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TlIK OUIAN RACES OF ABIERICA: COMPniSING A GENERA L V I E W (HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE) OF ALL THE MOST CELEBRATED TRIBES THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT AND ADJACENT ISLANDS; THE DIFFERENT THEORIES KESPECTI^a THEIR ORIGIN; AN OUTLINE OF THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMS AND PE- OULIARITIES; THEIR EARLY TRADITIONS; AND THE PROMINENT EVENTS IN THEIR HISTORY, PARTICULARLY AS CONNECTED WITH EU- ROPEAN COLONIZATION IN AMERICA. FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE COUNTRY TO THE PRESENT TIME. I! Y CIHARLES DE WOLF BROWNELT., A. M. W I T IT NUMEROUS AND DIVERSIFIED COLOURED ILLUSTRATIOxNS, JCNTIRHLY NKV,', If A,NV OF WHICH AKS FROM OBIOINAI, DKSIONR, EXECUTED IN THE BEST STYLE, BY THE MOST EMINENT AHTJSTS BOSTON: D A y IH) N AND VV E N T W O R T H , 86 WASHINGTON STREET. I8r>r). \ 7^ •.v;.. % '' MJ i>i i i ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR ISTA, BY DAYTON AND WENTWORTII, IN THE CI-ERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS. FOUXPRY OF S. ANnRI's AXD SO.V iiartkord; VV. C. Amistron?, Typrnfraphcr. ^V. 8. WILLIAMS'S PRESS. PREFACE. FnoM the size of this volnmo, us compared with the v;iiicty and fxloiit of the Kubjects under ex.imimitioii, it will Le readily perceived that niiiiiiteiioss of detail has been impossible. In disei'ibiniif the adventures and proceedings of the pioneers in the settlement and civilization of the Western Continent, the interest- ing nature of the narrative im'y liave led the antlmr, in sonic; instances, away fann tiie immediiite object of his attention, viz: the nnnncrs, peculiarities, and history of the aboriginal inhabitants. He trusts, Innv- cver, that where this may ajipear to be the ease, it will generally bo found to hav(! resulted from the inseparable manner in which the; his- tory of the natives and those who have supplanted them is interwoven. kSo f;r as has proved convenient or practicable, loralikics will l)e found to be in such a manner pointed out or referred to, that the reader who is ordinarily well acquainted with the geography of the country will seldom be at fault. Upon this point, the opening of the fifth book of '-The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Cap- taine Inhn Smith," is worthy the attention of all historieal writers. It runs til us: "IJefore we present you the m ;tters of fact, it is fit to ofTer to your view the St.ige whereon they were acted; for, as Geography with- out History seemeth a carkasse without nuition, so. History without Geogr phy wandereth as a Vagrant, without a certaine habitation." The wiirks whi/li have been carefully examined by the author in th" pi'ONciMition of his design, and from which most of the facts em- bodied in this oulli.'ie of history and description have been obt.ined, are the following: Aiiii'riciin Ai,li(]'iiiii's 1111(1 IJc'i'iirclit's iiild ; Tho N,'ilnr:>l Hisliiry of i\I:;ii ; liy J.-imuii liic Or i,'il il lll^ll iT Oil- lU'il 11:104;: liV Alcx:iMili'r W. r.iiKir.ird ; Ciiwli's I'ricliiiril ; I.i'Uors iiiul Nnlcs (III till- !\Iiin'i('is, Ciisloms, Tliu lliiiL;iM|ihy iiml lli>|i)ry (if Uii' Inilhiris j Uliil Ciiidilioii nl' tin' .N.>i l!i Aliicr.Cilll In- ul' NdiUi Aiiioi'ica; bj Ir^amucl (J. Drake ; i (iiiiiis; liy (iuiir^'c Cilliii ; Ml f M IT" rUKFACK. Tho History, Condition, mid Pro!i,'ni|iliy ; l>y It. II, Tliiu'lici", mid .MiiIii'l;iiii IihIIuiis; Mc ImIo^Ii'm Hook of tliL> lridiiiii.s; j Tli<- Mfo of William Henry llnrrlHoi), with a Triivi'lrt of Ciipl. Jniiiillmii Carvrr tliroiiijli j llislorj of tliu Wars with tiic Itrlti^ll and thd Interior of North Anierieii, in U7iV-7-8; Indian!* on onr Noilh-we- tern rronlierx; Indian War-i of the United Statist; hy VVii- . Tlu; Adventure ' of Daniel Iloone; liy iho liani V. Moore; nuthor ol I'ncle I'hilipV Conversalions; T)io llifli of Dun Antonio Do Solis; , Jiimes Adair, fir forty years ii rusiduul Tim Coni|Me>t of Mexico; hy liernal Diaz; and trader amnni,' tliem ; d(d Castillo, Uei,'idor of thu city of (Juatc- J Cohlietl's r,il'e of Andrew Jackson ; main, written in 1508 i Tho History of Georgia; by Cajit. Ilm,di rrescotl'H Contpiest of Mexico; j McCall; Concpiest of .Mexico and Peru; Harper's j The Adventures of ('apt. Iloniieville in tho scuiea (jf Tales from American History ; Far West, and auneni,' the Koiliy .Moun- Uoberlsoii's lli>lory of America; j tains; liy Wa^hinulon Iiviii\' ; The Invasion and ('(iii(|UC'st of I'loriihi, uii- [ Cox's .Adventures on liie (-'uliimliia Itiver; dnr Hernando de Soto, written by a gen- : liarrow'.sVoya^'es of Discovery and Kesearch tieman of the town of Klvas; wiiliin tlio Arctic Ketjinnsi; Irving'.s Conquest of Tlorida; J Back's N.arralivo of the Arciic Land I'.xpo- Tlio Territory of Florida ; by John Lee Wil- j ditlon ; Gieniiland, tho Adjacent Hen*, and tlie North- west Passa;,'!!; by Rern.ard O'Ueilly ; Parry's Joiirn.'il of a .'second voyii'.-e for tho Discovery of a North-west Pas:-iii,'e; Inland Expedition to tliu .Arctic Mains; Tin' True Travel?, Advpiiti're*:, and Observn- lioiis of Ciiptaiiie F ihii ymilli ; from the Loudon edition of KiJ'J; The Life of Onptain John Smith; by W. G. i Mackenzie' Simula; ! (Icean; Tlie History of the Indians of Connecticut; j Purclias, his Pilgrimaso; liy John \V. D(( 1-oiiost; Tliu .Modern Traveller; by Jo.«iah Condor, Baylie's Jlemoiis of Plymouth Colony ; | Articles on South America ; Barber's llisioiical Colleciions, in Masfu- ; Spanish .America; by K. H. Bonnycastle; chussetts and Connecticut; ! Ir\iii!,''s Life of Columbus; The Rev. William Ilulibard's Narrative of Indian Tribes of Guiana; by R(!V. \V. H. tho Indian Wars in New EiiLjlaiid ; writ- 1 IJrelt ; ten in 177.') ; \ .Alexander do IIu:nboldl'3 Travels in Smith The History of Philip's War; by Tliomns America; Church, a .son of (.'apt. Benjamin Church ; ( Prescott's (Jnnfinest of Peru ; New Kii!,'laiid's Memorial; by Naiiianiel Travels in Peru ; by Dr. J. J. Von TschudI, Mortoii, pulilislied in 1009; j translated from tlie (ierman by Thoimwina The Publications of the Massachiis-i Us His- Ro.ss ; lorical Society, especially those relatinij to The Geocirnphical, Natural, niul Civil Ilis- tlie F.arly Setllc'iieiils in New Kiii^land ; j tory of Chili; by Ablie don J. Ii] COMTliNTS. FKOU 110 l't3 CliAl'Tlcn V[. Ptlfiiit fif llii' Pi'iiiltinli-i Hiiiit)i\v;iril- KiiriiiiiitiT on tlin Ihitrlirn I.ii«- Icii— (JiililriciRi' mill 'I'l'ili:!' villi lilt! Iii(lliili!<— Iti lli'Will III (III' 'I'ri'al) ol l'il)lii''i Lniiihiii;— Ni'iflt'ct on tlm pni't of tint ImliitiiH in comply >vitli Us ri'iivlnioiiM— Cup- lull', Hiirii'iMliT, iiiiil 'rri'iii'lit'i'iiii!) Hi;i/iiio of vuii'iiw Clilils— Di'iilli of Onci'iila— Ciilotii I TiiyliM's l'iuii|iiii;;ii, CiiAriKii VII. Vaii'iiis Mliiur |;hi;m,:iiii('|i!h— yiirniiilrr nl" I,iiri,'i' N iinliii.-i o|' jn- (Ikiii-<— C'lililliiimiii'ii of Di'piril.illmi- — llliind-liiMiiiiU I'luiii Cilliii— AHurk upon ii Coiiipiiiiy of Aclurs— St'iiiliiiilu Cliiil's briiiij;lii hack Inim lliu ^Ve^l In rrpml lliitir Coliilillim III llii'lr Coinilrjiiu'ii — Colmicl lliiiiii')'.i llxpidillim In iIid I'mikIiuUs — KikI of iliu War— liiiriiiii!* fliipptd VV'ml— NiiiiiLici's r>tlll i'i'iiiuliaii(; in l*1briil>i| . TIIM INDIANS OF VIUOINIA. CuAi'THK r, I'xpcditiim of AinlJiis mid lliulnw— Of Sir nictiiinl CircnvlIU-— Of lt.!illiip|oiii(W (i(i:-iiiill, Willi Ciiptiiin Hmilli — SililcMicnt at .liiinchliiwn — Vi.-il lo !'()« liMlan— Impiiiviilriiod miil Dilllciillli';) of llic CwIoiiIsIh— llxplnraliiiii ol' llio t'liicl:iiliiiiiiiiiy— Sniiili tukon I'lisniicr— His 'rrciuini'iit Ijy ilio liidiiiiis, , . ,151 C'liAi'Tui II. Cuint of Powlmiiin— fmllli'H PrcBcrviition by PocalunilHs— .«iippllfi! Iiy till' liidlniiK— Newport's Arriv.'il— SinithV Kxpi'diiiotit up llm CliPMiipfiikc, . 100 CiiAi'i i;ii III. Curdiiiilioii of I'nwlialmi— Siiillli's Vi- "iispiilu'wli— AHci'iKliiiiry of tint Kunlisli, 171 C'iiai''I'Ii:k IV. Di.ilR'ss of llio Colonii's— .Martin and West's Peltli'incnts— Arrival of 1.111(1 Uu la W.iiTo— Hctaljiilions npon iliu Niitivfs— ScizurH of PnciitKiiilas: Hon Miirriaui'— rnacc willi Ilio Indians— I'nciiliuntas visits ICnaland: lltT Di'iith— Death 111 r.jwiiiiliiii— Pory'a BettJiinunt, , .^81 (.iiAiTicii \'. Iliu Virginia .Ma'siicro of 1022 and of 10-11 (or 1G14)— Dialh of Opo- (:liMiK'iiiioiii.;hi I'Jl CnM'TKR VI. S^initlr;'! .\ccoiint of tlie Numbers, Appc'iiKiuctMinU ILibii-Juftlnj Indians, l'J4 NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. CiiAi'TKR I. Conduct of tlif Kiirly Voyiii,'crs— Arrival of iliu Mny-riowcr— Snmo?ct— Ti.-'pmnliiMi — .M.i-i^iisdit — \Vc>ionV(,'i)lo:iy — C'liiinbi I lint's Conspiracy — Trmli' in l'"iro Arms— TlioK. MDrlnii — Deiitli of Ma.-si:f;oil iind .AlrXMinltr, and Accession ol I'liilij), 199 CiiAi'Tta II. Tlio NarraKimsotts— Till' Priinola— Murdur of Slono und Dldliani— r.iiilk'i.lt's i:x|ndition— Tilt! Pequut War— Destruction of the IVquol Fort— Tlie Tribf! Di~i[iiM>('d und t-nlidiii'd, 209 CnAfrEii III, Quarrel between the Narr;i!,Mn!'ett3 iind Mi Iipy^ins— Unciis und Miiin- tiiiilino — Tlie .Moliegan Lund Contioversiy— Sub.-eqiieiil Cuiidition of tlm Peqnols mid Molie:;iin3, , 'J19 CiiAiMKii IV. 'i'lie Iiidiiuis fiirnislied with Fire-Arms— Situation of tlic Colonials — I'liilip's Accssion — Mis Trenties wilh tlio Whiten— Ills Triiu Pluns— I'.inissiiries H'lit lu Piiitkonate — Captain Benjimiiii Cliiirch — His Interview willi Awuslumks— .^nu■(ler of Jdliii Passainon, 2ii9 CnAi'TkK V. Alliick on J^wnnFoy— Collection of Troops— rii;ht at jMilcb' nriilRu — riiili|i ilrivi n from the Neck— Cluircli iit Piiiilialuse — Meitrnction ol riooklleld, . 21)7 CiiAi'rKii VI. I'liilip moves Westward— AtliicUs on Iluilley iind DeerlleM— CJoITi! tho Keyicide — iJeslrnclion of Liillirop'sCoinnnind — AssmiiUhoii Spriiu^field iind liallleld — Ilxpidition atjuiiist tliu Niirrat;unsetts : CnlragiMUi.sCriii Hies in their Kediiclioii — Philip on till! Hudson — Deslriict'iiof Lancai'ler, Medileld.Seekoiil;,(;i-oton, Warwick, Marlboroiiijli, &.c.— Canonchel taken, and put to Death — Furlhur linliun Ravayes, 210 CuAl'TER VII. Philip's Return to Pokanoket— .Major Talcolt's Successes- Clinrcli Coinini-.,-.i(iiied liy Ilio Court at Plynionth — His Interview with Awoshoidcs; with the Sonkonales at t-'aiiiUvich — His Canipaitrn iifjainst llio Indians— Philip sicn : his Will' and Son luUeii— Death of Weelaniore, Queen of Pucasset— De.Uh of Pliilip, . 250 I J "il CON TK NTS. 7 CiMPTKR VIII. Piimilt (if Aniiiiwoii iiinl llli Pnily -J>iirlii.( In ccilurc of Ciiplii'ii • liiircli— llmli'l' llii- War, 1111(1 Kiuul Difiioml (d'PiiHiiH'rH— r*iiiiim,iry ol'lliu fi)l(ii!i:il \.i %7 J I'lMrim l.\. Ilic i;.iHicrii liidinriM— Tin ir rricndl) Di'^piiKiilKii— Sci/jiri- nC lliiw( jinplii'iilcd ill Pliili|i"n <;(iii,.piiiicy— I'Vi'iH'li iiiiil liidiiiii V\ iir ;ii lllHll — AUiiik uli <'(i« cliccii -MuiiiiM- 1)1' Miijiir VViiIili'oii— Wiir ol' 170'.*— Cliiircii'i* Lnil CumiuilKU— \\ ur of I'lVi.'-Ciiptiiln Jciliii Ldvowfll, 'JTS T)iK IIUK.inOTS. on SIX NATIONH CiiM'i rn I. Oniu'ralOulllncsdf Cliiiriu'tcr, kc— linprt'Mtldin (if tlio liiliiibltniit* nf Ni'w i;iii;liiii'l rc>p( ciiiiij ihc Ii'iKpmis — (Iiiiani'iilii: 111m Spcccli tii M.dc In Hiirrc, tlHO CjiAi'TiiR II. liiKiimis Tnidili'iii ri'liillvc lit llicli' I'lpriiicr llisUii) — A liner Ac- niiiiiit nf th« (llfll'i'i'iit Iribi'K bclonKlir^ to thu L'oiill'dcrai'y, iiiid llic iiuiiiiiii'iir ilu Ir riilim— IticidciilH of I'nrly Wiuriirc, iJf'O ('ii\riKii III. liiipDiluiit <;iiiini(;lorH mid r.vi.'iils of Itic nishtcciilli Century— nriiiil — CicsMpN Wiir, iiiid Ilisliiry (if l.iii'iiii, . , . , '."'.■» CiiAi'iKR IV. IIl^'iilliviiiiV ('iuiip:ii!^ii ir,Miii3l llio InKiiiois— SubscqiR'iit VVm- likc I »|irriiiioiiM of till' Niitldii", Ii'.'l riiM'ii.ii VII. Cduditicjii df till! Six Nnlldiis Hiib»P(pi('iit to tlio Ruvoliiliou— Conclii- sidii df llraiil'a Ilisldry— Ui'd-.lii('k(!t mill f-drn-Pliiiitcr, CiiAi'Tiiii VIII, Pri'soiit Coiiditiim of the Six Ni4limis FoK i'lAi' s v;aii, Cmm'tkr I. Ficiicli Innr.'Mion ovor the Iiidinns— Ilritlch Ocpupntlon of tlio Woslei'ii I'dih— Pdatiiic, iiiid his Pliiiis fur cxli'i'iniiiiitiii^' lli(? Kii'^'lisli, CiiAi'TKK II. Sii'go of DLlrdit--15iitllo of llldddy IJiidijc, THE DELAWARl'iy. SITAWAKEE.S, AND ornEB TutriKfi op the ijinnr.K a-nh westkrn states. CiiAPTER I. The nolnwiii-c!"— VVilliimi Pciiii— !'L:nil Wiiyiu! — Decisivt; Itallli' near the .Mauii'.co Rapids, ami siihM'ic.icnt 'I'lcaty df Pt'iice, litil I'll u'lKR III. Cdiidilinii of the Indians siihspqniMit to thr^ Peiico— Tho Pinphit I'ixlv- wiilnwu— Ti'cuniSfh : His Plans and Intriniiifs— {jcncral Ilnrrison's KxpiMliiiim siirainst Ihu Proplu-l's town— Defeat of Ww Indians at Tippec-aiido — War dl' I.-*!-,' — Ilarrisdirsi Invasion of Canada— llallli! of the Tlianies, and Dealh df Tei'iiniHeli, . 308 ('MAIM nu IV. Acquisitiun iind Sale, by the I'liiled Hialcs, di' liiilian Land in llliiidii — l;i,ic,li-IIawk— Tilt! .-'acM icnidved west df ihi! MiMsi.ssipiii— Return of l!iacl;-llawk and his Followers- Defeat of Major Slillman— The lloslilo Indians pursued by At> kinsiii and Diidife— Their Defeat on tho bank of iho Mississippi— Illack-lliuvk's Knncnder — llo is taken to Washington— His f?ub^('(iueiit Career, . . . . 370 INniAT^TS (U-^ THE SOUTH i^.RN STATES. CiiAi'TKR I. Early Location, Nntnliers, Cliaracter, &c., of tlieCatawbas; of thu ITppor iiiid Lower Clieidkecs; iif ilio Muscdice«s or Creiks; of tbe Clnic'laws; of llie Chicka.«aws— I'lench War with the Nulchuz and Cliickasaws, ;1B3 :tJ7 3:!U 311 ■ \ . ■ V l^ 11 X ■I Ii \'wi^ Vp''\ ^A < •• i b CONTENTS. PAOB CiiAi-TER II. Colonization of (Jooiciii— Eiiily IiitiTcoiirso willi the Niilivcs — Tonio- cliichi— liitiiijiica ol'llu) Kcvcrt'iid Thomas liosomwortli— Chcroki'o Wiir of n.VJ— Altiikulliikiilla and Occonostota— Murder of Indian Iloslat;i'3— Colonel Monlgoni- ( ry'y Kxpcdilion — Destruction of the Eaptern Cherokee Towns— Batllo near Ktclioe — Ca[)i(ulation at Fort London — Indian Treachery — Cainjiaign of Colonel Grant, and Complete Reduction ol the CherokecH, 300 CiiAi'TEU 111. Ciiplain i^teunrt's A^'ency— Disturbance in 17G7— Visit of Tecumseh to t!i(^ Southern Tribes — WealherTord— Sack of Tort Mimnis— War of 1813— ♦Jenend Jackson's Cauijiaign — Battles on the Tallusahatchee; atTalla(let,'a, Aulossec, &c. — The Hallibeea— Defeat of the Indians nt Hor8e,-Shoe Bend— End of the War, . . 402 CiiAPTEH IV, The Removal of tluiCherokees west of the Mississippi— I'li'sent Luca- tion and Condition of the other Tribes of the Southern Slates, . . . .411 NORTHKRN RACES. Chapter I. The Esquimaux : their Manni'rs and Per^()nal Appearance — Accounts of Early Voyasors — Esiiuinianx lliihilalions, Eood, &c.— Tlie Kuiuk or Canoe — Seiilintt — Tlie Rein leer— Ums of tlie Dol?— Patriiirclial Coveniment— Eflecls of Eoi'eign liUerc(jurs(.. 410 CiiAi'-rKK II. The E:-q limaux of iNlelviJle PeMijisula— Tlieir Sluliire ainl Cnstunie — Snow lluls and their Eurnituie— IniplemcMils (nr Ilmiliui; and Seulint;— Menial Traits, 426 CiiAi'TER 111. Tlio I'nisteneaux, Chijjpewas, &c 4'.)1 VARIOUS NATIONS AND TRIBES BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AMD 'J'lIE PACIFIC OCEAN. Ctiapteu T. The Sioux or Dahcotas, and other Tribes of the same Race: Classifica- tion — The IMandans: Tlieir Number, Siiualionj Villages, &,c. — Their Cemeteries — Aflectionato Remembrance of the Dead, • . 4\n Chai'tkr II. Personal Appearance and Peculiarities of the Mandans— Their IIos[)i- tality and Urbanity— Their Cleanliness of Person — Their Uress— Portraits of Mun- dan Chiefs — Cuntrasl between the Wild Tribes and those of the Erontier — Mandan Domestic Usages— (.iamev and Dancis — Trainiu!; of the Vouth — Tlu; (Jreat Amnnd Religious Ceremony — The Mandans su|)i)ose(l to be of Welsh Descent-Annihila- tion of thu Tribe by the Small-pox, 4K CiiAi'TER III. The Si(mx, continued— Their M(]de nf Life— M:ternal AITection- Ex- j.osure of the Aged — The famous Quarry of Red Pipe-stone— Nature of this .Ma;iTial — Indian Superstilions respi'ding it — The Bison or Bulfalo — lloi'si'S of the India)is — Various Modes of Hunting llu^ Bullalo— Wasd'I'ul Destruction of the Herds, . '\'m CuArTEU IV. Indians of the (Ireat Western Prairies— Their Summer tmd Winter Lodges— The Medicine-Bag— The Crows and Blackfeet— Races Hostile lo tlu' latter Tribe — Fortitude of a Blackl'oot Warrior — The Crow Chief Arapooish and hisC'uest — Indian Conceptions of a Perfect Country — Slory of Lorello and his Indian Wile — Adventures of Kosuto, a Blackl'oot Warrior 40:l Ciiai'tkr V. Tribes on the Columbia and its Tributaries— The Nez-Perces— Their Religious Character — The Walla-wallas— The Chinooks— .Mode of Flattening the Head — The Boloipie — Canoee of the Tribes on the Lower Waters of llie Columbia — Fishing— Houses of the Flat-heads, 473 CiiAPTKR \'L The Sh(j-honees,or Snake Indiaus— The Shoshokoes, or Rnot-diygers — iv\lent of Country occupied by the Snakes — 'fhe Canumches : Their Horsennuiship, Mode of Life, Dwellings, &c. — The Pawnee Pids— The Nubajos and Moq les, 477 i i^ . |i .L. CONTENTS. PAGE Timid- 17.')'.)— itgdlU- Grant, , 300 iscli to ll'.UL'I'ill ,&c.— . 402 . 411 •(•(Hints iincx^ — ccts of . 416 tninc — Mental . 4-26 . 4;u iisfi'ilica- It'i'ies — . 4v7 IldPIii- f iMan- rVininal niliilii- . 'IK n— Ex- lla.i'i'ial ians — . 4,1,-) N'intci' ■ liiltcr (iiicst VilV— . 4liH Tlioir In;; tlio iin\biii . 473 uicrs— n>iliil), ,s, 477 S U T II A .\[ E \[ I C A . TRIBES OF THE WKST INDIES, A;ID TllK NOHITIKUN rROVINCEU OF SOD'IIl AMK.IiK^A., T :. ■» Chapter I. jiidiiins first wen by Colnnibiis— Lanclinij ut Cuannhani— Natives of Cuba— E.nbassy to the Grand Kabn I— Discovery of Ilayti, and Intercourse with the Nativ'-'s-Guacjinai^ari— Wreck dl' the .Admiial's Vessel— Ilinesly and Ilo-'pi- talily of tli'^ N'alivo Inlialtilanis— Trade for fiold— Itulldinu; of tb(! Fortress of l-a Navidad — Dejiarlure (pf tlie Nina — Tliu C'iL,'nayaiis — Disorders and Deslnictioii of the (Jarrisun at I-a Navidad— I'orl of St. Thomas, 487 CuArTKR II. Indian9(jfJatnaica— Cruise along the Southern C(jast of Cuba — Speccli of an Indian Counselh)r — Diflicidties at the Fortress of St, Tlioinas — Its Sie^'o l)y Caonabo— Efforis of Cohnnhus to restore Order— Great llisini; of the Indians of Ilis|ianiola — Their Defeat — Tril)iil(! Imposed — Visit of Harlliolomew to Xara^Miiiy — I'lirllier Insurrection in the Vena — lioltadilla as Viceroj, — Cruellies practised on the Indians — Las Casas — Iiicidenls related hy I'urchas — Administration of Ovandn — Kxpedition against Xara','uay— Ileduction of lliguey, 495 Chai'ter 111. The Cariba — Their Islands First Visited by Coluinbns — Origin and I.oc.'itioii of the Rac(^— Tokens (.f C'annibali.-in seen by the Spaniards — Cruise amo!:;; the Isiands — Demeanor of Prisoners taken— lieturn to lllspaiiiola — Deslructiou of the Forlre>s at that Island— Capture of Caonabo: II is Uealh — Kxjiulsion of thi^ N.i- tives from the Caribheu Islands, .'DO CiiAiTKR IV. Indians of Guiana and Venezuela — Classillcation — The .Arawaks— First seen by Columbus — Kiilry into the Gulf of Paria— Ilospilnlily of the Natives — Ualeinh's Visit to the Orinoco— Early Wars of the Arawaks— Victory over the Caribs — Maroon Negroes — Presc'Ut Condilion of the Arawaks— Other Tribes of tiie Interior — General Uescriptiou, ' jl'J THE ABORIGINES OP PERU. CliAPTKR I. Physical Peculiarities of the Quichiias, Aymara>., Atacamas, and Chan- gos — Nature of thi^ Country- Peruvian Works of Art. &c. — First Riinmrs of the Wealth of the CourUry — Kxpedition of Pascual de Anihu,'oya — Francisco Pizarro: His First Voya>;e of Discovery — .\inia?;ro's V( -Ctuuracl of Pizarro, Almai'ro, and Liujue — The Second Kxpedition— Pizarro aiul hi< Ciunp.'mioiis upon llu; Isle of Goryona — Continuation of the \'oyin,'e — Return to Panama, , Chai'TKi; II. .MylholoLcical Traditions — 'I'opa Inca Vupanchi, and his Sou Ihiayna >-M Capac — Tlu^ p. "uvian Capiiii -ReliL,'ious System — (MjvernmeMt — Aijrarian I, aw — Ek'unas — Public Records: The " Qiiipii^^ — Agriculture — Marriages — Warlike Policy of the Ineas — Th(! Great Rdiids— C(Uitenlnu'nt of the Natives — Division of the F,m- pire: lluascar and Alahuallpa — Contest for Supremacy, ')'M CiiAi'TKR HI. Pizarro's Visit to Spain, and .Viijilication to the Emperor — His Fom- Hrolhers — Funds procured for a New ICxpedition to Peru — N'rssels a^ain litled out ut Paiiama^ — Laudingof the Spaniards upon the Peruvian Cou. I — Plunder atCo,'i(|Ue — The March towards Tiimbez — Baltles on the Isle of Puiui — Tumbez Deserted- Settlement of San Miguel — March into the Interior — Passage of the Andes— Mes- siiLTes from .Atahuallpa — Kniry into Caxamaica, 5-lL' I'liAi'TiiR IV. First Interview wuh tin; Inca— Plaiis lor his Capture — Entry of Ala- huallpa into C'axamaica — .Address of the Chaplain— ,\t(iick hy Ihe Spaniards: Fearful .Massacre of the Natives, and Seizure of the Inca— Prisoners and Plunder ubluined — The Promiseii Rauboni — Hernando Pizarro's Visit to Pachacamaca — f\ ! i 1 1 10 CONTENTS. PAoa Challcuol.inift — Mpssengcrs sent to Cu/.cm— Iinnienso Treasure colk'ctcd at Caxii- iniilcii — Trial mid Murder of Ataliiiiill|m, 551 CuAHTEit V. March ((jwanls Ciizi'o— Opiioisilinn of tlit> Natives — Deatli of Toparca, iiikI MiinUr of Cliallcucliima— .Maiico tJapac— I'.iilry iiilc tin' Capital— llooly ob- laiiit'd— Kscape of Maiico, and (jtiitiral Iiisiirjection — S)ic"j ui (.Uizco — Ruvoisoa of the t'patii.'irds— Civil Wars — I'urtlier Iloslililics of Maiico Capac— Cruel Trealniciit of the Natives— Death of Manco Capac— Reforms under Pedro de la (Ja^ea— Tupac Amaru— luBurructiou of 1781- Present Cuiidilioii of the I'eniviau Indians, . . 5G3 THE ARAUCANIAN KACE Chapter I. Their I.ocatiDii, Appearaiiev, &c.— Purclias' Description of Cliili— Divi- sion of the Tribes— Peruvian C(im|uesis— Agriculture, Arts, 6i.c., atucnig the Natives — Aliiiagru's Invasion — Kxpedition of Pedro do Valdivia — Foiiiidini,' of St. Jago— Hattles with thu Majiochinians — Destruction of Sj,anish Miners— Peace with the Proiiiaucians, 574 CiiAi'TKR It. 'I ii(! Araucaiiians Proper— Cliaracler iind Habits of tlie Tribe — Houses luid Dress- •t>ecLioiial Divisions and Coverniueiit— System of Wart'are— Courage and Aiilitary t^tcill— Religious Belief tuid Superstitious- Patriotism and Public tipiril of the Natives— Molina's Eulogiuin, . 579 CnAi'ii'.K ill. Army sent to Oppose the Progress of tho Siianiards—Batllo on the Adaiien— Lincoyan's Cainpaigii — Valdivia's Murch Soiilhward— Foundation of Val- divia. and ICslablisluneiit of Ports in the Araucanian Territory — The Natives roused by Colocolo — CaiipolicMii nia3' Narrative of tiio United Slates' E.xjiluring Expedition • r>C9 INDIAN POPULATION Of tho United Stales and Territories, IMPORTANT ERAS AND DATES Of Interesting Events in Indian History, ..,.,. 48,1 G37 ._./~l n ( I n 4"^ jllf:! ':i h- ': -II LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. SUBJKCT. TAliF. pRONTisi'iEcK— Iiitcrviow between Cortez mid Aloiiti'/.iinia, ' Indiiiii l!()\v and Arrows, Harpoon, liaskct, Pol, Howl, &c., -•! Indian Tomahawk, Ketlle, Sjjoon, Pipes, &c., -J Porlniil ol' Montezuma, In his Ma'^'iiillccnt Rcu'id Dros, •"' ' lleni;iM(l() Corlez, IVoiii an •)ri:,'in;d Portrait by Tilinii, •"'" KxeciUion ol' un Indian Captive, I-' Portrait of ()^'C^olil, llie Celebrated Florida Chief, ■'-"' Portrait of Captain John yniitli, the Pioneer of Virginia, ••"'- PocuhonliiB Inlerposing for the Life of Captain John Smilh, lid Interview of Samuset with the Pilifjims. '-'''D Ti^iciinintuTn, or (^(luaiito, the (Juiile and Interj)reter of the Colonii^l'* ■ -"I The Colonists L^oin;,' to Cliureh armed, dnriiiL; the Early Indian Wain, - II Kin',' Ihilip, llio Aboriginal Hero of Mount Hojie, -'if Portrait of Captain Benjamin Church, '-'•> Seneca Lake, -.••") Joseph lirant, (Thayendankoka,') of Wyoming Notoriety, -".'T Red JacUel, the Masterly Orator an Till' Misoii, ge-ierally called th(^ lliilTalo 'I?-: The (I'rizzly Hear, aboimding in llie North-west Terrilory, -l.-l) BufTalo Chase, peculiar to the Western liidian-i -I-^O Portrait of Christoplwr Columbus, l.s'J Maqnarri Pnnce, in the Lower District of Poineroon, h\-l An Indian Sorcerer performintr his Cerenioiues over the Sick, rii',! -, % s. PAOF. ... 1 ... -■» . . . -■> . . . .vt . . . •'*' .... l-'l , ... 1-" . ... !•''- . ... M 'j(m . ... •■iiii ... -! U -Til ■.'r"i 'J',i7 :!:h •.m:< ;ii'.t Mil , ;?r,i . :itis m) 4:13 4il 418 ■Ki.j •1,-1) . -l-l) . I.-'.) '113 rM :iJ INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF TIIK NORTH AMKRICAN INDIANS SOMK OF THEIR GENERAL Ctl.STOMS A.NU PECUMAKITIES. O't'yj "ffsp (puXXwv ysvSr], >roir,(h xai avcJ'pwv. "Like leaves on trees the race of man Is found, Now green in youlli, now witliering on the ground; Another race tlie folUtwiiig spring snjiplies." — Iliad. It were fur cnsier to foretell tlic period wlien tlie cxtinu- ti'jQ t)f the Indian races must be consummated, and to explain the causes tliat must sooner or later terminate their national existence, than to trace back their early history. Even a succinct account of the varioi^s theories, with the arguments upon which they arc based, as to the prob- able sources whence the early inhabita its of the Western hemisphere derived their origin, woule. furnish matter for a volume: we shall therefore do littlu more than allude to the diiferent hypotheses upon the subject, leaving the reader to follow up the inquiry, if his inclination so move him, 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 sj'stem of hieroglyphics used by the more advanced nations of the continent; and the wild discrepancies in their fanciful oral traditions leave us little hope of satisfactorily elucidating the my.stcry by im i><-l 1 m li LNDIAM liACLS OF AiE^UICA. any direct infuniuiLioii obtained fi'om the pco])lo them .selves. Analogies in pliy;sicul eouroiiTuitioii, customs, arclii- tcctiire, language, and religion, must form our principal clue in deciding the question of their origin. I'hat America was first peopled by wanderers from the Old World seems to be a conclusion to which most of those Avho have treated on the subject have ari'ivcd. Exclusive ol'llie supposed necessity for maintaining the truth of Scrip- tural history by deducing all the races of the globe from a connnon ancestrv, abundant facilities for an intentional or casual migration have been pointed out by geographers. The nnmberlcss isles of the Pacific offer ready resting- places for adventurous or bewildered navigators, and might h,'i\-e been peopled successively by wanderers from Soutli- caslorn 7\.sia. Some of the natives of that portion of llie Kasicrn continent possess a skill in nautical aflairs whicli wcndd abundantly qualify them fin- voyages as hazardous as any to whicli they Avould be exposed in crossing tlic racific from island to island in their swift proas. The near ai)proach of the two grand divisions of the globe at Behring's Straits presents still greater flicilities for a ]:)ass- age fi-om one to the other, when the waters arc closed by ice, during the severe Northern winter, or when they lie open, affording a free j^assage for canoes. '^ri^nt the North-eastern portions of America were visittnl and pr()bal)ly peopled, at a very eai'ly date, by adventurers from the Noi'th of ]^]ur(^]ie seems to be fully established. I\lany wild and improbable l(\gends indeed exist, touching these eai'ly voyages, and we can sympathise with the; man- ner in which the old historian of \'ii;ginian colonization dismisses the subject: "b'or tlu^ sfoi-ies of Ai'thur, Malgo, and ijrandon, that say a thou.saiul year(\s agoe th(>y were in (he Noi'th of America, or tin; I'Vyer of Linn, that by his black Art went to the Nwrtii Pole in the yeare JoGO. In that I know them not. Let this suffice." I ..J if tlicm arc'lii- i il clue )\n tlic ['lluxso jlu.sivo 'Sciip- frorn a jiial or ■)hcrs. ■cstin,q- 1 iiii;.i;lit Soutli- i of tlie i -wliic'li :',aiHl()US ng llic [k)l)C at a ]);\ps- ley lie ivisitcnl liturcrs islicd. Iiu'liing man- l/.atiou \Ial- (>, li;i \V(MO t by loGO. i GENERAL CIIARACTKHISTICS. 15 Modern investign,tion has brouglit to light abundant evidence of visits by the Northmen to Grccnhind and the neit-hborinfif 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 iriai-kod dif- ference between the Esquimaux Indians and all other tribes of the Western continent points plainly to a separate ancestry. AVe shall speak more at large upon this subject when we come to treat of tlie natives of that vast and desolate region lying between the Canad.as and the fi'ozen seas of the North. Vague accounts of islands or continents at the West are found in the works of many early wiiters. '^J'hc Atlantis of Plato, the llesj)erides, and a host of other uncertain fables have been tortured by ingenious antiquaries into proof of more extensive geographical knowledge than is generally attributed to the ancients. Some theorists have indefatigably followed up the idea that Ave are to s'^arch for the lost tribes of Israel aniono; the red men of America, ; nd have found or fancied resem- blances, otherwise unaccountable, between Indian and lie- brew words, ceremonies, and superstitions. Others have exhibited equal ingenuity in carrying out a coni]iarison between the !Moors of Africa and the Amer- icans, claiming to establish a near afllnity in character and complexion between the two races. They suppose the Moorish immigrants to have arrived at the West India Islands, o.- the Eastern coast of South America, and thence to have spread over the whole continent. llowpver variant, in some ])ailiculars, the dificrcnt nations of America may appear, thoi'c are peculiarities of language which are noticeable throughout the continent, and which would seem to prove that Jieither of these nations has subsisted in an entirely isolated condition. 16 INDIAN ItACES OF AMKKICA. According to Trumholdt; "In America, from the oouu- try of the J^lsquiiiiaiix to the l»;ii)k.s of the Oriiioko, and u.n'ain, from thene torrid hanks to the frozen climate of liie Straits of Magellan, mother tongues, entirely dillvrent with regard to their roots, have, if we may use the ex])i'ession, the same physiognomy. Striking analogies of grammat' ical construction have been recognised, not only in the more peifix't languages — as that of the Incas, the Aymara, the Guarani, the ^lexican, and the Cora, but also in lan- guages exti'cmely rude. Idioms, the roots of -which do not resemble each other more than the roots of the Scla- vonian and Biscayan, have resemblances of internal me- chanism similar to those v/h.ich are found in the Sanscrit, the Persian, the Greek, and the German languages." or ih(^ primary roots of the diilercnt Indian dialects, it is said that there are four moi»c prominent than the rest, and which can be traced ovoi' nearly the wdiolc continent. These are the Karalit or Escpiimaux, the Iroquois, the Lenni Lenape, and that of the Chcrokees, Choctaws, and other tril-)cs of the South. The great body of the American aborigines, notwith- standing the country over Avdiich they are distributed, have many features of physical conformation in common. The exceptions to this general truth, exhibited principall}' in. the persons of the Esquimaux, and in certain wdiite tribes at the West, deserve a separate consideration : at present, our remarks will be confined to the red men, and particu- larly to those of the pi'csent United States and territories. The appellation universally bestowed upon this people is in itself a strange misnomer, and would hardly have obtain- ed so generally, had not the error in which it originated been one which early voyagers were slow to acknowledge. The Americans have, indeed, usurped the name of those for whom they were so long mistaken, and whom we are now reduced to distuinguish by the title of East Indians. ■, tlio COUtl- iioko, and ato of llio ?rent with q)rcssi()ii, graininat' ly ill tliG AvDiani, in lan- .vliicli do tlic Scla- rnal me- Sanscrit, dialects, the rest, 3ntinent. -lois, tlie nvs, and notwit]i- ?d, liave n. The pally in. :e tribes present, particu- ritories. coplo is obtain- g'inatcd -vledgc. 'f those we are iidians. I i I l\ I ' ! I I ' i; I ; 'I !i M ] I : I li r.-fi.r,v,l-bc.i„g full 1, ,1" ^■^7*"'"^' '" "'I'iol. wo have »«>^ >.oig,,t«,,ich J.„ ,„X; « ■ ,rf :''°'" "' ""' "- an.] slenckr figure givoXm'r' "" "'"'' '=^'''=' P-'-" Their li„ : , „; wenCm "kt ^T"""™ "' ' '''" «««• of fcuropenn nation.,. They .^™ IXh "'"';'; ''«°™"^ The most distin^nsi„-n,; ° , r • ™ '™"" '^•<"- the reddish or copn'o e"l "/^r; '•■"'f':^ "^ "'° ^-o arc, I of the eheek-bonef and ' , "'° f ™ • *^ rro.niucncc I h..3 not inaptly been'^oo np? «, to V°™°"'"" ""^■^■' »"1 ' ~Ie.s from its eoarseness than lo 1" ",'"'"' "^ "'« '"'«<' I "nnncr i„ ,rtieh it Cn " T " "' 8'°-'^^ !'"" -ml the ' ' ■'••"■fc The women are nther i' 'V'^'':', '"■" ™i«"^.'.Ily '' -K. a greater .endeue.tolbSt 'Sir '""','" ^"^-^ of them possess a symmetries r '"™' '"" '-"""y and attraetive countenaree °™' ^""^ »" '^S^^-'Wo It was formerly quite Indians ,.ore destitute of ifards 'n'?'"'''™ *'''" «"'« fr"m the almost imiyorsnl o,J "''"'' '•«""«i of eradicating «,,at tCtte ^u^f™'™' "-"'S them ".ado of wood or musele-sh i ^d?"^' 7""°-'«'^' hairs as soon as they appeared • ^ \ f P'™'' out the the whites eommenfcTiTo if ? ' f " '"*«™"'-^ "'ith «- -0 use. It was 'e^^mrd ■^;.::^i:;;! "'"■! """-" to ho men, to carry this operation sti 1 a r"""''^ "'"""S hare the whole head w t), T "''"'°'"> ■■""' to Jay ""i^Se like the comb rf toel- TTT "' ' ''P-'-o( -P'"o<...i".swerefanta:tir;;;\rwt^^^^^^^ I / I ♦ J t i I I ii I ! m 111 4 .(.ii I ! Tl 18 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. Of the likloous custom of llattcnitig tlic licinl, and tho means hy wliieli it was a('c()inj)lisli(;(l, wo shall speak "vvlicti describing the tribes among whom it was practised. Nontitionson thcEo«"' " contimiit approach so nearly to the American Indiar jodily conibrmation, as do certain tribes of Tartai'S. A similaritv in hal)its of life, in (h'ess, festivals, and games, is also observable between the two nations. '^Phis, conibincd with the j)roxitnity of their coun- tries, and the ease with which a passage could be (ilVected, would seem to afford a rational presum[)tion as to the direct origin of no small portion of the red tribes of North Amer- ica. Who can undertake to decide, however, as to what admixture of races has hero taken place, or how often fresh ari'ivals, from dilferiMit portions of Eastern Asia, have given rise to new colonies, or destroyed by amal- gamation, tho distinctive characteristics of the earlier peo- ple? Above all, can -we account for tlu' wonderful remains of antiijuity described in another chapter, by referring them to the same races as were found iidiabiting these wilds when the white man iirst ventured to exploi-c them? Tho didiculty of the subject is sufftciently manifest fi'om the contradictory conclusions drawn by laborious but dog- matic antiquaries; and still more by the doubt and uncer- tainty ill which more candid but e''« wl,cn the f before moderntrr^^;;!--' "Pon their „,i„;t 'b.^ctness of expression wl iJh """"V*"^ ^'"l" "« SiK-h details make, moreot' .T ""'''' "'■"•■ •'"-'■s. "Pon the memorv than oTn 7 ' J" '^'°"S'='- i".pre.4sion gpnerahties. W^ si,:, therrflrf ?*;' Y " ^^"^ "^ " l"»toneal portion of this ,'0*^ *' '""'^^^ '° "'« -';-';- .ban attempt t Ztt ""* "''"^ ■'^^-"■■'t-n tn this and in t] ^^'^'uvej, «P->< of nsages nn:f Sf,-:;;:^' 7" ""^y frequently ^, whieh are still to be obVerIT' ''°"Si"g *« a past )Vestern tribes. The diffiX' T 7^ *« ""^e re„»,e .v i OKNKUAL CIIAHAiTKIllSTICS. 21 foniiiil r('('()<^Miitioti hc^au to tiiko place," iiftcr which, nil "went on us it' ho hiid iicvt-r been ultseiit - This str;iii^'(! (lonicaiior docs not, ]'y :iny means, result from real indil- feronco, but from the siipposetl propriety of suppressing any outbreak of emotion. No doubt all the parties to the scone above described, wore in a state of the jjjroatost curiosity and excitennMit, and the family doubtless felt the most exuberant joy at the reunion; l)ut (Uistom, or their ideas of good taste, prohibited the exhibition of a "scene," Those who are best acquainted with the char- acter of the Indians aji;roc that witli them the ties of fam- ily ad'ection are exceedingly strong and enduring. The most touching descriptions are giv(>n of the manner in whioh they mourn for the dead, and of the tender and faithful remembrance of lost rt^latives that no leriu;th of time seems to obliterate. Cai'ver says, " [ can assert that, notwithstanding the ai)pareiit indiflerencc with which an Indian meets his Avife and ehilib'cn after a long absence, an indifference proceeding ratlu^r from custom than iTisen- sibility, lie is not nnmindful of the claims either of con- nubial or parental 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. -xr * ^ No selfish views ever influence their advice or obstruct their consultations. * * They are at once guided by passions and appetites, which they hold in common with the fiercest beasts that inhabit their woods, and aro possessed of virtues which do honor to human nature." .,.'M/ ■J "t']^ hi '41 H m 22 INDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. The Indians are naturally taeituni, Liit foiid oF set speeclics. Ilieir oratory is of no mean order, and is dis- tingriislied for aijitliiness, a qnaintiiess, and oceasionally a vein of dry sarcasm, whieli have never Leen surpassed. Wc Lave specimens of some of their orations, upon great occasions, wliicli are models of stirring eloquence, adorned witli metapliors and similes wliicli breatlie tlie true sj)irit of poetry. Tli'j most pleasing traits in the character of these strange peo])le are their reverence for age, their affection for their children, their high notions of honoi', and their keen sense of justice. The great stignia upon the whole race is their deliberate and systematic cruelty in the treatment of cap- tives. It is hard to account for this, hut it really appears, upon investigation, to be rather a national custom, gradu- ally reaching a cliniiix, than to have arisen from any innate love of inllicting pain. It is perfectly certain that, if the children of the most enlightened nation on earth should be brought up in occasional iximiliarity with scenes like those witnessed at the execution of a prisoner by the American savages, they would experience no horror at the sight. AVo need not seek farther than the history of religious and political persecutions in Europe, or the cruelties practised on reputed witches in our own country., to satisfy us that tlie character of the Indians will sufl'er little by com})ari- son with that of their contemporaries of our oAvn race.. Among some of those nations which in t «. ) f I,- , 1 1 !. ' : il I ! , I ■■'■ i ! ■ > ■} li ' t 24 INDIAN RACES OF AIMERICA. ity. The Indian witnesses gave the most satisflictorj answers when questioned as to thoir ideas of tlic obhga- 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 woidd now be murder, and Avould subject them to the penalties of that crime. "Mr. Kost then rose, and stated to the Court that the prosecutors had left their liunting-ground to come and aA'cnge the death of their relative, as it was their duty to do; that justice had been done to the accused, but that was not sufPicient. Justice must also be 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 unlock at the bidding of his hon(^r, he moved that the bar, jury, and by-stand- crs, contribute a sufficient amount to satisfy tluiu. This was done as soon as proposed, and the prosecutors declared themselves satisfied." The institution of niarriajre among the American Indians is by no means so restrictive a system as that adopted by enlightened nations. It is for the most jiart dissoluble at the pleasure of the parties, and polygamy is extensively practised. As with other barbarous nations, the woman is compelled to undergo the drudgery of daily labor, wliile her lord and master lounges indolently about the village, except at times when his energies are called forth for hunting or war. When once engaged in these pur- suits, his fixedness of purjDOse, and the readiness with whicii he will undergo the extremes of toil, exposure, hunger, and privation, is marvellous. 1 1 ! I L: :'l««Sf!flffift /" b i \-'&'.v\ % '. 1 ' . '■ . '■■■':/ ' '■' . i '-li 'J '. * ■'■:*4,t .innoH'.s, h.h h r oos', fot, ic. £ -P^f.^. r BEI.I I ! I I C I i Ti pea 11 Dcit> ill 111 bouci Oil wliosi being amon devot more terrib pcrfce tlicso 210t 111 every on eat Ag tlie ba nfler cl midst fear; IKDIAK TOM.1 H.^ »• fC, KF.m.F., SPOOJ^, PfFF-S, *«. ! i I , GENERAL Cli A 11 ACT ERISTIC 3. CHAPTER II. 25 RELIGION OF THE INDIANS — THEIR WEAPONS, AND SYSTESI OF WARFARE THEIR LODGINGS, DRESS, ORNAMENTS, ETC. "Yot simple nntiiro to liis liopc luis given, Beliiiid tho cldiid-topp'd iiill an luunblor heaven; Some snfor world, in depths of woods embraced. Some happier island in tlie \v;it(?ry 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 tliat to kini tlieir gratitude was due for all natui-al bonellts. 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 Ilobamocko, much more assiduous devotion was paid than to the Great Spirit, it being far more essential in their view to deprecate 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 the 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 employment in the midst of abundance, and a stranger for ever to want or fear ; "Wliore ovt'ri.isliilo- Autumn lies On yi'llow woods and sunny skies." i! ,1-; : -Mm m ^M I" ^.\% ■ t.," ' 'V' "^vfl • ' ' ^ ii fcf u , 20 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKIITCA. IS tis l;ii' roiiiMVci Their heaven av disc of tlic ^rahotnctitiis, as IVoni tin- \)\\\v al)strac'tioiis of 1 from 1he sensual para an enliii'htened reliy;ion. Ease, comfort, and a suflieie ncy for tlie natural wajits, seemed all-suITicieiit to these simple child lildi'on of nature, to render an etei'uity delightful. The description handed down to us of the Indian jiovv- wows or eonjarers, and their medicine-men, derive au additional ])iquaney and interest from the fact, that those who detail them were generally as superstitious as the poor natives themselves. Wc might cite pages in "which the necromantic performances of the red men ai-e spoken of with all the i)ious horror that would naturally 1)C excited by what were considered the direct operation^of the devil, as displayed in the works of his children. AVinslow, taking occasion to explain the meaning of the word "Pan- iese," often applied to notable warriors in New England, says, "Tlie Panicses are men of great courage and wis- dome, and to these also the deuill appeareth more famili- arly than to others, and, as wc conceiue, maketh coueuant with them to preserue them from death by wounds with arrowes, knives, hatchets, &e." The Avorlcs of the learned divine. Cotton Mather, are fdled with similar extravagancies. These 2)owwows, says Gookin, "are partly wizards and witches, holding faniiliarity Avith Satan, tliat evil one; and partly are })hysicians, and make nse, 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 tlu^r dia- bolical spells, mutterings, exorcisms, they seem to do won- ders. They use extraordinarj'- 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 re])uted, and I conceive justl}"", to hold familiarity with the devil." Wherever the Indians have enjoyed free intercourse w til \\i (']■ \\ bi bv ■'if GEXEUAL CnARACTEiaSTICS. 27 a of )le i\V- au oso tlio idi cen itcd .vil, ow, 'an- :ind, wis- j I uili- ' I unit ,vitli are i i witli tlio wliitcs, tlio}'- liavo birii no less eager to a(lo])t than apf, to acquire tlie use of their more enieaeioua weapons. It is of tlie primitive instruments for olVencc or defence that we shall now speak. Scattered over the wliolc country, even at the present day, small trianguhir bits of Avrought flint, quarts, 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, o" the fragment of.a bowl of the same mate- rial, constitute almost the only marks now visible, in the thickly settled Eastern stntes, 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. IIow the arrow and lance heads could have been attached «with any degree of firinness to the wood, seems almost incomprehensible. Captain Smith describes a species of glue which assisted in accomplishing this oltject, 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 Avere 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 Avas commonly affixed to the "torn-hog" or tomahawk by inserting it in a split sapling, I Til 28 IN WAN KAOKS OF AMKltlCA. and waiting H)!' tlie w^od to grow (ii'nilj urounil it; after whioli, it was cut ofl'at tlic requisite liHigtii. Tlie Indian bow was shorter tlian tliat fortnci'ly used in England, and was so stifV as to r(>f|uiro groat strength or BkiU to bend it. It became a much niuie ellbctivc weapon after the intro(bK'tion 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. Djiggcra of flint or bone, and sliiehls of bu^Talo-hide, were in use among some of the Western tribes. Divided into innnmerablc petty nations, nearly the wliole Indian )opulation lived in a state of insecurity, from the constant hostility which prevailed between ditferent tribes. So stn^Tg a clannish spirit as they all exhibited lias seldom been noticed in any country, and the bitterest hatred was inherited by every individual towards the members of an iinfi'iendly tribe. War, as in most nations, whether bar- barous or enlightened, was ever esteemed the most honor- able employment. The manner in which hostilities were conducted will a]i])ear by a detail of some of the more noted Indian Avars, 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, tlian to deeds involving the greatest personal exposure. The remorseless cruelty with which Avomcn and children were destroved in the heat of conflict, has furnished a theme for niany a tale of horror. Previous to a declaration of war against another tribe, the chief men and councillors of the nation were in the hal)it of holding solemn consultations, accompanied by numerous fantastic ceremonies. When fully resolved u2)on 1 1 li I',' GKNKUAL CIIAUACTKIUSTICS. 29 hostilities, llic first stop was to sccuro tho assistance of as many ef tlic neighboring triljos as possible, Cor which j)urii(iso ambassadors were s(Mit, to set [orih tlic advantages of tlie union, and to cement a treaty by exchange of wam- pum. When uU was ready, a liatchet or other weapon, painted red, was sent as an intimation to tlio enemy of wliat was in store. Wo are told that the recei)tion of this ominous token, frecpicutl y excited such rage in the minds of those to whom it was sent; "that in the first transports of their fury, a small i)arty of them would issue forth, with- out waiting f>r ])ei'missiun fiom the elder chiefs, and, slay- ing the first of the offending nation they mot, cut open the bod}', and stick a liatchet, of the same kind as that they had just received, into the heart of their slaughtered foe." When, weaiy with the war, either party desired to ter- minate hostilities, the message was sent under the pi'otect- ive influence of the calumet, or pli^e 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 celebrate 1, and of such universal use, was most elaborately carved and bedecked. Each nation had its own peculiar stylo of ornament for this all-important symbol, which was known to all the neighboring tribes. A solemn and ceremonious smoking of the calumet, formed the token of ratification to evcrv treatv. When used at the conclusion of a peace, the painted hatchet was buried in the ground, and belts of wampum, so figured and ari-anged as to com- memorate the essential articles of the piicific 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, whito women who fell into their hands met with no outrage or indignity. They were generally kindly tre ited, and every respect Avas paid to their feelings. The men taken ])risou- II il ! 1 '..a'l . *< , 'A i . - -fum 1 \ -j^^' kHI B^^'I^H ^K ic.,^9mH Br/^^psyi Till ' {i ' ^Hl £ 'M4 1' \% *) <-■' "^ ;,;'' ' ' M I r,i) INDIAN IIACES OF AMKllICA. ers of \v;ir, were either adopted to supply flic place of those who had filltMi in hnttlo, — in wiiicli case they were to undertake all the responsibilities, and were cntitU'd to all the pi'ivil(!g''s of the one in whose ])la('(; they stood, — oi they W(M'0 s. ilrninly devoted to death, by the n.ost refined and eruel torments tliat diabolical ingenuity could devise. On such occasions, all his native powers of stoical endu- rance were called forth on the part of the doomed warrior. When told what was the fate before him, he would briefly ex])i'ess his satisfaction ; and when led to the stake, and sub- jected to every torture, by fire and mutilation, he would maintain a proud composure, recounting his exploits, and tlie injuries Avhich he had inflicted u])on his tormentors in former battles, taunting them with their unskilfnlnoss in the art, and describing the su})erior manner in wliich ho and his friends had tortured their relatives. Not iinfrc- quently the rage of the surrounding company would be so excited by these expressions of contempt, and by their inal)ility to brealc 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 tempcraiare of the climate. In the warm regions of the South, a slight covering proved suflficicnt, 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 fii-mly in the ground, in the form of a circle, and then bending and confining the tops together in the center. A hole was left fi^r the smoke of the fire to escape, at the top of the cabin; every other part being warmly and closely covered with matting. A tl^dit screen hung over fift\| of con; wal firm huu.~ ear sad( 1 OKNKIIAI. ClfAUAtTKlllrtTlCS. 81 tlu! tlooru'.'iv, wliifli \vm nilMod whow any one ontcrcd, aiul tlit'ii allowi'tl to fall into its j)lace. A s|i('oit'S dl' matting wa.s pi'('[>ai'ril liy {)ct;ling the iiai'k fi'oin ti'i'cs, and suliJLTtin^ it, pacUtMl in layci'S, to ti heavy pressuiv. Willi this material, or witli mats wovt'n I'rom rushes, &t'., tlie walls ol'tlic huts wore so closely thatched, as to clVcelually resist wind and weather. Sonic of these wigwams were of great size, Leing fi-om fifty to a liundred feet in length, but the generality were of dimensions suitable to a single family. Their bedding consisted of mattresses dis[)osed in bunks attached to the walls, or ujtoii low movable couches. Bear and deer skins furnished additional co\*bring. Their other furniture and housidiold utensils were simple in the extreme. Clay or earlliciii jm-Is, wooden [)latters, bowls and spoons, and pails ingeniously liishioned of birch bark, served their ])urp(jso for cookery and the table. They were skilled in basket- making. In many of their towns and villages, the wigwams were set in ordei'ly rows, with an open space or court near the centre; while the whole was surrounded by a strong ])ali- sade, having but one or two narrow entrances. Yov spir- ited descri})tions and sketches of the modern Indian towns of the extrenie AVest, the reader is referred to the valuable works of Mr. (jcorgc Cat! in. In many respects it will be perceivt'd that old customs are still ob'".erved. The elothiiig of the Indians eonsiotcd mostly of skins, dressed with no little skill Leggins of deer skins, Avith a hand's breadth of the material hanging loose at the side seam, and* often highly ornamented with fringe and embroidery ; moccasins of buck, elk, or bnffiilo skin ; and a garment of various lashion, from a simple cincture about the loins, to a warm and ornamental mantle or coat, com- pleted tlic C([uipment of the men. Very rarely, even in our own times, do wc find Indians ''ik ' ■' •' ''S|iP n > ■ ;l 1" n . I. li- "^ I I i ! I I i 82 INDIAN 11ACE3 OF AMERICA. who arc "willing to submit to tlic restraining and incon- venient dress of tlic whites. Tlicy have always been accusUtnied to leave the tliiuii bare, and about the neck tlicy can endure none of the clumsy and disagreeable bandages in sucli uuivei'sal use among civilized nations. "Those Avho wear shirts," says Carver, "never make them fast, eitlier at tlio Avrist or collar; this would be a most ihsuflcrable coniinement to them." The women wore a short frock, reaching to the knees; thcii' covering for the Icc's and feet were similar to that worn by the men. In some portions of the country, very beautiful specimens of ornamental mantles, covered with neatly-arrang(^d feather.-;, were seen and described by early writers. Colored porcupine quills were in general use, both for stitching and ornamenting the clothing and other equipments of tlio Indian. A fondness for gay colors and gaudy ornaments has ever been conspicuous in the whole race. From pocone and other roots, a brilliant red paint or dye was prepared, with which and A\'ith other pigments — as charcoal, earths, and extracts from the barks of certain trees — they painted their bodies, in diHercnt styles, either to make a tc iriblo impression on their enemies, or simply to bedeck themsel ves in a becoming manner in the eyes of their friends. 1'he usual savage custom of wearing pendants at the cars was common. Tlic cartilage was fj'cquently strett!lic(l and enlarge 1 by weights, and by winding it Avith brass wire, until it nearly reached 1ho shoulder. Tattooing Avas prac- tised by some nations, but not so systematically, or to so great an ext(^rjt as has been observed among tlic savages of warmer climates, where little clothing is worn. One of the most noted sjiecies of ornament, which answered all the purpose of a circulating medium among the Eastern Indians, was wampum. This consisted of small circular bits of sea-shell, smoothly ground and pol- I GENERAL CHAKACTERISTICS. S3 ishcd, with a liole diilled tliroiigh the centre of each, by wliich it might be strung, or attached ornamentally to the belt or other parts of the dress. The "qua-hog" or round chim furnished the principal material for this coin, the variegated ])urple portions of the shell being much tlie most valuable. The great labor in preparing it, was the boring, which was effected by a sharp flint. When we consider the slow nature of such a process, we can scarce credit the accounts given of the immense quantities of wampum that were procured by the white colonists, while it retained its value, in exchange for European commodities, or Avhich were exacted as tribute, in atonement for national oftenccs. "The wompompeague," says Gookin, "is made princi- pally by the Block Islanders and Long Island Indians, Upon the sandy flats and sliores of those coasts the wilk shells are found. AVith this wompompeague they pay tribute, redeem captives, satisfy for murders and other wrongs, purchase peace with their potent neighbors, as occasion requires; in a word, it answers all occasions with them, as gold and silver doth with us. They delight mucli in having and using knives, combs, scissors, hatchets, hoes, guns, needles, awls, looking-glasses and such like necessa- ries which they purchase of the English and Dutch with their peaguc, 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 products of the chase, fish, beans, some sjiecies of squashes and pumpkins, and maize or Indian Corn. "Wild rice, growing in rich wet Land in the interior of the country, furnished a wholesome and easily gathered supply of farinaceous food to the tribes of the temperate jiortion of the United States. Shell fish were a very important addition to the resourc(!S of those who dwelt near the sea-coast, and in the interior, various 3 I "Ml l;_i..i-: ■til! ■ ■■ i'M •I 14 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. species of wild roots, and certain nutritious baric supplied the failure of the cultivated cro}), and fiiruislicd the means to eke out a subsistence when the hunt was unsuccessful or the last year's stores had been consumed before the sea- son of harvest. To cflect a clearing, and to secure a crop with such rude implements of stone as they possessed, appears to us almost an impracticable undertaking; but we are assured, by early writers, that they obtained as large a yield from a given spot of ground as can be produced by the assistance of all modern conveniences and contrivances. Two dishes, gi'eatly in vogue among the Indians, have maintained tlicir popularity among their European successors. Green corn, the ripening of which was celebrated hy a national dance, is souglit as eagerly as when it supplied a grateful relresh- ment to the red men, emaciated, as Smith describes them, by the Spring diet of fish and roots. A preparation, denominated "Succotash," consisting of maize, boiled with beans, and flavored with fat bear's meat, or fish, still remains (with the substitution of pork for wild meats) a favorite dish in New England. Carver says that, as pre- pared by the natives, it was "bc_yc .d comparison delicious." It is singulnr that tlie use of milk should have been entirely unknown before the advent of the whites, although there were various animals i\\ the country from which it might have been pi-ocurcd. This fact has been adduced as a strong argument against the hypothesis, that innni- grants from the nomadic tribes of Tartary have miiigkKl with the red race in comparatively modern times. If the ferocity or wildness of the buifalo, deer, or elk, had at first seemed to render their domestication impracticable, yet it is not probable that so important an article of sub- sistence would have been not onl}'- disused, but entirely forgotten, until many generations had passed away. With the foregoing brief sketch of some of the more mai porl pro! son! witll omi ticu] beloi GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 35 mtirkcd Indian traits and peculiarities, we will dismiss tliis portion of our subject; and, dealing no more in generalities, proceed to take up tlic history of various tribes aud nations, somewhat in the order of the dates of their first intercourso with Europeans. We need make no apology for the omission of many minor clans, or for avoiding that par ticularity, in the delineation of private cliaracter, v/liich belongs rather to biography than to general liistorj. 'ft t' ' M' « m i> if i " .n ;.i , a ■^11 Ur {■ I u AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. CHAPTER I. UNITED STATES TEKRITOKY, ETC. "But what are Tlicse, still ataiviiiig in the midst? Tho Earth has /ocked beneath; tiie Thuiuler-stone Passed through and through, and left its traees there, Yet still they stand as by some Unknown Charter! Oh, they are Nature's own! and, as allied To the vast ^lountains and the eternal Sea, They want no written history; tiieirs a voice For ever speaking to the heart of Man!"' — Roceks. In the absence of any written record of those numerous races which formerly peopled this hemisphere, information mnst be songht in their monuments, and in the disinterred relics of their ancient manner of life. These, considering tho almost unbroken wilderness which presented itself to the first white adventurers, are surprisingly numerous. They indicate the former existence of populous nations, excelling in many of the arts of civilization, and cajiable, by their numbers and combination, of executing the most gigantic works for religion, public defence, and commem- oration of the dead. Such relics, though, for the most part, not immediately pertaining to the history of the Indian tribes, have supported the conjectures advanced by Hum- boldt and other eminent cosmographers, that these races are but the dwindled and degraded remains of once flourishiuii and populous nations. Tho retrograih^ process lo which ceitaiu forms of incomplete civilization a})pear doomed, lias 1 i . 1 1 and rrrz AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 87 perhaps bcoii most strildnglj exemplified in tlie difTcrence to bo discovered between tlie feeble and scattered tribes of tlic red race, and those power fid and popidous com- mnnities who occupied the soil before thorn. The relics of the former people, usually discovered on or slightly beneath the surfa.ce of the ground, are of a rude and simple character, dilTering htlle from the specimens common among their dosecModanls of the present day. The flint arrow-head, chipped painfully into shape — the stone tomal iwk, knife, and chisel — the pipe, the rude pot- tery and savage ornaments, are their only relics ; and these differ but little from the same articles still liibricated bv their 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, notliing 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 simple construction. It has, however, been ration- ally supposed that the force of religious custom, surviving art and civilization, has preserved to the red tribes this 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 heads from the isth- mus to the lakes, and from the shores of Florida to the Mexican Cordilleras. The origin of these and of other unquestion.ably ancient remains, is to the antiquarian a question of the most lively and perplexing interest. Here, in unknown ages and for unknown periods, have existed wcilth, power, and civil- ization ; yet the remains by which these are indicated seem to furnish but a slight clue to the epoch and history of their long-vanished constructors. Within the mounds and V *l ■■# i .■!' ■ ! '■'. Ml;-- 5; I ^> ;il f. 'i3 >l li 1 f j, :|. ,! \f: Ti 38 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. mnrul cmbanlcmciits scattered throngli a large portion of this country, arc found the remains of high mechanical and Rcientific art. Pottorj, the most fi-ngilo of man's works, 3^et almost indestructible Ly time, still rcmams iu large quantities and in good preservation. In the com- position and coloring of these articl '3, much chemical skill is evinced; while in many cases, their grace of form and pcrf(>.ction of fmish rival the remains of Grecian or I^trus- can art. Some of these ancient vessels are of immense size; one, disinterred from a Western mound, being eight- een feet iu length by six in breadth. Glass beads of rare aiid elaborate construction have been found; stone orna- ments, skilfully wrought, and brick, much resembling that in modern use, have been often discovered. Met.'illic remains arc frequent. Copper, used both for weapons and for ornament, has often been found, and occa- sionally sj)ecimens, plated v/ith silver, have been disinter- red. At an ancient mound in Marietta, a silver cup fuiel V gilt on the inside, was cx2)osed to view by 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 presence of rust in the excavations, little has been ascertained Avith certainty — the perishable nature of that metal peculiarly exposing it to the destroy- ing influence of time and dampness. Inscriptions, upon rocks, mostly of a hierogly])hic char- acter, are numerous; and on tlie walls of several caverns in the west, some extraordinary specimens may be seen. In the same gloomy receptacles have been found numbers of a species of nmmmy, mr)st carefully prepared, and beautifully covered with colored feathers, symmetrically arranged. Stone coffins and burial urns of great beauty have also been disinhumed from the Western mounds. 11 AMEKI'-AN ANTIQUITIES. 39 MOUNDS A\'D FOUTIFICATIONS. "* * * * Arc tlicy lien — Tliu (lead of other dnys? — And did tlie dust Of tlieHo fair solitudes otiec stir witii lii'e, And l)urn witli passion? — I.et the mi!,dity mounds That o\ei'lo(ik the ri\'ers, or tiiat rise In tlie dim forest, crowded uitli (dd oaks, Answi'r. A race tiiat ionjr lias passed away Built them; a diseijtlined and populous race Heaped, witli lonp toil, the earth, while yet the Greek Was hcwin;^'' the IVntelicus to forms Of synuiietry, and rearing' on its rock The plitterinir Parthenon. These ample fields Nourished their harvests; liere their herds were fed, When haply by their stalls the bison lowed, And bowed his maned shoulder to the yoke." Bryant. The mural remains, in tlic United States alone, are of almost incredible number, and of most imposing magnitude. It has been asserted by an accurate western antiquarian — "I sliould not exaggerate if I were to say that mpre than five thousand might be found, some of them enclosing more than a hundred acres." The mounds and tumuli, he remark?, are far more numerous. Professor Ealinesque ascertained the existence of more than five hundred ancient monuments in Kentucky alone, and fourteen hundred in other states, most of which he had personally examined. These remains appear most numerous in the vicinity of the Mississi2)pi and its tributaries, and near the great lakes and the rivers which flow into them. A striking proof of their immense antiquity is to be found in the fact that the latter stand upon the ancient margin of the lakes, from which, in some immemorial age, their waters are known to have receded. It is remarkable that these peculiar works of antiquity toui^h the ocean only in Florida at the southern extremity ■'"•t- -.".1,; .mil '•'fv 'm ,.-!.■<■ m .V .' . * 4t»L i (~ iO INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. of the Atlantic coast; and their greater nninbcr and mag- nitude in tlic soutli and west seems to foiliCy tlie sii]»i)osi- tiou that their f(,)nnders ean)e originally fidiu ^lexieo, and ■wen?, perhaps, a people identical with the builders ol' Clio- lula and Tcotihuaeaii. IMic extent of some of these works is cxtraordinaiy. In New York, (where at least a hundred of theiu have been surveyed) in the county of Onondaga, formerly existed the remains of a fortification eueloslim- more than live hundred acres. Three circular forts, dis2)osed as a trian- gle, and situated about eight miles dit^tant fi'om each other, served as its outworks. In many of these fortified places, considerable military skill is evinced; angles, bastions, and curtains, being frc(piently traceable. "'I'hough nuich defaced by time," says a traveller, of the entrenchnieuts near lake Pepin, "every angle was distinguishable, and appeared as regular, and fashioned with as much military skill, iis if planned by Vaubau liimsclf," Some of the most remarkable of these works ha^•e been discovered in.Georgia. On the banks of tlu? liittle Kivcr, near Wrightsborough, are found the remnants of "a stu- pendous conical pyramid, vast tcti'agon terraec;^, and a large sunken or excavated area of a cubical form, encom- passed with bank's of earth, and also tlio remains of an extensive town." Other and similar structures occur in the same region. On the Savannah, among other extensive remains, is a conical mound, truncated, fill}' feet in height, and eight hundred in circumference at its base. In other portions of the same region are found excavations, and vast quadrangular terraces. Florida abounds in vestiges of a similar nature. At the Ww-^t, these r(nnains assume a much more perma- nent and imposing character. On a branch of the i\rusk- ingum river, in Ohio, a scries of entrenchments and mouiidr^, two miles in length, and of great solidity of struct ui-e, i.s t-^ AMEUICAN ANTigillTlKS. 41 fourKl io exist. In Licking county, a most extensive range of fortilicalions, cnibmciiig or protocting an extent ofsev* iM'.il m-ilc'^, lias been traei^l. At Ciix'i:-ville, in tlie same state, were ionnd two (exten- sive eailheii enelosures, one an exact circle, and the otlier a correct square, correspondin.u; precisely to the cardinal ))<>iiits of the coni})ass; ami a mound ninety feet in lieij^ht. In most of these and other similar ruins, stone was uscil, though to a limited extent. Parallel walls, communicating with the water, sometimes at a distance of several miles, arc features common to many of these struct'^rcs. Faiilier west, the extensive use of brick in constructing simihir edifices has been ascertained; and an arched sewer, con- structed of stone, indicates a knowled<2,e of architecture fai» superior to that possessed by most S(.Mni-ci^'ili/cd nations. In Missouri, and other regions of the west, the ivmains of stone buildings have Ixn-n fi'e([UiMitly discovered — in one instance, those ol' a town, regularly laid out in street.s and squares. Upon the Missouri and Aikunsas ri\ei-s, some (^f the most extensive fortified woi'ks are found. I', one of these, on the latter river, are two immense mounds, truncated, each eighty feet high, and out' th(Misand in cir- cumference at the base. These gigantic mouads are anions? the most interesting and thickly scattered relics of the vaaished races. -.Many of them arc tumuli, or sepulchres of the dead, others were connected with the defensive fortiP.cations, and others, of the grandest and most imposing aspect, were probably huge altars of idolatrous worshi[).* In general, these ancient mounds may be distinguished from those of the Indians by their greater size, and still more certainly by the nature of their contents. Some of these latter have already been described. Besides utensils of lead, sdver, and copper, the * The iisii.il material employed in tlioir construction is earth, thongh occaaion.illy they liavo been built of stone. i I I I IT''. w :n: i -I , ;'i * ■■V, •:* s "i •#^" r N r" 42 INDIAN HACKS Ol-' AMKUICA. i'V oxy(Vi/- pracfuio of Itiii'iiinii; the <1«mi1 ai'pi'ars to lia\-t> l>ccn coniMioii. Mass(\s of aslics aiul cliaivo;!! ;nv oCicii roimd ■mixed with incinerated lioncs. In l'';iirlield county, ( )liio, a ]\\\<^c earthern-warc caldi'oii, jilaced upon a, fiii'iiacc, was di.-intei'red. It was eighteen leet K)n;j l>y six lu'oad; and contained the .skelott)ns of twelve ]»ersoiis, besid(>s various articles, wUieli had been buried with them. 'I'hey wiu'o in a large mound, fifteen feet below the surface uf tlu; eai'th. In the great mound at Cireleville, an inunenso nundxT of skeletons "werc found, all laid with their heai|s toward the centre. In Illinois, r.earlj op[)osito St. Louis, within tlic circuit of a few miles, are more thau an hundred and fifty luounds, some of extraordinary si/e. One of them, tbrmoi'ly occu- pied by monks of the Oi'der of La Trappe, is ninety feet in height and nearlj^ lialf a mile in circumference. It is a remarkable circumstance that the soil of which these huTe cones arc constructe(], must occasionally have beeu brought from a great distance.* The occasional exist- ence of terraces or stages of ascent woidd seem to indi- cate a similarity of origin witli the pyramidal structures of Mexico. "'^' Indeed, it is diflicidt to suppose that the authors of these extensive remains could have had other than a south-west- ern oi'igin. All are ancient in the extreme; yet probably they were erected by successive races, and the most ven- erable antiquity seems attached to tlic forest-covered mounds of the West. Mr. Bradford, in his interesting Researches into the Ori- gin of the Red Race, (from which many of the foregoing * ]\I;iny others of great size, varyintr somewh.it in form, yet all evincing a striking similarity in construction, might be described. "^>* f r-- ? 1 ANrKUk'AX ANTIQUITIES. 43 f;u'ls li.ivt; l)ccii drawn,) a«lii[ils with Hafrty tlio followii);^ CDticliisioiis in regard to tlu* aiieicnt occupants of our soil. 1. "That tlioy wore all ol'tiic same ori^^in, branches ul" the same rav, and possessed of siniilar customs and insti- tutions. 2. "That Ihey -were populous, and occupied a great extent of tt*rt'itory. ''\. "That they had arrived at a considerable deg'ree of eivili/.ation, wore associated in large communities, and li\'ed in extensive cities. -i. " j'hat they possessed the use of many of the metals, such as lead, co{)])er, gold, and silver, and probably tho art of woi'king in them. 5. "That they scul])turcd, in stone, and sometimes used that material in the construction of their cdilices. G. That they had the knowledge of the arcli of receding steps; of the art of ])otteiT, — in'oducing urns and utensils formed "with taste, and constructed upon the prinei})les of chemical composhion; and of the art of brick-making. "7 "M' That they worked the salt springs, and manufactured that sidistance. 8. " That they -were an agricultural people, living under the influence and protection of regular forms of government.* 9. " That they possessed a decided system of religion, and a mythology connected with astronomy, which, with its sister science, geometry, was in the } ' •if-; IXIMAX liACES OF AMERICA. of Ziipoteca, occur spcciincns of architecture of tlic most imposing character. Six porjiliyry columns, each nine- teen foot in heic-'ht, and of a sinc'le stone, decorated the 7 i..y / interior of the principal building. Elaborate ]\rosaic work and illustrative paintings abound, strongly resembling some of the classical antiquities. The rnins of Palonquc, in Chiapa, arc among the most extensive and remarkable. ITere formerly stood a great city, the remains of which can be traced, it is said, over a Rjxicc six or seven leagues in circumference. ]\Iuch elab- orate sculpture, exhibiting curious historical reliefs, is dis- covered in the forsaken apartments of the ancient palaces and temples. These represent human sacrifices, dances, devotic'-', and other national customs. The richly-carved figure (ii' a cross excites surprise and speculation — the same emblem having been discovered elsewhere, as ^\ . Q as in Northern America. !Many surprising remains, both of erection and excava- tion, arc to be found near Villa Nueva, in the province of Zacatecas. A rocky mountain has been cut into terraces, and extensive ruins of pyramids, causcAvays, quadrangu- lar enclosures, and massive walls arc still standinof. At Copan, in Honduras, among many other remarkable works, are found numerous stone obelisks, of little height, covered with hieroglyj)ljical representations. The relics of a fantastic idolatiy are frequent, "^fonstrous figures arc found amongst the ruins; one represents the colossal head of an alligator, having in its jaws a figure with a human face, but the paws of an animal ; another monster has the a]")pearance of a gigantic toad in an erect pos- ture, with human arms and tiger's claws." At the time of the Spanish conquest, Copan was still- a large and popu- lous city. Tt is now utterly deserted. The extensive ruins of Uxmal or Itzlan, in Yucatan, have been, ever since the memory of man, overgrown with i AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 47 an ancient forest. At this place is a large conrt, paved entirely with the figures of tortoises, beautifully carved in relief This curious pavement consists of more than forty-three thousand of these reptiles, much woi'ii, lliwiigh cut u})on very hard stone. A large p^'ramid and tcm})lo arc still standing, containing some elegant statues, and, it is supposed, the representation of the elephant. Great mathematical accuracy and adhesion to the cardinal points distinguish 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 Sj)aniard.s, were of a massive and enduring character. Extensive walls, designed for a defence against foreign enemies; large public granaries and baths, with admir- able roads and aqueducts, evinced a degree of power and enliglitenment to Avhich the colored races have seldom attained. Sculpture and elaborate carving were favorite occupa- tions of the ^Mexicans, as well as of their forefathei's, or the races which preceded them. The famous Stone of Sacrifice, the Calendar of ^Montezuma, and the hideous idol Teoyamique, all still preserved, attest the grotes(pie- ness and elaborate fancy of their designs. The latter image, as described by a traveller, "is hewn out of one solid block of basalt, nine feet high. Its outlines give an idea (""f a deformed human figure, uniting all that is ter- rible in the tiger and rattle-snake. Instead of arms, it is su])plied with two large serpents, and its drapeiy is com- ].)osed of wreathed snakes, interwoven in the most disgust- ing manner, and the sides terminating in the wings of a vulture. Its feet are those of a tiger, and between them lies tlie head of another rattle-snake, which seems descend- ing from the body of the idol. For decorations, it has a largo necklace composed of human hearts, hnndh and skulls, and it has c\'idently been 2)aiiitpd originally in wlmf b 'I 1:1 O m M (f %)i-\B • * * J '- ■n.'. I MS M *1 Ht' x 'i -rfi i^' ' Tt^/" N 48 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. natural colors." Other figiinjs of tlic deified rattle-snake Lave been discovered. Great skill existed in tlieart of pottery, and many ves- sels of exquisite design and fmisli have been disinterred. The liieroglyphical paintings and manuscripts of the ]\[exicans were, with few exceptions, destroyed by their fanatical conquerors. Some choice specimens, however, still exist; principally exhibiting the migrations of the Aztecs, their wars, their religious ceremonies, and the genealogy of their sovereigns. Almanacs and other cal- endars of an astronomical nature have been preserved. The material of the manuscript consists of tlic skins of animals, or of a kind of vegetable paper, formed in a man- ner similar to the Egyptian papyrus. Of the numerous cities and temples, whose remains are so abundant, inany were, doubtless, erected by the Aztec people, whom Cortoz found so numerous and flourishing, or by their immediate ancestors. Others were, jjrobably, constructed at a remote age, and by a people who had at an early period migrated to these regions. A certain resem- blance, however, a|)])ears to pervade them all. The pre- sence of enormous [pyramids and (piadrangles, the peculiar construction of causeways and aqueducts, and the great similarity in mythological re])resentation, appear to indi- cate that their founders wei'e originally of a conunou stock, and all of certain n.'itional prei^ossessions. AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 49 CHAPTER III. ANTIQUITIES OF SOUTH AMEFIICA. « * * * YVf. arc but wliere we \Vv>-re, Still vvauderiiiy in a City of the Dead!" Rogi;rs. At the Spanisli discovery, South America, like the Nortlieni continent, was, in a great i)ortion, peopled by half-sava M*l I'-^ 60 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. tlie ]a))i(larj, have been discovered. Tlie idols of gold and copper arc often of singular construction, being formed of till a plates of metal hammered into their rcspeetivo shapes, without a single seam. Stone mirrors and vases of marble, weapons, domestic utensils, cotton cloth of fine texture, and the implements of ancient mining, have also been frequently brought to light. The system of ancient agriculture and of artificial irri- gation appears to have been extremely ingenious, and w.ell adapted to the nature of the soil and climate, reminding us strongly of the Chinese industry in effecting similar objects. The steepest mountains were laid out in terraces, and aqueducts of the most solid and durable construction conveyed water for domestic uses and the fertilization of land. In some instances, the pipes of these aqueducts were of gold — a circumstance which excited the cupidity of the Spaniards, and contributed to their destruction. The public roads and causeways laid out by this ancient people, may justly compete with the most celebrated works of the same kind in the old world. Their ('yclopean archi- tecture, and the ingenuity with wdiich the greatest natural difficulties have been overcome, excite the admiration of travel 1 crs an d i nqui rers. " We w ere surprised , " says IIu m - boldt, "to find at this place (Assuay), and at heights which greatly surpass the top of the Peak of Tenerific, the mag- nificent remains of a road constructed by the Tncas of Peru. This causeway, .ined with freestone, may be com- piTcd to the finest Roman ro;ids I have seen, in Italy. Fn.nce or Spain. It is perfectly straight, and keeps the same direction for six or eight thousand metres. We observed the continuation of this road near Caxamarca, one l.nmdred and twenty leagues to the south of Assuay, and h is believed, in the country, that it led as far as the city of Cuzco." When complete, it extend(;d from Cuzco to Quito, a distance of five liundred leag'ues. .'VsJiPt. :zr=.7i AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 51 "One of these great r ' ',H 1 t.^r^'- ,\ <: *, mmtmmiimiiiimimmmi Tt 52 INDIAN B4GES OF AMElilCA. Some of tlio ruins arc constructed of unburnt brick, exceed- ingly hiirdened by the sun. Many sculptures, evincing great skill and delicacy, still exist. I'hcsc are the more remarkable when it is consid- ered that the chief instruments of the ancient inhabitants ■\vcre, probably, for the most part, composed only of hai'd cned co])per. Of this material, their weapons, often of exquisite manufacture, were com230sed. Far to the north- ward, b(^yond tlie dominion of the Incas, inscriptions and figures may be found sculptured on the rocks. "On the banks of the Orinoco and in various parts of Guiana, there are rude figures traced upon granite and other hard stones, some of them, like those in the United States, cut at an immense height upon the face of perpendicular rocks, They represent the sun ancj moon, tigers, crocodiles and snakes, and occasionally they appear to be hieroglyphical figures and regular characters." Tlie surprising number of these ruins and relics, and the great space over which they extend, indicate the exist- ence, for many ages, of a jDCople possessing all the power whi<:!h regular gsjvernment, settled institutions, and national character can give. " In examining," says ^fr. Bradford, "the line of civilization, as indicated at present by these ancient remains, which is found to commence on the plains of Varinas, and to extend thence to the ruins of the stone edifices, which were observed about the middle of the last century, on the road over the Andes, in the province of Cujo, in Chili, or to the road described by the Jesuit ImonsfP, or to the ancient acjueducts upon the baidcs of the river Maypocho, in south latitude thirty-three degrees, sixteen minutes; we are surprised to discover a continuous, unbroken chain of these relics of aboriginal civilization. Reverting to the epoch of their constructi^, we arc pre- sciiiod with the astonishing spectacle of a great race cul- ti/ ting the earth, and possessing many of the arts diffused •>>»- AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES. 53 at an early period tliroiigli an imTiicnsc territory, tlireo thousand miles in exV,nt, Even up to the time of the discovery, most of this vast region was occupied by pop- ulous tribes, who were dependent upon agriculture fc^r sul«istence, were clothed, and in the enjoyment of regular systems of religion, and their own peculiar forms of gov- ernment. From conquest, and vari(nis causes, some sov- ereignties had increased more raj)idly than others; but still, whether we are guided by the testimony of the Span- ish invaders, or bj the internal evidence yet existent in the ancient ruins, it is impossible not to trace, alike in their manners, customs, and physical appefxrance, and in the general similitude observable in the character of their monuments, that the}'- were all members of the same fam- ily of the human race, and probably of identical origin." i mn H '"'■"^■Sl \' ^ *'" rIS it , 1 ijii ' \ .'i I <{ t '!^, ^ THE ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. CHAPTER I. GENERAL UnMAUKS — EXPRDITION OF GUIJALVA — HERNANDO CORTEZ. «* ♦ * The Race of Yore; How are they blotted from the things tluit be!" Scott. The kingdoms of Ncav Spain, as Central America and the adjoining country Avere first called, presented afar dif- ferent aspect, Avhen first discovered hy Europeans, from tliat of the vast and inliospitable -wilderness at tlie North and East. Instead of an unbroken forest, thinly iidiabitcd bv rovnng savages, hero were seen large and AveJl-built cities, apeo])]c of gentler mood and more refined manners, and an advancement in the useful arts which removed the inhabitants as far from tlicir rude neighbors, iu tlie scale of civilization, as they themselves were excelled by the nations of Europe. AVlien first discovered and explored by Europeans, !Mex- ico was a kingdom of great extent and power, ^b)llte- zuma, chronicled as the eleventh, in regular succession, of the Aztec monarchs, held supreme autliority. ITis domin- ions extended from near the isthmus of Darien, to the undefined country of tlie Ottomies and Chichimccas, rude nations living in a barbarous state among the mountains of the North, llis name signified "the surly (or grave) Prince," a title justifietl by the solemn and ceremonioua hoMiage which he constantly exacted. _zJ I ■■• J, . :• ,^.;,'l "W I MOjVTBZaMJt. '■'■•*' S) i'^T Wl nufur itiihii the n warn i sionci .IS w Comt visioi COlllK wises Til icans witiie abstn and i i^are : ilizccl huina and i and disLH'; in cfl( cause; civili; Anal( that t tlic (i reliiiic itants tlie O ivc di the A^ sunu'i f >^- .,,-.. AUOUKUNKa OK MKXICO. 55 Whon tlio Spmiiurds first appoarod on the coast, tlio niiturnl terror excited hy siicli luihoard-of conquerors was iiilinitely liei.gliteiied Ly divers ]K)rtents and omens, wlii(,'h the ina^K'iaiis and necroinaiieers of the kiii^ eonstrucd as warnings of ^reat and disastrous revolutions. This oe(!a- sioned that stiani^e, weak, and vaeillatinf^ P<'hc,y, wliieh, as we shall hereufti'r see, he adopted towards Cortex. Comets, connaly with 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, filth iness and cannihalisui, nivore loathsome than ever elsewhere disgraced the most barbarous of nations. A vast amount of labor and research has been expended in cfibrts to arrive at some satisfactory conclusion as to the causes which led to the ^fexican superiority in the arts of civilization over the other inhabitants of the New World. Aiuilogies, so strong as to leave little doubt upon the mind that they mnst be more than coincidences, were found, on the first discoveiy of the country, between the traditions, religious exercises, sculpture, and language of the inhab- itants of Centi'al America, and those of various nations in the Old Wo fid. Notwithstanding this, the great distinct- ive dillereiiee in the bodil)^ conformation of all natives of the AVestern Continent, from the people of the East, proves sudieiently tliat, previt>us to the Spanish discoveries, the 'a k^tLM 3 •> T*'^T^!ft,'Spi >,. -jv ■<■<<■ ' -tin V') ''fit '■>}■' 'y-^' '%r .'U'^ 'f:^ 56 INDIAN llACES OF AMEUICA. tiino elapsed since any tlirect eoiiiinuniciitioii cniild liavc existed between tlie two, must have I teen vci'v yreat. 'I'lio (»1)\ itiiis anti([uily ol' the ai'fhitrctiiial rrinains eari'irs us back to a most remote ei'a: some imiiutaiu tliat poilions o f tl lese nnist have betMi standin.ir lor as many t'ciiluncs as !he nreat ])yramids of K^^ypt, while others refer them to a much hiter (^ri«,nn. The pernit'ions hai)it of lirst adoptini^ a thi'ory, and tlu-n seai'ching lor sueii i'aets only as tend to support it, was never more l()reibly exemplified than in tho variant hypotheses as to tlu^ ori,L(in of ^^exiean eivili/ation. The valley and country of Anahuae, or ^^(^\ieo, was successively peoj>led, aeeordin^u,' to tradition and the; evi- denee of ancient liiej'o<>:ly))hics, by the Toltecs, the (Jhi- ehimeeas, and tlu^ Nahmitlaeas, of whieli last-nuMilioned people, the A/tees, who linally obtained the ascendancy, foi'ined the jn'ineipal tribe, 'J'hese innnigrations were from S(^me indetei'minate region at the north, and apjiear to have been tla^ result of a j^railual proLj-ression soutliward, as traces of the peculiar architectural structures of tho ^rexic'an nations arc to be pMind stretching throuuhout the country between the l^ocky ^Nfountains and the sea, as far north as the '^il.a and Colorado. The periods of these sevm-al ari'ivals in Analmae are set down as follows. '^I'hat of the ^Foltecs. about thi^ mid- dle of tho seventh eentuiy, and of the I'ude Chicliimecas_ the year 1070. The Nahuatlacas comnitmced theii' mii^ra- tions about 1170, and the Aztecs, se])aratin.>. -\- ~ 5^..",^ ■:*•» i ■mvfi^ I ■Mi; " y. ti .y.i.v/i <) ( o u IK /, IKriM A.V oKKilNAI, rnRTRAIT HV TITUN. Iff i i •■IT If t' 1 1 L^ },.'Vl1 '■'V IMi gl 1 m 1 4 f |: ■ ■ ■ ■ A 1 . 'X. 1? d: ~>>«^: ..., ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 57 In the early jiart of the sixtecntli century, the eastern sho}'o of ^[cxico and Central Anieridi had been explored by Spanish navigators; andVasco Nugnez de Balboa, led by the ordinary attraction — tales of a country rich in g(jld and silver — had, in September, 1513, crossed the isthmus to the great and unknown ocean of the'^West. The con- dition and character of the natives was but little noticed by these early explorers, and no motives of policy or human- ity restrained them from treating those they met as caprice or fanaticism might dictate. Balboa is indeed spoken of as inclined to more humane courses in his intercourse with the natives than many of his contemporaries, but even he showed himself by no means scrupulous in the means by which he forced his way through the country, and levied contributions ujion the native chiefs. The mind of the Spanish nation was at last • aroused and inflamed by accounts of the wealth and power of the great country open to adventure in New Spain, and plans were laid to undertake some more notable possession in those regions than had yet resulted from the unsuccessful and petty attempts o.t colonization upon the coast. Diego Valas([uez, governor of Cuba, as lieutenant to Diego Colon, son and successor of the great admiral, sent an expedition, under command of Juan de Grijalva, to Yucatan and the adjoining coast, in April of the year 1518. After revenuing former iniuries received from the natives of Yucatan, the party sailed westward, and entered the river of Tobasco, where some intercourse and petty tra flic was carried on with the Indians. The natives were filled with wonder at the "AFake of the Ships, and dillbrence of the ^Ten and Habits," on their llrst appearance, and "stood without ]\rotion, as deju'ived of the use of their Ilaiuls by the Astonishment under which their Eyes had bi'ought them." I'lic usual propositions were made by the Spanish com- „.;;\.T..;.v'^'i:>?fl 'm^in u i.S INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. niaiiilcr, of submission to tlic great and miglity Prince of the East, whose subject lie professed to be; but "tliey heara his })roposition with the marks of a disagreeable attention," and, not unnaturally, made answer that the proposal to form a peace Avhich should entail servitude upon them was strange indeed, adding that it would be well to inquire Avhcther their present king was a ruler whom they loved before projiosing a new one. Still ]3ursuing a westerly course along the coast, Gri- jalva gained the first intelligence received by the Span- iards of the Emperor Montezuma. At a small island were found the first bloody tokens of the barbarous reli- gious rites of the natives. In a "Ilonse of Lime and Stone" were "several Idols of a horribhi Figure, and a more horrible Avorshij) paid to them; for, near the Steps where thev were placed, were the carkasses of six or seven men, newly sacrificed, cut to pieces, and their Entrails laid open." Eeaching a low sandy isle, still farther to the westward, on tlie day of St. John the Ba])tist, the Spaniards named the place San Juan, and from iheir coupling with this title a word caught iVom an Indian seen there, resulted the name of San Juan de Ulloa, bestowed upon the site of the ]n'esent great fortress. No settlement was attempted, and Grijalva returned to Cuba, carrying witli him many sani[iles of native ingenuity, and of the wealth of the country, in the shape of rude figures of lizards, birds, and other ti-ifies, wrought in gold imperfectly refined. The Cul)an governor, Velas(piez, dctermincMl to ])ursue discoveries mid coiKjuost at the west, and a]i]M)inlc'd Her- nando Cortez, a Spanisli cavalirr, resident U]ion the island, to eoinnianil llic ne^v expedition. That the reader may ju(lg<' what strange eonlradietions inav exist in the char- at;fi'r of the same inili\i(lual ; how geiierositv and cupid- ity; mildness and i'ei'ocity; cruelty and kindness, may be >^T,-.^' ■b «'. ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 59 combined, let him compare tiie after conduct of this cele- brated hero with his character as slvctched by the historian. "Cortez was well made, an nioiv^, be.-^ides two Cliaplains, tlio Li('(Miti;ite .luaii Hia/, ;ind I'';itli('r Hartlioloincnv De Olinedo, a IJi'giilnr of tlie Oi'der o\' oiu- Lady de la Merced." 'The mis.sile weapons of the partv were muskiMs, cross-bows, falconets, and ten .■^inall field pieces of brass. The ctjlor, %3 li . < I ii"t'^ f > V • " , '«}" 1 1 1,** "V : -y^a " ' • '"'ifi'^'l^*' '':'|1I|^M| 1 li GO INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. qu;ilitj, and condition of cacli of tlio Jiorscs is described with groat particularity. Tlic lir.-^t land made was the island of Cozuniel, off the coast of Yucatan. One of the vessels reached the island two days before the rest; and finding the habitations of the natives abandoned, the Spaniards ranged the country, and plundered their huts and temple, carrying olf divers small gold images, ti^gethcr with clothes and provisions. Cortez, on his arrival, strongly rc})rehended these pro- ceedings, and, liberating three Indians who hud been taken 2)risoners, sent them to seek out their friends, and explain to them his friendly intentions. Their eoniidence was perfectly restored by this act, and by the restoration of the stolen j^^'op^^^J- ^'^ ^^''^^ ^^^° next day, the chief came with ]iis 2ieo2)le to the cani]^, and mingled with the Spaniards on the most fi'iendly tei'ms. No farther violence v.'as oll'ei'ed to them or their j)rop- erty during the stay of the Spaniards, except that these zealous reformers seized the idols in the tem])le, and roll- ing them down the steps, built an altar, and placed an image of the \'irgin upon it. erecting a wooden crucifix hard by. The holy father, Juan iJiaz, then said Mass, to the great edification of the wondering natives. This temple was a well-built edifice of stone, and con- tained a hideous idol in somewhat of the human foi-m. "All the Idols," sa\'s de Solis, "worshipped by tliese mis- erable People, were formed in the same Manner; for tho' they dill'ered in the Make and Representation, the}' were all alike most abominably ugly; whether it was that these Barbarians had no Notion of any other Model, or that the Devil really appeared to them in some such Shape; so that he who struck out the most hideous figure, Avas accounted the best work man." Seeing that no prodigy succeeded the destruction of their gods, the savages were the more ready to pay attcr tiou ^% ■■^-tT ,..,„ v'^ORIGIXES OF MEXICO. 61 to the teacliings wii'-u were so earnestly impressed upon tliom by the strangers, and appeared to hold tlie symbols of tlieir worship in some veneration, offering incense before tliem, as erstwhile to the idols. Cortez hoard one of the Indir.ns make many attempts to pronounce the word Castilla. and, his attention being attracted by the circumstance, he puiFued his inquiries until he ascertained that two Spaniards were living among the' Indians on the main. He immediately used great diligence to ransom and restore them to liberty, and succeedccl in the case of one of them, named Jeronimo de Aguilar, who occupies an import- ant place in the subscque^ii details of adventure. The other, one Alonzo Guerrero, having married a wife among the Indians, preferred to remain in his present condition. lie said to his companion: "Brother Aguilar, I am mar- ried, and have three sons, and am a Cacique and captain in the wars ; go you in God's name ; my fiice is marked, and my ears bored; what would those Spaniards think of me if I went among them?" De Solis says of this man that his natural affection was but a pretence "why he would not abandon those deplor- able Conveniences, which, with him weighed more than Honour or Religion. We do not lind that any other Spaniard, in the whole Course of these Conquests, com- mitted the like Crime ; nor was the name of this Wretch worthy to be remembered in this History: But, being fouiul in the writings of others, it could not be concealed; and his Example serves to show us the AVeakness of Nature, and into what an 7\.l)yss of ^lisery a man may fall, when God has abandon.'d him." Poor Aguilar had been eight years a captive: tatooed, nearly naked, and browned by sun, ho was scarce distin- guishable from his Indian companions, and the only Cas- tilian wards which he was at first able to recall were " Dios, ,1 J^ I G2 INDIAN HACKS OF AT.tElilCA. Santa Maria," and "Scvilla." Still mindful of his old associations and religion, ho boro at his shoulder the tat- tered Iragnicnts of a prayer-book. lie belonged to a ship's crew who had been wrecked on the coast, and was the only survivor of the number, except (irterrero. The rest had died from disease and ovcrwoi'k, or had been saerilieed to the idols of the coun- try. 7\guilar had been "reserved for a future occasion by reason of his Leanness," and succeeded in escaping to another tribe and another master. ■ Cortcz sailed with his fleet, from Cozumel, for the I'iver Tabasco, wliieli was reached on the loth of March, 1519. Urging their way against the current, in the boats and smaller craft — for the principal vessels Averc left at anchor u(^ai' the mouth — the wliole armament entered the stream. As they advanced, the Spaniards perceived great bodies of Indians, in canoes, and on l)oth banks, whose outcries were interpreted by Aguilar to be expressions of hostility and defiance. Night came on before any attack Avas made on citlier side. Next morning, the armament recom- menced its progress, in the foi'm of a crescent: the men, protected as Avell as possible by their shields and ([uilted mail, were ordered to keep silence, and offer no violence until ordered. Aguilar, wlio understood the language of these Indians, was commissioned to explain the friendly purposes of his companions, and to warn the natives of the consequences that would result from their opposition. The Indians, with signs of great fury and violence, refused to listen to him, or to grant permission to the Sjvininrds to supply themselves with wood and water. The engngemcnt commenciKl by a shower of arrcnvs from the canoes on the river, and an immense multitude opposed the landing of the troops. Numbers and brav(;ry could not, hovvcver avail against the European skill and implements of warfaro. l^Losc in the canoes v.-ere easily „ I ff- drivei and jii cealed made diana 1^abas( stron;'' O being Cort throug Juen w] plete p Tl,^; iards h hind a ; whistlii tain.'" woods. GI UlTIl powers and s])ij chorejo, sorted ft Tabasco, lie expl w]lOS(! 11; abused t of the 111 ABOIIIOINKS OF MEXICO. 68 driven ofT, utuI, not\vitlisl,;iiulii)g tlio (linicultles of a wet iiud iiKirshy shore, Avliere tliousuuds of the eiiomy hiy con- cealed to spring n})on them unawares, the Spanish forces made ihoir \v;iy to the town of 'I'abasco, (h'iving the In- dians into the fortress, or disjtersiiiii; tluMu in the forest. Tabasco was i)rotectcd in llie oi'chnary Indian styh', by strong palisades of trees, a narrow and crooked entrance being left. Cortez immediately attacked the town, and, by firing tlirougli the })alisades, his troops soon drove in the bow- men who were defending them, and after a time, got com- plete ])ossession. Tli^ town Avas ol)stinately defended, oven after the Span- iards had eiVeeted an entrance. The cneniy retreated be- hind a second barricade, "irouting" the troops, "valiantly whistling and shouting 'al calachioni,' or 'kill the cap- tain.'" They were finally overpowered, and fled to the woods. CHAPTER II. GREAT UATTLF.S WITH THE NATIVES CONCILIATORY INTE.'COUESi: DONNA MARINA. niTiiEiiTO a blind superstition, by which supernatural powers were ascribed to the whites, had quelled the vigoi and s})irit of the Indians, but an interpreter iiamed Mel- chorejo, whom Cortcis had brought over from Cuba, de- sei'ted from the Spaniards during the first night spent in Tabasco, and urged the natives to another engagement. lie explained the real nature of the mysteiious weapons whose; flash and thunder had created such tt'rror, and dis- abused the simple savages of the idca^ entertained b}' thoi;i of the invulnerable nature of their foes. They prov- d ia I ■ ^ r':9m: ''I'M ii! * ' . >\. J. ill •:■■■; ft 11} ti I '»5
  • *■ ofl'from sheer fatigue, but Jbr another com- pany \ .ii c-i'^^e to their assistance. As the Spaniards endeavored to rc/.. ^at to the cam]), the Indians would rusli iipon them in full force, "ivdio, immediately upon their facing about, got out of their reach, retiring with the same swiftness that they were attacked; the motions of this groat multitude of barbarians from one side to another, resemljling the rolling of the sea, whose waves are driven back by the wind." Two of the Sj)aniards were killed and eleven wounded in the fray: ci the Indians, eighteen were seen lying dead on the field, and several prisoners were taken. From these Cortez learned that tribes from all sides were gathered to assist those of Tabasco in a general engagement planned for the next day, and he accordingly made the most dili- gent preparation to receive them. The horses were brought on shore, and care was taken to restore their animation, subdued by confinement on board ship. As soon as day broke. Mass was said, and the little army was put in motion to advance upon the enemy. They were discovered marshalled on the vast plain of Cintia, in such numbers that it was impossible to compute them. They extended 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, 1 1 ABOUIGINE.S OF MEXICO. 65 slin^r.^, (Inrts, cluhs armoil witli sharp flinti^, and heavy Avoodot) swords. I'hc bodies of the leaders were protected by cpiiUed coats of cotton, and they bore shiekls of tor- toise-sl\ell or wood, mounted, in some instances, witli gohl. To the sound of rudi; (h-unis, and the bhist of sea-shells and larw flutes, the vast crowd fell furiously upon the Spaniards, and althoufrh cheeked by their more eflieient weapons, only retired to a convenient distance for hurling stones and discharging arrows. The field-pieces mowed them down l>y hundreds, but concealing the liavoo by rais- ing clouds of dust, and closing up their ranks with shouts of "ala — lala" (the precise sound of the Turkish war-cry, viz: a constant repetition of the word Allar they held their ground with the most determined coara-'c. The little handful of cavalry, which, led ')y C tcz in person, had made a detour to avoid a mars' nc -'-r fed upon the Indians from a new quarter, and, riding ' .rough and through the crowded mass of savages, s( bewildered and amazed them, that they fled in dismay. ,v such animal as the horse had ever before been seen by them: they took the monsters, says Diaz, for centaurs, supposing the horse and his rider to be one. On the field of battle, as the conquerors passed over it, lay more than eight hundred dead or desperately wounded. But two of the Spaniards were killed, although seventy of tlieir number were wounded at the first rush of the barbarians. The victors having rendered thanks "to God and to our Lady, his blessed Mother," for their success, dressed their wounds, and those of the invaluable horses, with the fat of dead Indians, and retired to refresh themselves by food and sleep. Lopez do Gomara affirms that one of the holy apostles, under the form of Francisco de Morla, appeared upon the field during this bloody engagement, and turned tlie scale 5 -V- tiW' j.'Pi ■f i^ ;^-.-^;;f:(,l, ■ . ' ■ , ■■■> ' '' ■'' -vil ■'.••'"fet -^.*n li I 68 INDIAN RACES OF AMKUICA. of vi(^tory. Diaz saya; "It iiii<:,lit bo llio cas(\ and T, sin- ner ius I am, was not ])erinittv(l to sec it. What I did sec was Francisco do Afoi'la, in company witli (j)rtez and tlio rest, upon a chosnut liorso — But altliou,^Ii I, unwoi'tliy -iii- nci- that [ am, was unlit to l)cliohl cither of tlioso lioly apostles, upwards of lour hunir liostiHty, as the n'SuH of bad advice from their neighbors and the ])ersua- sion of the renegade whom they had sacriliced. Cortc'z took pains to impress them with ideas of his jiowcr and the greatness of the monarch ho served ; ho ordered the artillery to bo discharged, and one of the most sj)irited of the horses to be brought into the reception-room : " it being so contrived that he should show himself to the greatest advantage, his apparent fierceness, and his action, struck the natives with awe." " Many more chiefs caine in on the following day, bring- ing the usual presents of little gold figures, the material of which came, they said, from "Culchua," and from "Mex- ico," words not yet familiar to the cars of the Spaniards. ^fwenty women were, moreover, ofiercd ;is presents, and gladly received by Cortez, who bestowed one u})on each t^r*, ABOniOINES OF MKXICO. 67 of Ills olTiccrs. They were all duly baptizoa discourse upDU tlic inystciics of his failh, dclivenHl for their especial benefit by j-athcr I'artholoiiiew, the spiritual guide of the invaders. Know- ing notliing of the language, and having no competent intcrj)rctcr, it i)robably made no very vivid impression, but these captives were set down as the first Christian women of the country. Anu^ng them was one young woman of remarl-cable beauty and intelligence, wliom the S])aniards ehristt-ned Afarina. She was said to be of royal parentage, but, from parental cruelty, or the fortunes of war, had been held in slavery at a settlement on the borders of Yucatan, where a .^^exicail fort wa^ established, and afterwards fell into the hands of tlie Tabascan cacicpio. She spoke both the Alexican language, and that common to Yucatan and Tabasco, so that Cortez wis able, by means of her and Aguilar, to communicate with tlic inhabitants of the interior, through a double interpretation, until ^farina had mastered the Spanish tongue. She accompanied Cortex throughout his eventfid career in Atexieo, and had a son by him, who was made, says Solis, "a Knight of St. Jago, in consideration of the Noljility of his ]\rothcr's birth." Before this connection she had been bestowed by the com- mander upon one Alonzo Puerto Carrero, until his depart- ure for Castile. %f. M',' t ' 'Urn 'V P n, ' > "-%* I' ' ! 68 INDIAN RACKS OF AMKUICA. CIIAriKK III. COMMUNICATIONS WITH TIIK Mr.XUAN r.-AIl'liKOIl — THE ZEMPOALLANS AND ^UIAVISTLANS. "Tlioii too (lost |iiirfjo fVdtn r.-irtli ih horribly Ami old idolatrii's; — tVoiii their proud liiiieo Each to his irr:i\{' their prii'sts go out, till nuiio la loft to toai'ii tlii'ir worship!'' Uuyant's Ifi/wn In Pi'itlh. Bki-'ORE his (lr})aitiiro from 'I'ubasco, Corte/ ami liia ])ric'.st made stroiuioiLS t'H'ortM to explain tlie, iiiiiici])lcs of liis religion to the chiefs ami ihrir {(oople. This, indeed, seems reallj to have l)een a j)urpose uppermost in liis lieart throughout the wliole of his Lloody eain})aioii; but, as may well be supposed, tiie subject was too abstract, too novel, and too little capable of proofs whicli aj)})eal to tho senses and inclinations, to meet with unujli favor. "Tliey only complied," says Solis, "as men that Averc subdued, l)eing more inclined to receive another God than to part with any of their own. Tliey hearkened ■witii pk-asure, and seemed desirous to comprehend what they heard: but reason was no sooner admitted by the will than it was rejected by the understanding." They acknowledged that "this must, indeed, be a great God, to whom such valiant men show so much respect." From the river Tabasco the fleet sailed direct for San Juan de Ulua, where tliey were no sooner moorr d than two large piraguas with a number of Indians on board, came boldly alongside. By the interpretation of Marina, Cortez learned tliat these came in behalf of Pitalpitoquc and Tendile, Governor and Captain of the district, under Montezuma, to inquire as to his purposes, and to make oilers of friendship and assistance. The messengers were 't'-Tir. rr. i AnoUir.TNKS OP' MEXICO. 69 lian(lsoni(>ly onti'rtaiiicd, mixI (listniss('(l witli ;i rcw pros* cnts, Iridium' in tlKMii.sclvoH, Init ol" iiiestitiuiblo valuo in tlu'ir unskilful ey(>s. As tlie troops landod, Tem^.ilo sont ^oat nuni1)ors of his men to assist in cri'ctini^ liuts for tlx'ir M<:c'omino(lalioti ; a service wliich was rcndciHMl with rcniarkal)]*; d xti'i'ity and ra])i(1'ty. On tlio morning of Kastor-day, the two 1iatih)ns hy telling' of his great soverci,i;'n, Don Carlos, of Austria, (('harles tin; l''ift!i,) and (express- ing a desire to hold eonminnion in his behalf with tlio mighty I'itnperor ^ronte/.uma. 'J'his j)roposition met with little favor. Tendile urged him to accept tho ju'esents of plumed cotton mantles, gold, &c., which they had brought to oiler him, and depart in peace. Diaz says that the Indian commander expressed haughty astonisluncnt at the S[)aniar(rs presumption. Corti':^ told them that he was fully resolved not to leavo the country without obtaining an audience from tlu^ em- peror; but, to cpiiet the ap})rehension and disturbance of the Indians, he agreed to wait until a message could bo sent to tho court and an answer returned, befoi-e com- mencing further o])erations. Taintt-rs, whose skill Diaz cidarges upon, now set to work to depi(!t upon rolls of cloth, the portraits of Cortez and his oflieers, the as})cct of the army, the arms, and oth"r furniture, the smoke ]>oured forth from the cannon, aui. above all, the horses, whose "obedient fierceness" struck them with astonishment. These representations were lor the benefit of Montezuma, that he might le.nii more ch^arly than he could by verbal report, the iiature Lr_z: -J I ' ft, T ' ■■ if '• '.'. ♦■'■'liiii! '• V ■.km u i if I •■■■'•:■• v-ll 't:'"'v| ' '' I.* • i 14 ■Jl. li "1 II ii I i 70 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. of his novel visitants. By tlic messengers, Cortcz sent, as a royal jircscnt, a crimson velvet cap, with a gold medal upon it, some ornaments of cut glass, and a chair of tiij-jcstry. ritalj)itoqne now settled himself, with a great company of liis people, in a temporary collection of Imts, built in the immediate vicinity of the Spanish camp, while Ten- dile attended to the delivery of the message to his mon- arch, Dia% says that lie wont to the royal court, at the city of Mexico, in person, being renowned for his swift- ness of foot; but the more probable account is that lie availed himself of a regular system of couriers, estal)lished over the more important routes throughout the empire. ITowevcr this may be, an answer was returned in seve?T days' time, the distance between IMexico and San Juan being sixty leagues, by the shortest road. With the messenger returned a great officer of the court, named Quintalbor, who bore a most striking resom- blanrc to Cortez, and one hundred other Indians, loaded with gifts for the Spaniards. Escorted by Tendile, the emliassy arrived at the camp, and, after performing the usual ceremony of solemn salutations, by burning incense, &;c., the Mexican lords caused mats to be spread, and dis- played the gorgeous presents they had brought. These consisted of beautifully woven cotton cloths; ornamental Avork in feathers, so skilfully executed that the figures represented had all the effect of a painting; a 4U.uitiJ;y of gold in its rough state; images wrought or cnst in gold of various animals; and, above all, two huge plates, one of gold, the other of silver, fancifully chased and embossed to represent the sun and moon. Diaz says that the golden sun was of the size of a carriage wheel, and tliat the silver })late was still largx^r. J'rofrering these rich tokens of good will, together with numerous minor articles, the chiefs delivered their mou 1 ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 71 arch's mission. Accom})anie(l by every expression of good will, liis i-cfusal was declared to allow the strangers to visit his court, liad roads and hostile tribes were alleged to constitute insuperable difficulties, but it was hinted that more important, though unexplainablc reasons existed why the interview could not take place. Cortez, courtcouHJy, but liruil}^, persisted in his deter- mination, and disniissed the and)assadors with renewed gifts; expressing himself content to await yet another message from I\[ontezuma. lie said that he could not, without dishonoring the king his master, return before liaving personal connnunication with the emperor. He, meantime, sent a detachment further up the coast, with two vessels, to seek for a more convenient and healthy place of encampment than the burning plain of sand where the army was now quartered. Montezuma persisted in ol)jections to the advance of the Spaniards, and Cortez being equally immovable in his determination to })rocced, the friendly intercourse hith- erto maintained between the natives and their guests nuw ceased. Tendile took his leave with some ominous threats, and Pitalpitoque with his people departed from their tem- porary domiciles. The soldiers, cut ofl* from their former supplies of pro- vision, and seeing nothing but danger and privation in store for them, began to rebel, and to talk of returning home. Cortez cheeked this movement by precisely the same policy that was resorted to by Agamemnon and Ulys- ses, under somewhat similar circumstances, as will be found at large in the second book of the Iliad^ line 110 ct seq. He seemed to a^ssent to the arguments of the spokesman of the malcontents, and proceeded to proclaijn }iis purpose of making sail for Cuba, but, in the meantime, engaged the most trustv of his fj'iends to excite a contrarv feeliu'^ among the te"oops. The effort was signally successful: the \± ■ ''"X- fi> i>i ' r''' ■ ■ '■mm )• »i '- I ' .■ I, J n'^.i^ '• m ^ii':r^^)m 1,; ■ -t< ?■ .■ "» ■t w I t^^m^^»^^'>\ ^ ,'<1 72 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. coiimiaiulor graciously coiisciit(3(l to rciiKiin, and lead tlicm to rurlher coiuiucsts, cxj)rossiiig liis great satisfaction in liuding tlicni oi' such l)oI(l and dctcnniiicd spirit. ^Vbout this time, 13ernal Diaz and another sentiiu'l being stationed on the beaeli, at some (hstanee from ihe i'ani|», pei'ceived live Indians of a dill'iMX'nt appearance iVom any liilherto seen, aj)j)roaeliing tliem u])on the level sands. l)ia/ conducted them to the general, wlio learned, l>y Marina's interpretatiori, that they came in behalf of the eaeicpie of Zempoala, or Cempoal, to jjroll'er the sei'viees of their kitig and liis ])eople. I'his ti'ibe held the Mexi- cans in great fear aiid. tU'testation, and rejoiced in the o|»portunit>^ i:o\v ])resented (or attempting some retaliation loi' former {)j)pressions and injuries. The exploring expinlition had discovered a desirable location, at the town of Quiavistlan, a few leagues north of the encam])ment, .:jid Coi'te/ oneludcd to move thither innnedialely. llelore taking fnilher stejts, he established himself more hrmly in command, by resigning his commis- sion under \'alas(]uez, and taking the vote of his followers as to wlicXiuM' he should be theii" captain. This being setlk^l to his satisfaction, he marched for Quiavistlan, ])assing the river at the s])ot wiiere Vera Ca'iv/j was afterwards built. ZempoaJla lay in his I'oute, and tluM'e the ai'uiy was met by a d(^j)utation li'om the cacii|U(>, lit? being too eor- ])ulent to come in ])ersou. Swei't-snu'lling llowci's wtM'c oll'ered as tokcMis ol' iriendshij) to \\\o. S|>anisli otlicei's. 'J'he town was well built, and ornamented with sliade- 1ree;\ Tin; iiduibitaiits tH)llccted in iunumeralde but or- derly crowds to witness the entrancie of the cavalcade. Tl"! "fat cacique" entertained his guests handsome! v, making grievous conij)laints of the oppressions and exac- tions sullercd by him and his tribes at the hands of ^^()n- tezunia's ollicers. lie had been subdued by the great em2)eror, and was now his unwilling tributary. 1 Head, w 1 1 i c 1 1 ser\ai cord a Cal Iiilked the e.'' I I ! I I ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 73 Quiavistlan was situated upon a rocky eminence, up wliicli the army advauccd, pre})arcd to crush any o])posi- tion on the part of the inluibitants. These, liowevcr, had mostly lied from tlieir homes on the approach of the S]);tn" iards. In the principal square, Cortcz was met, and sahiled with the usual fumigations of incense, l)y lUlecn oi' tlio chief men of the town. They excused the timidity of their ])eo])k', and promised that tlicy sliould innnediately return, as no injuries were intended by the sti'ang-ers. Tiiey came accordingly; tlie chiefs, together Avith the corj)ulent cacique of Zempoalla, Ijeing boiMie u})on litters. All united in lamentations ovei- thi^ crui;! state of d(.'gra- dation and serNilude to whicli they Averc subiccted by tlio tyrant Montezuma, lb) j>luiider(Ml them of their tix'asui'es, sei/e(l ;nid carried away their wives aiid daughters, and saerifieeil no small number of them to his gods. While, they were yet consulting and besee^'hing assist- ance from the Spaiuards, the wliolt; conclavi^ was sliieken with tei'i'oi' by the intelligence of the ai'i'ival of fu'e royal emissaries or tax-gatherers, 'i'liese stately personage's, to whom the (.^uiavistlans hastened to minister witl'. cringing stM'vility, (lid not even condescend to bestow a lo(;lc upon the Spanish oflieers. "They a -ere dressed," says Diaz, "in mantles elea'anily Avrouuht, and draAvers of the same, their hair shining, and, as it were, tied at thi- top of ;hc heail, and each of them had in his hand a buneh of roses, Avhieh he occasionally smelt to. 'i'hey Avere attended by sei'\ants, who fanned tlb'm, and each of Avhom cairied a cord and a hooked stick." Calling the caciques before them, these dignitai'ies rc- bnkeil them for entertaining foi'cigncrs, avIio disregai'ded the ex])ressed Avill of the em])eror, and, as a punishment fir the contempt, deinand(Nl twenty victims for saeiMfice. Cortez, being inlbi-med of this, advised the seizu.i'e mid inqu'isoument oi' these emissai'ies until re})ort of their cru- il h I i T' .- vr/.-^^'iH/j I * •r, I n]' ^ f: 't. 1!" *,; :rfi £»5, ^^^^^^^ ■ i '■ *>■■ ^B UJ'' 74 INDIAX RACES OP AMERICA. iff jr- I i cities and insolence could be made to thcir mastoT-. Th caciques, accustomed to submission, were at lirst Lorro: stricken at tlic proposal, but Cortez persistir.g boldly and coiilidently in liis opinion, they wont to tlie other extreme. I'lio five raaf that journey were very great. On which point they enlarged with a mysterious tediousness; this being the principal point of their instructions." (..'ortez re})lied that danger and diHiculties would but give zest to the adventure, for that Spaniards knt-w no fe:ir, and only sought for glory and renown. He entiM'- tained the ministers handsomely, and dismissed thorn with presents. Tlie Zempoalans thought that the friendship cemented otween them and the foreigners could not be taken ad- vantage of better than by engaging them to subdue a neighboring tribe, whose chief town was called Cing;i|)a- cinga. They therefore induced Cortez, by pretiMiding that a troul)lesome ]\rexican garrison was quart' d there, to assist them in conquering the country. AViih fnui- liuu- dred Spaniards, and a great company of Zcupoalans, the S])anish leader oiitd'ctl the mountain district wliere the enemy was to be sought. As the army npproached tl:e town, eight old pi'iests, in l)lack and hooded robes, like fi-iars, came oul lo dejtreeate his anger, ^rhose funelion- aries [uvsented, as usual, \\\r most disgusting and hoi'rible i V;...>-^;iu ■'■■.I ».'' < Ill if' It ■•, s; -m ':ffV'r ■■M i [M "IT 1 fe: I ! !l 76 INDIAN RACES OF AMEIUCA. appofirancc. Thoir long liair was tanglod and clotted with liuinan blood, "which it was a part of their rules should never be washed off, and their persons were lilthv, loy.th« some, and offensive beyond conception. Corte/ discovered that he had been deceives], as no ^Mexicans were in the vicinity, but he put a good f'lcc on the matter, and succeeded in making a j)eaccab]e arrange- ment between the rival tribes. Itcturning to Zempoala, renewed evidence \y&a brought before the eyes of this ziealous Catholic, of tlie extent to which the custom of hunian sacrillcc was carried; and especially of the sale and consumption of the bodies of the victims as a "sacred food." He therefore concluded to prostrate the idols, and set np the insignia of the true religion. Long and earnest harangues failed to induce the natives to jierform this service thcniselvcs : they Avould be cut to })ieces, they said, ere they W(..nld l)e guilty of such sacrilege. The soldiers then bi'oke up and destroyed the images, purged the temples, and, covering the bloody marks of pagan worship ^v'th lime and plaster, erected an altar, and celebrated the rites of Catholicism. As no pro- digy or signal vengeance from Heaven followed the auda- cious act, the pliable natives seemed readily to fall in with the proposed change, and, burning the fragments of their idols, tliey aped the ])osture and formula of the devont Spaiuai'ds. An old ami partially disabled soldier, named ''i'orres, agreed to remain as keepc^r of the newly-conse- crated temple, on the departure of the troops. ;>T!*^.. ■'"'m I I i j ABOUIGINES OF MEXICO. 77 ClIAriER IV. Tnr, riAuni to tlascala — occti-ation of the city — great MASSACKE AT CHOLULA KNTKANCE INTO THE CITV OF MEXICO, AND INTER VI K\V WITH MONTEZUMA DESCRIl'TION OF THE TEMPLE, ETC. "What (liviiuv iiifmslfi-s, Oli ye <,n'ils, are llicsi', That lloat in air, and lly \\\w\\ tlic seas! Came they alive or ik-iai npun tiu' shore?" Dkyden. The bold and adventurous leader of the Spaniards now began to set in corncst about liis work of conquest. Ifo dispatched one sliip direct for Spain, to obtain a confinna- tiou from the sovereign of bis authority in N(.nv Spain ; and, with the consent of most of his companions, dis- mantled and sunk the rest of the fleet, that all might bo nerved to the most desperate efforts by the alternative presented them of death or complete success. Leavino; a garrison at I'^e coast settlement, he com- mcnced his nxarch into the interior, accompanied by a botly of Zeinpoalans. The Indians of Jalapa, Socochima, and Texucla, offered them no molestation, and, after en- during great hardshi|)S in the passage of the rugged mountains, the army reached Zocothlan. Near the religious temples of this town, Diaz affirms, with re]ieated asseverations, that he saw human skeletons, so orderly arranged, that tlicir numbers could be com- puted with certainty, and that they could not have amounted to less tlian one hundred thousand. Beside these were huge piles of skulls and bones: other remnants of mortality were hung from beams. Three priests had cliarge of these relics. CoLtrary to the advice of the cacique of this province, rKlS n;f 'fiJ 1 1' 11 73 INDIAN RACES OF AMKKICA. Cortcz determined to pass tliroii^li tho country of Tlas- calii, whose inhabitants were inimieal to Monte/uina. l'\)iir Zcnipoalau Indians, decked out in the style deemed suitable for ambassaint downwards, in token of a peaceful mission, Avcro sent to wait on the Tlascalan authorities. They were received with respect by tlie sen- ate or chief council, whose members were ranged in order, in a great hall, seated upon low chairs, each made from a single block of some remarkable wood. (jHMt (h'bate ensued as to wdK^tlier the strangers should l;c permitted to pass through the country. On the one hand, ancient })rjpheeies were cited of au invincible race that should come from the Kast. The remarkable fullil- ment in the landing of these white men, of many attend- ant circumstances foretold, touching the ships, arms, and valor of the invaders, was enlarged u])on, and it wms pro- nounced madness to oope with thetn. On the other hand, it was suggested that the Spaniards might be nothing bet- ter than "monsters flung up by ihe sea upon the coasts," and, if not, that their sacrilege and cruelties forbade the idea that they could be other than evil and avaricious barbarians, wdio should be crushed as noxious reptiles. It Avas concluded to try the strength of the whites, and, if they could not be resisted, the assault should be attri- buted to the intractibility of the Ottomies, a nation of rude and warlike mountaineers. The result might readily be foreseen: no force, bow- ever overwhelming in numbers, could resist the fire-arms, the discipline, and more especially the horses of the Span- iards, 'rbcsc animals "(supernatural or monstrous in tlieir imagination)" so terrified the Indians, that thoy trod one another under foot in efforts to escape from the rush of the little corps of cavalry. Tn several engagements, although undci.* advantageous circumstances, as in ambus- >-^. ■•^rfn AnOllIOIXES OF MKXICO. 79 caJes and night attacks, the Thiscahins Avcrc routed, and vast nunihers of their warriors were shiughtered. (\)rte/, to strike further terror, eut off the liands or thiimhi^ of fourteen or fifteen eaptives, and sent tlietn to tlieir own pe()i)le to report what manner of men ho and his followers were. Montezuma, hearing of these sucecsscs, sent more mes- sengers to endeavor to })ersu:ule Cortcz not to make fur- ther advance, and at the same time to obstruct the con- clusion of a jieace between him and the Thiscahms. '^^I'liese edbrts f;iiled signally: Xicolencal, the general of the opj)osiiig forces, in behalf of the town and nation, made an amicable settlenient of difficulties w iih the S])aniards. With great pomp and ceremonjj Cortez marched his armv into the town of TIascala, on the 23d of September, (1519). The situation of the place was rugged and moun- tainous, giving the streets great irregularity; but the build- ings were substantial, and the fortifications massive. Here the ai'my tarried twenty days, and then marched for Cho- lula, a great citv, entirely subject to the emperor. Before they set out, ALontezuma had again sent heralds to an- nounce his linal consent to a meeting, and that quarters for the S[)anish troo])s should be made ready at Cholula. Several thousand Tlascalans, arme'. »' m ■m ■J* "'SI 111 'i''?ji*p| ■ f: f■w^^^'mt^' -.i'' rr.^:^--:■:fl \^J:lhA ;; .(. ■1/ ',':■' M' 80 l.\l)IA?i IJACKS OF AMKKICA. ! I aroused the suspieioiis (»(' Curte/, jiiul lie ileteniiincd to maintiiiii the utmost vi<^'il;uiee. At this jiiiieture iiii old woiiinii t)I' rank eame to ^farina, f(ir will MM slie had Cdiitractcd <^i'eat friendship, and heLi'.i^ed her to I'Mi'sakc the Spaiiiaids, and anwr \n live with her and \\ry IVii'iids. Marina, ever on the wateh to serve her lord and ni;ister, pretendi'il t-oniplianee, and, hy Jnilicioiis questions, elieited (Voin the old woman all the partieulai's ol' a forniidablo ])lot for the destruction of tli(> Spaniards. ]\ronf(>/nnia had sent twenty thousand men into the viein- ity, part of whom wi're already secretly lirouiilit within the walls; pit-falls with sharp stakes at the bottom had been pi'cpai'ed ill tlu^ principal hi.u'hwMj'S for the destruction of the horses; and stones were jiiled on the roofs of the houses to hurl down npon the devoted army. Dia/ says: "'I'he re(^ompcnse which they intended for our holy and friendly services was to kill us and eat us, for which ])urpose the pots were already boiling, and prepared with salt, pi>pper and tomatas." Seven human victims had been sacriliccd to propitiftc the favor of the gods, and it was purposed to devote twenty of the Sjxmiards to the same fate, as soon as they could be secured. All these things were confirmed by a searching examin- ation of some of the caciques, who, surprised at the super- natural penetration of the Spaniards, confessed the wliole, but attributed it entirely to Afontezuma. "With his usual duplicity, Cortez spoke of this conspiracy in confidence to the ambassadors from the court, pretending that he had no suspicion of the part ^[ontezurna had taken. lie then gave public orders for marching on the ensuing da}^, in order to precipitate the hostile movement, but, at th(>. same time, had all his plans arranged for battle, and intelligence conveyed to his Tlascalan troops to be ready to assist him at the dawning of day. With the first light all was in motion; the Cholulans A HO UK! INKS OF MKXFf'O. 81 nj)poijitcc"l to caiTj tlic liacrgago, and tlioac wlio raino armod ail protoncc of actinpf as a f,niar(l, hut, in reality, to fall upon tlic I'car of the army, poured into the great square. At a given signal from Cortex, a lioirihle niassncre wm coniineneed, whieli continued for two days, 'i'lic Tlasea- laiis of the party, n'^inforeeil liy multitudes fi'om their own town, wdio came at the first news of the attack, ravageil and j)lundered tlio city with umvstraiticd barbarity. Cor- tex at last cheeked tli(\se outrages, and compelling such of the |)lnndcr and prisoners as he could discover to be deliv- ered up, proclaimed j)eace and general amnesty. He set free the unfortunate prisoners, who were confined in cages to be fattened for sacrifice, and vainlv endeavored to con- vincc the priests and people of the enormity of their reli- gious rites and the truth of his own doctrines. Cliolula was one of the most noted citic^s of ^[(^xico, both for its beauty of situation and structure, and its posi- tion as the head-ipuirters of the religion of the country. The immens(> hill or temple of sacrifice has ever been the subject of admiration and astonishment to all beholders. Montexuma dared no longer openly oppose the advance of 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 Cortex to visit liis court, '^riie general imju-ession con- stantly gained ground among the Mexicans that these white men must be "Teules," or supernatural beings, against whom it were hopeless oj)enly to contend. Fourteen days after the arrival at Cholula, the army was again put in motion. The Zempoalans were dis- missed at their own request, and their places were supplied by Tlascalans, who wci'o ready by thousands to share the danger and profit of the expedition. On the march over the rougli mountainous district through which lay their path, strong bodies of Mexicans had been placed in am- 6 '1 *#,J' I'M ■^ f fir »" „/iiJ. is --** i" I it' t, ^^"^'t ^^'« IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 If 1^ li£ 1^ !■■ 112 2 2.0 1.8 1.4 II 1.6 V] <^ /2 / W^''j '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 rzr 82 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Bl? 1 i busli by the order of tlic kin,2', but tlicir hearts fiiilod them on the approach of the invaders. Cortcz reached Clialco, near the imperial city, not only without serious opposition, but with his forces increased by as many natives of the provinces through which he passed, as lie chose ti^ enlist under his banners. Enchantments and conjurations, to whieli Montezuma appUed himself, with his wliole corps of magicians, proved as ineffectual as his armies to arrest the enemy. It was still his purpose and hope, as the in- vaders well knew, to overwhehn and destroy tlicm at a disadvantage, when tlicy should enter his city. Tlie Spaniards reached Tztapalapa, on the great lalcc in which the city of Mexico was built, without further Ijlood- slied, exce]-)t the destruction of a few poor Indians wlio approached "too near " tlic encampment at Amcmeea, prob- ably from motives of curiosity. The lord of Tezcueo, upon the north-eastern border of the lake, a nephew of tlie em- peror, visited them on their route with solemn ceremony. Iztapalapa was built partly in the lake, although the receding waters have left the site mostly dry. The appear- ance of the place was truly Venetian. Over the broad expanse of water were seen the towers and buildings of numerous towns, at beholding which, together Avith the great causey which led to the island city, the Europeaiis, in tlie words of Diaz, "could compare it to nothing but the enchanted scenes read of in Amadis of Gaul, from the great towers and temples and other edifices of lime and stone which seemed to rise out of the water." "Never yet," he adds, " did man see, hear, or dream of anything equal to the spectacle which appeared to our eyes on 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 :.-J ABOKIGINES OF MEXICO. 83 of frait and aromatic trees; tlie fountains, aqueducts, and artificial pools; and the vast concourse of curious natives, crowding the street and causey to gaze on the novel sight, or skimming the water in their light canoes, that "to many it appeared doubtful whether they were asleep or awake." On the morning of the 8th of November, 1519, Cor- tez led his followers over the main causey into the impe- rial city. A great deputation of nobles and oflicers came out to meet him, and escorted the army into the city. The streets were empty, that the ceremony of the royal audience might not be impeded; but windows and balconies were thronged with eager spectators. ]\[ontezuma now appeared, borne in a glittering palan- quin, and accompanied by his chief officers, magnificently adorned, and disjilayiug 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 before 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 then raising it to his lips. He 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 graceful head-dress. lie 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 sovereign's greatness. After mutual friendly speeches, the whole throng pro- ceeded to the palaces set apart for the Spaniards' use, and [L f >.< ^ ,V ' J '' if? ■! ' ;'»^'5 t • ' . '\^\ n\ ^ ^:'K 'ml 84 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. AIoLtczuma, leading Cortcz by tlic hand, coiiductcd him to his apartment, and pkiccd about his neck a golden collar. During the week succeeding the entry into ^fexico, cere- monious visits were interchanged by Cortez and the em- peror, l^hc Mexican prince conducted his guests through the royal palaces and gardens, and, in their company, visited the great temple of sacriiice. The historians of* that day can fmd no language strong enough to express the wonder ana admiration which the magnilicent spec- tacle excited in the minds of the Spanish beholders. The pomp and state of the 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 metals; his store of arms, and the number 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 tho 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 upon the mind of his host tha folly and absurdity of his religioTi. The only good effect that is said to have resulted from these arguments was the aban- donment, on the part of the king, of the custom of hav- ing human flesh set upon his own table. The principal temple is minutely described, and must, indeed, have presented a singular scene of horror and magnificence. It was surrounded by a w^all, 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 AlJOIlIGlXIvS OF MKXICO. 85 stones; and llicrcon appeared two hideous idols, seated upon thrones of state in all the splendor of barbaric orna- ment; ^vhilc before them stood the terrible stone of sacri- fice. I'his was a green mass of rock, five spans high, presenting a sharp angle at the top, over which the miser- able victims wcj'c stretched, while the priest gashed open the living body with a rude knife of flint, and tore out the palpitating heart. "I devoted them and all their wickedness," says Diaz, "to God's vengeance, and thonght that the time would never arrive that I should escape from this scene of hunum butchery, horrible smells, and more detestable sights." lie tells of an apartment filled with wild 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- iiets." — "These beasts and horrid reptiles were retained to keep company with their infernal Gods, and when these animals yelled and hissed, 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 magnificei/, moun- tains beyond. It would be tedious to relate the ceremonies of the royal court, although many of them arc singvdar, and well worth the examination of those who would obtain a com- 23lete knowledge of a time and people varying so widely from any thing now known on earth. Among Monte- 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 buffoons whom he kept about him, in the same capacity as that of the covrt-fools of a past age in Europe. An analogy to rites and customs of the Old "World, no less striking, was noticed in many of the popular L— .. .'*;■< I Mill ,-:■:■:« 1 • ""Hi \ J' I* |i ¥■ 8G INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. religious observances. "It should seem lliat tlie Devil," as \)c Soils has it, "the LiVL.itor ol" tiiese Kites, was ambitious to imitate ]>a])tism and Cii'cumeisioii, with the same pride with which he endeavored to counterlrit the other Ceremonies, and even the Saerainiiiits of the Catholic Church; since he introduced among these Barbar- ians the Confession of Sins, giving them to understand that thereby they obtained the Favor of their Gods, lie instituted likewise a ridicnhnis sort of Communion, which the Priests administered upon certain Days in tiie Year, dividing into small Bits an Idol made of Klowei', mix'd up into a Past with honey, which they called t/ic Ood of PtNileaceJ^ — "^ayi they even gave their chief Priosts the title of Papas m their Ijanguage; by which wo find that this Imitation cost Satan a very pai'ticular study and ap])lication." ]\[arriagcs were performed by the priest's tying the veil of the woman to a portion of tiie man's dress, after certain prescribed preliminaries. In this guise the 2)air walked home together, and concluded the ceremony by pacing seven times round the domestic hearth. Divoi'ces were at the discretion of the parties, and when they took place, the sons belonged to the man, the daughters to the Avoman. Hasty separations were guarded against by a provision that, should they again cohabit after having once broken the bond of union, both should be put to death. In some instances, on the death of the husljand, his wife would immolate hei'self, according to the custom, until recently, so prevalent in India. ■mrrf**! m\tm ABOUKilNKS OF MKXICO. 87 ClIAI'TKll V. SKIZUliE ANO IMriil.SO.NMKNT OF M () NTK /, 1 ^ .M A — KXECUTION OF QtJAM'Ol'OI'A AND HIS COMI'AMO.NS 0,\IINOI'S I'liOSl'KCTS EXl'lvDITION OF I'A.All'llll.O DK ' .\ A 1! VA i;/, Si;(('i;sS Ol'' COI.'TKZ A(iAlN.ST JII.M liKTlllt.N Tt) .AIICXICO OUTllAtiP: li\ ALVAIiADO, AM) CONSKql'ENT '1'I{0UI1M;S DKATII OF Mf)NTUZTI.'\IA Till: "^Ol■||I: TIM.STk" HATTIJC OF ointJ iii.\, AM) Ai;i;ivAL at tlascaka, "Aii(i snuiids (li;'t iiiiiiolcil l;mij;ii — !umI sliout — and siToam — To tVci'/.i' tlu^ 1»1()()(1 ill one discoiilant. jiir, lluag to tlic pi'iiliiig thuiidfiiiolU ol' war." Campbell. Coiri'KZ was not yet satisfuMl ; lie Iblt liis situatioji to be precarious, and tliat liis object would not be fully accom- plislied until he had acquired corn}>lctc mastery over the inhabitants of the imperial city. While; he was on his march to Mexico, Juan do Escalcntc, connuander of the garrison left at Vera Cruz, had, with six otlier Spaniards, j)crishe(l in a broil with the natives. One soldier was taken prisoner, but dying of his wounds, his captors car- ried his head to Montezuma, ^J'hc tr(^phy ])roved an ob- ject of terror to the king, who trembled as hc^looked on the marks of manly strengtli wliich its contour and tliick curled beard betokened, and ordered it from his presence. Cortez knew of these events when at Cholula, but had kept them concealed from most of his i^eoplc. lie now addnced them, in select council of his oflicers, as reason — with other matters — for the bold step he purposed. This was to seize the person of Afontezuma. On the eighth day after the arrival at the city, Cortez took with him Alvarado, Velasrpiez de'Leon, Avila, San- doval, and Francisco de Luio, and, ordering a number of his soldiers to ]<;(>ep in his vicinity, proceeded to the royal L-^r mm J 88 INDIAN RACES OF AMKIIICA. I i !l piilat'c. lie cijii\t;rsc(l with Moiit [lail in it; bnt added th;i(, to fpiiet all sns])ieion on the [)art ol' the great c)n])eror of the East, it wonld be hcsL for him to I'eniove to tho Spanish qnarters! Monteznnia saw at once the degradaticni to which he was called nj)on to submit, bnt looking on the lieree Spaniards around him, and hearing an interpi'etation of their threats to dispatch him innnediately if he did not com}>ly, he sull'erei I himself to be coiubicted to the palace occupied by his false friends. To liidc his disgrace from his subjects, tho unha])[)y monarch assured tho astonished concourse; in tho strei^ts that ho went of his own free will. Cortex, while lu; kept his ])risoner secure by a constant and vigilant gnai'd, allowed him to preserve all the outward tokens of royalty. Aroanwhile, Qualpopoca, tho governor of the disti-ict ■where Jnan do l^scalentc lost his life, was sent for, to- gether with his associate oilieers. AVhen they ai . d, Cortez; was allowed by Montezuma to punish then ' -s O" : : iscretion, and the inhuman monster caused th^-m to hi '■ urned alive in the sight of tlio po])ulace. Tho fuel used for this purpose consisted of the royal stores of arrows, darts, and bther warlike implements. Still furth(>r to ({uell the spirit of the king, fetters wore placed upon his ankles during the execution of this cruel sentence. The people of ]\[exico could not bo blinded to tho true position of their sovereign, and it was not long before ominous signs appeared of a general determination to avenge his wrongs, and vindicate the insulted honor of tho nation. Tho young lord of the ancient and ])owerful city of Te/.cuco was foremost iu arousing this spirit of resist- ance, bnt by artifice and treachery ho fell into the hands of the Spaniards, .and his brother was proclaimed gov- ernor in his stead. 1 1 , I ABORJOINKS i)V MEXICO. 80 The king was brouglit so low us to consent to acknowledge himself ii subject ol' ut a small portion of this wealth was reserved to be sent to Spain; tiie rest was divided among the eoiupierors, the chiefs and odicers appropriating the lion's shan;. The next moveuKMit was to establish the Christian cere- monies of worship iij)on the veiy site so long venerated as llie palace of the great god of war. After strong ojjpo- sitioii, a [)ortion of the ai'ca on the summit of the chief temple was set apai't, ibr the Sj)aiiiiir(ls' use in the solem- nities of their religion, while the blood-stained idol and the stone of sacrifice maintained their old position. At these sacrilegious innovations the whole populace became more and more exasperated. Munt(!/uma wai'iied his op|)ressors of the storm tluat would break upon them, declaring that if he shoidd but give the sign, his whole people would I'ist; as one man to release him and destroy the hated whites. The unfortunate monarch seems to have been distracted and overcome by emotions of the most co-dieting nature. For some of the Spanish odiccrs he had contracted no small degree of personal attachment, while he must have felt continually galled by the restraint placed upon his person, and by the consciousness that he was now but a tool in the hands of the proud invaders of liis dominions. The mildness and dignity of his demeanor excited sympathy and respect from his jailors, and Cortez exacted the utmost deference and respect towards his cap- tive from all around liim. T\\(i prudent general saw the necessity for every precau- tion against an attack fj'om the natives, and, to guaixl against his retreat being cut off, on such a contingency, had two vessels built and furnished from the stores saved L^: I' f ■ ■' ■'■■ '.t ' ' ■'■■■ -^ # ■,ti '■M Mil ■1 n '■> •J ' . 'vs. V « 90 INDIAN HACKS OP AMKRICA. I,. from tlic (lismaiitliil llcrt. Living upon an iHlund, it was in llio power of tlni natives at any time to destroy the hi'id^LXi's and eans(n's, liy wlTu'Ii alone; there was eoinmniii- cation witli tlu; main. At tliis erisis, wlion all his eninyies Avere I'eipiived to lesist llit> I'nry <»(' an oiiti'ai^vd nuiltitnde of l)ar]);iri;iiis ai'oiind him, Corte/ jicai'd ol' duiiu'er Croiii another soiiree, which iiiMscd hliii more deeply than any hostilities on th(^ part of the Nfexieans. 'J'lu! jealons Cuban governor, Yclasrpip?;, enraged at his presumption in throwing oil' the authority undei- which lie liad sailed, littcil out a lonnidahle arniananit to overthrew the newly-acipiii'ed power of Cortez. The lle(>t uinlcr the; conunand of l*ani[)hilo do Nni'vaez reached the ^Mexican coast, and nt'ws of its ai'rival were conveyed to Corte/i ill the month (;f Afay, lo2(). A\'ith his usual decision and ])romplness, the gencu'al divided his i'ort'es, and lca\ing the; largcu* jxu'tion under Alvarado to mairitain ])Ossession of the capital, h" miirchcd to cheek thi^ advance of Narvaez. By the boldness ol' a night attack, followed up by the most consummate policy in winning over the good wishes, and exciting the cu])idity of the newly-arrived ai'iny, lie converted his enemies to friends, and, phu-ing tlu; leader in continement, hastened back to the city with his powerful auxiliaries. J lis return was timely indeed. Alvarado had been t-'uilty of an act of barbarity, (whether caused l)v avarice, by a sup[M)sed necessity, or by a desire to ape the valiant aehievenuMit^ of his master, cannot now be ascertained,) which Jiad brought down upon liiin and liis garrison the fury and indignation of the whole Aztec nation. Upon an occasion of great pubhc ceremonials at tho Teocalli, or temple, at which were gathered a great con- course of the nobility and chiefs, the Spaniards, ])lacing a gu;u-d at tho gates of the outer wall, mingled with the i I il \nouiaiNKs OF mkxico. 91 uiiarmod oomjKiiiy, and, at an a])i)(nntt!cl sign, fell upon anil inurderod ovoiy Mexican present. A general I'lish upon the Sj)ani;sh (piartors, wliieli lul- lowed this event, was oidy cheeketl by the appearance of Monte/ntna himsiilf Uj)on one ol" the towers ol" tlie liniM- in<:;, who, knowing doubtless that, his own life (^)uld seai-ecly be pivservcd in such a inehic, re([uested his sul)jects to I'or- l)(\ir. ^riiey thei'efoi'c eontcnitcd themselves with l)esi(\uing thi! gari'ison, and cutting olV suj)[)lies of fcjod and wholi;- sonio water. It was on St. John's day in the month of .hnu^, that (^)rte/- I'i'enteix'd the city. The streets were silent and desertcil, and with doubt and appreluMision he ])roeeeded to tli(> Spanish palace. ^Fhc soldiers of the gai'rison wei'o ovcM'joyed at the sight of the recruits, and reerived their bi-cthren with open arms. Cortez saw the folly ol" Al\-a- rado's eonduet, and in his fii'st mood of indignation ami ])etnlane(\ at the ])robable frustration of his ])lans, he indulged in contcm})tuous treatment of his royal eai)tive. M'lie slate of ominous silence observed in the city did not continue long. News came in that tlu; Indians were destroying the bridges; and a body of four hundred men, under De Ordas, who were sent out to reconnoitre, were (li'i\-en back, with a loss of twenty-three of their .lumbe'-. Such crowds of natives poured forth from their ]>hiee.-; of concealment, that the streets were choked with the living jnass, while from balcony and r()of-to{)S, a storm of weap- ons ami missiles of every description rained ii])on the heads of the Spanish troo})S. Surrounding the qnartei's of the Spaniards, and using every endeavor to burn the wooden ])oi'tion of the build- ings, the wih.l horde of enragcMl Mexicans continued tlie assault, with desperate fu.ry, till nightfall. Cortez attemj)ted a sally with the fii'st dawn of the fol- lowing day, but he soon found that he had an enemy to I I I. * !■! ■ V 'i •^ 't' .■»|i ■ :'A4 '>S| ■mi: ^Mr M^ ,U Wu^' 93 INDIAN UACKS oK AMKKICA. (Miciiiiiitcr (»r liir •lill'crciit, spirit (Vom those wlio liinl licf(V titforc o|>|»(»sc(l liiiii. I)i;i/ s:iys, "H'wd li;nl I'ci'ii ten lIlOIISMIhl llci'tolS el" 'IVoV, :illil MS IlKinV liolilllllS, W(! foiiM iidt, Ikivc liciitni llicm <)(1'. Sdiiic of our snIdiiM's will) li;nl lifcii ill It.'ily, suKi't' lli;it iicitlicr ;iiiii«iim' (!liris- tiiii imr Turks lind tlicv cvt-r seen such (h'spi'ijttiim as \v:is iiiaiiiU'sti'd in the adacks of ihosc liidiaiis.'' The arlilk-rv in \;iin swept, them down, ('m' tliousaiids were ready to rush ovei- the liiHeii bodies ol' lh<'il' eoiiirailes, and eoiitiniie the hattle with aii'^nieiited liereeiiess. Thu Si>aiiianls wei'e tiiially (ort'ed to retreat. V'ai'ioiis e\p(v I clients were li'ieil liy the iiide('atiuai>Ie Spanish ^'etieral to I (piell the insiirreetioii, and to ihsloilt'e tin' assaikinis, who 1 shot their weapons I'roiii e\''ei'V hiijh Imildiii''' in the vieiii- I it\' of the' Harrison. Movin^c towers ol' wooil wei'e eon- I striiete(k to he (h'awii thi'oiiLdi the street 1>\' eoiiiiiaiiies of asealaiis, whi le Spanish wari'iors IVoni le interior dis- I ('hai'u'ed vol!e\sol iniisipiel r\' upon tin' liulians. iMaiiy hnndi'eil houses were (h'slrityed l»y tii'e, Imt, beini"' prinei- jialiN' ol' stone, no _ueneral eonlkniratioii ensued. As a, hist n'sorf, tlie i;r(>at- kiinj- hii iiselt, (leeKeil in Ins rolies oC state, was tal«;en to the I ower irom w nieli li(> iiad 1. )!'(> sueeeeihMl in (plieliiiij: the ani^i'V populace, I he le iistenctl with del'erenti.al awe, hut when they ninllilu( heard a^iain the palpahh^ falsehood that he staid anion^Li; the Spaniards hy his own free will, I'everi' nee ua\e wav to c<)ntenipt and nidiu'iiation. I>c\ iliiiLis and repcoaehes were l'oll()wed hv a shower of stoni\s and ai'rows. Thi! attendant soldiei's m vain interj)osed then' shields to pi'o- tect the em]>eror: he fell, si>verely wonndeil upon the head by a stone. The crowd now i'(^tii\Ml, appalled at the sacri- \c'j:c that they had coinniitted. Wni tlu> work was doiK^: the inisei'ablo Monte/uma, overcome with "ai-y, niortilk'.i- tion, and d(>spair, wi»u!d accept of no assistance, either snr;j,-ical or s[)iritnal from the Spaniards. In lhix\! days, )'. -rii AHOIMdINKS OF MI;NI<'0. 03 S.'IVS (If Soils, "ll(> Slirrt'li'l.Ti'il up l'> tllc l)i'\il tlir ctcl'- ii:il Possession of his Soul, cmplovini^,- the hitcsl, tiioniinls of Ills I'lv.iili ill iiii|»ii)iis Tlioiji'lils of s;i('rirK'iii,!j; his I'lii''- mil's lo his I""in'v Miid llfvi'iiirf."' |''«)i' thi- p.ii'lii'iihirs of Ih'- v.'irioiis sorlii'.-;; tlic cc'isi'li'ss ri'j,iirni'.r; iiml, ;ihov*^ nil, lln^ Icrrililc Sfciic iit, thr stoniiiiiL'; of lilt' holy t('iii)tlc, \\n) rciulcr must I'di'i- to mitre cxtrii- si\'(' ti'r;ilis('s lh;iii tliis; siinicc. it, th;it, \\ ('iiki'iii'il iiv cim- tiini;il liitiirni', iiml (l;iy l»y liiitiii, Mini h;iil hccii !it I'oiiii','" aiiiioiinccij ;i ccrlMiii iii^ht ;is the only time, wiien lh(! ai'iny eoiiM escape iit.tcM' (1(\striietioii. (\)l'te/, whether moveil hy silpel'sl ilioit or awiire oC its iii(hienee with the army, ami hopcl(>ss of loii;.j,ei' mainlniii- iiii^ a hoM on the eajiital nmler existing" eirenmstaiiers, made ]>rep;iiations to iiiareh. lie, al.tem))ted to hlinil hi.s ]»I'0(n'eilini'S liy preteildeii treaties with the M.'\ii';ilis, pl'o- ])osin;;" to e\aeiiate the eit.y peaeeiilily within ei;j,lit days, while, at tin- same time, \\c was orderin^^ e\-erv tiling" l()r an instaiitaiu'ous d(>piirtur(\ A j)ortal>le lirid^c was j)r(> pared to alVord tlu^ in(^a,iis for crossing tin; ^aps in the causey made by the enemy. On the ni), the general l)rou,<:;ht out the iuuneiise treasures of gold stonnl iji his chamber, and, having se{)arated the poi'tion allotted to the crown, told the soldiery to take what they would, but cautioned them against ciiouinbering themselves. It wfis near uiidnight, and dark and rainy, wluni the troops were put in motion, ^riiey were in the actof ])ass- ing the first breach, over the portable biidge, when the alarm was given that the "Tcules w(!re going," and the cry of "^Paltelulco, Taltelul(!o, (out with your canoes")" resoundcMl over the water. The Spaniards were doomivl •1 ; :i '■ f A . ■' ■'ill !• ••/•/ri'rSj *l^..^?;| -f % :i WMv %. H»; ; ' * 1** i t ■ .'% > /'=*;^j .:m i ■ \. ■- *■ ■*i3 .i . -'-■'♦< it -;,/;.-; -1 r" 94 INDIAN RACES OF AMKRICA. r,-. .V ^'h ll. 1 1 to o'reatcr disaster and misery on this ni,q-lit, kiiowm as the "nocliG triste," or iiiglit of sorrow, tlian they had ever yet c>c2)crienced. An innumerable horde of dusky ils^urcs beset the causey, and attacked the fugitives in front, fhmk, and rear. Py a complication of misfortune, the bridge broke, and from tlic struggling mass of men and horses, the few Avdio could obtain footing on the causey were mostly killed, or their cries fo; help were heard by their companions as they were borne off in the canoes of the eneniy, doomed victims for sacrifice. The cavalry, who were in advance, hastened forward, hopeless of relieving those whose re- treat liad been cut off, and who were blindly contendirg m the darkness with the fierce and enraged Aztecs. Alvarado, dismounted and wounded, came up with the advance, on foot, accompanied by three soldiers and eight '^riascalans. He reported the destruction of the rear-guard, together with their leader, Velasquez de Leon. According to some accounts, Alvarado had made his escape by an extraordinary leap over the gap, but Diaz denies the pos- sibility of tlie act. The wearied and disabled remnant of the proud army of Cortez pursued their route towards the friendly district of Tlascala, followed by detached companies of Mexicans, who attacked the fugitives in the rear, and, with insulting shouts, bade them hnsten to the doom that awaited them. Near a place called Obtumba, the Indians were found arrayed upon a plain in countless hosts, to obstruct the march, and finish the work so successfully commenced on the night of the retreat. There was no way to avoid a general engagement, and every Spaniard nerved himself for the desperate struggle. "We quote from Bernal Diaz — "Oh what it was to see this tremendous battle! how we closed foot to foot, and with what fury the dogs fought us! such wounding as there was amongst us with their > I i| I : I I I i L. , I I 1 • i ' I ; I ■ ! ii ; I I ! ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 95 lan(.30s and clubs, and two-liondcd swords, while our cav- alrv, favoured by the plain ground, rode througli them at will. — Then, to hear the valiant Sandoval how he encour- aged us, crying out, 'Now, gentlemen, is the day of vie- to I'v ; put your trust in God, we shall survive, for he preserves us for some good purpose.' " The royal standard was taken, its bearer being slain, and the whole multitude were put to flight, and hewn down by hundreds in their retreat. The Spaniards pushed on to Tlascala, not without misgivings as to the reeeptiou they should meet with in their present crippled and suf- fering condition. These fears proved groundless: the friendly Tlascalans embraced them affectionately; Avept over their loss; and gently rebuked them for trusting the treacherous Mexicans. During the " noche triste," and upon the march to Tlas- cala, eight hundred and seventy Spaniards are recorded to have perished in battle, or to have been doomed, as pris- oners, to a far more terrible fate. Of their Tlasealan allies more than a thousand were slain. Only four hundred and forty of the Spanish troops reached Tlascala, and these were many of them wounded and disabled, and were ill supplied with arms. Some accounts state that the Mexi- can army, at Obtumba, numbered two hundred thousand men, and that twenty thousand of these fell in the engage- ment or were slaughtered in their tumultuous retreat. i ^'^ ^ 'n- 1 % I I r i #'" 'M 11 &k"i 'r.r ' »i i t* m It) fi 96 INDIAN RACES OF AMKRICA. CHAPTER VI. PUKPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK ny TIIR CITY OK MF.XICO- lUIll.niNG AND TRANSPOIiTATION OK URICANTINKS — SIK.GE LAID TO T7IK CITY ASSAin/r PY TIIK SI'ANIAIinS, ANP THKIR RKI'IM.SK — SACHIK1CJC OK VHISON- ERS CArTUliE OK GUATIMOZIN, AND CONQUEST OK THE CAPITAL. H' And Aztec priests, upon tlieir toociillis, liuat the wild war-dnini, made of serpents' skin.'' Longfellow. On the death of Montezuma, liis brother Cuithihua, governor of Iztapalapa, liad taken the supreme eommand over the Aztecs, lie had been prime mover in the rcv^olt Avliich resulted in the expulsion of the Spaniards from the city, and it was by his orders that their llight had been so fiercely followed up. At the present juncture, he sent heralds to propose a treaty of peace with the friendly tribe by whose hosj)itality the Spanish army was now su])poi'ted, proposing the destruction of the whites, who had brought such woes upon the whole country. A portion of tlic Tlascalan assembly looked approvingly upon the sugges- tion, but the older and wiser members, reflecting upon the known treachery of the Mexicans, and their former acts of oppression, refused to listen to it. Cortez, perceiving discontent to be rife among his men, determined not to remain idle, but to keep their attention constantly employed. Some, who were pining for ease and quiet, ho allowed to take ship for ^ ;ba, while by evcrrv argument he appealed to tlie honor and valor of his veter- ans, urging them not to desist at the first failure, but to stand by their general and reinstate their fiillen fortunes. lie engaged in bloody conflicts witli Mexican tribes on ii i I ABOTllGrVKS OF MEXICO. 97 either side of T'lasoala, with the most distinguished suc- sess; and taking possession of the town of Topeaea, a I'ew leagues distant, estabhshed liis head-quarters there. By singular good fortune, several ships, bi-inging fresh troops to su])port Narvaez, arrived fi'oni Cuba, and tlie adventurei'S, learning the true position of alTaii'S, readily joined the popular header. Another expedition, sent by the governor of Jamaica to form a settlement farther up the coast, ordy contributed to swell the resources of Cor- tez; those eiigaged in the undertaking deeming it more profitable to unite with the followers of so renowned a general, than to undergo the dangers and hardship of estab- lishing themselves unassisted among hostUe savages. Cortez determined to make every preparation for a renewed attack upon the city of AFexico. Ecturning to Tlaseala, he F^t himself to equip and furnish his troop."?, and to train the Indian allies in the art of war. Gunpov^- dcr was manufactured; the sulphur being procured from the neighboring volcano of Popociitapetl. The most im- jiortant pai't of his schemes, however, was the building a number of small vessels, or bngantines, by means of which his troops couhl be made independent of the narrow and dangerous causeys. Iliese vessels lie ord^'red to be made in separate pieces, of such a size that they could be trans- ported over the mountains by the Indian carriers: the stores and rigging were brought from the coast by tlie same means of conveyance. On the 28th of December Cortez led his army forth fi'om Tlaseala. The Spanish force was less than that with which the fir.st invasion was undertaken, but was supei'ior in martial equipments. The whole army consisted of about six hundred whites, and ten thousand, or upwards, of Tlascalans. They marched direct for Tezcuco, on the great hUvC of Mexico. No opposition was made during the march, and the city was yielded to them without a 7 .'■.iff'j-.ii'^ ,i., 1 1 98 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. •0 ;:|iAl ■vm struggle, nearly all the inliabitarits deserting it in tlieir boats. Ucre it was dctonnined to await tlic completion and arrival of the brigant'mes. While all those formidable preparations were going on, important changes had taken place in the Aztec monarchy. Cuitlahna, or Quetlavaca, had perished by that terrible scourge the small-pox, which was introduced from the old country by one of Narvaez's ships, and which spread over all Mexico, carrying off thousands of the natives. The new emperor Guatimoziu, a brave and noble youth, was nephew and successor to Montezuma. 1'he beauty and gallant bearing of this prince excited the admiration of all beholders; while his intelligence and valor, combined with the hatred which he bore towards the whites, made him an enemy to be dreaded, lie had devoted his whole attention, since his accession, to fortifying and defending Ms capital. The unserviceable inhabitants were sent into the country, while warriors from all sides were called to rally round the Aztec banner within the city. The remainder of the winter and the early months of spring were occupied by the Spaniards in sallies against neighboring towns and districts; the reduction of the dis- alfected; the conciliation of those inclined to cooperate wdtli the besiegers ; and, above all, the completion and trans- portation of the vessels. AVe must pass over the skir- mishes and battles which occurred during this period. It would be little more than a repetition of scenes of cruelty, horror, and bloodshed. The spirit of the- Aztecs was unsubdued, and their new emperor haughtily refused to listen to any terms of treaty, although Cortez commissioned sundry prisoners of rank to endeavor to move him. Suc- cess in occupying many strong and populous towns, together with the arrival of fresh recruits, served to encourage the Spaniards in the hopes of fmal triumph. Thousands of natives were employed in digging a canal by which the ■'1:^ ABORIGINES OF MEXICO. 99 little fleet should be launched. The beams and planks of the vessels ready to be joined, witli all the paraphernalia of nautical outfit, were carried in state by an immense con- course of Tlascalans, charged with the burthen, or acting as a guard of protection. Diaz says that no less than eight thousand men served in each of these capacities, while two thousand more followed with provisions. About the last of April (1521) the thirteen brigantines, fitted for service, were launched into the canal. The addition of an armed flotilla, which, urged by wind and oars, could bear doAvn 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 which they were managed and controlled, must have filled the Mexicans with amazement. Near the end of May a regular system of siege was en- tered upon, by the occupation of the three great approaches to the city. The inhabitants were unwearied in their attacks, and a degree of vigilance and courage on the part of the Spaniards, scarce equalled in any age or country, only preserved them from utter destruction. " For ninety- three days together," says Diaz, "we were employed in the siege of this great and strong city, and every day and every night we were engaged with the enemy. — Were I to extend my narrative to every action which took place, it would be almost endless, and my history would resem- ble that of Amadis and the other books of chivalry." Every expedient, of driving sunken palisades to entan- gle the vessels ; of pit-flills for the cavalry; and of cutting gaps in the causeys, was resorted to by the besieged, and persevered in with a determination and obstinacy only rivalled by thu stern temper of the obdurate invaders. There was necessarily great suffering on both sides, exclusive of the horrors of actual warfare, from the scar- city of provision. Maize was the principal resort; but • t •■ III . mmm ' h.-.-'"i-'i'> %■ V I- '.'. 5: 'Jl. 'i-T ■' ■■•■■<Jit# ■■***"' '■; ,■■'-!: ■.■; '*!^kW#i^ ■' . ., . J. (•«".«?,- iM "fa *•■:•■:■;: ' '.i * j • smmn 102 INDIAN llACES OF AMEUICA. manv of their invaluable horses, and, above all, dispirited by the thought that sixty or more of tlicir bi'cthreii were alive in the hands of the enemy, destined victims at tlieir infernal orgies. As night approaehed, the boonung of the gi'eat di'um on the tem})le aroused the attention of tlie Sj)aniards, and, looking towards the city, they could distinctly ])er('cive several of their unfortunate companions led up for sacri- fice, decked out in gaudy plumes and cc^ronals. A strong light thrown by the fires on the ])latform u})on their white and naked bodies made the sickening sight too palpably distinct, while the shrieks of the victims rose above even the rude din of barbarous music and exultant shouts. The cen^mony was followed by a fui'ious attack upon the Spanish camps. Not even scones like this could shake the indomitable resolution of these men of iron. They continued to occupy the three causeys by which alone the city could be a})proached, except in boats, and using every endeavor to cut olf supplies of provisions, made a steady and en- trenched advance upon the capital. For ten successive nights they witnessed the butchery of the Spanish prison- ers upon the green stone of sacrifice, without the power to render them the least assistance. As their hearts were torn out and burned before the idol, tlie priests drew the mangled remains down the stone steps. — Some of tlic In- dians, mid their taunts and revilings, tlverred that the Spanish flesh was "too bitter to be eaten; and truly, it seems that such a miracle was wrought." "Let tlie reader think," says the old chronicler, Diaz, "what were our sensations on this occasion. Oh heavenly God! said we to ourselves, do not sulfer us to be sacrificed by these wretches." To add to the S]:)aniards' distress, the great body of tiieir Indian allies deserted them at this crisis. They had be- •-- .l-'"» m§^-''- I u A150III0IXES OK MKXICO. 103 gun to ]>^o tlioir eoufidi'iico in llio iiivin('i])ilitj of tlio wliites; and the predictiDii of llio Mexican j)i-iests, tliat witliiii eight (lays the besiegers slioiiM be destroyed, bad its cfTcct upon tiicir sujierstitiinis minds. Lxtllxocldtl, tlie Tezcucan chief, wlio had been raised by CovUrA to llic govcrnincnt of the city on its abdication by liis eneniies, remained faitlifub When the eight days were passed, tliese fickle allies began to return, with fresli coniidenct^ to the assistance of the besiegers. Witli deterniined energy the , paniards forced their passage, foot by foot, towards tlie centre of the cap- ital. Securing their way behind them, and (hnnolishing the buildings as they 2)rocecded, they rnore tlian re-covered from their grand reverse. The miserable inhabitants were reduced to the utmost extremity by famin(>, ('rowded together in the quarter of the city to which they were driven, they perished by thousands, but nothing seemed to tame their fierce and unyielding spirit. Guatiniozin refnsed to listen to terms, although Cortez repeatedly sent embassies of prisoners, proj)osing a peaceable cession of the place. Stores and men were added to the Spanish resources, by the arrival at Villa llica of a vessel belong- ing to a fleet 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, and Gruatimozin and his peo})le were confined in a limited district on the lake, the fury of their sallies seemed undiminished. When they ^vel•o finally uiial)le longer to keep their monarch in safety, a last attempt was maile to effect an escape ia the ])ira- guas or large canoes. The brigantines were immediately dispatched to inter cept and destroy the flotilla which now spotted the lake The natives fought desperately, as usual, attacking the armed vessels of the Spaniards, regardless of the destruo- 3. J ^J^ Twm: ;4 J ''• > 1 1 i'"'"'4^i ! ' ^i -■. '%i r , '. ''iv%^% ■. -ft , i I. .J 1 ', ■ •1 ferfAHfeHMtflii ■•^■■il p:|l|p -rT] 104 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKIUCA. tion oci'nsioiicil by tLo {irtillcry. Siuuloval, \vh(j com- nuuuloil in tliis s(>rvi(;o, (Icspatclu'd (Jarciu UDlmiin, with tlio swiftest of tlio l)ri;:;:iiiliiK;s, to the spot when' tlu; (Mil- poror would probably steer, witli orders to take him pris- oner idivo, if possibU\ ^rhc attempt was "siKicessfiil, and the royal bar^^e, was taken, eontaining Guatiuiozin, his l)eautiful wife, (a daii.^'li- ter or niece of Afontezuma) and his chief foUowH'i's. lU'ing brought before Cortez, the king addressed his eoiupieror in terms of proud but despjiiring submission, bidding him draw his jx)inard, anil put an end to the life of a mon- arch who had sti'iven to tlie last for his ]>eople, but in vain. Cortez endeavored to reassure him by caresses luid kind wordr., ordei'ing the queen and attendants to be treated with courtesy and res])ect. While this scene Avas enacting, and during tlie previous day, a work of such fearful carnage had been going on in the Mexican quarters as no pen can describe. No one can presume to eimmcratc those who fell. Diaz reports as follows: " What I am going to mention is truth, and 1 swear and say amen to it. I have read oi' the de- struction of Jerusalem, but I cannot conceive that the mortality there exceeded this of Mexico; for all the peo- ple from the distant provinces which belonged to this empire, had concentrated themselves here, where they mostly died. Q'he streets, the squares, the houses, and the courts of tlie 'J'altelulco, (Avhere tlie Mexicans were last entrenched) were covered with dead bodies; we could nat step without ti'cading on them; the lake and canals were filled with them, and the stench was intolerable." It is due to the Spanish general to say that he endeav- ored repeatedly to stay this butchery, but his Indian allies could not be restrained, now that an ojiportunity was pi'e- Kented for safely wreaking their vengeance on their her- editary foes. % n l! AHOIUOINES OF MKXICO. 105 The Ciiptnroi of Ciiiatinio/.in, which ronsnmniutcd Iho conqticst <){' the city, took j)liic(! on (lh> thii'tccntli of Au- gust, ir»2l. All co'.itcntioii immcdiiitcly conscd \vlu;ii this W!is iiccoiiiplishcd. Diaz, says: " \Vc. felt like so many men just escaped from a stec[)le where all the Ih'Us were rin<.';ing about our cars. — This was owint,^ to the continual noise of ihe enemy for ninety-tlire(> days — Shouting, call- ing, whistling, as sigiuils to attack us, kc- — Then, fioiii the temples and adoratories of iheii- accursed idols, tho tiinlials and horns, and the mouiMiful sound of tiieir great drum, and other dismal noises were incessantly assailing our ears, so that day or niglit we could hai'dly hear each other speak." Ijy (Uiatimo/in's re([uest, the city was cleared o? its inhabitants, that it might be ellectually i)uri(ied. Tho causeys were crowded for three successive days and nights witli a horde of such miseral)le, diseasiMl, and heli)less wretches, creei)ing slowly away from their former })n)ud capital, "that it was misery to behold them." The booty discoveivd by the eonqueroi'S in no d(\gi'ee equalled their anticipations. It was supposed that great quantities of gold had been thrown into the lake, and divers were em])loyed in the search for it, but with little clTect. The unfortunate Guatimozin, and the lord of the city of Tacuba were put to the tortuiv, with the assent of Coi'tez, to extort from them infoi'nfhtion as to the ])laces Avhere they had concealed their ti'easurcs. Corte/ objected to this piece of barbarity, but permitted it that the suspi- cion might not rest upon him of having, by connivance, appropriated the plunder to his (jwn use. '^riio young monarch, in this extrenuty, preserved his dignity and composure, enduring tho cruelties of his tor- mentors with Indian fortitude. When the barbarous in- flictions of the Si)aniards di-ew forth groans or com})laint3 from his companion in sull'ering, Guatlmozin silenced him ■', :-j'» ■'; iM, ^:t ^i ■•■'. Mi r-— 1 1 100 INDIAN JUCKS OF AMfc:iaCA. tvilli tlic ciiliii iiitt'iTo;^'!iliv(', "Tliiiik'st tlioii, tlini, lli:if 1 ain tiiUiii^ my ])leasiirc in my biilli?'' Notliiii^^' was ^aiiu'd by the iiilmmnu traiisautioii, iiltli()n,iili tlu' rmprinr lold of a ]>l;u!ti ill the lake wluTO ^oM had been tlii'owii, and the lord oi' I'aeiiba coiiCessed that he had stores at a house in the eouiitry. ^J'hese deelarations were probably made merely for the purpose of eseapiiig })resent unguish. CIIArTKll VII. R£ .DI.N'U ok TIIK city — KXTKNSIO.M (IK Sr/VMSII TOWKR— 'K IMAKCII TO jmNDUKAS KXKCUTION OF (ilJATIMOZlN DONNA MAHLNA — 3IOUKI[.\ MEXICO. "Now tlu'V :ire ifonu — 'utiw ;i8 tiiv soltiiiif blaze Goes down tlio west, while iiii^iit is pix'ssiiif^ on, And uitli tlicni tlic old {■.[]{' of lii'ttcr diiys, And trojihirs ot" ivnii'MilKTcd power (ire j^nme." JhlVANT. Within a few years after tlie seenes we have Just de- scribed, the royal city of the A/tec; moiiarelis rose from its ruins with I'ouewed splendor; but midci" what dinri'eiit cireumstanees from those wliieli attended its lirst estaliish- ment! The proiid-s})ii'Jted nation, rediieed to degrading servilude, was com})elled to build and plant for the bene- fit of the vietorious Spaniards, whose power (hiily in- creased with the multitudes floeking fi'om the Old World to seek wealth or novelty in the sunny climes of New Spain. The modern city of AFcxieo presents a very difl'ercnt aspect fi'om that of the ancient capital. By the drainage of the lake, it no longer stands upon an island; and tlie causeys, which led to it, still used as }>ublic roads, are said to be scarcely distinguishable from the other highways. I AllOKIOlNKrf OF MKXU'O. 107 All i\xc Sfin'onndinf^ tribes who d'nl not yuAA iniplicitly to tho (lictaU'H of the "ijrncriil, wlicii the ^rcut city was ilo- Htroycd, wci'o j)i\)in|)tl_y (^uelltHl jiiid huniblt'd. Conlirmcd ill his iiuthority by royal coiiiiiiissiiMi-— for the rlVorts of his ciu'inies could avail little a;^aiiist the universal accla- nialioii which followed the lunvs of his successes -('ortez continued to increase the extent of Spanish dominion, and still more ellectually to crush all spirit of opposition among the miserable Mexicans. We cannot detail the tfirible examples of vengeance which followed any attiMiipt to throw off the gallinj^ yoke. With such coadjutors as Alvarado, Sandoval, and other of his veteran oHicers, resistance to his suj)rcmacy proved worse than vain. 'J'ho stftke or the lialtcr was the ready instrument by which tho crime of rebellion was ])unishcd. In October of 152-i, Cortez, with a small force of Span- iards, and a large body of natives, undertook a long and difliculi mai'ch to Honduras. His ])urpose was to chastise the n^bellious de Olid, who had thrown oil' his general's authority. vMthough the details of the dangei's, hard- ships, and adventures in this expedition arc minute and. interesting, we only refer to it as giving occasion for tho destruction of the last Aztec monarch. Continually ap- prehensive of a new revolt, Cortez had, ever since the conquest, Ivcpt his royal prisoner a close attendant on his person. Together with his faithful vassal, the lord of 'J'acuba, Guatiinozin was taken to accompany the ji-'uty to Honduras. At Gucyacala, or Aculan, a conspiracy of th(! Mexicans in the train to fall upon and massacre the Spaniards, was reported to the general, and attributed to the influence of these two nobles. All participation in this plot was denied by the captives, but slight suspicion was suflicient to furnish an excuse to the unscrupulcus Spaniard for ridding himself of a constant source of anxietv. Guatiniozin and the Tacuban governor w'cre both hanged 1 ';: y^:i n ^1 ui>- 9^'.'^;'" Mm * '. '" • 1 1< Mi (T"' 108 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. II by his orders. Diaz affirms tliat there was but one opin- ion [ii.-oiigtho company, that this was "a most unjust and cruel sentence." lie proceeds to say that Cortez suflered nuu'h in his conscience for this act — "lie was so distracted by these thouglits that he could not rest in his bed at night, and, getting up in the dark to walk about, as a re- lief from his anxieties, he went into a large a])artment where some of the idols were worshipped. Here he missed his way, and fell from the height of twelve feet, to the ground, receiving a desperate wound and contusions in his head. This circumstance ho tried to conceid, keeping his suifcrings to himself, and getting his hurts cured as well as he could." An interesting incident occurred on this march relative to the history of the faithful interpreter Donna Marina. Tlie course taken led the army through her native prov- ince, and it so chanced that, at a great conclave of cliicfs and principal inhabitants to hold conference with the Span- iards, her mother and brother were present. The unna- tural parent, who had so long before sold her daughter as a slave, thought the hour of retribution was at hand, but Marina encouraged and caressed her, making her oll'erings of jewels and other attractive trifles. She avowed her attachment to the Spaniards and their religion, expressing great pride aiul satisfaction in the son and the husband, for both of whom she stood indebted to her noble master and friend. We must now take leave of the historical detail of Mex- ican clu'onicles, with a few remarks upon the condition of the Indians subsequent to the conquest, the changes since wrought by lapse of time, the introduction of a foreign population, and the mixture of races. For a long period the mass of the natives were compel- led to waste their lives in hopeless toil on the plantations, in the mines, or at the rising cities of their oppressors. rq AfiORIOIXKS OP' MEXICO. 109 Cortcz felt and expressed some compunctious visitinL;,s of conscience at tlie adoption of this general system of slavery, bat fell in with it as being essential to the maintainanco of Spanisli power and tlie speedy growtli of the colonics. He saw that the mental capacity of the people was far superior to that of the other North American aborigines, and felt some natural regret that their national pride should be entirely humbled, and their opportunities for civilization and improvement be so entirely cut off. A better state of things was gradually brought about, and the inhabit- ants of pure native descent arc now spoken of as a cheer- ful, courteous race, busying themselves in the simpler arts of manufacture, cultivating their fields, and enjojdiig the equable freedom from anxiety, so congenial to the mild and delicious climate of their country. Pnlque, the intoxicating drink of the ^Mexicans, is pro- ductive of the evil effects that such beverages always pro- duce among the Indians of America; and, in the large cities, a disgusting horde of lazaroni disfigures the public squares. 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, present every variety of social position. Some of Montezuma's descendants mar- ried into noble families of Spain, and their posterity ar- rived at great wealth and dignity. The wife of Guatimozin, after his execution, married successively no less than three Castilians of honorable family. She is every where spoken of as a woman of charming appearance and attractive manners. A descendant of the former emperor of the Aztecs held the office of Spanish viceroy in Mexico as late OS the close of tlie seventeentli century. > . i*- *t" '""''' 'W ' 1 f' If 'I }...'>b il THE FLORIDA INDIANS. CHAPTER I. EARLY EXPEPITION'S OF SPANISH ADVENTURERS — PONCE DE LEOH L. VALASQUHZ DE AYLI.ON PAMPHILO DE NARVAEZ FER- NANDO DE SOTO niS LANDING AND ESTAIJLISIIMENX AT TAMPA STORY OF JOHN ORTIZ, A SPANISH CAPTIVE AMONG THE INDIANS. Yew portions of the Western Continent have witnessed such scenes of barbarous warfare between the natives and European adventurers, or between subjects of contending nu Lions at the East, as the long low peninsula which lies at the southern extremity of the Atlantic sea-coast of the United States. Its whole history is strangely romantic, and might well tempt us away from our subject, were there room to chronicle all the interesting details of its discov- ery, conquest and settlement. The first picture presented to our minds, when we turn back to these early times, is of Juan Ponce de Leon, gov- ernor of Porto Rico, led by Indian fables in 1512 to search amid the low islands of the coast for a fountain that should bestoAV perpetual youth ; landing upon the green and flow- ery shores, and bestowing upon the country its pleasing and musical appellation. All of North America, to the northward and eastward of Mexico, went by the name of Florida, before English 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 fi'dit with the natives. . '\ \ FLORIDA INDIANS. HI , I The perfidious Luke Yalasqucz do Ayllon, in 1518, -vis- ited the coast to the northward of Florida, to procure gold and slaves. The kindly natives, whom he tempted on board, wci'c shut under hatches, and conveyed to Cuba, lieturning again to the country, he and his party were justly punished for their treachery, nearly all of them being slain by the inhabitants, who, mindful of former injuries, rose upon them unawares, after putting them off their guard b}^ demai^strations of friendship. Those who had been carried into servitude mostly perished, some by voluntary starvation, and others from grief and despair. The Indians of Florida are rej^resented by all early his- torians as a high-spirited and courageous race, showing considerable skill in agriculture, and exhibiting marks of far greater civilization than those of the Nortli. It seems not improbable, jadging from their traditions, appearance and customs, that thc}^, as well as the Natchez, had emi- grated from Mexico, perhaps at no very remote period. They resided in tOAvns and villages of considerable extent, and showed a degree of resolution and desperate valor, in defending their homes against the murderous Spaniards, which has seldom been equalled. Unappalled by the ter- rible execution of the unknown weapons of their enemies, who, mounted upon horses (liitherto unknown in the coun- try) and clad in defensive armor, presented a novel and unaccountable spectacle to their wondering eyes, they dis- jjutcd the invaded territory inch by inch. Like most of their red brethren, they could not long brook the indignity of slavery; the proud spirit of the Indian can never, like that of the African, be so humbled that his race can continue and multiply in servitude. The old Portuguese narrator of De Soto's conquest, speaking of the Indian slaves of Cuba, says that their custom was to hang themselves, to escape the toil and degradation of working the mines lie tells of an over- ( I 112 INDIAN IIACES OF AMERICA. ■i i sccr in the service of Vasco Porcallio, (afterwards Dc Soto's lieuteiiaut-geueral,) who, "knowing the Indians under liis charge had resolved to hang themselves, went and staid for them at the place wliere they intended to put this dis- mal resolution into execution, with a rope in his hand: he told tlieni they must not imagine that any of their designs were hid from him, and that he was come to hang himself with them, that he might torment them in the other world an hundred times moi'C than he had done in this," His expedient liad the desired effect upon their superstitious and creduhms minds, and, giving up their purpose, they returned submissively to their tasks. Pamphilo de Narvaez, in April, 1528, with a commission from Charles tlie Fiftii to conquer and take possession, landed four hundred men and foit^ or fifty horses at ]']ast Florida. Penetrating the wilderness, they crossed the country to Aj^palache, sometimes experiencing kind treat- ment from the Indians, at other times in dano-cr from their attacks. Finding no gold, and but little provision at this town, from which they drove out the inhab^'tants on their first arrival, the Spaniards shaped their course to tlic south towards Ante. Tormented by hunger; beset hy Jndden foes; disheartened by tlic terrible dilHculties which beset their path, from the almost impassable natural conforma- tion of the country ; and worn out by incessant exertion, Narvaez and his men reached Ante only to find it bui-ned and deserted by its inhabitants. Afany of the party having already perished, the rest, hopeless of making further progress by land, set to work to const.'uct boats in which th' y might reach a i^ort of safety. With singular ingenuity they prepared tools from the iron of their accoutrements ; and, with no further mate- rials than were furnished by the productions of the forest, and the manes, tails, and skins of their horses, five small boats were built. They embarked and set sail, but nearly I I! FLORIDA INDIANS. 113 all perished, either by famine or by tlie dangers of the sc^.. Only a handful of the number Avere ever heaixl from, among whom was Alvar Nuneji Cabeza de Yaca. With only four companions he kept on his course to the West, and, after years of peril, hardship, and servitude, reached the Spanish settlements of Mexico. The next Spanisli expedition to Florida was of far more importance and interest than either that had preceded it. The celebrated Fernando de Soto, after acquiring an immense fortune as a companion of Pizarro, at Peru, was moved by the restless spirit of adventure to undertake a more complete examination of the New World opened to Spanish cupidity and curiosity. With seven ships of his own j^roviding, and accompa- nied by from six hundred to one thousand warlike and energetic adventurers, many of whom were of nobl- . rank, De Soto set sail, in the month of April, 1538. Upwards of a year was spent, mostly upon the island of Cuba, before the fleet set sail for the Florida coast. In the latter part of May, 1539, the vessels came to anchor off the bay of Espiritu Santo, now Tampa Bay, on the western sea-board, and a large division of soldiers, both horse and foot, were landed. The Indians had taken the alarm, and, although the smoke of their fires had been seen from ship-board in various directions, all had fled froni the district, or lay con- cealed in +he thickets. De Soto ajipears to have been desirous to proceed upon ])eaceablc terms with the natives, but hostilities soon fallowed. Some skirmishes took place near the point of landing, and the Spaniards speedily pos- sessed themselves of the nearest village, where were the head-quarters of the cacique Ucita or Iliriga. Here De Soto established himself in "the lord's house," which Ava." built upon a mound by the sea-shore ; while the soldiers used the materials of the other buildinors in constructinfl: barraclcs. 8 1 ii l|lf -r^. m '':'■■' .m 4 m.rr. ' '{i 114 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ,.'i I At tlie inland cxtrcniity of the town stood the temple devoted by the Indians to religious observances. Over the entrance of this building was the wooden figure of a fowl, having the eyes gilded — jjlaced there for the jnirpose of ornament, or as symbolic of the tutehuy deity of the ])lace. Clearino's were noAV made around the village, to give fi'ce scope to the operations of the cavalry, and parties were s{;nt out to explore the country, and to make prisoners Avho should serve as guides or hostages. ■J'he remembrance of horrible outrages committed upon himself and his people by Narvaez, had so embittered the old chief Hiriga against the whites, that no professions of fiicndship and good will could appease his hatred. De Soto released prisoners who were taken by his scouting ]>arties, cliarging them with in'csents and conciliatoiy mcs- .^:iges for their chief, but all in vain. In tlie tangled forests and marshes the Indians were found to be no contemptible opponents. They were de- scribed as being "so dexterous lierce and nimble that foot can gain no advantage upon them." Their bows and arrows were so elective that coats of mail did not prove a suffi- cient protection against their force. The arrows were headed, as usual, with stone, or with fish-bones; those which Avcre made of canes or reeds })roduced the dead- liest effect. A pany, under Gallegos, scouring the country a few iniles from the camp attacked a small body of Indians, and ])ut them to flight; but, as a horseman was charging with his lance at one of the number, he was amazed to hear him cry out: "Sirs, I am a Christian; do not kill me, no:^ these poor men, who have given me my life." Naked, sun-burned, and painted, this man was scarce distinguishable from his wild associates. His name was John Ortiz, and he had lived with the Indians twelve years, being one of the few followers of Narvaez wlio i I ! I I ' I : li ■:-—i} •■.»-f^«T~^ FLORIDA INDIANS. 115 esenped destruction. Since the dis^.strons failure of tlmt OX] (edition ho had made his way to Cuba in a small boat, and liad returned again to Florida in a small vessel sent in quest of the lost party. The Indians enticed a few of tlie crew on shore, and made them prisoners, Ortiz was among the number, and was the only one who escaped innncdiate death. After amusing themselves by various expedients to terrify and torment their captive, the sav- ages, by the command of their chief, lliriga, bound him to four stakes, and kindled a fire beneath him. He was pre- served, even in this extremity, by the compassionate entrea- ties and persuasions of a daughter of the cacique. Ilis barns having been healed, ho was deputed to keep watch over the temple where the bodies of the dead were depos- ited, to defend them from attacks of wolves. His vigilance and resolution, in dispatching a wolf, panther, or "Lyon," (according to one account) which had seized the body of a child of one of the principal chiefs, aroused a kindly feel- ing towards him, and he was well used for three years. At the end of that time lliriga, having been worsted in fight Avitli 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 our Po.tuguese historian, "the Devil holds these people in deplorable bondage, they are accustomed to offer to him the life and bloud even of their subjects, or of any body else that falls into their hands." Forewarned of this danger by his former benefactress, Ortiz fled in the night towards the country of Moscoso. Upon first meeting with the subjects of this chief, he was in gTcat danger from the want of an interpreter to explain whence he came, and what was his errand; but, at last, finding an Indian who understood the language of the people with whom he had lived, he quieted the suspicions of his hosts, and remained with them in friendship no less WM:: 4 r." il i", ■■■•3.1 1.1 :..^■:^. i;i"' i ■■r ■.'■■I 'i::\iH'.:'^i '}> ■t. •'■■' Ai>r, '■•■J, i 116 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. than nino years. Moscoso, hearing of the arrival of Pe Soto, generously furnished his cai)tivc with an escort, and gave him free permission to return to his countrymen, in accordance with a promise made when Orti;c first c:V)\c. to his territory. The long-lost Spaniard was joyfully received, with his companions, at De Soto's camp; his services as guide being considered invaluable. In answer to the first ijiquiiy, however, where gold was to be sought, he could give no satisfactory information. The cacique Moscoso being sent for, soon presented him- self at the Spanish encampment, and after spending some days in familiar intercourse with the wonderful strangers, departed, exulting in the possession of a shirt and other tokens of royal munificence. CHAPTER II. PROGKESS NORTHWARD — CONTESTS WITH THE NATIVES VITACHUCO EXPEDITION TO CUTIFACHIQUI — DEPARTURE FOR THE WEST. "* * * * The long bare arms Are heaved aloft, bows twang and arrows stream; Each makes a tree his shield, and every tree Sends forth its arrow. Fierce the fight and short As is the w'.irlwind." — Bryant. T)e Soto now concluded to send his vessels back to Cuba, and leaving a strong guard in Iliriga's country, to proceed northward. Favorable accounts were brought by his emis- saries from the adjoining district of Paracoxi, and delud- ing hopes of procuring gold invited to still more distant exploration in Caie. Vasco Porcalho, wearied and dis- gusted with hopeless and desultory skirmishing among the FLORTDA INDIANS. li: swamps and morasses, resigned his commission, and left with the squadron. The Spanish force, proceeding up the country, passed with groat difficulty the extensive morass now known ;is the Wahoo Swamp, and came to Cale in tlic southciii portion of Alachua. The inhabitants of the town, which was large, and gave tokens of thrift and abundance, had fled into the woods, except a f(;w stragglers who were taken prisoners. The troops fell upon the stored provisions, and ravaged the fields of maize with the eagerness of fam- ished men. Leaving Cale on the 11th of August, De Soto pressed forward to the populous town of Ochile. Here, without pretence of coming as friends, the soldiers fell upon the iidiabitants, and overpowered them by the suddenness of their attack. The country was under the rule of three brothers, one of whom was taken prisoner in the town. The second brother came in afterwards upon the recei}it of friendly messages from the Spanish general, but tlie elder, Yitachueo, gave the sternest and most haughty responses to all eml)assies proposing conciliatory measures. Appearing, at last, to be convinced by the persuasion <>f his two brothers, who were sent to him, he consented to a meeting. With a large company of chosen warriors, he proceeded to De Soto's encampment, and, with due formal- ity, entered into a league of friendship. Both armies betook thcms61ves to the principal village of Vitachuco, and royal entertainment was prepared. The treacherous cacique, notwithstanding these demon- strations, gatliered an immense force of his subjects around the town, with a vicAV of surpi-ising and annihilating the Spaniards; but the vigilance of John Ortiz averted the catastroplie. Preparations were at once made to anticipate the attack; and so successful were they carried out, that the principal ■'If ; t ^ gi I "I try ^- i.fl ; '1 , ^- >-\ u.:.-:m 118 INDIAN KACKS OF AMKRICA. Ciiciquc was s«cure(.l, jiiul his aruiy routed. Many of the IVigitivcs were driven into a lake, wlieri; tliey concealed themselves by covering their heads with tlio leaves of water-lilies. The lake was surrouiuhnl by the S])anish troops, but such \vi\a the i-esolution t)f the Indians, that they remained the whole nia11i. Their exeeutioners were the Indians of Paracoxi, who shot tluMu with arrows. Napetaea, the scene of this event, was left by the Span- iards in the latter pait of September. Forcing- their way through the vast swamps and over the deep and miry streams that intereepted their path, and exposed to tlie attack's of the revengeful pro[)rietors of the soil, tlicy eame to the town of Uzaehil, somewhere near the present Oseiila rivei", midway between the Suwanne and Ajipalaehieola. J'lneumbered with horses, baggage, and armor as tli(>y were, their progress is surprising. Uzaehil was deserted by tho Indians, and the troops revelled in store of provision left by the unfortunate inhal)itants. Marauding parties of the Spaniards succeeded in sei/ing many prisoners, both men and women, who Avcre chained by the neck, and loaded with ba'jgage, wlien th(^ army- recommenced their march. The poor creatures resortinl to cvvvy method to ellcct their escape; some filing their cliains in two with flints, and others running awav, wIkmi an t)pportunity olfered, with the badge of slaveiy still attached to their necks. Those who failed in the attcmjit 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 airricul- ture. The houses were pronounced "almost like the form- houses of Spai II," and some of the towns were quite populous. 1 y.i n ; v' 'II' •'. H' '•^^^..^■■'i'i'.t'i ■ ■ ■'. , . ''r, ;■?(.:• v.«v 'IB J:/1 » p, 120 IM)IAN HACKS OF AMKUIOA. •| Muklri;^' ;i halt at Aiihayca, tliu cujiitiil town of tlio (lis- trict of .I'alju'lic, !)(• Soto scut a party to view tliu sea-coast. The rnou coiniiiisioiicd loi' this sorvico diseoverod tokens of the ill-fated exiuMlition of Narvaez at Ante, where tli(! tivo l)oats were bnilt. 'I'liese were a nuui{,'er hewn IVoia till! trnnk of a tree, and the bones of the horses who had li((Mi killed to snpply the means of ontCit. Do Soto, about the last of November, sent a detaeli- ment back to the bay of l']spii-itu Santo, with direcitions for two caravels to repair to Cuba, and the othei' vei'scls, wliicli had not already been ordered home, to come roiuul by sea and join him at I'alaehe. 'I'wenty Indian women were sent as a present to the general's wife, Donna Jsaln'Ila. In one of the scouting expeditions, during the stay at Palachc, a remarkable instaiujc of self-devotion was seen in two Indians, "whom the troops came ui)on as they were gathering beans, with a wonuin, the wife of one of them, in their company. "Though they might have saved themselves, yet thoy chose rather to die than to abandon the woman." "They wounded three horses; whereof one died," before the Spaniards succeeded in destroying them. Early in ^farch, 15-iO, the Sitanish forces wen; put in motion for an cx})cdition to Yupaha, far to the north-east, (lold was still the object of search. A yonng Indian, who was made prisoner at Nai)etaca, alleged that he had come from that conntiy, and that it was of great extent and richness. lie said that it was subject to a female cacique, and that the neighboring tribes paid her tiilmtc in gold, "whereupon he described the manner how that gold was dug, how it was melted and refined, as if he had seen it done a hundred times, or as if the Devil had taught him; inasmuch that all who nnderstood the manner of working in the mines, averred that it was impossible for him to speak so exactly of it, without having seen the same." It would be foreign to our present subject to follow De V^^'--», L t. THfT *'■-, h; un -f'**.'- ■'iM : S( i! ti, !| th I JO' ■ jot II til !! tri I ]'et ; I I ' I I 1 1 ! I FLORIDA INDIANS. 121 Soto in tliis tonr; and, indeed, the position of many of tlic localities wliicli arc described hy his historians, and the distances and directions of his wearisome and pcrilons journeyings, must, at the prescMit day, bo matters of con- jecture. It may not, however, be amiss to mention briefly th(^ nccjunts preserved of tlu; appearance of some of the tribes through whose dominions ho passed before his return to the north-western districts of modern Florida. As he moved northward, a marked change was per- ceived in the buildinL>'s. Instead of the Ki'ass-covcred huts which served well enough in the genial climate of the peninsula, the people of Toalli had "for their roof little canes placed together like Tile; they were very neat. Some had the walls made of poles, so artificially inter- woven, that they seemed to be built of Stone and lime." They could be thoroughly warmed in the winter, Avhieh wius there j)retty severe. The dwellings of the caciques 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 fd^rous bark, and the deer skins, of which they made hoggins and other articles, were admirably well dressed and dyed. The most remarkable of the countries visited, on this Nortlit'i-n exploration, was (^ulirachic[ui, supposed to have been situated far up the Chatahooehee, which was gov- erned by a female, '^^fhe S])aniards were astonished at the dignity and rermement of the queen. Tier rece])tion of ])e Soto reminds one of Cleopatra's first meeting with Anthony, as described by the great dramatist. She was brought down to the water in a })alanquin, and there seated in the stern of a canoo, upon cushions and carpets, with a pavilion overhead. Slie bi-ought presents of mantles and skins to the general, and hung a neck-lace of iai'L^e pearls about his lu'ck. I " mmwi ' "1m .1 'H. \<>:J..-- h ' ■;: ' J . :V M'^ ! 122 INDIAN" RACES OF AMERICA. The Indians of tlie country were represented as "taAvny, well-shaped, and moi'c ])olite than any before seen in Mor- nla." Their numbers had been greatly reduced, two years previous, by a pestilence, and many deserted dwellings were to be seen around the town. The accounts given of the quantity of pearls obtained here, by searching the places of sepulture, are incredible. Departing from Cutifachiqui, Dc Soto had the ingrati- tu(h3 to carry the queen along with him, compelling her even to go on foot. "In the mean time, that she miulit deserve a little eonsid(>ration to be had for her still," she induced the Indians by whose houses the cavalcade passed, to join the party, and lend their aid in cai-rying the baggage. She succeeded, finally, in making her escape. We must now dismiss De Soto and his band upon their long journey through the western wilderness. lie died upon the Red Eiver, and those of his companions who escaped death from exposure, disease, or savage Ave;i))ons, years after the events above descril)ed, made their way down the :\[lssissippi to the gulf, and thence reached the Spanish provinces of Mexico. CHAPTER III. FROM TUE CONQUKST ]iY UK SOTO To Till; VKAH 1818 — JII.SS.'O.VARY OPEHATIONS nv THE Sl'A M \ i; US MOOUk's INVASIO.N Ol FLomnA — i;()wr,Ks — wa ks of ISI-J — defeat of THE SE3Il.\OI,KS liV GE.M;i!Ar. JACKSOxV. We cnn but briefly touch upon ihe incidents of Mor- ida history for nearly two ('(Miliiries aftvr De Soto's inva^ sion. ^i'Jie French llu;_;-nciiot n>f'ug(>os, who s(4t]('d upon St. John's river in l^AVi^ foinid the natives i>hieable antl ''FTfTl I M 1 1 1 1 FLORIDA INDIANS. 123 generous. Altliough tlicir kindness was l)iit ill recipro- cated by tlie colony, no very serious dilTiculties occurred between the two races, '^^riio power and self-con fidoncc of tlic Indians bad been broken, and their numbers g-reatly 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 sj'steni of instruction. The central point of these operations was the convent of St. Helena, situated at St. Augustine. Don Pedro ^fen- endez de Avilla, the Spanish governor who founded this town, and who had been commissioned by the king of Spain to s}iread the Catholic religion among the Indians, was indefatigable in carrying out his sovereign's intiMi- tions. The success met witli by the ecclesiastics sent forth among the various tribes, is astonishing. In the wilder- ness of central Florida may still be seen the ruins of buildings ercetcd by their means for religious exercises. Their eilbrts were not eonfnied to the vicinity of the col- onies: emissaries penetrated tlie western forests, even to the ^[ississi])pi; and amid the rough mountain districts of the ]iorth, they were to be found living with the In- dians, and assiduously instructing ihem, not only in their reliuious creed, but in languaa'c ami useful arts. The Spanish inflnenee might perhaps have been main- tained over the Indians dui'ing the existence of the colony, bat for the jealovis suspicions of Calirar.a, who was made governor in IGSO. He jiut to death the juMueipal chief of the Yen>ase(\^, or innabitants of i'last I'lorida, u])()n an accusatii)n pf liaviii'j; given aid and e^^uifort t(j the^ Fnulish ^!;^..}UiW '>l*0 :Al * ,'"'i-. 'Vl' F"^ 124 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. settlers on the St. John's, then called May river. The con- sequence of this act was a long and troublesome war. The unfortunate Indians were for many years after this event made the tools of the hostile European colonics: lirst in the French and Spanish wars, and afterwards, in 1702 and 1704, when governor Moore, of South Carolina, invaded Florida. In the north-Avestern districts of the peninsula dwelt the Appalachces; the rest of the country wa'^ inhabited by the Yemasees. These two nations had formerly been upon terms of the bitterest enmity, but had been reconciled by the mediation of the Spaniards, JMoorc, fcjllowed by a con- siderable body of Knglish, and a large force of Creek Indians, ravaged nearly the whole country, begiiming at Apjjalachee, and pioceeding south-easterly to the Atlantic sea-board, lie carried away many Indians of the con- quered tribes to the English plantations as slaves. After a long period of hopeless and prohtless warfare, in Avhich they had nothing to gain by success, and by means of which they were disabled from agriculture and depi'ived of a settled abode, the scattered remnants of the Indian tribes gradually took up their quarters in the heart of the country, and further towards the Soulli. In the latter })art of the eighteenth century they acquired the name of Seminoles, said to signify "wanderers." In the year 17*J2, an unprincipled adventurer from Eng- land, named Bowles, made strenuous attempts to excite the hostility of the Indians against the Spanish settlers. J'ailing in a direct attempt to plunder an Indian trading- house on the St. John's, and finding himself abandoned by his associates, he betook himself to the Creeks, married a woman of that tribe, and jjersuaded the Indians that the store of goods Avhich he had attacked belonged rightfully to tliem. lie met with considerable success in deceiving the simple-minded natives, and, assisted by several chiels ;«*T;-7m FLORIDA INDIANS. 125 of the Creek nation, nc got possession of tlie fortress of St Marks. Delivering himself up to riot and drunken- ness, with his followers, it proved no difheult task foi' the Spanish troops to retake the fort. Bowles was allowed to eseape, but was afterwards delivered up by his Indian rillies, and taken to Cuba a prisoner. The Seminolcs were partial]}^ involv^cd in the wai's of 1812 and the two suceeed- iiig years, when the Amerieans invaded Florida. Their ehief leaders were King Payne and his brother, the noted Boleck or Bow-legs. Ilaving done no little damage by burning buildings and plundering the "plantations in their vieinity, they purposed to mareh northward, but were en- gaged and routed nearer home, by General Newman, with a body of troops from Georgia. This force having crossed 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 superior skill of the whites. Payne was killed, and his men were driven oif in the first engagement, but they rallied, and returned to the attack w ith redoubled energy. They possessed them- selves of the body of their chief; and afterwards surround- ing. the American forces, kept them in a state of siege for a number of days, imperfectly protected by a structure of logs. After this period, and previous to the cession of the Flor- idas to the United States, the affairs of the Seminoles and their American neighbors were unsettled, and some bloody scenes were 'enacted. Fugitive slaves from the adjoining states found a secure asylum among the immense wilds of the marshy and uninhabited territory of the Floridas, and conflicting claims of Indians and whites respecting negroes long after formed a fertile source of quarrel and complaint. Some of the Seminoles became possessed of large numbers of slaves, holding them by undisputed title. In the month of March, 1818, General Jackson, with moi'c til an three thousand men, over one half of whom were " ■'■ r ;t a M '■i iS ' ■ ;« '1% ■ .m J '■ 1 1 ,1 126 , t ; I INDIAN KACES OF A^[EKICA. Creek warriors, marclied iiito "West Florida to punish and check the ravages of the Sominolcs. Witli littl(> opjiositioil from the inhabitants, the towns surroundiii,^- iho lake of ^[iccosukie were d(?stroyed, and niuch booty, in corn and cattle, was secured. 4'lie Indian villages upon the Oscilla and St. Mark's riveis, known as the Fowel towns, not with a similar fate. St. Marks was so(tn after occupied vy the invaders, and, in the ensuing month, the great body of the Seminoles, aided by large numbers of negroes, was defeated on the borders of the Suwanee, and several hundred were taken prisoners. The rest fled into East Florida. CIIArXER IV. 0O.'\II\IENCEi'MENT OF TIIF, LATK FLORIDA WAR TREATY OF MOUL- TRIE CREEK TREATY OF PAINe's LANDING OSCEOLA DE- STRUCTION OF DADe's command — lUTTLE OF THE OUITHLACOOCHIK CONFERENCE WITH INDIAN CHIEFS, BY GENERAL GAINES. "* * * ILirk, that quick, fierce cry, That rouds the utter silence; 'tis tlie whoop Of battle, and a throng of savage men, With naked arms, and faces stained like blood, Fill the green wilderness. * * * * * * * Soon the conquerors And Cdiiqueicd vanish, and tlie dead remain, Gashed horribly with tomahawks." — Biiyaht. After the whole country had pas-^ed into the hands of the American government, it was thought necessary to take steps to secure the frontiers of the white settlements from the incursions of the Indians, and to confine the lat- ter to certain specified districts. In the year 1823, there- fore, on the 18th of September, a treaty was concluded 1 1 — ' i 1^^ ^-irn 1 1 1 1 FLORIDA INDIANS. 127 {it the CMiTip Oil !^[ollltric Creek, between commissioners from tlie United States aiiel a number of Seminole chiefs, whereby it was stipulated: that all territory not reserved bylhc articles should jxiss to the American government ; th;it Ili(^ Indians should confine themselves to a large dis- trict desci'ibed by courses and bounds in the heart of the peninsula; that fugitive slaves should be delivered np, the reasonable expenses of sc^curing them being provided for; and that certain sums should be paid by the gov- crnnKmt to compensate for the expenses and losses of re- moval, and to establish the Indians comfortably in their new quarters. Various minor particulars were embodied in the treaty, which was signed with mark and seal, on the part of the Seminoles, by tlic principal chief ^Micanopy; by Tuske Ilajo, Emathlochee, Econchatimico, Tokosc- mathla (known as Iliclcs), Charley Amathla, Tusteruiggc, John Blunt, Mulatto King, Philip, Nea ^lathla, and twenty- one others, possessed of or claiming the authority of chiefs. An cxce])tion was made, by an additional article, in favor of six of the signers; who were allowed, in consid- eration of former services, to remain upon the lands then occupied by them. • Micanopy is described by William^^> as a "large fat man, rather obtnsc in intellect, but kind to his people and slaves." Tlie Indians were removed in poeordancc Avitli the provisions of the agreement, anrl, until 18o5, no serious hostilities took place between them and the whites. Com- ]*laints were, indeed, made on both sides of unredressed wrongs and outrages. The Alachuan settlers lost their cattle, and attributed the thefls to the Indians: on the other hand, the Indians complained, wiJix justice, of num- berless impositions and deceptions to which they were exposed in their intercourse with unprincipled traders and speculators. To quiet all disturbance it w^as at last deemed expedient -J i, T'^f: lr.;.''m •i ' v.; ■,.:. "1 '-!■:;'■♦• jS ,i- -" ;• ' V'.'^'l ' : ■-'■.■'■I \.--:'-r ' ' • . 1. ..i •■;.:' (o^^'l ■' i,''--^t:?S .,_■!. (4:-^ ■ 1 'i 128 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. l! by tlic Aincrican government, to efTect an en '.ire removal of the Sominolcs to tlio Avest of tlic MississipjM. Accord- ingly, a meeting was ai)pointc(l hy MicanojiV and the gov- crnnient emissaries, to be hehl at J'ayne's Landing, on the Ocklawaha river, on the eighth of May, 1832. Fifieen chiefs were jn'csent, and, jd'ter niuch argument, signed an agreement, in behalf of themselves and their people, to 'accede to the proposals of government; provided the new hinds assigned them should prove acceptable to a dejiuta- tion from their number who should first go to make exam- ination. The United States were to pay the tribe fifteen thousand four hundred dollars, and the removal Avas to take })laee within three years. The authority of the sign- ers of this treat}^ to bind the whole of the Seminole tribes has been frequently, and with no little reason, called in question. Certain it is, that to a majority of the nation the proposition was highly distasteful. Several chiefs, with Alicanopy's prime counsellor Abra- ham, an astute negro, undertook the survey of the west- ern reserve, and signed a writing expressive of their satis- faction with its appearance. It was claimed by the In- dians, and their ])artisans, that some deception was used both in the wording of this certificate, and generally as to the conclusiveness of the arrangements entered into at Payne's Landing. As the end of the term prescribed, within w^hich they must leave their homes, drew near, opposition to removal, and determination to resist it, continued to gain force among the Indians. They coin])lained of the accounts brought them of the belligerent character of the savages who Avould be their near neighbors, and strenuously ob- jected to a plan, set on foot at Washington, for uniting thei'' tribe with that of their old enemies the Creeks. Serious disturbances commenced in 1835. Some months previously, whites had been, upon one or two occasions, If ,(*■•; V y'a* n ■ f '> ' •' ■m ,.1 < ili\ A'.!' % -fl <'>' :'f Mm <^'m Sr Sc u .•' c ;■- V I. H. FLORIDA INlitAXS. 12!) fiivil iij.oii liy tlic riidiiins, nnd inntuiil wrotiL's, insults, :iiiil iiijurifs, had cxcitcil o(Micrid ill-U'rliii.tr In.'lwccu tin; 1\V() nations. Jn the month oi' Ocv-tlicr, ol:' this vcar, sev- eral Indians were dctoeteil in killing- a cow near Kcnapaha I'oiid, not I'ar lioni Miccdsukic. 'I'hcy were set npon l.v seven whites, who si'i/ed their aiMns, and comnieneed iK'atin.t,' Iheni with whips. An allVay suecoed(;d, in which several were wounded on both sides, and two of the In- dians were killed outright. 'J'his may bo eonsidered to be the eomnienciement of the war: it was the lirst bhxxl she(l, but was sooi' followed by other outrages. The mail rider, upon li'.s route from Fort Brooke, on Ttimpa P)av, to Fort King, fell a victim to Indian revenge; his body was f(mnd hacked and mutilated. Jt now a])])cared that the Seminoies, determined to main- tain their ground, had been, for some time, })urchasing and hoai-ding great stores of arms and annnunition. Their nnmbei's were considerable; they had among them lead- ers known to be bold, determined, and sagacious; tiiey eonsidered themselves wronged and oppressed; and all these circumstances, cond)ined with their intimate knowl- edge of the impassable wilderness to which they could at any moment retire, convinced the discerning that a war with them must be fraught with danger and diOicnltv, and might be indelniitely protractecL ^J'lie 3'oung chief, Osceola, whose name is more inti- mately associated than any other with the bloody (n'cnts that succeeded, now began to attract attention for his acuteness, cnergN, and determined hostility to the whites, lie was a quadi'oon of the Red Stick (anglicized from the French "liaton Kongo") tribe, of ^[iccosukie; his moilier being a half-breed, and his fatluT snp))Osed to be an Eng- lishman mimed Powcl — a name oiMlinaril}^ borne by the chief Osceola had opposed the plan of removal at pre- vious councils, witli great vigor, and on one occasion 1^' %, ■ ;n 1^ ■11 I 130 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. (Icnnoanod liiinsclf with sucli violciico tliiit lie was scizcfl l»y (ji'iionil ThoriipsoJi, tlii! ^ovrnuiu'iit ji,!^^cii1, and kept Ibr a (lay or two coiiliiKid in listlors. l)issc!iiil)lin,i^ his raj^o, he, for u tiino, inaiiagiHl to disariii suspicion; liriii^'iiijj; in a groat number of his followers, and solemnly rati lying the treaty. His true pur])oses and feelings were fir^t known hy the l)art he took in the muider of John llieks and Chai'lc^y Amathla, two chiefs who had been prominent in forward- ing the treaty of removal. He obtained great ascendancy for himself and followers among the whole nation of the Seminoles; and mainly throngh his influence, instead of collecting their cattle and stot'k for a])praisal, 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 Bwamps remote from white settlements, and scoured the country in hostile attitude. I^roops 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 i!ith of Decemljcr, to the relief of General Clinch, at Fort. King. 1 1 is Ibi-ce consisted of over one hundred regular troops, supplied with ten days' provision: they took with them a small tield-piece. Some delay occurred upon the march, owing to the difficulty of transporting the cannon, and on il'e 28th they had advanced no farther than a few miles to the northward of the forks of the Ouithlacoochce. ' Here they were attacked by an unknowm midtitudc of Indians, under the command of Micanoj)y, 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 rr 1 ' i FLOUIDA INDIANS. 131 his mon \V(to killeil at the first discharj/o. Tho soldiers continued to fight bravely, sheltering themselves as well as possible behind trees; and, as iIk; Indians rose n]), poured in their fire so briskly as to drive tho cntMiiy from the {\v.\(\. Kvery instant Avas now ocenpied in forming a slight i)rotection by eiitfing and piling up thi; trunks of pines. The Indians, however, soon n'turned in great foree, and, surrounding the little eutrenehment, destroyed nearly every man of the eompany. After they luvl taken possession of tho arms whieh lay scattered around, the Indians retired, but a body of mounted negroes are said to have come up, and finished the murderous Avork hy knoeking out the brains of the wounded. Only four men escaj)ed, biding passed over by the negroes and Inilia,ns, tus they lay wounded and motiotdess among tho dead bodies. 'One of these wa>s killed on the following day, while en- deavoring to make his way baek to tho fit: the other three, eauliously tlireading their path through the wilder- ness, arrived safe at Tampa Bay. On the same day with tho destruction of Dade's com- mand, Osceola revenged himself upon his hated foe, Gen- eral Wiley Thompson, bNMvhom ho had been imprisoned, as before mentioned. A eompany of nine, among them General Thomj^son, Avere dining at tho house of a ^\r. Rogers, withi)i fifty rods of Fort King, Avhon tho house was beset by Indians, and a volley poured in upon tho company. Thompson and four others were killed; the rest escaped to the fort. In the course of tlie month, various plantations were destroyed in different parts of the country bordei'ing on the Indian reserve, and some skirmishing took place. On the last day of December, General Clinch, who had been stationed at Fort Grane, thirty miles nortli-AVCst of Fort King, being on his march towards Osceola's head- quarters with a considerable force of Florida voluntmn's rinm fS^'- H 1 I't y 'T .-.:« ■;■ - , 'Wl > \ J '*-, '':i^ 1 ■''It 1 i I'M 132 INDIAN HACKS OF AMERICA. ami ;il)()ut two liiiiidiTd rt\u'iil;ir tr()<)[)S, cucomitcrcd the eiu'iny u]i()ii llu; Icll l);iiik oC the Ouiliriucooclicc. The Indians, iiiiml K'l'in ,!j,', as was supposed, oscd, about six hniidi-(>d, lu'adcd \)y Oscc"''', loll u})oii tho lirst division of tlic AniiM'icaii ai'iiiy that had rllt'ctiHl tlio ])assago of tli(3 riviM'. 'V\\o. sfrcani, coiitrai-y lo expectation, was in no plaee l!)rdal)le, and the only means t)f ci'ossin«j,' was \)y ii {single eanoc TJie Indian tl ic Jioi'ses passed iiic river by swninnmu". eomniaiu ler evinei'd iireat bravery and eou- sinmiKite marksmanship, and his men, lirin"0. The troops, -with OIK' ur two shght e.\cej)tions, stood ,'ifni, and ai'tei' I'epeatinl chai'L^es, (b'o\ c the Indians IVom the lleld. Jn this engage- meni mort; thai ei'a 1 lll'lv Ame'.ieans wiTo wounded, and sev- 1 killed; the loss oC the enemy was re})orted tt) have heeii over one humb'eth w Addilional ti'oops from Louisiana, and forces coiuu'cted ith the marine ser\ie(>, were collected at Tam])ar)ay; and a larLie ( letachment, mider ( ienei'al (iaines, marched to I-"ort King, whei'c they arri\('d on the 'J"Jd oi' I''ebruary. I ^■i^ions beinL!' scarce, and the state of tlu; I'oads bei ro- U''- swell that supjilies t'oiud iiot oe easdy jn'otMU'cd, dames and hiS d i I ij \i)wc comment 'cd their I'elurn to Tampa, by the i onte loi'-. merlv la ken bv C mcli, ai'ross liu^ Ouithlacooc lee () 11 the li;ink ol' the rixcr, no gieat. distance from the scene of the last battle, the arni\' was, in a mannei', sui'roun>.ed hy Inilians, a]i[iarently d, I mil l^esieged, lor nioi'c man a wrv to tlu' mil niicr ol tr( f W Din one lo two thousaii h A -•; 1 1 1 1 II 'jf re was kejtt up at e\-ery expost'd ])oint. \V( )rd was sent to i''ort Draiie, where (leneral (diiieli was stalioiietl, for iX'licf, as the ]»rovisi appointed to lead the three divisions. General Clinch's ] K! rty was attended by General Scott in person. The army was ])ut in motion in the latter part of the month of March. 'i'he service was accomplished, but Avith little good effect. Tlie Indians, possessing perfect knowledge of the country, instead of opposing the advancing columns in force, hung about the flanks and rear of the army, and k<'pt .il FLORIDA INDIANS. 135 up a vexations skirmishing. No important engagement took jilace, and the three divisions, after lying for a few days at U'anipa, "were again put in motion. Separate detach- ments were oixU'red to })roceed, one to Fort Drane, one to attack the enemy at Pease Creek, to the soutliward, one to I'avage the country in the vicinity of the Ouithhicoochee, and another to marcli to A'okisia. Little benefit appears to have resulted from the cam- [)aign : a careful attention to the plans of Indian warfare laid down, at an earlier age, by Captain Benjamin Church, of New England, or by the redoubtable pioneer of Vir- ginia, Captain John Smith, might have produced effects far more decided. A small detachment of troops had been left, about the middle of A[arch, to guard a quantity of provision, stored in a rude building fifteen miles up the Ouithlacoochee. Not having been heard from for manj^ w(!eks after, they wei'e supposed to have l)een cut olf by the Indians, and no attempt was made to relieve them until towards the latter part of Afay, when three of tlic garrison managed to escape the vigilance of their besiegei's, and to convey intelligence of their condition to Tallahassee. The small party had been defending their post gallantly for more than two months against hosts of the enemy; their block house had been partially destroyed over their heads, so that they were cx})Osed to the inclemencies of the Aveather, and their provision consisted entirely of corn. A steamer was sent to the river's mouth, and the compaTiy was brought down to it in a barge. A.s the season advanced, the enervating influence of the climate ])ro(luced its natural ed'cet upon the troops. The fevers of the country attacked those who were not accli- mated, and Ihc rest wen^ but ])oorly conditioned for an arduous eauipaign. Active o|>(M'ations for the most ])art ceased; the volunteers wei'C discharged, and the regular M '•■!: JiflW '■ ■''B %'■ 136 INDIAN KACErf OF AMERICA. soldiers distributed amono; the diirei-ciit {"'vrts extendina from St. Augustine across the country to tlio Suwaniie. The Indians were free to roam wliere they hstcd tlirouglt tlie immense "wilderness to the southward, and to lay jjlans of secret attack upon eveiT exposed settlement or ])lantation. About the end of uVpril, a tei'j'ible massacre took pl;ico at Charlotte Jlai'bor; and in May and June, the country between the St. Johns and the Atlantic, nearly as far n.orlh as St. Augustine, was geno'ally ravaged by the Indians. Their attacks extended to the vicinity of Mandarin, only sixteen or eighteen miles south of Ja.cksonville. A ^Ir. i\lotte, residing at that place, Avas murdered, and his estab- lishment was desti'o_yed. Early in June, the Lidians, emboldened by success in the destruction of plantations, and the expulsion of the whites from such ext'jnsive di-tricts, beset lliC foit at Micanopr, which w:i ■ g.'.rri.-on.'d by a company under tlie command of Major lleillman, tlicn at the head of the army west of St. Jolm's river. They wei'e driven oil", but not without some loss on the })a]'t of the whites. in July, Fort Drane had become so unhealthy that it ■was thought necessary to abandon it. As the troops were on tlicir march upon the evacuation of the })lace, they had a sliarp brusli with some liundreds of Indians who lay in wait for them near Wclika Tond, in the vicinity of MicanojDy. Towards the close of the month the light- house at Cape Florida was destrv)3-ed. The kcc})er, named Thompson, was singularlj^ preserved by clinging to the top of the stone wall of the building, -while the wood-work was burned out iVoni within. After the lialians had, l)y thcii' own act, cut olf the means of access to the sunnnit, tlicy descried the unibrtunate man, half dead with the heat and smoke, and shot at him a long time without eifect. lie was able to crouch in such a manner u])on the top of the wall as to elude their aim, until they took their departure. FLORIDA INDIANS. 18( It would b(! impracticable, in a sketch of this kind, to give full particulars of the skirinisliinLr, pluiideriiijf, and murders whicli were to be heard of on every side; (hiviiid wilderness of the south. 'Jhither lie started in pui'suit of the fugitive Seminoles, on the 22d of Janunry (1n encamped at Ahapoi^ka Lake, from which nows the Oeklawalui. The cliief and 1 1 _1 .■ 'I I ! I i 'I \< I 1 FLOlllDA INDIANS. Ill several of liis wari'ioi's were killi-il, and a luunher of [n-is- onei's ■wore taken. 'I'lie main avniy, still following the course of the Indian track, now canio to the hiiih ridiie of sandv hills IviiiLJi; directly south of Tiake Ahapojika. '^^Fhc second day after l)assing these hills, c;itllc of the Indians were seen, and shortly after a scoutiipg pnrty, under Colonel Henderson, discoverc(l tin? enemy npon the borders of the stream of Iliiteliec Lustee. The troops instantly char<^cd, and drove lliem into the swani]), taking twenty or thirty prisoners, mostly women and childivn. On the snme day another large body of Indians was discovered a little larther to the westward, who fled pre- ci])itntely upon the approach of troo])S. One of the Semi- Tioles was foimd wateliiiig by his sick wife, who had been left as unable to ti'a\el. ^I'his Indian was sent the next morning (January 2!Sth) to invito the Seminole chiefs to a conference. TIio army was marched to the border of T()hopek> 'iga Lake, (into which empties the Ilatchee Lus- tee Creek,) and encam})cd between its waters and the l>ig Cypress swam}>, to await the return of the messenger. IIo made his ap})earancc on the following day, bringing intel- ligence fi'om the hostile chiefs, who agreed to have a ])ar- ley. The lirst wlu) }uvsented himself, on the part of the Semiiiohv-, was Abi'aham, Mioanopy's negro counsellor. Having lield a consultation Avith General Jossup, he rc- tui'iied to his ]30()ple; l)ut three days after, February od, escorted Jumper, Alligator, and two other chiefs to the ctin}]). It was concluded that a grand talk should be held, and a new treaty entered into on the ISth of the month, at h'ort Dado, on the Lig Ouithlacoochee. To that estab- lishment the ai'my immediately repaired, as it was agreed that hostilities should be suspended until after the council. On th(> 8th of the month, several hundred Indians, led by riiilij), the chief who had long been the terror of the r.. .f,ki AV:' ■^-'■\'.; •..ill i' I- U2 l.NDrAX ItACKS OF AMKllICA. n5 I 'J' eastern portion of tlic pcnin-nl;!, iitlacked Colonel Funning then in tlu^ occnpntictn tA' :i sl.'ilion on l^iike Moni'oi^, with a mixed garrison oC i-f^iilai's, Nolnntcrr;' and Creeks, 'i'lio Creek ell iet' Paddy Carr was ol'tlie e()in]iiiny. 'J'lie assail- ants were driven off with loss, and, in tiicir retreat, met a messenger sent hy Mieano])y to eonvey intelligence of the trnee. Some delavs occurred in bringing about the conference assigned for the IStli, but at last most oi' the principal Seminole chiefs signed a trealy similar to that of Payne's Landing, Avhcreby they agreed to remove west of the Mississippi. The United Slates' goverinnent was to make rennineration for the stock whi(;h mnst necessarily be left b(,'hind, and to pa}' stipulated annuities as before agi'ced. There can be but little doubt that, even on this occasion, the Indians had no real intention of complying with the recpiisitions of government. Few came in on the days ap})ointed, and rumors were circulated among tluMu — • whether actually believed, or only used as an e.\eus(> for absenting themselves, docs not appear— that the whites intended to destroy the whole tribe as soon as they should be secured on board the government vessels. Osceola and Coe Ilajo, still pretending that their endeavor was to collect their people for transportation, held a great festival or game at ball near Fort ^lellon, upon Lake Mon- roe, at the eastern part of the peninsula. They doul)tlcss chose this place for gathering their followers, as being at a safe distance from the point of embarkation on Tampa Bay. On the 2d of June, Osceola took two hundred of his warriors to Tampa Ba}', and, either by force or persua- sion, induced the old king Micanopy, and all the other Indians who had rendezvoused there in pursuance of the treaty, to move off again to the wilderness. Hearing of this, the commandant at Fort Mellon, Colonel Harney, made up his mind to enti'ap sm^li of 1 ; I ! M I I In pr-=.T FLOUIDA INDIANS. 113 the cliiers as wore in his vicinil\', under protonoo of a oonrcrenco; and rotaliato n|)()ii tliu Scminoles for their bi'i'iuOi of faitli at Tarn])a, by S' iziiii^ those wlio slioiihl a]i|)car. Osceola f^ot wind of the design, and it conso- qiuMilly ])rovcd futih;. I<\)rt Mellon and Volusia were abandoned durinf^ this month; the sickness attendant n])on the season having conuiienced its ravages among the troops; and the Indians were left free to I'oam over that whole portion of the conn- try, while the settlers whoso dwellings \\-ovc exposed to their assaults, were forced to fly to ])laces of protection. '^I'he last of the month. Captain W'idton, Iceeper of the floating light on Caryslbrd reef, was killed, together with one of his assistants, at Key Lai'gos, the nuxst consider- able of the ]''lorida ]\eys. lie had a garden at this island, and had j'nst landed, coming from the light, when he and his party were iii'cd upon. The whole south- eastern sea-coast was then in undisturbed possession of the liostile Indians. In Se})tcmber, General Hernandez, stationed at Fort Pey- ton, a few mil(!S from St. Augustine, made an expedition to the southward, and caj)tured. the dreaded Philip, Uchee Billy, and nearly one hundred other Indians and negroes. Pliili})'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 up at Black Creek, and several cap- 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 leading Scminoles. They had come into the neighbor- hood of Fort Peyton, and sent word to General Jessup tliat they desired a parley. General Hernandez wius deputed to hold the conference, but tl\,e talk of the Indians being pronounced "evasive 1 .iJ* ,-t.i!V« 11 ....,«« ■'.■'.« li 11 INDIAN' JtACKS OF AMK1{ICA. ■I ! :iiii1 uiisntisfiictorv," IIh^ (M)iinii;niilrr-iii-cliic(' (lisp.'ifclKMl a luivc to ('aptiuHi the, wliolo body; tlicsc cliii'l- iifcoi'iliiigly, •\vitli over sixty foUoTcrs, fell into the IiiiihIs ol' tlicir cih^- lilies. The pxcuso ,u'iv('ii foi- this act- \v;is t!i;il tln' tiviicjici'y cl' tlic liidiaDS ii|)oii roi'iiici' occasions IkmI (l('|iii\-c(l tliciii of all claims to '^oin\ liiitli on the ]>al't of th(! whites. Osccdla wiis rcniovetl to Cliarleston, ami dieil in eonriiie- iiieiit on the .'Idtli of .lannai'V, IS.'JS. If he had snr\i\-e(l, he Was to have been taken, with olhcr Seminojcs, to tin; west ol' the Mississippi. lu the same month various other ca])turt'S W(>r(^ made, i nn'Il flic Indians in l)onda,^'o at St. Au.^'iistinc nnmhei'cd nearly one liiiidred and lifty. The I7iiite(l States forces, eonsistin^<^of regidars, volunteers, seamen, and Indian allies, (list riluited among tlu' various posts in Kloi'ida at this tinn', are set down at littlt! short of iiin(^ thousand men! Sam Jones, or Ahi.ica, was, after the eaptui'e of Osceola, one of the most i()rwai'd of the Seminole cliiels. He ;,p- licars to liaNC been spokesman at a conference ludd not- fii" from this timt>, bt'tween his Li'iln" and de|inties from the ( ic"'^' nation, bearing pro])osals and advit'e from their celebrated chief John Ro^A. " ^\'e must next ]iroi'ee(f to tlic campaign of Colonel Zach- ary Taylor, the h«'i'o of many battles, and afterwards the distinguished i'l'csldent of the United States lie left Foi't (iardner, a station sixty miles duo cast fi'om Foi't r>rooke, on Tamjui r>ay, Avith sonu; six hundred troo}>s, to follow the cnemv into their hidden retreats at the south. Pursuing tlio conrso of the Kissimec, the aiMiiy had ad- vanced 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 Averc encamped in force on the eastern shore of the Kissimec lake. With a portion of his army. Colonel Taylor crossed the river, and hastened to attack the In- (Tt: FLOUIDA INDIANS. I If) 1 (liiUKS in the hammock wlicrc they wcro posted. Never before had the Iiuliiin rifles done more detidly exceuliini, and never hud their warriors cvineed more dotermiind courage. They W(!re, with great diniculty, dislodged and dispersed: the number of killed and wounded on the part of the whites eonsid(!ral)ly exceeded lii;it of tlie ii>Uians, no less than one inindred and eleven of (\>1. 'J'uylor's men being wounded, and twenty-eight killed. CIIAl'TER VII. VARIOUS MINOU KNOACK.MKNTS — SURRENnKIl OF LARCfK NUMHERS OF INDIANS — CONTINUANCK OF DElMiKOATIONS lU-OOD-IlOlfNDS FROM CURA AITACK UPON A COMPANY OF ACTORS SEMINOLK CHIEFS HROUGIIT BACK FROM THE WEST TO REPORT THKIR 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 Lake Poinsett, near the head waters of the St. John's, and a small skirmish occurred as far north ;is the Suwanne. Tliere was a more severely-contested action near Fort I'Viining, on this river, early in January (I808), in which the whites met with 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- sraGcment, and retreated with loss. The Indians had been di'iven into a swamp on Lochahatchee Creek, wliore they 10 I 'Hi .V '•«:;;: ' <4 ,1 1: ■' -^r'* ; i 1 :jM ' '"'"^^i • t '■ A' ■ ' , ■ '' ■ ■ ". '■■'JSi .,...:r,:>. ' ' ^ '? ' i^sH > ' ' '^^1 ^9 y ,, ' ' ''''sIh V. 1.. i!i'.,.' i' .'.--aj ■'^■jkii'' ^i^MHf?'" ''l^M ifVsK^' * f 'M^H ^1 ^K ' Wk I ■: 146 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. 1 1 i made a spirited resistance until their pursuers found it necessary to retreat. General Jessup attacked and broke up this encampment of the Indians, towards tlie end of January. Wg was him- self wounded in the action. Toskogcc was the chief who comuianded the Seminoles in both these battles. The General Avas now anxious to conclude a treaty with the Indians, by which they should be allowed to remain in their own country, confining themselves to specified districts, but the government refused assent to any such proposition. lie nevertheless proceeded to bring about parleys Avitli his savage opponents, as it was evident that desultory hostilities might be indefinitely protracted. The Seminoles, miserably reduced by the troubled life ilxay had led so long, and weary of profitless warfiire, hard- ship and exposure, were induced to surrender in large numbers. Tliey aj^parently expected to be allowed to remain in the country, as they were assured by the ofilccrs with whom they treated, that every endeavor would be made to procure tliat pcrniissiou from the government. When General Jessup left Florida, in April, 1838, leav- ing General 'J'aylor in command, more than tvAO thousand of the dangerous tribe were in the power of the wliites. Part of these had been captured, but the larger portion had delivered then) selves up upon fair promises. Philip and Jumper both died on their route to the west, the former on board the vessel in which he was embarked, and the latter at New Orleans. The hopes entertained, after these events, that the war was substantially at an end, proved fallacious. Murders were committed during the summer and fall, by prowlinor parties of Indians in widely-distant parts of the count-^y. On the Ocklikoni and Oseilla rivers in West Florida, small establishments sufiered from the depredations of the savages; and their hostile feeling was manifest whenever ' i t'rTf?*^^ FLORIDA INDIANS. 147 a vessel was in distress upon the dangerous eastern and southern coast. This dcsuhory warfare, marked by many painful and horrible details of })rivate suffering and disaster, continued until the spring of 1839. No conference could be obtained with the leading chiefs, and Indians were every where lurking in small bands ready to fire upon the solitary trav- eller, or to rush at an unguarded hour upon an isolated plantation. General Macomb, who had command of the army during A2:)ril and May, succeeded in bringing about a parley with some of the Seminoles, in which it was agreed that the tribe should stay peaceably in Florida until intelligence could be brought of the safe arrival and prosperous con- dition of the captives already shipped westward. The Tallahassee chief Tigertail, and Abiaca, having had no concern with this treaty, refused to abide by it, and bloody skirmishes and assassinations continued to be heard from on every side. The government of Florida now offered a bounty of two hundred dollars for each Indian secured or killed. We cannot even enumerate one half the petty engage- ments and sanguinary transactions of the ensuing winter and spring. In March, 1810, bloodhounds were brought into l^lorida from Cuba, to aid in tracking and lerrcting out the savages from their lurking places. General Tay- lor had been authorized, during the preceding autumn, to procure this novel addition to the efficient force of the army, and natives of the island were also secured to train and manage the dogs. There was a great outcry raised, and perhaps justly, at this barbarous plan of warfare, but little seems to have resulted from the operation except the furnishing a valuable breed of the animal for future do- mestic use, and the supplying of excellent subject matter for the caricaturists, who made the war a theme for ridicule. Kijii- *■■■' '.Ai m-*^ 'li .t i-'\ HI f^ i\ •; MS INDIAN liAOKS OF AMI-UUOA. iHiforo the 1st of June, in.'iny more families were mas- fjuered, and several bloody cnga^i^emonts oecurn^l between comparatively small eom]>anies of whites and Indians. Near the eloso of May, a ludicrous though tragical inci- dent took place on the road between J^icolata and St. Augustine. A company of play-actors, en route for the latter town, were set upon by the noted chief Wild Cat, Avith a large body of Indians. Four Avere killed, and the "j)roperty" of the establishment fell into the hands of the savages. Nothing could have delighted them more than an acquisi- tion so congenial to their tastes. The tawdry red velvet, spangles, and sashes, which every where obtain as the ap- j)ropriate costume of the stage, were now put to a new use, and served as royal ap})endages to the dusk-y forms of the Seminole warriors. Decked in this finery, they made their exultant appearance before Fort Searle, challenging the little garrison to an engagement. The month of August was marked by scenes of terrible interest. On the Suwaune, eleven families were driven from their homes, and many of their members murdered: the settlement on Indian Key was almost totally destroyed, six })ei'sons bei'ng massacred. Nothing was accomplishcnl in any way tending to liriug the war to an end, or to miti- gate its horrors, until autumn. It was resolved, at last, to try fair measures, since fonl proved of so little avail, and a number of the principal Seminoles who had experienced the realities of a western life, ajuong wiiom were old Mieanopy and Alligator, were brought back to Florida, for the purpose of ]H)inting out to their brethren the advantages of their new homes, and inducing peaceabU^ compliance with the intended removal. A meeting was obtained at Fort King, early in November, with Tigertail and other Seminole chiefs, but after a icw days of profitless parley, the whole of the liostile party FLORIDA INDIANS. 1 t:i (lisnppearcd, and witli thcrn all prospect of an amicaltlo Bcttltutient of (lid'u'ulties, Tlio Indians continued their depredations, murdcrinii; and plundei'intij witli greater boldness than ever. In Dc;- ccniber, Colonel Harney attacked the enemy in (piarters, \vhieli they liad till then occupied in undisturbed security, viz: tlic islands and dry s})()ts of that waste of "grass- water," as the natives term it, the Kverglades. Wv had obtain(>d Ji negro guide, who knew of the haunts of the chief C'haikika and his })eo[)le, and, taking a considerable coni})any ia boats, he proceeded to beat up his quarters, "^riie l)arty came upon the Indians most unex])ectedly : Chaikika was shot by a private al'tei- he had thrown down liis arms, and his men, with their families, were siirroundcMl and taken before they had time to esca[)e. Nitu; of the men were hanged! on the ground that they wcvo concerned in the Fudiau Kvy massacre; some of the property plun- dered on that occasion being fuund in the camp. The <->nly other im[)ortant event of the month was the surrender of a sou and a brother of the old and implaca- ble chieftain Tigertail. They delivered themselves up at Fort King. In Middle l^'loi'ida, travelling continued a-s unsafe as ever, unless in well-armed coin[)anies, of force sudicient to keep the lurking savages in awe. We have now chronicled the principal events of this tedious, harassing, and most ex})ensivc war. llostilitits did not, indeed, cease at the period under our present consideration, but a knowledge of the true jtolicy to 1)0 pursued towards these ignorant and truly unfortunate savages began to be generally difl'iised, and more concili atory measuivs were adopted, .John C Spencer, Secretary of War, in'^Novcrnbcr, IS 12, rejioi'led that, dui'iiig the current year, four hundred and fdly Indians had been sent west of the Mississi])pi from Vh^'ida, r.nd that two hundred more wt-re supposed to have ^i.' till f •3^ 11 ':f'^>'*??1 ■A 'il 4, -: . f! mKmM. fsP'^P'-- 'I*! »fcv_jka Aiijj.1 v-W 'i'^ lifllnflHMW'iilw .^ '■■ yVABJ^^^Bi^9B«l MmH '-'^'^'■^^ii'M • '^■'^M ■ ■ ''iffl ' '^^H i (;> ;{;:,||M ''■■■■•' ■•-•v'^^''^ !(''!■ '. -V ' W' 150 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. I -«'''-■ I i;>'j ! I IN'DIAN liACKS OK AMKUICA. trMV;)!JC;inl cxiu'.'l.ilioiis, impfovi'liMicr, ami vil (I'U't. of Ih anourt c.oii- ost^ cMiiraviMi 111 I liciii. In 1;)SI, Sii' W'altiM- l>;il(i;'li and liis assdciati'S, uikIct ;i |)at('nt IVoni (.^hicon l\li/.a!trtli, had sinil out two ^-inaII v«'sst'ls, ooniinandi'd hv Ainid.is aiul r.arlow. \\\ llic fir- cnilouH vou\c lluM nsnallv adt'plcd, tlio ('\|tKii'in-: parlv passiMJ -flu' ^\^-st Indies, t'casltMl aloii;;' 1lu» IVa^ranl. slion-s o{' l^'lorida. and (Mitercd ()('rako1<(' Inlet, in tin* nionlli of dnlv, (Miraptni\>d with thi> rich and rniitl'id appcafa !j \hc cHumtrv. (iraju>s i_;i'(>\v to the veiv Itoi'dei nee ( m s ol I wc sea. o vovspi-eadin;;- the luishes and eliniluin^- to the ti>[)Sol" trees 1IK'(' in luxurious ahnnd, ^riuar inlei'eoursi^ v\ith t1u> nati\os was fViiMidlv :ind ]i(\uud'ul; as they i\ lunird, "a, \\]o\v kind, lovinii; people couKl uo{ be'." They e:in-ied on fi'ad(> and hnrter with (iran^aniineo, brother lo AVinuinia, kinij: of tlie coniiti\-, (i and Avrre i'o\ allv onlei-tainod bv his will he island nl l\oanoko W in;r;indae(ia was llie Indian name oC the eoiinlrv. and, j (Ml tlie relni-n of the (Expedition, in the tMisiiiii;:- Septeml it was called \'ire:iiiia. in iuMior o[' the iineen. Il ler. I Sir Kiehard (iremill e, an ass(n'i;ile ol lialeiL'li, vi> ited Vir,'j,-inia t'le next ye;ir (lo-^oX and left ()ver one linndrtMl men to t'orin a S( iK nienl at l{o;inok('. HeiiiL!,- disnppoinled in their antieipalious y<\' prolit. oi- nnwillinir to endni'e the ]>i'i\ations I'.tUMulant upon tlie S(ntlenuMit of a habiiati(ni in the wiuliM'U ess. ail ;\ 'tn)'n(Nl within a \e;ii-. A most unjnsliliable (Mitr;i':e wns eiMiimiited h\ tin' Mnulish ol' this }iart .-, on one (^f their explorin;;' expeditions. In lh( 1 .. ! I ! Words of tl'.e old narr;;tive, ''At .\i[naseoiroe the li;diaiis Ktole a t'ilver cnp, ivheretbre we l)i/ni( ///<■ Toimc uml spi.t/ldj tia ir coi-Nc: fio vetui'iied to ou:' llcolc a! '['(U'okon," This ;iet IS but a Ian' iKH'iiiien (•! ihe manner in wluen I'eo; •I'ss lias ; I been son_:jiit Ibr injuries sust:iined at the hands oft 1 le n;iii\-e 1 1 not only in eai'Iy times, but too oft.'u at the jn^e.^ent d; i\' II il: I. .-^-^ {'■ < i I' T.H I X J O If .V .S ,1/ / ■/■ // , m 1 ^s %' V t ■«':, J: y :, 41 M'.,'P^ :C^f W F Iki ;i* : I •■t»-T|irf^ ■'V'^.;:"' ; I i i INDIANS OF VIIUjINIA, 153 Tt is not surprisitifj^ that tlioroiifixT tlic rndians Hlionld liavc assuim^d a hostile altitudcj riranganiinco "was dcjid, and Wiiri^inia, who had now taken tlio name of Peniissa- j)an, loi'med a [)lan to cut ofl' these disordei'ly invaders of liis dominions. 'I'his resulted only in some desultory skir- mishing; and, a few days afterwards, the fleet of Sir Fran- eis Drake appearing in the oiling, the whole colony con- cluded to return to J^]n[:'land. !Mr. Thomas Ilcriot, whose journal of this voyage and settlement is preserved, gives a brief aceonnt of the super- stitions, customs, and manner of living which he observed among the savages. In enumerating the animals whi(;h were used for food by the Indians, he mentions that "tlu^ salvages sometimes killed a Lyon and cat him " Jle e<)ii- eludes his narrative by very justly remarking, that some of the company "showed themselves too furious in slaying some of the pco])le in some Townes vpon causes that on our jiart might have bin borne with more mildnesse." Grenville, in the following year, knowing nothing of the desertion of the settlement, took three ships over to Amei'iea, well furnished for the support and relief of those wliom he had left on the preceding voyage. Finding the })lace abandoned, he left lifty settlers to reoceupy it, and ]'(>turned home. On the next arrival fi'om England the village was again found deserted, the fort dismantled, and th(> plantations overgrown with weeds. The bones of one man were seen, but no other traee appeared to tell the ftite ol' tlu^ colony. It afterwards ap[)earcd, from the narra- tions of the savages, that three hundred men {"vom Atpias- cogoc and other Indian towns had nuide a descent upon tlie. whites, and massacred tlu; whole numbiT. The exp(U'inuMit of eoloni/ation was again tried, and again fail('(l: of onim- one hundred persons, ineluding some females, wIk^ landed, none were to be f )und by those who went in search of them in lobO, nor was their fate ever ■ .1*' -TlJ •■% •,!' f I ! I I 154 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKllICA. =1 ascertained. Tt is rceonlcd that, before tlic departure of the ships tliat brouglit over this colony, on tlic 18th of Auj^ust (0. S.), tlic governor's daughter, Ellinor Dare, gave birth to an infant, which was named V^irginiu, and was the first white child l)oi"n in the e(Mintry. AVc now return to (losnoll and his companions, num- bering a little over one hundred, who, as wc before uw.n- tioned, visited the country in 160G. They sailed from England with sealed orders, which WTrc not to be ojiened until their arrival in America. Landing on Cape Henry, at the entrance of the Chesapeake, the hostile feelings of th(! Indians were soon made manifest; "thirtie of the company recreating themselves on shore were assaulted by fiue Salvages, wdio hurt two of the ]*]nglish very dan- gerously." The box containing the orders from the author- ities in England being opened, Smith was found to be one of th(! number a}>pointedas a council to govern the e -^if^f r*^ INDIANS OF VIUr.INIA. 155 nuulo their way to the town of Powhatan, sltuati'd iqiou a bluirju.st below the Tails, and at the liOtid oi' navigation — • the same s[)ot af'terwardH chosen fur the site of the eajiiti)! of the slate. I'he natives were peaceable and kind to the adventurers, receiving them with every demonstration of interest and pleasure, and rejoiced at the opportunity Ibr trallic in beads and ornaments. As they appi'oachcd Jamestown, on their return, they perceived some hostile demoiiiiti'ations ; and arriving there, found that seventt'cu men had been woumhid, and that one boy had been killed by the Indians during their absence. Winglield, the president of the colony, had injudiciously neglected to make any secure fortilicatious, and the })eople, leaving their arms stored apart, set to work without a guard; thus giving to the lui'king foe convcuicnt oppor- tunity for an assault. After Captain Newport had sailed for England, the colonists, left to tlicir own resources, were reduced to gri'at straits and pi'ivation, !N[ost of them were men iitlei'ly uniitted for the situation they had chosen, and unable to endure labor and hardship. Feeding ui;on damaged wheat, with sucli fish and crabs as they couKl catch ; worn out by unaccustomed toil; unused to the climate, and ignorant of its diseases; it is miitter of little wonder that iiftv of the company died before the month of OctoU'i'. femith, to whom all now looked for advice, and who was virtually at the head of allairs, undertook an cxjxdi- tion down the river for purposes of trade. I'^iiiding that the natives "scorned him as a famished man," (k ri- sively oll'ering a morsel of food as the ])iice of his aimis, he adopted a very common ex])edient of the time, using Ibree where courtesy availed not. After a harmless dis- charge of muskets, he landed and marched uj) to a village where much corn was stored. He would not allow his men to jtl under, but awaited the expected attack of tlic li:izizi: •«.»■ 'I M mm 1': ..V I K ' '■•' '■\'i*m 'If; ■■:irf r ■!! ,.;1| «• ■: :. '.•i' i ■ * :i 1? - •^ '^'M rr loO INDIAN UACKa OF AMllKIOA. I'l I I natives. A party of sixty or seventy presently appeared, "uiih a most hideous noise — some bladv, some red, some ^vlli!(', some parti-eolored, they earne in a square order, singing and dauiieini^^ out of tlic woods, v/itli their Olvee (w hi';h was an Moll inad(3 of skinnes stull'eil with niosse, all painted and hung with eliaines and eoj-iper,) borne before them." A discharge of j)istol-shot from the guns Beattered them, and they lied, leaving their Olvee. Being now ready to treat, their image was restored, and beads, e()]i]ier and hatehets were given by Smith to tlieir full satisfaetion, in return for provisions. The im])rovid(!nt colonists, by waste and inactivity, counteracted the efibrts of Smith: and AVinglield, the former ])resident, with a number of others, formed a plan to seize the pinnace and return to I'lngland. This con- spiracy was not checked without some violence and blood- shed. As the weather jivqw colder with the chan'^e of season, game became fat and plenty, and the Indians on Chickahamania river were I'uund eag(;r to trade their corn lor I'^nglish articles of use or ornament; so that aiUiirs began to look more })ros})erous. l)uring tlie ensuing winter, Smith, with a barge and boat's crew, undertook an ex])loration of the sources of tliL, CliickalKunauia, (Chickahominy,) which empties into .JauK's' rivci', a few miles above Jamestown. After making his way for about lifty miles up the stream, his progress was so impeded by fallen trees and the narrowness of the channel, lli:'t, he left the boat and crew in a sort of bay, and proceetled in a canoe, accom})anied only by two Kng- lishmen, and two Indian guides. The men left in charge of th(> boat, disregarding his orders to stay on board till his )-cturn, were set U])()n by a great body of the natives, and one; of their lumibci', (jcorge Cassen, was taken pris- oner. Having compelled their caj)ti\e to disclose the intentions and j^osition of the captain, these savages pro- >v*iii- IN'DlANrt OF VlUlilMA. 157 cccdcd to put liim to death in ;i most barbarous niannor, severing his liiubH at the joints witii shells, and burning them before his f'aee. As they (hired not attaek tiie armed company in the boat, all liands tluui set out in hot })ursuit oi' Smith, led ))y ()})eehaneanough, king of J\unaunkee. Coming upon the little party among the marshes, far up the river, they shot the two Knglishmeu as they were sleeping by the eanoc; and, to the nundxT of over two hundred, surrounded the gallant captain, who, accom})a- iiied by one of his guides, was out'with his gun in seareh of game. BiucUng the ludiau fast to his arm, with a gar- ter, as a protection from the shafts of the enemy. Smith made such good use of his gun that he killed three of his lussailants and wounded several others. The whole body stood at some distance, stricken with terror at the unwonted execution of his wea})on, while he slowly retired towards the canoe. Unlbrtunately, attempting to cross a cjcek with a miiy bottom, he stuck fust, together with liis guide, and, becoming benumbed with cold, for the season was unusually severe, he threw away his arms, uud surren- dered himself prisoner. Delighted with their ac(iuisition, the savages took him to the fire, and restored animation to his limbs by warmth and friction. I!c immediately set himself to conciliate the king, and presenting hira with an ivory pocket compass, proceeded to explain its use, together with many other scientitic 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, the}' presently bouiid him to a tree, and all made ready to let fly their arrows at . an, but were stayed by a sign from the chief. Thoy then carried him to Orapaks, wdicrc he was well fed, and treated with kindness. When they reached the town, a strange savage danec was performed around Opechancanough and his o;i[)ii\c, M 'in., i;**'' •H ''•■:\M *. ■■,'u !-■■.. ■.' <i "t' f-^- .;( ^^ -i *. 158 IXDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. by tlic Avliolo boilj of warriors, firmed fiiul j)aint(.Hl; wliilo the women and children looked on with Avonder and ciii-i- osity. '^riic gaudy color of the oil and pocon(\>* with which their bodies were covered, "made an execcdiiiL;; lia.udsomc t^how," and each had "his bow in his hand, and th(> skinnc of a bird with her wings abroad, dryed, tycd on his head, a pccco of copper, a white shell, a long feather, with a small rattle growing at the tayles of their snakes tycd to it, oi" some sncli like toy." Althongh the Indians would not, as yet, eat with their prisoner, he was so feasted that a suspicion arose in his mind that they "would liit him to eat him. Yet, in this desperate estate, to defend him from the cold, one Afocas- sater, brought liiin his gowne, in rcquitall of some beades and toyes Smith had given him at his first arrival in Vir- ginia." One of the old warriors, whose son had been wounded at the time of the capture, was with difficulty restrained from killing him. The young Indian was at his last gasp, but Smith, Avishing to send information to Jamestown, said that he had there a medicine of potent clYect. The messengers sent on this errand made their Avay to Jamestown, "in as bitter weather as coul 1 be of frost and snov,'," carrying a note from Smith, written upon "part of a Table booke," Thev returned, brin<]cing with them the articles requested in the letter, "to the w^ondcr of all that heard it, that he could either divine, or the paper could speake." A })lan Av 3 at that time on foot to make an attack upon the colony, and such rcAvards as were in their poAver to be- stoAV — "life, liberty, land and women" — Avere proffered to Smith by the Indians, if he would lend his assistance. They noAV made a triumpjhal progress with their illus- trious captive, among the tribes on the Eappahanock and Potomac rivers, and clscAvhere; exhibiting him to the Youthtanunds, the Mattapamients, the Payankatanks, the r;.—: irDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 159 Naiitaiiglitacuncls, and Onawmanierits. Returning to Pa- maiinkec, a SDlcmn incantation was performed, ■with a view to ascci'tain liis real feelings towards tlieni. Having seated liim upon a mat before a fire, in one of the larger cabins, all retired, "and presently'' came skip- ping in a great gi-im IMlow, al) painted over with coal mingled with oyle; and many Snakes and Wesels skins stulled with mosse, and all their tayles tied together, so as they met on the crowne of his head in a tassell ; and round about the tassell was a coronet of feathers, the skins hang- ing round about liis head, backe and shoulders, and in a manner covered his face; with a hellish voycc and a rattle in his hand." He sprinkled a circle of meal about the fire, and commenced his conjuration. Six more "such like devils," then entered, fantastically bedaubed with red "^lutchatos" (Mustaches) marked upon their faeces, and having danced about him for a time, sat down and sang a wild song to the aecom})animent of their rattles. The chief conjuror next laid down five kernels of corn, and iiroceeded to make an cxtravasjrant orati(jn with such J. o violence of gesture that his veins swelled and the perspi- ration started from his body. "At the conclusion they all gave a short groane, and then laid down three grains more." The operation was continued "till they had twice incirculed the fire," and was then varied by using sticks instead of corn. All these performances had some mystic signification, wdiich was in part explained to the captain. 'J'hrce days were spent in these wearisome barbarities, each day being passed in fasting, and the nights being as regularly ushered in with feasts. Smith was, after this, entertained with the best of cheer at {he house of Opitcha- 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. I ! ! i ii i''m ^'^^ 160 INDIAN KACES OP AMKIHCA. ITc was here shown a bag of gunpowder, carefully preserved as seed against the next planting season. U: CHAPTER II. COURT OF POWHATAN SMITIl's PUKSKHVATION BY POCAHONTAS SUPPLIES FURNISHED BY THE INDIANS NKWFORT's ARlilVAL smith's expeditions up THE CHESAPEAKE. The groat monarch of the country, Powhatan, at this period, was liolding his court at Werowoconioco, on the left bank of York river, and thither Smitli was conve)'ed to await the royal pleasure. The reception of so import- ant a captive was conducted with suitable solemnity and parade. Powhatan sat u])on f\ raised seat before a lir(>, in a large house, clothed with a robe of racoon skins, the tails hanging in ornamental array. Ue was an old man, about sixty years of age, of noble figure, and that c/'m- inanding presence natural in one born tC' rule with undis- puted authority over all around him. A young girl sat on each side of the king, and marshalled around the room were rows of warriors and women, bedecked with beads, feathers and paint. Smith's entrance WiLS hailed by a shout; tlie queen of Appainatuck brought him water to wash, and he was magnilicently entertained, as a distinguished guest of the king. The strange scene which ^nsued, so replete Avith pathos and poetic interest, must be given in the simple language of the old historian. llaviiig ended his rcp:ist, "a long consultation was held, but tlie conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan: then as many as could, layd hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and I I- r • ^'",! -■• I fa ■J< ■f. i ' :i ^i'' '1 # I '3 '►if te si i:^''': llJ; ^ly ' '.^ «i: ^'?'iiii ^ j£l ♦O' .- .; '..i'i 1 ."■ ■»' ' *. ' »• ''^^ " ■ ■ ■ f . . . ^S a I/O luv n I9i. r (ic.i HOyVT.'i >> i.virn I'os i.vo for cjiptaij^ smitm. p: !l !l IXDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 101 bcin^j ready with tlieir clul)s to boatc out liis braiiics, Po- caliontas, the king's doM'cst diaiglitcr, wlieii no intreaty could prcvailc, got lii.^ licad in licr annt>s, and laid lier owno vpon liis to sauc liitn from death: whereat the Imii- peroiir was contented he should line to make him hatcliets, and her l;ells, Leads and copper; for they thought him as well of all occupations as themsclues.'' The worthy cajjtain's own rhymes describe his appear- ance and state of mind at this crisis: "Tiioy s'ly h{\ l)ore a ]iU'as;iiit show, but sure his liciirt was sad; Fur who can plwusant bu iiml rest, that Hues in fear and dread?" Phitertaining hJs captive as a privileged guest, Powhatan now held long consultations with him, giving wonderful accounts of the vast western cou'.tiv and its inhabitants. Smitli ^ '^sponded with details, ecpially amazing to the sav- age niv narch, of the jjower and magnificence of the East. Alter two days of friendly intercourse, Smith was informed that he should return in safety to Jamestoyn; but as a prelude to the conveyance of this satisfactory intelligence, Powhatan was at much pains to get up a theatrical scene that should im})ress or terrify his prisoner. Left alone in a large cabin, Smith's ears were saluted by stra)'ige and frightful noises from behind a mat partition, and, inconti- nently, Powhatan, with some hundreds of attendants, all like himself, in hideous disguises, made his appearance. He appointed twelve Indians to guide him to the settle- ment, requesting that a grindstone and two great guna should be sent back, by them, in return for liberty and favours received at his hands. Captain Smith, well knowing the capricious disposition of his captors, felt little security or ease, until he was safely restored to his companions at Jamestown. His absence had been severely felt: confusion and dii<- sension wore rife among the inhabitants of the colony, and 11 -?l 162 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. |«i^ I i I! the strong arm and Jotcnnincd will of the bold captain wore re(|uiivd to \svv[) cnlor, ;uid restrain those who v/ere again inclined to eficet an ost-ape in the pinnace. The two guns (denu-eulvrrJns), together with a mill- stone, were brought out, and prollered to the guides; but, seeing tlie terrible eil'ect of a discharge of stones among the l)ranchcs of an iee-eo\ ei'c'd tn.'e, the ])oor savages wei'e greatly tei'J'iiler(^ j-ossesscd with an insane desire to search for gold, to the negli'ct ol' the. labors necessary to secure health and prosperity. From these causes more than hall' thfMr imnihcr j)erishcd. The Indians, "ing their weakness, became insolent and exacting, and, but for Smith, whose ])rompt and energetic action, without actual bloodsh(Ml, subdued and brought them lO terms, they might have com])1etely overawed, and perhaps have extirpated the colony. 'i'h<5sc whcmi tiio English took prisoners insisted thtit tho hostihtii^s were in acconhmce with the orders of Powhatan: but he, ^Ti the other hand, averred that it was t!ie work iA' some of his unruly subordinates. Tho comMliatory mes- sage Avas brought by "his dc;u'(>st daughter Pocahontas." whose appearance ever had tlie most ])()tent inlhicncc with the brave man for whom she felt such lilial attachment, and Avho Wivs bound to her by every tic of gratitude and aflcctiou. Upon the 2d of June, 1!'<^8, Captain Smith, with four- teen companions — one half "gentlemen," the rest "sol- diers" — undertook his celebrated cx])loratiou of Chesa- peake Bay. Their conveyance was a large opiMi barge. They first shaped their course for the isles lying off Cape Charles, still known as Smith's Isles, ami thence reentered the bay. Passing Ca])e Charles, they saw "two grim and stout salvages," armed with boncdicadcd lances, who fearh^ssly questioned them as to wdienco they came and whither they were bound. They were subjects of the Werowance of Vccomack, on the east(Tn shoix^ of the l)ay; and, beir-.g kindly entreated, n>s]^ond^•d with '^Fl INDIAN^ OF vrumxiA. h.) e(|u;il civilitv, iirul directed the Kni'lisli to their kinji^'s liead-quarters. 'I'liey ((Miiid t\\o ehief to \)o. tlio "cornliest, proper, civill .siiV!id the river of AVighcocoinoco, on the eastern shore, where the inhabit- ants exhibited great rage and hostility, but perceiving that no harm was intended them, with true savage caprice, fell to dancing and singing, in wonder and merriment at the novel spectacle. No good water was to be obtained here, an.. ft f^'- . i '* 160 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. Next morninf:; tlie poor simple savages, dismissing all fear, gathered round thcni to the number, as ap})eared, of two or three thousand, eager to oiler whatever was in llieir power to bestow for "a little bead" or other trivial tov. These people were tlie Sarapinagh, Nause, Arscek, and Mantaquak, and they showed sueh readiness to trade, that Smith pi'onouneed them the "best marehants of all other salvages." They gave wonderful aeeounts of the power- ful and warlike Massawomckes, who lived to the noi'tli- ward, and were idcntieal with the Iroquois or Six Nations. Some of the erew I'alling siek, and the rest beeoming weary and diseontented with their unaecur.tomed fatigue and exposure. Smith, mueh against his inelination, turned towards home, "leaving the bay some nine mile.-, broad, at nine and ten fadom water." Entering the Potomac, on the 10th of June, it was determined to exi)lorc it, as the siek men had recovered. No Indians were seen until the company had })assed thirty miles up the river; but, ar- riving at a creek in the neighborhood of Onawmaniont, "the woods were layd with ambuscade's, to the nundier of three or foure thousand salvages, so strangely paynted, grimed and disguised, shouting, yelling and crying as so many sj^iiits fi'om hell could not have shewed more terri- ble. Many brauado's they made," but a discharge of bul- lets, over the surface of the water, quickly changed their mood. Arms were flung down, hostages given, and court- esy and kindness succeeded the truculent demeanor which was first exhibited. By the account of the Indians, Pow- hatan had directed this intended attack; and, if their re- presentation was ti'ue, he was stimulated to such a course by sundry of Smith's enemies at Jamestown. The boat's crew made their way as far u]) as the river was navigable, encountering various other ti'ibes, sonnj of wdiom were friendly, and others hostile. The thunder of the English weapons never i'ailed to awe and subdue them INDIANS OV VIlldlNIA. 1<'.7 Kv(M' liiiiikeriipj; mHi'I" llic jirccioiis inctiils, llic iHlscnturcrH wero atli'jH'fctl by ;>"lilUTiiij^ j.iii'tirli's in tlif l>i'il ol' viirioiis stiviiiiis; nii^l, iu;ikiii,L'' itu consl.'iiit nliji-ct <>(' iii'[iiii'y, tlicy Vi'L'W led by soiiio Iiitliaiis, stil>j.'ct Ik tlw kin r of l';it;i\v- Oiuokc, U) ;i iioU'd mine, on l!u' liltle sIp:imi nl" (^>ni<'ii;.'!i. It was on a I't^-l^y inonn!, anJ llu' mahtial so in'ht, wlirn dug (tnl with slirlls and liatclicts, .-iiarkl-d lik''> aiilinionv. jj '^riic Indians wcu; afciL-lonu'd lo \\a^ll and rk'ansc it, and I tlu'ii, putlin,!^" it in small baL;;s, ".-rll it all mu'r llif ('(Hiniry, ' to ))aint tlit'ir liodycs, laces or iilolls; wliieli maile llicm |, looke like lUaekamoi n'cs dustcil ()\i'r willi silner." New- |! ])()!'tassei'ted that the eoulenls ()[' .-oiikmiI' those bail's, wlnii '{ assayed in l'ai<:land, jn'ii\ cd to be e.\ece(lin,!.;lv rifh in silvtr; , j but all that Smith and his mm co'iU'ctiMl was worthless. ' ' (.)n the way lowai'ds Jamestown, as the liar^e lay in Ij slioal walfi', the crew amused tin uiseKi-s by sprafin;.;,' lisli, Avhieli Were execedingly plenty, (^iplain Smith, nsin^r his sword for this pur|)OSe, (bvw up a lish, ("not knowing' hrr condition,) being niiieli of the iiishiou of a Thornbai-k. but a long tayle like a riding rodde, wheieon the middcst is a most ]toysoned sting, of two or ihi'ec inehes long, beareled like a saw ou each side, whieh she struek into the wi'ist of his armc iieare an ineli and a halfe." ^Idie swelling and i)ain eonscquent upon this, were so gi'eat that tln^ biave eaptaip, despairing of reeovrry, ordered his own gi'ave to be ilug; wdiieh was acconlingly done on a neigh- boring iskuuk His time, Iiowcnci', had not yet eonie: tho phvsieian of the })arty succeeded in relie\ ing him, inso- much that, that very night "lice ate of the llsh to his supper." As they returned to tlieir old (piarters, the Indians judged from their aj^pearanee that they had been engaged in notable wars; an idea wdiieh the}' I'ailed not to encour- age, averring that all the spoil brought home was taken Irom the redoubtable ^lassawoinekes. I Hi'. I 'I'T^^fff^ < V .1 1 , 'V" ,. ; :-A ' k' ■ ■ ^.•. i '*: I I ., > . (■».&t'"i ,» . ' ■,',f M ;^i 1^1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ^9^ m If |i£ 1 2.0 htU(- 111= 1.4 llllli.6 V <^ /} c^: '% s^ V^- <%. "Fp PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4.^ ,\ V \\ "% .V ». Q> '<#^.1* #• W irzrn ■1 III iu3 INDIAN RACES OF AMP^lilOA. At Jamestown all wa.s found in disorder and misery, as was generally the case when llie master-spirit was absent. ^J'lius ended the first exploration of the unknown waters of the Chesapeake, leaving the English still in doubt as to its extent, and still ho})eful of eventually finding a pass- age thereby to the South Seas! On the 2-J:tli of Jul}', a seeond expedition was undertaken u[) the bay, by Smith, with a boat's erew of twelve men. The Indians of Kecoughtan, Avith whom they spent several daj^s, exulted greatly in the supposition that the English were out on a war expedition against their .dreaded ene- mies, the Massawomekes. Ti-oeeeding up the bay, more than half the 2)arty were prostrated by the diseases of the climate, and in this erip- })Ii'd condition they came upon seven or eight canoes, tilled with Indians of the Avarlike tribe they were suj)])osed to be in search of. Seeing that the English showed no foar, but prepared briskly for an engagement, these ]\ras- sawomekes concluded that discretion was the better part of valor, and fled to the shore. Being tempted by the oiler of some trifling toys, they at last came out to the barge unarmed, bringing presents of provisions, targets, skins, and riide implements of warfare. They had been engaged in war with the Indians of the lockwogh or Sassafras river, as their fresh wounds bore witness. They disappeared during the foiloAving night, and the explorers made their way into the river of Tockwogh. Seeing the Alassawomeke w^eapons, the Tockwoghs were in ecstas}^, supposing that their enemies had been defeated; and led Smith up to their fortified town: "Alen, women, and children, with daunces, songs, fruit, furres, and what they had, stretching their best abilities to expresse their loues." I [ere Smith made some stay, sending messengers to in\ ite a deputation from the renowned Sasquesahanocks 1 1 i INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 109 to visit him. Sixty of "tliosc gyant-likc people," accord- ingly came down from their country, bringing presents, and holding bold and familiar intercourse with the stran- gers. The daily devotional exercises of prayers and psal ms, which our pious Captain regularly observed, were re- sponded to, on the part of the wondering savages, by strancje ceremonies of their own. "They began in a most passionate manner, to hold vp their hands to the Sunne, with a most feareful song, then inibraeing our captaine, they began to adore him in like manner: though he rebuked them, yet they proceeded till tlieir song was iinished: which done, with a most strange furious action, and a hellish voyce, began an oration of their loues." Tliey then clothed him with rich skins and mantles, and ' proffering beads and toys, declared that they, and all tliey had, were at his service, if he would but lend his assistance au'ainst the terrible Massawomckes. JiCturning to examine the river Kapahanock, Smith fell in Avith a former acquaintance, one ^losco, of Wighcoco- moco. lie was doubtless a half-breed, and was sup[)osed 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 fortified their boat by making a breast- work around the gun-Avale, of the ISIassawomeke shields, which were so thickly plated as to resist the arrows of the savau'cs. This stood them in good stead in divers skir- mishes with the Eapahanocks. On one occasion, thii'ty 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 arj'ay to be a natural growth of shrubs. Mosco accompanied Smith in. his visits to many nations on the Chesapeake, and proved of no little service, whether L ^% ;» I r :;f il;, ■ i\'l il ;; tm 170 INDIAN" RACES OF AMERICA. tlie reception at tlioir liniids Avas fricndl}' or hostile. The good will of i\ ])arty ol' ^raiuiliocks was gainod by moans of favor shown to a wounded i)risoner, wliom ^fosco would fain have dispacehed — "never Avas dog more furious au'ainst a Ix^are, than >rosco w:is to have heat out his bniines." They questioned this enptive, who Avas called Arnoroloek, about his own and the adjoining tribes, and deinande(l of liini wh}" liis peo2)le had attacked peaceful strangers. "The poore salvage mildly ansAvered," that they had hrvird that the English were "a people ecMnc from under the Avorld to take their Avorld from them." lie described the ^ronacans as fj'iendly to his tribe, and said that they liA'ed in the mountainous country to the Avest, "by small rivers, lining upon rootes and fruits, but chiefly by hunting. The ]\[assaAVomeks did dwell vpon a great Avahu-, and ha«l many boats, and so many men that they made Avarre Avith all the Avorld." In this, and the pi'eeeding A'oyage, the Avhole of the extensive bay of Chesapeake, Avas explored, together Avith t'.ic lower portions of the prineij^al rivei's emptying into it; and an accurate chart of the Avdiole country still bears witness to the skill and perseverance of the brave eom- 2nander. Curious sketches of natiA'C chiefs, and of en- counters between them and the Knglish, accompany the maps Avhich illustrate* the rpiaint and interesting narrative from Avhich this portion of our history is draAvn. Before returning to JamestoAvn, the party sailed for the southern shores, and passed, up the Elizabeth riA^er into the "Chisar^eack" countrv. Thev saw but few dwellino-s. surrounded by garden plots, but Avere struck Avith the magniiicent groAvth of pines Avhicli lined the banks. Thence coasting along the shore, they came to the mouth of the Nandsamund, A\diere a fcAV Indians Avere engaged in fisli- intr. These fled in affriGfht, but the Enirlish landinji, and leaving some attractive trifles Avhere thev Avould fmd them, 1 1 li A J INDIANS OF VIEGIXIA. 171 llicir demeanor was soon cliangcd. Singing and dancing, ilicy invited the party to enter the river, and one of them eame on board tlie barge. Complying with the request, Smitli went up the stream seven or eight miles, when exten- sive corn fields were seen. Perceiving some signs of ti-eaeh- ery, he would not proceed farther, but endeavored to regain the open water with all possible expedition. His fears proved to be well grounded; for on the way down, arrows wiM'c poured into the boat from cither side of the river by hundreds of Indians, while seven or eight canoes filled with armed men followed "to see the conclusion." Tuiii- ing upon these, the English, by a volley from their mus- kets, soon drove the savages on shore and seized the canoes. I'hc Indians, seeing their invaluable canoes in the eiic- luics' power, to save them from destruction readily laid down their arms; and, upon 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 SMITIl's VISIT TO WEUOWOCOMOCO FOR SUPPLIES — TREACHERY OF POWHATAN — SMITH A SECOND TIME PRESERVED BY POCAHONTAS VISIT TO PAMUNKY FIGHT AVITH THE KING OF PASPAHEGH ASCENDANCY OF THE ENGLISH. In the ensuing September, Smith was formally made president of the colony at Jamestown, and set himself ])romptly to correct abuses and perfect the com})any in ihe military exercises so suited to his own inclinations, and so essential in their isolated and dangerous i)Osition. < , 1 . . 'i : .i * :*?,!. fir''; "'J; ;■•*•■*! ni, , , ^^fcl ^*A'-' :• : ■'■'-.: 'ri^' I '■■■.* A* '■/■.A >'•'. M '. ' ' ■^.■:V :'l i ■-' 1*. t I'l 172 INDIAN HACKS OF AMERICA. 'I'lio wandering savages would collect in astonishment to sec these })crformances, standing "in amazement to behold how a fylo would batter a tree, where lie would inalcc them a marke to shoot at." iSew})Oi't, soon after, made his appearance, bringing out fi'om Mngland many adventurers ill->-)Uited to the lile before them in the new country: "thirty carpenters, husband- men, gardiners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons, and dig- gei's v[) of tn.'cs' I'oots," says Smith, Avould have been worth a thousand of them. By the same arrival, came a large boat, brought out in live pieces, to be used in further cx])lorations in search of the South Sea, and a crown, Avith brilHant trn|)})inTAX.S OF VrHr.IXTA. i:r, After iiiiii'h bargiiiirui;^ jiihI li;ur,L!;liiig, a small ([iiaiility of corn was }>r()Ciireil, uiul I'cAvliataii tiiadu a most i)laiisi- Lie uiid ciuarat^teristic speecli to jtensuadc Smith lliat iiotli- ing could 1)(' f'artlier (Vom his iiit(Milii>ii than hostility, ('an yoii snjiposo, said lie, tluit I, a man of a,^•e and e.\piTi('ne(>, liaviiiL^^ outlived three generations of my ])ih)j)U!, should be ^^>^o simple as not to kncnv it is Initcr to eat(! good meate, lye well and slecpe quietly with my women and children, langh and be merj-y with you, liauc eoppci-, hatchets, or what [ watit biung your fi'iend : than be loi'ced to Hie from all, to lie cold in the woods, feede vpon acornes, rootes, and such trash, and be so hunted by you that I can neither rest, cate nor slecpe; but my tyred men must watch, and if a twig but breakc, every one cryetli, there commeth Captainc Smith." Thus the time was s[>ent in useless discourse, and Smith, perceiving that the Indians were only watching for an o})])ortunity to attack him unawares, ordered the barge to be brought to shore, and the pittance of corn to be stowed on board. Powhatan then disappeared, but immediately sent his Avarriors to surround the house and cut off Smith while the body of the English were engaged with the barge. Aided only by one companion, the valiant captain rushed forth, "with his pistoll, sword and target," and "made such a passage among these naked Diuels, that, at his first shoot, they next him tumbled one ouer another." Seeing that Smith had rejoined his company, Powhatan pretended that he had sent his ])eople to guard the corn from being stolen, and renewed his protestations of friendship. The boats being left ashore by the tide, the captain was obliged to spend the night on shore. Powhatan now coi.- ceived himself sure of his victims, and gathered all his people, with the intention of surprising Smith under cover of the night. "Notwithstanding the eternal all-soeing God did preuent him, and by a strange meanes. For Poca- 11 It 11,1 V '•'.■if '■■'Mm * » ■■ ' ''yl *l !!S.. ■*t'-:( ITT if'- . ■.. "i ■ ■ ' •'.*jMB . ;; ,, i .V;; . ^ ill r,v -^ 170 iNi»iAN' i:A('ks ok amkiiica. yi ' ''1 1 t m 1 1 ii hontas, liis donrest icwcil ;iiiil (lilll,^•^lt('r, in tliat darko iii;^'lit came lliroujj,li tlic^ irksome woods, and told our Captainc groato (ilicaiv should he sent \'s l>y and by; but IVnvliatan and all the itowcr lie could make, wc^uld after como and kill VH all, il' they that hrou.uht it coidd not kill vs with oiiro owne wenixnis when wo wei"e at .su|)[)er. 'riicrclbre if wo woidd line, she wislu'd vs ])rcsently to be <^'ono. Such 1 hint's as she (k!li,^■hted in lu; would have giuen her; but with the teares iMiuning downe her eheekes, she said she durst not be seen to haue a.ny ; for if Powhatan should know it she were but dead, and so she runnc away by her- selfe as she came." One eaii readily imagine the distress of tlie poor child at feeling thus eomj)elled, by her affection for her J'lnglish friend, to become unfaithful to her father and her own peo))lc. 'J'he feast was sent in shortly after, by a number of strong warriors, wlio Avere very earnest in their invitation to the party to kiy down their arms and fall to. The matches which the En;.!;ii:-h ke])t burning met with tiieir decided disapproval, the smoke, as they averred, making them sick. Smith, being forewarned, did not fail to spend the night in vigilance, and sent word to Powdiatan that he felt well convinced of his villanous intentions, and should be prepared for him. The Dutchnicn, who were with the king, were all along supposed to be implicated in his treach- ery, being inimical to Smith, and glad of an o])portunity to destroy him. After his departure from W'erowocomoco, two of them hastened to Jamcstowii, and, by various pre tenco.">, obtained a quantity of arms, which, with the assist- ance of some Indian companions, they carried off to Pow- hatan. In return for this assistance, he promised them immunity from the havoc that should overtake ilic colony, and high oflice and power in his own service. Continuing his search for provision, Smith arrived at IN1)IAN9 OF VIIUJINIA. 177 Painiiiiky, wlioro Opocliaiicarjough received liiiii ^vith ap- pareiit kiiulncss, but sliowcd tio tvailitiesH to trade. Smith reiniiulc'd liiiii of Ibriner pi'oiiiiscs and iiijurio!^, and cx- presMed a (K'lcrrnination to obtain siip})lies; proflering Just j)ajniont. The chief niaiiagi'd to (h'coy the captain and his "ohl nrtccnc" into liis iiousc, exliibiting some bask(>trt of corn, whicli he ailcgcil were procured with great difli- culty, but ill tlic meantime some seven hundred armed warriors, by liis orders, surrounded the building. Our brave captain, first exhorting his men to show no signs of fear, now steridy addres.sed the king, challenging him to single combat, with ecpial arms, upon an island in the river. Opcchancanough still pretended good will and friendsJiip, and attempted to entice Smith out at the door, by i^romises of munificent presents: "the bait was guardcMl with at least two hundred men, and thirty lying viuh'r a great tree (that lay thwart, as a barricad 178 INDIAN RACKS OF AMKKICA. ■% ! i ■■■II fuul pnnnptl}' as (lie liist. ''J'lu! king in a longtliy sj)oocli oxciisrd and c.\|)lain(.'y a gale "(that extreanic iVo/en time)" and drowned. AVydin liad stoi)[)i!d at Powhatan's head-({uarters, and only cscajied destruction by the kindness of the Englishman's last friiMul Pocahontas. She "hid him for a time, and sent them who pursued hitn the cleanc; contrary way to seeke him." Concealing this disastrous intellijence from his iollow- ers, Captain Smith set Opcchancanough at libei'ty, and again embarked, intending, ere his return to Jamestown, to secure the person of Powlialan. That chief had issued general orders for tlie dest ruction of Smith, and every where, as the boat passed along the river bank, crowds of Indians Avould a]t})ear, bringing corn in baskets, and oflcu'- ing it to the company if they would come for it unarmed. Tht>ir intention was evidently to draw the English into an and)uscade. The captain succeeded in surprising one of these parties, and obtaining their provision. Some of tlieni, wdio consented to trade, sup})lied the English with poisoned food, which was eaten by Smith and others, but the poison did not prove sufTieiently potent to destroy their lives. Suspicion fell upon a vigorous young warrior named AYecuttanow, as the author of this treachery; but he, having forty or fifty companions with him, "so proudly braucd it as though he ex})ectcd to in- counter a revenge. — Which the President (Smith) perceiv- ing in the midst of his company, did not onely beate, but spurned him like a doggc, as scorning to doe him any worse mischiefe." :ii'Hi TNDIANH OF VIUOINIA. 170 At other pliiccs wlierc provision \v:i8 sought, it was jdaiii that tlio Iiuliiins were tlicmsolvos in want, and "iniparU-d tliat Httlo they iuul with such coin[)laints and Ivmta frotii the eves of women and chiklren as he had becne too criull to hauo becne a Christian tliat would not hauc beene satis- fied and moued with compassion." I'owliatan, cautioned by "those darntuul Dutchmen," liad left Werowoeomoeo, with all his ell'ecls, before Smith arrived tlu;r(>, and the plan of making him prisoner was therefore abandoned. I b^re Smith breaks out into a spirited justilieation of his conduct and pur})oses, complaining that fault had been found with him, b}'' some, for cruelty and harshness, and by others for want of energy and determin- ation. He draws a strong contrast between the proceed- ings of the English colony and the manner in wliich the S])aniards usually followed up their discoveries. It was not pleasing, he sa3's, to some, that he had temporized witii such a treacherous peoj)le, and "that he washed not the ground with their blouds, nor showed such strange inveii- tions in mangling, murdering, ransacking, and destroying, (as did the Spanyards,) the simple bodies of such ignorant soulcs." The renegade Dutchmen had a place of rendezvous near Jamestown, known as the "glasso house," whither they resorted, with their Indian associates, to carry on their sys- tem of pilfering arms and other articles from the colony. Captain Smith making a visit to this spot, with the inten- tion of arresting one of them, named Francis, whom ho had heard to be there, was set upon, as he returned alone, by the king of Paspahegh, "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- chion, and, by sheer strength, dragged him into the river. After a desperate struggle, Smith succeeded in grasping the savage by the throat, and in drawing his weapon. " Seeing ♦'• . ;' '■ '•'..M^!^i; ::> r-.i i 11 1< :':i ~S1 180 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. how pitifully lie begged for his life, he led him prisonci to James Towne, and put him in ehayncs," His women and children came every day to visit him, bringing pres- ents to propitiate the English. Being carelessly guardiKl, the king finally made his escape. In attempts to recover him, some fighting and bloodshed ensued, and two In- dians, named Kemp and Tussore, "the two most exact vil- laincs in all the Countrey," were taken prisoners. Smith, with a corps of soldiery, proceeding to punish the Indians on the Chickahominy, passed by Paspahegh, and there con- cluded a peace with the natives. They at first ventured to attack him, but unable to resist the English weapons they threw down their arms, and sent forward a young warrior, called Okaning, to make an oration. He represented that his chief, in effecting an escape, had but followed the instincts of nature; that fowls, beasts, and fishes strove to avoid captivity and snares, and why should not man be allowed so universal a privilege? He added that, if the English would not live at peace with them, the tribe must abandon the country, and the sup- jilics which the colony had heretofore obtained from them 1,10 thereby cut off". The power and influence of Smith among the savages was infinitely increased by a circumstance which occurred immediately after his return to Jamestown. A pistol had b(_'en stolen by a Chickahominy Indian, and his two bro'h- ers, supposed to be privy to the theft, had been seized, to secure its return. One of them was sent in search of the missing article, assured that his brother should be hanged if it v/as not forthcoming within twelve hours. Smith, " pitying the poore naked Salvage in the dungeon, sent him victuall and some Char-coale for a fire: ere midnight, his brother returned with the Pistoll, but the poore Salvage i?i the dungeon was so smoothered with the sinoake he had made, and so pittiously burnt," that he appeared to be rfT«-fYrff^ INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 181 (load, nis brother, ovcrvvhelmed witli grief, uttered such touching lamentations over the bcdy, that Captain Smith, although feeling little hope of success, assured him that lie would bring the dead Indian to life, provided he and his fellows would give over their thieving. Energetic treatment restored the poor follow to consciousness, and, his burns being dressed, the simple pair were sent on their way, each with a small present, to spread the report, ftir and near, that Captain Smith had power to restore the dead to life. Not long after, several Indians were killed by the explosion of a quantity of powder, which they were attempting to dry upon a plate of armor, as they had seen the English do. " These and many other such pretty Accidents, so amazed and frighted both Powhatan and all his people," that they came in from all quarters, returning stolen property, and begging for favour and peace: "and all the country," says the narrator, "became absolutely as free for vs, as for themselues." CHAPTER IV. DISTRESS OF THE (JOLONIES — MARTIN AND WEST's SETTLEMENTS ARRIVAL OF LORD DE LA WARRE RETALIATIONS UPON THE NATIVES SEIZURE OF POCAHONTAS : IIHR MARRIAGE PEACE WITH THE INDIANS POCAHONTAS VISITS ENGLAND : HER DEATH DEATH OF POW- HATAN PORY's SETTLEMENT. While Captain Smith remained in America, and con- tinued in power, 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 .t"ii-V'i hhr iii f 51" m. 182 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. colonists. Many of the English were sent out to live with the savages, and learn their arts of gathering and prepar- ing the roots and other edibles tliat must take the place of corn. These were treated with every kindness by the Indians, "of whom," says Smith, "there was more hope to make better Christians and good subjects than the oiie- halfe of those that counterfeited themselucs both." Kemp and Tussore, who had been set at liberty, remained there- after staunch adherents to the English interests. Sundry malcontents belonging to the colony had lied into the woods, thinking to live in ease among the natives, wlioni they promised revenge upon their old conqueror, the president. Kemp, however, instead of giving ear to these persuasions, fed them " with this law, who would not work, must ]iot eate, till they were neere starued indeede, con- tinually threatening to beat them to death;" and finally carried them forcibly back to Captain Smith. In the early part of the summer of 1609, large supplies came over from England, and a great number of factious and disorderly adventurers were brought into the new settlement. Unwilling to submit to the authority of 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 unthrift. At Nansemund, a company, under one Captain Martin, after wantonly provoking the ill-will of the natives, wa^ unable to resist their attacks; and another division, under \Wvst, which attempted a settlement at the falls of James' rivei', proved equally inefficient and impolitic. "The poore sal- vages hat daily brought in their contributions to the President, that disorderly company so tormented those poore soules, by stealing their corne, robbing their gar- dens, beating them, breaking their houses and kee])ing some prisoners, that they daily complained to Ca])taine Smith, he had brought them for protectors worse enemies vnr***"! IXPTANS OF VIRGINIA. 188 r_i than the Monacans themselues : they desired pardon if hereafter they defended themseUies." Carrying out this intention, the Indians fcll.npon tlic for. immediately after Smith's departure, he having set sai^ for Jamestown. His vessel taking ground before he had prccecdcd far, he was called upon to interfere, and brought maiters to an amicable conclusion, removing the English from the inconvenient spot they had selected for their habitation into the pleasant 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 furthci service in the colony. So terribly was his flesh torn and burned, that, to relieve the pain, he instantly threw himself into the river, from which he was with difficulty rescued. It being impossible to procure the necessary medical assist- ance for the cure of so extensive an injury, he took pas- sage for England by the first opportunity, and never again revisited the colony he had planted and supported with such singular devotion, energy, ai'd courage. The fate of the two principal of the Dutch conspirators against his life, is thus chronicled: "But to see the justice of God vpon these Dutchmen: — Adam and Francis were lied againe to Powhatan, to whom they promised, at the ai'ri- vall of my Lord (La Warre), what wonders they would doe, would he suffer them but to goc to him. liut tlio king seeing they would be gone, rei)lyed; you that would li;iiii> beti-ayed Captaine Smith to me, will certainely be- tray nic to this great Lord for your peace; so caused his men to beat out their braines." Smith's departure was the signal for general defection among the Indians. They seized the boats of the settlers under ^Fartin and West; who, unable to keep their ground, returned to Jamestown, with the loss of nearly half their men. A party of thirty or forty, bound upon a trading i! 1 1 i I ii I 1 1 l! l4^ ' V;. r»n 'I ' 184 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. III 1 1 i| 1 1 II expcditiDn, was set upon by Powhatan and his warriors, and all except two were slain. One of these, a boy, named Henry Spilman, was preserved by the intervention of Pocahontas, and sent to live among the Patawomekcs. Pkcduccd to the greatest extremity, the English were obliged to barter their very arras for provisions, thus add- ing to the power of the enemy in the same ratio that they weakened their own resources. Famine, j)estilence, and savage invasion reduced the colony, which before had numbered live hundred inhabitants, to about sixty miser- able and helpless Avretches, within the short space of six months from the time that Smith set sail. The crude pro- ducts of the forest formed their principal food; "nay, so gi eat was our famine," proceeds the narrative, "that a Sal- uage we slew and buried, the poorer sort took him vp againe and eat him, and so did diners one another, boyled and stewed with roots and herbs: And one amongst tlie rest did kill his wife, powdered her and had eaten part of her before it was known e, for which he was executed as he well deserued." Upon the arrival of a ship, with Sir Thomas Gates and company, all the unfortunate settlers, abandoning their town, took passage with him for England. At the com- mencement of the voyage, they fell in with Lord La Warre, who was on his way to Jamestown, bringing with him large supplies of men and necessaries ; and all returned together to Jamet;Luwn. Fortunately the Indians had not, as yet, destroyed the fort, and the numbers and efficiency of the whites were so far increased, that they were "able to tame the furie and trecherie of the Saluages." On the loth of June (1610) Captain Argall, being en- gaged in a trading expedition among the Patawomekcs, found there the young prisoner, Henry Spihnan, who hud met with kind treatment, and by whose intervention W ^ifeir INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. Ibo abundance of corn was procured. Frequent mention is made of Spilman 'in subsequent portions of Virginian history. He was killed by the Potomac Indians, in 1623, while on a trading expedition up the river. Having gone on shore with some of his company, some difficulty arose, and, after a short skirmish, those on board the boat, "heard a great brute among the Salvages a shore, and saw a mans head throwne downe the banke, whereupon they weighed anchor and returned home, but how he was sururised or slaine is uncertaine." I'hat the colonisi^Avere not slow in making use of their newly-acquired power over the natives in their vicinity, sufficiently appears from the manner in which they re- venged some injuries recei^'ed from those of Paspahcgh. Not satisfied with burning their town, they deliberately put to death the queen and her children, who had fallen into their hands. In the following year the Appomatuck Indians, for some offences, were driven from their homes, and their corn was seized, "without the loss of any except some few Saluagcs." The manner in which peaceful intercourse was at last established with Powhatan, however it may be justified upon the plea of necessity, reflects but little credit upon the English. Argall, in the year 1613, (according to some chroniclers,) while up the Potomac in searcli of corn, heard from the sachem Japazaws that Pocahontas, who had not been seen at Jamestown since Smith's depart- ure, was residing among his people. The captain deter- mined not to lose the opportunity to secure so valuable a hostage, and having, by the assistance of Japazaws, de- coyed her on board his ship, he made her prisoner. The treacherous Potomac sachem pretended great distress; " Lhc old lew and his wife began to howle and crie as fast as P<>ealiontas," but ajtpeared pacified when Argall told them that the princess should be well treated, and restored 'p^^'yvWyS-^ ' ''t m V ■■wK <(i. . . . , , , ''%'lt^p I iff * ^^'>^f iWi 18G INDIAN RACES OF AMEIIICA. t '< Ik VV 1. \ m as soon as Powliutiin .would malvc3 restitution of the gooda he liad pui'loincd and phmdercd from the colony. AVhen the cmpcj'or learned of this transaction, tlic "vnwelconic ncwes nuich troubled him, hccausc he loued both his daughter and tlie English commodities well;" and he left Tocahontas in the enemies' hands for several months Lelore he 'deigned to pay the least attention to their demands. It has Leen supposed, and with great show of reason, that the kind-hearted girl had lost favor with her father by her sympathy with the English, and by endeavoi'ing to save them at the tinae of the massacres which })i'eceded the last arrival; and that this was the cause of her retirement to rotoinac. When Powhatan at last cc^sented to treat, his offers were entirely unsatisfactory to the English, and another long interval elapsed without any communication from him. ^\Ieantime, an ardent attachment had sprung up between Pocahontas and a young Englishman of the col- ony named John Polfe, "an honest gentleman and of good behaviour." "When it was at last concluded to use open force to reduce Powluitan to compliance with the English requisitions, a large force proceeded to the chief's head- quarters, by water, taking the princess with them. The In- dians exhibited an insolent and warlike demeanor, but were easily put to flight, and their town was burned. Pursuing their advantage, the invading party proceeded up the river to jMatchot, whci'c, a truce being agreed upon, two of Pow- hatan's sons came to visit their sister, and, overjoyed at finding her well and kindly cared for, promised their best endeavors to bring matters to a peaceful issue. Rolfe, with one com])anion, had an interview with OjDecliancanougli, who also declared that he would strive to persuade the king to compliance with the English proposals. AVhen Powhatan heard of the proposed marriage (jf his daughtei', his anger and j'csentment towards the whites INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 187 seemed to be appeased. He scut liis brother Opitclinpan, iuul others of his family, to witness the ceremony, and readily permitted the old terms of trade and intimacy to be renewed. Pocahontas and John Kolfe were married about the first of April, 1613. The Chickahominies, hearing that Powhatan was in league with the colony, felt little inclined to be upon ill- terms with so powerful a confederacy; and, having made advances, a treaty of friendship was entered into with all due forms and ceremonies. Not contented with the security against Powhatan's hostility wdiich the possession of liis beloved daughter af- forded, the colonial governor. Sir Thomas Dale, sought yet another hostage from the king; and in lGl-1 sent John liolfe and llalph llamor to his court for this purpose. The aged chief received them with courtesy and kind- ness, and appeared pleased and gratified at the accoiuits which they gave him of Pocahontas' satisfaction Avilh her new alliance, and the religion and customs of the English. When the purpose of the mission was made known to him, which was no Jther tha*" the obtaining posscssi(jn of -.1;, youngest daughter, upon pretext of marrying her nobly, Powhatan gravely refused compliance. lie would never trust himself, he said, in the power of the English; and therefore, if he should send away his child, whom he now loved as his life, and beyond all his other numerous oflspring, it would be never again to behold her. "My brother," he added, "hath a pledge, one of my daughters, which so lo ig as she lives shall be sufficient, when she dies he shah have another: I hold it not a brotherly part to desire to bereave me of my two children at on(,-e." Pocahontas was carefully educated in the Christian religion, which she a])peai-ed sincerely to end^race. She nourished the warmest aftection for her husband, — u})on his part faithfully returned; and what with these new ties, 1 i'* 1 -'^'0. *<'i i:d ').'-'■: I ifin-K Wf: 188 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. and the enlarged ideas attendant upon education and inter* course witli intelligent Europeans, slic seemed entirely to lose all desire of associating with her own people, UoKb and his wife sailed for England in 1(510, and re!f.ehed riyinouth on the 12th of June. Great interest was excited by their arrival, both at court and among many people of distinction. Captain Smith prepared an addj-ess to the queen upon this occasion, setting forth in quaint, but touching language, the continued kindness and valuable services received by himself and the colony at large from Pocahontas. He commended her to his royal mistress, as "the first Christian euer of that Nation, the first A^irginiau euer spake English, or had a childc in mari'iage by an Englishman, a matter surely worthy a Princes vnderstandi ng." AVhen Smith met with his preserver at Branford, where she was staying with her husband after her anival in Eng- land, his demeanor did not at first satisfy her. Etiquette, and the restraints of English customs, prevented him per- haps from making such demonstration of afl'ection as she had expected from her adojited father. "After a modest salutation," he says, "without any word, she turned lier- S(;lf about, obscured her face as not seeming well contented ; and in that humour, her husband, with diuers others, we all left her two or thi-ce hourcs, repenting myself to haue writ shee could speake English." This ]iique, or whatever emotion it may have been, soon passed oi\] and she began to converse freely upon old times and scenes. She said she would always call Smith her father, that he should call her child, and ever consider her as his "Countrieman." It seems that she had been told that he was dead, and only learned the truth on reaching England. Powhatan had been anxious to get intelligence of his old rival, and specially commissioned an Indian of his council, named Uttomatomakkin, whom he sent over INDIANS OF VllUilMA. 180 to Englaml, to find out Ciiptuiii Sinitli; to sec the I'-iig- lislimuii's (lod, their quoeii, {iiid their ])rince; luul to .iscertiiiii tlie uiiinber ol' the country's inhabitants. 'i'liis hist clireetioii lie endeavored to perlbnu by carrying' a stick witli him, and making a notcli for ev(jry nuiu he saw, "but he was quickly wearie of that task." Captain Argall, llolfe, and others, having been furnished with an outfit for Virginia, iu 1017, Pocahontas (known as Itebecca, since her baptism and conversion,) was about to revisit her native country, but was taken suddenly ill, and died at Gravesend. "Shec made not more sorrow for hei- vnexpccted death, than ioy to the beholders to hcare and sec her make so religious and godly an end." She left one child, Thomas Kolfc, who afterwards resided in Virginia, and from whom many families in that state still trace their origin. The celebrated John llandolph, of lloanoke, was one of his descendants. At Jamestown, Argall found matters in a bad state. Little was attended to but the raising of tobacco, which was seen growing in the streets and market place. The savages had become bold and familiar, "as frequent in the colonists' houses as themselues, wliereby they were become expert in the English arms." They broke out, in some instances, into open murder and robbery, but the old chief Opechancanough, when redress was demanded, disclaimed all knowledge of or participation in the outrages. The venerable Powhatan died in April, of the year 1618, and was succeeded by 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 solemn leagues and covenants, the old king of Pamaunky was still held in sore suspicion, and it is plain that Indian power, if roused against the colony, was growing formida- ble. The historian expresses his amazement "to understand 1 1 i i l\ 1' ' ', " » • I, ) ■J-'Tr-Tf*T^ ^%-'l-- ', '] /•- ' ■■■■ 'i '" ''in ■I • 1 fi •«i M ' ) I J « y i '14 U j(!i i'f r ' '■ ! (I* , i III ■v." 190 INDIAN" KACE9 OF AMKUICA. liow strangely the Siiluiigcs luid bectic taiiglit the use of arms, and iuiplo'uHl in linnting and fowling witii our Inwl- iiig })iocos, and our men rooting in the ground about 'J'obaceo like Swine." John Tory, secretary of the ' ly, undertook a settle- ment on the eastern shore in a ^i. Namenaeus, king of ]':'., tnxent, visited him, and expressed his good-will in 8t3le eharaeteristie of Indian meta[>hor. Baring his breast, says Tory, he asked "if we saw any deformity vpon it, we told him, No; No more, said he, is the inside, but as sineere and pure; therefore come freely to my Countric and weleome." The English were accom])anied by Tliomas Salvage as interpreter; a youth wdio, sixteen years before, had been left with Powhatan for the purpose of acquiring the Iiulian language, and who afterwards proved of great service to the colony. AVhen the party reached the dwelling of Narncnacus and his brother AV^amanato, they were most hospitably received and entertained. Boiled oysters were set before them in a "brasse Kettle as bright without as within," and the alliance was cemented by exchange of presents, Wamanato promised to keep what he had received "whilst he lived, and burie them with him being dead. Ilee much wondered at our Bible," proceeds Pory, "but much more to heare it was the law of our God, and the first Chapter of Genesis expounded of Adam and Eve, and simple marriage; to which he replied he was like Adam in one thing, for he neuer had but one wife at once ; but he, as all the rest, seemed more willing of other discourses they better vnderstood." I i' r INDIAN'a OF VllUllNIA. ClIAl'TKU V. iUl THE VinaiNIA MASSACRES OF Ki'J'J, AND OF 1041 (oR 1044) — IJKATK Ol' Ol'liCIIANCANOUGH. TiiK spring of 1022 was ineiriomblo for a deep-laid and }>artiiilly-successful plot, attributed in no small measure to the eontrivance of Opceliuneanough, for tlie extermina- tion of the English colony. The settlers had come to K)()k upon the Indians with a mixture of condescension and contemi)t; they admitted them freel^'' ii'^'^ their houses; suffered them to acquire the use of English wea})ons; and took little or no precautions against an outbreak. The plantations and villages of the whites were widely sepa- rated and ill-protected, ofl'ering an easy opportunity for a sudden and concerted attack. No suspicions whatever were entertained of any hostile intent upon the part of the savages until just before the massacre commenced, and then there was neither time nor opportunity to convey the intelligen' ^ to the distant set- tlements. The plot was so arranged that upon a day appointed, the 22d of March, the Indians spread them- selves throughout the settlements, and, going into the houses, or joining the laborers in the field, on pretence of trade, took the first opportunity to kill those with whom they were communicating, by a blow from behind. No less than three hundred and fortv-seven of the Eng- lish perished, the most extensive massacre at any one spot beiiig that in Martin's Hundred, only seven miles from Jamestown. The savages spared not their best friends, with whom they had held amicable intercourse for years, but availed themselves of that very intimacy to carry out their bloody design with the greater secrecy and impu- nity. One only showed signs of relenting. " The slaugh- ter had been universall if God had not put it into the i 'v^-^.r^ ■ '.. ■ ir , ^■'"•'H mm ;■■;; ^M-. ^■-:i n I,-. I i»u 1!>2 INDIAN' HACKS OF AMKIlIdA. lu'url of uii Iiidian, \\lit» !viii;jj in \\n) house; of one P;ic(>, was \U''^\'i\ by Jiiiollicr Iinli;ui, liis hrothcr, that lay with liini tho ni<^ht Ik'Toic, to kill I'ai-c jis lie sliouhl do I'l'i'i'V, wliich was his friiMid, l)oiii^soi;oiiiiiiaudcd from thi'ir kin-f." Jnsti'ad of coiiipljiii^', Uo. rose, and nuulc known It) hi.s Lost till! ])lan of tho next day's attack. ]*uce carried the intelligence to Jiunestown witii the utmost expetlition, and the caution was sj)reiul as far as poshible. Wherever the Indians saw the Kn^lish n[)on tlieir ^uard, no attempt was made; upon them, even whci'e tiiere was a ^noss dis- parity in numbers. One of Smith's old guard, Nathaniel Causii>, after receiving u severe wound, seized an axe, and put those to flight who had set uj)on him. In another instance, two men re])elled the attack of sixty savagt's, and a Mr. Baldwin, at Warraskoyaek, defended his house and its imnates single handed, the Indians being unwilling to stand his lire. Women, children, and unarmed men; all who could be taken unawares, were murdered, and their bodies hacked and mutilated. No tie of iVieiulship or former favor proved stiong enough to stay the hand of the remorseless foe. A Mr. Thorp, who had shown every kind- ness to the Indians, and especially to the king, was one of the victims, his "dead corps Ixiing abused with such spight and seorne as is unfit to be heard with, ciuill eares." He had formerly built a convenient house for the sachem, "after the English fashion, in which he took such pU^asure, especially in the locke and key, which he soe admired as locking and vnlocking his doore a hundred times a day, he thought no device in the Avorld comparable to it." It was su])poscd that the mt^tive which operated most forcibly upon Opeehancanough, in urging him to these enoimities, was the death of Nemattanow, one of his favor- ites, s^ylcd "Jack of tlic Feather, because hec commonly was most str.angely adorned with them." This India) i wa.s shot, about a fortnight before the massacre, for the mm- 'v, r y^'^''*^ INDIANS OF VIltCilNIA. 193 dor of u man nanictl Nfor^an, wliotri ho oiiticiMl from homo on protoiice of tiado. Litllo activo cllbrts wcro made to revciigo tho uprising of tho Indian:^. After tho bloody day in Marcli, no ;.^oii- I'ral engaj^a-mcnt took phicc hctwcon tiio Kn^iisii and iho .savages until tho ensuing autumn, when an army of threo hundroil colonist*} nuirohod to Nundsainuutl, uud laid waste the country. The bitterest animosity prevailed for many years be- tween the rival claimants to the country — tho Indians and the pale faces, wlio wore supplanting them, insidiously, or by open warfare. 'J'he old chief Opoehancanough remained long a thorn in tho sides of tho colonists; and, as late as lOtl, nine years after the conclusion of a settled |)eace, ho organized a conspiracy, which resulted in the destruction of even a larger number of tho whit(^s tluin fell in tho m:u«?- sacre of 1()22. The time of tho second uprising is lixed, by some, three years later than tho date above mentioned. After that event, the war was pursued with tho energy that tho dangerous circumstances of the colony required ; and the aged chief, falling into tho hands of the English, was carried captive to Jamestown. Regard to his infirmi- ties 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 former injury. Although so enfeebled by the weight of years as to be utteily helpless, and unable even to raise his eyelids with- out a.ssistance, the venerable chief still maintained his dig- nity and firmness; and, just before his death, rebuked Berkley, the governor, for sullering his people to crowd around and gaze upon him. It is said, by some historians, that he was not a native of Virginia, but that he was reputed among his subjects and the neighboring tribes, to have been formerly a king over a nation far to tlie south-west. 13 r m'0w in - . ■ t^ ■ ■ I 1 i..:l ' ,<■ • ' i-4 '4i4^^\- ' ui 194 INDIAN HACKS OF MERICA. CHAPTER VI. smith's ACCOJNT of the numbers, appearance, and HABIT.i Of THE INDIANS. « ♦ * * To the door The red man slowly driigs the enormous bear, Sluin in the chestnut thicket, or flings down The deer from his strong shoulders." — Bkvant. Virginia, like every other divisian df the eastern coast of North America, was but thinly inhabited when the white settlements first commenced. As hunting formed the chief means of subsistence to the nativ(^s during a considerable portion of the year, it was im})racticablc for them to live closely congregated. There were con.puted to be, within sixty miles of the settlement of Jamestown, some five thousand Indians, of whom not quite one-third were men serviceable in war. The lower portion of the Pow- hatan or James' river, below the falls, passed through the country of the great king and tribe who bore the same name : among the mountains at its source dwelt the ^lonacans. The great nations were sub-divided into a number of small- er tribes, each subject to its own Werowance, or king. The stature and general appearance of dill'erent races among them presented considerable discrepancy. Of the Sasquesahanoeks, Smith says: "Such great and well-pro- portioned men are seldome scene, for they seemed like* giants to the English. — For their language, it may well beseeme their proportions, S9unding from them as a voyce in a vault." One of their chief Werowances measured three-quarters of a yard about the calf of his leg, "and all the rest of his limbs so answerable to that proportion, that he seemed the goodliest man we ever beheld. IJis hayre, the one side, was long, the other shore close, with a ridge like a cock's combe." INDIANS OF VIRGINIA. 195 These people were dressed in bear and wolf-skins : "some have Cassacks made of Bearc's heads and skinnes, thfit a man's head goes through the skinnes neck, and the eares of the Beare fastened to his shoulders, the nose and teeth hanging downe his breast, another Bcare's face split ))e- hind him, and at the end of the nose hung a paw. — One had the head of a Wolfe hanging in a chaine for a icwell; his tobacco pipe three quarters of a yard long, prettily carued with a Bird, a Deere, or some such devise at tlie great end, sufficient to beat out ones brainos." Further to the South, upon the llappahanock, and other adjacent rivers, dwelt an inferior people, of small stature. The Moii^cans, Mannahocks, Sasquesahanocks, and other tribes, which environed the Powhatan country, were so dissimilar in their language, that they could only commu- nicate by interpretation. The clothing of all these Indians consisted principally of skins, dressed with or without the hair, according to the season. Occasionally would be seen a mantle neatly and thickly covered with feathers, so fastened as to appear like a natural growth ; but many of the savages contented themselves with very simple and pi'imitivc habiliments, woven from grass and leaves. Tattooi iig was common, cspt • cially among the women, and the red powdered root of the poconc, mixed with oil to the consistency of paint, served to satisfy their barbaric taste for fimci fully coloring the body. He was "the most gallant who was the most mon- strous to behold." Their cars were generally bored, and pendants of copper and other ornaments were attaclied, "Some of their men weare in those holes a small green and yellow coloured snake, near half a yarde in length, which, crawling and lapping herself about his necke, oftentimes would familiarly kisse his lips." Their wigwams were much after the usual fashion, warm^ but smoky, and stood in the midst of the planting grounds f flrT-'-T^-w*?*^ W P-^ 4» 6 * ■:, ;i.,;:j'f^'Ti «^-j' ( 1 :^^ ■ii UK L96 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. wlierc they raised their beans, corn, and pompions. About the dwellings of some, mulberry-trees were planted, and fine groves of the same grew naturally in various ])arts of the country. The English made an attempt to raise silk here, "and surcl}' the wormes prospered excellent well till the master-workman fell sicke. During which time they were eaten with rats." To eil'ect a clearing, the custom of the natives was to girdle tlie 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 obliged to resort to the natural productions of the forest, sea, and rivers for their support; 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 spring they re- lied chielly u})on fish and small game; in summer, before the green corn was ready for use, they were obliged to eke out a subsistence with roots, acorns, and shell-fish. Some species of acorns, besides being useful as food, furnished an oil with which the natives anointed their heads and joints. Smith enumerates many of the wild fruits and game which were sought by the Indians, describing them in quaint and forcible language. It is singular to observe how the original Indian names of plants and animals have been altered and corrupted on their adoption by the Eng- lish. All will recognize the "putchamin," whose "fruit is like a medlar; it is first greene, then yellow, then red, when it is ripe; if it be not ripe, it will draw a mans mouth awry, with much torment." Broth or bread made from the "Chechinquamin," (Chincopin), was considered a great dainty. With a slight change of orthography, the " Aroughcun, a beast much like a badger, but which useth to live on trees as squirrels doe," becomes familiar, as do also the 'Opassum" and "Mussascus." r;i;::i::J rfi . ^^:: r r IXriANS OF VIRCtINIA. 107 Among the fish, a kind of rny attracted the worthy cap- tain's special admiration, being "so like the picture of St. George his dragon as possible can be, except his legs and wings. The Indians fished with nets, woven with no little skill; with hooks of bone; with the spear; and with arrows attaclied to lines. For other game, the principal weapon was the bow and arrow. The arrows were generally headed with bone or flint, but sometimes with the spur of a turkey or a bird's bill. It is astonishing how the stone arrow-heads, which arc, to this day, found scattered over oar wliole country, could have been shaped, or attached to the reed with any degree of firmness. Smith says that a small bone was worn constantly at the "bracert" for the purpose of manufacturing them — probably to hold the flint while it Vv'as chipped into shape by another stone— and that a strong glue, 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 hunted witli most effect, by driving in large companies, dispersed through the woods. When a single hunter undertook the pursuit, it was usual for him to dis- guise himself in the skin of a deer, thrusting his arm through the neck into the head, which was so stuffed as to resemble that of the living animal. Thus accoutred he would gradually approach his prey, imitating the motions of a deer as nearly as possible, stopping occasionally, and appearing to be occupied in licking his body, until near enough for a shot. In war these Indians pursued much the same course as the other eastern nations. On one occasion, at Mattapa- nient, they entertained Smith and his companions with a sham fight, one division taking the part of Monacans, and After the first discharge of the other of Powhatan:i 1^ • f ■ 1 . 'i' i 1 41.' |i. \''^ 1 !,iS,f,iiM 1 ;■? n TV't^R^H - I i;)8 INDIAN llACES OF AMLiRICA. arrows, he says, "tlicy gave sucli horrible shouts anu screeches as so many infernall hell-hounds could not hauc made them more terrible." During the whole pcrforni- ance, " their actions, voyces, and gestures, were so strained to the height of their quality and nature, that the strange- nesso thereof made it secme very delightl\il." Their martial music consisted of thi discordant sounds produced by rude drums and rattles. 1 1 ! I ;|i< L. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. CHAPTEll I. CONDUCT OF EARLY VOYAGKRS — ARRIVAL OP THE MAY-FLOWER— SAMOSET TISQUANTUM MASSASOIT WESTOn's COLONY CAUNBITANt's CONSi'IKACY TRADE IN FIRE-ARMS THOMAS MORTON DEATH OF MASSASOIT AND ALEXANDER, AND ACCESSION OF PHILIP. "Erewhile, where yo' gav spires their brightness rear, Trees waved, and the brown hunter's shouts were loud Atnld the forest; and the bounding deer Fled at the glancing plume, 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 treachery, kidnapping and murder too frequently that of the civilized and nominally Cliristian visitor. It appears to have been matter of common custom among these unscrupulous adventurers to seize by force or fraud on the persons of their simple entertainers, and to cany them olf as curiosities to the distant shores of Europe. Columbus, with kindly motives, brought several of tlie W(?st Indian natives to the Spanish court; — others, whom his follower Pinzon had kidnapped, he restored to their friends. Cabot, in his memorable expedition, followed the same example, and the early French discov- Tf*T^ ■ m^ I- ■'■-.■Ml ! ' ' *H ■Ir-J 'V h ■"m , imJ¥ A Ai. tf J ft i> m ^% A' 9 f' < : i. * iy If , m\ 1 f; O ■' I' 2U0 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. crers were peculiarly culpaLlc in this respect. ^lost atra cious of all was the comluct ol" Thomas Jluiit, who, Id 161-1, at Monlii<^()n, enticed twcnty-lbur of these unfortu- nate people on board his vessel, and carried theiu to Malaga, as slaves — an inhuman })ieee of treachery, to which the English were i)robably indebted for much (jf the subsequent hostilities evinced by the Indians of New England. On the Gtli of September, 1620, the ^[ay-Flower, freighted with forty-one adventurous enthusiasts, the germ of a Avestern empire, sailed from ]*lymouth in England; and on the 9th of the following November arrived on the barren and inclement shores of Ca])e Cod. A Lew days ^ afterwards a reeonnoiteiing party caught sight of a small number of the natives, who, however, fled at tlieir ap- ])roach. On the 8tli of December, a slight and desultoi'y action occurred, the Indians atlnnpting to surprise the Pilgrims by night. They were, however, discomlited :uid compelled to retreat, leaving, among other trophies, eight- een arrows, "headed Avitli brass, some with harts-horiis, and others with eagles' claws." On the 11th. of December (0. S.), memorable in tlie annals of America, the little band of ])ilgrinis landed, and fixed their lirst settlement at Plymouth. The Indians, it would appear, looked with evil eyes u2:)on the })ious colo- nists; for, says an old narrator, "they got all the powaws in the country, who, for three da^ys together, in a liorid and devilish manner, did curse and execrate them with their coTijurations, which assembly and service they held in a dark and dismal swamp. Behold how Satan labored to hinder the gospel fi'om coming into New England." The appearance of the friendly chief Samoset, at the settlement; his welcome in broken English; his manners, and discourse; are quaintly detailed by the historians of the colony. JIc had acquired some knowledge of tho # .! . t t fii.lf S-'.'ti': M i" ■ fl rxTKRvrr. Tf^ of kimouft with the riLORtM$. -^vt ii "''»'J!f ''N! W m^ m NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 201 I English language by intercourse with the crews and mas- ters of vessels employed in fishing upon the coast, and readily conimunieated such information as the settlers required concerning the nature of the country and its inhabitants, lie informed them of the manner in which the district where they were located had been depopulated only four years previous, by some incurable disease; a circumstance to which the feeble colony not improbably owed its preservation. Before the bold and friendly advances made by Samoset, the only communication between the colonists and the original iidiabitants had been of a hostile character. 1'he natural fears and jealousy of the savages, and the supersti- tious horror of the English at the heathenish powwaws and incantations which they witnessed, together with the want of a eonnnon language, had kept the little company of adventurers in a state of complete isolation during the wIk^Ic' of the cold and dreary winter that succeeded their arrival. It was in the month of ^farch that a peaceful communi- cation was established with the natives, tlirough the inter- vention of Samoset. He introduced, among other of his companions, the noted Tisquantum, or Squanto, who was one of the twenty-four kidnapped by Hunt, at a former period. By his knowledge of the country and coast, and his acquaintance with their language, Squanto became of great service to the colonists, and continued their friend until his death, which took place in 1622, while he Avas on his passage down the coast, in the capacity of pilot to an expedition fitted out for the purjjose of purchasing sujiplies of corn and other necessaries. ]\[uch of romantic interest attaches to the history and adventures of this ser- viceable Indian, both during his cajjlivity and after hia I'cstoration to his own country. Escaping by the as- sistance of certain kindly-disposed monks, from Spain, where he, with his companions, had been sold in slavery, 1^^ il ( *>• », 'i! !»1i/| -:'*? '*<•' ■■ ■ -i ' : : r^ ■.'Ml I .■',)• '.li* I •liil M» 202 INUIAX RACES O^ AMKKICA. ho readied l^iiigliuul, and was taken into tlio employment of a TiOndon mercliuiit, named Slaney, by whom lie was sent as piK)t, or in some other capaeity, to various i)laees on the eastern eoast. He was brought baek to Patuxet, the Indian name of the country in whieh the ])ilgrims first landed, by C;iptaiii 'i'honias Dermer, who sailed in the employ of Sir Ferdi- nando Gorges, during the sununer preeeding the arrivid of the ^fay-Flower. Aller his introduelicm by Samosct, he remained with his new lilies, instrueting them in the mode of raising c(jrn, to whieh they were strangers; in the b(>st methods of fishing; aiul making himself of inestima- bio serviee, I))' the friendly influenee of Squanto and Samoset, who acted as interpreters, a league of amity and mutmd ])ro- tection was elfeeted between the colony and the j.xnverful sachem Afassasoit, father of the still more celebrated Philip. ^Tassasoit's head-quarters were at Mount Hope, on Narra- gansctt bay, overlooking the present town of Bristol; a striking feature in a landscape of remarkable beauty, and connnanding 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 Pl^-mouth colony, and he held an uncertain but infiuential sway over portions of other nations far into the interior. In the month of July, 1621, some of the ])rineipal inh.d)itants of the settlement, among others, Edward AVinslow and Stejdien Hopkins, went on an embassy to the court of this chief, as well to observe his power and resources as to renew the amicable treaties before entered into, '^riiey carried such attractive ornaments and apparel as would please the eye of a savage. They were accompanied by Squanto; and although their entertainment, both as respects food and lodgings, Avas but gorry,, yet they were received in a spirit of fi'iendliness. NKW ENCll-AM) INDIANS. 203 Thoy obtained much useful iiiforination ooncorning tlio piiiTourulin^ tnbos, and also leanujil the power uiul nuni bers of the Narra^^^aiisettH. The ship Fortune ari'ived at IMvinouth, in the month of November, l)rin;_Mii^f out thirty-five (Miiii^rauts: but no provisions for their su])poil; iu eoiisctpuMutc; of wliicli, the colony was not lonir after ^Mvatly distressed by want. To add to their troubles and fears, the Narra^jjan setts sent them a hostile message, expressed by u bundle of ari'ows tied with a snake skin. The skin was n>turncd lllled with bullets, and the governor made the spirited reply — "that, if they loved war rather than j)eaee, they might begin when they would." The houses were thenceforth inehxsed in pahngs, and every precaution was taken, by watch and ward, to guard against a siulden attack. Dui'ing the ensuing year, 1()22, two ships were sent over from Mngland by a Mr. Thomas Weston, with a consider- able nund)cr of colonists; in one of them came "sixty lusty men." A new settlement was formed by them at AVesagus- quaset, on Massachusetts Bay, known as "Weston's colon}'. The dishone.'^tv and wast(»fulness of these new comers ])rodueed XGvy inj'urious elfects u])on the welfare of the colony at large. 'V\\q hostility of the Indians was excited by their depredations, and, if we may believe the old nar- rations, they were even base enough to circulate among the natives false r(^])orts of an intention on the part of the Plymouth authorities to attack them, and forcibly seize their corn and provisions, the time being one of great scarcity. Weston's men were in ])ossession of a small vessel, in which they pro])osed to their Plymouth neighbors to un- (lertfike an expedition round Cape Cod, for the ])urpose of trading for suppl ies fi-oin tl le natives. After two unsuccess- fid attempts, having been delayed by rough weather, they succeeded in reaching Xauset and Mattachiost, where thev LLr t' \ '■■'I ■ ':•-. Kr'A \^:,., •A- 1 • i. Hi, 'Jul INl'lAN liAi'KS OF AMHlilCA. wi. I ! III*' K ^,V: <)l)t.;iiii<'(l II (jtiiiiility cf CMni niiil Ik'MIi?. Tt w;is nii tlil,«> vova^o thai tln'S' lo.-t, llicir ;jiiiilc ,'iimI iiilci'iuvtcr Sijiianto. Hi' had hciMi ;i lli,^Ill_V iiscrnl and raitliCnl CMadjiilnr to tin. colonists; liis oiilv faults licin;.; a iialiiial iiu'linatKui to ]>i"csuiii(! ii|M)ii liis inipoi laiH'c ill Iiis iiilt'i'coiirsc willi his coiinti'viiicii. ^I'his h'll him t<> exalt hiniscll" in thcii' cvrs l»_v tail's of his ,iL!ivat in(lii('iic(' nxcr the MiiLi'lish, ami ex- n,L'"g('ratt'(| rcpoi'ls oC thcii' powci'S aial skill, lie allinin'il thai tlicv hail t he pla,L,'U(: luiiicd in tlir tii'oiinil, which they Could, at, plcasin'c, let loose liir the dcsti'iu'tidii oi' the In- aiiins. Un one (teeasioii he was heiieved, lor some |ini']ioso of his own, to ha\i' I'aised a falsi' alarm of an attack hy the Tsari'a,L,Miisetts, ai:conii)anied hy Massasoit. 'I'his saelicni 1 JCCUMK? a t last so cxasjieratcil a^jainst Sipianto, that, on i li- vers occasions, lie sought to [Hit him to death, and the colo- nists had no small dillieiilty in prcservin^L;' their intt'rpn'tiT. ( ii'cat ii\alry and Jealonsy existed Ix.'tween Sipianto aiaj Ilohamak, anothci- friendly Indian, who served the settlers ill a similar capacity. In the y(!ar 1(12;!, the jx-ople at ^\^'ston's plantation, ]M'incipa!ly, as ap}>cars, from their own folly and impi )vi- deuce, were ivdiieed to a state of extreme misery and des- titution. They hccamc scattered in small parties, obtaining u ])recai'ioiis sulisisteiiee hy g'allioi'in,u; shell-fish, and by "woi'kin,Lr foi- (^i- pilf(>riii,u from the natives. On one occu- ►sioii tlay actually haiiL'Ml a man (or stealinc;, in order to j)acifv the Indians; and althtMiuh it apipears ))rol)ahle that he whom th(>y c.x.ccnted was, in reality, t^niilty, yet they liave he en ai'ciiscd ot s])arin,u" the jiriiicipal oileiuler, as an ahle-hodied and sei'vieeal)le member of the communitv, and liangina', in his stead, an old and decrepid weaver. See ''lludibras" upon this ])()int. • P An e.\t(>nsive conspiracy "was formed among various tribes of the Mas-^aeliusetts Indians, and others, extending, as some supposed, o.ww to the iiiii.d)itants of the island i. -•■#£■• -•r ^*»w%- ii;i. i.rini. ASh IN I 1. Mill 11 r. "I' rilK rcl.OMSis. w * 'Si '*5l it,r ^»»^^ ill ■!ii i.n'- i^'! NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 205 I 1 of Capcwack, or ^rurtlia's Yiiioyard, for tlic purpose of destroying Weston's colon)^, and pcrliaps that at Plymouth also. Caunbitant, or Corbitant, one of ]\[assasoit's most distinguished subordinate chiefs, "was a prime mover in this plot. lie had always entertained hostile feelings towards the English, and regarded their increase and prosperity as of fatal tendency to the welfare of his own people. ^J'he design was made known to some of the chief men of Ply- mouth, by Massasoit, (whom the leaders of the conspiracy had endeavored to di.^.w into their plans,) in gratitude for their having restored him from n, dangerous fit of sickness. Having been, as he sup})Osed, at the point of death, he sent for assistance to the colony, and Mr. Edward W'.ns- low and John Ilamden, (supposed by some writers to have been the same afterwards so celebrated in jMiglish history for his resistance to royal encroachments) with llobamak as interpreter, were dispatched to his assistance. In order to check the purposed uprising, Ca])tain Miles Standish, with only eight men, proceeded to Wesagusqua- set, and attacking the Indians, in conjunction with Wes- ton's men, overpowered them, killing six of their number; among the rest, the noted and dangerous Wittuwamat. This chief had displayed great boldness and spirit. On the arrival of Standish, he, with others of his company, declared that he was in no wise ignorant of the ]<]ufj;lish- man's intentions. '"Tell Standish,' said he, 'we know he is come to kill us, but let him begin when he dare.' ISTot 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 home I have one that hath killed both French and English, and that hath a man's face upon it, c^nd by and by these two must marry; but this here by and by shall see, and by and by eat but not spcake." Of the manner of this In- L- \ ': « ■' ■, > -1 iiy • :,;* hit It S-^Tr, Hi ■Ik' 4 f -I I ll» f ! (u. 1 203 INDIAX RACES OF AMERICA. diaii's doatli, and that of Peksuot, one of liis principal companions, killed by Standish himself in a desjieratc liand to liand strnggle, AVinslow says: "lUit it is inen ii , . :. I 'mit \ :iri \i M' Ill 111 ■ mm M'^-iX''-^ U" 210 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. the eastward, in coiisc(|uoncc cf his religious opinions, wliieli (lid not eoincide with tliosc so strictly interwoven with the government and policy of the puritans, Jle was a man of whose enter])rise and \\isdom the state which he first settled is justly proud, and whose liberal and magnani- mous disposition stands out in striking relief when com- pared with the intolerant and narrow-minded prejudices of his contemporaries. Miantonimo is described as a warrior of a tall and commanding appearance; proud and magnanimous; "sub- til and cunning in his contriveinents;" and of undaunted courage. The Pequots and Mohcgans, who formed but one tribe, and were governed during the early period of English colonization by one sachem, appear to have emigrated from the west not A'ery long before the first landing of Europeans on these shores. They were entirely discon- nected with the surrounding tribes, with whom they were engaged in continual hostilities, and were said to have "leached the country they then inhabited from the north. The}^ probably formed a portion of the Mohican or Molie- gan nation on the Iludson, and arrived at the sea-coast by a circuitous route, moving onward in search of better hunt- ing grounds, or desirous of the facilities for procuring sui)p(jrt offered by the productions of the sea. In various warlike incursions they had gained a partial possession of extensive districts u^Don the Connecticut river, and from them the early Dutch settlers purchased the title to the lands they occupied in that region. Tn the year 1634, one Captain Stone, a trader from Vir- ginia, of whom the early narrators give rather an evil report, having put into the Connecticut river in a small vessel, was killed, together with his wliole crew, by a part}^ of In- dians whom he had suffered to remain on board his vessel. Two years later, a Mr. John Oldham was murdered at cott, the 1) NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 211 Clock Island, (called ^fanisses in the Indian tongue,) by a body of natives. They were discovered in possession of the vessel, and, endeavoring to make their escape, were most of tl em drowned. The Narragansctts and Pequots both denied having participated in this last outrage, and, as respects Stone and his companions, although the Pequots afterwards acknowl- edged that some of their people were the guilty parties, yet they averred that it was done in retaliation for the murder of one of their own sachems by the Dutch, deny- ing that they knew any distinction betwccL the Dutch and English. To revenge the death of Oldham, an expedition was fitted out from Massachusetts, with the avowed determina- tion of destroying all the male inhabitants of Block Island, and of enforcing heavy tribute from the Pequots. Those engaged in the undertaking, under the command of Endi- cott, landed on the island, ravaged the corn-fields, an("'. burned the wigwams of the inhabitants; but the islande;s succeeded in concealing themselves in the thickets, so t jat few were killed, Eiidicott thence proceeded to the Pe([uot country, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Gardi ner, commander of the garrison at Say brook, who told him that the consequence would only be to "raise a hornet's nest about their ears." Disembarking near the mouth of the Thames, the adventurers were surrounded by a large bod}/ of savages, mostly unarmed, who questioned them of their purposes with much surprise and curiosity. The English demanded the murderers, whom they alledged to be harbored there, or their heads. The Indians replied that their chief sa- chem, Sassacus, was absent, and sent or pretended to send parties in search of the persons demanded, Endicott, impatient of delay, and suspecting deceit, drove them off, after a sliglit skirmish, and proceeded to lay waste their ii if; I,^}'^^' P-'- ■ - * M' i' ■'•■ ■m I 1} ■dr ■ i% I n^ fe- t ■ \ \ M "/ifr ! ■I l«» ■I — 1 212 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. corn-fi'ilda and wigwains, destroying their canoes and doing them incalcuhiblo niischiof. The same operations were carried on the next day, npcin tlie op])()site bank of tiie river, after which the party set sail for hojne. The eU'ect of procedures like these, was such as niiii^ht have been expected. 'J'he hostility of the l'e(iuots towards the whites w;us from this ])eri()d implacable. For several years the tribe had been engaged in a desul- tory war with the Narragansetts, arising from a quarrel, in 1632, respecting the boundary of their respective do- mains. Sassacus at once perceived the necessity or })olicy of healing this breach, and procuring the assistance of his powerful neighbors in the anticij)atcd struggle. He thei'c- forc sent ambassadors to Canonicus, charged with propo- sals of treaty, and of union against the usurj)ing English. A grand council of the Narmgansett sachems was called, and the messengers, according to Morton, "used many pernicious arguments to move them thereunto, as that the English, were strangers, and began to overspread their country, and would deprive them thereof in time, if they were suffered to grow and increase;" that they need not "come to open battle with them, but fire their houses, kill their cattle, and lie in ambush for them," all with little dano;cr to themselves. The Narragansetts hesitated, and would not improbably have acceded to the proposals but for the intervention and persuasion of their friend Roger AVilliams. His infiuenee, combined with the hope, so dcai' to an Indian heart, of being •revenged upon their old adversaries, finally pre- vailed. Miantonimo, with a number of other cliiefs and warriors, proceeded to Boston; was received with much parade; and concluded a treaty of firm alliance with tlie Knglish, stipulating not to make peace with the Pequots, without their assent. ir tlo 'ly nd cc, of rc- Its, NKW ENGLAND INDIANS. 213 ^foantiinc, duriiif^ tliiH smnc year (in.'>7), tlic Pcqnota had conuiicnucd liostilitiivs by attackiiif^ tlio .settlers on tlio Connecticut, 'i'ln'y lay concealed about the ibrt at Siiy- brook, ready to seize any of the little garri.son who .should be founil without the walls. In .several instances they succeeded in making captives, whom they tortured to death with their usual .savage cru- elty. Among the rest, a "godly young man of the name of Butterleld," was taken, and roasted alive. The boldness, and even temerity t)f the few occupants of the fort, with these horrors staring them in the fac(\ itf surprising. Gardiner, their governor, on one occasion, exasperated a body of Indians who had come forward for a species of parley, by mocking, daring, and taunting them in their own style of irony and vituperation. The cohuiists appear to have been even more horror- stricken and enraged at the blasphemous language of their wild opponents, than at their implacable cruelty. When they tortured a prisoner, they would bid him call upon his God, and mock and deride him if he did .so, in a manner not unlike that recorded in the case of a more illustrious sulferer. They told Gardiner that they had "killed Englislimen, and could kill them like musquitocs;" and that there was one among them who, "if he could kill one more Eng- lishman, w^ould be equal with God." Joseph Tilly, commander of a tradi ^g vessel, a man described as "brave and hardy, but passioiiate and wilful," going on shore, incautiously, and against the advice of Gardiner, was taken by the savages, and tortured to death in the most lingering and cruel manner, being partially dismembered, and slow v burned to death by lighted splinters thrust into his flesh. His conduct in this ex- tremity excited the lasting admiration of his tormentors; for, like one of their own braves, he endured all with silent fortitude. ywr^ ■' r. ! 1. .,ii . ' 'r .\ , /-:.'^#-i. il ■ •".' ''' 'fci I'^. 214 INDIAN UACES OF AMKUICA. |«i> The Tncliiins were accustomed to imilnto and dcrido the cries luid tokens of j)ain wliieh they usually elicited from the whites, as hein^^ unworthy of ni(!n, and toK-raljJe only in woiniMi or ehildren. In April ol' this year (lO'^T), an attack was made ujion the vilhi^^'c of Welherslield, by a body of Pequots, assisted or led by other Indians of the vicinity, whose enmity had been excited by some unjust treatment on the part of the white- inhabitants. I'hrcc women and six men of the colonists, were killed, and cattle and other propeity de- stroyed or carried off to a considerable extent. Two youn<^ girls, (hiu^diters of one Abraham Swain, were taken and carried into caj^tivity. M'heir release was afterwards ob- tained by some Dutch traders, who inveigled a nund)erof Pc(piots on board their vessel, and threatened to throw them into tlie sea if the gii'ls were not delivered uj). Dur- ing the time that these prisoners were in the power of the Indians, they received no injury, but were treated with uniform kindness, a circumstance which, with many others cf the same nature, marks the character of the barbarians as being by no means destitute of the finer feelings of humanity. The settlers on the Connecticut now resolved upon active operations against the Pequot tribe. Although the whole number of whites u})on the river, capable of doing military service, did not exceed three hundred, a Ibrcc of ninety men was raised and equi])pcd. Captain John ^La- son, a soldier by profession, and a bold, energetic man, was appointed to the command of the expedition, and the Reverend ]\Ir. Stone, one of the first preachers at Hartford, who had accompanied his people across the wiUlerness, at the time of the first settlement of that town, undertook the office of chaplain — a position of far greater importance and responsibility, in the eyes of our forefathers, than is accorded to it at the present day. NKW EXQLAND INDIANS. 215 TiOttors wore WTitton to tlic {vtithoritica of Massadiusi^tts, roqiu'stiii"^ nssistance, inasiiuich jih the war was owiii;_^, in iio small iricasiirc, to the ill-advisctl and worscvcoiiductiMl c.\p('d the head-quarters of the tei-rible tribe that had held them so 1( '^g in awe, their hearts began to fail. Many slunk away, and of those who still hung in the rear, none but Uncas and Wequash, a Nehantic sachem, "were ready to share in the danger of the first attack. The Pequot camp was upon the summit of a liigh 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. * 21' lish vessels pass by, and supposed that danger was for tlie present averted. After a great feast and daneo of exulta- tion at tlieir safety and success, the camp was sunk in sleep and silence. Mason and his men, who had encamped among some rocks near the head of Mystic river, ap- proached the Pcquot fortification a little before day, on the 5th of June. ^rho alarm Avas fii'st given b}^ the barking of a dog, followed by a cry from some one within, of "Owanux, Owamix" — the Indian term for Phiglishmcn — u])on which the besiegers rusluKJ forward to the attack. The fort was, as usual, inclosed with thick ])alisades, a narrow enlrancc being left, which was barred by a jnle of brushwood. Breaking through this, ^Kason and his com- panions fi'U upon the startled Pequots, and maintained for some time an nncertain hand to hand conflict, utiiil, all order being lost, he came to the savage determination to fn-e the wigwams. Mliis was done, and the dry mat(>ri;ds of which these rude dwellings were composed blazed with fwu'ful rapidity. The warriors fought desperately, but their bow-strings siKipped from the heat, and the Narragansetts, now coming up, killed all Avho attemj'jted to escape. '^J'he scene within was horrible beyond description. The whole nundnT destroyed (mostly by the flames) was supposed to be over four hundred, no small portion of which consisted of women and children. The s})irit of the times cannot be better portrayed than by citing the description of this tragedy given by >b)rt()n: "At this time it was a fearful sif>ht to see them tlins iVv- iim" iu the fire, and the streams of blood (luencliinu- tlie same; and horrible was the stink and scent theredC; but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice, and they gav(^ the j)raise tluuTof to God, who had wrought so wondei'fidly lor them, thus to enclose their enemies in tlicij- hands, and :i ■ 1 i , ' * ' ' It '•■•I ;'{ V, .U ,V»i;, M' I#i* 218 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. give tliem so speedy a victory over so proud, insulting and blasphemous an enemy." Dr. Increase Mather, in much the same vein, sa3\s: "This day we brought six hundred Indian S(uds to hell." In looking back upon this massacre, although much allowance must be made for the rudeness of the age, and the circumstances of terror and anxiety which surrounded the eai'ly settlers, yet we must confess that here, as on other occasions, they exhibited the utmost unscrupulous- ness as to the means by which a desired end should be accomplished. ^J'hc loss of the attacking party in this engagement Avas triflinsr in the extreme, onlv two of their number bcins; killed, and about twenty wounded. Captain Patrick with his soldiers from ]\Iassacliusetts, did not reach the scene of action in time to take part in it — Underhill, however, with twenty men, was of the party. Tlie result of this conflict was fatal to the Pequots as a nation. After a few unavailing attempts to revenge their wrongs, they burned their remaining camp, and com- menced their flight to the haunts of their forefathers at the westward. ''J'hcy were closely pursued by the whites and their Indian allies, and hunted and destroyed like wild beasts. 1'he last important engagement was in a swamp at Fairfield, where they were comjilctely overcome. Most of the war- riors were slain, fighting bi'avely to the last, and the women and children were distributed as servants among the colonists or shipped as slaves to the West Indies; "We send tlie male children," says Winthrop, "to Burmuda, by Mr. William Pierce, and the women and maid children are dispersed about in the towns." It is satisfactory to reflect that these wild domestics proved rather a source of annoyance than service to their enslavers. Sassacus, Mononotto, and a few other Pequot warriors, l:^., NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 219 succeeded in effecting their escape to the Lfohawlcs, who, however, put the sachem and most of his companions to death, .either to obhge the Enghsh or tlic Narragansctts. The members of the tribe who still remained in Con- necticut, Avere finally brought into comiDlete subjection. Manj?" of them joined the forces of the no\Y powerful Uncas ; others were distributed between the Narragansctts and Mohegans; and no small number were taken and deliberately massacred. The colonial authorities demanded that all Pequots who bad been in any way concerned in shedding English blood should be slain, and Uneas had no small dilTiculty in retaining his useful allies, and at the same time satisfy- ing the powerful strangers whose patronage and protection he so assiduously courted. CHAPTER III. QUARRELS BETWEEN THE NARRAGANSETTS AND MOHEGANS UNCAS AND MIANTONIJIO THE MOHEGAN LAND CON- TROVERSY SUBSEQUENT CONDITION OF THE PEQUOTS AND MOHEGANS. A SMALL body of the Pequots made one more futile attempt to settle in their old country; but a company Avas sent against them, and they were driven off; their provi- sions Avere plundered, and their AvigAvams destroyed. The destruction of this poAverful tribe left a large extent of country unoccupied; to no small portion of Avhieh Uncas laid claim by virtue of his relationship to Sassacus. The i)ower and influence of this subtle and Avarlike chief liad become, by tliis time, A\astly extended, not only by Irrnty and alliance Avith the Europeans, but by continual addition to the numbci' of his Avarriors; as many strag- > Hi •im% : ■'%. 'K.r :ii !7" 220 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. II" I gliiig Pcquots, and -wanderers from otlier tribes, were eager to join his rising fortunes. ]>et\vcen liini and Miantonimo, old feelings of jealousy, rivalry, and national antij)atliy 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- gansetts, which ^[iantoninio, upon repeated citations before the Court at Ply mouth, was 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. ^J'lic animosity of the two chiefs at last broke out into open hostilities. ]\riantonimo, accompanied, as was com- puted, by over nine hundred warriors, came suddenly upon Uncas, who \\as supported by only about half tliat number of effective followers. Before joining battle, the ^fohcgan sachem challenged his opponent to single combat, pro2)osing 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 arrows, rushed forward with such impetuosity tliat, despite the disj)arity of num- bers, they completel}' routed the Narragansetts, and drove them from the field. The chief of tlic invaders was taken prisoner in hia night by Uncas himself, assisted by two other warriors, lie had been impeded in his motions by an old corslet, a piece of defensive armor which had been presented to hiri by an English friend, but which proved fatal to him. Secnng that resistance was hopeless, he seated himself upon the ground, with true bidian st(jicism and silence. Uncas took his prisrner to Hartford, and requested the ^■fv. NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 221 advice of the authorities as to what course he should })ur- sue respecting hiiu. Tliey referred tlic question to the general court of commissioners for New England, which sat at Boston, in September" (1(5 1<5). ^.Die court, unwilling to undertake the responsibility of ordering the death of the illusti ious captive, submitted the matter to the decision of the clei'gy, then in high council at the same city. 'J'heso worthies, less scrupulous than the laity, came to the con- clusion that his life must pay the foifeit of his attacks upon Uncas, and his general turbulence, not to mcutioa the fact that he had, in one instance, beaten a follower of a sachem who was allied to the English! The unfortunate sachem w'as therefere redelivered into the hands of the ^[oliegans for execution, and two of the English were appointed to attend the proceeding, and sec that ho was put to death without toi'ture. There is some discrepancy in the accounts as to the place where ]\[ianto- nimo met his fate, but it appears to have been in the township of Norwich, where a pile of stones was long after pointed out as marking his grave. The manner of his death was this : Uncas, with his brother, AVaAvequa, 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, Wawequa buried his tomahawk in the skull of the captive 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 urtimely end of their famous and beloved sachem, and comp^ lined of the treachery of Uncas, averring that large quantitii^s of wampum had been sent as ransom to the Mohegans, and Appropriated by them, regardless of the conditions attend- ing its mission. Pessacus, a brother of Miantonimo, continued to make 222 INDIAN RACES OF AMEIUCA. I I 1^ I troul)lesomo inroads upon tlic ^folic^^au doTnairis, but the English still held lliioas in favor, and warned the Narra- gansctts that they would support him slioukl he recpiire their aid. In 1()4J, the complaints and mutual recriminations of the rival tribes were heard and examined by the commissioners of ;Iic col(>nies, who decided that Pessacus had n(jt proved liis eharges, and enforced a temporary treaty. This was soon violated by the Narragansetts, who continued their de])re- dations as heretofore; and in the ensuing s|)ring, Pessacus, having done great damage to his opponent by pred-".tory excursions, filially besieged him in a foi't on the Thames, where he would probal)ly have reduced him by famine, had not supjilics been secretly furnished by certain of the English. The tyranny and exactions of Uncas over the l^equots who had become subject to him, aroused their indignation; while his treachery towards his own people, and alliance with the whites, secured him the hostility of every neigh- boring tribe, lie was engaged in perpetual quarrels with Ninigret, a celebrated Nehantic sachem; with Sequassen, whose authority at an earlier date extended over the ^J\mxis tribe, at the westward of the Connecticut; and with the grieved and revengeful Narragansetts. AVhenever tliese interminable disputes were brought before the court of the New England commissioners, the decisions of that body appear to have favored the Mo- hegan. Assisted by the counsel of a crafty and subtle Indian, named Foxun or Poxen, who served him in the capacit}'' of chief advocate and adviser, and whose wisdom and sagacity were widely noted, he generally managed to explain away his iniquities; at least so far as to satisfy an audience already pre j udiced in his favor. When his crimes were not to be concealed, a reprimand and caution were generally the extent of his punishment. On the other hand, when suspicions arose againsMlie Nar- "fVinfT** INDIANS oi" .\i;\v' J':x(;f.axd. 223 ra^aiif^cUSj tlio most ])roin[)t iuid violent })rocc('(Iiii<:-s were iTSortod to: tlu^payincntorun iiiinu'iise amount ol' wampum was exacted; the delivery oi" hostages IVom among tlio principal peo})lc of the ti'ibg was dcmand(Ml; and threats of wai' and extermination were used to humble and humil- iate them. in September, lOryo^ a few of the scattered Pcquots 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 sclf-eonstitutcd sachems, one eonunonly called Robin Cas- shiament. a Pe(piot, and the other Cushawashet, a nc})hew of Ninigrct, kncnvn among the Engbsh as Ilermon Garret. 'fliey had formed small settlements upon the tract now allotted to them, which they Avcrc allowed to retain upon payment of tribute, in wampum, to the colonies, and the adopt'on of a prescribed code of laws. Their governors were to be chosen by the English; and Cushawashet and Cassinament received the first appointment. It will rea(bly be perceived to what an extent the power and control of the colonists over the all'airs of the Indians in tiieir vicinity, had increased, even at this early period. The natives were now glad to settle down under the i)rotec- tion of their masters; to pay yearly tribute as amends for former hostilities; and to hire the lands of which they had been co sbort a time previous the undisturbed possessors. It is pitiful to read of the coarse coats, the shovels, the hoes, the knives, and jcAVs-harps, in exchange for which they had parted with their broad lands. Utterly improvi- dent, and incapable of foreseeing, or hopeless of averting the ascendancy of the whites, they yielded to their exac- tions, and submitted to their dictation. 1_- ^ ?■■■ ? . ..:-*. T •'?-' 1-: ., (■!:■■ }'i 'M I I • 1 n i'l "w ■; ,M$ ^1 i ■ ;i •'i: .':»-'. "'^a ■ , :^' ,|n;;'M .- V- < ;, ; ,:,U., '--Mb-™ 1". ; 1% ■|S| ' ' '^-^^#l^iH : '-■■^ ^ii^ ■,1 .:*- .J ■■■^■ "'/.*>■ •'•pBH r -,, ■' .'V.-v ii-VaftfeS . 4 ..: ■' • ■•/■' iliHB 'mS^ I#" ; I II 221 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKllICA. Sauiitorini]^ indoleiuly ahout tlic sottlomonts, and wastinf^ tlicir oiuTgios by oxccjss in the use of tlio novel moans of cxcitcmoiit oH'cnHl l)y "strong waters," they lost mneli of that native pride, dignity, and .self-res])ect whieh distin- guished tliein Aviicn intereoursc with foreigners first eotn- mcnced. M'heir nnnibei's, whieh ai)|)ear to have been grossly exaggerated, even in tlieir most nourishing da}s, were rapidly diminishing; their game was becoming searoe; and the redncments and comforts of civilization, rude in- deed as compared to what now exists, ])rescntcd to tlu^ir eyes at the white settlements, only aggravated the con- sciousness of tlieir own j)overty and distress, '^^riie Tunxis and Podunk Indians, Avho inhabited either side of the Connecticut, in the vicinity of the English set- tlcmenls; the Quinnipiacs on the sound, where New IIa\ en now stands ; the Nehantics, to the eastward of the river ; and the feeble Pequot settioiiient, were subject to, or in efleet, under the control of the colonists: Uneas was their "iiiend and fast ally;" and the Narragansotts, though under susj)i- cion of various treachei'ous plans, were nominally at peace with the whites, and quelled by the terror of their arms. This condition of alfairs continued, with the cxc(^])tion of the great and final struggle between the colonists and the natives, known as Philip's war — to be detailed in a suc- ceeding ariiclc — until the death of Uncas, about the year 1682, lie left the title to his extensive domains involved in inextricable confusion. In consequence of deeds and grants from himself and liis sons Owenoco and Attawan- Lood, to various individuals among the white settlers, and for various ])urposes, the effect of which conveyances were probably unknown to the grantors, numerous contradictory claims arose. The same tracts were made over to difiei-eut persons; one grant would extend over a large portion of another; and, to crown all, Uncas, in the year Kk")!*, h:id aliened his whole possessions by deed, regularly witnessed, NEW ENOLAND IXDIAXS. 225 to Joliii Mason, of Norwicli. This conveyance was evi- dently intended by tlie saeliern merely to confer :i gcMicral ]K)\ver as overseer or trustee upon a man whom lie eon- «idei'cd as frienaly to liis interests, and whose kncnvlcduc^ would prove ii protection at^ainst the overreach inji,' of pio- posed j)urchnsers. AceordinLj to the Indian nnd(>rstaiid- ing of the transaction was the claim of ^fason and his heirs, who arrogated to themselves no further interest or authority than that above specified. The Connecticnl colony, by virtue of a general deed of "surrender of juris- diction," obtained from Mason, insisted on an unqualilied pro])erty in the whole domain. Owenoco succeeded his father as sachem of the Mohe- gaiis, and pursued a similar course to secure liis lands, conveying them to the sons of ^Nfason as trustees. His Indian im])rovidence and iiitem])erance 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 170-1, in order to settle the conflicting claims of the whites and In- dians, and to restore to the tribe the portions illegally obtained from them, a royal commission was obtained i'rom I'lngland, by some friends of the ^[oliegans, to examine and settle the disputed questions. The colony protested against the proceeding, denying the authority of the crown to determine upon the matter, and refused to appear before the commissioners. 'J'lic conduct of the case being ex partr^ a decision was given in favor of the Mohegans, restoring them to a vast extent of territory alledged to have been obtained from their sachems when intoxicated, or by other under-hand and illegal courses. From this decree the Connecticut colony aj)- [)ealed, and a new commission was granted, but with no decisive residt, and the case remained unsettled for more than half a century from the tin>e of its commencement. 15 1 1 1 1 ^k 1 m f 1 ill iiii H Bp^ '•'■■' 1 iff|;i^ . •'.''■} II :i N '• '>s:S* m 11 ■' ' r^ '\y'^. 1 ■ ■ .', 1 .1'l iiai-lii 1 I'WW/yrij I«l> ■'0 220 INDJAX RACKS OF AMERICA. Ovvcnoco lived to an adviuiced ugc, bocoiniiig, bofurchis death, a lielple.ss niendicant, and SLd)sisting, iu c(Mni)aiiy with his squaw, upon the hosj)itality of the neighboring settlors. His son Ca-sar was his successor as saeiu'in. Ben, the youngest son of IJncas, of illegitimate birth, succeeded Caesar, to the exclusion of the rightful heir, young Mamohet, a grandson of Owcnoco. Mason now renewed his claims, and, accompanied by liis two sons, carried Mamoliot to p]ngland, that he might ]U'esent a new petition to the reigning monarch. A new commission was awarded, but both the applicants died beibrc it was made out. When the trial finally came on in 1738, distinguished counsel were employed on both sides, in anticijiation of an arduous and protracted contest; but by a singular course of collusion and artifice, which it were too tedious to detail, the d(?cision of 1705, on the lirst commission, was repealed, and the Connecticut claims supported. This was appealed from by the Masons, and good cause appearing, a new trial was decreed. Five commissioners, men of note from New York and New Jersey, met at Norwich in the summer of 1743, and the great case brought in auditors and parties in interest from far and near. The claims, and the facts offered in sup})ort of them, were strangely intricate and complex: counsel appeared in behalf of four sets of parties, viz: the Connecticut colony; the two claimants of the title of Sachem of the Mohegans, Ben and .Tolin, a descendant of the elder branch; and those in possession of the lands in question. The decree was in favor of the colony, which was sus- tained on the concluding examination of the case in Endand. Two of the commissioners dissented. The Afohegans still retained a reservation of about four thou- sand acres. Their number reduced to a few hundred; distracted bv NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 227 tlic unecrtiiin tenure of their property, and the ehiims of the riviil suchenis; iiiin<^UMl with the wliites in contentions, the r erits of whicli ihi'y were little ciipiihle of cornpre- Ik-ikUu^; with di-mikeiiness and vice prevalent anujnf^ tlieni; the tribe was fust dwindling into insigriili(;ance. Restrictive laws, forbidding the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians, were then, as now, but of little elfect. Of the celebrated and warlike tribes of the Mohegana and Pequots, only a few miserable families now remain upon their ancient territory. These are mostly of mixed blood, and little of the former character of their race is to bo\vdt'r and shot they liave surli nbundaneo th;it soinetitnes they reluse to bny more. I'liiits, 8crc\v-|>lates, and moulds Cor all sorts of shot thoy have, and skill how to n, e theni. 'I'hoy can mend and new stock llieii- pieces as wiill, almost, as an Mn^lishman." lie describes tlu; advantages which they thus oljtaim^d over the whites in the pui'suit oC garru^; their own con- sciousness of power, and ])oasls that they could, when they plc>ased, "drive away the Mnglish, or kill them;" and iinally bri'aks out into bitter upbi'aidings against the folly and covctousiujss of llu; traders who had suj)plied them with arms. His foi'cbodings were truly prophetic: "Many," says he, "abhor this })ractice," (the t'.adc in arms and ammunition,) "whose innocenct; will not save them if, which God forbid, they should come to sec, ]»y this means, some sad tragedy, when these lieathen, in their fury, shall crucdly shed our innocent blood." The Knglish settlements were small, ill defended, and widely scattei'cd. Whoever is acfpiainted with the rough nature of the New Kngland soil, must at once perceive how necessary it became tor the first settlers to select the spots most favorable for cultivation, and what an inhos- pitable wilderness nmst have separated their small and ill-protected villages. The whole number of the Eurojiean iidiabitants of New Kngland, in KiTo, when the memorable Indian war broke out, has been comi)utcd at about fifty thousand, which -would give an eU'ectivc force of not far from eight thousand men. It were but wild conjecture to attempt a computation of the number and foi'ce of the native tribes who took part in the war. Old historians frequently speak positively, and in round numbers, when cnumei'ating the aborigines; L: 230 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. Il» but, in many instances, we can perceive, with tolerable certainty, that they ha'^c been guilty of gross exaggeration, such as the whole circumstances of their intercoui'se with the savages would naturally lead to. An enemy whose ap])eai'ance was sudden and unex- pected; who, in secret ambuscade or midnight assault, used every device to increase the terror and bewilderment of their victims, might well be over estimated by those whose, all was at stake, and who were waiting in fearful uncertainty as to where the danger lay, or when they shouhl next be called to resist it. In 1662, I'hilip, Metacomet or Pometacom, as we have ali'cady seen, succeeded his brother Alexander, within a few months of the death of their father, Massasoit. U])on the occasion of his assuming the dignity of sachem over the Wampanoags, there was a great collection of sachems and warriors from all parts of the countiy, to unite in a feast of rejoicing at JSfount Hope, where he held his court. Although the new chief renewed his treaty with the English, and for nine years after his accession made no open demonstrations of hostility, yet his mind a{)})ears from the first to have been aliened from the intruders. Whether from anger at the proceedings attendant on the death of his brother, or from sympathy with his injured allies, the Narragansetts, or that his natural sagacity sug- gested to him the ruin which must Jail u})on his peo})le bv the spread of the whites; certain it is that his feelings of enmity were nijurished and brooded over, long before their iinal exhibition. Like his flither before him, he never inclined an ear to the teachings of the Christian religion. Mather mentions a signal instance o^ his contempt for tins species of in- struction. The celebrated preacher, Eliot, had expounded the doctrines of Christianity, and urged their acceptance upon Philip, with his usual zeal and sincerity; but the r'T NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 231 saclicm, approacliing liim, and laying hold of a button on his coat, told -liiin that he cared no more for his Gospel than for that button. In the year 1671,- riiilip made grievous complaints of trespasses U})on the planting-lands of his })eople: according to Hubbard, "tlie devil, who was a murderer from the beginning, had so filled tlie heart of tliis savage miscreant with envy and malice against the English, that he was ready to break out into open war against the inhabitants of Plj'mouth, pretending some trilling injuries done him in his })lanting-land." This matter was for the time settled, the complaints not apjiearing to the colonial authorities to be satisfac- torily substantiated. A meeting was brought about, in April, 1671, at Taunton, between Philip, accom])anit'd by a party of his warriors, in war jniint an;htincss of his own heart," but renewed his submis- sion to the king of England, and agreed to sui-rendcr all his English arms to the government of New Plymouth, "to be kept as long as they should see reason." In })ursu- ance of this clause, the guns brought by himself and the party who were with him were delivered up. The colonists, now thoroughly alarmed, made eiforts during; the succeedim^ summer to dei)rive the neighl)c>i'iiig tribes of arms and amnumition, making further prohibitory enactments as to the trade in these articles. Philip having failed to carry out his agreement to suri'ender his wea})ons, the Plymouth government referred the matter to the authorities of ^^iussachusetts; but Philip, rc|)airing himself to Boston, excited some feeling in his favor, and the ■i AV 2o2 INDIAN RACKS 01'^ AMKHICA. W , t I ,1 ^;1 ii» ! i claims of Plymontli \v<'i-(' not Ciilly assiMilcil to. Anotlioj- tr(>aiy was coucIikIciI in the riisuing SeptciiiLcr, wlici'cliy I'lii lip agreed to jiay certain sti])iilatcd costs; to considci- liinisril' sul)Ject to the kin,L^" ol" Kng-laud ; to consult ihe i;'o\'ernor of IMynionth in the dis])osal of his lands, a> ihe making ol' war; to ivnder, if practical ikv live ilso wolves heads \earlv; '.md to I'efe dill (luiei'ences ami causes < )f 11 I ijiiaii'i'l to the decision of the governor. I'he arms put in ' possession of tlic Knglish at the time of the meeting in i A[)ril, wei'c declared ibileil, and coinlscatcd by the Ply- ' month .u'o\'ei'innent. • I ■ can be hut litt!(> doid)t as to Philip/s motive for ': ck's. ]'"eelings of cnmitv and i'e\rnu(> ' Tl lere siu'ihul;' these art towards the whites had obtained complete ])ossession of h inn, and lie evulently wished mei'cJy to quK>t suspirmii and a\('rt in(p;ii'y. It is almost universally allowed tl lai tte he had long foi'nuMJ a de([) and settled ])lan to extenniii; the white settlers, and, in pui'suanco of it, had made use lis [)owers of artful ])ersnasion iu his interconise oi al with the sui'romiding tribes, ^riie time foi- a L;-en<'i'al nn- . ' ' ' ri.-iiig was said to have been fix"d a year later than the period when hostilities actually commenced, and the jire- mature development of the (Conspiracy, broiiglit about in 11 manner to which we shall pri'sently adveit, lias bceu ) c(;nsidcrc( ! j ! I 1 the salvation of lie colonies. Hubbard, indec'd, who is ever unwilling to allow that the Indians wei d of I'c possesseil ot any goou or desn-ihle (piah ties, ai id who can see no wroiii ^ in any of the outrages o r tiie whiles, suggests that Philip's heart would have l;iilc(l liim, had he not been ju'essed on to the imdcrtaking bv fore(> of circumstances. He tells us that, when tl sachem siU'cuinbe(l to du; l-higlish demands, jire\ious, "one of his captains, of fir better le a'l'cat III Ih c Shrill! coui'a'.!(' aih I rcsi lintioii than himself, w hci 1 he saw his ct)ward!y temper and disposition, Hung down his arms, calling him a white- s: in l< I V (; i> II I L 1 1>, ■l; .•I iU's , (• ('•"V-WI *1 (f V|1' ^'■^^•:.:[il ',.; .:i "r*^ AH I'* 1 1 Ji^'* I ! nov i tiiiii I' this ;| 1 i; fi^'M" i; ^^^> ' ' colo I ' to a i! ,1^^^' !' then : [ tion: |: T j • stru; •! out ! ' pr()\ :, the ■ i natit ! than leau'i ' nceti i : I ever I '' !; patd i enstc i I tliC s j thet ! I but, ii gena i I and ( ; tain : in th Th NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 2'^Q DO livercd cur '^r k' t.: t purpose, and saying that he would never own him again or fig] it under him; and, from tluit time, hath turned to the English, and hath continued, to this day, a faithful and resolute soldier in their quarrel." Philip had mingled much with the whites, and was \yA\ acquainted with their habits, dispositions, and force, j'or fifty years there had been comjiarative ]ieace between the colonists and their savage neighbors, w 'lO, although slow to adopt the customs and refiiiements now brought to their notice, were apt enough, as we have seen, in availing themselves of the weapons which ]uit the contending na- tions so nearl}'" upon terms of equality. To rouse a widely-scattered people to such a desperate struggle; to reconcile clannish animosities, aaiid to point out the danger of allowiiii?; the colonies to continue their sj)read, I'equircd a master-spirit. ^Flie Wampanoag sachem proved himself qualilied for the undertaking: he gained the concurrence and cr)opcration of the Narragansetts, a nation always more favorably disposed towards the iMigli.'h than most others of the Indian tribes; he extended his leairue far to the westward, amono; the tribes on the Con- nccticut and elsewhere; and sent diplomatic embassies in every direction. Six of his warriors, in the vSpring of 1675, were dis- patched to Sogkonate, now Little Compton, u])on the eastern shores of Narratransett bav, and extendinj); along the sea coast, to treat with Awoshonks, squaw sachem of the tribe, concerning the proposed uprising. The queen appointed a great dance, calUng together all her ])e()pl. 23-i INDIAN llACES OF AMERICA. !f a place in tlie list of our early military liorocs, Lad moved from Duxbury into the unsettled eountry of the Sogkonates oidy the year before, and was busily and laboriously en- gaged, at this time, in building, and in the numerous t-ares attendant upon a uew setth'ment. lie was a man of courage and fortitude unsur])?lssed: bold and energ(>tic; but With all the rough qualities of a soldier, ])ossessiiig a heart so o})en to kindly emotions and the gentler feelings of humanity as to excite our surjirise, when we eonsider the stern age in which he lived, and the scenes of savage conflict in which he bore so cons})ieuous a part. ^i'rue courage is geni'rally cond)ijied with generosity and magnanimity, '^fhe brave man S(>ldom oppresses a fallen foe; a fact ^rikingly exemplified in Church's treatment of his prisoners. lie seems to have harbored none of those feelings of bitterness and revenge which led the colonists to acts of perfidy and crut^lty liardlv surpassed by the savages themselves. Tlie manner in which he was able to conciliate the good-will of the IiuUans, knoAvn as he was among them for their most dangerous foe, is truly aston- ishing. It Avas his custom to select from his ca])tives such as took his fancy, and attach them to himself, and never was ofllcer attended by a more enthusiastic and faitliful guard than they proved. His son tells us that "if he perceived they looked surly, and his Indian soldiers called them treacherous clogs, as some of them Avould 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 nothing; these, in}' best soldiers, werc^, a little while ago, as wild and surly as you are now; by the time you have been but one day Avith me, you Avill hjvc me too, and be as brisk as any of them.' And it proA^d so, for there Avas none ol' them but, after they had been a little Avhile Avith him, and seen his behavior and how cheerful and successful his men KEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 235 vrere, would be as ready to pilot liiiii to any i)lace where tlic Indians dwelt or haunted, though their own fathers or nearest relations should be among them, or to light for him, as any of his own men." C'a|)tain Church was in high favor and confidence Avith Awoslionks and her tribe; he therefore accepted her in\i- tation to attend at the dance, and started for the camp, accompanied by a son of his tenant, who spoke the In- dian language. Jle 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 Thilip's threats, and inquired concerning the purposes of the English. Church told her that no injuries had been meditated by the whites, as Philip averred, but that the sachem was the aggressor, lie advised her to keep upon good terms with the 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 ambassadcn-s by ]'econmiending 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 capti^i i was unmoved, and upbraided the Mount Hopes for tlieir bloody intention, assuring them that, if they would have war, he would prove a thorn in their sides. Awoslionks 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. CliLirch started on his mission, and, on the way, gained i'urther information concerning Ph"li])'s movements irom l\'t(^r Nunnuit, the husband of AVeetamore, queen of Po- casset, now Tiverton. Phili]i, it seems, had been holding a protracted dance for a number of weeks, rousing a mar- :^ '\:r'i • ■ :. ,. r^ * 1 i -.-■'''■ ■ ■' ^^it :..| * ■ ■ -: .••'■■ '"*■ ' ■; ' . r . .*} p.'-. ' - . .','1 .i;4 {> iv- ■ ' ^iH .■ i" «,- ".' >• ' ■ vtmh r" ii» 2o0 IXIJIAX HACKS OF AMEltlCA. tial si)irit in tlio ininds of llic young warriors avIio wore gathered about liini fi'orii far and near. Ho liad finally promised tlunn that, on the succeeding Sabbath, ilmy iiiiLi;ht ])liiiider the English settlements, wliile the people were engaged in religious services. We may iiere mention a circumstance whieli was con- sidered, by Hubbard and others, as luiving an im[)ortant beai'ing u[)on the jireinature eonnnencement of hostilities ^u the •• irt of Pliilip: this was the murder of John Sas- fc. 'O ., rid the subse(pient execution of the guilty parties. b,.\ •.fUi'j' was one of the few Indians who, at tliat time, had ^cived die rudiments of an Kngbsh education, lie was a professoi' of Christianity, and had been employed among his people in the cajxicities of schoolmaster, jireacher, and royrd secretary'. In 1()()2, lie occupied this latter post under Philip, to whom he was subject, although born a Massaehusett — and si)ecimcns of his imperfect eonununi- cations with the colonies, in behalf of his sachem, are still preserved. Bccomin ■; aware of the dangerous conspiracy fomented by Phili]), lie disclosed the whole plot to the oflicei-s of the colony; and, not long after, his body was found in Assa- wornsett pond, with the neck broken, and pi'csenting oIIkt marks of violence. Ills gun and hat were so disposed ns 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 rhili})'s jiarty. falling under suspicion, were regularly tried before a Jury, in ]-»art at least of their peers, as it was com})osed of whites and Indians. '^I'he culprits were convicted and executed, two of them upon what would aj)])ear to us as very insuf- lieii^nt evidence. IMather speaks of the blood oozing IVoiii the murdered body on the a])proach of the accust'd; but whether this circumstance made a jiart of the evidence beibre the court does not a])pear. NEW EXOLAND INDIANb. 237 Philip liiinsclf did not come forward to attempt to clear bimseli' of tlic cliari^e of l)ein<^ coneenied in lliis murder, but kejit liis wairiors in ])reparatiou f(jr l)attle, receiving and entertaining all the roving and unsettled Indians who would resort to him, aiul "marching up and down" con- tinually during the pendancy of the trial. CHAPTER V. ATTACK ON SWANSKY — COLLECTIOX OF TUOOPS — FIGl'" AT MILEs' BRIDGE PHILIP DRIVEN FROM THE NKCK CHb. '11 .'..., PUNKATESE DESTRUCTION OF RROOKFIE ). It was on the 24th of June, 1075, that m^ irst open attack was made upon the colonies. The small village of Swansey lay within a few miles of ^foiint ;^ .^ and hero the first blood was shed. Some days previous, a Ynwty of the natives had committed a few slight depredations at this place, and conducted themselves with insolence, evidently desirous of provoking a quarrel. The squaws and children of Philip's active force Averc sent, for safety, to the country of the Narragansetts, before any open demonstration of hostilities. Some little discrepancy occurs in the early accounts of the first fatal attack, but it is certain that, on the day above mentioned, eight or nine men were killed in diflbrent parts of Swansev. A company returning from religious exer- cises, "in a way of humiliation," were fired upon with fatal effect, one being killed and several wounded. Two more, who had started in quest of a suvgeon, were slain, scalped and mangled; and six men were killed at a dwellingdiouse .situated in another part of the settlement. l''rom this period all was terror and confusion. Swan- n n i I I I 1 1 .Li ' '■■n'T 0^4: ■■ 'I ^ r4 k 41 -,t ' . ^A V',l ki!i 238 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. if (#» sey was deserted l>y its iiiliiibitants, and mostly reduced to ashes by the Indians. Deputations were st-nt to Boston, to lay the case belore the Massaehusetts authorities, and to stjlieit some prom{)t and eilicient protectiou in this ter- rible emergeney. A i)arty of horse and foot were at once dispatched in the direction of Mount Hope, under the command of Cap- tains Henchman and Prentice. Samuel Mosely, a bold and martial character, who had pursued the callin V **J 210 INDIAN HACKS OK AMKlllCA. ',,! into the country of tlio J'ocjis.sots. A fttT sonio unancccssCnl nttonij)' , .o outrii|) tlicM'nciny !>}' tn(>iins ('('iiMilmscjidc, [\\u' c'oiiccaK'd t'()iiij);niy Ix'in.i:' bctrjivftl liy incautiously ^^I'lili- lyinany becoming alarmo«l by tliu nnmbci's ol' rattlesnakes which abounded there, h'l't tht; track, and went down into I'unkatese neck. At (his |>lafe, which is situated on the south-westei'n partofthc! modern town ol' Tiverton, they encountered a large; body of tht; natives in and around a j)ease-lield of Captain Aim v. They nund)ered, as Church was alU-rwards told by some of tluiirown party, about three hundred; but, as they ])U?'sned the usual course oi' saviige warlare, iiring from behind ti'ees and thickets, the English could i'orm no estimate of the Ibree with which they were to contend. In this extremity the courage, coolness, and self-posses- sion of the gallant eai)lnin wei-e eminently conspicuous. As forcibly expressed in Church's narrative, "tiie 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 su})}H)rt the troops on land, and could be plaiidy seen, landed upon the llhpde Island shore, across the river. Church bade liis men strip to their shirt-sleeves, and lire sigiud guns to attract attention, and show their allii's that the party engaged was English. ^J'his course succeeded, ami a boat put out, and api>roached the combatants; bnt, on a])proac.hing the shore, the crew received such a volley I'rom the guns of the Indians, that they })ulled olf again. Church, enraged at their j)usillanimity, linally ordt^red the boat oil", and threatenwl to lire into her himself. TJiese 'I 1 1 NEW KNflT-ANI) INDIANS. 211 fow men, tliiis Icfl to sliifl. for tluniisolvcs, now sootned to 1)0 in ft (Icsjicrato (condition. 'IMu^y wcru liiiiit lor want of food, as tli(\v luul iK'^lcctctl to luiiitij any ]iro\ isions, otlnT than a few cakes of rusk, and lia jM'aso-lit'Id while (Midcavniini^ to alhiy their hun<^or with th(; crude nonrishnient within their reach. Tho Indians beset tlieni on all sides, and, {^ainin^ jtossi-ssion of tli(i ruins of an old stone-house, j)onr(>iI their hullets upon tho Kiiglish (Vom its shelter, 'i'he anununition of Church's jxirty was nearly expended, and their powder was poor and iueirutieiit. In the midst of these (Itl'ieultic's, the eaj)tain succeeded in preservin.t^ the coura;.^o and spirit of his men, pointinf:^ out to them liow providentially the balls aoomed to 1)1! directed. They were finally reli(ive(^. from their perilous situation by the arrival of u sloop of Captain (ioldiiij.'', an ac(|uaint- ancc of Church. Moorinuj the vessel at a short distance, he cast oil' a canoe, and sulTered it to drive ashore. In this slight vehicle, which would cai-ry but two at a time, the wlK)le of the })inty got off to tlu^ sloop, by a r(>p(!titit>n of the same opc'ration. (Jliurch, 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. AV'^Ikju 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 encani])ment at Mount Hope, where the an V, as Church averred, "lay still tt) cover the ])eoplo from nobody, while they were building a fort for nothing." Shortly after this, being uj)on Jihode Islaiul, in pursuit of su))pli(^s for th(! garrison. Church fell in with Aldennaii, a deserter from the forces of Weetamore, queen of ''ocio- 16 .1 <• I \ i] 11 ! :> , ■ , (a . M ',■*'■■'■ H^! ■< .1 .-'■-rtv'-"* :>4 4'. •■ •- ■^ ■ v-ii .,■ 5^ i .i;0 . t. i;..-;i J iiill 242 INDIAN RACES OF AMEUICA. rw |l» sot. By conversation with tliis Indian, he learned thn precise spot at wliieli the squaw sachem was encampt i], and, in pursuance of his suggestion, an expe(htion was inunediately set on foot against her. The attenijit termin- ated in an unimj)ortant skirmisli; the chief oHiccr of tlio riymoutli men being timid, and the Indians retiring to a swamp of dilhcult access. On the 18th 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- inatiitn of the Indians' place of retreat, the forces were di'awn oif, having sustained considerable loss by the iiro of tlie lurking enemy. It was averred, indeed, by some, that iialf an hour more of energetic pursuit would have secured Philip, and ]ierhaps have ended the war. One hundred newly-erected wigwams Avere found deserted in the vicinity of the swamp; and an old man, who had been left behind in the prcei])itate retreat, confirmed the suppo- sition that Philip had but lately fled from the camp. Not far from this time, the town of Dartmouth having iK'cn, in great measure, destroyed by the enemy, a large number of Indians, no less than one hundred and sixty, A\ ho had dwelt in the country thereabout, and were not active partakers in the dc>struetion of the town, delivered themselves up to one Captain Eels, upon promises of good treatment. They were, nevertheless, taken to Plymouth; sold by the colonial authorities as slaves; and transpoi'tod to foreign parts. Captains Church and Eels made, upon this occasion, the most vehement remonstrances, expressed by Church with his characteristic energy and spirit; but all to no purpose, as it only secured him the ill-will of the government. The act was grossly impolitic, as well an perfidious and cruel. The English entertained hopes of being able to confine Philii) within the limits of the swamp to which he ha/I .;j NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 24;j retired, aiv.i proceeded to erect another fort at Pocasset; an exp-'du'iit which 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 the people of llehoboth, 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 Hencliman, accompanied by Owenoco, the son of Uncas the Mohegan, and a considerable band of warriors. Un- cas had sent this detachment to Boston, upon the summons of the Massachusetts authorities, to renew his assurances of good fliith, and proffer 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 Wampanoag. Coming up with a portion of the enemy, a sharp engagement ensued, and about thirty of Philip's warriors were killed, but the Afo- hcgans stopping for plunder, the principal force escaped, and from that time were no more seen by the pursuers. Henchman returned with his men to the eastern colonics, while the Mohegans took their way southward to their own country, leaving Philip to pursue his course towards the Hudson, and to rouse up the war among the western settlements of Miissachusetts. The Nipmucks, a large tribe inhabiting the north-east- ern portion of the present state of Connecticut, and the adjoining Massachusetts 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 14th of July, and a « I |! 'I ,*■' a* 2U ■ I INDIAN RACES OF AMEJtICA. .lumber of men killed by shots from an unseen enemy. The whole of the inhabitants deserted the i)lace in terror, and it was redueed to ashes by the assaihmts. '^Phe eolonies attempted, after tliis, to treat with the Nipmnek saeliems, but found them reserved and "surly." A meeting was, however, ai)})ointed between them and an endxissy froin the Massaehusetts government. Captains AV'ieeler aiul JIutehinson, with a eonsiderablc body of mounted men, re})aired to the })lacc of meeting at tlie time designated, viz: the 2d of August; but, instead of coming forwaid infrieiunyconfercnce, the Indians, to the number of two or three hundred, formed an ambuscade, and, firing sud- denly from their cover, killed eight of tlie whites at the lii-st discharge. Hutchinson was killed and Wheeler wounded. The compan_y, avoiding tlie other spots where they sus- pected the enemy to be lying in and)ush, made the best of their way to Brookfield, a solitary village iiear the ]n"ineipal head-quarters of the Nipmucks. The Indians, in great numbers, pursued them into the town. They foiuid the terrified inhabitants collected in a single house, which stood on a rising ground, wheie they had fortified themselves as well as possible, upon such aii emer- gency, by piling logs and hanging feather beds against the walls. AVlieelcr and his comi)anioiiS also entered the house, and the savages, after burning all the buildings in the town, Vv^ith the exception of a few immediately adjoin- ing that where the whites had retreated, laid close siege to 'vi'e frail fortification. Seventy people, including women and :;hildrcn, were here crowded together, with such slight delcnccs as we have mentioned; while an enraged and n;- morseless enemy was pouring showers of bulhits through the walls, and using every endeavor to fire the house. 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 against the walls. From the u NP:W EXCILAXI) INDIANS. 215 afternoon of ^fonday the 2(1 of August, till Wcducsdny evening, these assaults eontinued; and, as a last att(Mu|»t, the besiegers loaded a cart with hemp and other inflaia- maV>le materials, and hinding together a number of poles, so attached to the vehicle that it could be moved from a s;i(e distance, wheeled it blazing against the building. This was in the evening, and, according to Wheeler's account, noth- ing could have })reserve(l the unfortunate innuites, liad not a heavy shower of rain suddoidy extinguished the burning mass. In the words of Hubbard, by "this develish strata- gem," but for the rain, "all the poor peo})lc would either have been consumed by merciless flames, or else have fall- en into the hands of their cruel enemies, like wolves con- tinually yelling and gaping for their prey." To exclude all assistance from without, the Indians had placed watchers and ambuscades upon all sides ol' the town ; but Major Willard, who had been dispatched against the Indians west of Groton, hearing of the ])robablc condi- tion of Brookfield, marched to its relief, and succeeded in ellecting an entrance to the fortilied house on this same night. lie had with him ferty-six men, but it is said that, as they passed through the ruins of the town, a large num ber of terrified cattle, who had not been destro^^ed in i\ni conflagration, followed theni for protection; and that, in the darkness, the Indians were deceived by this circum- stance, a^ to the number of the party, and accordingly drew off their forces earl}' the next morning. They re- tinal to a swamp, twelve miles distant, where they met Philip with a band of his warriors. Only one of the whites was killed on this occasion, while the Indians lost, it is said, nearly eighty. A garrison was maintained at the only remaining liouse for some months, but was finally drawn off, the building Was burned by the savages, and the town left entirely desolate. ,» • n .' • ; 'J ■■ > , 1 ,; f y ■ji^' •(I t , ■ r ■ ! ■ tV'.':,- ' h^H^^MIi^^taM. ■ vHt»^^J V .v:i ":'S ;M V '■ 216 INDIAN ItACES OF AMEJiiUA. CUAPTKU VI. PHILIP MOVES WKSTWAKI) — ATTACKS ON HAD ,KY AND DEERFIKI-.t — GOFFE THE REGICIDH DESTRUCTION uF LATHltOP's COMMAND ASSAULTS ON Sl'HIN(iFIKLU AND IIATKIKI.D EXPKDITiOM AGAINST THE NARKAGANSETTS : OUTIiAGEOlJS CRUEL- TIES IN THKIR REDUCTION FlIlLTP ON THE HUDSON DESTRUCTION OF LANCASTER, MEDFIELD, SEE- KONK, GROTON, WARWICK, MARLHOROUGH, ETC. CANONCHKT TAKEN AM) I'UT TO DEATH FURTllKH INDIAN RAVAGES. 'm u> "All dii'd — till! Wiiiliiijj^ babe — the slirirkiiiiT maid — And in tlie Hood of firo tliat scathed the glade, The root's went down." — Bryant. "We can do little more, in continuing tliis accourt of Indian ravages, than enumerate the towns and scttlei..ents destroyed, and the little communities niassacrt'd or driven from their homes in utter destitution. The terrible uncertainty whicli attended these calamities rendered them tlie more distressing. No one could tell, for many months from this time, where Philip was to be found, or at wh;tt point he meditated the next attack. lie continued his westw: ,.' progress, as is supposed, ne;irly tc the lIud--on, tlu'vUigh he Mohegan country. Jle 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. Mosely and others in vain scoured the country in pur- suit of the Indians. The enemy, neglecting agriculture, and deserting tlieir usual haunts, concealed themselves in swam|")S and thickets, retiring unperceived at the approach of regular trooj)s, and ever ready to take advantage of any weak and unprotected quarter. NEW EXGLANJ) INDIANS. 217 Tlie Indians in tlio vicinity of IT;ullf!y and SpiiiiLiTirld. on tlio Connecticut, wvw relied \\\u)]\ by tlie ^\■lllles ii.s friendly and well-dis{)Oscd; but ere Kmg it was suHicieiitly plain that tlioy had inad(! coninion cause wilh IMiili]». On the 1st of Soj)tcnd)er, lladh^y and I>eerlield \\ei'e both fiercely assaulted, mid the latter town in i^reat iiie;!s- ure destroyed. At Jladley tlie TiMlians were diiveu oil' after mueli hard fightini:'. The inhabitants were en;^;;;ivd in religious exorcises at the nieetinu'diouse, with ai'ms, a? usual, by their sides, when the Indians eaine upon thein. So sudden and desperate was the attack, that lhey liccauie confused, and might hav(^ been totarv diseomhted, but for a strange and unlooked-fir champion. I'his was an old man, with white and flowing locks, and unusual et.stunie, who ap})eared from some unknown (pnrter, and at oneo assumed the command of the panic-stricken coi gr<';jition. With military skill and coolness he diivcted every ma- no'uvri', and so reestablished iheii* C(Uilidene'e and spirit, that til'' enemy wfis speedily put to llight. He disappeaivd innn(Mliately after the engagement, and many of the aston- ished inhabitants were i)ersuar their deliverance. The old wari'ior was no otluu* than ^fajor-general Goi'.b, who, with his companion, Whalley, lay foi- a longtimt> con- cealed at the house of Mv. Kusseli, the minister of Ifadley, Ten men were killed at Xorthfield aboet \\^\^ tina^ and a ])arty of thirtj'-sik, under a Captain V» s, who hiid been scut to relieve the town, Avere nearly all cut otf by an auibush. ^J'hc bodies were mutilated, and the heads srt on jioles. "One, (if not nior(>,") says Hubbard, "was found with a chain hooked into his under ! w, and .so hung up on the 1)ough of a tree, (it is feared he was hung up ;ili\ i\") Several thousand bushels of corn had been stored at Deerfield, and a company of nearly one hundred young men, "the flower of the countrv," under the command of I ('?^i(iwi : . ^i\ !«?, 248 INDIAN RACES OK AMKKICA. ■.\^ u» a youtlif'ul and ;.;;ill;iiit o/liccr, Cnjjlain Latlirop, rnaivlieJ to secure it. Oil llicir wa}'', an immense body of Indians fi-11 nj)on tliohi, and slew nearly llie Avliole party; among l!ie rest, ilie brave cDnmiaiidcr ; only seven or eiglit sm-- vIvimI. Tills defeat is attributed to the circumstance tliat Latlirop, aware (;f' tlic; disadvantages which a com}>act b() body joined the hostile confederacy, with those of Jfadley, "hanging together like serpent's eggs." '\l\o town of S})ringiield received gi'cat injury from tlM'ir attack, more than thii-ty liouscs being burned; among the rest, one containing a "brave library," the finest in that part of the coantry, which belonged to tin; Rev. IVlaliah Glover. Hubbard considers that this act "did, more than any other, discover the said actors to be the children of the devil, full of allsubtilty and malice," as they had been ujion friendly terms with the whites for more than forty years. On the IDth of October, sevcMi or eight hundred of rhili})'s Coadjutors made an attemj^t upon Hatfield; but, the place being well defended, by !^[osely and otheis, the enemy "were so well entertained on all hands, that they found it too hot for them." This was the last important engagement at the westward part of the colony. Most of rhi]i]t's men are su))jx)scd to have betaken themselves, before winter, to the Narra- guMsett country; and whether the great sachem himself remained concealed among them during that season, oi L ^ — -■--. :_.J (If 'I r^ rr" NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 2-19 wfindorcd. to the west, iKilcliiiig now plots in the vicinity of the IFudson, is not certainly known. The condition of" the hostile Indians, notwithstandin.;^ their signal successes, must by this time have become snlliciently miserable. Living almost exclusively upon animal food; ill protected from the inclemencies of the weather; and continually shifting their quartei-s, it is surprising that they should so long have retained their energy and fixedness of purpose. In September' of this year, 107"), the commissioners of the united colonics of Plymouth, Connecticut, and ^^assa- chnsotts, being in session at Boston, concluded arrangements by which the v;ar should be jointly and systematically piosccut(Hl. One thousand men were to be levied and cpiippcd; the proportion which each colony should furnish being settled according to their comparative populaticni II nd ivsourccs. On the 2d of Novomb(M' it was agreed, by the same li.)dy, that an advlitiom.l force should be raised, and active measures be taken against the Narragansetts. The reasons allcdged for attacking this tribe were, that the stipulation made by those sachems, who had treated with the colonies to deliver up all of Philij^'s party who should take refuge at Narragansett, had not been fulfilled; but that women, ehihlron, and wounded men had been succored and received by tluMu! In addition to this, some of the tribe had ex- presstnl satisfaction ujion hearing of the Indian successes at TIadley, and it was "credibly reported'' that they had killed and taken awav manv cattle from the neiu'hboring P^nglish. These, with a detention of a Mr. Smith and his family, for a short time, — no other harm being done the.in, — were all the ostensible grounds upon which a formidable nrmv Avas sent to exterminate the Narraii'an- setts with fire and swoi'd! No doid^t their sympathies were with those of their own 1 1 I --'^ 250 INDI \N i;.\('i;S OK AMKinCA. r;u'c, aiitl, linil llicy fully jniiH'(i tlic coiisiiirncy, tlic addition ; of so iiimnToiis a trilic In tli'' ciiciiiy iiii;;'lil- liavc Inriicd ' lli(' scale, and i-csidlcd in I lie annihilation ol'tlir whiles. #losias Winsl-iw, !j,()\('i'n(ii' of I'Kninulh eo|c.n\, wns | chosen edniniandei'-in-eliiel' of I he iMiLilish llu'ee. ('hnreli al. the retinest ol' W inslow , ji lined the exped it ion, allhtinnii ' lie woidd not aeeepl »•!' a comniissioii. A consideralilo ! \\ni\\ 111' M(i|ieu,ans, snlijeets ol' I'lieas, aeconipanied the ' detaelmienl IVoni Conneelient. | .Alter de.-l l•oyin^■ many deseited wiuwauis, and takin;;-;i ^ oonsidei'aMe nnndier of jirisoners in dcsnlloi'\' w ailinv, a 'nide was oh lained to piNil the in\aders to t le clilel jolt ol' the Nan';i;4ansetts. The eneani|>nient coN'ei'ed li\e op si\ aci'es o!' elcNatcil uronnd, lorniinL;' an island in die nii('si iA' ,111 e\teiisi\-e swaiiin. In addition to the nalni'nl iicfcnces ol' the jilae<\ the w noli' \ illa'fe was siirfoiinded l>y a stioiiu' ]>alisa. The Aviiiwanis wilhin, \o the iiiiMil>er ol' live oi- six huiuircd. Avcrc I'ciidered, to a ureal extent, linlli'l-pi-oof l>v piliii;.; up t iil>s (if Lirain ami of her stoi-(\'^ al>oui llic sides. I was i;]>on tln> l!Mh iA' l)eeemliei', earlv in the aCler- liooii, that the I'arulish llifces veaehe(l IJiis place of i-eti'eat. W itli d^el^Tinined and desperate eonrai^e llie\' laished to the attack. l'"i!e al'ler lile tA' .>pt I'rom the narrow bridLie l'\' the lire (if a ])ai'ty within, jiosli'd in a lo'j hut, iVom w liieli the njiju'oach was commandeih Tli(>y contiiuuMl to pi-c.^s on. and succeeded in drivini;' tlie Indians from lIiiscoviMl into the main inclosure. A scene ol UM-riMe eania,!^'e ensued for several lioni's: but the assailants steadilv i:aine(l uroniul. to til dnviiiL:' many o\ the (mumiiv into tlie swamp, ami co\cM'iiil' the area within with dead h^dit'S. Church. \\ ho had made an exciiision, with a small partv, into till' swani|», to attack the Indians in the rcnr, and wl ) I lO. NIOW KNOLANl) INDIANS. 2r>l jiftc!!' (loin^ <^(Mn\ Kcrvicc, was scvcicly woiwidcd in iho tlii;^!), Sfciii;; soiiu! ststlin;^ \\\v. to the \vl;^\v;iiiis, inmlo (itri'i'i nous ell* »rts to prevent llicir dt'stnu'tioii. Tlii- u r;ii Iht Wiis iiilciiscly t'oltl ; iii,ij,lit \v:is coining; on; luanv urtlic, tiMdps \\\'\v. (Icstituti; ul' provisions; u lienvy snow .-Inini wjis ln'oodinsj'; and sixtrcn miles nius t 1. ra\'erseil \>y tli(5 army, ene.uml)erud \)y tlu'ii* \vonnde(l, i)fH>ru lliey could reaeli shelter. He r('j)rcsonted all \\\<'>r, cireuni- stiUieos to tlu' e^ciicral, pointin;^ out the ad\ ;int:i!jes of ()l)tainin,L!; ])leiiti('ul supplies ol' I'ood, a!id a waiiii eM\cr wluM'e the wounded could recHUVi^ I'eipiisite atlenliou. \\\) will hope that some iee!''n,n's oC hmnanily towiirds the uiil'oi'tunate women and childreii, ".il!! which the huts were crowiled, lonncil a |)art ol'his motives lor this ;id\ice. 'The general inclined to Church's counsel, hut other oHicers, f'earimr that tln^ IiMlians woidd I'ldlv ami atlnclc tl imi in lorce, si lould the a.inv take um their ouiii'ti'i-: dT tlic nmlit, \('liement ly <'P1 )osc(j him, and the wnik ol sii'uctiou proeee(lc(|. Now was rccuac'ed the terrilije scene at the li^rt ol' the Pc(p.iots. (iroat iiumhcrs of old men, women and childi'cn wen; bui-ned alivt' in the hla/.iiiu' u i,L!,- wnms, or mercilessly slain :n their attempts to cscnpc. lluhhai'd, the reverend histoi'iiin of the indi;in wais, spcak.s of this "iirinij- of at least live or six 1 M 'CI siiio.'ik'v ceils, as loiiows: i i;( liid lUlKJrcd ol tlieir laiis were aoont lu'c ]iariii,L;' their dimiei' when "oui' sudden and unexpected assault put tluMu beside that, work', makiiii!; their cook- I'ooiu too hot I'oi' them at that lim(>, when they and their iiiitchin J'ried tv)gether; and ju-ohably s<^me of them cat tiicii" suiioers in a colder place that 'PI nmlit .M osl ol llieir provisions, as well as huts, l)eiii^q then eousumeil with lire and those that were left alive forccMl to hide then isel\-cs 111 a cedar swamp, not I'ar olV, wlicre thev had nothing' to do- lend them from the cold but bou,ij;lis of s])ru('e and piuG trees.'" The whole town was reduced to ashes; and, leav- i il i ■' ■■'<» w »4 t 1/ ■■v^ i T' •^li- 1j| r— 2r)2 INDIAN HACKS OF A.Mi:UICA. ii)fif tlic inclosurc a. smokinj;^ ruin, every where strewn with buriH'd and .nuin.i^'led c()ri)-<(\s, tlie jinny comuuimiccmI ji re treat, worn out by cold, fatigue and lnni.g'cr. Muny per- ished by tlio way, and many more must iiave died from starvation, but ft)r the njitiiiiate arrival at their reade/.voud of a vessel from ]*)oston witli ]>rovisions. Ki.u'hty of their nnmljcr were killed, and one hundred and lifty wounded in the en^-agenient. 1 besides au untold nund)er of llie ln'lph'ss oeeupauts of the wigwams who perished in the flames, it was suppos(!d that not far frcjiu three hundred Fiidian warriors were slain ouli'ight, and seven hundred wounded, of whom iti;iiiy (UimI from expo- sure during the storm and cold of that t(,'i'riblo night. ^fost of the survivors of the lrii)C fled to the Nij)nuicka, after some ineonelusive negotiativ)n for peace with the I'aig- lish. ^riie old sachem Ninigret seems to have been inclined to mnlco tci'ms, but Canonicus, or Canonchet, a .-on of Mian- toninio, and a brave and energetic ehief, luHiiished ihc most unyielding hostility towards the destroyer of his ju'Dple. On the 10th of Jaiuniry, an Indian was found concealed in a barn, "but after he was bi-ought to the luMd-tpiarters" (in the words of Ilubbai'd) '*he would own nothing but what was forced out of his mouth by the icooldlinj of /ua head >r!lJi a ivnl, wherefore he was presently judged to die, as a Wampanoag." One Tift, an Knglish renegade, who had joined the Tn dians, married one of their women, and assisted them in their battles with the whites, was taken and put to death. Winslow, in the latter part of January, })ursued the Narragansetts into tlie Nipmuek country, whither they had fled, committing divers dcjiredations on the route, and killed about seventy of those whom he could come up with. The larger portion, however, succeeded in joining the forces of the ]Si})mueks, while the English were com- pelled to return to the settlement for want of ])]-ovisions. ■ r'li r-q NEW KNOIiAXI) INDIANS. zoo Vh\U[) W supposed to liavc fleil about tliis tiiru,' as far wost as the Uiulsou river, where, it i.s said, "tin; Mi)lia;4-.s (Mohawk's) inado a descent iqx)!! him, and killed iiiai;}- of his inen, whicli moved him lioiii theiiee." Some an- tliors, notwithstjiidiiig, speak of him as having been j)res- ciitat various j)hieos in Massaclmsctts, attacked by Indians during the latter part of the winter. About the loth ui' February, (old style,) Lancaster was destroyed by u large force of the enemy, consisting of Nip- mucks, Nashawas, and Narragansetts, under the noted Sagamore Sam. The house of Mr. Kowlandson, the minis- ter, which was garrisoned, and contained fifty-iive persons, was set on fin;, and the imnates wei'c killed oi' made ea])- lives, ^[oie than twenty women and childreu i'ell into the liands of the assailants. They were most of them well treated during their captivity, the Indians "oilering no wrong to any of their persons save what they could not help, being in many wants themselves." ^Irs. liow landson, wife of the ministtu-, was among the prisoners, and her account of Indian manners and peculiarities, wit- nessed during the three months of her ca})tivity, are ex- ceedingly interesting. Church says that Philip's next "kennelling place" was at the falls on the Connecticut, and he probably gave di- rections concerning many of the devastations connnittcd in February and March, if not personally present at them. On the 21st of February, the town of Mcdfield, only about twenty miles from Boston, was mostly destroyed. The Indians had concealed themselves, during the previ- ous night, in every quarter of the place, and, at early dawn, fired about fifty buildings simultaneously. One hun- dred and sixty soldiers were quartered in the town, but so sudden and well concerted was the attack, that it w:is impossible to save the buildings which had been set i>n fire. Nearly forty of the inhabitants were killinl vi il i I 1 1 r.j r'l >i* .1 {l m '.'(■''■■I iia- H ^J ^VvT. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !f I.I 1.25 2.5 I!: i;^ 1 2.0 111= 1.4 ill 1.6 6" V <^ /}. ^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ •sj •lb o 9> V o^ - * * f 2,-l: INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. ■-4' I ;.;'• i.- tl» woiiiiiloJ. Being compelled, at last, to retreat across Ciiiu'les river, the Indians burned the bridge behind them, aiii I left a paper, written bj some of their nundjer who had received education from the Kn^-lish, to the followincr cil'oct: "Know, bj this paper, that the Indians whom thou hast |)rovoked 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 this action, "riding upon a black horse, leaping over fences, and exulting in tiie havoc he was making." Through the months of February and ^farch, the sav- ages met with signal success. Seekonk, Groton and War- wick were destroyed; Northampton was assaulted; one house was burned in the very town of Plymouth, and a number of buildings at Weymouth, only eleven miles from Boston, shared a similar fate. Thirty houses were burned at Providence. Captain Pierce, of Scituate, who had been sent with a party of fifty whites and a number of friendl}' Indians on an excursion against the enemy, was slain, with the entire company of English. Only a few of the Indian alli,es escaped. On the same day, Marlborough was destroyed, with the exception of the houses which had been garrisoned. This attack was probably made by Philip himself, with the Nipmuck and Narragansett Indians. Continuing their march, they did much damage at Sudbury, and "met and swallowed up valiant Captain Wadsworth and his com- pany," consisting of fifty men, with whom he was hastening to the relief of the town. One of the first severe reverses experienced by Philip, was the capture and execution of the younger Canonicua or Canonchet, the noblest and most influential of the Nar- ragansett sachems. This was accomplished by a party ■^^ NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 255 M It'll hj Captain Dennison, from Connecticut, consisting of Kiiglisli, Nehantic Indians, subject to Ninigrct, and Molie- gaiis, under tlic command of Owenoco, son of I'ncas. ' 'aiioiicliet, witli a small band of warriors, came to Narra- gaiisctt early in April, for tlie i>urposc of procuring seed- coi'n for liis people in the -western settlements. Dennison, liaving heard, from a captive squaw, of the sachem's proximity, pursued and took him. The proud chief, upon his capture, 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 Pythagorean metempsychosis, some old Roman ghost had possessed the body of this western Pagan." lie was carried to Stonington, and there shot: his head was sent to Hartford as a trophy. lie approved his sentence, saying that "he should die before his heart was soft, and before he had spoken any thing unworthy of himself" He had been Philip's faithful ally to the last, and ever refused to "deliver up a "Wampanoag, or the paring of a Wampanoag's nail," to the English. Dennison and his men afterwards made farther spoil of the enemy, killing and capturing a large number of the Narragansetts. During the months of April and May, twenty or thirty buildings were burned in Plymouth ; Taunton and Scituate were attacked, and Bridgewater sustained no small injury from an assault by three hundred Indians, under the sachem Tisguogen. Great numbers of hostile Indians having congregated at the falls of the Connecticut, during the month of May, for the purpose of fishing, a strong force of soldiers and inhab- itants of the towns on the river, under the command of Captains Holyoke and Turner, made a descent upon them. The Indians were encamped in careless security, and, the L; 'i 'I r: ':::!. 'mm >■■* • 1'' i \' 'I \ \ " 1 ^ > • Jm T 1 , --•/''<« \! 'h^^im '"f'j^^ . , Vvv .'i "• '- "^ K VJ ''t. ^^'l^:y^ • •^''^iMimM '"■;<■• Wffil < ;'^*'i^i ' - -- •''trt^aH ■i* >iTOl .> 'mmtM .' '"'^IHB ^'''^iM ..iiJH *-> {^''^H mM m i«« 256 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. attack being made in tlic night, some two hundred wore killed, or drowned in attempting to eseape across tlic river. In the midst of this success it was repoited to the English, by VAX Indian, that Philip m person, with an immense force, was coming U[)on them. Commencing a retreat, upon this news, the Indians recovered from their panic, and pursuing the party from which they had so recently fled in confusion, killed from thirty to forty of their number. On the 30th of ^fay, six hundred Indians attacked natfield, and burned many buildings, but the place was bravely defended, and the enemy was driven ofl", A still larger number, about a fortnight later, assaulted Iladley, but, by the assistance of tro(j})s from Connecticut, the iu habitants successfully repelled them. CHAPTER VII. Philip's return to pokanoket — major talcott's successes — church commissioned by the court at plymouth his in- terview with awoshonks : with the sogkonates at sandwich his cabipaign against the indians PHILIP seen: his wife and son TAKEN DEATH OF WEETAMORE, QUEEN OF 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 privation. Losing influence with the river Indians, and unable to concentrate the various tribes, with effect, he returned to his old quarters in the vicinity of Narragansett bay, ac- companied by the trusty warriors who still adhered to him. Afajor Talcott, from Connecticut, with a body of mounted men, accompanied by many Mohegans and Pequots, sig- NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 257 nalizccl himself during the month of June, by several incursions into Narragansctt. 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 company, they allowed their Mohegan allies, upon one occasion, to torture to death a young warrior who was made prisoner. "The English," says Hubbard, "at this time were not unwilling to gratify their humor, lest, by a denial, they might disoblige their Indian friends — partly, also, that they might have an ocuhtr 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 mojister is fldlen into the hands of those that Avill i'Q.\)i\j liirn seven-fold." The Mohegans cut round the joints of his fmgera and toes successively, and then "brock them off, as was for- merly the custom to do with a slaughtered beast." The victim bore all unflinchingly; replying to their taunts, with asseverations that he "liked the war well, and found it as sweet as the Englishmen 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, ou the ground, he sat till they finished his miseries by a blow. ^Meanwhile, the English stood by, and, although the sight brought tears into the eyes of some of them, none offered to interfere. Famine, disease, and exposure had, by this time, begun to do their work upon the miserable outcasts who had so long kept New England in terror. A large body fled westward, pursued by troops from Connecticut, and, after sustaining considerable loss, sue ceeded in joining the Mohicans of the Hudson, "wdth whom they united, and formed thereafter a portion of that tribe The colonial authorities now offered terms of ])eaco to 17 I, ' ' '--i =^•71 258 INDIAN KACES OP AJIERICA. ' I ■ 'i <»l: |i« the enemy, prorris^ing good treatment to all who «houla surrender and deliver up iheir arms, with the exception of notorious ofFendeis. Within a few weeks from this proclamation, five or six hundred of the Indians came in and submitted to the KngHsli. 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 the surveillance of overseers. As Church took so prominent a part in the final reduc- tion of Philip and his chief sachems, we will now brielly review his proceedings during this summer until the death of Philip and the close of the war. Ue had been sum- moned to Plymouth in the spring, to assist at the council of war, and, at that time, proifered advice, which, if ap- proved by his associates, might have saved much havoc and bloodshed. His plan was to " make a business of the war, as the enemy did;" to employ large forces; to enlist all the friendly Indians who were available, and to pursue their opponents into their own country, and light them in their own manner. Not being able to persuade the au- thorities to his views, he remained inactive, with his family, at Duxbury and on Pliode Island, until early in June, when he again betook himself to Plymouth, where he was gladly welcomed by the general court, then in session. The members "told him they were glad to see him alive. He replied, he was as glad to see them alive, for he had seen so many fires and smokes towards their side of the country, 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 large force of English and Indians, and eagerly accepted the captain's offer of cooperation. He NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 259 waa to return to Rhode Island, and there enlist a company for the campaign, lieaching Elizabeth's Island, he could find no conveyance homeward other 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 Philip's plans, and the Sogkonatcs 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 heard. 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 farm. None were to be present except the queen, her son Peter, and Nompash, an Indian known to Church. Arriving at Newport, and detailin;^ 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 Sogkonatcs, 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 I: lU '-/Id .'Ahm. 2(30 IXDTAN ]{Ar forces against Philip; and by his bold and frank ! jarior, disarming the suspicions and softening the surliness of the warriors. At one time, as related by Church, "there arose a mighty murmivr, confused noise and talk among the fierce-looking creatures; and, all rising up in a hubbub, a great surly- looking fellow took up his tomhog, or Avooden cutlass, to kill Mr. Church, but some others prevented him." This man had lost a brother in the fight at Punkatcse, but Church explained how, Avith 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 Ehode Island, and, with much dif ficulty, procured a vessel. Captain Church set sail foT' Sog- 4/. ' inOW ENGLAND INDIANS. 261 kontile, wlicTico .ho TruViaiis ospicd him, and stood waiting:; upon the rocks with an old cunoo, ready to cotnc on hoard. The sea ran so liij^'h that no onehnt Peter Awoshonks was able to reach the vessel ; and when, after much dang(;r and trouble, he was taken in, a strong head wind prevented the pros(>cution of the voyage, and all returned to New- port, making the circuit of lihodc 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 Sogkonato, with directions to take the selected number of his com- panions, and proceed across the conntry to Plymouth, witli letters for the governor. The Plvmouth forces reached Pocasset, under command of ^Fajor 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 })roifered their services; but, to their great grief and disa[)pointment, were ordered to repair to Sandwich, on the coast to tlic eastward, and await fnrthcr directions from tlie government at Plymouth. Church advised them t: comply quietly, and promised to join them, himself within a week, with a connnission 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 Wcpoisct, 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 carlv in the morning. He there saw the ixov eruor, who had received the messengers from Rogkonate with favor, and who readily jiromised him the desired commission, and i-atificd his agreement with AAVoshonks. l: f.(. > '•'■I •id i^m 1 1 |M &.V 2t?2 INDIAN RACKS OF AMKUICA. i Not fiiuliiig tlic Iiidiuiis lit Sandwich, Captain Church, with u low coni[)anioiiH, ])rocecdccl alon<^ the coast, and liiially came uj)on the whole tribe, scattered over the level sand-beach, eiigage(l in various occupations and divi-r- sions — "^V vast company (j1' Indians, oi'all ages and sexes, some on horse-back I'unning races, some at loot-ball, sonic catching eels an,l Ihit-lish, some elamining, iSoc." lie was received by Awoshoidn night came on, an innnense heap of dry })ine branches aiul other fuel was set on liri' and all the hulians, 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 sjiear and hatchet, and appear to fight the lire, with every gesture and expression of energy and fury, naming .suc- cessively the several hostile tribes; ";uu], at the naming of every particular tribe of Indians, he would draw out and light a new lire-brand, and at liiiishing his light with each particular fire-brand, would bow to him and thank him." lie would then retire, and another would repeat the same operation, "with more fury, if possible, than the lirst." 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 commis- sioned, by Governor Winslow, to raise volunteers, both English and Indian; to fight the enemy at his discivtion; and to make treaty and cowiposition with any, as he should see reason, "}irovided they be not murderous rogues, or such as have been principal actors in those villanies." The commission was given, under the public seal, the 24th day of July, 1676. Being uow furnished with a sufficient force, and being NKW KN'(lLANl) INDIANS. 203 at liberty to curry out liis own plans, Cliurcli comiiiciK'od a vigorous juid cH'cctivo ciiiniKiii^ni. Spreading through the Torost with hi.-i iiifii, krcjiiiiu; himself contiiuially in- Ibrmed by scouts of the pftsitiou and iiutuber of thi* eno- iny, and I'oHowin^ up his advantages with unwearied eueri^y, he reduced his opponents to tlio .greatest straits. The army, under Ib-adlbrd, remained at Taunton and vi- cinity, cutting' olf Phihp's I'cturu from the castwai'd, while Churcli aiul his cor})S scoured the woods, surprising and killing, or taking captive large numbeis of hostile Indians. On one occasion, he fell in with Little Myes, the Sog- konale who attem])ted to make way with him at tlu' lii'st interview with AwoshoidvS, and who had separ;itt'd from the rest of tla^ tribe with a lew com])anions. llis Indian allies urged Church to take this oj)];)ortunitv for revenging himself, but he refused, and showed the iiid'riendly chief qiiai'ter .and })rotection. riiili}) and his })ai'ty, chiedy Narragansetts, anxious to cll'cct a retreat to the Narragansett country, came to tho baidvs of Taunton river, and felled a large tree over the stream for the pui'posc of crossing. At this spot, Church with his company and a detachment from Bridgcnvater, attacked him, on the 1st of August. As the Knglish secretly a])proaclied the fallen tree, a single warrior was seen seated upon the stump across tho 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 tlieir own party. At this moment the Indian sprang from the stump, and effected his csca}ie down the river-bank, but as lie turned his fiicc, ho was distinctly recognized to be Philip liimself. 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 L; i 1- 1 1 I ! i > • ';]■ 'i .-mm ■1 ■■at roa. '^imKtm n> „ si. .;i. Ml ;^_ 266 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. "she must content herself with a short visit when such game was ahead," tliey all mounted and spurred off. They learned from the deserter who had brought the intelligence, that Philip was encamped upon a spot of dry land in a swamp hard by the mount; and Church being well acquainted with the locality, lost no time in taking advantage of his information. He crossed the ferry with his )nen, and ai)proached the spot during the night. Haying distributed a portion of the force in such a manner as to ccjmrnand all the places where the enemy would be likely to attempt escape, another detachment undei- Captain Golding, proceeded to "beat up Philip's l.ead-quarters;" with directions to make all the noise possible, while pur- suing the fugitives, that they might be known by those who lav in ambush. The Indians, startled by the first fire, rushed into the swamp, with Philip at their head. Half clothed, and flinging his "petunk" and powder-horn behind him, the doomed chief came, at full speed, fully within range of the guns of an Englishman and an Indian, who lay concealed at one of the points of ambuscade. The white man's gun snapped, but the lire of his com- panion was fatal. Philip fell upon his face in th'6 mire, shot through the heart. This event took place early in in the morning of Saturday, the 12tli of August, 1676. Thus the main object of the campaign was accomplished: but most of the hostile party managed to escape. Among them was the old chief, Annawon, a great captain under Philip, and Massasoit, his father. He "seemed to be a great surly old fellow," hallooing, with a loud voice, "lootash — lootash!" Peter, Church's man, said that he was calling on his nfen to fight 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 it Tt'T'^' NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 267 he looked." By tlie direction of the captain, who averred that, having "caused many an Enghshman's body to be unburied and to rot above ground, not one of his bones should be buried," one of the Indians beheaded and quar- tered the body of the fallen sachem, as was the custom towards traitors. The old executioner, who was ap})ointed to this office, 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 conquered foe. However far removed from that absurd and morbid sensibility which perceives greater tokens of depravity in an indignity otYered 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 proved a source of no small profit. The head was long exposed at Plymouth, and the devout Mather exults in having, with his own hand, displaced the jaw from the scull of "that blasphemous leviathan." CHAPTER VIII. PURSUIT OF ANNAWON AND HIS PARTY DATING 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 end 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 country ii^iiii J:'« ), K- ■ 1 •■ f m MM ■ i::.T ;l ■,vi' ■-" ■^' J •S If u* 4 '4' 1 li I I i ! M I ! 268 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. iiroimd Ilehohotli nul S^v:lllSC3^ ITc accordingly took a few faillirul soldioi'S, witli lii.s brave and tried lieutenant, Jaliez llowland, and hastened through the woods to To- casset. lie inlended ])assiiig the Sabbath on Rliode Tshuid. but hearing that Indians had been seen crossing from ]'j'ud(niee Island to l\:)])i)asquasli neck, he hastened at once in (piest of them. As they were passing the river in canoes, so lieavy a gale sprung up that, after the captain and fifteen or sixteen Indians were over, the boats could no longer venture. Without waiting for their English companions, this little company marched round through the northern part of the jiresent town of Ijristol, and sju'cading across the narrow j)ortion of the neck, sent scouts to ascertain the jiosition of the enemy. '^I'hey there passed "a ycry solitary, hungry night," having no jtrovi- sions. I'larly in the nuu'ning, Nathaniel, an Indian of the pcouting party, n])peared, and told how he, with his com- panion, had taken ten pi'isoners, by lying concealed, and attraetinir the enemies' attention by howling like a wolf. One after another, they wouUl run to see Avhat caused the noise, ami Nathaniel, "howling lower and lower, drew them in between those who lay in wait." They afterwards securcMl the wives and ehildrcu of these captives, all of Avhom said that Annawon never " roosted twice in a place," but eontinually shifted his quarters. They represented Annawon as the bravest and most subtle of all I'liilip's warriors, and said that the men who still adhered to hini were valiant and resolute. An old Indian, aceoinjianied by a young squaw, were next taken, both ol' wlu . had come direct from the great c'liicf's eneampmiMit, which was in Squannticonk swamp, in tlic soiuh-eastcrly part of IJehoboth. The old man, in consideration that his life was s])are(l, agreed to pilot Cliurch to the spot, lint bogged that he might not be com- pelled "to light against Captain AnnaAVon, his old friend." IL:. f ■i^r-try^ > NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 2r.9 It v\%as a bold act, indeed, on tlic part of Cliurcji, to under- take llie capture of sucli a warrior, witli so snuill a force; lor, liavinc:^ b(,'en obliged to send some back with the prisoners, only half a dozen Indians now aeconipauiid him. lie was not a nian to let sli[) an ojjportunity, and started at once for tlic camp, having nuieh ado to keep pace with the hardy old Indian v/ho led the way. Annawon's "camp or kennelling place," was })itched in a recess in a ledge of precipitous rocks, which stood upon a rising ground in the swamp, and the only Avay to approach it unperceivcd was by ckunbering down the cliff. It was night when Churcli ari-ived there; stopping the guide with his hand, ho crawled to the edge of the rock, and looked down upon the scene below. Annawon's hut coiisistc(l of ti tree felled against the wall of rock', with birch bushes piled against it. Fires were lit without, over which meat waa roasting and kettles were boiling, and the light revealed several companies of the enemy. Their anna were stacked together, and covered with a mat, and in close proximity to them lay old Annawon and his so»r An old squaw was pounding corn in a mortar, and, as the noise of her blows continued. Church, preceded by the guide and his daughter, and followed by his Indian allies, let himself down by the bushes and twigs which grew in the crevices of the rock. AVith his hatchet in his hand, he stepped over the younger Annawon, who drew himself into a hea]) with his blanket over his head, and reached the guns. The old chief sat up, crying out " llowoh!" but, seeing that he was taken, lay down again in silence. The rest of the company made no resistance, supposing that the English were 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 Cap'uiji ii II • i IBil :' ■ f! •■i-^ (ml , ~. . i I :_.:.: J r •I 1 ^'! il H* 270 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Clmrcli and liis men, cind tliey all supped together in har- mony. The Caj)tain, wearied out by long watching and labor, now tried to get a little sleep, but was unable to compose himself. Looking round he saw the wliolc i)arty, friends and foes, sleeping soundly, with the exceptitjn of Annawon; and there lay the two rival leaders, looking iit each other for near an hour. Annawon then got up and retired a short distance, and, as he did not immediately return. Church suspected tluit he might have secured a gun, with intent to dispatch him, and tlierefore crept close to young Annawon, as security. The old man soon reappeared, bringing with him Philip's regalia, and, kneeling down before Church, to his great surprise, addressed him in English: " Great captain, you have killed Philip and conquered his country; for 1 believe that I and my company are the last that war against the Eng- lish, so suppose the war is ended by your means, and there- fore these things belong to you." He then handed him two broad belts elaborately worked in wampum, one of which reached from the shoulders nearly to the ground, " edged with red hair, from the Mahog's country ;" two horns of powder, and a red cloth blanket. He said that Philip used to ornament himself with these upon great occasions. All night long the two captains continued their con- verse, and Annawon detailed his adventures, and "gave an account of what mighty success he had formerly, in wars against many nations of Indians, when he served Asumequin (Massasoit), Philip's father." The next day the party proceeded to Taunton, and Church, with Annawon in his company, went to Rhode 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. I'wrr-m; NEW ENGLAND INDIANS. 271 The war was now at an end, with the exception of a few "hunting excursions," after some stragglers of Philip's men who yet lurked in the woods. Such of the pi'isoners, 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 colonics, or sent to toil in the West Indies. It was much discussed whether the poor boy who was so culpa- ble as to be the son of Philip, should die. The clergymen seemed inclined to the belief that such should be his fate; Increase Mather cited the case of Iladad, saying that, "had not others fled away with him, I am apt to think that David would have taken a course that Hadad should never have proved a scourge to the next generation." He was finally sent a slave to Bermuda. Baylies thus sums up the disasters of the eventful period of Philip's hostilities: "In this war, which lasted but lit- tle more. than a year and a half, six hundred Englishmen were killed. Thirteen towns in Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Ilhode Island, were destroyed, and many others greatly injured. Almost every flimily 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 fertile wilderness was opened, and the rapid extension of settlements evinced the growing prosperity of New England." Lb '^ ► t 'I i:i: '■-.It I ,1 il ^'-^¥. . 1 t l! 272 INDIAN lUCES OF AMEIUCA. II A ri I'll IX. TIIK KASTK';\ l.NDf.WS TH)'.!!! J"!! (i;N D ',y nrsi'DSITICiN SI'.IZTM! K OF TiiosR nriM.i;' ATCD i\ riiiLii'"s coNsi'iitArv — riJK.NCii a.nd INDIAN \V.\n OV K')^',) ATTACK ON rOCHKCO — MIMJDKU oi" MAJoii \VAi,T)i;oN — wAii OF 170'^ — cinjiicii's LAST CAJIPAICN — WAl! OF IT'J'J CAPTAIN JO [IN LOVKWKI.L. The services of Caplain Beiijaniin Cliurch, in tlic eavlj Indian canijviigns, did not end witli the death of J'hilip and the ivdiirtion of the hostile tribes nnitcd Ijv that (.liirf h in eninity airainsL the eolonists. Jn the war \\\ Avards bi'olce out witli the Iiahans of New I ilcil 1, rier- lllj)Sllll't> jj -and Maine, the ohl soklier was again called u[k>\\ tt> la!< !! the field I ! I I I Our accounts of the earlvhistorv of these Eastern li'ilics are not very voluiuiiious or tionnected. Some di'seiiplioii is given, in (.^iptain John Smith's narrative, of the gov- ernnierit and division of tin: nations and tribes on the coast; and, in subsequent times, tales of noted saganntres and wuv- riors, with detached incidents of advH m'F'^ r i\ .^ 'i\ 276 INDIAN RACI<:S OF AMKIIICA. a porti(")n oP tliom, at least, consistcilof loomm andchlllrm Tlio old narmtivf" li(>r(i a.s clscwhoiv is rather blind, and dcific'ient in detail, bnt if the faets were as above HUgge.sted, the whole history of th(^se Indian wars dof^s not present a more revolting instanee of eold-bloodcd barbarity. That the act was done by Chnreh's orders, or that it was conn- tenaneed by him, seems utterly inerediblc Avlien compared with his usnal eonrse towards prisoners. Of one man, who was captured in the taking of Warond)o's fort, it is said: "The soldiers bcnng very rude, would hardly spare the Indian's life while in examination;" and it is possi])l() that they might have e^minitted the wanton butchery above mentioned without their commander's eoncurreiuH'. A\''c would not, however, endeavor to screen the guilty; and if Church is to be held responsible for the murder, it certainly must leave a black and indelible stain upon bis chara(^ter. From the plundered fort Church proceeded to Casco, where he engaged the enemy, and beat them off, but not without the loss of aboitt thirty of his own men in killed and wounded. Tn August, 1(592, Church was again commissioned by Sir William Phipps to undertake an expedition against the Indians at Penobscot; and, although he failed to sur- prise the enemy, who escaped in their canoes, he destroyed a quantity of their provision, and brought away a consid- erable amount of plunder. A force, sent into Maine, in 1693, under Major Convers, was opposed by none of the natives, and, within a short time after, these miserable people were glad to conclude a treaty of peace with the English at Pemmaquid, where a strong fort had been er&^.ted in 1690. 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, notwithst.'iiiding, in- lort le a 1 re a 1 tion 1 hey 1 ;e to 1 ill- 1 NEW ENOLANP INDIANS. 277 duccd to join the iiivusujii muler M. do Villicrc, in llu; followiiij^ yoiir. fii tliis eiimpaign, tho first object wuh tlio.dtistruction of tho settlement on Oyster river, near Hover, New Ilaiiii)- shin?, where twelve houses iuid been garrisoned and put in a state of defenef!. I^'ivc of these wtM'c fo'ved, a!id nearly one hundred persons were killecl or UxkvM [)risontMs; the other stronj^liolds made a sueeessful defeiiee, but fif'tfcu unprotected houses were bui'iied. Notliiiijf of special iutei'cst occurred in eonnt'ction with the Kast(>rn Indians from this time until 1(11)6. Durin<( the summer of tli;it year, some blood was shed by the savages at Portsmouth and Dover; but the most important occurrence of the season was the reduction of the strong fort atremmaqiiid by the enemy. Church was also engaged in another east- ern campaign in the months of August and September, but owing to orders received from the colonial authorities, he was imjHided in the prosecution of his plans, and noth- ing of special moment was ell'ected. In January, 1(){)9, the war with the 1^'reneh being at an end, tho Indians of Maine and New llani])shirc entei'cd into a treaty of peace with the English colonies — acknowl- edging, by their principal sachems, allegiauce to the King of Kn gland. AVhen wai' was again declared, in May, 1702, the old difficulties 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. I^his aj)pears to have been a mere blind on the part of the savages, then, as ever, favorable to the French; for only a few weeks subsequent to the treaty, a simultaneous attack was made upon the eastern English setthnuents. Every thing fell before the enemy; houses were burned, property of every kind was destroyed or plundered, and .-^tr'-. <•■ ^'■.i.9k^■ J ''/:■*# :-:Ui ! ':M I- w%.. , . ■:ii f '!' ■l! 4 :^» 278 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. one hundred and thirty of the inhabitants were slain or ca})tLired. '^riic news of the terrible calamities attendant on the destruction of Deerficld, in the winter of 1708-4, combined with what he had himself witnessed of Indian crnwltios, incitetl Major Church to volunteer his further service.", against the enemy. "His blood boiled v/ithin him, mak- ing such impulses on his mind that he forgot all former treatments, which wore enough to hinder any man, espe- cially the said Major Church, from doing any furtlun" ser- vice." His offers were gladly accepted, and a very con- siderable force was put uiider his command, with a good su])])ly of whale-boats, the necessity for which he had seen in former campaigns along the irregular and indented coast of Maine. This was the last military duty undertaken by tlic old soldier, and it was performed with his usual skill and energy. Tbe Indian towns of Minas and Chignecto wei'c taken, and the enemy was successfully engaged at oilier points. The most noted event of the expedition was tlic night attack at Passamaquoddy. In the midst of the ecjn- fusion incident to the marshalling of disorderly and undis- ciplined troops, an order was issued by Church for the destruction of a house, and of its inhabitants, who had refused to surrender. In his own words: "I hastily bid them pull it down, and knock them on the head, nevei* ask- mg whether they were French or Indians — they being all enemies alike to me." In a note to this transaction, j\[r. Drake says: "It does not appear, from along career of useful scrviees, that Church was ever rash or cruel. From the extraordinary situation of his men, rendered dou1)ly critical by the darkness of the night, and the almost cei-- 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 EXGLAND INDIANS. 279 know tliat I was in an exceeding great passion, luit not witb those poor miserable enemies; for I took no notice of a half a dozen of the enemy, when at the same time I expected to be engaged wiih some hundreds of them. * * In this heat of action, every word that 1 then spoke I cannot give an acconnt of; and I presume it is impossi- ble." Quarter was shown to all who came out and sub- mitted, upon requisition. From the close of the war, and the conclusion of peace with France, in 1713, until 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 Ralle, of the order of Jesuits, resided, in 1721, among the Indians at Nori'idgewock, and being suspected by the English of exerting a ^^crnicious influence over his flock, a part}?" was sent, by the Massa- chusetts government, to seize upon his person. Ralle escaped, and the undertaking only hastened hostilities. Indian depredations soon commenced, and war was regularly declared by Massachusetts. For three years the Ironticr settlements suffered severely. The English suc- ceeded in breaking up the principal head-quarters of the enemy, viz: at the Indian castle some distance up the Penobscot, and at the village of Norridgewock. At the taking of the latter place, Ralle, with from fifty to a hundred of his Indian comrades, perished. One of the most noted among the English campaigners during this war, was the famous Captain John LovcAvell, of Dunstable. Ilis adventures, and particularly the fight at Pigwacket, on the Saco, in which he lost his life, were widely c':'obrated 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 warlii-ce operations. Lzrz II I I '^^ '^ ^; ^s \ {#1 P I ; li THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. CHAPTER I. GENERAL OUTLINES OF CHARACTER. ETC. — BtPRKSSIONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF NEW ENGLAND RESPECTING THE IROQUOIS — GARANGULA : HIS SPEECH TO M. DE LA BARRE. None of the Indian nations of the United States have occupied a more important place in our national history, than the renowned confederacy which forms the subject of our present consideration. Various New England tribes were reduced to a disgraceful tribute to the imperious Mohags, Mawhawks, Mohawks or M aquas; the great nation of Powhatan stood in awe of the warlike Massawomekcs ; and those associated in this power- ful league had become a terror to all against whom they had lifted up their arms. They were called Iroquois by the French, who found their head-quarters on the St. Law- rence, where Montreal now stands, at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Their native appellation was Aga- nuscliioui (variously spelt and translated), and they were divided originally into five tribes. These were the Mo- hawks, the Oneidas, the Cayugas, the Onondagas and the Senecns. The Tuscaroras, from the south, were afterwards united with them, and formed the sixth nation. Each tribe was sub-divided into classes, distinguished by the "totems," or symbols of the tortoise, the T)ear, the wolf, the beaver, tlie deer, the falcon, the plover, and the crane. THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 28i Some very singular usages were connected with tliis class- ification. Among other things, marriage was prohibited between individuals bearing the same totem, a restriction which operated strongly to extend the ties of family con- nection. Each of the nations was divided in the same manner, and the distinctive badge gave its bearer peculiar privileges among those of his own class, when away from home. The first military exploits recorded of the Iroquois, with the exception of native tradition, are their battles with the Adirondacks, in which they were engaged when first known by the French. Becoming skilled in war, and being of a bold, adventurous spirit, after finally defeating the Adirondacks, the five nations extended their conquests to the south and west. The ^Mohavv^ks, although not the most numerous portion of the united tribes, furnished the fiercest and most redoubted warriors. To give an idea of the estimation in which they were held by the Indians of New England, we cite the following account, given by Gookin, in his historical collections, written in 107-1-, of the first of the tribe with whom the eastern colonists held any intercourse. "These INfaquas are given to rapine and spoil; and had for several years been in hostility with our neighbour In- dians, as the Massachusetts, Pautuckets, &c., &c. And, in truth, they were, in time of war, so great a terrour to all the Indians before named, though ours were far more in number than they, the appearance of four or five ^Faquas in the woods, would frighten them from their habitations and cornfields, and reduce many of them to get together in forts." In September, of 1665, "there were five Maw- hawks or ^faquas, all stout and lusty 3"0ung men, and well armed, that came into one John Taylor's house, in Cani- bridge, in the afternoon. They were seen to come out from a swamp not fiir from the house." Each had a gun, ^^ ■ffl .'*hM 11 11 ill i i in ' ' ' ' f 1 S ■ i!!' itli ! ' >^lnl '' ('' ' '':. :i..Mmi '} I : 'i: ill ' f*' 1 "l^^ll IP ". i"«ll mm 4 ■ 3 1 i 11 ftl' Iv ^i '■' '■" ' ' ' 1.4'" it '«kS;'i i' :■ Iff ' 1 km m n« i 282 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. pistol, liatcliet, and long knife, and " the pcojDle of the house pei'ucived that their speeeh was dillerent from our neighbour Indians; for these ^faquas speak hollow and through the throat, more than our Indians; and their lan- guage is understood but 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 the English, and display, at the same time, their own courage and daring. They made no resistance when a party came to seize them, but, "at their being imprisoned, and their being loaden. with ii-ons, they did not appear daunted or dejected; but as tlie manner of those Indians is, they sang night and day, when they were awake." On being brought before the court at Boston, they disa- vowed any evil intent towards the English, saying that they were come to avenge themselves upon their Indian enemies. "They were told that it was inhumanity, and more like wolves than men to ti.i.vel and wander so far from home merely to kill and destroy men, women, and children, — for thc}^ could get no riches of our Indians, who were ver}' pooi", — and to do this in a secret sivulking manner, Ij'ing in ambushrnent, thickets, and swamps, by the way side, and so killing people in a base and ignoble manner," &c. — " To these things they made answer short!) . 'It was their trade of life: they were bred up by their ancestors to act in this way towards their enemies.'" All the Indians, in the vicinity of Boston, were eager that these ca})tives should be put to death, but the court adopted the wiser policy of sending thcni home in safety, with presents and a letter to their sachem, cautioning him against allowing any of his people to make war against the peaceable Indians under the protection of the English. About the middle of the seventeenth century, the Iro- quois, having annihilated the powerful nation of the Eries, -♦•r-^ THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 283 occupied no small portion of that vast extent of conn try, lying between tlic St. Lawrence and the great Itdccs, and tiie Ohio and Mississippi rivers. They even extended their hostile incursions far south and west of these great boundaries. ^J'he present state of New York contained their principal establishments, and the picturesque river and lakes upon which they dwelt, still per})etuatc the names of the confederate tribes. These people lield inter- course with the whites, of a very different nature from that which characterized the reduction and humiliation of the unfortunate natives of New England. Placed as they were between powerful colonies of contending European nations; their favor courted upon terms of e(]^uality by emissaries from either party; the authority of their ehiefs acknowledged, and the solemnity of their councils respected by the whites; and conscious of proud superiority over all surrounding native tribes, it might well be expected that they would entertain the highest sense of their na- tional importance. No American tribe ever produced such an array of renowned warriors and orators as those immortalized in the history of the Six Nations. Such a regular system of federal government, where the chief-men of each member of the league met in one grand council, to sustain the interests of their tribe, or enforce the views of their con- stituents upon subjects of state policy, in matters of vital importance to the whole nation, elicited all the powers of rude native eloquence. Never in the history of the world has the stirring effect of accomplished oratory been more strikingly displayed tlian in the councils of these untaught sages. The speeches of Logan, Eed-Jacket, and others, fortunately preserved, have been long considered master- pieces of forcible declamation. The address of Garangula, or Grand Gucule. to the Canadian governor, M. de la Barre, has been often tran- Lii;: i »i ^ V I I _ '.■, K. .r,. '-J, ,.j '^^m ■ ^3; ti» 28-1 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ficribcd, hut is so strikingly characteristic of Indian style that we niust (ind place for at least a portion of it. About the year 1084, the French, being at peace with the Iro- quois, took the opportunity to strengthen and enlarge their dominions by fortilying and adding to their posts upon the M'cstern waters. In carrying out this purpose, they sent large supplies of annnunition to their Indian allies; tribes hostile to the confederacy. The Iroquois took prompt measures \o check this transfer of means for their destruc- tion, and the French governor, angry at their inteiference, determined to hund^le them by a decisive campaign. 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 })rosecution of his purjiose. lie there- fore procured a meeting witli the old Onondaga sa' hem, and other Indian deputies at Kaihoage, on Lake Ontario, for a conference. He conmicnced by recapitulating the injuries received from the Five Nations, by the j^lunder 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 English court to assist the French army in the proposed invasion. The old chief, undisturbed by these menaces, having taken two or three turns about the apartment, stood before the governor, and, after a courteous and formal })rologue, addressed him as follows: (we cite from Drake's Book of the North American Indians) "Yonondio; you must have believed, when you left Quebeck, that the sun had burnt up all tlie forests which render our country inaccessible to the French, or that the lakes had so far overflown the banks, that they had surrounded our castles, and that it was ua- possible for us to get out of them. Yes, surely you must have dreamt so, and the curiosity of seeing so great a wonder has brought you so far. Now you are undeceived. THE IROQUC *. OU SIX NATIONS. 285 since that T, and the warriors here present, arc come to assure 3-011 that the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oncidas and Mohawks are yet alive. I thank you in their name, for bringing hack into their country the calumet whicli your predecessor received from their hands. It was ha])py for you that you left undei' ground tlmt murdering hatchet that has been so often dyed in the blood of the French. "Hear, Yonondio; I do not sleep; I have my eyes ipen; and the sun which enlightens me, discovers to me a great captain, at the head of a company of soldiers, who speaks as if he were dreaming. He says that ho only came to the lake to smoke on the great calumet with the Onon- dagas. But Gi-angula 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 camp of sick men, whose lives the Great Spirit has saved by inflicting this sickness upon them. "Hear, Yonondio; our women had taken their clubs, our children and old men had carried their bows and arrows into the heart of your camp, if our warriors had not disarmed them, and kept them back when your mcsscngci", Akouessan, came to our castles. It is done, and I have said it. "Hear, Yonondio; we plundered none of the French, but those that carried arms, powder and ball to the Twightwics and Chictaghicks, because those arms might have cost us our lives. Herein we follow 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 warriors have not beaver enough to pay for all those arms that they have taken, and our old men are not afraid of the war. This belt preserves my words." The orator continued in the same strain, asserting the independence and freedom of his nation, and giving sub- stantial reasons for knocking the Twightwics and Chic- I '»' 4 ^^ZwS^ ■^'"■;y^^x w i,*.;:! n* 286 INDIAN RACES OF AMElilCA. tu^hicksoii tlic lieiid. He concliulcd by magnaniinonslv oil'iTiii;^ a present of beaver to the governor, and bv 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 explanatory of the concluding words of the above quotation. CHAPTER II. IROQUOIS TRADITIONS UELATIVE TO THEIR FORMER HISTORY A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES BELONGING TO THE CONFEDERACY, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR UNION INCIDENTS OF EARLY WARFARE. Some fanciful tales of a supernatui-al origin from the heart of a mountain; of a migration to the eastern sea- board ; and of a subsequent return to the 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 for defence while the tribes were disjoined, and hostile to each other. The period when it was finally concluded to adjust all differences, and to enter into a league of mutual protection and defence, is altogether uncertain. The most distin- guished authors who have given the subject their attention, incline to the opinion that this took place within less than a century anterior to the English colonization in the east. Whatever may have been the precise time of the new organization, its results were, as we have seen, brilliant in the extrieme. None of the ruder nations of Eastoi-n ■\ '. THE IROQUOIS, Oli SIX NATIONS. 287 America liave ever displayed such a combination of qual« ities that command respect as tliosc of whom vvc arc now treating. I'he nature of the league was decidedly demo- cratic; arbitrary power was lodged in the hands of no ruler, nor was any tribe allowed to exercise discretional authority over another. A singular unanimity was gen- erally observable in their councils; the rights and oj^inions of minorities were respected; and, in no instance, were measures adopted which met the .sauciion of but a bare majority. AVe are 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 colonies. Each tribe had one principal sachem, who, with an undelincd number of associates, took his post in the great councils of the nation. A grave and decent deliberation was seen in all their assemblies, forming a striking contrast to the trickery and chicane, or noisy misrule too often vis- ible in the legislative halls of enlightened modern nations. The ^lohawks were esteemed the oldest of the tribes, and, as they were always the most noted in warlike trans- actions, one of their sachems usually occupied the position o^ commander-in-chief of the active forces of the united people. The settlement of this tribe was in eastern New York, upon the Mohawk river, and along the shores of the Hudson. From their villages, in these districts, their war- parties ravaged or subdued the feebler nations at the east and south, and their favor was only obtained by tribute and submission. Next in order, proceeding westward, dwelt the Oneidas, whose central locality, suppljdng the place of a state capital for the national council, was the celebrated Oneida stone. This mass of rock, crowning the summit of a hill which commands a beautiful view of the valley, is still k: lir ''!':.. , m ., .^'!! li'r »* 'k 288 INDIAN RACES OF AMKIUCA. pointed out in tlic town of Slocl<])ri(lgc, al)out riflccn or twenty miles .sontli-ctist of tlie Oneida lalce. 'J'his tribe is supposed to liave been tlie last of the 1^'ivo Nations to have adopted a separate name and government, in early ages, prior to the grand union. It pi'odueed bold anil eniur- prizing wariiois, who extended their excursions far to the south, and by some of whom the sixth tribe — the Tusca- roras — was fr'st condneted northward. 'i^^ Onondaj^as occupied the country bet-.ocn the Oneida and' Caynga lakes. According to some theories, all the other tribes were derived from this, and certain it is that the civil ruler of the coni'Hlcracy was always from Onondaga, and hei'e was ever the grand central council- fire. Afonarchs of the tribe were said to have reigned, in regular succession, from the first period of its nationality to the time of Europeon colonization. In near proximity to each othei-, upon the beautiful lakes which still bear their name, were settled the Cayu- gas and Senecas. The last-mentioned tribe has always been by far the most numerous of those united by the league. llie Tuscf.^oras were, by their own account, a branch from the original stock of the Iroquois. Migrating first 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 people maintained their position until early in the eighteenth century. They then endeavored to exterminate the English colonists of their vicinity. On an appointed day, (September 22, 1711,) divided in small parties, they entered the villages of the whites, in a manner intended to ward off suspicion, and attempted a general massacre. Other coast Indians were involved in the conspiracy. One hundred and thirty whites are said to have perished OQ that day; but so far from being a successful blow .' :'*■ hi ■ l^lJ i'titt'jf' •r*' lillt ♦ !,l-r: M •■I {] ^|, Ii 1 1 mi ■ m *■■» 1 1 r F THE ITIOQUOIS, on HIX NATIONS. 289 ngaiiist tlio .iilvutico of tlic colonios, tlio plt)t only urouMcd a spirit of rotaliiition, which irsiiltiMl in tlio oxpulsion of the triho. With the asHiHtatico of forces from South Curo- liiia and Vir< main fort of tho Tusc^aroras, njion 'Par river, to whii'h they luul retreated, was stormed by Colonel Moore, and (M;^iit liundrecl prisoners werc^ taken. BeiiiL? now reduced to submission, such of the Irilx; as ri'maineil in Carolina yi(>lded to the roriuinmK'iits and rc<,'ulations of their conquerors. Tho major portion moved to New York, and formed tho sixth nation of th(> Inxpiois. They wore established in the immediate neiyliborhood of the Onoi(his. ^^any strange legends of early warfare between thc^ Iro- quois and diiitant tribes at the south and west havc^ been preserved. The particulars of some of thoso narratives can be relied upon, while others are evidently oxaLfgerated and distorted in the tradition. At the south, the most famous of their opponents were tho gr(\it nation of tlic Delawarcs, the Cherokecs, and the ancient tribe from whom our principal chain of mountains derive a name. They always claimed that the Lenni Lena])!', or Delawarcs, were a conquered people, and assumed the haughtiness of supe- riors in all their conferences and dealings with tlujm. No hostilities took place between the two nations after Euro- pean settlements were established in tin; country. The Cherokee war gave rather an opportunity for displays of individual energy and daring, than for any de- cisive exhibition of national power. The distance to bo traversed was so great, that it was never undertaken by any large body of warriors. Small parties, who could make their way unperccived into the heart of the enemies' country, and retire as stealthily with their trophies of scalps, frequently sought such opportunity of proving their hardi- 19 1 4 ■^|!|il t , ' ■ t 'M r . ' '\ V i « ■' \ Hiij' ,.;;'!:!*t| •, ;;■'[ A .;. ?.'■'■ J l- ■i'li : J- ■ I ■ ,|| -a-^ 11^ P :| r hi ! '■■ -■^ 1 1 290 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. hood. One cf the stories told of these early exploits, is that of the Seneca wanv;;-, Tliadeoni. lie is said to have started alone on a war-path, and' to have penetrated the country of the Cherokees, supported by such provisions as he could procure on the route, and a little parched corn which he carried with him when he set out. Prowling about the enemies' villages, he managed to dispatch two men and to secure their scalps. He then started on his return, and, late in the evening, killed and scalped a young man whom he saw coming out of a retired wigwam. The hut a])peared to be empty, and he could not resist the temptation to enter it in search of plunder; especially that he might satisfy his craving for tobacco. While there, the young man's mother entered the wig- wam, and, mistaking Iliadeoni, who had thrown himself upon the bed, for her son, told him that she was going away for the night. The Aveary Seneca, seduced by the ease of a long-unaccustomed 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 Avhen she had left the hut, to slip out, he made the best of his way north- ward, but the alarm had been given, and it was only by his great swiftness that he escaped. He carried the three scalps in triumph to his own people. Many similar legends are preserved among the Indians, of the bravery and determined spirit of revenge in which their forefathers gloried. One of those which has been given with the greatest particularity, is the noted expedi- tion of the Adirondack chief Piskaret and his four asso- ciates. In the long and blood}^ war between that tribe and the Five Nations, the latter had attained the ascendancy by a series of victories, and the five warriors alluded to undertook to wipe away the disgrace of defeat. Proceed- ing up the Sorel, in a single canoe, they fell in with five boat-loads of the enemy, and immediately commenced their I'Tf'T'^ THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 291 death-song, as if escape were impossible and resistance useless. As the Iroquois approached, a sudden discharge from the Adirondack muskets, which were loaded with small chain-sliot, destroyed the frail birch-bark canoes of their opponents. At such a disadvantage, tlie Iroquois were easily knocked on the head as they floundered in the water : as many as could be safely secured were taken alive, and tortured to death at their captors' leisure. None of Piskaret's companions would accompany him upon a sec- ond war-path which he proposed. They had acquired glory enough, and were content to remain in the enjoy- ment of a well-earned reputation, without undergoing further hardships and danger. The bold chief therefore started alone for the heart of the enemies' country. Using every precaution for concealment and deception knoAvn to savages; reversing liis snow-shoes to mislead a pursuing part}^ as to the direction he had taken; and carefully clioosing a route v/here it would be difficult to track him, he reached one of the Iroquois towns. Lying closely con- cealed during the da}'', he stole into the wigAvams of his enemies on two successive nights, and murdered and scalped the sleeping occupants. The third night a guard was stationed at every lodge, but Piskaret, stealthily wait- ing an opportunity, knocked one of the watchmen on the 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 sufficiently in advance of his pursuers to excite them to their utmost ex- ertions. At night, they lay down to rest, and, wearied with the day's toil, the whole party fell asleep. Piskaret, per- ceiving this, silently killed and scalped every man of th> m, 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 De la Barre, which we have mentioned in a preceding ■**; 1 , i 1 ■ ■ 'P^^ir^H,;^.lU*^ i / ^' 202 TXDIAN RACES OF AMEllICA. chapter, scenes of friglitful crueltj and bloodshed ^ve^e enacted on both sides. The confederacy was then, as long afterwards, in the English interest, and the conquered Ilurons, or Wyandots, whom tliey had di'iven far west- - . ward, naturally espoused the cause of the French. Having, however, no cause for ill-will against the English, excc})t as beinof allies of their foes, the Ilurons were not unwillini:^ to hold intercourse with them for purposes of profitable traffic. A strange piece of duplicity, conducted with true In- dian cunning by Adario, or the Eat, sachem of tlic Dinondadies, a "Wyandot tribe, was the immediate cause of hostilities. He left his liead-quarters, at Michilimaok- inac, with one hundred warriors, Avhether with intent to make an incursion upon the Iroquois, or merely upon a sort of scout, to keep himself informed of the movements of the contending parties, does not appear. lie stopped at the French fort of Cadaraqui, and learned from the officer in command that a peace was about to be concluded between the French and Iroquois ; deputies for which purpose were even then on their way from the Six Nations to Montreal. Nothing could be more distasteful to the Rat than a treaty of this character, and he promptly determined to create a breach between the negotiating parties. He therefore lay in w ait for the ambassadors ; fell upon them ; and took all who were not slain in the conflict prisoners. He pretended, in discourse with these captives, that he was acting under the direction of the French authorities, and when the astonished deputies made answer that they wen^ bound upon peaceful embassy, in accordance with the invitation of the French, he assumed all the appearance of astonishment and indignation at being made an instrument for so treacherous an act. He immediately set his prison ers at liberty, gave them arms, and advised them to rouse up their people to avenge such foul injustice. THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 203 By this, and otlicr (iqiuilly artful management, Adurio stirred up tlic most uncontrollable rage in the minds of the Iroquois against the French, and a long and disastrous war followed. It was in vain that the Canadian governor attempted to explain the true state of affairs. The Iroquois ever held the French in suspicion, and would not be dis- abused. 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 passed over to the island upon which Montreal is situated, and laid waste the country. Nearly a thousand of the French are said to have been slain or reserved for death by fire and torture. Neither age nor sex proved any protection, and tlie scenes described surpass in horror any thing before or since experienced by the whites at the hands of the Indians. The war continued for j^ears, and the name of Black Kattle, the most noted war-chief of the leagued nations, hccame a word of terror. He fought successfully against superior numbers of the French ; and it is astonishing to read of the trifling loss which his bands sustained in many of their most desperate 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 favored the English, 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 strengthened 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 numbel '^1 I' 1 , u 11 !«ibkkil».l^. .; v.,£^ . yt^ . -'^^'^1 V-' U* •|:-:j 294 INDLiF RACES OF AMERICA. when taken captive. Meanwhile, the English agents were assiduous in cultivating the friendship of the powoilul confederacy Avhose sagacity and good faith in council, and whose strength in battle, had been so tiioro uglily tested. In the year 1710, three Iroquois and two Mohegan sachems were invited to visit the English court, and they sailed for England accordingly. The greatest interest was felt by high and low in their aprcarancc and demeanor. '^I'hey were royally accoutered, and presented to Queen Anne with courtly ceremony. The authenticity of the set speeches recorded as having been delivered by them on this occasion, has been shrewdly caFed in question. The Spectator, of April 27th, 1711, in a letter written to show how the absurdities of English society might strike a for- eigner, gives a sort of diary as having been written by one of these sachems. The article opens thus. "When the four Indian Kings were in this country, about a twclve- mrnth ago, I often mixed \v'ith the rabble, and fol](j\ved them a whole day together, being wonderfidly struck with the sight of every thing that is new or unconmion." The writer particularizes " our good brother E. Tow 0. Kijam, king of the llivcrs," and speaks of "the kings of Granajah (Canajoharie) and of the Six Nations." This latter appel- lation, as observed by Mr. Drake, seems to call in question the correctness of the date usually assigned to the event of the annexation of the Tuscaroras. THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX XATIONS. 295 CHAPTER III. IMPORTANT CHARACTERS AND EVENTS OF THE EIOHTEENTH CEN- TURY BRANT CRESAP'S WAR, AND HISTORY OF LOGAN. During the long and bloody wars between the English and French, the Six Nations were continually involved in hostilities, occupying, as they did, a position between the contending parties. To describe all the part they took in these transactions, would b. to give a history of the war. This is far from our purpose to undertake, and, in bring- ing down events to the period of the American revolution we shall bestow but a passing notice upon some of the more prominent incidents in which the Irocpiois, as a na- tion, or distinguished -individuals of their tribe, bore a conspicuous part. Joseph Brant, — Thayendanagea, (as he usually signed himself,) was born in the year 17-12. It has been a matter much disputed whether he was a half-breed, or of pure Indian descent, and also whether he was entitled to the dig- nity of a chief by birth, or rose to it by his own exertions. Ilis biographer. Stone, pronounces hiin to have been the son of " Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, a full-blooded ]\[o- hawk, of the Wolf tribe." His parents resided in tlie valley of the Mohawk, but were upon an ex}.)edition to the Ohio river when Joseph was born. Young Brant w.as early taken under the patronage of Sir William Johnson, the English colonial agent for Indian affairs, under whose command he gained his first knowledge and experience of military affairs. Many have expressed the opinion that Brant was a son of Sir William ; but we can account for their mutual interest in each other's welfare upon other grounds than those of natural affection. Sir William Johnson was idolized by the whole Mohawk tribe for the favor and respect which he had shown them, and for his ' 1 1 i 'M > ^ L 11^ :m ^•Ir 'm¥ '> "''n s' ( ''■■,« it , I:^-' 296 INDIAN RACKS OF AMERICA. ' IPS.: i ■ r ■ ■' i l! ii 1 1 princely hospital it3\ With the family of l>raut he was more closely coniiocted by a union with Moll}", a sister of Joseph's, who lived with him as a mistress until his death. In the year 1755, Brant, then but thirteen years of ago, took part witli his tribe in the battle at Lake (ieoi'go, where the French, under Baron Dieskaru, were defeated by Sir William Johnson and his forces. Old king Ilen- drick or Soi-en-ga-rah-ta, the noted sachem of the Aio- liawks, perished on this occasion. Ilendrick was nearl}^ seventy years of age, but years had not diminished his energy or (^ourage. Historians vie with each other in the praises which they bestow upon the eloquence, bravery, and integrity of this old chief He was intimate with liis distinguished English commander, and it was between them that the amusing contention of dreams occurred, that has been so often narrated. With the Iroquois a dream was held to import verity, insomuch that it must be fulfd- led if practicable. Sir William (then general) Johnson had displayed some splendid and costly uniforms before the eyes of his admiring guests, at one of his munificent en- tertainments. Old Ilendrick came to him one morning, shortly afterwards, and gravely affirmed that he had dreamed of receiving one of these gorgeous suits as a present. The general instantly presented it to him, but took the oppor- 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 principles, but at the same time avowed his intention of dreaming no more with one whose dl-eams were so hard. To return to young Brant : after accompanying his j^atron in further campaigns of the bloody French war, he was placed by him, together with several other young Indijius, at an institution in Lebanon, Connecticut, called the Moor Sciiool, after its founder, to receive an English education. This was about the year 1760. After attaining some pro- en- mcd Tl 10 ppor- irce not tllG dtli Itrou I was lloor tioii. IUjIj.J;^^^'^*^'' JUiiF.PH BHAJfT TH.l y i:.\- 1) .i^TF.G F.^ i(' rrr- TIIE lUOQUOIS, Oil SIX NATIONS. 297 ficiciiny in the first rudimciits of litomtmv, which lie after- wards turned to good acpount, Brant left tlic setiiinary, and again engaged in a life of active warfare. He was em- ployed in the war with Pontiac and the C)ttawas, hut the partieulars of his services are not hande(l down to us. In 1705, we find liim married and settled in liis own lionso at the Mohawdv valley. ITcire he spent a quiet and peace- ful life for some years, acting as interpreter in negotiations hetwecn his people and the whit(\s, and lending his aid to the efforts of the missionaries who were; emjjasvd in the work of teaching and converting the Indians. Those who visited his liouse, spoke in high terms of his kindness and hospitality. On the death of Sir AVilliam Johnson, iii June, 1774, his son-in-law, Colonel Guy Johnson, held his office as Indian agent; while his son and heir, Sir John Johnson, succeeded to the i)aternal estates. Colonel Guy continued the fivor shown by his father to Brant, and appoijited hini his seiretarv. In the spring of this same year a war commenced, ihc causes of which have been variously representesa]). Colonel Michael Cresap has been, for many yeai's, held up to public odium by nearly every historian, as the cruel and Avanton murderer, wdiosc unscrupulous conduct was the - sole or principal cause of the bloody Indian war of which we arc now to S}icak, and which is still spokcui of ;>s Cresap's war. On the other hand, some recent investiga- tions, made public by Mr. Brantz Mayer, of Baltimore, in an address delivered before the oMaryland Historical So- ciety, seems to remove no little portion of this resj)onsi- hility from tlie shoulders of Cresap, or at least prove that the acts wdth which his name has been so lono- associated J,' ' t ■ 'lmh t I ■'I ^Ai ■l\ ( 1 ,^■1 , 11- ; ['■ /'i 298 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKIUCA. were not directly iittributable to liiin. TT(> is shown to liavo been a jji'iideiit aiiont hostilities. Logan was the son of Shikellimus, a Caynga chief, who had removed to the banks of the Stisquehanna, and ruled over thcxsc of the Iroquois who had settled in that vicinity. Logan himself had attained authority farther to the westward, upon the Ohio, in the Shawanesc country. He had ever been of i peaceful disposition, and friendly to the whites. A party of lantbhunters, who had chosen Crcsaji as their leader, arc said to have committed the first direct acts of hostility, in retaliation for a supposed theft of some of their horses. We arc told that they fell upon and treacherously murdered several of a party of Lidians whom they fell in with, on the bank of the Ohio, below the spot where AVheeling now stands, and that among the slain were some relatives of Logan. With the next rupture, Cresap had certainly no connection. It occurred at a white settlement, thirty or forty miles further up the river. Two men, named Greathonsc and Tomlinson, were the principal leaders in the affair. They had ascertained that the In- dians, then encamped on the other side of the river, intended an attack upon the place, in retaliation for the murders committed by Cresap's men. Finding, on examination, that the Indians were too numerous to be safely assaulted in their camp, Greathonse opened a communication with them, and invited them to come and drink and feast at his house. A party of armed whites 'ay concealed in a separate apartment, and when the Indians became intoxi- cated, slaughtered the whole number, of both sexes, spar- ! THE lUOQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 200 ing only oiio cliild. A bn^tlicr iiml sister of T-oL^an wci'c iimoiig tlio slain. Mr. Mayor's accoinit (in which tiio .scono is laid at the liousc of "Baker," instead of Oreathouso,) is as follows: "The cveniii'j; before the tragedy, a S(jnaw eaiue over to Baker's, and arcjused 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 l>aker'd wife, confessed that the Indians had resolved to kill the white woman and her family the next dav, 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 unarme i m p 'Vho liDstilc ti'ihos wcic those? of the [rotiuois wIk* dwcU 111 flic wcHti'ni ('oiiiitrv, the Sliuwiinoes, tlic Dcluwarcs, tlic lowas, ;md firmness. The}' had pre})ared a sort of breast-work, b(>- hind which they maintained their position, in spite; of the repeated charges of the whites, until night, ^riiey were at last driven from their works by a company detached to fall upon their ri'ar, and, crossing the Ohio, the sur\ivor.s retreated west\vard. 7\t Chilicothe, on the Sciotn, tho chiefs held a grand consultation; and their principal wari'ior, Cornstock, see- ing that the rest wore determined upon no certain jilan of proceeding, exjiressed his own intention of concluding a peace. He accordingly sought Lord Dunmore, who Avas approacliing the camp on the Sciota, and brought about a series of conferences, whereby hostilities were for the time stayed. Logan would take no part in these negotiations; he is reported to have said tliat "he was yet like a mad dog; his bristles Avere up, and Avere not yet quite fallen ; but tlie good, talk then going forAvard might allay them." A mcs senger Avas sent by Lord Dunmore to strive to a})pcase TIIK lllOQroiS, Olt SIX NATIONS. 81)1 "1 liim, .'uul it \v'!is ujioii tliut fHiciisioii Unit the Iiidiiin diicf (lclivi'n'(] liiiiisi'U'or lliosc clcxiuciit oxpi'i'ssioiis tli:it havo uttaiiu'd micli :i world-wide ccli'lirity. He wulkcil into \\\v. vvoodrt with (Jibsoii, who had \)vv.n scut to visit him, and, Heating liiiiiscir upon ii lo^f, "Imrst into tears," and ^'uvo uttcraiKHi to liis Icclin^^s in ihcsu words, as tlioy were writ- ten down and rcpoitod at tlie time: "1 appeal to any white man to say if ever lie entered Lof^an's eal/m hun;^n'y, and he gave liim not meat; iCc^ver he eanie eold and nalced, and lie elothed him not? During the eourse of the last long and bloody war, JiOgan re- nnined idle in his camp, an advoeate for peaee. Sueli was niy love tor the whites, that my countrymen jujinted as I passed, and said: ' Ijogan is the friend of the white man!' I had even tliouiiht to have lived with vou, hut for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my woriuMi and ehildi'cn. There runs not a drop of niy blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I lur-e sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutteil my vengeance. For my countiy, I rejoice at the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt f(!ar. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one!" The subsequent history of this renowned warrior is soon told. He led a wandering, intemperate life for several years, and took part in the wars at tlie west in 1770 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 wife during a lit of intoxication, and tied ftom ! I H •" '^ ,. J f , 1 ' • 1 )» ' 1 ,; i^ t > \ (' \\ ^'fHI 'Wi m its ■\A . - '. il I ■ T M '"''' 'ral V'';,:V^ ■-,; _. '.■-.;iij 'a*M iMip '•.r i^.,;Hl''5l 802 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Detroit, where lie had been present at an Indian council, to evade tlic pnnisliment awarded by the native code. On his way towards Sandusky, he fell in with a large party of Indians, among whom was a relative of his, named Tod-kah-dohs, and whom he took to bo the one appointed lo avenge the murder. According to ^[r. May- er's account, " rashV. bursting forth into frantic passion, he exclaimed, That the whole party should fall beneath his weapons. Tod-kah-dohs, seeing their danger, and c>b- 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 leaping from his horse, to execute his dreadful threat, Tod-kah-dohs levelled a shot-gun within a few feet ,of the savage, and killed him on the s};ot." 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 brethren had borne so conspicuous a part. We are told that this was the case with all of tliem except the Oneidas, and tliat disaffection towards the colonies had become general among the western tribes. 4 1 CHAPTER IV. HISTOKY OF BRANT CONTINUED: CONNECTION OF THE SIX NATIONS WITH THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. P Ix the year 1775, when difficulties between the American colonies and the old country were rife, and tlie prospect of a long and desperate contention 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 part of the English, to use every endeavor to secure the services of the Six r;= II THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 803 Nations. The remembrance of their noble patron, Sir "William Johnson, caused the Mohawks and many others of the confederacy to adhere firmly to his son-in-law 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 by them, to discuss the policy which they should pursue; after which, Johnson and his chiefs proceeded to Montreal, followed by a stxong body of Indian warriors. Sir Guy Carleton encouraged the Iroquois sachems to accept commissions under the king, and, what with his promises, their attach- ment to the Johnson family, and the remembrance of old pledges, they were thorouglily confirmed in their purpose of taking a decided stand in favor of the royal cause. The efforts of the Americans proved less successful. By the aid of a Mr. Kirkland, missionary to the Oneidas, the favor of that tribe was greatly conciliated. His efforts were assisted by the influence of the Indians of Stock- bridge, a town in western Massachusetts. These were the remains of various celebrated tribes which had long ceased to maintain a separate national existence. The principal portion of them were descendants of the ancient Moheakannuk, Mohicans, or River Indians, who dwelt on the banks of the Hudson in the early times of American colonization ; but with them were associated many of the Narragansetts and Pequots, from Rhode Island and Con- necticut. They were 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 their re- moval westward, has been immortalized in the beautiful poetical legend by Bryant, entitled "Monument Mountain." The mountain stands in Great Barrington, (western Mas- sachusetts,) overlooldng the rich and picturesque valley of t. \lu iWHl • IM ■ ' ■', ll?.*''- m$Ml ;;()! INDIAN KACKS OF AMKIMCA. tlic lloiisalonii'.. Till! roll()\viii,i< iioh^ is jippiNKlcd to tlic ]H)(Mii. "I'lilil witiiiii :i frw vr:ii's |i;ist, small parties of that Irilu' used lo ari-ixc, IVom llirir setll»Miu>iit, in llio \\H\^tern j)ai'l ol'llic stall' ol'New York, on visits to Stoi'k- bridp', tlic place o\' tlieir nativity and lonnei' residence. A voiiui;' woman, bi-lonuinii," to one oC these ])ai'ties, related to a, I'riiMid of the author the story on which llu' poem of Monument, Mountain is Ibunded. An Indian i^irl had foniuHl an atlachnient. lor her cousin, which, acci)rdini;- to the eusloms of the triiic, was unlawful. Sh(> was, in i-oii- se(puMU'(>, sci/.tHJ with a (h-ep inelaiielioly, and resoUcd to desiri>y herself. In coinpany with a female friend, she repairi'il to the mountain, decktHJ out, lor the occasion in all hcv oi'naments, and aft.er jtassiiii;" the day on tlu^ siiin- iiiit, in sini;in_u-, with her coiu})anion, the trnditionaJ st)n,!j;s of lier nation, she threw hcivself headlong from the rock, and was killed." * * * "IIi'iv till' tVii'inls s;it llit'in down, And sniifT nil day old soii and swift niii,rlit bo Iut way To tho oalni world of simshino, wlicro no «jfrii'f Rlakivs tlio lioart lu'aw, and llio I'yelids red." ■'it. P A conical pile of stones marks the s])ot ^vhcre slic w^as buried, on the southern sh)pe of the mountain. The regular successor to old kin^' llendrie, ainoii"^ the ^lohaw'ks. was Jjittle Abraham, u chief Avell (hs})Ose(l towards the Americans, and wdio remained in the iXrolKUvk vallev when Johnson and his ibllowers fled to (Canada. lie appears to liave possessed but little authority ihiriiiij; the subsequent ditliculties, and Brant, by u sort of univer- sal consent among those in tho Englisli interest, obtained the position of principal chief. He was commissioned as a captain in the British army, and, in tlie lidl of 1775, mi TlIK li:u(JI OIS, OK SIX NA'I'IONS. son sailed l.() I'^iigl;uir .^ovcniiiiciil. lie \v;is nil object ol' iniicli curiosity ;it liOiidoii, and ;it- 1i';i, in his life of liraiit, gives us the follow- ing speeeli, as coming, at tlu; b(\ginning of the ensuing vear, from lli(> chiefs of the Oneidas to Colonel Klmorc, conuiiandaiit at fort SchuykT. He does not attempt to c.xpli'.in the full import of it: " FouT SciiTjvi.ER, .Inn. IDiIi, 1777. " Sprrch of the Oneida Chiefs to Colonel Elmore. "Broth KM : Wo are sent here by the Oneida chiefs, in conjunction with the Onondagas. They arrived at our village yesterday. They gave us the melancholy news that the grand council-fire at Onondaga was extinguished. We have lost, out of their town, by death, ninety, among 20 'II , < ■> I ^i '■WT% f I ' '106 IN 1)1 AX r. ACES OF A M 1 : 1 ; 1 ( ' A . ~'\ M'liom are three principal saclienis. We, tlie remaining part of tlic Ononflagas, do now inform our br(^tliron tliat there is no lon^^cr a council-fire at the capital of the Six Nations. However, we arc determined to use our feeble cndeavoni's to" support peace through the confederate na- tions. But let this be kept in mind, that the council-fire is extinguished. It is of importance to our Avell-bcing, that this be immediately communicated to General Schuy- ler, and also to our brothers the Mohawks, Tn order to effect this, we deposit this belt with Tekeyanedonhotte, Colonel Elmore, commander at Fort Schuyler, who is sent here by General Schuyler to transact all matters relative to peace. AVe therefore request him to forward this intel- ligence, in the first place to General Herkimer, desiring him to communicate it to the Mohawk Castle near to him, iind then to Afajor Fonda, recpiesthig him to immediately communicate it to the lower castle of the Mohawks. Let the belt then be forwarded to General Schuyler, that he may know that our council-fire is extinguished, and can no lonGfcr burn." W m To-\.-ards the close of the "winter of 1777, it was found that the Indians were collecting in force at Oglikwaga, on the Susquehanna, and tlie fears of the colonial j)opulation of the vicinity were justly excited, although no open de- monstrations of hostilit}^ had been n.ade b}'- them. In tlie couiv/^ of tl)e spring, Brant and his followers proceeded across the country, from Canada to Oglikwaga. lie had disagreed with his superior, Guy Johnson. The whites were in great doubt as to what course this renowned chief would take in the struggle then going forward, but he seemed onl}'- to occupy himself in collecting and disciplin- ing his warriors. It was afterwards ascertained that he was the leader of a party of Indians who threatened the little f n'tification at Cherrv-Vallev, in the month of Afnv, THE IROQUOIri, OH .SIX XATiOXS. •S'Jl The only blood shed u})on the occusioii \v;is thiit of Lieu- tenant VVorniwood, a young ofhcer whom the Indians wayhiid and shot, as he was leaving the phice, accompa- nied by a single companion, bearing dispatches. B^ant is said to have scalped hini with his own hand. The Indian chief was deceived as to the strength of the place, by the duplicity of the dispatches, and by the circumstance that a number of boys were going through military evolutions at the settlement, whom he mistook, in the dr/uance, for soldiers, lie therefore retired without making any further demonstration. In -June, he visited Unadilla, on the small river of the same name, which empties into the Susquehanna, forming the boundary between Otsego and Chenango counties. Ilis purpose was to procure provisions, wdiich were per- force furnished him ; as he avowed his intention to take them by violence, if necessar}'. At a conference held, at this time, with some of the authorities. Brant expressed himself decidedly in favor of the royal cause, alludiiig to the old covenants and treaties which his nation had in former times entered into with the king, and complaining of ill-treatment received at the hands of the colonists. Shortly after, during this same month, General Herki- mer, of the i\inerican militia, took a strong force with him, and started for Brant's head-quarters, whether with intention of attacking him, or merely to treat upon terms of equality, hardly appears. Brant was very cautious of ti'usting himself in the ene- mies' hands, lie did not show himself for a week after Ilerkinier's arrival, and when he finall}^ appeared, and consented to a conference, he was accompanied and de- fended by live hundred Indian warriors. Every precau- tion was taken against treachery; the meeting was held at a temporary building erected mid-way between the two encampments, and the resjDcctive parties Averc to assemble ,4 .,1 f:<,.'i l-ir^ 'ill ■*-/ }f ■)■':■ vC I' I I' ^ 80S INDIAN' RACKS OF AMElilCA. at tlie spot unarnif^d. 'I'lic Tiidian cliicf took with liim a guard of about foi'ty waiTiors, unJ was accompanied by one Captain I'ull, of tlic En,rant by Sir William. Goncral liorlvinier had long been on terms of fricndshij) with Brant, before the troubles arose between England and the Amei'iean colonies, ar.d ho vainly hoped to be able to influence and persuade him into complaisance towards the ncAV government. Tliayendanegea was suspicious, and looked with an e^^l eye upon the hostile array of troops, shrewdly questioning tiie necessity for such preparations for a mere meeting of conference. He fully confirmed the supposition that lie was determined to support the king, and evini^ed a proud dependence upon the power and courage of his own tribe. The parley tei-minated most unsatisfoctorily, and another appoint uKMit was made. We are sorry to record an in- stance of such unpardonable treachery as Herkimer is said to have ]^lanned at this juncture. One of his men, Jose])h Waggoner, affirmed that the general privately exhorted him to arrange luatters fo tliat Brant and his three princi- pal assoc^iates might bo assassinated when they should present tluunselves at the place of meeting. The Indian chief, when he came to the council, kept a large body of his warriors witliin call, so that the design, even if it had been sei'iously entertained by Waggoner, could not be safely carried out. Brant counselled the general to go quietly home, as lie could not but perceive how much he was out-numbered if his intent was hostile. He disavowed any present inimi- cal design. Herkimer accordingly took his departure, and Brant, not long after, marched his warriors to the J-Jritish place of rendezvous, at Oswego. Here a great council was held with the Indian tribes by English emissa- ries, who enlarged upon the ingratitude and rebellioi.'s THE IliOQL'OIS, on SIX NAilONS. 300 spirit of tlic provinces, and compaj'cd tlie power and wealth of their own moniii'ch with the poverty of the Anierieans. Abundance of finer}'- and warlike implements were spread Lcforc the greedy eyes of the warriors, and they were told thjit "the king was rich and powerful, both in money and subjects. His rum was as plenty as the -water in Lake Ontario, and his men as numerous as the sanils upon its shore; and the Indians were assured that, if they would assist in the war, and persevere in their friendshij) for the king until its close, they should never want for goods or money." The bargain was struck accordingly, and each warrior ^\■ho pledged himself to the royal cause received, as earn- est of futare fovors, a suit of clothes, a brass kettle, a tomahawk, a scalping-knife, and a supply of annnunition, besides a small prc.vscnt in money. The sagacity and enterprise of tht; chief, whose ]x)wer was now almost universally submitted to by those of the Six Nn.tions that favored the cause of tlie king, 'rendered tlie alliance a fbrniidable one. The gloomy pi'ospects of the colonies, dislieartei'ed as they were by reverses and pecuniar}' distress, grew tenfold darker at the ap])rehension of such a bloody and cruel border warfare as they might noAV anticipate. Exaggerated tales were every where circulated of the extent of Indian depredations and cruelties. There was, indeed, sufFicient foundation in truth for the greatest apprehension and dis- tress. It is due to many of the British commanding oihcej'S to say that they bitterly regretted the association of their party with a horde of ^iiurderous savages, over whose acts they could exercise no control, when out of their immediate influence. Burgoyne refused to pay the ex})ectcd bounty for scal})s, to the intense disgust of his Indian forces; and, to the remonstrance on the part of the Amei'ican general, against tlie permission of the bloody •1 r .z )M) j "-'^i^-^ \^- mm '>:--:\i"j li /' i p 310 INDIAN" RACKS OF AMERICA. scenes Avliicli were contiiinully enacting, lie returned at. eloquent (liscliiiiiier ol' i)artici})tition in or encouragement of sucli acts. A large population of tlio.sc who I'csicled in the districts more innuetliately exposed, were driven from their dwell- ings by the fear of Indian cruelties. During Burgoync's advance, an incident occurred which excited the strongest emotionsof horror and indignation throughout the country. We allude to the well-known tale of the murder of Miss Jane McCrea. Few incidents have attracted more notice in th'e whole course of Indian warfare than tliis, and few have been reported in so variant and distorted a stylo. Miss ^IcCrea was the daughter of a gentleman of New Jersey, and was residing, at the pei'icxl of our present narrativ(^, with her brother John, near Fort Edward, upon tlie Ilvulson, within a few miles of Saratoga. Her family was of the royal party, and she was herself engaged to marry a yomig officer by the name of Jones, then on duty in Burgoync's army. Tlie ])romised husband commissioned a few Indians to go to the young lady's dwelling, and escort her thence to "the British camp. Against the urgent entreaties of her friends, slie put herself under the protection of these un- certain messengers, and started for the encampment. Her lover, anxious that his errand should be faithfully })cr- fbrmed, dis})atched a second party to join the convoy. The two companies met a short distance from Fort Edward, and were proceeding together when they were attacked by a party of Americans. " At the close of the skirmish," says Stone, "the body of Miss McCrea was found among the slain — tomahawked, scalped, and tied to a pine-tree, yet standing by the side of the spring, as a monument of the bloody transaction. The name of the young lady is inscribed on the tree, the trunk of which is thickly scarred with the bullets it received in the skirmish. It also bears 1= \: •■ -t r T — THE IKCiQlOlS Oi: SIX NATIONS. 311 the date 1777." IL^ citos furtlior, from Silliman: "Tradi- tion reports tliat tlin Iiuliaiis dividtMl the S(!alp, and that caeli party carried lialf oCit to the a,!j;'onized lover." The aceonnt u.sually I'eccix-ed of the manner in wlii(di her deatli was brought ahoiit is, that the chiefs of the two Indian companies, cpiarrelling as to wliich should receive the rcwarri (a ])arrel of rum) promised by Jones, one of them, to end tlie dispute, bui'ied his tomahawk in the head of their charge. During tliis month, ('Tuly,) General Barry St. Leger marched iVom Oswego, Avith nearly two thousand whites and Indians — the latter led by ^riiaj^endanc^gea— to the investiture of Fort Stanwix. This stronghold of the pro- vincial party occupied the spot where Home now stands, in Oneida county, near the head-waters of the Aiohawk. ^rhe i^ost was afterwards called Fort Schuyler. The forces of St. Leger beset the fort on the od of August. The most interesting event connected with the part taken by tlie Indians in this siege, is the bloody battle of Oriskany. The brave old soldier, General Herkimer, with from eight hundred to a thousand militia and volunteers, hastened to relieve the garrison as soon as the news of St. Leger's design was brought. Unfortunatolv, the English commander obtained information of the approach of rein- forcements in sufficient season to prepare an and)useade at a s})ot the most disadvantageous possible for the advancing troojDS. Where a marsli}^ ravine, over which the path of the American army was carried by a causeway, partially inclosed a dry and level tract, I'rant and his Avarriors, with a body of English troops, lay concealed. Before Ilerk'mcr and his men were aware of danger, the main portion of t their number was com}>letely surrounded, and cut off fi-om tlie bau'gati'e and rear-guard. Broken and disordered by tlie murderou--! and unex- pected fire of the enemy, the Americans met with terrible 1 1 I; !| J*!?! .A ' •'J Mm :ir-J_ 'tJA v. I I ■~~~7\ 812 INDIAN liA(;KS OF A.MKKIOA. losrt, li(-tivat was out of ihc (|U('sti()ii, ami gradually, en- couraged by the exliortalioiis of their Imivc eijunnauder, who, although sevc^nly wounded, sat supjiorted l>y a tree, coolly issuing his onhu's, tiny formed defensive eii'cles. Such scenes ol' desi)eratc hand to hand fighting as ensued liave seldom Lccn record(>d. 'I'ho destruction on both sides was great, more than U\'o hundred of the Americans being killed on the spot. IJoth parties laid claim to a vic- tory; but it ajipears sunieicntly certain that the Indians were dispersed, Avhilc the ]n'ovincial militia held their ground. ^Fhe })urpose of the advance was, indeed, defeated, except so far as it gave opportunit}' for a successful sally from the fort, in which the British were driven froni their cncam})ment, and a great quantity of valuable booty was obtained. One who passed the spot where the battle of Oriskany was fought, a few days afterward:-;, writes: "I beheld the most shocking sight I had ever witnessed, ^fhe Indians and white men were mingled with one another, just as they had been left when death had first completed his work. Many l)odies liad also been torji to pieces by wild beasts." '^J'hc veteran eomm.ander of the provincials died in consecpience of the wouiu.l he had rncoivcd. ^j^h-e loss cxpcj'ienced by the Mohawks and others of the Six Nations who took part in the engagement, was long re- membered and lamented by their tribes. Notwithstanding the reverses that followed ; the discom- fiture of the English; the growing power and confidence of the Americans; and the long and chxpient appeal of mingled warning and conciliation comnninicated to them by Congress, all of the Six Nations excejit the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras remained, at the cTose r f the yi^ir, fast friends of the king. The povert}^ of the colonies ])rohib- ited that display of rewards which the loyalists could proifer, and constant intimacy enabled the politic oHlcera :i.il THE IHOQUOIrt, OK SIX NATIONS. 313 of tlio crown to sway the igiiorunt miiMls of tlio Indians, and to teuch tlicni to look upon tln-ir wliito coniitrytnen as an unprincipled pco')lc, cngiigod in a hopeless as well as causeless rebellion. ClIAPTEIl Y. CONTINUATJION OF HKVOI.irriON A KY INCUDKNTS. TuE year 1778 oj)cne(l uiil'avonihly lor American in- fluence over the border savages. Johnson and JUitler, aided by Joseph JJrant, in behalf of the crown, had been unwearied in their ellbrls 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 purpose of making one more ellbrt to induce the Six Nations to ado[)t a neutral policy. An incom})lcte deputation, from all the ti'ibes except the Seneeas, 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 the nation. There was too great reason to fear that the Indians of the far west were successfully dealt with by emissaries on the part of the loyalists. Brant returned to his old quarters at Oghkwaga, and its vicinity, and lent himself heart and soul to the work of harassing and plundering the colonists. Although, as the chief of his nation, no snudl portion of the enormities committed by the Indian predatory bands, was attributed to his direct influence, it is due to ]5rant to say, that few an:ong his companions-in-arms showed an equal regard for the laws of humanity. AFany an instance is recoi'ded of his interfei'cnce, even in the heat of conflict, to stay the hau I uplifted against the feeble and helpless. lie was, it :-1, ^ 1 -i , I ■1-4 ill " ' , i. T' '^^'^:i ■■^,•1? J •^ : Jl ^-m f*!'' 8U INDIAN HACKS OF AMi;Ul''A. ;fi p is tni(>, a fiorco jiartisnii ■warrior, and, in oii(» of liis letters, uvowetl his intent to "lidit. the ernel rebels," as well as ho cou'il; bnt he seldom, if ever, evinced that savaii'e cruelty towai'ds a coiH^uereil loo which disgraced his Indian and white associates. While the wai' lasted, there was no rest or safety for tho inhahitants of that extensive district Lorderin,^' on tho enemies' country— fi'oni Saratoga, south-westward to tho Sus(|uehanna. Hrant comnieneed opei'ations in person, hy an attack on Spi'ingfield, a small ])laco at the head of Ot- Begolak'c. He di'oN'e (iff (jr look j)risouers all tho men, and asscmliling th(> widmcu ami childi'cn for safety, burneil all the town e.\cej)t the lu^use where they were collected. Ho then retinu], olfering theiu no injury. In the- laLler pai't of June, a descent was })lanned upon tho settlements in the \'alley of Wyoming, upon tlu^ Sus- quehanna, in the north-easl(M'n part of Pcnnsyh'aiiiii. Some tiii'ee huiidi'cd Jh'itish regulars and toi'V \ohMit(M!ra, accompanied b}' about fne liundie'd of their Indian allies, inarche(l from Niagara, 'rhey avci'c led by Colonel .John liutlei'. ll has been a (-ommoidy received opinioji that IJrant was the chief under wliom the Indian portion of the army was nnistered, but it is now believed that he liad as lit- tle share in this cann)ai!j;n as in manv other scenes oi" blood long coupled w^ith his name. '^J'hcre is no proof that ho was present at any of the scenes that wo are about to relate. iS'o portion of the whole history of the revolution has been so distorted in the iiarration as that connected with the laying »vaste of the valley of Wyoming. No two ac- counts seem to agree, and historians have striven to out-do eacl) other in the violence of their expressions of indigna- tion, at cruelties and horrors which existed only in their own imaginations, or which came to them embellished with all the exaggeration incident to reports ai'isiug amid scenes of excitement and bloodshed. ■y TlIK Illoyi'OIM, OK SIX NATIONS. Sir. Wyoming liiul, for iruiiiy yvara, Ix'tn tlio scene of tlio bitterest liustility betwijeti tlie settlers niider tlic Coniietti- ciit grant und those from PennsylyjiniM. Althougli tlieso Wiirliice optjrations were upon ji smiill scale, they wwv eon- (luctecl with great vlndietiveness and treaeheiy. r»l«ii(d was frequently shed; and, as either i>arty obtained the as- cendancy, small favor was shown to their opponents, who were generally driven fi'om their liomes in hopeless desti- tution. AVe camiot go into a liistory of these early trans- actions, and oidy mention them as e\planat(^ry of the feelings of savage animosity whic;li were exhilnted l)t;tweeii neighbors, and even members t)f the same families, who had es})oused opposite interests in the revolutionary liontest. As John Butler and his forceps entered the mirtli-west- ei'u portion of the valley, having descended the Sus([ue- lianna upon rafts, th(! inhabitants of the sevei'al towns made the best ]n'e)>a rations in tlu'ir power to resist the in- vasion. Colonel Zebulon ]3utler was in command of a company of regular continental ti'oo})s, and with about three hundred of tlie militia, collected in the valley, ho marched on the 8d of 'July, to check and, if possible, disperse the invaders. It was intended to take the enemy by surprise at their encampment, (at Fort Wintermoot,) but the vigilance of tlie Indian sentinels betrayed the ad- vancing forces. They found the royalists drawn uji, and ready to give them battle. Their line was extended from the river, on their left, to a nuirsh, l>eyond which rose the mountain range which bounded the valley. The Indian \varri(jrs were stationed at the right by tlie boi'dei's of the swamp. The whole line was simultanecjusly attacked by the provincials, as they came up. Colonel Dennison, who commanded the left wing of the American army, ]»ei'ceiv- ing that a strong body of the Indians had lojved their way throu'di the marsh, and wei'e about to altaek him in the f ■rp*^ ■ f H./i v'nifiim I*' i.: '■ "i li i HI tii iii>4v','«'K ■ i if 31G INDIAN KACKS OF A:\IKKTC'A. I „ rear, gave an order to fall back, tluit his troops might Jioi be surrounded. Tliis command was 'nistaken for an order to retreat, and the rcsnl.t was a complete rout and a disor- derly flight. The Indians, now completely in their ele- ment, fell upon the helpless stragglers with tomahaAvk arid knife. About fifty of the Americans are said to have escaped by swimming the river, or by clambering the mountains, and concealiii'ji: themselves in the forest: the rest all perished upon the field. Most of tlie inhabitants of the valley sought safety from the victorious armv in flight. Those who remained be- took themselves to Fort AVj'oining. On the next day, July 4th, the I>ritish colonel approached the fort, and demanded an unconditional surrender, A capitulation was finally agreed upon, by the terms of u'hich the occupiers of lands ill the valley were to be protected in the peaceable enjoy- ment of tlieir property. Colonel Zebulon Butler and tln! remnant of liis regulars had made their escape, and it was agreed, b\' the olllcer remaining in command, that the fort should be demolished, '.riie result, however, was the almost entire destruction of the settlement. The rapacity of the undisciplined Indian forces, tempted by the o])por- tunity for plunder, eonld not be restrained; and the long- cherished rancour of partisan enmity between fellow-coun- trymen had full opportunit}' to satiate itself The rich and highly-cultivated farms were laid waste, and iheir unfortunate proprietors, flying from their burn- ing lionies, were reduced to the greatest extremities, ^fany are said to have perished in the wilderness, whither they had lied for safety. From the tales of the wretched out- casts wlio were dispersed over the country, as published at the tiin(>, many incidents have been copied into modern histories, which we know Id be false or grossly exniirer- ated. War is (■very way an enormous evil, and wIkmi carried on by an ignorant and barbarous peoph', to whom THE UIOQVOIP, OR SO NATIONS. 3i: ilic refinements of so-called civilized warfare arc unknown, must necessarily involve seein\s of terror and desolation; but at the time of which we are now speaking, the great- est atrocities appear to have been committed by whites. Wc will give a single incident as illustrative of the spirit of the times. Several of tlic loyalists had pursued some fugitives of the provincial militia to an island in the river. One of these being ferreted out from his place of conceal- ment, recognized his own brother among the enemy, and, falling upon his knees, begged humbly for his life. The greeting and response of the unnatural brother are thus recorded: "So it is you, is it?" — "All this is mighty fine, but you are a damned rebel.'' — Saying which, he deliber- ately levelled his rifle, and shot him dead upon the spot." At the north, limntiuul Lis. Indians continued to be a source of terror and annuyance. Besides many minor dcpredai:ions, they burned and plundered the rich and thriving settlement of the German Flatts, upon the up])er waters of the Mohawk. The inhabitants had suHieiont notice of the attack to be able to secure tliemsclves in the neiu:hboring forts, but thev could do nothin'.r to preserve 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 nott^l establishments of the Indian cliief at Oghkwaga and Unadilla. A ])arty 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. He entered the towns of Unadiila and Oghk- waga, and, iinding them deserted by the Indians, buriu^d and destroyed the buildings, together with large stores of provision intended for winter use. The Indians were greatly exasperated at this heavy loss, and it was not diflicult for the English to excite them \n })n>nipt '-xertions lln- rev(>ngc. The Senccas \ver(^ d'srov- ; I 1 I ._] ■iii;;it; :,m ^j'\m p. IN I ' ;' ■ 318 INDIAN EACES OF AMERICA. '♦';• P I I . I crcd to be in arms, and assuming a hostile attitude very slioiily after these events; and one of tlieir ehiefe, "The Great Tree," wlio had been spending the summer with the Amerieans, and had assoeiated during that time upon £i-iendly terms Avith General AVashington, had now re- turned to his people with altered demeanor and purposes. lk(']^'ortshad been eirculated among the Indians of this and other tribes that the ^Vmericans were planning an invasion of their country. Early in November, (1778,) the younger Butler, Walter, led a force of seven hundred men from Niagara to attack the settlement at Cherry- Valley. The majority of the party consisted of Indians under the command of Thayen- danegea. The place of their destination, a beautiful and prosperous village, not far from Otsego lake, was defended by a fortification garrisoned by troops under Colonel Tch- abod Alden. The commander received intimation, from an Oneida messenger, of the dangerous position of the place, but, being incredulous, or supposing that there was [d)undance of time for preparation, he was in no condition for resistance when the blow fell. The inhabitants, instead (jf seeking the protection of the fort, were scattered amontr their several habitations. The Indian savages made the first onslaught, and, throw- ing aside all restraint, massacred men, women and children indiscriminatel}^ Many of the tories belongir.g to the party are said to have shown a spirit of ferocity equal to that of the worst of barbarians. The officer in command. Walter N. Butler, repeatedly asserted, in after communi- cations, that he used his best endeavors to stay the destruc- tion of the helpless children and females, and there is no doubt but that Brant's inclinations turned in the same direction. Specific instances are reported in which the J^lohawk chief interfered, and successfully, to arrest the m urderous torn ahawk. According to tlic' r account, the r~i-.. THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS. 319 ludiaus were exasperated at tlicir losses at Oglikwaga and Unadilla, and, becoming heated with the excitement of the attack, were in complete disorder, and_ in no degree amenable to discipline. Wherever the bhime hiy, tlie result was terrible : about hfty soldiers and inhabitants fell by the tomahawk, among the latter of whom the larger portion consisted of women and children. The whole village was burned to the ground, and the rich stores of provisions were destroyed. Thirty or forty prisoners were taken, but of these, the women and children, with a few exceptions, were shortly after set at liberty, as unable to endure the march. Mrs. Campbell, one of those who was retained as a hostage, because of the prominent part taken by her hus- band in the American cause, has given very interesting descriptions of Indian ceremonies and manner of life. The Onondagas, throughout these campaigns, while, as a tribe, they did not openly profess themselves inimical to the Americans, were individually concerned in no small number of the foraj^s and scalping expeditions whereby the border country was harassed. In April, of 1779, it was determined to destroy their settlements, and Colonel Yan Schaick, with a sufficient force, was despatched for the purpose. He was ordered utterly to lay waste the whole of their towns; to destroy all their cattle and pro- perty; and to take as many prisoners as possible. lie did not succeed in surprising the Indians, as he had pur- posed: their scouts carried intelligence of his advance in season for most of them to escape to the woods; but their improvements and dwellings Avere left undefended, at the mercy of the assailants. The colonel oljeyed his orders to the letter, and left nothing but blackened ruins behind him in his progress through the Indian villages. The dwellings, tlie horses, cattle, and stored provisions of the unfortunate tribe were all destroyed, and the Americans LT ■•'m ir>. ', w-Ak .«!,.'. •"•.■« *i ^A*> 820 INDIAN RACKS OF A^rEl!TCA. ,'»' I $* returned to iilieir quarters, without tlic loss of a man, taking with them tliirty-three prisoners. About twelve of the Onondagas were killed during the expedition. The friendly Oncidas were closely connected with this tribe, and they felt and expressed a natural sympathy with their misfortunes. The Onondagas were greatly exasper- ated, and their war-parties continued to hover around the border settlements, ever ready to tiike advantage of any unwariness on the part of the whites. In the months of July and August, of this year, (1779,) Brant signalized himself by various successful expeditions. lie plundered and destroyed the little town of ALinisink, near the Del''\are river, in Orange county, New York, and defeated a bod}^ of the jnilitia who undertook to follow his trail, in hopes of recovering the booty he hud secured, and of avenging the ruin he had caused. Some interesting incidents are recorded as connected with this battle. So skillfully did the Mohawk chief anticipate and oppose the movements of his pursuers, that he seciu'ed an advantage in position which gave liim a signal victory. A large proportion of the whites were slain. We are told that, after the battle, Biant saw a wounded officer lying upon the field, in a hopeless condition, but retaining sufficient strength to converse. Unwilling to leave the unfortunate man to be torn in pieces by wolves, who would be sure to collect as night came on, he determined, from motives of humanity, to dispatch him. lie therefore commenced a conversation with him, and, watching his opportunity, put an end to his sufferings unawares, by a blow of the tomahawk. On this, as on most other occasions in which the Mo- hawk chief was engaged in active hostilities, the most contradictory reports have been recorded concerning his conduct and demeanor. The leader is generally eom)»elled to bear tlie blanip of all the excesses committed l)y his THE TJlOQFOTr •^IX XATrONS. 001 o .. L followers, and it is no cosy tosk, at tliis distanco of time, to decide upon the ti-utli of niuny tales reported under circumstances of confusion and excitement. CHAPTER VI. GENERAL SULLIVAn's CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE IROQUOIS — SUBSEQUENT WARLIKE OPERATIONS OF THE NATIO^. While the events wliicli we have just described were transpiring, prepara,tions were going on for a more formid- able invasion of the Indian territorv than had before hcon attempted by the Americans. The annoyance of an un- certain border warfare had become so intolerable^ that it was deemed necessary to put a stop to it by the entire destruction of the Iroquois towns and settlements. In pursuance of a resolution of Congress, the commander-in- chief, General AVashington, made arrangements, in the spring of 1779, to send a large force into the heart of the enemies' country, with directions to burn and desti'oy all their towns; to lav waste their fields and orchards, to take as many prisoners as practicable; an':''l99 r r 'If P i INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. It was intended tliat Clinton should tuko with him a body of Oneida warriors, but this purpose was frustrated by the efforts of General Ilaldimand, on behalf of the king of Great Britain. This oflicer sent a letter, written in their own tongue, to the Oneidas, upbraiding them with the breach of ancient treaties, and threatening, if they pro sumcd to engage in open warfare against the royalists, to let loose upon them such a horde of his Indian allies as sh(>uld utterly destroy them. The effect of this e2)istlc was to keep the Oneida warriors, with very few exceptions, at home, that they might be in readiness to guard tlieir fonalies and homesteads from the threatened invasion. Owing to delays at the south, Clinton did not receive orders to remove from Otsego until August. He had, in the mean tinie, dammed the outlet of the lake, so that a givat body of water had accumulated. "When his troops were embarked, the obstruction was removed, and, aided by the unusual flow, the flotilla swept rapidly arjd smoothly down the stream. On the 22d of August the meeting at Tioga was effected. Five thousand men, well armed and provisioned, were now concentrated, and ready to pour upon the devoted towns of the hostile Iroquois. ''I'he attempt to keep the expedition a secret from the eneni}' would have been utterly useless, from the length of time required for the ])reparatory movements. The campaign was anticipated, but no adequate force was pro- vided Lo resist the American arm}-. Tlie only battle wh'uAx took place was at Newtown on the bank of the Chemung, near tlie })resent town of Elmira. Here a force, variously estimated at from eight to fifteen hundred, and ccmsistiiiu; of Indians under Thayendanegea, and whites commanded by the two Butlers, and by Sir John and Guy Johnson, was advantageously intrenched. A brave and obstinate resistance was made to the ad- vance of the Americans, but supei-ior numbers prevailed, :i.-j h ' iT f! "yr"* T '^''S'l .. _..._^ THE lUOQL'OIS, Oil SIX NATIONS. 323 and the ciiumy was driven across tlio river, after sulTcring considerable loss. I'liis was the only attempt of anj^ im- portance tliat was made to defend tlie 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 the con- federate nations were reduced to utter ruin. These Indian tribes had made no little advance in the arts of civiliza- tion. The Mohawks had mostly fled to Canada in the early times of the revolution, but others of the Iroquois, ]iar- ticularly the Cayugas and Senecas, had continued to culti- vate their fields and maintain possession of the homes of their forefathers, [mmcnse orchards of apple and other fruit-trees were growing luxuriantly around tlicir habita- tions, but all fell beneath the axe of the destroyers. The movement of so large a bodj^ of troops was necessarily slow, and as no j)recautions 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 them, a wandering and destitute peopl(>, who must perish, or rely for aid upon their Canadian allies. The whole month of September Avas spent in the work of destruction. The course of the march, after the battle of Newtown, was first to Catharine's Town, near the head of Seneca lake; thence to Kanadaseagea, the pi'incipal town of the Senecas; to Canandagua; and to Genesee, which was the farthest point reached at the westward. Fronr Sullivan's account: "The town of Genesee con- tained one hundred and twentv-eiuht honses, mostly larcje and very elegant. It was beautifully situated, almost en- Mrcled with a clear flatt extending a number of miles; over which, extensive fields of corn were waving, together with every kind of vegetable that could be conceived." Cn !../ iiiii:,liPi*S \v 321 INDIAN KACES OP AMERICA. U.J P "Tlic entire army," says Stone, "was immcdintely en- gaged in destroying it, and the axe and the t(M"eh vSoon trunslbrined the whole of that beautiful region from the eluu'aeter of a garden to a seene of drear and siekening desolation. Forty Indian towns were destroyed. Corn, gathered and ungathered, to the amount of one hundred and sixty thousand bushels, shared the same fate; their fi'uit-trees were eut down; and llie Indians wei'e hunted like wild beasts- 'Ul i' " er iiouse, nor fruit-tree, nor liehl of eorn, nor inh.i.i;!,'':.;ii remained in the whole countr}-." In a suffering ai ' ^'.'- imitc condition, the scattered tribes of the Iroquois wei>; drivri 'o seek })rotection and sup- ])oi't during the hard winter that succeeded their overthi'ow from the Engli>'h at their posts in the vicinity of Niagar;i, Nothing could now be ex])ected at their hands, by tlio Americans, but acts of vindit'tive retaliation. Brant led his warriors, in pursuance of Ilaldiniand's ominous predic- tion, against the settlements of the Oneidas, and reduced them to a condition as desoLite as that of the habitations of his allies. ''J^lie whole 'nbe was compelle(l to fly to the eastward, and seek shelter and support from the provincials. Thayendanegea was (>vei' ready and watcliful for oppor- tunity to harass and weaken the Amei'ican posts, or to plunder their unprotected villages. Passing over his minor exploits and adventures, of which many strikingly characteristic anecdotes are })reserved, we come to his ii-ruption into the ;^[ohawk valley, in August of 17S0. He managed, at this time, to circulate a report among the settlers in the valley, that he was meditating an attack upon Forts Plain and Schuyler, for the purpose of getting possession of the st.nws collected at those posts. Tlie mil- itia of the valley hastened to defend the threatened points, leaving their vi liaises a prev^ to the cunning Mohawk. He carefully avoided the reinforcements on their way to the forts, and fell upon Canajoharie. THE IROQUOIS, Oli SIX NATIONS. 326 ITis course was nuiikcd by the entire destruction of houses, ])rovisions, and crons; of every thing iiuk'ed that could not be profitably carried away. No barbariti(>s were perniitted upon the ])ersons of the defenceless women and children, but a large number of them were borne away into captivity. Brant elU'cted his retreat unmolested; hii men laden with plunder, and driving before them the Viduable herds of the white settlers. Accounts, published shortly after the transaction, represent that the whole num- ber of houses and barns burnt in this invasion, at Cana- joharie, Schoharie, and Norman's Kill, was one hundred and forty; and that tv/enty-four persons were killed, and seventy-three made captives. The mind is little impress- ed by such bare enunicration, iculess the imagination ^ excited to fill up the outline. No language could exp' . ' the amount of misery and terrible anxiety which such an inroad must have caused. To the distracting uncerta ty respecting the fate of their wives and children, prisou.irij in the hands of a barbarous and exasperated enemy, was added the mortification of a consciousness, on the part of the provincial militia, that they had been duped. Thcj had left their defenceless homes to be ravaged by the enemy, while they were busying themselves in the defence of a fortified post, against which no attack had been meditated. The invasion of the Mohawk valley by Sir John John- son, in October of this year (1780), was productive of results still more extensively disastrous. The Indians connected with the expedition were led by Brant, and by the great Seneca warrior, Corn-Planter. This chief was a half-breed, being a son of a white trader, named O'Bail, and a Seneca squaw. During this campaign, he took old O'Bail prisoner. Making himself known to his father, Corn-Planter enlarged upon his own position and conse- quence, offering the old man his choice, whether he would j;.' ■'4 1 '' ? V. ' 1/1" 320 INDIAN' UACIW OF AMKUIi'.V. 1 ' • 4. 9* live in caso and ])lonty uinoiif^liis son's followers, or return to the scttlcuients of tlic w]iit(\s. OTiail pri'fcrred the latter course, and was escorted accordingly to a place of safety. We shall s})eak fui'tlu'r of this iioted warrior, in describing his suecessfid rival, the great orator lied- Jacket. The usual horrors attendant upon Indian warfare marked this campaign of Johnson's; but we are not without evi- dence that the princi])al leadei' of the savages Avas inclined to no cruelty farther than that necessarily incident to the Indian mode of coiiducting hostilities. On one occasion, he sent one of his runners to return a young infant that had been carried olV with other captives and plunder. The messenger delivered a letter from Brant, directed "to the commanding ollicer of the rebel army," in which the Mohawk chief avers that "whatever others might do," he made no vn.r npon women and children. He mentioned the two Butlers, and other tory partisans, as being " more savage than the savages themselves." The Indians of the Six Nations, engaged in the royal cause, made Niagara their winter head-quarters. Thence their scouts and war-])arties continued to molest the bor- der country tlirough the ensuing s})ring and summer, but no very important engagement took })lace until October (1781). On the 24th of that montli, the inhabitants of the country south of the Moliawk, near the mouth of Scho- harie creek, were astonished by the unexpected inroad of an overwhelming force of the enemy. The army, under the command of Major Ross, amounted to nearly a thou- sand men, including Indians. They had made their way from Buck's Island, in the St. Lawrence, to Oswego, and thence, by Oneida lake, to the Moluiwk valley, so sud- denly and secretly, that no news of their approach had preceded them. The invaders commenced the usual course of ravage and destruction, but their success was but of short dura- i .»-«t r'"^ Tllli IJIOQUOTP, OR SIX NATIONS. tion. Tliov wore disastrously roiitod find ])ut to flii^lit l)y the j'Toviiu'ials, uiid(!r (M)l()iiel Willct, iiidcMl by a l)()dy oi' Oiioida warriors. '^Ilic notorious Walt(>r N. llutlor per- ished during tlio last engagement with tlio Americans. lie was sliot and scalped by an Oneida Indian. This was the last important proeerlure connected with the war of the revolution, in wliicli the Iroquois bore a part. They proved, throughout the contest, most danger- ous and eflicient allies, rendering an immense extent of the richest and most beautiful portion of the state of New York unsafe for the Americans. CllArTEll VII. CONDITION OF THK SIX NATIONS SUBSKQUKNT TO THE REVOLUTION CONCLUSION OF BRANt's HISTORY — KED-JACKKT AND CORN-PLANTER. After the conclusion of peace and the recognition of the independence of the United States, arrangements were made between the British government a)id those of the Six Nations who still wished to reside under the jurisdic- tion of the parent country, to secure them an asylum in Canada. Thaycndanegea was the principal negotiatoi' on the part of the Indians, and, at his instance, the country bordering on Grand liiver, which empties into Lake Erie, about thirty miles westward from BulTalo, was granted by the crown to "the Mohawks, and otiiers of tlie Six Na- tions, who had either lost their possessions in the war, or wished to retire from them to the British." They were to be secured in the possession of a tract extending six miles m breadth, on each side of the river, from its mouth to its source. l^he course to be taken by the United States rosperting f \ 328 INDIAN UAC'ES OF AMKIUCA. P tlu' Tro.|iiois resident within flicir limits, was Ji anbjecl wliicii led to iiiuc'li dine . •i.sioii {ind diriscusion. A confoivnoo was liiially hold at Kort Stainvix, hetwecii d('i>utii>s fnnu all the six trilH'S and Ctiited States ei)nimissi(tiiers; and, after much violent dehate, in uhieh the eelehrated Jied-.hieket took a prominent part, it was settled that the I ndians should cede to the govermnent all jurisdietion ovef lands in east- ern New York, and eonlitu! themselves to a distriet specalled at the west. Ail jirisonci's wi-re to bo delivered ni», and several hostages were given to secure performance of their Kti])tdations on the part of the Six Nations. ^fany of the Indians were greatly dissatisfied with this treaty. Ued-Jaeket (in opposition to Corn-Planter) stren- uously advocated a continuance of hostilities. His speeeh at Fort Stanwix u[)()n the subject gained him a wide repu- tation for orattjry. l^rant, Avho was then about starting for JMiglaiid ti) })ush the claims of his tribe for remuni;ra- tion for their losses in the war, postponed his embarkation, and wrote a letter of ivmonstrance to Colonel Monroe, com- plaining especially of the retention of one of his relatives, a Captain Aaron Hill, as one of the hostages. The Mohawk chief did not lay aside his purpose of visit ing the royal court in his people's behalf, lie arrived in England in the month of DecHMuber, 1785, and never was ambassador received with more llattering attention. His intelligence and dignity, together with the remembrance of his long and faithful services, commended him to all. lie was feted by the nobility and g(!ntry; his acquaintance was sought by the most learned and celebrated dignitaries of the age; and the native shrewdness evinced in liis speeches and remarks drew forth universal a})j)lausc. His attempt to awaken an interest at court, in favor of the 'claims of his nation, was successful ; and a royal order was obtained for the indemnity of those whose losses had been speeilied, and for an examination of farther demands. I 1 1 :::::.:::J ^~1 l! mull I 51 Iter I aeki't I loiild cast- cil'u'il t, ami lln'ir h this stnni- 1 ipcccli I ; j'rpu- arting iuu;i'a- cation, , com- itives, visit ■0(1 in '!• was His nee of He litance itaries 111 liis II is )f tlic T was been rr !l :.;:;;..-J TIIK lUOQUOlS, OU SIX NATIONS. 829 In tho United States, Indian affairs continned nnsettlod, and ominoMS y;'(is|>ects<)f' Culinv disturbaneeon the wi'stern IVontier called for wise and cantioiis a.'tion. A yivat conncil was held in hecembt'r, 178(5, by many tribes of Indians, among whom tiu; Si.v Nations were the most prominent, at Huron village, not far from tho mouth of Detroit river. The object was to concert some general plan of resistance to encroachments upon their lands by the inhabitants of the United States. It is said that an unfriendly feeling towards tho new government was pro- moted by Kiiglish ollicials in their commuidcations with the Indians, in reference to the retention, by the crown, of Oswego, Detroit, Niagara, and other posts. For many years, subsetpient to the })eaee with Kngland, bloody skirmishes, and scenes of plunder and rapine, kept tho western border in continual distress; and wIumi tho United States undertook the reduction of the hostile tribes in 1700 and 91, it Avas found that the feeling of disall'ec- tion on tho part of the red men was indeed extensive. Upon the occasion of St. Clair's disastrous defeat by the Miamis and their associates, under the renowned chief, Little Turtle, it is asserted by the biograpner of Brant that the old Mohawk warrior and the warlike tri'lie to which he belonged bore a conspicuous part. No man, Iwrn of a savage stock, has ever associated with the enlightened and intelligent upon terms of greater equality than did Thayendanegea. While ho retained all his partiality for his own people, and never lost sight of their interests, he fully appreciated the advantages of edu- cation and civilization. A long life, spent for the most part amid scench )f strife and danger, in which the whole powers of his active, mind and body seemed called forth by the stirring scen^ s in which ho mingled, did not unfit him for the pursuits of literature and the aits of peace. He was indefatigable in his endeavors to elevate the social ■7' > ■!s!''\ J ■ ' .V. ■ ■.# It*'. '-.- -^ '"^ CDO INDIAN RACES OF A:^iKIMCA. ) ■* . position of Lis tribe, and devotod no little time and attcn tion to the translation of .s(;ri[)tnral and other works into the AIohaAvk tongne, for their Lenefit. Ilis earlier speci- mens of composition, Avhich have been preserved, are, as miglit be expected, rudely and imperfectly expressed, but they evince great shrewdness and intelligence. The pro- ductions of his latter yc.'ars 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 jjeople, nor chronicle the events of j^rivate interest and domestic troubles which disturbed his declinin,'^' years. The old warrior died in November, 1807, at the age of sixty-four. In the war of IS 12, the Mohawks, under John Brant, son and successor of ^Jliaycndancgca, took the part of their old friends and allies, the English, and did good service in various engagements npon the noithcrn frontier. In the early part of the nineteenth centnry, few names stand more prominent in Indian annals than that of the Seneca chief and orator, Saguoaha, or lied-Jacket. We hear of him, indeed, in much earlier times, as opposed to Brant, at the time of SulliA-an's campaign. The 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 whites generally in suspicion, and his great effort appears ever to have been for the pre- servation of his nation's independence and individuality. We have already mentioned the part which he took at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and his opposition to the cession by his nation of their eastern lands. Corn-Planter, or 0'J5ail, who favored the proposal, was high in authority at that time among the Senecas; but Red-Jacket, more by his eloquence and sagacity in council than by any warlike THE nioQuoTS, on six xatioxs. '.> ■ > 1 ncliiov'3raenfr5', was gradually supplanting liim. Corn- Plariter was a veteran warrioj", and had fought in former times against the English, in behalf of the French. He is said to have been attached to the French and Indian army, upon the occasion of Braddock's defeat, in 1755. lie could ill brook the rivalry of a young man, noted for no warlike achievements, and only prominent among his people by virtue of his natural gift of eloquence. To clieck, therefore, this advance of the young orator, O'Bail C!iy oifered to teach them the religion of the white people. Our bretliren in the East listened to them. Thoj turned fi-om the religion of tlicir fathers, and took u]) the religion of tlie white people. AV hat good has it done? Are they more friendly one to another than we are? No, brother! They are a divided people ; — we arc united. 'I'hey cpiarrcl about religion ; — anc live in love and friendshi}). Besides, they drink strong waters. And they have learned how to cheat, and how to practice all the other vices of the white people, without imitating their virtues. Brother! — If you wish us well, keep away; do not disturb us. "Brother! — We do not worship the Great Spirit as the white people do, but we believe that the forms of worship are indifferent to the Great Spirit. It is the homage of sincere hearts that pleases him, and we worship him in that manner." After arguing the matter a little more at length, and expressing a decided preference for the "talk" of Mr. Granger, an Indian agent, and for that of the emissaries of the Society of Friends, the orator concluded: "Brother! — For these reasons we cannot receive your offers. We have other things to do, and beg you to make your mind easy, without troubling us, lest our heads should be too much loaded, and by and by burst." Eed-Jackct remained, through life, consistent with the ground first taken by him upon religious and political questions. To the clergy he was ever courteous and civil, and appears to have been ready to hold argument with them n])on "Jieir creed. In conversation with one of the cloth, he is 'li fl TUE IROQUOIS, 01{ SIX NATIONS. said to have strenuously denied any responsibility on the part of the red men for the death of Christ. "Brother," said he, "if you white peojile murdered 'the Saviour,' make it up yourselves. AVe had nothing to do with it. If he had eome among us, we should have treated him better." In the war of 1812, the Scnecas espoused the American interests, and. Brant's assertions to the contrary notwith- standing, tlicir chief, with his subordinates — Farmer's Brother, Little Billv, Pollard, Black Snake, Young O'Bail, (a son of Corn-Planter,) and others — gained honorable notice for courage and activity from the connnanding officers of the army to which they were attached. It is still more pleasing to reflect that these Indians readily con- formed to the moi'c humane usages of modern warfare.^ General J3oyd reported that, "the bravery and humanity of the Indians were equally cons})icuous." In his old age, Red-Jacket became very intem})erate, and in so many instances conducted himself in a manner unbecoming the dignity of a chief, that his opijoncnls, the Christian portion of the tribe, succeeded in passing a reso- lution, in council, for his deposition. This was eilectod iu September, of the j^ear 1827, rind a formal wriiten procla- mation of the charges said to be substantiated a"-ainst him, was promulgated. The old chief immediately bestirred himself to obtain a revocation of this dcc-iee. I le caiisod a grand council of the Six Nations to be held, and, with all his former fire and energy, made answer to his accusci's. A fter enumerating and ridiculing the charges against him, (many of them really trifling,) he proceeded to speak of his long- continued services and care lor his peopk' : "I fe(d soi-ry for my nation," said he; "when I am gone to the other I worlds,— when the Great Spirit calls me away,- — who j] among my people can take my place? Many years have j I I ii'uided the nation." I I i&p ! IP ^: f ■^'^■'l ' ?!; *^^ an Ml ti '•-1 i i i'1 ■s'A 1 ' i^uH dwi 4 ''!ffl m 1 ].-] H t H ■■'■ 'tfl 3 oo-t INDIAN KACES OF AMKUICA. M , *.. ( ti 1 1 /i'hc eloqueace of the speaker, and a rcmembrur !e of l.i'i faiiliful zeal for the welfare of liis tribe, producr'd their 'liio efloet: he was fully restored to his former position and authorit3\ During the latter years of his life, Eed-Jae\'et resided at the Seneca settlement, in the vicinity of Buffiilo. lie made several visits to the Eastern cities, where his ap- pearance always attracted much interest and attention. A traveller who visited tlie Seneca country a few years before the death of the old chief (which took place in January, 1830,) speaks of his residence and appearance in tlie following terms: "My path grew more and more in- distinct, until its windings were only intimated by the smoothness of the tui'f, Avliich often left mo in perplexity, till it at last brought me to the view of the abode of the chief. He had penetrated, like a wild beast, into the deepest recesses of the forest, almost beyond the power of a white man to trace him. A wild beast! but I lonndliin) in a calm, contemplative mood, aiid surrounded by a cheer- f'll family. Old and young, collectefl about the door of the log hut where he was seated, seemed to I'cgard him with allection; and an infant, which one of the females held in her ai'ins, received his caresses with smiles, h was a striking scene — a ciiicf! Yet some of his inferiors, who cultivate the soil in other parts of the Seneca lands, had abundant fields and well-hllc^. ^ ,;i houses, while he w;is ]ioor, but bore liis privations ,j)parent ecpianim- ity. If he had power, he did not exert it ; if he had passions, they were quiescent; if lie had sulfered injuries, they were buried in his breast. — His looks, his motions, his attitudes, had that cast of superiority which convinced me that. ■whether iustlv or not, he considere(l no i nan his superior in understanding. — lie appeared to regard himself as the only one of his nation who retained the feelings and opin ions of his ancestors, and to pride himself in ju'cserviiig Hfii." Ualleck's address to "Eed-Jaeket, on lookinu' at t.. r" I 1 1 ! I !l I i THE IROQUOTP, OR STX NATT0X3. " ') X OOO his portrait, by Wicr," aHliougli lua in all respect? strictly nccorJant with fficts, contains a beautiful summary of In- dian cliaractcristics. The poem concludes as follows: "The moiiiireli mind, the niystovy of coiiiirmncliiig, The 1)ir1h-li(uir trif't. Ilic iirt X.ipcloon, Of wimiiiinf, fotic'riiiif, niouldiiiir, wielding, bunding Tlie hearts of millions, till tliey move us one; Tlion liiist it. At thy bidding men have crowded The roiid to death as to a festival; And minstrels, at their sepulchres, have shrouded Witli banner-folds of glory the dark pall. Who will believe? Not I — for in deceiving * Lies the dear charm of life's delightful dream; I cannot spare the luxury of believing That all thi .gs beautiful are what they seem. Who will believe that, with u smile whose blessing Would, like the patriarch's, soolh a dying hour, WitJi voice as low, as gentle and caressing. As e'er won maiden's lip in moonlit bower; With look like patient Job's, eschewing evil; With motions graceful us a bird's in air; Thou art, in sober truth, the veriest ilevil That e'er clenched lingers in a captive's hair! Tiiut in thy breast there springs a poison fountain; Deadlier than that where bathes the Upas-tree; And in thy wrath, a nursing cat-o'-uiountaln Is calm as a babe's sleep, compared with thee! And underneath that face, like Summer Ocean's, Its lip as moveless, and its cheek us clear, Slumbers a whirlwind of the heart's emotions — Love, hatred, pride, hope, sorrow, — all save fear Love — lor lliy land, as if she were thy daughter, Her pipe in peace, her tomahawk in wars; Hatred — of missionaries and cold water: Pride — in thy riile-tropliies, and thy scars; 1^: ! ■ I M .'■■~ lii^/ ■ '*.t .ill ■"?»^' II.- If--"* 4 'ki- V 33f] IM'IAX 1:A0K,S of AMKKlt'A, :^ II.i|M' — lliat l!iy \\T()M"'s m:'y !»■ I'V tln' nr(';it Spirit SdlTdW — lli;il IKHlt' .-ire I't'l llll'i' ICi illlu'rit Tiiy iiJiiiii'. thy I'anu', t!iy jcis^jdii^. iiiui thy tlirone!'' CIIAl'TKll VIII, PRESENT CONDITION Ol' TlIK .MX .NATIONS. f,, •i I i I i ■' The inforiiuition eoiitjiiiiiMl in tlii.s cii;iptcr is drawn froin ]Mr. Sclioole raft's al). and statitiics, prcsontrd in his "Notr.-- on tlio Ti'fXjUois.'" In taking' llie census, ordered by the Xew York legis- lature in 181 '>, and jiroeuriiig statistics oCtLt! agricultural o])ci'alii>iis oi' tlic Ji'oi[U(iis, the author informs us that great ohjccli'in ^vas math; hy the Indians to wliatthey considered an ofhcioiis intermeddling in tlicir all'alrs. Their siispicions wci'c excited l)y the novelty of the re([uisidon, and the Jiiatter a\ as discussed at ureat ItMHi :i in their councils. They could not j^ersmide themselves that the goVrrnment should t;il:e such a step from any of ilu; motives urged liy those to A'honi the business was intrusted. It aj)j)earedto them juortt ])rol)able thai the measure was but a [irelim- inaiy stc]) to the hiying a tax Ujion tlicir jU'opeHy, and lliey consequently t)])])osed continual obstacles to a satisfae- toj'v completion of the duty assigned. The entire j)0])ula- tio'i of die Six Nations, about the middle of the ei<'"litcenth nlui'y, wiis computed at six or eight thousand. Hy ct oili('r caiculatio s, ide a few years later, at the period of the American ]v'\ ciution, it was supposeel to exceed nine thousanri. Conscious as we are, of the many causes constantly ope- ratiuLi' to reibie* lb- nuiiujers of the Indian population, it is a m.'itu>r of !io less surprise than satisfaction to Icarn '^>J^.:""^ ■^y., Mm i* : ■ ' 1 ■ '. * • Hi.. ■It' • . 'i'li J ■ ''' 1 ; ■' * 4 > -m "'f JbB '; \ ' 1 -Vt-ffl ■ • ' • .*y ^ . 4- ' ' \ -^ < ! r -'^i f ' 't^4^ ::rf4 . 1 1 , ' ■■;: .'1 *' ;r:" », . ■; , i ' ' ; ' ■ 1;. S ' ' ■ 1 • 1 H t: 1 1 J A I.. K k. T F-- TlIE TUOQUOIP, OR SIX NATIONS. 337 that tliorc has been no v(;ry material dcorcaac 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 held undisturbed possession % the wilds of America, should be preserved to show what advance they arc, 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 Green Bay, Wisconsin: smaller villages of the tribe are situated further southward, near Winnebago Lake. The nmnber of these e.r.igic-inta was stated in 18-1-1 to be seven hundred and twenty-two. The Senccas who have moved westward, were put down at about two hundred and thirty. Fifty-one of the last- mentioned tribe, were resident at Corn-rianter's settle- ment in Pennsylvania. The Mohawks, Cr.yugas, and others on Grand river, in Canada, probably number over two thousand. We now come to the more certain stiii sties of the New York cen- sus, given as follows, by Mr. Schoolcraft: " Senccas, Onoudngas, Tusearoras, . Oneidas, . Cayngas, Moliawks, St. Regis Canton, 2,441 398 281 210 123 20 260." He estimates the whole nation, in Canada and the United States at nearly seven thousand. He supposes, and it would seem very justly, that there has been a period, within the last century, at which their numbers were reduced muclv below those presented by recent returns; "and that, for some years past, and since they have been well lodged and clothed, and subsisted by their own labour, and boon cx- 22 l! J4 i ;!,. ~-'^ 838 INDIAN- i:.\'JKS (»F AMKKICA. P emptod from tlic discuses und casualties incident to savage life, and tlie empire of the forest, their population has recovered, and is noio on the increased Many satisfactory evidences of thrift and good nianagC' merit, in the shai)e of saw-mills, scIiooI-Iiotocs, public buildings, and well-kept farms, appear in the Indian set- tlements of New York. Xotliing seems so conducive to the welfare of this species of our population as a depriwi cncc upon their own resources, where the means of advan- tageous labor are supplied them. The evils of the ainiuity system, and of the custom of farming out their lands to tlie whites by the Indians, have been fully and eloquently set forth. Tlic first of these practices has the ell'ect to bring a horde of unprincipled sharpers about the place where the yearly payment is made, who, by tlio tenipta tions of useless fiiiery, and, far worse, by the oiler of the red-man's greatest bane, intoxicating liquors, render the assistance of the government oft-times rather a curse than a blessing. The latter usage is productive of evil by its encouragement of idleness, and by strengthening tliat sense of pride and self-importance which distinguishes the race. Where the change in the face of the country, and the in- troduction of domestic animals have rendered the chase no longi^r necessary or })rofituble, the Indian still prefei'S ranging the woods with his dog and gun, to the endui'unco of what he esteems servile labor. Striking exceptions to the above remarks are to be seen in the conduct and eniploj-ments of many inhabitants of Indian villages in New York. Good husbandr}- is evi- dent in the management of their farms, and artisans of no mean skill are frequently met with. Some of these Indians, who have turned their attention to the art of work- ing in silver, are said to produce very beautiful specimens of ornamental work, especially in the in-laying of gun- stocks, handles to tomahawks, &;c. 1 1 irzrr-^ vfige uUic ,; 1 set- j , VOi to I dvan- I iinilty ' ids to j iicutly : V'ct to pltiee oinpta of tlie \cv tlic BC than jy its sense race, lie in- eluise refors iruiico ^c seen tuitri i»r is evi- ans of r these work- Icnuiens k gun- TIIK lUOQUOIS, OU SIX. NATIONS. 339 A portion oftlu^ Seiiecas, settled upon tlu; Allegliany, oe cu[)y themselves in I'al'tingand boating upon the river, and others are engaged in the hike navigation. 'I'here si^enis, indeed, to be no want of bodily or mental capacity in the North American Indian, Ibr the successliil pursuit of nearly every trade, profession, and occupation, followed by the whites. One most beneficial reformation has taken place among some of the Iroquois, in a movement which, if universally encouraged, would do more to regenerate the red-men, than all other influences combined. We allude to the introduction and formation of temperance societies. The returns of agricultural products giv(>n, at the time of taking the census before-mentioned, in ISto, are ex- tremely gratifying, and may well convince us of the steady anfl hopeful advance made by the New York Indians in self-reliance and honest industry. Communications from the missionaries, engaged in the instruction and religious guidance of the Indians dwelling on the different reservations, bear witness to the docility and aptness of their pupils. The liev. Ashcr Bliss, in a letter, published in the appendix to Mr. Schoolcraft's notes, observes: "As to the ca})acity of Indian children for im- provement, my own impression is, that there is no essen- tial dilference between them and white children." Of the influence of the Christian religion upon the worldly pros- jKn-ity of the people among whom he was stationed, (the Scneeas of the Cataraugus reservation,) Mr. Bliss speaks enthusiastically. He contrasts "the framed houses and l);iT'ns, the horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, the acres of im- proved land; the wagons, buggies and sleighs; the clocks, watches, and various productions of agriculture," with the destitution and poverty of former times, and exclaims, naturally enough, "What an astonishing ehangel" « ^Xr^-'\ ■ >l ■is* *y, " m'[ -it ':'i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I IriSi IIIIM IIIIIM 1^ 1^ li: i4£ 12.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 << 6" — ► I V] <^ /a ^/. 3s,, ■ :> rf> 'W J^ '>, Photographic Sciences Corporation 4\^ ,\ s V ^\ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ccii|iai)ts of aiM'.nl from llio iiccc.^.sity lor k(H>pin,^' constant wateli throughout the wholo ers \vei'(> "weavied hy extent of the stockade. The soM being (.'ontinually on (hil\', by the loss oC their natural re.st; but tlii'ir eour;i,iie and spirit ai)peared to Ije unsub- dui.Ml, and the eoinni.Miiilant' abandoned Ids lli'st intention of evaenating the place. The I'"reneh who wei'i' residing iu Detroit broii town, and ol' all the \aluablo goods stoi'ed there, as the onlv eoiidition upon which be wot lid diseonlinu(> hostilitie lie uiaior was (Niua detei'niined in his intention ol' maintaining his position. T\ le sie'''e commencei I (>arb .M d \' lu A!a\', and no succor or suj)plies I'eached the gai'rison for uioi'e than a mouth. About the (Mid of Afay an attempt h;id been mad(> to land for( C(\s and pi'o\isii )ns b\- boat s seni IVom Niagara, but the vigilance of the lii'lians reiideicd it aboiiive. Ahiuy of the Euglish wei'(> slain, ami many nioi'e were I'cservtid to glut the vtMigeanec^ of the sa\'ages, at th(> stake. Tn the m(Uith olMune, a ^•essel, also from Niagara, made her way up tlu^ ri V(U-, in s]>ite of the attacks of the Indians, who exposed their li\-es with the utmost temerity iu at- tempts to board luu-. b'ifty soldier.s were landed at the fort, and ;i timely sup])]}" of provision gave new courage to the we.'try garrison. Mr. Thatcher, in his "Indian Biograpliy," gives extracts from various letters, written from the fort during the siege, which quaintly enough poi'tray the condition of its inmates. We quote the follow- ing from a letter of July 9th (1763): :u ' 1 ', #:. rONTIAC's WAU. 047 "^^Ml liiivoloDg a^o li(>anl of our jiloasnnt Situation, Lut the sloriii is l)Io\vii over. AV'us it not veiy a;jjre('a1)Io to hear every J)a_y of tlieir cutting, carving, lK)iling and cai- iug our conij)anions? 'J'o sec every Day dead l^odics floating down tlic llivcr, mangled and disllgured? J>iit Jiritons, you know, never shrink; we always appeared gay to spite the llascals. They iMjiled and eat Sir K'obert Devers; and wo arc infonucd, by ^fr. Tauly, who escaped, the other Day, from one of tiio Stations surprised at the i)i"eaking outof the War, and commanded by himsi'lf, that he had seen an Indian have the Skin of Captain llobert- son's arm for a 'robacco-Ponch!" A reinforcement of some threes hundred men, nndor Captain Dalyell, reached Detroit the last of July. Thus strengthened, the commander deemed it advisable; to make an immediate sally, and, if 'H)ssiblo, break np tli{> Indian encamjnnent. Pontiac licard of the intended niovcineiil, and was well prci)ared for the l^higlish wIumi they made their sortie in the evening. So deadly and iincx])cctcd was the fire of the Indians, who lay concealed on either side of the path, near the bridge over Bloody Pam, that more than one hundred of the troops were said to have been killed or womided. Subsequent to this period we have no reliable history of the acts of the great sachem of the Ottawas, His pco})le hung round Detroit until the ensuing spi'ing, keeping the inhabitants in continual alarm. 'J'he strong force which was led into the western country by Genend P^radstrcet in the early part of the summer of 176-1, clfectually 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. '1 ' t i; •,.,>, ■■',1 V ) * I * I I'm i; 1 ..« i ' »il'-J ■ ^'1 Mi m^ i'lSi iill .i:«-y n.--- TIIE DELAWARES, SIIAWANEES, AND OTHER TIUDIvS OP TIIJ] MIDUI.E AM) WESTEllN HTATEa CIIATTKU I. |:^;t « THE DF.r-AWAnKS — UMF.MAM PRNN ST. TAMMANY — THE MOIIAVIANS — TlIK SIIAWNKKS — KKKNCH AND INDIAN WAK BKADDOCK's DKFKAT MASSACRE OF THE CANKSTOGA INDIANS DANIEI. HOONl- "A iioblo nice! lint tlicy Jiro gone Witli their did lorcsts wide :irul deep, And wo liiivo built our lictnu's upon Fields wiiere their genoratidns sleep." Ukyant. AvSSOCiATED with the early history of the Dclawarcs are thoughts of WilHam Penii, and of his peaceful intercourse with, and powerful influence over, the wild natives with wlioin 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 tlicir principal settlements lay between the Potomac and the Hudson. Situated between the great northern and south- ern confederacies, tliey were in turn at enmity and engaged ill 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. The conduct of Penn towards the Indians has ever been spoken of with high admiration; and avc are assured that his care for tlicir interests, and anxiety to secure their ■cs are Icourse s with untry small their 1(1 the south- igagod wcro [riority [r been 3d that their .••^It wn.i.i/iM py.wv m«i Turn THE DELA WAKES, SIIAWANEES, ETC. 349 riglits, Tind to protect tlicm from wrongs and aggression, caused liis name to be idolized among the Delawarcs. Upon obtaining the immense grant from the crown, named Permsylvania at the time of its bestowment, his first thought was to draw up a table of " conditions and con- cessions," for the government of these who should adven- ture with him in the settlement of the wilderness. He expressly stipulated, in behalf of the Indians, that their persons and property should be protected by the same laws and j^enalties as those of the whites; that overreaching in trade should be avoided by the conduct of all sales 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 be made the special care of every magistrate. In the autumn of 1682, Pcnn 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 ]\[emoirs of Penn, the following mention is made of his grand treaty with these nat've pro- prietors* From religious scruples, he did not consider his claim, by virtue of the king's grant, to be valid v^ithout 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 for as the eye could carry, and looked frightful, both on account of their number and their arms. The Qualccrs are reported to have been but a hiindrul iji I! ' I ■ IP™'"! Iff: 'S, ' ill \^^-r % - ' ' ' ■': fly ■r , .■•(^ OOK INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. comparison, and tlicsc witliout any weapon — so tliat dis- may and terror liad come upon them, had they not con- fided in the ri'ditcousness of their cause." Tiie conference took place upon the site afterwards occupied by the town of Kensington, a few miles above Philadelphia, and called, by the Indians, Shackcrmaxon. "There was, at Shackcrmaxon, an elm-tree of prodigious Bize. To this the leaders, on both sides, repaired, approach- ing each other under its widely-spreading branches." Penn wore no ornament, or symbol of authority, cxce})t a V)]uc 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, Avho was Chief among them, j)Ut upon his own head a kind of chaplet, in which there ap- peared a small horn. This, as among the primitive Eastern 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 interpi'ctcr 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 was for peace and concord. By the articles of agreement, the Indians were to be allowed to retain pos- session, for all needful purposes, even of the land sold, and partic . "^ specifications were inserted, touching the manner in whicli their rights should be enforced. He then made the stipulated payments; distributed ad- ditional presents; and, laying the parchmenton the ground, proceeded to say that "he would not do as the Maryland- ers did, that is, call them Children or Brothers only ; Ibr rr-'- n II I i li Till'; J);':la\vajU':s, siiawaxp^es, etc. 351 often Purcuts were apt to wliip their cliildrcn too severely, and Brothers Konictinies would differ: ncitlier would ho compare the Friendship between liini and them to a Cluiln, for the rain niiglLt sometimes rust it, or a tree might iliU and break* it; but he should consider tliein as the same flesh and blood with the Christians, and the same as if one man'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 remained himself with them to repeat it. * * ' This,' says Voltaire, ' was thu only treaty between those people and the Christians tluit was not ratified by nii oath, and that never was broken.'" After-accounts of tlie Indians, as given by Penn and his associates, in which tlic estimable points of native charac- ter are pleasingly portrayed, 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 wliicli these Indians have ever been desig- nated, was bestowed u}ion them by the English, from Lord De la War : in their own t(5ngue tl ey were called tlio Lenni Lenape, (Original People,) as the chief and principal stock from which mankind in general had sprung. Conspicuous among the traditions of the DelawtiTcs appears the name of tlicir old chief Tamanend, or Tam- 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, canoni/^cd. The "Home Journal," of June 12th, 1852, makes the following mention of the singular respect paid to his memor}'-: 1 'Hi 1 m lfli kII It ml •if 1' fflraM II HI 1l ,■ f ■ 1 : ' •< 9 '>* m .11 ■m , iiflNi SIm ' '4^>'||ntraH ' >- 1 '^illM t!: v: i!vf:^fiM| ' »■ / . . ■(• ii'rt®"?><^ rPi'MI ■ i :--:;-|1j| Is' W'-"^' I ■ { ■ P --"n 852 INDIAN RACES OF AMKIIICA. "St. Tammany is, ^vo believe, our only American Saint. He Avas the cliief of an Indian ti-ibc which inhabited Penn- sylvania, while that state was still a colony, and excited so niueh i'es]ieet by his virtues and exploits, both among the white and ]vd men, that, after his death, ho was can- onized, and the day of his birth, the tirst of jSIay, regarded as a hoUday. " ' A]\ Christian countries,' says the Savannah ]ie})ubHcan, 'have their tutelar saint. England has her St. Geoi-ge; Scotland her St. Andrew; Ireland her St. Patrick; France her St. Crispan; and Spain her St. Jago. In this country we have St. Tammany. Throughout the Eevolutionary War, the natal-day of this saint was observed with great res]iect, by the army as well as by the people. It was not till jNIr. JeiTerson's administration, when General Dearborn was Secretary of War, that the observance of it by the Jirmy was dispensed with, and the change was made then only with the vicAV of carrying out the system of retrench- ment which the president sought to introduce in the administration of the government. The tirst fort built at St. Mary's, Camden county, and perhaps the first fort in the state, was called Fort St. Tammany. A gentleman now residing in this city was present, while a boy, at a celebration, by the ofhcers and soldiers stationed at the fort, of St. Tammany's-day. The Alay-pole used on this occa- sion was a tree, with its branches and bark removed; aud around that the soldiers danced and celebrated the d;iy."' It was among the Delawares that one of the most inter- esting communities of Ciiristian Indians ever existing in America, was established hy the eilbrts of the Moi-aviau mission. The venerable Count Zinzendorf, David Zeis- berger, and John Heckewelder, were zealous and promi- nent partakers in the work of converting and insti'ucting the Indians. From Heckewelder we have received much minute and interesting detail of the habits of the pco} )IC I! :ij (•or. oKonof. ivjisu ixnrox. ''':w f ; ■ ■. • 1 'i't i > i ■V i %■ ' ,-^/\, *l ri ' v"^ t « j'i ■1 . n .' ''''■P' I' THE DEI.AWAIIPIS, SIIAWAXEES, ETC. i353 among whom he laborcJ, and tlic humanizing imd endur- ing infliieiiee of Christian doctrine, enforced by good example on the part of its preachers. The circunistanees under which the missionarv work was carried on, were extremely adverse. Dui-ing the long and bloody French and Indian wars, every tale of border cruelties and massacre, committed 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 i\foravian Indians. A population of lawless whh'es inhabited the border country, whom Ileckc- welder mildly rebukes in the following terms: "I have yet to notice a class of peopL^. generally known to us by the name of 'backwoodsmen,' many of whom, acting up to a pretended belief, that 'an Indian has no more soul than a buH'alo;' and that to kill either \a the same thing; have, from time to time, by their conduct, brought great trouble and bloodshed on the country. Such then I wish to caution, not to sport in that manner with the lives of God's creatures. '^' ''^' * * Believe that a time A\ Ul come when you must account fur such vile deeds! When those who have fallen a sacrifice to your wickedness, will be called forth in judgment against you! nay, when your own descendants ivill testify against you." The Shawances were a very extensive and warlike tribe. They were, according to Indian tradition, originally from the south, having inhabited the country in tlie vicinity of Savannah, in Georgia, and a }iortion of AYest 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 ])elawares. They settled in Western Pennsylvania, extending tliem- 28 .iiv liis troops, and cliccr tliom on to tlicir now easy victory. A i'(^iiipleto n)ut ensued, and tlie Indians, rusliiiii,^ iVom tlieir places of coneealinent, lell upon the jiiiiiic-striekeii Cii^ilives wi*') llieir deadly tonialiawks. Tlie N'irgiiiians alone [)■ ni any deLiree elleetivo in resisting the enemy and nering the; disc^r- derly retreat. Tlie h)^!^^ on the pai't of the British, in killed, wounded and [)ris()ii('i's, was not, I'ai- I'rom eight hundred. All the artilleiy and baggage lell into the luuuls of the French, who, with their Indian allies, remained in undisputed possession of tlic field. Falling back upon Colonel Dunbar's reserve, instead of making a renewed stand, the whole army continued a jireeipitate retreat into A'^irginia. In this a'jtion most of the Virginia trooj)s, who, adopting the Indian manner of warfare, betook themselves to sheltered positions wlicn the fight commenced, fell victims to their constancy and brave- ry. Colonel Washington had not fully recovered froni a severe attack of illness at the time and was with great dilficulty able to undergo the fatigues incident to his po- sition. He had two horses shot under him, and received 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 Delawares, and more especially the Shawanees, were imj)licated in the extensive cons])iracy excited by the re- nowned Pontiac, in the year 17(33. It was in tliis year that a cruel and disgraceful outrage was perpetrated upon a peaceful community of Indians at Canestoga, near I^an- caster. No sooner had news of Indian murders and rav- ages been spread among the white settlements, than a determination was evinced by certain miscreants to de- stroy these harmless peo])h\ uj^'on suspici )n oi' jn-eteuce :* THE WKF-AWAUKS, SUA W ANKI.S, ElV. 857 tliut they were ecincenicd, in some wiiy, in tlio recent border outraj^'es. 'I'liu Canestogii Indians were H-w in luunlicr, and per- leelly peaeefnl and inoll'ensive. They liad inliabitt'd the fciainu little .settlement for more than a centuiy, and, aeeoi'd- in<^ to Ileekewelder, "llu'ir ancestors had been among those who liad welcomed William I'cnn, on his lirst ar- rival in this country; presenting him, at the time, with venison, &c." Ill the month of November, (ITOo,) fifty-«'^vcn white savages staffed from Paxton to destroy this establishment. They nuirdered all wliom they could lind, to the number of fourteen, of every age and sex: the rcMiiainder (fifteen or twenty) escaped to liancaster, and were locked up, for safety, in the jail, llithci- the "J'axton boy.s," as they were termed, pursued the poor ci-eatures, and, breaking into the inclosure, brutally massacred tlu> whole of them. The following is (extracted from the letter of an eye-wit- ness to this transaction. " * * I ran into the jn-ison-yard, and there, what a hori'id sight })resented itself to my view!! Near the back door of tlie })i'is()n, lay an old Indian and liis srpiaw, (wife,) particularly well known and esteemed by the peo- ple of the town, on account of his placid and friendly conduct. His name was Will Sock; across him and his squaw lay two children of [ibout the age of three years, whose heads were split with the tomahawk, and their scali)s all taken off. Towards the middle of the gaol -yard, along the west side of the wall, lay a stout Indian, whom I particularly noticed to have been shot in the breast, his legs were chop])ed with the tomahawk, his hands cut off, and finally 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 Mt iny 1 ''i^'ll iu 1 (v fj ifli 1 iilfl H^ 1 1 ' JtHi i * , 1 au7., 11* 1 * ;;i ,...1 I i 858 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKHICA. woiucti iuid cliildi'cii, spi'i'iul iil)i)Ul the jiiisoii-viii'il: sliot — Bculpeil - -luiclvi'd and cut to pit'ci'S.'' Tho events ol'Civsiip's war, in wliidi the Shuwiinccs and iVlawuiv.s were so lar-j^cly conoi'iiicd, liavi; lut n alivndy lirii'lly dcsiiribi'il, in conncrtion with tlio liistory of tin; Ii'ixiuoiis. AriiTtla" ^rcal liallie at Point, Plcusanl, in wliirli tliey and their hWh's were dd'cati'd, a short cessation of liostilitios hotwiXNi them and the colonists ensned. Tlie i)reakin;i,- ont of tho revolntionni'v Wiir revived old ani- mosities, and sngne.sled ni'w niolivi'S I'or contention. Tlu' Shawanees were early won over to esj)onso the IWitish interests: the division of the Delaware's upon the ijuestion will !)(' lu'real'ter ex})lained. The best information hamleddown to us (■Kncernin,^' tin; Shawanees, at this pei'iod, is to be (bund in the adxcntin'es ol' the, bold jiioneer, Daniel lioon. Impatient of the w- straints or competitions of an inhabited eonntry, and led l)y a rovinjjf, adventurous spirit, and by an enthusiastii', admiration of the beauties and j^'randeur of tli(^ unsettled western wihU'rness, li(> forced his way into the liaekless solitudes of Leiitueky, anil laid the foundation of a settle- ment whose jjjrowth and })rosperity are almost unparalU'led. On the 8th of February, 1778, Boone was taken prisoner by a strong force of these Indians, then vw their UKireli against tlie settlemiMit, at Uoonesliorough. Jle was eaiiied to their ])rineipal t(Mvn, Old Chilieotlu", on the Liule !Mianii, and there had abundant opj)ortunity for obserx ing their native peculiarities and usages. His character, sonie- wdiat analogous to that of Captain John Smith, r.enjamin Church, and othei's, noted jbr their successes A\ilh the Indians, was bold, frank, and fearless. Men of such nature and disposition, however rude and uiicultivate tlie I'lii-lisli, nt Detroit, wliitlier li(> \v;is eonveved uilh his eoiiipMnioiis. lieiiviii;^ tli(! rest oC their prisoiiei's ;it that post, they took liiiu back to Diilieotlie, re(nsin jj;overiior's (»ll'ei' ol' onu liundred |»oiiiids iC they unuM pai't with iheii' l;ivol'it(\ I'oDiie with ^reat eolil'tesy 'n \C KlIlLr o r th. ttil)c troatt ami I'espeet, aiid he h;id no I'ea^^oii to eoliijilaiii of his no- eoiiiliioiliiliotis, as lie enjoyed \\hate\('l' eMiidi>rts v.ci'e e \v;is ;idi ipti'il into a M' ilhiii ihi' n-aeh mI' liis iiiiisters. II itiiiiy, aeeonii t.) tl 10 usual Imhau eustoiu: in winch jiosition lie says: "I bc(!aine a son, and had a iLii'eat share in the alTeetioii of inj' liow parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. I was e\C(>edingly familiar and IViendiy witli them, always a]ipeariug as eheerlul a?id satisfied as possi- ble, and tlii^- put gr(>at eonlideiii'e in nie." His captivity lasteil iinlil i1h' montii of June, wh(Mi, n>- turnin'j' from a salt-mak'ing exeni'sion, ou tin' Sejoto, he. i'ound roll)- hiiudnMl ;nitl fifty Shawanee wai'riors, enllected with arms and war-paint, and bound on an (>xpiMliti<.'n against Boonesborough. '^Phis ineitetl him to attempt an esea])(\ that lie might forewarn the settlement of tla^ intent. ITe fled a littlt> before day, on thi^ 1()lh, and made the journey, of one hundred and sixty miles, supported by a single meal. '^^riie bold and astonishing d(>feiiec of the little; fort at T^oonesboroiigli, in the month of August, against a large force of Indians, aecompanied by certain Frenebmen, is simi)l V and unostentatiously described in the autod)iograi")lp •aphy of tliis redonbted ])ioneer. ^riie enemy, after a siege of tw^elve days, in whieh eveiy expedient of force and treach- ery failed to dislodge the garrison, were forced to retire without effecting their purj)ose. One of their stratagems was as follows: A treaty Vas 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: "tho t <* 1 'U^^T 1:1 •WIT*" ^'fi •fi^ 1: • ' ' '-4. M, I" :. ■ ■) wm |i'lf ■"^^il . 'u):'^ i. ,■ '^ <;c- ,': •:-i:^*l. c 'i .: "''>•> '^'^ l»» ■ M #1 . •■•-', .« '■ *', 'i'' 3 (JO INDIAN RACKS OF AMEltlCA. Tndians told us it \v;is cii^loiiuiiy with tlioui on such ocv;i- sioiis Ibi- two Tndians to shake hands with cvoiy wJiito man on tlie treaty, as an evidence of entire friciKlsliii,. A\ e ii.Lnvcd to tliis, Init were soon convinced tlieir ])()1icy was to take us prisoiiei's. 'I'liev iuiniediately grajijilcil us; but, tliough surrounded bv iiundrcds of savaQ-es, aw cxtii- ^ated ourselves from them, and escaped all safe into the garrison, exce^it one that Avas Avounded, through a heavv fire from tl'.eir ai-ni}-." Boone rook a i)rominent part in many of the e(int(>ls Avhich i)reeeded the rpiiet occupation of tlie land ..(' liis choice, and underAvent toils, dangers, and jirivatioiis seh d(-)m awarded to any one man; but he liA'cd to c\\y>\ llie fruits of In's labors. An old Indian, upon the occasi,.ii of one of the more ijuportant treaties of cession, after signing the articles, tc^k Boone by the hand, saying: "Brotlier^ AV(> have giA en you a fine land, but I believe you will have inueh trouble in se'ttling it." The old settler adds, spenk- ing of the former appellation bcstoAved on this "di^l^ati-able ground": ".My footsteps have often been luarked A\it]i blood, an.d therefore I can truly subscribe to its originid- name. Two dajhng sons and a brother have 1 lost bv savage hirnds. ^ - Afany dark and sleepless nights have I been a companion for oavIs, separated fi'oni the cheerful society of men, scorched by the summer's sun, and pniched by the Avinter's cold—an instrument ordaine.l to settle the Avilderness. But noAV the scene is changed: peace croAvns the sylvan shade." Lz />' (' i; n i: u iwi.o i .v/i: u. M ■' i-'i ¥■' i iW ■■■j ■ » . ' '- *1 t'!' IC ■■,t •>\■^'.■ tsl TK.tPPljVtf THE BE Jl h. U \T-' THE UELAWAUES, rtll AWANEES, ETC. o()l CllArTKU II. DlVl.SION OF TIIK riKr,.\\VAHi;s — WHlTK-KVnS, AND riPK — INDIAN coN'Fi'.nKitAcv ni' 17-^1 — attapk ny iniVAXt's station, and j;ATTt,F, XK\ii Tin; r.i.n: i.icK's — ghnkral Clarke's EX- I'F.nFnON — UlSASTROrsrAMl'AKJNS OF TIAKMAR AND ST. CLAII! — MII,n\\l!V OPKHATIONS OF GENEKAIi WAYNF. — DKCISIVF. IIATTLE NEAFi THE MAtr.MKK KAI'inS. AND SfliSEQUENT TI'.KATV OF PEACE. "Tluiy waslu us — :iy — liUo April snow In the wai'iii noon, wo .shrink away; And fast they follow as wo co 'J'owanls tho sottinp day — Till thoy shall iill the 'and, and we '■ Are driven int(j tho vvestt-rn sea." Bryant. As tlie settlements of the Europeans continued to in- crease, the Delawares gradually removed from tlieir old quartci's, on the river and bay "wliieli bear their name, to the \\ilde'rness of the west. No small portion of the tribe was, at the breaking out of the revolutionary Avar, settled iu Ohio, on the banks of the Muskingum, and in the adja- cent countrv. ]"A-ei'v influence was brought to bear, bv the Emi'lish emissaries among the *DelaAvares, to induce them to take up the hatchet against the rebellious Amerienns. 'I'lie eliui't Avas, in part, successful: a large party, headed by the C''lel)r;!led Ca[>tain Pipe, a chief of the Wolftrib(^, (leclar(>(I f )]• the king, while those inclined to peace and neutrality, or whose sympathies- agj'e on the side of the colonies, re- mained under the o-uinfrnce of Koguethatrechton — Aiii;lice, Captain Whitt^-Kj'cs. The disasters and jierphwities in vhich tlie nation wa.>^ in\-t)lved b\- such a di\'isi(Mi might 1 1 mv ,•';:! ,vi i ■:, :;;;"(* t ■ I, ..in- 1'^'',' I..I ■:■■!■ ■I 'I 111; ■■51 on A INDIAX llXCES OF aMKIMCA. iviulily be foreseen. Txilli the opposing leaders were men of talent, energy, and boldness, and each was heart and soul enlisted in tlic cause to which he had united himself. It is recorded of White-Eyes that, early in the war, ho met with a deputation of the Scnecas, (then, as we liavo seen, in the English interest,) and boldly avoweil his own opinion. In rejJy to the old taunt, thrown out by one of the Iroquois, of former subjection and humiliation, th.o chief broke forth indignantly: "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 petticoats on us! You say you have given us a hoc and a corn-pounder, and told us to plant and pound for you — you men, you irurn'orsf But look at //ie. Am I not full- grown, and have I not a Avarrior's dress? Ay, I am a man, and these are the arms of x man, — and all that country (pointing towards the Alleghany) on the other side of the water, is miner AVhitc-Eyes was signally successful in his efforts to undeceive the Indians within his influence, who had l)e'Mi tam})cred witli and imposed upon by Englisli agents, or excited l)y sympath}^ with the war-party. His death, wliicli took j)lace at TuscaraAvas, in the Avinter of 1779-80, was a very unfortunate CA'^ent for the Americans. He died of that great scourge of the In- dian races, the small-pox. 1'hc spring of 1781 Avas a terrible season for the Avhito settlements in K-^ntucky and the Avholc border country. The saA-ages Avho surrounded them had never slioAvn so constant and systematic a determination for murder and mischief. Earlv in tlie summer, a Great meeting of In- dian deputies from the SluiAvanees, Dela wares, Cherokees, Wyandots, TaAvas, Pottawatomies,. and divers ether tribes from the nortli-Avester]i lakes, met in , -rand council of Avar at Old Chilicothe. The persuasions and influence of tAvo infiunous Avlntcs. one ]\rcl\ee, and the notorious Simon .. ,.» y T - t* Til]'] DF.LAWAllKS, SHAV.^VNEES, ETC, 363 Girty, "inna.ncd tbcir sava<^c iiiinds to miscliiefj and led them to execute ev'eiy diabolical scheme." Biyaut's station, a post five miles from Lexington, was fixed upon, by the advice of Girt}'-, as a favorable point for the fu'st attaclv. About five hundred Indians and whites encompassed the j^lace accordingly, on the 15th oi August. Stratagem and assault alike failed to cfl'ect 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. AVhen Girty came forward, on one occasion during the siege, l)earing a flag of truce, and proposing a surrender, lie was received with every expression of disgust and contem})t. His offers were spurned, and he ret'red, "cursing and eui'scd," to his followers. Tlie enemy were pursued, on their return, by Colonels Todd and Trigg, Daniel Boone, and ^fajor Uarland, with one hundred and seventy-six men. The raslmess of some individuals of this party, who were unwilling to listen to the prudent advice of Boone, that an engagement sliouid be 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 the Blue Licks, and had hardly forded the stream when they were attacked by an overpowering force. The enemy had cut off all escape, except by recrossing tlie river, in tlie attempt to accomplish which, multitudes were destroyed. Sixty-seven of the Americans were killed; among the number, the three principal officers 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 Lidian territoiy. The inhabitants fled, in tcrroi-, at the a[)proach of so formidable an army t .V tm H-*^ ■ 1 ^M If If'' yot INDIAN HACKS OF AAIKRICA. I>i \H- !i ! I ■ I I ! leaving tlicir towns to Ix; destroyed. "We continued our pni'suit," stiys Boone, wlio was with the army, "through live towns on the Miami river — Ohl CliiHcotlie, Peeaway, New Chilieothe, A\'illis' Towns, and ( 'liilieotlie — biU'iit them all to ashes, entirely destroyed their corn, and other fruits, and evefy where spread a scene of desolalion in the country." After hostilities between l^higland and America had ceased, these westej'u tribes of Indians still continued to molest the border inhabitants of the colonies. Attempts to bring about conferences failed signally in producing any marked or permanent benefit, and it was (h;lermined by the government to hundjle them l)y force of arms. In the autumn of 17!)1, General Ifarmar marched into the 1 ndian territories, at the head of nearly fifteen hundix'd men. The campaign was signally unsuccessful. The army returned to Fort Washington, dispirited and broken down, having sustained a heavy loss in men and olHcors, and with the mortifying consciousness of an utter failure in the accomplishment of the (Mid in view. Afajor-tiencral Arthiu- St. Clair was appointed to the connnand of the next expedition. \Vitli a force of more than two thousand men, he marched towards the Indimi settlenients, and on the od of Xovembei', (1701,) encamped within fifteen miles of the Miami villages. On his way fr(jm Fort Washington to this |)oint, he had l)uilt and garrisoned Forts Hamilton and Jeflbrson. By this reduc- tion of his troops, and by a more extensive loss from the desertion of some hundreds of cowardly militia, he had, at the time of which we arc speaking, but about fourteen hundred effective soldiers. The confederate Indian tribes kept themselves perfectly informed, Ity their scouting parties, of all the enemy's movements, and, emboldened by recent success, pre})ared to give the advancing army a warm reception. The }irln- 'J UK I'KI.AWAIJKS, SllAWANKES, ETC. ci'lKil Irailcr of tlio iiiiitt il ii;ilioiis, was tlio coloLrated Miami cliicl", Mi(:lnkiiia(jiia, di- LittT' Turtle, lie was ono ol' the greatest warriors and most sagaeious rulers cvci knowu among the red men, and he Inid now an o])])or- tunity for the full display ol' his abilities. An immense hoi'de of liercc savages, im})atient for war, was under his control, and his movements were seconded by able sul)or- (linates. Among tlicse, the most noted were Buekonga- lielas, now war chief of the P(!lawarcs, and Blue-Jacket, the Shawanee. According to Colonel Stone, the grs'at Mohawk chief, Joseph l>rant, IMiayendanegea, was also present, lending the assistance of his counsel and arms. Huron s or Wy an dots, Iroquois, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Miamies, Delawares, and »ShaAvanees, with a host of minor tribes, were collected to repel the common enemy. The number of tlieir warriors assembled on the present occasion is estimated to have been about fifteen 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 obtained. In vain did the American general and his officers exert themselves to maintain order, and to I'ally the bewildered troops. The Indians, firing from covert, thinned the ranks and picked off the officers by a continuous and murderous discharge. A disorderl}'- retreat was the result: Artillery, baggage, and no small portion of the small arms of the militia, fell into the hands of the exultant pursuers. Fort Jefferson was nearly thirty miles distant, and thither the defeated army directed its flight. The Indians followed close upon the fugitives, cutting down and dcstroyino; 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 plunder to be obtained at the camp induced the Indians to return, and tlie remnant 1 1 ii I i I f'l ^;1: •^;,'.!i(| '' ii M i ^ '.' a i . "» 1 • S A. 1 ■ M^l? 4 'Wi t i4 I AT '. > 1 A*^; 300 JNIHAX KACKS OV AMKUICA. I I 'tl I. of tlio iuvadiiiL,^ armv rcaclied Fort JclU-i'son about sunset Tlu! loss, in this l)iittk', on tlio part oC tlic wliitos, was no loss than eight hundred and ninety-four! in killed, \vounderitish, at this time, in (kTiaiicc of tlieir treaties with the United States, still maintained possession of va- rious military posts at the west. A sti'ong fort and garri- son was established by them near the Miami rapids, and in that vicinity the main bod}' of tlie Indian warriors was encamped. Above, and below the American, camp, the Miami, and Au Gdaisc, according to Wayne's dis})atehes, presented, for miles, the appearance of a single village, and rich corn-fields spread on either side. "I have never seen," says the writer, "such innncnse fields of corn in any part of .\mcrica, from Canada to Florida." Negotiations proved futile: the Indians were evidently bent on Avar, and only favored delay for the ])urposc of collecting their full force. General Wayne therefore marched upon them, and, on the 20th of the montli, a ter- rible battle was fought, in which the allied tribes were totally defeated and dispersed. The Indians greatly out- numbered their opponents, and liad taken their usual pre- cautions in selecting a favorable spot for defence. They !! LTir: !l .■ i ..J 't? ; ^'■'i'■■■l_ /. i* A^' I :=:v:^ IXOFAN HACKH OF AMKUICA. could iinl, liowi'Vt!!', ri'sist, iho uthu'k ol' hravc and disoi- pliiK'd tr()()[)s, dii'0(,'tc(l liy .so cxpiTUMiwd and .skilHul u louder as Wayne. 1'lie li^lit tciiuinated — in tin- words of tlic oMlcial dispateli— "under ilu> u-\\uh ol' tlic I'n'itish yur- ri.son. * ■•^' Tlic woods were strewed, lor u considerable ais- tance, with tho dead budies of Indians and their wliito auxiliaries; tho latter armed with Hritish muskets and bayonets." Some days were now spent in laying waste the fields and villages of the miserable savages, whose spirit seemed to be com])letely broken by this reverse. By the Ih'st of January following, the influence of Little Turtle and Huek- ongahelas, both of whom saw the folly of further cpiarrels with tho United States, and the hopelessness of reliance upon Kngland, negotiations for peace were commenced, and, in vVugust, (171)5,) a grand treaty was concluded at Greenville. CHAPTER III. CONDITION OF THE INDIANS SUHSKqUENT TO TlIK VEACH — THE PROPHET ELSKWATAWA — TECUMSKII : HIS PLANS AND INTIUGUES GENERAL HARUISOn's EXPEDIKji, AGAINST THE PIIOPIIEt's town defeat of the indians at tippecanoe war of 1812 — Harrison's invasion of Canada — battle of the thames, and death of tecumseh. Kearly ten years of peace succeeded the treaty of Greenville, an interval which proved little less destructive to the tribes of the north-west than tlie desolations of their last calamitous war. The devastating influence of intem- perance was never more fearfully felt than in the experi- ence of these Indian nations at the perioa ^.vhose hi&'.ory I ! 1 ^ 1 , ■ ;',"•* OT lliii: illi' , ■frp 1 ,1 f ■' '-1 i.l .1' •■ 1 , ; . t h 41 , ; m V >.-('■ p rf' 1 K' 1 m 1^1 mk^ Ms m p T I ( t .1/ .^ /. ,'/. THE DELAWARES, SHAWAXEKS, ETC. or,) w'G arc now recording. Gciicnil TIarrisoii, tlicn commis- sioner for Indian affairs, reported tlieir condition in the following tei-ms: "So destructive has been the j)rogress of intemperance among them, that whole villages have been swept away. A miserable remnant is all that remains to mark the names and situation of many numerous and warlike tribes. In the energetic language of one of their orators, it is a dreadful conJlagration, which spreads miser}'- and desolation through their countrv, and threatens the annihilation of the wliole race." AVhile this deadly evil was constantly increasing, in tlie year 1804, a distinguished Indian orator began to excite a wide-spread discontent among the n;itions of the former north-western confederacy. I'his was the self-styled proph- et, ElskwataAva, Olliwayshila, or Olliwachaca. About the year 1770, a. woman of (jue of the southc'rn tribes, d<:»mes- ticated with the Shawances, according to report, became mother to three children at a simrle birth, Avho received the names of Tecu.mseii, Elskwatawa, and Knmshaka — the last being unknown to fame, '^ Their father, a Shawa- nee warrior, perished in the great battle at Point Pleasant. By the time that Tecumsch had attained the age of man- hood, he had alrcadv become noted ns a bohl and sagacious warrior. For years before the ovei'throw of the Indian power by General Wayne, he had been foremost in the incursions which spread desolation throughout the western settlements; and wdien the peace, concluded at Greenville, deprived him of a field for warlike enterprise, lie only retired to brood over new mischief, and, in conjunction with his brother, the Prophet, to excite a more extensive conspiracy than had ever before been perfected. With consummate art, ElskwataAva exposed the evils attendant on the white man's encroacliments, exhorting to sobriety and a universal union for resistance, lie pro- claimed himself ep[)eeially commissioned by th(^ (ireat 2-1 ii . I 1 1 tin 'II Vff^^f^^^i ; 'i«-l t' ■%. I i^;' m I' ' ll .. I;* ,1 P .'# ll 370 INDIAN KACES OP' AMERICA. Sj.irit to foretell, and to liastcn, by liis own eflbrts, the destruction of the intruders, and by various appeals to the vanity, the superstition, and the spirit of revenge, of his auditors, he aerpiired a strong and enduring induenee. The chiefs who opposed or ridiculed his pretensions were denounced as wizards or sorcerers, and proofs, satisfactory to the minds of the Indians, being adduced in suj)port of the accusation, numbers perished at the stake, leaving a dear field f.r the oi^erations of the impostor. IVcumseh, ineanwliile, was not idle. It is said that the noted Seneca chief, IJed-Jacket, hrst counselled him to set about the work to which he devoted his life, holding out to him the temiDting prospect of a recovery of the ]'ic1i and extensive valley of the Alississippi from the posses- .sion of the whites. Whatever originated the idea in his mind, he lent all the powerful energ}^ of his character to its accomplishment, '^^fhe tribes concerned in the proposed out-break were mostly the same that had in earlier times been aroused by Pontiac, and had again united, under !Michikinaqua, as Ave have seen in the preceding chapter. The undertaking of Tecuniseh and his brother was not of easy or speedy aecom})lishment, but their imwearied eflbrts and high natural endowments graduallv gave them both an unprecedented ascendancy over the minds of tlie Indians. In 1807, the new movement among the Western Indians called for attention on the part of the United States, and General, then Governor, Harrison dispatched a message of warning and reproach to tlie leading men of the Shawa- nce tril)e. The [)rophet dictated, in reply, a letter, in which he denied the charges circnlated against him, and strenu- ously asserted that nothing was farthei" from his thoughts than any design of creating a disturbance. Tn the sum- mer of the following year this subtle intriguer established himself on the Tippecanoe river, a tributary of trie AVa- bash, in the northern part of the state of India' a. "n r- 1 1 tup: dela wares, siiawaneks, etc. 371 I ! ■t?, tlu! to llio of liis lucucc. IS wcro ftictory port of ilmttlie ' 11 to set \ \ ling out ; lie ricli . possos- a in liis I racter to \ proposed ler times i iinilor chapter. s not of 1 oflorts ni ])0\\\ liuliniis. Indians iti-s, auvl ssage of Sliawa- n Avliicli I stivnu- lioughts lie snni- ablished ithe ^Ya■ From this ])laco, wlicre he lived surroundi!(l by a crowd of admiring followers, the Proplict proceeded shortly after to Vinccnnes, and spent some time in communication Avith Governor irari'ison, for the purpose of disarming suspicion. lie continually insisted that the whole object of iiis preach- ing to the Indians was to persuade diem to fclinrpiish tl'cir vices, and lead sober and peaceable lives; and to this effect he often exhorted his people in the presence of the United States' government oflicials. In September, of 1809, while Tecumsch was pusliing his intrigues an. Mig various distant tribes, Governor Har- rison obtained a cession, for certain stipulated annuities, of a large tract of land on the lower poi Mm of the Wabash, from the tribes of the Miamis, Delawares, Potta- watomies, and Kickapoos. On 'J^ecumsch's rc^tui-n in the following year, ho, with his brother, made vehement re- mon.stranccs against this proceeding, and a somewhat stormy interview took place between the great cliief and Governor Harrison, each l)arty being attended by a pow- erful armed force. Upon this occasion, Tccumseh first openly avowed his design of forming an universal coali- tion of the Indian nations, by which the progress of the Avhites westward shoidd l)c arrested, but he still insisted that it was not his intention to make war. One great priuci])lc -which ho endeavored to enforce was that no In- dian lands should be sold, except by consent of all the eonf(Kh"'rato tribes. I'wo days after this conference ho started for tlio soutli, with a few attendant warriors, to spread disaffection among th.e Crc(>ks, Cherokees, and other tribes of the southern states. In the following year, (1811,) during the prolonged absence of Tccumseh, and contrary, as ^'s suppos(Hl, to his express instructions, bold and audacious depredations and murders were committed liy the horde of vsavages gathered at tho Prophet's town. Representations were forwarded i::: 'If !t. 't ^1 '1 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. to Wasliiiigton of tlio necessity for active measures in re- straint of these outrages, and a regiment, under Colonel Boyd, was promptly marched from Tittshurgto Vincennes, and placed under the command of Ifarrisoii. Willi this force, and a body of militia and voliinteins, the whole amounting to about nine hundred men, the govei-nor marched from Fort JJarrisoti, on the AVabash, for the Prophet's town, on the 28th of October. Tie had previ- ously made various attempts, through the intervention of some friendly Delaware and Miami chiefs, to biMno; about a negotiation, a restoration of the stolen property, and a delivery up of tlic murderei's; 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 tlie hostile settlement through the extensive prairies, stretching far- ther than the eye could reach toward the west. On the 5th of November, having nict with no opjvosition on the route, Harrison encamped within nine miles of the rrojili- et's town. Approaching the town on the ensuing day, various futile attempts were made to open a conference. Menaces and insults were the only repl}'' to these overtur(^s. Before the troops reached tlie town, liowever, messengers from Mlskwatawa came forward, proposing a truce, and the arrangement for a conference upon the ibllowing d;iy. The chief averred that he had sent a pacific embassy to the governor, but that thos3 charged with the mission Imd gone down the river on the opposite bank, and thus missed him. Harrison assented to a cessation of hostilities until the next day, but took wise precautions for security against a treacherous night attack. The suspicions of the prudent general provt^d to \)o well- founded. The darknbss of the niuht faNcjrcd the designs 'irH'i THE iJKl-AW AKKS, SHAW ANMKS, KTH. 373 of the Indians, find, bc'Ibrc^ day-break, al)Oiit four o'clock, the akarm of an attack was given. In tlie words (jf oi\(! of Harrison's biographers: "'I'lic treacherous Indians had stealtliily crept np near our s(;ntrics, with the intention of rushing upon them and killing them before they could give the alarm. T')Ut foi-tunatxdy one of the sentries di> covcrcd an Indian 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 fiv(^ hundred to a thousand, and were led by White Ijoon, Stone-Eater, and a treacherous Pottawatomie chief named Winnemac. The Prophet took, personally, no share in the engagement. The stiMr-^gle con- tinued until day-light, when the assailants were driven off and dispersed. Groat praise has been deservedly awarded to the commanding oificer of the whites for his steady courage and generalship during the trying scenes of tnis night's encounter. '^I'lie troops, although no small num- ber of them were now, for the first time, in active service, displayed great fii'inness and bravery, Hie Indians im- mcdiatel V abandoned their toAvn, which the army proceech^d to destrov, tearing down th(^ fortifications and burning the buildings. 'J^he object of the expedition being thus fidly accomplished, the troops were marched back to Vincennes. In the battle at Tippecanoe, the loss of the victors was probably greater than that of the savages. Thirty-eight of tlie latter were left dead upon tlie field: of the whites, fifty were kill^il, and nearly one hundred wounded. It is not to be sup'posed that the Prophet's influence maintained its former hold upon his followers after this defeat. He takes indeed, from this time forward, a place in history entire!} subordinate to his warlike and powerful brother. Ill ■\ I lii ■i'lji '1 ;l-a •:' I'! - .i W^\i -■.li^ •> Ip.i ! 4'' 'V''1.#IM .!'■ iW iwmm 'li ■■I ■if It I 574 INDIAN UAl'Kri OKAMKIUCA. An interval of coinparutivc quiet succeeded tliis over- throw of tin; Pro})]iet's concciitriited forces, u (juiet dr,-;- tined to be broken l^ya fur more extensive and disastionn war. When ojtcn liostililies comnumced between England and the United States, in 1812, it was at once evident that tlie former country had pursued her old policy of rousing u}) the savages to ravage our defenceless frontier, with unprecedented success. Tecumseh proved a more valu- able coadjutor, if possible, than Brant had been during the revolution, in uniting the different nations against tlie American interests. To pnrticularize tlie part taken by tliis great warrior and statesman in the war, would involve too prolonged a description of the various incidents of the western cam- paigns. By counsel and persuasion; by courage in battle; and by tlic energy of a powerful mind devoted to the cause he had esj)oused, he continued until his death to aid his English allies. A strong British fortress at ^Maiden, on the easterj] or Canada shore of Detroit river, pr(3ved a rcnde;^- vous for the hostile Indians, of the utmost danu'er to the inhabitants of the north-western frontier. The place was under the command of the British General Proctor; the officer whose infamous neglect or countenance led to 1he massacre of a body of wounded prisoners at Frenchtown, on the river Baisin, in January, ISlo. This post was abandoned by the British and Indians, about the time of the invasion of Canada, in September, of the above year, by the American troo})S under Harrison. The invading army encamped at the deserted and dismantled fcjrtress, "fi'om which had issued, for years past, those ruthless bands of savages, which had swept so fiercely ovei- our extended frontier, leaving death and destruction only in their path." General Harrison hastened in pursuit of the enemy "p the Thames river, and, on the 4th of Octobei', cneairnHMl a IS over- ict ilvs- Mit lliat rousing 2T, witii ■e v;ilii- duriiig figiiinst Avarrior OTl L() o;cd a ]-ii cam- II battle; he cause » aid lii.s I, on the rcndez- to tlie loe Avas r: the to the itOWH, -t Av:is lime c^f e year, vatling (U'tress, •iithh^s?! vY our only in ?niy lip iniH'd a I ; THE DKr.AWAHKS, yifAWAXEKS, KTC. o 1 O ! I t I few miles above the forks of the river, and erected a sHght fortification. On the oth, tlie nioniorable battle of the Thames was fought. General Proctor awaited lln- ap- proach Oi' rne American forces at a place chosen by himself, near Moravian town, as presenting a favorable position for a sttind. ITis forces, in regulars iitid Indians, rather out- numbered those of his o};ponents, being set down at two *thpusandeig]it hundred; the Americans numbci'cd twenty- live hundre ■!^ t-- 4 if i'i I ! M .'l INDIAN i: \Ci;s OF AMKIUC'A. moind still iiuiiks jiis <^nivi\ The J>rilisli ,L'on the parcelling out ami the sale by the Tinted States government of this public proi)eity to private! individuals, conflictingclainissooulcd to serious distui'baiicea. In didy, of 1830, a treaty was formed at ]^'airi(> du Ciiien, b(>tween United States commissioners and the trii)es of the lowas, Sioux, Omawdias, Sacs and Foxes, kc, for the purpose of finally arranging the terms upon which tlu; lands east of the Mississippi should be yielded up. ^J'he Sac chief, Keokrdc, was present, and assenting to the ar- rangenie'it in behalf of his people; but a strong }xirty, headed by the celebrated Black-IIawk, utterly refusiMl to abide by it. This chief was then between sixty find seventy years of nge, and had been, from early youth, a noted waiM'ior. lie was born at some Indian settlenuMit upon the Ivoek river, and retained through life a stronii- attach- ment to the place of his nativity and the stream upon whose baid-cs he so long resided.- lie was a Pottawatomie, but his wliole life was spent among the Sacs. To enforce the removal of the Sacs from tlu ir \illages, on Rock river, General Gaines visited that locality in June, 1881. He proceeded up the river in n, steamer, with several pieces of artiller}'- and two companies of infantry. The general spoke of his visit as follows: "^Fhcir village is imme(liately on Rock river, and so situated that I could, from the steam-boat, destroy all their bark houses, (the only kind of houses they ha.e,) in a few minutes, with the force now with me, probably witluuit the loss of a man. But I am resolved to abstain from firing a shot without some bloodshed, or some manifest attempt to shed blood, on the part of the Indians. I have already induced nearly ^ '..'V.*^ 878 INDIAN RACKS OK AMKUU'A. '!r' 4' it ii? .1!' I' % I i I Diit'-tliiril til' iIk'iii ti> <'Ci»ss the Mississippi to their own l.-md. 'V\iv ri'sidiic, Ihtwt'vcr, say, as the friciidly diirfis rej)()rl, that they iievc-r will iiidvi;; ami, what is \ry\ im- coiiiiiioii, ili(> wotiu'ii iir^J tlu'ir lioslilo Inisbiiiids to (i^ht 1| nithcr lliaii lo iiinvi', and thus aliandon their homes," Ueloi'c llie close of the nioiith the (orccs ol' tlie Kiiiled Stales and llie stutc inililiu took possession of ih settlo- inent. Tlie Indians made no attempt at resistance, and bet,ot>k ihcnisehi's lo iho \V(\stoni hank of the Mississippi. Ill the sjirini;- iA' []\c Ibllowing year, the Sacs be^^'an to stra,L:;^ie hack to llieii" old towns in Illinois; and Black- ij Ifawk, with a coiisidei'ahlc (biv-c of liis wari'iors, inarclicd !i vei-, witli llie avnwt'il intent of s|)endin;j,' iho '! Ill) line n '1 .suniiner, aiitl raising a sup])ly ol" corn ainongtlie I'oliawa- toniies. in aci.'ordance A\itli an in\ilalii>n from that, trihe. ir. e proceeUed (piietly ami peaceably up tlieri\-er, olU'i'ing no violiMiee to either the ])ei'sons oi- j)i-operty of tlie white iiiliahitants. A hody of nionnted militia, iin(h'i' ]\faj(^r Stilli'ian, S(>1 out in pursuit of the Indians al)out the middle of May. On their a[ip]'oacli to his toni})0)-ary (piarters, Bhiclv-llawk sent a number of liis followers to meet and conft er with the commandnig ollieei k but, It so liaphelicu oithiM' lliroUL;h niislake as to 1 inttMiti oils, ( ii' ii'om a ri'ckli,^ d lie I ravity on the jiarl of certain of llie ^\ hitcs, tliat sevei-al of these emissarit'S were kille(L 1^ Joiised bv this iniui'ioiis treatment Ihe I mliaii ( •hief in prepareil to fall upon his })ursuors [it a point wlieiv ambnsead(^ couhl ])c reiuhu-ed most ell'ective. It is said that Avhei! lh(> militia came up, ho liad but about forty warriors w ith liim, (the rest of his men being ofl" in [uirsuit of game,) while the whites numbered no less than two hundred and seventy! As these undisci})lincd troops were crossing Syeamore creek, in entire disorder, and without any precaution against a sur]:)rise, the}' were liereely at- tacked by the Indians. ^I'he rout was complete: unable 11 1 r own ry Mli- .) I'lLillt i'l Uuitod ll , scltlo- , j CO, and j ■*issip|)i. \'4;m to ll i r.iiick- 'i iiiin-lu'il I'm"-- tlio I \>lt;i\vii- I :it, ti'iUo. \\ olVcring ij w wliito 'I V M:i)or ,; mitltllo I (iiai'tfrs, ■! I. 'ft ;inu I j ip|H'llC(l, IJ iVoiu ;i ji whiles, ;j 111 cL'u'f I 'luMv nil I is sniil I |ul iorty i |iui'suit j li;ili two : I is ^vere ; iwitliout Icrly iit- uiuible 11 1 1 Tin; DKLAWAItKS, S 1 1 A W A N K KS, KTC, U7U lo 11)1111, or to ollrr iiiiy clli'diliil ivslslaiicr, tlic wliitr.s wore drivuii oil', leaviii;;," clovfii of llicir iiiiiiilicr "Irml upini tin- lii'M. As ihvy iiyiioKls, and oi'diM't'il to meet by the JOth ol' .liiiir, at llciiiiepin, ill I'utiiam county, on the Illinois. A^'eiits were sent to (lonlirm the arl ol llie whit were killed near Galena on the l-J-tli of .lui Five ])ei'sons and, shoi'tly after, tw^elve Ind with tliG attacking l^irty, were ])nrsiu\l and driven iiilo a lans, sniii'osec ll<.l )e eoiinee ted I n *!'''•», i\ ■ ■ \ T I i ::--:;---— ^ ii'i' 'i iili-. •itl I ! 380 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. p neighboring swamp. Whon overtaken, altliougli thej" made no resistance, they were every one killed and scalped by the whites. '^J'he condition of Blacdc-TTawk and his band grew daily more miserable, from 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 wholly disabled. ])riven from his encam^^ment at the Four Lakes by the approach of General Atkinson, Black-IIawk retreated down the W'^isconsin, expecting to find provisions and as- sists nee among the Indians in tliat direction. General Dod;j'(^, with a strong force of militia, followed close on his trail, lie came up with the fugitives on the 21st of July. The Indians were about crossing the river when they were attacked, and, but for the coining on of night, could hardly have escaped entire destruction or capture. Tliey lost in the encounter not far from forty men. ^Fhe discomfited savages continued their flight down the river in their boats, beset on every side bj- enemies, and Avith an overwhelming force — Dodge's army having been joined by Atkin.son and his troops in hot pui-suit. "Some of the boats," says Drake, "conveying these poor wretches, were overset, and many of those in them dro\vned; the greater number, however, fell into the hands of tlicir enemies in their passage. ^lany of the children ^vc\'c found to be in such a famished state that they could not be n^vived." Having reached the mouth of the river, on the first of August, Black-IIawk prepared to cross the Mis.-issippi, but was prevented by a force on board the steain-boat Warrior. tie "did not wish to fight, but to escape; and Avlien tlie steam-boat fell in with him, he used every means to give the captain of her to understand that he desired to surren- THE DET.A WARES, SIIAAVANEES, PITC. 381 der. lie dispLajod two white flags, and about one hundred and fif'-y of his men a])pr()aclied the river without arms, and made signs of submission." The only reply was a diseharge of canister and musketry from the boat, which was returned fj-om the shore. After about an hour's firing, which resulted in the destruction of more than twenty of the Indians, the 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 rem- nant of the enemy. Eetreat was cut off on every side, and the half-starved and dispirited savages were shot and cut down at the pleasure of the irresistible numbers who surrounded them. The following is- extracted from an account published shortly after this decisive and final en- gagement. "The battle lasted upwards of three hours. About fifty of the enemy's women and children were talcen prisoners, and many, by accident, in the battle, were kill- ed. Wlien the Indians were driven to the banlc of the Mississippi, some hundreds of men, women, and children, plunged into the river, and hoped, by diving, &o.. to escape the bullets of our guns; very few, however, escaped our sharp-shooters." Historians generally speak of an action in which the Indians prove successful as a "massacre," but the above- described proceeding is dignified by the name of a battle! Black-IIawk, who, with a few followers, managed to effect his escape, afterwards declared that, upon the approach of the American army, he and his warriors made no attempt at resistance, ollering to surrender themselves un- conditionally, and that they only used their arms when it was apparent that the successful })ursucrs had no intention of sliowing quarter. It is hard to decide upon the true state of the case. His cause now being palpably hopeless, and most (;f his 1 1- :'■" ) .■1/: ."' k ' i H 'i « 14 !!■ 1.'. 382 INDIAN RACES OF A?>IEKICA. remaining warriors having yielded themselves prisoners, or been taken by the vai-ious bands of Indians friendly to the whites, Blaek-Ilawk surrendered himself at Prairie du Chien, on the 27th of August. With several other chiefs he was taken to Washington, and after holding conference with President Jackson, was confined, for a period, at Fort ^ro'.iroe, on an island near Old Point Comfort, on the Chesa- peake. Here the captive warriors v/ere well and kindly treated, and in June, of the ensuing year (1833), there be- ing no longer any necessity for detaining them as hostages, they wei'C set at liberty. Before returning to the west, these chiefs visited several of the principal eastern cities, and were every where re- ceived Avith the gi'catest enthusiasm and interest. 'I'hey were shown the fortifications, navy-yards, &c., and every effort Avas made to impress them with the irresistible power of the government. They Avere afterwards escorted back to their homes at the Avest, and dismissed Avith valuable presents and tokens of good-Avill. Black-IIaAvk lived thenceforth in peace Avith the whites. He settled upon the Bes Moines river, where he died in 1338. The body of the old Avarrior, in accordance Avitli his OAvn Avishes, expressed shortly before his death, was disposed in Indian style. According to Brake: "No grave Avas made; ])ut his body Avas placed in a sitting position, Avith his cane betAveen his knees and grasped in his hands: slabs or rails Avere then piled up about him. Such Avas the end of Black-IIaAvk. Here, hoAA'cver, his bones did not long rest in peace, but they Avere stolen from their place of deposit some time in the folloAving winter; but about a year after, it Avas discovered that they Avere in possession of a Burgeon, of Quincy, Illinois, to Avhom some person had sent them to be Avired together. When Governor Lucns, of loAva, became ac(piainted Avith the facts, they Avere, by his requisition, restored to his friends." 'pffl?'" INDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. CHAPTER I. EARLY LOCATION, NUMBEKS, CIIARACTKR, KTC, OF THE CATAWBAS ; OF THE UPrER AND LOWER CIIEliOK ICES ; OF THE MUSCOGEES OR creeks; of the choctaws; of the cuickasaws — FRENCH war with THE NATCHEZ AND CHICKASAWS. "We sliall not undertake to assign definite boundaries to the several tracts of country occupied by the extensive tribes of the Creeks, Cherokees, Clioctaws, Cidckasaws, Catawbas, Uchees, &e., nor to pursue their history, separatel3^ There are no suflicient distinctions in their general habits and character to render such a detail necessary, and ns they Avere nearly all more or less aflxjcted by the same p(jlitieal events and changes, they can be best considered collec- tively. The name of Creeks, (an Juiglish tei-m, taken from the character of the country they inliabited,) has been ap})lied to all the tribes above mentioned. James Adair, a trader and resident among the Southern Indians for forty years, in his liislory of the American Indians, published in 1775, gives the most complete ac- count of these races to be found in the early writers. The principal portion of his book is devoted to a labored dis- quisition u})on the origin of tlie 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. '1%A^' ^4P ^ri p '■^ ;:3i INDIAN RACKS OF A:\IEUTrA. He commences with tlic Ciitawbas, wlio t]ien dwelt be- tween tlie Carolinas and tlie country of tlie Cherokees. By interconrse with tlie whites, they had become more d(>oraded than the other nations of which we are now to speak, and drunkenness, indolence, and poverty were obviously prevalent, '^l^hey were a numerous and warlike people when South Carolina was first settled, mustering about fifteen hundred warriors; ^ait small-pox and the use of ardent spirits had, at this time, reduced them to less than one-tenth of their former numbers. They were old enemies of the Iroquois, with whom they had waged long and savage wars: -with the English they had generally been upon good terms. Adair describes an (^Id waste field, seven lyiles in extent, as one of the evi- dences of their former prosperity, when they could "cul- tivate so much land with their dull stone-axes." Of these, as of other Indians, he saj^s: "By some fatality they are much addicted to excessive drinking; and spirituous li- quors distract them so exceedingly, that they will even eat live coals of fire." The Upper Cherokees inhabited the high and monntain- ous region of the Ap})alacliian range, and that upon the upper portions of the Tennessee. The Lower tribe occu- pied the country around the head waters of the SaA'annali and Cliatahoochee, to the northward of the Muscogees or Creeks proper. When Adair first became acquainted with the Cherokees, about the year 1735, they wei-e com- puted by old traders to number six thousand fighting men. They had sixty-four populous towns. In 1738, nearly half of them perished by the small-pox. Like all the other untaught nations of America, they were driven to perfect desperation by the ravages of this disease. The cause to which they ascribed it, and the strange remedies and enchantments used to stay its progress, are alike remarkable. One course was to plunge the ; I ; I INDIANS OF THE SOUTIlKltN STATES. 385 patients into cold running water — (it is elsewhere mcu- tionecl that those afflicted will frequently h^ap into tlic river themselves to allay the fever and torment) — the re- sult of which operation ^vus speedily fatal. " A great nuuiy killed tliemselves; for, tjing naturally proud, they arr always peeping into their looking-glasses. — By which means, seeing th(>raselves disfigured, without hope of re- gaining their former beauty, some sh(.)t themselves, others cut their throats, some stabbed themselves with kni\ es, and others with sharp-pointed canes; many threw themselves with sullen madness into the fire, and there slowly ex- pired, as if they had been utterly divested of the native power of feeling pain." One of them, when his friends had restrained these frantic ciTorts, and deprived him of his weapons, went out, and taking "a thick and round hoe-helve, fixed one end of it in the ground, and r(?peat- edly threw himself on it til.l he forced it down his tliroat! when ho immediately expired." These tribes were formerly continually at war with the Six Nations, at the north, and with tlie Muscogees at the south; but previous to their war with the Englisli colonies they had been for some time comparatively ;i,t peace, and Avere in a thriving and prosperous condition. ^I'lu'V were excellently well suppli<'d with horses, and -\vgtc "slcillful jockies, and nice in their choice." T\\G lower settlement of the ^fuscogees or Creeks, was in the country watered by the Chatahoochee and Flint; the upper Creeks dwelt al)ont the head Avatens of the Mobile and Alabama rivers. Their neighbors, on the west, were the Choctaws and Chickasaws. The Creeks were a nation formed by the union of a number of minor tribes with the Muscogees, who constituted the nucleus of the combination. About the middle of tlio eighteenth century, they were computed to number no li'ss than three thousand five hundn^d men c;i]>al.l(> of 25 11 1 ". .. V. '!'f' 4 ,.•; 1-T"-,-^ IKDIAK UACES OF A.MEllICA. Dcariiig arms. Tlicy had learned tlio necessity of seclud- ing lliosc infected with the small-pox, so as to avoid the spread of the contagion, and their general hahits and usages were such that they were fast increasing, instead of diminishing, like all the surrounding tribes. Wliile the Floridas were in the possession of S»)ain, the Creeks were surrounded by belligerent powers, both native and Eurojican, and they appear to have adopted a vc^ry shrewd and artful policy in their intercourse with each. There was a French garrison in their country ; the English settlements lay to the north and east, and those of the Spaniards to the south; and the old sages of the ti-ibe "being long infoi'med by the opposite parties of the dif- ferent views and intrigues of those foreign powers, who paid till m annual tribute under the vague appellation of presents, were become sur|,'risingly crafty in every turn of low politics." The French were very successful in their cfrorts to conciliate the good-will of the Muscogees, and in alienating them from the English. The country of the Choctaws extended from that of the Muscogees to the ^^lississippi, reaching northward to the bouiularios of the Chickasaws: their lower towns on the river were about two hundred miles north of New Or- leans. Adair gives these })eople a very bad character, as being treacherous, dishonest, ungrateful, and unscrupulous; but he bears witness to their admirable readiness of speech. They were "ready-witted, and endued with a surprising How o? smooth, artful language on every subject within the reach of their ideas." The strange custom of flattening the head, prevalent among some other American tribes, obtained with the Choctaws. The operation was performed by the weight of a bag of sand kept upon the foreheads of the infants be- fore the skidl had hardened. This process not improbably afi'eeted the powers of the mind: at all events, Adair says: 1 1 ii ii ii ii 1 '< 'i mi L'-T'^ . the j' and i stead ' I lativG I j very |' caeli. 1 m'lisli )!' tlio j 1 1'ibe I le.lif- 1 % who I ion of 1 f turn n tlicir and in of tlio to tlie on tlic 3W Or- •ier, as inlous; ;peeeli. prising \v itliin ralent ' i Itli the ;| Iwcii^'lit i I jilts be- j| loimbly i ! rsays: li INDIANS OF TEE SOUTHERN STATES. 387 " tlieir features and mind exactly correspond together; for, except the int .nsc love they bear to their native couu try, and their utter contempt of any kind of danger in deiencc of it, I know no other virtue they arc possessed of: the general observation of the traders among them is just, who affirm them to ))C divested of every property of a human being, except shape and language." l^he 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. Besides this, he says: "the masterly skill of the French enabled them to do more with those savag(!S, with trifles, than all our experienced managers of Indian affairs have been able to effect by the great (quantities of valuable goods they gave them witli 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 giver." The nation of the Chickasaws, at the time of which we are speaking, was settled near the sources of the Tond)igb(>e, a few miles c astward of the head waters of the Tallahache. I^hey numbered about four hundred and fifty warriors, but were greatly reduced since their ancient emigration from tlie wes:. T'hey were said to have formerly consti- tuted one family with the Choetaws, and to have been able to bring one thousand men into the field at the time of their removal. Due allov'ince must of course be made for mistake and exaggeration in these early tr.iditions. The Chickasaws were ever inimical to the French and friendly to the Fnglish colonists. It was by their efforts that the neighboring tribe of the Natchez was stirred up to attack the Frencii settlements, in 1729. The French \m i-ji M ■ {' ■ff *4 [■ I., .1 >' r ^ V* jitm . ... -i •t mm >Frn . 4 'it 888 INDIAN ItACES OF AMI'.KUA. had, unadvisedly, iiiipo.-^od a species of tax upon tlie Natchez, deinaiidiiii'' a tlresscil buck-skin fnnii each iiuin of the tribe, witlioiit I'cndering any return; but, as somo of that peo[)lc afterwards repoi't(Ml to Adair, "duMvarriors' hearts grew very cross, and loved the deer-skins," The Chickasaws were not sh)w to foment a distur'l)ance upon intelligence of this proceeding, and sent messengers, with presents of pipes and tobacco, to counsel an attack upon the exercisers of such tyranny. Nothing so strongl}^ excites an Indian's indignation as any attempt at taxation, and the Natchez were easil}' persuaded that the French had resolved to crush and enslave them. It tocjk about a year to ripen the plot, as the Indians arc "slow in their councils on things of great im^^ortance, though equall}' close and intent." It was in the month of November, (1729,) that the In- dians fell upon the French settlement. The commandant had received some intimation of tlui intended attack from a woman of the tribe, but did not place sufficient depend- ence upon it to take any efficient steps for the protection of his charge. The whole colony was massacred: men, women and children, to the nmnber of over seven hun- dred — Adair says fifteen hundred^ — perished by the weap- ons of the savages, '^^fhc triumph of the Natchez Avas, however, but of short duration. The French came upon them in the following summer with a large army, consisting of two thous[ind of their own soldiers and a great array of tlieir Choctaw allies. ^JMic Natchez were posted at a strong Ibrt near a lake communicating with the Bayou D' Argent, and received the assailants with great resolution and cour- age. Tiiey made a vigoi'ous sally, as the enemy approach- ed, but were driven within their defences, and "bombarded with three mortars, which forced them to fly olf different ways." 'Jlie Clioctaws took many prisoners, some of whom were tortured to death, and the rest shipped to the West Indies as slaves. IXDIAXS OK rilK SOI'I'IIKUX STATKS, ',m Th(j rorniiant oftlio Xiitclicz fled for safoty to tlic Cliickii- saws. This Vjfoiii.'-lit alH)iit a war bctwwn tho French and the last-mcutioiKMl ti'ihe, in whicli, if we may believe Adair, the Indian,^ IumI decidedly the advantage. He tells of cue engagement, in which the French and their Indian allies had surrounded the Chi(!kasaw settlements in the night, with tlic exception of one, wdiich stood at some dis- tance from the rest, callcvl Amalahta. TIk; Ix'siegers besc^t every house, and killed all who came out: "but at the dawn of day, when they w(M'{^ capering and using those flourishes that are peculiar to that volatile nation, the othei town drew round them, stark naked, and painted all over red and black; thus they attacked them, killed numbers on the spot, rele;iscd their brethn-n, who joined them like enrag(-'i] lions." The Indians belonging to the I'^rench ]iarty fled, but the whites were all killed except two, "an oflicer, and a negroe, who faithfully held his hoi'se till ho mounted, and then ran along side of him. A couple of swift runners were sent aftcn- them, who soon came up with llu'ui, and told them to live and go home, and inform their ix'ople, that as the Chiekasali hogs had now a plenty of ugly French carcases to feed on till next year, they h()[)ed 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 stockade, strangely disguised, and protected from the balls of the enemy by paddings of wool. I'he Indians were to the last degree astonished both at their appearance and invulnerability, and were about to desist from active resistance, and resort to tho skill of their own necromancers to oppose what they thought nuist be "wizards, or old French-men carry- ing the ark of wai" again,-,t them." As the enemy ap- proached, and began to throw hand-grenades into the fort L: P i ■'m ^ .1 1 ■* ' ■ . ,;<.. .1 IV' '' '^'i'TiMiin Oa^H '■tv* *''m M . "i.yj'.i'f.v^f^ ^i:^' *^,'^^ I (,}ll»'l4]__^ m'.IO INDIAN ItACKrt OF AMKIilCA. tlu'V wore quickly iiiidiveivod, and set in oarncst about tiic work of doHiUco. 'riiey [Jtillnl tlic mnU'lics out (tl'tho {grenades, or tlmnv iIhmu back anioii^' the I'Vciucli; and, sal- lyiiij^ Ibrtli, diriHttcd an circi-tivc lire :it tlic l(\ns ol' tlio enemy, win) wero speiMlily driven oil'. "1 liave two ol' these isliells," says Adair, "which I keej) with veneration, as si)eakin<^ trophies over the boasting Monsiuurs and their bk)ody schemes." CllAPTEU II. COLONIZATION OFGKOUtilA — KAI{|,Y INTia'COUUSK WITH THK NATIVKS — TOMOeillCIII INTKKiIIKS OK TlIK KKVERKNO THOMAS HOSOjM- WOKTII — ellKHOKKK WAU Ol' 17')!) — ATTAKUi.LAKULLA AND Ol'CONOSTOTA MIUIDKK Ol' I.NDIAN IIOSTACiKS COLONKL MONTCOMKKY's KXI'KDrno.N — DKSTIUJCTION ()[■• TIIK KAST- EKN rilKltOKKlC TOWNS MATTI.li NKAK KTl'llOK CA- PITULATION AT i'OKT LdlDO.N IN 1)1 AN TKKACHERY CAMPAIGN OK COI.O.NKI. (iKA.NT, AND COMTLETE KEDUCTION OK THE CIIEKOKEES. :)'] WliKN the little color,;, of one liu'.'dred and fourteen souls, under the i^iiidance of -lames Kdward Oglethorpe, commenced the settlement of Oeorgia, in the winter of ITo'S, the u]i])er and lower Ci'eeks laid claim 1o the whole territory south-west of the Savannah. The only natives residing in tlu; vicinity- — at Yamacraw — wt>re ])eac(>ablv disposed towards the settlers, but the goviM'iKU- of llu' in- fant colony thought it advisable to put himself uptui sale grounds as respected (he Iiubaii claims. He thei'cfoi'e secured the services of a iKdi-breed woman, named Mary Musgrove, who could s})eak J^iiiglish, and, by her media- tion, brought about a conference with the chiefs of the tribe at Savannah, the seat of the new settlement. tcr of ^vln>lo ;i lives lio In- In si'Jb t'olorc I Mary licdiu- l>i llio IN'DIANH OF Till': SOUTlIKItN STATKrt. ;;;'! Mjiry liad foniutrly inari'icd n wliifr li'adcr fidiii f'ain- lina. I>(\si(l('s licr ust'l'iilncss as an inh'cpn-tii-, .-.he |i;i,(l sucli inlluciico iivt'i lier li'iljc, tliat ( \^k;lliorjKi tlmnvlit it, worth liis wliilt' to purcliasi^ licr sci'vici'S at the rate ulOno Inirulix'tl pounds u yviw, Slie hccanu! al'tiTwards, as wo nliall :u'(', a source^ of no liltli! (lan^^l'I■ and unnoyanco to the MnLilisli. I'^il't}' cliii'ls of tlie Crock nation wd'o tisscmhlrd at llio placo of (;onfert:n(!(!, and '['otnocliichi, llu; most notcfl amoii;j; tliose tluui known to tlic srttkji'S, nuul(5 an ainica- ])\c sjxH'fli, ))roir('ring at the same time a present of a l)uil;ilo-skin, adorned wiili ea,u,ies' feathers. A treaty was coiiehided, subject to the ratilieation of tli(! Mn,^lish crown, hy vii'tue of wliich the Indians w lands 1\ in^' he- twecn the Savannah a.nd Altainalia, wei'c made oNcr totho English, with all the islands on that coast, {!.\c(>pt St.. C'ath.u- rine's and two others, which wcrti rcsei'ved foi- the use of till' Indians as bathing and lishin;.;' stations. ;\ tract was also set apart for tlioiu to encamp upon when tlu-y visited tluMr white friends, a littl(> above the Vamaeraw blullj whci'c Savannali now stands. A'arious other sti[)ulations, respecting terms of trade, the jnini^hnient of offences, &c., wei'O entered into, to the satisfaction of both parties. in Api'il, f7.') f, (|i'cssion upon their nnnds of the Knglish power and magnilicenee. All the Indians with whom tlie lii'st governor of Ch^oi'gia held intci-eourso soom tohavefoi-mcda, gi'eatattachmcMitforhim, styling him their "beloved man." If otheis in authority among the Knglish colonies had pui'suod as honest a course towards the natives, much bloodshed would doubtless have beeu averted. 1 1 i: 1 1 rui ^-5 m tS '''-'p& ii'il .-. '*• li H.H ■>M wm '■ '^m in " 'At! mm .-■ 'i'' w .■m 1: i ;:l : i, *\ ■ 4 ..„.iJ.j .;••; X -^m 1 r:»2 INIHAN HACKS OF A.MKUICA. .V! 1 ! I I ; When (liflicultics nroso in 17.")8, coTinciitod willi tlir cfKi' ilictiii}^ claims of l'!iiL!,l;nid ami Sjiaiii lu jiiris'lii'tiun ovor the new CDiiiitry, Spanish agents wen' dispatclH'd to win ovvv the Creeks. They doeoveil a body of thiin to Au- gnstino, by pretences that Oglethorpe was tlie'X", and that he was desirons of seeing thetn. On llieir aiM'i\-al, tin! Indians wcM'e told that tlic i'lnglish governor was .-Irk on board one of the ships; but they luvd begun to suspict deception, and, refusing to go out to the vessel, lr(t tlie town in great disgust, ^riieir suspicions were eoiiHnn('(l ■when they i'eaclu'(l home, and the transaction only strength- ened their dislike to the Spaniards. In the following year, Oglethorpe ationc'ed a great as- sembly of Creeks, Chcrokees, and ChieVusaws, at the Cowi'ta lown, several hundred miles from Frederiea, and conlb'nuMl their good-will towards the English by pres(Mits, and friendly communion, lie smoked the calumet with the chiefs, and solemnly renew'cd the oi'iginal treaty of amity and mutual protection. This year old 'roniochiehi died, not far from Yamacraw, expressing to tlu^ hist his love for his first English patron, and urging upon his people the polity of maintaining their place in his good- will. Tlie chief w^as nearly ninety-seven years of age. The year 1.74!) was nu^morable for a most audacious attcm])t on the part of one Thomas Bosomworth to ag- grandize himself by atttiining a supremacy over the Creeks. lie had been formerly a chaplain in Oglethorpe's regiment, and had married ^fary ^lusgrove, his half-breed interpre- ter. In December, of 1747, this man fell in with a com- pany of chiefs, belonging to the nation, then on a visit to Frederica; and jiersuaded thenr to sign certain articles, acknowledging one of their number, named ^Nralatche Opiyft Meco, as rightful king over the whole Civck nation Bosomworth then j^rocured from Malatche a conveyance, for certain considerations — aniony other thinti-s, a lar'j'o* I Lrz:= 1(^4^ 111 ■i ■f If Ir: h:.i ii I: /;. 'Ililii iiiilili' hiiil. V1III01I1 <|,i'CH's (if wliirh nil- luMiiil ill Am. lie;!, wiii* I'liiixMlcifil hy lilt) liiili;iii!». no Ic'*-' IIkiii liy.nir own |mic|.< ini.l wiiliT:<, ii liltiiii,' lypH of swU'liifHs. slri-ntflli, ;!iiil |ii'nii ('ii'.,'k', wliicll is llio bWifU'sl of birds, iiiid «lio fliflll nil r,,,iii,l ■ ii:iiiiiii~. rinse ifiiilicrH iiie a !«i;,'n of |ii'afc in oiii liiiid, anil «•' Imvi' br.'iujtii llifiii ovfi lo li^':n" ..H'Mi iviili you, uitiiI kinu'. n^ a si-ri of ovi la-liiu; |if:i(f."' ■■ ■ 't'l , ;ll ■m j t 1 ' vis ! .\- 1> 1 .1 .V V /■ •/■ r I. F .V r .VI' 1 1 INDIANS OF THE SOUTllEUN hTA'L'ES. ' > (I o (jiKiulily of iiinmuiiitioii and clc^tliiug, — of tin; islands loriiicrly roscrvoil by tlic Indians, to liiniseli' and liis uif'o Mavy, tluMi- lioirs and assigns, "as U^ng as llic snn shall sliino, or llic waters ]'un in the rivci's. forever." 'J'his deed was regularly witn(\sscd, proved before a justiee of the jieaee, and reeorded in due form. Bosoniworth made some efforts to stoek and iinjH'ove these islands, but, his amljition becoming aroused bv success in his first intrio;uc, he entered iijion one mneli more extensive. ])_y liis per- suasions, his wife now made the extraordinary elaim that sli>' was ]\ralatehe's elder sister, and entitled to regal au- thority over the whole Creek tei-ritory. X great meeting of the tribe was procured, and, what- ever of ti'utli ^bary's claims might bo founded upon, she ap}iears to have succeeded in jjei'suading large numbers of the Creeks to espouse her cause, and acknowledge her as an independent cpieen. Accompanied by a strong force of her adlierents,. she proceeded incontinently to Savannah, sending emissaries before her to demand a surrender of all hmds south of the Savannah river, and to make known Inn- inttuilicm of enforcing her claim by the entii-e destruc- tion of the colony, should her demands be resisted. The militia were called out by the president and conned, and the Indians were kept quiet by a display of confidence and firmness, that matters might be fully discussed by their leaders and the colonial authorities. " I'osom worth," says ]\[cCall, "in his canonical robes, Avith his queen by his side, followed by the kings and chiefs, according to rank, mardhMl jnlo the town on the 20th of July, making a most formidable appearance. — Tlie inluibitunls were struck with terr(»r at the sight of this feroei(.)US tribe of savages." licn-ilhy dise\issions ensued, between Bosomwoi'ih and W\\\\ on tlu> one hand, and the president and couneil on the olhcr. The llekK' and inq»ressib!r sa\ages leaned I ; 11::- b . t' r 894 IN'DIAX ]{ACKS OF AMKKK'A. iiltcrnately to either o[»iiii()u according as i]\vy wcic liai-- aligned by their new leaders, or listened to the i>.\[)lanatit)n.s of the other party. They were told that AFary's claims to royal descent were entirely false; that she was the vlaiighter of a wliite man b}^ a squaw of no note, and that the mad ambition of her reprobate husband had led to the whole movement, '^fhey expressed themselves convinced, but no sooner had ^lary obtained anotlier opportunity to com- ijuinicate with them, than she succeeded in inflaming and bewildering their minds. It was found necessary to con- fine her and her Imsband before the savages could be quietl_y dispersed. Before this was accom])lislied, the town was in a situation of the most imminent danger, as the Indians vastly out- numbered the whites; a. id a \cry slight matter might have so roused their fury that the whole colony would have l)een annihilated. The inti'iguing chaplain had a brother, ^Vdam Bosomworth, agent for Indian alTairs in Carolina, who afterwards cs})Oused his interests, so far as the claim to the islands of St. Catharine, Ossabaw, and Sapclo was concerned. This coadjutor visited the Creek nation, procured a new conveyanee, and prosecuted the claim before the courts of G reat Britain. The case }n-oved almost as tedious and complex as that of tlic cele!)rated Afoliegan land question in Coiiueetieut. ]3osoiiiworth and liis Avife obtained a di'eisioii in their fivttr, in 1759, by virtue of which the}' took possession of St. Catharine's island, and resided upon it the I'emaiiider of their lives. Ossabaw and Sapelo were decreed to be sold for the benefit of the suc- cessful parties, but further litigation arose from the claims of one Isaac Levy, to whom tlu'V 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 cNcut of special interest, con- nected with the alfairs of tlie Southern Indians. 1'hcy '..'DIANS OF TIIK SOUTHERX STATES. !i)0 B'.'t'i. gcnei'aliv to have been peaceably disposed, and lion est in tlic fuliillnient of tlicir national ongagenienls, and probably wonld have continued so, had they met with fair treatment at the hands of the iMiglish colonists. Parties of Cherokees, under British commanders, had been t ngiige(l with the English in campaigns against the French fbrlili- cations at the "west. Upon the e.aeuation of Fort Du- quesne, numbers of these Indian warriors, whose services were no longer required, set out upon their return home. Having been ill-supplied with provisions, and having lost their horses, some of them caught and a\ ailed themselves of such of those animals as they found loose in the woods. Tn revenge for this thcit, the German settlers of Virginia fell upon them, and murdered and scalped a considerable number. They even imitated, in several instances, the horrible cruelties of the savages in the manner of butch- ery — at least, so says Adair, who further reports, that "those murderers were so audacious as to impose the scalps on the government for those of French Indians; and that they actually obtained tlie premium allowed at that time by law in such a case." The Cherokees did not, for a long time, attempt any retaliation for this act, but made peaceable applications to the authorities of Virginia and the Carolinas; but all was in vain, and fresh insults and injuries, received from cer- tain oflicers at Fort St. George, finally excited the nation to fury. Adair says truly: "When the Indians find no redress of grievances, they never fail to redress themselves, either sooner or later. ]jut when they begin, they d(^ not know where to end. Their thirst for the blood of their reputed enemies is not to be quenched with a few di'ops. The more they drink, the more it inflames thei" thirst. When they dip their finger in human blood, they are rest- 'ess till they plunge themselves in it." The French, and, at th(^ii- instance, the MiLS(;ogees, were I I ! t it i- ^■wa V 'H^^H' . \ i i ^' ^m 1 si' lit!'fi ;:ilF^ t f '! lifk F'- a;)6 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. t}:' ,1/. , i' :!■' IL •M !" not plow in availinsi: themselves of the above ch'cuinstan- CCS to stir up a war against the English. The Cherokces detei-niincd upon dij-cct retaliation for the masi^acrcs by the Germans. A party, bound on this errand, first killed two soldiers near Fort Loudon, on the south bank of Ten- nessee river, and afterwards s|)re;id themselves among the western settlements of North Carolina, killing sueh of the whites as fell in their 20ower. It was their first intention to take scalps only equal in number to that of their mur- dered kinsmen, but, once having their hand in, they could not resist the temptation of going much forther. "Soon alter they returned home, they killed a repj-obate old trader." The young warriors, noAv thoroughly roused and excited, would listen to no proposals of restraint: "Nothing but war-songs and war-dances could ])lease them, during this flattering period of becoming groat warriors, 'by killing swarms of white dung-hill fowls, in the corn-fields, and asleep,' according to their war-phrase." William ]L Lyttleton, governor of South Carolina, set himself strenuously both to }irepare for the defence of the colonies, and to bring about an adjustment of difficidt- ies. At Fort St. George, on the Savannah, he held a con- fei'enee with six Cherokee chiefs, on the 2f)th of December (1759), and formed a treaty of peace, secured by the de- lively of thirtj'-two Indian hostages. These were placed in close confinement in a small and miserable hut, md the brat(Ml chiefs and leaders among them, at this time, were old Attakullakulla, a promoter of ])eacc, and lonu" the fast fiv'ud of the iMiuIish, and Occonostota, r. noted Avar-chief Captain Coytmorc, commandant at Fort INDIANS OF THE SOUTIIEUN STATES. 'ddl George, v/as an oLject of tlic bitterest hatred on the part of the Indians, and a large body of thcni, led by Occouos- tota, besieged the fort iu Febi-uary of 17(50. The place was too strong to be taken by assault, but the Indian chief managed to entice Coytniorc out of the d(.'- fenccs into an amlnish, where he was shot dead, and lieu- tenants Bell and Foster, wlio accompanied him, were wounded. The hostages who were conhncd within the works, shouted to encourage their friends without, and when an attempt was made to put them in irons, resisted manfully, stabbing one soldier, and wounding two others. Upon this, a hole was cut in the roof over their heads, and the cowardly garrison butchered them by shooting down from above. This war now commenced in earnest, and Indian ravages extended far and wide upon the frontier. Troops were ordered from New York by General ^\mherst, conunander- in-chief of the British forces in America; and the neigh- boring colonics appropriated liberal sums for the purpose of buj'ing the aid of the Creeks, Chickasaws, and Catawbas. Colonel Moutgomcry reached Carolimi in April, (17(50,) and hastened, in command of the regulars and })roviucials, to m.ake an effective inroad upon the hostile Indian His progress through the lower Cherokee country was mtirked by the entire destruction of the Indian towns. The first place attacked, called Keowee, ^\•as surrounded, and the men of the town were put to the sword. Estatoc, con- taining two hundred houses, with great quantities of pro- visions, Avas entirely destroyed; but the inhabitants were saved by a timely flight, "livery other settlement east of the Blue Iiidge," 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 upjuM- portion of the Cherokees. In the I li i I i! l! I ;.,! ^rfu hi i lit 'U i '.Mi ^:::4 .. r ■ «li ■K I*; 398 INDFAX JIACKS OF AMtllilCA. month of Juno tlio troops wore again on their advance into the wilderness of the interior. Near the Indian town of Etchoc, tlic native warriors prepared a most skillful am bnscade to cheek the advancing forces. It was in a de(^[i valley, through which ran a muddy stream, with stecsp banks; on either side of which the way was compl(>tely clicked with tangled brushwood. Some hard fighting took ijIji-ic at this spot, in which twenty of the whites ere ; .icd and seventy-six Avounded, The loss on the i?i, !,..,' :Vo Indians was much less, and, although driven frc ' 'i.! .pot where the iirst stand was made, they in- trencucd tL' ; .'elves a little farther on. Under these cir- cumstances, Montgomery determined to secure the safety of his troops, and to provide for the requisite attention to his wounded men, by a retreat. He soon after sailed for New York, leaving four com})anies of regulars, under iNfajor Hamilton, for the protection of the frontier. The garrison at the isolated Fort Loudon was now in a state of imminent peril. The provisions of the place were nearly ex) austed, and the redoubtable Occonostota was laying close siege to it with his fierce and enraged warriors. After sulfering great extremes of privation, and experi- encing disappointment in all their hopes of relief, the two hundred men stationed at this place were obliged to ca- pitulate, and trust to the honor of their savage enemy. Cnptain Steuart, an officer greatly in flivor Avith all the friendly Indians, arranged the terms upon which the fort should be evacuated. The troops were to be allowed a free and unmolested passage to \'irginia, or Fort Prince George, and a detachment of Indians was to accompany them for the purpose of supplying provisions by hunting. The garrison marcheirout on the Ttli of August (17()0). Occonostota himself, with a number of other natives, ke])t company with the whites, during the first day's march of iifteen miles; but these all disappeared when tliej reached rr: INDIANS OF THE SOUTllKUX STATES. 309 t)\vcd a |ri'inc(3 [npany Imting. ^17(iO). Is, kept I roll of :;aclied i ! I tlio place of encampment, near an Indian town called Taliqno. On the next morninji;, just before daj', (the thnc generally selected l)y Indians ihr a surprise, as men slee[) more soundly then than at any other houi-,) a larger body of armed savages, in war-paint, were seen by a sentinel, creeping through the bushes, and gathering about 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. Ca})tain Stenart was among tlie prisoners, but his evil fortune was alleviated by the staunch fr .idship of the benevolent Atakullakulla. This chief, as t\oi'. i he heard of Stenart's situr.tion, hastened to b'ort I 'doi, and pur- chased him of the Indian wdio took h u vin<>; him his rifle, clothes, and all that he could comui ad b}' way of ransom : he then took possession of Cap mi T'Jemere's honse, where be kept his prisoner as one of »..s family, and hu- manely shared with him the little ju'ovisions his table afforded, until an opportunit}^ should offer of rescuing him." A quantity of ammunition was discovered by the In- dians, bnried in the fort, and Occonostota determined to proceed at once to lay siege to Fort Prince George. Captain Steuart was informed that the assistance of himself and his men would be required in the management of the great gnus, and that, furthermore, if the garrison shonld refuse to capitnlate, all the })risoners now in the hands of the Indians should, one In' one, be burned In sight of the fort. Perceiving the difficnlty of his situation, the captain begged his kind old ])roprictor to assist him in effecting an escape, and Attakullakulla readily lent his aid. Upon pretence of taking his prisoner out i'oi- a hunt, he left Fort Loudon, with his wife and brother, and two English soldiers, and took a direct course for the Virginia frontier. After a most toilsome and dangerous march, they fell in with a V I m ^n ,;:-a I. I I I ;i \.^''i .).l ■h \'' !()() INDIAN HAl'KS OF AMKKK'A. party of lliiV'' liiiiidrcil nicii, srtil oiil lor llu.' iclii'f of sucli of the garrison at I'ort London as iniglit have clffctcd their cscaj)0. ])ciii,^ now in salL'ty, (,'a])tain Stcuai't dismissed his Indian friends witii liandsonic rewards, to return and attend to the welfare ol'liis H)rnier JeIlow-})risoners, Snch of them as had survived were afterwards ransomed and delivered up at Fort I'l'incc George. This })ost was immediately su])plied with provisions in untieipation of the siege; and eare was taken, througli the mediation of Attakullaknlla, to impress the Clicrokecs with the idea that it was totally impregnahle. Matters aj>pcared now to be, in some manner, at rest; but thi^ mtijority of the (Mierokee nation remained thor- oughly inimicnl, and emissaries from the Frcneh colonies were busv in their midst. A I^'uMieh odieer, of the name of Latinac, was espeeially suceessfnl in rousing np their hostile feelings. As an instance of his style of proceeding, it is related that, at a great conclave of the tribe, he step- ped out, and drove his hatchet into a log, calling out: '"Who is the man that will take this up for 'the king of 1^'rancc?' Saloui', a young warrior of JOstatoe, 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 f(.)l- ow uu\ In the following spring, Colonel James Grant, who had succeeded to ihc comma:id of the Highlanders employed in ]>ritish service in AmcM'ica, commenced active operations against the belligerent nation. What Avitli the aid of the provincials and friendly Indians, he Avas at the head of abont twenty-six hundred men. The Chickasaws and Catawbas lent some assistance to the J'higlisli; but the Creeks are said to have alternately inclined to the French or English, according as they j-eccivcd or hoped for favors and presents. I . . I 1 1 II INDIANS OF THE SOUTIIKUN STATES. 401 Tlic Jinny readied Fort Prince George on llir 27tli of May, (I7<>1,) and there old AtUikullakulla ninilc his aj)- pearaneo, dei)rceating tlie proj)os('(I vengeance of tlic wliitcs n})on liis })eople. He was told that the Knglish still fMt the strongest regard for him individually, hnt that the ill- will and misconduct of the majority of the nation W(Mv too palpalile and gross to be sulVercd to go longer unpniiished. Ccjlonel Grant marched from the fort in the monlli oChni'', and advanced nearly to the spot where Montgomery's progress had been arrested, before coming to an engage- ment. Here the Cherokees, on the loth, made a desperate but unavailing stand; they were routed and dispersed, h-av- ing their towns and villages of the interior to be destroyed by the invaders. Etchoe was burned on the day following the battle; and, according to McCall, "all the other towns in the middle settlemcvic, fourteen in number, shared the same fate: the corn, cattle, and other stores of the enemy, were likewise destroyed, and those miserable savagt-s, with their families, were driven to seek shelter and subsistence among the barren mountains." Upon the return of the army to Fort Prince George, after this campaign, Attakullakulla again visited the camp, bringing with him a number of other Cherokee chiel's. Broken down by their disastrous losses, and disgusted with the deceitful promises of the French, they gladly acceded to such terms as Colonel Grant thought fit to impose, and a ti'eaty of peace was formally concluded. 26 1- . iW' i" li ' • iy ;i>. i'::l #'. >' If! 402 INDIAN' 1{A('KS OK AMKIUCA. CIlArTKU III. CAPTAIN STETTAIIt's Ar.F.NCY — DISTIIIIMANCI': IN 17(i7 — VISIT OF TICCUMSKil TO TIIK SOinHKItN TItllllCS — WKATHKUFOHH — SACK OF FOKT I\IIMMS WAR OF HIH — (JKNKUAL JACKSOn's CAMl'AUiN — IIATTLES ONTIli: TAI.LUSAHA'PCIIKK; AT TALLADEGA, AUTOSSKK, ETC. — TIIK HALLIURKS DEFEAT OF THE LNUIANS AT IIOllSE-SIIOE BEND END OF THE WAR. In tliG year 1VG2, it was thought advisable Ly tlie i^'ng- lisli government to appoint a general ng(Mit and supcria- tendent of Indian aft'airs at the south. Partly through the earnest intervention of Attakullakulla, but espeeially be- cause of his known sagacity and influence over the native tribes, this office was conferred npon Captain John Stcu- art. I'pon entering on the duties of his appointment, he called a great council of de])uties, from all the southern tribes, at Mobile. Addressing the assembled chiefs in their own style of oratory, he explained to them the rela- tions then existing between France and England, impress- ing ii})on them the idea that all residing east of the Mississippi, must now look to the English for supplies and protection. lie directed his harangue to the several nations in sepjirate succession, promising entire amnesty to all who had taken up the hatchet in behalf of the French; commending those Avho had remained faithful to the English; and excusing those who had sided with tlie enemy, 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 tlicm against the deception of imprinci})led sj^eeulators. A flairs, accordingly, looked peaceful and prosperous for some years. The na1i\es made over a large additional tract of --._J 'f ' :■* ACK 'S c Eng- iporia- .o-li tho illy be- native n Stcu- icut, lie )utlieni licls in he relti- (.r tho iori and several [unu'sty of tlio liful to illi tlio 1st and letofore tlicni iVlVairs. son 10 Iract of r..-J INDIANS OF lllK SOI rilCIJN ST^TKS. 403 laud ti) tho s h;i\in,^ made enci'oaehincnls u[ion ihe Indian lands, soim' of tho Creek \vari-iors lieL'an to retaliate by stealin}^ horses Avhieh they found upon theii' own tei'ritoiy. A [>arty (' , '"1 •* . few roving savages could give no natural title to lands, as opposed to the claims of those who had I'cclaiiued, incli^scd, and improved the wilderness, satislicd tlie (•oiiscieiiccs of the encroachers, '^J'he argnmeiit in faNor ol' this cwiirlu- sion is by no means without force; hut wlio can take n[n)n himself to draw the line of demarkation which shall decide, u])on any principle of universal aj)plicatiun, the hounds of so artificial a right as the owncrshi]) oi' land? In the autumn of 1811, ihe great Siiawanee chief Te- cumseh, in pursuance of his b<>ld and extensive ])lans for a universal association of the Indians against the "whites, made a tour among the southern tribes. His eloquent appeals, and the overpowering energy which distinguished this truly great man, })rovcd 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 intercourse with the Americans and the govei'n- ment of the United States. At the time of the declaration of war with England, (June 18th, 1812,) the whole western border of the United States was in a position of the greatest danger and inse- curity. The machinations of Tecuinseh and the Prophet had roused an extensive flame of vindictive ferocity throughout the Indian nations, while British agents, it is said, were widely dispersed, and, by munificent promises 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 })rompt and decisive check. Many minor forays arc recorded, but the destruction of Fort Mimms in the Tensau settlement of Mississippi, in the summer of the year following, may be considered the first important part ttdvcn by the south- ern tribes in the wars of this period. We shall not under- take, in our brief accouiit of the Indian campaign of ISlo. to keep up a distinction between the different tribes of ■i I INDIANS OF TUL SOUTHERN STATES, 405 Creeks, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Chcrokees, &c., who were drawn into liostilities. rroininent among the chiefs and leaders of tlie southern confederacy, was the celebrated Wcatherford. His mother was said to have been a J>eminole, but he was born among the Creeks, lie was, beyond question, possessed of many- noble and commanding qualities, but these were combined with cruelty, avarice, and degrading vices. A party of about one thousand warriors, led by this popular chief, fell u])on the devoted Fort Minims, on the oOth of Au- gust, 1813. The post was garrisoned by one hundred and sixty enicient soldiers; the rest of its occuj)ants, to the number of one hundred and fifteen, consisted of old men, women and children. The forces were under the com- mand of Major Beasly. No regular preparations had been made for the reception of so powerful :in enemy, and al- though the soldiers did their duty manfully, they wcro overpowei'cd, and all slain except seventeen. The women and children having ensconced themselves in several block houses, met with 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 fly for safety to places of protection, and the hostile hordes of Indians were collecting their warriors for further inroads upon the frontier. To resist them, a lai'go foi'ce 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 immediately 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. i ; 'f '«(■'■' i06 INDIAN KACES OF AMKRICA fr' i ■ 't News was broriqlit by some runners fi-oni tlio osliiblisli- ment of the friendly old Creek eliief Cliinnaby, tliat the enemy was approach ing Iluntsville, or Fort- llainiilcn, in full force. Tlie report was erroneous, hut, as othoi' iiimois seemed, at the time, to confirm it, the general hiii licd liis army on to relieve the post. This was on the ioih cfOc;- tober (1813). From Iluntsville, Jackson, with his Ibrct^s, crossed the Tennessee, and joined Colonel Cud'ce, who was posted upon a high blulT on the south bank of the ii\ i^r. From this place, Colonel Coffee Avas dispatched, with SCA en hundred men, to beat up the enemies' quarteis on the Black Warrior river, while the eonnnandei- ol' tlie army turned all his attention to securing some supplies ol' provision for liis famishing troojis. Encamped iu the enemies' countrv, whither thev had arrived 1)V lofee(l marches, the troo}.s were necessarily exjiosed to great hard- ship and want. While awaiting su{)}ilies at this ene;i!iip- mcnt, General Jackson had an interview with ^>lu'loeta, a son of Chinnaby, who had come to request iissistanee for his father and friends, blockaded in their fort by the hos- tile Creeks. He saiy four o'clock, on the following morning, the troops were again in motion; and, acting upon intelligence obtained by I'c- connoitering during the night. General Jackson was ena- bh'd so to disjiose his tro()])S as partially to surround the camp before the action commenced. It is unncc ■sni-y to ■±rm mi . t I I! 408 INDIAN RACES OF AMti;A;.^. i give the details of tliis buttle. The Ind'.ns ciis| '.i\\u] l.ioth courage and firmness, and by the iinpetuositj of their attack, broke through the line of the advancing forces at a point occupied by General Roberts' brigade. They were driven in again by a l)ody of reserved troops, bnl suc- ceeded in making their escape to the niountains, three miles distant, through an opening left by some niiscalcu- lation in the direction of the Americans' advance. "In this battle," according to Cobbett, "the force of the enemy was one thousand and eighty, of whom two hundivd and ninety-nine were left dead on the ground; and it is Ix;- lieved that many were killed in the llight, who were not found when the estimate was made. T^^eir loss, on. this occasion, as stated since by themselves, was not less than six hundred: that of the Americans was fifteen killed and eighty wounded, several of whom, afterwards died." The friendly Indians, wdio had been besieged in :heir fort at this place, deprived even of water, expressed the liveliest gratitude and exultation at tlieir release. Tlio fatigue, exposure, and want which the army were com- pelled to undergo, nov/ began to arouse a spirit of discon- tent and mutiny. Few men have ever possessed that self- devotion and noble spirit of endurance, combined with an inflexibility of pu'^': 'se never surpassed, which enabled Jackson +o quell 'lie d^jturbances which arose, and to preserve the forces under his charge in a condition for active and useful service. After the battle at Talladega, the Ilallibec Indians, who were largely concerned in that transaction, sued for peace. They were told by the Am(>rican general that this should be accorded, upon condition of the restoration of plundered property, and the delivering up of those who had tak'en part in the massacre at l^ort Mimms. Unfortunatc/ly. while these negotiations were pending. General While, acting under orders independent of General Jackson, at- II I ! I ' ; :::> I! ! I a botii ■ their rccs at \ were IH suc- , 111 roe iscalcu- , "In eucniy •c(l and t is 1)0- LTC not on tills ;ss tluin lied and in :licir \ scd the i i. The ! ^e (;oin- ' (lisoon- III tsrlf- with ablo.l land to tion for IS, AVllO Doaco. Isiionld idovod tah on Inatolv. Wl utc f J ,1, at- r- 1 •^''^ii iHH Ul Ml m '■ ■ ; M i¥'' $> 1 1 i; N. .1 A (• K SO N \\ 1 1 i i i 1 k INDIANS OF THE SOUTHP^RN STATES. 409 t;ickc(l the towns of ih-^se Induins, destroyed inaiiy of tlicir warriors, ami carriod*olV scvci'al huiulicd eapfivcN. Supposing that this was by Jackstjn's orders, tlii^y exp'clL'd no further liuor, and Fouglit thereafter with the dcs^icra- tion of men to whom no quaitei' was to he given. The result of this Indian c'aiii]'aign was tlu' mlire re- daction of tlie liostiU' nations. \\v. need not recount the various battles in which they were defeated and dc--! roved. The most noted of these were at Autossee, where some two hundred were massacred, on the 29th of Xovember, and that (^f the givat bend in the 'l'allapo(,'sie, known as Ilorsc-Shoe Bend. At this latter point, the Indians lorti- fied themselves for a last and des})eratc stand. They were supposed to be about one thousand in num- ber, and had been, lor simie time, sli'engthening tiK'ir position by (.'very mea:is within their reach, 'i'liis was in the month of]\[areh, i'^M. ()n ihc 2Tth, (Jeneral -lackson, with a foj'ce of whit-s and friendly Indians, tliive times the number of the enemy, commenced e)})eraiions against the fort. General Coih e, with most of the cavalry and Indian allies, was directed to surround the bend, i^i order to cut off all retreat across the riv(.u'. The ])laee was then carried by storm, under a heavy lire fi'om within. ]v[ore than half the Indians were killed at the fort, and an un- known number perished in theii' endeavors to esea})e l)y crossing the river, beset as it was by the assailants. Some have asserted that })rol)ably not more than twenty ever reached a })lacc of safety. xVt a time when it was evident that tiie fortune of the day was decided, General Jackso)i sent a messenger, with a (lag of ti'uce, to invite a surrender, but, from ignorance or desperation, the savages fired upon the bearer of the flag.. After this, no mercy was shown: until night put an end to the work of destruction, tliey were shot or cut down wherever they could be found, and even on the following morning, a considerable number wei'e M •fi*' f 1 1 410 INDIAN RACES OP AMERICA. ferreted out from tlie "caves aiul reeds,'' wlicrc they had sought coiieealmeiiL, iiiid reinorseU^ssly put to death. Sev- eral hundi'ed \vo)neri ami ehiklrcii were made captives. The loss of the attacking army, in tliis battle, was lifty-iive killed, and one hundred and forty-six wounded. In the ensuing month, (A])ril,) GeneralJaekson 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 woiikl treat, and as a test of tlic sincerity of the proposal, that the great but nutmions Wcatlieribi'd should be delivered u)) for punishment. This chief, hearing of the requisitiini, and hopeless oi fui'ther success in resistance, came voluntarily to the American camp, and presenting himself befoio the commander, with characteristic dignity and conip«\surc, .requested |)eaco for his people, and ainiounced his own submission to his fate, whatever it might be. His speech on this occasion is given as follows: "I am in your power — do with me as you please — I am a soldier. I have done the whites all the harm I could. I have fouglit them, and fought them bravely. If I had an army, I would yet fight — I would contend to the last: but I have none. My people are all gone. I can only weep over the misfortunes of my nation." On being told that he was still at liberty to depart, and that no favor Avould be shown to him or his nation unless they should submit, to whatever terms the whites should see fit to impose, he replied: "You can safely address iw in such terms now. There was a time when I could have answered you — there was a time when 1 had a choice — I have none now. I have not even a hope. 1 could once animate my A\arriors to battle; but I cannot animate the d(>ad. My warriors can no longer hear ray voice, 'i'heir bones are at Talladega, Tallusshatchee, Emucklaw, and To- I I! l! ^1 y lia(3 Sev- )tivos. y-iivu laving under incipul ^enenil 1 treat, great up for )ii, and uilarily u)ro the iposurc, lis own "lam ii soldier. I have 11 army, hut I [y ^veep imdtliat pss tliey II -ot^ lit liic in id liave loiee — I id once J a to the Their imd To- ll II INDIANS OF THE SOUTHKUN M'A'niS. 4il hopeka. "" ''^' * '^ Yoti are a hravc man ; I rely iipc^n your generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquered jieoplc hut such as tliey shouUl aec(Mh> to," This was the hist important incident of the campaign. The Indians submitted to the (h<:Uilion of the whites, and retired to the districts assigned them, eastward of the Coosa. CHAPTER IV. THE HEMOVAI, OF THE CHKllOKIOI'.S WEST OF IllF. MISSISSIPPI PRESENT LOCATION AND CONDITION OK THE OTHER TRIBES OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. "Bi\'irinfr a people with nil its liosiseiiold Gods into exile, E.\ile without an end, and wiihout an example in story. — "' LoNr.FELI.OW. But a few years have pnsscd since the Cherokees were in the peaceful occupation of an immense and fertile ter- ritorj^ in the northern part of Georgia. They numbered not far from eighteen thousand, and Avere inci'easing in a ratio which attested their power of self-support and im- provement. They had made advances far beyond mo.st 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, the nation exhibited a praiscAvorthy spectacle of sobriety, industry, and good order. They were in possession of about eight millions of acres of !and, and their abilit}' and inclination to cultivate it, may appear from the statistics of their stock and agricultui-al implements. In 1826, they were the owners of seven thousand six hundred horses, twenty-two thousand cattle, forty-six thousand swine, and two thousand iive hundred sheep. There were in u;;e ' 1.' ' ' *ff-'\A m i 1 '■] 1 'ii • it - « 1 M i,fki r-." rrrn 412 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKKICA. r/i . i 1^, ■ P ' jimoii;^' flicin two tliousaiid nine liuiidrc'il lui'l forty-llirce pluiiizlis, and one Imiulpil ami Hcvdity-two wa.Lions. 'I'licy occupied their tei-ritorv iiiider the ti'euties ciitere.l iiilo, and within tht' hounds a.-siirned at the nej/oliatious hetweeii tlio ooure Indiaii triltes of ilio south, at the close ol'the ie\dhit ionarv war. Ill the \-eai' ISO'J, when the |Mn^'-ve\e(l que tion of tin* Ixiinidaiies of the state ol' (ieorgia was llnally seltleil, the I'liited States stijiulatinl to extinguish tlie title of the Cherokees to the lauds then in their iiossessioii, "as eaily as the same could l)c peaceably obtained, upon reasonable terms. A.S the states of Georgia, Alabaiiui, and Mississippi increased in power and population, they became more and more impatient oi' tlie existence of self-governing and independent tribes within their boundaries, and begau to exert a control over them in some instances exceedingly riujust and op})ressivc. Strong eilorts were made to induce an emigration of these Indians to the west, wliicli were in some measure successful, and, prior to bS29, a cession or sale of a very large district liad been obtained from the Cherokees. The members of this tril)c, naturally attached to the beautiful country in which they had passed their lives, finally determined to retain possession of what re- mained of their lands, and to allow oi" no further sales to "ivhites. In December, of the above year, the state of Ticorgia passed a scries 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. The laws of the state were declared to be in full force ovei- all the Aborigines within its limits; the regtdations and j^rovi- sions of the Cherokee council were declared invalid and void; heavy penalties (amounting to years of imprison- ment at hard labor) were awarded against an\^ Cher<;kee I II IXDIANS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. 413 \\ lio slioiild "(Mulouvour'" to oppose I'lai^i'iilioii; ;iiii 1 it WHS evi'ii I'liacliMl, l.y tlic liricciitli sirliou, "tliiil no In- dian, or (IcsctMidant of an Indian, wiiliin llir Cliriokco nation iiMians, sha II 1. a conii K'tcnl witness ni anv i;ourt ol" Cicoru'ia, in a suit in wliicli a white man is a \i' K'idge, while the eele1)rated dohn Koss was the leader of those o])])osed to the movement — a vi-ry large majority of the; nation. ontinu(>d in a disturbed and iiiKpiiet stati^ iMati ers e iernierli(.)i'ii until l>ioo. At this time the llt-v. J. 'l\ Sel was de})uted by the United States executive io bring about (Muove peaeeaDiv bb a treaty whereby the Cherokccs should r< receiving a reasonable eoin})ensation for the improvements which they should leave behind them. "^riie negotiation a{ipears to have been eonduetiMl as most Indian treaties have been, wherever a speeifie object was to be gained. Notice was given of u council to l)e hehl, and a collection of those favorable to the proposed emi- gration ratified a treaty, by Avhich the whole tribe was bound to remove within two years. Notwithstanding the obvious waiit of authority on the part of those individuals to bind the nation, and a remonstrance signed by the thou- saiuls who ojiposcd the treaty, it was ratified by (Anigi'css. An approjn'iation was made for the indemiiilleatioii of those who should sutler loss bv l)einL!; toi'ii li'oin tlicir IL:= M •. i'tfif ['.. Vij. :^^'l ■".•.Mi ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) fe /. /. A^s f/. 1.0 I.I If IM IM 1^ 1^ ||||2.2 lU lis IIIIIM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 M 6" - ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 Us ^ r 17" Hi INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. 1 ' t ll I I hollies, and for tlie other expenses attending tlie iinc|i;i;:<>ns tritiis;irli(jn, find nothing was loft to tlie unhappy Churo- kces but submission. No resistance Avas ncide, as, indeed, any opposition would liavc been utterly ii'uitlcss. 'I'he United States' i'orces, sent to overawe the Indians and enforce compliance witli the cnicl edict, found no call for their services. With a commendable spirit of energy and perseverance, tlu^ Cherokecs, witli their brethren of the neighboring tribes of the south, have pursued the arts and ivlinemeiits of civili/ali'jn in tlieir new homes at llu; west. They arc n(jw set down as numbering not far iVom Iwenly-six thou- sand, of whom by far the larger })ortion is located wtjst of the Mississi])pi. A considerable settlement, howcvei', is still existing in North Carolina. 'fhe Creeks or Muscogces have been continuallv (Miii- grating westward since the era of the di(Tu;ulties between the southern states and the Indians within their limits, in 1828-9, ct scq. They enjoy a tolerably systematic form of govci'umcnt, and are in many respects prosperous. Without going into a particular description of the con- dition of the other emigrating nations, we will conclude this subject with the remarks of Mr. Schoolcraft, njif>n "The problem of civilization," to be solved in the future history of these races. "AV^hatever doubts have (^visted, heretofore, in regard to the satisfactory solution of this question, they must now give way before the cheering results that have attended the philanthropic efforts that have, from time to time, been made, and are at present going on among the Cherokecs, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks. These tribes yielded their country east of the Mississippi, rendered dear to them by the associations of 3'outh, their traditions, and the graves of their fathers. They had learned the great truths of Christianity, and the arts of airricultnrc, and of civilized life; yet they gave up ii K;ro- !' il ition ;atcs' ;ilicc I'ibcs t< of V- uro tliou- ist of cr, IS • cww- its, in rill of con- liide |iOU ture sted, this cring tluit oscnt saws, St of itions icrs. (1 the vo up II INDIANS or THE SOUTH KliN STATES. 41. all, and sought a new liomc in tlu' nir-olV wildci'iioss, and liavc made in that wildiu'iicss I'niid'nl and rich (itnns, and flourishing villages. Some of their schools arc of a high order. The gospel ministry is well attended. Some of their constitutions arc purely repuhliean. The ]ieople arc increasing in numbers. Peace dwells within tlicir limits, and plcnteousness within their borders; civilization upon Cliristian princii)l(.'s; agriculture and the mechanic arts; and schools. "With these primary and fundamental prin- ciples of human happiness, civilization among them is no longer problematical." i ' Ij- I': ■ |i "■'4 ♦ ••',' .. I': • .C^ , '",!(■. ,' ■|S i ■^M V % m f . Isf^ X ;t '(!»* f^- n" •V 11 NORTHERN RACES. CHAPTER I. TIIK I- .SQIIKUAUX : TirElR Mv\N.M:ks A.N.0 rKKSO.XAL APPEARANCE — ACCOUiS'TS Ol- KAIILY V()VAr;i;KS — KSiil'LMAliX H A BITATIO.NS, F OOD, ETC. — Tiric KAiAK OK ':a:'.oi: — ;-;i;ai,i?cg — Tin-; i;ki.\-I)i;i;k — USES OF TJIi; no;; — PATK I \ IMllA L (lOVEli.N'ilENT EFFECTS OF rOI!K|i;\ I.NT)';i!rnFi:SI':. " SenipiT liyeiiis; semper siiiniiites IViguni Cauri." ViKGIL. TiTEJiE is little, besides some analogies in language, to connect the uneontli race wliicli forms the subject of this cha])ter with the inhabitants of the more genial climates of Norlli America. The ]^]squimaux are spreticl over a vast region at the north, dwelling prhicipally upon the sea-coast, and uj)on the numberless inlets and sounds with Avhich the countrj^ is intersected. There is a striking sim- ilarity in the language, habits and appearance of all the tiibcs of the extreme north, from Greenland to Bhering's Straits. Charlevoix gives a very uninviting descrijDtion of their personal aspect. He tells us that there arc 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 beard (for the most part artificially eradicated) of other American abo- rigines, these people have that excrescence ".si rpaisse jut^q ^aux ycu'Xj (j'/'on a pi- iv: ii decouvrir ^quehjues traits 1 1 -i:i.J \.NCE — FOOD, ll lage, to i i of tills j I limates | over a i )on tlie i ,(ls witli j lingsim- i all tlie Ihcriiig'iS lof tlieir Ic of tlie Ilea usu- Esqiii- |(for tlie ]an abo- cpaisse lies traits \ I I j J! li I ll NOUTIIKUX RACE?. 417 dc kur tvW/e." It covers tlicir faces nearly to tlie eyen;; so that one can scarcely distinguish son o features of their couulenance. They have, moreover, he says, something hideous in their general aspect and demeanor- -small, "wild- looking C3-es, lai'gc and very foul teeth, the hair generally black, but sometimes fair, and always in extreme disorder, and their whole exterior njugh and brutish, '^^i'heir man- ners and character do not falsify tliis un})reposscssing physi(jgnomy. They are savage, rude, suspicious, unquiet, and always evil-disposed towards strangers. lie considers their fair hair and skin, with the slight general resemblance they bear towards, and the limited intercourse they carry on with, the neighboring natives, as indisputable evidence of a separate origin. Pj'ichard says, that "the description given by Ci'antz of the Greenlanders, may well apply to tlie whole race. They are, for tlu? most part, under five feet in stature, "^i'liey have well-shaped and propoi'tioned limbs. Their face is com- monly broad and flat, with high cheek-bones, but; round and plump cheeks; their ey(\s 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 I'ound, and the under lip somewhat thicker than the other. They have universally coal-black, straight, strong and longhair on their lieads, but no beards, because they root it out." — These last })artieulars will be seen to be variant from the description given above b}' Charlevoix, of the race in general. — Crantz proceeds: "Their hands and feet arc little and soft, but their head and the rest of their limbs are large. They have high breasts and broad shoulders; their whole bod}^ is flit." The descriptions handed down by the most ancient voj-agcrs to Greenland of the Skricllings or- natives whom they encountered, corresponds very nearly with the gen- eral outline above given. They speidv of them as a 27 ..Ll r-w :-u^M ,/fc. yi l?-i :_zz;r--^ 418 INJ)IAN RACES OF AMERICA, (Iwarlisli pcoplc—soldoin more tliaii. four feet four iuclic- in height ; suspicious uud hostile towards stnuigers; sub sisting upon the products of the scii; clothed in the same style, and using the same weapons, boats and im])kinents, as those still inhabiting the country. The inhosj)itablo nature of their climate, their slender resources, and the deterioration of tlie race consequent upon such a mode of life as theirs, seem to jtreclude the probability of muchi iui])rov'eraent ever taking place in their condition. fhe I'lsfpiimaux 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 which those adventurers speak of the enormities comniitlod not unfrequently against the unoffending and ignorant natives. The meeting with several "wild men," and Ihc killing one of them "to make the rest tractable," is mentioned as a passing and ordinary event. In Frobisher's c.\])edition, 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 captors pro- ceeded to pluck oir her buskins, in order to satisfy them- selves as to whether the cloven hoof was not concealed by them. The other captive, a young woman, with a wounded child in her arms, was retained, but the old hag was dis- missed as being too revolting an object to be endured. AVlien attempts were made to apply remedies to the wound of the child, the mother "licked off with her tongue the dressings and salves, and cured it in her own way," John Davis was disjiosed 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. 1! , I! sub \ \ same I i icuts, i it able i a the I )de of I mucli at tlie I tlieir ji c cool- ! : rmilies \ \ iig and ,. I men," 1 1 ctable," j 1 Avhicli e taken, liklcous ' rtained ors pi'O- y tliem- alcd by ,'omidcd was di:^- bndurod. woniid lio-ue tlic kindly on was nalT-iro,' I in some 1 1 ; i :1^ NOUTHKllX RACKS. 419 Notwitlistiindini: tlic ]t;id cliaractcr given of tliis people, it apprais lliat, atu'i" tlicii' lirst suspicions arc allayiMl, they prove gcnilc ami Iractalilc .associates; and are by no means wantinu in mbanitv and kindliness. How readily their susi)ici(jns are allayed, will ajipear IVdUi tlic account of Ca[)tnin I'aek's first meeting with a small party of Msqui- nianx. They were seen at a short distance, gathering in excited gi-onps, or nnming about at their wit's-eiid with astonishment at the appeai'anee oi' these " Kabloonds" or Earo})eans, being the lirst they had evei' seen. \Vhen the English began to advance towards them, they wcreatilrst repelled l)y wild outcries, and gesticulations, and by hos- tile demonstrntions with the spears, which fbi'ined the weapons of the Indians. ^V\\q, uncouth group stood in a sei!ii-circle, "yelling out some unintelligible woi'd," as the captain boldly and composedly walked up to them, and made signs of peace, throwing' up his hands, as he observed them to do, and calling out "Timti"- (peace), "In an instant their spears were flung to the ground ; and, putting tluur hands on their breasts, they also called out Tima, with much more, doubtless greatly to the purpose." Any attempt to give a coiuiected history of the Esqui- maux, from the time of their first intercourse with Eu- ropeans would neeessaril}'- resolve itself into a narrative of the various polar expeditions. 'J'hc progress of the Christian missions upon the coast, could we afibrd space to enter upon it, might throw some liglitupon the natural endowments of the race; but we must content ourselves M'ith a few general descriptions, cited indiscriminately from diflercMit authors. Idie dwellings of the Esquimaux consist either of move- able tents, constructed of poles and skins, in the style of an ordinary Indian wigwam, or of regularly arched domes of snow and ice. The precision, rapidity, and geometrical accuracy which they display in shaping the blocks of which '■ I .X ;M ■■r,i'.]i •It,: ill m >' ' , hi- " Mil! 420 INDIAN i:\('KS OF AAIKliriW. these snow luits are comjMtscd, excite the adini ration of the behohler. An art whicli tlie architects of llie ancient nations of J^hirope in^ver acquired — tlie lurrnation of tlio arch' — has from time immeniori;il 1)C(mi in use auionjr this untutored race. Tlic snow liouses proN'c as tiijlit, waini, and comfortable as could be desired; but llie habits (jf the occupants render them insuifcraljly oH'cnsive to the w]iitcs. Crowded with dop's, dedled with oil, l)lubl)cr, and ollal ; and blackened by smoke and iUth, tliov are said to nauseate even those whose lives arc passed amid the im- purities of a whale-ship. A person entering one ^)\^ tluso huts is obliged to creep through a low arched passage into the principal apartment, which, like those loading from it, presents the appearance of a perfectly-formed dome, lighled by a window of transparent ice let into llie roof. The tents, used upon the migi-atory expeditions in search of game, consist of skins, su]>p(_))'' by a cindc of poles bent togetiier at the top, and ii, n-e weather, thickly lined within with rein-deer skins. During the long dark night of winter, when food is exceedingly scarce; shut uj) in these dismal al)odes; and enduring extremes of cold and privation elsewhere unknown; the condition of the Esquimaux seems most deplorable to one who has lived in the enjoyment of the comforts of civilization. Far, how- ever, from com])laining of their lot, they exhibit a singular cheerfulness and equanimity, even when in the greatest straits. Parry 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 spring. "The remaining 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 whicli they had not yet taken the trouble to stop uj). The old man Ilikkeiera and his wife occupied a hut by themselves, 'I 1 .•"I )n of )f tlic n; this ,vuTin, )its of In the .T, ami «U(1 to lu' im- [' llirso o;c into Vom it, Vi.iililccl I serircli )f poles tlilcklv iti g^ dark j shut u]) of coul of the ivcd in ir, liow- singnlar rcatest he mis- 3d a hut I moved maining e of the ill bare, s whicli The old luselves, ii NOUIIIKUN' K.VCI.S. 421 witliout auv l;iMi|», or a single niitn'c of tiicnt Iiclotiging to tluMu; while tliree small skins, oti wliicli the (Wriiier was lying, were all that lliey jios^essed in tlie way of hlankt'ts. Upon tli(^ whole, i iie\('i' lii'lh'ld a more misd'ahle speeta- (!le, and it seemed a eliarity to hope that a violent atid constant e.ough with which the old man was allheted, would s[)ecdily conihiiie w iih his age and indrmities to release him from his present sntl'ei'ings. Yvt, in the midst of all tins, he was even eheerful, nor was tliev^ a gloomy countenance to he seen at the village." '^riie llesh of the I'ein-deer, musk-o.\, walrus, and seal, with lish, wat(M'dowl, and occasionally the carcase of a sli'aiided wluile, forms the chief nourishment of the Ks- qnimaux. Nothing that has life comes amiss to them, and, altlioii;jh they pi'ef'r co(»kcd meat to raw, this preparation is hy no nu^ins deemed cssentitil. I'lu; only vegetable diet ])i'ocni-abl(> at the (>xtreme north, except at those ])laces where the natives can obtain Idreigu articles, consists of the leaves of sorrel, ground-willow, &c., with a few berries and roots. "lu eating their meals," according to i*arry's account, "the misti'css of the family, having previously cooked the meat, takes a large lump out of the pot with her lingers, and hands it to her husband, who, placing a part of it be- tween his teeth, cuts it oil' with a large knife in that position, and then passes the kiiife and m(\at 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 w^ith a knife to be used in this way.'' Afost of the birds and quadrupeds upon which they rely are migratory, and only to be taken between the months L-- > ■ ■■ ' ;::<.i ).■ <• iV ,!, ■■■'.I "I'-ii . 1 422 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKKICA. \ > ■ I of May and OcU)Lcr. Jii Marcli, A] nil uinl May, tlic \' tlic seal iiiid walrus is their Duly resource, ami success in ilie pursuit their only lefugc IVoni starvutitjii. The "kaiak" or eanite, eonstruil< d of skins, and eapahle (jl'eoiitaiiiin;j,' l>ul a siu^ule pei'Soii, is all- essential in seal-hnnlin,'j;. (ireat dexterity is rei|uireil in its inaiia,i,feinent, au'l how the O])eralion of thi'ow ini:; llu; dart or hai])ooii, and of sei.-urin;^" the Lulky jirev, can be carried on in salely in such u slender and unsteady con- veyance, seems iiKJompreliensiblo to the nnpraelised eye. "^riie (j'ail boat is built with ,Li,'reat elegaiun! and lightness. A frame of slender beams oC Hi' is constructed, twenty or twen- ty-five feet in length, a, lillh! less than two feet in bi'cadth, and about one foot dei'p. This is entii'eh' covered with the •, cannot Ibunder so hnig as he can maintain an upright })osition. Au upset would be inev- itable destruction to one unaen,u,ly liolc is ■ifXcitov, i\ 'ui,^ a he eaii 3 inev- 11 11 re of under llle. A le seal, e iva[)- s prCvSS I'lying, bvolves |ed, but, I'ul I'lir- lovtlons m uieat Is wavs. iin and NO mi 1 1: UN I! ACES. 423 smoky atnios])liere of tlie lints, and a eoneenti'ated artielo of food, ealled "rcniniicun," is ['irpai'ed l>y jionnding it with fat. 'I'lie UileoniC event of a WdUndrd nv dc;iil wlia'" ]'r\\\ir driven on shore, brinj/s down the vdiol(> neighborinu' [lop- ulatioii to share in the spoih Nothiiiu; eonld lie nioi'e valuable to these piviple tlian the \;irious substaiiei'S ob- tained from the enormous carcase. 'I'Im- blnblu r is sepa- rated and prcserviid f>r oil: the eo;u'se ninseular tissue foi'nis to them a ]>alatab]e ai'tide of food; the sincjws servo foi' lines and eordiiL'e; and the whah-boue is made avail- able by tralfic with l'inro|)eans. Of the rein-deei', two species fni'nisli f )od and (-lothing to tlie inhabitantsuf the eiiM rcj'i' >ns (jf northern AmcM'iea, allhouuli, sin'^'ul;n'lv eiioiiuh, no, ■ of them jiave snee(Hidcd in domesticating the animal. 'I'hey are aeeustouKMl to discard no ])orti(Ui <;f the (lesh, and even devonr the con- tents of the stomach. Peiiiiips in no instance has the service of an animal ju'oved ofniorc signal aid aiid comfort to any race than that of the dog to the Esquimaux. Tlic principal use to which he is applied is that of dnnvingtho Bleurneys are ])erf()rmed, arc drawn by a number of dogs proportionate to the weight to be transported, the distance to be traversivl, and perhaps the possessions of the owner. The animals arc separately connected with the sledge, at unequal distances, by single thongs of leather or hide. The most sagacious and well- trained of the pack is placed at the end of the longest tether, some twenty feet from the vehicle, to act as leader, and the intelligence and certainty with which he obeys the signal of connnand fi'om t1ie dri\'cr is very striking. The whip with which the movements of the team arc guided, and with wdiicli the refractory or stujud are disci 'I 'i /■ <.U I ^"^II ^ y, if ■''m M d24 INDIAN' HACKS OK AMKUKA. 71 y,'i' i.: plincd, consists of uslioil .-^Lock -only ciglilti ii iiii:li('-. ii. Icii^tll-— to which ;i hisli, luim ciioil'Jih to I'rach ihc ii'lidillg do^', is ;ittuchr,l, ;iii.l allouid In li'ail lusiilf the sl« il;j;(;, Thirt lash is rcinliMVil |ilialili' liv a. [H'occss I'rsoi'h'il to lor I)r('[)ariii<^ Icallu'i' ll;r various jjiirposi's, vi/: tiiat ofr//. u:,'/)>/. Tlu! operation is prrfonin'il hy llic women, and to it- con- stunt exercise, sonu' ti'avrHri'.-i attrihnti; the had conihlion of their teetli, bi'fore noliccd. Tht! sledge is (-onijiosiMl of two I'unncrs, of wood or hone,- soni(;tinies (if the jaw- bones of a whale -coiniecti'il by er()ss-j)i(X'es tind hishin,u;s. Mt)ss is packed closely bt'tween these, ans serving as a beast <,)f bni'dcn and draught, the Esquimaux dog is a bold and at'tive assistant in the liunt for rein-deer, boars, kc, but, singularly enough, while he will rush upon an animal so much his superior in size and strength as the bear, he is tei'ror-strieken at the siglit of the wolf, to whom ho l)oars a striking resem- blance, and with whom lie would seem more equally matched. Faithful and docile, and subsisting upon the coarsest refuse, the dog supplies to the Esquimaux the })lace of the rein-deer, in other high latitudes, for all laborious service. lie meets with nothing but rougli treatment and scanty faro: his master never caresses or makes much of him; but this does not prevent him from forming tlic strong attachments peculiar to the race. No where do we fmd a system of patriai'chal government maintained in mcu'c primeval simplicity than among the 1 1 I u. T! 11'^ lit ii'liiig to I'ol" r a' I It 'J, ;s foil- idiliou isi;'l of (• j:i\v- ;ir, iiiid y juut- iiKLiy, 1 1 11 IOC III- 1 , All, and i! nciis ot i on autl ! ssistaut I -UDllgll, inferior km at j i I'cseni- ?quiilly [.'oarsot of the service, seaiity ^f him; strong ■luncnt \n:s ll le N(»KTIii;ii\ HACKS. 42." Ks'iuimaux, aii<1 no wlicre is tli;it autli"rity moi'i' mil'llv ii( liiiiiiisti-rcil. I ',1'iiilii'S aiiil I'olllllillllttlCS live t()'_'('tl|iM' ill I ! \ I I tlic irrratc^t li;inu'«iiy, ami no one aiTo/^alcs to liiiiisrlf a control o\ I'!' ilid- ;' alMtiit liiin l)i_\ onil the eii'i'Ic oC liis i' iioilli 1ki\o Ih!d fiiM* iiiliM'courst^ with l*]iii'opr;ins, in- stallers have IxTii found, anion'-' them, of miu'li luLdicr Hihll-', iiitelli '/ciiee than is iLsuallv attributed to t' tain ii' lai' ( 11 1- inali' ii; arry, in his seeond voya,i.';e, ]«artirul:irly dcserihcs a iiaiiu'd ilii^'liiik. llrr correct car foi- music, and ai)l>rceiation of its ln'auties, wcix^ very r -marka.lile; and the int''i'cst and atf.'iitidti which all the ii(,>vil mechanical arts cxerciseil on board the shij) excited in her mind, gavo evidence of no little capacity for improvement. "We eanuot fi-ivo a better idea of the eft'ect which iuter- ; I i ' course w ith foreigners has produced ipon some of the Ksquimaux, inclianging their original cpiiet and unobtru- sive demeanor, than by the following (piotatioii -.rrom Captain Lyon: I could not but ct)mpare the boisterous, noisy, fiit fcl- 1 ows, wlio wove a lontii;-side, in excellent canoes, Avith w< 111'. ! 1 i I i ! il I i 11 furnished, iroii-headt'il weapons, and haiithsoiae cloth with the poor people we had seen at Soiithampt thoroughly tattooed. The manner of perf )rming this operation was by passing l! ii I K'l 1 ~ •■•■-', m -''-•y ■n::^ m t''" :|. r; 428 INDIAN RACES OF AMElilCA. ! I a needle and thread through tlie outer skin, the thread being saturated with oil and lamp-black. I I 1 1 1 1 The internal arrangements of the circular snow-huts in which tlic winter is j^asscd, arc as follows: Around each room, next the wall, a bank of snow is built to the height of two or three feet, U|ion which are placed, first a coating of ])ebblL ', the,u a row of tent-poles, paddles, and whale- bone, and above all a layer of birch twigs. Upon these are spi'cad the skins and furs which constitute the bedding of the inmates. It is evident tliat quite a low temperature must be maintained in order to preserve both house and furniture. The only means of warming the huts is by a sort of lam]>, consisting of a .-hallow dish wrought of stone {kq^i-s olluris), "its Corjii being the le.-:ser segment of a cir- cle. The Avick, consisting of dry moss rubbed between the hands till it is cpiite inflannnable, is disposed along the edge of the lamp on tlie straight side, and a greater or smaller quantity lighted aecoixling to the lioat required or the fuel that can be afforded." The flame is fed by the drippings of a slice of fat or blubber, suspended with- in reacli of the bhize. The stone pots for cooking are hung over tliis lamp, and, above all, is a net, stretched upon a hoop, whereon wet boots and other garments are placed to dry. Tlie general atmosphere of the apartment is kept a lit- tle below the freezl^.g point. Parry observed the tlier- momotcr, at a time Avhcn it fell to twenty-five degrees below zero in the open air, to stand at thirty-two degrees Avithin a few feet of the fire; and this when the hut was filled witli Indians and dou's. 'io increase the wai'mth, occasions a troublesome dri})[)ing from the roof, an incon- venience to which the inhabitants are obli^-ed to submit thread !i •huts in id each ) height coating I Aviuile- )ii these 1 hcdJing ' peniture •use and s is by a of ^toiie of a cir- I between d along greater re(|uired fed by jd with- :iiig are Iretchcd leuls are ep'L a lit- he tlier- degrees degrees hut was warmth, 111 iiieou- subinit NOKTIIERX RACES. 429 during some of tlie s})ring rnonllis, beH^rc tlie season has become mild enough for dwelling in tents. The principal household utensils are the lamps and pots above mentioned, certain eu})s of the horn of the musk- ox, vessels of whalebone, and the ivory or iron knife. The latter, or at least the material of which it is composed, is obtained by connneree with the wliites. They manu- fu'ture themselves a knife, havimi; a thin iron edge let into tlie bone Avhieli forms the Idade. To a linuted extent some of the Esquimaux obtain and jnanufacturc iron from the iron pyrites found in certain localities, and which sei'ves them for flint and steel in lighting fires. The implements for huriting, in use among these Kscpii- maux, arc simple bnt elYei'tive. '^I'he " Kiiitko," which serves the purpose of a harpoon in taking seals, walruses, and even whales, is a particularly ingenious contrivance. It consists of a short piece of bone, p<)intcd with iron, and attached bv the centi'c to the "allek," or Ion"; thont]: of leather, 'idie 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 })r(;y. From the manr^er in v/hieh it is slung, it instantly turns at right angles to the direction of its entrance, and w^ill 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 fir-tree, and, in order to give them the requisite strength and elasticity, they are vory 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 bent backward. They pass from end to end, on the back of the bow, and are secunnl and jussisted by other shorter eonk-i 1 1 iL: f p t Ik 4, iV hi i 430 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. i I '.(.«! ^h 4' fi! *l f ; fastened hy liitclies round the wood. The al)OVC descrip tiou applies to tlic best weapons of the sort. — "A bow in one piece," says the narrative, "is very rare: they g'en- erally consist of from two to five pieces of bone, of une- qual lengths, secured together by rivets and tree-nails." '^^I'he arrows arc of wood and bone united, and have heads of iron or slate. They will inflict a mortal wound at a distance of forty or lidy yards. Tn the construction of all these implements, a knife and a di'ill arc the principal tools used. The latter ojjcrates with a bow, like that in common use among us. It is evident that intellectual advancement is entirely incompatible with such a life as wo have described. The ideas of the Supernatural entertained by the Esquimaux are vague in the extreme. " They do not appear," s;iys the description in Parry, "to have any idea of the exist- ence of One Supreme Being, nor, indeed, can tliey be said to entertain any notions on this subject which may be dig- nified with the name of lieligion." Of certain games, consisting mostly in flmtastic distor- tions of the body, and comical ejaculations, they are never weary; and a strai^ije moijOtonous song, of which the words and music are given by Parry, furnishes amusement until the performers desist from sheer weariness. Their moral character is probably upon a par with that of most savages. They do not possess the high, indomita- ble spirit, the scoi'n of suffering, the clannish fury of jta- triotism, nor the fondness for war, so commonly considered the nobler traits of the American aborigines; but, on the other liand, 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 tcmjotation presented them by the pres- ence of such a magazine of treasure as a foreign ship, thoy n Ki "tt\ NORTH EKX RACKS. 431 will generally indiil-jfe in pilGM-iiig. Those travellers who have been most familiar with tlie strange raee, aeeordtothem many ])leasing qualities; while their viee;^ arc sueli as must naturally r(>sult from their destitute and hopeless condition. Their whole history might prove unspeakably valuable to us did wc wisely gather from it a lesson of content. CHAPTER III. Tine KXISTKNHAUX. CHIPPKWAS, ETC. savs ig- th that omita- of pa- ndered on the ir feel- ireu at : I I! li TfTK Knistencaux, or Crees, arc a nation materially different from the Esf[uiMiau\'. Tluy have a much nearer resemblance than that })eo}>lc to tlie other North Ameri- can ti'ibes, and, from close analogies in language, are con- sidered as a liranch of the great Algonquin stock, wdiich, centering in the Canadas, spread over such an extent of the North American continent. '^l^he country formcrl}- occupied by the Knistencaux — for the ravages of the small-pox have in late years miserably reduced their numbers — is of vast extent; lying between the United States and the Esquimaux region, and extend- ing westward to the Iioeky ^Mountains. The line of their occupation is thus given l)y ^vlackenzie: Commencing with the coast of Labrador, it extends ;dong the north bank of the St. Lawrence, to Montreal. "The line then follows the Utawas river to its source; and continues from thence nearly west along the high lands which divide the waters that iall into Lake Superior and Hudson's Bay. It then proceeds till it strikes the middle part of the river Wini- pic, following that water through the Lake AVinipic, to the discharge of the Saskatchawan into it; fi'om thence it accompanies the latter to Fort George, when the lino strik- fc. :..'■.; ■1 ■.M L';. 'tiJJ m a >^>^ Mi i.f,*l ! I 432 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. ing by tlic head uf tlic Ijoaver lllvcr, to tlic l^lk llivcr, runs along its banks to its (b'scliargc; in the Lake of the Hills; from whieh it may be eari'ied back east to ihe Isle a la Crosse, .'ind so on to Churchill by the Mississippi, '^^riie udiole of Ihe ti'act between tliis line and Hudson's Bay and Straits, (except that of the ]"'squimaux in the latter,) may be said to be exclusively the country of the Knisteneaux." ''J'hey Averc also to be found ui)on lied ]\iver, (whieh, after uniting with the 7\ssinaboin, empties into Jjiiko Wini})eg,) and upon the south branch of the yaskatchawan. These })eoplc possess all the ordinary charactei-istics of the American Indian; the copper complexion, black flow- ing hair, Avell-pro}iortioned limbs, and keen black eyes. l'i'a\-ellers speak of the women as being far more attractive i n I )ersonal appearance than the general i ty of squaws. Upon them devolves all the drudgerv of domestic life, wdiile the men devote their exclusive attention to hunting or Avar. AVe notice no A^ery material variation, except so far as climate and the nature of their country have affected their habits, betAveen the dress, habitations, luxuries, cere- monies, and general usages of the Knisteneaux, ;nid the great body of our Avestern Indians. They are spoken of as of a friendly and hospitable disposition, and no more dis- honest in their dealings than other savages, althouG'h some have given them the reputation of being arrant thieves. Little of distinctive character attaches to the various minor tribes of the north, until Ave reach the Esquimaux, with Avhora little or no commerce is held by these nations, and Avith Avhom, from time immemorial, they haA'c Avaged a, desultory warfare. Mackenzie describes individuals and vil- lages of the Ecd-Knives, Beavers Indians, Dog-l>ibs, Hares, Slaves, Duguthee Dines (quarrellers), and many others; i;)ut they have no history, and fcAV noticeabk ^)eculiarities. Those farthest north are of rather a lighter complex- ■T\ 1 1 1 1 1 1 i I ii i; t i Him' 71 [liver, , I af the I ; 10 Tslc I ^sippi. 1 dson's in tlic of the I u lied i ■rnpties of the 11 ! I sties of I i k now- jl k eves, i '' traetive j ' liile the ; ' p war. j far as : ffcctcd i cere- nid the 11 of as lore dis- \\ some eves, various limaux, nations, :o 1 : ! I AN au'od a i andvil- ', ■;, Ilarcs, i • others; 1 hriritics. - otnplex- i 1 m •4» / A- Ij 1 .1 .y $ ly _.j ■/• c H ixa FO H SjJ t.MU.Y .'> *■ %]kt,'- .jjf-,^*^-^;*,- .^ ^r«ft^P "*' y^t;;,:^^%. mt. . . E'W 3 m^ ^ \ "^^1. I. M U .V NtiUl IIKUN ItAt'KS. ion tliaii llic iiiliaMtauts m|' nioi'c triii]i('i';iti' rlinics. ami cx- liibit the (Iftci'iiM'aiiii;/ iiilliK'iii'i' ol' a liH' in a cold ;ii:il desolate counti'v. Soiiic iiitei'cstiiiL:' di'lails ol' llic Iialiits and eliarartcf of the I)t»,L;dlilis, are i:iv('ii in the aceuimt of Sir .lohii K'ii'h- ardson's Ardie Scarrhin^:' lv\]icditiiMi. They aic ralhrr a low Di'drr ol' the race, and have held sndificnt intfrcunr^j.' Avith the \\ hitrs to In' awarr el' ihcir own dcHiMfncics and Avant.- lii'V arc nc\crtli( chccrlnl. ami cNcn liilari- ous, and exhiliit little oi' none ol' that jtrond ;ind stoic;d s[)irit which marks the more celebrated Indian nations. They are u'rosslv innn'oviucn peated and tcri'ihle eN[ici'icnc(' ( AVhen game, is tion is })resentcd, to 1 t, although waiMicd hy n -f liuniiie and sulVeriiiL ntv, a seene o( :^"''|:^;. ' )-. ' I 431 INDIAN RACKS OF AMKHICA. Tho Cliippowas ure sj)rea(I over u vast icuion al the iionh, llic limits of which it wnuM, [(cihaps, hi- iniiiossi- 1)K', acciii'utuly to (Icliiic. Mackcii/ic, wiitiii' ...it tin; year 171)0, lays down the tract occupictl .ilu'sulio speak substantially the samo langiia.i^v, as I'oIIdws: "It begins at (Jhurchill, and runs ahjng tlu; linrs of sfparaliMU between them and the Kiiistencaux, up the Mississijipi, to the isle Ji la Crosst", ])assing ou through the UulUilo Lake, lliver J^ake, and I'ortago lu Loche: IVoui thtmec! it pi'o- cei'ds by tho Elk HiveJ', to the Lake of tho Hills, and goes (lireetly west t(^ the Peaee lliver; and up tliat rivei' to its source ami tribiitai'v walci's; from whence it i)roceeds to the watei's of the RivcM' Cohnnbia; and follows that riser to latitude lifty-two di'groes twenty-four minutes, uortli, and longitude one humlred and twenty-two degrees iil'ty- loui- minutes west, where the Chcpowyans luivo tlic Atnah or Chin nation for their neighbours. It then takes a due lino west to the sea-coast." The coast Indians, on the Pacilic, dilTer from those of whom wo arc now treating. In the vicinity of IJhering's Straits, they ai'o Esquimaux, but as we proceed southward, we fuid distinct and separate races. The Chippewas, according to tho writer above-quoted, are a quiet jxvaccable race, of a timoious disposition and wandei'ing habits. 'J'hey take groat pains to prepare their dross so as to resist tho extreme cold, and so well arc they protected in this respect, that when arrayed in the warm furs and skins which form the winter attire, one of the tribe "will lay himself down on tho ice in tho middle! of a lake, and repose in comfort; though he will sometimes find a difliculty in tho morningtodisencumber himself of the sm >\v drifted on him during tho night." Tho women are not ])ad- looking, but tho hard service of drawing loaded sledges, and the continued necessity of wearing the bulky and ponderous snow-shoe, give tlu)m a shuflhng and awkward gait. i ■1 i- " ■ .1 ill tne ll|>()SSl* „lt tlu! ics W lio v^;: "It ^ilil'i, to () L:ik*', il I 'ro- ll 1(1 goes VV lu \\A jcetls to lilt v'wrv ~, uurlli, ,;cs lil'lv- ic Atiuili :cs a duo tlio.'^c of ilirriiig'^ |iUU\v;i.r\V not l>ad- llu-e:^, and jnderous hit. NOItTIIEIiX RACKS. j:j5 Groat in;:fonuitv ami A\\] an- displnvcd by \]\r riiip],,'- Was, jiarticularly liy those dwclliiig upon llu' !ir;Ml-\v;iti'i';4 of flic \lis-issip|>i, ill tlic CKiistnictiou of ilnir Imvli-Iiafl^ caiioi's. I'roliatily in no otlicr part nC iIk; world arc l.i.at.s to l)u loniid so li^-lit mill portaldc, and yet capaMc nf cur- rying an c(pial l)iiry are eoinnionly nia manage one of these light ej'afls, as the weight of the ea'ioc is so trilling as to aid very litih? in the jirc servati(jn of cipiilihrinm. Sketches of Chipjunva canoes arc given by Mr. Catlin, and contrasted with the awkwaid tubs of tla; ^^and^TlS. Maek(ai/io says that these people are not like llio Knis- toneaux and most other North American Indians, nverved and distant in their communications with strange- -, or with each other after a long separation; and that th' y do not exhibit those extremes of alternate energy and indolence so noticeable in other races. In such a country as they inhal)it their food ninsl, of course, be almost entirely animal. They arc nuire skilled in fishing, and in snaring deer, beaver, &c., than in the more active methods of securing game, jjike the ICscpii. maux, although they pi'ofer tlieir meat cooked, tlh,y can well make a shift to eat it Avithout any preparation, when unable to procure fuel. On their journics, they arc sup- ported by the nutritious and portable i)reparation called pemmican, wliich we have before mentioned as in use among the Esquimaux. Tt is made in the following man- ner: Thin slices of lean meat arc dried over a lire, or by alternate exposure to sun and frost, and then ])oi!!i,lr' whole is closely packed in bags or baskets. No salt or olliej- eijii- 1 1 I V*. (u '• i-V,. ;:;i mm ,i! hv/ t I V, <^'. . V .n J, n '^M VARIOUS NATIONS AND TKinKS U KT W ]•; K N T II !•: M I SS F SS [ P I' I AN H T II I! IM (' I I' I C (' V, A N. CIIAI'TKU I. TMK SIOUX. OK DAHCOTAS, ANIi OIIIKI! TIMIIKS OK THK SAMR ka("k: rr.ASSii'icATioN — tiik mandans: tiikiii nkmiskk, SITUATION, VILIiAGICS, KTC. TIIKIll CKMIVrKIlIKS — AI'I'KCTIONATF. HR MIOl lUf ANrK OK TIIK IiKAD. An ficciimtc dassiruiation of \]h\ Aincriciin Iiiiiiaiis, t'itlicr foundod upon dissiniilaritica in the langua.i^o of dif- fcrciit trilx's, or upon dilTiircncos in physical poeiiliaritioa, is impossible, particuhirly in troatin;^^ of tlic scattered and waml* riiijj^ people of tin; far west, '^riic races vary hy such sli,^•ht shades of distinction, and snch analo'^ies exist l)ct\vc(Mi their langna, eonrse of one: or tw'> generations, to present the appearance of distinct races. IVrhaps it would be wiser to accept the popular divisions, whether derived directly from the natives, or establishei] by those most familiar with them, than to attempt any refined distinctions. Tn an essay v.pon natural history, or in researches into historical antirjuitics, a particularily might be ns(Tnl or necessary, which in an outline of his- tory and descri)>tion would be but jievplexing and It'^ious. m '■.t'r-s ' '' :' m : "■'■>i& ■~^ >i ft ■■} 4:00 INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. A vast wilderness at tlie west, upon the Missouri and tlie upper western tributaries of the Mississippi, is inluibited by the various tribes allied to the Sioux or Daheotah. One of the earliest accounts given of these people, then known as the Naudowessies, is to be found in the travels of (.\ip- tain Jonathan Carver, who spent the winter of 17(!0-7 among them. Of later observations and descriptions, by far the most interesting and complete are contained in the ])ublished letters of Mr. George Catlin, accompanied as tliey are by spirited and artistic portraits and sketches of scenery. Those of this race known as the proper Sioux, soi disant Daheotas, arc mostly established upon the river of St. I'etor and in the country adjacent. Some of the eastern ti'ibes are mere or less agricultural, but the others are wild hunt- ers like their brethi'en of the far west. The Sioux were divided, a century since, into the following eight tribes : the Wawpcentowas, the Tiutons, the Afracootans, the Maw- haws (Omawhas), and the Schians, all of whom dwelt in the priaric^ country, upon the St. Peter, and three other clans of the then unexplored region to the westward. The Assinaboins ancientlv belonged to the same stock. I'y Mr. Gallatin the race is divided as follows: "1, The AVinuebagos, of Wisconsin; 2, The Sioux proper, or Dah- eotas, and the Assinaboins; o. The Minetari and tribes allied to them; 4, Tlie Osages, and other kindred tribes," firtlier south. — {PntcluinVs jVatural llidoi'ij of Man). TJie Minefari are held to include the Crows and the Mandans. To a descrij)tion of this last people, n(.)w, as a separate race, entirely extinct, Air. C;itlin has devoted no small portion of his interesting descriptions of western adventAire. They differed widely from all other American Indians in several particulars. The most noticeable of these wei'c the greo.t diversit}^ in complexion and in the color and texture of the hair. When visited by tliis traveller, in 18,'>2, the Alandans were established at two villages, only two miles I ; I ! I ; ll TRIBF<;S WEST OF THE MIS^^ISSIPl'I. 439 asunder, upon tlic left Lank of the Missoui'i, about two hundred miles below tlie mouth of the Yellowstone, There were then not far from two thousand of tlie tribe, but, from their own tradition;", and from the extensive ruins of their fonner settlement — some distance below — it was evident that their numbei's had greatly decreased, '^riie principal town was strongly fortified upon the pre- cipitous river baidc, on two sides defended by the winding stream, and on the other by pi(pieting of heavy timber, and In' a ditch. The houses within were so closely set as to allow of little space for locomotion. They were par- tially sunk in the ground, and the roofs were covered with eartli and clay to such a depth and of such consis- tency that they allbrdcd tlie favorite lonnging places for the occupants. '•One is surprised," says Catlin, 'S\hon he enters them, to see the neatness, comfort, Jind spacious dimensions of these earth-covered dwellings. They all have a circular form, and are from forty to sixty feet in diameter. Their foundations arc prepared by digging some two feet in the ground, anlaying Avith their dogs. Such a variety of brilliant and riiuciful costume, ornamented with jjlumes and porcupine (luills, with the picturesque throng of Indians and animals, the closely crowded village, the green plain, the ri\er, and the blue hills in tlie distance, formed a happy subject f >r the ai'tist. \\'ithout the picket of defence, the only objects visible, cincntb ucs our rrange- id glist- lie roof d rod— rnilous, itulored ir swct't- pcuccfid lots and icir own ic oC tlic til at can all conlil II ■•N'-l striking, r's att(Mi- e donics, lentrc of if recroa- IrcligiiMis doniicils )r loung- Itral area I t and )rcupine animals, u, Hint and steel, k' lllte, ;ilH food. A sli;_;lit seall'old is llieii jivepare'd, lieiiiht to sei've as tu'oteetion (Vt ni tli 1 -iillieieiit e as proteetion irt m the wolves an d do- ) I and there the l>ody is de]i(>sit('d to ileeay in the ojtcn air. 1 »ay al'iiT day those who IumI lo.-t iViemls wouM eonu. out (Voni liie \illaL!V to this straiiiio eeiiif^ti^ry, to weep ;iiid hewail ovei' their loss. Such ,1: Miuine and lon,L:'-e'ontinued xhihited l>y tlu' anhcted relatives j>uts t 1 1 12'riel as was ( shame the etddd:e;irt o eilir'ss e.| t(jo maiiv ai iioii''' tlie eulli- lien, alter lli>' lao.-e o| veal vated and enlightened. W the se-alVolds had I'allen, and liotliin^' was lei'l hut lileaeju'il ;uid mouldei ini;' Ixme-, tlie remains \ver(> Luried, wiili the oxeeiitioii 01 the skulls. These were p lae.d m eirele> npoii the' plain, ^vith tlie faces turned inward, each resting i II 1; upon a biuicli of wild sagt^: and in the centre, ujion two slight nionnds, ''niedieiiie-j)oles" wore oriH'ted, at, the foc^t of wddcli were the heads and horns of a male and a feinah^ buifalo. d'o these new placets of deposit, each of wiiieh contained not far from one hundred skulls, "do these pee.ple," says Catlin, "again resort, toe\ince their further aifectiou for the dead — not in groans and lamentations, liowever, for several years have cured the anguisli; hut f )nd affections and endearments are here renewed, and conversations are here held, and cherished, with the di, ad." The wufc or mothei' would sit i'or hours by the side of the wdiitc relic of the loved and hv-^t, addrc^ssing the skull witli the most alTeetionate ami loving tone.*^, or, perchan -■ lying down and falling asleep with lier arms aroend it. i I 412 IXblA.V |{AL'i:S OF AMKiaOA. ■!,, ' Food would 1)0 nightly set Lcforo many of tlicsc skulls, and, willi llic most tender eure, the aronifitic Led upon whieh they reposed would hd renewed as it withered and deeayed. CHAPTER II. PKUSONAL APPEARANCE AND PECULIA IMTIKS OF THK MAND.ANS — THEHi HOSPITALITV AM) UUliAMTV — THKIll CI.HAXLI.NESS OF PERSON THEIR DRESS — PORTRAITS OF 3IANI)AX miEFS CONTRAST RETWEEN THE WILD TRIBES AND THOSE OF THE FRONTIER 3IANDAN DOMESTIC USAGES GAMES AND DANCES — TRA INING OF THE YOUTH THE GREAT ANNUAL RELIGIOUS CEREiUONY THE MAN DANS SUPPOSED TO BE OF WELSH DESCENT ANNIHILATION OF T:;K TRIBE BY THE SMALL-POX. Unlike the other Indian tribes of the west, the Man- dans, instead of presenting a perfect uniforinity 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 Europeans. 'J'heir hair was, for the most part, very fme and soft, but in a numbo. of instances a strange anomaly was observable, both in old and young, and in either sex, viz: a profusion, of coarse locks of "a bright silvery gray," approaching sometimes to white. Some of the women were quite fair, with blue eyes, and the most symmetrical features, combined with a very at- tractive and agreeable expression. It docs not appear probable that sufficient intermixture with Eu, '^pean races had ever taken place to account for these peculiarities, and bome authors appear quite convinced that these Mandans are the remains of a great peoplq, entirely distinct froin the — -dJ :♦ ! I i I I i I 1 I i .'KlliKS WKST UF TlIK M ISSI.-Sl I'i' ■113 iialiitits around tlu'iii. r)f N[r. Catliii's rcsoarclKS tiinl ('oii- cIiisiMiis I'cspcctiiiL;' iJicir origin, wo sliall tak't; (KN-isiMn to spoal': lu-roaCter. Ill tlicir (lis])ositi()n, the ^faudaiis were liosjiilalili' and iriciiilly; afloctionato and kind in llirir trcatiiicnt of each other; and iiiindful of tlio convenience and coniliirt ol'llu; stranger, 'Tlieii" rigim-s ueix; beautifully proportioned, and their nioveiiieiits and attitudes graceful and easy. Instead of the elos(,'ly-sliorii locks of some other races, they wore their hair hnig. The men were particidarly ]U'ond of tliis appendage, and were at no siriall ])ains to arrange it in Avhat tliey esteemed a becoming manner. Tt Avas thrown backwa.rd from tlie foi'ehead, and divided into a number of j)laits. These were ke[tt in their position by glue and some red-tinted ear^h, with which they were matted at inter\'als. 'i'hc Avomen oiled and braided their hair, pai't- ing it ill the middle; the }»laee of parting was universally ])ainted reil. A greater degree of cleanliness was observable in their pci'sons than is common among saA'ages. A ])articular location was assigned, at some distance from the village, lip the river, Avlierc the wormm could resort undisturbed for their morning ablutions. A guard was statiox spread throngli the tribe. The. di'ess of the ^fandan warriors, althongli in its gen- eral fashion similar to that of the neighboring tribes, was singnlarly rich and elaborate. It was formed entirely of skins: a coat or hnnting-shirt of buck-skin; leggins and moccasins of the same material, beautifully fringed, and embroidered with poi'cnpino rpiills; and an outer mantle of the fnr of a young buffalo, formed the principal equip- ment. The covering for the head was more elaborate, and was constructed, by all Avho could obtain the materials, of ermine skins, and feathers of the war-eagle. So high a value was set upon these head-dresses, that Air. Catlin, after having bargained for the entire suit of a chief, whose por- trait he had just painted, was obliged to give two horses, of the value of twentv-fivc dollars each, for the crowning ornament. Some few (ihiefs had attained a height of au- thority and renown which entitled them to add to their head-dress a pair of buffalo-horns, reduced in size and weight, and arranged as they grew upon the animal. The custom was riot confined to the ]\Iandans, but a similar ornament is widely considered as symbolic of power and warlike achievements among the western Indians, Nothing could exceed the pride and delight of the chiefs of the tribe, after their first apprehensions at the novelty of the proceeding were allayed, at the sight of their own portraits, for whicli they were induced to sit l)y^ our author. He was constituted and proclaimed from the moment of the first exhibition, a "great medicine-man," and old and young thronged to see and to touch the worker of such a miracle. All declared that the pictures were, at least par- ! I I I TRIBES WEST OF TIJE MISSISSU'l'I. i.> tially, tilivc: for fi-oiii wluitsoovcr side tlicy avciv bolidd, still the eyes were seen fixed ii[inn tlie l)elii'i',-oii represcntetl must li;ive been abstraeted by the ]i;iiiiti'r, and that consequently his term of existcMK^e must Ik; shcitcnrd. It was nmrcovrr feared lest, by the }iielni'r"s lixln,^ after the deatli of the oriiiinal. the ([uiet rest oC the ,i;'ra.ve should be troiible(b By a ui(.)St ingenious aid 'pidifioiis i)oliey in adoptin^^ a mode of explanation, suited to the ciipaeity of his hearers, and by wisely ingratiating himself with the ehiel's and medicine-men, Mr. Catlin succeeded in stilling the conuiio- tion excited bj- such suggestions and suspicions. ![(> was held in high estimation, ami feasted by the })rincijial men of the tribe, whose portraits he obtained for his invaluable collection. It is only among such remote tribes as the one which forms tlic subject of our pu'esent consideration, that ;iny adequate idea can be formed of the true Indian character. The gluttony, drunkenness, surliness, and "shiftlessness" of the degraded race, that has caught the vices of the white men, without aiming at his civilization, arc strongly contrasted with the abstemiousness, self-respect, and native dignitv of the uncontaminated. "Amongst the Avild In- dians in this country," says Catlin, "there are no beggars — • no drunkards — and every man, from a beautiftd natural precept, studies to keep his body and mind in siu'li a healthy shape and condition as will at all times enable him to use his weajjons in self-defence, or struggle for the prize in their maidy games." The usual custom of })olygamy was universally practiced amon< mcan^ the ^Tandans, 1 )V ill wiiose ran k. I tositiiiii aiH 1 enabled them to make the necessary arrangements, and pay the stipulated ]»rice for their wives. 'Vhv girls were generally sold by their pa-" ^nts at a ver}' early age, : I ii ■■;/■# J' • ■•':\ !u' «',iv, ; '■ ' -I Uf\ » ■ I ■» t it .ii!!' ;.-iir 410 IMM.W HACKS OF AMi:i;l('.V, and, as ni'ioii.Li," most l);iil i.-n'ons iKitiniis, tln'ii' (lite was alifo of ti)il iiiid ilrihlo'ci'v. 'I'licii' tinic lulls! lir iilinost cnii Staiitly ciiiitloyi'd ill ,!i(;ttiii;j,' I'licl, ('iiIti\;itiii,L'' (mimi jilid S([iiaslics, |i!'i'|i,ii'iii!.:' ]iciiiiiii(';iii jim! otiicr (li'lnl stoi'cs Ibr wi'il'M', ;ili(l ill ill'rssiliL;' Jiiiil ciiiln'oiiltTilii!' t lir liillTnlo-rolx'S Avliicli tlicir lord ;iiid iiKistcr ;u'ciiiiiiil;itc(l for 1i';mI«' with tli(5 Avliilcs. .Xolw itli.-iaiiiliii,L'' this a[)parciitly (k\^'rail('il pn-itinii, wt; ai'f iiiroriiii'd tiiiii tiic womcii wore S(M'iniiiL!i\' ('(Hilt'iitcd willi llh'ii' liil, lliat IIh'}' were, modest in their de]H)itiiieiit, and lh;it ''ainoin^'st the i'cs|)ee1al)Ii' raiiiilies, N'irtiu'" was "as hi,L:lily ehei'ished, a i^ as iiiaj»pi'oaehahle as in any t^oeiety wdiatever." W'liile traders aiiiono- tlic cxtrome Avostern trilxs aro said to lie ahiiostj iiiii\-ersally in tli^ eustoni, (Voin nmlivcs of [loliey, and |)erha|)s from iiieliiiation, of ailyiipj,' them- selves 1o one, ;it least, of the priiieip.'il cliiefs, by a tempo- rai;\' es])ousal of his daii.ulitor. Tii many instances they indiil'jc in a plurality, ^fhis is a position greatly sought aftt J' hy llie young women, as they ave enahled by it to indulge their uative fondness ft)r dis])la_y. and arc freed from tin; toil usually incident to their existenee. The men and bo^-s, leading a life of ease, excej't avIkti engaged u})on a hunt, praetieed a great variety of gamers and athletie sports, some of them very curious and ori- ginal, llorso-raei ng, ball-plajdng, archery, &c., never i'ailed to excite and d(;light them. An endless variety of (hmces, Avith A'oc^al and instrumental accompaniments, s(M'\'cd for recreation and religious ceremonials. EA'ery Avord and ste[) had some particular and occult signification, for the most part knoAvn only to those initiated in the mysteries of "medicine." In times of scarcity, Avben the bnffalo herds had Avan- dered aAvay from the vicinity, so far that the hnntiu-s dared not pursue them, for fear of enemies, the "bnifahj dance'* ■{ ( irliiH'iit, 1 1 ,11 \\v \v;is I -: in iiiiV I ' 1 1 ii 1 1 UII'.KS W'KST OF TIIK MlSSTSf-IIM'I. 447 U';i--< iirrniriiiiMl ill ;lu' ('ciilral cniirt (if the villiiLrc KviTV mail of il)(«, triln' |)osscss('(l ;i musk iiiailo IVom the skin of a hiilValo'shcad, iiK:lii(liii<^' the lioiMis, !iii(l di'icd as nearly as j)()ssil)!(! in tln^ iiatm-al sliapc, ti*) In- worn on tlicsc occa- sions. Win '11 tlu! \vis(j nicii of llic nalion (Ictcnniiicil iiiii 111 tlu'ir invocations to allracl tlic bntValo herds, watclicis wcni stalioiKMl n[)on thecniiiicncc -11 ri-oniidiinj: tlu; vil ; 1 71 ' aiii| tl 10 anco coiniiu' need. With extravaad tl le sll n ii i-. / 1 1 1mc1<, ;iii(l bliiiii, arrows (»(' ,ui'a.-s (»r rcnl-, uitli \vun(]i'>i SraljiiiiLi-kiiivcs, rdriiicil tlirir iiiiKuMKUis wcapoiis. " li' any HIP'," .n any vital Ji;irt i>r liis lii)(|\-, lie is i)lili;jf(l Id fall, an'l liis ail\ fr.-ai'V I'Mslirs ii|i to liiiM, plaiM's liis lliot upon liini, anil .-nali'liin^' liMin liis lirll his \voo(Icn kiiill', ,m'as|>s lioM ol' liis \ ictiin's Sea! 1 1- loci; of grass, and making' a li-int at it, with his wooilru knili', siiatchi'S it oil' ami puis it into his hrll, ami enters jigaiii into iIk; ranks and iVont ol' batth.'." This was the Irm- mode of lormin;.:; w aiM'lors. The youth grew to manhodd with tin; one idea that, Inu- ilignity an(l gloiy awaiteil him alone who could I'ringe his garmdits Avilli llie st-alps of his eneniit'S, Some ol the Mandaii braves, ewn ol' their last, u'lMU'ration, [lei'Tormed feats of dariu'j', and enu'tiged in chivalrous coud)ats, which will aluujst comj)aro with ihe deeds of i'i.-karet, or Iliadci^ni in the early liistoi-y of the Iroquois. i\t the risk<»rseenung to linger too long over the hi.-tory and customs oC a single ti'ibe, i'cw in numbers, and now extinct, wo will give some description ol' the sfi'ange leli- gious cei'cniony which (x'Cii])ied lour days ol' each retuining year. The religious beliel' of the ^huidans was, in the main, not unlike that of most North American alnirigines, but some of their self-torturing mode' of adoration and pro[)itiatioii of tlicii' di'ity were perf(\;lly unicpie. The grand four days' <;ei'einouy bad, accoi'ding to Catlin, threi; distinct objects; a festival of thanksgiving for Ihe escaiie of their ancestors fi'om the Hood! of which they bad a distinct tradition, strikingly confoiMnable to scriptural history; lor the grand "bulbdance," to dra\v the buffalo lierds towards the settlemcut; and to initiate the young men, by terrible trials and tortuivs, into the ordei' of war- riors, and to allow those whose fortitude had been I'ulK' testt'il to u'wc r( .1 f th enewea prooJs ot tiieir eapacit\'oi "IKliU' ance, and their claim to the }iosition of chiefs and leauer; |L ^Mattiftimtiiinir''"ia W' "li'iiiiy ny vil;il lvci>;ii'y iiili'liiii.^:,' \icti Ill's ; \V( II M Irll 111 I'llU'lS I ! I ln'V'iiltli i| ■iiitv aii'l ! o-iriiit'iils ij M:i1m1:i'i \\ I liMt.s '.I' 1 1 liirh will , iulcuiii ill ' H' lii.-tnrv 111 Hi 11<»\V ; allLTV ivli- I I i'i'tunrm<,' ,1 s, ill till' ,j iiifiuim'S, i'j liliiiii iiinl '' I 111'. Tho ,1 rni,llii'i'0 ', i |ll(' C'.-c;ipt^ I !V li;i'l :•- j ,rlMl>tin';il ; lie l)ull:ilo liu yoiiii^i i I ■r of w;ir- ecii Inlly I il' "ikIup- 1(1 Icaaciv. -fii-'t; , iuSr -^ 'rHv^^'v T--V ■-> "' • 7 ••■• :.r.-.": m?.. ^-»; ui ^ y. ''M 'si ^^^^^^B » IPS '1'^ A\ n I .v II 1 .1 .V II' .// /.• // .1 .V( *; 'W m ■ .1 ' 4 • ;1 i;) ■A ■. •'^^ " TinuKs ■\vp:st ry riiE Missis.sirri, ■i-.::» I ' I The period for the ceremony was that in wliich the leaves of the willow on the river bank were lirst fully opened; "for, according to their tradition," says Catlin, "'the twig that tJte bfnl hronqltt home was a willow l)()U2 INDIAN ItACKS OF AMHlilCA. <■ ■m. ■ I '.(•^t ■J Tt is told of one man tluil. lie sus])cii(lcJ liinisclf from tlic precipitous rivei" ]);uik by two of these skewei's, tlirr.st through his arms, uinil, al tiie end of several days! ho dropped into the watei-, and swam ashore. 'riiroii,L!;hout the whole ordeal, the chiefs and sages of the tribe critically observed the comparative fortitude and endurance of the candidates, and formed their conclusions thereupon as to "which v/ouid be the woithiest to comnaand in after time. With all these frilance is so clear, that almost any theory won"'*! bo more credible than that such aflinity was accidental. ''J'liis author tiaciHl remains of the peculiar villages of the Man- II 1 1 I i! 1 1 1 1 Ay ■l^ M I i f from thriuSt ys! lio iiu;liout itically ; of llio )n as to .' tiuu'. fore \n^ icst siu- ud nut- Ic. AVc 'i-terions festival: of tlicir irly ages cndeav- AYelsli 3 of the plexiou, lase, are rally lo- ion west ve New Its are so that tliey I A list of le signi- •liicli the ,'011^ •! l»e ml This he Mali- 1 1 1 1 II ! I I I TllIBEri WEST OF TlIK MISSISSIPPI. 453 , ! dans nearly to tlie moutli of the ^rissouri, atid descrihes others of similar eharaeter to tlie northward (jf Ciiicinnati. He siip})Oses that the adventurers, who sailed froin Wak'S in +he year 1170, and were n(!ver theneeforth licard from, after landing at Florida, or near the month of the Mis.-i.-- Bippi, made their way to Ohio; that they tlu're hccanu' involved in hostilities with the natives, ami wei'e eventually all eut off, with the exception of the half-breeds wlm IkuI sprang up from eonncetion with the woiueii of the coun- try; that these hali-jreeds had at one time ioi'incd a }»ow- erful tribe, but had gradually been reduced to those whom we have deseril)ed, and had i-emoved or Iteen driven far- ther and flirther n}> the Mis-oui'i. The arguments upon whicli this hypothesis is based are drawn from a careful examination of ancient western fortifications; from })hys- ieal jie'culiarities and the' analogies in language above re- ferred to; from certain arts of woi'hiuL;' in pottery, c^'c; and (Vom the remarkal)le and isolate'd position occupied by the ti'ibe in question among hostile nations of in(lubital)le aboriginal characteristics. Hie theory is, to say the least, plausible, and ably su]-)])orle(l. In the summer of l^oS, the small-pox was communi- cated to the ]\[andans from some infected })er.sons on boai'd one of the steamers Ijclonging to a com[)any of fur-traders. So virulent was the disease, that in a few weeks it swept off the whole tribe, except a few who fell into the hands of their enemies, the Iiicarees. One })rincipal reason for the excessive mortality is said to have been, that hostile bands of Indians had beset the villau'C, and the inhaljit- ants were consequently unalde to separate, or to place the infected in an isolated position. The scene of devith, lamentation, and tei-ror is said l)y those who witnessed it to have been fi'ightful in ilie ex- treme. Great numbers i)erishe(l by leaping into the ri\-er, in the j^arox^sm of fever, being too weak to swim out. il ; I II M j.'»t ma ' ^^'' ^'"jfii^H 1 > 'W ^Im^aB 1 ■' '' ' ' Tfl^Wm <■ ■■«f ■"'-^rJw'l r-' ; >.'h'w|I . i ^''; TnM mSm ■'M '^m ' '-i.'' J 'i^aM (■• 1 *,wWm -i"!' i: m *• ^c* 'I 1 :.'■ ■ \\ 'H '■ 1 1 m jti I.. It..,. ■ .^ y i 45i INDIAN' IJACKS OF A.MKIITCA. Those who died in tlic villrcge lay in hea[)s upon the floors of the huts. Of the few secured by the llicurces who took possession of the depopulated village, near])' all were suiil to have been killed during some subsequent hostilitic.:, r/) thut now scarce a vestige of th .^ tril>e can be su})poscd 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 wo are led to infer, merely for a tcmpurary ^^autamer residence for a few of the noted families." Air. Catlin adds the following items to his account of the annihilation of thir. interesting tribe: "There is yd a mel- ancholy part of the talc to be told, relating to the ravages of this frightful disease in tlnit country on the same occa- sion, as it spi'cad to other contiguous tribes, the Miiiatni'- rees, the Knisteneaux, the Blackfcet, the Chayennes, and the Crows; amongst whom twenty-five iliousand perislicd in tlie course of four or live months, which most ap})alHng i'acts 1 got from Major Pilcher, superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis, from Mr. McKenzie, and others." • I I* '.' 'I TRIBES Wr.,-T OF TllK M [SSIS3I1TI. •l")."') CHAI'Tl'Il III. THE SIOUX CONTINTTEn — TlilOIR MODK OK I, IKE — MATKUNAT, AITKC- TiOxX — icxposuHE OP TiiK A(ii:i) — riii; i-A^rous quarky of ui:i) riPE-STONK NATUKE OP THIS MATEHIAI, — INDIAN SUPEKSTI- TlOiNS I{E.SPECTI\(J IT — TIIK lUSON Oil KUPPAl.o — HOUSES OP THE INDIANS — VA\!If)t,VS :\t()l)i:s OF HUNTING Till': lil'F- FALO WAbTEPUL DESTKUCTIO.N OF THE IIKIIDS. The Sloiix proper, knovv'ii among tlicmsclvcs aTid l>y otlier Iiidiau tribes as Dalicotas, are one of tlie ino.-l ex- tensively (lilTiised nations of the west. From \]\c Upi'* r Mississip})], wlierc they iiiiii'jle with tlie northei'ii i-aoi> of Chippcwas, to tlie Missonri, and fir in the north-west towards the country of the l^laeh'feet, the tribes of tliis family oceupy the boundless pniirle. Those living on the Mis;;ij-sippi and St. Peter's rely partially, as we have ni;'iitio!U'(l, ujxjn agriculture, and their proximity to the white settlcnu.Mits has changed, and too often degraded their native character. The more dis- tant tribes, subsisting almost entirely upon the flesh of the buifalo, clothed with skins, and using ^le native weapons of their race, still remain in a state of rude frecMlom and independence. 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 pages of Catliii's interesting narrative. One of the most remarkable and touching traits of cha;- acter described L;- this author, as observable among the Sioux, is the strength of maternal affection. Infant chil- dren, according to the common custom of Avestcrn Indians, are carried, tor the first six or seven months of tlicir ex istence, strapped iinmoveably to a board, the IkukIs and [irms l)cini>; li-eiierallv left at liberty. A hoov i roteuts the I ! I ! ■V: ' .1:! I ■.,:( ■I , I V , i' '':'<",'*KI ■;!5 -V i56 INDIAN It.Vl'KS (JK AMKUICA. "J ■*'i ^i.H 5' ■' '. child's f;u'0 froiii iiijiirv iii caHc '-f u fall, iiiid tlic whole jipparatiis is often hi.Lihly oi'iiiiiiuMiled with fVin.iiy and cm- hi'oidery. This pack' or cradle is provided \\ith a broail hand, wliich is jtassed lonnd tlie forehead of the mother, susttiininL; the weight of the child pcndtint at her back, 'i'hose who have been most familiar with this mode of trcatiiient gcnerall)' a})prove of it as best suited to the life led by the Indian, and as in no way cruel to the child. Aftoi' the infant has in som(i degree acquired the use of its limbs, it is freed fj'oni these incurribrunccs, and borne in the fold of the niothe]''s blanket. "If the infant dies during the time that is allotted to it to be carried in this cradle, it is buried, and the diseonso- lat(' mother iills the cradle with black quills and feathei's, in the parts which the child's body had occupied, and in this way carries it around with her wherever she goes for a year or more, with as much care as if her infant were r.iive and in it; and she often lays or stands it against the :-ide of tlic wigwam, where she is all day engaged with Iier noedle-v\^ork, and chatting and talking to it as famil- i;irly and affectionately as if it were her loved infant, in.stead of its shc^l, that she was talking to. So lasting fmd so strong is the affection of these women for the lost child, that it matters not how heavy or cruel their load, or how rugged the route they have to pass over, they will faithfully carry this, and carefully, fi'om day to day, and even more strictly perform their duties to it, than if the child were alive and in it." — {Letters and Xutes of Georyo C'll/in.) AVhat appears, at first gkancc, to be one of the most revolting and cruel customs of the migrat'^ry Sioux tribes, (a custom common to other western nations,) is the exposure of the old and infirm to pcrisli, after they have become un;d)le to keep up witli the tribe. We are told, however, that dire neeessiiy compels them to this course, unless they 1, ! I I I I ' -1\ I ( i wliole I bi'oad iiotlicr, !• back, lodo of the life J cl.il.l. so of its c ill the :cd to it iscoiiso- catliers, j i and in i 1 I ! o-Qcs for 1 1 I .lit were i dnst tlio 1 -d Avnii Ihinil- iiifant, astiiig ic lust jad, or 'v uiU IV, and if tlie Gcortje 2 most trilx^s, :])Osnro )(,'C'()nio >\VCVCT, ss tLcy 11 1 1 1 1 ; ] I ! I 1 I! TUIHKS WKSr OF Till'; M lSSl,-.-l I'l'l. •i.)^ would — more liumaiK^ly, it is ti-uc — at once ))nt an end to tlie lives of sneh uidbi-tniKitcs. The old .suIVl'I'ci' hdI only assents to tlie ] roceediiii^', but gciid'ally su,t;'gcsts it, wlica eonseions that ho is too \V(>ak to travel, or to b(> ol' any fui'tlier service ainon^' his pcMjilc. With soiiu^ sb^■ht pi'o- teetiou over him, and a lilllc (ood by his side, he is \v\\. to die, and be devoured by the wolves. Certain tribes of this nation, Car \\\> tlu; ^[issonri, are in the habit of performing- various ceremonies of self-toi'luro in their reli<^ions exercises, s(jme\vhat analogous to those of the ^randans, but seldom, if ever, arc they carried to such an extent as we have described in treating of that trii)e. In tlie Sioux C(.)untry, at the southern extremity of the high ridge, called the Cotcau der, i^rairies, which separates the head-waters of the St. Peter's IVoiii the Missouri, is situated the far-famed quarry of red [tipo-stone. Pipes of this I'onnalion are seen throngliunt the whole of th»; west, no otiicr material being considered suitable. Th(> district was formerly considered as a sort of neutral gro'ind, where hostile tribes from far and near nii'.rht harmouiousi\' resort to sui)})ly the all-essential want of the Indian. Those versed in the mysteries of Indian heraldry have deciphered the distinn-uishinii; marks and escutcheons of a <'rcat iium- ber of Avestern nations, inscribed upon adjacent rocks. Of late years the Sioux have alfectcd a monopoly in the 2:)roducts of this (piarry, and it was not without the most vehement opposition that Mr. Catlii\ and iiis coni})anioiis, led by curiosity to visit tin' remote and celebrated ]>laee, Avcre enabled to makcvtli(Mi' wav throuu,Ii the Indian set- tlements fallen in with on the route. Throngs of dusky warriors, at these stopping-places, would assemble to discuss, with great heat and excitement, the true motives of the sti'angcrs. The general iin})i-es- sioii seemed to be that the travellers were government agents, sent to survey the locality for the purpose of a|)pro- 1 1 ll I ; i I : I ! •* Ll: ..y II a !• ■■-•.1 '•;,:•• ill*- n 458 1NI)I \\ HACKS OF AMl'KICA. priation, and ono and all cxj)rossed a dcU'i'iiiiiiatioii to perish nillicr than r( liiHjuish their rights to this, tlu-irmost V.thu'(I jilacc of ix'sort. '^^riic stoik- is ohtaiiird l>y iis wall of qnartz roelvS. 'I'lu; whole geological Ibrination of that district is di'seribcd as exc(\^dingly singular, and the })i})e- stone foi'niatioii is, itydf, entirely unique. This niatei'iul is "harder than gyjisum, and softer tlian carbonate of lime;" it is asserted that a precisely similar formation has been found at iioijIIht spot ii|)on the globe. '^I'he compo- nent materials, accoi'ding to the analysis of Mr. Catlin's S])ecinn'ns, In' l^r. Jackson, of 15oston, are as ibllows: "water, 8,4; silica, -18,2; alumina, 28,2; magnesia, 0,0; cai'bonate of lime, 2,0; peroxide of iron, 5,0; oxide of manganese, 0,0."' The Indians use the stone only in the manufacture of pi])es; to apply it to any other use they esteem the most unheard-of sacrilege. From the afhiiitv of its color to that of their own skins they draw some fanciful legend of its formation, at the time of the great deluge, out of the flesh of the perishing red men. They esteem it one of the choicest gifts of the Great Spirit. The following extracts from the speeches of some Sioux chiefs, through whose village INfr. Catlin passed on his way to the quarry, may serve to exemplify the veneration with "which the stone was regarded. "You see," said one, (holding a ved pipe to the side of his naked arm,) "that this pi})e is a part of our flesh. The red men are a part of the red stone. ('How, how !')" an expression of strong approbation from the auditors, "If the white men take away a piece of the red pipe- stone, it^ is a hole made in our f! ih, and the blood will always run. We cannot stop the blood from running. ('How, howl') The Great Spirit has told us that the red 1 1 !i I . I I .._J TUIHKS WEST OK TlIK MlSSISSiri'T. 450 ■] Btone is only to be iisod for ]>ipes, ami llnoii'.'li llioni wo arc to smoke to liiiii. ('I low!')" Tlio next spcukor prouounccil ilic stoin* 1o ]n> pi'icclcsH, as it Wiis Dia/iciiit'. Aiiotliei', nlicf ;i |ii'i'limiuar}' vaunt d' liis own j)rowcss, and worthiness to bo listeiietl to, pvo- cccded: "We love to f^o 1o ihc I'ipe-Stonc, and i^rt a piece lor (jur pi})es; but we ask tlii> Grcit Spirit lu'st. If tlie wliite men go tD it,»tbey will take it ont, and not lill up the holes again, uiid the (Jn^at S2)irit will be olVendcnl. ('llov, how, bowl')'' AiKjllicr — "My friends, listen to me! wbat I am to say will be li'iitli. (' ITow !') r bought a large })ieee of the ])i[)e- t^tone, and gave it to a wliite man to make a |)ipe; be was our trader, and T wislied bim to have a good J)ipe. 'Die next time 1 went to his store, 1 Avas unha])])y when 1 saw tbat stone made into a disb! ('Eugb!') "This is tbe way the white men woubl use the re(l |)ipe stone if tlicy eould get it. Sueli eonduet would offend tlic Great S])irit, and make a red man's beart sick. (MIow, bow!')" ^fany of tbe pipes in use among tbe Sioux, and formed of tliis material, are sbaped witb great labor and nieety, and often in very ingenious figures. Those int(mded for calumets or pipes of pcaee, are gorgeously decorated, but even tbose in ordinary use are generally mai\i as orna- mental as practicable. Tbe cavity is drilled by -neans of abardstick, witb sand and Avater; tbe outer form, with tbe carvings and grotesque figures, is worked witb a kniCe. Various narcotic berbs and leaves, whei-e tobacco is not to be obtained, are used for smoking, under the mane of "knick-kniek;" tbe same term is used among some south- ern Indians to denote a mixture of tobacco and sumach I'.'aves, In tbe far Avest, botb among tbe Sioux and other wild tribes, as the bunt of tbe buffalo is by far tbe most import- !i l! !i<' ^'^l 400 INDIAN llACKH OK AMIilMCA. ■ . I-: t' ' i. a >:;i ll i! 'iiif, occupation (il'tlic men, \vc will oC nii, wild animals of the prairie. Xund)ers of tluan are kept about the enc;nnp- ment of the Indians, hobbled so as to jirevcnt their straying away. Upon the open ])rairie the bison is generallv jnii-- sued upon horseback, Avitli the hucc and bow and arrow. The short still" bow is little calculated for accurate marks- manshi]), or for a distant shot: riding at full speed, the 1 1 1 ndian generallv waits till le lias overtaken Ins prcn', and discharges his iwrow fi-(jm the distance of a few^ feet il of those originally brought over by the Spaniaids in the jj sixteenth centui'v. Tliev are small, but .str II I ■A tic Space ic IKltivO illiil*», or ' •ou^hoilt ; A'c'tMi our ', lie Sdiitli- lis ol' the 1 arc til CSC ] jonjjri'iiial • jioWiMS, ig ci'iiaiu icl'ds, l)llt IKlU colli- ■!tiiraji;c. altlioiigli •ir iiiuvc- •al coiU'S(3 mode of ti'ibcs of and the ir liorscs, iiHM'd, i'\- iccudaiits I'ds ill the liai'dy, linials ol' ciieaiiip- strayiii.g [ally \m\'- lid arrow. :e inarks- leed, the |tr(>\', and 3et. TItlUKS WKST or'lIlK MISSlSSlI'l'l. 4G1 '^riu' adiiiiraMc trainiii,^ ol'lhi! hoisc, to Nvhoiii the ridiT bi ohiiijvd ti) ^ivc loos(^ rein as lie a|i|>roaehcs his olijrct and ]iir|iiiics to iiilliet the ilcadly woiintl, is no less notice* ahli' than ihe. spirit ami cin'i'^iA' of the I'iilcr. Such is thi' llijfc with uhirh the arrow is thrown, that I'cpcatcil insliiiiccs are irlnlrd nl' its coniplt'te passa^i^o thi'ou.L'h ihc hiii^c, l)ody ol' tiie hull'alo, and its exit upon the opposite side. 'I'his iicarajiproach to the jjowerl'iil and inruriatcd aninial is hy no means without dan;i;'er. AN tliou,!^h the horse, I'rom iiistineliNc I'eai' of the bulValo's liorns, sheers oil' immediately upon passiii]!^' iiiiii, it is not always done with snllieieiit «piiekiiess to avoid his stroke. 'J'he hunter is said to he so carried away by the excitement and cxhiiaralion of j)ursuit, as to be apparently pei-lectly j'eekless ol' his own saCt'ly ; Irustiiii;- entirely to the sagacity and ipiiekiiess of his horse to Uikv liim wut ui' the danger into whii'h he is I'UshiiiL';. The noose, or lasso, use(l in catching wild horses, is (.)('ten lel't ti'ailing up(;ii tin; ground during tli>! chase, to alVonl the hunter an easy means oi'secui'ing and remount- ing his hoi'se in case he should be dismounted, by the attack of the biiilalo or otherwise. In the winter season it is common I'oi'the Indians of the northern latiliides to drive the bulfalo herds I'rom the bare ridges, whei-c they collect to feed upon the exposLil liei'bnge, into the snow-covered valleys. '^Jdie unwieldy beasts, as they flounder through the dril'ts, are easily over- taken by the hunters, supported by their snow-shoes, and killed with the lance or l)ow. Another method, adoptc*! by the Tndian.s, is to put on the disguise of a wliitt; wolf-skin, and steal unsuspected among the herd, -where tliey can select their prey at leisure. Pack's of wolves frequently follow the herds, to feed upon the carcasses of tlujsi; that perihh, or the remains left by the hunters. They dare m.t attack them in a body, and are consequently no objeels of I ! •„: -.J I"!*"? ■( l..t If' '<■ E-' •i ' ri ■■•M 462 INDIAN RACES OF AlIEKICA. terror to the biifFuloes; but, sliould an old or wounded an imal be separated from the eornpany, they eolleet around hiin, and graduaHv weary lihn out and devour hiin. AVhen buil'alo are plenty, and the Indians have fair op- portunity, the most astonishing; and wasteful slaughter ensues. Besides i!ie ordinary methods of destruetion, the custom of driving innncnsc herds over some preeipitous ledge, where those behind trample down and thrust over the foremost, until hundreds and thousands are destroyed, has been often described. Even at seasons in which the fur is valueless, and little besides a present supply of food can be obtained by de- stroying the animal which constitutes their sole resource, no spirit of forethought or providenrc restrains the wild lumters of the prairie. Mr. Catlin, when at the mouth of Teton river, Upper Missouri, in 1832, was told that a few days 23revions to his arrival, a party of Sioux had returned fmni a hunt, bringing fourteen hundred buftalo tongues, all that they had secured of their booty, and that these were immediately traded away for a few gallons of whiskey. This author goes, at considerable length, into a calcula- tion of th(.' causes now at work, which must, in his ojnnion, necessarily result in the entire extinction of these animals, and the consequent destitution of the numerous tribes that derive supi)ort from their pursuit. According to his rep- resentations, we "draw from that country one hundred and fifty or two hundred thousand of th'^r robes annually, the greater part of which are taken from animals that are killed expressly for the robe, at a season when the meat is not cured and preserved, and lor each of which skins the Indian has received but a ])int of whiskey! Such is the i'aet, and that number, or near it, are annu- ally destroyed, in addition to the number that is necessarily killed for the subsistence of three hundred thousand In* dians, who live entirely upon them." '. »♦! TRIBEIS WEST OF THE M 1,^,-1; .qPTI. -it;3 Wlicn this cxtcnninatiuii sluill luivc tiikoii pliK'(>, if, in- deed, it should take place before otlier eaiiscs sluiU have annihilated the Indian nations of the west, it is dilficultto conceive to what these will resort for subsistence. Will the}^ gradually perish IVoni sheer destitution, or, as has been predicted, will they be driven to violence and plunder upon our western frontier? CHArXER IV. INDIANS OF THE CnEAT WESTERN PRAIRIES THEIR STTIMMER AND WINTER LODGES — THE MEDICINE-BAG THE CHOWS AND BLACK- FEET RACES HOSTILE TO THE LATTER TRIBE FORTITUDE OF A BLACKFOOT WARRIOR THE CROW CHIEF ARAPOOISH AND HIS GUEST INDIAN CONCEPTIONS OF A PEliFECT COUNTRY STORY OF LORETTO AND HIS INDIAN WIFE ADVEN- TURES OF KOSATO, A BLACKFOOT WARRIOP. 'il Upon the Yellowstone, and about the head-waters of the ]\Iissouri, the most noted tribes arc the Crovrs and Blackfeet. Bordering upon them at the north and north- cast, arc their enemies, the OJibbeways, Knistcneaux, and Assinaboins, of some of whom brief mention has been made in former chapters. In ISC-i the Blackfeet were computed to number over thirty thousand, but when the small-pox swept over the western country, in ISoS^ they were frightfully reduced. By the returns of 1850, they were represented as amounting to about thirteen thousand. As these Indians are among the farthest removed fi'om the contaminating influence of the whites, and as the prairie abounds in all that is requsite for their subsistence, viz: horses and buffalo, tliey ])rcsent fine specimens of the a])original nice. They arc of manly j)roportions, active, '*, tfijf rm i II ~-.r, 404 INDIAN'' JJACKS OI'' A^IKIllCA. -i'l 'f'. ■ '••i i!:| ^W; ii I and capable of great endurance : tlieir dress is particularly comfortable and ornamental, bcdoclvcd witli all lli(.' em- broidery and fringes cliaracteristie of sa\age finery. Tlie style of dress, dwellings, means of subsistence, kc, among the Indians of the western prairies, is in many re- spects so similar, that we shall only avoid wearisome repetition by omitting minute descriptions in s])eaking of the different ti'ibts. The sunnner lodge, necessai'ily made moveable to suit their migratory habits, is a teJit of buffalo-skins, supported by 2)ine poles brought from the distant mountains. These skins are neatl}^ and substantially stitched together, and often highly pahited and ornaniented. The tent is trans- ported by tying the poles in two Inindles, the small ends of which, bound together, are hung over the shoulders of a horse, while the butts trjiil upon the ground, loaded with the A\'eight of the skins and other paraiDhernalia of the lodge. The dogs are also pressed into the same service, and loaded, in much the same manner, Avith as large a load as they can carry. IMie cold winter is passed in some spot protected by high bluffs or heavy timber, either in these skin lodges, or in rude wigwams of logs. It is among these remote races that we may still see many of the ancient superstitious observances (formerly, with slight variation, common to nearly the whole popu- lation (jf the west,) retained with all their original solem- nity. One of the most singular and universal is the preparation of o "mcdiciiic-bag," which every man carries with him upon all occasions, as being intricatelj* invc^lved with Ills own safetv and success in war, huntinsr, or anv of the occupations of life. At about the age of pubert}' the Indian boy bethinks himself of taking the necessary steps for the preparation of this mysterious amulet or charm, lie I'ctires to some solitar}'- spot, where he spends several i| 1! ^ll 1! tu'.uTui'ly : I tlic eia- ' ' I '■-'• . ! 'UCC, cVC, I I luiny vc- j carisome ; aking of \ to suit nppovtcd .. Tliose :licr, and , is trans- iiall cuds Idev^; of fi idcd with ia of tiio 3 service, s lar.Q-e a ;ected by 11 lodges, still see [forraerly, pic popu- al solcm- ]S tl 10 111 carries hnv olved of )r anv Dcrty tlie ary steps cliarm. sever ■ 1 ul I <• f^' nu ■w- •:^l^ i: i .i.y i: V ■ 1, 1. '. . ^'y^ - 'III' . i' ' ! m 1 1 I THIBE3 WKST OF THE MI^'--'l ••.-qiM'l. -l'!". (I;i3"s, lying upon llio giMMud, tiiking un no'ii'i 'iMiKnt, i^inl employed in' continiuil lervtMiL iiivo^'ut' •!:.; to t!;" (iicul: Spirit. Falling asleep in this eonditi'M!, ]"-. i-ic! •• p:!ii;>-.ii- ];ii'ly \\'h;it I'ii'd or luiiiiinl lli-.-t oe'-iirrc 1 to lii^ liiind in dream's. J!o tlien I'diin:.^ lioni^', a!' 1. aCiei' rv^'i'niiiiig 1,1:-! strengtli, busies himsell' in llu' j'Mivnit (A' t'.o ere;ilnie until he has secured a s[ieeinien. TI:'.; a''eo;i'pli,'l!ed, he. dresses the skin, stulls it wilh in;..- oi' :-:'ine olhor li'jht substaneo, and devotes his atleiiti'in to b'deckiu'/ it \vi;!i the most elaborate ornMni'.'nt. This medicine-bag ean bo p>roeuved ;;^ no ]->ri''e, ami the loss of il, even in the heat of battl(\ is a si'iiial di.-"i"ae<\ only to be wiped out bj' the sca/aire of ;i similar charm friini a slaught(}red enciiiy, ''Those curioes a])pe,:id:!ges.'' says Callin, "to the persons oi- wai-di'dli'.^ of an Indian, jire sometimes made of the sldu of ;inoti'T. a boav-.r, a musk rat, a veazel, a racoon, a }«)le-eat, a s'.i:d<(\ a. fj"o;r, a to;i,d, a bat, a mouse, a mole, a Liavok, an <.agle, a m;igpie, or a sparrow; — sometimes of the skin of an animal so large as a wolf; and at others, of tlie skins of th;> lesser animals, so small that tliey arc bidden und; r ih.e dress, and \'ery diiVieult to be found, oven if Sv.areh;d ibr." The strange and hideous eonjur:i*i' ns of th.e medieine- men or necromancers, -who perform th^ir cen Tnoni<-s about tlie sick or dying with a view to tU-'ir rdief, n);iY be hero seen in their utmost extravagance. The Crows are far inferior in numbers to the rdr.ek'f'ct, witli whom they are en,e;agi:d in ])(n-|'.etiial w;irfu'e. 'Jhey inhabit the country adja.eent to the Y<'llowston.e, as f:ir westward as the foot of the Iick ley Mountains. ''Jhcy a.io a line race, physically spe;d:ing; their average height is greatly beyond that of any of the laaghboring tribes, and they are models of activity and strength, 'i^hcy have be ii eharactcrized as a lawless, thieving horde of savages ; but those best acquainted with their chari'.eter and d; ;] osiiion, 80 h;* 1 1 1 1 I ; I I it I 'Ml Mm i t I 'i.«iv''.I m 4 I --^ # ' ^ :L:r*r^ II i! i I dOG INDIAN KACES OF AMERICA. spcnlc of them as honest and trust-wortliy, and excuse tlio depredations of wliicli tlioy have from time to time been guilt}^, as having generally resnlted from gross pro- vocation. From whatever cause, and v/hichever race may liave been the most in fault, it is certain that the two wild tribes of which we are now speaking have been, irom the earliest periods in which Europeans have })cnetrated their tci'ritory, objects of tornu' to traders and trap])ers. (,)ne distinguishing peculiarity of these Indians, is the extraordinary length ol' their hiiir, v/hich is cherished and cullivated as an ornanuMit, until it sweeps the ground after them. This profusion is to be seen in no tribe except the Crows, although some of their neighbors endeavor to imi- tate it, by glueing an additional length to their natural hair. The Crows speak a dilfei-ent language from the Black- feet, and, as we have mentioned, ai'c continually at war with that tribe. They only number about four thousand, and ai'c consequently at great disadvantage iu these hostilities. , The smaller ]\Iinitari tribes, between the mouth of the "^'ellowstone and tiie site of th.o ]\[amhxn villages, and the extensive nation of the Gros Wiitres, inhabitinver been deemed by the Blackfeet a signal infringe- ment of their rights, and fierce battles often result irom the eonflicting claims of the rival nations. Although other I'-ame abounds in the mountain districts inhabited 1 n I ! 1 I .J ^..sjm excuse to time OSS pro- ico may the two I '11, from 1 ' , ! nctratL'Cl i ppers. j s, is tlio ' ;licd and md aCtor Lccp*: tlic r to iini- iral liair. c rduck- ly at \var houj^and, ill tlicso til of tLc and the the east- lame lan- t. The idwelling s, bcloiiii; list, l\avo he Fhit- desecnt bud'alo, |i 11 frill gc- ult from LllllOUgll iihahitcd ! I 1 1 II i I TRIIJES WEST OF THE MISSISSIIM'T. 4G7 by some of these tribes, nothing possesses such attractions for ihoin as the buftalo-liunt, and they are ready to incur any })cril rather than rehnquisli this favorite [lursuit. The Nez-Perecs or Pierced-Nose Indians, the FLatdicaJs, and the Pends Oreilles or Hanging Ears, of tlie Kocky Mountains and tlicir western sh)pes, and of tlie ])hrms (b'ainedby the sources of the Columbia, are at continual and (ladly feud with the Blackfect. These latter seem, indeed, to liave their hands against every man, with the exceittion of their kindred Arapahoes, to whom they make periodi- cal visits of friendship. Of the skirmishes between war-parlies of these hostile tribes, their foraj'S into each other's territory, and the ex- ploits of their most redoubted warriors, nuuiy striking tales are told by the traders and trappers who visit these remote regions. In }>\\\ Ii'ving's admirable publication, "The iVdventures of Captain P>onneville, U. S. A., in tlie Rocky ^Mountains and the Far West," arranged in the form of interesting and pleasing narrative, from the captain's manuscripts and other sources, are details of various inci- dents illustrative of the character and habits of these tribes, so told as to attract the attention of the reade'r, and to leave a vivid impression upon the mind. In Cox's "Adventures on the Columbia River," fright- ful descriptions are given of the cruelties practiced by the riat-heads u})on some Blackfoot prisoners wdio liad i'allen into their hands. Such proceedings appeared utterly variant from llie natural disposition of tho -wo niako tluMn rvy out loud, like litlle eliildron. — Yon anniol bi'aw^; yon have small liearts, and you aro always afraid to figlit.' 'J'Jien, addressing one in j)artienlar, he said, 'It was by in}- an-ow you lost your eye;' upon wliieli the Flat-head darted at him, and with a knife, in a moment .seoojied out one of his eyes; at tlio same time, entting the bridge of his nose nearly in two. This did not stop him: with the remaining eye he looked sternly at anotlier, and said, "I killed yiur brothei-, and I sealped your old fool of a falhei-.' The warrior to whom this was uddi'essed instantly s[)]-ung ."t him, and severed the sealp from his head." ^riie ehief restrained this enraged warrior from termin ating the suflerings of the vietim l)}^ a blow; but was, him- self, immediately afterwards so exasperated by his taunts and insults,'that he could not withhold his own hand, and shot the ma.ngled wjvteh through the heai't. Of the Crow character, a very singular trait is exhibited in an adventure of a ]U)>.ed ti'ap])ei', ]\lr. Eobert Campbell, as given in Mr. Irving s work, above mentioned. This traveller was upon one occasion hospitably entertained by tlu^ celebrated Crow chief, Arapooish, in whose tent he had deposited a large bundle of valuable furs. The grcaU>r ]>art of his stores was buried in the ground for safety. The old chief ascertained, during Campbell's stay, tliat his guest had made a "cache," (the Fj'eneh term a]i])licd to such places of conf-calment,) and that some of his own tribe had discovered and plundei'cd it. The number of bi\iver-skins stol(;n was one hundred and fifty. Arapooish immediately assembled all the men of tliG village, and after making a speech, in which he vehemently 1 1 1 1 ig one 111 u tennin II :i I TlUnES WEST OF •|'IIK MISSISSI IM'I. -109 flcc'laiiiu'd ;i,L;;;iiiis(, tlu'if biul liiitli towiirds lli(> slrun^^ri', voAVod tliiit lie would iicillu'r toiU'Ii lixid nor drii Ic until (•oni|ili'te restoration should lie made Wo then tonk his tscvit. willi tilt' Irai n his w nj'uain, a'.Kl awaitec 1 d ll l(" I'c- snU, desirin,^ his coinpanion to make no remarks il' t' I kins w throui/li- out the day; until hut a few were wanting to make th nundj)er eomjilete. Camphcll was now anxious to [lut an end to this fastinu' of the old chief and av.'iin ( JK' w;is nmuhci |)erfectly satisfied. Ar;i] HM)i>li (IcmaiK leclarc(l that led wh;it A\ ll!Sl>ei'(M •P .f sk (1 to ins were yet Avanting. some of his ix'oolc, who i ( )\\ being t(jld lisaDDearcMl Aft er a, tune the number were bronghl m, though it was evident th(\y wi've not any of the skins that hatl been stolen, but otlaM's ifleaned in tlie A'illau'e." Arapooisli then broke his fast, and gave his guest jnuch A\ holesomc advice, eharging him ;d\vays, when lie visited 51 Crow village to })ut himself and his goods under protec- tion of iho chief. Of Cam|ibell's conelu-^ions upon the chai'act(M' of the race, ^[r. Irving savs: " lie has cversince niainlained that the Crows are not so bhiek as they ]n\\G been ])ainled. 'Trust to their honor,' says he, 'and you an; safe; trust to their honesty, and they will steal tho hair oif your head,'" Tho manner in which old Arapooish enlarged upon tho natural advantages of the Crow country in conversation with Mr. Campbell is too ([uaint to be passed over. He averred that it was located in precisely the right s])ot for the security of all that was desirable in life, and the avoid- ance of its usual trials and wants. He enlarged upon the ;• I .vf? s.' *i 4 J 1 470 INDIAN HACKS OF AMEUICA. cold of tlio Tiortli, where do^.s must tiiko tlic jilacc of horses; andu}ion tlicbarrcii :i 11(1 aril 1 i plains of 1 ho S(juth,re[)lcte with pcstileiiiiul vapors. At the west, lu> .-! were taken for a parley, and for siiiMl^in;;- llic ciiln!!!' 1, in t"krn of peace, ivtthisinonirnt, !,i>i'ctn)'s Indinn will- [irf.'civMl licr own brotlior among tlio \>n\\<\. "l/>'a\inL>; ln'i- inliuit, ■with Loretto, slu; riisluMl n,rw;ii'(l ;iii'l llir^w Ii'm-iK' n|>Mn lier l>rollier's.iieek; wlm eliisp(Ml his h)nnt little eoni})atilil(' with the rcpnti'd stoicism c^f the sa\'a;'i'." ^feaiiwhile, lli'idj:;!^, oin' (»!' the trapj'cr K'adri's, np- proacliing the lUaekR'f't, (Voni an imprudent exci-ss of caution, cocked his rifle just as he came up with them, '^riu! Indian chief, who was in tlie act of prolli I'ini^ a friendly salutation, heard the click (tfthe lock, and all his native fury and suspicion wrrc instantly aroused, lie pprang upon Bridger, forecil the niu:',/.le of tli" rillc into the ground, where it was discharged, knockiMl him down, seized Ins horse, and rode off, A general, hut disord(>i'ly fight ensued, during which T.orctto's wifl' was hurried away b}' her relations. The nol)le young ^Lcxi'-an saw her in their jiowei-, vaiidy entreating permission to return, and, regardless of the danger incurred, at once hn^:tcncd to her side, and restored the child to its mother. The lilaekfeet liraves admired his boldness, and respected the conndence whidi he had re- posed in them by thus venturing in th. ir midst, l.'ut they were deaf to all the prayers of himsidf and his wife that they might remain tog(>ther. 1 Fe was dismissed unharmed, but the woman and child were detained. iS'ot many months afterwards the faithful Lon^tto [>ro- cured his discharge from the company in whose service he was enlisted, an-^ followed his wife to her own country. A hai)py reunion took place, and tlu^ loving pair took up their residence at a tradingdiouse among the Blackfeet, where the husband served as interpreter between the In- dians and white traders. I ■hi 'I ;!| ^ t\ ■v. ,k M •( ■■■( *1 t ■i' ii 1 1 ii 1 1 '172 INDIAN KACLri Ol AMKKU'A. Aiiotlur tul(! (»!' IimIj.iii Imvc ;iiiil ri\ali'y is tliat of a 'Hlackfoot wat'iMor, luiincd Kosuto, rosidiii^^ aiiiwii,L,f tlic Noz-Porci's wUoii lliat tii])t! was visited by IJoniifvillo. IIo liad fallru ill low with tin.' wife of a cliicl' oC his own ti'ibc, uiid iiis allL'tlJoii was ivtunioi]. Accol•(.lill.^■ to his own positive a.-scvi;ratiuiis, ulthou^^li they "talh'd tti'jvih- i!t'---hiu,^hcd to.(i'thcr — and were always siH'kiu.Li; earh oflicf's soc'iet}'," they were "as innocent as childivn." Tlie jvj.doiisy ol' the liusbarid was at hist ctnijil'ti ly aroused, and he visited his vengeance u[Am boLli iheoflend- iti;^' jvirtit'S. The wile was cruelly beaten, and slcrnlv bid not even lo b.; iow a lt)oh U|u»i Kosato, wliile the youth liinisi-'lf sullered tlio h)ss ol' all his horses, upon which the ehieriiad seized. Maddened witli love and revenge, Kos- ato v/aiU'd jiiri opportunity; slew the object of his liati-; and liastened to entreat his mistress to fly with him. At ilrst she only wept bitterly, but llnally, overcome by his j^crsuasions, and the promptings of her own aiteetion, '-he forsook her people, and sought, with her lovei', an asylum among the peaceful and kindly Ne/.-l'ereLS. Ivosato was foremost in rousing up a warlike and manly spirit among the tribe of his adoption, but he found the disposition of his new allies far dillerent from that of the hot-blooded .Blackfeet and Crows. "They are good and land," said he to IjcuiiKwille; "they are lu)nest; but their hearts are the liearls of women.'' From these and numberless similar talcs, it is suincicntly (vldentthiit the cloak of reserve in which the Indian wra})S himself from the scrutiny of strangers, covers passions and aCIections as fieiy and impetuous as arc to be witnessed in more dcmonsti'ative races. !n Cf M „.'»•>■-' •^ - ■ yy ^^ ■ : -".fc • ■ / // /, /; / .s () ,\' fil.\KUAI,l,\ CAI.I.KII rilK nil lAI.O. 'I'llli: liiim' iiiilMiHh. wliiiM' Kfiiniil (•liiilDiiimlinn In ,ii'i-niiil»'ly ii'iiicfnilcd iii Itip iilmvi) Bkftcli, wiindur in IumhIs nr c^llml(■^.1 iuiimIm'i^, over Hit' wildiiiii'ss ii(i(t piaincs dC llie far \\\-M. Ah khuu; lhr\ arc iiivahialilc Id llii' liidiaiis, liulli liir Ihi'ir IIcmIi and lliu skins which furm «i) cunsidt-rahic iiii ailjcli' nl' liiillic in thi- tcnviis iil' Ihi- Kuhi. Thf l)isi)n» scallfi' wiih'ly over llii' piiaiicn wliiMi fi'i'diiji,-, linl wlicn thi-y takt; up liicil- liue of march, u|)iin tlifir pt'i-iodical niiicnuionsi, Itic whole herd proceeds in a cuinpacl mass, otreriiiif an vrwy opportunity for the most wa^^l Inl :*laiii,diter. Tlio animal was foitnerly foujid us far Kiist as llie Hudson river, and Morton -pe.iku of liie dcscriptiou* given liy tlie Indians of ••;,'reat hi^arda of well i,;iuwne IjcMSts iliai U«e nbuiit llie pin» of this lake (.Ontario), micii a^ ih« Christian world ^untile thi- diStoiti.M hHlh not been msde ucfjiiainted with." ••'1 FPfSi . • , 1.1 • ' M 1 \ * ^1 1 !■ 'f^ 4' >'; 1'' I' I f i i 1 K ' '1 ^Ks A i > 1 J i - *< i ,' 1 ..■i-' . ■ I TH R G tilZX I.Y H F.Jl R. No animal, upon the whule conliiient nf Aiiicriuu, is so dntigeruiis tiiid iKniCiiiUH us tlie one here dopicted. M. Boitni'd, iu \m » Pmitli*;on Popiilaire," u dcsicripliou ut' tbe ani- mula of tln! Jiirdin des Pinnies, IVuin which work tin' hIxivc skidcli Is tiikon, siiys: "The grizzly beiir Joins to the slii|)idlty of the hi'iir Ilm Iciijcity iif the jiii^iinr, iXw couriige of the tigur, and the strength of thi' lion. Of solitary Iwiliits, like other s|)eci('s of liis nice, he roiims over the vast Indian ti'rriiory of the North-west, inhabited by the wandering nations of the Back-Feet, Nes Forces, Kiinsiis, Crows, &.c." Astonishing tales are told of the itnuligious strcnglh, and iinpliiciible fury of this ani mal. The huge bison is helpless in his grasp, and it is n common saying that, if a hunter comes within his reach, one of the two must die. The Indian hunters display great cour- age and resolution in the pursuit of this terrible enemy; an underiaking entered upon rattMr from priJ^and the hope of renown than from expectation of profit. Vi ■'■i 'i * li I I I . TRIBES WEST OF THE MlSSlSSim. 473 CHAPTER V. TRIBES ON THE COLTTMlilA A.N'l) ITS Tiiir.DTARIKS — TIIR NEZ-PKRCfiS THKIR KKIJGKiUS CirAl'vAimCH THE WALLA-WALLAS — THE CIIINOOKS ilIODK OF Fl,ATTE\l.\(f THE HEAD — THE COTOqUK — CA.\OKS OF THE Tl!ir.i:s ON THE LOWER WATERS OF THE t OLU.AIIHA — FISH- ING — H()i;S!;S OF THE i"LA'L-Hi;ADS. TiiK })riiicipal tribe dwelling widiiu tlie vast ampitlicatre drained by the Koo.skooske, westward from the Blackfoot countr}', and across the liocky ^Mountains, is tliat of the Nez-Perces or Pierced-Nose Indians. Proceeding down the river, we fnid nnnicrous tribes, known, collectively, as Flat-heads, although the physical peculiarit}^ from which they derive their name is by no means universal. Upon the main southern branch, the Lewis Folk of the Columbia, or Snake river, dwell the Shoshonecs, or Snake Indians, a race perhaps more widely disseminated than any other of the present descendants of the Xorth Ameri- can aboriu'ines. The Nez-Percrs are, as mentioned in a preceding chap- ter, a quiet, inoffensive people, although, Avhen faii'ly ai'oused, they are not wanting in courage and efficiency. Their susceptibility to religious impressions is remarkable, and their paticmt reliance upon and sincere invocations to the Great Spirit, in times of want or danger, might shame the most enliahteued nation. In a time of great scarcity, Captain Bonneville fell in with a party of these Indians, in a state of the ntmost des- titution. They were subsisting upon wild rose-buds, roots, and (»tln'r eiMule iiiul innutritions lood, and tlieir oidy weaj)on wtis a sin;;le sj»eai'. AVitli this they iinallyset out, on horsi'-bai'k, u[ioii what ajiiieaied to tlie whites an ut- tcrlv hoMt.h'ss e:s|Kj(!itiun in search of uanie. Thev rode -Kr'i^ /*. t m mi f; 'M 47-1 INl^IAX llAi'KS OF AMKiilCA. ofT, liowevcr, witli cluu'irtil (•onfiilciicc tliat their prayerg would now Ijo lieanl b}' the Givat Sjiirit. 'J'he luulertak- ing was successful, and the poor Indians freely shared the meat which they liad secured anionu' the ljuii<_:rv Avhiles. niie kinddi'earted captain, from longobscrvati 'sST OF THE MlSSISSiri'I. 475 saying: "You got liin. .n fair trade — you arc more in want ul' horses than 1 am: keep liim; lie is vours— lie is a good horse; use him well." Fui'thcr westward, u]>oii the haiilcs of the ('ohinihia, below the mouth of the Lewis Fork, are found \]\v Walla- wallas; they are not unlike the Tiereed-Noses in gincral a[)})earance, language, and habits. They ar kind lov, ai'ds strangers, and in tlieir de})ortinent exhibit great deeeney and decorum. They have })lenty of horses, and maintain tlie same l)order warfare with the Shosh.onees tliat their neighbors farther up the river are coiistaatly waging with the Blaek feet. Thoeauscof hostility is similar, vi/: a elaini of I'iu'ht of hunting within the hostile territory ; in tlicone ease, for the buffalo; in the otlier, for the blaek-tailcd (her. Passing over the Spokans, Cootonais, Chaudieres, J\)int- cd Hearts, kc, &e., wo will describe a little more at largo the Chinooks, Flatdicads in reality, as in name, who dwell about the lower portions of the Columbia. '^I'he horrible deformity of the skull, which ecjn.stitntes their chief ])liys- ieal peeuliaril;y, is produced by pressure upon ilie forehead of the infant while the bone is soft and pliable. The child is stretched upou its back, after the usual Indian fashion, and a bit of boai'd or bark is so secured by strings that it can be tightened at pleasure, creating a steady pressure until the head is so flattened that a straight line can bo drawn from the tip of the nose to the unnatural a})ex. "^rhe operation occupies from a few weeks to a year, or moi'e, at the end of which time the skull is hardened, and n(>\er thereafter resumes its natural shape. I'he thickiu'ss of tlio broad ridge at the back of the head is little over an imh. ^riiis extensive displacement of the brain does not, as liir as travellers have observed, eifect any noticeable cliaiigo in the faculties of the mind. It is an unacconntalile ms- tom, and is })ersisted in as being an improvement npoii nature; perhaps from the same ideal that suggested the II ^Wl 1 i 1 w 1- i . ' V. ■'1 > ■i « 1 1 476 INDL\JS^ KACES OF AMKKICA. !! l! ! rctreiiting forclicad eliaractcristic of tlic ancient sculptures « )f' K.gypt and Central America. Various tribes and nations of America were formerly in tlic habit of flattening the head, who have long since ceased so to mar their iiiir pro- portions. Even in South America, as \vc shall see here- after, skulls arc still found bearing evident marks of this hideous distortion. Exclusive of the head, there is little particularly notice- able about the personal appearance of the Indians of the lo\x'r Columbia. The description given of them, particu- laj'ly of their women, is by no means attractive. It would seem, from one of Mr. Catlin's illustrations, that a singular custom, generally considered as ])eculiar to the Brazilian Botocudos, is occasionally obsei'vable among them. He gives a sketch of a woman whose under-lip is pierced, and the aperture filled Avith a large wooden plug or button (termed the "botocpic" in South America). Their most successful advance in the arts, is seen in the manufacture of their canoes. These, accordinu; to tlic description given in the history of Lewis and Clarke's travels, are often "upwards of lifty feet Idng, and will carr}' from eight to ten thousand pounds weight, or from tweiity to thirty persons. * * '^'^^^'y ^^'^ ^'^'^^ <'i-^t of a single trunk of a tree, Avliieh is generally white cedar, though the fir is sometimes used. * - When th(\v em- bark, one Indian sits in the stern, and steers with a j)addle; the otlicrs kneel in pairs in the bottom of the canoe, and, sitting on their heels, |)addle over the gunwale next to them. In this way they ride with jierfect safety the high- est waves, and venture without the least concern in seas whei'e other boats and seinncMi could not live an instant. They sit quietly and 2);idems lost: the man to windward then steadies her by throwing his body towards !l 1 1 n TRIBES WKST OF THE MISBIBSTPPI. I i the uppov pidc, and, sinking liis j)a(lillo deep into the waves, appears to (%'itcli the water, and force it under the l)()at, whieli the same stroke pushes on willi great velocity." They subsist princi})ally u]K>n fisli, in tidying which tliey are \cry expert, 'j'licir nets are made of silk-grass, or of the fibrous bark of the white cedar, as are also the lines used f(jr anghng. Tlie hooks are procured from while traders, but in eaidier times were manufactured from bone. Their houses are descril)ed as hirgc and commodious: some of them are said by Cox to be "upwards of ninety feet long, and tliirty to forty broad." ^J'ho size of the beams used in the construction of tliese edilices, as well as that '^y are luirmless, ang .ii" their dwellings the most re- mote and unexplored retri^.vi of the mountains, whither tliey ily in terror at the aj)proaeh of strangers, whether whites or Indians. " 'J'hcse forlorn beings," siiys Irving, "f(j]'ming a mere link between limnan natui-e and the brute, have been looked down upon with pity and eon- tempt by the Creole trappers, who have given them the a]ii)ellation of ^ks dignes de pitie,^ or 'the objects of pity.' They appear more worth v to be ealled the wild-men of the mountains." Although living in a climate where they experience great severity of cold, these miserable people are very insunieicntly protected either by clothing or comfortable huts. Of a party seen by Bonneville upon the plain be- low Powder Eiver, that traveller remarks: "'J'hcy live without any further ])rotcction from the inclemency of the season, than a sort of break-weatlicr, about three feet high, composed of sage, (or wormwood,) and erected around them in the sha])e of a half-moon." I'his material also furnishes them with fuel. Many were seen earr^-ing- about with them a slow match, made of twisted bark. " When- ever they wished to warm themselves, they would gather tc^'ether a little wormwood, apply the match, and in an instant produce a cheering blaze." I ' TRIBES WEST OF Till; M IriSlrirfUTI. 479 Tlioy live principiilly, as tlu.'ii- Uiiuio iuipru'S, u[n>u roots uikI ;i pr('[);tratioii of certain \vilii |cii;i!il> il l)_v ill"' ri>\ iii^L;' Irilx'S wlio ;in>. iiirlii(|ril iiiiilir llic <:'<'ii('i';il lilli' (ifr'nalas, is thus laid (ln : cxflu- sivc; of tlui.'o ivsldiii;^' upon liic Snake i'i\rf. "liny ciii- bracc all tlio tcnMilor\' ol' llic (iivat Sontli I'a-s, 1m twcni tlio Mississii)[)i valley aial lln' \v.itri's ol' llic ('(iliinil)ia, liy Nvliit.'li ll.c lull. I or L'ai'a\aii ro'iiiimniralioii ^vi lli ( h'c'joii iiial I'alilornia is now, or is cK'.-iiia'd lui-cafitM', lo kc inaiii- taincil. ■■•■ ■"■ I lulcr Llio ii..iiu' ol' \^aiii|)atii'k'-ara, or !!oot- Ivitcrs, and Bonucks, tlinj- oi'cupy, Aviih the LTlalis, il.c \-ast elevated ba-niia. luronnatiou reeently ri-eeiveil denotes tliat the lanpua.uo is s})ok'eii by bands in the gokkmine region ol' the Sacramento." The most noted braiieh of tlic whokj faniily is that of the Cunianehes, "who have des(,'ended castwardly into llie 'J'cx.- an phiins at unknown jieriods of their histtny." .\iial(H!;y in kuignago is all that attests the I'ormer nnit\- y '■ i ()rr;jOU .; (• iniiill- r lioot- llic vast j I ^- south : I li Corn hi. I : 111L''U!!,U'0 I I (if the ; i I it of the 1 1 H' J ex.- ; I' tills i i iiis and \vi .■Ici'ti h[ .-Kil .Ncltll aiiitcar 1>;U sill- 1 1 Iv inioii 1 1 :■([ Iroiu ill 'I, i/y ll)!."! lo f i\ 1 :.i . M ' *!\m m ?1 ■•: ^^ I TUIBES WKST OK TFIK MISSISSII'l'I. 48 1 rOguiii tlieir scat in an instant. Tlu' manner in which thi^ B(!Oiningly iinpossihU; jjosition is ivfaiiu'il, was ascertained by Mr. (.'atlin t<. be as fi.IIdws: "1 fonn.l," says h<', 'Swi exaininatioii, that a shoit iiair lia]*er was passed aroiinil under the ncek of the; horse, and both ends tij^ditly braided into the niaiic, on the withers, leaviii;^' a li^ip to hang ni: der the nock, and n<^'ain.st I In- breast, which, bcinj^' cau,ulit up iu the hand, makes a sllny,- int.) which tiie (jIIiow falls, taking tlic weight of tin; body on the miildle of the upju-r ai'm. Into this loop the ridvT drops su(hli.'nly and ieai'- Icssly, leaving his heel to hang over the back of the horse, to steady him, and also to restore him when ht^ wish(;s to regain his upright ])osiiion on the horse's b;ick." The Indian rider, as Ik^ swet^ps, at Cull speed, jiast his enemy, in this unnatural attitude, is said ti> numage his long lance, and his bow and arrow, wiih nearly the same facility as if faii'ly mounted, Ib^ will discharge his arrow over the back of the horsi^, or even his neck! The Ca- manchcs, from constant iiorse-back exercise, have lost that agility and grace which characterize the North American Indian, in his natural stile. They are awkward and un- gainly in their movements when on foot, but when mount(!d upon the animals that liavo become almost a part of them- selves, nothing can exceed the lightness and freedom of their posture and movements, ^rhe wild horses are taken, as usual, by the lasso, and arc at first disabled by being "choked down," as it is termed. When the hunter has thus conquered and enfeebled his prize, he proceeds to tie his fore feet together, and, loosening the noose about his neck, takes a turn with it about the lower jaw, and com- ])letes the subjection of the animal by closing his eyes ■with his h.. nd and breathing in his nostrils. .Xfter this, little dilhculty is (;xpcrienced; the horse submits to be mounted, and is soon viitirely under the control of his tormentor. The Indians are severe and cruel riders, and the case of 81 1 1 vV;| HI . .-I'M 482 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. supplying the loss of a horse prevent?! tliat regard for his safety and care for his welfare elsewhere furnished by self- interest. The Camanches are essentially a warlike race, and the whole history of the settlement and ocenpation of Texas is replete with tales of their courage and })ro\vess. ^fhcre seems to be reason to ft-ar tliat difliculties will still con- tinue to arise between them an• '■na-Calawbas, . . 250 1 Tof. ",:; "!herokee3 included in former 40 1 talilo. Maine, MassachusieUs, Rhode Islanil — Narraganselts, Connecticut— Mohegans, . New York— Besiiles the Iroquois, \>< fi, ro enumernled, I! 200 40 . i!00 250 1 ii\ fornii-r !l 1 1 500 . 500 200 . 300 500 . 2,000 1,500 . 17,000 700 . 3,200 150 200 400 . 1,000 iirac- ; 9,000 ! rated j . 5,500 i 400 I 1,500 ' 1 I I |! -.J SOUTH AMERICA, TRIBES OF TlIK WEST INDIES, AND THE NORTHERN rROTINCES ^F SOUTH AMERICA CIIAriER I. INDIANS FIKST SEEN BY COUrMIiUS LANDING AT GUANAHANI — NATIVi;.-5 OF CUBA EMBASSY TO THE (iKAND KHAN ! DISCOVERY OF IIAYTI, AND INTEPiCOUKKE WITH THE NATIVES— jUACANA- GAIII W^ECK OF THE ADMIRAl's VESSEL HONESTY AND HOSPITALITY OF THE NATIVE INHABITANTS — TRADE FOR GOLD — BUILDING OF THE FORTRESS OF LA NAVIDAD DEPARTURE OF THE NINA THE CIGUAYANS DIS- ORDERS AND DESTRUCTION OF THE GARRISON AT LA NAVIDAD FORT OF ST. THOMAS. At the time of the discovery of tlie 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. Althou<^h 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 deficient in intellectual capacity. The lelight- ful climate of their country, and the spontaneon iruitful- ness of the soil, removed the ordinary incentives lo labor and ingenuity. The rudest huts of branches, reeds, and palm-leaf thatch, with hammocks (originally the Indian word "hamacs") slung between the posts, 'illy sufliccd for their dwellingi^. Protection from the ram was alone necessary. :)«: hi. --1 I I 488 INDIAN RACES OF AMKKU'A. f-', ". ir' ■I II' They were of good figure uiul propoi'tinii, tlu'ir forclKvids were high and well forincd, and the gcnnal cast, ol" their <'(iimLenance and eonlbrinaliDn ol' theii' t'raiun's agreeable and regular. • 'I'lu; great admiral lamUMl, i'or the tirst time sinee the (l.-iNSol" "the Nt)rtlimeii" that iiuy .lMii'o|)ean had visited ihc Western Woi'ld, at (Jiianahani, San Salvadt^r, or Cat Island, on the I2th of Oetober, illCl Tlu; hhore '.vas liiKHl with naked savages, who iKd at tlu^ a]t[)r();i.',;h (»!' the boats; but watching ii'om a distance the ineoniprchcnsiblo oi'reniony of" taking possession, and the religious exercises ol' thanksgiving, perlbrmed b}' the strangers, tear so(Ui gave place tt) reverential t'uriosity. If any thing could excite their wonder in a higher degree iJian tiu' majestic a]>proaeh (d' the shi})s, iL might. wh'II be the splendor oi' tin; S})anish dress and arms, the strange complexion, and tlu^ ihiek beards of the strangers wdio arrived in ihem. The Indians soon began to gallu-r roinid the Intle band, throwing theniselvi^s upon the eailh in ti^ken id' sul)niis- sion and respect, and worsl)ipping the Spaniiirds as gods or divine messengers. As nothing b ! kindness ap}>eared in the demciuor oi' the strangers, the natives grew more familiar, and, with unbouiuh-d admiration, touched and examined their dress and beards. Cobambus still furtln^i- won the goo(bwill ol' the ishuid- crs by a judicious distribution uf such brilliant beads and toys as over attract the eye of the savage. Nothing de- bghted them so much as hawdvs'-bells, of whose pleasant tinkling, when suspended ii'om their arms and necks, they ■were never v,eary. The next day, laying asitle all lear, the Indian,-: cac^e o"-t to the shi])S, swinnning or paddling in their canoes. 'i'Sicy brought such little ai tides of trade as they possctoed; bills of cotton yarn, parroks, and cas- sava bread (^made from the yuca root); (>ager to tradic, upon any terms, m at onco aronscd the cu|)i(lity of the S{)iuii}U"(ls, who cag I'aised 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 presents of ornaments and clothing, to give a favorable report of the whites to her own people. Next day a party Avas sent to visit the Indian town upon the bank of the River of three Kivers. The town consisted of about one thousand houses, from which the occupants fled at the sight of the Spaniards. They were finally reassured, and induced to return. Some two. thousand of them made their appearance, advancing slowly, with every gesture and expression of humiliation and respect. '^riie "Woman whom the Spaniards had the day before entertained, had not failed to report magnificent descrip- tions of her captors and their vessels. ']'he tokens which she brought back, in the shajte of beads, hawks'-bells, &c., were yet more convincing evidence of the beneficence and wealth of the Spaniards. She now came forward, with lier husband, at the head of a throng 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 these islanders: "True it is that after they felt confidence and lost their fear of us, they were so liberal with what they possessed that it would not ; seen it. If auv thing be believed by those who had 1 ., given IS over en uud Llllt 1)0 O ■rs. In lied l»y month, All the I female I board, laments liiies to 'isit the Ivivcrs. es, fi'om laniards, . Some vancing liliation before cscrip- wliicli Us, &e., nco and ith her e\-ery led by natives is that IS, they uld not thing J TRIBES OF THE WEST INIJIES, ETC. 491 was asked of them, they never said no; but rather gave it cheerfully, and showed as much amity as if tiny gavo their very hearts." The early voyagers, and all eontcMnpoiary writers, agree that this was the character of nearly all the inhabitants of the West India Islands, with tl)«>o-\ec|)ti(>n of tlieCaribs. A nirtrc guileless, innocent, contented race has never I'xistcd, and never were strangers welcomed to a I'orcign shore with more genuine and kindly hospitality; but what a return did they receive for their {Vieiidiiness an-'t submission! Coasting along towards the cast, Columbus landed at Aeul, and held friendly C(jmmunion with the inhabitants, whose lirst fears were easily disi)clled. 'J'hc same scenes of nuicual presents and hospitalities that characiteri/.ed the former landings were here repeated. The whole of that region of country was under the connnand of a great caci(|ne, named C uacanagari, from whom the Spaniards now. An- the first time, received messengers, inviting them to visit him, and oflering vai'ious curious presents. Among these articles, were some specimens of rude work in gohb AVhile pursuing his course eastward, with the intention of anchoring in a harbor described as near the residence of the cacique, Columbus had the misfortune to be Ci. 't uway upon a sand-bar. No shipwrecked mariners ever received more prompt and ciTicient relief than was imme- diately extended by G uacanagari and his subjects. Every thing was brought to' land from the wreck, and guarded with the most scrupulous honesty. The cacique himself, with tears in his eyes, came on board the caravel Kina, whither the admiral and his crew had been obliged to be- take themselves, and ofiered every assistance in his power, "With respect 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 ^ <6 ▼■ a ^>. O^X^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) £/ /.v^^^, & 1.0 I.I 1.25 1.4 J4 1.6 ^- 6" V] <^ /2 / V '^*>^' // d? / m 4^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ill ^^ Ua ^ f 492 INDIAN KACES OF AMPUIICA. a •I 'i beheld wliat must, in tlicir eves, have been inestimable trea.saros, cast as it were upon their shores, and open to depredation, yet tliere was not the least attempt to j)ilfer, nor, in transpoiting the efiects from the ship, had they a})propriatcd the most trilling article; on the contrary, a general sympathy was visible in their countenances and actions; and, to have witnessed their concern, one woiild have supposed the misfortune had happened to themselves." The Spaniards, wearied with long and profitless voy- aging, now revelled in the enjoyment of true Indian hos- pitality. The cacique, who was regarded with tlie utmost love and reverence by his subjects, continued his kind offices, and his people were not behind-hand in following his example. What delighted the shipwrecked mariners more than any other circumstance, was the number of gold ornaments possessed by the natives, and which they were eager to dispart for any trifle of European manufacture. TIawdvs'-bells, above all other articles of use or ornament, were universally in demand. "On one occasion," says Irving, "an Indian gave half-a-handful of gold dust in ex- change for 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 fearful that the Spaniard would repent of having parted so cheaply with such an inestimable jewel." The natives described the mountains of Cibao as the principal source wlience gold was to be obtained. Valua- ble mines v/ere, indeed, afterwards discovered in that region, although their yield fell far short of the extravagant anticipations of the Spaniards. A portion of the crew of the wrecked vessel expressed a strong desire to remain at Ilispaniola until another ex- pedition could be fitted out from Spain, upon the return of the Nina, and Columbus was not displeased with the proposition. The Indians were overjoyed at the prospect of retaining some of the powerful strangers in their island, ii I !stimablo open to )o ])iircr, lad they ntrarj, a aces and le would iiselves." less voy- ilian lios- 10 utmost his kind )wing his lers more ' of gold hey were mfaoture. )rn anient, on," says list in ex- n posses- n ST often cpcnt of e jewel." 10 as tho Vulua- in that :ravagant expressed )ther ex- le return with the prospect ir island, I TRIBES OF TUE WEST INDIES, ETC. 49.J as a protection against the invasions of the dreaded Caribs, and as security for a future visit from European vessels. They had seen, with wonder and awe, the terrible efl'cct of the discharge of artillery, and the admiral had })roiuised the assistance of his men and weapons in case of any inroad from an enemy's country. The little fortress of La Navidad was speedily 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 and building. Thirty-nine men were chosen, from the numerous volun- teers for that service, as a garrison for the fort: to these Columbus addressed the most earnest exhortations to dis- cretion and kindness in their intercourse Avith tho natives. His heart might well be touched by the continued cou^iesy and affection of Guacanagari, wdio could not refrain fi'om tears at parting with his venerated friend. The Nina sailed on the -ith of January, 1493. Counting eastward, the caravel joined company with the Pinta, under Pinzon, of which no accounts had been for some time received, and the two vessels passed cape Gaboon, 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 appearance, their bows and arrows, clubs, and wooden swords, the Spaniards took them for Caribs, and, unfortunately, before coming to a friendly understanding with them, a skirmish took place, in which two of the Indians were wounded. Eeconciliation and friendly intercourse succeeded. The tribe proved to be that of the Ciguayans, a hardy race of mountaineei's. 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 them- fT^'',!; J %M m 49i INDIAN RACES OP AMERICA. ;''■ ■u t .i,i, selves up to tlic most unboundeil and dissolute license. Their savage quarrels among themselves, and the gross sensuality "which cliaractcrized 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, AVith all this misrule, the precautions of a mili- tary post were utterly neglected, and full opportunity Avas given for an attack. The destruction of the fort by the Carib Chief Caonabo, will be found described in a subse- quent chapter. When Columbus returned to Ilispaniola, upon his second voyage, nothing but dismantled ruins marked the spot of tlie 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 him of having acted a treacher- ous })art. This suspicion was strengthened by his sudden departui'e witli several of the female captives brought away by the admiral from the Caribee Islands. The hope of procuring rich treasures of the precious metals, and the desire of holding in check tlie warlike Caonabo, induced Columbus to establish the fortress of St. Thomas in the province of Cibao. Those stationed at this remote interior position, in the midst of more hardy and })roud-spirited 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, apparitions, necroman- cy, (fee, were entertained by these islanders, in common 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. TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 495 CIIAriLR II. INDIANS OF JAMAICA — CRUISK Al,0.\f; TIIK liOUTHERN COAST OF CURA SPfCECHOFAN INOTAN COUNSKLLOK — DIFFICULTIES AT THE FOR- TRESS OF ST. THOMAS ITS SIEGE I!V CAOXAEO EFFOHTS OF COLUMBUS TO FtESTOliE ORDER — GREAT RISING OF THE IN- DIANS OFIIISPANIOLA — THEIR DEFEAT — TRIBUTE IMPOSIUJ VISITOFBARTIIOI.oiMEWTO XARAGUAY FURTHER IN- SURRECTIONS IN THE VEGA — BOBADILLA AS VICEROY CRUELTIES PRACTISED ON THE INDIANS — LAS CA- SAS INCIDENTS RELATED BVPURCIIAS — ADMIN- ISTRATION OF OVANDO-^EXPEDITION AGAINST XAUAGUA REDUCTION OF IIIGUEY. In the month of May, 1494, the island of Jamaica was first discovered by Columbus. The native inhabitants appeared to be of a very different character from the timid and gentle islanders with whom former intercourse had been held. A crov/d of canoes, filled with savages gau- dily adorned with plumes and paint, opposed the landing of the Spaniards. These were })acified 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 Spanish cross-bows sufliced to put them to flight. The ferocity of a savage dog, brought on shore bv the whites, added "Tcatlv to their terror. There was no diniculty in allaying the apprehensions of these Indians, and the usual friendlv intercourse was soon established. During a cruise along the soutliern coast of Cuba, which occupied the succeeding months of June and July, the islanders seen were as gentle and tract- able as those upon the northern shores of the island. The means of communication now afforded by the Indian in- terpreters gave new interest to every conference. The "v •:•■':'* ... INDIAN RACES OF AMKIilCA. ■il iyji^ I I woiid'Tiiig crowd of natives would gatlicr with the mos^ eager iiitemt around these their fellow-eountrjmen, to listen to the tales of gorgeous spcetacles and unheard-of wonders witnessed by themselves in the distant country of the whites. There was enough of the novel and won- derful l)efore the eyes of the ignorant islanders, in the sliips, n])pearance, conduct, and costume of the Spaniards, to j)ie\'('iit iucre^dulitv, as they listened to the narrations of tlie interpreters. The performance of the religions ser- vices of the Catholic church, struck the natives Avith awe, particularly when the pur})ort of these ceremonials was o\])lained to them. In testimony of their natural intelli- gence and perceptions of right and wrong, Mr. Irving gives ns, from Ilerrera, the following speech of an aged councillor of one of the Cuban caciques, after witnessing the celebration of the mass: " When the service was ended, the old man of fourscore, who had contemplated it with profound attention, ap- proached Columbus, and made him an oration in the Indian manner. " ' This which thou hast been doing,' said he, 'is well ; for it appears to be thy 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, spreading great fear among the people; 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, prepared 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 wrongfully hurt no man, nor do hai'm to those who have done no harm to thee.'" .s: THIBES OF THE WEST IXI)ir,\ 1:T''. 407 From Cabrv the iidtniral visited tlic soiiilioi;!! sliorcs of Jamaica. All the iirst distrust and opposition of tlio in- baljitants had vanished, and nothinL;,' but ,'-';c!iilcncss and kindness characterized tlK.ir demcano!-. .\t or.c plar(; a cacique came out to the slii}) vv'ith his whole laniily, "con- sisting of his wife, two daughters, two sons, and five Ln'oiii crs. One of the danL;hteis was ei:rlitee)i years of a-'o, beautiful in form and countenance; her si.-.tcr was sonie- ^vhat youngci-; botli were naked, according to the cvLstom of the islands, but were of modest demeanour." This chief professed himself ready to go, with all his train, in the Spanish vessels, to visit the king and queen of Spain, and acknowdedge himself their vassal, if by so doing he could ju'cserve his kingdom. During the absence of Columbus, the dissolute arul un- principled Spaniards at the fortress of St. Thoma-'., so grossly abused their pow(;r among tlic natives, that an ex- tensive spii'it of hostility -was K^viscd up against them. Caonabo was unwearied in his eflbrts to excite the ollr^r island caciques to a union against the intruders, and the faithful (j uacanajiari alone seems to lia\'e been proof agai;ist his persuasions, in revenge for which non-compliance, the Carib and his brother-in-law, Rehcchio, committed numberless indignities and inJMi'i.s njion Iujvi a)ul I. is people. Serious difiiculties soon aro.e; a nund)er of Spaniards were put to death by (bialiguana, a subordiniitci cacique imdcr the eehdiratcd Guarioncx, in puuishmen.t ior outrages committed upon his people ; and (,aonal)o besieged the garrison at St. l^homaswith a force of uiany thousands of his warriors. After thirtv davs' of ineffectual attemiils to reduce the place, he gave up the undertaking, and drew off his army. The stratagem by -which the person of this noted chief and warrior was secured by the connnandant at St. Thomas's, will be detailed liereafter. Columbus, upon liis return to liispaniola, made use of every eflbrt fo eheidc 82 I ! !?■■ ■''U'% ■u ,.:H., M A-'l-y-i^' 498 INDIAN" JiACES OF AMKUICA. the ruinous disorders wLieli li;id Lccoinc ])rovuleiit. ITo ])unislied Guutiguuiiu l)_v an invasion ot" his ddiuinions and the destruction of no small niunher of his people. An interview was tlien brought ahout witli liis superior, Gua- rionex, a peaceable and well-disposed chief, wlio readily consented to the estabhshrnent of a Spanish fort in the very heart of his domains. 'J'he ci'iishing system of oppression had now fairl_y com- menced, and was j)i'oniptly followed u]) by the shipment of live hundred Indians to be sold as slaves in Spain, ''{'ills was directly the act of C(jlunibus 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, ^riie interposition of the kinddiearted Isabella, preveiitetl the consummation of this proposed sale. By her orders, the prisoners Averc sent back to their homes, but, unfortunately, not until the state of affairs upon the islands was such that the poor '■■■ ms might have been better situated as slaves in Spaii 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, ^Fanicaotex, his brother- in-law, lieheohio, and his l)eautiful wnfe, Anacaona, were the most pronunent in authoiity, and the most active in rousing up hostilities. '^^Phe Spanish force consisted of a little over two hundred men, twenty of whom were mounted, and twenty hlood-Jwtoich; an enemy as novel as terril)le to the naked sa^'ages. Guacanagari lent liis feeble aid, with that of his followers. Of the number of the hos- tile Indians in the district of the Vega, the liistori;ins of the time gave exaggerated accounts. They speak of an array of one hundred thousand hostile savages. Mani- caotex was leader of the united tribes. Near the site of the present town of St. Jago, a decisive battle was fouglit. I il !l 1 1 7ZZ-~T) t. Ho )ns and 3. An I r, Gua- rcadily ill the ]\ com- lipUK'llt L Spain. (1 liisto- ncli was vas^os or Isabella, lie. By :• homes, ipon the uvc been au'ainst 'uee an of the iTother- ii;i, were active sisted of )ni were novel as lis feeble ' the hos- )rians of ik of an Mani- e site of ^ foULiht, 1 1 1 1 11 ii THIMES OF TTTE WTiST INDIES, ETC. 499 in which the vnst army of tlu^ Tiidians Wiis utterly rontt^l. The Spanish e(-)mmaniler did not hesitate to divide his little battalion into several detachments, whieh fell up(.)n the enemy simultaneously, from dilTcreiit ([uarters. Torn to pieces by the savng'e dogs, tr;implc(l (h)\vn by tlic etivah-y, and unable to efleet anything in turn ugainst tlie mail-clud whites, the})oor Indians were ovcrwliclnicd with (Confusion and terror. The rout was as com[)letc, althongh the mas- sacre was not so cruel, as when Tizarro attacked the l\ru- vian Tnca, with an almost equally dispro})ortionate force. "^i1ie Indians," says ^fr. Irving, "iled in every direction with yells and bowlings; some clambeivd to the top of rocks and precipices, fi-om whence they made piteous sup- plications and offers of complete submission; many were killed, many made prisoners, and the r;lc for f)'0(>< loni, (li<.'i I in ]\i'd him their highest esteem. Beheehio and his sister paid the ti'ibuto required cheerfully and prom]>tly; and, upon the occasion t)!' a visit from the adclantado to receive it, they both took occasion to visit the caravel in v.diich he had ai'ri\-ed. Anacaona, especially, was filled with delight at the sight of the vessel, and at witnessing the; ease and cHU'tainty with which its movements were coiitrolled. '^riic females of Xaraguay wc^rc of most remarkable beauty, but lU'i'cminent among them was the widow of Caonabo. Her queenly demeanor, grace, and coui-tc.sy, won Ijie admirat'on of the Spaniards. In the following year (1497) another insurrection broke out among tribes of the Yega and the vicinity. The im- mediate cause of this outbreak was the execution, at tlie stake, in accordance with the barbarity and bigotry of the age, of a number of Indians, for the offence of sacjilegc I T I f ! . ri "71 labom nil itic n llicir licii ex- j visited 1 ruguiiy. T by til is I tlie l)i':^t 'j jdcciiMy i liio liiul I iin>i)i;ii: j • Iriliiilo 1 ..(' ,L':«>M, ! ,s policv i "I rliiglifst Te(liiiiv(l oi a visit j (H'casion nacamia, 10 vessel, vliicli it« inarL'ablc idow of [courtesy, Ion broke The im- )n, at the ji try o f tbo saerilej^c TIMIUIS OK I'lIK \\'Vv ami |)liahl(3 disposition causcil him to listen patirnlK lo tlieir instructions, ami to et)uiply with nuini'i'uns t'dinis ul' theii' ciijoiiiing. Sdiuo tiiii' of the Spaniai'ils having C'Mh- niittcd an outrage iiplantad.) snp[»i'cssed th(> conscfpunt npi'ising by a prompt and euci'g(Hic sil/.urc; of the leading chiels. Two of th(\se were put to d-'alh, but (iiiarionex and the others were pardoned. V>y the persuasions and inllu'-nco of the rebellious Tvol- dan, the unfortunate caeiipie was, in bl9"\ drawn into a second conspiracy of tlie natives. '^Fhe plot was prema- turely developed, and (iuai'ionex fled Adiu the ])l:iins of the Vega into the mountains of Ciuna\', and ioiiied his fortunes to thopc of the cacique Mayonabex. This gener- ous and noble chief received hiin, with his family and a few followers, nnder his protection. From this retreat, with the assistance of Ciguayan war- ]'ioi'S, tlie' fugitive was (Miabled to molest tlie S[»rniish settlements of the low country with impunity, until tluj Adelantad.o r)arthe)lomew invaded tlio niounta.in district, dispersed the armies of ^fayonabex, 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 Cignayans, was ready to accord them protection and favor, Guarionox perished, in b"j(!)2, on his passage for Spain, in the same vessel with ])oba dilla and llcddan. The ship foundered at sea in a terrible I :: a i i-i ''I Vr 602 INIMAN KACKS UK AMKltK'A. liiiiTiciiiic, wliicli ;iit)S(' iiiiiii('(li;itcl_v al'tri' lliii dcnartiiro from Ilispiiiiinhi. It was uiidt'i' the ailiiiiiiistralliiii (.f r.()1>;iilill;i !li;it llio Imliaiis ol" Ilis|i;iiii(ila were rctliicod to a iikm'i! CDiiiidfto ami Hystciiiatic. fDiiditiun ol' sla\('i'y than lidoi-c. 'I'licy were I'cu'ulai'ly inn'cclt'il out to tin; Sjtanisli |ii'<>pricti>rs of till' iiiiiK'S, liy wlioiii they were coiiipcllcd lo lalxir \\\v Ix'yoiid tlirir pow'or.sofciidiii'aiK'c, and whose wanton ci iirl- lies ;^'.\('it('d the .sti'on^cst individuation in the mind ol' tht> l)rn('\()lcnt LasCafas— one of the few historians of li is a.u'O and nallon, who [)ossoss('il the inclination or couia'jv to ])aint the I'riicllits of his coimti'ymcn in tjirii' true cojois. Tliis truly hi'iicvolent mmi (h'votcd the greater port 'i>n of his lil'e to ell'orls lor ameliorating the condition of me na- tives of the .W'w W'oiM, l)iit in liis sympiitliy wilh their snU'eriiigs and o|i|iiesslons, Ik; nnldrtunately lo>t si^iit ot' wiiat was due to another scarcely less tmrortunate r;ice. He was anionL! the earliest to advocate the substitution of negro sla\ery for th:il of the Indians, iiinh'r tiie impres- sion — douhtjess in itseH'just — that a state of sorvituile w:is less intoli.'rable to the one than tlie other. It is to Las Casas tlial we ai'e indditcd lor the most I'righirul detail ol wrong and ciaielty in the settlement of the \\\'st Indies, thatcver disgi'aced human nature. His tK'scriptions of the manner in wliich the native iiopulation wa> aimihilaled to minister to the luxiiiy and a\arice — nay, far worse, to tlu; depi'aN'ed and wanton cruelty of the S]iaiiiards —are Iright- ful in the extreme. We can shari' in tlu' hoiu'sl indiLiiia- lion followiu''' it en old i*nrehas, from whose "i*ily,ri]nagc'' wecito tlio is: In the Island llispaiiiola the Sjiauiards had their tirst Indian habitations, where theii' cnudties draue the Indi, 1 1 IS to tl leir shifts, and to their weal dei ence, wiiicii ('aiisecl those enraged Lions, to spare neither man, woman, nor childe. — 'i^hey set up gibbets, and in honour of CilliiST and tjirturo Kit llio lllplt'tO 'I'll.'V i|'ii'ti>l'S liol' I';;!' I cl'ilcl- (.r tlitl his ii;^:o •iiVt' ^<> colors. ■li( III of I iiif ii;i- ih llirir M-ht of tc nicr. llii 111 of iiiilti'cs- l(k' \v;iS to l,;is (•l;iil of llidu'S, s ol' tlio ilnl to lO tllO Iri-lit.- i(li,uiia- ■\[c the ■ii' first iidiaiis Icansi'il In., nor llST iliul TUIllKS ()!•• TIfK \\'i:S'r INDIKS, KTf. o03 nis twelve Apostles (;is tliey Siiid, ;iim1 eoiiM llir |)iiic|l Bay Wors(>?) tliey \V(»iil(l \»a\ \\:\\\^j jukI Ihiiim' tlicin. " * Tho. Noliles jukI (;()liitii;iii(|ers, tliey liroiled on Miiilii,,,,^ * '^' * Tliey li;i(l (loL-'.'J'es to limit lliein out of t lieir e (iicrts Wllii'll lieiioiirecl the [loorc Soiilcs; iiihI heeiinse Soi.ictiiiiis the iiHliiiiis. thus |ii- kcij, would kill ;i Spaiiiiird, il' iln'v found oj)J)()rtllliitie, they Uiiide ;i l:i\v, tli;it :iii huiidivd ol" them should I'or one S|i;iiii;ii(l lie slailie." He elsewhere; ivmarks: ''fleiv [ill Ciil)a| was a ('ac'if[Ue natiKvl irathiH>y, whieh called his sMl)J(>ets ahoiit him, and shewing them a lio\e of (iold, said, that was the Spaniards (lod, and made them daiieo ahoiit it very soleiimly; and lest the Spaniards slionld have it, In' huileil it into the liiiier. I'eiii'j- taken and eolidemned to the lire; when lii' waS hound to tho stake, a I'Vier eaiiie and jnvnclicd hcaiieii lo him, and the teri'ors of hell : Hat Iniey asked if thm'e were aii\- ."Spaniards in heaiien, the l''rier answered, yea, such as were Liood; llathuev replied, he would lather lio(.' to lu^ll, th-'ii <''oij wlun-e ail}' of that ernell Nalioii were. I was oiiee ]iresent saith C'lsiTs^ when the Inhahitants o(' one towiie l)i'on,L:iit vs forth vietuall, and met vs with L^ivat. Kiniliiesse, and tho Sp'Uiiai'ds without any cause sh'W tlirei> thousand of them, of euery ag'e and S(\\e. 1, hy their counsrll, sent lo other Townes to meet vs, with ]iromisi' of i^ood dealin.L;', and two the Captaiuc, against and tweiitie ('aci(pies met \s, which all faith, caused to he hiiriied." In liisjianiola, under the administ I'atioii of 0\-aiido, suc- cessor to I)ol)adil!a, the siincrings and o])})ressions rif tlu; overtaskctl iiati\-cs I'cached t heir climax. It would he hut a wearisome! i\>petition of liai'harities to eiiuiuci'ate the wrongs pc rjiotrated agtdnst the submissive inhahitants in the vicinity of the jndncipal Spanish settlements, hut the expedition against the province of Xaraguay merits a more particular attention. This w^as in the year loOo. Behe- If 1 :i" i i\ ■M ';j!fi ■m r •. .4 ^;#-': .':' ■ if''! i^;At,i I! II ii i i 1 1 ! I ! I II 50-1 INDIAN RACES OF AMKllIOA. chio was dead, but liiH sister Anacaoiia still maintained lior inllucncc over the natives of that district. Upon prctenco of ;ui intended iiisun-cciion, Ovamlo doterniincd to rednoc Xaraguay to a condition as niiscrablo and hopeless as that of l!ie eastern districts, lie started upon this exi)edition with three huiuli-cd well-armed infantry and seventy mounted men. ^Die army entered the dominions of Ana- :^;iona with the a])pearancc of fi'iendship, and the qneon, with licr associate caciques, was not backward in rcnderiiig to her visitors all the hospitalities of the country. Tj-oops of young girls, dancing and waving brandies of 'palm, ushered them into the principal villa '■•e, where they were received and entertained with every liken of kindness and good-will! It is impossible to conceive of any adequate motion on the part of tlie ferocious Ovando for the treacherous cru- elty of his c(mduct tov/ards his hosts. lie afectod to be- lieve that a conspiracy was on foot among tiie natives, to massacre him and his followers, but, judging from what we can learn of the tiraisaction, there existed no possible ground for such a suspicion. The course taken to avert the supposed danger was as follows. All llie caci('|ues were invited to attend, with tlieir people, at a grand festi- val or exhibition of Spanish martial exei'cises. When the unsuspecting Xai'aguans had gathered in eager curiosity to behold the scone, at a g"ven signal, the armed Spaniards fell u})on the crowd, and a scene of hoj'rible carnage en- sued. Forty of the cliicfs, it is said, were tak(Mi pi'isonci's, and after being subjected to the most cruel torments to extort from th(>m a confession of a'uilt, the house where they were conHnod was set on fire, and the whole nundjcr perislicd in the flames. Anacaona Avas cai-ried to St. Domingo, tried, adjudg(Hl guilty of an attempt at insurrection, and hanged! Her subjects were remorselessly persecuted; hunted from the'r i I ed lior 'ctcuce rednec as til at edition cvcnty f Ana- quocn, idoring Troops •palin, sy Avoro iiu1nc?3 tion on us crii- 1 to be- ivcs, to a Avhat )0S3iblG Ttvert iciqucs fcsti- fU tlio I'iosity 11 in rds la'C en- ^oiicrs, ■Ills to wlicrc umber ! I U( lp:ed llcr 1 tliej' TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 505 retreats among the mountains, slain like wild beasts, or brought into tlie most servile and hopeless bondage, they attempted no resistance, and submitted to the cruel yoke of tlieir tyrants. The ruduetion of the eastern province of Iliguey, and the execution of its noble and gigantic chief Cotubanama, completed the Spanish conquests on the island of Ilispan- iola. The details of the barbarities attendant upon this last warfare, as given by I.as Casas, arc too horrible and disgusting for minute ]'(>cital. It is sufficient that, not con- tent Vv'ith the destruction of the concpcred people, without regard to age and sex, the Spaniards tasked their ingenuity, to devise the most cruel and lingering torments in the mur- der of their prisoners. By such a course of atrocities were the West India islands depopulated of llieir original inhabitants. The summarv with Avhich Purchas concludes his enumeration of various scenes of Spanish cruelty, is too cpiaint and forcible to bo omitted. "Dut \\\\\ doc I loii'j,-er trace them in their bloudie steppes; seeing our Author that relates much more tlien I, yet protesteth that it was a thousand times worse. * "" How may we admire that long-sulTcring of God, tiiat rained not a floiul of waters, as in Konlts time, or of fire, as in Lob^^ or of stones, as in Jonhitas^ or some vengeance from hcauen v})on these Models of IleLl? And how could Hell forbearc swallowing sucli }M'epared morsels, exceedinge the beastlinesse of beastes, inhuman- itie of wonted tyrants, and diuelishnesse, if it were pos- sible, of tlie Diuels." h .'f % ■*;-f:ie- i^-i. m .u 1 Si- )l. ■!■■< 506 INDIAN lUCES OF AMKIUCA. CHAPTER III. THE CARIHS TUlilR ISLANDS FlIi.ST VISITED HY COLUMBUS — ORIGIN AND LOCATION OF THE RACE — TOKENS OF CA^N1UALISM SEEN BY THE Sl'A MAUDS CKl'ISE AMONG THE ISLANDS DEMEANOR OF I'lilSONEliS TAKEN RETURN TO HISl'ANIOLA DESTRUC- TION OF THE FORTKE.SS AT THAT ISLAND CAPTURE OF CAONABO : IIIf> DEATH EXPULSION OF THE :>IATIVIi;s FROM THE CARIRI3EE ISLANDS. At the time of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, the fierce and celebrated race of cannibals which forms the subject of the present chapter was principally located upon the beautiful tropical islands, extending from Porto Rico to the main land of South America. The ter- ror of their invasions, felt by the more gentle and peace- able natives of the greater Antilles, inspired no little curiosit}^ and interest in the minds of the early voyagers, and Columbus had promised the assistance of the Spanish power to check their ravages. Upon his second voyage, in 14:93, the first land made was one of the Caribbean isl- ands, and on the following day, (November 4th,) a landing was effected at Guadaloupe. Here the first intercourse took place with the terrible Caribs. This singular race of savages, according to tradition, had its origin upon the continent of North America, among the mountain districts of the central United States. Perhaps tlic}^ might have sprung from the same stock as the warlike Monacans and other savage tribes of the interior, spoken of \ early historians. " They are said to have migrated," says ]\Ir. Irving, "from the remote val- le3'S embosomed in the Appalachian mountains. The earliest notices we have of them represent them with their weapons in their hands; continually engaged in wars; win- ning their way and shifting their abode, until in the course tribp:s of the west ixdies, etc. 507 of time tlicy found themselves on the extreme end of Florida." Ilcnce they made their way from one island to another to the southern eontincnt. "Tlie archil )elaL>o ex- tending from Porto Kico to Tobago, was their strong-hold, and the island of Guadaloupe in a manner their citadel." AVhether the foregoing account of the original deriva tion of the race be the correct one, it would be difficult to decide at this distance of time. When first known to Europeans the different nations of Caribs were widely dif- fused upon the Continent of South America. They were to be found upon the banks of the Orinoco, where their descendants are living at this day, and, still farther south, in Brazil. They Avere every where noted for the same fierce and warlike spirit. Something.of the physical char- acteristics of the inhabitants of eastern Asia has been observed in the Caribs and the Guarani tribes who in- habited the country north of the Amazon. As described by D'Orbigny, the following peculiarities are noticeable in most of them. " Complexion yellowish ; stature middle ; forehead not so much arched as in other mces; eyes ob- liquely placed, and raised at the outer angle," To return to the experience of the discoverer of the New World at the Caribbee islands. At the landing of the Spaniards, the natives fled from a neighboring village into the interior. In order to conciliate them, the visitors fastened hawks'-bells and attractive ornaments to the arms of some children who had been left behind in the hurry of flight. The sight of human remains, among other things, "the head of a young man, recently killed, which was yet bleeding, and some parts of his body boiling widi the flesh of geese and parrots, and others roasting before tlic jB.re," at once suggested the thought that this must be the countrv of the Caribs. Columbus took a number of the natives prisoners, and carried off several women who had been held in captivity by the islanders. It appeared tliat ! Ml ir'^F" f, \ ,< IS,/ ... .^Ci ''] ,' ;>■■. 1^ I'i('; F 503 INDIAN llACES OF AMERICA. '^tU'Q ^:-^ 4 \ : 1 most of tlie men of tlio islau J were away upon some war like excursion. Pursuing his course towards Ilispaniola, or Ilayti, where the (irst colony had been planted upon his preceding voy- age, Columbus sailed by numerous islands of the Caribbean groape. He landed at Santa CruK, called Ayay by the Indians, and secured a further number of prisoners. Some of these were in a canoe, and offered a liercc resistance Avhon tliey saw their retreat intercepted by one of the Spanish boats. There were two women of the part}', 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, aVc.iling thcnibolves of every point of sunken rock, where the}' could obtain a foothold, to discharge their arrows. One of il'e iiiciiro to y tiiiglit able, oi ; Ciiribs sported, aiiattan, 1 1)\- liio ;iu army !ic midst j;i) ill cant Guiana, Al)out ['ir most ; located Imost as id along niE ARA- lULF OF ISIT 2cn the huh npon I aa abit- ■.ll!C( / - X JL « j; •^ s. 9 i •3 -a 3. ^ f** — « •-^ A a' — % 3 — ■^ % 7 5! -1 i^ ^ i. 3" * < - 9T o rL ,1 V "■ 3 ■• ^ ■A ^ 5 I 5 •< ^ ii5 - =. "^s ■I ^ •l'4l I jI !I 1.HV ? I 1 m 1 1 t "4 4 '47, , ■'■i ■« I '< 1 7 t i :v. ?: i r I s s V. -J V C J. : u; 5 a: = (/J i; < ^ Z r. 5 1; > ? -J . I ( c «» 2 L o as o 1 ■3 9 TllinKS OF TFIK WKST IXDIEJ^, KIT. r.i?, I I ,1 M 1 1 I anta of Bni/il. Tin- imco lias Iti'cii <1iiiMiiii>)rii(vl tlm "Brasilio (iuaiimui," and has been divided inlo iho luiiions of < iiiaiaiii, ('iiril)s, 'riqii, and Pjotocudos. 1)1 < (iiiaiia oiuM)!' tin; most proniiiuMit Irilx's i« that of tho Arawuks. These |1{'(»[)K) iidiabit a i^rcat cxtoiii of couiitiy direc^lly ha<'k of the iiaiiow strip of cuUivakMl pcii-coast. Nearly the whole ol' thrii- tci'riloiy is ji Rava<.;o wilderness, in whieh the IravelKf in vain seeks f()r any cvidenee oC [)rogress, or any tt^kcns of former eivili/ation and j)rosi)erity. A few rude figiuvs, marked iijion th(5 rocks ill ciM'tairi loealilies, ui'c the only records of the, inim- bcrkiss pjeucrutions wh'ch have passed away, leaviiisj; their deseendaiils precisely in tlu; situation (.>f those who j)re- ceded them, and as hopxdess or careless of improvement. Th(! Arawaks were tlie first na.ti\'(\s seen by Columbus, upon the occasion of hi.s discovery of tlio continent of South America, iuthe summer fif 1 I!'S. « The first land made was the island of Trinidad, at tho mouth of the great river Orinoco. No Indians were seen upon the island by a parly sent on shore, although unmis- takable tokens of a recent and hasty retreat were visible. As tho vessels a})i)roaehed the Serpent's Mouth, (thcEoulh- crn entrance to the .^nilf of Turia,) twenty-nve of tho natives mad(5 tlieii* ajjpearance in a canoe, ^i'o the aslo)i- ishmcnt of the admiral, who had expected, from the re])ovls at llisiianiola, to find a race of negroes in these southern latitudes, they were of lighter complexion than any with whom he had before held intercourse. I^heir figures were well jtrojjortioned and graceful; their only clothing was a sort of turban, and a waistl)and of colored cotton; and their arms were bows and arrows. AVhen an attempt was made to conciliate these wild voyagers by dancing and music, it was mistaken for a sign of hostility, and thesuji- posed war-dance was summarily stopped by a flight of arrows. 'Jlic suspicions of the natives prevented the 88 I :M\ i I ■\ ■\-< \i •"I 514 INDIAN llACES OF AMERICA. opening of any communication with them until after the entry of the ships into the gulf Several of them Avcro then taken by upsetting their canoe, and, after being kindly entreated and encouraged, were dismissed with the usual })rcsents of trinkets and hawks'-bclls. When the fears of the iuLabitants were dissi2:)atcd by this procedure, they were eager to crowd about the vessels in their canoes. These latter were of excellent construction and large size ; some of them were even furnished with a cabin. The cacique of the county received the Spaniards at his house with the greatest respect and hospitality, and feasted them upon whatever luxuries the fruitful soil produced, "Nothing," says Irving, "could exceed the kindness and amity of tliis people, heightened as it was by an intelligent demeanour and a martial frankness. They seemed worthy of tlie beautiful country they inhabited. It was a cause of great concern, both to them and to the Spaniards, that they could not understand each others' language." Sir Walter Ealeigh entered the Orinoco in the year 1595, and brought home some account of the natives seen there. As recorded by Purchas: "The inhabitants on the North- erne branches are the Tiuitiuas, a goodly and valiant ])cople, which haue the most manly speech and most deliberate (saith Sir AValter) that euer I heard of whatever Nation socuer. In the Summer they haue houses on the trround, oKing Abiheia as in othcr placcs: in the Winter they dwelt dwelt on a tree ypon tlic trccs," whcrc they built very artifi- in t L- countrey ^-,^1^ Towncs and Villages; for betweene 01 Dnnena. ° . Pel. Martyr: May and September the Rmer of Orenoque Dec. 3. lib. 6. riseth thlrtie foot vpright, and then are those Islands ouer-flowen twentie foot high, except in some few raised grounds in the middle. This waterie store, when the clouds are so prodigall of more then the Riuei\s store- liouse can hold, whereby they became violent intruders und ineroachers \pon tlie land, and not the violence of 1 1 li i I ! i! after tlic bcm wcro ng kindly tlic usual le fears of iure, tlicy ir canoes, large size; arcls at liis ,ncl feasted produced, dncss and intelligent led worthy , a cause of 5, that tliey year 1595, seen there, ic North - mt jicople, deliberate er Nation c around, icy dwelt /erv artifi- betweene Orcnoquc are those some few ore, when icrs store- intruders olcnco of li i! TRIBES OF THE WEST INDIES, ETC. 515 cold, giueth this time the title of "Winter. These Tiuitiuas neucr eat of any thing that is set or sownc; Natures nurs- lings, that neither at home nor abroad, will be beholden to tlie art or labour of Husbandrie. They vsc the tops of Palmitos for bread, and kill Deere, Fish, and Porke, for the rest of their sustenance. They which dwell vpon the branches of the Orcnoquc, called Capuri atid Macnrco, are for the most part Carpenters of Canoas, which they sell into Guiana for gold, and into Trinidado for Tabacco, in the excessiue taking whereof, they exceed all Nations. AVhen a Commander dieth, they ^'se great lamentation, and when they tliinke the flesh of their bodies is puti'ified and fallen from the bones, they take vp the karkasse againc, and hang it vp in the house, where he had dwelt, decking his skull with feathers of all colours, and hanuinG^ his TOld- plates about the bones of his arms, thighes and Icgges. The Arwacas, wdiich dwell on the South of the Orenoque, beat the bones of their Lords into Powder, which their wiues and friends drinke." In early times the AraAvaks were engaged in perpetual wars with the Caribs. Those of the latter race, wlio inhab- ited the nearest Caribbean islands, made continual descents upon the main, but are said, finall}', to have been worsted. The Rev. \Y. 11. Brett recounts some of the traditions still handed down among the Arawaks of these wars. "They have," says he, "an indistinct idea of cruelties perpetrated by the Spaniards. Tradition has preserved the remem- brance of white men clothed with 'seperari' or iron, who drove their fathers before them, and, as some say, hunted them with dogs through the forest. But 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 nicans of a judicious ambush. The Arawaks I-:'-- :^' ->'. i '-'M 1 -"iSl ■'m¥ ']'■! 19. i'i'''' K ;ii w .1.! ■■■■ 4'" h ' ■; '<■ r:;"n ^ 516 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. had /led from tlicir approach to the ]o\v marshy country upon the Waini, and laid their anibupcadc upon either side of the narrow channel throngh which the enerny were expected to pass, "The Carihs arc said t(; have had a great number of canoes of large size, which followed each other, in line, through the mazy channels of the Savannah. As they rounded a certain island, tlicii- painted warriors in the lirsf canoe were ti-.-m.^fixed hy a'showcr of arrows from an unseen enemy on l)oth sides of them, and totally disal)led. Those in the second canoe shared the same fate ; the others, who could not see what had happened, hurried forward to ascertain the cause of the cries, but each canoe, as it readied the flxtal spot, Avas saluted by a deadly shower of arrows. '^Fhe Arawaks then rushed forward, and fouglit till the victory was completed. It is said tliat onl}^ two Caribs survived, and they were dismissed by the Arawak chieftain, on promise 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 European colonists of Guiana and the neighboring Indian tribes, the introduction of negro slaves by the former proved a ter- rible scourge to the natives. Great numbers of the Afri- cans escaped from their masters into the wilderness, and there forming predatory bands, were long a terror to both whitos and Indians. "The accounts which the Arawaks have received from their ancestors, represent these negroes as equally ferocious with the Caribs, and more to be dreaded on account of their superior bodily strength." The Arawaks of the present day are, like their forefath- ers, a more mild and peaceable race than many of their neighbors. In their domestic relations and general man- ner of life, they do not differ materially from the gener- ality of the North American savages. Togethei- Avilh the rude clubs, bows and arrows, &,c., so universal among bar- :)nntry cither y wore ;d each aniian. 1 1 rarriors ■■. arrows totally I nc fate ; I hurried j 1 canoe, ! shower i I fought ' lily two Arawak I cotton r nation lUropean |ibos, the d a ter- Ihe Afri- css, and to both rawaks 1 neo'roes J ~ Idrcadcd lorcfath- lof their lal man- goner- Ivilh the bng bar- TlllBES OF THE WESL' INDIES, ETC. 517 barous nations, tlicy have the more cfhcicnt weapons of the Luiropean, The Indian is every where (piick to per- ceive the advantage of fire-arms, and apt in aecpiiring their use. Gliristian missionaries have devoted themselves with great zeal and perseverance to the instruction and improve- ment of this tribe, and the natural kindly disposition of the ]'ace seems to favor the undertaking. Besides the Caribs and Arawaks, the principal Indian tribes of Guiana are the Waraus, and the Wacawoios; in addition to these are the minor nations of the Arecunas, Zaparas, Soerikongs, AVo}'awais, i^anoghottos, &c., kc. ]Most of these are barbarous tribes, not snfliciently variant IVom each other to render a distinct consideration valuable or interesting. The vast wilderness which they inhabit is little visited by whites. From the coast settlements the only available routes into the interior are by means of the numerous riv- ers, U})on whose banks missionary enterprise has here and there established a little settlement as a nucleus for future operations among the natives at large. From Mr. Brett's . narrative of his own observation and experience in these wilds, we (pdote the following items of general description: "The appearance of the Indian in his natural state is not unpleasing when the eye has become accustimied to his scant}' attire. He is smaller in size than either the European or the negro, nor does he possess the bodily strength of either of these. Few of his race ex-cccd live feet live inches in height, and. the greater nundier are much shorter. They arc generally well made; many are rather stout in proportion to their heiglit, and it is very rare to see a deformed person among them." In respect to dress, wliiith, both for men and women, is of the most scanty pro])ortions, (consisting only of a Ijand- age about the loins, with perhaps a few oruanieulal arti- cles of feather-work for state occasions,) the eiforts of the ... )||, >: i. ; i "''*ff;'^!lii.:Jv; ■ ,! 518 INDIAN HACKS OF AMICUK^A. iriissioiiarics li:ivo cncx'tcd Hoiiie cliaiigi'. in llicsc ])r()U_L;li» under llicir 'nillii('ni:(\ In a burning- li>)[)i('al clinn', t!io proprioliy ur policy of such lancicd ini])rov(Mn(ni is vciy (pu'siionaljle. IC no ininiodcsty is coniicchMl wlili iia!vcd- iicss ill llie oyos ol' tii(i unsophislicatcd luitivcs, il, woidd socni liardly worlli while to cnli,^hl.en them upon such a subjtx'l, for the juii'pose oC est ablishi 1114- a eoiilijnnily to ]leasiii^' to the eye, and the skin, where; constantly covered from the sun, is little darker than that of the natives of Soiilliern Miirope. 'J^heir hair is straight and coaisi^, and continues perfectly black till an advanced period of lill\ ^riie f^eneral exj)rc>ssioii of the lace is jMleasiii'j:', thougli it vai'ies with the tribe, aiul the disposition of each jx-rson. M'hcir eyi's are black and piercing, and gen(;rally slant u|)- vvards 11 little towards the temple, which would give an unplcariant (\\prossion to the i'ace, were it not I'elievcd by tlie sweet expression of the mouth, llie forehead gen- erally recedes, though in a less degree than in the vMVican; there is, however, much diffei-cnce in this respect, and in some Individuals it is well formed and prominent." The usual division of labor among savage nations is observed in Guiana. 'J^he daily drudgeiy of the household belongs to the Avomen, who also cultivate the small fields in which the yuca, (the root from which they ma^-i. their bread,) and the other cultivatod crops arc raised, '^^fhe men pursue their hunting and fishing, and undertake the moi'c severe labors attendant upon the building their huts, the clearing of new ground, &e. The native dwelling is generally little more than a roof of palradcaf thatch supported u])on posts, between whioh hang the cotton hammocks in which the occiipants sleep. Some few im})lcinents of iron-ware, and articles of pottery of a more substantial and practical form than that manii- .'■•:♦ r; lie, tllO IS vci'y li;ik('f sc, ;ui(l of lilc. ougli it person, hint up- givc an ^vcd by \(\ gcn- I'ican; uul in ions is isi'liold Holds -., tlicir Tlio a KG tlio ir lints, a roof 1 whi^h s 4 slcc[). pottery niann- -^--n TRinKS OF THE WEST INDIES, ETO. 519 factnred by tlierns(!lves, are geuerully pnxtiutid by trade; with the eoast, but these, ;ii-(3 all of tin; slinpl(>st description. Mai/e, with cassava, yams, potatoes and other ]-oots, e(iiistitnt(>s their principal ve,^etablc food. ^rh(> cassava, is ])r«'[tared by j^rating', or sei'ajiin.ir, and snliseqiKait j^njssure in a i'eee[)taelo of basket-worlc. 'I'h is strainer is const ni(;led in tli(^ Conn of a, "Ioii^l^ tidjo, o[)en at the toj) and (ilose.d at the bottom, to which a strong loop is att,achcd. ^J'he pnlpy mass of cassava is plaeiMl in this, and it is suspended from a beam. One end of a, lai'go stafl' is then plactcd through the loop at the bottom, th(; woman sits upcjii the centre of th ji: or att,acli les a heavy ;5ton( to tlu! end, and the weight stretches the clastic tube, wdiich presses tlic cassava inside, causing the juice to flow tlirougli the interstiec^s of the ])laited material of which it is made. This liquor is carefully (jollcctcd in a vessel j)laced beneath. It is a most deadly poison; but after being boihul, it becomes perfectly wholesome, and is the initritious sauce, called casareep, which forms the principal ingredient in the pcppcr-pot, a favourite dish of the country." „■'"•..' ' :V u-r._. 1 fs;,^! iff ■' i V',; III ■•:^^--::i:-.;* TUE ABORIGINES OF PERU. CHAPTER I. PHYSICAL PECULIAniTIES OF THE QUICHUAS, AYMARAS, ATACAMAS, AND CHANGOS NATURE OF THE COUNTRY PERUVIAN WORKS OF ART, ETC. FIRST RUMORS OF THE WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY — EXPEDITION OF PASCUAL DE ANDAGOYA FRANCISCO PIZAR- RO : HIS FIRST VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY ALMAGRO's VOYAGE CONTRACT OF PIZARRO, ALMAGRO, AND LUQUE THE SECOND EXPEDITION — PIZARRO AND HIS COMPi* NIONS UPON THE ISLE OF GORGONA CONTINUATION OF THE VOYAGE TUMBEZ RETURN TO PANAMA. The Peruvian and Araucanian races alone, among tlie Soutli .ilmerican aborigines, present subjects of interest to the historian. The other tribes of that great portion of the western continent arc at un infinite remove from these in the scale of civilization, and can scarce be said to have any separate national histoiy. We shall describe their habits and physical appearance, much as we should enter upon the duties of the writer upon natural history : an attempt to arrange a serial narrative of events, as con- nected with them would be useless. Widely contrasted with the wild an'l savage tribes of the interior, and of the eastern coast, the reruvia-:;s oiler, in their character and liistory, a fruitfid theme for the attention and research of tlic historian and t^'c philoso- pher. As a nation, they Avere, Avhen discovered by Euro- peans, perfectly un ique. Such refinements in government, •ji; jn::*-\ J.* ^1 !■■ /I .i .V I ■ I s CO r / /.i H li ti >^ a^T \ I V I I !! ii SOUTH AMEUICAN INDIANS. 521 1 1 I.. such unity of ]MirpoP(>, ami su(!li [jorfoct systorn, as wero olisorvablo in all tlu^ir ciistoins and usa,i.';cs, liavc^ nc^vor been even attempted, nuicli less aceoinpli.slied, by any other eoiniuunity througliout the ,ii,'lobe. The jiliysical conformat'KMi of the (iuieluia race, the most jn'omiuent among- the ancient iidiabitants of J'ern, is somewhat singular. The effects of living at such an im- mense elevation as that of many of their cities, and of the gi'oat plateaus which they inhabit among the Andes, cnuse a remarkable development of the chest. The rarity of tlie air in mountainous districts render a much greater volume of it necessary in I'cspdration. The Quichuas have thei'e- fore, according to M. d'Orbigny, "very hu\uv, square shoulders, a broad chest, very voluminous, highly arched, and longer than usual, whicli increases the si/e of the ti'unk. ■■■^ ■•'■ The extremities are nevertheless, very muscu- lar, ar.d bespeak great strength; the head is lai'gcr than usual in proportion to the rest of the body ; the hands and feet are always small." The (Quichuas dilfer, in a marked manner, from most of the other South American nations, in the features of the countenance. These are said in some degree to approach the Mexican type. A prominent accpinine nose, large nos- trils, the forehead somewhat retreating, a moderately full cerebral development, rather a large mouth, adorned with line teeth, and a short but well dchned chin, may be given as generally characteristic of the race. The Quichuas have beautifully soft, thick, and ilowing hair, but are almost destitute of beards. Their complex- ion is a brown olive, entirely distinct from the reddish or copper hue of must of the North American Indians. It approaches that of the mulatto mure nearh' than that of the ^Aher Amei'ican aborigines, and is spoken of as singu- larly uniform. They are of low stature, parti. ■uhuiy those who live in the more elevated regions. Their general Ii ^i 'SI ' IM '' ' ' f 1 m \ M ^■M ■'- 'Viffi '1 /'% INDIAN RACES UF .A M IIIIK.'A. plijslogiioiny, in the words of tlio aullioi" ru,«jvo cit-i^d, "is, uj)oii the whole, uiiironn, serious, rcfieutivi', iiicl.iiiclioly, without, however, showing iiuliHereiieo: it denotes mtlier penetration without fraidcnerfs. * * Their leiitures aUo- gether retain a medioerity (jf expression, '^i'he women arc seldom very handsome; their noses arc not so jironii- ncnt or curved as those of the men: the hitter, although they have no heard, have a masculine expression, derived from their strongly-marked features. An ancient vase, which represents with striking fidelity, the features of tho ])reserit race of Quichuas convinces us that f )r four and five centui'ics their physiognomy has undergono no sen- sible alteration." The Aymaras, the secon 1 in the grand division of the rcruvian races, bear a, close resemblance to those just described. In early times the strange and unnatnral cus- tom of ilc'ittcning the head obtained among them, as is fully proved by the contour of many skulls found in their ancient places of burial or deposit. No material variation from the Quichuan bodily forma- tion is noticeable in the Atacamas, who inhabit the \\'cstcrn slope o^ the Andes; but the Changes, dwelling upon the hot levels of the sea-coast, "are of darker hue: their colour is a tawny, approaching to black." The country iidiabitcd by these three races, although lying within the tropics, and in certain localities luxuri- antly rich and fertile, presents obstacles to the agricultur- alist, which would seem almost insurmountable. Nothing but the whole industry of a gi'cat nation, directed system- atically to the work of reclamation and improvement, could ever have made Peru what it was in the days of the Incas. A flat and sterile plain, washed by the Pacific, forms the western boundary of the ancient empire. On this district rain never fails; at least, the few drops which at certain ^ SOUTH AMKHICAX INDIANS. 523 soiisona sprinkle the siiiTafo, arc insunu'icMit to avail in tlio «lij^lit('st dv'gree for tlui promotion of fertility. From the stiipiMiilons mountain rangcH wliieh oxtend in an nnbrolcon eourse throughout the wi.'Storn S(>a-l)oarcl of South Ameri- ca, imjictuou3 torrent!? pour dowii^tlirough the plains toward the sea, and, by a laborious ^iid ingolliou^> diver- sion, ihcsG streams were led by the aiieiont Peruvians in long and massive aqueduets to irrigate the phiin or the tri'i'aees wrought upon the steep sides of the mountains. Some mention lias been made, in a former chapter, of the ruin.iwhieh still remain to attest the advancement and en- ter}iriso of the ancient Peruvians, particularly of the great roads by which ready communication was o[>ened ovei* the most rugged and naturally impnssable country in the world. A further description of some of these relics will be given hereafter, as connected with their wonderful system of government, and its effects in the accomplishment of public works. il !i i ' Arexico had already fallen into the hands of the Span iards, and their settlements had long been established upon the Isthmus, before the world obtained any knowledge of the western coast of South Anierica. The national thirst for gold, oidy the more excited by the successes in contest with the Aztecs, was roused anew by reports gath- ered from the natives of the Isthmus, of a far richer and more magnificent empire at the South. '^riic first attempt to explore the coast to the southward had been made in 1522, by Pascual de Andagoj-a, but he proceeded no further than the Puerto de Pinas, near the mouth of the small river Biru. Two years passed away without any flirther discoveries, at the end of MMiich time, the matter was taken in hand by a man whoso char- acter leaves us at a loss whether we should the inoi'e ad- r- O'Jt 1M>1AN liAt'KS OF AMKUICA. niiro liis counigo, nMlilnflc, and iiHlomitabli' ( iicrj^'y, or execrate liis cnicllv and uiiscruiiiiloiis rapacity. TIuh iiuui WMH Kraiieisco Pi/.arro. ITe wa^, lit tins time, almnt i\(\y years of iv^{\ tlic last ten «>(' which, at least, hi' had passed amid the stirrinijf se(>m's oC (hscoxery and eoiKincst in the Ni'W Worlih lie 1™, anion^^ othi'i" ad\ cntin'cs, shan^l tlie (hin,L;vrs and tlio cxuhalion oC N'asco Nii,^nc/, (U; I>al- lioii, in his first ]iassage ol' iIk' Isthmus, and his discovery of lh(! Weslcrn Oi'eaii. lie was now residinjj^ ii(>jir I'anani;i, and is said lo have acenmidated hut a small landi'd pi'operty as the reward ai' his long laboi's and ])riva lions. rizaiTo was the iilegitimtito son of a colonel oC inlantry, 7iani(>d (lon/ido I'i/arro, and a woman of low VAwk, resid- ing at Truxilio, in Spniii, in which city the future con- queror was born. In the great (Miterpriso of the conquest of Peru, he was associated with one; Diego de Almagro, a man of more uncertain origin, and l(>ss favored hy worldly ])rospei'ity, even than himself. This companion in ai'ms WMS, at all events, a brave and gallant soldiei". l-'oi'lnnaleiy for the two adventurers, they succeeded in securing the assistance of Hernando de Luqiie, an ecclesiastic oc(;upi(>d in IhiMluticsof his })rofession at Panama. A\'ilhsni-h funds as could be raised by these three, a vessel was ])roenred, and about one liundi'cd men were enlisted to share the danger and profits of the expedition. Pe ^'''vias, the .Sj)an- ish governor, sanctioned the proceeding, stijudating, at the same time, for a proportion of the gold that should be brought home. In November, 152-1:, Pizarro set sail, leaving Almagro to }n'(^parc another vessel which they had purchased, and to follow as soon as possible. Nothing but disaster marked this ^►'st voyage. Storms at sea; conflicts with natives on shore; sickness, exposure, and starvation, thinned the num- bers and broke down the spirit of the party. ]''izarro .'■■* ^, SOUTH AMKIUCAN INDIANS. 525 aloiio a[i[)(':) "H to liuvo luuiiitiiincil uii iiiisliuUou forlitiulo aiitl (Ictcnniiiatioii. No piovi.siotis could bo procured at the spols ulicrc llio voy!i<^('rs land(>(l, and it bccaiix^ necessary to send the vcs- si'l liack (i)i' sii|i|ili(\s. .Al)oiil lialC llir, coiniiaiiy, uinlcr one ^^olltelu>;:^o, was disj)atrli"d li>r lliis |)ur|)(J!Si', leaving the rest of tlie adventurers npon the swampy, huwIidIc- Hoiue ecxist, not Jar fVoni llic uioulli of tla; Uiru, 1o support tluMiiHclves as bi-st tliey could amid an almost imp(nuli'abl(! wilderness of I'ank tropical vegetation. iS'early half their number perished before any relief was (jbtained. Win n at tli(! e\roller their further services. The commander of the store-ships, Avho was instructed by the governor to bring back the party, refused to leave cither of his vessels for the use of these few valorous spirits, and, grudgingly bestowing upon them a portion of his provisions, set sail, leaving them, as was supposed, to certain destruction. Upon this island, and upon that of Gorgona, twenty- five leagues to the northward, (whitlier they migrated on a raft, for better quarters,) the little party spent seven miserable and solitary months. P)y great exertions, Almagro and Luque procured another vessel, and the governor's per- mission to relievo their associates; but this was lu^t ob- tained without a positive injunction to Pizarro to return within six months. No recruits were taken on board, beyond the necessary crew of the vessel, liniz had charge of the craft, and the sight of its a})proach soon gladdened the desponding hearts of the destitute and half-famished expectants at Gorgona. AVithout hesitation the little band stood once more for the south, leaving two of their number ill on the island, in charge of some of the friendly natives, who were still detained in their com})any. After twenty days' sail, in which they passed, without landing, the spots of ioi'mer exploration, the vessel entered the unknown guh" of Guayaquil. 1 1 1 1 -^ K I r-" SOUTH AMERICAX INDIANS. 529 !i 1 1 M I ; I! A'A llic Fpaniarcls (.rirccicd tlicir conr.^p towui'ils llio city of TuniLcz, tlic residence (jf the Iiuliaii ciii-tivcs, tli(\v en- countered many natives, in tlie balsas uhirh served tlnMii for boa1s. Tliesc strange erafl wvvc made of lnusoF ]i;;lit "wcjod, secured togetlier, ;iiid litfi/d \\illi masts and sails. TliC crews (if tliese I'aCts, in tiie mid-t of their amazement at the prodigy before tlieir eyes, itc agnized the Indians on boai'd, and learning (Vmii tl cin tli>it llie htrimgcrs were bound merely npon e.\[ilorati(.)n, ixtvumed to satisfy tlio curiosity of tlie eager erowds gathered npon the shore. A peacefd eommunication was soon established, and. the sea-wearied Spaniards were refreshed by bountiful su})plies of the tropical luxuries furnished by the kindly nalivcs. Llamas, or Peruvian camels, as they were called, wore now ihv the tlrst time exhibited and oHl'i'dl to the visitors. A great noble, of the royal race of the Tneas, came on board, and was courteously entertained by Pizarro, who pointed out and explained the mysteries of the vessel and its accoutrements. The oflieers of the Sjianish company were, in turn, feasted at the house of the euraca, or governor of the province, and were shov.'u the royal tL'm[)l(! and fortresses. Some of the apartments were adoi-ni>d with such a rich profusitMi of massive golden ornaments and })lating, that the dazzled S|)aiiiards now trusted in the speedy realiza- tion of their long-deferred hopes. Prom Tund)ez, Pizarro coasted southward as far as the island and port of Santa, some, distance beyond the site of the ])resent Truxillo, stopping at vai'ious towns and settle- ments (jn his route. The strangei's were eveiy where re- ceived with hospitality, kindness, and the most lively curiosity, and enough was seen Inlly to convince tiiem of the richness, civilization, and prosperity of the thickly popidated enipii'c. lieturning to Panama, they again stopp.ed at Tenibiz and 34 1 1 '-'p ':-:i "'i' 4' i.J. % titil!: 'V" I 580 I^sUIAX KACES OF AMP:i{ICA. otlier important p jrts, and tliencc brouglit away specimens of the productions of the country; among other things, a number of llamas. At tlieir own request, several of the Spaniards were left at Tumbo^, to enjoy tlie luxury and case which seemed to be oilered by a life among the kindly natives. A young Peruvian, named Felipillo, with one or two eomj)anions, was taken oii board the vessel, that lie might be instructed in the Spanish language, and that liis appearance might satisfy the incredulous, at home, as to tlie cliaracter of the iiil,il)itaiits of Peru. Tlic tnmbles of the enter[)i'ising trio to whom these dis- coveries were owing wei'e not yet at an end. The derision and eonluniely which had tended so long to damp tlieir spii'its, was, i]idced, changed to congratulations and eager astonishment at the return and reports of Pi/arro; but the governor frowned upon the prosecution of the enterprise. "ILe did not wish," says Ilerrcra, "to depopulate his o^\'n district in order to people new countries" — the gold, silver, and sheep which had been exhibited, seemed to him but a paltry return for the expenditure of such an amount of lives and money, and the endurance of such hardships and Fullering as were the fruits of the first exjjcditions. Before continuing the account of the steps by Avhieh the great work of conquest was fmally 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 them in a state of semi-civilization at the period of Span- ish discoveries and conquests, are closely associated in our minds. The thoughts of one naturally suggests tlnit of the other. 'We shall, however, Jind, iq)ou an examination of history, that these nations wei'c widely dissimihu': iK'itlioi', in all human probability, had any knowledge of the other's cxi.^tence, and no intercourse could have been maintained b^'tweeii them from a period of the most remote antiquity. I ; I I I I i i I' SOUTH AMEKICAN INDIANS. 531 "Witliout going into a direct comparison between tliese countries, tlieir respective governments, religi(jn, and na- tional customs, we sliall enter sufficiently into particulars in treating the present subject, to give the reader such a general idea of its details that he can himself perceive the contrasts and dissimilarities above mentioned. CHAPTER II. MYTHOLOGICAr. TIM' ttIOXS TOl'A I.NCA YUPANQUl, AND HIS SON IIUAYNA CAPAC THR I'KI-lUVIAN CAPITA T, HKI.IGIOUS SYSTEM GOVERNMENT AGKAUIAN LAW LI-AMAS PUBLIC RECORDS : THE "QUIPU" AGRICULTURE MARRIAGES — WARLIKE POL- ICY OF THE INCAS — THE GREAT ROADS — CONTENTMENT OF THE NATIVES DIVISION OF THE EMPHIE : IIUASCAR AND ATAHUALLPA CONTEST FOR SUPREMACY. According to Peruvian mythology, the wliole country was, in early times, as savage and barbarous as the neigh- boring nations of the East. Manco Cai)ac, and his sister and wife, jSfama Oello Iluaco, two children of the Sun, settling in the vallcv of Cuzco, beijan the work of regen- cration. They taught the arts of civilized life, and from them sprang the long line of the Incas whoso glorious kingdom vv'as at the height of its prosperity when discov- ered by the Spaniards. Other traditions, more worthy of study and reflection, speak of ^''bearded white 7nen,^^ to whose immigration the commencement of improvement was due. AVe gather little of connected or reliable tradition earlier than the reign of Topa Tnca Ynpanqni. This monarch's victories widely extended the domains bequeathed him by his ancestors. By his warlike achievements, and those of liis son, Iluayna Capac, the Peruvian empire was extended from the southern })ortion of Chili to the boundaries of the '.1 M ■m V .r.l ';•■; , t *:,■ n >i INDIAN ];A('I':S of AMEllICA. present repuVOie of Now Grentul:). Tlio centre of govern- ment, ami site of tli(^ royal palacf^, the greot temple of the sun, find the most celebrated forlification, were at Cnzeo, in the ir.terior. Tlu; town Wiis situated in a Nallcy of the table-land, at an immense lieight above the level of the sea, an altitude which securc^d to it a delightful cliniaie in those tro])ical regions. The pi'iiieipal buildings of the eap'^'d were of hewn stone, Avrcvight entirely by instruments of C()})})er, hard- encMl by nu alloy of tin; for, like the ^fexicans, tlu^ peo]>lc of Pern were entirely ignoi'ant of the use of ii'oii. A cer- tain perfection of worlvmaiish!]i, s<>ldom atti'iuptcd in more advanced natii.ms, and (nily elsewhere observal)le in tlio casings of the great E<2:vi'*ian i)vramids, is dcscriln'd as peculiar to the laying of the cours-s of stone in these an- cient buildings. For the most ])art no cmnent Ava.>-: used, but the blocks were so accui-atrly fitted that "it Avas im- possible to introduce even the l)l;idc of a l-cni fc bctweiMi them." 'Mr. Preseott, ii'ivinii', as his authoi'it\-, the meas- uremcnts and descriptions of Aeosta and Garcilasso, says: "Many of rhese stones were of vast size; some of them being full thirty-eight feet long, by eighteen broad, and six feet thick. * * 'J'hcse enoi'mous masses were hewn from their native bed, and fashioncMl into shape by a peo- ple ignorant of the use of iron; they were bronght from quarries, from four to fifteen leagues distant, without the aid of beasts of burden; Avere transported aci'oss rivers and ravines, raised to their elevat(;d pcxsition on the sic'rra, and finally adjusted there Avith the nicest accuracy, Avith- out the IsUOAvledgo of tools and machinery familiar to the European." At Cuzeo stood the great temple of the sun, by far the most resplendent Avith gold and ornament of all the pub- lic edifices of Peru. The description of this centTal ])oint of the religions sj'stem of the country vies with those of il ! i I 1 1 !l i ! "1 SOUTH AMERICAN INDlAXS. Aral.) Tt l)iiilt of 5 oil I lacps in Arabum ttUe.s. It was biiilt ol stone, bv a t-tran'j;o contrast of mut^nilicciico with rudeness, was tliatclied witli sti'aw. 'J'lie most striking object in the in- terior wavS a huge golden sun, r('[)rescnted by the figure of a Luniaii face, surrounded with rays. This was so jilaec-d as to receive the lii'st beams of the rising sun. Tin: wliole buikling s}iarkK:d with gi)lden oniann'iit; evt'ii ujiuu the outside a heavy belt of gohl is said to ]ia\e been let into the stone wall around the whole extent of the edifice. Great vases of the precious metals stood in the open space of the interior, filled with olTerings of maize, and no less valuable material was used for the various tools and im- plements connected Avith the estid^lishment. This profusion of gold iind silver, which, although in inferior degree, was noticeable in the royal palaces and temples thronghout the empire, resulted from the circum- stance that the mines were a go\-.Tnmeiit monojHily. No money was used, and ('(tuMMpiriitly tlic wliolr product of the country, in this line, was collected in the coffers of the Tnca, or displayed in the gorgeous oi'namei.ts which adorned the teih\)les. The mines were woi-kcd by bodies of laborers systematically drivfted from tlu.^ conunon peo- ple, to serve for specillcd }>eri()ds. The Peruvians had some idea of an invisible deity, whose supremacy they acknowledged, and to whom horn,- age was rendered, but the sun was their chief object of wor.shi}). The moon and stars to(.)k the place of subordi- nate divinities. Bv virtue of his office, ihe Tnca was the head of the visible church, and high-priest of the sun; all the other religious functionaries were of the nobilit}', viz: descendants in the male line of the royal funily. One lawful wife g..vc birth to the successor to the throne, '.)ut from the innumerable concubines kept by the empe- ror sprang the race of Inca nol)ility, distinguished by dress and occupation from the body of the people. ''1 .^1 .' 'm ii ' ,' *' -1^ J f. hv t.; r !■&,;?! '.^i r>34 INDIAX RACKS OF AMKIilCA. A most sintjiilar rcsoniblaiico to tl i(> aiK lent, order of the vestal viri/iiis existed in lli:;l of tin- I'ci'uv laii \ the Sun. Tl lese were set a|Kii-t, at an early yiiis of for llio services of tla; tein])le, tlic |ii'c|iai'all<)iis of its t;i]ics!ry ami oniainents, aiul cspeeially lor llie jjrcsei'vatimi d' llic sa- cred Jlrc. 'rei'ril)le jxaialtics fcjllcved the AJolaiii'ii of chastity by either of tlie.-e devotees, always (^xt'eplliig tlic ]»i'ivi](\L;'es of the Iiica, 1o w lioni they wei'e sii!)sei'vient as "l)rides," or eoueubiiies. Th.e olhce did not Jieeessarlly continue during life: many of these "Virgins'' wei'c dis- missed to th(ur pat(,'rnal lajmes Ciom time to time, and were ever thereafter held in great honor ami veiieralion. "^I'he religious ceremonies and f 'stivals I'amiliar ti) the na- tion were yiiigularly numerous and C(^m|)lieated : an enu- meration of tiK^m would be, li)r the most part, wearisome and devoid of interest. The Peruvian system of government merits a more particular attention. ]Iere, foi" the Ih'st time in the history of the world, we see the results of a paternal despotism carried to its most extravagant extent, yet meeting the aj>pai'ent wants of the people, and universally acquiesced in and approved by them. From generation to genei'ation the whole mass of the commonalty was shut out from any jiossibilitv of change or improvement, and subjected to immutable rules in every employment or privilege of lif(\ The whole empire was minutely divided and subdivi- ded into districts, according to population, and ovei- each of these departments a curaca or governor was set to main- tain law. The penal code was sufllcicntly severe, and rigidly enforced; m all matters of private right there was no room for contention among the citi/ens, as the state prescribed every man's place of residence, the amount and nature of his cmploj'ment, and the provision necessary for his support. The government assuniv^d the entire ownership of the ■-"n SOUTH AMEniCAX INDIAN'S. r.;;.- soil, ^vlll(•ll was dividLMl into tlim' jvifts for llw rullowit:'; uses: Tlie first was srt ;i]i;ii-t Id siippuri tin- ^vllM^' rxtcn- sivo system of i-cliL^iMn ; tli" srconcl sustniiinl tin' i'(i\;i1 court, aiitl fn.ius1i(>(l llic '•civil list "' foi- t1io. acfMiniilisli- ineut of all ])iil>li('. woi'lcs, ;i!ii! lo ilcfray tlio cui'ivnt rx- pcnsos of tlio ciiipiiv; jiinl llic lliinl was ycai'ly dixi'Icil fimoiif^ the })C<)pl(\ 'V\n\ appoi'tioiiimMit Avas Uia'lc to <;icli family, according to its immlxM's, and, unless some u'ood cause should appear to the contrary, it is snpposcfl that llie same spot "was continued in tln^ poss(\--sion of its jM'ojiiic- tor from vear to year, 'JMic imlilic.' domains were eidti- vated l)y the people in mass, and, in tht^ manau'i'ment of the ])riyate allotments, vi'jilant care was taken, liy the appropriate officers, that no on(> sliould be idl(\ no one ovcrd'jurdcned with lal'or, an.d no on(; in a state of sulfer- mg froiri Avant. The oldy beast of Imrdt'n in Pei'u was the llama. TIh! immense herds of this animal were, without ex<'(>ption. the properly of the state, ami under the maua'ivment of goyernment ofllcials. 1'IhmvooI and hair of the llann fur- nished the most important material for the clothinij,- of tiu^ "wlicde population, but before it reached it?- ultimate d.'sti- nation it must ]")ass thro'^'di th(> liaiuls ofapiiointi'd aa'cnts, and, after the separation and ]»ri'parat'on of the portion deyoted to religions and royal |)urj)oses, be erpiitably par- celled out and distributc^l amoiiL!' the priyate families. ^I'lie manril'actnre of cloth was more especially the business of women and children. Xo man had the power to choose his OAvn employment. A select nund)er of artisans were set apart and insti-ueted in such mechanical sciences as Avere known to the age and country, while tlic mass of the population Avere employed in agricultural labors, or, l)y a systematic apportionment among the different districts, Avere engaged u})on the A^ast Avorks of public utility or magnilh cenccAvhieh astonished tlu^ eyes of the Spanish inyailei's. I ■ i :. 1 ^ II .1 . •; . 630 JM»JAN LACK.-' VV AMI'RICA. • i li TIio most exact a^'ouiits were Isi'pl, l»_v ccrtaiii ai^oinlod ofTicors, of Ihc I'Miiiv pcjiiilaiioii iiml rrsoiircis df tlie cm- I )iri> No! I I'.K'lirotlR mill, iiiarria;.:v. c^r dcatli, was suIII-itmI to pass '1, aiiil ;iii im;n>Mi.-;i" aiiioMiit ofstatislii-al matter. I'olativo to t IC C'.JimIi: oil of llll the soil, ll:;' (■.\li-iit "i'liiainilartiii [H'OJ. tl lie, till' [irotlui'iioiis o IS. i\(' \va^ Mlailvaiid 1 1 systplied. 'j'lie endless eomliinations whleh ■ i could 1k! ed'eeted in this system of kuots mi-ht, as v/e can ij [)ereeive, be extended to the expression of a very readily Avidc range of ideas. In i peculiar knot, or lie Vi'ori h 1: Mr reseott; un color, 111 tins \\a\ gestcd what it could not venture t Co V ass(.)^ ■ialicii') i no SU'--- inanner — to borrow the 1 the o represent ; in ihe same lomelv illustration of am old writer— as the numbi'r of the Commaudment ealL- to the Commandment itself. concoete( but the dents with metkod, and to refresh 1 miiR I M Tl le narrative thus I could be communicated only by oi'al tiadllion qnipus served the chronicler to arraiiL;-(> tl le inei- iis memor\ . 11 Jn some of the sciences, particularly in a.stronomv, tl Peruvians were far behind the A/tecs. A few si le ni^le ob- !i scrvations of th e liKnomentsof the planets; and the ineas- uremeiU of shadows to mark the solstices, ctpiinoxes, &c., formed the limit of tlanr speculations or experiments.- Iii the more practical and neeessarv ans of husband igrieiilture, not even the laborious and ■y aiK I putieni po])ulaLioii i1 1 f ciiv 1 ]i;iSH 1 lallor, 1 1 »iis of vnn.l 1| 1 1 I'vou 1 torlcal 1 IS aiul 1 tr.uuls ' 1 1 short ] ! those i 1 cord, 1 1 1 11 mil- 1 j JL't't to 1 , whldi j j wc can 1 1 1 , a very | "The il \ 1 «"-^- il e same 111 old ; ) mind ■ . e thus ' 11 lion; : ,c inci- ; i 1 ■ lilc ol> 1 i 1 mcas- j 1 Bs, *kc., ^M^ * ■ il HOUTir AMKIUCAN INPlANri. ho I J! of China coiild excel the subjects of llii' Iiicas. The ox- tiMit of till' a(''[Ucl soil, tit'lccii or twenty feet holow I lie snil! lee ami otlnr iiii;.dity uiidci'takiiiLfS h^ wliicli iiHliVKlnal cntci'pri.-e could never lia\e ad'oiupiisli Vi], e\'iiice llie ■11 eiiec that a < Mill I lete eciill'ali/.alioii of power can produce. A\'cre it ii. earth by hninaii thews and sinews. ^I'lie unecpialh^d di\'ersity in soil and chniato provided suitable localities for a variety in ve;..%'table })ro- ductions seldom seen within the same limits. ]3ai lanas Ind ian corn, potatoes, a grain c |! other wclhknown croiis ailed fi 1 were succcsstnllv cii <1 rpuiioa, aiul many iltivated. The desire for stimulants and narcotics, so universal to man- hind, was satisfied by a liquor lu'cwcd from mai/e, by to- bacco, and bv the coca or ciicn. A\ho.--e leaves , osscss some- thing of the sedative ([iial l1l(\S Ol the, latter [ilant. Wc have numtioncd tla^ control exercised bv tl le i;-ov. ernment ovov the pri\ate all'airs of every citizen: ihis extended e\-en to llie ties of alhnity. Every })erson was required to marry at an ajipomti • I age tol (cighte en 111 feinal es, and twenty-four in males,) and, although a certain degree of'elioice was \o\'t to the individual in the seh'Ction of a partner, it must be confined within a specified district or communit}-. '^I'hc Tiica alwaj.'s married his sister, that the ! I ,._J K.'ill f I 5yy IXJ'IAN l.'ACKS OF AMKllU'A. 1 purity of tin; n-val MimhI mijlit, n,,! he coiitiiinliiutol, Ijia SlU'li uroiiiicctinii was ll.rlM.ld.'ii lifiwccii ;iii\(iri(i\\iTraiik, AltliMii^li III,, iiijiss u\' thr |M'.,|,|,. vvciv coiislaiitlv ('III- ployed ill til.' .)|M.rati(p|is (.Ci.ra. villi liii.vl.aii(|i'v, I lie pwllcy ol" llio liica (lyiiaslj- towards iiri-lilH.iin-- luilions w.i.s etisciilially warliki'. Tlu' yoiitli of ih,. ii,,|,iliiv, and r,<[i(«- ciully IIk' ])i-f'smii|.tivc licir to llic tlnciic, wciv iii>tiiuMtM.l 111 tlio arts ui' war, ami suhjcci.d to a I'oiilinc of l.,,dily exercise and li'ialsol' rortitudr not iinliku that jiiMcii.-rd hy the riid.r nations of Aoitli Amnica, in lliu iiiilialiun uV tlicii' I'll! lire warriors. All extensive militia svslem was enforeed, and, in time of war, Iroojis weiv dralled IVom ihc diircivnl: dislrici.s in some j)ro|)orlion to tlie population ; re-ard bein-' liad to the hardiliood ami en.T-y ol'iho various races, in iiiakin,^ the levy. Axes, lances, darts, hows and arrows, and slings, fonned the i.rincij.al weapons of olli'iici". 'I'lie soldiers were also sujiplird with the (piillt>d coats of such com, nun use iu past a-vs, to ward olTaiTowsaiid sword-thrusts, and with helmets of skins or wood. The great I'oads, led along the niounlse roads, ^Er. I'rescott speaks as h.llows: "It was conclnctrd over pathless sierras buried in snow; galleries were cut for leagues througli the living rock; rivers w(>re crossed' by means of bridges that hung suspendeil in the aii-; inv- cipiccs were sealed by stairways hewn out of the native bed; ravines of hideous depth were tilled up with solid masonry; in short, all the dilllculties that beset a wild and mountainous region, and which might appall the most courageous engineer of modern times, wn-e encountered and successfully overcome. The length of the road, of ; I 1 •'1, biU 1' i';ilik. ;lv fiii- pollry lis was il (■S[H!- tnn'trd luMlily jsi'd by iLiuii of ill 111 1 10 rids ill li;i(l U) making |i I slings, 1 1 M)nilunU jj sts, ami I or by ij a I IS ot , I ! \ ol' llio i '; Uu! au- ; j tl.rso I I'lliclrd 1 Ti' (-lit j rl'i.)SSt.'il' j 11'; pro- i I ua1i\o I solid, i ill! and I 1 .0 llKlSt I uitorcil oae: .1, of so I Til AMKUICAN INDIANS, 039 wlii.'li si-attcrod fraginonls only rmiain, is \arii-usly esti* nialrd I'loMi lirU'i'ii Inindird In two lliniisand hiilrs." No ccli'braU'd coMiiuoror ol' ilic old wmld csi'r |iiiisMr(l sneU jtcrd'ot system and nictlioil in tin' <'oiidiic| of ;i (Miuiiaigu as ( lid I K! hicas. Slat ions lor {•oiiiici's were luiili ni r('boiii tin- niiiiu I'oiiics, bv nivalis oT u lii<'li iiu'ssau'cs or Injlit, bin di'iis ('0111(1 oc CO IH'l' ii\-i'y('d w itli 111- ( i l';iiialirs am I crt'dibK' celerity to any i'c(|iiii'e(l disi stoi'edi(;uses tilled with sniiplie,. lor llie army stooati'riial care was taken of the, j necessities and interests of the whole ])o]iiilacc. With all this, no stejis W(M'eomitti>d v/liicli would tend lO completely denationalize the ncwdv-a(;(iuired i:ouiilrv. .Lai'Lic colonies of Peruvians were transplanted from their own country to tlio new, and their places supplied l»_)' an e([ual number of those whose habitations they occupied. The language (jf the conijuerors was every where introduci'd, and its uso encouraged until, with the la})So of years^ a c(jmplclc as- similation was brought about. All this coiujilctc course of dospollsm was said by the Spanish historians, wdio wi'otc fi'cMu observation, and be- fore the old order of things was entirely overtuiMied, to lie {i precisely that Avhicli was b(>st adiapted. T)ie }M>oplc were contented with their lot, aiui looked upon ,^, n r, ii.il "*' ') 4'm ■•■ .J i.iif u'i. ?^i, »-10 INlJlAN JiACKS OK A:MKU1CA. Ji' .1 If I I II I i ilioir priests and rult-rs wiUi tho ulmost rcvercnco. "No- man could be rieli," says Prescott, "no man could be pour, in Peru; but all mi'j;lit enjoy, and did enjoy, a competence. Aml)ition, avarice, the love of, I'liangi:^, the morbid spirit of discontent, those passions whicli niost agitato the minds of men, found no place in the bcjsom of the Peruvian. ''•' "" He moved on i. \]\o- same unbroken circle in v,-hich his fathers had mo\(-d befoj'c him, and in which his children Avere to follow." AVo cannot hel[) a feeling of natural regret that tln^ ruthless invasion of the Spaniards should liavo uprooted all these ancient and venerated customs. There was not, as wilh the Aztecs, a bloody S3\stcm of religion, whoso annihilation coi :d reconcile us to almost any violence on the part of these who came to overturn it. Inhere were, indeed, occasional scenes of human sacrifice at the great religious solemnities; but these were the exception, not the rule. The people at large lived on in peace and quietness, contented with the government and institutions under whose influence they liv(?d, and by Avhose care they were s(x*urcd in the possession of the competencies of lil'e. ^Vc have ali'cady mcntion(M:l the successes and conquests of Tupac Yupanqui, and his son TTuayna Capac. The latter prince, having reduced the kingdom of Quito, the modern Equador, took up his residence at its capital, and devoted his attention to bcautitying his acquisition, and establishing the Peruvian policy upon a firm basis through- out its liniits. Tlie first expeditions of the Spaniards to the Peruvian coast, took place during the latter years of this monarch, and the accounts are said to liavc filled his mind with gloomy forebodings of the overthrow of his empire. His sagacious perception readily recognized the vast superi- ority over his own nation, evident in the vessels, arms, intelligence, and enterprise of the strangers. ITuayna 1 1 I "I SOUTH AMERICAN IXDIA^TS. 0-. 11 lovnviiin 1 1 I 1 1 Capac died about the year 1525, leaving liis only legitimate son, Iluascar, the regular successor to liis throne. Instead of c(.)n firming the old order of descent, the king's fondness for another son, named Atahuall})a, (Atabalipa, as spelt by many old writers) led liim, upon his deatli-bea remained at (.^uito; neither intiu'fering v.ith the other's rights of jurisdiction. Their respective subjects readily acquiesced in the new ai'i'angement. Diflerent accounts arc given of the first causes of rup- ture between the brothers; but whatever occasioned it, the contest Avhich ensued was bloody and disastrous in the extreme. But for the disturbed and distracted state of tho empire consequent upon this civil war, it v.-Quld have been utterly impossible for the Spaniards, with the insignificant force which tliey finally brought into the field, to have overcom(i and subverted such an immense and power- ful empire. The first inqtortant engagement between the armies of the contending princes took place at Ifambata, about sixty leagues south from Quito. In this battle, lluascar's forces were uttc-ily defeated, and his victorious brother })ressed onward to Tumebamba, no great distance from Tum!;;./>. This city belonged to Atahuallpa's king'loni, LL: i • 11 I 1 li ! I I ! i I il ■: J t '^i: . I ,•" ■' 542 INIJIAN RACES OF AMERICA. ,t ,1- but the inluibitauts luul taken up aviiis in favin- of Iluas- car. Ill vain did tlioy sue Ibr nici'cy IVoiii tlio conqueror: the wliolo disti'ict \vas ravat;od, and all nialo adults were put to death. ri-occcding on his march, Atahnall])a reached Caxanialca, where he took up his quartei's, and sent forward the chief poilion of his army to meet the jl)r('es pi'cpared for the protection of the ancient ca[>ital of JVru. A Moody and desperate battle was fought near the city, in which the invader was again completely victorious, lluascar was taken })risonei', and placed in close conlinc- ment, but his brother had enough of natural humanity to order that all respect should be shown lum in his fallen fortunes. If we are to believe some accounts, Atahuallpa sullied the fame wliicli his successes might have acquired him, by acts of the most unheard-of barbarity. Jt is said that he put to death, and that too by lingering tortures, all of the royal family upon whom he could lay his hands, including the female branches of the family, that he might cut oir all possibility of a rival appearing to contest his I'ight to the throne. Arodern lii"^torians havie pointed out so many discrepancies and improbabilities in the details of this transaction, that they must be now considei'ed as grossly exaggerated, if not utterly false. Atahuallpa, now^ claiming the title of Inca, and rejoicing in the possession of the whole of the immense empire of his father, held his court at Caxamalca. In the midst of his exultation and triumph, news was brought of a fresh arrival of Spanish ships upon the coast. I ! I SOUTH AMKIUCAX INlJlANS. 5.1:3 ClIArTKll III. riZAKHO's VISIT TO SPAIN AM) Ari'LICATION TO TIIIC I'.M TKnoH HIS Foiiii r.KOTiir.iis — i'I'nds iM!oci;iti;i) I'oii a ni;\v i;xi'i;|)1'I'ion TO I'KIIU — VKSSKI.S A(iAI.V IMTTKI) OUT AT I'ANA:\IA — I,A\I)I.Na OF TIIK SPANIAHDS lI'o.X Till' I'KKUVIAN COAST — IMJINJIKK AT COAliKK TIIK IMAHCII TOWAKDS TUMIiH/. MATTM'S ON THK JSMC OF I'U.NA — TCMIiKZ DESKRTKI) — sKTTI.i:- MENT OF SAN MKiUKI, .MAIKII K\TO Till'; INTKIMOR PASSAGE OF THE AN'DKS — MESSAGES FItOJI ATAHUALLl'A ICNTItY INTO CAXA^IALCA. As Pi/iUTo, Almagro, and Lu(|iic, received no ciicour agcMiieiit from tlio governor, at Panama, in tlio prosecution of tlicir [ilans; and as tlieir i'lmdrf were exliausted l)y the first e.\[)editions, it became necessary to seek the assistance of some powerful patron, or to abandon the e!ii(M'[)rise. In this emergency, LiKpie advised an immediate a}t})]i('alioij to the Spanish court. In tlio discussion of the (piestion as to who should undertake this duty, Almagro strongly urg<'d the ex})ediency of trusting the Avliole matter to the prudence and soldiei'ly intrepidity of his unlettered com- panion-in-arms, Pizarro. lie was the man wlio had seen and experienced more than any other of the nature of the land of promise, and his unllinching detei'mination and perseverance seemed to cpialify him as Avell to press his suit at court, as to undei'go tlie disappointments and physical hardships of the conquest itself. Pi/arro consented to the proposal, and sailed for Spain, when; he arrived early in the summer of 1528, carrying with him specimens of Peruvian art and wealth, tf)gether with natives of the country, and several of clic beasts of burden peculiar to Peru. lie was favorably received, and his accounts were credited by the Emperor Charles the l^'ifth; and the royal consent was obtained to the }u-oscca- \}: i^^'J ■I!. r ! I II il ii I 5-i-l INDIAN KACKri OF AMKlllCA. lion of tlic Diighty undertaking of conqucrit. No iiccuniary assistance, however, was rendered or }n-oiniscd. Prospec- tive lionoi'rf and cinolunients wei'e liestowed upon Pi'-carro and Ills two associates, contingent upon their success, and tlic latter to Ijc drawn entirely from the conrpaered nation. Pizarro w;is to ho govcriior, adelautado and iilguacil mayor of Peru, which onieo he was to till for life, and to which a lavize salary was to he attached. Ahiia'-i,i'o was placed in altogether an iiiflo-Jor po:-ition, a-; connuamler at Tunibe/. ; and Father Linpie was declared Biidiop of thai, district, novv' to he converted into a see of the cliurch. One-fifth of the gold and silver to he obtained h}' plunder, and one-tcntli of- all gained hv mining v/as reserved as a roval jierquisite. Pizarro irnmediatelv set himself to raise funds and enlist men for tlic proposed conquest. Itc Avas joined hy his four brothers, one of whom, Hernando Pizarro, v.-as a Jegitimaic son of Gonzalo. The other three, Gonzalo and Juan Pizarro, and Francisco dc Alcontara were illegitimate children, and connected with the hero of our narrativ^e, the two first on the father's side, the latter on that of the mother. » It ^vas no easy matter to provide money for the necessary expenses of so hazardous an exploit as that proposed; but fortunately for Pizarro, Hernando Cortez, the renowned conqueror of Mexico, was at this time in Spain, and, after seeing and conferring with him, f..rnished, from his own am.}. 'e stores, Avhat was needed to complete an outfit. Upon Pizarro's return to America, serious quarrels ensued between him and Almagro, who, as a}^]iears .justly, thought himself grossly neglected in the arranLrenients entered into witli the Spani-sh govei-mnent. Lmpic also distrusted the good fiith of his emissary, and it seemed too evident to both of these parties to the old contract, that Pizarro would readily throw them aside, should occa- 1 1 , I 1 1 !| •| 1 i ■m .h ss, an uiiiarv t rospec- '; i'i'/.iirro d iKition. iiguacil aii'l to a'o was indor at v'i tliat c;luircli. )liin(U'r, ,-L'(l as a 1(1 enlist 1 Lvliis ), v/as a /alo and ti'itlniatc uTativc, that of jcd; but now nod lul, alter llii:.; uwn it. [juarrels justly, fcnients ine also [seemed (iitract, id occa* ii ! ! 1 : I 1 I 11 I I SOUTU AMERICAN INDIANS. 515 sion offer, and advance liis own relations in their stead. These dilliculties were, by Pizarro's representations, prom- ises, and concessions, for the time smoothed over, and three vessels were fitted out at i^anama lor the u'rand expedition. Those in which the recruits liad been brought ove]' from Spain, were Jiecessaiily 1 jft upon the otlier side of the Istlnnus. It was not until January, of l-jui, that the a(lventur':-rs set sail. The company consisted of less than two hundi'cd men, twxuity-seven of whoni 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. Tumbez, on the southern shore of the gulf of Guayacpril, was tlie port for which the little fleet steered its course, but, owing to head winds and other difficulties in navigation, a landing w^as made at the bay of St. Matthew's. I'izarro, with the armed force, went on shore at tins place, not far from where E.^meraldas now stands, and marched southward, while tlie vessels coasted along the shore. Feeling himself strong' enougli to com- mence scj-ious operations, the unprincipled invader no longer put on the cloak of friendship, but without warn- ing fell upon the first Indian town in his route. This w^as in 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 largest and most valuable emeralds fell into the hands of the rapacious adventurers. The spoil was collected, and publicly distributed, according to regulated portions, among the company, it being death to secrete any private plunder. The royal fifth was deducted previous to the division. The vessels were sent back to Panama to excite, by the display of these treasures, the cupidity of new recruits, while the little army continued its marcli towards Tumbez. 35 1 1 ■ '%'\ ■<(,' ■■*'r :„^.! ■Miii^'.k i "it I 'I I Xf fi .' I, ■ i ■■'t ■ H^' 5 i(\ INDIAN liACKS OF AMKlilCA. I TIk- natives of tlic vill;i,m\s tliron.^li wliicli \\wy passed, U'jii-iiiiii:-, ill ;idv!UK'e of the Spniiiai'ds' ;ip})r()ucli, tlio course jtiii-siiol at Concjiu', aliamloiu^il tlii'ii' Iiodu'S, l)i\irinj2; all lli'-ir \aluablcs wilh llinn. Prisatioii ami .sun'oriu.u' (Mi- sitcd. The tnipical liral (-f tiie country, faniiiic and i'aliir'iu^, l)cij,'an to dislicailcn the troops. AVoi'sc tlian all. a siii'jiilarand Jiialignant cutaneous disease began to spread anioiii!,- llicni. ]jarL|,'c warts tn- vascular cxcrcscnccs broke out iijiou those atiacke(l, v.hieli, if t)[)ened, bled so pro- fusely as to cause d(>ath. '•''i'lic (uiiihMuie," says I'rescott, "wliieii made its first a])pearaiice dui'Mig thi.-; in\-asioii, ami wliieii did cot lon_L;' sniA'ive it, sj)read o\cr the whole country, s[)ai'in,'^' neithei' native nor white man." The distresses of the Sjianiards were soincAvhat velii^ved by the arriA';d of a v'.\'{)ointed by the iMnpcror Charles since J'i/ano's departure from Spain, bringing uith tluan a quantity of provision. With some slight further rrinforccincnt, the commander brought liis troops to ll;e gulf of Guayar}uil, and, 1)y invitation from the isl- ander-;, wh.o had nov>u- b-eeii nMbiccd b}' the Peruvian monarehs, atul still nriintaieetl a desultory warfare wilh their I'oi'ces, \v' tool: up his rs, W'ithout delay, he seiztMl upon the accused, and dcli\- u'ed tliem over to th(-ir old enemii\s of Tundie/, for desii'uction. The conscipience was a furi(jus atl;iek by the island, rs. The thousands of dusky warric^rs who sur- II mg loii, :unl w hole SOUTJI AMEUlCAiV INDIANS. bi'i roiir.dcd the little cncanij)m(Mi1, wore (lispc>rs('(l ntid di'ivi-n into the thickets, with vri'v siiuiU loss to tlu", well-uriiuH 1 iii;iil-cl;ul lMiro[>o;uis. '1"1k' discluirsjce ol' niiisketrv ,1 the I'ush oC mounted JUH aiu I men, g lis1eiiin<_r with d(.T( ciisive armor, seldom failed to hreak the lines, and conl'use tiie movements even of the hi'avest and most deter minei. savafics. Afttn'tluMr victory l^i/iii'i'O found his situation extremely precarious, for the encMuies whom he had driven inU) the forest continued to harass and weary his aiany by night attacks, and the diiVnailtv of pi'dcui-ing provisions daily inci'cased. lie became desirous of passing over to liie mam as sjieedily as ]iossil>li>, and h 1 h IS a'ood ()rtun Mlt him, at tliis period, such as "an istance as reniU-recl tlu> contiti- ce of his enterprise more hopi'ful. This was aObrded by the arrival of the celebrated llcrnaiulo de Soto, whose romantic advcr.tures in afterdif(>, have been briclly chron- icled in the eai'ly jiart of this volume, under the title of the l^dorida Indians. De Soto brouo-ht out tmc hundred men and a considerable numher of horses. 'I'lius reinforced, the connnander of the expedition at once undertook the transportation of his men and stores across to 'l^uubez. 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 appeared, manifested a decidedly hostile disj)Os'tion, and several of the ])arty engaged in transport- ing the baggage and ]M\)visions, u])on balsas or rafts, were seized and slain. ?^Iost of the houses of the city were found to l)C destroyed, and the costly ornaments and decorations were all stripped from the i ,mj>l(\ It cannot be ccrtaiidy known, at this day, what were the causes for this conduct on the part of the peojile of 'fumbez. The curacaof the place was taken ] prisoner by s(jnui ol Pi;■ i'l "it M' '^ :«i, 1 w W m t ■ f m •>, 3 '(^; 1 1 1 1 I ! ! I r.i8 I\T)IAX HACKS OF a:\ieru'a. witli the Puna islanders Imd resulted in this demolition of the city. No certain intclligenee was ever obtained of tlie fate of those whites who luid heen lell at Tunibcz at the time of the former ex])edition of discovery. It now became evident to Pizarro that he should have some fixed ])laec of seltlemcnt, where his troops might encamp nnd live in safety until a j)roper oppoi'tunity pre- sented it.self for more active operations. He thcri'lbrc i^et himself to explore the country to the southward. In c(^!i- ductingthis examination, he made use of a more concilia- tory policy than heretofore, in liis intercourse with the natives, and took pains to restrain, for the "time, the rapacity of his followers. The result was that the Indians were in turn fricndlj^ and hospital)le. A settlement was made, and the foundation of a town, called San Miguel, commenced on the river Piura. Nund^crs of the 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, bv means of the in- terpreters in his company — the natives formerly taken by hira to Spain— of the political state of the eountrj^, and of the present location of Atahuallpa, at or near Caxamalca. He had secured a considerable amount of gold, which was scut bade to Panama, by consent of the company, and applied, after deducting the perquisites of the crown, to defray the expense of fitting out the expedition. The whole summer was spent in these operations, and it wiis not until the 24th of September, 1532, that the commander was prepared to lead his small army into the interior. His whole 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 towiirds the enormous range of mountains which they were to cross, the Spaniards refrained from rapirje and plunder. i i 1. (4 litiori of 3d of tlio QZ at the lid have IS iiii.u'ht nity pre- I'cfore set In e'lTi- com-ilia- with tlie time, the e Indians mcnt was n ^liguel, le natives mong the L^xtendini^ :)f the in- talvcn by |v, and of lixamalca. Ivhich was lany, and ;rown, to Uons, and that the into tlie Ired men, In for the |i towards ^vere to plunder. !! 1 1 ii SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 549 They were therefore rcecivcd with kindly curiosity by the inhabitants, and in tlieir progress availed themselves with* out molestation ol th |iul)lie fortresses and sheltered stopping-places prepared U])on the high roads for the use of the royal armies, '^rhcy were delighted with the rich and highly-cultivated appearance of man}' of the bcautii'ul V lilies passed upon the route. The company consisted of .one hundred and seventy- seven men, of whom sixty-seven were m1ANS. 551 Tiitl1(. (loiilit, was (iili'i'taiiioil hy Pi/arro lliat, tlio Tnca fullj iiitiMi(l('(l to entrap aiw] sci/.c him a.-; sdoii as he sIk'hM he completely in his powcf, aii'l siin'ouinli'd Ity an \v\v- sistil)lc force of his s.il)jcc;ts. it was ascertain > I that Ataluiallpa was encamped with a large army only three mil(>s from Ctixanialen, and that the city was al-imdoned !)}■ its inhabitants. This had a thrcatcain;^ ap[)e;ir;;ne;', bnt tlio Inca continued to send fri.'ndly mcssa,cres, and as it was too late to thiid< of retreat, even had ih- Ir lieart; now failed them, the Spaniards descended the eastern slope of the Andes, and (Mitei'e(l the; Nalhy of Caxamalea. l'iV(>ry tiling- now seen gave tokens of ])rosperity, industry, and shill. " P)clow the adventurers," says Prescott, "with its white hons(\s glitt(;rin,q" in the sun, lay the little city of Caxamalea, like a sparkling gem on the dark skirls of the sierra." Farther on, the immense eneampment of the 1 nea was seen in the distance, spotting the rising ground with countless tents. Marching tlirough the valley, the troops entered tlic vacant cit}'' u})on the loth of November (luo2). CIIArTKR IV. FIRST INTKRVnnV WITH THE IXC A PLANS FOR HIS CAl'TIMf K — KNTRY OK ATAHUAIJ.l'A INTO CAXAMALCA ADDItKSS OK TllK CIIAl'f.Al.N ATTACK ]jy THi; Sl'ANl AKl DS : KKARKCI. MASSACUK OK THH NA- TlViiS, AND SEIZURE OF THE IXCA I'KISONERS AND PLUXDEU OBTAINED — THE PROMISED RANSOM — HERNANDO PIZARRO's VISIT TO PACIIACAMACA CHALLCUCHIHA MESSENGERS SENT TO CUZCO — IMJIENSE TREASURE COLLECTED AT CAXAMALCA — TRIAL AND MURDER OK ATAIIUALLPA. A small party of horse, led by Hernando Pizarro and by the brave and chivalrous Dc Soto, was at once dis- patched to report to the Inca the arrival of the Spaniards. II I L:r- 111 m ? ih>2 INDIAN HACKS OF'' AMKUICA. (. li I I l);isliin<.; boltllv up, tijM.n llicir spiiih'il liorsrs, tlio Span- ianls oiitorod tlic si>at'o o(;('nj)i(«d by the JVnivian camp, aiul soon stood ill ilicioval prcstMieo. 7\tahu;illpa, distin- Pfuisliod by the ''liorla," or criiiisoii IViuji^o bound aroiind the (brclioad, an (Hiiaiiu'iit jicculiar lo thu liicas, sat cx- poi'l'ui;^^ Ihvir arrival, surrouudod by his oHiccrs of state. Ho did not so far unbend liis dignity as to ))av the least, attention to tlie novel appearaneo of the stcel-elad caval- cade, but kept his eyes immovably fixed upon llie ground. Without dismounting, lleriuindo saluted the monureli, and, through l'Vli})il]o's interjjvetation, made known his general's avowed ])urpos( s, and earnestly recpicsted tho king to visit the. S])anish camp in person. One of the attendants, speaking in behalf of his master, briefly replicnl, "It is well." irernando still persisted in requesting the monareli to make known his pleasure, and to speak to them })erson- ally; whei'cupon Atahuallj)a, turning his head, and look- ing u{)on him with a smile, announced that he was then in the observance of a fast, but would visit the Spanish quarters on the ensuing day. lie further directed that the troops should conrmc themselves to the buildings situ- ated upon tlie plaxa or public square. Do Soto is said to have been mounted ujion a noble charger, and, to excite the admiration of the Inca, he put his horse to his fidl speed, and wheeling suddeid\', drew him short up immediately in front of the monarch. Ata- hualljia's nerves were proof against this disjtlay, and he gave no signs whatever of any emotion. It was after- wards r-ported that ho caused several of his attendants to be put to death for cxhil)iting alarm, upon this occasion, at the fury and spirit of the wardiorse. Some of tlic women of tho royal household now offered the Sjianiards the fermented drink of the eountrv, "chi- cha," in golden goblets. This tluu- drank in thcii- saddles, I 1 1 ftOUTll AMKIUCAN INDIANA. and llicii spurred back to tlio tMic;uii|iiii(iit at CiiXiunalcn. ^riirir r('[H)rt of llic poNvd- of lln' I'cniviiiii ft'i-cc l.'ii(1('(l yroally to discourage! the little ImikI of adM'Htiircrs, hut \]y st'i'vod to nci'vc tlirlr lu»ld ;iii(l nii,-ciii|iul()iis li'iidcr 01 to a iiioi'c (U'Ici'iu iiiit'i hUl'hoM' lu'i'ojlccliii"!: tlu> su I'l'CSS ol' Cortcz in sccnuin^i!' ll. > jjcrsou <»r Moulc/unia, and tlirou-'li liini, for the time, conti'olliuv: lln- olliccrs of tlic cajiital, Pi/iirro drtonuiiu'd upon tlu; sanii- policy li lie made known liis re.-'(iUiti(.>n to his oIlieiM'S, and tlien pro- ceedeak on the followin;^' morning, Pizarro com- Juenced his arrangements for tlu; surprise and captur*' of the Inea. The great snuare (moiv projjcii}', in this in- stance', a triangle) was surrounded with low buildings, with large entrances on the same level with the inclosed .space. They were built partly of stone, but mostly of uidjurnt In-ick or clay. 'I'he Spanish cavalry, in two sep- arate bodies, re sj)ectively under command of ITernando Vv/.iwvo and De Soto, was concealed in large halls, from whie'h a sally could be nia, and to impress the eyes of the strangers with his power and magnilicence. So nnich tinu> was occupied in the movements of the innnense ^n'"!}'? that it was after noon before the Tnea arrived at the city. lie Avas al)()ut to pileh his camp witliont the walls, and postpone his visit till the foUowin.g moi'uing, had not PizaiTo sent a message, earnestly requesting him lujt to ■i: !sJ:f '■■i\ WA «. -r-;l w 55-1 INDIAN KACES OF AMHl^lCA. delay liis coming, as all was ready lor Lis entertainment Entirely uiususpicious uf the jici'iidious intention of the Spaniiii'ils, Alaliuall])a complied with the request. ]t'\vas nearly sunset wlicii'he entered the town, accompanied by thousands n})on thousands of obsequious but unarmed attendants, Jle was borne by numbers of his people upon a high palanquin, on a seat of massive gold, hung about and adorued with the most brilliant feathered work. Jlis dress was equally magnilicent, and sparkled with the rarest gems. Arriving at the middle of the great sq^iarc, Avilh his peo])le, to the number, as was computed, of from live to six thousand, ranged in respectfuk silence around him, Atahuull})a was surprised to sec nothing of the l']uro- peans. rresently, however, the chaplain, Vicente de Val- verde, made his appearance, and, addressing the Inca, commenced a long-winded oration ujion the religion of the Spaniards, the authoi'ity of their monarch and of the Pope, and the purposes of the expedition; and concluded by exhorting him to discard his idolatrous worship, to receive that now proffered, and to acknowledge himself the subject of the emperor! Old Purelias gives the fol- lowing outline of tlie ecclesiastic's oi'ation: "■ l!x':(:ll(:ut L(jrd^ it behoveth j'ou to know, '^Jdi'if-, GOD in 'i'rinitie and Vnitie made the world of nothing, and formed a man of the Ivirth whom he called Adam^ of whom we all hauc beginning. Adiun sinned against his Creator by disobe- dience, and in him all his posteritie, except IMSYS CilKlST: who, being God came down from Heaven and tooke flesh of the Yirgine AfAiUK; and to redeen\e ]\Iaii- kinde, died on a Crosse like to this (fur which cause we Vv^orship it;) rose agai)i the third day, and after Ibrtie dayes, ascended into lleaut'U, leaning for his Vicar in Earth Saint Ptlcr, and his Successours, which we call Popes; v.ho hauc giueii to the most Puissant King of Spaine, iMnperour of I I I !l SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. uoo tlie Romanes tlic Monarchy of the Worhl. Obey the Pope, and r(>ceiiic tlic faitli of Ciuiis'i'; and if yee shall hclccue it most holy, and that most false which yee ham", yee shall doc well; and knowc that, doing the contrarie, wc(> will make warre on you, and will take away and breakc your Idols; therefore Icaue the deceiuablc religion of your false Gods." All this, (to him) tedious and incomprehensible jargon -was interpreted to the Inca — according to report, yith some rather ludicrous errors, in the exphinalion of the religious dogmas. ITe hstoned in silence until he heard the arrogant and insolent conclusion, when not eyen the a])athy or self-control of the Indian was suQ'icient to enable him to conceal his indignation. He replied in language befitting a king, that no man could claim superiority oyer him, and that he would ncycr abjure the religion of his country. " For the Emperor," he said, according to Pur- chas, ''hec could be pleased to be the friend of so great ti I'j-ince, and to know him: but for the Pope, he would not obey him, which gauc away that which was not his ownc, and tooke a Kin<2:domc from him whom hee had ncuer scene: as for Religion, hee liked well his ownc, and neither would nor ought to call it in rpicstion, being so ancient and ajipi'oued, especially seeing Christ dyed, which ncuer befell the Sunnc or j\[oone." Then taking fi'om the Pi'iest's hand the Bible or breyiary which he held forth as the authority for his unheard-of assumption, the Inca threw it upon the ground, angrily announcing his determination of calling the Spaniards to a speedy account iov their presumption, and for the wrongs already inflicted upon his nation. The friar soudit out Pizarro, and uraed him to make an immediate attack, offering him absolution for any sin he miu'ht commit in so doinu'. '^fhe fierce Spaniard and his imnatient troo})S were but too ready to afi'cj.t tliis advice. All day had they kept their stations in a condi- if" HW\ Kv»^' i* ^l ■m o56 INDIAN llACES OF AMERICA. M tion of tho 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 wlujle force rushed furiously upon the unarmed crowd of natives. Never, in the history of the world, was a more bloodv and remorseless massacre com- mitted. Tn the short space intervening between sunset and darkness, several thousand of the miserable wretches were slain unresistingly. In vain did the nobles throng round their monarch, with noble self-devotion throwing away their lives for their master, and opposing their bodies to shield him from the weapons Avhose force the\' had no means to avert, '^fiie unlia})py prince was taken prisoner, and securely coufmed in an adjoining building. The Spaniards were greatly struck with the appearance and noble demeanor of their nwal captive. lie is represented as not far from thirty years of age, of a well-built and commanding figure, witli regular features and a singular majesty of expression — "his countenance might have been called handsome, but that his eyes, which were blood-sliot, gave a fierce expression to his features." The only Spaniard wounded during this bloody and horrible transaction was Pizarro himself, who received a Avound in the hand from one of his own men, wdiile endeavoring to ward off a blow aimed at the })crson of the Inca. Next day the Indian prisoners were set at work to bury the heaps of their 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 numbers of prisoners of both sexes, many of the women being those belongimif to the Inea's house- hold. The Spaniards reserved Jis many slaves as their need or pride required; the rest of the prisoners Avere set free, contrary to the advice of some 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 will, and their extravagance and waste bad lull scope. '^J'lie vast flocks of llamas, so long the pride and supjiort oi' the country, and over which such a systematic and v/atchl'ul care had been exercised for ages, were slaughtered with- out stint, or left to roam necrlected 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 at the Peruvian camp, or taken from the bodies of the slain, and laid by for future division. '^J'hc Inca was, meanwhile, treated with a certain respect, but his person Avas most carefully guarded. He was al- lowed the services of his attendants, who, throughout his captivity, sliowed no diminution of obsequiousness and respect, Init bowed as Innnbly before their revered mon- arch in his fallen fortunes, as when he sat upon his throne of sta+'?, the :irbiter of life and death to all around him. AtahualljKi could not fail to perceive what was the mas- ter motive to all acts of his captors. Appealing to this, he })romiscd 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 woidd not merely cover the floor, but would fill the room with gold as high as he could reach." Pizarro accepted the oircr,-and a line was drawn around the room at the agreed height. I'hc gold, whether in the form of bars and plates, or of vases and staUiary, was to be piled without being broken np or reduced in bulk. Besides this undertaking, which was to be accomplished 1 1 1 1 L. *...1ll 558 INDIAN RACES OF AMEllICA. I I! ! i witliiii t\'o montliR, a smaller room was to be filled "twice full of silver, in like manner." Afcsseni^ers were immedi- ately commissioned to order gold from every qnarter of the kingdom, to be brought as speedily as possible for the raiisoui of the monarch. Iluascar, hearing, in his place of confinement, of the rin'ersc which had befallen his l)rother, at once opened a conunuuication with Pizarro, and made offers still more magnificent than those of Atahnallpa, if the Spaniards would espouse liis 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 respective rights. Huascar was, very shortly after this, put to G'. :th by his keepers, as was generally believed, in accordance with secret instructions from Atahnallpa. Tlie royal mandate, commanding tlie desecration of the nuignificent temples and palaces, by stripping them of their wealth of precious metals, was obeyed as speeddy as prac- ticable. Gold came in to Caxamalca in large quantities, but the difficulty of conveyance caused no little delay. While waiting the completion of his captive's undertaking, i'izaiTO sent emissaries to Cuzco to examine the condi- tion and wealth of the country, and dispatched his brother .1 [ernando, with a small party of horsemen, to visit the city of Pachacaraac, three hundred miles distant, upon the sea-coast. Hernando returned to Caxamalca with glow- ing reports of the beauty and fertility of the country through which he had passed on this expedition. He had visited the city for which he had directed his course, and had destroyed the great idol upon the temj)le, the former object of worship to the inhabitants, and which had been allowed to maintain its place by the Peruvian conquerors, and to receive joint homage with the sun. Tn crossing the rocky and rugged mountains, the shoes of the horses gave out, and, as no iron Avas to be procured, it w;is necessary I! 1 I ! !l .1UTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 559 to replace tliem wi'l, -Ivcrl or, as some say, with a mix- ture of silver and copper. Ilei'iiando brouglit back with him Cluillcuchima, a vet- eran ofllcer of the Inca's, and tlie most esteemed and trust- worthy of his generals, lie voluntarily accompanied tlie Spanish cavalcade, having been told by its leader tliat hij monarch desired to sec him. When the o]d soldier came into his master's presence, (barefoot, and ijarryiug, accord- ing to custom, a small burden, in token of inferiority,) he lamented audibly that he had been absent at the time of his capture; and, weeping bitterly, kis-;ed the liands and feet of tlie fallen prince. Atahuallpa preserved the calm, unbending dignity which he ever assumed in communica tions with his subjects. The messengers sent to Cuzco demeaned themselves with the utmost pride and insolence. The whole of the long journey was accomplished in litters or sedan-chairs, borne by the natives. At the royal city these emissaries superintended the stripping of the great temple of its golden plates and ornaments, of which a vast weight was prepared for transportation to Caxamalca. At the latter place of encampment, the Spanish army was very considerably nMnforced in the succeeding month of February, (looo,) by the arrival of Pizarro's old com- rade Almagro. He brought with him, from the Spanish settlements on the Isthmus, two hundred well-armed sol- diers, fifty of whom were cavalry. Thus recruited, Pi- zarro was eager to extend his conquests and acquisitions. The ])romises of the Inca were not, as yet, wholly falfilled, although such piles of treasure were accumulated as might well astonish and satisfy even the eyes of the rapacious Spaniards. The beauty and finish of many of the mas- sive vases and figures were long after admired by the artists of Europe. Among the representations of natural objects wrought in the precious metals, was the car of ,**r- 'Isi I \ 560 INDIAN HACKS OF AMEIilCA. nuiizc. Of tliis, tlie leaves and tassel wore perfectly imi tateJ in silver work, the yellow kernel witliin glistening willi the purest gold. It was dctei'mined to acquit the Inca of any further ful- filment of his promise, but to retain him a prisoner, and at onec to l>re:ik up and divide the treasure. Some of the more beautiful specimens of art were reserved to be sent to Spain; the rest was melted into ingots by the native arti- sans. "The total amount of the gold," as stated and com- puted by Mr. Prescott, "was found to be one million, three hundred and t',venty-six thousand, five hundred and thirty- nine yx.so.^' cic oro, which, allowing for the greater value of money in the sixteenth century, would be equivalent, probably, at the present time, to near Ihrce millions and a half nf pounds slerliiKj, or somewhat less than Jifteoi millions ai'.d a h(df of dollars. The quantit}^ of silver was esti- mated at fifty-one thousand six. liundred and ten marks." The gold, as above estimated, is, indeed, more than thrice the sum that the same weight of the precious metal would be worth at the present day. The 2^^so de oro is said to have been, specifically, about equal to three dollars and seven cents. Of all this booty, the crown had its fifth, and the rest was distributed in various proportions among the numer- ous claimants. But a small allowance was made to the new recruits, and still less to the settlers at San Miguel. Certain sums were devoted to the establishment of the Catholic religion in the new country. Ilaving now obtained all that was to be expected througli the Inca's intei'vention, at least without such de- lays as their impatient spirits could not brook, tlie unprin- cipled horde of freebooters whose proceedings we arc now recording, determined to rid themselves of a captive who had become an incumbrance. 'l.^he ridiculous farce of a trial wius gone thi'ough, at ^ctlj imi glistening I'tlicr ful- )ner, and ne of the )c sent to tive arti- :ind com- on, three d thirty- value of j -livalent, j ^is and a '' miiUons j »^as esti- marks." j n thi-ice i l1 would j said to ' ars and I I I the rest j numer- j to the i ^figuel. j of the I v'peeted ucli de- unprin- j I'G now ve who igh, at .liJ a. I SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS. OGI wliicli .sueli nconsutions ns llio following wore made, aii'l pretoiided to be sustuined: He luid been guilty of polyga my; of "squanderiiig the publie's revenues sineo tiid conquest;" of idolatry [I]; (;f the murder of liis brotlicr Tluascar; and of striving to exeite a rebellion against the .Spanish authorities! Tliis last ehargc, the only one brought before the self-constituted court which is worthy of comment, was utterly unsustained. The country was perfectly ([nirt, and even the ingenuity of the prejudi(!cd judges luilcil to connect tlie royal captive with any atteni))t at insurrection. It is ^^aid that the malice of the interpre- ter Feli[»illo induced him to distort the testimony adduced. This fellow had been engaged, as if: said, in a^ intrigue with one of the Inca's women. The uscfuhu s ^ the interpreter protected him from punishment, Vit t (Ex- pressed indignation of the prince, excited tl ■ p^ rmanent rancour and ill-will of his inferior. The unhappy Atahuallpa was sentenced '■o be burned alive in the public square that very nigh '>7hen his doom was made known to him, he at first resorted to every entreaty and expostulation to move his murderers from their diabolical purpose. With tears he reminded Pi/arro of the treasures he had lavished on the S})aniards, and the good faith which he had always shown, and ju'omised a ransom llir greater than that before brought in, if he could but have time to procure it, and if his life were spared. Seeing that entreaties and supplications availed nothing, the dignity and firm spirit of endurance of the monarch returned, and he calmly awaited his terrible flite. By the light of torches he was brought out and chained to the stake, and, at the last moment, submitted to the disgrace- ful mockerv of an administration of the sacraments, and a formal profession of Christianity, that a speedier form of death might be awarded him. He perished by the infa mous garotte. SB I , h 1 1 1 1 li h ■4 r J .( 'i;- i ' m^r ■Ail ■ i 'i 502 INDIAX HACKS OF AMKKIOA. HtTiiniido do Solo, !i iiKiti wlio, wilhtlu! fiiults of liirt age niid nation, was vastly snpi'i'ior to tlu; inorciless villains with will Mil he was assi)ciat('d, was absent at tin; time of this transaction, and on his rctniMi condcnuHHl tin' pro- ceeding; in strong terms. A small pi'oportion of the compa- ny thought, the same with Do Soto, concerning the innrcUir, bnt: liy liir the greater nund)erwero but too glad to bi; rid of a troid)lesome eaj)tive, to trouble tliemselves about the means ol' aceom])lishing their [)ur})oso. 'I'hosc chii-lly con- cerned, lelt sulliciently tin; disgi'a(!c attendant upon their i j uets, to endeavor to shift tlu; responsibility upon each other. \ \ In " I'urchas, his I'ilgrimage," is the following summary of tl u- cud of tin huall} )a: Ih ii'iheipal aii'eiits in the mui'der of Ata- )wneit they kille(l juni not witlisiaiiding, ani 1 m a nin'ht stran le( I 1 inn. liut ( jO(| the •iglitcous .1 nilge, seeing this villainous act, sull'ered none of those Spaniards to die by the course of iS'ature, but brought them to cuill and shameful! ends. * * vMmagi'o was executed by Piear- ro, and he si; une bv V OULT Al mauro an( I 1 iim \ iet;a (ic V Casti'adid likewise put to death. .K)hii i'icarro was slaine of th si; iniiaiis. Martin, an other of the. Urelhi'tMi, was line Willi f aneis. ''eidiiiaiidiis was iiiipi'isoin'( d HI Spaine i\. his end viiknowiie; (ioii/altVi was done to death by Cbisea. Soto died of thought in floritla; and ciuill warres e ale v{i ) tuc rest 1 eru. A condition of anarchy and intci^tino disturbance °uo- ceedenl the death of the Inea, and the rude shock given by the S])anisli invasion to the old system of aii)iti-ary, but l\\ci\ and unehanaeable laws. Seeinui; the value at- tached to the precious metals, the natives in many insttuiecs followed the example of the conquc'rors in ])lundering and destroying the jniblic edifices of their own country. I'he quantity of gold and silver conveyed away and concealed for ever from the covetous eyes of the Europeans was said to have inlinitely surpassed that which they bad secured ' I ^ I : M h'xA age villiiins tiino of he pro- compiv imirdor, I) he. rid )()Ut llio ■ lly con- i)U their ■li olhcr. iiiniiKii'y • of AUi- lin-j,-, iuul IS ,l^nl.^'l', >p;iiiiiirds I to (Miill • |by riijiu'- Vacciv do IS slainc •(Ml, was )iifd ill to d>!ath id ciuill ncc "'ic- •k given ibitrary, valne at- iiistanees n<'' and ry. " The oncealed was said secured 1 1 l! I I t i ! SOUTH AMKKICAN INDIANS. na Ci'S ciiai'ti:k v. MAIiClI TOWAHnS CUZCO — OlM'OSITION ^>l' Till; NATIVDS — DKATII ()l» TnPAIfCA, ANDMUIIMKI! ftl' (11 A M.CIMIIIM A .M AN(() CA I'AC — ENTIIY l.NTO TIIKCAl'ITAI, IIOOTV OUTAIMCU — KSCAl'IC OF MANCO, AND (iKNKiiAr, iNsn{i!i:t"rif)\ — siiuiK orcr/co — UKvrcusr.snr thk SI'ANIAUDS — civil, WAUS — I'l'liTIIKl! IIOSTI I.ITIKS Ol' MANCO <:AI'A(; ("UL'Kl.TliKATMKNTOF TIIK NATIVKS DKATII OF MANCO CAI'AC — KKI'OUMS CNDKIl I'KDHO DK I,A (iAS- CA — TUl'AC AINIAHir — INSirilliKCTION Ol'" 17HI rilKSKNTCONDITIOiN OKTIIK I'KKUVIAN INDIANS. riZAiiuo now dechircd the sovereignty of Peru to bo vested in a brother of Atahnalipa nan\ed Toparco, and the ceremony of coronation was duly perl()rn>ed. 1^'urtlier stay at Caxumalca was deemed nnadvisable, and, with tiie new Inea in company, thcSp.'o.ish army j)ushed on towards the ancient capital of Peru, over the magnificent road of the Incas. The ascent of tlie mountain ridges was, indeed, arcbioiis and perilous, as the road was intended only for foot i)assengers and the agile Peruvian shcej) or "camel," as the animal was designated by early writers. As in former progresses, the granaries and halting-places ]ire- ])ar('d for the royal armies sup[)lied abundant food and shelter. '^riic first attempt upon the part of the natives to arrest the })rogress of the cavalcade, was at Xauxa, where tliey collected to oppose the passage of a considerable stream. ]{esistancc proved unavailing: the cavalry dashed through tlu^ river, and dispersed the crowd. Pizarro encamped at Xauxa, and commissioned Do Soto, with sixty mounted men, to go forward, and sec that all was safe foi^ a further advance. As that cavalier approached Cuzco, after cross- ing the Apurimac, a tributary of the Amazon, his com mand was Ijeset by a hostile force of Tndians among the H » ' m I'l il' • r 504 INDIAN HACKS OK AMKIiU'A. I ' I I il M (l;ui<^orou.s pusses of tlio iiiountaiii wliirli he must cross to rciiuh the (JMpitiil. IJy su[u'rliiiiii;ui etl'orls, tlie little party niana<^e(l to force ix way against the enemy until an rle- vated plateau \Viia gained, where there was mom lor the movements ol' tlie horses. The natives, becoming more liuniliar with the arms and moile oi' lighting adopted l»y till! Spaniards, lought with their natural courage and reso- lution, but could accomplish little after the cavalry had attained an advantageous j)osition. During the night, De Soto and his men were ghuhK-ncd by tlio arrival of Almagro ujion tlic lield, with most of tlie cavalry left at Xauxa. J'i/arro had i-eceived a(U ic(;s of the danger to which his advance was exposed, :iiid ])romptly forwarded assistance. 'l\\c. whole S})anish force finally assembled at Xacpiixaguana, but a few miles (h^m Cuzco. In this delightlul valley, a favorite resort of the I Ilea nobility, whose country-seats were every wher,. scattered over its surface, the army encamped for rest and refreshment. At this place various charges were brought up against the noble old wurrior, Challcuchima. The uew liica, 'J\>parcn, had died during the halt at Xauxa, and it was thought convenient to attribute his death, Jis well as the recent hostile movenients, to the machinations of this dangerous prisoner. He was tried, condemned, and burned alive — the usual method of execution adopted by the Spaniards in the case of an Indian victim. It is to be trusted that another generation will look upon the bar- barities still persisted in among the most enlightened nations of the present age, with the same sensations that are now aroused by the remembrance of the cruelties so universal in former times. A new elainumt to the throne of the Incns had now arisen in the person of Manco C'apae, a brother of the ill- rincc. pr sph came boldly to the Spanish camp, explained the grounds .''* :--q I I cross to .Ic party I lor iho llj^ lliol'i', )j)UmI l>y :uitl ivso- airy luul huldciKMl 3st of llio d vices ol' sod, ami iiish lorc'O lilos iVoiii rosorl of M-y wlior.. ^' rest and brought a. 'riio Xauxu, death, iifl liiKitious idemucd, adopted It is to the bar- ightened ions that lelties so had now )!' the ill- ;i1t elided, Ltrounda SOUTH AMKUIOAN INDIANS. 505 of his elaitn, and ri''iucstt;d the aid of I'lzurro in c.stahliHli- ing his lights. TIk! general reeeivcd him kindly, uiid sei'ined to'aeeede to the proposal. In conipuny with thin new ally, alter (Hie nutre unimportant skirmish, tlu; Span- iards entered (Ju/eo, on t)r about the IHth of Novemlier, loJiu. They were delighted with the extcuit and inagnili- cenee (»!' tlie city, and the liveliness and gaycty of its inhabitants. 'J'eniples, public ediliees, roy.il jialaces, and places oC sepulture, wei'o every where laiisacked in seart^h of gold, but orders had been given by Pi/arro that private property yliouhl be respected. 'I'he rapacious plunderers were dis- satislied with the amount ol' treasure discovered, although no eoiKpiest in tlie history of the world was over rewarded by siicli a('(pusitions ol" the precious metals, and proccicded to suliji'ct some of tlu; natives to the torture, to compel a disclosure of their secret ])laees of'dcjiosit. "Ill a cavern near the city," says Treseott, "they found a nnmbt-r (jf vases of pure gold, richly embossed with the ligures of serpents, locusts, and other animals. Among the spoil were lour golden llamas, and ir\i or twelve statues of women, some of gold, others of silver, 'which juerely to see,' says one of the conquerors, wilh some 'ii(i'icd'.\ ' was truly a great satisfaction.'" Upon the march, no small amount of booty had been secured: "In one })haH', for example, the)' met with ten planks or bars of solid silver, each piece being twenty feet in length, one foot in Iji'eadtii, and two or three inches thick." Maiieo Capae was solemnly crowned at Cuzco, by I'izarro, who, with his own hand, pr(,\sentcd the im})erial badge, the " borla" or red scarf for the forehead. The con- quero! iri'anged a system (if government for the eit.y, giving his brothers Uon/alo and .luan the princijial authority. The iiati\ 's seemed to ac<]uiesce readily in the new regu- lations, and joined hilariously in the festivities of the time. ij ; I I I i I I 1 i ! I i n: ^1 •■;J -r_:j 4 1 566 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Pizarrc r.ow bctliouglit liiinscirof establisliing v, capital for the new country in a more convenient location than either Cuzco or (^uito, and in January, 1535, the founda- tions of the city of Lima were laid. Hernando Pizarro had been previously sent io Spain, with substantial speci- mens of the newly-acquired ti-easures. His appearance at court, and his details of strange adventure, excited an un- precedented enthusiasm and astonishment. Large addi- tional emoluments and authorities were conferred upon tlie principal actors in the conquest ; and Hernando returned to America, accompanied by numerous adventurers eager for fame and fortune in the new world. Almagro received, by royal grant, authority to conquer and possess an im- mense district, southward of Peru; and thither he took up his march, after a long series of bickerings and quarrels with Juan and Gonzalo, rcs])ecting conflicting claims at Cuzco. The comiuerors of the empire of the Incas became care- less and secure: they little dreamed that there yet existed a warlike and determined spirit among the down-trodden natives, fated soon to raise a storm on every side, which not even Si)anish valor and doiro:ed determination could readily allay. The young Inca, ALanco Capac, indignant, at the conduct of the rulers at Cuzco, and disgusted with the shadow of authority whicli he was himself allowed to exercise, made his escape from the surveillance of the Pizarros, and, rous- ing the whole country to arms, intrenched himself be\ond the Yucay. Juan Pizarro in vain undertook his recapture. With a small body of cavalry, he did, indeed, gain a tem- porary advantage, but the effect of superstitious fears no longer operated to dismay the Indian warriors, and it was only by virtue of hard knocks, and by actual superiority in skill, weapons, end endurance, that they could be con- quered, '^^riie numbers of the enemy were so great, and so fast increasing, that Juan was obliged, in a few days, to W' capital )U than founda- rizarro il npeci- rancc at 1 an un- ^c addl- ed 11 1)011 returned 3rs eager received, 3 an im- ! took n}) rrcls witli at Cuzco. imc care- it existed i-troddcn 0, wliieli on could p conduct iiadow of jiso, made |ind, rous- Ifbevond [■eca})ture. lin a tem- Icars no liid it wa8 iperiority li be con- |at, and so days, to SOUTH AMEIUCAX INDIANS. 507 1 1 i I return to Cujcco, wliicli, as lie was informed by a mes- Benofcr, was now bcsieu'cd 1)V tlic Indians in still more overwhelming force. In the cleirant langnaw of ^Fr. Prescott: " The ext(Misivc environs, as far as the eye could reach, were occui>i('d by a mighty host, which an indefinite computation swell. d to the number of two hundrc^d thousand warriors. The dusky lines of the rndian battalions stretched out to the verv verii'e oC the mountains: while, all around, tlie eve saw only the crests and waving banners of chieftains, mingled with rich panoplies of feather-work, which re- minded some few who had served under Co]'t(\s of the military costume of the Aztecs. Alx^ve all rose a f )rcst of long lances and battle-axes edged with co[)per, which, tossed to and fro in wild confusion, olistened in tlie ravs " of the setting sun, like light |)layiiig on the surface of a dark and troubled ocean. It was tlu' first time that the Spaniards had beheld an Indian army in all ils tci-i'ors; Ij such an army as the TiK'as led to battle, wIumi the b;inner j ! of the Sun was borne triumphant over the land." i i It is almost inconceivable that such a handful of men ! i as were gathered within the eity-walls, should have been able to repel the Ii)rc6 now gathered about them, and to maintain their position until the enemy, wearied witli hopeless encounters, and sulVcring from want of pi'ovision, should be obliged 1o draw olf. The buildings of Cuzeo were nearly all covered with a neatly arranged thatch, and this the assailants easily ig- nited by means of bunring arrows, 'i'he whole city was wra})t in flames, and the Spaniai'ds, encamped in the great plaza, nearly perished irom the heat and smok(\ When the flames subsided, al'ter several days of terrible confla- gration, one half of the })roud capital was a hca}> of ruins. Fierce l^attles and desj)erate hand-to-hand encounters succeeded: the Spaniards, with their accustomed bravery, I ' il ■:'J i if! if if '^m m -.4 ,4 OltO- INDFAN ]:ACKS OF AMERICA. again mihI •A<.r.\\\\ cliarucd the enemy in tlic field, but tlieir numbers \wre so niselves of such of these nseful animals as fell into tiu !i hands. Several of them were seen mounted, and tlu> Inca himself, "accoutred in the European fashion, rode a wai'-horse which he managed with eonsideiable address, and, with a lor.g lance in his hand, led on his fol- ic »vers to the attack." There are bounds to the physical endurance of man and beast, and the Spaniards were obliged to submit to the siege, and to wait until assistance should arrive from without, or until the eiuMuy should be weary of keeping watch upon them. ^JMie greatest annoy- ance was in the possession, by the Indians, of the great f'oi'tress, from the high towcMs of which their missiles were hurled with deadly effect upon all within rc^ach. It was determined to storm this intreiichment, and the sor\'ice wns most ijallaiitly ]'(i fornied. .(nan I'i/.ai'i'o, a cavalier sjioken of as supei'ioi- to either of his brothei's in iiumanity, lost his life in its accomplishment. 'I'he Peru- vian commander, after defending his post in person, with the most desperate valor, scorning to be taken prisoner, threw himself headlong from the highest tower, and p^'risiied. The siege, wliich had commenced in the spi'ing, contin- ued until August, wluMi, after months of anxiety and snfl'cring, the little baml of S[)aniards wei'c I'cjoiecd lo see the Inca's forces taking their departure. They had been dismissed by their leader to go home and attend to the necessary duties of husbandry. Maneo inti'enched him- sell'at ^l'and>o, south of the Yucay. i '■if M t tlieir niislies y were As ut MOSS of ambers longer id even i as fell ounted, fashlou, derable l.isfol- ihysieal Is wore ;sistaiiee loiikl be ■1 annoy- grcat es were I (1 tlie an-o, a KM's in I rem- I •ithtlio thi'cw le.l. coiitin- y and I to see d been to the d L'un- SOUTU AMERICAN INDIANS. m Tl 10 rismji: among th( 1' Vruvians was v.^ry ext|ile. A general Urling of gloom, apprehension, an(l disconlcMt pievailed, and not a few til' llie settlers, at lama and I'lsewhere, wlto anxious to abandon tlu' eoniitry. I '[»()ii the r(M,nni ol' Aln ditioii to Chili, and his sei/nru of Cn/.co, he sueci'cdcd in la'jTo ii'oni his ( lisasti •oils CXIX! (lri\ iii'j' the 1 Ilea li'oin Taliib > into ihc iiiounliuns, w here he sough 1 out a solitary plaee of eonccalii Kilt until ojipoitunity shoidd oflrr for au'ain arousiiiL!; 1 lis peoi )lc: to rcs'stai lee. In the desolating eivil wars which ensncil among the ri\al Spanish claimants of tlu; country, the lights and prosperity of the native inhabitants were uttei'ly disre- garded, 'fhey were unseru|)ulously enslaved and mal- treated wluM-cNcr the power of the Spaniards exteiide injury to the Spanish setdements, and rendered 1ra\'eHing uiisaCe, except in large and ^vell-arnle(l coni- })anies. Although frequently defated by Pizarj-o's troops, he would only retire to medif.'ite fresh attacks, and the Spanish commamler linally thought it advisable to ojaii a ncuotiatioii wi th 1 iim. A iiieetimj- was aceort liii'.d V aii- poiiitcMJ in the \alley of the Yucay. but the attempt.-^ at I ])acitication were ren(hM'(ul al)oi'tive liy mutual outrages. A nc'jro messeiiLi'er, S(Mit bv Pizurro to the Inca with a as robbed and n 1 b iiirilercii ii\- vom jiropitiatoiy olfering, w of the natives. The Spanish commander chose to att rilnite the act to Maiiec^'s oi'ders, and proci.'ciled to retaliate by 1 1 m ■If I 11 'Jil ■ !>• llr'J ' II 570 INDIAN RACKS OF A^rI•:PJ^"A, tiio d.'iptardly and cruel nuirdor of a 3'oung and i ■■ aiinu T.ili' ol' *ho Inea, -wlio was a pvisoner in liis ]*('V/er Siif? was stripped naked, beaten, and afterwards sliot wiili arrows. This crueltv was endured, ou tlie ])ai't of the victim, with true Indian fortitude. AVhat a stranac con- tradiction it appears, that a mau like tliis, with hi.- d\in^t.' li|)S (he was assassiriated in 1541) should have ])ron(iuiiced the name of irim whose whole teaching and example breathed the s])i]'it of gentleness and m(>rcy, and that his last effort should have beeu to kiss the figure of the cross, di'awu b_y his fmgcr, iii his on'u blood, npon the floor. As the Spanish population of the coimtrj increased, the condition of the Indians became more and more wi'ctehed and deplorable. The old scenes at the West India Islands were recnacted, and the brutal populace seemed to uiako cruelty and wanton outrage a luattcr of emnlatiou. It was not enough to enslave the helpless natives, and lo compel them upon insuflu'ient nourishment, and scai)ti\v clothed, to undergo the killing labors of the mine^ ami ])lantations; but the most cajn-icions outrages were v,yvv\ where committed. The}' Avcrc hunted with dou's, for the sake of sport; all that they esteemed sacred was desecrateil ; theii' women were violated in the luost. shameless manner; and cruel tortures and death awaiteti him who should resist the oppressor, or invade his rights r)f property! One of the most notoriou'-' ab' .■'s in tlie system of Spanish government, and which was maintained until after tlu^ insurrection of 1781, was called the "Eepartiiuento." This was a compulsory distribution of Kuropeau goods, which the natives were compelled to i.)urchase at cnoi-mous prices, "The law was doubtless intended," it is said by T.-chudi, "in its origin, for the advantage and convenience of the native Indians, by supplying them with necessaries at a reasouable price. But subsequently the Ke])artimiento V 4; '• a) ".fill )t wiih of tho gu coll- . (Iviim ounced x;nn}«1e ,hat his ic cross, 1)1 )i', scd, the retched Islunds o ia:d\0 i>ii. It and io scanti\v ic^ and e every i;,'^, for il was most, ;nvait^'d. rights cm of lil after iicuto." goods, 'IIIIOUS aid 1)}' iiience \arty of Span- iards, who had fled to his camp during the factious disturb- ances by whi'',h the European settlements were convulsed. They paid the forfeit for this act witli their lives. I'he first elfectual stejis taken in behalf of the wa.-led and oppressed ]V'ru\ians, were under the viceroyalty of Pedro do la Gasca, between 1547 and 1550. liy his ef- foils, a careful iiupiiry was instituted into the coiulition of the slaves; their arbitrary removal I'rom llieir native districts was prohibiteil; and, al)ove all, sti'ii't ivgniations were made, and — not without strong ojiposiMon — enforced, Ijy which the kind and amount of their labor was precisely laid down. ';:3 H '■; 1 : INDIA \ IlAflKS OF AMKllICA. m-'. i ■i. 1 1 I Tupac Amaru, a sou of Afanco Capac. wlio had resided aiiioii<^ the remote niouutaiu districts of tlic iuterior since liis flithcr's death, was taken prisoner and }>ut to death during the period tliat Francisco do Toledo was viceroy of I'ci'u. One of his descendants, Jose Gabriel Condor- e:nmni, l^nown as 'riij)ac Amaru the Second, in after-times fi'.'irfnlly revengcMl the injuries of his family and country- men. 'rh(! insurrection which he headed l)roke out in ITS I. The lapse of two centuries of o])pression had thin- ucd the tceniin^^ population of Peru iu a mtio scarcely ])reced(Mited, but, on the other hand, European weapons, and military skill, both (jf which they ha', the s})ace of twcnly years, they were taught military ma- ncijuvrcs and the use of lire-arms. After every lost battle, the retreating Indians cai'ried wilh them, in their flighl, their nuiskcts, which they still keep carefully conceahMl. They are also acquainted wilh the niainifactun) of gun- powder, of which, in al! their festivals, they \v.ni great quantities for sipiibs and rijckets." '^i'he same writer d(.scri!)es tiic present charactcn" of the race as gloomy and dislrnstlid. The C'hristian religion Las been, at least in nan c, almost universally diil'used, but the observance of its liks is mingled wilh many relics ol' the ancient suj)erstitions of ihe country, wliile the bigoti-y, errors, and evil example of too many of those who have acted as its ministers could hardly result in the inculcation of the true S]vii'it of their hiith. During the whole })eriod of Spanish authority, from the time of the first landing, the Catholic ecclesiastics were unwearied in endea,vors to promulgate their religion. Their success in effecting at least an outward acceptation of its doctrines, has been no where more signal than in South America. II ■■„ \\ s i0 •I n [_L t _i 'l' ' jM^ ■J 'if. » THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. CHAPTKll 1. rilEIU LOCATION, AI'PKAllANi'K, ivrc. — IMfllCHAs' DKSCItlPTIO.N OKCHf LI DIVISION OF THK TIUBlvS PKHUVIAN CONQ'JKSTS — AGKICUL- TURE, ARTS, ETC., AMONG TIIK NATIVES — ALMAGKo's INVASION EXPEDITION OF PEDRO DF, VALDIVIA FOUNDING OF ST. JAGG BATTLES WITH THE MAPOCHINIANS — DESTRUCTION OF SPANISH MINERS PEACE WITH THE PROMAUCIANS. The different tribes belonging to this bold and warlike race inluibit (■liili and western Patagonia, commencing about latitude thirty degrees, and extending to Terra del l''ueuo. The Pecherais of that island have also been classed ill the same family, and their general conformation of fig- ni'e and features, except so far as the withering influence of cold and squalid destitution have deteriorated the race, would seem to warrant the conclusion that the two nations were of identical origin. 'i ^(e mountaineers of Chili are 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 arc tall, hardy, and vigorous, with exceedingly muscular limbs: their faces are broad, and their features rather heavy and coarse, but without the appearance of stu[)idily or dullness: they have the bright eye and coarse blaek hair of the Indian. Some of them arc noticed with heavy beards, but generally this a])pciidagc is lliiu and THE AUAUCANIAN HACK. i::> i sciuitv, and tlic common burbai'ous custom of cnulicp.ting it with sonic substitute i'or twcc/.cr is resorted to. Altliou^i^h u considerable (bdcrcuce is ol)Scrvablv! between the inhabitants of llic mountains ami tlio ])lains, in size, Complexion, ^c, yrl the similarity in lan v.; ff' A. or iiiK ( () n /I n. 1. 1: li.i a. " Alm AURo, iii>tiiicl d!' .Klviiiiciiii.': alorii; llie luvt-l c'luinliy on llie a)Uat, cliosu lo limrcli iicru! "^ 578 INDIAN RACES OF AMEIIICA. and a large hody of Peruvians, with the intent of form- ing a colony and commencing a permanent settlement. Some of the domestic animals of Europe were taken for use of the new colony, and a number of women and eccle- 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 northern tribes, freed from the yoke of the Incas, were disposed to reassert their former independence. The want of union, however, prevented them from being able to stem the progress of the Spaniards. The invader pressed on, crushing all opposition, to Mapocho, the j)rov- ince where he founded the city of St. Jago. While the new capital was in progress of construction, the natives of the district fell boldly upon 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 spirit of the Mapochonians was not broken, and for years afterwards they continued to harass the settlers in every possible manner. The opening of the rich mines of the valley of Quillota reconciled the colonists to every danger and privation; and, for convenient communication with Pern, a vessel was built in the river Chile, which flows throutili that district. Valdivia now sent emissaries to Peru, under convoy of thii'ty mounted men, to beat up for recruits. These mes- sengers were eight in number, and, as a bait to new adven- turers, their "spurs, bits, and stirrups he directed to bo made ot gold." A body of Copiapans attacked this party on iheir ronto, and dew all except two, named Alonzo Monroy and I'edro Miranda, whom they carried to their uimcn 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 riding. The j j THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. 579 CHAPTER II. THE ARAUCANIANS PROPER — CHARACTER AND HABITS OF THE TRIBE HOUSES AND DRESS — SECTIONAL DIVISIONS AND GOVERN- MENT — SYSTEM OF WARFARE — COURAGE AND MILITARY SKILL RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND SUPERSTITIONS PATRIOTISM AND PUBLIC SPIRIT OF THE NATIVES — Molina's eulogium. p**i i ungrateful Spaniards took advantage of the confidence placed in them, to murder their charge and escape on the horses. They succeeded in reaching Peru, and procured a considerable number of adventurers to try their fortunes in the new and promising regions of the south. The Chilians did not quietly submit to Spanish en- croacliments. The inhabitants of Quillota, by an artful stratagem, drew the Spaniards connected with the mines into an ambuscade, and murdered nearly the whole num- ber; they followed np their advantage by burning the miUtary stores and the vessel which had been built at the river Chile. Valdivia had the good fortune or skill to overawe or conciliate the Promaucians, and an alliance was formed between the Spaniards and that tribe. t4 \.^%^ Pushing his conquests and acquisitions further to the southward, the Spanish commander, in 1550, founded the city of Conception, but as the occupation of this spot led to the important events connected with the Araucanian war, we will follow the 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 of the Araucanians, their physical perfection, and ii t M I -q 580 INDIAN RAC1«:;4 OF AMKlllCA. tlioir. po\ ^rs of enduranco. Tic says "tlioy arc intrepid, inimatcd, ardent, patient in endnrin;^- faligne, ever ready to sacrifice their lives in the service of tlieir country, en- thusiastic lovers of liberty, which they consider as an essential constituent of their existence, jealous of their honour, courteous, hos])itable, faitlifid to their enj2;a,^e- ments, gratc>ftd for services rendered them, and generous and hmnanc towards the vanquished." Tluiir failings, on the other hand, arc "drunkenness, debauchery, presump- tion, and a haughty contempt for all other nations." The district of Arauco, irom which the nation takes its name, is but a small i)rovincc of the country iidiabited 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, conOTCgated in no large towns, but thickly scattered over the country in small rural villages. Their domestic and household arrangements were little more refnied than wo 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 fi'om. 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 adai^ted to the use of horsemen. The women wore long dresses, Avitli a short cloak, both fastened with ornamental brooches of silver. The Araucanian system of government is described by ^folina as being an hereditary aristocracy. The 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 the 9 1' ---q itrcpid, r ready try, cn- ' us ail jf tli(>ir ciigagc- ;encrou3 ings, oil rcsuinp- , " takes its bited by ;cn Coii- a moun- nplieit}^ 'cd over stic and than wo ,vas gen- ortioncd IcccG of idcr gar- convG- iitcd to dresses, i)rooclie3 Iribed by country ons, the the base Each 1, or su- y of the ' ii THE AKAUCANTAN RACE. 581 nobility or Uhnenes, wlio jircsidcMJ over tlio variouH sul)- divisioiis of the state, and who decided in grand council upon pubUc matters. Our author docs not speak very higldy of the judicial institiilioiis of the country. Much trouble ensued from a system of retaliation by which minor offences were allowed h) be punislKnl. The capital crinu'S were "treachery, intcuitional homicide, adulteiy, tlu; rob- bery of any valuable article, and witclicraft. Neveithc- less, those found guilty of homicide can screen thcms(dves from ]ninishment by a composition with the relations of the murdered." hiach father of a family assumed and ex- ercised absolute power over his wives and children, luid, by the custom of the country, he was not responsible even for taking their lives. In war, as among the ruder N^(jrth American tribes, the direction and comnumd of the armies was not coTd'ci'red upon the supreme civil potentate, uidess from his known skill and braveiy he was deemed filly competent. A war-cliicf was not unusually api)ointed fVom among the inferior officers, and, when this was done, an absolute dic- tatorship was vested in the chosen lcad(;r. Soon after the arrival of the S{)iuiiards in Chili, the Araucanians began to supply themscl ves 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 bj' artillery failed to con- fuse or appal them. In the words of Molina: "As soon X M>| f? '!! 4;!i lA %i 582 INDIAN llACES OF AMEUICA. ,i-. "v;',. ■ as the first line is cut down, tlic second occupies its place, a: .1 then the third, until they linally succeed in breaking the front ranks of the enemy. In the midst of their fury, they nevertheless preserve the strictest order, and perform all the evolutions directed by their ofliccrs. The most terrible of them arc the club-bearers, who, like so many llei-culescs, destroy with their iron-pointed maces all they meet in their way." A fter a battle, the prisoners taken were held as slaves until ransomed or exchanged: in some rare instances a single captive would be sacriliced. This was done, (with- out torture,) after the jKM'formancc of a singular preliminary ceremonial. The victim was brought forward "upon a hoi'se deprived of his ears and tail — as a mark of igno- miny." The proper ollicers 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 tlie most renowned chiefs of his 'ountry, "while, at the same time, the surrounding so. .. loaded these abhorred names with the bitterest execrations." After he had been forced to cover the hole "as if to bury therein tiie reputation and valor of their enemies," some one of the principal chiefs destroyed the captive by the blow of a war-club. His heart, it is said, was then taken out, and a little blood sucked from it by the officers standing around; after wdiich, the body was dismembered, the bones were used for flutes, and the skull, (if not cracked,) served for a drinking vessel. All this sounds excessively barbarous, 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 Araueanians appears to have borne a strong resemblance to that of many North Amer- ican tribes. The idea of a supreme being; of good and :-it ■!■■-:. la tells kcurred lo have I A mer- le! and *r< i< THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. 583 |)ti()n, from wliieli town ho sent lortli expeditions in varicjus directions, fuiining mag- niliccnt phms for the entire occupation t>f the surrounding country. He anticipated littli^ further resistant^! on the [)art of the inhabitants, but while he was indulging tlu'so hopes, and poiulering new schemes of conquest, an inlhi- ence was at work to counteract liis efforts and restore the native ind(>pendeucc. Colocolo, an old cacique of Arauco, set himself in earnest to rouse up the whole nation to resistance, lie visited province after ])rovinee, pointing out the dangers of the supine course of Lincoyan, and urging the ajipoiutmcut of some more capable and ener- getic leader, A meeting of the Ulmenes was called, after the usual manner, in an open plain, and the merits of various rival candidates for the oflice of Toqui were stormily discussed. It was at last concluded to leave the decision with Colocolo, who fixed upon a chief not before brought forward; Cau- polican, Ulmen of Pilma3^quen. The new general commenced operations agnhist 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 weapons, they attacked the Spaniards with inconceivable fury. Caupolican did not arrive quite soon enough, with liis army, to take advantage of the confusion which ensued. As he came up, his brave couqiany was driven out, the draw-bridge was raised, and the garrison stationed to de- fend the walls. He therefore invested the place, and, cut- ting off all supplies, compelled the Spaniards to evacuate '' -ii '^ 8'' ' ''I W.f ;'■:'■ ^ .^in 588 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. it. Tins was accomplished without loss, by taking their 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 it to be one of their customary sallies, taking no measures to obstruct their flight." Following up his advantage Caupolican reduced the fort at l^icapel, and encamped at that place to await the ap- proach of the Spanish army. Valdivia, according to tlie expectation of the Toqui, promjitly collected his forces for a grand struggle with the natives. The numbers of the respective armies are not certainly known ; but it ap- pears probable ■'hat 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 thous..ad. As he neared the enemies' camp, the Span- ish general sent forward ten mounted men under Diego del Oro, on a scout. These were surrounded and cut off by the Indians, and their heads were hung upon trees in sight of the advancing troops. It was upon the 8d 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 d'fferent battalions than upon individual couragG and determination. The Spaniards were, it is true, greatly outnumbered, but they had, on the other hand, the im- mense advantage of fire-arms and other European weap- ons, with which they had so long been accustomed to scatter the hordes of rudely-equipped savages who op- posed them. The Araucanians appeared utterly reckless of life : line alter line would be swept away by cannon and musketry. i I THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. 589 but fresh bodies were ready, at the word of command, to rush into tlio dangerous breach. Molina describes the result as 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 great number of their men, they were thrown into disorder, and began to give vay. Caupolican, Taca- pcl (one of the most distinguished of their generals), and the old intrepid Colocolo, who was present in the action, in vain attempted to prevent their flight and reanimate their courage. The Spaniards shouted victory, and furi- ously pressed upon the fugitives. " 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, baptized and made his page, quitted the victorious party, began loudly to reproach his countrymen with their cowardice, and exhorted them to continue the contest, us the Spaniards, wounded and spent with fatigac, were no longer able to resist them. Ac 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 Avas entirel}'' 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. Caupolican seemed disposed to favor tlic captive general, but an old oificcr, 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 tale of the manner of Yaldivia's death obtained some credence : Purchas makes mcntiop of it as fol- lows in his synopsis of Chilian conquests and coloiii ition "In six and thirtie decrees is that famous Yalkjv ot' 1 1 I! N .. Ml m I 'ij I 't lif^ Lizr- I 't i't 590 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. Arauco, wbicli defend their persons and frcedomc, maugre all the force and flirie of the Spaniards. * * 1'hey haue destroyed many of the Spaniards: they tooke the Citie Baldiuia in the yeare 1599, and slew the Spaniards. Twice before, if not oftner, they had burnt and si)oilcd it. Yea Baldiuia himselfe, the first conqueror of Cluli, (for Alniagro stayed not) and of whom that Citie receiucd name, was taken by these Indians, his horse being slaine vnder him. They bid him feare nothing, hee should haue gold enough: and making a great banquet for him, brought in the last seruice, which was a cup full of molten gold which they forced liim to drinke, saying; Now glut tliy selfe loith gold. This Baldiuia had entred Chili with foure hundred horse, and easily conquered that part which had beene subject to the Kings of Peru, but the other, which was the richer part, held out." To proceed with the more authentic narrative, Lautaro was immediately raised to the highest subordinate rank in the army, being made "lieutenant-general extraordinary," and the whole country resounded with his praise. When news of the fatal overthrow of Valdivia reached the Spanish settlements, the inhabitants abandoned Vil- larica, Puren, and other minor establishments, retreating for safety within the walls of Valdivia and Imperial. These two places were invested by Caupolican in force, while the gallant young Lautaro Avas entrusted with the defence of the mountain pass 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 office of govciu>r devolved upon Francis Villagran. Im- mediately upon assuming command, this officer made arrangements for another invasion of Arauco. He found Lautaro with his division prepared to oppose his entrance into the province. An advanced body of ; ■ V THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. 591 natives was driven in by the Spaniards, after some liours of hard fighting, and the invaders pressed up the moun- tain path to tlie spot where the young commander was posted. "This mountain," says Molina, "which on sev- eral occasions has proved fatal to the Spaniards, lii^s on its summit a large plain, interspersed with shady trees. Its sides are full of clefts and precipices, on the })art towards the west the sea beats, with great violence, and the east is secured by impenetrable thickets. 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 succeeded in bringing to bear, with effect, upon the Indians, while his musketeers poured continual vollcj^s 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 difficulties, they found their retnfat cut off by a barricade of logs. But a handful of ilie number sur- vived to carry the heavy news to Conception. The city was iirmiediately deserted, as incapable of defence; the women, children, and old men, were shipped on board the vessels in the harbor, to be carried to Val- paraiso and Imperial, while Villagran, with the able-bodied men, took up his march for Santiago. The Araucanians plundered and destroyed the aban- doned city without opposition. '^I'he hurried dc[)arturc of the Spaniards, and their insufficient means of conveyance, prevented the removal of much accumulated treasure, Avhich consequently fell into the hands of the Indians. Villagran, as soon as practicable, sent reinforcements to the besieged cities of Valdivia and Imperial, upon wliich Caupolican drew off his forces, leaving the Spaniards to W i\" If ■ "1 ,■■».»' \\ m I i!i ■ ,1 'i ; ■' n' i^ ' ^H.'' 1' t i . i V ■ ' - ■, '.■ 592 INDIAN "lACES OF AMERICA. lay waste tlic surrounding country, A worse enemy than the l^iuropcau invaders, at tliis time, desolated the Indian teri'itories: that terrible disease the small-pox was eom- jnunicjited to the natives by some infected Spanish soldiers, and,^as usual among a people unacquainted with its pecu- liarities, spread far and wide, producing a fearful mortality. In the year 1555, the Court of the Koyal Audience, at Lima, in settling various disputed (piestions (;oniiCcted with Spanish government in Chili, directed Villagran to rebuild the city of Conception. A colony was accordingly transported thither, and a strong fort w^as erected. This spot, it will be rememl)ered, was to be northward of tlie Bio-bio, and without the Araucanian territory; but, at the re(]^uest of the native inhabitants, an army of about two thousand men, under Lautaro, was sent to annihilate the growing settlement. The young chicftai. was a second time completely suc- cessful. The Spaniards were slain, or driven to seek safety in their vessels, or by flight through the wilderness, and the buildings were again plundered and razed. l^Tushed with success, Lautaro now determined, Avitli only six hundred warriors, to march a distance of some thi'ce hundred miles, and attack the town of Santiago. At the same time, Caupolican again laid siege to Valdiviu and Imj^crial. Lautaro pursued bis march peaceably until he reached Fromaucia, where he revenged his coun- try upon the treacherous allies of the Spaniards by ravag- ing and laying waste the district. This course of pro- ceeding has been pronounced grossly impolitic, as by conciliation and kindness he might have secured friends where he now left behind him implacable enemies. Instead of making an instantaneous attack upon the city, Lautaro deemed it more prudent to erect a fort to which he might retreat, and wliere he might, at his leisure, reconnoitre tlie '•ihmuv's strongholds, and choose his own II 1 1 I — i I THE ARAUCANIAN RACE. tunc, for assault or surprise. TFc tlicrcforc posted hiinsclf on the banks of tlic Cluro. Kepeated attt'nipls wore made by tlie Spaniards to dislodge liini, but a^^ain and again they were repulsed with heavy loss, 'riic eonduet of these sorties were intrusted to Pedro Villagrrui, son of the governor, the old chief himself bein^L' at the time dis- abled by sickness. Upon his recovery, the veteran took with hi)n an army of about two hundred Spaniards, with a thousand Indians, and marched, with great sccresy and caution for Lautaro's camp. Tic succeeded in surprising the enemy, and gained a complete victor}'. The attrick was made just at the dawn of day, when the Indians were totally unj)rej)ared : they fought with their usual des})eration, and, after all hope of resistance was at an end, sternly refused to sur- render. "In vain," says Molina, "the Spanish commander . repeatedly ofi'ered them quarter. * * The Araucanians perislied to the last man, and fought with such obstinacy that they sought for death by throwing themselves on the lances of their enemies." Lautaro was slain by a dart in the very first of the mcl(5e. This was in 1556, and the brave and celebrated chief was consequently but nineteen years of age. His deatli was universally lamented; even the Spaniards, while exult- ing in the prospect of future safety, opened to them by his death, both felt and expressed the most enthusiastic admi- ration for his noble character and distinguished talents. Cau[)olican, hearing of the melancholy issue of Lautaro',-; expedition, raised the siege of Imperial, and repaired to the northern frontiers. 38 11 I ( ., i« 111 f ■1l ' ,;'^ nr ^(..f kf- 1;J '*: "1 594 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. CHAPTER IV. DON GARCIA HE MRNDOZA ; TIlS KSTAHLISIIMENT AT QTJIKIQUINA FOUT ON MOUNT I'INTO ATTACKKI) KY CAUPOI.ICAN — DON RAKCIA's INVASION OK AliAUCO ; HIS CHUKI/riKS — KXTKOITION TO CIIII OK AKTFlir- JIANAGK.'MKNT Ol" TIIK (lUNCIIES — SHI/UKE AND CKUKl, DKATU OF CAUl'OMCAN — SDliSECiUENT SUCCESSES OF Tin: SI'ANIAKDS HETIJKAT OF THE NATIVES TO THE MAKSIIES OF LUMACO — INDIAN VICTORY AT MOUNT MARIGUKNU GENERAL SUMMARY OF SUCCEED- ING HOSTILITIES. In the month of April, 1557, Don Garcia do ]\rcndoza, upon whom had been eoiifcrrcd the ofrice of Spanish viceroy at Cliili, arrived at the liarhor of Conception, witli a hirgc foi'ce of inlantiy and abundant muniments of war. llehrst e.^tal^lislied himself upon the island of Quiriqnina. and sent niessartain destruction that they might hav*^ a hrii'f opportunity lor wreaking their long-cherished vengeaiH'c; upon the S[)aniards. Prodigies are related of the jiersoiiid exploits of Tuca{)(>l, who en- couraged this iindacity hy his own example, l)ut who, unlike his conij)anions, succeeded in forcing his way bacik. After killing, as is said, "four of his enemies with his formidable mace, he ese-aped by leaping over a precipice, amidst a shower (^f balls." Ji('inforcements were sent over from the island, and Cau})olican was obliged to draw oil' his forces, leaving his purpose unaccomplished, l^hc arrival, shortly after, of a great force of S2)anish cavalry and Indian auxili;iries, by sea, rendered a repetition of the attempt hopeless. Thus strengthened, Don (larcia soon commenced offen- sive operations. lie crossed the Bio-bio unopposed, and engaged the Araucanian army, a short distance beyond. The natives, notwithstanding every exertion, and the dis- play of i rash valor never surpassed, \/erc driven off with terrible loss. Cruelty and barbarity unlike any thing before known in Chili, now marked the success of the conqueror, lie cut off the hands of a prisoner named Galverino, who had been a noted warrior, and sent him to liis friends as a warning of what was in store for them: other ca])tives ho subjected to cruel tortures in order to extort information as to their general's idans and places of retreat, but their fortitude was proof .igainst all the suffering he could inflict. Caupolican soon rallied his forces for another battle, which was more obstinately contested even than the first; but the result was the same — the superiority in weapons, and the efficiency of the cavalry securing success to the i ' . ' 1 II r? 'fji T_.'J (H. i Ui ,,m'- ^ 696 INDIAN HACKS OK AMKUICA. Spaniai'ds. Tlie mutilated CKilvci'ino, ;i,!j;iiii was ]i;inu;(Ml, witlv twelve of the iiiiti\(' 1:ils en i)ns()iu'r. l\f an'iiinlac(\ In the 5ittem})t to secure ,'ui advanta,!j,'e by the inli-o(bictioii of a spy withiu the walls, Ik^ was himscif completely over- reached bv the cnnniii"' of owe of the Indian allies of the Spaniards, 'riiis man, discoveriii!^ theeri'nnd of ihe spy, secured his conlidence by j)i'ctcndinji; hatn^d a;(ainst the invaders, and by prouiisin<^ his aid in admitting; tin; be- siegers Avithin the walls, (laupolican was I'cgularly en- tra])ped: agate was l(>ft ojmmi to give ojipoitunity foi- an entrance into the fort, but when such a number had en- tered as could safely \)v. mastei'cd, the ])assage was closed, and by a sudden and unex]iected attack', those within the walls were cut to pieces, and those without completely routed. Caupolican csca))ed to the mountains, but three of his officers were tahen ])risoners, and blown from the mu/zles of cannon. The years 1558 and 1559 were memorable among tlio Spanish settlers of Chili, for the ex])cdition of Don Garcia to the archipelago of Chiloc. By an artful l)olic3^, adop)t- ed in accordance with the advice of an Araucanian, the Cunclics averted the usual terrors of European invasion. They pretended extreme poverty, sendiiig to the general a present of "roasted lizards and wild fruits," and carefully ! ! : I ::n-- --n 'isoncr, Lfoiirid- fol'iruM' fisoiK'd, <(), al'tcr nperitil. j to assist On tlio unlives, tbry (•(■- ■an llicn 111 the ,i()ii of a ]y {)\r.r- .>s ol' tlio \]\r, sj>y, jiiiist the the 1)C- irly cn- i'l)!' an lad I'Ti- cIoscmI, hill the plctoly it three oin the r" n) ong the Garcia r, ado})t- ian, the nvasion. fcncral a iirefiillv TIIH AUAIU'ANIAN HACK !)7 coiKU'aliii;^ every sijjii ofwealth, parlieiilarly in the j)reci()UH metals. A y i\\v, most deso- lalt! and daii^^eroiis routes, Ihe tnore ed'eetuall)' U) diseour- a;^e. any plans ol'setthin'.ent and eoh)ni/ation. Ai'i'ivin,Lf, at last, alter iinhe;ird-o(' toil and ])i'i\ation, iit tiie •Jjeaiitifnl arehipela^ro, the Spa,iiiards wen; kindly and geiKU'ously entertained hy th". natives. On his relmn, through the level eountry of the lluiiliehes, l)on (lareiu rounde(l the city oCOrsiiio. it WHS dui'ing this tiDsenec; of the viceroy that the brave; Cauj)olican fell into the hands of his emnriies. Alonxo l{{!ynos(^ extolled, hy torture oC a [»risoner, the disclosure of his [(lacxMjf retreat, and S(Mit a corps of inoiinted men h) surprise him. V>y ordt'r of the cruel commandant, this brave and vtnierated ruler was impaled, and in that p(Asi- tioii dispatched with arrows. Tlu! odice oI' 'IVxpii was conferred upon a st)n of the old chief, Caupolieaii the younger, and the redoubted 'J\icapel was m;ide second in command. An anny of Araucaiiians, led by the new commander, was immedintely upon the inarch for the ('ily (jf ( ■onception. Alon/.o Uey- noso followed, with five hundred men, to atUick this body in tln! rear; but was signally defeated in an engagement iioilh of the river Jiiod)io, which he hardly succeeded in recrossing with a remnant of his followers. Instead of following out his original design against Conception, young Caupolican transferred his forces to Imperial, where I'ou Garcia Inul fortified hiinscif. lie was unable to tal:e the cit}', although he besieged it closely ihv a long time, mak- ing many I'uiious and desperate attacks. The Spaniards were strengthened by constant arrivals of iinlitary adven- turers from Spain and Peru, and as their defences were good, their 1(jss in these engagements was small, fus com- pared with that of the Indian besiegers. An attempt to .^i! if 1 " ■*(] . 1 i' 51 hi'' ' '5i 598 INDIAN HACKS OF AMKUICA. rouse a rebellion uinoiij^ the Iiidiun allies at the Sjianish camp, was diseovered, and all coiicenuMl were put to death. Two of tjje emissaries ol' the Toiiui were "impaled in the sif^ht of the Araueanian ai'my, to whom they reeominended with their last brejith to die in defmiee •.> >.; libertii.'s of their country. One hundred and tweiii . ihe auxiliaries were also hung on tiie i'am])arts, exhorting the othei's to favor the enterprise of their countrymen." Cau))olican withdrew from the city, and established himself at a place called Quipeo, between Conception and the fortress of Canete, the nature of which was such that it could easily be defended. Uere he stoutly resisted all ellbrts to dislodge him foi- a long time; but was linally worsted in an incautious sally. Jlis army was mostly destroyed; Tucajiel, Colocolo, Lincoyan, and others of his bravest ofheers, IkhI fallen; and, seeing escape impossible, the young chief put an end to his own life. Every thing now seemed to favor the Spaniards: they little thought that after such a reverse, and the experience of the misery and horrors of a long and bloody war, the natives would again make head against them. The inter- val of peace was occupied in restoring the old fortifications and settlements, and in the establishment of new posts. It was at this time that the city of Mcndoza, east of the Andes, was founded. Nearly all the Araueanian officers, and a large propor- tion of the young men of the tribe, had perished in the last disastrous campaigns, but the indomitable spirit of the nation survived. A brave chief, named Antiguenu, was chosen Toqui, and the shattered forces of the nation were assembled in the gloomy and almost impenetrable marshes of Lumaco. Here Antiguenu "caused high scaflbldings to be erected to secure his men from the extreme moisture," and devoted himself to training and instructing such new recruits as could be collected. ion and icli that stcd all 3 finally mostly rs of lii^ possible, ^Is: tlK-y )ericu('0 rar, llic \() iutcr- tications :W posts, t of tlic propor- iii tlic •it of the 31111, was ion were niarslies Holdings )isture," bell new TIIK AKAUCANIAN HACK. mi 1 1 "Don Garcia nad, in tlic nioati time, Loon snporsodcd in ;j liis odiee of Spanish viecrov, hv the fonncr incnmbent, Francis Vil1a^t:;ran; who, hearing' of liu; late dcfrat of the ]j natives, supposed that lie now occupied an easy and secure ' position, lie was undeceived by the intclligi'iice that tlie | i new Toqui was beginning to give his army some practical j ! lessons in the art of war by various predatory visits to the j } S})anish settlements. The first serious engagement, in this campaign, took place at the summit of Mount ^lariguenu, the scene of former disaster to the Spaniards. ^VntigueiiU, familiar with the advantages of the locality, was posted at this spot, and Yillagran sent one of his sons, with the most cfTicient force at his disposal, to attack the enemy in their quarters. The result of the attempt was as fatal as upon former occasions: the leader of the assailants was slain, and nearly the entire Spanish army destroyed. The To- qui followed up his advantage by the seizure and destruc- tion of the fortress at Canete. About this time Pedro Villagran, by the cLatli of Francis, his father, succeeded to the oflice of governor. Antiguenu had now at Iiis disposal an army of not far from four thou- sand men, and felt sufficientlv stroim- to divide his forces, and make a simultaneous attack upon the city of Concc])- tion and the fortress at Araueo. The city resisted all the attempts of the natives, although close siege was laid to it for two months; but the detach- ment led into Araueo by Antiguenu in person was moi-e successful. The commandant, Lorenzo liernal, defended his post with great bravery, holding out against all the as- saults of the enemy until reduced by ftimine to evacuate the fort. The S])aniards were not disturbed in their retreat, the business of destroying the buildings and fortifications, so long a harbor for the enemy in the heart of their owu country, fully occu})ying the attention of the .Iraucanians. L 'n m '4 (., i!ii ■m ^fw f^l «ou INDIAN LACKS OF AMICIIK-'A. ¥i |: Scv(!ral iiit(!rostiii^' iiicidi-iitHiiro rcconlodcornioctcd with this Hicgci: ii]K)ii (»tio oeawioii, Anfigiicmi cliiillt'iinvd iho Spanish conimuiidiiiit to u priviitc ])ersonal oiuiouiitcr, and IIumIuoI was nccoriliiij^Iy loii;^lit in si^Iit, of liotli armies. *"l'iio battle bctwctMi these two ehatnpions," says tiie histori- an, " was continued i'or two iioiirs without (!itht!r obtainin;^ any advanta{^^(>, or injuring- thc! oth(>r, till they were at len^^th separated by their juen." Sueh trials of htreiij^lli. and skill between renowned warriors oi' either party were not uneonunon duriii;^; the protraeted wars of Chili. Not long aller the reduetion of (Janete and the ll)i t al Araueo, u general engagement took place Ixitwcen the In- dians and S})aiiiards at tiie junction of the Vergosa and iJio-bio, in whieh tiu; ibrmer wore totally routed. Anil- guenu with many of his followers fell, or was forced, from a stee{) bank into the stream, and there perished. A ter- rible havoc was conmiited anioug the discomhtted army, not, however, without great loss to the victors, and the Araucanian power seemed, a second time, to be ell'ectually crushed. This was in the year loOI. The sagacious and prudent I'aillataru, a relative of the lamented Lautai'o, was the next Toqui, and, like his pre- decessor, ho set himself, at lirst, to recruit his forces and repair the disasters ol' war. ¥ov years he hazarded no open battle with the whites, but inured his warriors to ser- vice by Hying incursions. In 15(55 a new Spanish viceroy, Ilodrigo de Quiroga, I'estored the posts at Canetc and Araueo, and built a new Ibrt at Qui]>eo. \V ith little oj)position, he laid waste those portions of the Araucanian territory that were within his icach, and dispatched a body of trot)ps to the southward, to bring into subjection the islands of the Chiloan archi- pelago. The inild and gentle inhabitants of that grou])e .si.ibmitted without an elfort to the dictation of the Span- iards, oil'ering no resistance to the burdens of personal ! TlIK AKAUCANIAN RACK. 001 j fiorviw, &c., imjioHCfl upon lluMii 1)y tlicir new niastorn. Tti i al'tcr-tiim'S tluiy ju'ovcil cinially tracrtuhlo in a|it,iii^ the n'li,L;ioii of their eoiinucrors. i I^'or lliiiiy years IVom the itislallatioii oC r;iill;il;u'ii, I l)I<»()(ly ami desolatiii.L,^ warn wen;, at. intervals, wa,'^<'(l be- 1 tweeii llie Spaiiianls jiial Ai'auraiiiaiiH. 'I'lie luniKi-, (Vom I the steady iiiereasc of tlicir iiPinhcrs, ar(iiiirril a stronger i i'ooliioM ill lIic coiiiitiy, ami tiie result ol' hostilities was generally in their favor. ( )ccasi()ii;illy some terrible revei'se . woiiM .-erve lo remind tliein ihiit- the enemy was not yet I coiKiuered, hut that tin; old spiiit slill burned with undi- I inlnished energy. The Araueaiiians ae((uired the use of , lioi'ses, thereby gainin;^' gi'eat facilities lui" Hying ineiii'sions. I 'I'o II eertaiu (ixti'Ut they had, morein'ei', learned to avail ! themselves (jf sueh fire-arms as were secured in battle. I PaillalarM defeated the Spaniards yet again upon Mount ! ^rarigiieiiu, and, as well as his successor, the niii.~lee or hall'-hreed J*aynenamu, pi'ove.i ^■j" \l: ! W: I 612 INDIAN RACES OF AMERICA. .lisniom})cr, broil, and feast u]K)n tla; Lody ol' tlio man tliey liad secured. ]iy unmistakable gestures, they mado known to the crew that the other two Portuguese had met with tlio same late. No settlemeui in the country was attempted until the year 1508, when twenty-four men were left at the port of All Saints. Private adventurers commenced colonies at various points upon the coast during the ensuing years, making the collection of the wood from which the eountry derives its name, the princi])al object of their efforts. A most bloody and savage warliiro soon broke out between these settlers and the native iidiabitants, in which cither party seemed to sti've for preeminence in cruelty. A system of transportiug criminals from the old country to Jkazil served to debase the character of the colonies. In warfare with the Indians, on the one hand, the prisoners were slain and eaten; and on the other, all were put to death exccjpt such as would be valuable for slaves. Meantime, the rage for discovery brought out divers adventurers from the Old World. In 1509, Don Juan do Solis, accompanied by V^iccnte Pinzon, and commissioned Vy the king of Castile, coasted as far south as the mouth of the La Plata, entering upon his route the magnificent luirbor of Rio Janeiro. The tragic fate of tliis'commander is thus described by Southey: While in the immense estuary of the river, "the natives invited him to shore, and he landed with a boat's-crew, 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 the crew, seized the boat, broke it to pieces in an instant, and slew every man with clubs: then they took the bodii>s upon their shoulders, carried them to a spot which was out of the reach of the Spaniards, but within sight, and there dis- membered, roasted, and devoured them. The scene of .; ,!'•,» ^ INDIAN TKITIES OF BRA/.IL. 613 man r miido !i(l met iitil Uio port of )uios at r yours, I Ljountry rts. A between li eitlier Ity. A iintry to ies. In u'isoners c put to f' .t divers uan do issionod mouth iiiliccnt mander uineiisc si lore, dell one ion was Rationed e erow, and slew (>s upor s out of liere dis- seene of .o l^ tills trn^'ccly was on the north shore, between Monte Video and I.Ialdonado, near a rivulet, whieli still bears the name of Sol is." '^IMio cireumstances connect(!d with the (irst setthMrietit of Hahia do 'Podos Santos, the province of which St. Sab vador was afterwards the capital, are singularly strikin;:'. A young man, from Viana, named I)iot>pin,!^ u]) fri(Mul!3' rdatii^ns with the Indians. l''r()m tliis('(uitr;d [)oiiit, wlicn^ St. Sidvador was built, comineticed that wonderful in(Iuen<}c exerted by the Jesuit mission- aries over the native; [)o[)ulalion. These enthusiastic devotees found their proselytes not unapt in acquirinp^ tlic Portuguese language, and by the attractions of music, of which tliey were passionately fond, tog(;ther with kind treatment :md virtuous exami)le, tliey won over gre.it numbers to a C(m formation to the outward re(piisitions of their faith, if not to an underst:uiding of its abstractions. One thing, however, seemed almost iinjirac- ticable, and that was to eradicate the inordinate propensity to cannibalism, .so imiver.sally dilT'u.sed among the Ih-a/iliiin aborigines. An aniscdote upon this j)oint, related by Mr. Southey, has been often told, but will bear rei)etition : " A Jesuit one day found a Brazilian woni;in in extreme old age, and almost at the point of deatJi. Having catechised h(T, instructed lier, as ho conceived, id the nature ofCiiris- tianity, and completely taken care of her .soul, he began to inquire whether there was any kind of food which she could take? 'drandam,' said he, 'if I were to get you a little sugar now, or a mouthful of .some of our nice things whicih Avc bring from bej^ond sea, do you think you could cat it?' 'Ah, my grand.son,' said the old convert, 'my atonuicli goes against every thing. There is but one thing M'hich I fancy I could touch. If T had the little hand of a little tender Tapuya boy, T tliiidv I cuidd pick th.o I 1 M !l INDIAN TUIIIES OK nUAZII,. 015 little bones; Ijut, woe is ino, there is nobody to go out aud shoot one lor ine!'" In addition to tlio instructions juid porsuasiona of the Jesuits, tlio Portuguese eoh^niul autiioritiis U-nt their iiid to enforec the reguhitions prohibiting this mniMturiil cus- tom, but it was long u bone of conteiitii 'ii between thciu and their Indian dependents, who were willing to give up any other of their nalioiud usages rather than this. I'urchaH gives the following description of some of the ccremoniea utten'hmt upon the disposal of prisonei's taken in battle: "Their captiues they eonuey in the middest of their armic home to their teriitoiics, and thereuntoe the men will not stickc to give their sisters or daughters to r)cr- formc all the duties of a wife, and feed them with the best till tlicy redcmand the same out of their flesh. ••■ * When that disniall day approeheth, knowledge is given, and the men, women, and children assemble to the place appointed, and there passe the morning in drinking, and the Captiuc (although he knowcth the drcadfull issue) danceth, drink- etli, and frolickcs it with the best." 'i'hcy then lead him about the town by a rope: " Neither doth he, for all this, hang downe his head, as men hero going to be hanged, but with incredible courage euibUwon- cth his owno worthinesse." Like the North American Indians, the victim boasts of his ibrnier exploits against his ca})tors, with every species oi' taunt and provocation. lie recounts those whom he has assisted to devour, and predicts a terrible retribution lor his own destruction. "Tlien they bring him stones, L bid him reucngo his death, lie hurleth them at tiiose that stand about him, whereof there are some fourc thousand, and hurteth diners." When he is finally divspatched, his temporary wife "comes to the carkassc, and spends a little time and passion in mourning, but her Crocodiles t(!ares are soone dried, 1 1 I i i i: 616 INDIAN RACES OF AMEKICA. aid the humor fals into licr teeth, which "V/'ater for Ine first morselh" The whole process of dressing and devour- ing is minutely described. Bahia was settled about the year 1550, and ten years later Rio Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese governor, after the expulsion of the French, who had attempted to gain possession of that region of country. The coast set- tlements were steadily increasing in stability and power, but not without further contests with the native inhabit- ants. Of these, the most savage and dangerous were the Botocudos, dwelling in the intei'ior, and between tlie rivers Doce and Pardo, from the fifteenth to the twentieth degree of south latitude. They have always been considered as being among the most repulsive and brutish of the hu- man race. They are sup})osed to be the same race as the Aymores, once the most dangerous enemies of the Portu- guese settlers. Their natural figure and the conformation of their features seem, from most accounts, to be by no means unpleasing. Dwelling in a forest country, their complex- ion is fairer than that of many of the South American Indians; it is of a light yellowish copper color, and suffi- ciently transparent for a blush to be perfectly obvious. The stories of their frightful and hideous appearance may all be referred to one most barbarous custom of mutilation and deformity, prevalent among them from the earliest times. This is the insertion of a large wooden plug oi button called +he "botoque" into a slit in the under lip: similar appendages are worn at the ears. This botoque is of such a size that its pressure generally causes the lower teeth eventually to ftdl out, and its pro 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 the botoque is increased until it has nyjrhcd the full measure of defonrity and 1 1 -Tl for Ine (levour- n years Dvernor, I )ptcs[)er- ous and civilized districts inhabited by Americaii Tndiims. It will be a most gratifying rcsidt if the next generation shall \vitnes3 the original proprietors of this vfist country taking, in the persons of their representatives, an equal place among its European occupants. A right state of feeling, irpon the subject of what is due to the Indian, seems to be irpon the ascendant in the United States except in those districts where there is still a conflict of interest between the different races. \J addicted "Infanti- the aged that the )rc their ^alc chil- lew-born n on the. irbarous thin the 1 1 i! ( . ' i ■.' I' U i If 111 Jl I iiif r THE PAMPAS INDIANS. THEIR IIOnSKMANSHIP — THEIR MODE OF LIKE SIR FRANCIS HEAD 3 DESCKII'TIONS OF THE RACE FEMALE CAPTIVES AMONG THE IN- DIANS TRADING VlSIl'S TO EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS CLASSI- FICATION OF TRir.i;s — CHANGE IN THEIR CONDITION BY THE INTRODUCTION Oi" EUROPEAN DOMESTIC ANIMALS. The vast plains or pampas of Buenos Ayrcs arc inliab- ited — wliorc European settlements have not yet extended — by a ^vild and singular raec of Indians. To tlicm 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 ordinary conveniences and comforts of life, they are trained from infancy to scour the plains, often without saddles, upon the wild horses who roam at will over the boundless ex- panse of meadow. The world has never produced such niaa;nificent horsemen: "The Gauchos," savs Sir Francis Head, "who themselves ride so bcautifidly, all declare that it is impossible to ride with an Indian ; for that tlie Indians' 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 thai some of the Indians charo;ed without cither 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." 1 1 fl IS IIKAD 3 THE IN- ■CLASSl- lY niE ,rc inluab- cxtendcd them the rs, consti- iijoymcnt. ordhiary ncd from les, upon lull CSS ex- ccd such iT Francis :l;irc that Indians' liavc such id by a { wore to The Gau- spcars. iut either ler •e hang- 1 1 [jhrielving THE PAMPAS INDIANS. 625 The whole lives of these singular people arc spent upon norsehack, a natural result of which is an in(\apa('ity for other ^;necies of exertion. Walking is intolerable to tlieni : the fiitiguc and tediousness of such a mode of travelling over an unliinitcxl level, would be disheartening to any, more particularly to those wiio have continually availcl themselves of the services of the horse. Something of the ordinary system of Indijm govcn-inuinit exists among the numerous tribes, but they are all nf unset- tled and roving habits, shifting their quarters contiiiMally in search of better pasturage, and subsisting chiefly upon maros' flesh. Wherever they betake themselves, tliey drive before tliem 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 characteristically graphic description of a gallop across the pampas has won so ex tensive a reputation, observes of the Indinns: "The occn- })ation of their lives is war, vrhich tliey consider is th.ir noble and most natural employment: and they dee arc that the proudest attitude of the human figure is when, bending over his horse, man is riding at his enemv. The principal weapon wliicli they use is a spear eighteen fixit long; they manage it with great dexterity, and are able to give it a tremulous motion which has often shaken tiio sword from the hand of their European adversaries." In addition to the spear, they mcdvc use, both in war and hunting", of a most elTectivc instrument called the hallos. This is a species of slung-shot, consisting of a stout leathern thoniz: with a ball of lead attached to either end. A ic.rn- ble blow can be struck with this weapon, and, as a missile, the Indians use it with great dexterity and effect within a moderate rano-e. The lasso, or long noose attached to the saddle, is also an effective implement. 40 .4 i , i "f-^ I. J! .12 (} IN'hfAN liACKS OF AMEUICA. ■ (1 ,■ ■ > ' % " m : Between theia aixl tliu Giiiiclio.s, a scarcely less wild nice of cavaliers, principally of Spanish descent, the most deadly hostility constantly prevails. Tn the cx[)Osed districts, rude foi'tifications are erected I'l'r the protection of the white inhabitants against Indian incursions. 'J'he })riiieip;d de- fence of these fortresses is said to be a narrow ditch, over which the Indiiui horses, accustomed to the unobstructed level of the prairie, I'efusc to leap, and nothing could in- duce their rider to attem})t any thing upon foot. Upon occasion of a successful assault, the savages show little mercy. All the unfortunate whites are nuirdered, except such of the young women as appear sullieiently attractive to make desirable wives. " Whether the })oor girls can ride or not," says Head, "tlicy are instantly placed upon liorses, and when the hasty })1 under of the hut is con- cluded they arc driven tiwuy from its smoking ruins and Irom the horrid scene which surrounds it." "At a puce v/hieh in ]']urope is uidcnown, 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, wlien they have instantly to adopt the wild life of their captors. " I Avas informed by a very intelligent French oIHccr, who was of high rank in the Peruvian army, that on friLiidly terms, he had once passed througii part of tlie teri'it(.M'y of these Pampas Indians, in order to attack a Iribc who Vtcrc at war with them, and tliat he had met several of the Aoung women who had been thus carried off by the [ndians. " He told me that he had offered to obtain permission for them to return to their country, and tluit he had, in addi- tion, oifered them large sums of money if tliey would, in the mean while, act as interpreters; but they all replied that no inducement in tlie woi-ld should ever make them ]e;ive their husbands, en' iheli children, and that they were quite delighted with the life they led." I ! ii : I jl I ; THK r.XMI'AS INDIANH. C27 Id nico deadly ts, rude ) white ip;il dc- ;li, over ^Iructcd )iild in- Upon )\v little , excc'iit ^tractive ;ii'ls can od upon , is c(ju- lins and 1 1 ii ly g-^i^*n; I mares' the Iii- [lopt tlic leer, who fi'iuully tcrrit(.»ry •11 )v' who [;il 1)1' the Indians. L-sion for in addi- ^ould, in replied Ike them ley were I ! Ii I ! There is certainly sotnethin^ Htriin.^('ly fasi'itiatin^ in tlm idea of a wild lifi!, uiifettci'ed hy the artideial restraints of soeiety, and the eunstaut call (or exertion and eare inci- dent to civili/ed exist(!ncc. We see that in a majority of cases the inhabitants of even the most desolate and inhos- pitahle re^^ions of the earth, after experiencing the coni- ibrts of civilization, are still glad to return to the scenes and habits to \vhieh tluy were eai'ly inured, it is easier lor the educated and enlightened European to discard the advantages wl.ieh he lias inherited, and to adopt the hab- it': and life of the savage, especially in a genial and spon- taneously productive clime, tiian for the latter to give up his wild freedom for the responsibilities and cares of civilization. In times of peace the free rovers of the South Ameri- can 2)ampu-! make occasional visits to the European towns and settlements for the pur})ose of trade. ^Phcy bring in such few articles of peltry, &c., as they deal in, to barter for sugar, "knives, spurs, and lirpior." Delivering np all their dangerous weapons to their chief, the}' devote them- selves, at (irst, to a regular drinking-bout, after recovering from wdiich, they offer their goods to the trades-people. I'hey 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 arc classified as b^^onging to the great Patagonian or Pampean groupe, which is divided into the following nations: the Tehuclche, Puelche, Char- rua, Mboeobi or Toba, Mataguayo, Abiponcs, and Lengua. That portion of which we have been .speaking in this cliapter, consists principally o! the Puelche: their ancestors were 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. ''\l :.:U I'.- ^hI G23 INI)IAN HACKS OF AMKlilCA. They also iiihubilcd tli(» ciistrni iiioiintiiiiioiis irgiorisof Cliili, where iJic}' wri'i; allifd to iiml fhiss.d witli tin; iio- lilc iiiid warlike Araut.'iiiiiiiiis. MoliiKi, in his arcoiml, mI' lliiit race, says of tlut I'liclclios: "These, alLlioii;^h tiny- eoiilbnn to the general eiislonis of the nation, al\va\s dis- (!<)vei' a greater rudeness and sava,Li,t'nt\'«s of manners. Their name signifies l^^astern-men. * * The Araueaniaiis liold these mountaineers in high estimation for tlie im- ])ortant scrviees whieh tliey oeeasionally reniU'r them, and for the fidehty whieh they have always observed ia their alliance with them." 'J'hc first town built upon the site of the ])rcsent city of r)U(Mios Ayres, in lo.'J [, was destroyed by the Indians; and their bold attacks repelled the S])anish adventurei's in tliis (juartcr until loSO. Kvcn then they renewed their hos- tilities, but the fall of their chief cacique in battle, and the more efHeient fortilleation of the new town, balRed thiMu and caused their entire defeat. In these early times their habits were of course dillcrent from what wc may uow notice, as horses and cattle were not intnxluccd until the arrival of Kuropeans. The emu oi' American ostrich, still an inhabitant of the Pampas, the deer, sloth, and small game, su])i)lied them with Ibod. The unprecedented natural increase of cattle and horses, turned free to roam over the rich grassy savannahs, sup- plit^d them with entirely new resources. '^I'hose Indians of Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, and other southern provinces, who live in the midst of the white settlements, ai'c mostly Christian converts, at least in name and the observance of relivci'iiig of the European would afford incom})letc protection. "These men," says Purchas, speaking of those nc^irtln; straits of Magellan, "both Giants and others, went eitlnM- wholly iiaked, or so clothed, as they seemed not to dreiid tlic cold, which is yet there so violent, tliat besides t' ; mountaine-to])pcs, alway ^couered with Snow, their ver_y Summers, in the middest thereof, freeth them not from ice." A great portion of Patagonia is sterile and l)arren, desti- tute of timber, and covered only with a kind of coarse grass, or with thorny sln'ubs. The country rises in a series of terraces from the low eastern sea-coast to the range of the Andes, The northern districts are in many parts fertih^ and heavily timbered. Crossing the Straits of Ahigellan, w(^ find one of the most miserable and desolate countries on the globe. IVrra d(^l Euego, tlie land of lire, so called because of the numerous fires seen upon its coast by tlr early navigatoi-s, is a cold and barren island. '^Phe surface of the country is either rocky and mountainous, or of such a cold and miiy soil as to obstruct travel and improvement. Tlic forests are rendered nearly impassable by under-growth. The inhab- itants are partly, as would appear, of the same race with the Patagonians, but as a body they are giuierally classc-d witii the Andian Croupe, and considered to have some I! ; I ii ! i I , Ii] ■,<,'• THE PATAGONIANS. (;;u :i.'V,iiity to llic Arnuc.'ii'.iaiis. "One (l(\'^eri])1;on," pay,' Tritcluird, "is opplicubh.' to both iiutious. Their heads are proi)ortionahly ]arg«'; tlieir J'uee-; ioui;il, witli projoctiii;.',- check -l)oiics, h\rgc mouths, thick hj'S, short Rattenod nose.^, \vith Avidc nostrils; tlieir eves are lu/ri;';oiit;dlv j)laced, and not inclined; otherwise their countenance would a|)proxi- matc greatly to that of the noniiidic Tartars: they have little beard; their forc'heads are Jiarrow, and falling back; their chins brojid and short.'' Among the most interestin-j aeeounts of these Indians is that given by Ca})tain Fitzi'ov, in the "jMarrativo of the Voyages of the Adventure and the Ik-agde." Ijicutenant Charles AVilkcs, connnander of the TTnitcd States' explor- ing expedition, has also very graphically described the ap- pearance and peculiarities (»f tlie people an.d country. Fitzroy estimajtes the whole population at about thrci; thousand adults. They are divided into fivc^ dilferent ti'ibcs or nations, viz: the ^'acanas, '^rekcen.ieas, Alikhoolip, Peehei'ais, and ITuemids. 'J'he name of PcchcrrLis was be- stowed by Bougainville (as deseri[itive of their mode of sub- sistence) upon tho.-e coast b;(liansv,hol ave b(>en considered as belonging to the Araueanian frniily. '^i'iie Yaeanas ap{x\'ir to be the same with the nei;.'"hboring Patagonians. The separate tribes (liffer coD.'-idci-ably in tlunr ph^'sical (hivelopmeut, but the generality of these islanders present a. v,'r(>tchcd and miserable aspect of deformity. Their withered and emaciated limlis are in sirongcontrast to the breadth of the chest and the size of the at)d()men, and the; scpiatting position alw.'iys assumed hy th(?ni when at rest, causes the skin of the knee-joirit to become stretched and loose: when standing, it hangs in unsightly folds. Their eves are almost universally inflamed and sore from the effects of the smoke in their wigwams. There are few races upon the globe wdio bear so strongly the murks of want and destitution. I ' 1 1 I ' jl ■ I M I I (m fju lii 1.4' >■' m, > |ii 1 I ! 632 INDIAN llACES OF A:MEliICA. Unlike tliG natives of tlie cold climes of Northern Amer- ica, the Fuegians totally neglect the prccantion of fortify- ing themselves against the severities of winter hy -warm and comfortable clothing. The majority of tlie men go almost entirely naked. A single skin of the guanaco (a sonthern quadruped of the genus of the llama), or of the dillerent species of seal, thrown over the shoulders, and, in a few instances, reduced to the semhlancc of a garment, by a gii'dlc, is all that is seen in the way of clotliing. Some slight fdlets arc worn about the head, rather from a fancy for ornament than as a covering. The females usually wear an entire gnanaco skin, in the loose fold of whieli, al,H)\'e the belt, they curry their infants: a more ccjuvenient method than that adojited in some northern climes, of stowing the child in the huge boot. The huts which they inhabit arc built, much after the fashion of the oi'dinary Indian wigwam, 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 cum- foi'taljlc • they are generally intended merely for temporary domiciles, as the necessity for constant migration in search of the products of the sea and coast, renders any perma- nent settlement impracticable. The arts of agriculture arc entirely unknown or disregarded. Sundry attem|)ts have been made to introduce the cultivation of such vegetables as the soil is adapted to producing, but the ignoi'ance and barbarity of the inhabitants ju'cvcnted their n})})reciation of the advantages which would result from the operation, and the experiments utterly failed. ]\rost of the Fuegians are suj')])lied with roughly-con- structed bark canoes. In the centre of these a fiie is alwa^'s kept burning upon a bed of sand or clay. l'"ire is obtained by striking sjiarks from the iron pyrites upon a tinder j)repared from some dried fungus, or moss, which materials arc always kept at hand; but the diliiculty of ; I i! 1 1 I Amcr- fortifv- y wurni rruMi go anai'() (a r of the }TS, arid, I ram lent, ! I ilothiug. ] icr from females 3 fold of a more nortliern after tire bent to- i form of lor cuui- inporary n scareli pcrma- turc arc )ts liavc 'potables nee and eeiation icration, dy-con- fire is I'ii'e is I upon a \vhi(';li lidty of li ; t THE PATAGONIANS. boo I I ! .i obtaining a flame by tliese means is the probal)le reason for th(nr care in preserving the embers in their canoes. As we have mentioned, they 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, kc, consists of "a few berries, as the cranbeny and the berry of the ai'butus; also a fungus like the oak-aj^ple, Avliieh grows on the birch- tree. AVith the exception of tlicsc 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 sngacity." A race of dogs is domesticated among the Fucgians, by the assistance of which the labor and difficulty of hunting the guaiiaco, otter, d^e., is materially alleviated. The weapt)ns 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. ^riiey have no means of preserving a store of provision in times of plenty, and arc consequently liable to suffer greatly from famine when storms or other causes cut them off 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. ^^h\ Captain Fitzroy's narrative there is an account of a party of the natives who were in a famishing state, on whirh some of the tribe departed, observing that they would return in four 'sleeps' with a supply of food. On the (itlh day they arrived in a state of great exhaustion, each man carrying two or three pieces of whalc-blubbci-, in a half-jnitrid state, and which appeared as if it had been buried in the sand. A liole was" made in each piece through wdii(*li the man carrying it inserted his liea',1 and neck." liep'jrt says that, as a last resource, when other food can- I i. II 1 63-1 IXDIAJN- RACES OF AMERICA. not be obtained, the Fuegians kill and feed upon tlic older and more unserviecable members of their own eommunity. The bi'ncvolcnt Fitzroy, deeply interested in the welfiiro of these unfortunate islanders, made an attempt, in I8o0, to eifect some inij)rovement in their condition, lie took four of tlicm v/iih him lo I'higland, one of whom died of the small-pox shortly after landing. The others were maintained and instructed, at the captain's own expense, until October of the following year, when ho took them Oil board the Ceagle to rciturn to their homes, and use their influence in introducing the arts and comforts of civiliza- tion. One ]\ratLlie\vs accompanied them from li^ngland, with the purpose of assisting their efforts among their countrymen. Arriving at Terra del l^\icgo, wigwams were built, and a garden was laid out and planted with '^'ar^ous European esculents. Ciiriosit}'- and astonishment were the lirst feel- ings excited by these operations; but after the departure of the ea]>tain, the rude natives, unable to comprehend the motives for the experiment, and incapable of a])prcciating the advantages in store for them, destroyed the little plant- ation. Jemmy Button, the one most particularly described of those carried to England, when seen, a few years after- wards, by Captain Fitzroy, had nearly rehapsed into his original st^tc of squalid barbarity. Matthews left the island u[)on the first failure (^f the attempt at agi'iculture. Could there be found men of sufficient 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 remarkably retentive. It is said that "they could repeat with 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 ■ I I ■■; 1 TTIE rATAGONIANS. 615 I ; at Orange Tlarljor, wcn^ of tlic Peelierais tribe. Ilis de- scriptions correspond with tliosc of former voyagers, but tbcir interest is greatly lieiglilcned by the illustrations wliieli accompany liis valuable narrative. "They arc," lie sa3''S, "an ill-slia})en and ugly I'aee. They have little or no idea of the relatlvr v.tlue of articles, even of those that one would suppose wore of the utmost use to tluMii, such as iron and ghiss-ware. A glass bottle broken into pieces is valued as much as a knife. Red flannel torn into stripes, pleases them more thau in the piece; they A.ound it round their heads, as a kind of turban, and it was anuis- ing to see their satisfaction at this small acquisition." 'J'he 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 1lie 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-bono, seal-skin, and twigs." Their navigation was mostly conflned to ihe limits of the kelp or sea- weed, where the w^ater was calm, and they could assist the oper- ation of their small and InefTicicnt paddles by laying hold of the marine plants. Those natives who w^ere taken on board the vessels, exhibited little or no astonishment at wdiat they saw ai'ouiid them. This did not proceed from surliness or apathy, [or they were vivacious and cheerfui, and a})parenLly ha])py and contented. A most uncontrollable propensity to mim- icry prevented the establishment of any kind of onunu- nication, as, instead of replying to signs and gestures, they would invariably imitate them with ludicrous exactness. '^J^heir imitati()ns of sounds were truly astonishing. Ono of them ascended and descended the octave perfectly, fol- lowing the sounds of the violin correctlv. It was Ihoii found he could sound the common chords, and follow » ii H ' I 63G IXDIAX KACES OF A:\IKmCA. :l'k 'IJ ; I througli the soniitonc scale, with scarcely an error. * * ^ Althuugh they have been heard to shout quite loud, yet they (taimot endure a noise. When thi' di'inn beat, or a gun Avas lircd, they iii\ariably stojiped the'ir ears. They always s[ieak to each othei" iu a whisper. '^Pheii" e.'iutious inauiK'i' and iiiovenieiits prove tlieiii to be a timid I'aee. 'J'ln' men ai'e exceedingly jealous of their women, and Avill not allow any ouc, iC they can help it, to enter their huts, partieidarly boys." AVli(>n, after some hesitation, admittance was g;iined to the huts on shore: "The men creeping in fn-st, squatted themselves directly in fi'ont of the women, all holding out the small })iece of seal-skin, to allow the heat to I'each tlunr bodies. ■I'lie Avomen were squatted three deep behind the men, the oldest in front, nestling the infants." ^[ost writers speak of the condition of the Kucgian 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 all the savage women of America, those Avhose lot is the hardest." '^Jdios(^, however, seen at Orange Harbor had small and well-sha])ed hands and feet, "and. from appearance, they are not accus- tomed to do any hard work." Some vague superstitious belief in dreams, omens, Sec, Avith the idea of an evil sj^irit in the embodiment of "a great black man, snpjiosed to be alway.s wandering about the woods and mountains, who is certain of knowing every word and every action, who cannot be escaped, and who influences the Aveather according to men's conduct," is all that is ol)scrvable of religious conceptions on the part of the natives. They have, connected Avith each tribe or casual groupe, a man Avhom their fancy invests with the })ower of sorcerer and physician; occuj)ying precisely the same position Avith that of the "poAVOws" of North. America. M ;; T.j IMPORTANT E?tAS AND DATES OF INTERESTING EVENTS IN INDIAN HISTORY I A. D. 544. Tin; Toltces, nccording to juuiciil tniditions, commenced tlu'It niiuiMtinii IVoiii tlic iiortli to the v;ile of Aiiiiimae, or .Mexico. (')AH. 'riif 'I'tiltees iinived ;il Toll.uitziiieo, in AiKiliiiac. 't)>i-J.. Jlireiv the lied discovered (Jreeidaiid, and i>l.iMted ;i colony there. i)S,x IJi.irni HeriiiifsoM discovered tiie Americiui const. lOd.S. 'I'liuifum K;ulsct'ni planted a ccdony in .New Enj,dand. 1();j1. The Ttiliecs destroyed by a |)cstilence. 1U70. 'I'he harl)aroiis nation ot the (Jhichiniecas succeeded the 'J'oltees. 1 no. The Naluiatlaeas, or Meven Tribes, among whom were the AzIjcs, coinincneed their ini^'ratidn iVoni the north. 13:^5. 'i'iie .\;'.lecs lonndcd the cily of .ancient .Mexico. lliJ2. Oct. 1-J. Cnhimbiis Landed at Gnanahani, or Cat Island, on his rmst \oyaife of discovery. 1 IDS. Cohinibiis lirst touched tlie shores of Soiitli America, and Iield intercourse, with tiie Ar.iwaks. 1.JUU. Jan. litj. Vicente I'in/.on landed near Cape bit. Auyu.stine, at the eastern exlrcniily of Soutii America, and took fiirin.al posse.s.^ion. l.'iOl. Portnuuese discoverers, under Vespucius, landed at Tliazil. l.\)i)!l. Juan de Soils .slain by the natives ai llie estuary of J-a IMata. I.jl6. L. Velas(iue/. de Ayllon landed on the (Carolina coast in st:arch of Indian slaves and L(old. 151!}. .Nov. 8. Corte/. entered the city of iMe.\ico, and held his first inter- view with the Emperor .Mouti/.uma". l.riO. Night of July 1. The "Nociie Triste, m which the. Sjianiards ma( le their disastrous retreat from the city of Mexico. 1521. Tow.irds tiiv. elo.se of May, the Sp.uiiartls, witli reinforcements, having again advanced upon the A/tec capil.al, 1. id close siege to it. Aug. 13. (iantinio/.in, successor to.M. nle/.uma, was taken priMjiier, Old the city fell into the power of the Spanish invader.- 15-JI. Nov. Fr.ancisco Pizarro sailed on his fnst exi)edition lo Pern. 1528. Expedition ot Pani|)hilo de N.irvaez to Florida, with a parly of four inuidreil men. About forty horses were landed — the iii>t ever seep, by tiie natives. 1531. Piz.irro landed and establi.'-lied liinisell' in Pe ru. 1532. Nov. lo. I'hitry of Pi/arro into ''ixamalea, a ud lirst interview (jf lis oliic er.^ V, ith the Jne.a. At, ihualliia. " Nov. 1(). ilorrible massacre of the Inili.uis, and seizure of the Inca. 1533. Aug. 29. Ataliuallpa. infunoiisly put to death, by the garrotte. " Nov. I'Jiitry of thi' Snaniavd-^ into Cu/co, the ca^iital of Peru. 1535. Almagi-(.'s expedition into Ciiili. V I t jl I. ■ ijSS LNDIAN HACKS OF AI^IEUICA. lolU 1 002 15o3 1555 J 556 1558 1562 ] 595 1698, ! : 1613 i ii ii 1614 |! 1617 Ii 1618 ; 1620 i " i! JJr 1621 1 1625 1628 ■ 1687 J6-10 j\r.'iy. Foriiiuidn . I(i88. 17IU. 1711. I'.'K). 1 io6. 1 V-19. 17J0. ] 75.5. 17."/). 17tiU. 1701. 1703. 1773. 1771. 1777. 1778, if, 1/79. 1780. 1781. u 178.5. 178(i. 1791. !\Ii:'inti)iihn() put to dc.illi by ITiumh. Second Vii'irjnia massaere, planned by Opeclianeanouffh. The nation ot'tlie J'lries exterminated hy tlie Jroipiois. Philip, or .Mi'taeoniet, siiceeeded his brother Alexander. I'eare .•it^f.iin eonrlndi'd ijitween the Spaniards and Araueanijins. .lime til. (). S. First hhuid siied in Kinj^^ l'hilii)'s war. Dee. 19. Destruetion ol'tlie Narragansett fort. Aw;f. \-2. IMiilip killed by an Indian ot'Captain (^'hnn'h's party. Aii;r. Captnre oi'Annawon, liy Chnreh, and end ol'tlie war. I)"e. First treaty ofWdliam IVnn with the Delawares. lMvasi')n of Canada, .'ind attaek on Montred by the Irocpiois. First deputation of Iroipiois ehiefs to the eourt of Qneon Anno. >"-e|it. •J.-l. 3lassaere of wliites in Xoi'tli Carolina, by the 'I'usearoras. -M Mvli i]u. The Tnse irora fort on Tar river destroyed by Colonel jMoore — eiirht hundred prisoners taken. Union of the main body of the Tnsearor.is with the Iroquois. Nov. 30. Massaere of the Freneh inhaMtants of Natehe/, by the Nat^'hez Indians. Nearly one-h;i,li' of the Cherokees destroyed by the small-pox. i'^inirular intrigues of the Reverend Thomas Uosdniworth and his wife, the h H'-breed. IMary ^lusfrrove, amonir the Creeks. Settlement of ditlieullies between Spanish and i'orluynese eolonies oiitiieriverLuFlata — thirty thousandCuaraui Indians expatriated. •Inly 9. Disastrous defe:it of (Jenor.d IJraddoek, by the Freneh and Indians, a few miles from Fort Diiquesne. \Viiiter. Wi'.r betVi'cL'ii the Cherokees and the i3riti-di enlonists. Spring. Cohni'd ^lontironiery's expedition agidn-^t the Cherokees destruetion of all their towns east of tlit^ iJliie Kidge. Spring. Colonel (iranfs e.,nip..ig;i ag.anst the Cherokees: their rednelioii, and the ravage of their towns in the interior. May. Siege (d' Detroit eonnneneed by I'ontiae. July 30. IJattle (d" Iiloudy Bridge, and terrible destruetion of Eng- lish troops under Captain D^dyell, by I'oi\tiae and his wai'riors. IVaee eoneluded between the Spaniards and the Araneanians. In the spring of this year eomnuiieed the bloody war in Western Virginia I'.nd Pennsylvania, known as Cresap's war. Oet. 10. Cre;it l):ittle at Point Pleasant — month of the Kanawha. July. IJattle of Oiiskany; Ceneral Herkimer mortally wounded. July 4. Destruetion of the settlements in the valley of Wyoming. Nov. .Massaere at Cherry- Valley. Sept. Ceneral Sullivan's campaign against the Iroquois: destruc- tit)n of all their towns, erops, fniit-trees, and stores. Aug. Ravage (fa jtiirtion of the .Mohawk valley, by Br.nit. Gre.it in.snrreetion of the Peruvian Indians, niiderTu])ac Amaru. June. Grand eouneil of war held by the western tribes. Defeat of ('uli)iiels Todd, Trigg, and party, near the JJlue Lieks. Indian towns of Chilieothe,Peea way, &e., destroyed by Gen. Clarke, liraiit vL-^iied Fnghind, and was received with llattering attention. Dee. (b'aiid Council (d' Western li'dians, at .Vutiunn. ^jnsuece^^ful expeditio" jf (ieueral Ilarmar. Ilin'on \'illage. I l! M^-. IN'CLUDIN'G TLLI'STRATIOVS. .y- /' / A. n. I'iU.Nuv. 4. DisMsfrons dc'rit of rii'ticr.il St, Claii', by the Itulians, umicr Litllii 'J'lirtlc, ii.'ar llic Mi,:iiii. 17U I. Am;,;. 'JU. ll;,Ulo of l'i\-mic l-K', in v^hiili lln- Wotcni Indiana, iiiidcr liliic .lackcl, were si;;iially diCcatfd hy (u'lUTal W.iyin'. 1804. Elskwatawa, tlu-, |ii(i|ilicl. Iiidtlicr nl' 'IVciini.scli, eiiniiycd in InliiyiiL'ft. aiiionif tlu' liilifs (d' the uc.'it. 180!). N'|)t. Cession of lands on tlin W'ahash, olilainid liy drncrd J larii~on \\{\m tiic Indians. 1810. I)i|iarluu«' of 'J'ci nnisch sonlhuard, for tlif iiniposc of lou-iiii,' n|» tla- (,'ri'i'ks, (Jlicrokce's, &f. 1811. Nin-lit of Nov. fi. iiattic at tin; i'mplu'tV 'I'own, in \vln( li ill.-kw:'- tavva's foi\'i's wiTo dt-ftitt'd :nul dispinscd by Cu-ncral Harrison. 1813. Aug. .'JO. Sai'k of I'lat .Minnns, in llic Tmsan M'ttlcimnt, hy iIm irn-at ("rt'i'k warricM" NW'atluj'liMck with fiflccn inindri'd Indi:Mis. 1813.(K't. o. iJattIc of the Tiiaincs: the yivat Indian chief TLruniscli killed. 1813. Nov. *J!). Battle of Ant^issc; d-'strnctioii of two Inuidnd Indians by (leni'ral Floyd's forees, ;ddfd hy Indian allies led hy .M'Intosli. 1811. iMiireli 27. IJ.itile of lliirse-sho(! IJcnd, in the Tallipoosie: 111-; Creeks and other sontlnrn India. is deflated hy Oein I'al jaek-tni. 1823. Sept. 18. 'J'renty (d' Mnnllrie Cre-k. hy whieli tlie Seininoh s were to reniose within certain limits. 1829. Dee. 120. Acts i»aM-.rd hy the (Ji'oriria leylslalnn', annnllinn- the Clii'i'okee^ laws, and inlrinu'in'i npon tlu^ litihts of that |ieii|i|i'. 1830. July. Treaty at I'rairie dii Cliien, with tiie S.ies and l''o.\es, low;;s, Siou.x, cVc., coneerniny cession of iaiu'.b east of the .Mississippi. IB.^il. June. (Jeneral (Jaines" e.xpedition, to compel removal of tin' Sics. 1832. ."\Iay 8. Tre.ily of l*ayne"s l,andini,', hy the provisions of which till! Seniinides were to remove west of the j\lississip|ii. " INlay II. Defeat of Al.ijor Stillmaii and his forces, hy j!la(di-l fawk. " Ai.i<^. 'J. lilack-llawk's forces defeated hy Ceneral Atkinson. " " 27. Surieiider of hLiek-lJawk and the i'luplu't. 1835. Oct, The Florida W'.ir connnenred, '• Dec. Tre.ity of New Fchota with the Ch"r(dvecs, (ktiown as ycherinerhorn's treaty; npon the sahject of ;-jmov;d of that n.ation west of th' .Mississipiji. " Dec. 28, Distnii'tion of j);ide's det.u-hnient, hy llie Seminoles, 1836. March 14. iScliernierhorn's treaty with the Clicrukees ratilied by Congress. 183G. Spring. (leneral Scott's caniiKUg^i in Florid.a, 1837. Jan. 22. Ceneral Jessup moved soulliw.ard towards the everglades in [inrshit of the Seminoles. 1838. Oct. 3. J?lack-llawk died, at the ago of 73. 1842. TIk! Florida war :it an end: several luuidrcd Indians transported west of the Mississippi. THE END. r',v. pVf'.< T'ft 1 a.2i.'ist^^-%./^ Wl ' fW ' J 'I'i l I fy!'''" ■ llic Indians, -ti'i'ii lii(li;iim, ■nil W.iyiii'. t'iiL',;ijfc(i ill 1 liy (ifiicnl H' ol' I'Oll.^illl,' llicll lll.ku;!. ■;il Jl.irrisdii. 'Iilfiit, hy 111,! li'cil Jiidii'iis. t-'l'Ti'i'iiiiiscli tli'i'J li:(li;iiis by Mliitosli. l.i|M)i)^ic: 111.; I I ( I'iil .i,-U'k-on. I i iniiiol. ;s \\i't\>. I I Ill.llHin^r tlio Ii;i1 |HMi|)|('. i '"(i.M's, l((\\;;s, .Mi.ssi^sIl)^)i. (if till' S.ics. IIS of wilU'il ij.i. i!l:irk-Ifa\vk. tkiiisoii. (known as i >v;il of lliat j 'eniiiioles. j s ratilicd hy j i i t'V('ri^'la(U'3 transported j