5 ; vrj - "f'lVl vLW^'l ' ''''-ked, scalped, and tied to a pine-tree, yet standing by the side of the spring, as a monument nf the bloody transaction. The name of the young lady is inscribed on the tree, the truidc of which is thiekl>' sea/red with the bullets it received in the skirmish. It also bears the da tion r( each p The her dci Indian the rev them, t of tlicii Dur: march e and In investit vineial ill Onei The p05 of St. L Tlie tiikoi Oriskan from ei haste ne Leger s com n nil forceini' u spot 1 troops, the Am inclose* a body and his their nii the bag.! Bi-(ji. pected 1 U '^ THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX I-ATIONS. 311 the date 1777." lie cites furtlicr, from Silliman: "Tradi- tion reports that the Indians divided tlic scalp, and tliat each party carried lialf of it to the agonized lover." Tlie acconnt usually received of tlic manner in which her death was brought about is, that the chiefs of the two Indian com]ianies, (piarrelling as +o which sliould receive the reward (a barrel of rum) promised by Jones, one of them, to end the dispute, buried his tomahawk in the head of their charge. Dui'ing this montli, ('luly,) General Barry St. Legcr marched froni Oswego, with nearly two thousand whites and Indians— the latter led by Thayendanegea — to the investiture of 1^'ort Stanwix. This stronghold of the i)ro- vincial party occu})ied the si)ot where Eomc now stands, in Oneida count}', near ihc head-waters of the Mohawk. The post was afterwards called Fort Schuyler. The forces of St. Leiicr bi>set the fort on the 3d of August. The most interesting event connected with the part taken by the Indians in this siege, is the bloody battle of Oriskan3^ The brave old soldier, Genoi-al Herkimer, with from eight hundred to a thousand militia and volunteers, hastened to relievt) the garrison as soon as the news of St. Lcger's design was brought. Unfortunateh', the Knglish connnander obtaincnl information of the approach of rein- forcements in snlhcient season to prepare an ambuscade at a spot the most disadvantageous possible for the advancing troops. ^Vllero a marshy raviiu-, over which the path of the American army was carried by a causeway, partially inclosed a dry and l(>vel tract, iJrant and his warritu-.-., with a body of Knglish troops, lay concealed. Befu'c Ilei-kimer and his men were aware of danger, the main portion of tlu'ir number was completely surromided, and cut olf from the baggage an! rear-guard. Bn^ken and JisoiHu'ivd by the murderous and unex- pected lire of the enemy, the Americans met with terrible > ■ ; ■■i.m 3 ■'■■■•J.''.i'S.v::' ''i.u?A ,/1 ,' ''■ ■ ■ ■■ I ' i ■ ■\ ■■■■•cl ■^";;€ '.','^1 '■■:' ■■'>«<')rl •Jw ,r:^W'Ji .1 *>>''«' ^^'■^■y-'%' !;• '.: *' ' V^.. 812 INDIAN RACP:S of AMERICA. loss. Retreat was out of the question, and graduully, en- couraged by the exhortations of tlicir brave commander, who, althougli severely wounded, sat supported Vjy a tree, coolly issuing his orders, they formed defensive circles. Such scenes of desperate hand to hand fighting as ensued have seldom been recorded. The destruction on both sides was great, more than two hundred of the Americans being killed on the spot. Both parties laid claim to a vic- tory; but it appears sufTiciently certain that the Indiaii.s were dis])erscd, while the provincial militia held their ground. The purpose of the advance was, indeed, det'eated, except so far as it gave opportunity for a successful sally from the fort, in which the Bi'itish were driven from their encampment, and a great quantity of valuable booty was obtained. One who passed the sjiot where the battle of Orislcatiy was fought, a few days al'terwards, writes: "I beheld tlio most shocking sight I had ever Avitnessed. The Indians and white men were mingled Avi^^^' one another, just us they had been left when death had hrst completed liis work. Many bodies had also been torn to pieces by wild beasts." The veteran commander of the provincials died in consequence of the wound he had received. The loss experienced by the Mohawks and others of the Six Nations who took pai't in the engagement, was long re- membered and lamentetl by their tribes. Notwithstanding the reverses that followed ; the discom- fiture of the English; the gmwing jxjwer and conlidtMK'c of the Americans; and the long and eloquent appeal of mingled warning and conciliation eonununicated to them by Congress, all of the Six Nations exce])t the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras remained, at the elo.se of the year, last friends of the king. The i)overty of the colonies prohili- ited that display of rewards which the loyalists could proffer, and constant intimacy enabled the politic oflicers THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 313 of the crown to sway tlic ignorant minds of tliC Indians, and to teach them to look upon thciv white countiymen as an unprincipled people, engaged in a hopeless as well as causeless rebellion. CHAPTER V. CONTINUATION OF REVOLUTIONARY INCIDKNTS. The year 1778 ojiencd unflvvorably for American in- fluence over tlie border savages. Johnson and Butler, aided hy Joscj-h Brant, in behalf of the crown, had been unwearied in tluir cflbrts to win over the Indians of the west to their master's cause. In vain was a council called by the provincial congress for the ].)ur})osc of making one more eflbrt to induce the Six Nations to adopt a neutral policy. An iiK\)mi)letc deputation, from all tlie tribes except the Senecas, did indeed assemble at Johnstown, in Tryon county, during the month of March, the result of which meeting only strengthened the conviction that noth- ing but enmity was to be looked for on the part of the great body of tlie nation. Inhere was too great reason to fear that the Indians of the far west vau'c successfully dealt with by emissaries on the p:\rt of the loyalists. Brant returned to his old (piarters at Oghkwaga, and its vicinity, and lent himself lu^art and soul to the work of harassing and plundering the colonists. Although, as the chief of his nation, no small portion of the enormities connnitted by the Iiidian predatoi'v bands, was attril)uted to his dire(;t influence, it is due to Brant to say, that few among his companions-in-arms showed an equal regard for the laws of humanity. Many an instance is recorded of his interference, even in the Jieat of conflict, to stay the hand ui)lifted against the feeble and helpless^ He was, it C«fv.»!| S .'v ,' ' III 1^ » 1 ::;i-J tit .r< "'-''',r > neiglibi had e.s])( As J( ern por lian.ia i made tli va.sion. compair three hi niareli(!( dispei-se by sur]>i but the vancing ready to the rivei inountaii warriors the swan Tiie provinei; comnuuu ing that throu'di O liri lettovs, well us lio gc cruelty uditui und ' retyfortlie lie- on the ■M'd to tlic pevrtoii, by io;i«l or Ot- ic nu'u, ami I l)\inic(l all .Iccted. lie am led n})ou )OU tlic Sus- L'uiisylvaiiia. vi)luut('('vs. ndian allies, olonel -IdIiu opinion that lortlon of the lieluidasllt- OIK'S (il'lili»»l f that lie was t to relate, volntlou has mieeted with Xo two ae- vcu to out-do IS of indigna- only in their embellished arising amid THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 315 "Wyoming had, for many years, been the scene of the bitterest liostility between tlie settlers under the Connecti- cut grunt and those from Pennsylvania. Although these Avurlike operations -vvere upon a small scale, they were con- ducted with great vindietivencss and treachery. Blood was frequently shed; and, as either party obtained the as- cendancy, small favor wus shown to their opponents, who wei'c generuUy driven froni their homes in hopeless desti- tution. \Vc cannot go into a history of these early trans- actions, and only mention them as explanatory of the feehngs of savage animosity Avhich were exhibited between neighbors, and even members of the same families, who hail es])ouscd ojiposite interests in the revolutionary contest. As John Butler and his forces entered the north-west- ern portion of the valley, having descended the busipie- liauiia upon rafts, the inhabitants of the several towns nuuli^ the best pre])aratioHS in their power to resist the in- viision. Colonel Zebulou Butler was in command of a company of regidar continental troojis, and with about three hundred of the militia, ccdlectcd hi the valley, he marched on the 3d of J uly, to check an 1, if possible, disperse the invaders. It was intended to take the enemy hy surprise at their encampment, (ut Fort AVintermoot,) but the vigilance of the Indian sentinels betrayed the ad- vancing forces. They found the royalists drawn uj), and ready to give them buttle. Their line was extended from the river, on their left, to a nuirsh, beyond which rose the mountain range which bounded the valley. The Indian warriors were stationed at the right by the borders of the sw^amp. The wliole line was sinurltaneously attacked by the provincials, as they came up. Colonel Dennison, wdio commanded the left wing of the American army, perceiv- ing that a strong body of the Indians had forced their way throu'di the marsh, and were about to attack him in the 'It- <:i 1 J i \ i ■ > ' •.,*■' it ■.;^-.<>«s !'?V ■m 1 1 "A?D': 'M ^ ,is'i»V ! f; : , , 1,.'!- «';{t t ■ ■ ;* 316 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUK'A. ■■Jry'-\ ■'. •♦- ■ roar, gave an order to full back, that his troops might not be surroundod. This command Avas mistakcMi for an order to retreat, and the result was a complete rout and a disor- derly flight. The Indians, now completely in thoir ele- ment, fell upon the hel[)less stragglers with tomahawk and knife. About fifty of the Americans arc said to have escaped by swimming the river, or by clamViering the mountains, and concealing themselves in the forest: the rest all perished u})on the held. Most of the inhabitants of the valley songlit safety from the victorious army in flight. Those who remained be- took themselves to Fort Wyoming. On the next day, July 4th, the l^ritish colonel approached the fort, and demanded an unconditional surrender. A ca})itulati()n was fuiallv agreed upon, by the terms of which the occupiers of lands in the valley were to be protected in the peaceable enjoy- H'.'Mit of their property. Colonel Zebulon Butler and the remnant of his regulars had made their escape, and it was agreetl, by the officer remaining in command, that tlir foil should be demolished 'J'he result, however, was the almost entire destruction of the Ec**lement. The rapacity of the undisciplined Indian forces, tempted by the oppor- tunity lor plunder, could not be restrained; and the lou^- cherished rancour of partisan enmity between fellow-coun- trymen had full opportunity to satiate itself. The rich and highly-cultivated farms were laiil waste, and their unfortunate jiroprit'tors, flying from their burn- ing homes, were reduced to the greatest extremities. Many are said to have perished in the wilderness, whither they had fle■''.•" the ref must i; but at est atni ! We Avil of the 1 fugitive One of mont, re flilling i; greeting recoi'dcd but you .'itely lev At the source oi dej)redati tlu'ivin>f J wdWrs notice o ueighbo tlieir JKji plunder invasion Oghkwi lent therr : Oil'soUK ^vasmade rogiment, ^vaga, aiu and destr I'l'ovi.sion The In( and it was prompt ex IL!' — ''■ TT'' THE IKOQUOIS, Oil SIX NATIONS. 317 the refinements of so-called civilized warfare arc unknown, must necessarily involve scenes of terror and desolation; but at the time of which wc arc now speaking, the great- est atrocities ajipear to have l)een committed by whites. Wc will give a single incident as illustnitive of the spirit of the times. Several of the loyalists had pursued some fugitives of the provincial militia to an island in the river. One of these being ferreted out from his })lace of eonceal- iiuMit, recogni/ed liis own brother among the cncnay, and, fulling n})on his knees, begged humbly ibr his life. The greeting and response of the unnatural broth(!r arc thus recorded: "So it is you, is it?" — "All this is mighty line, but you arc a danmcd rebel." — Saying which, he deliber- ately levelled his rifle, and shot him dead u})on tlie spctt." At the north, Brant and liis Indians continued to be a source of terror and annoyance. Ucsides many minor depredations, they burned and plundered the rich and thriving settlement of the German h'latts, njion the n])[)er waters of the Mohawk. The inhabitants had sulUcient notice of the attack to be able to secure then. selves in the neighboring forts, but they could do nothing to i)reserve their homes, or to save the fruits of a summer's toil from plunder or destruction. This injury was retaliated by the invasion of the noted establishments of the Indian chief at Oghkwaga and Tnadilla. A party of friendly Oneidas lent themselves to this service, and succeeded in bringing off some booty and prisoners. A more important inroad was made by Colonel William Butler, with a Pennsylvania regiment. lie entered the towns of Unadilla and Oghk- waga, and, finding them deserted by the Indians, burned and destroyed the biiildings, together with large stores of provision intended for winter use. The Indians were greatly cxasjierated at this heavy loss, and it was not difficult for the English to excite them to prompt exertions for revenge. The Scnccas were discov- '■;■:. yam ■V .: .'';! * V.i l-iV ''^'■A'y -.',6:4 ^--'i I IS . If 318 IIVDIAN RACKS OF AMEUICA. erod to bo in arms, and assuming .1 hostile attitude very sliortly after these events; and one of their eliief's, "Tlie Givat I'ree," who liad been siieudiiig tlie summer with tlu^ Amerieans, and had associated during that time iijioii friendly terms with General Washingtcni, had now re- turned to his j)eo})le with altered demeanor and purposes, lieportshad been eireulated among the Indians of this and other tribes that tIic Amerieans were plauuiii;^ an invasion of tlieir country . Early in Novend:r communi- cations, that he used his best endeavors to stay the destruc- tion of the heli)less children and females, and there is no doubt but that Ib-ant's inclinations turned in the same direction. Speeilic instances arc reported in which the ^[tdiawk chief interfered, and successfully, to arrest the murderous tomahawk. According to their account, the II invasion (r THE IKOQUOIS, OH frofess themselves inimieal to the Americans, were individually concerned in no small number of the forays and scalping expeditions whereby the border country was harassed. In April, of 177!), it was determined to destrtn' their settlements, and C'oluiud Van Schaick, with a sullicient force, was desj)atched for till! purpose, lie was ordered utterly to lay waste the whole of their towns; to destroy all their cattle ami pi'o- pcrty; and to take as many prisoners as possible, lie (lid not succeed in surprising the Indians, as he had pur- posed; their scouts carried intelligence of his advanet> in season for most of them to escape to the woods; but tlieir improvements and dwellings were left undefended, at the nicrey of the assailants. Tlie colonel obeyed his oi'ders to the letter, and left nothing but blackened ruins behind him in his progress through the Indian villages. The dwellings, the horses, cattle, and stored provisions of tlio unfortunate tribe were all destroved, and th'.; Americans ^ if ^ W^^SS il f\ ■:'%"ii i IP iff*' ',"'',!>> ' ■■■•*,( t'^ t ':n ' ■'■' '^'k '\tiM ;'■•.• 'itui ■- '''■'M ' V-"<^^ /'" '\ •A 1 "41 ■ 1 . i\ •; V r,:''^'i . ■ '.■: h'?] ' ^M » , ■ • 'l ,■•'" •■;•'.<■:' .';. p ■■ J; 1 820 INDIAN HACKS UF AMKIUCA. returiKMl to their ([imrtiTs, without the loss of a niaii, taking with thoiu tliirty-tlifci! prisoiioiu About twelve of the ()uon(la,<2a.s wen; kilU'd duriiijj; the exjuvlitioii. The IViemlly Oiieiihis were ek).sely eouueeleil with this tribe, and they felt a'ul expressed a natural sympathy with their inislbrtunes. 'I m' Oiiondanas were ii, t)Ut retaining sudicieiit strength to converse. I'uwilling to leave the unfortunate man to be torn in pieces by wolves, who would be sure to collect as night eaiMi3 rccs at 'letaelunc listing of "11 tlie M ''^'i.'^fpiehal ^nth tlieni 'lesceud tJ 21 '.-..> '•■• f a innii, lit twclvo lion. witU this )atliy willi j y cxasiu'v- I iron ml tin- .vgc ul' any j car, (ITT'j;) xpi'tlitiuns. ; r Mini/nik, ,- V()rl<, ami ,o I'oUowliis I m\ scfiirt'd, L> interest iii.L' battle. So 1 (nniose tlu' n advanta^ro y. A lai'iic .,> told that, lying iil""> yjr s\UVaaeiit iiiil'ortunatc (1 be sure tu I motives nl .iiiiueneeil a (.|)l)ortnnity, I Mow ol'tlie liieli the Mo- tirs, the most mcerning his lillv conijH'lW jttcd by hi= TiiK iiiogrois, oil SIX N.vnoNrf. 021 followers, and it is no cany ta.sk, at tliis distance of time, to decide upon the truth of many tales reported under circuuKstunecs uf coid'usion and excitement. CHAPTER VI. GENEnAI. .Stn.MVAN's CAMI'AIU.V AGAINST THE inOlJtrOIS — SUHSElillENT WAUr-IKK OPEKATIONS OK THE NATION. WiriiiK the events wliicli wc have just described were trans[)irinL'', i>re])arations were going on for a more formid- able invasion of the Indian territory than had before been attempted by the Americans. The annoyance of an un- certain border warfare had become so intolerable tliat it was deemed necc.s.sary to put a stop to it by the entire tlcstruetion of the Tnupu^is tt)\v'ns and settlements. In piu'suanee of a resolution of Congress, the commander-in- chief, Cieneral Washington, made arrangements, in the spring of 1779, to send a large force into the heart of the ciK'inie.s' country, with directions to burn and destroy all their towns; to lay waste their ilelds and orchard.^, to take as many i)risoners as practicable; and, in a word, to do the enemy all the injury i)ossible. The eonnnand of the expedition was bestowed n]H)n (ieneral Sullivan, who was ilireeted to ascend ihe Susrpiehanmi, with troo])S from IVmisylvania, and to I'onn a junction with the northern forces at Tioga, near the mouth of the Chcnunig. The ilctachmcnt from the north, under Cieneral Clinton, con- sisting of Jllteen hundred men, marched from Canajoharie, tin the Mohawk, for Otsego Lake, (from which llow.s the Susquehanna) about the middle of June. They carried with them, over-land, two hundred battcaux, in which to tlesccud the river to Tioga. 21 I n ■■•'•::Lt!" M:b\ ■ -.11; (!■*»« , '-4 322 INDIAN RACES OF AMEllICA. r .'■•/' It was intended tliiit Clinton slionlu take with him a body of Oneida warriors, but this purpose was frustrated by tlie efforts of General Haklimand, on behalf of the king of Great Britain. This officer sent a letter, written in their own tongue, to the Oneidas, upbraiding thcni with the breach of ancient treaties, and threatening, if they pre- sumed to engage in open warfare against the royalists, to let loose iipon them sueli a horde of his Indian allies as should utterly destroy thein. The effect of this epistlo was to keep the Oneida warriors, with very few exceptions, at home, that they might be in readiness to guard their families and homi^steads from the threatened invasion. Owing to dei.^ys at the s(juth, Clinton did not receive orders to remove from Otsego until August. lie had, in the mean time, dammed the outlet of the lake, so that a gieat body of water had accumvdiited. When his troojis were embarked, the obstruction was removed, and, aide(l by the unusiial flow, the flotilla swept rapidly and smootlily down the stream. On the 22d of August the meeting at Tioga was effected. Five thousand men, well anned ami provisioned, were now concentrated, and ready to pour upon the devoted towns of the hostile Iroquois, The attempt to keep the expedition a secret fi'om tlie enemy would have been utterly useless, from the length of time required for the preparatory movements, 'fhi; campaign was anticipated, but no adequate force was ])io- vided to resist the American army. The only battle whicli took place was at Newtown on the baidc of the Chenunig, near the present town of Klmira. Here a force, variously estimated at fro;n eight to fifteen hundred, and eonsistini:' of Indians under Thayendanegca, and whites commandcil by the two Butlers, and by Sir John and Guy Johnson, was advantageously intrenched. A brave and oljstinatc resistance was made to the ad- vance of the Americans, but supei'ior nund)ers pi-evailed. and tlie conside portanc and des Sull.ivai the well federate tribes h; I fion. Tl times of ticularly vate tliei their Cor fruit-tree tions, but niovemei: i^low, and operation to the wo^ est i-age ai ren(h'red nuist ove ^vlio must Tlie w of destruc of N(nvt( of Seiict tou-n of which w; 'M'om Su tained one and very circled w over whic with everi nJl '1\ %:\ THE IKOQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 323 and the enemy was driven across the river, after suffering considerable loss. This was the oidy attempt of any im- portance that was made to defend the country from ravage and destruction. Pursuing his course westward, General Sullivan obeyed his orders to the letter. Every where the well-built towns and flourishing corn-fields of tlie con- federate nations were reduced to utter ruin. These Indian tribes had made no little advance in the arts of civili/ca- tion. The Mohawks had rnostly fled to Canada in the early times of the revolution, but others of the Iroqiiois, jiar- ticularly the Cayugasand Senecas, had continued to culti- vate their fields and maintain possession of the homes of tlioir forefatliers. Immense orchards (>f apj)le and other fruit-trees were growing luxuriantly around their habita- tions, but all fell beneath the axe of the destroyers. Tlae movement of so large a body of troops was necessarily slow, and as no precautions were taken to conceal their operations, the Indians were every where enabled to escape to the woods. It must have been with feelings of the bitter- est rage and despair that they saw the labor of so many years rendered useless, and thought of the coming winter, which must overtake tliem, a wandering and destitute people, wlio must perish, or rely for aid upon their Canadian allies. Tlie whole moiitli of September was spcMit in the work of destruction. The course of tlie march, after the battle of Newtown, was first to Catharine's Town, near the head of Seneca lake; thence to Kanadaseagea, the principal town of the Senecas; to Canandagua; and to Genesee, Avhich was the farthest point reached at the westward. From Sullivan's account: "The town cf Genesee con- tained one hundred and twenty-eight houses, nuwtly large and very elegant. It was beautilully situatetl, almost en- circled with a c^lear fiatt extending a number of miles; over which, extensive fields of corn were waving, together with every kind of vegetable that could be conceived." ' 1 1. :■ "^fU.Wi mm 'foB'jMX, ■ i' *' 1 » .' ■ awWr?-': J 7- 4*' fe^lGlf 'if '!;''i ■'»^'' *1 ' ''■ !■ ' . \v'^^>m i'i ^ ^j; ■ • 1 , ' ' -'."^■''h a p •:.<-'v,# '; f ' ■>-:i ■{I *?• ■. r, ' . • i ^ 4'' 'j '-f ^V'- v.^ '' * ■ '; :■■:( : Iv ■fi^ll (^ , M- ». tjl \ '■■^■ytm f 1 -i ^ , ii ' ■ »->'?',■«' ' '?, ^ I ^ '■'M i ' ' ■t ,■ ' "I ;i , ,' h-.-J' 1 1. ■ ■. ' \ . '.' ■■' '.^.■r J '■■mm '■-'Hi ••,.■■■ ■■'! I, ■..: S'^4 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ■'The entire army," says Stone, " was immediately en- gaged in destroying it, and the axe and the torch soon transformed the whole of that beautiful region from the character of a garden to a scene of drear and sickeniu"- desolation. Forty Indian towns were destroyed. Corn, gathered and ungathered, to 'Sao amount of one hundred and sixty thousand bushels, shared the same fate; their fruit-trees were cut down ; and the Indians were hunted like wild beasts, till neiilier house, nor fruit-tree, nor field of corn, nor inhabitant, remained in the whole country." In a suffering and destitute condition, the scattered tribes of the Iroquois were driven to seek protection and snp- {)ort during the hard winter that suceeedt^d their overthruw from the English at their posts in the vicinity of Niagara. Nothing could now be ex])ected at their hands, by the Americans, but acts of vindictive retaliation. Brant led his warriors, in pursuance of Ilahlimand's ominous predic- tion, against the .settlements of the Oneidas, and reduceil them to a condition as desohite as that of tlie habitations of his allies. The whole tribe was coinpc'lled to llv to the eastward, and seek shelter and suppoit from the jiruvincials. Thayendanegea was ever ready and watchful for oppor- tunity to harass and weaken tlie American posts, or lo jilunder their unprotected villages. Passing ovei- Lis minor exploits and ailventures, ol' which nniny sti'ikingly characteristic anecdotes are preserved, we ciime to lii.s irruption into the MohaAvk valltn', in August of 1780. He managed, at this time, to eireulate a report among the settlers in the valley, that he was meditating an attack upon Forts Plain and Schuyler, ibr the purpo.se of glutting pos.session of the stores collected at those posts. The mil- itia of the vabey hastened to defend the threatened jjoints, leaving their villages u prey to the cunning Mohawk. Ho carefully avoided tlie reinforcementi: on their way to the forts, and fell u})on Canajoharie. L!: THE IROQUOIS, Oil SIX NATIONS. 825 His course was niiivked by tlie (,'iitire destruction of houses, provisions, and crops; of every thing indeed that could not be proritid)ly carried away. No barbarities were permitted upon the persons of the defenceless women and children, but a large number of them were borne away into captivity, lirant elleeted his retreat unmolested; his men hulen with [)lunder, and driving before them the Viduable herds of the white settlers. Aceovmts, published shortly after the transaction, represent that the whole num- ber of houses and barns burnt in this invasion, at Cana- joharic, Schoharie, and Norman's Kill, Avas one hundred and forty; and that tv.'cnty-four persons were killed, and seventy-three made captives. The miiid is little impress- ed by such bare enuUiCration, unless the imagination be excited to lill np the outline. No language could express tlic amount of misery and terrible anxit'ty which such an iiu'oad must have caused. To the distrai'ting uncertainty respecting the fite of their wives and children, prisoners ill the hands of a barbarous and exasperated enemy, was added the mortification of a consciousness, on the part of the provincial militia, that lh(>y had been duj)ed. "^^rhey hud left their (h'fenccless luMnes to be ravaged by the eiK'iiiy, while they were busying themselves in the defence of a ibitilied j)Ost, against which no attack had been iiu'ditatcd. The invasion of the ^foliawk valley by Sir John John- son, in October t)f this yetir (1780), was productive of results still more extensively disastrous. The Indians connected with the ex[)edition were led by Draiit, and by the great Seneca warrior, ("^orii- Planter. This chief was a liaU'-breed, being a son of a white trader, named 0'r)ail, and a Seneca squaw. During this campaign, he took old O'Bail prisoner. Mnking himself known to his father, Corn-Planter enlarged \\i)on his own position and conse- quence, offering the old man his choice, whether he would I :; .. 'i - 5' '. -.■•'' J ,4" /:;;;■ ' *..'■■' ^ . f 'I *« % :\ ■ ■ ' .' *■ r (' ■' *"il ,.<>:. ••:\ i: i y-fr^::;i ' ■ •.'.'!('' .,..1,1, ' ',■ i,'',. ■ '''}m I*' ■ •■ ■'■It'. •?'•;;''■' • 1 '■*M » : ■■ '■■■ P 'till 9 '*ll 1. '-. *ltf •*■■''•;■■ 326 INDIAN RACES OF AMEIilCA. live in case and plenty among liis .son's followers, or rctiu'n to the settlements of tlie whites. O'JJail preferred the latter conrse, and was cseorted aecordingly to a plaee of safety. We shall speak further of this noted warrior, iu describing his successful rival, the great orator Ked- Jacket. The usual horrors attendant upon Indian warfare marked this campaign of -lohn.sou's; but we are not without evi- dence that the principal leader of the savages was inclined to no cruelty farther than that necessarily incident to the Indian mode of conducting hostilities. On one occasion, he soul one of his runners to return a young infant that had been carried off with other ca})tives and plunder. The messenger delivered a letter from Brant, directed "to the commanding oflieer of the rebel army," in whicli tlie Mohawk chief avers that "whatever others might do," ho made no war upon women and children. lie mentioned the two Butler.s, and other tory parti.saus, as being " moi'o savage than the savag(\s themselves." The Indians of the Six Nations, engaged in the royal caiise, made Niagara their winter head-quartei.s. 'J'liencc their scouts and war-parties continued to molest the bor- der country through tlie ensuing sjiring and stimnier, but no very important engagement took })luce until Oi'tober (1781). On the '2-lth of that month, the iidud»itants of the country Houth of the Mohawk, near the mouth of Selio- harie creek, were astonished by tlu; unex])ected inroad of an overwhelming force of the enemy,. The army, undtr the command of ^lajor Ros.s, amounti'd to neai'ly a thou- sand men, including Indians. 'J'hey had made their way from Buck's Island, in the St. Lawrence, to Oswego, ami thence, by Oneida lake, to ihc Mohawk valley, so sud- denly and secretly, that no news of their approach lunl preceded them. Tlio invaders commenced tlic usual course of ravage and destruction, but their success was I'ut of .short dura- THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIOI'S. 327 tion. They were disastrously routed and put to fliglit by tlio provincials, under Colonel Willet, aided by a body of Oneida warriors. The notorious Walter N. Butler per- ished during tlie last engagement -with tlie Americans. He was shot and scalped by an Oneida Indian. This was the last important procedure connected with the war of the revolution, in which the Iroquois bore a part. I'liey proved, throughout the contest, most danger- ous and efficient allies, rendering an immense extent of the richest and most beautiful portion of the state of New York unsafe for the Americans. CIIA' TEH VII. CONDITION OF THE SIX NATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION — CONCLUSION OF BKANT's HISTORY — RED-JACKET AND COKN-PLANTER. After the conclusion of peace and the recognition of the independence of tlie United States, arrangements were made between the British government and those of the Six Nations who still wished to reside under the jurisdic- tion of the jiarent countiy, to s(>cure them an asylum in Canada. Thayendanegea was the i)rineipid negotiator on the part of the Indians, and, at his instance, the country ])or(lc'riiig on Grand Biver, which empties into Lake Erie, !il)()ut thirty miles westward from Buffalo, was granted by tlie crown to "the Mt)hawks, ami others of the Six Na- tions, who had cithfr lost tlieir })Ossessions hi the war, or wished to retire from them to the British." They were to he secured in the possession of a tract extending six miles in breadth, on each side of the river, from its mouth to its source. The course to be taken by the United States respecting • ni t . ■' P ■» n. .; •■:,;; f<:f :■:<%■ '14 ■' ' '. . •'.'. •■. ■' ;.■'( '''■'■ aI r' ^.t. , . ■'' f .'■ , r •' 'if '• ' ■ ' . ' '■ -m ■■it m apt V:'W',H\{i^5lJ ■:4^^ 328 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. the Iroquois resident within their limits, was a subject which led to much dirtcussio i and dissension. A conference was finally held at Fort Stunwix, between depiities from all the six tribes and Iniited States commissioners- and, after much violent debate, in which the celebrated Red-Jacket took a prominent part, it was settled that the Indians should cede to the government all Jurisdiction over lands in east- ern New York, and eontine themselves to a district speo'lied at the west. All prisoners were to be delivered up, and several hostages were given to secure performance of their stipulations on the part of the Six Nations. Many of the Indians were greatly dissatisfied with this treaty. Hed-Jaeket (in opposition to Corn-Planter) stren- uously advocated a eontinuaiiee of hostilities. His speech at Fort Staiiwix upon the subject gained him a wide rejui- tation for orati:)ry. lb-ant, who was t\.'n about starting for Kngland to push tlu' claims of his tribe for remuiicra- • tion for their losses in the war, post]ionetl his embarkation, and wrote a letter of remonstrance to Colonel ^^()nroe, com- plaining especially of the retention of one of his relatives, a Captain Aaron Hill, as one of the hostages. The Afohawk chief did not lay aside his purpose of visit ing tlie royal court in his j)eople's behalf, lie arrived in England in the nu)iith of Decembe"^ 1785, and never was ambassador receiveil with more llattering attention. His intelligence and dignity, together with the remeudirance of his long and faithful services, commended him to all. Ho was feted by the nobility and gentry; liis acipiainlaniH: was sought by the most learned and celebrated dignitaries of the age; and the native slirewdm^ss evinced in his speeches and remarks drew forth universal a])i)lause. His attempt to awaken an interest at court, in favor of the claims of his nation, was successful ; and a royal oi'der was obtained for the indemnity of those whose losses had been specified, and for an examination of further demands. ( )S0 of visit iirrivi'il ill never ^vas ntioii. lli>; iiibranee of to all. lie |u:iintaiu'0 (liLi'iiitaries nceil ill lii> l:iiuse. Ili^ avor of the ;il order was ;es had l)een ernaiids. THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 329 In the United States, Ldian aflairs continued unsettled, and ominous i)rospects of future disturhancc on the western frontier called for vise and cautious action. A great council was held in December, 178fi, by many tribes of Lidians, among whom the Six Nations were the most prominent, at Huron village, not far from the mouth of Detroit river. The object was to concert some general |)lan of resistance to eneioachments upon their lands by tlie inhabitants of the United States. It is said that an unfriendly feeling towards the new government was pro- moted by English ollicials in their communications with the Indians, in reference to the retention, by the crown, of Oswego, Detroit, Niagara, and other i)osts. For many years, sulisecjuent to the peace with England, Moody skirmishes, and scenes of i)liinder and ra[)iiie, kept the western border in continual distress; and when the United States undertook the reduction of the hostile tribes ill 17i*0 and 91, it was found that the feeling of disallec- tioii on the part of the red men was indeed extensive. Upon the occasit)!! of St. Clair's disastrous defeat by the Miamis and their associates, \inder the renowned chief, Little Turtle, it is asserted by the biograpner of Brant that the old Mohawk warrior and the warlike tribe to which he belonged bore a consjiicuons part. No man, born of a savage stock, has ever associated with tiie enlightened and intelligent ni)on terms of greater equality than did Thayendanegea. "While he retained all liis partiality for his own people, and never lo.st sight of their interests, he fully appreciated the advantages of edu- cation and civilization. A long life, spent for the most part amid scenes of strife and danger, in ^,•hieh the whole powers of his active mind and body seem?d called forth by the stirring scenes in wdiicli he mingled, did not unlit him for the j)\irsuits of literature and the arts of peace. He was indefati Liable in his endeavors to elevato the social .'» !| 1^ i J'".l r ,,'■ 3C' , 'cm'}^'^ *eS'l 330 INDIAN KACES OK AMEKJt'A. position of Ills trilio, aiul devoted no little time and atten- tion to til : tnaisliition of seri])tur!il and other works into I'll 2kf :..t\vk tongue, for their henelit. His earlier sped- 5 ■■ •'■! '.'/, ■" "imposition, Avhieh have been preserved, are, ns nil, ''i 1ft ': .'peetcd, rudely and imperfectly expressed, but they evinee .' >t shrewdness and intelligence. ^I'he ])ru- duetions of his latter years are strikingly forcible and elegant. We cannot go into a detail of the tedious and some- what obscure negotiations with the American government in which the chief of the Six Nations took part in behalf of his people, nor chronicle the events of private interest and domestic troubles wdueh disturbed his declining years. The old warrior died in Xovend)er, ItiOT, at the age uf sixty-fonr. In the Avar of 1812, the Mohawks, under John Drant, sou and successor of Thayemlaiiegea, took the ])ai't of'tlwii' old friends and allies, the J']nglish, and did good serviec in various engagements ni)on the northern frontier. In the eai-ly part of the nineteenth century, few names stand more prominent in Indian annals than that of the Seneca chief and orator, Saguoaha, or Jted-.bicket. AVe hear of him, indeeil, in much earlier times, as opposed td Brant, at the time of Sullivan's eam})aign. '^^i'he Mohawk chief always regarded him with contempt and dislike, speaking of him as an arrant coward, and a man of words merely. Saguoaha held the Avhites generally in suspieiuii, and his great cllbrt apjiears ever to have been foi- the ])ve- servation of his nation's independence and indivi«hialitv. \Ye have already mentioned the })art which he took at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and his opposition to the cession by his nation of their eastern lands. Corn-I'laiitiT, or O'Bail, wdio ftiyored the proposal, was high in authority at that time among the Scnecas; but lied-Jaeket, moi'c by his elo(pience and sagacity in council than by any warlike ■'fi"v^ht THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX XATlONrf. oo J. (icliicveuienir<, was "j^raduiilly sii])ii]antiiig liiin. Cuni- I'laiilcr was a veteran svarrior, and had r()U'■ ■• ■^''' v) ''\ ooJu INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. wc wi.sli you also to niulorstaiid. Tu innkinf^ np our minds, wo Iikvc loo'ci'd back to rciiKMiilxn' wluit lias ])ocn doiu' ill our days, and wliat our lallKTs have told us was di)iK! in okl times. "Brother! — Great numbers of Black-Coats liave been among the Indians. With sweet voices and Huiiling faces, tlicy olVcrcd to teach them the religion of tlic Avliite peoph*. Our brethren in the Kast listened to them. They tunicd from the religion of their fathers, and took up the religion (if the white peojjle. Wliat good has it done? Are they liiove friendly one to another than Ave are? Xo, lirother! They are a divided jjcople ; — w e arc united. Tliey (piarn'I about religion ;-— Ave live in love and friendship, l^'sidcs, they di'ink strong waters. And they have learned liow tu cheat, and how to i)ractice all the other vices of the wiiite lieojilc, witliout iinitating their virtues. Brotlier! — If vnu ■wish us well, keep away; do not (bsturb us. " Ib'other! — We do not worship the (ireat Spirit as the white jieople do, but wc believe that tlic Ibnns of woi'.-liip are indilferent to the Great Spirit. It is ihc homage ei' sincere hearts that pleases him, and wo worship him in that manner." After arguing the matter a little more at length, ain] expressing a decided i)refereiice for the "talk" of Mr, Granger, an Indian agent, and lor that of the eniissariis of the Society of Friends, the orator concluded: "Brother! — For these reasons we cannot receive your oilers. We have other things to do, and beg y(ju to nuikr your mind easy, without troubling us, lest our heads slioiild be too much loaded, and by and l)y burst." l{ed-,laeki.t remained, through life, consistent with the ground lirst taken by him npon religious and political ((uestions. To the clergy he was ever courteous and civil, and ai»pe;iis to have been ready to hold argument with them u|i(iii their creed. In conversation with one of the cloth, he is ^'.' TUE lUOQUOIS, 01{ SIX NATIONS. said to liavc strcimously donicHl ;iny responsibility on tlio part of the rod men ibr tlic deutii ol' Cliri.st. "UrothiT," said he, "if you white peojjle murdered 'the Saviour,' make it up yourselveH. We had notliinff to do ^vith it. If he had eonie among us, we siioukl liavc treated him better." In the war of 1812, tlie Senecas espoused the Ameriean interests, and, Brant's assertions to tlie eoiitrary notwitli- Btanding, their ehief, with his subordinates — Farmer's Brother, Little Billy, Pollard, Blaek Snake, ^'()lln,^■ O'Bail, (a son of Corn-Planter,) and others — gained lionoiahle notiee for courage and aetivity from the eonnnanding ollieers of the army to which they were attached. It is still more i)leasing to reflect that these Indians readily con- formed to the more humane usages of modern warlhrc. General Boyd re])orted that, "the bravery and humanity of the Indians were e([ually conspicuous." In his old age, U(>d-Jacket became very intenijierate, and in so many instances conducted himself in a manner uiihecoming the dig'iity of a ehief, that his oj)j)()ncnts, the Christian portion of the tribe, .succeeded in ])assing a reso- lution, in council, for his deposition. This was elfected in 1 Soptend)er, of the year 1827, and a i'ormal written ])rocla- mation of the charges .said to be substantiated against him, was {troinulgatcd. The old chief immediately bestirred liinuself to obtain a revocation of this decree. lie caused a I grand comu'il of the Six Nations to be held, and, with all his 1 former fire and energy, nuide answer to his accusers. A I'tiT enumerating and ridiculing the charges against him, (many , of them really trilling,) he j)roeeeded to speak oi' his loiig- I continued .services ami care for his people: "I feel sorry for my nation," said he; "when I inn gone to the other worlds, — wdien the Givat Spirit calls me away, — who among my people can take my place? Many years have I guided the nation." ■ mm-, >f t: ■ 1 ,. '-I'j % ; "V I ■;»'J ' ^ I 334 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA, Tilt! cloqnoncc of the spcnkor, and a remornliranco of liis (hithful /Oil! lor tlic welfare of his tril)o, produced their due elfect: he was fully restored to his former position funl authority. During the latter years of liis life, Hed-.lackct resided at the Scncoa settlement, in the vicinity of Uull;il((. Uv made several visits to the Eastern cities, when; his iip- j)earance always attracted much interest and attentidn. A traveller who visited the Seneca country a few yeiirs lieforu the death of the old chii-f (which took jjlace in January, 1830,) speaks of his residence and appearance in the following terms: "My path grew more and iiioi'c in. distinct, until its windings were only intimated by the smoothness of the turf, which often left me in pcrpl(;xity, till it at last brought me to the view of the aluidc (>{' the chief, lie had jienetrated, like a wild beast, into the deepest recesses of the forest, almost bt'yond tin; power df a white man to trace him. A wild beast! but I foiuiil Jiim in a calm, contemjtlativc mood, and surrounded by a duvr- ful family. Old and young, collected about the door df the log Imt when; he was seated, s(V'med to I'egard liiui with ail'ection; and an infant, which one of tli(> females held in her ai'uis, receivetl his eai'csses with smiles. It was a striking scene— a chief! Yet some of his infciidrs, wlio cultivate the soil in other parts of the Seneca lands, liad abundant fields and well-(illed storedionses, while ho was poor, but bore his privations willi apparent e(piaiiiiii- ity. If he had power, he did not exert it; if he had passions, they were quiescent; if he h;id sufVere(l injuries, liny were buried in his breast. — His looks, his motions, his attitudes, had that east of superiority which convinced me that, whether justly or not, lu; crocurino' statistics of tlic agricultural o])erati(>ns of the Iroquois, the author informs us that j^Tcat olijection was made l>v the Indians to what thcv coiisiik'ivd an oil! cinus intermeddling in their alVairs. '^riieir sus] Urldli: were excitcil by tlie novelty of the requisition, and the matter was discussed at great length in their councils. They could not persuade themselves that the goscrnincut Si oiild take such a step from any of the nu)tives urged hv those to whom the business was intrusted, it !ippear(Mlto them most ju'obable that the measure was but a pi'clim- iiKirv step to the laying a tax upon their properly, ami tlii'V eoiisi'fpicntly opposed continual obstacles to a satisfac- tory completion ol the duty assiL^'iiei 1. The entii'i' p iliiil tioii of thi> Six Nations, about the midiUe of thceightcc oi'iitiiry, was ccjininited at six. or eight thousand, other calculations, made a 1(!W years lati'r, at th(> peri(M iilli luf the A tl iiiencaii j'evnscious as we are of ihc many can.se.s constantly ope- rating to reduce tlu; numbers of the Indian }>opul;iti(iii, it IS a matter of no less surprise than satisfaction to lo arn 'tt'Af-' pirit nu: ,1" 'v( i* fl '.V Ivawn from uk'il ill liis :*l^ >K.-^^ 'I ''WMiiik :'-<' '^1 !' V York lt\ifis- , agricultural iri tl Kit great , ,- considered r sus])iei(/iis on, and tlu' 'ir roiiiirils. o'ovcrniiieiit OS urged liy a|i]H'ai'ed to il a preliiii- •o|icrly, ami to a satislk'- itivc ]ii>]inlii- (M'iglitenitli lusand. liv he [icriod nf exeoed nine 1-:^,! .V .^t "■isfS iistaiilly (ijic- npidatioii, it ion to learn '"< /*■; ■.-==iK.easr-fl /„. c(-.t. Jt I rt a; /( .1.11 KET that the quois ni ancient tion of possessi( to show making, The t tercel. ' j a reserv smaller a I near Wi I was stat( I The Sen at about j meution( mcnt in The M Canada, come to sus, glVl' He estitn States at would se( the last VI below th some ye: clotheil, 2J ' ■ i^fi; THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 337 that there has been no very material decrease in the Iro- quois nation since the extension of civilization over their ancient country. It is pleasing to reflect that some por- tion of the strange race that formerly hold undisturbed possession of the wilds of America, should be preserved to show what advance they are, as a people, capable of making, when aided by the light of civilization. The tribes of the ancient confederacy are widely scat- tered. The larger portion of the Oneidas are settled upon a reservation in the vicinity of Ghhmi Bay, Wisconsin: snuiller villages of the tribe are situated further southward, near Winnebago ]iake. The number of these emigrants was stated in 18-44 to be seven hundred and twenty-two. The Scnecas who have moved Avestward, were put down at about two hundred and thirty. Kifty-one of the last- mentioned tribe, were resident at Corn-Planter's settle- ment in Fennsvlvania. I'lic Moliawks, Cayuf'as, and others on Grand river, in Canada, probably number over two thousand. We now come to the more certain statistics of the New York cen- sus, given as follows, by Mr. Schoolcraft: ' SoiK'i'as, On■■ ii'iif ' 111 r>;Ni«l It'll % ■ '!s*«ers about the place where the yearly payment is made, ^^']lo, b}- tiie ;.em])ta- tions of useless finery, and, far wo^ ■<•, by tlio oil' of tlio red-man's greatest bane, intoxicating li'-U'-c.-, rtMnu ■ t]w assistance of the government oft-times rath.'r a cuisc, than a bl(;ssing. Tl"- latler usiige is proilactive of e\'ii by its encouragement of id , .- :, rmd by strengthening that souse of pride aii'^ self-importani:<' -hich distinguishes the race. Where the cliange i;- tii- iav;j of the country, and the in- troduction of domestic animals have rcmk'rcd th.^ chase no longer necesoary or protitable, the Indian still pr'J'cr.s ranging the woods vith his dog and gun, to the enduraueo of what he esteems ser\ilc labor. Striking oxcepti')iis to the above remarks are to be scon in the conduct and employments of many inhabitants of Indian villages in New York. Good husbandry is evi- dent in the management of their farms, and artisans of no mean skill arc freciuently met with. Some of those Indians, who have turned their attention to the art of W(jrl<- ing in silver, are said to produce very beautiful specimeus of orna' lental work, especially in the in-laying of gun- stocks, handl(!S to tomahawks, &c. atiou luvs <•: tluit souse ii\• i m '4 if fip«i. 'ni .1 )f, y i ■ ;'iv ■(,•• t -..ft '■;V'»'>iJ ^:kl :H PONTIAC'S WAR. CIIAPTEli I. FRENCH INFLUENCE OVER THE INDIANS — liUITISII OCCUPATION OF THE WESTEKN POSTS — PONTIAC AND HIS PLANS FOR EXTERMINATING THE ENGLISH. Early in the eighteenth century the French had com- menced extending their 'nfluence among the tribes who inhabited the country bordering on the great western lalces. Always more successful than the other European settlors in conciHating the affections of the savages among whom tlicy lived, they had obtained the hearty good-will of na- tions little known to th(^ F^nglish. ^riie cordial familiarity of the race, and the terms of easy e(|nality upon which they were content to share the rude huts of the Indians, in- gratiated them move readily witli their hosts, than a course of English reserve and formality could have done, 'i'lic most marked instances of the contrast between the two great parties of colonists may be seen in the dill'erent measure of success met with in their respective religious operations. While the stern doctrines of New Eugliaid divines, as a general rule, wer(> neglected or contennicil by their rude hearers, the Jesuits met with signal success in acquiring a s])iritual influence over the aborigines. Whether it was owing to the more attractive form in which they promulgated their creed and worshij), or whether it was due to their peisomd readiness to vAuyl themselves to the habits, and to sympath ize with the feelings PONTIAC'S WAR. 341 of their piosclytcs, certain it is that they maintained a strong Lold upon the ailection.s, and a powerful influcnee over the conduct of tlieir adopted brethren. Adair, writing with natur.'>i prejudice, says that, "instead of reforming tlic Indians, the monies and friars corrupted their morals: for in the place of inculcating lov^, peace, and good-will to their red pupils, as became messengers of the divine author of peace, they only impressed thti ■ flexi- ble minds witli an iniphicablc hatred against every British subject, without any distinction. Our people will soon discover the bad policy of the late Quebec act, and it is to be hoped that Great- Britain will, in due time, send those black croaking clerical frogs of Canada home to their infallible Mufti of Home." The Ottawas, Chii)pcwns, and Potti. watomies, who dwelt on tlie Great Lakes, proved as staunch adherents to the French interests as were the Six Nations to those of the English, and tlie bitterest hostility jjrevailed between these two great di\isions of the abo- riginal ])oi)ulation. When English troops, iji accordance with the treaty of 1700, were })ut in possession of the Fri'iich stations on the lakes, they found the Indians little disposed to assent to the change. The great sachem who stood at the head of the confederate western tribes was tlie celebrated Ottowa chief Pontiac. The iirst d(!tacluneut, luider Major Rogers, which entered the western country on the way to Detroit, the most im- l)ortant post on the lakes, was favoral)ly received by the Indian chief, but not without a proud assertion of his own rights and authority, lie sent a fornud embassy to meet the English, and to ainu^unce his intention of giving an uudienee to their counnander. Uogers deseribes him as a chief of noble appearauee and dignitied address. At the conference he intpiired hy what right the English entered his country; and upim the Major's disavowing all hostile m !; •;■ .ii ' ^f h b s* •■' '■■":'' , rn , '■■■■'J ■ 'm • •• f'«i ^f^ t ] '■v-;',.,t 'i!/ It'' ''Mi -4* " 10 INDIAN KACKS OF AMElilCA. '■.If ■ ^v intent towards the Indians, seemed more plaiiiible, but checked any furtlier advance, until his pleasui'e sliuuld be made known, with tlic pitliy observation: "1 stand in the path you travel until to-morrow morning," lie finally allowed the forces to proceed, and even furnished men to protect them and their stores. Pontiac assisted and protected this garrison for a i)eri(wl, but probably even then was pondering in his miiul the great scheme of restoring his French allies and extenni-' nating the intruders. He has been frc(iuently compared to Philip, the great Wami)anoag sachem, both Ibr his kingly spirit and for the similarity of their plans to crush the encroachments of the English, ,1'outiac had an im- mense force under his control, and could well all'ord to distribute it in as uvduy different detachments as thep: were strongholds of the enemy to be overthrown. It was in the year 17G3 that his arrangements were completed, and the month of June was fixed upun for a simultane- ous onslaught upon every British ])ost. The eloquent and sagacious Uttowa chief had drawn into his cons})ii'aey, iiuL only the people of his own nation, with the Chippewas and I'ottawatomies, but large numbers from otlier western tribes, as the Miamies, the Sacs and Foxes, the Ilurous and the Shawanees. He even secured the alliance of a portion of tlie Delawares and of the Six Nations. In vain were the oJlicers of the garrisons at Michili- mackinac and other distant I'oils warned by traders, win) had ventured among the Indians, that a general disallec- tion was observable. They felt secure, and no s})eci;il means wore taken to avert the coming storm. So well concerted were the arrangements for attack, and such consummate duplicity and deception Avere used in carrying them out, that nearly all the English forts at the west were, within a few days from the first demon- Btration, in the hands of the savages, the garrisons having ■1-1 't! , '.19 V U ).' '»;i T!,^ HJi t "J A L ;?«! ^r :!^' WP'H': im 'fji'if m m been r and mi iliiiiiiol the liil< Hull been Ic oil tlie birtbdii usuul, guard, beriiig accideii iiig in they le iutendc be mac Tlic re A Mr. wonuui a niinii all the the boi- drink 11 of o\., Ovei the Lik desohit PONTIAO'S WAR. 843 been massacred or enslaved. No less than nine trading and military posts were destroyed. 01' the seizure of Mieh- ilimackinac, next to Detroit the most important station on the lakes, we have the most partieular acecnint. Hundreds of Indians, mostly Chipjicwas and Sacs, had been loitering about the jilacc for some days previous, and on the 4th of June they proeeeded to eelebrate the king's birthday by a great game at ball. This sport, carried on, as usual, with noise and tumult, threw the garrison off their guard, at the same time that it uflbrded a pretext for clam- bering into the fort. The ball was several times, as if by accident, knocked witliin the pickets, the whole gang rusii- iiig in pursuit of it Avith shouta. At a favorable niomcut they fell upon the English, dispersed and unsuspicious of intended harm, and before any effectual resistance could be made, murdered and scalped seventy of the number. Tlie remainder, l)cing twenty men, were taken captive. A Mr. Ilenr}', who, by the good oflices of a Pawnee wonum, was concealed in the house of a Frenchman, gives a minute detail of the terrible scene. From his account, all the fury of the savage seems to have been aroused in the bosoms of the assailants. lie avers that he saw them drinking the blood of their mangled victims in a transport of ex uniting rage Over an immense district of country, from the Ohio to the lakes, the outbreak of the combined nations spread desolation and dismay. v^i:.. it ■f : Mi ■ i r V".41 ,::|>': ''• .!t .■■(1il ; I. II iiiilit^'fJ ■ ■ ,'v ■ ( l> ? n ■■'■ i! ' f ^W' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 12.5 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■• 6" ► V & /a Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ ^<^% ^^4^ % #^'^ '<°.^ ^6 Is ;\ \ & ^ ^ c> ► *^- ^ '4^ lr''t,'''-iV ;.!;•! |?^,;.;-:„f;;:r'p*l}: ■;t''^-r 844 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ■ o CHAPTER II. SIEGE OF DETROIT — BATTLE OF BLOODY BKIDGE. PoNTiAC himself turned his attention to the reduction of Detroit. He well knew that a rich booty awaited him if he could possess himself of this important place, and laid his plans with caution and care suitable to the magni- tude of the enterprise. The town was fortified by pickets and block-houses, and contained a garrison of one hun- dred and thirty men. The other inhabitants consisted of only a few traders. Pontiac's intention was to demand a conference with Major Gladwyn, the commandant, taking with him as many of his warriors as could obtain admittance ; and at a given signal to fall upon and kill the officers of the garrison. The work of destruction was to be completed by the aid of his followers from without the fort. Those whom he had cho- sen to share Avith him the danger of the first onslaught, were each furnished with a rifle, having the barrel so shortened that it could be concealed under the blanket usually worn by an Indian as his outer garment. The account generally received of the manner in which Major Gladwyn became acquainted with the plot, and of the means resorted to by him to ward off the danger, is as follows: Poiitiac, with several hundred warriors, pre- sented himself without the camp, and requested an audi- ence. On the evening of the same day, a squaw came to deliver to the Major a pair of moccasins which he had engaged her to make from an elk-skin. After he had praised her work, paid her handsomely, and dismissed her, with directions to convert the rest of the skin into similar articles, she continued to linger about the premises, appa- rently in an unsatisfied frame of mind. Her answers to those who questioned her were so singular, particularly a ■(* '..K '«' :}:■'■>..'■.■'■ ^ PONTIAC'S WAR. 345 hint that she dropped respecting the difficulty she should have in "bringing the skin bacic," that the Major exam- ined her closely, and succeeded in obtaining full particu- lars of the impending danger. The poor woman, affected by his kindness, had been unwilling to see her patron mur- dered, but fear of the vengeance of her own people, or a natural feeling of interest in their success, had restrained her from sooner betraying their deadly purpose. Through the night, and previous to the morning's con- ference, the Indians were distinctly heard performing their war-songs and dances ; but no intimation was given them of any suspicion, and the party deputed for the grand talk was admitted within the pickets. Pontiac saw that the garrison was under arms, and he at once asked the reason for such precautions. The major represented that it was merely to discipline his soldiers. The Ottowa chief opened the council with a hauglity and threatening speech, and was about to give the signal for attack — by some peciiliar mode of delivering a wam- pum belt to the commandant — when a sudden change in the demeanor of the English quelled and discomposed him. He heard the drums beat, and saw every soldier's musket levelled, and the swords of the officers drawn and ready for use. Major Gladwyn, stepping to the warrior nearest him, lifled his blanket, and disclosed the shortened rifle. He then upbraided the sachem for his intended villany, and, taking no advantage of the opportunity for securing him, gave proof of his own high-minded sense of honor by dismissing the whole party unharmed. The premeditated treachery of Pontiac would have fully justified the com- mandant in taking his life, had he deemed it necessary for the protection of himself and people. Immediately subsequent to tlie failure of this undertak- ing, the Indians began openly to attack the town. They barbarously murdered a Mrs. Turnbell and her two sons, IS I f mm 'mWMlk ^ Wi \h 111. 1 m .;i I! "i ' I W.'f "'H ■ ■' ^ .*' ■; t !'■ ' : / Br u . ' • 1 ■', ' '' '•'v% ■ •' , A' •• ■ . I.' ' ' ' ,'. -i 346 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. wlio lived a short distance from the fort; and killed or took prisoners the occupants of an establishment belonging to a Mr. James Fisher, still further up the river. From five hundred to a thousand Indians were now seen collected to lay siege to the town. The condition of the garrison appejired perilous in the extreme, not only from the insufficient supply of provisions, but frona the necessity for keeping constant watch throughout the whole extent of the stockade. The soldiers were wearied by being continually on duty, by the loss of their natural rest; but their courage and S2)iint aj^peared to be unsub- dued, and the commandant abandoned his first intention of evacuating the place. The French who were residing in Detroit brought about a negotiation, but Pontiac insisted upon the surrender of the town, and of all the valuable goods stored there, as the onl}'' condition upon Avhich he would discontinue hostilities. Tlie major was equally determined in his intention of maintaining his position. The siege commenced early in May, and no succor or supplies reached the garrison for more than a month. About the end of May an attempt had been made to land forces and provisions by boats sent from Niagara, but the vigilance of the Indians rendered it abortive. Many of the Englisli were slain, and numy more were reserved to glut the vengeance of tlie savages, at the stake. In the month of June, a vessel, also from Niagara, made her way up the river, in spite of the attacks of the Indians, Avho exposed their lives with the utmost temerity in at- tempts to board her. Fifty soldiers were landed at the fort, and a timely supply of provision gave new courage to the weary garrison. Mr. Thatcher, in his ''Indian Biography," gives extracts from various letters, written from the fort during the siege, which quaintly enough portray the condition of its inmates. Wc quote the follow- ing from a letter of July 9th (1763): PONTIAC'S WAR. 347 " You have long ago heard of our pleasant Situation, but j the storm is blown over. "Was it not very agreeable to hear every Day of their cutting, carving, boiling and eat- ing our companions? To see every Day dead Bodies floating down the River, mangled and disfigured? But Britons, you know, never shrink; we always appeared gay to spite the Rascals. They boiled and eat Sir Robert Devers; and we are informed, by Mr. Pauly, Avho escaped, the other Day, from one of the Stations surprised at the breaking out of the War, and commanded by himself, that he had seen an Indian have the Skin of Captain Robert- son's arm for a Tobacco-Pouch!" A reinforcement of some three hundred men, under Captain Daly ell, reached Detroit the last of July. Thus strengthened, the commander deemed it advisable to make an immediate sally, and, if possible, break up the Indian encampment. Pontiac heard of the intended movement, and was well prepared for the English when they made their sortie in the evening. So deadly and unexpected was the fire of the Indians, who lay concealed on either side of the path, near the bridge over Bloody Run, that more than one hundred of the trooj^s were said to have been killed or wounded. Subsequent to this period wc have no reliable history of the acts of the great sachem of the Ottawas. His people hung round Detroit until the ensuing spring, keeping the inhabitants in continual alarm. The strong force which was led into the western country by General Bradstreet in the early part of the summer of 1764, effectually overawed and quieted the hostile Indians, Pontiac is said to have been assassinated by a Peoria Indian, in the English interest, while attending a council in 1767. Considerable uncertainty, however, attends the recital of the latter events of his life, and of the causes which led to his death. ■I 1^ i ,r : I. i t\ ^cmi Mm 4.i ](J:i^''.. '■'■■'^■^'■kS f'-M,''' ■! Vl ■-' ' K' ■ ' -I f; '?' -t' r/: • I. ' IK''.: .'' '! *■■ h>i'.*i [■■■■■; s» I"', .t ' ■■ ■ ' .. . ■ '■ . F .. r>. ', ■ i ' r ' I' ' ■ "■■('■" 'fl':, . ■ ■>'>-j THE DELAWARES, SHAWANEES, AND OTHER TRIBES OF THE MIDDLE AND WESTERN STATES. CHAPTER I. THE DELAWARES — WILLIAM PENN — ST. TAMMANY THE MORAVIANS — THE SHAWN EES — FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR BRADDOCk's DEFEAT MASSACRE OF THE CANESTOGA INDIANS — DANIEL BOONE. " A noble rnoc ! but they are gone With their old forests wide and deep, And we liave built our homes upon Fields where their generation? sleep." Bryant. Associated with the early history of the Delawares are thoughts of William Penn, and of his peaceful intercourse with, and powerful influence over, the wild natives with whom he treated. At the first settlement of the country by Europeans, the tribes of this nation occupied no small portion of the present state of Pennsylvania, but their principal settlements lay between the Potomac and the Hudson. Situated between the great northern and south- ern confederacies, they were in turn at enmity and engaged in wars with either party ; but, at an early day, they were in a measure subdued and reduced to a state of inferiority by the Six Nations. I^he conduct of Penn towards the Indians has ever been spoken of witli high admiration; and we are assured that his care for their interests, and anxi('t^• to secure their EES, :rn states. rtANY — THE D INDIAN )F THE B. I Delawares are jful intercourse id natives with of the country upicd no small ania, but their )tomac and the iiern and south- ity and engaged day, they were ite of inferiority us has ever been arc assured that to secure tlieir [g '^JjaiJji M -iS m I ml hUi) ,iVo,:t': ^^J'{* m 'i ^M * a 'MJ: m '<^^s *^' "*■,. liM 't ■.:! .; v! f ■^'^S .1 . -.^i" ., ("■.' . t ,■>!-•, i !^^ I , '.:K -N- :>S» r i> W U.I.I tM PKJV.V. THE IJELAWARES, SIIAWANEES, ETC. 849 rights, and to protect them from wrongs and aggression, caused Ins name to be idolized among the Delawtires. Upon obtaining the immense grant from the crown, named Pennsylvania at the time of its bestowment, his first thought was to draw up a table of "conditions and con- cessions," for the government of those who should adven- ture with him in the settlement of the wilderness. IIo expressly stiinilated, in behalf of the Indians, that their pci"sons and property should be protected by the san.e laws and penalties as those of the whites ; that overreaehin ^ in trade should be avoided by the conduct of all 'oales in market overt; that a jury of six whites and six Indians should pass upon matters in dispute between individuals of the different races; and that the interest of the Indian should bo made the special care of every magistrate. In the autumn of 1682, Penn came over from England to regulate his new colony, and especially to confirm the friendly relations existing with the Indians inhabiting his territory. In Clarkson's Memoirs of Penn, the following mention is made of liis grand treaty with these native pro- prietors. From religious scruples, he did not consider his claim, by virtue of the king's grant, to be valid without the assent of the occupants, and he determined to make honorable purchases of all that he should require. Ar- rangements had been made, by commissioners, previous to Penn's arrival, for a great meeting, for the purpose of ratifying the proposed sale. "He proceeded, therefore, (at the appointed time,) accompanied by his friends, con- sisting of men, women, and young persons of both sexes, to Coaquannoc, the Indian name for the place where Philadelphia now stands. On his arrival there, he found the sachems and their tribes assembling. They were seen in the woods, as far as the eye could carry, and looked frightful, both on account of their number and their arms. The Quakers are reported lo have been but a handful in :u I '''■'t'' 'jt''' *,;"■'■ -'■'>*&'" 850 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. comparison, and tlieso without any weapon — so tliat dis- may and terror had conic upon them, hud they not con- fided in the rigliteousncss of their cause." The conference took phacc upon the site afterwards occupied by the town of Kensington, a few miles above Pliiladelphia, and called, by the Indians, Shackermaxon. "There was, at Shackermaxon, an elm-tree of prodi-ii)u.s bIzc. To this the leaders, on both sides, repaired, a]){)roacli- ing each other under its widely-spreading branches." Penn wore no ornament, or symbol of authority, except a blue sash. Standing up before the assembly, he directed the articles of merchandize brought for the purchase, to be spread before him, and, displaying the engrossed co\)y of the treaty, awaited the movements of the Indian chiefs. "One of the sachems, who was Chief among them, put upon his own head a kind of chaplet, in which there ap- jjcared a small horn. This, as among the primitive Kasteni nations, and, according to scripture language, was an em- blem of kingly power. * * Upon putting on this horn, the Indians threw down their bows and arrows, and seated themselves round their chiefs, in the form of a half-moon upon the ground." The inter})reter now announced the readiness of the chiefs to listen, and Penn proceeded to read and explain the provisions of the treaty. He premised that he and his people used no warlike implements, but that all their desire Avas for peace and concord. By the articles of agreement, the Indians were to be allowed to retain })os- session, for all needful purposes, even of the laud sold, and jjarticuhir spccilication:-! were inserted, touching tiie manner in which their rights should be enforced. He then made the stipulated payments; distributed ad- ditional presents; and, laying the parchment on the ground, proceeded to say that "he would not do as the Maryland- ers did, that is, call them Children or Brothers only; foi Il TIIK UELAWAUES, SIIAW.VNEES, ETC. 851 often Parents were apt to whip tlieir children too severely, anil Brothers souietinios would dill'er: neither would he compare the Friendship between him and them to a Chain, for the rain might sometimes rust it, or a tree might fall and break it; but he should consider them as the same llosh and blood with the Christians, and the same; as if one niiui's body were to be divided into two parts." Handing the parchment to the chief sachem, Penn then desired him and his associates "to preserve it carefully for three gen- erations, that their children might know what had passed between them, just as if he had r'^maincd himself with them to repeat it. * * 'This,' says Voltaire, 'was the only treaty between those people and the Christians that was not ratified by an oath, and that never was broken.' " After-accounts of the Indians, as given by Penn and his associates, in which the estimable points of native charac- ter are pleasingly [jortrayed, contrast strangely with the maledictions and bitter expressions of hatred which too many of the early chroniclers heap upon their Indian ene- mies. Never was a truer saying than the Spanish proverb, "he who has injured you will never forgive you." The name by which these Indians have ever been desig- nated, was bestowed upon them by the English, from Lord De la War : in their own tongue they were called the Lenni Lenape, (Original People,) as the chief and principal stock from which mankind in general had sprung. Conspicuous among the traditions of the I3elawares appears the name of their old chief Tamanend, or '^l\im- many. We have no very specific accounts of the history of this renowned sachem, but the veneration with which the Indians recounted his wisdom and virtues served to raise his character so high with the colonists that he was, in a manner, canonized. The "Home Journal," of June 12th, 1852, makes the following mention of the singular respect paid to his memory : ■'"^tlKf /' t' • biff ^•^i 852 INDIAN RACES OF ^MPMIICA. "St. Tainniivtiy is, \vc believe, our only American Saint. llo was the ehicf'of an radian tribe which inhabited Penn- sylvania, while that .state was still a colony, and exciteil so much respect by his virtues and exploits, Ix^th amonj,' the white and red men, that, aCter his death, he was can- oni/ed, and the day of his birth, the finst of May, regarded an a holiday. " ' All Christian countries,' says the Savannah Republican, 'have their tutelar saint. Knghind has her St. Cu'orgo; Scotland her St. Andrew; Ireland her St. Patrick; Kraiicc her St. Crispan; and S])ain her St. Jago. In this country wc have St. Tammany. Throughout the llevolutionary War, the natal-day (»f this saint was ob.served with great respect, by the army as wi'U as by the people. It wjus nut till Mr. Jefterson's administration, when (leneral Dearborn was Secretary of War, that the observance of it by the army was dispensed with, and the change was made tlien only with the view of carrying out the .system of retrench- ment which the ])resideut sought to introduce in tlio administration of the government. The lirst fort built at St. Mary's, Camden county, and j)erhaps the lirst fort in the state, was called Fort St. Tanunany. A gentleniau now residing in this city was present, while a boy, at a celebration, by the officers and soldiers stationed at the fort, of St. Tammany's-day. The May-pole used on this occa- sion was a tree, with its branches and bai'k removed; and around that the soldiers danced and celebrated the day.'"' It was among the Delavvares that one of the most inter- esting commuaities of Christian Indians ever existing iu America, was established by the efforts of the Moravian mission. The venerable Count Zinzendorf, David Zeis- berger, and John Ileckcwelder, were zealous and i)r(inii- nent partakers in the work of converting and instructing the Indians. From Ileckcwelder we have received mncli minute and interesting detail of the habits of the pco|i!e ^^j-:-' i ill liopvil)lk';in, jr St. G(M)rge; itrit'k ; Friiucc 11 this I'ouiitry Hi!vc)liitii)iiary red with great li\ It wius nut leral Deurborn of it by the vas inadL' then nn of retrench- rodiico in \\\i; 'st fort buiU lit 10 first fort ill A gentleniiin a boy, at a nod at ti 10 fort, 1 on this oeca- roinoved; and ted the day."" the most inter- rer existing in tlie Moravian f, David Zeis- us and pruini- nd instnieting reeoivod nnuli of the people (t)/.. uy.onay. ii i s n ixaro.v. i H !'''ir« •J I. 4 'i'f,' ;;'■■, ?3n l-^Sj ■% '"i^' . ■, , m ' '" ' .^r.'i( !,> f/ n--' ■■■>::,, THE DEL AWAKES, SHAWANEES, ETC. 353 among whom lie labored, and the humanizing and endur- ing influence of Christian doctrine, enforced by good example on the part of its preachers. The circumstances under which the missionary work was carried on, were extremely adverse. During the long and bloody French and Indian wars, every tale of border cruelties and massacre, connnitted by the savages, would instantly arouse a spirit of retaliation against the whole race, which frequently resulted in the most brutal outrages against the peaceful Moravian Indians. A population of lawless whites inhabited the border country, whom Hccke- welder mildly rebukes in the following terms: "I have yet to notice a class of people generally known to us by the name of 'backwoods-men,' many of whom, acting up to a pretended belief, that 'an Indian has no more soul than a buftalo;' and that to kill either is the same thing; have, from time to time, by their conduct, brought great trouble and bloodshed on the country. Such then I wish to cautiDii, not to sport in that manner with the lives of G(jd's creatures. * * * * Believe that a time will come when you must account for such vile deeds 1 When those who have fallen a sacrifice to your wickedness, will be called forth in judgment against you! nay, when your own descendants will testify against yoiij' The Shawanees were a very extensive and warlike tribe. They were, according to Indian tradition, originally from the south, having inhabited the country in the vicinity of Savannah, in Georgia,' and a portion of West Florida. Being engaged in continual war with the Creeks and other southern nations, and being of an adventurous and roving disposition, they finally emigrated northward, and were received upon terms of friendship by the Delawares. They settled in Western Pennsylvania, extending them- 23 ^ 9^ i':ii M^ ■ V ■ t ■; 4', ,1) ,' '-• .:•■'; IS- ?<' ■ •' -^ii,^' .&i"''V !">*,.'** i .-.'l ''itsiil .''*/. v'-^v ' ■ • -M '' '■'>«! K'MM ■) ■■ ''il'S< •'. .;.' 'Mi y-7 ^yfTifMZ'l ^=n 354 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. selves gradually fartlier west, and mingling Avitli other neighboring nations. Their head-quarters were, in early times, not far from Pittsburgh. In their new homes they pi'ospered and increased, and long remained one of tlic most formidable nations of the west. They united with the Delawares in hostilities against the southern tribes. In after-times, thrilling legends of war and massacre in "the dark and bloody ground," and throughout the west- ern border, attest the active and dangerous spirit of this war- like and implacable tribe. In the French and Indian wars, and in the long struggle which resulted in our national independence, they were so mingled with other western tribes that we shall not attempt to distinguish them, nor shall we devote that space to the bi(igra})hy of many of their chiefs and warriors which their prowess might de- mand in a more extended work. We shall give, in tluir order, some of tlie inore celebrated Indian cani})aigiis at the west, with various incidents connected with the iirst settlement of the ^\estern states. About the middle of the eighteenth century, the Frcncli, as already mentioned, had, in strengthening their cordon of posts between their settlements in Canada and IajiiIs- iana, formed alliance with many Indian tribes to wliom tliey were brought in pro.\;imit\\ Their nearest and most dangerous ap})roach to tlie Knglish estalilislinients, was in the erection of the niihtary stronghold called Foi't Dn- quesne at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monoii,L:;a- liela. In tl itempt to dislodge them from this ])ost tlio military talents of George Washington were first exhibited. After distinguishing himself b}' his bravery and prudenci^ in contests with the Indians and French, which, owing to an insufliciency of force, resulted in nothing decisive or materially advantageous, ho Avas attached to the ])owcrful army under General Braddoek, in the capacity of aid-de- camp to the commanding oflicer. \!'^ : I THE DELAWARES, SIIAWANEES, ETC. 855 With a force of more tliiin two thousand men, besides some Indian alUes, the British general set systematically about the reduction of the French iurt. Leaving a large body of troojis under Colonel Dunbar, at Great Meadows, he marched in compact military array to the attack. No one doubts the courage of General Braddock, or his capa- city to have conducted a campaign in an open and inhabited country, but his dogmatic obstinacy and adherence to es- tablished tactics proved, upon this occasion, the destruction of himself and his army. When Washington, tlien only twenty-two years of age, respectfully rei)rescntccl to liis superior the danger of an exposed march through a country like tliat they were trav- ersing, and suggested the ncecssily for providing a sufficient party of scouts iicquainted with the locality, to guard against surprise, he was insultingly checked by the ejacu- lation: "High times! higli times! when a young Buck- skin teaclies a British general how to fight." It was on the 9th of July, 1755, that the engagement took j)lace. Captain Contracctnir, who had command of the fort, had obtained iiiforniation of the advance upon tlie previous da\', and dispatched M. de Beaujeu, with all the troops he couhl muster, to meet the enemy, llis whole avaihible force consisted of from five hundred to one thou- sand men, of whom the majority were Indians, but a knowledge of the ground, and the gross error of the Eng- lish commander, more than compensated for the disi)anty in numbers and discipline. An ambush was formed where a ravine led from a plain into a high wooded piece, of ground. The advancing column had no sooner penetrated into this defde than the attack commenced. A most ap})alling carnage ensued: the Indians, firing from covert upon the closely marshalled ranks of the regulars, soon threw them into utter confusion. M. Beau- jeu, was, indeed, killed at the first onset, but his lieuten- U f !'i h^rx .'.'',-)■ 1 ,/!.■. '■,'•,,1'. '« '.■•■'.■ ■>.; /, ^ >" f ! 856 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. ant, Dumas, continued to insj)ire his troops, and cheer them on to their now easy victory. A complete rout ensued, and the Indians, rushing from their places of concealment, fell upon the panic-stricken fugitives with their deadly tomahawks. The Virginians alone proved in any degree effective in resisting the enemy and covering the disor- derly retreat. The loss, on the part of the British, in killed, wounded and prisoners, was not far from eight hund'od. All the artillery and baggage fe^^ into the hands of the French, who, with their Indian allies, remained in undisputed possession of the field. Falling back upon Colonel Dunbar's reserve, instead of making a renewed stand, the whole army continued a precipitate retreat into Virginia. In this action must of the Virginia troops, who, adopting the Indian manner of warfare, betook themselves to sheltered positions when the fight commenced, fell victims to their constancy and brave- ry. Colonel Washington had not fully recovered from a severe attack of illness at the time and was with great difhculty able to undergo the fatigues incident to his po- sition, lie had two horses shot under him, and receivo'l four bullets through his coat, but escaped from tlie con- flict unwounded. General Braddock died a few days after, of a wound in the lungs. The Delawarcs, and more especially the Sliawanees, were implicated in the extensive consjiiracy excited by tlie re- nowned Pontiac, in the year 1763. It was in this year that a cruel and disgraceful outrage was j)erpetrate(l u])oii a peaceful community of Indians at Canestoga, near Lan- caster. No sooner had news of Indian murders and rav- ages been sj)read among the white settlements, than a determination was evinced by certain miscreants to de- stroy these harmless people, upon suspicion or j)retence THE DELAWARES, SIIAWANEES, ETC. 857 that tliey were concerned, in some way, in the recent border ontrages. The Canestoga Indians were few in number, and per- fectly peaceful and inoll'ensive. They had inhabited the same little settlement for more than a century, and, accord- ing to licckcvvelder, " their ancestors had been among those who had welcomed William Penn, on his first ar- rival in this country ; presenting him, at the time, with venison, &:c." In the month of November, (1763,) fifty-seven white savages started from Paxton to destroy this establishment. They murdered all whom they could find, to the number of fourteen, of every age and sex: the remainder (fifteen or twenty) esca})cd to Lancaster, and were locked up, for safety, in the jail. Hither the "Paxton boys," as they were termed, pursued the poor creatures, and, breaking into the inclosure, brutally massacred the whole of them. The following is extracted from the letter of an eye-wit- ness to this transaction. " * "'^' I ran into the jirison-j-ard, and there, what a liorrid siuht presented iLsclf to mv view!! Near the back door of the prison, lay an old Indian and his squaw, (wife,) particularly well known and esteemed by the peo- ple of the town, on account of his j)lacid and friendly conduct. His name was Will Sock; across him and his yipiaw lay two children of about the age of three years, whose heads were split with the tonudiawdc, and their scalps all taken oil'. Towards the middle of the gaol-j'ard, along the west side of the wall, lay a stout Indian, whom I i)articularly noticed to have been shot in the breast, his legs were chopped with the tomahawk, his hands cut off, and flnally a rifle-ball discharged in his mouth; so that his head was blown to atoms, and the brains were splashed against, and yet hanging to the wall, for three or four feet around. * * In this manner lay the whole of them, men, ■>>n,--ym ,. '.■.''■■:'V ^ , -.I. , i-T :; ■5;, ••K{5 '"■■■■:■' :■■■;'" <^^ . .1 I :.•■ ■>! fi ■}■•■, ■ S't ','. •> ■■,' '^ ' ;■•' ' ■" f' T^ >i. ^'ii ■'■;: 'y'l, '"-^:^; 858 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. women and children, spread about tlic prison-yard: sliot — scalped — hacked — and cut to pieces." The events of Cresap's war, iu which the Shawances and Delawares were so largely concerned, have been already briefly described, in connection with the history of the Iroquois. After the great battle at Point Pleasant, in which they and their allies were defeated, a short cessation of hostilities between thein and the colonists ensued. The breaking out of the revolutionary war revived old ani- mosities, and suggested new motives for contention. The Shawanees were early won over to espouse the British interests : the division of the Delawares upon the question will be hereafter explained. The best information handed down to us concerning the Shawanees, at this period, is to be found in the adventures of the bold pioneer, Daniel Boon. Impatient of the re- straints or competitions of an inhabited country, and led by a roving, adventurous spirit, and by an enthusiastic admiration of the beauties and grandeur of the unsettled western wilderness, he forced his way into the trackless solitudes of Kentucky, and laid the foundation of a settle- ment whose growth and ])rosperity are almost unparalleled. On the 8th of February, 1778, Boone was taken jirisoiier b}'- a strong force of these Indians, then on tlieir mairli against the settlement at Boonesborough. He was carried to their principal town. Old Chilicothe, on the Little Miami, and there had abundant opportunity for ob.serving their native peculiarities and usages. His character, some- what analogous to that of Captain John Smith, licnjaniiii Church, and others, noted for their successes with the Indians, was bold, frank, and fearless. Men of such nature and disposition, however rude and uncultivated, arc always the best able to conciliate the affections, as well as exercise control over the minds of savages. Boone's captors took such a liking to him that they ■ < » . •■ ■ ■ i" 'ard: sliot — THE DELAWAKES, S1IAWANEE8, ETC. 359 positively refused to deliver liim up to the English, at Detroit, whitiier he was conveyed with his companions. Leaving the rest of their pi'isoncrs at that post, they took lam back to Chilicothc, refusing the governor's offer of one hundred pounds if they would part with their favorite. The king of the tribe treated Boone with great courtesy and respect, and he had no reason to complain of his ac- commodations, as he enjoyed Avhatever comforts were Avithia the reach of his masters. He was adopted into a family, according to the usual Indian custom; in which position he says: "I became a son, and had a great share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always a})[)earing as cheerful and satisfied as possi- ble, and they put great coniidence in me." His captivity lasted until the month of June, when, re- turning from a salt-making excursion, on the Scioto, he found four luuidred and fifty Shawanee warriors, collected with arms and war-paint, and bc^und on an expedition against Booaesborough. This incited him to attempt an csca})e, that he might forewarn the settlement of the intent. He fled a little before day, on the 16th, and made the journey, of one hundred and sixty miles, supported by a single meal. Tlie bold and astonishing defence of the little fort at Boonesborough, in the month of August, against a large force of Indians, accompanied by certain Frenchmen, is sinii)ly and unostentatiously described in the auto-biography of this redoubted ]noneer. The enemy, after a siege of twelve days, in which every expedient of force and treach- ery failed to dislodge the garrison, were forced to retire without effecting their purpose. One of their stratagems was as follows: A treaty was proposed by the assailants, and after the articles were drawn up, in front of the fort, and formally signed, in the words of the narrative: "the •I * ,7/" ' >.■ 'r^: :y-'m "1, 860 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ) 1.,' ' ■ * " *■ *< . > I Indians told us it was customary witli them on such occa- sions for two Indians to sluikc liands Avitli every wliitc man on tlie treaty, as an evidence of entire friendsliip. We agreed to tliis, but were soon convinced tlieir policy was to take us jirisoners, They immediately grapj)led us; but, thougli surrounded by liuiidrcMls of savages, we extri- cated ourselves from them, and es('ai)ed idl safe into the garrison, cxeejit one that was wounded, through a lieavv fire from their army." Boone took a prominent part in many of the contests which ])reeeded the quiet occupation of the land of his choice, and underwent toils, dangers, and jtrivations sel- dom awarded to any one man; but he lived to enjoy the i'ruits of his labors. An old Indian, upon the occasion of one of the more important treaties of cession, after signing the articles, took l?oone by the hand, saying: "Brother, we have given you a fine land, but I believe you will have nmch trouble in settling it." The old settler adds, sj)eak- ingof tlie former ajipellation bestowed on this "debateable ground'': "My H)otsteps have often been marked with blood, and therefore I can truly subscribe to its original name. Two darling sons and a brother have T lost ly savage hands. * * Many dark and sleei)less nights have I been a eomiianiou for owls, separated from the cheerful society of men, seorehe(l by the sunmier's smi, and pinched by the wintcjr's cold — an instrument oi-dained to settle the wilderness. But now the scene is changed: peace crowns the sylvan shade." :inn- " -ri;^:,:, » I lssf\il : a large jiarty, heaik>d by the celebrated Captain I'ipe, a chief of the Wolf tribe, declared for the king, while those inclined to jicaee and neutrality, or whose sympatliies Avere on the side of the colonies, re- mained under the guidance of Koguethagechton — Anglice, Cai>taiu White-Eyes. The disasters and perplexities in Avhicli the nation wafi involved by such a divi.sion might }' ' IH» - 1 'Q% * - 14 ' • '*fk ' .V|f '. "l 1 > ' • •(.' , r.'> .::|>- !:1'. ■"^^^'i\. 362 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. readily be foreseen. Botli the opposing leaders were men of talent, energ}', and br.klncss, and each was heart and soul enlisted in the cause to which he had united himself It is recorded of White-Eyes that, early in the war, he met with a de])utation of the Scnecas, (then, as we have seen, in the English interest,) and boldly avowed his own Oj)inion. In reply to the old taunt, thrown out by one of the Iroquois, of former subjection and humiliation, the chief broke forth indignantl}^ : "I know well that you consider us a conquered nation — as women — as your infe- riors. You have, say you, shortened our legs, and put l)ettieoats on us! You say you have given us a lioc and a corn-pounder, and told us to plant and pound for you — yon men, yon tcarnursf But look at ?/ie. Am I not full- grown, and have I not a warrior's dress? Ay, I am a man, and these arc the arms of a man, — and all that country (pointing towards the Alleghany) on the other side of the water, is mineP^ AVhite-Eyes Avas sigiiiilly successful in his efforts to undeceive the Indiai..; witliiu his influence, who had been tanqtcred with and imj)osc(l iq)on b}^ I]nglish agents, or excited by synqjathy with the war-j)arty. His death, which took place at Tuscarawas, in the Avinter of 1770-80, was a very unfortunate event for the Americans. lie died of that great scourge of the In- dian races, the small-pox. The spring of 1781 was a terrible season for the white settlements in Kentucky and the whole border country. The savages who surrounded them had never shown so constant and systematic a determination for murder and mischief Early in the .summer, a great meeting of In- dian deputies from the Shawanees, Delawares, Cherokee.^ Wyandots, Tawas, Pottawatomics, and di\ers other tribes from the north-western lakes, met in grand council of war at Old Chilicotlu^ The persuasioiis and influence of two infamous whites, one McKce, and the notorious Simon 1,^ ■ ' ■ : srs were men s heart and ited himself, the war, he I as we have wed his own )nt by one of filiation, the ell that you as yonr infe- egs, and jnit us a hoe and nd for you— Vm I not full- Ay, I am a -and all that on the other was signally idiai..? williin and imposed :ilhy with the uscarawas, in ate event for trc of the Tn- or the white der country, er shown so murder and leeting of In- s, Cherokee.-, s other trihes ouucil of war loucc of two ->ri()us Simon THE DELAWARES, SIIAWAXEES, ETC. 363 Girty, "inflamed their savage miiuls to mischief, and led them to execute every diabolical scheme." Bryant's station, a post five miles from Lcxin^toii, was fixed upon, by the advice of Gii'ty, as a Itivorable point for the first attack. About five hundred Indians and whites encompassed the place accordingly, on the 15th of August. Stratagem and assault alike failed to effect an entrance: a small reinforcement from Lexington managed to join the garrison, and the besiegers were compelled to retire on the third day, having lost thirty of their number. When Girty came forward, on one occasion during the siege, bearing a flag of truce, and proposing a surrender, he was received with every expression of disgust and contempt. Ilis offers were spurned, and he retired, "cursing and cursed," to his followers. The enemy were pursued, on their return, by Colonels Todd and Trigg, Daniel Boone, and Major Uarland, with one hundred and seventy-six men. The rashness of some individuals of this party, who were unwilling to listen to tlie })rudent advice of Boone, that an engagement sliould he avoided until a large expected reinforcement should arrive, led to their utter discomfiture. They came up with the Indians at a bend in Licking river, beyond liic- Blue Licks, and had hardly forded the stream when ;' -v were attacked by an overjiowering force. The em^' ly had cut oir all escape, except by recrossing the ri er, ill the attempt to accomplisli which, multitudes were destroyed. Sixty-seven of the Americans were killed; aiiKJUg the number, the three principal oflicers and a son of Boone. The outrages of the savages were, soon after this, sig- nally punished. General Clarke, at the head of a thousand men, rendezvousing at Fort Washington, where Cincinnati now stands, invaded the Indian territory. The inhabitants fled, in terror, at the approach of so formidable an army m^ I Mm ■ ,■■'. i'.\v ; -■ '. '-'■ '■■;' lit' ■'. • • ■ ,-3-. \V'.! • ■ ■ a: :k ■: '■■■■Mil; m : r ;-, '-.■') !■>' ■>;\'M tt ''"■• '(■■'•;■ I "I' -• -.^ »i I ■. ' ,<-■ fj •■ ■;^,vl'>' ■mM' ■'J. '■(/■ ■ 'A '■/?fi 364 INDIAN RACES OF AJIEIUCA. leaving their towns to be destroyed. "We continued our pursuit," says Boone, who was witli the array, "througli five towns on tlie Miami river — Old Chilicothe, Pecaway, New Chilicothe, Willis' Towns, and Chilicothe — burnt them all to ashes, entirely destroyed their corn, and otlicr fruits, and every where spread a scene of desolation in the country." After hostilities between England and America had ceased, these western tribes of Indians still continued to molest the border inhabitants of the colonies. Attempts to bring about conferences foiled signally in producing any marked or permanent benefit, and it was determined by the government to humble them by force of arms. Tn the autunm of 1791, General llarmar marched into tlie Indian territories, at the head of nearly fifteen hundred men. I^lie campaign was signally unsuccessful. The army returned to Fort Washington, dis})iritcd and broken down, having sustained a heavy loss in men and officers, and with the mortifying consciousness of an utter failure in the accomplishment of the end in view. Major-General Arthur St. Clair was appointed to tlic command of the next expedition. AVith a force of more than two thousand men, he marched towards the Indian settlemcMits, and on the .3d of November, (1791,) onciunped witliiu tiftcen miles of the Miami villages. On his way lVt)m l'\)rt Washington to this jioint, he had built and garrisoned Forts Hamilton and Jeffiir.son. By tliis reduc- tion of his troops, and by a more extensive h)ss frotn the desertion of some hundreds of cowardly militia, he had, at the time of which we are speaking, but about fourteen hundred effective soldiers. The confederate Indian tribes kept themselves perfectly informed, by their scouting parties, of all the eneniv's movements, and, emboldened by recent success, prepared to gi\'e the advancing army a warm reception. Tlie ju'ln- THE DELxVWAllES, SlIAWANEES, ETC. 305 cipal leader of tlie united nations, was the celebrated Miami chief, Michikinaqua, or Little Turtle. He was one of the greatest warriors and most sagacious rulers ever known among the red men, and he had now an O; por- tunity for the full dis])lay of his abilities. An immense horde of fierce savages, impatient for war, was under his control, and his movements were seconded by able subor- dinates. Among these, the most noted were Buckonga- lielas, now war chief of the Delawares, and Blue-Jacket, the Shawanee. According to Colonel Stone, the great Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, was also present, lending the a.s.sistance of his counsel and arms, llurons or Wyandots, Iroquois, Ottawas, Pottawatomics, Chippewas, Miamics, Delawares, and Shawanees, with a host of minor tribes, were collected to repel the conimon enemy. The number of their warriors assend^led oh the present occision is estimated to have been aliout lifteen hundred, although some have set it down at twice that force. Before the rising of the sun, on the following day, (No- vember 4th,) the savages fell upon the camp of the whites. Never was a more decisive victory obtaincil. In vain did the American general and his ofticers exert themselves to maintain ^)rder, and to rall}'^ the bewildered troops. Tlie Indi.iiis, firing from covert, tliinncd the ranks and picked off the ofiieers by a continuous and murderous discharge. A disorderly retreat was the result: Artillery, baggage, and no small portion of the small arms of the militia, iell into the hands of the exultant jinrsuers. Fort JelTerson was nearly thirty miles distant, and thither tlie deleutcd army directed its flight. 'J'he Indians folh)wed close upon the fugitives, cutting down and destroying at will, until, as is reported, one of their chiefs called out to them to "stop, as they had killed enough!" The temptation offered by the ])lunder to be obtained at the camp induced the Indians to return, and the remnant f Wmmmm ■.ify ■ >■»■' . i" 1..'' ■' ' 1., ;^ , , "J 1 1 ;•• J ■.' ',1 ii^'N 3G6 INDIAN RACKS OF AMERICA. of the invading anny reached Fort Jefferson ahout sunset. The hjss, in this butth^, on the part of the whites, was iiu less tlian eight hundred and ninety -four ! in killed, wounded, or missing. Tliirtj'-eight olheers, and live hundred and ninety-three non-conmiissioned officers and privates were slain or missing. The Indians lost but few of their men, judging from a comparison of the diHcrcnt accounts, not uiuch over fifty. At the deserted camp the victorious tribes took up their quarters, and delivered themselves np to riot and exulta- tion. General Scott, with a regiment of mounted Kentucky volunteers, drove them from the spot a lew weeks later, with tlie loss of their plunder and of some two hundred of tlu'ir warriors. No further important movement was made to overthrow the power of the Indians for nearly three years from this period. Negotiation proved utterly fruitless with a race of savages inflated by their recent brilliant successes, and consequently exhorbitant in their demands. When it was finally evident that nothing but ibrce could check the contiiuancc of border murders and njbberj', an army was collected, and put under the conmiand of General Wayiie, sometimes called "Mad Anthony," in a rude style of com- pliment to his energy and courage, not uncommon in those times. The Indians denominated liim the " Hlack-Snake." The winter of 171>;3— i was spent in fortifying a military ]iost at Greenville, o, he Miami, and another, named Fort Kecovcry, upon the field of St. Clair's defeat. '^I'hc last- mentioned station was furiously attacked by the Indians, assisted ])y certain Canadians and Kiiglish, on the oOth of the following June, but without success. It was not until Augtist, (1794,) that General Wayne felt himself suHieiently rt'in forced, and his military posts sufliciently strengthened and supplied, to justify active operations in the enemy's country. THE DELAWAllES, SHAWANEES, ETC. 367 When the army was once put in motion, important and decisive events rapidly succeeded. The march was di- rected into tlie heart of the Indian settlements on the Miami, now called Maumee, a river cm})tying into the western extremity of Lake Erie. ^Vhere the beautiful stream Au Glaise empties into this river, a fort was imme- diately erected, and named Fort Defiance. From this post General Wayne sent emissaries to invite the hostile na- tions to negotiation, but the pride and rancor of the In- dians [)reventcd any favorable results. Little Turtle, indeed, seemed to forebode the impending storm, and ad- vised the acceptance of the term!:; oU'ered. "The Ameri- cans," said he, "are now led by a chief who never sleeps: the night and the day are alike to him. '" * Tliink well of it. Tliere is something whispers me it would be pru- dent to listen to his oifers of peace." The lU'itish, at this time, in defiance of their treaties with the United States, still maintained possession of va- rious military posts at the west. A strong fort and garri- son was established by them near the Miami rajJids, and in that vicinity the main body of the Indian warriors was encamped. Above, and below the American camp, the Miami, and Au Glaise, according to Wayne's dispatches, presented, for miles, the appearance of a single village, and rich eoru-lields spread on either side. "I have never seen," says the writer, "such iimnense fields of corn in any })art of America, froni Canada to Florida." Negotiations proved futile: the Indians were evidentlv bent on war, and oidy favored delay for the j)urpose of collecting their full force. General Wayne therefore marched upon tliem, aiid, on the 2()th of the month, a ter- rible battle was fought, in ^vhieh the allied tiibes were totally defeated and dis])ei"sed. The Indians gi'catly out- numbered their op])onents, and had taken their usual pre- cautions in selecting a favorable spot for defence. They 1 ' Si? < ( 4 > 4 > 1 1 i ' K^ I '4 . 368 INDI.VN RACES OF AMERICA. could not, liowcver, resist the attack of brave and disci- plined troops, directed by so experienced and skillful a leader as Wayne. The fight tenninated — in the words of the official dispatch — "under the guns of the British gar- rison. * " The wo(xls were strewed, for a considerable dis- tance, "with the dead bodies of Indians and their whito auxiliaries; the latter armed with British muskets and bayonets." ISome days were now spent in laying waste the fields and villages of the miserable savages, whose spirit seemed to be comjiletely broken by this reverse. By the lii-st of January following, the influence of Little Turtle and Buck- ongahelas, both of whom saw the folly of further quarrels with the United States, and the hopelessness of reliance upon England, negotiations for peace were commenced, and, in August, (1705,) a grand treaty was concluded at Greenville. CHAPTER III. CONDITION OF THE INDIANS SUBSEQXrKNT TO THE PEACE — THE PROrHET ELSKWATAWA TECUMSKH : HIS PLANS AND INTRIGUES GENERAL HAI.KISOn's EXPEDITION AGAINST THE PROPHEt's town — defeat of the indians at tippecanoe war of 1812 — Harrison's invasion of canada — dattle of the thames, and death of tecumseh. Nearly ten years of })eace succeeded the treaty of Greenville, an interval which proved little less destructive to the tribes of the north-wot than the desolations of their last calamitous war. The (hn'astating innucnce of intem- perance was never more fearfully felt than in the experi- ence of these ludian nations at the period whose histoiy '•3 .- 3te tlic fields spirit seemed ly the lirst of tie and Buck- •tlier quarrels 3S of reliance coinmcuccd, concluded at E PEACE — THE IND INTRIGUES IK I'KOPHKt's E — WAR Ol'" SATTLE OF H. Llie treaty of ss destructive itiuiis oC their nee of intern- n tlie experi- vliose liistorv ■I •■« ^!K{^ ; ■■•/'A ■■-•*.>*; *. . 'tl'.-Jf i.JW-1 ■^ '■■: >> y-1:^'^: i '■, *1 . ''1 .r Ci^<»U' ^■ ■'.'■J 1' '4 *l^" Gkv. IT\RR1.> »N'- .'■■■'>■;..? r > ; ' ''' ■ ' •, 'i' :-' . ■- '-. -'.it^: ; \(. i\ m w^ !Twr ■* ■ 't ■ •1 '':t!- f '. ;, i/ii ,' /■■ ».Vv -n i" ■ I ■ ; I lifi {, ;■»: u i ■Jh \(ll\i /■/ ' r.)/ s y //. THE DELAVVARKS, SHAWANEES, ETC. 3G9 we aro now roi^onlinfr. Clcncml Harrison, then commis- sioner lor Indiim iillairs, I'ejiorted their eondition in the lollowin;^,' terms: "So destruetive has been the progress ol' iiitemitoranee amoiijf them, tliiit wliole viUages have liocu s\V(']»t away. A miserahle remnant is all that remains to iiuiriv tlie names and situation of many numerous and warlike tribes. In the ener<(etie hm^auigo of one of their orators, it is a dreadful eonllagration, whieh spreads misery mid desolation throuj.di their eountry, and threatens the annihilation of the whole race." Wliile tliis deadly evil was constantly increasing, in the year lS(t4, a distin<.^uished Indian orator began to excite a widt'-spread discontent among the nations of the former iiortli-westei'n eonlrderacy. This was the self-styled pro])h- c't, Klskwalawa, Olliwaysiiila, or OUiwachaca. About the year 1770, a woman of one of the southern tribes, domes- ticated with the Shawances, according to report, became iiKitlicr to three children at a single birth, who received the names of TKCU.MSKir, Klskwatawa, and Kumshaka — the last 'being unknown to fame. 'flu>ir father, a Shawa- iice warrior, ])erishe(l in the gn^at battle at Point Pleasant, liy the time that Tecumseh had attained the iv/^o of man- liiHid, he iiad already become noted as a bold and .sagacious warrior. For ye:irs before the overthrow of the Indian power by General Wayne, he had been forcmo.st in the incursions which sjiread desolation throughout the western settlements; and when the peace, concluded at Greenville, iK'prived him of a Held for warlike enterprise, he oidy retired to brood over new mischief, and, in conjunction with his brother, the Prophet, to excite a nmri' extensive conspiracy tluin had ever before been })erfeeted. With consmumate art, Klskwatawa exposed the evils attendant on the white man's encroachments, exhorting to sobriety and a universal union for resistance, lie pro- claimed himself es])ecially commissioned by the Great 24 t 'K'l^^. rr o70 INDIAN lUOKS OF AMKIIICA. Spirit to foretell, ami to hasten, l)y liis own e'lnrts, die destruction ol'tlie iuti'iulers, and by various appeals to tlio vanity, the superstition, and tho spirit oC n!Vt!n;,^', ol' liis auditors, h(! ae(|uired a stronj^ and enduring inlhionco. The chieis wlio opj)osed or ridieuK'd his pretensions were denouneed as wi/ards or soi'eei'eis, and prools, satisl'aetorv to the minds of the Indians, l)eing aiMueed in support ut' the accusation, nund)ers perishecl at the stalc,l out-break were mostly the same that had in earlier linus lieen aroused Ly Pontia(?, ami had again unite(l, uihK i' Michikinai[ua, as \.'e have seen in the [ireceding eliapter. The undertaking oi. n,'eumseh and his brother was nnt of easy or s})eedy aeeomplishment, l)ut their unwearieil cllnrts and high natural eixlowmeuts gradually gave tln-m liolli an un[)reeedented ase(>ndaney over the mindsofthe Indians. In 1>>07, the new movement among the Westeiii Indians called for attention on the part of the I'nited Stab General, then G(Jvernor, Harrison dispate-l Mill leij a uiL'S-ia'/e ul \\r. lKi\v;i- wariung and reproach t(j the leading men of tl nee tribe. The })rophet dictated, in reply, a letter, in wliicli he denied the charges circulated again.'^t I'iin, and strenu- ously asserted that nothing ^vas farther from his thoughts than any design of creating a disturbance. In the sum- mer of the following year this .subtle intriguer establislicil himself on the 1'ippeeanoe river, a tributaiy of tiie Wa- bash, in the northern part of the .state of Indiana. >- TIIK DKLAWAUK.S, HIIAWANKKt^, KTC. 371 From fliis placo, wlicre lie lived Hurronndcd by a crowd of admiring- ll>ll()\vcrs, tlic Prophet procu'cilcd shoillv alhir tg ViiiccniK's, and spent some time in eommiinieation with Governor Harrison, for the pur[)ose of disarming' suspieion. Hoeontinnallv insistt'd tliat th(! wiiole objeet of iiis preacili- ing to the Indians was to persuade tliem to relin([iiish thoir vioes, and K-adsolicr and peaeeai tie lives; and to this elfectt he often exhorted liis peoph. in the presenee of the L'nited States' government ollieials. In September, of 1809, while Tecumseh was pushing liis intrigni'S among various distant tribes, (jovenioi' Har- rison obtained a eession, for certain stipulated annuities, of a large traet of land on the lower portion of the Wabash, from the triln-s of the Miamis, Helawares. Tutta- watomies, and Kickapoos. ( )ii 'recnniseh's return in the following year, he, with his brother, made \-elicni('nt re- nioiistranees against tliis proceeding, and a somewhat stormy interview took plaee between tiie great chief and (iovernor Harrison, each jiarty being attended by r. pow- erful armc(l force. rp"ii this occasion, Tecumseh tb'st o|ienly avoweil his design of (orming an universal coali- tion of the Indian iiatinns, by which the progress of the whites westward siiould be arrested, but he still insisted that it was not his intention to make war. Oni' great }uiiiciple which he endeavored to enforce was that no In- dian lands sliould be sold, except by consc-nt of all the confederate trilx^s. Two days after this conii'reniH' lie started for tlic south, witli a few attendant warriors, to spread disafreetion among tlic (,'ivcks. Cherok(M\<, and other tribes (jf the southeiMi states. In the following year, (1811,) during the jirolonged absence of Tecumseh, and contrary, as is supi)osed, to his express instructions, bold and audacious depredations and murders were committed by tlie horde of savages gathered at the Prophet's town. l{epres(>ntations were forwarded '.*• ' I, ".rf ./: '>H' m.. 372 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. to Wasliington of tlic necessity for active moaKiires in re- straint of these outrages, and a regiment, under Colonel Boyd, was })roniptly marched from Pittsburg to VinctMuios, and placed under the command of Harrison. With tliis force, and a body of militia and volunteers, the whole amounting to about nine hundred men, the governor marched from Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, for the Prophet's town, on the 28tli of October. ITc had previ- ously made various attempts, through the intervention ol' some friendly Delaware and Miami chiefs, to bring abotit a negotiation, a restoration of the stolen projierty, and a delivery up of the murderers; but his emissaries were treated with contempt and his proposals spurned. The march was conducted with the greatest military skill. A feint was made of taking up the line of march on the south bank of the river; after which, the whole army crossed the stream, and hastened towards the hostile settlement through the extensive prairies, stretching fur- ther than the eye could reach toward the west. On the 5th of Novem^^er, having met with no o])|K)sition on tlio route, Harrison encamped within nine miles of the Pro])li- ct's town. Approaching the town on the ensuing day, various futile attempts were made to open a confei'ence. Menaces and insults were the only rejjly to thes(> overtures. Before the troops reached the town, however, messengers from Elskwalawa came forward, proposing a ti'uce, and the arrangement for a conference upon the following day. The chief averred that he had sent a pacific emba8.sy to the governor, but that those charged with the mission had gone down the river on the opposite bank, and thus missed him. Harrison assented to a cessation of liostilities mitil the next day, but took wise precautions for security against a treacherous night attack. The suspicions of the prudent general proved to be well- founded. The darkness of the night favored the designs n. With tliis t)VO(l to be woll- re 1 the desi'^iis THE UELAWAKES, SIIAAVANEES, ETC. 373 of the Indians, and, before day -break, about four o'clock, the alarm of an attack was given. In the words of one of Harrison's biographers: "The treacherous Indians had stealthily crej^t up near our sentries, with the intention of rushing upon them and killing them before they could give the alarm. But fortunately one of the sentries dis- covered an [luliau creeping towards him through the grass, and fired at him. This was immediately followed by the Indian yell, and a furious charge upon the left flank." The onset of the Indians, stimulated as they were by the assurances of their prophet, that certain success awaited them, was unprecedented for fury and determination. They numbered from five hundred to a thousand, and were led by White Loon, Stone-Eater, and a treacherous Pottawatomie chief named Winnemac. The Projihct took, personally, no share in the engagement. The struggle con- tinned until day-light, when the assailants were driven off and dis})ersed. Great praise has been deservedly awarded to the commanding ofliccr of tlie whites for his steady courage and generalship during the trying scenes of this night's encounter. The troops, although no small num- her of them were now, for the first time, in active ser-viee, displayed gi'eat firmness and bravery. The Indians im- mediately abandoned their town, which the army proceeded to destroy, tearing down the fortifications and burning the huildings. The object of the expedition being thus fully aecoin[)lislied, the troo})S were marched back to Vincennes. In the battle at Tippecanoe, the loss of the victors was probably greater than that of the savages. Thirt\ -eight of the latter were left dead upon the field: of tlie whites, fifty were killed, and nearly one hundretl wounded. It is not to be supposed that the Proj)het's infiuenee maintained its former hold upon his followers after this defeat. He takes indeed, from this time forward, a place in history entirely subordinate to his warlike and powerful brother. .:■.;'■'-■>■ ■■■■■''A .fc ■ l', * ^ . :■ ■:■■ li-'if ;''';■'■■■, ,'',<)( ■'-■.jyR - It ■ j"«e ^ y :-i.-'?^\ v; tt ■ •• h r 1^ ■>'' ''■^1 1 i !«!■ ill ,'7' 37-1 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. An iiitei'Viil of coin])ur;itivo (]^uict succeeded this over- throw of the Prophet's coiiceiitruted forces, a quiet des- tined to lie broken by a far more extensive and disastrous Avar. ^Vllen open hostilities conunenecd between Eiighuid and the United States, in 1812, it was at once evident tluit the former country had pursued her ohl pohcy of rousing up the savages to ravage our defenceless frontier, with unprecedented success, Tecumseh proved a more valu- able coadjutjr, if possiOki, than Brant had been during the revolution, in uniting the diilerent nations against the American interests. To jiarticularize the }iart taken by this great warrior and statesman in the war, would involve too prolonged a descrij)tion of the various incidents of the western caiu- ]»aigns. By counsel and persuasion ; by courage in battle; and by the energy of a powerful mind devoted to the cause he had esj)oused, he continued until his death to ai of *he invasion of Canada, in Septcunber, of the above year, by the American troo])s under Harrison. The invading army encamped at th(; deserted and dismantled fortress, "from which had issued, for years past, those ruthless bands of savages, which had swejit so fiercely over our cxteiuled frontier, leaving death and destruction only in their path." General ITarrison hasteiu^d in pursuit of the enemy up the Thames river, and, on the 4th of October, encamped a THE DELAWARES, SITAW.iNEES, ETC. 875 Tew miles above tlic forks of the. river, and erected a sliglit fortification. On the 5tli, the memorable battle of the Thames was fought. General Proctor awaited the ap- proach of the American forces at a place chosen by himself, near Moravian town, as presenting a favorable position for a stand. His forces, in regulars and Indians, rather out- numbered those of his opponents, being set down at two thousand eight hundred; the Americans numbered twenty- five hundred, mostly militia and volunteers. '^Ilic British army "was flanked, on the left, by the river Thames, and siijiported by artillery, ami on the rii^ht by two extensive swamps, running nearly ])arallel to the river, and occujtied by a strong body of Indians. * * The Indians were coinmandc'l by Tecumseh in person." The British line was broken by the first charge of Colonel Johnson's mounted regiment, and being thrown into irrc- tri('vai)le disorder, the troops were unal)le to rally, or opjKise any further eU'ective resistance. Nearly the whole ai-iiiy surrendered at discretion. Proctor, with a few com- panions, eft'ected his escape. The Indians, protected by tlic covert where they w?re posted, were not so easily dis- lodged. They maintained their position until after the defeat of their Knglish associates and the death of their brave leader. By whose hand Tecumseh fell, does not appear to be decisively settled; but, according to the or- dinarily received account, he was rushing ujion Colonel Johnson, with his tomahawk, when the latter shot him dead with a pistol. This battle was, in effect, the conclusion of the north- western Indian war. Deputations from various tribes appeared suing for peace; and during this and the ensuing year, when Generals Harrison and Cass, with Governor Shelby, were ajipoiuted commissioners to treat with the North-western tribes, important treaties were effected. Tecumseh was buried near the field of battle, and a ■ ^1 • I'l ■.V*' • ■ ■■■' u-h I,' '',■'»-. !•■ [it' r>\ •;■ ;; ■■1 '4. M- ;-.v-,/r-^ C:. m \'.. f ■" ■*. ' l^l^'rl^i^-;',;^ ■ (''' y ,^!f^[-*- ■ ■ ■,.4:.v:,c» I '.' f.jr ■ih 376 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. mound still marks his grave. The British government, not unmindful of his services, granted a pension to his widow and family, as well as to the Proph jt Elskwatawa. CHAPTER IV. ACQUISITION AND SALE, BY THE UMTKl) STATKS, OF INDIAN LANDS IN ILLINOIS BLACK-HAWK THE SACS liKMOVKO WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI KETUllN OF BLACK-HAWK AM) HIS FOLLOW- ERS DEFEAT OF MAJOU STILLMAN THE HOSTILE INDIANS PURSUED BY ATKINS(J.\ ANU DODGE THEIR DEFEAT ON THE BANK OK THE MISSIS- SIPPI — black-hawk's SUUUENUER HE IS TAKEN TO WASHINGTON — HIS SUBSEQUENT CAREER. With the rapid increase of a white population between the Lakes and the Mississijipi, which followed the con- clusion of hostilities with England and her Indian allies, new difliculties began to arise between the natives and the settlers. Illinois and Wisconsin were inhabited by various tribes of Indians, uj)on terms of bitter hostility among themselves, but united in their sus])icions and apprehensions at the uiijjrecedented inroads of emigrants from the east. The Winnebagos, Iwelling in AVisconsin; the Pottawat- oniies, situated anjiind the southern extremity of Lake Michigan; and the Sacs, (afterwards mingled with the Loxes, and usually coupled with that tribe,) of Illinois, principally located upon liock river, were the most con- siderable of these north-western tribes. By various ces- sions, the L^nited States acquired, in the early part of the present century, a title to extensive tracts of country, Ijing east of the Mississippi, and included in tlie present state of THE DELAWARES, SIIAWANEES, ETC. 377 Illinois. The tribes who sold the land were divided in opinion; great numbers of tlie occupants of the soil were utterly opposed to its alienation, and denied the authority of the chiefs, by whose negotiation the sales or cessions wore cffeetcd; and upon the parcelling out and the sale by the United States government of this public property to i)rivate individuals, conflicting claims soon led to serious disturbances. In July, of 1830, a treaty was formed at Prairie du Chien, between United States commissioners and the tribes of the lowas, Sioux, Omawhas, Sacs and Foxes, kc, for the purpose of finally arranging the terms upon which the lands cast of the Mississippi should be yielded up. The Sac chief, Keokuk, was present, and assenting to the ar- rangement in behalf o<^ his people; but a strong part}', headed by the celebrated Black-llawk, utterly refused to abide by it. This chief was then between sixty and seventy years of age, and had been, from early youth, a noted warrior. He was l)orn at some Indian settlement upon the Rock river, and retained through life a strong attach- ment to the place of his nativity and the stream upon wliose banks he so long resided. lie was a Pottawatomie, but his whole life was sjient among the Sacs. To enforce the removal of the Sacs from their villages, on Eoek river. General Gaines visited that locality in June, 1831. He proceeded up the river in a steainer, with several pieces of artillery and two companies of inf'uitry. The general spoke of his visit as follows: "'i'heir villnge is immediately on Hock river, and so situated that I could, from the steam-boat, destroy all their bark houses (the only kind of houses they have,) in a few minuses, ^.•ith the force now with me, probably without the loss of a man. But I am resolved to abstain from firing a shot without some bloodshed, or some manifi'st attemj)t to shed blood, on the part of the Indians. I have already induced nearly V Sri; '■1 \{ m il J 4 ■. I.' '•4 ;}j! 378 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. onc-tliird of tluun to cross tlic Mississippi to tiicir o-wn land. Tlio residue, liowcvcr, say, as the friendly chiefs re])()rt, that tliey never will move; and, what is vrry un- common, tlie Avomcn urge their hostile husbands to figlit ratlicr than to move, and thus abandon their homos." Before the close of the month the forces of the United States and the state militia took j)ossessiou of ihe settle- ment. '^I'lie Indians made no attempt at resistance, and betook themselves to the western bank of the Mississipj)i. In the spring of the following year, the Sacs began to straggle bu^-k to their old towns in Illinois; and VAnch Hawk, with a considerable force of his warriors, nian-hci' up Hock river, v. ith the avowed intent of spending tlic summer, and raising a sujiply of corn among the rottawa- tomies. in accordance with an invitation from that Irilic. lie ])rocced('d quietlv ami peaceably up the river, oH'cring no violence to either the ])ersons or pro])erty of the white inhabitants. A body of moanted militia, under Major Stillinaii, set out in pursuit of the Indians about the middle of May, On their ajtproach to his tem})orary (puirttis, Black-llawk sent a nuniber of his followers to meet ami confer with the commanding offic^er; but it so happeiu'd, either through mistake as to their intentions, or fi-ma a reckless dejiravity on the part of certain of the whites, that several of these emissaries were killed. ]{ous(m1 by tliis injurious treatment, the Indian cliicf prepared to fall upon his pursuers at a point whiTc an and)useade could be rendered most ellective. It is said that wiien the militia came uj), he had but ab(jut Ibn • warriors with him, (the rest of his men being oil" in pursuit of game,) while the whites numbered no less than two hundred and seventy! As these undi.sciplined troops wore crossing Sycamore creek, in entire disorder, and without any precaution against a surprise, they were fiercely at- tacked by the Indians. The rout was comijlete: unable ■' ' ■ ;.i; to their own I Ticndly cliiefs ■ at IS very im- ; I sbancls to fiolit ! I r homos." i of tlio Vnitod ' II of ilie sottle- resistarico, aiul lie Mississippi. Sacs l)i\Li;an to lis; aiul P>lack- ■riors, inareluM^ f spemlinif tlic ig tlie l\)tta\va- roll! that Irihc. i river, oiVering ty of tlic wliitc , iiiidcr Miijor 30vit tlu' middle arary (piartt rs, 's to iiuvt aiul it .so happi'UC'd, jiis, or ti'Diu a of tlie wliitcs, 3 Indian cliicf ■loint wdu'i'c ail vv. It is said )iit aliout ibri/ g oil" in pursuit CSS than two led trot>ps were er, and without ere fuTcely at- niplete: uuahle THE DELAWAliES, SlIAWANEES, ETC. 379 to form, or to offer any elfectnal resistance, the whites were driven off, leaving eleven of their number dead upon the field. As they again rende/iVoused at Dixon's Ferry, thirty miles below, they gave the most extravagant accounts of the numbers of the enemy. Great excitement was produced by this skirmish, and a large army of militia was called into service by Governor lleynolds, and ordered to meet by the 10th of June, at Ilennepin, in I'utiiam county, on the Illinois. Agents were sent to confirm the good- will of the Winnebagos, and other tribes, and the services of .several hundred of the Menomonies and Sioux were enlisted against the dan- gerous intruders. Black-Ilaw'k and his party, feeling themselves now fully committed, were not siow in following up the ad- vantage gained by the terror ins])irod by the engagement at Sycaniore Creek. Between the breaking out of the war and the beginning of the month of August the Indians connnitted many murders, and various skirmishes took place between them and the troops sent in pursuit. On the 20th of May, a lit- tle settlement on Indian Creek was plundered. Vifteen of the inhabitants were killed, and two young girls, by the name of Hall, one sixteen and the other eighteen years of age, were carried into captivity. According to the almost universal custom of the North American In- dians, these fenuu . prisoners were not expo.sed to the slightest insult oi outrage, but were as well eaivd for as circumstances would allow. They were afterwift'ds ran- somed, at a large i)rice, and returned to their friends. Little mercy was shown t,(> uny uf Blaek-llawk's Ibllow- ers upon any occasion of success on the part of the whites. Five per.sons were killed near Galena on +he lith of June, and, shortly after, twelve Indians, sup])osed to be coniu'cted with the attacking paily, were pursued and dri\'en mto a '.' '.I' ' I ' ,' •» ■'■ I' I ■ ■'■■„''•►.'■■■ m^ -' ■ [.' ' ■ ' ;'' •■■ ■' "'Ml ,' ( .1 , ' '■•■", ; I 4' I *" ■■ ' 'i,'-,':r' -:;■',- *■) 1 !■: v^ 880 INDIAN RACKS OF AMERICA. noiglilH)riiig swamp. When overtaken, althougli they made no resiHtancc, tliey were every one killed and scalped by the whites. The eoiulition of Blaek-Uawk and his band grew daily more miserable, fruni destitution, exposure, and starvation. An end would speedily have been put to their operations, but for that terrible disease, the cholera, by which the United States troops, on their route from the east to the scene of action, were almost wlK)lly disabled. Driven from his encampment at the Four Lakes by the approach of General Atkinson, IJlack-Ihiwk retreated down the Wisconsin, expecting to ilnd provisions and as- sistance among the Indians in that direction, (iciicral Dodge, with a .strong force of militia, followed close on liis trail. lie came up with the fugitives on the '21st of July. The Indians were about crossing the river when tlii-y were attacked, and, l)Ut for tlie coming on of night, could hardlv have escaped entire destruction or capture. They lost in the encounter not far from forty men. ^riie discomfited savages continued their flight down the river in their boats, beset on every side by enemie.><, and with an overwhelming ft)rce — Dodge's armv haviiii" been joined by Atkinson and his troops in liot ])ur.suit. "Some of the boats," says Drake, "convejdng these poor wretches, were o.-erset, and many of those in them drowned; the greater number, however, fell into the hands of tlicir enemi(>s in their ])assage. Many of the eliildren were found to be in such a famished state that they could not be revived." Having rea bod the mouth of tlie river, on tin; first of Augu.st, Blaclv iwk prepared to cross the Mi.ssissippi, hut was })revcnted uy a force on board the steam-boat Warrior. ITe "did not wish to fight, but to escape; and when tlie steam-boat fell in with him, he used every means to give the captain of her to understand that he de.-ired to sunvn- TUE DELAWAUKS, SUAWANEES, ETC. 381 dcr. He displayed two wliitc flags, and about otic; hundred and fifty of liis men ajiproaclied the river without arms, and made signs of submission." 'J'he only reply was a discharge of eanister and musketry from the boat, which was returned fi'om the shore. After about an hour's liring, which resulted in the destruction of more than twenty of the Indians, tlie boat moved off to procure a supply of wood. Next morning General Atkinson, with the whole force in pursuit, (sixteen hundred men) came up with the I'em- nant of the eiu'iny. Retreat was cut off on every side, and i\\o half-starved and disi>irited savages were shot and cut down at the pleasure of the irresistible numbers who gurroundcul them, 'i'iie following ks extracted from an account pubHshed shortly after this decisive and final en- gagoinent. "The battle lasted upwards of three lionrs. Al»out fifty of the enemy's women and children were taken prisoners, and many, by accident, in the battle, were kill- ed. When the Indians were driven to the bank of the Mississi[)pi, some hundreds of men, women, and ehililren, plunged into the river, and hoped, by diving, &c., to escape the bullets of our guns; very few, however, escaped our sharji-shooters." Historians generally speak of an action in which tln^ Indians prove successful as a "massacre,'' but the above- described proceeding is dignified by the name of a battle! Black-IIawk, who, witii a few followers, managed to elVe(.'t his escape, afterwards declared that, upon the approach of the American army, he and his warriors made no attempt at resistance, oiferijig to surrender themselves un- conditionally, and that they only used tlieir arms when it was apparent that the successful pursuers had no intention of showing quarter. It is hard to decide upon the true state of the case. His cause now being palpably hopeless, and most of his s:' r ■ ', '■ '■■ ... ^* i ' ^ • i, ' .]" t ' ' ]y'''i .j,';i.' V,' ■/ "Mm i 'I I l''^' 5t: 1 , \l a. 'i ,r r ■ ■ 'P 882 INDIAN lUCES OF AMKUICA. reni.iiuiii;,^ Wiirriors liuviii^ yielded themselves prisoners, or been tuken by the viirious bands of Indians friendly to the whites, Blaek-IIawk surrendered himself at Prairie dii Chien, on tht^ 27th of August. With several other eliiefs he was taken to Vv^ashington, and after holding eoiilerence with l'resid(Mit Jaekson, was eontined, ihv a period, at Fort Monroe, on an island near Old Point Comfort, on tlic Chcsii- peake. Here the captive warriors were well and kindly treated, and in June, of the ensuing year (1883), there tir- ing no longer any neecssity for dctaini)ig them as hostages, they were set at liberty. Before returning to the west, these chiefs visited several of the principal eastern cities, and were every where ic- ceived with the greatest enthusiasm and in1cr(>st. 'I'licy were slunvn the fortifications, navy-yards, i^e., and every (^fl'ort was made to impress them with the ii'resistible ]>o\ver of the government. They were afterwards escoi-ted iiack- to their homes at the west, and dismissed with valuahlo presents and tokens of good-Avill. Blaek-IIawk lived thenceforth in jieace with the whitoH. lie settle(l uptm the Des Moines river, where he died in 1838. The body of the old warrior, in accordance with his own wislies, expressed shortly In.'fore his death, was disposed in Indian style. According to Drake: "No grave Avas made; but his body was placed in a sitting position, Avith his cane betAvecm his knees and grasped in his hands; slabs f)r rails were then jiilecl up about him. Such was the end of P>lack-llawk. IJcre, however, his boui's did luit long rest in ])cace, but thoy Avcre stolen from tlunr place of deposit some time in the folloAving winter; but about a year after, it was discovered that th(>y Avere in possession of a surgeon, of (iuincy, Illinois, to Avhom some person had sent them to be Avircd together. When (Governor Lucas, of Iowa, became accpiaintcd with the i'acts, they Avcrc, by his requisition, restored to his friends." INDIANS OF THE SOUTIIKRN STATES. CHAPTKll I. EARLY LOCATION, NtJMHEHS, CllAnACTKIl, KTC, OK Till'. CATAWnAS; OF THE iJl'l'ER AND LOWER CHEIIOKEES ; OF THE MIKSCOGEES OK OUKKKS; OF THE f'lIOCTAWS ; OF THE ('MICKASAWS FRENCH WAR WITH THE NATCHEZ ANLI CHlClvASAWS. Wk sliall not undertake to assign dollnitc boviiularies to tlic several traetsofeoiuitrvoecupied l»y the extensive tribes ol' the Creeks, Cherokt-es, Choeiuws, C'liiekasaws, Catawbas, Ueliei s, i^e., nor to pursue their liistory, separatt^ly. Tlierc are no sullieieiit distinctions in their general liabits and cliaracter to render such a detjiil necessary, and as they were nearly all more or less all'eetcd by the same ])olitieal events and changes, they can be best considered collec- tively. The name of Creeks, (an Knglish term, taken from the character of the country they inhabited,) lias been a])plie(l to all the tribes above mentioned. James Adair, a trader and resident among tlie Soiithcrn Lillians for forty years, in his History of the American Indians, published in 177"), gives the most complete ac- count of these races to be found in the early Avriters. The principal portion of his book is devoted to a labored dis- quisition upon the origin of the red men, and arguments to prove their descent from the Jews: the rest consists of separate details of the manners and history of the southern tribes, with observations and anecdotes connected with the race in general. ".-i 't K 1 ■■\[*' ,.l ^:.. ..•'ttjCf., ■'!''- i ysi INDIAN HACKS OF AMKKU'A. lie t:()iiitiu'iici'.s with tlio Caluwltas, who then dwch, lio- tweeu tho Caroliiias and thi- cutnitry of tlio C'hcrokoos. IV,- iiitorcotirso with the whites, they had becoiiie iuoih" df^^i'adi'd than tlio other nations of which \ve are now t(; s|»eal<, and drnnkenness, in(h)KMiee, and poverty were oljvionsiy iiievalent. They were a nuinerons and warlike ])Coi»le when Soulli Can)lina was lirst settled, ninstcriiifr about lifteen liundred warriors; Itnt small-pox anil the use 1)1' ardent spirits had, at this time, redueed them to less than one-tenth of their former numbers. 'I'lu'v were old enemies of the Froipiois, with whom they luul wa^M'd lonad Avaters of theSavannali and Chatahoochec, to the northward of the Muscotrccs or Creeks ])roper. When Adair lirst became ac(|uainlr(l ■\vitli the Cherokees, about tlie year IToo, they wvn m- jmted by old traders to ninnber six thousand li;^htin^' men. They had sixty-four popidons towns. ]n 17o8, nearly half of them jicrishcd by the small-p(jx. Like all the other untau_Lrht nations of Aincrica, tlicv were driven to ])erfect desperation by the ravages of this disease. The cause to which they ascribed it, and tlio strange remedies and enchantments used to stay its ])rogrcss, arc alike renuirkable. One course was to j)lunge tlic ,1 ,.,;. ■ 1 F tlll'll tlwclt 1)1'- I till' ('li('ri)l<(H's. 1 I Ih'COIIU' 11H)1'(! li \vc iiro now 1 poverty wt^rc MIS iuiil waiiiki' tli'il, iniistrriiijr pox tiiid the uw 'd them to less A'ith whom thev le l']ii,i;;Hsh they hiii' ilcserihes ;\n one ol' the evi- hey could •' eiil- xes." ( )!' tliese, I'iitivlity they arc n\ s[)iritiioiis li- tlii'v will even 1 jiiid mountain' I tliiit upon tilt' )wer trilie occii- r the Savaiiiiuli the Muscof^'ees ■aiiie aetpiaiiitfil they were eoni- il li;ihtin_if men. J II iTu8, nearly r Aineriea, they rav.ige.s of this lied it, and tlic stay its jiroirress, to plunge tlic INDIANS OF TIIK SOUTHKUN STATES. 885 po luM patents into cold running,' water— (it is eJsewliere men- tioned that those ufllieti-d will IVetpieiifly lenj) into the river tlieniscdves to allay the lever ainl torment) — the re- sult of which operation was speedily I'ntal. " A ^'roat numy killed themselvi's; for, being naturally ju'oiid, they art> always peeping into their looking-glasses.— Dy which means, seeing themselves disdgured, without hope of re- gaining their former beauty, some shot themselves, others cut their throats, some stabbed themselves with knives, and others with sharp-jiointcd canes; many threw themselves with sullen madness into the lire, and there slowly ex- pired, as if tliey had been utterly divested of the native wer of leeling jiain." One; of them, when his friends 1 restrained thest; IVantie elVort.s, and depii\ed him ol' his weapons, went out, and taking "a thick ami round Ime-lK'lve, lixed one end of it in the ground, and repeat- cilly threw himself on it till he forced it down his throat! when he iininediately expired." These tribes were formerly continually at war with the Six Nation.s, at the iioitli, and with the Mu.scogces at the south; but ]>revious to their war with the Knglish colonies tlioy had been for .^ome time comparatively at ))eace, and were in a thriving and prosperous condition. Thev were excellently well supplieil with horses, and were "skillful jockiea, and nice in their choice." The h)wer settlement of the ^[uscogees or Creeks, was ill the country^ watered by the Cliatahotn'liec and l^'lint; the upper Creeks dwelt about the head waters of the Mobik- and Alabama rivers. Their neighbors, on the west, wore tlie Choctaws and Cliiekasaws. The Creeks wei-e a nation formed by tlic union of a nuialier of minor tribes with the ^[llscogees, who constituted the nucleus of the combination. About the middle of the eighteenth century, they were comimted to number no less than three thousand five hundred men 25 xpablc ■if .'I;:; ;a'v|/;' 1. ■'>• ■ 1 f. .;t»'- ■-.?.■ ■Ml :«■ Ka!?<-t 't ■ ' ;J|^ ■ * ■■ ^ '\t. ^'^^M '/'■it SSG INDIAN HACES OF AMLRICA. bearing arms. They liad learned tlie necessity of seclud- ing those infected with the small-pox, so as to avoid the spread of the contagion, and their general habits and usag( s were such that they were fast increasing, instead of diniinishing, like all the surrounding tribes. While the Floridas were in the possession of Spain, the Creeks were surrounded by belligerent powers, both native and European, and they appear to have adopted a very shrewd and artful policy in their intcrci rse with each. There was a French garrison in their country ; the English settlements lay to the north and east, and those of the Spp.ii'ards to the south; and the old sages of chc tribe "being long informed by the opposite parties of the dif- ferent views and intrigues of those foreign powers, wlio paid them annual tribute under the vague api)ellation of presents, were become surprisingly crafty in every turn of low politics." The French were very successful in their efforts to conciliate the good-will of the Muscogccs, and in alienating them from the English. The country of the Choctaws extended from that of tlio Muscogees to the ^Tississip])i, roaching northward to the boundaries of the Chickasaws: their lower towns on tlie river were about two hundred miles north of New Oi- lcans. 7\dair gives these people a very bad character, as being treacherous, dishonest, ungrateful, and unscruj)ulous; but he bears witness to their admirable readiness of s})e ch. They were "ready-witted, and endued with a surj)risiiig flow of smooth, artful language on every subject wiliiiu the reach of their ideas." The strange, custom of flattening the head, prevalent among some other vVmerican tribes, obtained witli tlic Choctaws. Tlie o[)efation was performed by the weij^iit of a bag of sand ke])t upon the foreheads of the infants be- fore the skull had hardened. This process not improbably affected the powers of the mind: at all events, Adair says: INDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 387 •'their features and mind exactly correspond together; lor, except the intense love they bear to their native coun- try, and their utter contempt of any kind of danger in defence of it, I know no other virtue they are possessed of: the general observation of the traders among tliem is just, who affirm tJiem to be divested of every property of a human being, except shape and language." The French had acquired great influence over the Choc • taws, as, indeed, over nearly every tribe in North America with whom they had maintained friendly intercourse. Adair enlarges upon the artful policy with which they conciliated and bribed the leaders and orators of the nation, l?esides this, he says: "the masterly skill of the French enabled them to do more with those savages, with trifles, than all our experienced managers of Indian alfairs have l)ccn able to effect by the great quantities of valuable goods they gave them with a very profuse hand. The former bestowed their small favors with exquisite wisdom ; and their value was exceedingly enhanced by the external kindly behavior and well -adapted smooth address of the dver." The nation of the Chickasaws, at the time of which we arc speaking, was settled near the sources of the Tombigl)ec, a few miles eastward of the head waters of the Tallahache. They numbered about four hundred and fifty warriors, but were greatly reduced since their ancient emigTation from the west. They were said to have formerly consti- tuted one family with the Choctaws, and to have been able to bring one thousand men into the field at the time of their removal. Due allowance must of course be made for mistake and cxagg(n'ation in these early traditions. The Chickasaws were ever inimical to the Frencli and fricTidly to the Kuglish colonists. It was by their efforts that the neighboring tribe of the Natchez; was stirred up to attack the French settlements, in 1729. The French i: -ki ♦ml P -,■ ■ .r?';' .'151 ■ ■■: ' ■ ; (i^ I'ji (.<■■,■., .■ :f I'.','.. 888 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. 'if. ■ ■'■■■i";vV:i'*- Lad, unadvisedly, imposed a species of tax upon the Natchez, demanding a dressed buck-skin from each man of the tribe, without rendering any return ; but, as some of that people afterwards reported to Adair, "the warriors' hearts grew very cross, and loved the deer-skins." The Chickasaws were not slow to foment a disturbance upon intelligence of this proceeding, and sent messengers, Avith presents of pipes and. 'o'oacco, to counsel an attack upon the exercisers of sucl. lyc'-nny. Nothing so strongly excites an Indian's indignation as any attemj)t at taxation, and the Natchez were easily persuaded that the French hud resol V cd to crush and enslave them. It took about a year to ripen the plot, as the Indians arc "slow in their councils on things of great importance, though equally close and intent." It was in the month of November, (1729,) that the In- dians fell upon the French settlement. The connnandarit had received some intimation of the intended attack from a woman of the tribe, but did not place nufficient depend- ence upon it to take any elUcicnt steps for the protection of his charge. The whole colony was massacred: men, women and children, to the nnmber of over seven hun- dred — Adair says iift(;en luuidred-— })erished by the weap- ons of the savages. The triumph of the Natchez wu.<, however, but of short duration. The French came upon them in the following summer with a largo army, consistiiiif of two thousand of their own soldiers and r great array of their Choctaw allies. The Natchez were posted at a strong fcn't near a lake communicating with the Bayou D'Argont, and 1 eived the assailants with great resolution and conr- age. They made a vigorous sally, as the enemy ajijiroach- ed, bat were driven within their defences, and "bombarded with three mortars, which forced them to fly off different ways." The Choctaws took many prisoners, some of whom were tortured to death, and the rest shipped to the West Indies as slaves. ^^■.^:^^' INDIANS OF TUE SOUTHERN STATES. 380 The remnant of the ISTatcliez fled for safety to the Chicka- saws. This brought about a war between the Frencli and the last-mentioned tribe, in which, if we may beheve Adair, the Indians had decidedly the advantage. He tells of one engagement, in which the French and their Indian allies had surrounded tlie Cliickasaw settlements in the night, witli the exce2:)tion of one, which stood at some dis- tance froni the rest, called Amalahta. The besiegers beset every house, and killed all who came out: "but at the dawn of day, when they were capering and using those flourishes thiit are peculiar to that volatile nation, the other town drew round them, stark naked, and painted all over red and black; thus they attacked them, killed numbers on the spot, released their brethren, who joined them like enraged lions." The Indians belonging to the French party fled, but the whites were all killed except two, "an ollicer, and a negroe, who faithfully held his horse till ho mounted, and then ran along side of him. A couj)le of swift runners were sent after them, who soon came up with them, and told them to live and go home, and inform their people, that as the Chickasah hogs had now a plenty of ugly Frencli carcases to feed on till next year, they hoped then to have another visit from them and their red friends; and that, as messengers, they wished them safe home." On another occasion, the same historian informs us that the French approached the Chickasaw stockad-^, strangc^ly disguised, and protected from the balls of the enemy by paddings of wool. The Indians were to the last degree astonished both at their appearance and invulnerability, ^'nd were about to desist from active resistance, and resort tv. the skill of their own necromancers to o])pose what they thought must be "wizards, or old French-men carry- ing the ark of war against them." As the enemy ap- proached, and began to throw hand-grenades into the fort, , • ■■■'■ '''1 ■■'ti5"i''Vi5 ■■[.:,. '[ .-4 ..M <■' •' >; '•.»(.:'■;(<■' r'M :,.^s-W.? :. ■' '. > '(.4 ■ ■■■ ■,■1)1;. i^ ■■(- •■ i oOO INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. thc}^ were quickly undeceived, and set in earnest about tlic work of defence. They pulled the matches out of the grenades, or threw them back among the French ; and, sal- l^-ing forth, directed an effective fire at the iCgs of the enemy, wlio were speedily driven off. "I have two of these shells," says Adair, "which I keep with veneration as speaking trophies over the boasting Monsieurs and their bloody schemes." CHAPTER II. colonization of georgia early intercourse with the natives — toimociiicltl intrigues of the reverend thojias bosom- worth cherokee war of 1759 attakullakulla and occonostota — murder of indian hostages — colonel Montgomery's ey-^ dition — destruction of the east- ern cherokee towns battle near etchoe ca- pitulation at fort loudon indian treachery —campaign of colonel grant, and complete reduction of the cherokees. When the little colony of one hundred and fourteen souls, under the guidance of James Kdward Oglelhorpe, commenced the settlement of fJeorgia, in the winter of 1733, the upper and lower Creeks laid claim to the whole territory soutli-W(^st of the Savannah. The only natives residing in the vicinity — at Yamaeraw — were {)ca('oably disposed towards the settlers, but the governor ol' the in- fant colony thought it advisable to put himself ui)ou safe grounds as respected tiie Indian claims, lie therefore secured the services of a half-breed woman, named ^lary Musgrove, who could speak English, and, by her mcdiii- tion, brought about a confei-euce with the chiefs of the tribe at Savannah, the scat of the new settlement. _.Ji ) ■ ' ' ''Hi' INDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 391 Mary hud formerly married a white trader from Caro- lina. Besides her iisefulnct's as an interpreter, she had such influence over her tribe, that Oglethori)e thought it worth his while to purchase her services at the rate of one hundred pounds a year. She became afterwards, as we shall see, a source of no little danger and annoyance to the Knglish. Fifty chiefs of the Creek nation were assembled at the place of conference, and Tomochichi, the most noted among those then known to the settlers, made an amica- ble speech, proffering at the same time a pi'csent of a builiilo-skin, adorned with eagles' feathers. A treaty was concluded, subject to the ratification of the English crown, by virtue of which the Indians were to consider them- selves the subjects of tiie king, and to live in peace and friendship with his white colonists. The lands lying be- tween tlie Savannah and Altamaha. were made over to the English, with all the islands on that coast, except St. Catha- rine's and two ot'ers, which were reserved for the use of the Indians as bathing and fishing stations. A tract was also set apart fo" them to encamp upon when tliey visited their white friends, a little above the Yamacraw bluff, where Savannah now stands. Various other stipulations, respecting terms of trade, the piuiishment of oiVeuces, &c., were entered into, to the satisfaction of both pa''ties. In April, 178-1, Oglethorjie took Tomochichi, his queen, and several other Indians with him to England. They were presented to the king, and every pains was taken to produce a strong impression upon their minds of the Eiiglisli power and magnificence. All the Indians with whom the first governor of Georgia held intercourse seem to have formed a great attachment for him, styling him their "beloved man." If others in authority among the English colonies had pursued as honest a ci)urse towards the natives, much bloodshed would doubtless have been averted. 'l^liiiA ' :' ;'■'■' \' '■ I ., ;• 'c ■ J," f * '.' ...It ; '1 * '■li^'. ',';.," ;.;r''. ,■■,■'■',. . =m '■'"■■■' all • ■' 'i^'*"/' t/-' '■'■ 'rll m ■■^f ■■i'y\ M^.:[l'^:%:.^- %. ; t, •-'• ■•■ •: I i i; '^'i WH^'^' i- =T1 302 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. Wlicn diiricultics arose in 1738, comict'ted with the con- flicting chiiins of Eiighmd and Spain to jiiriridiction over the new country, Sj[ninish agents wore disjiatched to win over the Creeks, They decoyed a body of them to Au- gustine, by j^retcnces that Oglethorpe was there, and thnt he was desirous of seeing thein. On their arrival, the Indians were told that the English governor was sick on board one of the ships; but they had begun to susjiect deception, and, refusing to go out to the vessel, left the town in great disgust. Their suspicions were conrirniiMl when they reached home, and the transaction oidystrength- enetl their dislike to the Spaniards. In the following year, Oglethorpe attended a great as- sembly of Creeks, Cherokees, and. Chickasaws, at the Coweta town, several hundred miles from Fredei'iea, and confirmed their good-will towards the English by presents, and friendly communion. He smoked the calumet witii the chiefs, and solemnly renewed the origiiuil ti-eaty df amity and mutual protection. This year old Tomocliirlii died, not fai' from Yamacraw, exi)ressing to the last liis love for his first English patron, and urging upon liis j)eoplc tlic ])o]icy of maintaining their place in his good- will. The chief was nearly nin(!ty-seven years of age. The year 17-i9 was menioral)le tor a most audacious attem})t on the jtart of one Thomas Bosomworth to ;i,u- grandize himself by attaining a supremacy over the Creeks. He had been formerly a chaplain in Oglethor})e's regiment, and had married Mary Musgrovc, his halfbreed intei'])ro- ter. In December, of 1747, this man fell in v.'ith a c(Mn- pany of chiefs, belonging to the nation, then on a visit to Frederica; and persuaded thcnr to sign certain articles, acknowledging one of their number, named Malatclie Opiya Meco, as rightful king over the whole Creek nation. Bosomworth then jirocured from Malatclie a conveyance, for certain considerations — among other things, a largo 1 with tlic con- riridiction over );itelicd to win f thcni to Au- tlicve, tind that iir arrival, tlio or Avas sick on ^un to suspect vessel, left the vere conlirnicd 1 only streiij^'tli- ded a great as- vasaws, at the Frederica, ami ish by presents, e calinnet with i^inal treaty of )ld Toniochichi to the last his ging upon his ice in liis giKul- cars of age. nost audacious u worth to ag- ver the Creeks. rpe's n\u'inient, breed interpre- in \,'ith a com- ■n on a visit to ■ertain articles, inied Malatche ; e Creek nation, j } a conveyanco, things, a largo i r ff r. y. .1 (i 1. /; . T!!is mible liird, various jpocUw of wliii-li uri' luiiml in AiiU'iicii, wiis coTisideii'd by llic Iii !('«» Iliiiii hymir own \\kw\* -.-'.A wi'ilcr-", u t'miiii: lypc nl'-iwiriiii'SH, stri'iigih, anil priiud Buporicnily. Uis I'liillii ri ciiri-iilulr.l ;i kinu'ly uriiriininl. iinil wiTf In Id worthy (!ifls 111 till' nililli-iiliiiii III' iinpnii:iiil Irciilii'S, Tin' nld cliii'f Tiimiu'Miclii, wlirii iiurnduoed lu Kiiii; (;i'nri;o U., Jirnirrrri'd si'ViTiil i'ai.'li's' IValliiTs In Itic iiimiairli, Willi llii' ii'iniirk ; -Till' nil' tlii> I'l'Ullii'rs iif tlie caiili-. wliii'li iJ llir swil'h'sl of liinli. mI who llii'lli all rnuiiil "iir iialiiiii!". Tlii'«> fralhcr.'* air a :rth made some efforts to stock and imj)r()ve these islands, but, his ambition becoming arousi'd by success in his lirst intrigue, lie entered upon one nnich more extensive By his per- suasions, his wife now made the extraordinary clahu tiiat she was Malatche's elder sister, and entitled to regal au- thority over the whole Creek territory. A great meeting (jf the tribe was jirocured, and, what- ever of ti'utli Mary's claims might be founded upon, she appeans to have succeeded in j)ersuading large numbers of the Creeks to espouse her cause, and acknowledge her as an ind(>pendent (pieen. Accompanied by a strong force of her adherents, she proceeded incontinentl}' to Savannah, sending emiss;iries before ht>r to demand a surrender of all lands south of the Savannah river, and to make known her intention of enforcing her claim b / the entire destruc- tion of the colony, should her demands be resisted. 'J'he militia were called out by the president and council, and the Indians were ]<.c\)t cpiiet by a disi)lay of conlidence and Jirnmess, that matters might be fully diseussed by their leaders and the colonial authorities. " Bosomworth," says MeCall, "in his canonical robes, with his (pieen by his side, followed by the kings and chiefs, according to rank, marched into the town on the 20th of July, making a most formidable api)earance. — The inhabitants were struck with terror at the sight of this ferocious tribe of savages." Lengthy discussions ensued, between Bosomwortli and Mary on the one hand, and the president and council on the other. The fickle and ini})ressible savages leaned '(•' !,!>;»•'■■*'.•■■. .'I.'T'V J 1 ■ t'*-.-'. 894 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. nltt'i'iuilcly to eitlicr ()[)itii<)M iiccordiiif,' iis they were lijir- aiiguod by their now U-iulrrs, i»r listi'iu-d to the e'\[>l:ui;itiou8 of the other party. They were toht that Mary's ehiims to royal descent were entirely false; that she was the daughter of a white man by a s([naw of no note, and that the luiul ambition of her reprobate husband had led to tlie whole movement. T 'y expressed themselves convinced, but no sooner had ^fi.ry obtained another oi)|)ortunity to com- municate witli th(Mu, than she succeeded in inflaming and bewildering their minds. It was found necessary to con- fine her and her husband before the savages could ho quietly dispersed. Befon; this wasaccomjilished, the town was in a situation of the most inuninent danger, as the Indians vastly out- numbered the whites; and a very slight matter might have so roused their furv that the whole colony would have been annihilated. The intriguing eluiplain hail a brother, Adam Bosomwoi'th, ngent lor Indian affairs in Carolina, wdio afterwards espoused his interests, so far as the claim to the islands of St. Catharine. O.ssabaw, and Sitjielo was concerned. This coadjutor visited the Creek nation, {irooired a new conveyance, and pro.secuted the claim before the courts of Great Britain. The case proveil almost as tedious and complex as that of the celebrated Moliegiui land ([u< sti()n in Connecticut. Bosomwortii and his wife obtaini'd u decision in their favor, in IToO, by virtue of which they tcok [)ossession of St. Catharine's island, and resided u|)oii it the remainder of their lives. Ossabaw and Sapi'lo were 'lecreed to be sold lor the benefit of the suc- cessful parties, but fui'ther litigation arose from the clainis of one Isaac Levy, to whom they had sold, as was asserted, a moiety of that portion of the grant. The breaking out of the Cherokee war, in the winter of this year, (1759,) is the next eve';^ of special interest, con- nected with the affairs of the Sol ' Kern Indians. "J'hcv .'1*1,, ' ' liry wore lisir- oxiilimiitioiis iry's I'lahiis id : s the (laiiglitrr 1 that the mini 1 to llu! whole 'onviiK'fd, l)iit, •tuiiity to coMi- indiiiuing and [jcssary to coii' ages could lie IS in a situation uus vastly out- matter ini<:lit colony would •liaidain had a liau alVairs in 4s, so far as tlic w, and Saiiclo Creek ruition, ited the claim roved almost rated MolicLriiii and his wile I, by virtue el' i-'s island, and Ossaliaw and it of the sue- i'oru tlic claims IS was asserted, 1 the winti'rof il interest, eoii- ndiuns. They INDIAN'S OF THE SOUTIIEIJX STATES. aD5 I Befitn generally to liavc been pcaccaldy disposed, and lion- pst in tlie fulliUtnent of their national eiigagenieiits, and proliahly would have continued so, had they met with fair : treatment at the h;uids of the Kngiish colonists. I'artics ofChcrokees, untler T?ritish commaiulers, had been engaged, with the Knglisli in campaigns against the l^'iciieh fortifi- cations at the west. Upon the evacuation of Kort Du- quesne, iiunib(>rs of tlies(! Indian warrior.*^, whost^ si^rvices were no longer rc([uired, si't out upon their return home. ; Having l)een ill-sup])lied with provisions, aiiveiige for this theft, the (jornian settlers of Virginia fell up(Ui tluMu, and murdered and scalped a eonsiderable miniber. They even imitated, in several instances, the ; horrible cruelties of the savages in the manner of butch- ory— at least, so says vVdair, who further re{)orts, that "tlios(^ n\urderers were so audacious as to impose the scalps on the government for those of Kreiich Indians; and tliat thev actuallv obtaiiKnl the iircmium allowestened, in command of the regulars and provincials, to make an cllective inroad upon the hostile Indians. His progress through the lower Cherokee country was marked by the entire destruction of the Indian towns. The first place attacked, called Keowee, was surrounded, and the men of the town were put to the sword. Estatoe, con- taining two hundred liouses, with great quantities of pro- visions, was entirely destroyed; but tlie inhabitants were saved by a timely flight. "Every other settlement east of the Blue Ridge," says McCall, "afterwards shared the same fate." The army made some stay at Fort Prince George, and useless endeavors were put forth to bring about a pacifica- tion with the upper portion of the Cherokecs. In the 1-^1 1- yri^ii ,> ' Mil 1 fglM Iwl ' ^'ma .» OfjT-Jffl hi ' &m ml mm 'iriiKw ^■t: ■ 398 IXIHAX KACES OF AMERICA. h,. ■?■, '^VH;(', month of June the troops were again on their advance into the ■w ildoruess of the interior. Near tlie Indian town of Etehoe, the native warriors prepared a most skillfid am- buscade to check tlie advancing forces. It was in a deeji valley, through which ran a muddy stream, with steep banks; on either side of which the way was completelv choked with tangled brushwood. Some hard fiiihtiuir took place at this spot, in which twenty of the whites were killed and seventy-six wounded. The loss on the side of the Indians was nmch less, and, although drivxni from the spot where the lirst stand, was made, they in- trenched theniselv(,'S a little farther on. Under those cir- cumsttinces, Montgomery determined, to secure the safety of his troops, and to provide for the re(|uisite attention to his wounded men, by a retreat. He soon after .^ailed fir New York, leaving four companies of regulars, under Major Hamilton, for the protection of the frontier. The garrison at the isolaled Kort JiOUihni was now in a state of imminent peril. The provisions of the place were nearly exhausted, and the I'cdoubtable Occonostota was laying close siege to it with his lierce and enraged warriois. After sullering great extremes of privation, and experi- encing disappointment in all their hopes of relief, llu; two hundred, men stationed at this place were obliged to ca- pitulate, and trust to the h(.)nor of tliinr savage enemy. Captain Steuart, an (^Ilieer greatly in favor with all the friendly Indians, arranged the terms u])on which the fort should be evacuated. The troops were to be allowed a free and unmolested j)assag(; to Virginia, or Fort I'lhiee George, and a detachment of Indians was to accomjiaiiy them f(n' tlie purpose of supplying provisions bv iuuitiiig. The garrison marched out on the 7th (.>!' August (ITiiO). Occonostota himself, with a numlx'r ol'otht.-r natives, kept coin])any with the whites, dui'ing the lirst day's march of lifteen miles; but these all disa]ij)eared when tla^y reached tlicir advance ic Indian town ost skilUnl am- , ^vas in a deep un, \YilU Htcep vas completely hard lighting of the whites 'he loss on the Ithough driven made, they in- Judcr these cir- 3eure the safety site attention to after sailed for regidars, under frontier. pn was now in a ; the place were 1 econostota was raged warrioi'.s. ; m, and experi- relief, the two obliged to cu- | savage enemy. >r with all tliu whieh the fort o be allowed u (.r Fort rriuec to aeeonipany ,iis by hunting. August (ITtiO). vr uiitives, kept day's march of on they reached INDIANS OF THE SOUTIIEUN STATES. 399 the place of encampment, near an Indian town called Taliquo. On the next morning, just before day, (the time generally selected by Indians for a surprise, as men sleep more soundly then than at any other hour,) a large body of armed savages, in war-paint, were seen by a sentinel, creeping through the bushes, and gathering aljout the camp. Hardly was the alarm given when the attack was made: twenty-six of the feeble and half-starved soldiers were killed outright, and the rest were pinioned and marched back to the fort. Cai)tain Steuart was among the prisoners, but his evil fortune was alleviated by tlic staunch friendship of the bcnevclcnt Atakullakvdla. This chief, as soon as he heard of Steuart's situation, hastened to Fort Loudon, "and pur- chased him of the Indian who took him, giving him his rifle, clothes, and all that he could command by way of ransom : he then took possession of Ca])tain Demcre's house, where he kept his prisoner as one of his family, and hu- manely shared with him the little jirovisions his table alforded, until an opportunity should offer of rescuing him." A quantity of anununition was discovered b}'' the In- dians, buried in the fort, and Oeconostota determineel to proceed at once to lay siege to P'ort I'rinco George. Captain Steuart was infoi-med that the assistance of himself and his men would be required in the management of tlie great guns, and that, I'ui-thermore, if the garrison should refuse to capitulate, all the prisoners now in the hands of the Indians should, one by one, be burned, in sight of the fort. Perceiving the difhculty of his situation, the captain Itegged his kind old proprietor to assist him in effecting an eseai)e, and Attaktdlakulla readily lent his aid. V\nm ])retence of taking his prisoner out for a hunt, he left h'ort Loudon, with his wife and brother, and two English soldiers, and took a direct course for the Virginia frontier. After a mosL toilsome and dangerous nuireh, they fell in with a Lr; ■ ; '' ''•,0- '■'^'i '■i ■;'--''1;r^l ■ .'■■'" 'i, > 'i iH y< ■.!..^> , ■■'■■■ ""i" r' • (. ml '.. t ' i" 400 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. party of tliree hundred men, sent out for the relief of such of the garrison at Fort Loudon as might have effected their escape. Being now in safe+y, Captain Steuart dismissed his Indian friends with handsome rewards, to return and attend to the welfare of his former fellow-jjrisoners. Such of them as had survived were afterwards ransomed and delivered up at Fort Prince George. This ])ost was imnnKliately supplied with provisions in anticipation of the siege ; and care was taken, through the mediation of Attakidlakulla, to imjiress the Cherokees with the idea that it was totally imju'egnable. Matters appeared now to be, in some manner, at rest; but the majority of the Cherokee nation remained thor- oughly inimical, and emissaries from tlie French colonies were busy in their midst. A French oflicer, of the name of Latinae, was esj)eeially successfirt in rousing up their hostile feelings. As an instance of his style of proceeding, it is related that, at a great conclave of the trilu\ he step- ]K>d out, and drove his hatchet into a log, calling out: '"Who is the man that will take this up for 'the king of France?' Saloue, a young warrior of Kstatoe, laid hold of it, and cried out, 'I am for war! the spirits of our brothers who have been slain still call upon us to revenge their death — he is no better than a woman who refuses to fol- low me.' " In the following sjiring, Colonel James Grant, who had succeeded to the connnuud of the Highlander;-; enijiloyod ji liritish service in America, commenced active ojx-ratioiis against the belligerent nation. AVhat with the aid of the provincials and fri 'ndly Indians, he was at the head of about twenty-six hundred men. The Chickasaws and Catawbas lent some assistance to the Fnglish; but the Creeks are said to have alternately inclined to the French or Fnglish, according as they received or hoped for favors and presents. !i INDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 40X The army readied Fort Prince George on the 27th of May, (1701,) and there old Attakullakulla made his ap- pearance, deprecating tlie proposed vengeance of the wliites upon his people, lie was told that the English still felt the strongest regard for him individually, but that the ill- will nnd misconduct of the majority of the nation were too jiiilpahle and gross to be suirei\;d to go longer unpunished. Colonel Grant marched from the fort in the month of J une, and advanced nearly to the spot where ^lonigomery's progress had been arrested, before coming to an engage- ment. Here the Cherokees, on the 10th, made a despei-atc but unavailing stand ; they were routed and dispersed, leav- ing their t' wns and villagesof the interior to be destroyed by the iiivi-ders. Etchoe was burned on the day following the battle ; and, according to ^IcCall, " all the other towns in the middle settlement, fointeen in number, shared tlic .«ame fate : the corn, cattle, and other stores of tlie enemy, vrerc likewise destroyed, and those miserable savages, with their families, were driven to seek shelter and subsistence aiuoniz; the barren mountains." Upon the return of tlie army to Fort Prince George, after this campaign, Attakullakulla again visited the cam{), brint'iiiff witli him a luuuber of other Cherokee chieis. Broken down by their disastrous losses, and disgusttnl with the deceitful j)i'omises of the Fi'cneh, they gladly acceded to such terms as Colonel Gram thought lit to impose, and a treaty of peace was fornuilly concluded. 26 ^ imi ■ -':;-:$? ■ :. :: 'i * ,'■■.'■■, ■! •"'■•It- 'r ' ■, ■ ,■■.'*/:" >\ •• ' ' ' ' " ■■ » I . '' ■ i ■ ■ ,': J. ,) »_, ' , ■;■"' ,■" 1 V, ■ "i . . "■ ■,' ''■>■ . • J'-' » '' ' '% ■;■»'* •:-;fe'v:.:' -, 402 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. CHAPTER III. CAPTAIN STEUART's AGENCY DISTURBANCE IN 1707 — VISIT OF TECUMSEH TO THE SOUTHERN TRIBES — WEATHERFORD — SACK OF FORT MIMHS — WAR OF 1818 — (GENERAL JACKSOn's CAMPAIGN — BATTLES ON THE TAELUSAHATCHEE ; AT TALLADEGA, AUTOSSEE, ETC. — THE ilALIIBEES — DEFEAT OF THE INDIANS AT KORSE-SHOE BEND — END OF THE v^AR. In tlie year 1762, it was tliouglit advisable by tlic Eng- lish government to appoint a general agent and sui)eriu- tendent of Indian affairs at the south. Partly through the ' earnest intervention of Attakullakulla, but espcciiilly be- ; cause of liis known sag;.>.ity and influence over the native ' tribes, this oflice was conferred upon Captain John Steu- art. Upon entering on the duties of his appointment, he called a great council of deputies, from all the southern tribes, at Mobile. Addressing the assembled chiefs ia their own style of oratory, he explained to them the rela- tions then existing between France and England, impress- ing upon them the idea that all residing east of the jj Mississi])pi, must nrv'" look to the English for supplies and protection. lie directed his harangue to the several uatious in sc})arate succession, promising entire anmcsty to all who had taken up the hatchet in behalf of the French ; commending those who had remained faithful to the EngH.sh; and excusing those who had sided with the eneni}', as the victims of deception. It was proposed to adopt, at this time, a more just and equable policy towards the Indians than had heretofore been used, and to take the necessary steps to secure them ,; against the deception of un j)rineipled speculators. Affairs, accordingly, looked peaceful and prosperous for some years. The natives made over a large additional tract of a more just and 1 luid heretofore )S to secure tbciu ulators. Afftiirs, )erous for some Aditional tract of INDIANS OF TUE SOUTHERN STATES. 403 land to the growing colony of Georgia, to be sold, and the avails applied to the discharge of the heavy debts they had incurred for supplies of anunuuition, clothing, &c. The following circumstance sufficiently evinces the policy of mild measures towards the Indians: In 1767, the whites having made encroachments upon the Indian lands, some of the Creek warriors began to retaliate by stealing horses which they found upon their own territory. A party of them also attacked a store at Trader's llill, on the St. Mary's, belonging to one Lemmons, and after plundering it of its contents, burned the buildings. Some of tlic whites pursued these marauders; recovered the stolen horses; laid hands upon what valuable goods they could discover, and destroyed the villages of the offenders. Far less important allairs have often led to long and bloody wars with the natives; but, in this instance, Governor Wright, at Savannah, restored perfect quiet by decreeing mutual restorations and compensation. No events of very striking interest connected with the Indians of tlie Southern States, call for our attention from tliis period to that of the wars wdth the western tribes in the early part of the present century. Until they became, to a certain extent, involved in those hostilities, they re- mained in comparative peace with the American whites. After the termination of the revolutionary war, and the establishment of the independence of the United States, the intrigues of opposing parties no longer operated to foment disturbance, or to tempt the unfortunate savages to engage in quarrels where they had nothing to gain, and which ever resulted in their final discomfiture. By a steady increase of numbers, and the adventurous spirit of pioneers, the white settlers every where made advances upon the Indian territory. Sometimes large ac- quisitions would be made by a government purchase ; but, to no small extent, the opinion that the occupation of a r [if i#:'i 'K' -' ■ ,''■ •', ■: 1?,' .f*'i '!.^f;l '■' '.'■ i| -''m^ mm'::: • [ M r 404 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. few roving savages could give no natural title to lands, as v)j)j)ose(l to the claims of those who had njchiinied, inclosed, and iiriproved the wilderness, satislied the consciences of the encroachers. The argument in fivor ol' this conelu- ^''on is by no means without force; hut who can tala' ujnm '..,- isclf to draw the line of demarkaliou which shall decide, u])on any ])rinci])le of universal application, the bounds of so artificial a right as the ownership of land? In the autumn of 1811, the great Shawanee chief Te- cumsch, in ])ui'suance of his bold and extensive plans 11 )r a universal association of the Indians against the whites, made a tour among the southern tribes. His cloipienl apj)eals, and the overpowering energy which distinguished this truly great man, proved successful in the winning over to his views of no small number of the Indian war- riors, even among those who had long maintained a friendly intercounse with the Americans and the govei'ii- ment of the United States. At tlic time of the declaration of war with Knglaiid, (June 18th, lbl2,) the whole western border of the rniied States was in a j)osition of the greatest danger and inse- curity. The machinations of Tecumseli and tho- Prophet had roused an extensive flame of vindictive iei-ocity throughout the Indian nations, while liritish agents, it is said, were widely disjiersed, and, by munificent jn'omises and artful persuasions, had still farther widened the breach between the savages and their white countrymen. Fright- ful scenes of depredation and murder called for a ju'onipt and decisive check. Many minor forays arc recoixled, but the destruction of Fort Minims in the Tensau settletiient of Mississippi, in the summer of the year following, may be considered the first important part taken by the south- ern tribes in the wars of this period. Wc shall not under- take, in our brief account of the Indian campaign of 181;], to keep up a distinction between the dittercut tribes of ';■'?■•■■'•/•■ • . : t ■ Ic to lauds, ;i8 meJ, inclosed, j | I'onsciciK'es of :' il' this coiiclu- cau take ujxni ;li shall decide, 11, the bouiuls and? uiee chief Te- nsivo })laiis for list the whites. His ehiiiueiil li distinguished 11 the winning he Indian wur- maiutaiued a id the govern- with Knglaud, of the United iger and iiise- I tho- Proitliet etivc fen icity sh agents, it is ficeut promises icd the breach nuMi. Friglit- d for a iironijit ; recorded, hut usau settlement 1 lowing, may 1 by the south- hall not under- npaign of 181o, lercut tribes of INDIANS OF THE SOUTHEKN STATES. 405 Crocks, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Chcrokccs, &c., who were drawn into hostilities. Protniaeiit among the chiefs ailil leaders of the southern confederacy, was the celebrated Wcatherford. His mother was said to have been a Seminole, but he was born among the Creeks. He Wits, beyond question, possessed of lany noble and commanding qualities, but these were co. bii.. 1 with cruelty, avarice, and degrading vices. A • art\ about one thousand warriors, led by this pojv, !u, "aiief, fell upon the devoted Fort Miinrns, on the ' u, c Au- frust, 1813. The post was garrisoned by one h.ind: d a, id sixty eflicient soldiers; the rest of its oecu] '?-, '■■) the number of one hundred and iifteen, consisted (,. oid men, women and chihlrcn. Tlie forces were under the c(Hn- iiiaiul of Major Beasly. No regular preparations had been made for the reccjition of so powerful an enemy, and al- though the soldiers did their duty rnanfiiUy, they were overpowered, and all slain except seventeen. The women and children having enseonced themselves in several block houses, met Avith a more terrible fate. The savages set fire to the buildings, and consumed them, together with their inmates. The settlers inhabiting exposed districts were now obliged to lly for safety to places of protection, and the hostile hordes of Indians were collecting their warriors for further inroads upon the frontier. '^^I'o resist them, a large force was called into requisition in Tennessee, and the command bestowed upon General Andrew Jackson. Col- onel Coffee, at the head of a considerable body of troops, and such volunteers as could be immediatcdy collected, hastened forward to defend the country in the vicinity of lluntsville. General Jackson, although disabled at this time, by a broken arm, determined to take the field in per- son, and pushed on the necessary preparations with all that zeal and energy which marked his character through life; ♦ ' ' * ' ij^ 'iff*' » f ^m m 406 INDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. News was broiiglit by some runners from tlic ostablisli- mcnt of tlic friendly old Creek eliicf Cliinnaby, that the enemy was aj)proaeliing lluntsville, or Fort Hampton, in full force. The report was erroneous, but, as other nunors seemed, at the time, to confirm it, the general hurried his army on to relieve the jKwt. This was on the 10th of Oc- tober (1813). From lluntsville, Jaekson, with his forees, crossed the Tennessee, and jt)ined Colonel Collee, who was posted upon a high bluff on the south bank of the river. From this place, Colonel Coflec was dispatched, with seven hundred men, to beat up the enemies' quarters on tlie Black Warrior river, while the commander of tin- army turned all his attention to securing some supplies ol' provision for his Ihmishing troops. Encamped in tlir enemies' country, whither they had arrived by fonjcd marches, the trooj)s were necessarily exposed to great hard- ship and want. While awaiting sui)[)lies at this encamp- ment, General Jackson had an interview with Shclocia, a son of Cliinnaby, wIkj had come to request assistance lor his father and friends, blockaded in their fort by the hos- tile Creeks, lie said that a considerable force of tlu; enemy was now in the vicinity of the Ten Islands, oii the Coosa. The news was confirmed by other messengers, and llic commander proceeded towards the Coosa, to jjrotect liis Indian allies, notwithstanding the straits to which his iiirii were reduced from want of provisions. The troo})s ri'achcil the Islands without encountering an enemy. On the route, Colonel Dyer was detached, with two hundred mounted men to fall upon Littafutchee, at the head of Canoe Creek, a western tributary of the Coosa. He accomplished the ser- vice, destroyed the town, and brought back to the camp twenty-nine prisoners. While encamped at the Ten Islands, the general ascer- tained the real rendezvous of the enemy to be uj)ou the Z'.ZTJ INDIANS 01' THE SOUTHERN STATES. 407 Tallussaliatchec Creek, omptying into tlie Coosa aliont tliir- tccii miloH below the ein;;impmeiit. Colonel Coll'ee, with nine hundred men, was promptly ordered upon the duty of engaging them. lie forded the Coosa at tlio l*'ish- Uams, and, ajjproaehing the; Indian eamp, so disposed liis forces as to partially surround it, while several companies, under Captain lIamm(Mid and Lieutenant I'atterson. were marched in to beat up the enemies' (piarters. The savages fought boldly and desperately, but were overpowered and driven into their buildings, where one hundred and eighty- six of their number perished, fighting hand to hand, Kighty-four women and children were taken ]>risoncrs, and a number were killed, as is said, by aeciik'nt, c melee. This battle was fought on the od of Novem- ber (1813). A species of fortification was now ])re])ared at the islands, and named Fort Strother. On the 7th of the month, in- formation was received that the enemy was collci'ting in force to attack Talladega, — a post about thirty miles be- low, occupied by friendly Indians, — and General Jackson, with nearly his whole army, consisting of twelve hundred inflmtry and eight hundred mounted men, hastened to its relief. The baj^gage, the sick, and the wounded, were left, under a guard of protection, at h\jrt Strother. The river was (<)i\lod by tlie mounted men, each carry- ing one of the infantry behind him, a process which was continued till the whole army was safely landed on the opposite shore. It was about midnight when the march commenced, and on the evening of the ensuing day, as}ii)t only six miles from Talladega was reached. By four o'clock, on the following morning, the troops were again in motion ; and, acting iipon intelligence obtained by le- connoitcring during the night. General Jack.son was ena- bled so to dispose his troops as partially to surround the camp before the action conmicnccd. It is unnecessary to :■ wn-c- i- ■ i^ .1 ; ' ly-M 408 INDIAN RACES OF AMKHICA. give tlio (lotuils of tliis biittlo. Tlic Iiidiiuis (lispliiycd both coiirtif^a' niul rifimics>", and by the iiiipi.'tiiosity of thoir attiu'k, l)rokc throii^ji the Wnv. of thi^ iidvaiii'iiig forces ut n point o(.'(Mij)*u'd by (iiMicral Roborts' brigach*. They were dilv^Mi ill again by a body of rt\S(!rv(Hl troops, but, sue- cocdod in making their cscapo to the mountains, tlii'M- milos distant, through an opening left by some misealcii- hition in tiie (Hrection of th(i AnuM'ieans' advan(!e. ''hi this battle," aeeonUng to ('obbett, "the force of the ciieinv was one thousand and ciglity, of whom two hiiiidrci] and ninety-nine were k;ft dead on the ground; and it is be- lieved that many were kiHed in the ilight, wiio were not Ibund vvdien the estimate was made. Their loss, on this occasion, as stated since by themselves, was not less than pix hundred: tlnitofthe Aniei'icans was fifteen killed anil eighty woumled, sevei'al of whom afterwards died." The friendly Indians, who had been besieged in their fort at this plac(>, deprived in'en of water, expressed thr liveliest gi'atitudo and exultation at their release. Tlir fatigue, exposure, and want which the army were eoni- pcUed to undergo, now began to arouse a spirit of di eon- tent and mutiny. Few men have ever posses.sed that sell- devotion and noble spirit of endurance, combined wit'i an inflexibility of purj)ose never surpassed, which enable^! Jackson to quell the disturbances wliieh arose, anil \o preserve the ibrccs under his charge in a conditi(jn lor active and useful service. After the battle at '^I'alladcga, the TTallibec Indians, wlin were largel_y concerned in that transaction, sucmI for peace. They were told by the Ameri(.'an general that this shoiiM be accorded, upon condition of the restoration of plundereil property, and the delivering uj) of those who had taken part in the massacre at Fort Minmis. Unfortunately, while these negotiations were pending. General White, acting under orders independent of General Jacks(jn, at- V;.;* :''': (lispliiyccl l)()t1i losity of tlicir lu'iii}^ loives iit I K'. Tlioy wore } roops, but, sue- (Hiiituiiis, till'"!' some misealcu- lulvancc. "In M> ol' the ciKMuy ^•(1 limnli't'il ami 1; au'l it is lir- ;,, wlu) wort' IK it cnr loss, oil this 'as not less tliaii ilU'cn killed ami nls .lied." esie^'cd in tlioir r, expressed the ir release. Tin' nuy were coin- spirit ol' di. eon- issessed that sell- c()iid)ined wit'i , wliieli eiial)K'il 1 arose, aiul to a couditiou ibr «.■,,. I jee Inilians, wlin , sued for i)eac('. Lliat this sliouM ion of i)luu(K'ivil who had taken Unfortunately, General White, oral Jackson, at- -J; .-I- (■: ) /,.'.>, ;^._>-^*" (;r.N. J ACKSOX. INDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 409 tackcci the towns of tlicsc Indians, destroyecl many of their warriors, and carried oft' several hundred captives. Supposing that this was by Jackson's orders, they expected no further favor, and fouglit thereafter witli the despera- tion of men to wliom no rpiarter was to be given. The result of this Indian campaign was the entire re- duction of the hostile nations. We need not recount the various battles in which they were defeated and destroyed. The most noted of these were at Autossee, where some two hundred were massacred, on the 29th of Xovember, and that of the great bend in the Tallapoosie, known as Ilorse-Slioe Bend. At this latter point, t.. . Indians forti- fied themselves for a last and desperate stand. They were supposed to be about one thousand in num- ber, and had been, for some time, strengthen iiiu- tlieir position by every means within their reach. This was in the montii of M;uvh, 181-1. On the 27th, General .h^.-kson, with a (brcc of wliites and fiiendly Indians, three times tlie number of the enemy, connaenced operations against the fort. (kMU'ral Coffee, with most of the cavalry and Indian allies, was directed to surround tlie bend, in order to cut off all retreat across the river. The place was then carried by storm, under a lu^^v}' fire from within. More than half tlie Indians were killed at the fort, and an un- known number perished in llieir endeavors to escape by crossing the river, beset as it was by the assailants. Some have asserted that probably not more than twenty ever reached a place of safety. At a time when it was evident that the fortune of the day was decided. General Jackson scut a messenger, with a flag of truce, to invite a surrender; but, from ignorance or desperation, the savages tii'ed upon the bearer of the flag. After tins, no mercy was shown: until night put an end to the work of destruction, they were shot or cut down wherever they could be f)und, and even on the following morning, a considerable number were i'l: 1 ■ ■"■Vi*-'»Ki'S' ' ■''■■'''■ ^.l ■;*. ■, ■• '''M W li^^/Mi 410 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ferreted out from tlie " caves and reeds," wliere tliey had sought concealment, and remorselessly put to death. Sev- eral hundred women and children were made captives. The loss of the attacking army, in this battle, was fifty-fivc killed, and one hundred and forty-six wounded. In the ensuing month, (April,) General Jackson having effected a junction with the troops from Georgia, under Colonel Milton, received a deputation from the principal hostile tribes, expressing a wish for peace. The general demanded, as one condition upon which he would treat, and as a test of the sincerity of the proposal, that the great but notorious Weatherford siiould be delivered up for punishment. This chief, hearing of the recpiisition, and hopeless of fui-ther success in resistance, came voluntarily to the American camp, and presenting himself befnre tlic commander, with characteristic dignity and conijiosuiv, requested jcacc for his people, and annou)iccd his own submissic"! to his fate, whatever it might be. Uis speech on this occasion is given as follows: "1 am in your power — do with me as you ])lcase — I am a soldier. I have done the whites all the harm I could. I have fought them, and fought them bravely. If I had an aiiin , I would yet fight — I would contend to the last: but 1 have none. My people are ail gone. I can only weep over the misfortunes of my nation." On being told that he was siill at liberty to depart, and that no favor would be shown to him or his nation unless they should submit to whatever terms the wliites should sec lit to impose, he replied: "Ion can safely address me in such terms now. There was a time when I could have answered ycni — there was a time when I had a choice— I have none now. I have not even a hope. I conld once animate my warriors to battle; but ' ^.^.mot animate tliu dead. My warriors can no longer hear my voice. 'J'lu'ir bones are at Talladega, Tallusshatchee, J'hnuckfaw, and To- rliere they had death. Scv- macle captives, e, was fifty -five ided. ackson having Georgia, under 1 the principal , The general he would treat, 1, that the great ilivered u}) lor rc(iuitfltion, and vnie voluntarily iself hell 're the ,nd ctjuiposure, mnced his own pe. follows: "1 am -I am a soldier. ould. I have I had an arui}, die last: but I can only wee}) dejiart, and that ion unless they es should see lit address me in n 1 could have lad a choiee— I I could once lot animate tliu V voice. Tlieir uckfaw, and To- INDIANS OF THE SOUTHEKN STATES. 411 liopeka. * * * * You are a brave man ; I rely upon your generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquered people but such aa they should accede to." This was the last important incident of the campaign. The Indians submitted to the dictation of the whites, and retired to the districts assigned them, eastward of the Coosa. CHAPTER IV. THE REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI PRESENT rOCATION AND CONDITION OK THE OTHER TRIBES OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. "Bearing a people with all its household Gods into exile, Exile without an end, and without an exanipic in story. — " IiONGFELLOW. But a few years have passed since the Cherokecs were in the peaceful occu])ation of an immense and fertile ter- ritory in the northern part of Georgia. They numbered not far from eighteen thousand, and were increasing in a ratio which attested their power of self-support and im- provement. They had made advances far beyond most of their red brethren in the arts of agriculture and manu- factures. A system of legislation adapted to their capaci- ties and wants had been established, and, generally speaking, tbe nation exhibited a praiseworthy spectacle of sobr' 'ty, industry, and good order. They were in po.-Jscssion of about eight inillions of acres of land, and their ability and inclination to cultivate it, may appear from the statistics of their stock and agricultural implements. In 1826, they were the owners of seven thousand six hundred horses, twcnty-t»vo thousand cattle, forty-six thousand swine, and two thousand five hundred sheep. There were in use L. ■'"5 ^m^^'m:-, "•»'.■'. ■:-m l I •Hi »*-vJ- 'M 412 INDIAN I ACES OF AMERICA. among them two thousand nine hundred and forty-three plouglis, and one hundred and seventy -two wagons. Tliey occupied their territory under the treaties entci'ea into, and within the bounds assigned at the negotiations between the confederate states and the Indiaii tribes of the south, at the close of the revolutionary war In the year 1802, when the long-vexed question of tl.e boundaries of the state of Georgia was finally settled, the United States stipulated to cxtii.ruish the title of the Cherolvoes to the lands then in thar possession, "as early as the sji.iic could be peaceabl}' obtai!U\l, upon reasonable terms." As the states of Georgia, Alabuni.:, and Mississippi increased in power a'id populati^^i, they became more aiul more liiiiiatient of die cxisteiic' of selfgovei'niiig and independent tribes within tlvnr ', ndaries, and begun to exert a control over then; ui sonv ii stances exceedingly ■>i njust and o})pressive. iiLrong efforts were made to induce a;; v-nigr-ition of these Indians to the west, which were in some ;iit'afea/v successful, and, prior to 1829, a cession (ir sale I'f ;i. \>'y large district had been obtained from the Cherokees. The members of this trilx;, '.iaturall}' attacht.] to the beautiful country in which tliey had passed their lives, finally determined to retain possession of what re- mained of their lands, and to allow of no further siilcs to whites. In December, of the above year, the state of Georgia passed a series of acts which justly aroused the fears and indignation of the Indians, and excited a feeling of sym- pathy in their behalf, as powerful as extensive. '^J'lie laws of the state were declared to be in full force over all the I Aborigines within its limits; the regulations and provi- | sions of the Cherokee council were declared invalid and void; heavy penalties (amounting to years of imprison- ment at hard Ld)or) v/ere awarded against any Cherokee and forty-tlirec > wagons. They es entered into, )tiations between 3es of the south, I qncstion ot the 1 nally settled, the I the title of the lession, "as early j upon reasonable and Mississipiii oeeanic more aiul If-govoi'ning atul ies, and l)(\ in 820, a cession or btaiued from the iaturally attached had passed their ssion of what re- ' no further sales state of Georgia sed the fears and a feeling of syni- jnsivc. '^I'he laws force over all the ations and previ- a red invalid and •ars of imprison- ist any Cherulcoc INDIANS OF TUE SOUTHERN STATES. 413 ; who should "endeavour" to oppose emigration; and it : was even enacted, by the fifteeutli section, "that no lu- ll dian, or descendant of an Inthan, within the Chei'okeo I nation of Indians, sludl be a competent witness in any court of Georgia, in a suit in whieli a white man is a party, : uidess such white man resides within said nation." I Notwithstanding tlie adverse o})inions of many of the , ablest jurists in the country, as to the constitutionality or validity of these and other provisions of the Georgia legis- lature, and even a decision against them in the Supreme ! Court of the United States, they were, to a certain extent, enforced. The situation of the Indians became, in conse- quence, so precarious and uncomfortable, that a consider- able party was formed among tliem of those favoral)le to migration. At the head of this faction was Major Eidge, while the celebrated John Eoss was the leader of those op})osed to the movement — a very large majority of the nation. Mtitters continued in a disturbed and unquiet state, until 1835. At this time the liev. J. T. Sehermerhorn was deputed by the United States executive to bring about ' a treaty whereby the Cherokees should remove peace; ^dy, receiving a reasonable compensation for the improv its which they should leave behind them. The negotiation ajipears to have been conducted :i~ most II Indian treaties have been, wlierever a specific ob i was to he gained. Notice was given of a council to l>i' held, and a collection of those favorable to the pro} -t 1 emi- aration ratified a treaty, by which the whole irile was hound to remove within two years. Notwithstanding the ohvious want of authority on the part of those indi\ iduals to bind the nation, and a remonstrance signed by the thou- was ratiiied bv Congress. oj)poscd 3aty, An appropriation was made for the indeinnifiea+i'>u of those who should suffer loss by being torn froiu their ' I • ••.,■"■ ?j. ■'■^'■'^ ;J3 , V,' ,' 'j. ■■':'■''-:.'-»■ v a: I^:';.v..f V.hm^''-mi. ,^u-:'' r'^ll^i'V ■:'H 414 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. homes, and for the other expenses attending the iniquitous transaction, and nothing was left to the unhappy Clioro- kees but submission. No resistance was made, as, indeed, any opposition would have been utterly fruitless. The Unitca States' forces, sent to overawe the Indians and enforce compliance with the cruel edict, found no call for their services. With a commendable spirit of energy and perseverance, the Cherokces, with their brethren of the neighboring tribes of the south, have pursued the arts and refmemcnts of civilization in their new homes at the west. Tliov arc now set down us numbering not far from twenty-six thou- sajid, of wlioui by far the larger portion is located west of tlie Mississippi. A considerable settlement, however, is still exi.'-^ing in North Carolina. The Creeks or Muscogees have been continually emi- grating westward since the era of the dillieiilties between the southern states and the Indians within their limits, in 1828-9, et seij. They enjoy a tolerably systematic formuf government, and are 'n many respects prosperous. Without going into a particular description of the con- dition of the other emigrating nations, wc will conehulo this subject with the remarks of Mr. Schoolcraft, upon "The problem of civilization," to be solved in the future history of these races. " Whatever doubts have existed, heretofore, in regard to the satisfactory solution of this question, they must now give way before the cheerincr results that have attended t\\6 philanthrojiic efforts that have, from time to time, been made, and are at pn\«oiit going on among the Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasiuvs, and Creeks. These tribes yielded their country east of the Mississippi, rendered dear to them by the associations of youth, Ihcir tratlitiims, and the graves of their fathers. They had learned the great truths of Christianity, and the arts of airriculture, and of civilized life; yet they gave up g tlie iniquitous Liuhappy Clioro- ul lire at pivsoiit ,a\vs, Clli^.'kas;l^v^;. • country cast of y the associations s of their fathers, ■stianity, and the yet they gave up INDIANS or THE SOUTHERN STATES. 415 all, and sought a new home in the ftir-off wilderness, and have made in tliat wilderness fruitful and rich farms, and flourishing villages. Some of their schools are of a high order. The gospel ministry is well attended. Some of their constitutions are purely re})ublicaii. The people are increasing in numbers. Peace dwells within their limits, and {)lenteousncs3 within their borders; civilization upon Christian principles; agrieujture and the mechanic arts; and schools. With these priinar}^ and fundamental prin- ciples of human happiness, civilizatiou among them is no longer problematical." wm ,|tl| 'If s' HJ -'■;;',;' ti'!' 41 K,:.^V;r' ■'^^^^^Wl :; • r^ t \ *' Pm ==■■1 NORTHERN RACES. CIIArfKll I. THE ESQXriMAUX: THEIR MANNERS AND PERSONAL APl'KAKANCE — ACCOUNTS OF EARLY VOYAGERS — ESQUIMAUX HABITATIONS, FOOD, ETC. THE KAIAK OR CANOE SEAI.INO THE REIN-IIKER USES OF Tin; doc, — patriarchal govkknment — EFFECTS OF FOREIGN INTEIiCOURSE. " Semper liyenis; semper spiraiites tVigorii Ciuiri." VlRCilL. There is little, besides some analogies in lungnnge, to connect the nneuutli race wliii-li forms the subject of tliis cliaj)ter with the inhabitants of the more genial climates of North America. The Esquimaux are spread over a vast region at thu north, dwelling principally upon tlio sea-coast, and upon the numberless inlets and sounds with which the country is intersected. There is a striking sim- ilarity in the language, habits and appearance of all the tribes of the extreme north, I'roni Greenland to IJhciiiig's Straits. Charlevoix gives a very uninviting description of their personal aspect. He tells us that there are none of the American races who approach so nearly to the idea usu- ally entertained in Europe of "savages" as do the Esqui- maux. In striking contrast to the thin bei.rd (for the most part artificially eradicated) of other American abo- rigines, these ]ico])le have that excrescence ".v/ cjxiihe JU.--(J ilK.i' //'".'', IJ^II I'll (I J)lill'- (I I In-., in-rir ^ sjn-ciid over a cipally upon tlic and sounds witli is a strikin,t;j sim- irance of all the uid to llheriiigs scription of tlieir arc none of tlie y to tlic idea nsw as do the Ksqni- in bc;'.rd (for the r Arneriean abo- |;c(Mice ".v/ vp't's^'^ ■ 'uihliiiit's irml-i NORTHERN RACES. 417 de leur visage." It covers tlicir faces nearly to the eyes; go that one can scarcely distinguish eome features of their countenance. 1'hey have, moreover, he says, something hideous in their general aspect and demeanor — small, wild- looking eyes, hu'ge and very funl teeth, the hair generally black, but sometimes fair, and always in extreme disorder, and their whole exterior rough and brutish. Their man- ners and character do not, falsify tliis niipre})osscssing physiognomy. Tlicy arc savage, rude, suspicious, unquiet, and always evil-disposed towards strangers. lie considei's their fair hair and skin, with the slight general resemblance they bear towards, and the limited intercourse they eariy on with, the neighboring natives, as indisputable evidence of a separate origin. Prichard says, that "the description given by Crantzof the Greenlanders, may well ai)j)ly to the whole I'ace. They arc, for tlie most part, under five feet in stature. They have well-sha})ed and i)roportioned limbs. Their face is com- monly broad and flat, with high cheek-bones, but round and plump cheeks; their eyes are little and black, but de- void of sparkling lire; their nose is not flat, but small, and projecting but little; their mouth is little and round, and the under lip somewhat thicker than the other. They have universally coal-black, straight, strong and long htiir on their heads, but no beards, because they root it out." — These last particulars will be seen to be variant from the description given above by Charlevoix, of the race in ,ueneral.— Crant/. proceeds: "I'heir hands and feet are little and soft, but their lu-ad and the rest of their limbs arc large. They have high breasts and broad shoulders; their whole body is fat." The descriptions handed down by the most ancient voyagers to Greenland of the Skradlings or natives whom they encountered, corresponds very nearly with, the gen- eral outline above given. They speak of them as a 27 -i.MV- mm''- HI ? , I ■ ■: i.' ' '. I' • ■>i.''y'''. !«* 'Tt (•■ if ^'^^'.■V V ' '-'i. • .4'.; ''V. 418 INDIAN RACES OP AMEKICA. (Iwiuilsli people — seldoMi more tlian four feet four iiielios in lieight; suspicious iiiul hostile towards stnuigers; sub- sisting upon the products of the sea; clothed in the same style, and using the same weapons, boats and implements, as those still inhabiting the country. The inhosj)itablo nature of their climate, their slender resources, and the deterioration of the race consequent upon such a mode of life as theirs, seem to preclude the probability of much imj)rovcmcnt ever taking place in their condition. The Ksquimaux received little better treatment, at the hands of the early European discoverers, than did their brethren farther south. It is strange to read of the cool- ness with whicli those adventurers speak of the enonnilioa committed not unfrequently against the unoffending and ignorant natives. Tlie meeting with several "wihl men," and the killing one of them "to nuvke the rest tractable," is rncutioucd as a passing and ordinary event. In Frobisher's expedition, after a skirmish in which many of the Indians were killed, two prisoners were taken. One of them, an old woman, was so disgustingly hideous in her whole appearance that suspicions were entertained lest she should be the devil himself; and the captcM's pro- ceeded to pluck off her buskins, in order to satisfy them- selves as to whether the cloven lioof was not concealed by them. The other ca^jtive, a young woman, with a wounded cbild in her arms, was retained, but the old hag was dis- missed as being too revolting an object to be endured, ^Vhen attempts were made to apply remedies to the wound of the child, the mother "licked off with Ler tongue the dressings and salves, and cured it in ber own way." John Davis was disj)osed to treat them more kindly than most of his predecessors, but his indignation was finally excited by their "practising their devilish nature," and he allowed his men to retaliate upon them in some measure. NOKTIIERN RACES. 419 Notwitlistniuliiig tlic bad cliaractcr given of this people, it appears tliat, arter tlieir lirst Hnspi(Uoiis niv alla\'eil, tlicy prove gentle and tractable associates; and are by no means wanting in nrbanity and kindliness. How readily tiieir suspicions are allayed, will a])pear from the account of Captain l^aek's first ineoting with a small i^arty of Esqui- maux. They were seen at a short distance, gathering in excited groups, or running about at their wit's-end with a.'^tonislunent at the appeai'ancc of these " Kabloond.-." r,i^ Europeans, being the first they had ever seen. When tlie English began to advance towards them, they were at first ropclled by wild outcries, and gesticulations, and Ity hos- tile demonstrations with the S})ears, which formed the weapons of the Indians. The uncouth group stood in a somi-cirele, "yelling out some unintelligible word," as the cai)tain boldly and composedly walked up to them, and made signs of peace, throwing up his hands, as he observed tlicm to do, and calling out "Tlma" — (peace). "In an instant their spears were flung to the ground; and, putting their hands on their breasts, they also called out Tima, with much more, doubtless greatly to the piu'posc." Any attempt to give a connected history of the Esqui- maux, from the time of their first intercourse with Eu- ropeans would necessarily resolve itself into a narrative of the various polar ex])editions. The progress of the Christian missions upon the coast, could we afford space to enter upon it, might throw some light upon the natural endowments of the race; but we must content ourselves with a few general descriptions, cited indiscriminately from (liiTcrcnt authors. The dwellings of the Esquimaux consist either of move- able tents, constructed of poles and skins, in the style of an ordinary Indian Avigwam, or of regularly arched domes of snow and ice. Th(> precision, rapidity, and geometrical accuracy which they display in shaping the blocks of which \* M mt, if t>. t> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h A •C. ^if 1.0 I.I 2.5 ■- IIM I.'- m Illll 1.8 pS 1.4 1.6 . ■• 6" ► V] <^ /a ^^" ■' c^J*' -■'^

^ :> ^^^ y /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 z & ^ C^ ^ I'T- I ■ A ' ■ ■ V (.. r;fv':,-. ta! '■>■ t,.- r:.i''. ■* ■■'^m 420 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. these snow huts are composed, excite the admiration of the beholder. An art which the architects of the ancient nations of Europe never acquired — the formation of the arch — has from time immemorial been in use among this untutored race. The snow houses prove as tight, warm, and comfortable as could be desired ; but the habits of the occupants render them insufferably offensive to the whites. CroAvded with dogs, defiled with oil, blubber, and offal ; and blackened by smol' e and filth, they are said to nauseate even those whose lives are passed amid the im- purities of a whale-ship. A person entering one of these huts is obliged to creep through a low arched passage into the principal apartment, which, like those leading from it, presents the appearance of a perfectly -formed dome, lighted by a window of transparent ice let into the roof. The tents, used upon the migratory expeditions in search of game, consist of skins, supported by a circle of poles bent together at the top, and in severe weather, thickly lined within with rein-deer skins. During the long dark night of winter, when food is exceedingly scarce; shut up in these dismal abodes; and enduring extremes of cold and privation elsewhere unknown; the condition of the PJsquimaux seems most deplorable to one who has lived in the enjoyment of the comforts of civilization. Far, how- ever, from complaining of their lot, they exhibit a singular cheerfulness and equanimity, even when in the greatest straits. Pirry speaks, in the following words, of the mis- erable condition of a few Esquimaux who inhabited a hut in a deserted village, after the rest of the tribe had moved westward at the approach of sjjring. "The remaininj.'' tenants of each hut had combined to occupy one of the apartments; a great part of the bed-places were still bare, and the wind and drift blowing in through the holes which they had not yet taken the trouble to stop up. The old man Ilikkeicra and his wife occui)ied a hut l)y themselves, NORTHERN RACES. 421 without any lamp, or a single ounce of meat belonging to them; while three small skins, on which the former was lying, were all that they possessed in the way of blankets. Upon the whole, I never beheld a more miserable specta- cle, and it seemed a charity to hope that a violent and constant cough with which the old man was afflicted, would speedily combine with his age and infirmities to release him from his present suiferings. Yet, in the midst of all this, he was even cheerful, nor was there a gloomy countenance to be seen at the village." The flesh of the rein-deer, musk-ox, walrus, and seal, with fish, water-fowl, and occasionally the carcase of a stranded whale, forms the chief nourishment of the Es- quimaux. Nothing that has life comes amiss to them, and, although they prefer cooked meat to raw, this preparation is by no means deemed essential. The only vegetable diet procurable at the extreme north, except at those places where the natives can obtain foreign articles, consists of the leaves of sorrel, ground-willow, &c., with a few berries and roots. "In eating their meals," according to Parry's account, "the mistress of the family, having previously cooked the meat, takes a large lump out of the pot with her fingers, and hands it to her husband, who, placing a part of it be- tween his teeth, cuts it off with a large knife in that position, and then passes the knife and meat together to his next neighbor. In cutting off a mouthful of meat the knife passes so close to their lips, that nothing but constant habit could insure them from the danger of the most ter- rible gashes; and it would make an English mother shudder to see the manner in which children five or six years old, are at all times freely trusted with a knife to be used in this way." Most of the birds and quadrupeds upon which they rely are migratory, and only to be taken between the months I il i^'^i- '■■ ■■■■■ 1 [hlmr,''^n ^ ■ r, i ,7( W''-- ^■'.u^ r-.-r^- rur. si/.ry.n box. Tina niiiiuiil iiilmbils llio ii'y lunions tra\iu»i'tl by tlio Ksnuiinuux iiiid oIluT NiirllKMU triljca. lie ia iiiuili huiriM- ;iiiil inun' ('■■iir:iu-fiiti< tliiin ili,' cuiiiinoii I'ox, tiiivim; bcuii «uu- fouiided bv Uiiiflm Oiccuniiii!,' In M. Uoilanli wil'i 'Im luup iiuii'. ur bUcU wuil'. »■ ' ' \ ' v; :0. :-.'4 i ' ■■•■ .■;%'/A ■* ';■■■.'- i^-l^-l&n ■ :-,' i/i'-' ',, ' ' ' »■ .',1 ■ \/"' '!■ ■ •," ■' Jv.'"'/.*'- ' 'Mi ¥WH (u .> ■■■I M NOKTIIEIiN- RACi;S. 425 Esquimaux, and no where is that authority more mildly administered. Families and communities live together in tlie greatest harmony, and no one arrogates to himself a control over those about him beyond the circle of his own fixmily. Dexterity and success in fishing and hunting form almost the only claim for admiration or distinction in the eyes of this unsophisticated people. So peaceful and con- tented a life, amid the eternal snows of the north, with such few means of comfort and enjoyment, stands forth in striking contrast with the private discontent and public animosity of more privileged nations. Where the natives of Greenland and other countries at the north have held free intercourse with Europeans, in- stances have been fuund, among them, of much higher intelligence than is usually attributed to the race. Cap- tain Parr}', in his second voyage, particularly describes a female named lligliuk. Iler correct ear for music, and appreciation of its beauties, were very remarkable; and the interest and attention which all the novel m,cehanieal arts exercised on board the ship excited in her mind, gave evidence of no little caj)aeity for improvement. We cannot give a better idea of the effect which inter- course with foreigners has produced upon some of the Esquimaux, in changing their original quiet and unobtru- sive demeanor, than by the following quotation from Captain Lyon: "I could not but compare the boisterous, noisy, fat fel- lows, who were along-side, in excellent canoes, with well- furnished, iron-headed weapons, and handsome clothing, with the poor people we had seen at Southam])ton Island ; the latter with their spear-heads, arrows, and even knives of chipped flint, without canoes, wood, or iron, and with their tents and clothes full of holes, yet of mild manners, quiet in speech, and as grateful for kindness as they were anxious to return it, while those now along-side had, per- '- i i<.' '-iit 5.-'l\ J i!l[ .;■! M ^^mm i. > .'>V ■Hi (h ■ ,-v ■ 0'$ • •^•,;,;.A./: '\. I ) *>. • ' "14*.^ .^ .? 'iJ .■ n .i >'. , -...« ■' %;.-jl^:f.^'/4^'^-:' 426 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. li.ai).s, scarcely n, virtue left, owing to the rogiiery they had learned from their annual visit to the Hudson's Bay sliip,s. An air of saucy indej>cndenco, a most clamorous derniuid for presents, and several attenii)ts at theft, some of which were successful, wore tlieir leading eharacteristies. Yet I saw not why I should constitute myself the censor of those poor savages; and our barter was accordingly conducted in such a manner as to enrich them very considerably." CHAPTER II. THE ESQUniAUX OF MELVILLE rENINSlILA — THEIR STATIIUE AND COSTUME — SNOW HUTS AND TIIEIK FUKMTUKE — IMPLEMENTS FOR HUNTING AND SEALING MENTAL TRAITS. The most complete picture ever yet given of Esquimaux life and peculiarities, is to be found in "Parry's Second Voyage in search of a North-west Passage;" particularly in that portion of the work, at the end of the narrative, devoted to an "account of the Esquimaux of Melville Pe- ninsula and the adjoining Islands." It is our purj)osc, in this chapter, to give a brief outline of the statistics and details there collected. Ecspecting their general appearance. Parry's descrip- tion of the natives does not vary materially from that which we have already given. lie represents their stature as follows: the "average height of the men, five feet, five and one-third inches; of the women, five feet and onc-lialf inch." The women appear shorter than this standard, from a stoop acquired by carrying tlieir infants in a "hood," and from the great bulk of their clothing. They are not an ill-formed race, and, among the tribe, were "three or four grown-up people, of each sex, who, when divested of their skin dresses, their tattooing, and, above all, of their ngitory tlicy luvd Ison's Uiiy Hliips. lUiorouH (Ii'inuiul ,, some of which !toristic9. Yet I c censor of tliose lin<2;ly comluctod cousidcnibly." lElR STATURE AND K IMVLEHENTS I. TUAITS. , I cn of Esquimaux " Parry's Scooiul igc ;" particuhirly of the narrative, X of Melville Po- our pur[)osc, in the statistics and Parry's dcscrip- lirially from that lents their stature icn, five feet, five feet and onedialf [in this standard, Imtsina "hood," They are not ', were "three or when divested of .bove all, of their o NORTHERN RACES. 427 dirt, might have been eonsidcred pleasing-looking, if not handsome pco})le, in any town in Europe." They wear their hair generally long; the men allow- ing it to flow carelessly, while the women dispose it in two plaits or qucs, which hang down on each side of the face. Their dress bears marks of no little skill and nicety of finish, and is admirably ealcuhited to defend them from the terrible severity of the winter-season. A double outfit of jackets, breeches, and boots, made of deer and seal- skins; the imier suit having the hair tu^'^ed inward, while the outer garment exhibits a hairy defence against tlio snow or rain, is essential \ipon all occasions of exposure to the open air. Water-proof boots and shoes, made of soal-skin, form a complete protection from the wet when the men are engaged in fishing and scaling. A warm and comfortable hood of furs covers the bead and neck, and surrounds tlic flice. I'he most absurd and ungainly portion of the dress of either sex is the boot worn by tho women. This is enormously enlarged, for the purpose of furnishing a convenient pocket or general receptacle for whatever may be carried upon the person. The cavity is even large enough to admit of a child being stowed in it — a common custom in Labrador. All their clotliing is strongly and neatly stitched, and no little pains is taken to render it ornamental by a judi- cious arrangement of light and dark furs. The true Indian taste for beads and showy ornaments prevails, and is satisfied, when other materials are want- ing, by affixing numberless strings of the teeth of wild animals to the borders of their garments. In one instance, "a row of foxes' noses" was seen "attached to the fore- part of a woman's jacket like a tier of black l)uttons." All the women of this tribe were thoroughly tattooed. The manner of performing this operation was by passing <■ '. <^1 ■'■' . '-:, .\; ,!■ ', ,ft;, >', ■ ■ ■ ' ■■••■'■ hJ i!*.! : 1' I , >h til 428 INDIAX RACKS OF AMERICA. a needle and thrciid through the outer skin, the thread being saturated with oil and lamp-black. The intcniiil arnuigoments of tlie circular snow-huts hi which the winter is passed, arc as follows: Around each room, next the wall, a bank of snow is built to the lKMi.dit of two or tlu'co feet, upon which are j)laced, first a coating of })ebl)les, then a row of tent-poles, ])atldles, and whale- bone, and above all a layer of birch twigs. Upon tlieso are spread tlie skins and I'urs which constitute the bedding of the imnates. It is evident that cpiitc a low tem])eraturo must be maintained in order to preserve both bouse and furniture. 'J'lie oidy means of warming the huts is by a sort of lump, consisting of a shallow dish wrought of stono {Lqii.s oll(irLs)^ "its lorm being the lesser segment of a cir- cle. The wick, consisting of dry moss rubbed between the hands till it is quite inllannnable, is disposed along the edge of the lamp on the straight side, and a greater or smaller (piantity lighted according to the heat reepiirod or the fuel that can be aiforded." The flame is fed by the drippings of a slice of fat or blubber, suspended with- in reach of the blaze. The stone pots for cooking are hung over this lamp, and, above all, is a net, stretched upon a hoop, whereon wet boots and other garments are placed to dry. The general atmosphere of the apartment is kept a lit- tle below the freezing point. Parry observed the ther- mometer, at a time when it fell to twenty-five degrees below zero in the open air, to stand at thirty-two degrees within a few feet of the fire ; and this when the hut wtus filled with Indians and dogs. To increase the warmth, occasions a troublesome dripping from the roof, an incon- venience to which the inhabitants are obliged to submit NOKTIIKRN HACKS. 429 (luring 8omo of the spring months, before the season has become mild enough fortUvoUing in tents. Tiie principal hou.sehoM utensils uro the lamps and pots above mentioned, certain cups of the horn of the musk- ox, vessels of whalebone, and the ivory or iron .cnife. The latter, or at least the material of which it is conn)i)sed, is obtained by commerce with the whites. They manu- facturo themselves a knife, having a thin iron edge let into the bone which forms the blade. To a limited extent some of the Ksipiimaux obtain and manufacture iron from the iruu pyrites found in certain localities, and which serves them I'or Hint and steel in lighting llres. The im{)lements for hunting, in use among these Plsqui- inaux, are simj)le but eifective. The " siatko," which serves the ])urpose of a harpoon in taking seals, walruses, and even whales, is a partic\ilarly ingenious contrivance. It consists of a short piece of bone, pointed with iron, and attached by the centre to the "allek," or long thong of leather. The blunt end of the siatko is fitted to the end of the dart, and is attached by a line, that it can be dis- engaged the instant the dart strikes the prey. From the manner in which it is slung, it instantly turns at right angles to the direction of its entrance, and will endure a very severe strain before it can be drawn out. At the other end of the "allek" is tied an inflated seal-skin, which serves to bring the animal quickly to the surface of the water. For their bows, they are obliged to use the wood of the tir-tree, and, in order to give them the requisite strength and elasticity, they are very artfully and neatly served with lines constructed of sinews. At each end of the bow, is a knob of bone, and to these the strengthening lines are attached and drawn tight, while the bow is bout backward. They pass from end to end, on the bacdv of the bow, and are secured and assisted by other shorter corda m ■i*i' :(WJ: ■I . '»!,■ I ' .•■cl ■■' 1';-, ■ 'i ' '»■'.•'( J .'. " ■ '' • ■ " »l v'v;^,' t li fir .' 'VA - ,1- ':•'■■' ' '.m-'^' " 'I.. , ■ ■■■.:■. ■•», 1^-' ■;k-.''i'. t ' ' '' :'. ..V ■ h::-VV^^'i\< H ; ^:;':i- 430 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. fastened by hitches round the wood. The above descrip- tion a2)plies to the best weapons of the sort. — "A bow in one piece," says the narrative, "is very rare: they gen- erally consist of from two to five pieces of bone, of une- qual lengths, secured together by rivets and tree-nails." The arrows are of wood and bone united, and have heads of iron or slate. They will inflict a mortal wound at a distance of forty or fifty yards. In the construction of all these implements, a knife and a drill are the principal tools used. The latter operates with a bow, like that in common use among us. It is evident that intellectual advancement is entirely incompatible with such a life as Ave have described. The ideas of the Supernatural entertained by the Esquimaux are vague in the extreme. " They do not appear," says the description in Parry, "to have any idea of the exist- ence of One Supreme Being, nor, indeed, can they be said to entertain any notions on this subject which may be dig- nified with the name of Eeligion." Of certain games, consisting mostly in fantastic distor- tions of the body, and comical ejaculations, they are never Avcary; and a strange monotonous song, of which the Avords and music are given by Parry, furnishes amusement until the performers desist from sheer weariness. Their moral character is probably vipon a par with that of most savages. They do not possess the high, indomita- ble spirit, the scorn of suffering, the clannish fury of pa- triotism, nor the fondness for war, so commonly considered the nobler traits of the American aborigines; but, on the other hand, they are more kindly domestic in their feel- ings, and less cruel and revengeful than their brethren at the South. They exhibit little gratitude for favors, and when ex- posed to the strong temptation presented them by the pres- ence of such a magazine of treasure as a foreign ship, they ■? ■■■. ' v.'. ■>.■■.. above cTescrip- t. — " A bow in are: tbey gen- J" bone, of unc- xnd tree-nails." md have heads tal wound at a nts, a knife and latter operates ig us. nent is entirely :lescribed. The the Esquimaux ot appear," says lea of the exist- , can they be said i lieh may be dig- fantastic distor- s, they are never of which the shcs amusement incss. a par with that high, indomita- nish fury of pa- nonly considered nes ; but, on the ic in their feel- their brethren at s, and when ex- tern by the pres- jreign ship, they 5) ir f? NORTUERN RACES. 431 will generally indulge in pilfering. Those travellers who have been most familiar with the strange race, accord to them many pleasing qualities; while their vices arc such as must naturally result from their destitute and hopeless condition. Their whole history might prove unspeakably valuable to us did we wisely gather from it a lesson of content. CHAPTER III. THE KNISTENEAUX, CmPPEWAS, ETC. The Knisteneaux, or Crees, are a nation materially different fi-om the P^squimaux. They have a much nearer resemblance than that people to the other North Ameri- can tribes, and, from close analogies in language, arc con- sidered as a branch of the great Algonquin stock, which, centering in the Canadas, spread over such an extent of the North American continent. The country formerly occupied by the Knisteneaux — for the ravages of the small-pox have in late years miserably reduced their immbcrs — is of vast extent; lying between the United States and the Esquimaux region, and extend- ing westward to the Rocky ^lountains. The line of their occupation is thus given by Mackenzie: Commencing with the coast of Lal)rador, it extends along the north bank of the St. Lawrence, to Montreal. "The line then follows the Utawas rivxr to its source; and continues from thence nearly west along the high lands wdiich divide the waters that fiill into Lake Su])erior and Hudson's Bay. It then proceeds till it strikes the middle part of the river Wini- pic, fi^llowing that water through the Lake Winipic, to the discharge of the Saskatchawan into it; from thence it accompanies the latter to Fort George, when the line strik- I 1 1 :^i fe*'^"' "I ]r ,■> ' fi";" • i. -.y'' .' ''.41 ' ' * : ''■>' •; : ; ■•■■■ X:"'i- *i\ ■a,.- ;t'ri 432 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ing by tlic head of tlic Beaver Eiver, to the Elk River, runs along its banks to its discharge in the Lake of the Hills ; from which it may be carried back east to the Isle a la Crosse, and so on to Churcliill by the Mississippi. The whole of the tract between tliis line and Hudson's Bay and Straits, (except that of the Esquimaux in the latter,) may be said to be exclusively the country of tlie Knisteneaux." Thc}^ were also to be found upon liod River, (wliich, after uniting with the Assinaboin, empties into Lake Winipeg,) and upon the south branch of the Saskatchawan. These people possess all the ordinary characteristics of the American Indian ; the copper complexion, black How- ing hair, well-proportioned limbs, and keen black eyes. Travellers speak of the women as being far more attractive in ])ersonal a})pearance than the generality of sqmnvs. Ujiou them devolves all the drudgery uf domestic life, while the men devote their exclusive attention to hunting or war. "\Vc notice no very material variation, except so far as climate and the nature of their country have airected their habits, between the dress, liabitations, luxuries, cere- monies, and general usages of the Knisteneaux, and the great body of our western Indians. They are s{)oken of as of a friendly and hospitable disj)osition, and nu more dis- honest in their dealings than otlier savages, although some have given them the reputation of being arrant thieves. Little of distinctive character attaches to the various minor tribes of the north, until we reach the Esquimaux, with whom little or no commerce is held by tliese nations, and with whom, from time immemorial, they have waged a desultory warfare. ^Mackenzie describes indi viduals and vil- lages of the Red-Knives, Beavers Indians, Dog-Hibs, llaivs, Slaves, Duguthee Dines (ipiai Tellers), and many others; but they have no history, and few noticeable jjeeuliaritics. Tho.se farthest north are of rather a lighter complex- • the Elk Elver, tlie Lake of the k east to tlie Lslc T the Mlsslssipj)i. le and Hudson's squlmaux in tlie le country of the found upon liod sinaboin, empties til branch of the cliaractcristies of 3xion, black ilow- keen black eyes. ar more attractive of squaws. Ujion ;tic life, Avliilc the [lunting or war, , except so fur as ;ry have aifeoti'd lis, luxuries, cero- teneaux, and the arc si)oken of as and no more dis- cs, although soDic I arrant thieves. ;s to the various I the Esquimaux, l)y these nations, hey have waged a idividualsand vil- , Dog-Kibs, Haves, md many others; able peculiarities. lighter complex- JV-..', ,14 v ' .t 1 1 * r i '• ^.-vi ^<■^ l<^'5>. :^^ -V-" 'J^'ii-^.vs lyjtrcHi. Va FOR SALMOJf t SALMOJf NORTUERN RACES. 433 ion thcan the inhabitants of more temperate climes, and ex- hibit the deteriorating inlhience of a life in a cold and desolate country. Some interesting details of the habits and character of the Dog-ifibs, are given in the account of Sir John Kicli- nrdson's Arctic Sea^'ching Expedition. They are ratlier a low order of the race, and have held snOieiiMit intercourse with the wlutes to be aware of their own deficiencies and wants. 'l'li(>y are Tieverthelcss cheerful, and even hihiri- ous, and exhibit little or none of that proud and .stoical spirit whicli marl^''': ■.>:i\ ■ .<-t 'l ■ ■11 -I' ■■11 \v ■ J I ,.'<, ;... li', r ''.:.» 430 INDIAN RACES OF AMKIUJA. diment is used in the opcnition, but, in some instances the pcmmicixn is made savory by tlie addition of marrow and dried berries. Some of the men are observed to be furnished with a thick bushy beard ; but, generally speaking, the custom of eradicating this appendage is common to the Chij)pe- was, as to most other of the Indian nations. Tattooing is common among both sexes, and serves as a distinguishin<^ mark of the difterent tribes. VARIOUS NATIONS AND TRIBES BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN. CHAPTER I. the sioux, or dahcotas, and otiikr trihes of the same race: classification — the mandans: their number, SITUATION, villages, ETC. THEIR CEMETERIES — AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. An accurate classification of the American Indians, cither founded upon dissiniiharities in the language of dif- ferent tribes, or upon differences in physical peculiarities, is impo.ssible, particularl}"- in treating of the scattered and wandering people of the far west. The races vary by such slight shades of distinction, and such analogies exist between their languages, that even where the distinction is perfectly evident in the nation at. large, the line of de- marcation can with difllculty be drawn. In other instances, the same nation, when divided into separate clans, inhabit- ing districts of dissimilar nature, and resorting to different modes of life, will be found, in the course of one or two generations, to present the appearance of distinct races. Perhaps it Avould be wiser to accept the popiilar divisions, whether derived directly from the natives, or established by those most familiar with them, than to attempt any refined distinctions. In an essay upon natural history, or in researches into historical antiquities, a particularity might be useful or necessary, which in an outline of his- tory and description would be but perplexing and tedious. lilt fm ;, . ij,, ; li||| ... f li , . ;"■,•'•■ ^ ill''* ,m '.I'!;, , "j «, 1 ;■ ■ i'. »■ I !■. •, ■ 'j ,*■ • 408 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. I .*' ' <• '.'I A voHt wilderness iit tlio west, upon the Missouri and tlio U])per western tributaries of tlui Mississi|»|)i, is inlialtited by tlie various ti'ibes allied to tlie Sioux or Dalieotah. One of the earliest aeeounts {.nven of these people, then known as the Naudt)wessies, is to bo (bund in the travels oC Cap- tain Jonathan Carver, who spent the winter ol" l7(l(i-7 ainon;^' them. 01' later observations an, but, from tiicir own truditions, ami from tin; e.\t(!nsiv(! ruins of their lormer settlement — SDUie distunee below — it was evident that their nund)ers iiad greatly deereaw'd. The prine.ipal town was strongly fortified upon the pre- c'ijiitous river bank, on two sides defended by the winding stream, and on tiie otlier by ])i(pieting of heavy timber, and by a ditch. 'J'he houses within were so elosuly set as to allow of little spaec for loeomotion. They were [)ar- tially suidc in the ground, and the roofs were eovered wi'h earth and clay to sneh a depth and of such eonsis- leiicy that tiiey allbrded the favorite lounging plaees for the oceupants. "One is surprised," says Catlin, "when he enters thorn, to see the neatness, eondbrt, and spacious dimensions of these earth-eovered dwellings. They all have a eircular form, and" are from forty to sixty fiset in diameter. Their foundations are i)repared by digging some two feet in the ground, and Ibrming the floor of earth, by levelling the rcfjuisite size for tlu^ lodge." The building consisted of a r(>w of jierpendicular stakes or timbers, six feet or there- about in height, su[)])orting long rafters for the roof A hole was left in the center for air, light, and the escape of smoke. The rafters were sup{)orted in the middle by beams and posts: over them was laid a thick coating of willow brush, and over all the covering of earth and elav. An excavation in the centre of the hut was used as a tire- j)laee. Each of those houses served for a single family, or for a whole circle of couTiections, according to its dimen- sions. The furniture consisted of little mon^ than a rude sort of bedsteads, with sacking of buifalo skin, and some- times an ornamental curtain of the same material. Posts were set in the ground, between the beds, provided with ' '. ■*! '*' il f I .^:V . 1 .'>^- .^P.- ■■>,' ■ t ,': •. ! V ,• ■■ i'v'Ti'-iei, ■iM '(;. f:^' 410 INDIAN KAC'KH Ul-' AMKKIOA. jiegs, from wliicli dopcnded the arms and accoutromcnts of tlio wiirriorH. "Tlii.s urmii,^»'iiiciit of In-ds, of arms, &(!.," coiitimu^s our author, "coinbiiiiii^ the most vivid ilisphiy and arraiigo- mciit of colours, oi'fur.s, of trinkets — of barbed and ghnt- cniii^ ])oints and steel — of mysteries and hoeua pocus, toji;etlier with the sombre and smoked eolour of the root' and sides of th(! lodge; and the wihl, and rude, and red — the graceful (though uncivil) conversational, garrulous, storytelling, and happy, though ignorant and untutored groups, tliat arc smoking tlieir j)ipes — wooing thi'ir sweet- hearts, and embracing their little ones about their pciK-el'iil and endeared fire-sides; together Avith their pots nitd kettles, sjjoons, and other culinary articles of their own •Manufacture, around them; {)resent, altogether, one of tlic most i)icturesquo scenes to the eye of a stranger that eaii be j)ossibly seen; and far more wild and vivid than could ever be imagined." If the sight within the dwellings was novel and sti'ikiuL'. much more so was that w,hich occupied the painter's atten- tion as he surveyed, from the roof of one of these domes, the motley scene of busy life without. In the centre of the village an open court was left for purj)oses of recrea- tion ami for the performaiu'cs of the national religions ceremonies. Upon the rounded I'oofs of the doniicils numerous busy or indolent groups were sitting or loung- ing in every possible attitude, while in the central area some were exercising their wild horses, or training ainl ])hiying with their dogs. Such a variety of brilliant and lanciful costume, ornamented with jdumes and porcupim rpxills, with the picturesque throng of Indians and animals, the closely crowded village, the green plain, the river, and the blue hills in the distance, formed a happy subject for the ai'tist. AV'ithout the picket of defence, the only objects visibio, .;., ,>-.'^":v.^;:.)-: accoutrcnienta ^ objects visible, TIllUKS WKST OK TIIK MISSISSII'I'I. 441 of man's constnictioii, woro the sciinuldiii/j^.s upon wliich the ilciul wero exposed, 'i'lie niaiiiier in which the funeral rites of the Mandan.s were eomhuitcd, with llie subseipient details, constitutes the most touching portion of tlu^ au- thor's narrative. Tho body of the dead pei-son was ti;^ditl_v wrapp'.'d and bouiul up in fresh or soaked l)ullal(j sUins, together with the arms and accoutrements used in life, and tho usual ])rovision of tobacco, (lint and steel, knift>, and food. A slight scalfold is then prepared, of siillicieiit height to serve as prot{!(;tion i'rom the wolves and tlogs, and there the body is deposited to decay in the open air. Day after day those who had lost friends would come out from the village to this strange cemetery, to weep and hcwail over their loss. Sut-li genuine and h)ng-.'ontiuued grief as was exhibited by the alUicted relatives puts to shame the cold-heartedness of too many among the cidti- vatcd and eidightencd. When, after the lapse of years, the scall'olds had fallen, and nothing was left but bleached and nu)\ildering bones, the remains wen; buried, with the cxci'ption of the skidls. These were placed in circles up(Ui tlu! plain, with the faces turned inward, each resting upon a bunch of wild sage; and in the centre, u])on two slight mounds, "niedicine-))oles" were erected, at the foot of which were the heads and horns of a male and a female huft'alo. To these new i)laces of deposit, each of which contained not lar I'rom one hundred skulls, "do these people," says Catlin, "again resort, to evince their further aflection foi- the dead — not in groans and lamentations, however, for several years have cured the anguish ; l)ut fond alfections and endearments are here renewed, and conversations are here held, and cherished, with the dead." The wife or mother would sit for hours by the side of the white relic of the loved and lost, addressing tho skull with the most aft'ectionate and loving tones, or, perchance lying down and falling asleep with her arms around it. '. 'If . i ' \ 1 ' ' '', ■f '■ ':■ 1 ■ ' 1 J >:' t * ■ > I ' ' ' I ' 4 '■> . ,(•-.■ .. •, I li: '•" rM'. ' 1.'. )■''■'>■ <' '■'{ P'i' ■ '■■: ♦ .I-.,- 4-i2 INDIAN KACES OF AMEUICA. Food would be niglitly set before many of these skulls, and, with the most tender care, the aromatic bed npou which they reposed would be renewed as it withered and decayed. CHAPTER II. PrKSONAI- APPEARANCE AND PECULIARITIES OF THE MANDANS— THEIR IIOSPITAUTY AND URnAMTV THEIR CLEANLINESS OF PERSON THEIR DRESS POUTHAITS OF MANDAN THIEFS CONTRAST liETWEEN THE WILD TIUBES AND THOSE OF THE FRONTIER MANDAN DOMESTIC USAHES GAMES AND DANCES— TRA INING OF THE YOUTH— THE GREAT ANNUAL RELIGIOUS CEREMONY THE MANUANS SUPPOSED TO BE OF WELSH DESCENT ANNIHILATION OF THE TRIBE BY THE SJIALL-POX. Unlike the other Indian tribes of the west, the ^-n- dans, instead of presenting a perfect nniforniity in com- plexion, and in the color of the eyes and hair, exhibited as great diversity in these respects as will be noticed in a mixed population of Knropeans. Their hair was, for the most i)art, very fine and soft, but in a number of instances a strange anomaly was observable, both in ohl and young, and in either sex, viz: a profusion of coarse locks of "a bri'dit silvery gray," approaching sometimes to white. Some of the wuuumi were quite fair, with blue eyes, and the most symmetrical features, combined with a very at- tractive and agreeable exi)ression. It does not appear probable that sunicieut intermixture with European races had ever taken place to account for thes(> peculiarities, and some authors appear quite convinced that these Mandans arc the remains of a great people, entirely distinct from tlio Jt><».^ ' :'■■■€ I 1 1- ,' fr TUIJIKS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 443 nutions around tliem. Of Mr. Catlin's researches and con- clusions respecting their oi'igin, wc shall take occasion to ^)^\\k hereafter. In their disposition, the ^Nfandans were hospital)le and friendly; affectionate and kind in their treatment of each other; and mindful of the convenience and comfort of the stranger. Their figures were beautifully jn-oportioned, and their movements and attitudes graceful and easy. Instead of the closely-shorn locks of some other races, they wore their hair long. The men were jjarticularly proud of this a}'pendage, and wore at no small pains to arrange it in what the} esteemed a becoming manner. It was thrown hackward from the forehead, and divided into a mnnbcr of ]ihilts. I'liese were kept in their position by glue and some red-tinted earth, with which they were matted at intervals. The womiMi oih'd and braided their hair, i)art- iiig it in the middle; the place of parting was universally painted red. A greater degree of cleanliness was observable in their persons than is connnon among savages. A particular location was assigned, at some distance from the village^ uj) the river, where the women could resort nndisturl)ed for their morning ablutions. A guard was stationed, at intervals, u[)on a suri-ounding circle of rising ground, io jircveut intrusion. Tliose of both sexes and all ag(>s were excellent swimmers; scarcely was one to be found who could not with ease cross the Missouri in this manner. Their only boats were round tubs made by stretching buf- falo-skins over a light frame-work. The form and ea])acity of these clumsy water-craft, were strikingly similar to that of the coracles used in Wales and upon other portions of the coast of Great Britain. As an additional means of luxury, and as an efTicient remedy in case of sickness, a hnt was devoted to the pui-- posc of a steam-bath. This was efTected by jtouring water ■'^:-^ i. : ' ' ' ■u ':.. ■'f./ lt'-"">'-'.f.-- i .:■ I %:li. cseapr oi\ their ancestors from the Hood! of wlTu'li tliev liad ;i distinct tradition, strikingly conl()rmabIe to scriptural history; for the grand " bull-dance," to draw the liullliL herds towards the settlement; and to initiate; tin) vouiii; men, by terrible trials and tortures, into the order of war- riors, and to allow those whose fortitud(> had been fullv tested to give renewed proofs of their capacity of endur- ance, and their claim to the position of chiefs and leaders. ;, witli wooden i^ious. " ir any ,. »\v on any vital ;, \ his adversary [ 1, and snatfliiuu' il (if his victim's with liis wooden ' beU, and enters ors. 'riie yonth true dii:)iity and ("•0, his <;arnieiit.s ,,f llie .\hi)id;ia ■ rt'tiruied I'eats d d)ats, whieh will it or Hiadetmi in r over the liist^ry iiuhi'r:", and nnw ' the strangle reli- il'eaeli returning' ;nis was, in tlu' ic;in ah(ii'i,2ines, f adoration ami V unniue. Th o- to Catlin, tlmr \\/./»JV irjl R-tJjt^rcn. it til E« I ir >M H'M KMi f,'.: ■i ■; ■■M^' TIUUES WEST vy THE MISSISSIPPI. •Lid The jieriod for the coroniony was that in whii-h tlio leaves tif the willow on the river bank were first fully ojiened; "for, aeconlinj^ to their tradition," says Catlin, '"the twig that l/ic bird browjJil hoinr was a willow bough, and had full grown leaves upon it,' and the bird to whieh they allude is the inourni'ig or turtle-dove, which thoy took great pains to point out to me," as a iai'oon entered within the inclosed space of the town: he was painted with Avhite clay, and carried a large ])ipe in his hand. lie was saluted by the })rincipal men of the tribe as "Nu-mohk-muck-a-nah (the first or only man," — in fact, none other than Noah himself) — who had come to open the great lodge reserved exclusively for the ainiual religious rites. Having supierinteuded the prci)arati(m of the medicine- house, and 'caving men busy in adorning it with willow boughs and sage, and in the arrangement of divers akulls, both of men and bull'aloes, which were essential in the coming mysteries, Nu-mohk-muck-a-nah made the rounds of the village, repeating before every lodge the tale of the great deluge, and telling how he alone had been saved in 29 ■■■II ..I,. ^1 ioO INDIAN RACES OF AMEllIOA. his ark, and left b}' the retiring waters upon the summit of II western mountain! At every Init he was presented with some eutting instru- ment, (sueh as was su])poscd to have been used in tlio eonstruction of the ark,) to be thrown into the river as a sacrifice to the waters. Next day, liaving ushered tlie young men who were to go through the fearful ordeal of self-iullieted torture into the sacred lodge, and appointed an old medicine-man to the oflice oi "0-kee-])ah Ka-se-kah, (keeper or conductor of the ceremonies,") he took up his march into the prairie, promising to aj)pear again on the return of the season in the ensuing year. The young warriors, preparatory to undergoing the tor- ture, were obliged, until the fourth day from their entry into the lodge, to abstain from food, drink, or sleep! — Meanwhile, various strange scenes were enacted in the cen- tral area before the house. The gi-and buffalo-dance, a l)crforinance combining every thing conceivable of the gio- tcscpie and extravagant, was solemnly pcrfurined to insure a f'avoi-able season for the chase. On the fourth day commenced the more horrdjle portion of the exercises. Mr. Catlin, as a great medicine-man, was admitted within the lodge throughout the jierformanccs, and had full opportunity to j)ortray. v/ith pen and ])encil, tlie scenes therein enacted. Coming forward, in turn, tlie victims allowed the flesh of their breasts or backs to be pierced with a rough two-edged knife, and splinters of wood to be thrust through the holes. Enougji of the skin and flesh were taken up to be more than suflicicnt for the support of the weight of the body. To tlicsc splints cords let down from the roof were attached, and the subject of these inflictions was hoisted from tlio ground. Similar splints were then thrust through the arms and legs, to which the warrior's arms, and, in some m tlic summit cutting iiistru- 11 used in the Llic river as a n who were to j id torture into jine-mau to the : conductor of , iito tlic prairie, ■ the season in ergoing the tor- oni their entry uk, or sleep!— acted in the ccn- bnll'alo-dancc, a vuhlcorthegro- ormed to insure lorrdjle portion dieinc-nian, was > performances, pen and ptMU'il, ird, in turn, tlu; or ■l)aeks to 1)0 md si)linters of ]-]iiough of the V than suirieicnt )ody. To these re attached, ami isted from the ist through the ns, and, in some TUIBES AVKST OF TUK MlS.SlSSIl'l'I. 451 cases, as additional weiglits, several heavy buffalo heads, were hung. Thus far the fortitude of the Tndiati suOieed to restrain all exhibition of pain; wliile the (iesh was torn with the rude knife, and the wooden skewers were thrust in, a })leasant smile was frecpiently observable on the young warrior's countenance; but when in the horrible jiosition above described, Avith his flesh stretched by the sj)lintstill it appeared about to give way, a nuud)er of attendants CDminenced turning him round and round with poles, he would "burst out in the most lamentable and heart-rend- ing cries that the human voice is capable of producing, crying forth to the Great Spirit to support and protect him in this dreadfid trial." After hanging until total insensibility brought a tempo- rary relief to his suil'erings, he was lowered to the floor, the main supporting skewers were withdrawn, and he was left to crawl off, dragging the weights after him. The fu'st movement, with returning consciousness, wastosacri- lice to the droat Spii'it one or more of the fmgers of the left hand, after which the miserable wretch was taktni out of the lodge. ^Yithin the court a new trial awaited him; the last, but most terrible of all. An active man took his })osition on each side of the we.'dc and mvitilated sutfon^r, and, passing a thong about his wrist, urged him forward at the top of his .speed in a circle round the arena. When, faint and weary, he sank on the ground, the tormentoi-s dragged him furiously around the ring until the splints were torn out by the weights attached, and he la\^ motionless and apparently lifeless. If thesjdint should have been so dec^ply inserted that no force — even that of the weight of inilivid- uals in the crowd, thrown upon the trailing skulls— could break the integuments, nothing remained but to crawl off to the prairie and wait until it should give way by suppuration. To draw the skewer out would be unpardonable sacrilege. ; r ^::- I » >1 I ^ > * h 1 i v;i '•? ' '-' ,^ t I ;5' tift '*S 4o2 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. It is told of Olio man that he suspcndiMl liimsclf irom tlic prcoipitnus rivor Lank l)}^ two of tlicso skewers, tlinist tliroiip;h lii.s amis, until, at the end of several days! ho dropped into the water, and swam ashore, 'rhroiij^hout the whole ordeal, the ehiefs and sa^es of the tribe critieally observed the comparative fortitude and enduranec of the candidates, and formed their conclusions thereupon us to which would be the worthiest to command in after time. With all these frightful and hideous si;.!;hts before his eyes, or fresh in his recollecti(ni, our author still maintains, and apparently ujton good grounds, and in honest sin- cerity, his former euloginm upon the virtues and nat- ural, noble endowments of these singular pcojilc. We have given, above, but a brief outline of the myslv-rious conjurations attendant upon the great annual festival: many of these lack interest from our ignorance of their signification. A favorite theme for theorists, ever since the early ages of American colonizati ni, has been found in the endeav- or to trace a descent 1 •' tho followers of the Welsh voyager. Prince Mad( c, to sundry Indian tribes of the west. Vague accounts of Indians of light comjilexioii, wlio could speak and understand the W^t'lsh language, ai'o given by various early writers. They were genei'ally lo- cated by the narrator in some indeterminate region west of the Mississip[)i, at a considerable distance above New Orleans, but no where near the Missouri. It is to be regretted that these ancient accounts are so loose and uncertain, as there can be no doubt but that tliev are founded upon striking and impoi'tant factts. A list of Mandan words, compared with Welsh of the same signi- fication, has been made public by Mr. Catlin, in which the resemblance is so clear, that almost any theory would he more credible than that such affinity was accidental. 'I'his author traced remains of the peculiar villages of the Man- TUllJKS WKST OF TIIK iMlASIHHU'l'I. 453 dans np.irly to tlio moutli of tlio Missouri, ami Jc'soril)C9 otluTS ol'siiiiihir cliiirachM' to the iiorlliwui'il of Cinciiiniiti. lit' sujiiioscs tiiat till' lulvi'iiturcrs, wliosaili'tl from Wiik'S ill till' vt'ar 1170, and wore iicviT tlu'iici't'ortii lu'ai'il IVom, alU'i' laiidiii^ at MoriiJa, <>r near tlic iiKHitli oC I'lr Missis- Hipjji, iiukK; tlu'ir way to Ojiio; tliat tlicy tlu'i'i; Ix'caiuo iiivolvi'd ill iiostilitii's witli tlic natives, and woiv event ually all (!Ut oil", witli tlie exception of tlie lialfdji'oeds who had spruiii,' up J'l'oiu eoiiiH'etion with the women of tlie eniiu- fry; tliat those lialfd)roeds liad at one tiiiu; lbrnu'(l a pow- riiul trihe, but hud gradually been reduced to those wlinni we have deseribed, and liad rcnrnved or been driven fur- ther and farther u[) the Missouri. The ari;uinents upon which this hypothesis is based are drawn from a careful cxaniinatiiiii of ancient western fortifications; from Jihys- ical [icciiliarities and the anal<)gies in language ubovo re- ferred to; from certain arts of working in jiottery, &e.; and fri>in the remarkable and isolated jiosition occupied by tlu^ tribe ill (piestion among liostile nations of indubitable aboriginal characteristics. The theory is, to say the least, plausible, and ably supported. In the suniiner of 1838, the stnall-pox was communi- cated to the Mandans from some infected persona on board one of the steamers bi'longing to a company of fur-traders. So virulent was the disease, that in n few weeks it swept oil' the whole tribe, except a few who fell into the hands of their enemies, the liicarees. One principal reason for the excessive mortality is said to have been, that hostile bauds of Indians had beset tlie village, and the inhabit- ants were consi'(iueiitly unable to separate, or to place the iul'ccted in an isolated ]H)sition. The scene of death, lamentation, and terror is said by those who witnessed it to have been frightful in the ex- treme. Great numbers perished by leaping into the river, in tlie paroxysm of fever, being too weak to swim out. 4 M:': • vi-;- ■ ■■»■;• •■ . i : 454 INDIAN UACES OF AMERICA. Those who died in tlie village lay in heaps upon the floors of the huts. Of the few seeured by the liiearees who took possession of the depopulated village, nearly all were said to have been killed during sonie subsetjuent hostilities, so that now scarce a vestige of the tribe can be supposed to remain. The Mandans were probably all congregated at their principal village at the time of the great calamity: the other village was situated two miles below, was a small settlement, and was used, as we are led to infer, merely for a temporary ^^sumvier residence for a few of the noted families." ^[r. Catlin adds the following items to his account of the annihilation of this interesting tribe: "There is yet a mel- ancholy part of the tale to be told, relating to the ravages of this frightful disease in that country on the same occa- sion, as it spread to other contiguous tribes, the Minatar- rccs, the Knistencaux, the Blackfeet, the Chayennes, ;uiil the Crows; amongst whom twenty-five thousand perislanl in the course of four or five months, which most appalling facts I got from Major Pilcher, superintendent of Indian affairs at St, Louis, from ]\[r. McKenzie, and others." •I i\ TKIBES WKST OF THE JllSSISSirPI. 455 CIlArTKIl III. i| THE SFOUX CONTfNUF.n — THKIK MODK OK Lll'li: MATERNAL AFFEC- jl TION EXrOSUHE OF THE A(iED THE FAiMOtlS QUARRY OF RED PIPE-STONE NATURE OF THIS MATERIAL — INDIAN SUPERSTI- j TIONS KESPECTI.Vr; IT THE HISON OR HUFFALO HORSES OF !| THE INDIANS VARIOUS MODES OF HUMTINCt THE BUF- il PALO WASTEFUL DESTRUCTION OF THE HERDS. The Sioux proper, known among themselves and by other Indian tribes as Dahootas, are one of the most ex- tensively dillhsed nations of the west. From the ll})pcr Mississip{)i, where tliey mingle with the nortlicrn raee of Chi})pewas, to the ^fissouri, and far in the north-west towards the country of the Bhaekfeet, the tribes of this fomily occupy the boundless prairie. Tliose living on the Mississippi and St. Peter's rely ])artially, as Ave have mentioned, upon agriculture, and tlieir proximity to tlie white settlements has changed, and too often degraded their native character. The more dis- tant tribes, subsisting almost entirel}' upon the flesh of the buHalo, clothed with skins, and using the native weapons of their race, still remain in a state of rude freedom and independ'Mice. Graphic descriptions of their wild life, their skill and dexterity in the chase, and innumerable amusing and striking incidents of travel, and portraitures of private and natural character, are to be found scattered through the i)a.m. {■-:;>. i.r 1 • '•:| :^ 456 IXDIAN RACES OF AMEllT'JA. child's Dice from injur}' in case of a fall, and the whole a})paratus is often highly ornanacnted with fringe and em- broidery. This paek or cradle is ])rovided with a broad band, which is passed round the forehead of the mother, sustaining the weight of the child pendant at her l)ack. Those who have been most familiar with this mode of treatment generally a})prove of it as best suited to the life led by the Indian, and as in no way cruel to the child. After the inftmt has in sonic degree acquired the use of its lind)s, it is freed from these incumbrances, and borne in the fold of the mother's blanket. "If the infant dies during the time that is allotted lo it to be carried in this cradle, it is buried, and the disconso- late mother fillo the cradle with black quills and fcathei's, in the parts which the child's body had occupied, and in this way carries it around with her v/herever she goes for a year or more, with as much care as if her infant weic alive and in it; and she ollen lays or stands it against the side of the wigwam, where she is all day engaged witli her n(!edle-work, and chatting and talking to it as famil- iarly and affectionately ns if it were her loved infant, instead of its shell, that she was talking to. So lasting and so strong is the aftbction of these women for the lurit child, that it matters not how lieavy or cruel their load, or how rugged tlie route they have to pass over, they will faithfully carry this, and carefully, from day to day, auil even more strictly perform their duties to it, than if tlic child were alive and in it." — {Ldters and Notes of (Jcunjc CntUn.) What appears, at first glance, to be o)ie of the most revolting and cruel customs of the migratory Sioux tribes, (a custom common to other western nations,) is the exposure of the old and infirm to perish, after they have become unable to keep up with the tribe. We are told, however, that dire necessity compels them to this cinirsc, unless they TlilBES WEST OF THE MISSISSIITI. 457 would — more liumanel}', it is true — at once put an en J. to the lives of such unfortunates. The old suH'crer not only assents to the proceeding, but generally suggests it, when conscious that he is too weak to travel, or to be of any lurther service among his peo})le. With some slight pro- tection over him, aiul a little food by his side, lie is left to (lie, and be devoured by the wolves. Certain tribes of this nation, far up the Missouri, are in the habit of performing various ceremonies of self-torture ia tlieir religious exercises, somewhat analogous to those of the AEandans, but seldom, if ever, are tliey carried to such an extent as we have described in treating of that tribe. In the Sioux country, at tlic southern extremity of the high ridge, called the Coteau des Prairies, which separates the head-waters of the St. Peter's from the Missouri, is situated the far-famed quarry of red pipe-stone. Pipes of this formation are seen througlunit tlie whole of the west, "0 other material being considered suitable. The district was formerly considered as a sort of neutral ground, where hostile tribes from far and near might harni(.)niously resort to supply the all-essential want of the Indian. Those versed in the mysteries of Indian heraldry have deciphered the distinguishing marks and escutcheons of a q'reat num- her of western nations, inscribed ujjou adjacent rocks. Of late years the Sioux have alfected a monopoly in the products of this quarry, and it was not without the most vehement t)p])ositiou that Mr. Catlin and his com])anions, led by curiosity to visit the remote and celebrated place, were enal)led to make their way through the Indian set- tlements fallen in with on the route. Thnjugs of dusky warriors, at these sto])ping-places, would assemble to discuss, with great heat Mud excitement, the true motives of the strangers. '^I'lie general impres- sion seemed to be that the travellers were government agents, sent to survey the locality for the purpose of ajipro- ,■*; ■ ' ■'.' >': . ! ^ m * n I ,/ ' \ ' 1 f. 1 ! ■'■•■■■ , i ' 4 Vl';, ' IS?' 458 INDIAN KAC'KS OF AMERICA. *•"" rr:\ priation, and one and all expressed a determination to perish rather flian relinqnish their rights to this, their most valued place of resort. Tlie stone is obtained Ly dijz'ging to a depth of several f'^ot in the prairie, at the foot of a precipitous wall of quart:': rocks. The wliolc geologi(!al formation of that distiict is described as exceedingly singular, and the pipe- stone formation is, itself, entirely uni([ue. This material is "harder than gypsum, and softer tlian carbonate of lime;" it is asserted that a precisely similar formation has been found at no other spot upon the globe. The coin])o- nent materials, according to the analysis of Mr. Catlin's specimens, by Dr. Jackson, of I>oston, are as follows: "water, 8,4; silica, 48,2; alumina, 28,2; magnesia, 0,0; carbonate of lime, 2,6; peroxide of iron, 5,0; oxide uf manganese, 0,6." The Indians use the stone only in the manufacture of ])ipcs; to apply it to an}^ other use they esteem the most unheard-of sacrilege. From the aflinity of its color to that of their own skins they draw some ftmciful legend of its formation, at the time of the great deluge, out of the flesji of the jierishing red men. The}^ esteem it one of tho choicest gifts of the Great Spirit. The following extracts from the sj)eechcs of some Sioux chiefs, through whose village ]\[r. Catlin passed on his way to the (piarry, may serve to exemplify the veneration v/ith which the stone was regarded. "You see," said one, (holding a red pipe to the side of his naked arm,) "that this pipe is a part of our flesh. The red men are a part of the red stone. ('How, how!')'' an expression of strong ajiprobation from the auditors. "If the white men take away a piece of the red })ipe- stone, it is a hole made in our flesh, and the blood will always run. Wo cannot stop the blood from ruiuiiiig. ('How, how!') The Great Spirit has told us that the red >•/■ TRIBP:? AVEST of the MISSISSIPI'I. 459 s of sonic Sioux \sscd on his way vcuenitiou with stone is only to be used i'ov pijics, and through them we are to smoke to him. ('lluw!')" The next speaker jn'onouneed the stone to be priceless, as it was medicine. Another, after a preliminary vaunt of his own prowess, and worthiness to be listened to, pro- ceeded: "We love to go to the Pipe-Stone, and get a piece for our pipes; but we ask the Great Spirit first. If the white men go to it, they will take it out, and not fill up the holes again, and the Great Spirit will be offended. ('IIow, lio\v', how!')" Ano(/ier—^^'^\y friends, listen to me! wdiat I am to say will be truth. ('How!') I bought a large piece of the ]tipe- stoiie, and gave it to a wdiite man to make a pipe; he was our trader, and T wished him to have a good pipe. The next time I went to his store, I was unhappy when I saw- that stone made into a dish! ('Eugh!') "Tliis is the way the white men would use the red pipe stone if they conld get it. Such conduct would offend the (ircat Spirit, and make a red man's heartsick. ('How, how!')" Many of the pipes in use among the Sioux, and formed of this material, arc sha})ed with great labor and nicety, and often in very ingenious figuivs. Those intended for calumets or pipes of jteace, are goi'gcously d(>corated, but even those in ordinary use arc generally made as orna- mental as practicable. The cavity is drilled by means of ahard stick, with sand and water; the outer form, with the carvings and grotes([ue iigures, is w-orked with a knife. Various narcotic hci'bs and leaves, whci'c tobacco is not to be obtained, are used for smoking, under tlie name of "knick-knick;" the same term is used among some & ath- ern Indians to denote a mixture of tobacco and sumach leaves. In the far west, both among the Sioux and other wild tribes, as tlie hunt of the bull'alo is by lar the most import- , 4 : .'; ,■; 4(50 INDIAN HACKS OF AIMKHICA. ant occupation of tlic men, we will devote some little !«]iace to a deserijifion of the habits of the animal, and the native modes of pursuing and destroying it. The huHalo, or bison of America, is found at the present day throughout no simdl portion of the vast unsettled country between our westei'u frontier and the Kocky ^h)untains, from the south- ern parts of 'J exas to the cold and desolate regions of the north, even to latitude lifty-five degrees. No where are these animals more abundjint, or in a situation more congenial to their inciwise, and tlie development of their powers, than in uiewi-st-rn country of the Sioux, During certain seasons of the yeai, they congregate in immense herds, but are generally disti-ibutcd over the country in snudl com- panics, wandering about in search of the best iiasturage. They have no certain routine of migration, although those whose occuj>ation leads to a study of their move- ments can in some looalitii's point out the general couiso of their trail; and this uncertaintj; renders the mode el' subsistence dejiended ujion by extensive western tribes of Ii. .:ans exceedingly precarious. The most valuable possessions of these races, and tlic mosi essential in the pursuit of the buifalo, are their horses. These useful auxiliaries are of the wild prairie breed, ex- tensively spread over the western territory, the desceiulaiits of those originally brought over by the Spaniards in tl sixteenth century. They are small, but strong and hardv. and superior in speed to any other of the wild animals ol' the prairie. Numbers of them are kej^t about the encaiii|i- ment of the Indians, hobbled so as to prevent their strayiii^u' away. Upon the open jtrairic the bison is generallv pur- sued upon horseback, with the lance and bow and arruw. The short stilf bow is little calculated for accurate marks- manship, or for a distant shot: riding at full speed, th Indian generally waits till lie has overtaken his pr(>y, am discharges his ai-row from the distance of a few feet. le 10 J:\-'^- r- TRIBES WEST OF THE ^^tlSSISSIPPl. 4(31 The admirable training of the horse, to whom the rider is obliged to give loose rciin as lie a])proaehes his objeet and ])re[)ares to inlliet the deadly wound, is no less notiee- able tlian the sjjirit and energ)'^ of the rider. Sueh is the Ibree with whieh the arrow is thrown, that re})eated instances are related of its complete passage through the huge body of the buil'alo, and its exit upon the opposite side. This near approach to the powerful and infuriated animal is by no means without danger. Al- though the liorse, from instinctive fear of the bulTalo's lioi'ns, sheers olF immediately upon passing him, it is not always done with suflicient quickness to avoid iiis stroke. The hunter is said to be so carried away by the excitement and cxliihiration of })ursuit, as to be ai)parently ])erfec11y rocldcss of his own safety; trusting entii'cly to the sagacity and quickness of las horse to take \\n\\ out of the danger into which he is rushing. The noose, or lasso, used in catching wild horses, is often left trailing upon the ground during the chase, to allbrd the hunter an easy means of securing and remount- ing his horse in ease he should be dismounted, by the attack of the buffalo or otherwise. In the winter season it is common for the Indians of the northern latitudes to drive the bufthlo herds f.i m the hare ridges, where tliey collect to feed \\\xm the exposed hci'bage, into the snow-covered valleys. The unwieldy boiists, as they flounder uirough the drifts, are easil}' over- takc'i by the hunters, supjjorted by their snow-shoe.s, and killed with the lance or bow. Another method, adopted by the Indians, is to put on the disguise of awhite wolf-skin, and steal unsus[)ected among the herd, where they can select their prey at leisure. Packs of wolves fre([uently follow the herds, to feed upon the carcasses of those that j perish, or the remains left by the hunters. Thty dare not attack them in a body, and are consequently no objects of ;3 <: 1; ;! i \ ' f } •■ ill 462 INDIAN ]{.\l'KS OF AMEHTCA. terror to tlio l)ufT;il()rs; but, slioiild lui old or wouiulcd im- inuil bo sopJH'iitod from tlie coinpaiiy, tliey collect aroiiiid liitii, iiiid ,ui'adiially weary liiiu out and devour liiiii. Wlu'ii bullalo are jiUMily, and the Indians have lair o])- portunity, the most astonishing^' and wastrl'id slauj^liter ensues. ])esides the ordinary methods of destruction, the custom of driving immense hei'ds over some ])reeiititouK ledge, where those behind lrami)le down and thrust over the foremost, until hundreds and thousands are destroved, has been often described. Kvt'u at seasons in which the fur is valueless, and little besides u present supply of Ibod can be obtained by de- stroying the animal which constitutes their sole resource, no sjiirit of forethought or jirovidence resti'ains the wild hunters of tlie prairie. Mr. Catlin, when at the mouth of Teton river, L'ji})er Missoiii'i, in ls;i2, was told that a !•.",■'■ days ])i-evious to his arrival, a ])ai'ty of Sioux had retui'iicil fn m a hunt, bringing fourteen hundred buiValo tongues, all thai tln^y had secured of their booty, and that tln'sc were in\n)e«liately traded away for a few gallons ol' whiskey. This author goes, at considerable length, into a calcula- tion of tlie causes now at wiu'k, which must, in his opinion, necessarily result in the entii'e e.\tincti(jn of tl;ese animals, and the consequent destitution of the numerous ti'ibcs tliiU derive sui)port from then ])ursuit. According to his rep- resentations, we "draw iVom that country one hundred and iifty {)V two hundred thousaml (jf their i-obes annually, the greatei' part of which are taken from animals that arc killed expressly for the robe, at ii season when the meat is not cured and preservi 1 and for each of which skins the Indian has received bu. pint of whisktn'! Such is the fact, and mat nund)i'r, or near it, are annu- ally destroyed, in adilitidu to t'le nnmljerthat is necessarily killed f(jr the siibsistenee of three hundred thousand In- dians, who live entirely upon them," or wounded [in- ' collect, nrotuid vour lain, lis liiivc fiiir op- stoful slau^liter destnu'lioii, the )iiic ])rcciiiiU)iis aiitl til rust over Is arc destroyed, Lielcss, and little obtained liy de- ;ir sole resource, .'Strains the wild at the mouth of s told that a i;-,- )U\ had rotunu'il luifalo t()iielore other causes shall have annihilated the Indian nations of the west, it is ditlicultto conceive to what these will resort for subsistence. Will tbcy gradually ])erish from sheer destitution, or, as has been ])redicted, will tliey be driven to violence and plunder upon our western frontier? CIIAI'TKU IV. r INDIANS OK Tllli; (iKKAT WESTKRN rHAII{U;s THKIR SUMMKK AND Wl.NTKR I.OIXiKS TIIK MKDICINK-HAG THK CROWS AND BLACK- FKKT RACKS IIOSTILK TO TIIK LATTKR TRIHK VORTITIIDK OK A lU.ACKFonT WARRIOR TIIK CROW ClUKK ARAI'OOISH AND ms (iUKST INDIAN CONCKPTIONS OK A I'KRKKCT COUNTRY STORY OF LORKTTO AND IIIS INDIAN WIFK ADVKN- TURES OF KOSATO, A RLACKFOOT WARRIOR. Upon the Yellowstone, and about the head-waters of the Missouri, the most noted tribes are the Crows and IHackfeet. Bordering upon them at the north and north- east, arc their enemies, the Ojibbewuys, Knisteneaux, and Assinaboins, of some of whom brief mention has be( n made in former chapters. In 1834 the Blaekfeet were computed to number over thirty thousand, but when the small-pox swept over the western country, in 1838, they were fi-ightfully reduced. By the returns of 1850, they were represented as amounting to about thirteen thousand. As these Indians are auKnig the farthest removed from the contaminating influence of the whites, and as the })i'airie abounds in all that is reij^usite for their subsistences, viz; horses and bulfalo, they present fme specimens of tlu; aboriginal race. They are of manly })roportions, active, I, ■ ^4: ?.^? V *t; if. rp''^ Sills;, .\:'*.'H 464 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUIC'A. niul capiil)lc of groiitcndunuu'c: their droj^s is particularly C(iiii(urtal)le ami onuuiiotital, bodeckcd witii all the em- broidery and fringes characteriHtic of savage finery. The style of dress, dwellings, means of subsistence, kc, among the Indians of the western prairies, is in mtiiiy ro- sjiects so similar, that we shall only a.void wt'arisuiiic repetition by omitting minute descriptions in speaking of the diiVercnt tribes. The summer lodge, necessarily made moveable to suit their migratory habits, is a tent of buffalo-skins, supported by pine poles brought from the ilistant mountains. Tlieso skins are neatly and sulistantially stitehed together, niul often highly painted and ornamented. Tluf tent is trans- 2)orted by tying the poles in two bundles, the small ends of which, bound together, are hung over the shoulders of ii horse, ^vhile the butts trail upon the ground, loiiil>,'d with the weight of the skins and other jtaraphernalia of tlio lodge. The dogs are also jiresscd intt) the same service, and loaded, in much the same maimer, with as large; a load as they can carry. The cold winter is passed in some spot protected by high blnlfs or heavy timber, either in these skin lodges, or in rude wigwams of h)gs. It is among these remote races that we may still sec many of the ancient superstitious observances (formerly, with slight variation, conunon to nearly the whole poim- lation of the west,) retained with all their original solem- nity. One of the most singular and universal is the preparation of a "mcdieine-bag," which every man carries witli him upon all occasions, as being intricately involved with his own safety and success in war, hunting, or any of the occupations of life. At al)out the age of puberty the Indian boy bethinks himself of taking the necessary steps for the preparation of this mysterious amulet or charm. lie retires to some solitary spot, where he spends several is particuliirly th iill tlu! cm- 1^0, finery, uibsistciicc, «,^c., , is in uuiiiy re- fold wc'iU'isotiHi 1 ill speaking of loveublo to suit \i r*kins, snpporti'il |! )unt;iins, Tlioso i (I to.L'i'tlier, and 111!? tent is tnuis- ^, the siruill emls he shoulders of a and, loaded witli plu-rnaliti of the he same service, with as large a I )0t protected hy lose skin lodges, we may still see vaiiees (foriiu'rly, tilt' whole poim- r original solem- iiiiversal is the very man earrics ieately involved unting, or any of ic of puberty the noeessary stops unlet or eharni. 10 spends several 1 A I '« •li:llli:s WKST OI'" TIIK MISSI.-^SII'I-l. I or. (I;i3's, Iviiij^' Mpoii tilt' <:rMini(l, Inkiiii,' no Tu.nvisliiiiPiit, iiiul I'liiployi'il ill c'Diitiiiiial (i'l'vciit, iuvocatiuiis to the (in^at Spirit. i''tilliii<( asK.'c|> ill this ('(imlitioii, he notes particu- larly what bird or animal first occiirriMl to his iiiiiid in dreams, llr then ri'tiirns home, and, al'ler reeniitiii,if liis strength, Imsies liiiii.selt' in the pnrsiiit ol' the ereutmv, until lie has secured a siieeimeii. This ueetunplislKHJ, he dresses the skin, stuil's it with moss or some other light siihstanec*, and devotes liis attciilioii to bedecking it with the most elahonitc ornament. ?d lis metliemc-bag can l)e procnveO 111 at no pr leo, an( 1 the loss oI' it, even in the heat of battle, is a signal disgrace, ily to be wiped out by tin' seizure of a similar eharm 01 liom a slaiightereil enemy. "These curious ai)peiidage: Catl in, to tlie persons or wai drobe o( ail I ndiaii, are sometimes made ol' the skin of an otter, a beaver, a musk rat, a weaxel, a racoon, a ]»ole-cat, a snake, a i'rog, a toad, a bat, a mouse, a mole, a hawk, an engle, a niag[)ie, or a sparrow ;- someLimes of the skin of an animal so Iar<>i' as a wo 11'; and at other.'' the skins of the lesser an liinalf so small that they are hiddi'ii under the dress, and very ilillieiilt to be found, evi'U if .searched fijr." T ic strange am I hid cous conjurations ot the mcdicino tiieu or necroniaiu:ers, wlu) pi'i'lbrm their ceremonies about the sick or dviiig with a view to their relief, may be hen; seen in their utmost extravagance. The Crows aix' far inferior in numbers to the Blackf(\^t, with whom they are engaged in [u'l'petual warfare. 'Jliey liabit the country adjacent to the Yellowstoni', as iiir 111 are IS westward as the foot of the Hocky ^rountains. '\^\\<<'\ 11 line race, })hysically .s})eaking; their avt'i'age height greatly beyond that of any of the iieighlK)ring tribes, and tls-y are models of activity and strength. They have been el iractcri/.ed as a lawless, thieving horde of .savages ; but thos.^ best ac(|uaintcd with their character and disposition, 80 4'j 11' h^' W: I'fl \M^- 1^:.'^ ' 'I fi .;'.!'- ;j •. ' ( ■ r .i i "* "3 ■■■'■.' ' ;■■ ■*!■ ■■'■f^. r !■:''■ ■'■^:^- '■m •iQCi INDIAN HACKS OF AMERICA speak of tliem as lioncst and trust-worthy, and excuse the dejoiedations of wlucli they have from time to time been guilty, as having generally resulted from gross pro- vocation. From whatever cause, and whichever race may have been the most in foult, it is certain that the two wild tribes of which we are now speaking have been, from the earliest periods in which Europeans have j'enetiatcd their territory, objects of terror to traders and trappers. One distinguishing peculiarity of these Indians, is the extraordinary length of their hair, which is ch ished and cultivated as an ornament, until it sweeps the ground after them. Tliis profusion is to be seen in no tribe exeej)t the Crows, alfliough some of their neighbors endeavor to imi- tate it, by glueing an additional length to their natural hair. The Crows speak a different language from the Black- feet, and, as we have mentioned, are continually at war with that tribe. They only nundx'r about four thonsand, and arc consequently at great disadvantage in these hostilities. The smaller !Minitn,ri tribes, between the mouth of the Yellowstone and the site of the Mandan villages, and the extensive nation of the Gros Ventres, iidiabiting the east- ern slope of the IJoeky Mountains, speak tlie same Inii- guagj with the Crows, or one very nearly allied to it. The Arapahoes, numbering some three thousand, and dwelliiiir about the sources of the Platte and Arkansas rivers, beujiig to the race of the Blackfeet. Thelatte • nation, besides their enemies at the East, have had, from an indehnite period, to contend with the Flat- head and other tribes still farther westward. 'J'he descent of these remote bands upon the jjlains in pursuit of buflfiilo, has ever been deemed by the Blackfeet a signal infringe- ment of their rights, and fierce battles often result from the conflicting claims of the rival nations. Althoiidi other game abounds in the mountain districts inhabited J! > ! i TRIBES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 467 by some of these tribes, iiotliing possesses such attractions for tliem as the bulFulo-hunt, and they are ready to incur any peril rather tlian relinquisli this favorite pursuit. The Nez-Perces or Pierced-Nose Indians, the Flat-heads, and the Pends Orcilles or Hanging Ears, of the Kocky Mountains and their western slopes, and of the plains di'ained by the sources of the Columbia, are at continual and deadly feud with the Black feet. These latter seem, indeed, to have their hands against every man, with the exception of their kindred Arapahoes, to whom they make periodi- cal visits of friendship. Of the skirmishes between war-parties of these hostile tribes, their forays into each other's territory, and the ex- ploits of their most redoubted warriors, many striking tales are told by the traders and trappers who visit these remote regions. In Mr. Irving's admirable publication, "The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U, S. A., in the Kocky Mountains and the Far West," arranged in the form of interesting and pleasing narrative, from the capttun's manuscripts and other sources, are details of various inci- dents illustrative of the character and halyts of these tribes, so told as to attract the attention of the reader, rnd to leave a vivid impression upon the mind. In Cox's "Adventures on the Columl)ia River," fi'ight- fnl dcscri})tions are given of the cruelties practiced by the Flatdieads u[)on some Blackfoot prisoners who had fallen into their hands. Such proceedings ap[)eared utterly variant from the natural disposition of those Indians, and only serve to show to what lengths usage, a spirit of re- taliation, and natural antipathy, may carry a people whose general character is gentle and kindly. The author particularly describes the oadurance of one of the Blackfoot braves, upon whom every s[)ecics of tor- ture was tried in vain attempts to overcome his fortitude, lie exulted over his tormentors, vaunting his own deeds \\\ '. . i* '* •*., ■< ■ ,■(,: '-J '■'■•r^ ■ -V: ' I, '■ i „■ '.'. ».. ■' ■ ■■. > V . 1 I" ' i • ^:' -. i| .. s 1 ., 468 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA, ./ f I p-i ■■.:■< in the following language: "'My heart is strong. — You do not hurt me, — You can't hurt me. — You are fools. — Yon do not know how to torture. — Try it again. — I don't feel any pain yet. — We torture your relations a great deal better, because we make them cry out loud, like little children. — You are not brave; you have small hearts, and you are always afraid to fight.' Then, addressing one in l^articular, he said, ' It was by my arrow you lost j-our eye;' upon which the Hat-head darted at him, and with a knife, in a moment scooped on'- oi.e of his eyes; at the same time, cutting the bridg.:^ ol ms no.se nearly in two. This did not stop him: with the remaining eye he looked sternly at another, and said, "I killed your brother, and I scalped your old fooi of a father.' The warrior to wliom this was addressed ins'antly .sprung at him, and severed the scalp from his head." The chief restrained tliis enraged warrior from termin- ating the suflfcrin ';s of the victim by a blow; but was, liini- self, immediately afterwards so exasperated by his taunts and insults, that he could not withhold his own hand, and shot the mangled, wretch through the heart. Of the Crow character, a very singular trait is e.xhibiti'il in an adventure of a noted trapjier, Mr. liobert Cani])bell, as given in Mr. Irving's work, abtjve mentioned. This traveller was upon one occasion hosj)ital)ly entertained by the celebrated Crow chief, Arapooisli, in whose tent lio had deposited a large bundle of valuable fui-s. '^i'he greater })art of his stores was buried in the ground foi- safety. The old chief a.scertained, during Campbell's stay, tluit his guest had made a "cache," (tlie French term applied to such places of concealment,) and that some of his own tribe had discovered and plundered it. The number of bcaver-.skins stolen Avas one hundred and fifty. Arapooish immediately assembled all the men of tlie village, and after making a speech, in which he vehemently . ; I strong. — You lU are fools. — ■ igain. — I don't ns a "Teat deal Hid, like little ii nail hearts, and i ' dressing one in \ ; you lost your um, and witli a is eyes; at the nearly in two. '; y eye he looked r brother, and I warrior to wlioin and severed the I I I ior from termin- s'; but was, him- od by his taunts s own hand, and , rt. ! •ait is exhibiti'il )bert Cani])!)*,'!!, lentioned. This V entertained by whose tent lie irs. I'he greater nd for safety. )beirs stay, that term iipphed to onie of his own The number of fifty. tlie men of the h he vehemently TRIBES WEST OF THE ^[ISSISSIPPI. 469 declaimed against their bad faith towards the stranger, vowed that he would neitlicr touch food nor drink until complete restoration should be made. He then took his seat with the trapper in his wigwam, and awaited the re- sult, desiring his companion to make no remarks if the skins were brought, but simply to keep account of them. More than a hundred of the stolen articles were brought in before night, but notwithstanding Campbell's expressions of satisfaction, the old Indian would neither eat nor drink througliout that night and the next day. The skins sloAvly made their apjiearance, "one and two at a time through- out the day; imtil but a few were wanting to make the number complete. Cam|)l)ell was now anxious to put an end to this fasting of the old chief, and again declared that lie was i)erfectly satisfied. Arapooish demanded what number of skins were yet wanting. On being told, he wliispered to some of his people, who disappeared. After a time the nund)er were brought in, though it was evident they Avcre not any of the skins that had been stolen, but others gleaned in the village." Arapooish then broke his fast, and gave his guest much wholesome advice, charging him always, when he visited :i Crow village to put himself and his goods under protec- tion of the chief. Of Campbell's conclusions upon the character of the race, Mi". Irving says: " lie has ever since maintained that the Crows are not so black as they have l)0(Mi painted. 'Trust to their honor,' says he, 'and you are safe; trust to their honesty, and they will steal the liair off' your head.'" The manner in which old Arapooish enlarged upon the natural advantages of the Crow country in conveu'sation with Mr. Campbell is too quaint to be passed over. He avcrrcL. that it was located in precisely the right sjiot for the security of all tliat was desirable in life, and the avoid- ance of its usual trials and wants. lie enlarged uj)on the H' ■"ft" '■'''. ' ;' ." ,. v: •:, ill : i')'^~' , v: •'' 1 1: I. !; ''!^'": 470 INDIAN -RA CES OF A:MEKICA. ■'r%:, cold of the north, where clogs must take the place of horses; and iipon the barren and arid plains of the south, replete with pestilential vapors. At the west, he said, "On the Cohun- bia, they are poor and dirty, paddle about in eanocs, and eat fish. Their teeth arc worn out; they are always tak- ing fish-bones out of their mouths. Fish is poor food. "To the east, they dwell in villages; they live well; but they drink tlic muddy water of the Missouri — that is bad. A Crow's dog would not drink such water. " About the forks of the Missouri is a fine country ; good "water; good grass; plenty of buU'alo. In sunnner it is almost as good as the Crow country; but in winter it is cold; the grass is gone; and there is no salt- weed for the horses." — {Bunncvi/len Adahiures.) Then followed an enthusiastic enumeration of the bless- ings enjoyed by the Crows; the variety of climate; the abundance of game; the winter resources for man and beast; and the relief fi'om the heat of summer ailbrded by the cool breezes and fresh springs of the mountains. In a former chapter, we have devoted some little sjx'ioe to illustrations, from Mr. Catliu's letters, of the strength of I)arental aft'ection among the Western Indians, partieulai'ly the Sioux: in the work last cited ai'e numerous anecdotes exemplifying, in a manner equally forcible, the enduring ami powerful attachment often noticeable between the sexes; and this not only among the Indians alone, but where they have intermarried with whites. One of these instances was as follows : " Among the free trappers in the Rocky Mountain band was a s})irited young Mexican, named Loretto; who, in the course of his wan- derings, had ransomed a beautiful Blackloot girl from a band of Crows, by whom she had been captured. lie made her his wife, after the Indian style, and she had followed his fortunes ever since Avith the most devoted aflection," The company, one day, fell in with a numerous party ^t:. TRIBES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 471 ilacc of horses; :h, replete with OutlicCohim- Ij in eiinocs, and h ire always tak- ' 5 poor food. 1 r live well; but j i-i — that is bad. , i ; country; good n sununer it is iu winter it is alt-weed for the , tion of the bless- , of climate; the i les for man and iner a (lorded by nountains. sonic little space )f the strengtli of ians, particularly aerous anecdotes lie, the enduring ,1c between tlic idlans alone, but "Among the free 4 a spirited young )urse of his wan- loot girl from a )tured. He made she had followed voted alVeetion." numerous party of Blackfoot warriors, and the preliminary steps were taken for a parley, and for smoking the calumet, in token of peace. At this moment, Loretto's Indian wife perceived her own brother among the band. "Leaving her infant with Loretto, she rushed forward and threw herself wpon her brother's neck; who clasped his long-lost sister to his heart, with a warmth of aftbetion but little compatible with the reputetl stoicism of the savage." Meanwhile, Bridger, one of the trapper leaders, ap- proaching the Blaekfeet, from an imprudent excess of caution, cocked his rifle just as he came u^) with them. The Indian chief, who was in the act of prolfcring a fr'cndly salutation, heard the click of the lock, and all his nati ,'e fury and suspicion were instantly aroused. He sprang ni)on Bridger, forced the muzzle of the rifle into the ground, where it was discharged, knocked him down, seized his horse, and rode oft". A general, but disorderly fight ensued, during which Loretto's wife was hurried away by her relations. The noble young T'/oxican saw her in their power, vainly entreating permission to return, and, regardless of the danger incurred, at once hastened to her side, and restored the child to its mother. The Blaekfeet braves admired his boldness, and respected the confidence which he had re- posed in them by thus venturing iu their midst, but they W(^re deaf to all the prayers of himself and his wife that they might remain together. lie was dismissed unharmed, but the w^oman and child were detained. Not many months afterwards the fiuthful Loretto pro- cured his discharge from the eomi)any in whose service he was enlisted, and followed liis wife to her own country. A happy reunion took place, and the loving })air took up their residence at a trading-house among the Blaekfeet, where the husband served ixs interpreter between the In- dians and white traders. 1 ■■ '■ ^■■''y,l y'i. m\ 472 INUIAN HACKS OV AMKIUOA. Another talc of IiHliau love; and rivalry i« tliat of a Blackfoot warrior, named Kosato, J'osidin<; among tlio No/-l'erc('s wlion tliat tribe was visited by lionncville. He had lidUm in k)ve with the wife of a chief (.!' his own tribe, ami liis all'eetion was nlui'ned. Aeeordin.sjj to his own {)ositive asseveralioiis, altlioMgii they "lalked to<^otli- or— huid with love and rt'veug(>, Kos- ato wailed his opi)ortunity ; slew the objt'ct of his hate; and hastened to entreat his mistress to lly with him. At first she oidy wept bitterly, but linally, overcome by his ])ersuasions, and the i)romptings of her own all'eetion, she forsook her peopU>, and sought, with her lover, an asylum among the peaceful and kindly Nez;-Pcrces. Kosato was foremost in rousing up a warlike and manlv si)irit among the tribe of his adoption, but he found the disposition of his new allies far dilferent I'rom that of the hot-blooded 'MackfW't and Cj'ows. "They are good and kind," said he to Ronneville; "tlieyarc honest; but their hearts are the hearts of women." From these and numberless similar talcs, it is sufricieutlv evident that the cloak of reserve in which the Indian wraps himself from the scrutiny of strangers, cova-rs j)assions and affections as fiery and impetuous as arc to be witnes^:'d in more demonstrative races. ^' is that of 0. '\\ '^ aiiiung tlio I ionnoville. \ liolci' hisowii ! •online to his ! lallciMl togctli- ' scH'lvinii" vM'h children.'' i ist colli] ilt'tcly lotli the olU'iul- , .11(1 sternly hi'l iiile the voiitli ' pou wiru-h llic reveiij^'e, Kos- L't of his luito; ,vith him. At ercoine l>y his I aiVectioii, she ver, an asylum ike and manly t he foiiml the oiii that of the are piod and lOst; hut their it is suirieieiitly e Indian wrajis rs passions and be witiiebc:.:'d in •/■// /: /) ;: r a . ?*tlltlll purl inn "t \\*. MLSt fn cjls Win, 111 (iii(iiiliir |i:i|-liiiii'>'. "cr. .wili-il Willi il.MT." No iiiiiiiiiil r .ii.d liavi- Hii|i|ilir(l Ilie niilivi* Willi a k'r<':ili'r Minriy ..I (■l.lll:.M■t^. ri,r ili->li I'unii.-lir.l ii |.:i!iiliili|f uthI wIiuI.- wiinc I'liiMl.iir II iinliiri' riisllv | n— rvi'il r..r iiini» •' w ml ; llii' >;^i,i. iln— iil with nr wjlli- Mil till' liair, wii!" lln' priiM'i|.iil iiiiiliTiiil loi' rlniliiin;, linlcliii;;, Aci-. ; wliilr ll.i' limr.ii and iiili'Miiir» wui'ci iiwd 111 iliu inaiiiiluolinr ol v.tiiuiis wcaiuiii.t I' ii' liiiiitiiiw iir Kir. ^''•'.■i '•'■ ^\- Til m t ' I ^^ i ' ■V, I ■ 1 ' I'. ' 1 >,«' ii ^ '-M^^i /■// /. /•; / .> II .V, I.I \l H.VI.IA I M.M |i ri:i, 11! II .M.n, TiiK lini?!' iiiiitiiiiln, «Imi>i' iinii'iiil CHiirnriiiiiliiM! i* iiccinulrly rriiri'iTMli'il in llir iiliuvo ftkclch, V iiiidrr In hcnl^ u! ('iiiiiiUos iiuiniui'*. ovt'i' Hit* wiMi'TIm'-^s iiiul |>ull^ll■^^ ol llii' Titr Wi'^l. An L,'itiii(i, ilii') iiri: iiivaliialili t^»'^ wtiii'li ruin so CiinsldcM'iihii- nil iiiliili- m' Iriilllo In I'm towns ul' lilt- Kasi. TlH' Ijisoiis sc.'UliT wiili:y oMT llii' iirmrifi wli.ii liTilihi,', lull wInMi lli.-j tuki- ii|i ihiif Inn- of iimicli, lipoii tlii'ir |M-rii'ilical iihu'ialioiis, the w liulf liiril procrril.i in i> ciiiii|iiti'' niaH!", oIlrriiiK all fiifv ii|i(ioi't.iniiy lor ilir iimxi waslrt'iil sinii'jiiii'r. 'I'lic luiiinal Viio* tonni rly l\iiin lai* Ma^-I mm Uiit lliiilf('t'i|ilion<< nivcii liy llii' Imlians ul' •• (,'ii'ul liriinN of wi-ll u'l-o-.vni! lii.'iidti lliiil li"' iiiioiil III)' imi'i.' oi' tliH liiki' (I liiiario), kiicIi ui* llir Clirlsliiiii wuild (unlilo ll>is >liit>:uti'i'v; lialli nol Ijfi'ii inailii iio|naiiiI(:il wiiii." llrih.-:* mill l"'"'"" "' '"'■ ,„MI..Mr llrsh .iii.l lIu-k.M Ir lllr KlM. l,„l. wl..M> tl.'J t^ikr »1. tt.Hr ;li|.r. |r,v,T, luiil Miii-um"lii':'l--"' 7'// /. /.' f,.i ( K .sq V I n li i: /, , A nK.AUllFLI, \,VVi\.\: AM.VAI. nF NdKTIl A.lil.ttKA. It Wilt cijir.til.iiHl l.j Ihi' Indians, iiii li'« lliuii In (heir wliilti nucceHHors, n vi'iy dosir- iilili- iilij,-ct 111' (lurMiil MM an ai'liclc id' Inud. f-Hiiiihl-.«kiiih sirvcd also fur various DriKuininla! purpcwa In llii! inaniifueluri'df clolli- iiiH ajul douoruliuii.t. h- [mm • ■ « W'.a 1 ;)iM ''i. ^ i:i ■■f*t"'- ! ■"'■■.' ^■;v: I I p 1, r i^'i ' 1 im ■<,\i: r ^^T-7 'iH^a m 1^ ■\ai'^.. [-■■■St'*'" tMi'6 ■ i. :m:\ I. 'I ■ -^ I'j ■ ■vi'h' •/'// /•; ^■ HI/./. I. ) H K.I H . No nnimal. iipnii Ihi' whole ciuiiiiii'iil <<( Aiiii'in'ii, i? r-n iliini; u^ :imcI Irripciiiii" us llie (ino huru ili'|iiclr(l. .M. Koitaici, in lll^ •• I'linlliiuii (••i|iiiliiiiv." ii cl>'-('i'i|iii'iurt the (.•oiiriii.'e nt' the tif^'T, and the sIrciiL'lli of Ihr limi. (ir -^iijiiuiv IkiIhw. liki' olhcr «{ii'i'i<'s of his nice, ho ro.T.ll'* over tin' viist Inijiiiii liirilcny n( thi' ^y Ihe wmidoriiig natUins of tlie l!:ii-k-lVil, Ni'< IVht-., Kiiii'<:i''. ('ruw. &i-." A»toiii!'hiii« tides lire Inhl el" ihi' |irudi:,'i(iiis sinM|._i'., and hiiphiciddn fury of IhiK "ni mill. Thu hii'/e lii^on !■< heliileiis in hi'' '^'rasii. .-•iid ii is ii ciiiniiion !» a 476 INDIAN RACES OF AMKKICA. '.■i("'''- ,' '•''' ■ :1 retreating forehead characteristic of tlie ancient sculptures of Egyjit and Central America. Various tribes and nations of America were formerly in the habit of flattening the head, who have long since ceased so to mar their i'air [)ro- portions. Even in South America, as \vc shall see here- after, skulls are still found bearing evident marks of tliis hideous distortion. Exclusive of the head, there is little particularly uotice- ;ibir about the personal ajipcarance of the Indians of the lower Columbia. The description given of them, jiarticu- lai'l}' of tlieir women, is by no means attractive. It would seem, from one of ^Ir. Catlin's illustrations, that a singular custom, generally considered as jieculiar to tlie Bra/.ilian Botocudos, is occasionally obsei'vable among them. He gives a sketch of a woman Avhose underdip is pierced, and tli(! aperture filled with a large wooden plug or bultou (termed the "botoque" in South America). '^riieir most successful advance in the arts, is seen in the manuflicture of their canoes. These, according to tin' description given in the history of Lewis and Clarke's travels, are often "upwards of fifty feet long, and will caiuy fi'om eight to ten thousand pounds weight, or [nnn twenty to thirty persons. * * Tliey are cut out of a single trunk of a tree, Avliich is generally white cedar, thoiigli the fir is sometimes used. * * When thevem- bai-k, on" Indian sits in the stern, and steers with a})ad(1:e; the otliors kneel in pairs in the bottom of the canoe, and, sitting on their heels, paddle over the gunw;ilc next to tlwui. In tliis way they ricL with perfect saiety the high- est waves, and ventui'c without the least concern in seas where other boats and seamen could not live an instant. They sit quietly and paddle, with no other movciiient, except when any large wave throw.-i the boat on her side, and to the eye of the spectator ,'-'hc seems lost: the man to windward then steadies her by iluowing his body towards nt sculptures ;sau(l uatious l.attening the ', their iuir \n\)- \ \a\\ sec \\vvv- | marks of this I aularly noticc- [ndiaus of the them, ]mrticu- Ive. It would that a sin-i-ular J the Brazilian ng them. Ilo is pierced, and .(lux- or button js, is seen in ihc , Icording to the |; Is and Clarl-es worked into canoes, is almost incredi- ble, considering the miserable tools and implements in their possession previous to Eurtjpean inlercourse. ^riieir household r;:fi\iiurc and utensils arc rmfe and simi)le; in their }n'imitive condition they boiled their fish ill kettles of cedar wood, by means of heated stones thrown into the water. The fire-place is a hole sunk in the lloor, to the depth of about twelve inches, under the aperture iu the roof left for the escape of smoke. CHAPTEIl VI. THE SIIOSHONKES, OK SNAKK INDIANS THE SIIOSHOKOES, OR ROOT- DIGGERS — V:X1ENT OF COUNTRY OCCUPIED RY THE SNAKES — THE CAMANCHES : THEIR HOHSEM ANSHIP, MODE OF I.IKE, DWELLINGS, ETC. THE PAWNEE PICTS THE NABAJOS AND MOqUES. Under various names, and presenting a great variety ; in habits and appearance, according to the nature of the country they inhabit, the great race of Shoshonees is found scattered over the boundless wilderness, from Texas to the i-' V ('■ * ;:■ ■ )'>. ■•'./' *"','.' \' ,.i„^. '■■ '^'" "•*'■. ill ™, ■'■ • ' * J. .**:.<»■ 1..';' '.1. Hi: l^. ,.:,,'■.. ■■ \j' 478 INDIAN RACES OF A^^IEUICA. Columbia. Tlicir territory is bounded on the novtli and west by that of their liereditary enemies, the Bhickieet and Crows, tlio tribes alhed to the great Dacotah or Sioux family, and the Indians removed westward from the United States. Those who dwell amid the rugged and inhospitable reii'ions of the great Eockv Mountain chain, know u as Shos- hokoes or Hoot-Diggers, are the most destitute and miser- able portion of all the North American tribes. They have no liorses, and nothing but the rudest native implements for securing game. '^^I'hey are harmless, and exceedingly timid and sh}^, choosing J'or their dwellings the most re- mote and unexplored retreats of the mountains, whither they fly in terror at the a})proach of strangers, wluMlu'r whites or Indians. "These ioi'lorn beings," says l>'ving, "fornnng a mere link between human nature and the brute, have been looked (h)wn upon with pity and con- tempt by the Creole trappers, who have given them the ap})ellatiou of 'fes digues de pitii;^ or 'the objects of pity.' They appear more worthy to be calltHl the wild-men of the mountains." Although living in a climate where they experience great se\'i'rity of cold, inese miserable people are very iiisulliciently protected either by eli)lhing or comfortable huts. Of a party seen by lionneville upon the plain he- low Powder Kiver, that traveller remarks: "'JMicy live without any further protection from the inclemency of the season, than a sort of break-weather, about three feet hiuli, composed of sage, (or wormwood,) and erected aroiuid them ill the shape of a half-moon." This material also furnishes them with fuel. Many were seen carrying about with them a slow match, made of twisted bark. " When- ever they wished to warm themselves, they would gather together a little wormwood, apply the match, and in an instant produce a cheering blaze." >* > ■1 RIBt-S WEST OF THE JllSSISSIPri. 479 They live princij)ally, as tlieir name implies, upon roots and a preparation of certain wild seeds; but by the aid of their dogs — a lean and miserable breed — they eateh rabbits and other small animals. They occasionally take ante- lopes by the following singular contrivance: An inelo- sure of several acres in extent is formed by piling up a row of wormwood brush, oidy about three feet in height. Into this the game is decoyed or driven and the entrance closed. Tho men then pursue the aniuuds on foot, round and round the confined space, (fresh recruits entering upon the duty as the first become weary), until they are com- pletely tired down, and can be killed with clubs. The antelopes ne\ er attempt to leap over the frail barrier. Those Shoshokoes who live in the vicinity of streams, add to their sniiplies by fishing, and some of them are ?iilUciently skilful and jjrovident to cure stores of fish for winter; but in general the season of scarcity finds them wretchedly unpi ovidcul. '* They were destitute," says Bon- neville, of a party encountered by him, "of the necessary coveriug to pr<:»teet tiiem from the weather; and seemed to be in uusophisticated ignorance of any other propriety or advantage in the use of clothing. One old dame had absolutely nothing on her person but a thread round her neck, from which was pendant a solitary bead." The Shoshonees, as distinct from the lloot-Diggers, althovigh their condition varies greatly with their locality, are a free, bold, and wandering race of hunters. In the hutfalo plains their life is much like that of the Sioux, Blackfeet, Crows, &c.; while in the less favored districts, among the mountains and deserts, they approach more nearly to their kindred Shoshokces. Tlie country inhabit- ed by them is of such vast extent, and Iris been so imper- fectly explored, that material for aceura'.e classification of the Snake tribes is entirely wanting. Very interesting des(jriptions and anecdotes of these Indians arc to be ,?■. : ^. VI r'\tm":.: h v; , '"ir,^ » *.y ' ''■'ii-.i'y! ', J ' 4S0 J.VDIAX n\Ci:^ OK AMKKICA. fi'''(l i.iColoiH'l I*'i'i'iii()iitV notes of travel aiiil explora- IV. is; ii! Mr. SeliooK.Tari's valiialile e(iiii|iciiil of Iiiilian 1>.,-; 'ical ainl statistical inl'oriiiatiiiii ; aial in the eiUeilaiii a "V -iitnres ni' ( 'aiilain JJoiiiievil 'I'l le le i'ei:'i(iii ti'iianlrW ]i\ the roNiiiL;' trincs ulm arc e dl >ii;ik 'S, IS thus hii 1 iiieliiileil iimler the i^eiieral tit down in Si'hi MiJerat't's aliDve-menlidneil jiiililieation : exclu- sive ceutlv receiN'ed denotes that Ihe lane'u; IS spoken liv hands m the tz'oM-minc rcLiion of tln> Saei'ameuto."' hat ol' the c 1 he most iioleil liraiieh o| the whole hunilv is t Linanehes. " who have dv'.-cendcil east wardK' into the '\\'\- an plains al unknown )iei'iods o|' their history." Anahjirv 111 ]aimiiaL;e is nation with the Slioshonce: a,ll that attests the loriiier uiiitv ol' liiri he Canianehes inhabit a coimti'v where bisons and WlIM liol'Se aJioMiid, and llieir Li'cnei'al lialnts ami inoilcdi lill b are con.seijiu-iit l\' \'cr\- similar to those ol the western S loii.N and othi r race- (jI' t lu' prairie As b.,1.1 and .-1 fill riders, ihey ;irc said to have no e(piii!s, at K'ast in Moitli America: some of their feats oi' horsemanship appear almost supci'iialural to a slraii.ii'cr. < hie of the most siii- heel, by \v liicli tliev still luainlain their liold, and ai'c enahled to ;ni'l rxi'l'ii'H- ml i.r liiiliaii II the fiitii'taiii j^ ii trilics \viu> arc ji < is thus laiil ; ication : fM-lu- '; (T, 'Mhrv cm- I'ass, lii'lwrcu , ,. (,'()lmnl>ia, ^,V i ,u Willi Oregon ■,,.,•_ 1,. lie main- rk-ara. "r lJi tint llii-i'o liisi'iis am lils ami iiKxl'' t' if tllO west. 'I'll is 1)(.1<1 ami skill- Noith it Irast 111 ■inaii^liil' :>1 iicav ,,',■ till' UK'st sin- IimIc IhhIv UlHiU Iv sliirldi'il I'loiu ,'n ul'tlu- lif'-l, by lilcil Ui /'' m.. "''^ iv'(A arc ciia f1- ■tr V. Jl>; TRIBKS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 481 n'giiin tlicir seat in an instiiiit. 'I'lic nianncr in wliicli this seemingly inipossihic position is ivtain^'d, waH asecrtained by Mr. Catlin to Ik- as follows: ''I ionnd," .says lie, "on examination, that a short liair hahcr was j)asscd around under the neek of tlu; iiorso, and both en-baek exereise, have lost that agility and grace which characterize the North American Indian, in his natural state. They are awkward and un- gainly in their movements when on foot, but when mounted upon the animals that have become almost a partof them- .'^clves, nothing can exceed the lightness and freedom of their j)osture and movements. The wild horses are taken, as usual, by the las.«!o, and are at first disabled by being "choked down," as it is termed. When the hunter has thus conquered and enfeebled his prize, ho proceeds to tic his fore feet together, and, loosening the noo.se about his neek, takes a turn with it about the lower jaw, and com- pletes the subjection of the animal by closing his eyes with his hand and breathing in his nostrils. After this, little difficulty is experienced; the horse submits to be mounted, and is soon entirely under the control of his tormentor. The Indians are severe and cruel riders, and the ease of 31 I'. ,.^ ^^, 11 '9 III 482 INDIAN HACKS Ol-' AMKIUCA. sii[)plyiii<,' tlio loHS 'M' 11 liDfHO pri;vt'iits tlmt rc^fiird fiir liis Hiillity uikI (iiii'c lor liis weUiire clsi-w licrt* I'liriiisliril byscH'. iiihTcst. 'I'lic Catiiiiiic'lii'S an* I'ssciitially a wailiki' race, and tlio whole history of tin* si'ltliMuciit iiiid ()('cu|iatioii ol' Tcxum is rcpU'U' witli talc's ol' their (..'ourafjfti luid prowess. Thcic sooiiis to 1)0 reason to fear that dillicidties will still con- timie tet arise In'tweeii Ihciii and the white settlers of llic eoiintry until the whole tribe, like so many in the nllvv states, shall he di'iven li'om their ten-itoiy orextiTminateil. Almost the only man who has ever been able to eoniinand their endurin;^ adiniiMtion and res|)ec<^, and to exercise a parental oontrtd over these wild rovers of the west, is tlir redoubteil champion of Texan independence, (ieneral llouslon. Ninnberless tales are told of the inlluence of his presence, or even his name, in (puetin<^ border trou- bles betwecin •whites and Indians. Xo one ki.tws tln' Carnanches belter than Ilon.ston, and he i^ives abmnhnit testimony tg many excellent traits in their ehai'acter. Aeeordiny to liis n'pn-sentation.s, the ^■eiierality of dis- turbances which have arisen ui)on tlu'ii' borders are attrib- utable rather to injustice and yioleiiee, on the ])art nF the white sett li>r.s, than to the native ferocity oi' treacliciy of the Indians. The d\vellin,i.^s of the Camanehes, like tliosll ol' 'I'cxiw prowoss. Tlicro I'.H will .^till coil- to 81'ttU'rs (if llic any in the iiMri' (ir I'Ntcriiiiiiatcij. ;ilili' to colllliiainl luiil to iwcri'isc a t' tlio west, is the •inlciu'C. (iciii'i'al ' tlic iiillnciin- (if Ling b()i'«U'r tmu- > one kii')\vs tlii' (' ti,iv('S ahuiidaiit their charartci'. •lu'i'ality ol' clis- inh'i'S HIT at trill- on the part ol' •ity oi' Ircai'hi'iy thoso of otiicr o-skins, ami an' iiannrr doscrili il linini!,' thciii, tlir (•ad-waters ol' the .V Mountains, in- prairie-grass, of These pcopk' Pawnees on the alliance with tlio "V cultivate hirge TUIUKH WKrtT OF THE MISHISSIl'lM. 483 (pjantities of iniii/e, beaiiM, pmnplciiis, &e., and, vvlint with their abundant supply of g:une, enjoy no little prosperity. Tn New Mexieo, besides the Utnlis, Apiuihes, and other Indian tribes heretolbre mentioned, are two very singular eonuuunities: the Nabajos and \b)([ui'S. The lirst of these lead a pastoral life between the rivers San Juan and Gila. They arc spoken of in a eoinnuuiieation of (lovernor Charles Bent, in 1810, as "an indnsli'ious, intelligent, and warlike tribe of Indians, who cultivate tlie soil, and raise sullicient grain ami fruits of various kinds llir their own corisuniptioiK They are the owners of largt; (locks and herds of cattle, sheej), horses, luuh^s, and asses. It is estimated, that the tribe possesses ;jO,(J(»(I h(!ad of horned cattle, 500,000 head of shei«p, aud 10,000 bead of horses, mules, and asses. * * They manufacture iweelleut coarse blankets, aud eoanse woolen goods for wearing a[)parel. * ■" ■" 'I'hey have in their ])ossessiou many men, women, aud ehildi'en, taken from the settlements of this territiMy, whom they hold and Lroat as slaves. * * The Moques are neighbours of the Nabajos, and live in permanent vil- lages, cultivate grain aud fruits, and raise all the varieties of stock." — {SrliookntjVs llislnrical mid Statistical IiiJ'orma- tiun conccriiin;/ (he Tii<1!nn Tribes), The N d)ajos number from seven to fourteen thousand •souls; tin- Moques between two and three thousand. Tlie two tribes are at enmity with each other, and the Moques have been, b > this cause, much retUiced. The following description of the personal a[)pearaneo of these Indians, (their names being corru])t<'d into "Nab- bchocs," and "Mawkeys,") is cited by ]\[crntosii, in liis "Origin of the North Ameriean Indians," from the West- ern Democrat: we cannot undertake to vouch for its accu- racy. After describing the location of the smaller tribes, -:;;?1 i ■')' 1 484 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. the article proceeds: "Not far distant from the Mawkcys, and in the sarrie range of country, is another band of the same description, called Nabbehocs, a description of cither of these tribes, will answer for both. They have been described to the writer by two men in whose veracity tlio fullest confidence may be placed: they say the men arc of the common stature, with light flaxen hair, light-blue eyes, and that their skin is of the most delicate whiteness." UNITED STATES AND TERRITORY. ■r ,' -I INDIAN POPULATION '}i.-i: According to the census taken, under the agency of Mr. Henry R, Sclioolcraft, in pursuance of the act of Con- gress passed in March, 1847, the following returns were made of the numbers of the Indian tribes subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The grand total was set down at 388,229, and about 30,000 more was considered a probable estimate of tribes inhabiting districts yet unexplored. Tlie " Ultimate Con- solidated Tables of the Indian Population of the United States," containing the results of the proposed invcstiga- tioii, are given substantially as follows, in Schoolcraft's "History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States :" 1. "Tribes whose vital and industrial statistics have been taken by Bands and Families, under the direction of the act of Congress," including Iroquois, Algonquins, Appalachians, and Eastern Sioux, 34,704 2. "Tribes of the new States and Territories, South and West, including the acquisitions from Mexico, under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo," viz: of Texas, New Mexico, California, Oregon, Utah, and Florida, and consisting of Canianches, Apaches, Utiihs, Slioslionees or Snake Indians, &c. . . . 183,042 1:1 P-v-Jl ,^'>,.': ■■"■A 486 INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. 3. Tribes between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, to tlie northward of Texas and New Mexico, viz : Assinabuins, south or lat. 49 (leg. ArapahocB, .... Absarokos, or Crows, A'lirickarcps, .... I,n00 ) Miainics, . 3,50<) Missouris, . 4,000 i Munsees, . 1,500 Ottuwas, west, Blackfect, 13,000 S Otoca, niood Indians (feu> reach the Missouri) 500 ! Oinahas, Brothertons, COoi OgeUahs, Cherokees, 20,000 j Pawnees, . Creeks, 25,000 Poiicas, . Chickasaws, 5,000 Pottawatoinies, Clioctaws, 16,000 Peorias, . ChcyenncB, 2,500 1 Piankesli'.ws, Caddoes, 2,000 J Qimppan, Chippewtts,wc3t, and Red River, nortli, I.-IIX) Shuwanees, Cayiigas and Iroquois, west, Delawares, Foxes and 3ncs, . Gros Ventres, . Kiowas, .... Kicknpoos, 30 j i^ioux of the Mississippi (not enuino- 1,500 rated in No. 1), .... . 2,400 1 Sioux of tl\e Mis.souri (noton'imerated 3,000 1 in No. i;, . 2,0(K) Stockbridaes, 000 i Seniinoles, Knnzas, 1,600 | Swan Creek and Itliiok River Cliippe- Kaskaskias, 2(|0 j wiis tnot enunieruted in tlie .VI(,'on- Menotnonies, 2,,500 j ([uiii yroupe), .... Cllil Mandans, (?) 30o|Telans, 3,UilO Minitarees, 2,.'i00 1 Weas, ;:jil 500 500 200 3I)U 501) 2,niN) 1,500 17,001) "111) 3,2110 l.-)0 21)0 401) 1,1)00 9,001) 5„'iOI) 400 L.'iOO Within the old States ai-e the foliowii.g remnants of ancient • U r^- Mountains, to the 1 1 500 1; . 500 \ 200 1 3(10 500 ] j . 9,noo ji Iv'iOU ' i . 17,000 ■ ' 700 . 3,aio •Joo 400 . 1,000 ssippi 0'"l emimu- ii(iioteinimeriit('" i>pkt!09 iiicludod in lOiim r SOUTH AMERICA. TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ANT) THE NORTHERN PROVINCES OP SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER I. INniANS FIHST SKEN BY fOM-.M BI'.S — r,AM)IN('T AT fJUAXAHANI — NATIVKS OF C'l'HA KMBASSV TO TIIH (iKAND KHAN ! Dl.SCOVKKY OK HAVTI, AND INTEHCOURSK WITH THE NATIVES — GUACANA- UAKI WRECK OF THE AD.MIKAI.'s VESSEL HONESTY AND HOSI'ITA .:TY ok the NATIVE INHAHITANTS TRADE FOR GOLD mil I, DING OF THE FORTRESS OF LA NAVIDAD — DEI'AnTURE OF THE NINA THE CIGl'AYANS DIS- ORDERS AND DESTKl'CTION OF THE GARRISON AT LA NAVIDAD FORT OF ST. THOMAS. At tlic time of the discovery of the New World by Columbus, the Larger West India islands and the Baha- mas were, for the most part, inhabited by a kindly and simple-hearted race. Although living in the most prim- itive state of nature, unclothed, and possessed of only the rudest weapons and implements, they do not appear to have been defunent in intellectual caj)aeity. The delight- ful climate of their country, and the sjiontancous fruitful- iiess of the soil, removed the ordinary incentives to labor and ingenuity. The rudest huts of branches, reeds, and palm-leaf thatch, with hammocks (originally the Indian word " hamacs ") -slung between the posts, fully sufficed for their dwellings. Protection from the rain was alone necessary. • I'.i :.:jy ■\r' I ' ' i.l. 488 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. They were of good figure and proportion, tlicir foreheads Avcrc high and well formed, and the general cast of their countenance and conlbrmation of their features agreeable and regular. The great admiral landed, for the first lime since the days of "the Nortlnuen" that any European had visited tlie Western World, at Guanahani, San Salvador, or Cat Ishmd, on the 12th of October, 1492. The shore was lined with naked savtiges, who lied at the approach of the boats; but watching from a distance the inioi.iprehensible ceremony of taking })ossession, and the relJi.!!"'-irf exercises ol tlianksgiving, })eribrmed hy tlx,' Strang, rs, fear soon gave ])lace to reverential curiosity. !i' imy thing could excite tlieir wonder in a iiijhor degree '^nu the majestic ap})roach of the ships, it uiiglit wcV l;t, m- splendor of the Spanish dress and aims, the •, rang*.' tM..pK'\ion, and the thick beards of tlie stranger;^ who ;a rived in them. The inui!) 1,-' soon began to gatlier round tlie little IkumI, throv.'ing iheuiM.:!",' upon the earth in token of .submi.s- sioi and r -pcci, an' worshipping the Sj)aniards as god.-; or divine messengers. An nothing but kindnes.^ aj)j)e;uvd in the demeanor of the .strangers, the native.-; grew mon' familiar, and, with unl)oundetl aduiiration, touched a::d examined tiicir dress and beards. Columbus still further won the good-will of tlie island- ers by a judicious distribution of sueii brilliant beads and toys as e\er attract tlie eve of the savau'c. iS'tjlhimr dc- lighted them so much as hawks'-bells, of wiio.-^e plea.sant tiidcling, when suspended I'nMu their arms and neeks, they were never weary. The next day, laying asidi; all iear, tlie Indians came out to the ships, swimming or paddling in tladr canoes. They bi'ought such little articles of tiado ..irf they posscs.sed; Inills of cotton yarn, parrots, ;iiul ea.s- sava bread (made ii'om the yuca root); eager to trallio, upon any terin.s, for Kuropean commodities, (.iolden orna- tliciv forclieads •al cast of thoii- ,tuiX'S asroeable \iiiic since the | can liad visited alvador, or Cat The shore was approach of the ic»->i.ti)ivliciisil)le ligi^ TKIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 489 menta worn in the noses of some of them at once aroused tho. oupidltj of the Spaniards, who eagerly bought them up, and made innahy, by sigii.s, as to \vhei)ee the material Avas brought. This was explained to be at the southward. In his fui'ther cruise among the Bahamas, in the vain search for gold, Columbus pursued the most humane and gcnilc policy towards the natives, and their gratitude and delight at his caresses and presents knew no bounds. Equally generous, they were ever ready to proller to the Spaaiartls all their little wealth of cotton, fruits, and tame parrots. Seven of the natives of Guauahani were taken on board the vessels upon the dep;ii1ure from ^hr.^ island. Tl.e admiral had no doubt but tliiit he hnithct of Indians upon the inhab- itants. As he came in sighi of Cuba, he supposed that he had at last reached Ci]:)ango, This opinion was fuially changed, from a misaiJpreliension of communications from the natives on board, to a firm belief that this was the main land of the continent of Asia, an error of which Columbus was never disabused. The inhabitants appeared rather more advanced in the arts than tliose before seen, but, to the intense disappoint- ment of all on board the vessels, none of them were })os- scssed of any gold. Two embassadors were sent by Columbus to explore the interior, and to visit the court of the prince of the country, whom his imagination led him to conclude must be none other than the G rand Klian ! A rude Indian village, of about one thousand iniiabitants, naked savages, like those of the coast, was all tiiat was discovered by these emissaries. The}' were reet.'ived and entertained with the greatest icindncss and reverence, but were unable to conununicate with tiie natives otherwise than by signs. The most interesting report made by them upon their return, was of a •■nstoni theii unkno«-n to tlie f' X . (• ?>3 r,:.^. ■' f'. ! I' 490 INDIAN KACES OF AMEllICA. whites, viz : tliat of smoking. The name of tobacco, given by the natives to tlic cigars which they used, was ever after ajtplied to the ])lant. From Cuba, Columbus took several Indians, men and women, on board, at liis dei)arturc, that they might be taught Spanish, and thereafter serve as interpreters. \n December, he discovered the island of Ilayti, named by him llispaniola, and landing on tlio I'itli of the month he raised a cross in token of taking possession. All the inhabitants had fled into the interior; but a young female was taken by some roving sailors, and brought on board. She was sent on shore with abundant [U'esents of ornanients and clothing, to give a favofa])le report of tlie whites to her own people. Next day a i)arty was sent to visit the Indian town uimn the bank of the Eiver of llii'ee Rivers. 1'he town consisted of about one thousand Ikjuscs, froia which the occupants fled at the sight of the Spaniards. They were Anally reassured, and induced to return. Some two thousand of them made their appearan('(>, advancing slowly, with evcy gesture and expression of humiliation and respect. "■Jlic woman whom the Spaniards had the day before entertained, had not failed to report mngnificent descrip- tions of her captors and their vessels. The tokens which she brought back, in the shajjc of beads, hawks'-bells, &e., Averc yet more convincing evidence of the bcnefieence and wealth of the Spaniards. She now came forward, with her husband, at the head of a tlirong of Indians, and every expression of gratitude and good-will was lavished by them upon their guests. Every thing that the poor natives possessed was freely at the Spaniards' service. Columbus writes of tliesc islanders: "True it is that after they felt confldence and lost their fear of us. they were so liberal with what they po.ssessed that it would not be believed by those who had not .seen it. If any tiling ' 1 TlilBES OF TUE WEST INDIES, P^TC. 491 was asked of them, they never said no ; but rather gave it chcerfullv, and showed as much amity as if they gave their very hearts." The early voyagers, and till i'ontem])orary writers, agree that this was the charaeter of nearly all the inhabitants of the West India Islands, with the exception of the Caribs. A more guileless, innocent, contented race has never existed, and never were strangers welcomed to a fcjreign shore with more genuine and kindly hos[)itality; but what a return did they receive for their friendliness and submission! Coasting along towards tlie cast, Columbus landed at Acul, and held I'riendly communion with the iidiabitant;^, whose first fears were easily dispelled. The same scenes of mutual presents and hospitalilies that characterized the former landings were here repeated. The v/hole of that region of country was under the command of a great caci<[ue, named (iuiicanagari, from whom the Spaniards now, [\)v the first time, received messengers, inviting thcni to visit him, and olfering various curious })resents. Among these articles, were st)me specimens of rude work in gold. Wliile pursuing his c(jurse eastward, with the intentioji ! of anchoring in a harbor described as near the residence of the cacique, Cohunbus had the misfortune to be cast away upon a sand-bar. No shipwrecked marincM's ever received mow prompt and eflicient relief than was innne- diatcl}- extended by (Juacanagari and his subjects. Every thing was brought to huul from the wreck, and guarded with the most scrupulous honesty. The cacique himself, with tears in his eyes, came on board the caravel Nina, whither the admiral and his crew had been obliged to be- take themselves, and offered every assistance in his power. With res})ect to the goods brought on shore in the natives' canoes, "there seemed," says Mr. Irving, "even among the common people, no disposition to take advan- tage of the misfortune of the strangers. Although they ;. ; f. '4? ■1 '■ ''■• c '.' t .■■;,* >' -V ^" ;■ - \* fv- :i« sr'i. 1 492 INDIAN' HACKS ()!•' AMKIilCA. f'-f- , ' '!■ I beheld wliiit must, in their eyes, have been inostimable treasures, east as it were U])on their shores, and open to depredati(ni, yet there was not the least atttnnpt to pilfci', nor, in transi)ortin^ the elVects fi'oin the shi|), had they ai)pro))riatcd the most trilling artiele; on the eontrary, a general sympatliy was visible in their countenaiux'S and actions; and, to have witnessed their eoneern, one wouhl have supi)osed the misfortune had ha}){)ened to themselves." The Spaniards, wearied with long and i)rofitless voy- aging, now revelled in the enjoyment of true Indian hos- jiilality. 'I'he caei([ue, wluj was regarded with tlu; utmost love and reverenee by his subjeets, eontinued his kind oiliees, and his people w^ere not behind-hand in following his example. What delighti'd the shipwreekcd n\ariners more than any other cireuinstance, was the nundx'r of gold ornaments possessed by the natives, and wliieh they wen? eager to dispart Ibr any trifle ol' J'lnrojx'an manuCaeture. lla\vks'-l)ells, above all other artieles of use or ornament, were universally in demand. "On one oeeasion," savs Irving, "an Indian gave half-a-handful of gold dust in ex- ehange lor one of these toys, and no sooner was in posses- sion of it, than he bounded away to the woods, looking often behind him, and fearfid that the Spaniard would i'i'j)ent of having parted so cheaply with sueh an inestimable Jewel." The natives described the mountains of Cibao as tli(! prinei])al source whence gold was to be obtained. Valua- ble mines were, indeed, afterwards discovered in that region, although their yield fell far si lort of the extravagant anticipations of the Spaniards. A portion of the crew of the wrecked vessel expressed a strong desire to remain at IIispani(.)la until another ex- ])edition could be fitted out from Spain, upon the return of the Nina, and Columbus was not displeased with the proposition, ^fhc Indians were overjoyed at the ])ros[)ect of retaining some of the powerful strangers in their island, ■'hfri;i.-m^/ TRIHKS OF THE WKST INDIES, P:TC. •iO.'i as Ji protection against tlu' invasioiiHof tlie divii'lcd Caribs, and as security for a future visit from Kuropean vessels. They had seen, witli wonder and awe, the terrible ettect of the discharge of artillery, and the admiral had i)romised the assistance of his men and weapons in case of any inr.oad from an enemy's country. Tlic little fortress of La Xu\ idad was s[)cedily con- structed out of the materials of the stranded vessel, and fortified with her cannon. The Indians eagerly lent their assistance in the labor of transportation ami building. Thirty-nine men were chosen, from the numerous volun- teers Ibr tliat service, as a garrison for the fort: to tlieso Columbus addressed the most earnest exhortations to dis- iTctio'i ami kindness in their intercourse witli tlic natives. llis heart might well be touched by the continued courtesy and affection of Ouacanauari, who could not refrain from tears at parting with his venerated friend. The Nina sailed on the -1th of January, l-iOo. Coasting eastward, the caravel joined company with the Pinta, under Pinzon, of wliich no accounts had been for S(nne time received, and the two vessels passed cape Caboon, and came to anchor in the bay beyond. Here was seen a tribe of Indians very different from those of the west end of the island. From their bold and warlike apjiearanee, their bows and arrows, clubs, and wooden swords, the S})aniards took them for Caribs, and, unfortunately, before coming to a friendly understanding with them, a skirmish took phiee, in which two of the Indians were wounded. Reconciliation and friendly intercourse succeeded. The trilie jtroved to bo that of the Ciguayans, a hardy race of mountaineers. Co- lumbus was particularly struck with the noble demeanor of the cacique, supposed to be the same afterwards promi- nent in history as Mayonabex. Not long after the departure of the admiral from La Navidad, the Spaniards left at the fort began to give tlicm- V] <^ /a ^2 d^^i, c*^ W '^' /J W^^ '/ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I I. u M |||22 1.8 PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation ^f. ^ 1.25 1.4 1.6 = - , < 6" — ► 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ;\ \ '■ .< , ■Si- m v> ! m-'i: ;i;, ■'Mm 't'; ;.f. ., .^^- -I 494 INDIAN EACES OF AMERICA. selves up to tlic most unbounded and dissolute license. Their savage quarrels among themselves, and the gross sensuality -which characterized their intercourse with the natives, soon disabused the latter of the sublime concep- tions formed by them of the virtues and wisdom of their guests. "With all this misrule, the precautions of a mili- tary post were utterly neglected, and full opportunity was given for an attack. The destruction of the fort by the Carib Chief Caonabo, will be foaud described in a subse- quent chapter. When Ct)lumbus returned to Ilispaniola, upon his second voyage, nothing but dismantled ruins marked the spot of the settlement. Guacanagari and his people described the attack of Caonabo and his warriors, their own futile at- tempts to assist the garrison, and the slaughter of the Spaniards. Notwithstanding the apparent good faith of the cacique, many of the Spaniards began to mistrust his accounts, and to suspect iiim of having acted a treacher- ous part. This suspicion was strengthened by his sudden departure with several of the fenijde captives brought away by the admiral from the Caribec Islands. The hope of procuring rich treasures of the precious metals, and the desire of holding in check the warlike Caonabo, induced Columbus to establish the fortress of St. Thomas in the province of Cibao. Tliose stationed at this remote interior position, in the midst of more hardy and proud-s} irited tribes than those of the coast, collected and transmitted much curious information concerning na- tive superstitions, customs, and nationalities. Some crude notions of supernatural influences, ap})aritions, necroman- cy, &c., were entertained by these islanders, in connnon with most savage nations. They had also an idea of a future state of happiness for the good, in which all earthly pleasures should be enjoyed in unalloyed perfection. * , *. 3 : lissolute license. 3, and tlic gross >rcourse with the suLlimc conccp- wisdom of their LUtions of a mih- [ opportunity was f the fort by the iribed in a subse- a, upon his second larked the spot of , ople described the , eir own futile at- s slaughter of the rent good faith of jan to mistrust his 5 acted a treacher- ned by his sudden captives brought slands. es of the precious check the warlike I the fortress of St. Those stationed at _ilst of more hardy the coast, collected ion concerning na- ities. Some crude aritions, necromau- mders, in conunon also an idea of a n which all earthly cd perfection. TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 495 CHAPTER II. INDIANS OF JAMAICA — CRITISE ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF CUBA SPEECH OF AN INDIAN COUNSELLOR DIFFICULTIES AT THE FOR- TRESS OF ST. THOMAS ITS SIEGE BY CAONABO EFFORTS OF COLUMBUS TO RESTORE ORDER GREAT RIS'NG OF THE IN- DIANS OFHISPANIOLA THEIK DEFEAT TRIBUTE IMPOSED VISIT OF BARTHOLOMEW TO XARAGUAY FURTHER IN- SURRECTIONS IN THE VEGA BOBADILLA AS VICEROY CRUELTIES PRACTISED ON THE INDIANS — LAS CA- SAS INCIDENTS RELATED BY PUKCHAS — ADMIN- ISTRATION OF OVANDO EXPEDITION AGAINST XARAGUA — REDUCTION OF HIGUEY. In the month of May, 1494, the island of Jamaica was first discovered by Columbus. The native inhabitants appeared to l)e of a very diiferent character from the timid aud gentle islanders with whom former intercourse had been held. A crowd of canoes, filled with savages gau- dily adorned with plumes and paint, opposed the landing of the Spaniards. These were pacified by the Indian in- terpreters on board; but upon landing, the next day, the throng of natives on shore exhibited such decidedly hos- tile intentions, that it became necessary to intimidate them. A few discharges from the S})anisli cross-bows sufliced to put them to flight. The ferocity of a savage dog, brougiit on shore by the whites, added greatly to their terror. There was no difficulty in allaying the a])preheusions of these Indians, and the usual friendly intercourse was soon established. During a cruise along the southern coast of Cuba, which occupied the succeeding months of June and Jul}'^, the islanders seen Avere as gentle and tract- able as those upon the northern shores of the island. The means of communication now afforded hy the Indian in- terpreters gave new interest to CYcry confeionce. The d ' ■• .* .- ' :''^% ■:. ^^ •I ,,'* ,•• tj , t ■I f 4'JO INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. wondering crowd of nsitives would gather with the most eager interest around these their fellow-countrymen, to listen to the tales of gorgeous s}>ectacles and unheard-of wonders witnessed by themselves in the distant country of the whites. There was enough of the novel and avou- derful befc^re the eyes of the ignorant islanders, in the ships, aj)pearance, conduct, and costuinc of the Spaniards, to prevent incredulity, iis they listened to the narrations of the interpreters. The performance of the religious ser- vices of the Catholic church, struck the natives with awe, particularly when the purport of these ceremonials was explained to them. In testimony of their natural intelli- gence and perceptions of right and wrong, Mr. Irving gives lis, from Ilerrera, the following speech of an aged councillor of one of the Cuban caciques, after witnessing the celebration of the mass: " VVMien the service was ended, the old niai; of f(Jur,scorc, who had contemplated it with profound attention, ap- proached Coluuibuf , and made him an oration in the Indian manner. '"This which thou hast been doing,' said he, 'is well; for it ap[)ears to be tliy manner of giving thanks to God. I am told that thou hast lately come to these lands with a mighty force, and hast subdued many countries, sjireadiiig great fear among the peoj)lc; but be not therefore vain- glorious. Know that, according to our belief, the souLs of men have two journeys to perform after they have de- parted from the body; one to a place dismal and foul, and covered with darkness, }j]'e])ared for those who have been unjust and cruel to their fellow-men; the other pleasant and full of delight, for such who have promoted peace on earth. If then thou art mortal, and dost expect to die, and dost believe that each one shall be rewarded accord- ing to his deeds, beware that thou wrongfull;/ hurt no man, nor do harm to those who have done no harm to thee.' " or with the most .'-countrymen, to i and unheard-of c distant country e novel and won- islanders, in the i of the Spaniards, j to the narrations f the religious scr- uatives with awe, 3 ceremonials was clr natural intclli- a-ong, Mr. Irving speech of an aged es, after witnessing d man of fourscore, und attention, ap- ration in the Indian aid he, 'isw^ell; for thanks to God. I these lands with a ountries, spreading not tliereforc vain- jir belief, the souls after they have do- ismal and foul, anirit of lioslility was roused up against them, ('aonabo was unwearied in his efforts to excite the other island caciques to a union against the intruders, and the faithful Guacanagari alone seems to have been proof against his persuasions, in revenge for which non-compliance, the Carib and his brother-in-law, Beheehio, connnilted numberless indignities and injuries upon him and his people. Serious difficulties soon arose; a number of Spaniards were put to death by Guatiguana, a subordinate cacique under the celebrated Guarionex, in punishment for outrages committed upon his people; and Caonabo besieged the garrison at St. Gliomas with a force of many thousand.-; of his warriors. After thirty days' of ineffectual atteinpt-5 to reduce the place, he gave up the undertaking, and drew off his army. Tlie stratagem by which the person of this noted chief and warrior was secured by the commandant at St. Thomas's, will bt; detailed hereafter. Columbus, u);)on his return to Ilispaniola, made use of every effort to check 32 ^.*ll ,v''.'' :^!'V.;-, ^i'.. ' ■■ ?■ :v t; ' 1. {i.^:...^ ,.;■:; ■i:" 498 INDIAN RACES OF AMElilCA. the ruinous disorders which had become prevalent. He punislied Guatiguana by an invasion of his dominions and the destruction of no small number of his pcojile. An interview was then brought about with his superior, Gua- rionex, a peaceable and well-disposed chief, who readily consented to the establishment of a Spanish fort in the very heart of his domains. The crushing system of oppression had now fairly com- menced, and was promptly followed up by the shipment of five hundred Indians to be sold as slaves in Spain, This was directly the act of Columbus himself, and histo- rians only offer, as his excuse, the argument that such was the ordinary custom of his age in all wars with savages or infidels. The interposition of the kind-hearted Isabella, prevented tlie eonsunmiation of this proposed sale. Y>y her orders, the prisoners were sent back to their honics, but, unfortunately, not until the state of affairs n]iou tlio islands was such that tlie poor Indians might have been better situated as slaves in Spain. A general combination of the island chieftains against the Spaniards finally induced Columbus to commence an active campaign against them. In the dominions of the captive, Caonabo, his brother, Afanieaotex, his brother- in-law, Behceliio, and his beautiful wife, Anaeaona, weiv the most prominent in authority, and the most active in rousing up hostilities. The Spanish force consisted of a little over two hundred men, twenty of whom were mounted, and twenty binod-hounds, an enemy as novel as terrible to the naked savages. Guacanagari lent his feeble aid, with that of his followers. Of the number of the hos- tile Indians in the district of the Vega, the historians of the time gave exaggerated accounts. They speak of an array of one hundred thousand hostile savages. Mani- caotcx was leader of the united tribes. Near the site of the present town of St. Jago, a decisive battle was fought, i_J • ( 13'' ■ < , •) 1 i' ' ■' i\ ' ' » * • prevalent. He s dominions and lis people. An is superior, Gua- licf, wlio readily inisli furt in the I now fairly eom- I by tlie shipment ', ;-laves in Spain, imsclf, and histo- ent that such was rs with savages or l-hearted Isabella, roposed sale. By jk to their hoinoH, ,f affairs ujion lU' ft mi'dit have l)ecK chieftains against to commence au dominions of the |otcx, his brothcr- ie, Anaeaona, were |1 the most active force consisted of il.y of whom were Icnemy as novel as ■rari ient his fecljle number of the hos- a, the historians of They speak of an |e savages, ^hmi- Near the site of battle was fought, TRIBES OF TTTE ^VEST INDIES, ETC. 499 L in which the vast army of the Indians was utterly routed. The Spanish commander did not hesitate to divide his little battalion into several detachments, Avhieh fell upon the enemy simultaneously, from different quarters. Torn to pieces by the savage dogs, tramphKl down by the cavalry, and unable to effect any thing in turn against the mail-clad whites, the poor Indians were overwhelmed with confusion and terror. The rout was as complete, although the .mas- sacre was not so cruel, as when Pi /arro attacked the Peru- vian Inca, with an almost equally disproportionate force. "The Indians," says Mr. Irving, "fled in every direction with yells and howlings; some clambered to the top of rocks and precipices, from whence they made piteous sup- plications and ort'eis of complete sul (mission; many were killed, many made jirisoners, and the confederacy was, for for the time, com])letely broken up and dispersed." Nearly the whole of Hispaniola was speedily reduced to subjection; Beheehio and his sister, Anaeaona, alone of all tlie natives in authority, secluded themselves among the luiscttled wilds at the western extremity of the island. All the other caciques made conciliatory overtures, and submitted to the imposition of a heavy and grievous trihute u)>on them and their subjects. A hawks'-bell filled with gold-dust, or twenty-five pounds of cotton, was quarterl}^ required at the hands of every Tndinn over the age of fourteen ; from the chiefs a vastly larger amount was collected. The contrast between the i'oriner easy and lux- urious life of the islanders, their g.iyety and content, their simple pleasures, and unfettered liberty, with the galling servitude and weai'isome tasks now imposed, is most toueh- ingly and eloquently described by Irving. Unable to endure the unwonted toil and hopeless labor, the Indians vainly endeavored to escape to the mountains, and, sub- sisting upon the crude products of the forest, to evade the cruelty of their enslavers. They were hunted out, and t. (■■ M ■ I'. Xl' 1.7' h .> ' . .> -^v. "■■.1 ■ i. •■( U'-itl .,, 1 ^:te' 1 v; •■' 500 INDIAN RACKS OF AMERICA. compelled to return to tlieir homes and to their Lihora^ The imfortunato Cuuicaiiagari, ree.eivin<,' no favor from tho susjiicious Sj^aninrds, and being an object of the dee})eHt hatred to his countrymen for the part he had taken in their struggle for freedom, died in neglect and wretchedness among the mountains. In 1496, Bartholomew, a brother of Columbus, then ex- ercising the ofliee of adelantado at Ilispaniola, visited Bchechio at his remote Avestern province of Xaraguay. He was received with hospitality and kindness by this chief and his sister Anacaona, and entertained in the best manner the country could afford. The objer^t of the ex- pedition was to induce the cacique to oom})ly peaeealily witb the Spanish requisitions of tribute. IJeheehio liad learned by sad experience the power of the P]uropenii arms, and, as the adelantado agreed to receive tlio tribnti' in such articles as his country jtroduced, instead of gold, he readily consented. Bartholomew's judicious policy towards these illustrious islanders gained him their highest esteem. Bchechio and his sister paid the tribute required cheerfully and promptly; and, upon the occasion of u visit from the adelantado to receive it, th(?y both took occasion to visit the caravel in which he had arrived. Anacaona, especially, was filled with delight at tlie sight of the vessel, and at witnessing the ease and certainty with which its movements were controlled. '^l^he females of Xaraguay were of most remarkable beauty, but preeminent among them was the widow of Caonabo. Her queenly demeanor, grace, and courtesy, won the admiration of the Spaniards. In the following year (1497) another insurrection broke out among tribes of the Veg:t and the vicinity. ''J'hc im- mediate cause of this outbreak was the execution, at the stake, in accordance with the barbarity and bigotry of the age, of a number of Indians, for the offence of sacrileiro . to their liil'ors. u) lavor from tho ft of the deepest lad taken in tlioiv .nd wretehednesrt .)lumbns, then ex- ispaniohi, visited , lice of Xaraguay. kindness by this j rtained in the bc.4 3 oVyect of the ex- comi)ly pcaceaiily te. 15elieel\io IkhI ■ of tl>e Envope;m receive the trihuir :>d, instead of golH, [s judieiovis pohry diiini dieir higliest he tribute requinHl c occasion of a visit )oth took occasion rrivcd. Anacaona, . sight of the vessd, iity with wliieli iU^ most rcinarkahle was tlie widow (»f ace, and courtesy, V: insurrection broke 3 vicinity. The iin- 10 execuUon, at the y and bigotry of tlie oflfence of sacrilege TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 501 Guarioncx, the principal cacique, !>ad been an object of special interest wath the ecclesiastic -i to whom was com- mitted the work of converting the 1, landers. His easy and ^iliablc disposition caused him to Mstcn patiently to their instructions, ami to com]>ly with numerous forms of their enjoining. Some one of the Spaniards having com- mitted an outrage upon his wife, Guarionex refused to listen further to the doctrines of a religion whose profess- ors were guilty of such villanies. Shortly after this, a chajjcl was broken open, and images enshrined within it were destroyed by a iuuid)er of the natives. For this ofi'enee, those implicated were burned alive, as above men- tioned. 'I'lie adclantado suppressed the consequent uprising by a jirompt and energetic sei/Aire of the leading chiefs. Two of these n'crc put to death, but Guarionex and the others were pardoned. By the persuasions and influence of the rebellious Hol- dan, the unfortunate cacique was, in 1-198, drawn into a second conspiracy of the natives. The plot was prema- turely developed, and Guarioncx fled from the plains of tlie A'^ega into the moimtains of Ciguay, and joined his fortunes to those of the cacique Mayonabex. This gener- ous and noble chief received him, with his family and a few followers, under his protection. From this retreat, with the assistance of Ciguayan war- riors, the fugitive was enabled to molest the Spanish settlements of the hnv country with impunity, until the Adclantado Bartholomew invaded the mountain district, dis})ersed the armies of ^[ayonabex, and took both him and his guest prisoners. The conqueror was more placable towards a fallen foe than most of his countrymen, and, upon the submission of the Ciguayans, was ready to accord them protection and favor. Guarionex perished, in 1502, on his passage for Spain, in the same vessel with Boba- Milla and Eoldan. The ship foundered at sea in a terrible v, »' ''• 'P\ '' S 1 ■tf:^: 1 1 1 tM ( ■.' ,■■■ .1 1 ; . ) ^- ■!•■'■•' 502 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. hurricane, wliicli arose iianiediatel}' after the Jeparturo from Uispaniola. It was under the administration of Bohadilla that the Indians of IIis])aniohi were reduced to a more completo and systematic condition of shivery tlian before, ^i'hey were regularly i)arceled out to the Si)anish jiropi'ietoi's of the mines, by whom they were compelled to labor far beyond their powers of endurance, and whose wanton crufl- ties excited the strongest indignation in the mind of the benevolent Las Casas — one of the few historians of his age and nation, who possessed the inclination or courage to paint the crueltie.':- of his countrymen in their true colors. 1'his truly benevolent man devoted the greater portion of his life to elforts for ameliorating the condition of tlie na- tives of the New World, but in his sympatliy with tlicMr sullerings and op})ressioii.s, he unlbrt\inately lost sight ol' wliat was due to another scarcely less unlbi'tunate rai-c. lie was among the earliest to advocate the sub.stitutiuii nf negro slavery for that of the Indians, under the impres- sion — doubtless in itself just — that a state of servitude was less intolerable to tlie one than the other. It is to Las Casas that we are indebted for the most frightful ch'tail of wrong and cruelty in the settlement of the West Indios, that ever disgraced human nature. His descri|)tions oi' tlu; manner in which the native population was annihilated to minister to the luxury and avarice — nay, far wor.se, lo the depraved and wanton cruelty of the S})aniiirds — are fright- ful in the extreme. We can share in the honest indigna- tion of old Purchas, from vvhose "a'ilgrhnage" we cite the following items: "In the Island Ilispaniola the Spaniards had their first Indian habitations, wliere tlieir cruelties draue the Indians to their shifts, and to their weak defence, which caused those enraged Lions, to spare neither man, woman, nor childe. — They set up gibbets, and in honour of Curist and : or the departure i, W)udilla that the ; a more coinpleto I .an before. Thoy )anish proprietors , pellod to hibor far iioric wanton crurl- u the mind of the iatorians of his ago ion or conrai^^e to n their true eolors. > greater portion of audition of the ua- y'Uipathy with their nati^ly lost sight of s unlbrtuuate rare. ; the suhrititutiun "f uuder the imiu'i's- ate of servitude was ther. It is to has ,t frightful detail of of the West Indies, s deseriptions ol' tlio was annihilated lo y, far worse, to the laniards— are fright- the honest indignu- rinuige" we cite the ards had their llr.st s drauc the Indians ', bnce, which caused ■ r man, woman, nor )nour of Cubist and TRIUKS OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 503 his twelve Apostle.s (as they said, aud could the Diuell say worse?) they would both hang and burue them. '''■ * The Nobles and conmianders, thoy broiled on gridiron.s, * * * They had dogges to hunt them out of tliiiircouerts, which deuoured the jioore .soules: and because -sonuiliuu'S the fudiaiis, thus prouoiced, wouhl kill a Spaniard, if they found opportunitie, they made o law, that au hundred of them should for one Spaniard be slaine." He elsewhere remarks: "Ilere [in Cuba] was a cacique named Uathuey, which called his subjects about him, and shewing them a boxe of Gold, said, that was the Spaniards (lod, and made them dance about it very solemnly; and lest the Spaniards should have it, he hurled it into the Jliuer. I'eing taken and condemneu to the fire; when he was bound to the stake, a Frier cajue and preached lieaucn to him, and the terrors of hell . Ilathuc}' askt'cl if there were any Spaniards in heauen, the Frier answered, yea, such as were good; Ilathuey replied, he w(^uld rather goe to hell, then goo where any of that cruell Nation Avere. I was once present saith Ciisas, when the inhabitants of one towne brought vs forth victuall, and met vs with great Kindne.sse, and the Spaniards without au}^ cause slew tliree thousand of them, of cuery age and scxe. I, by tluMr counsell, sent to other Townes to meet vs, with promise of good dealing, and two and twentie Caciques met vs, wdiicli the Captaine, against all faitli, cau.sed to be burned." In Ilispaniola, under the administration of Ovando, suc- cessor to Bobadilla, the suil'erings and ojipressions of the overtask(M:l natives reached their climax. It would be but a wearisome repetition of barbarities to eiuunerato the wrongs perpetrated against the submissive iidud)itants in the vicinity of the ])rinci]>al Spani.'^h setllement.'s, but the expedition against the province of Xaraguay merits a more particular attention. This was in the year 1503. Behe- ' "1*1 jH'j 'Mi, 604 I.VDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. chio wjia tlciid, but liirt sister Anuciiona still niaintuinod her influence over the natives of tliat tlistrict. Upon pretence of an intended insurrection, Ovando determined torechicc Xaraguay to a condition as miscraljle and hopeless as that of the eastern districts. He started upon this expt'ditimi with three hundreil well-arnie(l infantry and seventy nioiintcul men. The army entered the dominions of Ana- caona with tlie aj^pearance of friendship, and the ([iieeii, witli her associate caciciues, was not ])ackward in rend(!rin^' to her visitors all the hosj)italitics of the country. Troops of youiif]^ fi;irls, dancing and wavinj^ branches of j)ahn, ushered them into the principal village, where they were received and entertained with every token of kindness and good-will. It is impossible to conceive of any adequate motion on the part of tiie lerocious Ovando for tlie treacherous cru- elty of his conduct towards his hosts, lie affected to be- lieve tliat a conspiracy was on foot among the tuitives, to massacre him ami his followers, but, judging from what we can loarn of the transaction, there existed no possible ground for such a sus})icion. The course taken to avert the supposed danger was as follows. All the caciipies were invited to attend, with their people, at a grand festi- val or exhibition of Spanish martial exercises. When the ixnsuspecting Xaraguans had gathered in eager curiosity to bt.'hold the scene, at a given signal, the; armed .S])aniards fell upon the crowd, and a scene of hori'ible carnage en- sued. Forty of the chiefs, it is said, were taken ])risoners, and after being subjected to the most cruel torments to extort from them a c(jnfession of guilt, the house Avhcrc they were confined was set on lire, and the whole number perished in the flames. Anaeaona was carried to St. Domingo, tried, adjudged guilty of an attempt at insurrection, and hanged! Her subjects were remorselessly persecuted ; hunted from their iiSi » i Lill iiuuntiiincd her t. Upon pretence tonninod to roilucc id hopoU's« iw tliiit KMi lli'iH cxpoditioii ntry ainl soviMity doiiuiiiourt of Aiiii- ip, and the (juocn, kvvard in rondoriiij,' country. Troops brixnclies of ptilm, re, where they wei'c token of kindness idcqtiatc motion on he treaehorons cm- lie alVeeted to be- iionfj; tlie natives, to judging from what existed no i)ossiblc iirso taken to avert All the C!\ei([n('s pie, at a grand I'esti- viTeises. Wlien the 1 in eager curiosity lu! armed S])fmiar(ls lori'ihle earnnge en- ere taken prisoiier;^, t cruel tt)rments to t, the house where d the whole number tigo, tried, adjudged and hanged! Her ; hunted from their TRinHS OF TIIK WKST INDIES, KTC. 505 rctnvvts mnong the nunintains, slain like- wild bcasta, or brouglit into the most servile ami hopeless bondage, they att(Mni)ted no resistance, and submitted to the cruel yoko of their tyrants. 'i'he rediietioii (/f the eastern province of Iliguey, and the execution of its noble and gigantic ehii'f CV)tulKUiama, completed the Spanish con(piests on the island of Ilispan- iola. The details of the barbarities attendant iipon this last warfare, as given l)y Las Casas, are too horribU' and disgusting for minute recital. It is sulTieient tlint, not eon- tent with the destruction of the con(piered peo})le, without regard to age and sex, the Spaniards tasked their ingetinity, to devise the most cruel and lingering torments in the mur- der of tluMr jirisoners. By such a eonrse of nlmeities were the West fndia islands depopulated of their original inhabitants. The sunmuiry with which Purelias eonebides liis enumeration of various S(!enes of Spanish cruelty, is too (inaiut and forcible to be omitted. "I'ut why doe I longer trace them in their bloudie sti'ppes; seeing our Author that relati>s much more then 1, yet protesteth that it was a thousand times worse. * * How nuiy we admire that long-sull'ering of Oon, that rained not a flcmd of waters, as in Xoa/is time, or of tire, as in /io/.s', or of stones, as in Jins/ncis, or some vengeance from heauen viH)n these ^^odels of I fell? And li<>w could ITell forbeare swallowing such pre|)are(l morsels, exeeedinge the beastlinesse of beastes, inhuman- itic of wonted tyrants, and diuelishuesse, if it were pos- sible, of the Diuels." I!- .*' • ^'. ' . ■ "1 ''{■■'■ •!'■..; .if. 506 INDIAN HACKS OF AMi:UICA. CllArXEU III. TIIR CARII5S THKIR ISLANDS FIKST ViSlTKn HV COLUMUUS ORIGIN ANP LOCATION OK TlIK HACK TOKKNS OK CANNIBALISM SKKN BY THK SPANIAHPS CKl'ISK AMONO TIIK ISLANDS — D.'MKANOK OF I'KISONKKS TAKKN RKTUH.N TO HISI'AMOLA DKSTRUC- TION OF THK FOKTIiKSS AT THA'f ISLAND CAPTIMIK OF CAONAliO : HKS DKATII KXI'ULSION OF TIIK NATIVKS FIIOM TIIK CAHIBi;i;K ISLANDS. At tlie time of tlic discovery of America by Clinst()])licr Columbus, the fierce and celebrated race of canuibuls which forms the subject of the present chapter was princi})ally located upon the beautiful trojiical islands, extending from Porto liico to the main land of South America. The ter- ror of their invasions, felt by the more gentle and jicace- able natives of the greater Antilles, inspired no little curiosity and interest in the minds of the early voyagci's, and C(jlunibus had promised the assistance of tlie Spanisli power to check their ravages. L^pon his second voyagi>, in 1-193, the first land made was one of the Caribbean isl- ands, and on the following day, (November 4th,) a landing was eil'ected at Guadalouj^e. Here the first intercourse took place with the terrible Cai-ibs. This singular race of savages, according to tradition, had i*s origin upon the continent of North vVmerica, among the mountain districts of the central United States. Perhaps they miglit have sjirung from the same stock as the warlilpalachiun mountains, '^fho earliest notices we have of tlicin represent them with their weapons in their hands; continually engaged invars; wiii- niuii their way and shifting tiicir abode, until in the course CA. V COI,UMnUS ORIGIN NN'IHAMSM SKKN BY ANDS — D.niEANOIl MOr.A DKSTliUC- ;i) CAPTIJIIK 01' ■ Till-: NATIVKS iDS. i-ica by Cliristoplicr of ciiuulbuls which ter wiis principiiUy , ids, exteiKliujf from ' ^Vincricu. The ter- 3 gentle and peace- inspired no little the early vovagers. mee of the Spanisli lii.s second voyage, the Caribbean isl- iber 4th,) a landing le first intercourse )rding to tradition, f North America, itral United States. the same stock as a■'■■ v> . . * V J '.'■ S''^ ;'.'V^ *■ ;.' '■'?■■ r ■if-: 508 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. most of the men of the island were away npon some war like exeursion. Pursuing his course towards Ilispaniola, or Ilayti, where tlie lirst eolony had been planted upon his preceding voy- age, Columbus sailed by numerous islands of the Caribbean groupe. lie landed at Santa Cruz, called Ayay by the Indians, and secured a further immber of })risoners. Some of these were in a canoe, and olFered a fierce resistance when they saw their retreat intercepted by one of the Sjianish boats. There were two women of the party, one of them apparently a female cacique, and these showed no less valor than the men. They were taken by upsetting their canoe; but, even in the water, they resisted stoutly to the last, availing themselves of every point of suidvcu )'ock, where they could obtain a foothold, to disehariie their arrows. One of the men was a son of the queen, and his "terrible frowning brow, and lion's face," excited the adnairution of his cajitors. The demeanor of the whole party reminds one strongly of the early descriptions of the Maquas or Mohawks when in captivity. "When on board," says Irving, "the Spaniards could not but admire their untamed spirit and fierce demeanour. Their hair was long and coarse, their eyes encircled with paint, so as to give them a hideous expression; they had bands of cotton bound firmly above and l)elow the muscu- lar ])ai-ts of the arms and legs, so as to cause them to swell to a disprojiortionatc size, which was regarded by them as a great beauty, a custom which prevailed among various tiibes of the new world. Though captives, in chains, and in the power of their enemies, they still retained a frown- ing brow and an air of defiance." Arriving at Ilayti, Columbus found the settleincMit at La Navidad laid waste and abandoned. Its destruction was owing to a Carib chief named Caonabo, whose warlike and commanding nature hud gained him unbounded aii- 3A. ly upon some war la, or Ilayti, where his preceding voy- is of the Caribbean ailed Ayay by the if prisoners. Some a iierce resistance ;, ted by one of the \' a of the part}-, one , , id these showed no | taken by iipsettini,' ' liey resisted stoutly i ry point of suid'Crii , thold, to diseharu'e | m of the (pieen, and s face," exeited the : panor of the whole descriptions of llic ic Spaniards could d fierce demeanour, eyes encircled with pression; they hud d below the inuseu- cause them to swell egarded by them ns iled among various tivcs, in chains, and 11 retained a frown- 1 the settlement at id. Its destruction labo, whose warlike lim unbounded au- TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC, 509 thority over the natives of the island. The fact of his uniting himself with another race by which his own na- tion was regarded with the utmost detestation and dread, and his attainment of rank and influence under such circumstances, arc sufficient proofs of liis enterprise and cai)acity. The friendly Indian chief Guacanagari had in vain ex- tended his assistance to the little band of .Spanish colonists. Caonabo had heard at his establishment among the nioun- taint' of Cibao, of the outrages and excesses committed by the whites, and during the absence of the admiral, he made a descent u})on the fort. All of the Spaniards per- ished, and Guacanagari was wounded in the encounter. As a further punishment for his espousal of the cause of the detested strangers, his village was destroyed b}- the revengeful Carib. Guacanagari and othei" Ilaytian Indians were taken on board the Spanish vessels, and, among other proofs of superiority and jiower, were shown the Carib prisoners, confined in chains. This seemed to affect them more powerfully than any thing else that they witnessed. ^J'hese captives were afterwards sent over to S|)ain for insti-uetion in the Spanish language and in the true religion, it being intended that they should thereatter act as missionaries among their own savage countrymen. The circumstances attending the capture of the S})an- iards' most dreaded enemy, Caonabo, are too singulai' and well attested to be passed over. 'J'his was accomplished by the celebrated Alon/A) de Ojeda, commandant of the fortress of St. Thomas. 'J'he Carib chief was able, it is asserted, to bring no less than ten thousand w^ari-ioi's into the field, and his ])ersonal strength and couiage rendered him no des])icable foe in open combat. Ojeda luid reeoiu'sc to the following stratagem to secure his enemy: lie pro- ceeded, accompanied by only ten mounted compatiions. ''■ v;':f: '»/i: ^.' 1 «t. ; '>« 1 t' >■ I' V ■.;; t ■■■'■ ''41) :.n|:' 510 INDIAN KACES OF AMEllICA. direct to the chiefs cnc.impmcnt, upon pretence of a friendly mission IVoni the adiniruh 'I'lie cacique was, al'ter great persuasion, induced to undertake an expedition to Isabelhi for the purpose of peaceful negotiations with Columbus. Among other in- ducements, Ojeda promised him the chapel-bell, as a ])i'es- ent. Accompanied bv a large body of armed warriors, the party set out -for the Spanish settlement. Near the river V'agui, in the words of Mr. Irving, "Ojeda one day produced a S(!l of manacles of polished steel, so highly burnished that they looked like silver. Those he assui'cd Caonabo were royal ornaments which had (.-(ime JVoni heaven, nr the Turey of Biscay," (the location of t-ertaiii extensive ii'on manufactories); "that they were worn by the monarchs of Castile in solemn dances, and other lugli festivities, and were iiitt'ndcd as ])resents to the cacii|iit'. He propos(>d that Caonabo .«houid go to the rJNcr and bathe, after which he should be decollated with tlicse orna- ments, mounted on the horse of Ojeda, and should ivtuiii in the state of a Spanish monarch, to astonish his subjects." The liold device was completely successful. CaoiKibo, en croupe behind Ojeda, for a short time i-xultecl in his proud ])osition, curvetting among his amazed warriors: but suddeidy the little cavalcade dashed into the forest with a rajtidity that tlelied pui'suit. Tlu; cacique was safely carried a distance of fil'ly or sixty leagues to Isabella, aiul delivered to the aihiiiral. lie ever after expi'cssed ^I'eat admiration at the skill and courage with which his caplor had duped him, and manifested a reverence aiid respect towards Ojeda which his proud and haughty .spirit forbade liim to exliibit in any (jther presence, even that of Colum- bus himself. U{)on the occasion of tlic adtniral's second return to Spain, in 1107, Caonabo, with several of his relatives, and a number of other Indians, was taken on board. Baniccl -1\ II pretence of a ision, induced to r the purpose of Among other in- pel-hell, us :i jtres- f armed wnrriors, cment. ^^';lr the I r "()ieda one day '■ d steel, so highly ' Those he assured ' I had (.•iiiue IVoiii loealiou of cfrtaiii hey were worn hy !cs, and other high nts to the eaei's Avife was allowed to remain on board, with her daughter, at her own re- quest, she having become enamored of the captive Caonabo. This distinguished cliit'ftain died before the vessels reaeh- ed S[)ain. The Carib tribes wlio occupied the islands where the race Avas hrst <'ncountcred by Kuropeans, maintained pos- session of tlu'ir homes as long as eourage antl desperatiou could avail against the superior skill and weapons of the whites. Spanish cupidity, and love of novelty and ad- venture led to the gradual oe(aipation of the Caribbee islands. In some of them, bloody battles wen* fought : '' At St. Christopher's," according to the liev. \V. II. Ihvtt, "in l()2o, two thousand C'aril)s })erished in battle, whilst their European invaders lost one hundred men. In the other islands their losses were equally great. These calamities would cause a migration of the natives wdien they ibund it iLseless to fight any more. Some of the islands, as Mar- tinico, were suddenly abandoned by them, alter a lierce but unavailing struggle. Those of the Caribs who chose to forsake the islands entirely, would naturally take refuge with their brethren << J , V'J?:^;. •<'-.*'.| ' . :". ■'a • f .51 1 m lllj :^i>^. ■T-t^^' 512 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKItlCA. already sctllod iii Guiana, and liy llioir valor secure to themselves such portions of the eouutrv as they niiglit think ])V(iper to oeeujiy; as lew tribes would he ahle, or indeed dare, lo oi)])osc them. A remnant ol' the Caribs still remained at St. Vincent, and tluy were transported, about the end of the last century, to the island of Kuattan, in the bay of Honduras." This once terrible and dreaded race — so dreaded by the Spaniards that vague rcjioils uf the approach of an army of Caribs could terrify the eoncpierors of Peru in the midst of their successes — is now reduced to a few insignilicant tribes. '^I'hey arc scattered iu the wildei'uess of Ciuiana, aijd mingled with other nations of the intei'ior. About the upper waters of the iVmeroon is one of their most considerable establishments, aud the tribe there hx-ated numbers but a ihw hundred savages, living iu almost as primitive a state as when Columbus lirst coasted along these tropical shores. CIIArXER IV. IN'D]...VS OF GUIANA ANn VFCNK/rKLA CLASSIFICATION TlIK AKA- WAKS FUiST SEKN liY COLU.MIIUS EMKV INTO TIIK (iULF OF PARIA HOSPITAMTY OF THE NATIVES — nAEKICIl's VISIT TO THE ORINOCO EARI.V WARS OF THE AKAWAKS VICTOnV OVER THE CAI.MI'.S MAROON NK(.ROES PRESENT CONDITION OF THE AKAWAKS OTHER TRIIiKS OF TIIK INTERIOR GENERAL UESCRIPTION. The tribes who inhabit the wilderness between the I Amazon and the sea-ci)ast settlements at the north, upon I the Caril)bean sea and the Atlantic, have l)een classified as belonging to the same iiimily with the aboriginal inliabit- r valor secure to try as Uiey luiglit \V(.mkl 1)0 a1)le, or lant of the Caribs Averc transported, ; island of Huattan, -^so dreaded l)y tlio . proach of an army f Peru in the midst ii few iiisijz-nilicant derucss of Uuiaiiii, LO interior. About one of tbeir most tribe tliero located living in almost as lirst coasted along ricATION TlIK ARA- V II INTO TUK (iiri.K OF — RAr.KIini's VISIT K AllAWAKS ON NKIiHOES AilAWAKS KIOU :s e >rness between the at the nt)rtli, upon ve l)con classified as aboriginal inhabit- : X » " K ^ - a , : -5' * - 3 *^ i I 3 £. i * ri >4 5 c. 3 B r. e. ■ •■.^■■'?*-. «,■ *. .^ii-^: mi A''h • Mi ]^c I fj ;^. .'1 -'' "ft -■, 4i .1 1 mm TUIHES or THE WEST INDIES, ETC. oi:] ants of Bnizil. Tlic moo has Itoen (IciioiniiKitcMl tin; "lirasilio (jiuiaraiii," and has been (Uvuled into the nations ofCinarani, Carihs, Tnpi, and I'xitocndos. In (iniana one 111' the most prominent tribes is that of the Aruwaks. These people iidud)it a great cxtcMit of conntry directly back of the nannw strip of enltivatod sea-coast. Nearly the wlioh; of their territory is a savage wilderness, in which the traveller in vain seeks for any cvitlence of i>rogres8, or any tokens lA' I'ormei' civ ili/alion and prosperity. A few rude (Iguros, marked ni)on the rocks in certain localities, are the only records of the nuni- hcrless giMierations wh'i'h have passed away, leaving their ilcscendants ])reeisely in the situation of those who pre- (X'ded them, and as hopeless or careless of improvement. The Arawaks were the liist natives seen hy Coliind)US, upon the occasiuii of his discovery of the continent of South America, in the summer of l-tliy. The lirst land made was the island of Trinidad, al the mouth ol' the great river Orinoco. No Indians were seen upon the island by a {'arty sent on shore, although unmis- takable tokens of a recent and hasty ivlreat were visibU'. As the vessels approached the Seriicnt's Mouth, (tlu^south- cru entrance to the gulf of Paria,) twenty -live of the natives made their appearance in a canoe. To the aston- ishment (jftla^ admii'al, who had expected, from the I'cports at IIis})aniola, to (iud a race of negroes in these southern latitudes, they were of lighter complexion than any with whom he had before held intercourse. Their figures were well proi)()rtioned and graceful; their only cloiliing was a sort of turban, and a waistband of colored cotton; and their arms were bows and arrows. When an attempt was made to conciliate these wild voyagers by dancing t!nd music, it was nii.staken for a sign of hostility, and the sup- posed war-dance was summarily sto]ti)ed by a llight of arrows. The suspicions of the natives prevented the 33 ', « •■, -J ■ .'t i '>•>:• u rr ■' . 5M INDIAN UACKS OF AMKUICA. ()|i('iiiii^' of iuiv cMjiiiiiiiiiiiciitioii with llu'tii iiiilil uf'lrr iIk; cMitry (>r llio sliipH into tho gulf. Scvonil <»!' tlioiti wens tluMi taken by upsetting tlieir cunoo, mid, ivfk'r being kindly cntrcjitcil iiiul encouriigcd, \v(!ro disini.-si'd with tlit^ usual presents of trinkets and liuwks'-bells. When the frai's of the inhubitants were dissipate(l by this proeednre, th(y were eager to erowd about tho vessels in their canoes. These latter were of excellent construction ami large size; some of them wore even furnished with a cabin. 'J'ho caci(pio of tho county rcca-ived the Spaniards athin house with the greatest respect and hospitality, and feasted them upon whatever bixurii-s the fruitful soil produceil. "Nothing," says Irving, "could exceed tho kindness ami ar^'tv of this people, heighteneil as it was by an intelligent demeanour antl a martial frankness. They seemed worthy of the beautiful I'ountry they inhabited. It was a canst; of great concern, both to them and to the Spaniards, that tiny could not understand each other.s' language." Sir Walter Raleigh entered the Orinoco in tho year IHOij, and brought homo some account (;f tin; natives seen there. As recorded by Purchas: "Tho inhabitants on the North- erne branches are the Tiuitiuas, a goodly and valiant ])eoplc, whieli haue tho most maidy spee(;h and most ileliberate (saith Sir Walter) that euor I heard of whatever Nation sooner. In the Sunnner they haue houses on the ground, '^ K'm^ Abihfia Jis in other places: in tho Winter they dwelt vi)ou the trees," where they Ijuilt very aitili- ciall ^''ownes and Villages; for betwci-ne May and Se[)teinber the Hiuor of Orenoqiu' riscth tliirtio foot vi)right, and thou are those Islands ouer-flowen twentie foot high, except in some few raised grounds in the middle. This waterie store, when tho clouds arc so jjrodigall of more then the Kiners store- honse can holil, whereby they became violent intruders and iucroacliors vpon tho land, and not tho violence of dwelt (in a tree in the rountpy of Darieim. Pel. Miirlyr: Dec. 3. lib. fi. rJ^ '1 'A ',■ •{' UA. (Mil utilil iifu-r tlu! ,«ral t)l' thi'iii wcrt) ^c^\ with tin' usual ^VluMl tilt! loairt ()(■ in protictliuv, tiny {^ ■Is ill their canoes, lion ami laryosi/o; [i tt eaniii. j the Spaiiianls at his ij.itality, unil feaste.l ill'ul soil pnxlueeil. il the kiuiliiess ami vashy an intelligent LMieV seeinetl worlhy I. It was .1 cause ol' Si)aniar(ls, that they iK'()intheyearir)95, 10 natives seen there. itatits on the North- aiitl valiant peojile, nil most ilelilieratc r what(!ver Natinii i\ises on the grouml, ; Winter they dwelt H'V built very artili- au-es; for hetweeiic Uiuer of Orenoquf t. and thou are those 'xcept in some few wateric store, when icn the lliuers store- nc violent intruders not the violence of TlimKS OF TIIK U'KST INDIKH, KTC. 515 cold, ^diietli this time the titl(> of Winter. 'I'lieso Tiuitinns neuer eat of any tliin;^ tliat is set or .sowne; Natures nurs- liiif^s, tiiat neither at home nor abroad, will be beholden to the art or labour of Ilnsbandrie. 'I'liey vs(! the tops of Palinitos lor bread, and kill 1 >ecre, Kisli, and l\)rke, for the rest of their susteiianee. They which dwell vpon the branches of the ()reno(|ue, call(>d ^^(//*'/;v' und .Ifunnyn^ are for the most 2)art Carpenters of Caiioa.s, which th(>y sell into (luianiv for j^'old, and into Trinigges. The Aririic(ts^ which dwell on the Smith of the ()ren<)([UO, heat the bones of their Lords into Powder, whi<'h their wines ami friends drinke." in eacly times the Arawaks were engaged in perpetual Will's with the (\u'ibs. Those of the latter race, who inhab- ited the nearest Caribbciin islands, made continual descents upon the main, but are .said, finally, to have been worsted. The Kev. W. II. lirett ret'ounts some of tin; traditions still handed down among the Ar.iwaks of the.se wars. "'I'hey have," says h(>, "an indistinct idea of ciuelties perpetrated by the Spaniards. Tradition has pivserved the remcin- hranee of wdiite men clothed with '.scperari' or iron, who drove their fathers befon* them, and, as souk! say, Imnted them with dogs through the forest. Ibit by far the greater number of their traditions relate to engage- ments between themselves and the Caribs on the main land." With peculiar exultation they detail the particu- lars of a victory obtained over a great body of these invaders by means of a judicious ambu.sli. The Arawaka i '1 ^1 ' u t-'-" It jm 1 i' .1' ll-l i |9 " ^ c '■ f^9 . '' i '1'/ '^ /H . ''''"'il % f;: t^^n 1.' «... 1^ Air B^^l m .- li i^ '"JiJH mm C16 INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. liad fled from their approach to tlic low marshy country upon the Waini, and hiid their ambuscade upon eitlior side of the narrow chauuel througli which the enemy were expected to i)ass. "The Caribs arc said to have had a great number of canoes of Lirge size, which followed each other, in line, through the mazy channels of the Savannah. As they rounded a certain island, their painted warriors in the first canoe were transfixed b}- a shower «)f arrows from ar. unseen enemy on both sides of them, and totally disabled. Those in the second canoe shared the same fate; the others, who could not see what had ha})pened, hurried forwf'vd fo ascertain the cause (^1" the cries, but each canoe, a.s it I'oo jhed the fatal spot, was saluted by a deadly shower of arrows. The Arawaks then rushed forward, and fought till the \ictorywas completed. It is said that only two Caribs suryiyed, and they were dismissed by the Arawak chieftain, on jjromise of a ransom to be paid in cotton hammocks, for the manufacture of which their nation is noted," After the settlement of difficulties between the ]'iUroj)e;iii colonists of Guiana and the neighboring Indian tribes, the introduction of negro slayes by the former proved a ter- rible scourge to the natives, (Ireat nundiers (jf the Afri- cans escajied from their masters iiit() the Avilderness, ami thcn^ foi'ining predatory bands, were long a tcrroi' to both whites and Indiiuis. "The accounts which the Arawaks have received from their ancestors, n^pi'cscnt these ncgrois as equally ferocious with the Caril)s, and more to lie dreadi'il on account of their superior bodily strength," The Arawaks of the present day are, like their forcliith- ers, a more mild and peaceable race than many ol' their neighbors, in their domestic relations and general man- ner of life, tiiey do not dilfer materially from the genei'- ality of the North American savages. Togetiier with tlie rude clulis, bows and arrows, &c,, so universal among bar- IICA. >w mtirsliy country , \ ise-adc upon cither i; ich the enemy were ', ' aid to have had a ,^ 'liicli followed eaeh | ; Is of the Savaiinali. ir painted warriors a shower of arrows if tlieni, and totally liarcd the same fate; I happened, hurried ries, hut oaeh ean(H\ by a deadly shower forw^ard, and fou.iilit said that only two ssed hy tlie Arawak ) he jiaid in cotton wliicli their nation !t\veen the Kurojiean ng Indian tribes, tlie irnier proved a ter- unbers of the AtVi- the wilderness, and loni^ a terror to both whieli tl\e Arawal. Few of his race exceed jive feet live inches in height, and the greater number are much shorter. 'I'hey are generally well made; many are rather stout jiroportion to tjuur iieignt, rare to see a deformed person among them. y In res})cct to dr ess, wliK h, both l(jr men and women, is of the most se'anty projxn'tions, (consisting oidy of a band- age about the loins, with p<'rha[)s a few ornamental arti- cles of feather-work lor state occasions,) the ellbrts of the .'^^r; ■■-i,i" , ■ ■ t V . ■■■.•\"i '■'%■ f ''■• ■. ■■''•5* i ,r *v '5 J 1:1: 518 INDIAN RACKS OF AMEIUCA. missionaries have cU'ected some change in tliose brouglit under their influence. In a burning trojiical clime, the propriety oi' policy of such fancied iin[)rovenient is very questionable. If no immodesty is coiuieeted with naked- ness in the eyes of the unso})]usticated natives, it would seem hardly worth wlnle to enhghten them u})on such a subject, for the purpose of establisliing a conlbrmity to European customs. Our author continues: "Their color is a eo})per tint, pleasing to the eye, and the skin, where constantly covered from the sun, is little darker than that of tlie natives of Southern luiropc. Tlieir liair is .straiglit and coarse, and continues perfectly blaelc till an advanced period vi' liic. The general ex})ression of the face is pleasing, tliungh it vai'ies with the tribe and the disposition of each peison. Their eyes are black and piercing, and generally slant up- wards a little towards the tem[)le, which would give ;ui unpleasant expression to the face, were it not relieved hv the sweet cx]>ressiou of the mouth. The forehead gen- erally recedes, though in a less degree than in the African; there is, however, much difference in this respect, and iu some individuals it is well formed and prominent." The usual division of labor among savage nations is observed in Guiana. The daily drudgeiy of the lu)Useliokl belongs to the women, wlio also cultivate the small fields in wliieh the yuca, (the root fr(;m wliicl they make their bread,) and the other cultivated crops ai-e raised, 'i'hc men pursue their hunting and fishing, and undertake the more severe labors attendant uj)()u tlie building their huts, the clearing of new ground, &e. The native dwelling is generally little more than a roof of palmdeaf thatch supported uj)on })()sts, between which hang the cotton hammocks in which the oceui)ants sleep. Some few implements of iron-ware, and articles of ])ottery of a more substantial and practical foi-m than that manu- tie more tliim a reof xt.sls, between which the occupants sh^o]). 1(1 artitsles of pottery lorni than that nianu- lEIBES OF TUE WEST INDIES, ETC. 519 facturcd by themselves, are generally procnrcd by trado with the coast, but these are all of the simplest description. Maize, with cassava, yams, potatoes and other roots, constitutes their principal vegetable food. The cassava is prepared by grating, or scraping, and subsequent pressure in a receptacle of basket-work. Tliis strainer is constructed ill the form of a "long tube, open at the top and closiul at the bottom, to which a strong loop is attaclied. The [tulpy mass of cassava is placed in this, and it is suspended from a beam. One end of a large staff is tlieii jihiced tliroiigh the loop at the bottom, the woman sits upon the centre of the staff, or attaches a heavy stone to the end, and the weight stretches the clastic tube, which presses the cassava inside, causing the juice to flow through the interstices of the plaited material of which it is made. This liquor is carefully collected in a vessel placed beneath. It is a ino.st deadly poison; but after being bcjiled, it becomes pericctly wholesome, and is the nutritious sauce, called easarcep, which forms the principal ingredient in the pcppcr-})ot, a favourite dish of the country." '",'>' ;;:Wi ::,■ '-M^^. >- ■ V ■ '* ■ "i ^m fl ',!;' HI b»l THE ABORIGINES OF PERU. CHAPTER I. PUVSIf'AI, rKcriJAniTIKS ok Tllli quiciiuas, aymauas, atacamas, AM) CIIANGOS NATl'liK OF THE COUNTRY PERUVIAN WORKS OF ART, ETC. riKST IM'.'MORS OF THE WEALTH OF THE roUNTKV — EXPEDITION OF PASCHAL I)E ANDAliOYA FRANCISCO PIZAR- KO : HIS FIRST VOVACE OF DISCOVERY ALMAUKo's VOYAGE CONTRACT OF PIZARllO, AEMACiRO, AND MlCiUli THE SECOND lATEDITION I'lZAliliO AND HIS COMPANIONS IPON THE ISI.E OF (iOKliONA CONTINUATION OF THi: VOVACE TCMEEZ RETCRN TO PANAMA. TllK Pcnn inn and Ar;uic;uii:m Taccs alone, among tlie South AiMcrican aborigines, present subjects ol' interest to tlic liistoriun. The other tril,es of that great portion ol' the western eontineiit are at an iiiluiite remove Irom these in the scale of civilization, and can scarce be said to have any sepai-ate national liistoiy. We shall describe their habits and [divsical ap[iearant'e, i: ueh as we should enter upon the duties ol' the wri'"f upon natural histi)i'y: an utteinjit to arrange u serial narrati\e ol' events, as con- nected with them would l)e useless. Witleiy eontrastetl with the wild and savag(> tribes oi' the iateritu, and di' the eastern coast, the JVu'uviaiis oH'cr, ill their character am) history, a fruiHiil theme II >r the atteiiticm .'Uid research ol' the historian and the philoso- pli'.''. As a nation, they were, when discovered by Ivu'u- peans, perfectly unicpie. Such reiincnients in government, 'y'.::::--tr PERU. AYMAUAS, ATACAMAS, I'KKUVIAN WOUKS OF OF TlIK COUNTRY — ■ FKAN'CISCO IMZAK- ,MA(;IU)'S VOYAGE SI) MHlUK— THE IS COMPANIONS INUATION OF h) PANAMA. alone, among tlio ccts of intorost to t !j;n!at portion of .■move iVoni these vo bo f^a'ul to Ikivo lU describe their as \ve shovihl enter atui'al history: an ul' events as con- -n 1 savage tribes of le J'eriivians oiler, ll'iil theme for the n and the philoso- lisi'overed by Kuro- ents in government, fm ^k^-;,^.. ^ m ^■■■■ f'li .1 .VCI S( ,1 r I /..I H H 1) .^^-T: v1 U .. V . *>■>' '- t' .. 's * • :| SOUTU AMERICAN INDIANS. 521 such unity of purpose, and such perfect system, as were observable in all their customs and usages, have never been even atteinptetl, much less accomplished, by auy other connuunity throughout the globe. 'jlie j)hysical conformation of the Qnichua race, the most prominent among the ancient inhabitants of Peru, is somewhat singular. The efibcts of liviiitr at such an im- niense elevation as that of many of their cities, and of the great plateaus which they inhabit among the Andes, cause a remarkable development of the chest. The rarity of the air in mountainous districts render a much greater volume of it necessary in respiration, '^fhe Quichuas have there- fore, according to M. d'Orbigny, "very large, square shoulders, a broad chest, very voluminous, highly arched, and longer than usual, which increases the size of the truidc. •^' " The extremities are nevcrtheli>ss, verv muscu- lar, and bespeak great strength; the lu'ad is larger than usual in }H'oportiou to the rest of the body ; the hands and loot are always small." The (.Quichuas dilVer, in a marked manner, I'rom most of the other South American nations, in the leatures of the countenance. These are said in some degree to api)roach the Mexican type. A prominent acquiline nose, large nos- trils, the forehead somewhat retreating, a nioderatrly lull cerebral development, rather a large mouth, adoi'ued with fine teeth, and a short butAvell delined chin, mav be L;iveu as generally charactei istic of the race. The Quiclmas have beautifully si>ft, thick, and llowing hair, but are almost destitute of beards, ^fheir eomplex- ion is a brown olive, entirely distinct from the reddish or copper hue of most of the North American Indians. It ajiproaches that of the nudatto more ni'arly than that of the other American aborigines, and is spoken of as singu- larly uniform. They are of low statui'e, jmi'ticularly those who live in the more elevated rcaions. Their general tr: ii^i'^ • J -I ■. trJ ■", rif-J i- ■yi ' 'J '1 {•: '.',' i ' 3 ^f H;, ■,'^4§ ;' I'eatui'es of the present race of (.^uiehuas eonvinees ns that lor iljur and live centuries their jdiysiognomy has undeigoiu! no sen- sible altenition." The Aymai'as, the second in the grand division of tlir ]Vi'u\iaii races, bear a close J'csend)lant'e to those just described. In early times the strange and unnatural cus- tom of llattening the lu\id obtained among them, as is fidlv proved by the contour of many skulls Ibund in their ancient places of burial or deposit. No material variation iVom the Quichuan bodily ii)rnia- tion is noticeable in the Atacanias, who inhabit tlu,' western slope of the Andes; but the Changos, dwelling ui^on the hot levels of the .sea-coast, "are of (".ai'ker hue: their colour is a tawny, approaching to black." 'J'he country inhabiteil by these three races, although lying within the tropics, and in eei'tain localitit'S luxuri- antly ]'ich and fertile, presents obstacles to the agricultur- alist, which would seem almost insurmountable. Nothing but the whole industry of a great naticju, directed .'^ysteiu- atically to the work of J'cclannition and improvement, could ever ha\e made Peru what it was in the days of the Incas. A flat and sterile plain, wa.shed by the Pacific, forms the western boundary of the ancient empire. On this district rain never falls; at leu.st, the few drojis which at certain I UA. ir ;il)ovc cited, "is, clive, nu'liUK'lioly, ■: it lU'Uoles ratlicr 'lu'ir (('atiin'S aho- ■^ioii. Tilt' wuiiu'ii < aiv not so jiroiiii- Llie lattor, altlH)U,i:li oxpivssiou, (U'l'lvril An niu'ii'iit vase, , tlic I'calurrs ol'tlic ; that I'or lour and uutlcrgont! no si'u- ■and lUvi^^ion ol' tlir lant'C to tlioSL' just ' and unnatural cus- ong tlieni, as is fully ills Ibiind in their clman bodily loiina- ) inhabit tlic wrstmi , dwelling upon the r.ai'ker Inic: their live races, although n loealitii'S luxuri- 's to the agrieultur- iountal)le. Nothing Ml, directt'd system- and iniproveniont, was in the days of le Pacific, forms the re. On this district ops which at certain SOUTH AMEinCAN INDIANS. 023 eoasons sprinkle tlie surface, are insiiiricient to avail in the slightest degree for the jtromotion of fertility. l*"roia the stu[)end(nis mountain ranges which extend in an unbroken course througliout the western se.;-l)oard of South Ameri- ca, impetuous torrents i)onr de),vn thi'ough the jilaina toward the sea, and, by a laborious and ingenious diver- sion, these streams were led by the ancient Peruvians in long and massive aijueducts to irrigate the plain or the tei-raees wrought U])oii the steep sides of the mountains. Some nK.iition has been made, in a Ibrmer chapter, of the riiir;; which still remain to aitest tiie advancement and en- tcr])rise of the ancient Peruvians, particularly of the great roads by which ready commiuiication was ojiened over the niost rugged and naturally impassable country in the world. A further descri})tion of some of these relics will be given hereafter, as connected with their wonderful system of government, and its eftects in the accomplishment of public works. Mexico had already fallen into the hands of the Span- iards, and their settlements had long been established upon the Isthmus, before the world ol)t;iined any knowledge of the western coast of South America. The national thirst for gold, only the more excited by the succesi-jcs in contest with the Aztecs, Avas roused anew by rejiorts gath- ered from the natives of the Isthmus, of a far richer and moi'c magniliccnt empire at the South. Th(! iirst attemi)t to ex])lore the coast to the southward had been made in 1522, by Pascual de Andagoya, but he proceeded no further than the Puerto de Pinas, near the mouth of the small river Biru. Two yeai-s passed away without any farther discoveries, at the end of which time, the matter was taken in hand by a man whose char- acter leaves us at a loss whether we should the more ad- Lb: '■, 'O. ; > >.' .;,.'*' 5'J-l INDIAN RACES OK AMEUIOA. ■•.■".» niirc liis courago, fortitiulo, ;uul iiHlomitfiblc! etu^rgy, or oxoc'.rate liis cruelty and uiis('rii|)uluus rapacity. Tliin man was Francisco Pi/arro. Jfc was, at this time, uluvit liCty years of age, tlio last ten oi which, at least, he had passed amid the stirring scenes of discovery and contpiest in the New World. Ife had, among other adventures, shared the dang(>rs and the exultation of N'asco Nugne/. tie Hal- l)(\i, in his first ])assage of the Isthmus, and iiis discovery of the Western (K'can. lie was now residing near I'anama, and is said to have accumulated but a small landed ])ri)perty as the reward of his long hibors and privations. I'izarro was the ilk'gitimate son of acoloiirl of iid'antry, named (Jonzalo I'izarro, and a woman of low rank, resid- ing at Truxilio, in Spain, in which city the future con- (pieror was born, in ihe great ent(M'|)rise of th(i concjiicst of Peru, he was assoeiati'd with one Diego de Almagro, a man of more uncertain origin, and K-ss favored by woi'ldly jtrosperity, even tlian himself This companion in arms was, at all events, a bravo and gallant soldier. Kortnnatvly for the two adventurers, they succeeded in securing tlu' assistance of Hernando de Luque, an ecclesiastic occupicil in the (bitiesof his profession at I'anama. With such luuds as could be raised b)' these three, a vessel was ])rocui't'il, and about one hundred men were enlisted to share tlir danger and profits of the expedition. Pedrarias, the Sjiaii- ish governor, sanctioned the j)roeeeding, stipulating, attiic same time, for a ])ro})ortion of the gold that should he brought home. In November, lo24, Pizarro set sail, leaving Almagro to prepare another vessel which they had purchased, ami to fjllow as soon as possible. Nothing but disaster markrd this first voyage. Storms at sea; coidlicts with natives on shore; sickness, exposure, and starvation, thinned the num- bers and broke down the spiirit of the party. Pi/arru ;a. ii{al)U; ciu"r^7, or pacity. This iiiiiu I. time, iibont lU'ty last, liL' had passed lid c'()M(\uost in tlu> idvoiituivs, shaml i-o "Nu,- Mniajrro lad purehased. and Imt disaster marked icts with natives (111 )i), thinned the nnm- he party. Pl/arro SOUTH AMEltlOAN INDIANS. 525 alone appears to have maintained an unshaken fortitude and detenu imitiou. No })rovisions could be procured at the spots where the voyagers lauded, and it became necessary to send the ves- sel back for supplies. About lialf the company, under one Montenegro, was dispatcihed for this purpose, leaving the rest of the advtMiturers upon the swampy, unwhole- some coast, not far from tiie mouth of tlie IVirii, to support themselves as best they could anud an almost impenetrable wilderness of rank troj)ical vegetation. Nearly hall' their nund)er perished before any relief was ohtained. When at tlu! extrenuty of distress, the sight of a distant light amid the forest awakeiu'd their hopes, and I'izarro, with a small si-outing l)arty, led by this token of human habit- ation, pencil rated the thicket to an Indian villagt*. His hungry followers seized on whatever olVered. As the na- tives, who had at first lied in terror, gradually ai)proached and held communication with them, their hopes were again roviveil by the sight of rude ornaments in gold, and by the confirmation of the reports coueeriiing a rich empire at the south. It was six weeks from the tunc of his departure before Montenegro returned to rescue his remaining companions. With renewed hope and zeal, the party reembarkcMl, and continued to coast along the shore. Alter landing at other places, and experiencing severe encounters with the war- like natives, it was found necessary to return to Panama to relit. Almagro, in the mean time, had followt'd in the same course, with tlie second vessel, and landed at mo.st of the places visited by IMzarro. He was more sucicessful in his engagements with the natives than the first party had proved; and succeeded in extending his voyage as iar south as the river of San Juan. At iliis place uumistake- able tokens of approach to a well-cultivated and iidiab- ■. {■' i I rm LVDIAX UACKH OF AMKUrCA. IUmI c'oiititi'v ))ros(Mitc'(l tlitMiisclvcs. l^'iiidiii'^ no fiirtlicr traces ol' l*i/,arr(> ami his coinpaiiioiis, and sii|i|iosiii;^ that tlicy must liavo pcrislu'd or liav(> lu'cii ('(>iii|icll('il to ivtiirn, Aliiiajfro now lurmil liis coiirsi' towards I'miauia. lie hroiight lionii^ nioiT ;j'oId and niorr liivoralilr rrporls than Ids })artner; but tin! disasters, losses, and miserabh) eon- dition of the (irst voya^'ers tended to tlirow ahuost iiisur- nK)untaI)le obstaeles in the way <•!' a second attenipl. The threo confederates — I'i/,arro, Alnia^'^io, and l-'ather I,U(|ue — contiiiue(l as san;^Miine as evi'r. Tiie necessary I'lnids were obtaine(l by tlie hilter, !is is said, ol' one (ias- par (h' Mspinosa, in wliose name he acted, ami in whose liehall' he stipulated Ibr one-third oi' all returns which should result Irom u snccessuu completion ol the iminense undertaking. A solemn conti'act was entcre(l into bi'tuccii the parties, strengtheneil by all the cercniniii; IIS ( n oal lis ind reli'doiis services. Neither of the two soldicis coiilij \v rite, and their signatures were executed in their [ncsci HT. by the witnesses to the instrument of coiitrai-t. Petb'arias had been su( ■•eedeil bv l>on I c(iro ( lelosi ildS and the. new governor a.- d to th e second cX|ici||tl(ill This was umlertaken with two vessels, carrying about one hinidred and sixty men and a Cew horses. The services (jf i'artholomew IJiiiz, a skili'ul [)ilot, were secured. The adventurers steered dii-ect for the mouth of the San .ln;iii, and, landiii": at an Indian village on the river, obtaiiiei, pupiiloiis to oll'er much chance of success to such a small i)and of vaders. vMmagro was therefore sent back to enlist more in men ut home, while Ruiz, with the; other vessel, explored the coast furtlier to the south, aial I'i/.arro I'cmained near the river, with a portion tl K! crow. lie latter em liireil nil ich fn fui om lumme, e.x[)osure, an( 1 fat i.'nie, • lur mtr the ah scncc of \{n\'/u Attem2)ting to jienetrate into the intei'ior, A. iidiiV^ no rurthor 1(1 su|«|i')siii^ timt iiiipcUnl to rt'tuni, nls r;iiKimii. lit! ,r;il.lc n'i)»>rts llian 11,1 iiiistM-alili' ••on- I ;iri)\v iiliHosl iiisur- oiiil attfiiiiit. triii^ro, luul I'lit-licr r. Tin- ncct'ssiiry ; s saiil, <'!' •""' ' ''''^' rh'il, iili'l ill wlinSL' all nturiis wliidi ion 111' the iiiiiiii'ii^-*' utrnMl into lu'tsu'i'ii (',ivn\oiiials of oallis i. two soMit'i'-^ I'oiiM m1 ill tlu'iv iircsi'iu'c, •oiitrat't. I'l'droilc los Itlu.-i, ~,coii(l rxp('n. arryiii'- ;',l»'ut. oih' scs. Tlu' sci'si*vs were si'cnrt'il. 'I If' 1 ,,!■ the Siin •'"'"'• ill,, river, oLtaiiifl 11 the juTSons ol !^ arcd too iiopulous eh a small IkuhI nf t back to enlist more M- vessel, exploml arro reiaainetl near 'ri,(> latter endured ly worn down and dispirited. The pilot, in the niiMii time, had made his way tar sonth- ward. He had crossed the iMpiutor, and tonclied at several places, where; ihi' dense poj)idation and welhhiiilt, dwell- iiiL's advam-enient in eivili/atioti. He hronn-ht with him .scvd'al Indian prisoners, taken at sea, npoii oim of the rude boats, or rather ral'ts, called "balsas," in whieli they W(M"(! voyaJi•in,v^ Some of these were from the port ol' 'rmnbe/,, and tln'ii' mar\clloiis ac- counts of tlie quantities of ;^-old and siUer n>ri{ l.y ihejr monarch, roused anew the cupidiiy of the Spaniards, Almaj^ro soon al'tcr arriveil with numerous liesli re- cruits, and, what with the jj-jowin^- reports ol' lluiz, and this addition to their liirce, tlir weakeneil ami despairing rolluwcrs of l*i;^arro reLiaiiieil their li)rmi'r hopes and eoiir- a;.rc. The wholi> eompany a^^ain S(!t sail for the land of jironiisc. At Tacamcs, near the month of the Santiago, where tin; present town of j'lsiuei'aldas is situated, the llourishiiii^ appearance of the eoimlry inviteil tlu' \o\a:iers to land; but they were o|i]iosed by tlioiisan(ls of armed iiati\('S, who attacked them with jiicat furv. It was sup- posed that all the Christians must hav(! perishril in this onslaught, bnt for a strange mistake on the part of the liulians. A few of the Spaniards were mounted upon horses— a sit^l never before witnessed in l*eru and one (if the cavaliers liap[ienim^' to fall from his horse, the In- dians suppo.sed that asin,L!,le enemy had become two. The horse and his rider were taken for but one; animal, and the confusion and amazement caused by the sinht of such a aniards an opjiortunil} prodigious scjiaration, gave the Sp to retreat. It was plain that a greater force was necessary to make any advantageous progress in the new emi>ire, and again was one of the little vessels sent back to Panama for riiin- ■I' ^♦' .m Mrl|p \y^-'^. v.: i^m-^ 528 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUK'A. iuivcMiuMils, \vliilr I'izaiTo iiiul ;i portion ofliis forces took uj) their (|u;irt('rs upon the Utile islinid ol' (iallo. 'I'hey sull'eix'd evei'v extreiiiity helore supplies i'eaeh(,'(l thmi J'roni the north, and when two vessels loaded with stores made tlieir ajipeai'anei', there was a ^enei'ul cry for return. .I'i/ari'o, I'ortitied in his determination by cncoura,^,iny migrated on a rati, for better (piarters,) the little ])arty s])ent seven miseralile and solitary months. Vty great ex(.'rtions, Almagro and JiU([ue juocured another vessel, and the governor's \n:v- niission to relievo their associates; but this was not oh- tained without a positive injunction to J'izarro to I'ctmii within six months. No recruits were takmi on board, beyond the necessiiry crew of the ves.sel. Jiuiz had charge of the craft, and the sight of its ai)proacli soon gladdened the desponding licarts of the destitute and lialf-famished expectants at (.!oi'gona. Without lu'sitation the little bund stood once more li)r the south, leaving two ttf their nund)er ill on the islaml, ill cluirge oi' some of tlu; JViendly natives, who were si ill detained in their company. ^Ai'ter twenty days' .-^ail, in wdiich they passed, without landing, the spots of loi'mer exi)loratit)n, the vessel entered the uulviiown gidf of Guayaquil. •A. o I'll is forces took ji lol"(iallo. 'riiey j ics rcnclu-Hl llifiii ji loiuV'il will I stores ji i-ral ery lor retuni. | ,11 l,y ene,oura,*1 i^uve |! ji'ward in S(>iuvli of j rty aiul Jis-raee to i itionU)]>rolVer tlieir the store-ships, who j no- Iniek t'.ie j-arty, : lor the use ol' these ; ,i.«lo\vin}_' niton them i L'iiving tiieni, as was I loro'ona, twenty-five , >y mijinitedon a rail, ^ icnt seven miserable rtions, Alnia.irro aiul , the ,^overnor's per- j ,ut this was nol, oh- i llo I'i/.arro to retuni i •re taken on boanl, , lol. \l\ivA ha(Iehar,i;o ! 1-oae.h soon gladdened tc and Indl-laniished stood once more lor L'Y ill on the island, Ltives, wlio were still ] twenty days' sail, in the si)ots of former i unknown gulf ol \ SOUTH AMKRICAN INDIANS. 529 As the Spaniards directed their course towards the city of Tumbez, the residence (jf the Indian cajitivcH, tliey en- countered nuiii y natives, in the balsas which served thetn for boats, ^riiesc strange craft were made of logs of liglst wood, secured together, and littcd with musts luid sails. 'fhc crews of these rafts, in the midst of their uma/cmeut at the {U'odigv Ijefore their eyes, recognized the Indians on board, and learning from them that tlie strangi^rs were bound rn(M-ely uiion exploration, returned to satisfy the curiosity of the eager crowd.s gathered upon the shore. A j)eaceful ccjnmunieatiou was soon cstablisluid, and the sea-wearied Spaniards were refreshed by bountiful suitplies of the tropical luxuries furnished by the kindly natives. Llamas, or Peruvian camels, as they Avei'c called, were now for the first time exhibited and offered to the visitors. A great noble, of the royal race of the Incus, came on b(xtrd, and was courteously entertained by Pizarro, who pijinted out and explained the mysteries of the vessel and its accoutremciits. The olhcers of the SpanLsh comptuny were, in turn, feasted ut the house of the curucu, or governor of the l>rovince, and were shown tlic royal temple and f(jrtrcsscs. Some of the apartments were adorned with such a rich profusion of massive golden ornaments and ]»lating, that the daz/led Spuniards now trusted in the speedy realiza- tion of their long-deferred hopes. From Tumbez, Pizarro coasted southward as far as the island and port of Santa, some distance beyond the site of the present Truxill; , stoj^ping at various towns and settle- ments on his route. 'VUo strangers were every where re- ceived with hospitali'v, kindncs.s, and tlie most lively curiosity, and enough was seen fully to convince them of the richness, civilization, and prosperity of the thickly populated empire. Iteturning to Panama, they a^n stopped at Tumbez and 34 ..'■■" '■tit ':■ IT t , ''f !»;,■;• U^'\ 530 INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. Other important port?, aiid tlicncc brought away specimens of the productions of the country ; among other things, a number of llamas. At their own request, several of the Spaniards were left at Tumbcz, to enjoy the luxury and ease which seemed to be oll'ercd by a life among the kindly natives, A young Peruvian, named ]<'elipillo, with one or two companions, was taken on board tiie vessel, that he might be instructed in the Spani^'h language, and that his appearance might satisfy the incredidous, at home, as to the character of the inhabitants of Peru. The troubles of the enterjn-ising trio to whom these dis- coveries were owing were not yet at an end. The derision and contumely which had tended so long to damp their spirits, was, indeed, changed to congratulations and eager astonishment at the return and reports of Pizarj-i); but the governor frowned upon the prosecution of the enttMju'isc. "lie did not wish," says Ilerrera, "to deixtpulate his own district in order to people new countries"— the gold, silver, and sheep which had been exiiibited, seemed to him but a paltry return for the expenditure of such an uniomit of lives and money, and the endurance of such hardships and suffering as were the fruits of the first expeditions. Ijcfore continuing the account of the steps by which tlio great work of concpiest was finally achieved, it will be well to take a brief view of the condition of the devoted country at the period of its discovery. The two great monarchies of Mexico and Peru, both of tliem in a state of scmi-civiHzaticn at the j)eriod of Span- i.sh discoveries and conquests, are closely associated in our minds. The thoughts of one naturally suggests that of the other. We vshall, however, find, upon an examination of history, that these nations were widely dissimilar: neither, in all human probability, had any knowledge of the other's existence, and no intercourse CQidd have been nuiintainod between them from a period of the most remote antiquity. r=r^=:n iA. it away specimens ig other things, a est, several of the j ', )y tlic hixury and •} among the kindly .\ lipillo, with one or || the vessel, that he : ; ■ua""C, and that his ' )ns, at lunne, as to ,| , li to whom these dis- | end. The derision long to dump their tulations and eager ofTizarro; but tlio )u of the entLTpvisc. depopulate his ved, it wdl be well 10 dev(jted connti y ;o and Peru, both of the period of Span- dy associated in our s\iy was used, and consequently the whole product of the country, in this line, was collected in the cortbrs of the Inca, or displayed in the gorgeous ornaments which adorned the tem{)les. The miiu\s were worked by bodies (iT hihorers systematically draftcnl from the common })eo- })le, to serve for specified periods. The I'eruvians had some idea of an invisible deity, whose sufiremacy they acknowledged, and to whom hom,- age was rendered, but the sun was their chief object of worship, ^riie moon and stars took the place of subordi- nate divinities. Bv virtue of his ofirce, the Inca was the head of the visible church, and high-priest of the sun; all the other religious functionaries were of the nobilitv, vi/: descendants in the male lino of the royal fam.iy. One lawful wife gave birth to the successor to the throne, hut from the inniimerablo concubines kept by the empe- ror sprang the race of Inca nobility, distinguished by dress and occupation from the body of the people. 'I .f m :i ■i'. M ^ f ■m ' f 534 IfUIAN RACKS OF AMEUICA. A most singular resemblance to the aiu-icnt onler of tlio vestal virtxins existed in that of tlie Peruvian N'irgins of the Sun. These were set a})art, at an early age, for tlie services of the temple, the preparations of its ta})cstrv and ornaments, and especially for the preservation of the sa- cred fire. Terrible penalties followed the vioh^tion of chastity by either of these devotees, always excepting the privileges of the Inca, to whom they were subsci'vient as "brides," or concubincrf, The ofVice did not necessarily continue during life: many of these "Virgins" were dis- missed to Jieir paternal homes from time to time, and were ever thereafter lield in great liouDr and veneration. The religious ceremonies and festivals familiar to the na- tion were singularly numerous and complicated- an enu- meration of them would be, for the most part, wearisome and devoid of interest. The Peruvian system of government merits a more particular attention. Here, for the fi^st time in the history of the world, we see the results of a paternal despotism carr 1 to its most extravagant extent, yet meeting the apparent wants of the people, and universally acrpiicsced in and approved by them. From generation to generation the whole mass of the commonalty was shut out from any possibilit}" of change or improvement, and subjected to immutable rules in every employment or })rivilegc of life. The whole empire was minutely divided and subdivi- ded into districts, according to population, and over each of these departments a curaca or governor was set to main- tain law. The penal code was sufiiciently severe, and rigidly enforced ; in idl matters of private right there was no room for contention among the citizens, as the state prescribed every man's place of residence, the amount and nature of his employment, and the provision necessary for his support. The government assumed the entire ownership of ths CA. ciont order of tho ■uviivu \lrn;iiis of | curly a<,'c, for tlio of its tapestry and rvation of tlic sa- tlie vioU.tiou of k-ays exeepting tlio crc su\)sei'vieut us lid not neeessarily Virgins" were dis- tinic to time, and lor and veneration. fan\iliar to the na- mplicatcd- an enu- ost part, wearisome cut merits a more : time in the history paternal despotism it, yet meeting the versally acqnicsced ration to generation was shut out from 3nt, and subjected to or privilege of life, vided and suhdivi- ition, and over caeli lorwas set to main- ciently severe, and vatc right there was jitizens, as the state ■ncc, the amount and ovision iiecessary for re ownership of ths SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 5^5 soil, wliich was divided into three parts for the following uses: The lirst was set ajiart to support tho wholo exten- sive system of religion; the second sustained the royal court, and furnished the "civil list" for tho accomplish- ment of all public works, and to defray tho current ex- penses of the eni])ire; and the third was yearly divided among the people. The ajiportionment was made to each family, according to its nund^ers, and, unless some good cause should a)-)p(\ar to the contrary, it is supposed tluit tlic same spot v.'as continued in the possession of its proprie- tor from year to year. The public domains were culti- vated by the peojdc in mass, and, in the managenuMit of the private allotments, vigilant care was taken, by the appropriate ollicei's, that no one should be idle, no one over-burdened with labor, and no one in a state of suffer- ing frinn want. The oidy beast of burden in Peru was the llama. The immense herds of this animal were, without exception, the ]iroperty of the state, and under the management of government officials. The wool and hair of tlu; llama fur- nished the most important material for the clothing of tlie whole population, l)ut before it reached its ultimate desti- nation it must pass throu , ■ 536 INJ)IAN KACKS OF AMKItlCA. The most exact accounts wore k'0[>t, by certain ajiiiointcd ofRccrs, of the entire populatinu and resources of the cm- j)ire. No birth, marriage, or death, was sulfercd to pass unchronieled, and an immense amount of statistical matter, relative to the condition of the ))eoj)K, the prodnclions of the soil, the extent of manufactures, &e., was I'cgularly and .systematically returnei'l to the proper department. The substitute for writing, by which these results, ami even much more abstract particulars (as of dates and historical events), were ]KM'i)etuated, was exceedingly ingenious and unique. It consisted of the ''tiui])n," viz: a cord ol'strands varving in color, from which depended nunu'i'(jus short threads at regular distances. A sei'ies of knots in tiiese appendages (which were, like the strands of the main coi'd, of various colors) served to ex})rcss any amount in num- bers, and the difl'erenco in hue desigiiate(l tlie subject to which they were applied. The endless condiinations v.'liich could be elTected in this system of knots might, as we can readily perceive, be extended to the expressi(jn of a verv widc range of ideas. In the words of Mr. Prescott: "TIk^ peculiar knot, or color, in this way (by association) sug- gested what it could not venture to re[)resent; in the same manner — to borrow the homely illustration of an old writer— as the niunljer of the Commandment calls to mind tlie Commandment itself. * * * The narrative thus concocted could be communicated oidy by oral tradition; but the quipus served the chronicler to arrange the inci- dents with method, and to refi-(;sh his memory." In some of the sciences, particularly in astronomy, the Peruvians were far beliii 1 the Aztecs. A few simple ob- servations of the moven.. iof the planets; and the meas- urement of shadows to n.„.k the scjlstices, equinoxes, &c., formed the limit of their s])eculations or experiments. In the more jiractical and necessary arts of husbamlry and agriculture, not even the laborious and patient p(jpu];ition certiiin a])p*~''>"tod ources of the cm- ; ; sulVercd to jiass ' statisticul iiuitter, he pvoilnctioiis of was ro-i;ularly and ilci^avtinoiit. 'V\u\ results, and even atos and liistork'ul inlv inpMiious and ;: a cord of strands .,1 iiunu'V(jns short ! of knots in tlii-so Is of tlie main cord, ly an\ount in nuni- \led the snl))i'et to foiiihinations wliirli ts mi.iiht, as we can sipvession of a very Mr. Preseott U'Pl u^ ly assoeiation) sn.ii;- nvsent; in the same ;tration of an old hnient calls to mind hdie narrative thus ly Ijy oral tradition; to arrange the inci- Imcmory." ly in astronomy, the A few simple oh- [nets; and the meas- jices, ccpunoxcs, &c., ir experiments, lu of husbandry and [l patient population SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. Out of China could excel the suhjeets of the Tneas. The ex- tent of the aeipieduets, to eonduet the mountain-streams through the arid fields where rain never fell; the immense excavations made to reaeli a moist soil, lifteen or twenty feet helow the surface; and other miu'hty undertakings which individual entcMprise could never have accom|>lisli- cd, evince the elfeets that a complete centralization of powci* can produce. Were it not for the ruins, of wdneli luodern travellers give us measurement and description, we should he tempted to throw aside the early histories of Peruvian achievements as gross exaggerations. The use of guano for manure was coumion, and the gathering and apitlieatiou of it were in accordance with rigid and careful regulations. '^I'lie destruction, or even the disturb- ance of the birds to whom the formation is owing, was punished by death. A plough was used in the cultivation of the land, but it was rudely and simply constructed of wood, and was forced through the earth by human thews and sinews. The unequalled diversity in soil and climate provided suitable localities for a variety in vegetable pro- ductions seldom seen within the same limits. Bananas, Indian corn, potatoes, a grain calUnl quinoa, and many other well-known crojis, were successfully cultivated. The desire for stimulants and narcotics, so universal to man- kind, was satisfied by a liquor brewed from maize, by to- bacco, and b}' the coca or cuca, whose leaves possess some- thing of the sedative qualiti(\s of the latter plant. Wo have mentioned the control exercised by the gov- ernment over the private ailairs of every citizen; this extended even to the ties of aflTunty. Every person was required to marry at an appointed age, (eighteen in females, and twenty-four in males,) and, although a certain degree of choice was left to the individual in the selection of a partner, it must be conlincd within a specified district or community. The Inca always married his sister, that the ,* ;" -, :'M 5^8 IXDIAX HACKS OK AMKJilCA. purity of tlie ro^'al blood iniglit not be contaminated, but such a conii'-ctioinvas IbrlMddcn between any of lower nuik. Althougii the mass of the people were constantly em- ployed in the operations of peaceful husbundry, the poliry of the Inea ilynasty towards neigliborin;^,' nations was essentially warlike. 'J'he youth of the nobility, and espe- cially the i)resumi)tive heir to the throne, were insti'ucted iu the arts of war, and sul)jected to a routine of bodily exercise and trials of fortitude not unlike that jJiMftiscd by the ruder nations of North America, iu the iniliation of their future warriors. An extensive nalitia sy.stcm was enforced, and, in tiiue of war, troops were dralled from the dilVermt distriet.s iu some proi)ortion to the population ; ivj^ard being' had to the hardihood and energy of the various races, in making the levy. Axes, lances, darts, bows and arrows, and slings, formed the prineipal wea])ons of olfenee. The soldiers Avere alto supplied with the ipulted coats of snrli eoninmn use iu past ages, to ward oif arnjws and sword-thrusts, aiid Avith helmets of skins or wood. The great roads, led along the mountain ridges, or by the level plain of the sea-coast, furnisluid ready means of transit to the royal armies throughout the extent of ihu empire. Enough of these yet remains to excite the ad- miration of every traveller. Of the ])rinci))al of these roads, Mr. I'j'eseott speaks as follows: "It was conducted over pathless sicn-as buried in snow; galleries were cut for leagues through the living rock; rivers were crossed by means of bridges that hung suspended in tho ;ur; pi'c- cipices were sealed by stairways hewn out of the native bed; ravines of hideous depth were Idled up with soli, th(.^ morbid si>irit of (liscoiitcut, thos(> j)assioiis wliicli most anituti' tlio iiiiiids nCiiuMi, 11)1111(1 no |)laci' ill the bosotnof the I'cruviaii. * * \\r. iiioNrd oil ill the satiu^ imbroiptioii, \u>\ the rule. 'I'he people* at larses ami eonipu'sts lyna t'apae. 'I'lir (loin of Quito, tlio e at its capital, ami lis aequisition, aiid lirni basis through- CO i'( I rds to the Peruvian rs of tliis uioiiarcli, led his mind willi of liis empire. His /.ed the vast sutvri- n the vessels, arms, strangers, lluaymi SOUTH AMKlllCAN INDIANS. r>n (Japac died about the year 1525, leaving his oidy legitiinatt; son, IIua.sciir, the regular 8ueee.s.sor to his throne. Instead of continuing the old order of tlescent, the king's loudness Ibr another son, iuiukmI Atahuallpa, (.\tiil»alipa, ass[)elt by many oiil writers) led him, upon his death-bed, to bestow upon this I'avorite a portion of his kingdom. I'pon the sub- version of the ancient dynasty at Quito, lluayna Capac had taken the daughter of the last native prince as one of his foneubine.s. |*'roni this union s])rung the priiu!0 of whom we ar(( speaking. The share of empire be(ineatlu.'d to Atahiiall[)a was tiiat of his maternal aneestor.s, in whii.'li liis iiither had .so huig resided, and to whose impri>vemeiit he hail devoted his declining \ear.s. The rest of ihr wide ikjinains of Peru were lell in [)o.s.sessio!i of liuasear. This new order of things produced no evil etl'i.-ets for about live years. llua.-|)o.>st. Ko pcenniiiry omisod. rrospec- ,\vcd upon ri/iuTd tlicir success, ami conquered nation. I ado and iilguai-il j lill lor life, and to icd. Alinagro was ; 11, us commander at j jcd Bisliop oC that j see of the chureh. l)tainedbypl'indcr, r \Yus reserved as ii uise funds and enlist ', was joined hy lii^ udo ri/arro, was ii 1- three, CJonzalo and lira were ille.iritinialt' o of our narrative, ic latter on that ol' n( ■y for the necessary > that projioscd; Itut lie/, the renowned in Spain, and, alter , lished, from his own ; plote an outiit. ca, serious ([uarrels lo, asapi)ears justly, n the arran,L!-enients niiuMit. Lntiue also Issary, anil it seemed to the old eontracx, I asiile, should oeea- SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 545 J: '. sion offer, and advance his own relations in tlicir stead- These difficulties were, by I'izarro's representations, prom- ises, and concessions, for the time smoothed over, and three vessels Avere fitted out at Panama for the grr.nd expedition. Those in which the recruits had been brought over from Spain, were Jiecessarily left upon the other side of the Isthmus. It was not until January^, of 1531, that the adventurers set sail. The company consisted of less than two hundred men, twenty-seven of whom were provided with horses; the advantage of even a small body of cavalry in fights with the Indians having been so strikingly apparent in the proceedings at Mexico. Tundiez, on the southern shore of the gulf of Guayaquil, was the port for which the little lleet steered its course, but, owing to head winds and other ililliculties in navigation, a landing was made at the bay of St. Matthew's. I'i/urro, with tlie armed force, went on shore at this place, not far from Avliere Esineraldas now stands, and marched southward, while the vessels coasted along the shore. Feeling himself strong enough to com- mence serious operations, the u".prinei])led invader no longer put on the cloak of friendship, but without warn- ing fell upon the first Indian town in his route. This wius iu the district of Coaque. The natives fled, leaving their treasures to be seized and plundered by the Spaniards. A considerable quantity of gold, and a great number of the larg(>st and most valuable emeralds fell into tlu' hands of the rapacious adventurei's. The s[)oil was collected, and publicly distributed, according to regulated portions, among tlic company, it being death to secrete any private plunder. The royal fifth was deducted previous to the division. The vt els were sent back to Panama to excite, by the display of these treasures, the cupidity of new recruits, while the little army continued its march towards Tunibcz. •85 .1 .*,i it :-"i l^'M J'. ii •ill oiG INDIAN RACES OF A5IEKICA. Um The natives of the villages through ^vhich thoy passed, learning, in advanee of the vSpaniards' approach, the course pursued at Coaquo, abandoned their lionies, bearing all their valuables Avith them. Privation and sviHering en- sued, The tropical heat of the country, famine and fatigue, began to dishearten the troops. Worse than all, a singular and malignant cutaneous disease began to spread among them. Large warts or vascular cxeresences broke out upon those attacked, which, if oi)ened, bled so pro- fusely as to cause death. "The epidemic," says Prescott, " v/hieh made its first a])pearanec during this invasion, and which did not long survive it, spread over the whole country, sparing neither native nor white man." The distresses of the Sjianiards were somewhat relieved b}' the arrival of a vessel fi'om Panama, in. which came a number of new state odicer.s, api)(>inted by the J'lmperor Charles since Pizarro's departure from Spain, briiigiiiLr with them a quantity of provision. With some slight fu"ther reinforcement, the C( .mandiM- brought his troojis to the gulf of Guayaquil, and, by invitation from the isl- anders, who had never been reduced liy the Pci'uviaii monarchs, and scill maintained a desultory warfare with their forces, he took up his quarters u])on the isle el' I'uua. The inhabitants ol' Tnmbe/, (lying, as we hasi; mentioned, upon the southern shore of the; gulf, and oppo- site the island,) came over, in large nund)ers, to welconit! the whites, trusting to their friendly demonstrations at tlie time of the early expeditions. Dinieulties roon arose fruiii tlie bringing of tliesc; hostile Indian rac(\s in contact. Pizarro Avas told that a conspiracy had been formed In- some of the island chief-^, to massacre him and his follov,-- ers. Without delay, he .seized u])on the accused, ami delivered them over to their old enemies of Tumbez for destruction. The con.seipumce was a fui'ious attack by the islanders. The thousands of dusky warriors who sur- -:J A. ;,cli tlvoy passed, proacli, the course 3ino3, bearing all and sufteriug en- ntry, laniinc and AVorsc tlian all, ISC began to spread cxcrcscnccs broke : encd, bled so pro- i „U,;' says Prcscott, j o- this invasion, and ul over tlie whole ;, lite man. !; somewhat relieved ,;,^ i,. which came a ^hI by the iMnpemr )m Spain, bringin- With some slight brought his tr^)ops ;itatiou I'rom the isl- a hy the rcruviaii ultory wariarc witli |,-rf ui)on the isle of (Iving, as we have f the gulf, and o\)\w huiubers, to welcoino kMiionstrations at tlio Idties L-oon arose IVuiii M races in eontaet, Lad been formed hy 1; h'wn and his follow- ,n the accused, and .miesof Tumbcz for furious attack by the warriors who sur- SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 5-t( rounded the little cncampiuent, were dispersed ami driven into the thickets, with very small loss to the well-armed and mail-clad Europeans. The discharge of musketry, and the rush of mounted men, tilistcning with defensive armor, seldom failed to break the lines, and confuse the movements even of the bravest and most determined savages. After their victory Pizarro found his situation extremely precarious, for tlie enemies wliom he had driven into the forest continued to harass and veary his army by night attacks, and the difficulty of procuring provisions daily increased, lie became desirous of passing over to the main as speedily as ])ossible, and his good fortune sent him, at this period, such assistance as rendered the contin- uance of his enterprise more hopeful. T\us was afforded by the arrival of the celebrated Hernando de Soto, whose romantic adventu'vs in after-life, liave been briefly chron- icled in tlie early part of this volume, under the title of the Florida Indians. De Soto brouglit out one hundred .men and a considerable numl t of horses. Thus reinforced, the conunander of the expedite i at once undertook the transportation of his moii and stores across to Tumbez. Instead of rejoicing their eyes with the splendor of this celebrated city, and luxuriating in its wealth, the Spaniards found the whole place dilapidated and deserted. Such of the Indians as ap[)care(l, manifested a decidedly hostile disposition, and several of the party (Migaged in transport- ing the baggage and provisions, upon balsas or rafts, were seized and slain. Most of the houses of the city were found to be destroyed, and the costly ornaments and decorations were all strip{)ed from the tenipl(\ It cannot be certainly known, at this day, what wo'c the causes for this conduct on the part of the pt-ople of Tumbe/. The curacaof the place was taken prisoner by some of Pizarro's men, and his explanation of the matter was, that the wat '• 't: 1; ^1 518 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. 'ix-" with the Puna islanders liad resulted in this demolition of the city. No certain intelligence was ever obtained of the fate of those whites who had been lei't at Tumbez at the time of the former expedition of discovery. It now became evident to Pi/arro that he should have some fixed place of settlement, where his troops miglit encamp and live in safety until a proper o{)portunity pre- i j sented itself for more active operations, lie therefore set i| - M himself to explore the country to the southward. In con- i | ducting this examination, he made use of a more concilia- ' tory policy than hcrett)fore, in his intercourse with the natives, and took pains to restrain, for the time, tlie rapacity of his followers. IMic remit was that the Indians were in turn friendly and hospitable. A settlement was made, and the foundation of a town, called San Miguel, , conunenced on the river Piura. Numbers of tlie natives were reduced to vassalage, and distributed among the Spaniards to aid in the labor of improving and extending the village. Pizarro had gathered information, by means of the in- terpreters in his company — the natives formerly taken by him to Si)ain— of the ])olitical state of the country, and of the present location of .'\talniall])a, at or near Caxamalca. He had secui..d a considerable amount of gold, which was sent ba>.k to Panama, by consent of the ci->mj)any, and applied, after deducting the perquisites of the crown, to defray the expense of fitting out the ex})edition. The whole summer was spent in these o})erations, and it was not until the 2-ith of Sej)teniber, 1532, that the commander was })repared to lead his small army into the interior. His Avhole force was less than two hundred men, ' from whom it was necessary to deduct a portion for the purpose of garrisoning San Miguel. On the march towards the enormous range of mountains which they were to cross, the Spaniards refrained from rapine and ])lunder. A. this demolition of cr obtained ol' the at Tunibc/ at the iry. it lie should liave his troops might T opportunity pre- 1 He therefore set j )uthward. In con- { of a more concilia- tcrcoursc with the for the time, the :us that the Indians A settlement was called San Miguel, d)ers of the natives ,ributed among tlie ving and extending iy means of the in- 5 formerly taken by the country, and of or near Caxamalea. t of gold, which was th(> comi)any, and ,L>s of the crown, to xjteditioii. hcse operations, and ,ber, 1532, that the small army into the .n two hundred men, ict a portion for the n the march towards kvhich they were to Irapinc and ])lunder. SOUTH AilKRICAN INDIANS. 549 They were therefore received witli kindly curiosity by the inhabitants, and in tlieir progress availed themselves with- out molestation of the jjublic fortresses and sheltered stopping-places prepared uj)on the high roads for the use of tlu! royal armies. 'IMiey were deliglited with the rich and highly-cultivated ai)i)earance of many of the beautiful vallies passed upou the route. The company consisted of one hundred and seventy- seven men, of whom sixty-seven were mounted. From this number, nine malcontents were suffered by the pru- dent lealaee, at Caxas, a garrison of the Inca's troops was said to b(> stationed, and thither Pizarro sent an em- bassy, under the direction of De Soto, to open a connuu- nication with the prince. '^Phe messengers were absent no less tlian a week; but they finally returned in safety, accompanied by one of the ollicers of the Inca, hearing rich presents and messages of welcome and invitation from the monarch in person. Pizarro received this noble with the respect due to his rank and position, bestowing upon him such gifts as would be most attractive in the eyes of a person ignorant of European arts. At his de- parture, the envoy was charged to tell his sovereign that the band of whites was subject to a great emperor of a distant country; that they had heard of the Inca's great- ness and conquests, and had come to proffer their aid in his wars. Continuing their march, the Spaniards reached the foot of the Andes. Nothing but the fiercest courage and the most undaunted resolution, both excited to the utmost by •■ifr 550 INDIAN RACES OK AMEIUOA. tho ]io]io of boundless ridios and rowanls, could have stimulated such a luuuH'ul of advciiturens to undertake the ajcent of this enormous range of mountains, wliere nothing could save them from utter destruction, should the forbearance of the natives cease. The main mountain road, stretching olf to tho soutliward towards the ancient Peruvian capital, temjjted them to take their course in tluit directioii, while across the mountains a narrow and didi- cult pass led towanls the encam})ment of the Inea. It was determined to push on in the originally i)roposed direc- tion. The vast and rugged elevations, rising one beyond another, must have appeared to the unpractised eye totally insurmountable. u * * * TlioHc everlasting clouds, Seedtime and harvest, morning, noon, and night, Still where they were, steadfast, immovable — So massive, yet so shadowy, so ethereal. As to belong rather to Heaven than Earth — * * They seemed the barriers of a World, Saying, Thus far, no farther!" The accounts of modern travellers have familiarized us ■with the details of the dangers attendant u})on a passage of the Andes. What then must have been the attempt by these pioneers, totally ignorant of the route, and mo- mentarily expecting an attack from the natives in passes where an army could be effectually checked by u handful of resolute men. Their fears of Indian treachery proved, however, groundless; they reached the summit in safety, and, while encamped about the fires rendered necessary by the sharp air of those elevated regions, messengers again appeared, sent by Ataliuallpa to meet them. A present of llama.s proved most acceptable to the wearied and suffering troops, and, from all that could be gathered by communion with the ambassadors, it did not ai)i)car probable that they would be molested uj)on their route. vavds, could have i ivi'.s to umU'i'tako inountuuis, wliore loatruciion, shouM 'he iniiiu luounlain )\var(ls the aiKnout th(^u- courrie in that a narrow and dilli- >f the Inea. It was ,lly proposed diroc- , rising one beyond practised eye totally )n, and night, unoviiblc — 11 E;vrtli— t' a World, lavc familiarized us [lant upon a passage e been the attempt the route, and mo- le natives in passes necked by a haudl'ul in treachery proved, ho summit in safety, rendered necessary regions, messengers to meet them. A itablo to the wearied lat conld be gathered I, it did not appear u})on their route. SOUTH AMKIUCAN INDIANS. 551 Little doubt was entertained by Pizarro that the Tnca fully intended to entrap and seize lum as soon as he should be completely in his power, and surrounded b}^ an irre- sistible force of his subjects. It was ascertained that Atahuall])a was encamped with a large army oidy three miles from Caxanuiica, and that the city was abandoned by its inhabitants. This had a threatening aitjiearance, but the Inca continued to send fiiendly messages. an si);ice 0(je\i])'ed hy the I'ernvifin camp, and soon stood in the royal })resenee. Ataliuallpu, distin- gnislied by the "borhi," or erinison fringe bound around the forehead, an onuirnent peeuliar to the Ineas, sat ex- jH'cting their arrival, surrounded by his olhecrs of state. He did not so far unbend his dignity as to pay the least attentiofi to the novel appearance of the steel-elad caval- eade, but ke{)t his eyes inunovably fixed upon the ground. Witho.it dismounting, Ileriiando saluted the monarch, and, through Felinillo's interpretation, made known his general's avowed ])urposcs, and earnestly requested the king to visit the Spanish eamp in person. One of tlie attends .is, speaking in behalf of his master, brielly replied, "jl is well." Hernando stiU persisted in re(piesting the monarch to make known his ))leasure, and to speak to them penson- ally; whereniion Atahnallpa, turning his head, and look- ing upon hii'i with a smile, aini(nincc(l that he was then in the observance of a fast, but would visit the Spanish quarters on the ensuing day. He further directed that the troops should confine themselves to the buildings situ- ated upon the jiiaza or 2)ublic square. De ooto is said to have been mounted upon a noble charger, and, to excite the admii-ation o[ the luea, he ])nt his hor.se to his full speed, and wheeling suddenly, drew him short uj) immediately in front of the monarch. Ata- huallpa's nerves were proof against this display, and he gave no signs whatever of nny emotion. It was after- w^ards reported that he caused several of his attendants to be put to death for exhibiting alarm, upon this occasion, at the fury and s})irit of the war-horse. Some of the women of the royal household now offered the Sj)aniards the fermented drink of the C(juntry, "chi- cha," in golden goblets. This they drank in their saddles, .?■ :cA. horses, tlic Span- Peruvian camp, A.tiiliuallii!i, distin- igc bound around tlio Incas, sat ex- s olVicers of state, as to pay the least he steel-clad caval- 1 upon the gro\uid. tted the nionareli, made known his •stly recpicstcd the jrsoii. One of the ister, brielly replied, .\\anisli lirtlier directed that . ,o the buildings situ- j • I .nted \\\)on a noble of the luea, he put ling suddenly, drew the monarch. Ata- Ihis display, and he ion. It was after- of his attendants to upon this occasion, ischold now oflered the country, "chi- link in their saddles, :=rJ SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 553 and tlien spurred back to the encampment at Caxamalca. Their rej)ort of the power of the Peruvian force tended greatly to discourage the little band of adventurers, but only .S(U'ved to nerve their bold and \inserupulous leader to a more determined purpose, liecollcctiug the success of Cortez in securing the person of !Nb>nte/uma, and thnmgh him, for the time, controlling the oflicers of the capital, Pixarro determined upon the same policy. lie made known his resolution to his i^llicers, and then pro- ceeded to distribute sentinels at ]K)ints where they could connnand a view of the approaches to the city, and of the Peruvian camp. At day-break on the following morning, Pizarro com- menced his ariangements for the surjirise and capture of the Inca. Tlie great s(iuare (more properly, in this in- stance, a triangle) was s\irrounded with low buildings, with hirge entrances on the same level with the inclosed s]iace. They were built partly of stone, but mostly of unbnrnt briek or clay. Tlie Spanish cavalry, in two sep- arate bodies, respectively under command of nernando Pizarro and De Soto, was concealed in large halls, from. which a sally could be made at a inoment's wariiing. The foot-soldiers were stationed in another quarter, where they could most promptly second the efforts of the horse ; and two small falconets, constituting the oidy artillery, were placed under charge of an olheer called Pedro de Candia, from the j>lace of his birth. ^J'lu! Peruvian monarch, on his part, made preparations to api)ear in the utmost state, and to impress the eyes of the strangers with his power and magnificence. So much time was occupied in the movements of the innnense army, that it was after noon before the Inea arrived at the city. lie was about to pitch his camj) without the walls, and ])ostpone his visit till the following morning, had not Pizarro sent a message, earnestly rerpiesting him not to ■V 'jit 551 INDTAN HACKS OK AMKIMCA. ) ■•'■ (lolay his coiniii,i,', as all wns roiuly for liis pntortuiniiicnt. Eiitiroly niisuHpieious of tho |»t'rli(lioiis intention of tho Spiuiiiii'ds, Atalmallini I'ouiplicd with the iV(jU('Sl. ltw;iH liciii'ly siiiisot when 1k! i-ntt-ivd tin- town, uecoiiipiiiiicil Ity tlioiisHiaU ui)oii ihoiisniitls of ol)SL'(|uiouH Imt iiii!iriii(.'il utttMiilunts. JIo wart horiii' by immhcrHof hispcoph' upon a hij;li paliiiKiuin, on a scat of massive gold, liunn,' alir tliut luuiriin-'d 4 of lnsiR'«'itU' n\H)n e }2;oUl, luui^' iil»'iit iiIIii'VcmI wi'ik. ni« spurklod with the :iit S(iiiiUH-, with liis iputi'd, c)l' IVom livo siU'lH'O liroHMtl llilll, othin^' (.(■ Ihr Kuro- )hiin, ViaMiU:dc V;il- [uhhvs/ni;-- the liu'ii, upon llic ivliuioii <»l • moiiiiirli iintl of the iition; iuul mnchi.lnl hitrous wunshij), to kiio\vlo*l-j;v hiiiwU' iR'has gives the; I'oh ,„.,,tion; '' Krrrllad (KJD in Triiiitic :uul 1,(1 t'orun'il ;i iiKin of ■ whom we till hiuie Cn>at,or hy clinohe- ilif, exci'ia I1''S\^' wn IVuni lloaviMi and and to vodocmc Man- (for whicli eiuiso we and after fortii' daycs, ; Viearin Kavth Saiul call Popes; who haue Si)aino. Kniperour oi SOUTH AMEUICAN' INDIANS. o.'.r, the "Roinfinos the Monarchy of the AVr)rld. Obey the Pop(>, and feceiue the faith of CUUIST; and if yee siiall Ijolceuc it most Ixtly, and that most liilse wliieh yee Imue, yco shall doe well; and kiiowo that, dcjiinf the eontrarie, wee will make warre on yon, and will take away and hreake your Idols; theref()re leaiie the (h'ei'inahle njligioii of yovir lidao dods." All this, (to him) tedious and ineomprehensiblc jare liked well his owne, and neitlier would nor ought to call it in question, being so ancient and approued, especially seeing Ciiut.sT dyed, which neu(>r befell the Sunne or Moone." 'JMien taking from the Priest'.s liand the Pible or breviary which he held forth as the authority for his unheard-of a.ssumption, the liica threw it upon the grouiul, angrily announcing his determination of calling the Spaniards to a speedy account for their ])rcsuinption, and for the WTongs already inflicted upon his nation. '^I'lie friar .sought out Pizorro, and urged him to make an immediate attack, ollering him absolution lor any sin he might commit in so doing. 'J^lie fierce Spaniard and his impatient troo])s were but too rcatly to accejit this advice. All day had they kept their stations in a condi- a- : ll ♦. . ., i^j •V ( ■ , "! ■"i i ,'■■,(:■, .■1:;:.^: 556 INDIAN RACES OF AMEllICA. tion of the most trying suspense, ready every moment to be called to action. The appointed signal was instantly given, and in the midst of a discharge from the falconets and muskets, the whole force rushed furiously upon the unarmed crowd of natives. Never, in the history of the world, was a more bloody and remorseless massacre com- mitted. In the short space intervening between sunset and darkness, several thousand of the miserable wretclics were slain unresistinglv. In vain did the nobles tlironc: rounl iheir monarch, with noble self-devotion throwing away their lives for their master, and opposing their bodies to shield him from the weapons whose force they had no means to avert. The unhappy prince was taken prisoner, and securely confined in an adjoining building, '^flie Spaniards were greatly struck with the appearance and noble demeanor of their royal captive, lie is represented as not far from thirty years of age, of a well-built and connnanding figure, with regular features and a singular majesty of expression — "his countenance might have been called liandsome, but that his eyes, which were blood-shut, gave a fierce expression to his features." The oidy Spaniard wounded during this bloody and horrible transaction wtis Pizarro himself, who received a wound in the hand from one of his own men, while endeavoring to ward off a blow aimed at the person of tl'.e Inca. Next day the Indian prisoners were set at work to burv the heai)s of theiv slaughtered companions, and detach- ments of troops were sent over to Atahuallpa's former place of encampment. These returned in a few hours, driving in great munbers of prisoners of l)otli sexes, many of the women being those belonging to the Inca's house- hold. The Spaniards reserved as many slaves as their need or pride required ; the rest of the prisoners were set free, contrary to the advice of some in the army, who '.- n IC civ every moincnt igntil was instantly from the ftilconets furiously \\\wn the I the history of the .>lcss massacre com- ing between sunset miserable wretches 1 the nobles throng f-dcvotion throwing )pposing their bodies se force they had no 3 was taken prisoner, ing building. The the appearance and c. lie is represented ; ,^ of a well-built and ' ■itures and a singular lance might have been hich were blood-shut, : I'CS." |ring this bloody and linisclf, who received his own men, while Led at the person of I' 'I Ire set at work to bury ', [ipanions, and detach- \ ^ Atahuallpa's forn>or Irned in a few hours, [•s of both sexes, many ,g to the Inea's house- many slaves as their the yn-isoners were set Le in the army, who SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 557 were strenuous that tliey should be maimed or massacred. The victors were now at liberty to plunder at Avill, and their extravagance and waste had full scope. The vast flocks of llamas, so long the pride and support of the country, and over which such a systematic and watchful care had been exercised for ages, were slaughtered with- out stint, or left to roam neglected among the mountains. The stores of beautiful fabrics of wool and cotton, with which the city was stored, were open to the depredation of all; and no small amount of plunder, in gold, silver, and emeralds, was secured i\t the Peruvian camp, or taken from the bodies of the slain, and laid by for future division. The Inca was, meanwhile, treated with a certain respect, hut his person was most carefully guarded, lie was al- lowed the services of his attendants, who, throughmit his captivity, showed no diminution of obsequiousness and respect, but bowed as humbly before their revered mon- arch in his fallen fortunes, as when he sat upon his tlirone of state, the arbiter of life anti death to all around him. Atahuallpa could not fail to perceive what was the mas- ter motive to all acts of his captors. Appealing to this, he promised Pizarro that, if he would engage to set him at liberty, the floor of the room where they then stood, should be covered with gold for his ransom. The size of the apartment is variously stated, but it was at least sev- enteen feet broad, and twenty or thirty in length. As the Spaniards appeared to look upon this promise as an idle boast, the Inca raised his hand against the wall, and added that "he would not merely cover the floor, but would fill the room with gold as high as he could reach." Pizarro accepted the ofler, and a line was drawn around the room nt the agreed height. The gold, whether in the form of bars ancl plates, or of vases and statuary, was to be piled without being broken \\\) or reduced in bulk. Besides this undertaking, which was to be accomj)ii.shed •-, vl I.. ■^'- •;'a /'; ■m-^^ 558 INDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. within two montlis, a smaller room was to be filled "twice full of silver, in like manner." Messengers were immedi- ately commissioned to order gold from every (quarter of the kingdom, to be brought as speedily lus possible for the I'ansom of the monarch. Iluasoar, hearing, iu his place of confinement, of the reverse which had befallen his brother, at once opened a communication with Pizarro, and made ofters still more magnificent than those of Atahuallpa, if the Spaniards would espouse his cause. Pizarro expressed his determin- ation to hear the claims of both parties, and to decide, from the evidence that should be adduced, as to their i-espective rights. Iluascar was, very shortly after this, }iut to death by his keepers, as was generally believed, iu accordance with secret instructions from Atahualljia. '^rhe royal mandate, commanding the desecration of the ni.'ignillecnt temples and palaces, by stripping them of their wt'ahii of precious metals, was obeyed as speedily as prac- ticable, (jold came in to Caxamalca \n large quantitici', but the difficulty of conveyance caused no little delay. AVhile waiting the comiilelion of his captive's undertaking, J'izarro .sent emissaries to Cuzco to examine the condi- tion and wealth of the country, and di.^j)atched his brother Hernando, with a small party of horsemen, to visit the city of Pachacamac, three hundred miles distant, ui)oii the .sea-coast. Hernando returned to Caxamalca with glow- ing reports of the beauty and fertility of the country through which he had p.assed on this expedition. He had visited the city f jr which he had directed his course, and had destroyed the great idol upon the temple, the former object of wonship to the inhabitants, and which had been allowed to maintain its place by the Peruvian coiiqueror.s, nnd to receive joint homage with the sun. In crossing the rocky and rugged mountains, the shoes of tlic horses gave out, and, as no iron was to be procured, it was necessary rr to be filled " twice revs were immedi- every quarter of iis possible for the Diifiuement, of tlie I at once opened a ' | c offers still more / if tlie Spaniards { •cssedbisdotermiu- i tics, and to decide, '/ Llduccd, as to tbeir shortly after this, ;iierally believed, in ,m Atabuallpa. e desecration of the ; ■ippingtbeni of their [ US speedily as prac- in lars^e cpiantitie?, scd no little delay, iptivc's iindertakin^L', , examine the eondi- spatched his brother |rsemen, to visit the miles distant, iipon ; ;i\amalca with glow- lility of the country xpedition. lie had cted his course, and e temple, the fornur ,vul which had been I'cruvian conquerors, ;nn. In crossing the |es of the horses gave ■ed, it was necessary SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 559 to replace them witli silver! or, as some say, with a mix- ture of silver and copper. Hernando brought back with him Challcuehima, a vet- eran officer of the Inca's, and the most esteemed and trust- worthy of his generals. He voluntaril}^ accompanied the Spanish cavalcade, having been told by its leader that his monarch desired to see liim. When the old soldier came into his master's jjresence, (barefoot, and canying, accord- ing to custom, a small burden, in token of infcrioi'ity,) he lamented audibly that he had been absent at the time of his capture; and, weeping bitterh', kissed the hands and feet of the fallen prince. Atalmallpa preserved the eabn, unbending dignity which he ever assumed in connnunica- tions with his subjet-ts. The messengers sent to C'uzeo demeaned themselves with the utmost pride and insolence. The whole of the long jouiiiev was acc(im})lished in litters or sedan-ehairs, borne I)y the nati\'es. At the royal city these emissaries superinteniled the stripping of the great temple of its golden plates and ornaments, of which a vast weight n'as prepared for transjiortation to Caxamalea. At the latter place of cMieaminnent, tlie Spanish army was very considerably reinforced in the succeeding month of February, (153;'),) by tlic arrival of ]'*izarro\s old com- rade Alniagn). He brought with him, from the Sjianish settlements on the Isthmus, two hundred well-armed sol- diers, fifty of whom were cavalry. Thus icernited, Pi- zarro was eager to extend his conquests and a(!ipiisitions. The promises of the Jnca were not, as yet, wholly fullilled, although such piles of treasure were accumulated as might well astonish and satisfy even the eyes of the rapacious Spaniards. The beauty and finish (jf many of the mas- sive vases and iigures were long after admired by the artists of Europe. Among the rejiresentations of natural objects wrought in the precious metals, was the ear of ' ? : I !■ '■: ■ ■ , * 560 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. maize. Of tliis, the leaves and tassel were perfectly imi- tated in silver work, the yellow kernel within glistening with the purest gold. It was determined to acquit the Inca of any further ful- filment of his promise, but to retain him a prisoner, and at once to break up and divide the treasure. Some of the more beautiful specimens of art were reserved to be sent to Spain; the rest was nielted into ingots by the native arti- sans. "The total amount of the g<:)ld," as stated and com- puted by Mr. Prescott, "was found to be one mUlion, three hundred and twenty-six thousand, live hundred and thirty- nine jK'sv-i dc oro, which, allowing for the greater value of money in the sixteenth century, would be equivalent, probably, at the present time, to near three miUioiis and a hal/' of poundt) sttrliiir/^ or somewhat less than Jlflt'cn millions and a Indf of dollars. The quantity of silver was esti- mated at lifty-one thousand six hundred and ten marks." : The gold, as above estimated, is, indeed, more than thrice I the sum that the same weight of the precious metal would ' be worth at tlie {jresent day. The ^jca'o de oro. is said to have been, specifically, about equal to three dollars and , seven cents. Of all this boot}^, the crown had its fifth, and the rest was distributed in various proportions among the numer- ous claimants. Ikit a small allowance was made to the new recruits, and still less to the settlers at San Migu'-i. Certain suras were devoted to the establishment of the Catholic religion in the new country. Having now obtaineJ ad that was to be expected through the Inca's intervention, at least without such de- lays as their impatient spirits could not brook, the unprin- cipled horde of freebooters whose proceedings we are now recording, determined to rid themselves of a captive who had become an incumbrance. The ridiculous farce of a trial was gone through, at ' \r,r}J. •<,-'.*,M were perfectly imi- sl within glistening , of any further ful- lim a prisoner, and Lsure. Some of the !sci'vcd to be sent to ; by the native arti- ' as stated and com- )e one million, three hundred and thirty- ihe greater value of )uld be equivalent, three millions and a I i\\Pii\ fij'lccn viiUioiis of silver was esti- ■ed and ten marks." >d, more than thrice recious metal would -)eso de oro .is said to o three dollars and - m r J r ' ».,'. "'X i n '■•if ts fifth, and the rest s among the nuraer- ce was made to the .tiers at San Migu'u. 'stablishment of the ..jt-. ^as to be expected ! ast without such do- ! ot brook, the unpriu- | ccedings we are now ves of a captive who as gone through, at It M :;.;;, ;*?; -'} 'vM i i m M :■ It n 1 M ':!.,.f ■A SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 5G1 which such accusations as the following were made, and pretended to he sustained: lie had been guilty of polyga- my; of "scpiandering the public's revenues since the conquest;" of idohitry[!]; of the murder of his brother Iluascar; and of striving to excite a rebellion against tlie Spanish authorities! This last charge, the only one brought before the self-constituted court which is worthy of comment, was utterly unsustained. The country was perfectly (|uii:'t, and even the ingenuity of the jin^judiced judges liiiled to connect the royal captive with any attempt at insurrection. It is said that the malice of the interpre- ter l^VHpillo induced him to distort the testimony adduced. This fellow had been engaged, as is said, in an intrigue with one of the Tnca's women. The usefulness of the interpreter ))rotected him from punishment, but the ex- pressed indignation of the prince, excited the permanent rancour and ill-will of his inferior. Th(! unhappy /vtahualljKi was sentenced to be burned alive ill the public square that very night. When his doom was made known to him, he at first resorted to cverv entreaty and expostulation to move his murderers from their diabolical purpose. AVitli tears he reminded Pizarro of the treasures he liad lavished on the S])aiiian1s, and the good faith which hehadalwaysshown, and promised a ransom far greater tliaii that before brought in, if he could but have time to ])rocure it, and if his life were spared. Seeing that entreaties and supj)li('ations availed nothing, the dignity and firm spirit ol' cnduranee of tlie monarch returned, and he calmly awaited his terrible late. V>j the light of torches he was brcugln; out and chained to the stake, and, at the last moment, subniit;ed to the disgrace- ful nujckerv of an administration of the sacraments, and a formal profession of Christianity, that a .-peedier form of death might be awarded him. Ue perished by the infa- mous garotte. 36 % '*!• j«->.. ^:m 562 INDIAN RACES OP AMEUICA. t I Iluriiaiulo di' Soto, ii man who, with the; faults of his ago 0'' iiat.oii, was vastly superior to the inercilcss villuina i .>h whom ho was associated, was absent at the time of th;A ransaetiou, and s In mi favorite resort ot 1 wx're ev(!ry wlicrc liarnped lor rest antl arges were brouglil lialleueb'ma. Tlie the halt at Xauxa, •ibutc his death, as Lo tlie maehinations tried, eondenuKMl, 1' exi'eution adopted ian vititim. It is to look upon the bar- most enlighleiii'd ime sensations that or the cruelties so the Incas had now a brotluu- oi' the ill- plendidly attended, olaiued the grounds SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 565 of his claim, and recpiested the aid of Pi/arro in establish- ing his rights. The general received him kindly, and seemed to a»!ei'tle to the proposal. In eomjtany with this new ally, alter one nioiT; iiniinporlant skirmish, the Si)au- iards entered Ciizeo, on or about the loth of Novendn'r, lo,'-,;! 'I'hey were delighted with the extent and niagnili- cence of the eity, and the livelines;; and gayety of its inhabitants. 'IV-mpIes, ]iiddic edifices, royal palaces, and places of sepulture, were every where ransacked in search of gold, but oi'ders had been given by Pi/arro that private property should be respeeted. The rajtacious plunderers were dis- satislied with the amount of treasure discovered, although no eoni[uest in the history of the world was ever rewarded by sueh aeipiisitions ol' the precious metals, and proceeded to siibjeet some of the natives to the toi'ture, to compel a diselosure of their secret places of deposit. "in a cavern near the city," says Prescott, "they found a number el' vases of pui'c gold, rieldy embossed with the ligures of serpents, locusts, and other animals. Among the spoil were lour golden llamas, and ten or twelve statues of women, some of gold, (,)theis of silver, 'whiidi merely to see,' says one of the conquerors, with some iKUCt t,\ ' was truly a great satisfaction.' " I'pon the march, no small amount of booty had been secured: "In one place, Ibr example, they met with ten })laidvs or bars of solid silver, each piece being twenty feet in length, one foot in breadth, and two or three inches thick." ^^anco Capae was solemnly crowned at Cuzco, by Pi/.arro, who, with his own hand, presented the imperial badge, the " borhi " or red .searf l\ >r the forehead. The con- queror arranged a ."^ystcn of government for the city, giving his brothers Gon/alo and Juan the ijrineijial authority. The natives seemed to ac(iuiescc readily in the new regu- lations, and joined hilariously in the festivities of the time. t, *" 'F ■p'*^::-: 666 INDIAN RACES OP AMKUICA. Piy-arro now bcthoiiglit liiinsiiU'of cstiiblisliiiif^ a i!ii])itul for tho now country in a inoro convenient locution tium either Cii/co or (.^uito, uiid in Jiinuiiry, lo^J,'), the fbiuidii- timis of tho city of Liniii won; luid. IIcniiiiKh) I'i/iirro hiul boon previously sent to Sjuiiu, with siil)St;intiiil speci- mens of tho ninvly-iUMiuirod treasures. His iip|iearaiu'o at court, anil his details of .strange adventure, excited an uu- prcecdentod ciithusiiisiu and astoiiislnneiit. barye a(liU. tional cniolunionts and authorities were eonCerred upon the principal actors in thocoinpiest; and Hernando rctur'icd to America, accompanied by numci'DUs advciiliirers eagor for Itime and fortune in the new worh'. Almayro received, by royal grant, authority to oonrpier and ]ii)ssess an im- mense district, southward of I'eru; and thither he took up his march, after along series of bickerings and ipiarrclsu ith Juan and Cionx.alo, n'specting conllicling claims at Cu/co. The compiorors of the empire of the Incus became care- less and secure: tln^y little dreamed that there yetexisttil a warlike and determined s])irit among tho down-trodden natives, fated soon to raise a storm on (ivcry side, wliicli not even Spanish valor and dogged determinati(jn could rea(bly allay. The young Inca, Afanco Ca))ac, indignant at the conduii of the rulers at Cuzco, and disgusted with tho shudow of authorit}- which he was lum.solf alloweil to exercise, nuido his esca})0 from the surveillance of the J'izarros, and, rous- ing the wholvcry a'nlv, \\\\'u:h (.'tcrtnination coulil 111 ant at the coiuliu'l , itli the sliatluw ol' I to cxeri'ise, made l'i/arro.s, and, rous- ed liimseiriu'voiHl rtook his rccajitiire. iiulci'd, gain a Ifiu- pcrstitious I'ears no warriors, and it was y ai^tual suiH'riority tliey could be con- ,vero so great, and so in a few days, to SOUTH AMKUICAX INDIANS. 507 return to Cnzco, whicii, as he was infornied by a mes- senger, was now besieged by the Jndiuns in still uioro overwhi.'lniing forco. In the elegant language of Mr. Prcseott: "The oxtonsivo environs, as Car as the eye could n'aeh, were oeeupied by a mighty host, wliirh an indelinite eoiii|iiitalion swelled to the niimbcr of two hundred thousand warriors. The dusky lines ol' the Indian battalions stretched oiit to tlio very verge of the nioiintains; while, all around, the eye saw only the crests and wiiviiig banners oC cliid'taiiis, mingled with rich iianoplies of feather-work, which re- minded some fi'w who had served under Cortes of tlio military eostiime of the Aztecs. Above all rose a forest of long lances and battle-axes edged with cojiper, which, tossed to and fro in wild coiifusiijii, glistened in the rays of the setting sun, like light playing on the surface of ji dark and troubled ocean, it was the lirst time that the Spaniards had beheld an Indiiiii army in all its terrors; such an army as the Ineas led to battle, when the banner of the Sun was borne triumphant over the land." Tt is almost inconceivabl(! that such a handful of men as were gatheri'il within the city-walls, slu)uld have b(>eii able to r<>pel the (()rce now gathered about tlieiii, and to maintain their position until the enemy, wearied with hopeless ciK'ounters, and sullering from want of provision, should be obliged to draw oil'. The bii lings of Ciizco were nearly all covered with a neatly arraiged thatch, and this the assailants easily ig- nited by means of burning arrows. The whole city was wrapt in flames, and the Spaniards, cncamj)ed in the great pla/a, lUMirly perished from the heat and smoke. \Vheu the flames subsided, after several days of terrible confla- gration, one half of the jiroiul capital was a heaj) of ruins. Fierce battles and desperate hand-to-hand encounters succeeded: the Spaniards, with their accustomed bravery, 4 ■J '.kl ■>/■ 5 ■ ' 1: • :'.t m ' •' n?! }(;8 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. again nnd apiiii fliargcd the enemy in the field, but their numbers were so great, that success in these skirmislies was eventually useless. The sallies from the city were met and resisted with the most determined valor. As at the siege of Afexico, the Indians seemed to be careless of their own loss, so long as they could lessen the numbers ol' the whites, in however inferior degrees. They no longer IUmI in terror at the aj)proach of the horse. 'I'hey had even availed themselves of such of these useful animals as lell into their hands. Several of them were seen mounted, and the inea himself, "accoiitred in the Kuropean fasiiioii, rode a ^\■ardK)rse which he managed with considerable address, and, with a long lance in his hand, led on his fol- lowers to the attack." There are bounds to the i)hysical en.luranee of man and beast, and the Spaniards were obliged to submit to the siege, and to wait until assistance slioiild arrive irom without, or until the enemy should be wvwvy of keeping watch upon tliem. The greatest anntn-- ance was in the possession, by the Indians, of the great fortivss, from the high towers (jf which their missiles were hurled with deadly eifect upon all within reach. It was determined to s,V)rm this intrenehmeiit, and the service was most gallantly perJonncd. Juan I'i/ari'o a cavalier spoken of as superior to either of his bi-otlu-i's in humanity, lost his life in its aeeomplishment. The Peru- vian coinmander, after defending hispost in person, withthe most desperate valor, scorning to be taken i>i'isoiier, tlirew himself headlong from the highest tower, and ]M'rished. The siege, which had commenced in the spring, contin- ued until August, when, after months of anxiety and sullering, the little band of Spaniards were rejoiced to see the Inca's forces taking their departui-e. They had been dismissed by their leader to go home and attend to the necessary duties of husbandry. Manco intrenched him- self at Tambo, south of the Yucay. '!': \\ A. :ic field, but their tliesc skirmishes )m the city were led valor. As at I to be careless of 5seu the numbers ,. They no lon,t>'er '. They had even ful animals as lell I 're seen mounted, ' European fashion, , with considerable ' [lud, led on his fnl- ids to the physical \ e Spaniards were \ -ait luitil assistance enemy should he 'he greatest aniioy- lians, of the great their missiles w^re in reach. Ii'iichnu'iit, and tlie duaii Pizarro, a of his brothers in [iiieiit. Tlie IVni- in person, willithe Leu prisoner, threw r, and }H'rislied. the spring, contin- is of anxii>ty and ere rejoiced to sec . Tliey had been and attend to the lo intivnched him- SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS, 569 The rising among the Peruvians was very extensive and well concerted. Great numbers of detached plantations and settlements were destroyed, and tiieir Spanish, occu- pants slain. Pizarro made several ineifectual attempts to send relief to the {-ai-rison at Cuzco, wdiich only resulted ill heavy loss to his own jieople. A general feeling of gloom, apprehension, and di.scontcnt prevailed, and not a few of the settlers, at Lima and elsewhere, were anxious to abandon the country. Upon the return of Almagro from his disastrous expe- dition to Chili, and his seizure of Cuzco, he su ,eded in driving tlic Inca from Tambo into the moimtains, where he sought out a solitary place of concealment until op})ortuuity should oiler for again arousing his people to resistance. hi the dcsohiting civil wars which ensued among the rival Spanish claimants of the country, the rights and jH'osperity of the native inhabitants v;ere utterly disre- garded. They were unscrupulously enslaved and mal- treated \N-liere\('r the jtower of the Spaniards extended. In the tlistraeted state of the country, the young Inea again renewed his efforts at resistance to his subjects' o})- pressors. Sallying from time to time from an encampment among the mountains, between C^izco and the sea-cuast, lie did no little injury to the Spanish settlements, and rendered travelling unsafe, except in large and wi'll-arnu'd eom- panies. ..\lthough frequently defeated by Pizai'ix)"s troo])S, he would only retire to meditate fresh attacks, and the Spanish commander iinally thought it advisable to open a negotiation with him. A meeting was accordingly ap- liointed in the valley of the ^'ueay, but the attempts at pacilleation were rendered abortive by ninlnal outrages. A negro messenger, sent by Pizai'ro to the Inca with a [iropitiatory olfering, was robbed and murdered by some of the natives. The S]ianish commander chose to attribute the act to Manco's orders, and proceeded to retaliate by I', «' 570 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. il'f- tlie dastardly and cruel murder of a young and beautiful wife of the Inca, who was a prisoner in his power. She was strip})ed naked, beaten, and afterwards shot with arrows. This cruelty was endured, on the part of tlie victim, with true Indian fortitude. What a strange con- tradiction it appears, that a man like this, with his dying lips (he was assassinated in 1541) should have pronounced the name of Ilim whose whole teaching and example bi'cathed the spirit of gentleness and mercy, and that his last clVort should have been to kiss the figure of the cross, drawn by his finger, in liis own blood, upon the floor. As the S])anish population of the country increased, the condition of the Indians became more and more wretcln'il and deplorable. The old scenes at the West India Islamls were riienacted, and tiie brutal po}»ulace seemed to make cruelty and wantcm outrage a matter of emulatinn. It was iu»t enough to enslave the helpless natives, and U> compi'l th(M!i upon insu(f':\d death awaited him who should resist the oppressor, or invade his riglits of property ! One (jf the most notorious abuses in the system of Spanish government, and which was maintained until after the insurrection of 1781, was calleJ the "Ee])artimento." This was a com])ulsory distribution of European goods, which the mitives were compelled to purchase at enoi'inous ])rices. "The law Avas donbtless intended," it is said bv •) riV. soiiudi, "in its origin, for the advantage and „>...vcnience oCtlu^ nrtivc Indians, by supplying them with necessaries iit a rcasf)nable price. But subsecpaently the Rei)artimiento SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 571 liing and cxiimpli 3 mu'' .oiiVcnieiKV leiii with iieeossaries V tho Hepartiinieiito became a source of oppression and fraud, in tlic hands of the provincial authorities," The system which regulated the services of laborers in the mines or on llie })lautations went by the name of the " Mita." Those Indians who were placed, by the operation of this species of conscri])tion, under the power of the pro- prietors of the soil, were in a ftxr more miserable condition than slaves in whom the master has a property, and whose health and lives he has an interest in preserving. Such a miserable pittance as was doled out fc^r tlieir sujiport, and so severe and unceasing was the labor required at tlieir h;iii(ls, that an almost .'ncredible number perished. " Some writers estimate at nine million.' the number of Indians sacrificed in the mines in the course of three centuries." Wiien, by tlie intervention of Las Casas, the wrongs of tlie liidiiuis received attention from the Spanish court, and extensive pr^.visions were made for their freedom and l)i"otection, all Peru was in a state of tumultuous excite- ment. It was the general determination not to submit to such an infringenuMit of the luxuries and profits of life in the New World, as that of placing the serfs under the care dl' the laws. In the midst of this turmoil, in 1544, the hrave and patriotic Inca was slain by a party of Span- iards, who had (led to his camp during the factious disturb- ances by which the European settlements were convulsed. They paid the forfeit for this act with their lives. The first elVeetual steps taken in behalf of the wasted and o})j)ressed Peruvians, were under the viceroyalty of Pedro de la Gasca, between 1547 and 1550. By his ef- forts, a careful iiK^uiry was instituted into the condition of the slaves; their arbitrary removal from their native (listri(;ts was proliibited; and, al)ove all, strict regulations were made, and — not without strong op})osition — enlbrced, by which the kind and amount of their labor was precisely laid dowu. 1. '-* , ■'! Oi'J, INDIAN RACES OF Al lERICA. :..,.,<■ 't. !, f-'-. Tupac Amaru, a son of ^fanco Capac, who had resided among the remote mountain districts of the interior since his father's death, was taken prisoner and put to death during the period that Francisco de Toledo was viceroy of Peru. One of his descendants, Jose Gabriel Condor- canqui, known as Tupac Amaru the Second, in aCtcr-times fearfully revenged the injuries of his family and country- men, '^riie insurrection which he headed broke out in 1781. The lapse of two centuries of oppressi,)n had thin- ned the teeming population of Peru in a n^^v scarcely precedented, but, on the other hand, Europera: v>\.'apons, and military skill, both of which they had, to o certain extent, adojited, rendered thcirc daiigerou;> enemies, and enough of the old patriotic spirit and tradiiion of former glory remained to allui'd matr.ial for a le.'ii outbreak. The long depressed and hun.'h'-.to I n;.?i' es Ttllied amuud the descendant of their ancient line ol' Incas with the great;'.^! enthusiasm, and, in iheir successful attacks upon various pro vinC'.'S where Sj)anish authority had been establ;- hed, prv^'cd ii< ? >reilcss as their forn or o]ipres.-ors. Great numbers < ;f Spaiiiards perislied during this rebellion, but it was finally crushed; and the Inca, witli a number ol' his family, falling into the hands of the Spanish author- ities, was baibarously put to death. "They were all (juartei'cd," .says Bonnycastle, " in the city of Cuzco, ex- C('itting Diego, (a brother of Tu2)ac,) who had escaped. So great was the A'cncration of the Peruvians for Tupai' Aniaiii, tliat when he was led to execution, they prostrated themselves in the streets, though surrounded by soldiers, and uttered piercing cries and exclamations as they beheld the last of the Children of the Sun torn to pieces." Diego also perished by the hands of the executioner, tw nty years afterwards, upon the accusation of having instigated a revolt which occurred in Quito It is said that tlie insurrection of the Indians under 'J'upac Amaru— SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 573 the last important cfTort made by them to reestablish their ancient independence — cost more than one hundred thou- sand lives. Since the great revolutions in South America, and the establishment of the independence of the Republics, tlie Indian population of Peru have made no trifling advance. According to the account of J)r. Tschudi, a late traveller in the country, they "have made immense progress. Dur- ing the civil war, which was kept up iminterru})tcdly for the space of twenty years, they were taught militarv nia- lujinivres and the use of fire-arms. After every Inst battle, the retreating Indians carried with them, in tlieir fHght, their muskets, which they still keep carefully concealed. They are also acrpuiintt'd witli the manufactiire of gun- powder, of which, in all their festivals, they use great quantities for squibs and rockets." The same writer describes the ]>resent character of th(> race as gloomy and distrustful. Tlic Christian religion has been, at least in name, almost universally dill'iiseil, but the observance of its rites is mingled with many relics of the ancient superstitions of the country, while the bigotry, errors, and evil example of too many of those who have acted as its ministers could hardly result in the inculcatioi of the true s})irit of their liiith. During the whole perioa of Sjtanish authority, from the time of the first landin.Lj. the Catholic ecclesiastics were unwearied in endeavors ;>> promulgate their religion. Their success in eflecting at leavst an outward acceptation of its doctrines, has beet no where more signal than in South America. ■".1'. 4»- I" ■1 .5,. . (^ ■ THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. C 11 ATT Ell I. ritKIR I,OrATIO\, APl-KAI? ANCK, KTC. IMIUI'IIAS' DKSrKlPTION OF CHI- IJ DIVISION OF THK TUIHF" — VKKUVIAN fONCitlKSTS — A(;KK:tri,- TUKE, .\l!TS, KTC, MMONCJ Tltl': NATIVKS — ALMACUo's INVASION KXPKDITION OF I'KDUO I)F, VAI.DIVIA FOIINDINCi OF ST. JAOO HATTI.ES • ; 'Til THK MAPOCHINIANS DKSTKUt'TION OF SPANISH MINKUS PKACK WITH THK PKOM AFL'IANS. The dirter;nit tribes belonging to tliis bold and warlike j'aco inhabit Chili and western Patagonia, conuncncing abont latitude tnirty degrees, and extending lo Terra del Fuegi). Tlie Peenorais of tiiat itsland have also been classed in tli(> same lamily, and their general eonlbnnation of fig- nre and features, except so far as the withering inlluence of cold and squalid destitution have deteriorated the race, would seein to warrant the conclusion that the two nations were of identical origin. The mountaineers of Chili arc of a much lighter com- plexion than the aboriginal nations either north or south of them; the tribe of Boroanos in particular have been described as being little, if any, darker than Europeans. The men are tall, hardy, and vigorous, with exceedingly muscular limbs: their faces are broad, and their features rather heavy and eniirse, but without the api)earance of stupiditv or dullness: they liavc the briilit eye and coarse black hair of the Indian. Some of them are noticed with heavy beards, but generally this appendage is thin and ACE. 'nEsnui'TioNnFCHi- NCitlKSTS — ACKK'lIl,- .MAGUO'S INVASION FOlINlllNfi OF ST. S DKSTKUCTION PKOMAUCIANS. s bold and warlike roiiia, commencing udin,^' 1<) Terra del vc alrio been classed jiifonnatiou of lig- ,'itlieviug iullviciice erioratcd the race, ;it tlictwo nations mucli li,Lditer com- ic!r noi'tli or south •ticular liavc been T tlian Europeans, with exceedingly ;uk1 their features the appearance of .:lit eye ap.d coarse Mil arc noticed with tnulairc is thin and Till-: AKAUCAMAN HACK. r "T — scanty, and th.o common Inirbarous (iustom of eradicating it witli ,rst into the Sea: only a narrow A' alley vpon lowly submissi ii ' > her swelling adversaries, obtayneth njonin for frie and twentie leagues of breadth, where it is most, to extend lier spa- cious Icngtii of two hundred leagues on that shore: and to with-tand the ocenn's ini'ie, shee paics a large tribute of many streames, which yet in the night time shee can hardly jK'rforme; the )niserabK> Hills, in their Frn-^rn chari- tie, not imparting thai natural! bouiitie and dutie, till that great Arbiter the Sunne ariseth, and sendeth Day with his light-horse troupe of Suiine-beames to breakc; vp those Icie Hungeons and Snowie Turrets, wherein Night, the ^Nrountaines (jraoler, had locked the iuiioeent W'aters. Once, the poore Valley is so hampered betwixt the Tvran- nicall ^Ceteors and I'^emcnts, as that shee often quakctli with feare, and in these chill Fcuers shakcth of and looseth her best ornaments. "■'■ ■'•■ "And sometimes the neighbour hils are infected with this pestilent Feuer, and tumble downe as dead in the plaine, thereby so amazing tlu' I'earefuU Kiuers, that they runne (prite out of their Channclls' to sceke new, or else stand still with wonder; and the luotiue heat failing, fall into an vncouth tympanic, their bclU:s swelling into spacious and standing Lakes." ;■ 11 ■ i I-" 576 INDIAN UACES OF AMKlilCA. When tlic western coast of Soutli America was fu'st visited by Juiropcans, a itortiou oi' Chili was, as befure- mentioned, subject to the Peruvian nKMiarchy. 'J'he Clii- liau tribes, according to M(;lina, were lifteeii in number, each independent, and governed by its Ulmen, or cacicjue. "these tribes, beginning at the north and proceeding to the south, were called Copiapins, Co(|uind)anes, (.iuillo- tanes, A[;ip(K'hinians, Prouiauciaiis, Cures, Caucjues, Pen- cones, Araucanians, Cunehes, Chilotes, Chinquilanians, Pehuenehes, Puclches, and lluilliches." The first four of these, about the middle of the fifteenth century, were re- duced by the Inea Vuj)an(pn, \vithut systematic cultivation of the soil had become luiiversal. The; vegetable productions brought under cultivation were mo.stly the same with those used in Peru, and the native sheep or "camel," was domes- ticated, as in that country. This animal furnished the wool for the garments of those who inhabittHl the western vallies — the wildc'r races (jf the east and south were clothed in skins, })rincipally of the guanaeo, a species of wild goat. ^J'heir houses were generally square, l)uilt of brick, or of wood plastered with clay, and thatelii'd with rushes. Cvdinary utensils were formed of stone, wood, or earthen- ware. ^i^K'y wrought, with some skill, in the usual metallic productions of tlie country, using, like the Peruvians, a A. \.mcrica was first li was, as before- lareliy. The Chi- ifu-eii in number, Jlnieii, or eaeuiuo. iiul proccc(liii;_f to [uimbanes, Quillo- rcs, CaiKiues, Pen- M, Chintiuilanians, The first I'our of 1 centnry, were re- : mneh oi)i)osition, us a resistance that , ^ elleetually stayed. ; 1 to retain their na- I piiynu'ut of tribute | Tiotl, not only bold •h greater advances cY South American itry was too poim- ^lursuits of huntiii,!,', c e^iltivatlon of the xetablc productions tlie same witli those camel," wa> donu's- iiual furnislicd thr lubitexl the western .\ith were clothed ;p(-cies of wild goat. ,^ l,„ilt of brick, or trhed with rushes, e, wood, or earthen- n the ns>ial metallic e the reruvituis. a TUE AllAUCANIAN RACE. 577 hardened alloy rjf copjxir, witli other metals, as a substitute for iron. In common with the latter nation, a system of recording events or statistics by the "(piijiu," was all that was observable as analogous to the ait of writing. The Proniiiucians, whose courage and patriotism had a century before checked the advance of the royal forces of the Inca, were found no less formidable by the first Spanish invaders. Alinagro, after his frightful passage of the Cordilleras, in which, as is said, he lo.st oiu; hundred and fifty S})aniards, and some ten thousand Indian allies, was well received by the tributary provinces of (Jhili. lie collected no small booty in gold, wdiieh he distributed among his followers, and continued his mareh to Coquimbc. Here he was guilty of an act of barbarity too common wherever the Spaniards of that time were successful in their Indian campaigns. Two of his .soldiers had been put to death at Guasco, in consequence of sinne acts of rapacity or violence, and in revenge, Almagro sei/.ed and burned alive the chief of the district, with his brother and twenty other of the native inhabitants. Miirching into the province of the Promaucians, the Spaniards found an enemy superior to any before encoun- tered. Not even the terrors of the cavalry and weapons of the Europeans could daunt the brave mountaineers, who rallied under the banners of their chiefs for the pro- tection of home and country. A single battle wan sutfi- eient to satisfy the invaders that little was to be gained by any further advance, and Almagro, with his troops, returned to Peru, as heretofore related, to sqv/.o upon Cu7.co as being contained within the grant made to him by the crown. In lo-lO, Pedro do Valdivia, a bold and active Spanish soldier, and high in the confidence of i^izarro, was com- ri fissioned to lead the second expedition against the pro- vinces of Chili. lie took with him two hundred Spaniards 37 t -r; ^'■|;i:v . 'i;:'/^"' . J 578 INDIAN RACES OK AMKllICA. iind a large body of Peruvians, with the intent of form- ing a colony and coninioncinj^' a i)ernuinent settlement. Some of the (l(Mnestic animiils of Kun)])e were taken for use of tlie new colony, and a munber of women and eeele- siastics were added to the company. Crossing the mountains during the favorable season of summer, Valdivia entered Chili, but found on his arrival that the noitiiern tribes, freed from the yoke of tlie Iiieas, were disposed to rc'assert their ibrmer independence!. TIk; want of union, however, prevented them from being able to stem the progress of the S])aniards. The invader pressed on, crushing all opposition, to Mapocho, the prov- ince where he founded the city of St. Jago, AVhile the new cajjital was in progress of construction, the natives of the district fell boldly u])on the intruders, burned their buildings, and drove them into a fort which they had constructed in the centre of the town. The Spaniards were eventually victorious; but the sj)irit of the Mapochonians was not broken, and for years afterwards they contiTiued to harass the scttlisrs in every jHASsible manner. The opening of the rich mines of the valley of Quillota reconciled the colonists to every danger ami privation; and, for convenient conununication with Peru, a vessel was built in the river Cliih!, which flows throu"'h that district. Valdivia now sent emissaries to Peru, under convoy of thirty mounted men, to beat up for recruits, ''i'hcsc mes- sengers were eight m nmnber, and, as a bait to new adven- turers, their "spurs, l)its, and stiiTujis he directed to be made of gold." A body of Copiapans attacked this party on their route, and slew iill exce[)t two, named Alonzo Monroy and Pedro Miranda, whom they carried to their ulmcn or cacique. By the intervention of the chief's wife their lives were spared, and they were engaged to teach the young prince, her son, the art of I'iding, The CA. G intent of form- iinont .settlement. ()o wore taken for women and ecele- ivorable season of and on Ins arrival yoke of the Incas, dependence. Tlic m from being able- ; ds. The invader dai)oclio, the prov- | ago. _ i :s3 of construction, : ipon the intruders, in into a fort which af the iowu. The but the spirit of for yeans afterwards in every j'ossible es of the valley of every danger ami nicatiou with I'eni, lich ilows through u, nndcr convoy of ruits. These mes- bait to ncwadven- he directed to bo attacked this party wo, named Alonzo ley carried to their tion of the chief's y were engaged to art of riding. The — ==::----=^:=^ THE AKAUCANIAN RACK. 679 ungTateful Spaniiirds took advantage of the confidence placed in them, to nuirder their charge and escape on the honses. They succeeded in reacliing Peru, and procured a coiusiderablc number f)f adventurers to try their fortunes in the new and promising regions of the south. The Chili;ms did not (piietly stdjiuit to Spani.sli en- croachments. 'J'he inhabitants of Ciuilluta, by an artful stratagem, drew the .Spaniards conn(!<.'ted with the mines into an andjuscade, and murdered nearly the whole num- ber; they followed up their advantage by burning the military .'■■tores and the ao.sscI which had been built at th(^ river Chile. Valdivia had the good fortune or skill to overawe or conciliate the I'romaucians, and au alliance was formed between the Spaniards and that tribe. CHAPTER II. THE ARAUCANIANS I'ROPKll — CHAUACTKIi ANtt HABITS OF THE TIIIBE HOIISKS ANr) DKESS — SKCTIONA I, DIVISIONS AND GOVERN- MKNT — SYSTEM OF WAKKAHE COUIIAGE AND MILITARY SKILL KELIUIOUS BELIEF AND SUPEllSTITIONS 1'ATRIOTISM AND PUHLIC SPIRIT OF THE NATIVES — Molina's eulogium. Pushing his conquests and ac(]^uisitions further to the southward, the Spanish commander, in LloO, founded the city of Conception, but as the occupation of this spot led to the important events connected with the Araucaiuan war, we will follow tin; order of Molina, and give a brief account of the warlike people with whom the Spaniards were now to contend. This author speaks enthusiastically of the noble char- acter oi' the Araucanians, their physical perfection, and I ■■ •J '■f •' ■*■ ftiiii If'' 'fl IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. y. 1.0 I.I 1.25 1 1^ I— 2.0 1.8 U ill 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation ;V •N? i\^ A A \\ 6^ .4^ 23 WEST MAIN SThEET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 ^^i/!^ i ^ //^ ^ . ^^ V;^.!.-' I"-, I J, .1 ■', 1 ■ • ^':;u V. ' ^ 'i', 'i' '■,'■-■ '^l ff'.- ■■'■■■■■ l',"/l. ■ *" M^W-'rl^-:^ ... fc^!ifH'Y 'A ' ■ ■K ■ 580 INDIAN RACES OF A:;:ERICA. their powers of endurance. He says "they are intrepid, animated, ardent, patient in enduring fatigue, ever ready to sacrifice their lives in the service of their country, en- thusiastic lovers of liberty, which they consider as an essential constituent of their existence, jealous of their honour, courteous, hospitable, faithful to their engage- ments, grateful for services rendered them, and generous and humane towards the vanquished." Their failings, on the other hand, are "drunkenness, debauchery, presump- tion, and a haughty contempt for all other nations." The district of Arauco, from which the nation takes its name, is but a small province of the country inhabited by the race. This lies in the beautiful region between Con- ception and Valdivia, extending back among the moun- tains. The inhabitants dwelt, in primitive simplicity, congregated in no large towns, but thickly scattered over the country in small rural villages. Their domestic and household arrangements were little more refined than we have described as common in Chili. Polygamy was gen- erally practised, and "the size of their houses proportioned to the number of women they could maintain." They wore woolen clothing, woven from the fleece of the native sheep, and consisting of close fitting under gar- ments, and over all the national Poncho, a most conve- nient and easily-constructed cloak, especially adajited to the use of horsemen. The women wore long dresses, with a short cloak, both fastened with ornamental brooches of silver. The Araucanian system of government is described by Molina as being an hereditary aristocracy. T'iie country was divided from north to south into four sections, the mountainous region at the east, the high land at the base of the Andes, the adjoining plain, and the sea coast. Each division was under the nominal sway of a Toqui, or su- preme cacique, but the real power was in the body of tlie THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. 581 lent is described by Icracy. The country Ito four sections, the liigli land at the base the sea coast. Each ^y of a Toqui, or su- in the body of the nobility or Ulmenes, who presided over the various sub- divisions of the state, and who decided in grand council upon public matters. Our author does not speak very highly of the judicial institutions of the country. Much trouble ensued from a system of retaliation by which minor offences were allowed to be punished. The capital crimes were "treachery, intentional homicide, adultery, the rob- bery of any valuable article, and witchcraft. Neverthe- less, those found guilty of homicide can screen themselves from punishment by a composition with the relations of the murdered." Each father of a family assumed and ex- ercised absolute power over his wives and children, and, by the eustom of the country, he was not responsible even for taking their lives. In war, £is among the ruder North American tribes, the direction and command of the armies was not conferred upon the supreme civil potentate, unless from his known skill and bravery he waf' deemed fully competent. A war-chief was not unusually appointed from among the inferior officers, and, when this was done, an absolute dic- tatorship was vested in the chosen leader. Soon after the arrival of the Spaniards in Chili, the Araucanians began to supply themselves with horses. Those which they obtained in battle multiplied to an immense extent, and the native inhabitants speedily acquired a re- markable degree of skill in their training and management. Swords, lances, slings, bows, pikes, and clubs were the national weapons. Such skill in the arts of war, in fortifications, in military regularity and discipline, and such bravery and efficiency in the open field, as was evinced by the Araucanians in their long contests with the Spaniards, entirely exceed any thing recorded of the other American races. The terrific destruction caused by artillery failed to con- fuse or appal them. In the words of Molina: "As soon f(:':%^ h'"'%- ' iK.;lv; 't;«^- ' ■! ,,' ■ , 1 Ki\ .\i' ■;¥ ¥ m i' r :$\ 1 1 'i ' ) ' ,■,; r-) ■ i-;:.i.. :.'; .-^•.':i '■-.'•.:■ (■•.' ^A'i-V,:'^^^;^^ 582 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. as the lirst line is cut down, the second occupies its place, and then the third, until they linully succ(^ed in breaking the front ranks of the enemy. In the midst of their fury, they nevertheless preserve the strictest oi'der, and perform all the evolutions directed by their officers. The most terrible of them are the club-bearers, who, like so many Uerculeses, destroy with their iron-pointed maces all they meet in their way." ^Vfter a battle, the prisoners taken were held as slaves until ransomed or exchanged: in sonic rare instances a single captive would be sacrificed. This was done, (with- out torture,) alter the performance of a singular preliminary ceremonial. The victim was brought forward "upon a horse deprived of his ears and tail — as a mark of igno- miny." The proper oflicers then handed him a pointed stake, and a number of small sticks. lie was compelled to dig a hole in the earth with the stake ; and to throw the sticks severally into it; naming, at each cast, one of the most renowned chiefs of his own country, "while, at the same time, the surrounding soldiers loaded these abhorred names with the bitterest execrations." Alter he hud been forced to cover the hole "as if to bury therein the re})utation and valor of their enemies," some one of tlie ]irincipal chiefs destroyed the captive by the blow of a war-club. Ilis heart, it is said, was then taken out, and a little blood sucked from it by the officers standing around; after which, tlie body was dismembered, the bones were used for flutes, and the skull, (if not cracked,) served for a drinking vessel. All this sounds excessively bai'barous, but Molina tells us that only one or two instances of the kind occurred during a period of nearly two hundred years. The religious belief of the Araucanians appears to have borne a strong resemblance to that of many North Amer- ican tribes. The idea of a supreme being; of good and -, 'h '1 CA. occupies its place, ucceed in breaking midst of their fury, order, and perform ilVicers. The most who, like so many iited maces all they j ' 1; wcYG held as slaves j no rare instances a ^ Ills was done, (with- ; jiiigidar preliminary it forward "upon a -as a mark of iguo , iided him a pointed lie was compelled .*''■• , • ' ,/(, , ■' ■'^f'l A'\. ■'. ■ ', ■ ' If- i 586 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. One Lincoyan, an Ulinon of huge stature and imposing appearance, was created commander of the armies. In three bodies the Araueanians fell ui)on the Si)aniards, and drove them within the fort. Hopeless of efVectin^ any thingagainst this stronghold, Lineoyivn drew oil' liis lorces; he is, indeed, accused by historians of a degree of irresolu- tion and timidity unworthy of his race. A'aldivia, left in undisturbed possession of his new ter- ritories, went on with the work of building his city, and streiurtheninir his nositit)n. In 1552 he felt sulVicient eon- fidence in the number of his followers, augmented by fresh arrivals from Peru, to imdertake active operations against the Araueanians. liincoyan was still in command, and his efforts failed to arrest the progress of the invadei's, who 2)ressed on to the river Cauten, in the heart of the hostile teiritory. Here Vaklivia laid tlie first foundations of the future city Imperial, and sent Alderete, one of his olficers, to conuaenee the fonnation of a settlement by the lake of Lauquen. From this point the Sjianish commander made his way to the southern border of the Araucanian territt)ry, where the river Caliacalla divided it from that of the Cnnches, ex})eriencing little op])osition from the vacillating and cautious Lincoyan. The Cunehes, in great force, were prei)ared to oppose his entry into their domains; but, ac- cording to the accounts handed down to us, they were persuaded to lay aside their ])urpose, by a native woman, named Keeloma. Valdivia was therefore enabled to cross the river in safety, and to found a city upon its southern bank, upon which he bestowed his own family name. On his return, in 1553, he erected forts in the provinces of Puren, Tucapcl and Arauco. These operations were not carried on without hostilities with the natives; but, in consequence, as is said, of the ineflieicncy of the military chief at their head, all their efforts were unsuccessful, and Ji ;cA. TUE AHAUCANIAN RACE. 587 itiire and imposing )f the armies. Ju tlie Si)aniiivils, and ,s of cfVoctin-,' any drew oft' his loR'cs: L degree of irresolu- , '■ I ^ion of liis new tor- ' ilding Ills eity, and c felt sufiieient eon- j augmented by fresh ] e operations against u eommand, and his ' f the invaders, who heart of tlie hostile '. t foundations of the ' [^, one of his olTieers, i incnt by the lake of ander made his way i lian territory, where j ,hat of the Cunehes, | the vaeillating and j u great foree, were ir domains; but, ac- 11 to us, they were by a native woman, fore enabled to cross y upon its southern n family name. I'ts in the provinces .ese operations were the natives; but, in I'uey of the military ire unsuccessful, and the Spaniards were beginning to despise the power of an enemy who was in after-times to prove invincible. Valdivia retired to Conception, rr(»m which town he sent forth expeditions in various direetions, forming mag- nilicent plans for the entire occupation of the surrounding country, lie antieipated little furtlicr resistance on the })art of the inhabitants, but while he was indulging these hopes, and pondering new schemes of conquest, un influ- ence was at work to counteract his eftbrts and restore the native independence. Colocolo, an old cacique of Arauco, set himself in earnest to rouse uj) the whole luition to resistance, lie visited province after province, pointing out the dangers of the sujune course of Lincoyan, and urging the a})pointment of some more cajiable and ener- getic leader. A meeting of the Ulmcnes was . jd, after the usual manner, in an open ])lain, and the merits of various rival candidates for the olliee of Toqui were stoi'mily discussed. It was at lastconeluded to leave the decision with Colocolo, who fixed upon a chief not before brought forward; Cau- polican, Ulmen of Pilmayquen. The new general commenced operations against the Spanish fort in Arauco. Having taken prisoners a body of eighty Indians, who had been sent out by the garrison to gather forage, he put an equal number of his own war- riors in charge of the supplies, with their arms concealed among the bundles of grass or hay. These were admit- ted without suspicion into the fort, when, grasping their wea})ons, they attacked the Spaniards with inconceivable fury. Caupolican did not arrive quite soon enough, with his army, to take advantage of the confusion which ensued. As he came up, his brave company was driven out, the draw-bridge Avas raised, and the garrison stationed to de- fend the walls. He therefore invested the place, and, cut- ting oft" all supplies, compelled the Spaniards to evacuate Hv II I i ■■V 'f I ' t 1 .':i '.\ : If.-; 1 •■' ^■'^..,• lr:i:rr,,:. 588 TNDIAN RACES OP AMERICA. it. This was accomplished without loss, by taking thcii departure under cover of night: "at midnight they mount- ed their horses, and, suddenly opening the gate, rushed out at full speed, and escaped through the midst of their ene- mies; the Araucanians, who supposed ii to be one of their customary sallies, takitig no mciisures to obstruct their flight." Following up his advantage Caupoliean reduced the fort at Tuca])el, and encamped at that place to await the ap- proach of the Sj)aiush army. Valdivia, according to the expectation of tlie Toqui, promptly collected his forces for a grand struggle with the natives. The numbers oi the rcsj)octive armies arc not certainly known; but it ap- }icars probable that there were several hundred Spaniards, accompanied by ten times their number of Indian auxilia- ries, while the Araucanian forces are set down at nine or ten thousand. As he neared the enemies' canij), the Si)an- ish general sent forward ten mounted men under Diego del Oro, on a scout. These were surrounded and cut olf by the Indians, and their heads were hung upon trees in sight of the advancing troops. It was upon the 3d of December, 1553, that the grand engagement took place. It was no ordinary Indian skir- mish, in which, if the natives could be dislodged from covert, their discomfiture was certain, but a pitched battle, depending no less upon military skill in the manoeuvres of the different battalions than upon individual courage and determination. The Spaniards were, it is true, greatly outnumbered, but they had, on the other hand, the im- mense advaritage of fire-arms and other European wca])- ons, with which they had so long been accustominl to scatter the hordes of rudely-equipped savages who op- posed them. The Araucanians appeared utterly reckless of life: line after line would be swept away by cannon and musketi'v. ;,/■.'•>'■'•■' OA. s, by taking their night they mount- ;ie gate, rushed out midst of their ene- t to be one of their j to oli)struct their an reduced the fort ;e to await the ap- a, according to the collected his forces . The numbers oi" known; but it ap- hundred Spaniards, r of Indian auxilia- ict down at nine or ies' camp, the Spau- d men under Diego ounded and cut off lung upon trees in 553, that the grand inary Indian skir- be dislodged from )ut a pitched battk', in the manoeuvres individual courage re, it is true, greatly ther hand, the ini- ler European woap- )cen accustomed to d savages wlio op- eckless of life: line mon and musketry, THE AUAUCANIAN RACE. 589 but fresh bodies were ready, at the word of command, to rush into the dangerous breach. Molina describes the result jis follows: "Three times they retired in good order beyond the reach of the musketry, and as often, resuming new vigour, returned to the attack. At length, after the loss of a groat number of their men, they were thrown into disorder, and began to give way. Caupoliean, Tuea- ])el (one of the most distinguished of their generals), and the old intre})id Colocolo, who was present in the action, in vain attempted to prevent their ilight and reanimate their courage. The Spaniards shouted victory, and furi- ously pressed u[)()n the i'ligitives. "At this momentous crisis, a young Araucanian, of but sixteen years of age, called Lautaro, whom Valdivia, in one of his incursions, had taken prisoner, baptiz(;d and made his page, quitted the victorious party, began loudly to roproiich his countrymen with their cowardice, and exhorted them to continue the contest, as the Spaniards, wounded and spent with fatigue, were no longer able to resist them. At the same time, grasping a lance, he turned against his late master, crying out, 'Follow me, my coun- trymen! victory courts us with open arms.'" Such resolution and courage on the part of a boy roused the fugitives to new exertions, and turned the scale of battle. The Spanish force was entirely destroyed — of the whole army, it is said that only two Indians escaped. Valdivia was taken alive, and brought into the presence of the Toqui. Caupoliean seemed disposed to favor the captive general, but an old ofheer, standing by, "enraged to hear them talk of sparing his life, dispatched the unfor- tunate prisoner with a blow of his club." A more fanciful talc of the manner of Valdivia's death obtained some credence : Purchas makes mention of it as fol- lows in his synopsis of Chilian conquests and colonization ; "In six and thirtic desrrees is that fomous Valley of f ' I, . i.'V. ,. h W' '''"■ *, ',.".'1" [J |/;'';i„ -;■)■. ] •3;,,'., t * "; '? '.' ■ i' .1' ■ti.-' :i:i ', ■ wv } I i'.,. 590 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. Anuuio, whicli dcltiiul tlioir persons and frcctlomo, m.-uigro all the force uiul furio of the Spiuiiurds. * * Tliey luino destroyed iniiny of the Spaniards: they tookc the Citio Baldiuiii in the yearc 1599, and slew the Spaniards. Twice luifore, if not oftner, thc^y had burnt and spoiltMl it, ^'ea liablliiia hiniscUi', tJK! first concpieror of Chill, (for Alinwjro&UxyciX not) and of whom thatCitie niceiued name, wiis taken by these Indians, his horse beiiifj; slaine vnder hiui. They bid hiui feare nothing, hee should haue gold enough: and making a great banquet for him, brought in the laslseruiee, which was a cup full of molten golil wiiich they loreed him to drinke, saying; Koic (/hit lliy fc/j'c n-ith gold. 'I'his liahliala had entred Chili with fourc liundred liorse, and easily conquered tliat part which luul hecne subject to the Kings of Peru, but the other, which was the richer part, held out." To pnuieed with the more authentic narrative, Lautaro was immediately raised to the higliest subordinate raidc in the army, being made "lieutenant-general extraordinary," and the whole country resounded with his praise. When news of the fatal ovcrthnnv of Valdivia reached the S[)anish settlements, the inhabitants abandoned Vil- larica, Purcn, and other minor establishments, retreating for safety within the walls of Valdivia and Imperial. These two places were invested by Caupolieau in force, while the gallant young Lautaro was entrusted with tlic defence of the mountain piiss by which succours from the North would probably arrive. In accordance with directions left by Valdivia for the conduct of the government in the event of his death, the olRcc of governor devolved upon Francis Villagran, Im- mediately upon assuming command, this officer made arrangements for another invasion of Arauco, lie found Lautaro with his division prepared to oppo.se Lis entrance into the province. An advanced body of Jj, y^ '■ . ■.i"v TIIK AUAUCAMAN UACK. oDl ,y Valdivia for the Mit of liis ileatli, the iicis Villagran. Im- this officer made A raiico. prepared to oppose advanced body of natives was driven in by tiic Spaniards, after some lionrs of liard iiglitinjf, and tlie invadciis pressed n[) tiie nionn- tain patli to the spot where tlie young coniniander was posted. "This mountain," says Molina, "which on sev- eral occasions has proved fatal to the Spaniards, has on its summit a large plain, int('rs[HM'sed with shady trees. Its sides are full of I'lefts and pn^eipices, on the part towards the west the sea beats, with great violenee, and the east is secured by impenetrable thiekets. A winding bye-path on the north was the only road that led to the summit of the mountain." Villagran had six pieces of artillery, which he snceeeded in bringing to bear, with elVect, upon the Indians, while his musketeers ])oured continual volleys among their crowd- ed ranks. By the orders of Lautaro, a select body of war- riors charged the battery, and took possession of every cannon. This decided the fortune of the day; the Span- iards and their allies were driven down the mountain in hopeless confusion, pursued by the victorious natives. To add to their dilliculties, they fcmnd their retreat cut off by a barricade of logs. Hut a handfid of the nnnd)er sur- vivef'*l' 4* , "■« ( .".t-, If .-. - ff ^;'V:.V : 1 ■ ; , f;, , .. 1 596 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Spaniards. The mutilated Galverino, again taken prisoner, was hanged, with twelve of the native Ulmcnes. Marching into the district of Tucapel, Don Garcia found- ed the city of Canete upon the spot of Valdivia's former discomfiture. A strong fort was there built and garrisoned, and the command intrusted to one Alonzo Keynoso, after which the conqueror returned in triumph to Imperial. From this town he sent large numbers of Spaniards to assist in the defence and establishment of the new city. On the route, these settlers were furiously attacked by the natives, but after suffering some loss in men and stores, they ef- fected an entrance into the fortification. Caupolican then set himself systematically to reduce the place. In the attempt to secure an advantage by the introduction of a K})y within the walls, he was himself com])letely over- I'oachcd by the cunning of one of the Indian allies of the Spaniards. This man, discovering the errand of tlic spy, secured his confidence by pretending hatred ngaiiist the invaders, and by promising his aid in admitting the be- siegers within the walls. Caupolican was regularly en- trapped: a gate was left open to give opportunity for an entrance into the fort, but when such a number had en- tered as could safely be mastered, the passage was closed, and by a sudden and unex])ectcd attack, those within the walls were cut to pieces, and those without completely routed. Caupolican escaped to the mountains, but three of his oflicers were taken prisoners, and blown from the muzzles of cannon. The years 1558 and 1559 were memorable among the Spanish settlers of Chili, for the expedition of Don Garcia to the archipelago of Chiloe. By an artful policy, ado])t- ed in accordance with the advice of an Araucanian, the Cunches averted the usual terrors of European invasion. They pretended extreme poverty, sending to the general a present of "roasted lizards and wild fruits," and carefull}/ taken prisoner, nenes. )n Garcia found- aldivia's former . and garrisoned, ) lleyuoso, after ph to Imperial, paniards to assist ew city. On the ■„ ^^ ■*.'■ Hi it; m ■■ lr\-i 600 INDIAN UACEd OV AMKIIICA. Several iuteresting incidents are recorded connected with tliis siege: ujjon one occasion, Antigucnu cludlenged tlic S])ani8li conunandiiMt to a private personal encounter, and the duel was accordingly fought in sight of both aruiics. " The battle between these two champions," says the histori- an, "was continued for t\V(i hours without cither obtaininir any advantage, or injuring tlie other, till they were at length separated by their men." Such trials of strength and skill between renowned warriors of either party were not uncommon during the protracted wars of Chili. Not long after the reduction of Cancte and the fort at Arauco, a general engagement took place between the In- dians and Sj)aniards at the junction of the Vcrgosa and llio-bio, in which the former were totally routed. Anti- guenu with many of his followers fell, or was forced, from a steep bank into the stream, and there perished. A ter- rible havoc was connnited among the discomfitted army, not, however, without great loss to the victors, and the Araucanian power seemed, a second time, to be elfectually crushed. This was in the year 1564. The sagacious and prudent Paillataru, a relative of the lamented Lautaro, was the next Toqui, and, like his pre- decessor, he set himself, at first, to recruit his forces and repair the disas+ers of war. For years he hazarded no open battle with the whites, but inured his warriors to ser- vice by flying incursions. In 1505 a new Spanish viceroy, Rodrigo de Quiroga, restored the posts at Canete and Arauco, and built a new fort at C^uipeo. With little opposition, he laid waste those portions of the Araucanian territory that were within his reach, and dispatched a body of troops to the southward, to bring into subjection the islands of the Chiloan archi- pelago. The mild and gentle inhabitants of that grou])0 submitted without an effort to the dictation of the Span- iards, offering no resistance to the burdens of personal dJ A. Oil connected with nu clnillenged tlic lal encounter, and it of botli uru:-cs. s," says the Uistori- ut cither obtaining till tlicy were at I trials of strength r either party were mrs of Chili, icte and the fort at ICO between the lu- 3f the Vergosa and ally routed. Anti- or wius forced, from •e perished. A tcr- diricoinfitted army, the victors, and the :ue, to be effectually •u, a relative of the | 1, and, like his pre- \ jruit his forces and irs ho ha/.ardcd n(j his warriors to ser- :odrigo do Quiroga, CO, and built a new he laid waste those .hat were within his ,s to the southward, f the Chiloau archi- ;ants of that groupo itatiou of the Spau- lurdcns of personal THE AUAUCANIAN RACE. 601 service, &;c., ini})oscd ujion them by their new masters. In aftoi'-timos tiiey proved equally ti-actablc in adopting the religion of their coiupierors. For thirty years from the installation of Paillataru, bloody and desolating wars were, at intervals, waged be- tween the Spaniards and Araucanians. The former, from the steady increase of their numbers, acquired a stronger foothold in the country, and the result of hostilities was generally in their favor. Occasionally some teri'iblc reverse would serve to remind them that the enemy was not yet conquered, but that the old s[)irit still burned with undi- minished energy. The Araucanians acquired the use of horses, thereby gaining great facilities for Hying incursions. To a certain extent they had, moreover, learned to avail themselves of such lire-arms as were secured in battle. Paillataru deicated the Spaniards yet again \\\Km Mount ^lariguenu, and, as well as liis successor, the mustee or half-breed Paynenancu, proved a thorn in the sides of the colonists. The IHrnan of Marigucnu, Cayancaru, was made T()([ui in 1585, after the seizure and execution of Payne- nancu. This ruler, disappointed in various bold but, unsuccessful campaigns, resigned ofhce in favor of his son Nangoniel, who was soon after slain in battle. A noted warrior, named Cadcguala, succeeded him. The new Toqui, after various other warlike operations, laid siege to the Spanish fort at Puren. Becoming weary of delay, his chivalrous spirit led him to challenge the commandant, Garcia Hamon, to single combat, thereby to decide the fate of the fortress. The two leaders accord- ingly fought on horseback, with lances, and Cadeguala fell translixed by his adversary's weapon at the first tilt. Guanoalca, the next in authority, continued to wage war with the Spaniards, and gained many advantages. lie reduced and took possession of the fortresses at Puren, Trinidad, and Spirito Santo. During this administration, ^ ■' ' t • ■■ / 1' \.'\-., : it's V » I,,"') ■ ■ :.- f ■ . ■ , -. '■ ■■■1.; . ' • J ■■!' \ : t ■ > , ■ i ' ";• f\:, [-i,k'; 602 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKKICA. nourished u cclcbratcMl Ibnuilo warrior, iiatned Jano([iU'o, who in 1590, with a hordo of the wild and roving I'uolcho.s of the eastern districts, harassed the 8])anish settlements. The young chief Quintuguenu, succeeded Guanoalca, uj)on the death of that Toi^ui in 1591, and although a brave and noble warrior, was doomed to defeat and death at the spot most famous for his countrymen's victories. He fell on the liciglits of Mariguenu, where liis army was destroyed or disj)crsed. One Paillaeco was elected in his place, but with reduced forces he could elfcct little against the S|)aniards, encouraged as they were by recent success. The old forts and posts destroyed under the sway of pre- ceding rulers were rebuilt and fortilied in the years 1591 and 1592, CHAPTER V. VICEUOYALTY OF MARTIN LOYOLA — PAILLAMACHU — RENEWAL OF THE WAR — LOYOLA SLAIN — GENERAL INSURRECTION OF THE NATIVES — THE SPANIARDS DRIVEN FROM THE COUNTRY SOUTH OF THE BIO-BIO BLOODY CAMPAIGNS UNDER SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE TOQUIS PEACE OF 1640 TEN years' war SUBSEQUENT TREATIES AND HOSTILI- TIES — PRESENT POSITION OF THE ARAUCANIANS. In 1593 Don Martin Loyola, nepliew of Ignatius, the originator of the order of Jesuits, arrived at Chili, invested with the office of governor under the Spanish monarchy. During the period of liis authority arose the renowned Paillaraachu, next in regular succession to Paillaeco. He was an old mau, but endowed with singular energy and activity. For two years he kept aloof, recruiting and dis.- ciplining his forces at the old retreat among the Lumacan acA. r, named Janc(inoo, pauisli scltlcments. ccccdcd GutuioaU'ii, Jl, and although a to defeat and death ntrymen's victories. where his army was ;o was elected in his d ellcct little against re by recent success, der the sway of pre- 3d in the years 151)1 AMACHir — RENEWAL OF NSURRECTION OF THE ROM THE COUNTRY AMPAIGNS UNDER E OF 1640 — TEN ESANDHOSTILI- ARAUCANIANS. lew of Ignatius, the ved at Chili, invested e Spanish monarchy. arose the renowned ion to Paillaeco. lie singular energy and of, recruiting and dis.- among the Lumacan TUE AKAUOANIAN KACE. 003 tnorassea, while the Spaniards had opportunity, unmolest- ed, to restore their ruined (Mties, to work the rich mines of tlie mountains, and to strengthen their positions as they would. The To(pii, by an ambas-sador, gave Loyola dis- tinetly to understand that he and his followers were, as iirndy as their forefathers, determined never to be brought into subjection. I'aillamachu's lirst attempt against his enemies was by .sending a detachment (in 1595) to destroy a fortification erected by Loyola at the southward of the Bio-bio. From this time he continued to attack and plunder the S})anish settlements wherever opj)ortunity olVered, avoiding general engagements, and rctieating with his booty to -is inacces- sible fastnesses. On the night of November 22d. 151)8, he succeeded in surprising and slaying the Spanish gov- ernor, at his encampment (with a slender retinue) in the vale of Caralva. "It would seem," (by Molina's account) " that the Araucanian general had formed confident hopes of the success of this bold enterprise, since, in consequcneo of his previous instructions, in less than forty-eight hours after this event, not only the Araucanian provinces, but those of the Cunches and Iluilliches, were in arms, and the whole of the country to the archipelago of Chiloe." The native armies met with unprecedented success; town after town fell before them, reduced by siege or car- ried by storm. Conception, Chilian, Canctc, the Araucan fort, Valdivia, and other settlements, were destroyed, and the inhabitants slain, driven off, or carried away captives. Villarica, Osorno, and Imperial were conquered, in 1602, after protracted siege, in which the miserable citizens suf- fered every extremity from famine and terror. "Thus, in a p-^riod of little more than three years, were destroyed all the settlements which Valdivia and his successors had established and preserved, at the expense of so much blood, in the extensive country between the Bio-bio and the .a^ ,JU ,f.:.' t < -): t- ,', ' i' rl «v. '.•i^y-'^^L 604 INDIAN RACKS OF AMKHICA. arcliil»('l:t^'o of (Jliiloo, iioiio of wliicli have Ihtii hIiico rOhiiilt, iiM wliat ia at j)rcsiMit called V'aldivia is no more tliati a fort or garrison." — {iUoliuri'a Gioil History of C/tili; Avrittcn about the close of the eighteenth century.) (ireat numbers of Spanish ])risoncrs wore carried homo by the Indians, and cxju'ricnccd great diversity of treat- ment. Many intermarried with the natives, giving origin to a race of lialf-breeds, who proved as inimical towards the Spaniards as their dusky ancestors. The brave and sagacious Paillamachu died in IGO.S. l?(^[)eat(!d, but futile attcmi)ts were made by the Spaniards for s(!Voral yc^ars ensuing, to recover their lost teri'itory south of the P.io-bio. The Indians, fortunate in having brave and sagacious rulers, and with all their ancient pride and patriotic enthusiasm fully aroused, .successfully resi.sted every invasion. About the year IG12, a move- ment was made by a Jesuit, named Louis Valdivia, to ))ut an end to this hopeless warfare, that an opening uiiglit Ih' made for the spread of the Christian religion among the independent tribes. The Spani.sh monarch, I'hilip tli(! '^I'hird, highly apjiroved of the plan, and proposals were forwarded to the Toqui and his council, by means of cer- tain liberated prisoners. While the treaty of peace was under negotiation, and flattering prospects of quiet appeared to the settlers, an event occurred which put a s{)cedy end to all })caccful intercourse. Ancanamon, the Toqui, had a Spanish w^o- man as one of his wives, who made her escape from his power, and sought protection from the Spanish viceroy. Two other wives of the Toqui, and two of his daughters, won over by her persuasions to embrace her religion, accompanied her in her flight. The Spaniards refused to deliver up these refugees, with the exception of one who had not profes.scd Christianity, and Ancanamon, enraged at the supposed injury, slew a Jj :•' i- li have l)Ocn s'nico 'aldiviii i« "<> '»•>'"« rll lllslnrijof Cliili; ith century.) J, wore ciirricd home it diversity of treat- iitivos, giving origin as inimical towards s. laclm died in 10O3. idc by the Spaniards p their lost territory fortunate in having itli all tlu'ir ancient aroused, sueeessfully year 1612, a n\ove- ,ouis Valdivia, to jjut |an opening might he religion amcjug the monarch, Pliilip tlic and proposals wen; cil, by moans of ccr- der negotiation, and d tt) the settlers, an end to all peaceful i, had a Spanish wo- licr escape from his the Spanish vicen^y. wo of his daughters, nbrace her religion, these refugees, with Irofesscd Christianity, pposed injury, slew a TIIK AUAUCANIAN RACE. 0(15 iiumbor of missionaries who had been conducted into his (lotninions, and witli renewed energy continued the j)ros- cent ion of the war. About the year IBIS, a most fierce and dangerous enemy of the Spaniards had tlu^ dictatorsliip of the Aran- ciMiiun tribes. 'JMiis was the eelebrateil To(iui J^ientur. A chain of military posts and strong fortifications had b(>en erected l)y the Spanish authorities upon the l?io-bio, to prevent Indian in(!ursions, but they availed nothing against the rapid and energetic movements of the native commander. Until his resignation, in 102"), he not only presi'rved his own country from Spanisli oeeuj)ati()n, but made continual inroads into the enemy's territory, ]ilnii- dering their villages and destroying the forces brought to oppose him. In his v(>ry first expedition, he is said to have seixed and carried olf no less than four hundred hnrs(>s. liis successor, the young warrior I'utajiiehion, Avho had been f()rmerly a slave among tlie whites, proved a no less formidable adversary. He continued in authority until slain in battle about eight years from the time of his acces- sion; a period marked by many extensive and bloody campaigns, in which the Spaniards, although more success- ful than during former administrations, could obtain no permanent footing upon Araucanian soil. At the last grand .engagement, which, in consequence of his death, resulted favorably for the Spaniards, the manner in which this chief marshaled and brought his forces to action ex- cited the admiration of his enemies. The obstinacy with whicli these wars were carried on during a period of little less than a century, until the peace concluded in ICAO, is almost without parallel. The history of the times does not record a series of petty skirmishes, but a succession of desperate campaigns, in which the known valor and obstinacy of the Spaniard were no less consj)icu- ous than the utter carelessness of life and enthusiastic self- r ' •• wri: V:\ii I li; : ■) v I'v'.' '■4. ,' ■ jy 606 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. devotion of the Indian. The success of cither party would, from time to time, seem to threaten the utter extermination of their rivals, but defeat only compelled a retreat, on the one hand within the fortified towns, and on the other into the impenetrable wilderness, until new forces could be raised and new plans of assault concocted. In the year last mentioned the Marquis of Baydes, Fron- cisco Zuiiiga, came out to Chili as governor, and exerted himself successfully to obtain an interview with the Toqui Jiincopichion, and to conclude terms for a lasting peace. An immense concourse of both races attended at the time and jilace appointed for the solemn ratidcation of the treaty, and days were passed in feats and congratulatory ceremonials. Prisonei'S were exchanged, trade was estab- lished, and free scope was given to the exertions of tlio dev- ut ecclesiastics who assumed the duty of converting the Indians. These missionaries were well and respect- fully treated, but met with no marked success in the propa- gatior. of their doctrines. The peace lasted until about lOui), when it was siicceeded by a ten years' war, the particulars of whicli are only recorded in the most general terms. It is certain that during this season of hostility the Spanish colonists mot with such terrible hisses, and were, upon many occasions, so signally defeated by the Araucanians, that the preser- vation of a true history of events would be little flattering to their national jiride. A new treaty was brought about in 1665, b}' the gov- ernor, Francisco Mcneses, and the country was compara- tively at rest for more than half a century. The Spaniards began to settle in the Araucanian territory, and, in conse- quence of their natui'ally overbearing dis[)osition, became objects of dislike and suspicion to the native inhabitants. Certain Spanish officials, denominated the "Ca})tains of the Friends," whose nominal duty was the protection of tlic ; ti' ■*^'y :3A. nther party would, ittcr extermination ;d a retreat, on the i on the other into w forces could be ;cd. lis of Baydes, Fran- ernor, and exerted iew with the Toqui ,r a lasting peace. L'es attended at the m ratification of the and congratulatory ;ed, trade was estab- the exertions of the ! duty ol' converting re well and respect- success in the propa- hen it was succeeded of which are only It is certain that lanish colonists met ion many occasions, ms, that the prescr- Id be little flattering |n 1G(35, by the gov- )untry Avas compara- |ury. The Spaniards ritory, and, in consc- disposition, bccnnie native inhabitants. I the "Captains of the [le protection of the THE AUAUCANIAN KACES. 607 missionaries, but who assumed unwarranted powers, were especially odious. In 1722 the discontent of the Indians led them to a renewal of hostilities. They appointed one Vilhunilla, a bold and ambitious man, to the office of Toqui. This chief exerted himself to rouse up an insurrection through- out Chili, but, failing in this, with undiminished resolution, he colk'ctt!d what forces could be mustered, and fell upon the Spanish settlements. He met with no little success, gaining possession of the fortresses of Tucapel, Arauco, and Puren. In the words of the historian. The war afterwards became reduced to skirmishes of but little im- portance, which were finally terminated by the celebrated peace of Negrete, a place situated at the confluence of the rivers Bio-bio and Lara." The more important grievances complained of by the natives were redressed at the settle- ment of the terms of treaty. Further difficulties arose under the administration of Don Antonio Conzaga, in consequence of an absurd and futile attempt by that cllicer to induce or compel the Araueanians to build and inhaljit cities in certain pre- scribed localities. A war ensued in which some bloody battles wc'^ fought, and in which the roving Pehuenches were invived, i.r-t in behalf of the Spaniards, but after- wards as ij ai adii i of their own countrymen. Peace was concludc'i .- 17""o; and among the articles of sti])ulation, it was aL!;ixcd lUat a native minister should be stationed at St. Jago to keep watch over his nation's interests. This pacification produced the happiest results. Pelieved from the danger of hostile hicursions, the Sj)anish settle- ments north of that natural boundary, the Bio-bio, in- creased and pros})ertd, while the free tribes at the south were left to the exercise of their own system of government and the enjoyment of their well-earned liberty. The proud distinction of being the only aboriginal » v - 608 INDIAN KACES OF AMKRICA. AmcM'ieaiis -who have maintfiinod their independence when brought directly in contact witli Europeans, still belongs to the ^\rancanians. They occupy much of their old territory within the modern republic of Chili, a district set down as covering an area of twenty-eight thousand square iviiles. It may well be doubted whether the world has ever pi'oduced a race of men, who, with no greater advantages, from nuinbcrs, and advancement in the arts, have accom- plished military exploits worthy to be compared with those recorded in Araucaniau history. The dill'ercnt aims and purposes of the contending parties throughout the long and terrible contest with the colonists, enlist our warmest sympathies with the natives. On the one band, the insa- tiable thirst for gold, the pride of conquest, or the scarcely less detestable spirit of intolerant bigotry, were the ruling motives — and how powerful they have i)roved, let the his- tory of Spanish America portray — while, on the other, the whole end and aim of the rightful owners of the soil, in- dividually and collectively, seem to have been directed with unllinching self-devotion towards the one object of the preservation of liberty and independence. The jn'incipal benefit derived by the modern Aruueani- ans from intercourse with foreigners is in the introduction of horses and cattle. These, with the vicuna and guanaco, constitute their princi})al riches: they still live in a state of primeval simplicity, and freedom from most of the arti- ficial wants of civilization. 3A. idcpenclcnce when cans, still belongs nch of their old >f Chili, a district ity-eight thousand iG world has ever greater advantages, arts, have aeconi- bo compared with The diilerent aims through-jut the long enlist our warmest one hand, the insa- ^uest, or the scarcely I itry, were the ruling i proved, let the his- lile, on the other, the ' ;ners of the soil, iii- havc been directed Is the one object of ■ndenee. ,0 modern Araucani- _ in the introduction [vicuna and guanaco, still live in a state •om most of the urti- INDIAN TRIBES OF BRAZIL. CIlAPTEll I. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS I'INZOn's DISCOVKRIES LANDING OF PEDRO ALVAREZ CAIiKAL UPON THE BHAZIMAN COAST EXPEDI- TION UNDER VESPUCIUS CANNIBALISM — COLONIZATION OF THE COUNTRY, AND WARS WITH THE NATIVES FATE OF JUAN DE SOLIS, AT THE ESTUARY OF LA PLATA — SETTLEJIENT OF BAHIA DE TODOS SANTOS BY DIOCO ALVAREZ — THE JESUITS PARTICULARS OF THE CANNIBAL PROPEN- SITIES OF THE NATIVES — THE BOTOCUDOS. There is a certain degree of resemblance in form and feature between the Guarani tribes of Brazil with those of other provinces further south, and the races north of the Amazon, described in a former cha})ter. The obliquity of the eye, and the yellowish tinge of the complexion, with other peculiarities, give them somewhat the appearance of the Eastern Asiatic races. "Tlie Eastern Guarani," ac- cording to Prichard, "arc the Tupi, or native inhabitants of the Brazils. 'The general language of Brazil,' says Ilcrvas, 'called Tupi, from the name of the iirst Indians who were converted to the holy faith, is not more different from the Guarani, viz: of Paraguay, than the Portuguese from the S])anish.' The same writer enumerates, from in- formation derived from ecclesiastics, the following tribes who speak the Tupi, with little variety of dialect, viz: the Cariyi, southward of the 1\ipi proper, reaching as far towards the south as the Kio Grande del Sud or S. Pietro, 39 610 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. tlie Tamoyi, Tupinaqui, Timmiminos, Tobayari, Tupin ambi, Apanti, Tapigoas, and several other tribes, oeeu})y- ing all the maritime countries as far north as the river Maragnon." The first information obtained by Europeans concerning Brazil and its inhabitants, was from the report of Vicente Pinzon, the associate of Columbus upon his first voyage to America. On the 26th of January, 1500, Pinzon, who, with several vessels, was bound upon an exploring expedi- tion, made the present Cape St. Augustine, at the eastern extremity of the southern continent. He took formal pos- session of the country, and coasted thence as far north as the mouth of the Amazon, of which he was the discoverer. The voyage was in some respects disastrous, as three of the vessels were lost, and several men perished in encounters Avith the ferocious natives. Upon one occasion, a single Spaniard was sent forward to conciliate and parley with a group of Indians who stood upon a hill watching tlic movements of the strangers. " The Spaniard," says Southey, in his history of Brazil, "made all the friendly signs he could devise, and threw to them a hawks'-bell, for which they threw down something which was supposed to be a piece of gold ; he stooped for it, and they sprang forward to seize him." He defended himself with great vi-lor and skill, until his comrades hastened to his assistance. "The savogcs, with their deadly archery, slew eight, wounded many more, and pursued them to their boats, * ^ They rushed on like wild beasts, despising wounds and death ; followed the boats even when they had put off, dived after them, and fairly won one of them, having slain its captain and driven out the crew." From this incident it will plainly ajij'jcar that the Span- ish adventurers had an enemy to deal with very different from the gentle and luxurious natives of the islands. That the aborigines of some portions of Brazil were a warlike Fobayuri, Tupin- cr tribes, occui)Y- orth as tlic river opeans concerning report of Vicente ,n his first voyage l500, Pinzon, who, , exploring expedi- tine, at the eastern le took formal po.s- ince as far north as was the discoverer. ,rous, as three of the ished in encounters e occasion, a single ^ ite and parley ^vilh ij a hill watching the | iiard,"saysSouthey, ji ,ic friendly signs he j| [wks'-bell, for which ;| IS supposed to be a ^ they sprang forward j vith great vdor and ; lis assistance. "The j llew eight, wounded ' Ir boats. * "" They ] wounds and death; Id put off, dived after ring slain its captain ipear that the Span- with very different )f the islands. That razil were a warlike INDIAN TlilUES OF BRAZIL. 611 and fierce race of caiudbals, cannot be doubted from the accounts given by early voyagers, although some have aftected to doubt whether tlic}^ were actually accustomed to devour human flesh. During the s "ing following Pinzon's discovery, Pedro Alvarcjs Cabral accidentally came upon the Brazilian coast, as he was steering westward to avoid the terrible calms which prevail west of the tropiord regions of Africa. lie landed at the spot afterwards the tc of Cabralia, about seventeen degrees south of Cape St. Augustine. Cabi'al was much more successful tlian his predecessor in gaining the confidence of the natives. The tribe with whom he first held intercourse was, indeed, of a more tractable and kindly disposition than those met with by Pinzon: the usual expedient of securing a prisoner, and then dismiss- ing him with caresses and presents, brought the natives in admiring crowds about the vessel. Cabral took possession, in behalf of the crown of Por- tugal, and, erecting a crucifix, ordered the ceremonials of the church to be performed, the Indians joining readily in the attitude of devotion assumed by the comj)any. The next Portuguese cxjiedition, under Amerigo Tes- pucci, sailed from Europe in May, 1501. Land was made somewhere in the vicinity of Cape St. Roque, in five de- grees south latitude, where the voyagers were horror- stricken at the discovery of the cannibal })ropensitios of the native inhabitants. Two sailors were missing, who had been allowed to go on shore to reconnoitre, and the crew landed in the boats to ascertain their fate. A young Portuguese imprudently Avent forward alone to communi- cate with the natives, when, in plain sight of his comrades, he was set upon by the Avomen, knocked down with a club from behind, and dragged off". An attack upon the boats immediately followed, and, although the savages were easily driven off by the fire-arms, they only retired to 612 INDIAN KACES OF AMKRICA. dismember, broil, and feast upon tl»c body of the man they had seeured. liy unmistakable gestures, they made known to the erew that the other two I'ortugucse had met V, itli the same I'ate. No settlement in the eountry wa.s attempted until tlu; year 1503, when twenty-four men were left at the j)()rt of All Saints. Private adventurers eommenced eoloiiics at various })oints upon the eoast during the ensuing years, making the eolleetiou of the wood I'rom which the coimtry derives its name, the })rineipal object of their efforts. A most bloody and savage warfare soon broke out between these settlers and the native inhabitants, in which eilli(^r party seemed to strive for priknuinenee in cruelty. A sy.stem of transporting criminals from the old couulry to Brazil served to debase the character of the colonies. In ■warfare with the Indians, on the one liand, the prisoners were slain and eaten; and on the other, all were put to death except such us would be valuable for slaves. Meantime, the rage for discovery brought out divers adventurers from the Old World. In 1509, Don Juan de Solis, accompanied by Vicento l^inzon, and commissioned by the king of Castile, coasted as far south as the moiuh of the La Plata, entering upon his route the magnilieeiit liarbor of llio Janeiro. The tragic fate of tliis eommunder is thus described by Southey: AVhile in the immeiiso estuary of the river, "the natives invited iiim to shore, and he landed with a boat's-erew, intending to catch one of them and carry him to Spain. Their intention was worse than his, and better executed. They had stationed a party in ambush, who rose suddenly upon tlie crew, seized the boat, broke it to pieces in an instant, and slew every man witli clubs: then they took the bodi(!S ujiou their shoulders, carried them to a spot which was out of the reach of the S})aniards, but within sight, and there dis- membered, roasted, and devoured them. The scene of I . H. INDIAN TIURES OF BRAZIL. 613 this tragedy was on the north sliorc, between Monte Video and Maldonado, near a rivulet, wliich still bears the name oC Sobs." IMie eir(nimstaiic(;s connected with tlie first settlcrnont of Baliia de Todos Santos, tlic province of which St. Sul- vador was afterwards the ca{)ital, are si'ngidarly striking. A young man, from Viana, named Diogo Alvarez, Avas one of a slii])'s company wlio had bcicii cast away n})on tlie neigld)oring slioals. Of tliose wlio reached tlu; .sliore in safety, Diogo was tlie only one fortunate enough to escape being devoured. He managed to gain the good-will of the Indians by liis services, and more especially com- manded their respect and reverence by his management of a nuiskot, which, with a store of anmninition, he had saved from the wreck. They denominated him Caramuru, "the man of fire," and exalted him to the rank of a great chief and captain. In wars against the nation of the Tapuyas, the terror of Diogo's wonderl'ul weapon gained th(! most signal victories for his associates: in reward for his services, the {)rin('ifial men of the country gave him their daughters (or wives, and he lived like a sovi.'reign sur- rounded by reverential attendants. According to Southey, "lie fixed his abode where Villa Vclha was afterwards erected; and soon saw as numerous a progeny as an old patriarch's rising around liim. The best families in Baliia trace their origin to him." Diogo took advantage of the arrival of a Freneli vessel upon the coast to return to Europe, taking with him one of his wives, named Paraguaza. As the ship got under weigh, several of his other consorts gave ])roof of their affection by swimming after it, and one of them persisted in the hopeless endeavor to follow, until so exhausted that she perished before being able to return to shore. The king and queen of France showed great attention to Diogo and his wife, and by their directions the latter was bap- 614 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. tizcd with much ceremony, and joined to her husband by a legal marriage according to the rules of the church. By the assistance of a rich merchant, Diogo afterwards returned to Bahia with many conveniences for establishing himself in security and comfort, and for the arrangement of a regular system of tradic in the j)roductions of the country. He proved of inestimable service, in after years, when an extensive colon i/.ation of that region took place, in keeping up friendly relations with the Indians. From this central point, where St. Salvador was built, commenced that wonderful inllu' nee exerted by the Jesuit nussion- aries over the native po{)ulation. These entliusiastic devotees found their proselytes not unapt in acquiring the Portuguese language, and by the attractions of music, of which they were passionately fond, together with kind treatment and virtuous example, tliey won over great numbera to a conformation to the outward requisitions of their faith, if not to an understanding of its abstractions. One thing, however, seemed almost imprac- ticable, and that was to eradicate the inordinate propensity to cannibalism, so universally diffused among the Brazilian aborigines. An anecdote upon this point, related by Mr. Southey, has been often told, but will bear repetition : "A Jesuit one day found a Bra/.ilian woman in extreme old age, and almost at the point of death. Having catechisod her, instructed her, as he conceived, in the nature of Chris- tianity, and comidetely taken care of her soul, he began to inquire whether there was any kind of food which she could take? 'Grandam,' said he, 'if I were to get you a little sugar now, or a mouthful of some of our nice things which we bring from beyond sea, do you think you could cat it?' 'Ah, my grandson,' said the old convert, 'my stomach goes against every thing. There is but one thing which I fancy I could touch. If I had the little hand of a little tender Tapuya boy, I think I could pick the 1 '• INDIAN TUIBES OF BRAZIL. 615 of food which she were to get you a of our nice things ou think you could old convert, 'my ere is but one thing little bones; but, woe is mo, there is nobody to go out and shoot one for me I'" In addition to the instructions and persuasions of the Jesuits, the Portuguese colonial authorities lent their aid to enforce the regulations prohibiting this unnatural cus- tom, but it was long a bone ofcontentiou between them and their Indian dependents, who were willing to give up any other of their national usages rather than this. Purchas gives the following description of some of the ceremonies attendant upon the disposal of prisoners taken in battle : "Their captiues they conucy in the middest of their armie home to their territories, and thereuntoc the men will not stickc to give their sisters or daughters to per- forrne all the duties of a wife, and feed them with the best till they redemand the same out of their flesh. * * When that dismall day approcheth, knowledge is given, and the men, women, and children assemble to the place appointed, and there pa.sse the morning in drinking, and the Captiuc (although he knoweth the dreadfuU issue) danceth, drink- eth, and frolickcs it with the best." They then lead him about the town by a rope : " Neither doth he, for all this, hang downe his head, as men here going to be hanged, but with incredible courage emblazon- eth his owne worthinesse." Like the North American Indians, the victim boasts of his former exploits against his captors, with every species of taunt and provocation. He recounts those whom he has assisted to devour, and l)rcdicts a terrible retribution for his own destruction. "Then they bring him stones, & bid him reuengc his death. He hurleth them at those that stand about him, whereof there are some foure thousand, and hurteth diuers." When he is finally dispatched, his temporary wife "comes to the carkasse, and spends a little time and passion in mourning, but her Crocodiles teares are soone dried, ■U; *f 616 INDIAN 1UCE3 OF AiMKKICA. ,../J ,;■> and tlic luitn(>r Pais into her tooth, which wator for tho iirst niorsoll." Tho wliolo proooss of drossiiig and devour- ing is minutoly dosoribiid. Bahia was scttlod about tho year 1550, and ten years hvtcr Jiio .Janeiro was fbundod by tho Portuguese govertior, after the cx})ulsiou of the l*'reneh, who had attenipted to gain possession of tluit n^gion of country. The coast st!t- tlenicnts were steadily increasing in stability and povvtu-, but not without furtiier contests with tho native inhabit- ants. Of these, the most savage and dangerous were the l?otocudos, dwelling in tho interior, and between the rivers Docc and Pardo, from the fifteenth to the twentieth (l(\greo of south latitude. They have always been (ioiisidcred as being among the most repulsive and brutish of the hu- man race. They are supposed to be the same race as the Ay mores, once the niost (U\ngerous enemies of the Portu- guese settlers. Their natural figure and tiie coiifornuiti( Jiiol' their features seem, from most accounts, to bo by no meiuis unpleasing. Dwelling in a forest country, their com))le\- ion is fairer than that of many of the South Amerii'iui Indians; it is of a light yellowish co])i)er color, and siilli- cicntly trans])arent for a blush to be jjorfectly obvious. Tho stories of their frightful and hideous a])[)eai'anco may all b(! referred to one most barbai'ous custom of mutilation and deformity, jirevalent among them from tlu; earliest times. This is tlie insertion of a large wooden plug or button called tho "botoque" into a slit in the under lip: similar appendag(;s arc worn at the ears. This botocpie is of such a si/.e that its pressure generally causes the lower teeth eventually to fall out, and its ])r()- jcction gives the most hideously uncouth and brutish appearance to the countenance. The slit is made and the plug is inserted during childhood, and as the opening enlarges with time, the size of tho botoque is increased until it has reached the full measure of deformity and i\\ water for tho \su\ mies of the Tortii- he conformation of to be by no means ,ry, their eonii^U^x- South American ler cohjr, and sulli- perfectly obvious. IS ;i[)pearanco may stom of mutihitioii iVoni the earliest ;c wooden pluijf or in the under hp: pressure generally dl out, and its ])r()- outh and brutish it is made and tlio d as the oi)enin,<]j )toque is increased of defornuty and 7//f; ruVGAK. Tiita U u muat fHrucloiig nnlmal dI' llio iiit kind. Ilu ii fuiiiid in viiiioiis pni'ln oi' both Nuilli ami Siiiilli ATiii'iicii. I'spfciiilly in llniiil, I'.inmniiy. iirnl (Iiimnii. In lliu liisl-niKn- liuni'd (;oiintr>, \\w jiii;nnr ur s'liiiili Ann'iie'iui lii;oi'. is eiin>.Kli"'i'il it less ilanLCi.TiiUi Inlrnili'i- iipoii llm ai'li cnii'iiu i.l' llic i'ilml)ilanli. Nulw illisltinilina! llu' a|i|iiiri.Mi! mtraet- Ui.i 1' nulnp' (I I tin ii;»'ii', liu cmi IjL' taini'd, il ii smd. and [■••iidui'd a dnin; and alfec- liunuU' com|>anluti. ■iy. / .« if INDIAN TIlIllKS OF DUAZIL. 017 inconvciiiciiop. It interferes with iiuustication, and is every wiiy (liH<(usting imd troubleaoinc, but, like many searcely less irrational anil absurd customs among enlightened eom- munities, it retains its iiold to tiie present day. When tiie but(M|nc! is removed, whieh ()|)eiatiou is as easily elVeettd as tiie unlinltoniiig aeoat, a disgusting !ij)er- ture is(Hselosed, through wliie.li tiie loosmied and distorted teetjj distinetly apjjear. Purehas says oF some of those wild tribes of tlu; interior, generally ealled Tapuyas, that on their travels, "they do earry great store of tobaeeo with tluMu; and eontinually they have a leaf laid along tlieir mouth, between the lip and the teeth; and, as they go, the same runneth out of tlu> Jiole that they have in tlu'ir lips.'' The Botoeudos arc of an iiulolent disposition, Imt witliul capable of enduring the greatest fatigue when oeeasiou reciuires. TluMr musi'ular devi>lopment is remarkiibly fine, and a life of ex[)osure so hardens their skin that, without elotliing, they ejin with perf"i't ense maki; their way through tangled brakes whieh would elleetually impede the pro- gress (n' a Kuropean. 'I'lirir huts, implements, and manner of life are not unlike those of the othci' P'iasteru nations of the tropical portion of South Ameriea, with the exeej^tion of their slee()ing aeeommodatious. Tl;e hanunoek is not in use among them, but rude couches of bark, &e., laid upon the ground, are all that they reiptire. They have no boats or canoes, and it has been said of them that tiiey were entirely ignorant of tlu; art ol' swinuuing. This appears to be an erroi'. Tlie chaincter of the Botoeudos as cannibals, eond)ined with the repulsive a]»i)earance caused by the botoqui', has given them a worse reputation perhaps than they deserve. Many desirable traits are observable in tlu>ir natural char- acter, and tlu'ir intellectual cajnicity iloes not seem to be inferior to the generality of South American Indians. Their aversion to labour does not result in apathy, nor do |!t \ 618 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. we perceive in them that gloomy, morose, and reserved demeanor common among some of the Western Abori- gines. TIic}'- are spoken of as "gay, facetious, and ready to converse." Some praise-worthy efforts have been made for the im- provement and civilization of this race, the eft'ects of which have been very satisfactory. Mr. Pritchard quotes as follows, from the records of the "Society for the Pro- tection of the Aborigines:" "By the exertions of Guido Marlierc, to whom com- munications were made on the part of this society, almost at the commencement, Guido Procranc, a Botocudo In- dian of great native talent, was introduced to the blessings of civilization and Christianity, and his new acquireincnts were directed to the amelioration of his countrymen. Ilis exertions have been crowned with signal success, and four sections of the ba"barous tribes have been brought under the influence of civilization, and taught to cultivate tlieir soil, fi'om which they have raised not only enough for their own support, but a surplus, which has been the means of rescuing even a portion of the white Brazilians from famine and starvation. Useful laws have been introduced among them, and Guido Procrane, in the criminal code which he has established, has set an exam])le whicli legisla- tors, the hereditary professors of Christianity, would do well to imitate, in the total exclusion of capital punishment." INDIAN TUIUES OF BRAZIL. 619 CHAPTER II. SUCCESS OF THE PORTUUUESE AGAINST THE NATIVES — THEIR CON- TESTS WITH SETTLERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OF EUROPE ENGLISH COLONY AT PARAIRA EXPULSION OF GUARANI TRIBES FROM THEIR COUNTRY ON LA PLATA DIVI- SION OF BRAZILIAN NATIONS lUILY ROUTINE OF INDIAN LIFE IN THE FORESTS — REFLECTIONS. To continue our narrative of Portuguese settlement and colonization, the eiforts of the viceroy Mem da Sa, resulted in tlie reduction of the savage and turbulent Botocudos. In the desultory warfare of the time, the aid ol such In- dian allies as were attached to the royal cause was of sig- nal advantage. The immense extent of fruitful sea-coast along the eastern shores of Braz;il, invited adventurers from various European nations. The French, as we have seen, were repelled in their efforts to colonize the region of the La Plata, and the Portuguese were no less s\iccessful in expel- ing intruders from other quarters. An English settlement had been commenced at Paraiba, to the northward of Per- nambuco. The colonists at this place, says Southey, "con- nected themselves with the native women; and in another generation the Anglo-Tupi Mamalucos might have been found dangerous neighbors, if the governor of St. Sebas- tians, steatlily pursuing the system of his court, had not, in the fifth year of their abode, attacked and exterminated them. They who escaped from the merciless war which the Portuguese waged against all interlopers, fled into the interior, and either they were eaten by the savoges, as was believed, or lived and died among them, becoming sav- ages themselves." Long and wearisome details of struggles for empire in the New World between the Portuguese, Spanish, and L_. •■■''''■•, 5- IkM . I 620 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Dutch, occupy the history of Brazil \intil the cstablis})- merit in that country of the royal family of Portugal, in 1808. Few, except the Jesuits, seemed to have any eare for the rights of the native population, or interest in their improvement. Tliese missionaries- — zealous and devoted in whatever cause, whether for good or ill, that they es- poused — drew upon themselves no trilling persecution by tlieir edbrts in behalf of the Indians. Upon a settlement of the limits of jurisdiction on the La Plata, in 1750, be- tween the Spanish and Portuguese governments, thirty thousand of the Guarani tribe were compelled to abandon their homes. These Indians had been objects of especial care to the Jesuit missionaries, and in the resista.ice which they naturally made to so sunnnary a removal, they in- volved their spiritual guides in diniculties. "The Indians," says Conder, "rose in all directions to oppose the mandate; but the short though vigorous resist- ance which they nuide, only left them more than ever in the power of tlieir cncniics. Great nund)crs were slaugh- tered, and those who refused to submit were compelled to leave the country. * * In the year 1761, when Carlos III. acceded to the throne of Spain, the treaty of jmits was annulled; the (iuaranies who had been so wantonly and cruelly expelled were instructed to return to their dilapidated town and wasted country, and the .Jesuits, resuming their benignant administration, exerted them- selvt's to repair, as far as possible, the evils that had been done." The elfectvS of the Catholic mission in Brazil are still visible among no small portion of the aboriginal iidiabit- ants. Unfortunately in too many instances the religion which they now profess is but a graft upon their old superstitions. The Indians of Brazil arc divided into a great number of tribes, dill'ering more in language than in general ap- INDIAN TRIBES OF BRAZIL. 621 pcarance and characteristics. The Tupis, wlio were the most extensively diftused over the coast conniry at the pe- riod of the first P]uropean discovery, are greatly reduced in numbers. The tribes of the far interior, where little or no intercourse is held with the whites, have changed but little from the habits and ap})earance of their ancestors. Dr. Yon Martins has enumerated no less than two hundred and lifty distinct tribo5 or nations within the limits of Brazil; mtiny of them, to be sure, consisting of but few families or individuals, and not sulficicntly distinct one from an- other to render a classification useful or interesting. This traveller has given a very lively pictui'e of the life and daily routine of these denizens of the forest. The follow- ing sketch is selected from his " Travels," and transcribed in an article upon the Brazilian Indians, to be found in that invaluable periodical, the "Penny ^Magazine:" "As soon as the first rays of the sun beam on the hut of the Indian, he awakes, rises immediately, and goes to the door, where he generally spends some time in rublnng and stretching his limb.i. — Heturning into the hut, he looks for the still live embers of the fire of the day before, or lights it afresh by means of two dry sticks, one of which he sets upon the other, twirling it like a mill till it kin- dles, and then he adds dry gras-. or straw. All the male inhabitanta thou take part in the business; some drag wood out of the forest; others heap up the fire between several large stones, and all of them seat themselves round "t in a s([uatting attitude. Without looking at or speak- ing to each other, they often remain for hours together in this positiim, solely engaged in keeping in the fire, oi' roasting Spanish potatoes, bananas, ears of maize, &c., in tlic ashes for breakfiist. A tame monkey, or some other of their numerous domestic animals with which they play, serves to amuse them. The first employment of the women, on leaving their hammocks, is to paint themselves ;:ii m t: ■.■'■•{ 'i '■ ■''' ! - ,■ 1 . 1 . '' ■:. : ■. ,' ■■•..( ■i ■ I •v: I: 622 INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. and their children, on which each goes to her domestic occupation, stripping the threads from the pahn-trecs, manufacturing nets, making earthen-ware, rubbing man- dioca, and pounding maize, from which they make a cool- ing beverage. Others go to their little plantations to fetch maize, mandioca, and beans; or into the forest to look for wild fruits and roots. When the men have finished their frugal brcakfost, tliey prepare their bows, arrows, strings, &c." As the heat of the day increases, the Indian takes his bath, and then systematically sets about his day's hunt; "the tajiir, monkics, pigs, armadilloes, pascas, and agou- tis, are his favorite dishes, but he readily cats deer, birds, turtles, and fish, and in case of need, contents himself with serpents, toads, and larva) of large insects roasted." The general tenor of this savage life, as well as the con- struction of dwellings, implements, boats, &c., is not unlike what has already been described relating to the Indians of Guiana. The same rude huts of palm, open, or closed upon the most exposed quarter by thatch or wicker-work, the hammocks, the simplest form of pottery and wooden vessels, and the almost invariable arms and weapons of the savage, sufiifc for their necessities, and for what they know of luxury and comfort. Some of the remote tribes are said to be still addicted to the old national propensity for cannibalism. "Infanti- cide is still more common ; and many tribes put the aged and infirm to death. Dr. Von Martius states that the Guaicuru women never rear any children before their thirtieth year; the Guanas often bury their female chil- dren alive, and even the mothers expose their new-born infants; and parental aflxjction is a thing unknown on the father's side." Can we indulge any rational hope that these barbarous nations will ever be brought, as a distinct race, within the her domestic the palvn-trees, , rubbing man- cy make a cool- ntations to fetch 3 forest to look n have finished r bows, arrows, Indian takes his his day's hunt; lascas, and agou- r eats deer, birds, cnt« himself with ts roasted." IS well as tlie eon- &c., is not unlike r to the Indians of , open, or closed I or wicker-work, ttery and wooden and weapons of ,nd for what they I) be still addicted [alism. "Infanti- ibes put the aged Is states that the Iren before their their female chil- ;e their new-born unknown on the It these barbarous \t race, within the INDIAN TRIBES OF BRAZIL. G2S pale of civilization ; or must the usual course of extinc- tion or amalgamation be the only means by which the immense and luxuriantly fertile regions which they inliabit shall eventually be improved for the support of the mil- lions that they are capable of sustaining? Tlie Tnxpiois witliin the state of New York, and tlie Cherokee settle- ments west of the Mississippi, arc almost the only prosper- ous and civilized districts inhabited by American Indians. It will be a most gratifying result if the next generation shall witness the original proprietors of this vast country taking, in the persons of their representatives, an equtd jilaee among its European occupants. A right state of feeling, upon the subject of what is due 1o the Indian, seems to be upon the ascendant in the United States, except in those districts where there is still a conflict of interest between the different races. n .4'' .,'" 1 ;.!;-5T* ;'■'■■■ '.■;»''fl^^.<' THE PAMPAS INDIANS. THEIR HOnSEMANSHIP — THEIR MODE OF I-IFE — SIR FUANCIS HEAD S DESCHII'TIONS OF THE RACE FEMALE CAI'TIVES AMONG THE IN- DIANS TRADING VISITS TO EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS I'LASSI- riCATION OF TRIBES CHANGE IN THEIR CONDITION HV THE INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN DOMESTIC ANIMALS. The vast plains or pampas of Buenos Ayres arc inhab- ited — wliere European settlements have not yet extended — by a wild and singular race of Indians. 'J\) tluMn the horse is all that the rein-deer is to the Laplanders, consti- tuting their chief support, and almost their only enjoyment. Nearly destitute of clothing, and careless of the oi-ilinary conveniences and comforts of life, they are trained from infancy to scour the plains, often without saddU-s, upon the wild horses who roam at will over the IkjuiuUcss ex- panse of meadow. The world has never jJi-odiKU'd such magnificent horsemen: "Th.. Gauchos," says Sir Francis Head, "who themselves ride so beautifully, all declare that it is impossible to ride with an Indian ; for tluit the 1 ndians' horses are better than theirs, and also that they have such a way of urging on their horses by their cries, and by a peculiar motion of their bodies, that even if they were to change horses, the Indians would beat them. The Gau- chos all seemed to dread very much the Indians' spears. They said that some of the Indians charged without either saddle or bridle, and that in some instances they were hang- ing almost under the bellies of their horses, and shrieking so that the horses were afraid to face them." fS. ;1R FUANTIS HF.AD S .;S AMONli Till'; IN- CMK.NTS — -Cl.ASSI- SDITION liV THE ; ANIMALS. Ay res arc inliab- uot yet extended ns. To tliein the .uplandeiv, consti- ironlyenjoyiiicnt. s of tlic ordiiuiry arc traineut saVldU'.s, upon the boundless cx- cr produced such says Sir Francis y, all dechire that )rth.tt the Indians' it tlu^y have such ir cries, and by a n if they ^verc to them. Tlio Gau- Indians' spears, (fed without either ics they were hang- ;-scs, and shrieking lem." THE PAMPAS INDIANS. 625 The whole lives of these singular people are spent upon norseback, a natural result of which is an incapacity for other species of exertion. Walking is intolerable to them : the fiitigue and tediousness of such a mode of travelling over an uidimited level, would be disheartening to any, more particularly to those who have continually availed themselves of the services of the horse. Something of the ordinary system of Indian government exists among the numerous tribes, but they are all of unset- tled and roving habits, shifting their quarters continually in search of better pasturage, and subsisting chiefly upon marcs' flesh. Wherever they betake themselves, they drive before them great herds of horses, and the skill with which they will catch, mount, and manage a fresh animal, when the one they have been riding is wearied, is unequalled. The author above quoted, whose characteristicall}^ graphic description of a gallop acrosn the pampas has won so ex- tensive a reputation, observes of the Indians: "The occu- pation of their lives is war, which they consider is their noble and most natural employment; and they declare that the proudest attitude of the human figure is when, bending over his horse, man is riding at his enem3^ The principal weapon which they use is a spear eighteen feet long; they manag it with great dexterity, and are able to give it a tremulous motion which has often shaken the sword from the hand of their European adversaries." In addition to the spear, they make use, both in war and hunting, of a most effective instrument called the hallos. This is a species of slung-shot, consisting of a stout leathern thong with a ball of lead attached to either end. A terri- ble blow can be struck with this weapon, and, as a missile, the Indians use it with great dexterity and effect within a moderave range. The lasso, or long noose attached to the saddle, is also an effective implement. 40 '^1 tljl] INDIAN KACKS OF AMERICA. no: Between thcin and tlie Gauclios, a scarcely less wild race r cavaliers, principally of Spanish descent, the most deadly stility constantly prevails. In the exposed districts, rudo fortilieations arc ercct(Hl for the ])rotcction of tlie white inhabitants against Indian iiuMM'sions. The ])rincip!'.l de- fence of these fortresses is said to be a narrow ditch, over wliich the Indian horses, accnstoined to the unobstructed level of the prairie, refuse to leap, and nothing could in- duce their rider to attenii)t any thing u[)on foot. Upon occasion of a successful assault, the savages show little mercy. All the unfortunate whites are murdered, except such of the young women as ai)pear sulTiciently attractive to make desirable wives. " Wiiether the poor girls can ride or v.ct," says Head, "they arc instantly placed upon liorses, and when the hasty plunder of the hut is con- cluded, tncy are driven away from its smoking ruins and from the horrid scene; whicli surrounds it." "At a pace Vvdiich in Europe is unknown, they gallop over the trackless regions before them, fed upon mares' flesh, sleeping on the ground, until they arrive in the In- dian's territory, when they have instantly to adopt the wild life of their captors. "I was informed by a very intelligent French oflicer, who was of high rank in the Peruvian army, that on friendly terms, he had once passed through part of the territory of these Pam})as Indians, in order to attack a tribe who were at war with them, and that he had met several of the young women who had been thus carried olf by the Indians. " lie told me that lie had offered to obtain permission for them to return to their country, and that he had, in addi- tion, oftered them large sums of money if they would, in the mean while, act as interpreters; but they all replied that no inducement in the world should ever make them leave their husbands, or their children, and that they were quite delighted with the life they led." r.:'f :':!(! ly less wild race the most deadly n\ districts, rudo )ii of tlic white 'he i)riHcii)!d de- rrow ditch, over he unoltstnietcd othing could in- ,ou foot. Upon ^aj'"es show little unrdero*!, except eieiitly attractive ic poor girls can ntly placed upon • the hut is cou- noking ruins and t." |H)\vn, they gallop fed upon mares' arrive iu the In- ntly to adopt tbo 1 ronch oniccr, who that on I'riondly I of the territory ttack a tribe who met several of the oll'hy the Indians, liu permission for it he had, in addi- if they would, in It they all replied 1 ever make them md that they were THE PAMPAS INDIANS. 627 There is certainly something strangely fascinating in the Idea of a wild life, unfettered by the artificial restraints of society, and the constant call f()r exertion and care inci- dent to civilized existence. We see that iu a majority of eases the iidiabitants of even tlic most desolate and inhos- pitable regions of the earth, after experiencing the com- forts of civilization, arc still glad to return to the scenes ami habits to which they were early inured. Ft is easier i'or the educated and enlightened Kuropean to discard the advantages which he has inherited, and to adopt the hab- its and life of the savage, es]iecially in a genial and spon- taneously productive clime, than for the latter to give up his wild freedom for the responsibilities and cares of civilization. In times of '^.eace the free rovers of the South Ameri- can pampas make occasional visits to the European towns and settlements for the purpose of trade. They bring in such few articles of peltry, &c., as they deal ir>, to barter for sugar, "knives, spurs, and liquor." Delivering up all their dangerous weapons to their chief, they devote them- selves, at lirst, to a regular drinkirg-bout, after recovering from which, they oU'er their goods to the trades-people. They will have nothing to do with money, or the ordina- ry rules of weight and measure, but designate, by some mark of their own, the quantity of the commodity they require in exchange for their own stock. The Pampas Indians are classilied as belonging to the great Patagonian or Pampean groupe, which is divided into the following nations: the Tehuelche, Puelche, Char- ma, Mbocobi or Toba, Mataguayo, Abipones, and Lengua. That portion of which we have been speaking in this chapter, consists princij)ally of the Puelche : their ancestors v/erc found further north, bordering upon the tribes of Para- guay, and upon the first arrival and settlement of Europeans upon the La Plata, proved most formidable enemies. .M I.. 628 INDIAN RACP]3 OF AMEUICA. They also inliabited the eastern mountainous regions of Chili, where thej were allied to and classed with the no- ble and warlike Araucanians. Molina, in his account of that race, says of the Puelchcs: "These, although tliey conform to the general customs of the nation, always dis- cover a greater rudeness and savageness of manners. Their name signifies Eastern-men. * * The Araucanians hold these mountaineers in high estimation for the im- portant services which they occasionally render them, and for the fidelity which they have always observed in their alliance with them." The first town built upon the site of the present city of Buenos Ayres, in 1534, was dcstro^'cd by the Indians; and their bold attacks repelled the Spanish adventurers in this quarter until 1580. Even then they renewed their lios- tilities, but the fall of their cl'ief cacique in battle, and the more efficient fortification of the new town, baOled them and caused their entire defeat. In these early times their habits were of course different from what we may now notice, as horses and cattle were not introduced until the arrival of Europeans. The emu or American ostrich, still an inhabitant of the Pampas, the deer, sloth, and small game, supplied them with food. The unprecedented natural increase of cattle and horses, turned free to roam over the rich grassy savannalis, sup- plied them with entirely new resources. Those Indians of Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, and other southern provinces, who live in the midst of the white settlements, are mostly Christian converts, at least in name and the observance of religious formula). The extent to which the different nations of Europe, Africa, and America have become mixed in most of tlie South American provinces, renders any thing like accurate enumeration of the amount of the present Indian popula- tion difficult, if not impossible. nous regions of 3d witli the no- hia account of altliougli thoy ,ion, always di.s- ;S9 of manners, 'he Araucanians iion for the im- cnder them, and bseived in their 10 present city of the Indians; and [venturers in this iiewed their hos- 10 iu battle, and low town, badled )f course different s and cattle were peans. The emu t of the Pampas, 1 them with food, cattle and horses, y savannahs, sup- -aguay, and other idst of the white at least in name ations of Europe, ■d in most of the ,hing like accurate jnt Indian popula- TIIE PATAGONIANS. EARLY EXAGGERATRD REPORTS CONCERNING THEM RACE TO WHICH THEY BELONG NATURE OF THE COtTNTRV TKHRA DEL FUEGO GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE INHABIT- ANTS CAPTAIN FITZROY's NARRATIVE PHYSICAL CONFOR- MATION OF THE NATIVES — SCANTINESS OF THEIR CLOTHING THEIR HUTS, RESOURCES FOR FOOD, ETC. FUEGIANS CARRIED TO ENGLAND BY FITZttOY — ATTEMPT AT THE INTRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURE ON THE ISLAND PECHERAIS DESCRIIiED IN WILKES' NARRATIVE OF THE U. states' EXPLORING EXPEDITION. ^fosT extravagant reports were circulated, in early times, of the gigantic size of the natives of the southern extremity of the Americau continent. These were not wholly fabu- lous, hut merely exaggerations, as from recent travellers we have accurate descriptions of various tribes, among which the average height of the men greatly exceeds that of mankind in general. 1'he Tehuelches in particular, although less warlike and dangerous than many other nations, are noted for their gigantic proportions. They are said to be more than six feet in height, upon an aver- age, and some of them considerably exceed that measure : Tlicv are muscular, and athletic in proportion. The Patagonian tribes are included under the same general classification with the Puelches of the pampas, and the numerous nations further north, spread over the vast and indeterminate region denominated Chaco, between Paraguay and Chili. Over the extensive plains, and table- land between the Andes and the eastern sea-board, the ill ♦;30 INDIAN RACKS OF AMETilCA. rr .-i wild trilK'H of rutiij^oniii wiimlt'r in iiiidisturlK'il fivclom. 'I'licir iiiaiinor of life la siiniltir to tluit of the I'aiiiiKis In- south, little in the way of clothinjf is worn, and the naked body of the savage is e\])tAsecf to snows and storms, against which the covering of the European would allbrd incomplete protccliwu. "These men," says Purchas, speaking of those near the straits of ^[agcllan, "both (liants and othei's, went eithci' wholly naked, or so clothed, as they S(Hnned not to dread the cold, which is yet there so violent, that besides the nioi'.ntaine-toppes, alway couered with Snow, iheii- V(M'v ISumniers, in the middest thereof, freeth them not from ice." A great ])ortion of Patagonia is sterile and barren, desti- tute of timber, and covered only with a kind of coarse grass, or with th(jrny shrubs. The country ri.scs in a series of terraces from the low eastern .sea-coast to the range of the Andes, The northern districts are in many parts fertile and heavily timbered. Crossing the Straits of Magellan, we liud one of the most miserable and desolate couuti'ies on the globe. 'J'eri'a del Fuego, the land of lire, so called becau.se of the nunu^rous fires seen upon its coast by the early navigators, is a cold and barren island. The surface of the country is cither rocky and mountainou.s, or of such a cold and miry soil as to obstruct travel and iini)rovement. The forests are rendered nearly imj)' ^.uible by under-growth. The inhab- itants arc partly, as \, mid ap{)car, of the same race with the Patagonians, but as i. body they are generally classed with the Andian Groupc, and considered to have some llie I'ainpas In- lionses uiul oiiltlo tlioir t'ountry in .tree, UMtaint'a1)lo coinfortrt of lil'o, exposure anil la- itaurs. Kven in little in thr way ^ of tlie sava^i- is hifh the cnvrrin-; J protc'fti'Mi. • of those near the thei'H, went cillaT Mned not to dread t, that besides the Snow, their very lieia not I'roni iee." and barren, desli- ind of coarse grass, ises in a series i>( I) the range of the many parts lertilo jid one of the most globe. Terra di'l L> of the niuinn-ous [ivigators, is a eold country is either [jold and miry soil The forests are lowth. The inhah- l,hc same raee with generally elassed Lrcd to have some TIIL PATAQONIANS. 631 alTiiiity to the Araueanians. "One descri})tlon," says I'ritehard, "is a))plieable to both nations. 'I'heir heads are proportionubly large; tlieir faces round, with projeeting cheek-bones, large moutlis, thick lips, short fiattcMicd nost'S, with wide nostiils ; tla.'ir eyi'S are horizontally jjlaeeil, and not inclined; otherwise their countenance Wijuld api)ro.\i- mate greatly to that of the nomadic Tartars: they have little beard; tlieir l()reheads are narrow, and I'alliiig back; their ehins broad and short." Among tlie nu)st interesting accounts of llu'se Indians is that given by Cajitain l''itx,rov, in the "Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure anij the Beagle," liieutenant Charles Wilkes, eomiuaudi'r of the United States' explor- ing ex[)ed ion, has also very graphically described the ap- pearance ami peculiarities of the })eople and country. Fit/roy estimates th(> wliole ]H)i)ulation at about three thousand adults. IMii'V are divided into five different tribes or nations, vi/: the Yaeanas, Tekeenicas, Alikhoolip, I'echerais, and Iluemuls. The name of Pecherais was be- stowe(l by Biiugainville (as dcsen))tive of their mode of sub- sistence) ujion those coast hulianswho have been considered as belonging to the Araueanian family. The Yaeanas appear to be the same with the neighlioring Patagonians. ^riie separate tribes diller considerably in their physical develoi>mcnt, but the generality of tlicse islanders jircseut a wri'telied and iniserable aspect of deformity. Their withered and emaciated limbs are in strong contrast to the breadth of the chest and the si/.c of the abdomen, and the squatting position always assumed by them when at rest, causes the skin of the knee-joint to become stretched and loose: when standing, it hangs in unsightly folds. Their eyes are almost universally inflamed and sore from the cft'ects of the smoke in their wigwam?;. There arc few races ui)on the globe who bear so strongly the marks of want and destitution. IL 632 INDIAN IIACES OF AMERICA. Unlike the natives of the cold eliincs of Northern Amer- ica, the Fucgians total'iy neglect the precaution of fortify- ing themselves against the severities of winter by warm and comfortable clothing. The majority of the -men go almost entirely naked. A single skin of the guanaco (a southern quadruped of the genus of the llama), or of the diiferent species of seal, thrown over the shoulders, and, in a few instances, reduced to the semblance of a garment, by a girdle, is all that is seen in the way of clothing. Some slight lillets are worn about the head, rather from a fancy for ornament than as a covering. The females usually wear an entire guanaco skin, in the loose fold of which, above the belt, they carry their infants: a more convenient method than that adopted hi some northern climes, of stowing the child in the huge boot. The huts which they inhabit are built, much after the fashion of the ordinary Indian wigwatn, of poles bent to- gether at the top, or of stiff stakes placed in the form of a cone. These rude dwellings are neither tight nor com- ft)rtablc : they are generally intended merely for tem})orary domiciles, as the necessity for constant migration in search of the products of the sea and coast, renders any jjerma- nent settlement impracticable. The arts of agriculture are entirely unknown or disregarded. Sundry attempts have been made to introduce the cultivation of such vegetables as the soil i , adapted to producing, but the ignorance and barbarity of the iidiabitants ])revented their a})preciation of the advantages which would result from the operation, and the experiments utterly failed. Most of the Fucgians are sup])lied with roughly-con- structed bark canoes. In the centre of these a fire is always kept burning upon a bed of sand or ela3^ Fire is obtained by striking sparks from the iron pyrites upon a tinder prepared from some dried fungus, or moss, which materials are always kept at hand; but the difficulty of THE PATAGONIANS. G33 with rouglily-con- of these a fire is 1 or chi}^ Fire is on pyrites upon a IS, or moss, which it the difliculty of obtaining a flame by these means is the probable reason for their care in preserving the embers in their canoes. As we have mentioned, th^y raise no vegetable food, and the natural products of the country are exceedingly scanty. All that the inhabitants can procure to vary their animal diet offish, seals, shell-fish, &c., consists of "a few berries, as the cranberry and the berry of the arbutus; also a fungus like the oak-a])})lc, which grows on the bireh- tree. With the exception of tliesc spontaneous produc- tions, and dead whales thrown occasionally upon the coast, the rest of their food must be obtained by their own perseverance, activity, and sagacity." A race of dogs is domesticated among the Fuegians, by the assistance of which the labor and difliculty of hunting the guanaco, otter, &o., is materially alleviated. The weapons used in war or for the chase are bows and arrows, short bone-headed lances, clubs, and slings. The Fuegians are adepts in the use of the last-mentioned implement, and hurl stones with great force and accuracy. They have no means of preserving a store of provision in times of })lenty, and are eonsetpiently liable to suffer greatly from fixmine when storms or other causes cut them oJf from* the usual resources of the sea. They will some- times bury a quantity of whale's blubber in the sand, and devour it in an offensive condition, when pressed by hun- ger. "In Captain Fitzroy's narrative there is an account of a party of the natives who were in a famishing state, on which some of the tribe departed, observing that they would return in four 'sleeps' with a supjily of food. On the fifth day they arrived in a state of great cxiiaustion, each man carrying two or three pieces of wluilf^-blubbtr, in a half putrid state, and which ai)peared as if it had been buried in the sand. A hole was made in each piece through which the man carrying it iiisertcd his head and neck." lleport says that, as a last resource, when other food can- rl. Ml iv [':"■''■'■■ • I, ■ '.■ h'^::',|.- '! ". 634 INDIAN EACES OF AMEKICA. not be obtained, tlie Fuegiaiis kill and feed upon the older and more unscrvieeablc members of their own eoinnnmity. The benevolent Fitzroy, deeply interested in the welfare of these unfortnnatc islanders, made an attempt, in 1830, to elVeet some iniprovcment in their condition. ITc took four of them with him to England, one of whom died of the small-pox shortl}' after landing. The others were maintained and instrueted, at the captain's own exjiense, until October of tiic following year, when he took them on board tlie Beagle to return to their homes, and use their influence in introducing the arts and comforts of civiliza- tion. One Mattliews accompanied them from I'higland, with the purpose of assisting their efforts among their countrymen. Arriving at Terra del Fuego, wigwams were built, and a garden was laid out and planted with various European esculents. Cuiiosity and astonishment were the first feel- ings excited by these operations ; but after the departure of the captain, the rude natives, uiuible to com]n-ehend the motives lor the experiment, and incapable of a]){)reciating the advantages in store for them, destroyed the little })lant- ation. Jennny Button, the one most particularly described of those carried to England, when seen, a few years after- wards, by Captain Fitzroy, had nearly rela2)sed into his original state of squalid barbarity. Matthews left the island upon the first failure of the attempt at agriculture. Could there be found men of sunicient self-devotion to be willing to take up their abode in such a dreary country, there seems to be reason to believe that the Fuegians might be reclaimed. They do not lack sagacity or intelligence, and their memories are r ■larkably retentive. It is said that "they could repeat witn perfect correctness each word in any sentence addressed to them, and they remembered such words for some time." The Fuegians described by Commander Wilkes, as seen .',(. THE PATAGONIANS. 6£5 er Wilkes, as seen at Orange Harbor, were of tlie Peclicrais tribe. His de- scriptions correspond with tliose of former voyagers, but tlicir interest is greatly heightened by the illustrations which accompany his valuable narrative. "They are," he says, " an ill-shapen and ugly ^'ace. They have little oi' no idea of the relative value of articles, even of those that one would suppose were of the utmost use to them, such as iron and glass-ware. A glass bottle broken into pieces is valued as much as a knife. Eed flannel torn into stripes, pleases them more than in the piece; they wound it round their heads, as a kind of turban, and it was aums- ing to see their satisfaction at this small acquisition." The Indians of this party wore no other clothing than a small piece of seal-skin appended to the shoulder and reaching to the waist. This was shifted from side to side according to the direction of the wind, serving rather as a shelter than a covering. Their bark canoes were of exceedingly slight construction, "sewed with shreds of whale-bone, seal skin, and twigs." Their navigat'-^^i was mostly confined to the limits of the kelp or sea-weed, where the water was calm, and they could assist the oper- ation of their small and inefficient paddles by laying hold of the marine plants. Those natives who were taken on board the vessels, exhibited little or no astonishment at what they saw avouiul them. This did not proceed from surliness or apathy, for they were vivacious and cheerful, and apparently happy aiul contented. A most uncontrollable propensity to mim- icry prevented the establishment of any kind of commu- nication, as, instead of replying to signs and gestures, they would invariably imitate them with ludicrous exactness. "Their imitations of sounds were truly astonishing. One of them ascended and descended the octave perfectly, fol- lowing the sounds of the violin jorrectly. It was then found he could sound the common chords, and follow > -J III If ■;>■,:, 1 i ■ ( II ' , <■ 636 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. througli the semitone scale, with scarcely an error. * * * Although they have been heard to shout quite loud, yet they cannot endure a noise. When the drum beat, or a gun was fired, they invariably stojiped their ears. They alwa^'s speak to each cither in a whisper. Their cautious manner and movements prove them to be a timid race. The men are exceedingly jealous of their women, and will not allow any one, if they can help it, to enter their huts, particularly boys." When, after some hesitation, admittance Was gained to the huts on shore: "The men creeping in first, squatted themselves directly in front of the women, all holding out the small })iece of seal-skin, to allow the heat to reach their bodies. I'he women were squatted three deep behind the men, the oldest in front, nestling the infants." Most writers s])oak of the condition of the Fuegian women, particularly of this race of Pecherais, as being subjected to the most severe and toilsome drudgery. "In a word," says one, "the Pecherais women are, perhaps, of ali the savage women of America, those whose lot is the hardest." Those, however, seen at Orange Harbor had small and well-shaped hands and feet, "ami, from appearance, they are not accus- tomed to do any hard work." Some vague superstitious belief in dreams, omens, &e., with the idea of an evil spirit in the embodiment of "a great black man, supposed to be always wandering about the woods and mountains, who is certain of knowing ever}' word and every action, who cannot be escaped, and who influences the weather according to men's conduct," is all that is observable of religious conceptions ', or lro([Uois. •' In the autunni of this year, I'ouiiatan was forir.ally crowned — the regalia having been sent over tVom I'lnghind. *' Dec. Powhatan's conspiracy against Smith and his party, and their preservation by Pocahontas. I(jl3. Pocahontas sei/.ed and detained by (^aptain Argall. •' April. .Marriage of I'ooahontas to John llolfe. 11J14. Tiiomas Hunt landed at Monhegan, and enticed twenty-four In- dians on board his vessel, whom he carried to Europe as slaves. I(il7. Pocalnmtas died, at (iravesend, in Kiigland. 1618. l»owhafaii died. 1620. Nov. y. The May-Flower arrived. " Dec. 8. First hkirnii.-h of the N. Kngland settlers with the natives. " Dec. 22. Their landing at Plymouth. 1621. March 22. Treaty between the Plymouth settlers and .Massasoit. 1622. March 22. (ireat nnissacre of the Virginia settlers, by the Indians, set on by Opechancanough: three hundrec) and forty-seven killed. 1625. ilreat battle witii tiie Caribson the island o;" St. Christopher; two .JKUisand of that nation destroyed. 1628. Fire-arms extensively dill'nsed among the Indians of New England, by Dntch traders and otie Thomas Morton. 1637. Tiie Peipiod War broke out: siege of the English garrison at Saybrook. " June 5. A little before day the Pequod fort attacked and destroy- ed; barbarous destruction of women and children. 16 10. Peace concluded between the Spanish coioi.'ista under Francisco Zuniga, und the Araueuniuns. f,..' '1' ' '.: i! The bloody scenes 3d. id the Aniucimiiiiw, \ ii siirnivl virtdvy. id destroyed by the upclii^m of Cliiloe.^ • Indians i»ii the ht. course with the Vir- i.xi>cditiont()Viv!j;ii|i:i , ivs\ilti'd ill th'' •''■- >urHi' will) tlu- luitives. cToiiui I'ailhiiiKU'liu; •111111111 tcrritoiy. rini;i; Willi whu'h the :j .■ted. .. ;ilie, his first nu'otmg . tbr'.nidly crowned— the nd. , ,. . and his party, and their 1 Argall. ,nticed twenty-four In- d to Europe as slaves. Utlers with the natives. ifttlcrs and Massasoit. J settlers, l)y the liiaiaiis, |l and forty-seven UiUeil. ,;"tSt. Christopher; two Idians of New England, be English garrison at it attacked and dcstroy- I'liildren. loi-ists under Francisco IMPORTANT EIIAS AND DATES. 639 iunians. A. D. 1613. Miantoninio put to death by Uiicas. Ifitl. Sccdiid Virginia massacre, planned by 0|)ecliancanongh. Itji');!. 'I'iu' nation of the Erics externiinati'd by the Irocpiois. Hiti'J. I'hilip, or Mct.iconut, succeeded his brother Alexander. Hifi.O. Peace i\<^Mn concluded i)etween the Spaiiiaids and Arauca 1()7.'). .luni! 21. (). S. First h!ood shed in Kiiiif I'hilip's war. 1()7.'>. Dec. 19. Destruction of the Narragansett Ibrt. 1G7(). Aug. 1"2. I'iiilip killed by an Indian of ('aptnin Church's party. " Aug. Capture of Annawon, hy ('liurch, and end of the war. 1()82. Dix-. First treaty of WiUiani I'eiin witii the Delawaies. lfiS8. In\asiim of Cana. Singular intiimus of tlie Reverend TlKunas ihisonnvorth and his wife, the hall-lireed, Ma.y Mnsirrove, ainonif the Creeks. 17.j(). Settlement of dillicultics lietwi'cu Spanish and I'ortnguese colonics on the river l.a Plata — thirty thousand (iuarani Indians expatriated. 1755. .Inly !). Disastrous deleat of (reneral iir.uhinek, hy the French and Indians, a few miles tVom Fort l)u(|ucsne. 1759. Winter. War lietweeii the Cherokees and the British coloi.ists. 171)0. Spring. Coloiu'l Montgomery's ex]ieiiition against the Cherokees: destruction ot'all tlu ir towns I'ast of the lilue liidge. 17<)1. S[)ring. Colonel (iranl's c.im[iaign against the Cherokees: their reduction, and the nivage of their towns in the interior. 17(i3. M.'iy. Siege of Detroit ciunmenci'd hy I'ontiac. " July 3U. iJatlle of JJloody Ihidge, and terrihle destruction of Eng- lish troops under Captain Dalyell, hy I'ontiac ;ind his warriors. 1773. 1'caci' concluded between the Spaniards !nul the AraucaMians. 1771. In the spring of this year connneiiced the hloody war in Western Virginia and Fennsylvania, known asCresap's war. " Oct. 10. (ircat battle at Point Pleasant— mouth of the Kanawha. 1777. .luly. IJattle of Oriskany; (ieneral Herkimer mortally wounded. 1778, ,luly 4. Destruction of the settlements in the valley of Wyoming. " Nov. Massacre at Cherry-Valley. 177!). Sept. (ieneral Sullivan's campaign against the Iroquois: destruc- tion of all their towns, cro[)s, fruit-trees, and stores. 1780. Aug. Ravage (d'a portion oi'the Mohawk valley, by Rrant. 1781.()Ireat insurrection of the Peruvian Indians, under Tupac Amaru. " .June. Grand cor.ncil of war held hy the western tribes. " Defe.it (d" Colonels Todd, Trigg, and party, near the Rlue Licks. " Indian towns of Chilicothe,Pecaway,&c., destroyed by (Icn. Clarke. 1785. Rrant visited England, and wjis received w ith llatteriiig atUuition. 178o. Dec. (band C'ouucil oi' Western Indians, at Huron Village. 1791. Autumn. Unsuccessful expedition of General llarniar. ^■M- 720 A.D. 1791. 1794. 1804. 1809. 1810. 1811. 1813. 1813. 1813. 1814. 1823. 1829. .830. 1831. 1832. u <( u 1835. (I 1836. 1836. 1837, 1838, 1842. INCLUDING ILLUSTR.VTIONS. Nov. 4. Disiistrous clofeut of General St. Clair, by the Indian.?, under Little Turtle, near the Minnii. Auir. 20. Battle of l're.s(juc isle, in wliiili the Western Indians, uiuier JJlue Jaeket, Were sijriijiljy defeated by General Wayne. Elskwatawa, the |)roj>liet, hrotlier of Teeuniseh, engaged in intrigues among tiie tril)es of the west. Sept. (,'ession of lands on the Wabash, obtained by General Harrison from the indians. Departure of Teeuniseh southward, for the purpose of rousing up the Creeks, Cherokees, &e. Night of Nov. G. Battle at tiie Prophet's Town, in whieh Elskwa- tawa's fories were defeated and dispersed by General ll.Mrrison. Aug. 30. Saek of Fort Minuns, in tlie Tensau settlement, by the great Creek warrior Weatherford, with fifteen hundred Indians. Oet. 5. Battle of the Thames: the great Indian ehief Teenmseii killed. Nov. 29. Battle of Autosse; drjstruetion of two hundred Indians by General Floyd's forees, aided by Indian allies led by M'Intosh. Mareh 27. Battle of llorse-shoe Bend, in the Tallapoosie: the Creeks and other sonthern Indians defeated by General Jackson. Sept. 18. Treaty of IMoultric (Jreek, by whieh the Seminoles were to remove witiiin certain limits. Dee. 20. Acts passed by the Georgia legislature, annulling the Cherokee laws, and infringing upon tlu^ rights of that people. July. Treaty at Prairie lUi Chien, willi the Sacs and Foxes, lowas, Siou.x, &c., concerning cession of lands east of the Mississip()i. June. General Gaines" expedition, to compel removid of the S;ies. May 8. Treaty of Payne's Landing, by the provisions of which the Seminoles were to remove west of the Mississippi. May 14. Defeat of Major Stillnian iind his forees, by Blaek-IIawk. Aug. 2. Blaek-llawk's forees defeated by General Atkinson. " 27. Surrender of Black-Hawk and the Prophet. Oet. The Florida War commenced. Dec. Treaty of New Echota with the Cherokees, (known as Schermerhorn's treaty) upon the subject of removal of that nation west of the Mississippi. Dec. 28. Destruction of Dade's detachment, by the Seminoles. Mareh 14. Schermerhorn's treaty with the Cherokees ratified by Congress. Spring. General Scott's campaign in Florida. Jan. 22. General Jessup moved southward towards the everglades in pursuit of the Seminoles. Oct. 3. Black-Hawk died, at the age of 73. The Florida war at an end: several hundred Indians transported west of the Mississippi. THE END. 1 s. Hair, by the Indiiins, ,lic Western Indians, jy Generiil Wayne. L;uniscli, engaged in ul)taincd by General ) purpose of rousinif \vn, in vvhii'h Elskwa- )y General Harrison, an settlement, by the 'en Imndred Indians, idian chief'Tecuniseii two hundred Indians dlies led by M'lntosli. the Tallapoosie: the 1 by General Jackson, h the SeniinoU'8 were daturo, annulling the ^fhts of tiiat people, aes and Foxes, lowas, it of the Mississippi. 1 removal of tlie Sacs. ! provisions of which I Mississippi, orces, by Blaek-IIawk. Jeneral Atkinson, e Prophet. herokees, (known as t of removal of that ,, by the Seminoles. Cherokees ratitied by a. towards the cversrlades id Indians transported