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Les disgrammes suivants lllustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 32 X 1 2 3 4 5 6 m m ^ RAVELS ^ • THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR PJRTS OF NORTH AMERICA, roR MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND MILES, CONTAINING Uu account of the great Lakes, and all the'Lakcs, iHand,, and t Rivers Cararads, Mountains, Minerals, Soil and Ve,%. table Produdlions of the' North Weft Regions' of that vaft Continent.! ■WITH A .^ Jr n" ^'"''^ '-'^J'"'" *" '^>^ H'^^'J^ and to ■ tJie Weftward of the great river Mimiippi : AND ,iN APPENDIX, -sca.iMo TH. t;.cu..iv.T.n p.kt:, o. .M.aic. th.t .k. THE MOST PROPIR FOR FORMING SETTLEMENTS. J^o^rfb Amtncan ,from tbe LJl London Edlthn. By Capt. JONATHaFcARVErT^ ^f the Provincial Troops in America. Pa> .— C* A «ir«W«* For west -.T.r.ivi.i4 iliiiiiKiDGE, AND GREENLEAF. NO* 5 (J, CORNHILL, DOSTON. ^™ « " '■ " ■■ ta p I 1802, El F '1'' i- m m: Z.0(b'X9 TO SIR, JOSEPH BANKS, Es,5, PRESIDENT OF THB ROYAL SOCIETY, WHEN the public arc informed that I ^ave long had the honor of your acquaintance ; aiat my dcfign in puWifhing the following work has eceived your fanftion j that the compofition of it bs %od the teft of your judgment ; and that it is f>7yourpermiffion, a name fo defervedly eminent in Ihehterary world is prefixed to it, I need not be fpprehenfive of its fuccefs ; as youi^patronage will bnqueftionably, give them afiiirance ^f its merit. For this public teftlmoriy of your favor, in which pride myfclf; accept. Sir, my moft grateful ac- Fnowledgments j and beli'nimaJ, as he is, they wouiil be as well afllired of tJie j truth of it. It is v/ell known that thofe fnakes which 1 liave furvived through the fummer, the accidents rcp-| tiles are liable to, periodically retire to the woods, atj the approach of winter •, where each (as curious oh- Servers hav„* remarked) takes pofleffion of the cavity it I Lad occupied the preceding year. As foon as the feafon is propitious, enlivtned by the invigorating! rays of the fun, they leave thefe retreats, and make! theiir way to the fame fpot, though ever fo diftant, on which they before had found fubfiftence, and the I means of propagating their fpccies. Does it then re-l quire any extraordinr.ry exertions of the mind to be-j lieve, that one of thefe regular creatures, after havincrj been kindly treated by it« mafter, Ihould return toj the box, in which it had ufuilly been fupplied with! food, and had met with a comfortable abode, and thatj nearly about the time the Indian, from former expar- jments, was able to guef? at ? It certainly does not;! nor will tAic liberal and ingenuous doubt the truth oi| a ftory fo well authenticated, becaufe the circum-j llances appear extraordinary in a country where thcj iubjedt of it is fcarcely known. TU^rt. 1 i! «.l- _ _._^i 1 _ ... _.M1 rm j.ijv;i.j t.-.^>;auaLiuiis iiic imtiiur IlUpeo Will ItllUCC lOi convince his readers, that he has not; as travellenj are fometimes fuppofed to do, amufed them with im-j probable tales, or wiflied to acquire importaiice by! making his adventures favor of the marvellous* . CONTElSri^J ^vi iplctioa of it merc- eally endowed with : left to the jiulg- ufions, he fuppoil'i, :iilties of eacK were hat cannot be ac- s related to him by veracity ; and were roughly acquainted | roceedings of that well afllired of the I thofe fnakes which! , the accidents rcp-j re to the woods, atf ach (as curious ob- ion of the cavity it . As foon as the T the invigorating retreats, and makej W ever fo diftant, ibfiftence, and thel Does it then re-l •f the mind to be- tures, after having! Ihould return to! sen fupplied with! ale abode, and thatj roni former expar- ^rtainly does notii doubt the truth ofl :aufe the circum-j ountry where the! opc5 v«-ill fumcc tOj not; as travellersj bd them with im-l re iniportaiKe byi marvellousi . CONTEN^rSj CONTENTS. Introduction, [The Author fets out from Bitjion on h'n travels \Defcription of fort Michillimackinac fort La Bay, — — — — the Green Bay^ lake Michigany Arrives at the tonun of the- JVinnehagoes, Excnrjion of the Wlnntbagoes tonunrds the Spanijh fitlevients, - . „ _ Defer ipt ion of the Winnebago lake, hifiance of refolution of an Indian 'woman, Defcription of the Fox River, Remarkable ftory of a Rattle Snake, The great town of the Saukies, Upper toivn of the Ottagaumiss, Defcription of the Ouifconjin River, Lower to'ivn of the Ottagatiinies, or Les Prairies Des Chiens, - - An attack by fonie Indian plunderers, - ' Defcription of the Mi0ppi front the mouth of the Ouifconjin to lake Pepin, ■ lake Pepin, Remarkable ruins of an ancient Fortification, The River Bands of the Naudoive fie Indians, Adventure "jjith a party of t' ':' and fome of the Chipevjays, Defcription of a remarkahle Cave, Uncommon behavior of the Prince of th» Winneba- goes at the falls of St. Anthony, Defcription of the Falls, Extent of the Author's Travels, Defcription of the river St. Pierre, Sources of the four great rivers of North America, Reflifiions on their affinity, , . ' . The NaudoiiseJ/ics of the plains, lutth nuhom the Au- thor 'Wintered in the year 176G, 5; »3 >4. 15 ib. 19 2I> 22 24 2? 26 27 28 ib. 3»- 32 3J 34 ZS 37 ilK 39 41 42 43 45 46 ib. The tut CONTENTS. r^^. returns to the .nouth of the rhcr St. ^ccunt If a violent thunder form, speech made by the author in a council held b, the Nuudonv.J/ies at the great cave, ^ *^' ^SZ"?i'^"''> '^^"'^'""^ "'^'- ^-^' Pepin. Acc.,ntjf different 6lays fund 'near the Ma'rble ^ffcripthn of the Chipc-^ay River, J^traor>^rto the North ^efl • vr , '•■'*'" Jf>ining mountains, Defcription of lake Superior, Account of great quantities of Copper Ore, - " . ^fnption of the Falls of si Marie, . "~~" ~ Lake Huron,, "IT. 7 Saganaum and Thunder Bats, ' ss^rr '"""'"' *"''^~'" ^^^'■'- ^'fiription of lake St. Clairey '\. "T" ---- - the river, tonvn, and fort of Detroit Remarkable rum at Detroit, "^ Detroit, Attack of fort Detroit by Pontiac, ' .' Defcrtptjonsf lake Erie, ' '^1^^, '''X"- ^»4' Hieir domiflic utetijilt, . - - 'SS CHAPTER m. »05 106 112 117 121 125 127 W*^', tenners i qualifications, l^fc. if the Indians ^ ^reculiar cufloms of the •women. The circumfpeEi and finical difpofttion of the men. Their amazing fqgacity, - The liberality of the Indians, and their opinion refpe&ing money, - . ' _ CHAPTER IV. Their method of reckoning time, ^c. Vhe names by which they dflinguifh the months. their idea of the ufe of figures, CHAPTER. V. "if their government, feV. Xheir divifion into tribes. - « 136 ih. 137 139 142 144 ibi ■t-Af —13- '47 fb. Th be * CONTENTS. ^' c^^efs of their bands, ' ^^^'-'^-^^rs that compofe their councils, " CHAPTER VI. ^*^eirfea/ls, ^W — ofir0„, andeatfn, th.ir ^iauals, CHAPTER VII. Of their dances, rt 2"""'' '", "^^''^ 'h dance, ' ^f P^pe or calumet dance,. ' jj>e -war dance, ^^' -Pawivaw dance. ^^^JW'PPh referred to in the Journal The dance of the facrifice, i * _ " CHAPTER VIIK- ^ their hunting, n^r preparation Bef re they'/et o,a, " ^ ^[^^^mcr of hunting thj Bear, ~~ ' Beaver, ,.. CHAPTER IX. ^*^'^rnanner of making war, tsfc '^he Indian 'u>eapons, ^ P ^'^ ' '< ^^"^ stives for making .war, Zrjuraisons bejore they take the field, * ' Mr) M9r 175 178 CONTENTS. \nin/lance of the efficacy sfit in the defeat of Gen- detail of the tnaffacre at Fort William Henry, in Ubeyear 1757, \ Utenefs and alacrity of the Indians in purfuing Itheir enemies, . . IT/S«> manner cffcalping, V manner in -which they retreat and carry off fheir prifoners, . . fremariable injiance of heroifm in a Female vrifiner, featmetit of their prifoners, \e origin of their felling Jlaves, CHAPTER X. \ their manner of making peace, £gV. >^nt of an engagement between the Iroqtuh and mhe Ottagaumies and the Saukies, nftnner in -which they condud a treaty of peace* friptionofthe pipe of peace, . belts ofnaampum, ^ CHAPTER XT. Hheir games, - ^ ^ game of the hall, — - bo-wl or platter, , ' CHAPTER XII. hheir. marriage ceremonies, )e manner in -which the tribes near Canada ctle.\ prate their marriages, . _ ^ \eform of marriage among the Naudo-wefRes,' . \ar manner of carrying on an Intrigue, \the Indian names, . CHAPTER Xin. 'their religiont hirideatefafupremchhg, • " , 179 180 188 ib. J 89 191 192 ^99^ 201 20* 205 20$ 207 208 ib. 209 210 ttl 216 Ji. 218 2/9 Jutttre ./I "Sua CONTENTS. T/v;> /iieai of afuturejiatey Of their priejh. The fsnthnents of others on the religious principles of the Indians oppofed, ' CHAPTER XIV. Of their difeafe, He. . . . The complaints to nvhich they are chiejly fuhjeil^ The manner in i.bich they conjirua their fweating Stoves, - - The tnethods in 'which they treat their difeafes^ An extraordinary infiance of the judgment of an /;;- dian nuoman, in a defperate cafe, CHAPTER XV. The manner in mshich they treat their dead, Afpecinien of their funeral harangues. Their method of burying their dead, Afmgular inftance of parental affedlion in a Nan- dQ'welfie iwman, , - - / - «• CHAPTER XVI. A ancife char ader of the Indians, 220 ih\ 221 223i ih. 224! 2251 227J 22$i 23c| il\ 23 'I w n 'rati hus principles of 220 ib, 221 XIV. V iejlyfuhje^, their fvjeating 223 ib. - ir difeafts, yment of an In- 224J 2251 CONTENTS. eir perjhuii and mental ^lalifications, cir public charaSier as nu-mbcrs of a Community, CHAPTIIR XVII. peir Language, Hieroglyphics, Ijfc. fhe^ Chipemjay Tongue, ' f-riptive Specimen of their Hieroglyphics, IsSc fabulary of the Chipenvay language, ' '. ~- ^<^»doiwJfte language, CHAPTER XVIII. tn'rica' ^^^^ interior parts of North. BEASTS. Tiger. Bear, . " ■Diijfalo. Deer, Elk, . .Aloofe. Carrahoot = -' \Carkajou. Skufik, "''. I Porcupine, \ Otter. Alink,^ . ' " ■ 234 23; 237 229 ib. 249 254 ih. iss ib, 258 259 260 26r '262 266 BIRDS. \l%% ^y^ "'"^''' ^VhipperrwUL iF'JhHa'wL Onvl. Crane, ^ ' &^^-- ''fP^^^^r.' Blue Jay. Wa. i'd. Red Bird. y(ing Bird. Humming j?, IVketfa ^ird, 'aiv. ib. 269 270 271 271 273 FISHES. kiv -CONTENT'S. FISHES. The Stufgco7iy The Cat ^Fijh. Carp. Cl:u!>, SEJIPENTS. rir Rank ^nakc the L •on;T m.ick Smkc, Strip^i or Garter Suede, Wat:r Snake. Hilfing Smke^ Green SnaL The Thorntail Snake.' Sj>cMed Snake. R big Snake. Tivo headed Snake. Tcrtoife or land Turtle. fvH LIZARDS. X^.e SwJ/} Lizard. Sh-M Lizard. Tree Toad, INSECTS. The Silk Worm. Tobacco Worm.. -Bee. /.Jahf. ning Bug or Fire Fly, - ^ ^Sj The IVater Bug. Horned Bug. LocuJ}, 28 CHAPTER XIX. Of the Trees, Shruhs, Roots, Herbs, Fhivers, ^c. TREES. The Oak, . . , The Pine Tree. Maple. Jjh, ' . 2SI T^c Hemlock Tree. Ba/r or White Wood. Wick- pick or Suckivick. Button Wood, i - n ' NUT TREES. I The Butter. or Oil N Id. BecichNui, .. 28I Tv:' Pecan Nut. Hickory^ FRUI] NTiS. CONTENDS. x-y FRUIT TREES. IV A lnc^ TS. '" Gaiter Snake, Green Snake, Sfi.ike. Ring Tcrtotfe or land )S. '. Tree Toad; 'S. >Bee. jLight- , Fh '^l^ic': tins nnght he epaed. ' , be ejauhjhed jitk the greafeji advantag ^ m-rtation o. the difio.ery of a North '■Eh p.^a.e The moft certain ^ay of attaining it, "^ ^ ■" ^' ' t'LinpropofeJby Richard Whit^rth, Rfn. /J, ;,,,, '^gan att.nl,fon: a qrurter lillJl ^^M I ti tiafcfi, of us king poji^oned, , ' 304I 3'oi 3"i INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION. f North /Imer- S^TRODUCTION. IS O fooner was the late war with France jfricluded, and peace eftatjlifhcd by the treaty of jcrlai lies, in the year 1 763,' thahl began to confid- (liavlng rendered vay country, fome fervices dur- the v/ar) how' I might- continue ftill ierviceable. Id contribute, as much as- lay in-my power, to make iat vaft acquilition of territory, ^gained by Great Iritain, in North- America,- advantageous to it. ^ speared to me indifpenfably needful, that govern- ient fliou Id be acquainted, in the iirft place, with le true ftate of the dominions they . were now bc- )mc poflfefled of. • To this purpofe, I determined, the next proof of my zeal, to exjilore the moit ut>- lown parts of' them, "and to fpare no trouble dif-ex- :nfe in acquiring a knowledge that promifvjd ' t&- be ulcful to my countrymen. I knew that many ob- b'uiHoi S would arife to my fchemcj from ' the wr^nt [f good Maps and Charts ; for -the French, whill\ ley retained their power in ■ North America, had iken every artful method to keep all other nations, Particularly the Englifh, in igneranee oC ^he concerns - |f the interior parts -of it : and to.accompliih this ' Icfign, with the gf eater certjiinty, they had pubiiliiet^ Kcurate Maps -and falfe account^, j caili.ng the ^tlif^ rent nations of 'the Indians by nieknatUies tltey" h-,i4 tveii them,- and not by thofe really apg^^iaiiig'tjc» iiem,- Whether the intention of .th?, Frsn/fh> jtu^t^i >g this, was to prevent thefe nations from, beipg 4i|l |o\ ered and traded with, or to conceal theii- difco^j^ fi'hen they talkctl to cr.eh othet^ of the J^]i^fl,.''Rpy jerus, iinheir prefence, I will not .determine ji hat bnded tomifl:ad.- ^ -f4- .d?'e,j i.iT4# A 2 ""imm, INTRODUCnOiW I . relative ,o Canada ha" .C/b ""•■'■■ '=""'**!■ before ,hc co„,,„cft o/crol P '"'^ """'"'■''' had been efi-cpm^,i • ^'^^^^" 1 oint» m nrr, ; r-ner was tS il^Tj^fr''^ '"'"^^'^ ' ^^ ' ^ J\^'cl acquired its area e/rfT '^^^*^°"vinccd, that it,^ given out ty its Sfr/r-".^™"^ ^^^^^^ report'" «t'on, vvhici, was rcprlfeme i^r^^^' ^^"> '^^ fi^^- JUS. was found to owe t , ^' ^° ^^'■>' ^'ivanta^e-' ^;^"r>-c. It cannot be den dtT".'"'^ ^" '^'' ^'^- *J»c;e countries have been L^'i/^fK^""^ ^^^P'^ ^>^v ;uh an appearance of ac uiTc^ h^ 'r ^'^^ ^^^"^"^''^ ^n^all a fize, and drawn on f? ' '" '^'^" ^''^ °^ ^^ Miilifippi, I can aS fr^; ^^^^ ^^"^«« of t], f;;e jreatly mifplaced ^ iTX^ T? ""P"''^"- ' thenn- and compared h.;l r ^^" ^ ^^^^' ^^'^P'or.d •^»'! am fatished that^hH!"'""?""'" rej>refentccl. ^•"de feetchcs of the fodi ms ""'^ "^^'^^^ ^^"^ ^ht' -ntJ^ILJtSSih^:^ ---ion f ^-'a, the, b/ which any W LL ffrf / ''^^'"^^ ^ conquerors } for although th.^ "''^"^ ^^ '-^'^i^ J^^th all the Lakes, pardcul W J-h' T," ^^^"'"^'"^^^ having conftamly a ve^d If """^^^^^ S"Perior, thereon, yet their Ins of t1- '^"^^^^'^^^'^^ burden Idifcover^d manyTr^Jrs in tt Tr''^^. "^'^°^'-^^^- therein o%^ts iflands Tnd l^av dn '"^^'""^ S'^^" eleven hundred miles th.fr' ^'".^ ^ P^'^S^'e^s of 2^ey likewife! on g v Lf„'! i/^^^^, ^^ ^n 'canoes. ^caret^ leave tilplceV tl L^I ,"" °^.^^-"> thefamenncultivatedftate7ll!l^,r'^ occupied, in t^ feme »in,e deftroying an hL n ^7f '^'"^ ' ^^ f rved myfelf part o/thf hll.u !!? "^^^^ f°?-^«- i ob- ^UHM to the water's edge, iuft "^J ll"'"^' '"""^^^ ^^^^'^^ *^* St..its of St. Marielit^thc U:. '^""^^^^^ g'.'l'.'g"WU]..|iJ.iU'.iiiii" INTRODUCriON. ^Thcfe difficulties, however, were not fufficient to feter me from the undertaking, and I made prepara- bns for fetting out. What I chiefly had in view ter gammg a knowledge of the manners, cultoms) iiguages, fod and natural productions of the differ- It nations that inhabit the back of the Miffifippi hs to aicertain the breadth of that vaft continent* iich extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean' [its broadclt part between 43 and 46 degrees north- h latitude. Had I been able to accomplilh this, I fended to hUve propofcd to government to eftabiifli ^oft in fome of thofe parts about the Straits of An- Jin, which having beea firfl: difcovered by Sir tancis Drake, of courfe belong to the Enaliflu ■his I am convinced would greatly facilitate the dif- tvery of a North weft pafllige, or a communication |tween Hudion's bay and the Pacific Ocean. An ^ent fo defirable, and which has been fo often lught for, but without fuccefs. Befides this import- bt end, a fettlement on that extremity of America jould anfwer many good purpofes, and repay every kpenic the eftabliiliment of it might occafion. For . would not only difclofe new fources of trade, and rornote many ufeful difcoveries, but would open a aiiage for conveying intelligence to China, anS" the fnglifli fettlements m the Eaft Indies, with greater bcpedition than a tedious voyage by the Cape of »ood Hope, or the Straits of Magellan will allow of. ^How far the advantages arifingfrom fbch an enter- rile may extend', can only be afcertained by the fa- brable concurrence of future events. But that the Jmplct.on ot the fcheme, 1 have had the honor of rrt g;annmg and attempting, will fome time or other eftected, I make no doubt. From the unhappy bifions that at prefent fubfift between Great Brit^A jiu America, it wil} r«f /^mn ,it ' "S^"*^^ emolu^cJ •heir r,,i,i,s a,^ e!„ed*b;":hd t^™'- f "^ ""''"I may beltoiir fome co,„m,.„ !■ '""*■ Perhaps 1 1, J ;hougl, but „ CZyr"Z^:?,tZ''-- '""'4 ihall receive with pieafL ' "" '">' •"''• ' i been gradually pZSivt.n 'T /'^'"^"^"'•'^^ J"'' kingdoms will ema-.e fro i r"^ f'^'''^^'' '"'S'^f only defomic^raVe X t-N " ''''^' "^"' vanqnifhed e^mies ^'"^''^''°"» trophies of th-.,. fvom its imprniticabiH^y /for fif ^'^'l^-^.'^'-'^^Jed a)or more convinced I wa th^^^^^^ ,f;'«her I went tl.. oompliflred) but m unfL? ?^' "*^ ^" '"' However, I proceeUed rr> f5 II 'r ^'^Womtments. tempt, arj prove a poJ fl .- ^"^ ^"*"^e "^^ iav before the onhj;,- ;« «.j r ., ^f^^*^ ^ ''lall nc\sr am fatfsf^d that ^L ^U La" ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ > -^^ been publiflxed by an^SS ^^5 '^f"', ^^^^^ "^^•-^'' ed of the interior natfoSso7tK.T'?- ^''^^'"'^ ^^^^^- ly, the account I gi;e o? the nI ^"'^'«:!!' P^«i<^"l^'r. fituation of the head, nf Ik T^^^^'^'A^^V and the take their ri/;' tl^K-f' ^^f^^/our great, riv.rs that Tlie INTRODUCnON. lie river Bourbon, which empties itielf into IIikI-" h's bay } the waters of Saint Lawrence ; the Mil- Ippi, and the river Oregan, or the river of the wt/l, falls into the Pacific Ocean, at the Straits of inian. tThe impediments that occafioned my returning, lore I had accompli/hcd my purpoles, were thcle. my arrival at INIichillimackinac, the remoteft liili poit, in September 1766, I applied to Mr. ,'ers, who was then Governor of it, to furnifh me a proper ailbrtment of goods, as prefents for the ?.Uans who inhabit the tr.ick I intended to purfue. did this only in part ; but promifed to fupply me [th inch as were necefiary, when I reached the Falls Saint Anthony. I afterwards learned that the jvernor fulfilled his promife in ordering the goods be delivered to me ; but thofe, to whofe care he in- jfted them, inftcad of conforming to his orders dif- ^Ccd of them elfewhere. , I Difapppointed in my expeaations from this quar- r, I thought it neceflary to return to La Prairi.j Le jliien i for it was iinpoffible to proceed any further fthout prefents to enfure me a favorable receptioxu his I did in the beginning of the year 1767, and iding my progrefs to the weftward thus retarded, I fetermined to direft my courfe northward. I took ^is ftep with a view of finding a rommunication om the heads of the Miffifippi into Lake Superior, order to meet, at th^ grand Portage on the North sft fide of that lake, the traders that ufuallv come )ut this feafon, from Michillimackinac. Of thcfe .^intended to purchafe goods, and then to purfue my lurney h-om that quarter, by way of the lakes du tuye, Dubois, and Ounipique to the heads of the frer of the wnfl-- w)»;/-K^ ^s. T k-.„^ r„:,j u_r r n ito the btraits of Annian, «he termination of my in- wded progrefs. • I accompliihed the former part of my defign, and reached itO liVrRODucnoN.: ^1 th. racers I nut there, acqiuintcd .>*e thut they !, , borcly fuftccnt to nfilwcr thdr dwn xicmands m thclj remote p.rts^ Thus dirappointed a fecund Sn found my elf obliged to return to the place f uhencelbjgan n>y.. expedition, which I did .,' ,f atrs ot Lake .Superior, and exploring the ' , ■ -,„/ nver^^that empty them^^lve. into thil^ large ood/l \k it may be expe.led that I {l.ould lay before tlj p«bhc the reafons that thefe dilcoveries, of fo mucf with America, have not been f.nparted to them bX fore, notwithftanding they were made upwards J en yearsago, I w.U give them to the world in a iL| and cand.d manner, and without mingling with th I rsct ( V cu. • 1 On my arrivals England, I prefentdd a pctltioJ men o^Thi T '""IT'^ ^^^^'"8 ^«^ ^ ^«-burfl1 government.- This Avas referred to the lords com nuflioners of trade and plantations.- The r lordll.i gte'ofrZh'" ^'"'^'^ ''-' -teihg:::ci?ca f^ered m^T ^P^?"^^ ^^^^^^ "^tioir, that thev ordered mo to appear before th.e^ board. This melJ cm. 1 hen It wasfinif'^-^i ■ ' ,n*./>Zl ; J whatlihould do with V. A^, ^ f . u'^H tion th^ f,r.a i^ V r ^ -. • "^^^ ' without hefita-l Xne^L I nl r r^ '/^' '^f I might, pubiifh them whtnever I pleafed.> In confequence of this permiiJ tt";Lt'P±l°L*J^.^!\-.^ ^okm^r, but^vhc„! UTued frnni Vk»*' ''"■^? J"*" ,"*" P'*^"* ^" ^rder was] Sut delt 'P""^''^^r^' requiring me to deliver Without delays inta. the plantation office, M^ rr^i , Charts erioN; • ■ per time; but, unlu^.k;i.l tainted lue that they !i,i. 'y had with them beiii ;ir own \lemands in thdl )inted a fecond Cini:, ■ :urn to the [)lace f iojj, which I did ;i' d he noith and ciO- borj exploring the V ■ muj into this • large oody t I fliould lay before tiJ ililcovcries, of fb mucH has any connetSlioni imparted to them beJ were made upwards ol i to the world in a plaiJ )ut mingling with then! the ill treatment I havcj 1 prefemdd a pctitlonl lying for a reimburfJ ended in the fervice oi ed to the lords, com-j ions. Their lord/liip5,| *e -intelligence I coiiljj o-the nation, that thefl Keyboard. This mdj a long examination i ' ~ every 1. rd prel-l inefted knowj t«iu ; without hefitn-l r might publifli them iience of this permif-l wsokfeller } but whcnj prefs, an order wasl quiring me to deliver,] ation office, aU< sriyi C hartal INTRODUCTION. ft larts and Journals, with every paper relative to the coverics I had made. In order to obey this tom- ind, i was obliged to repurchafc thtm from the Teller ^t a very great cxpcnfe, and deliver them Tiiis frcflh difburfcmcnt I endeavored to get |jcxed to the account I had already delivered in ; the requeft wis denied mc, nQtwIthibmding I only ft£tcd, in the diipoi^d oftiiy papers, con- nably to the pcrmiflion I had received from the rd of trade, 'I'his lofs, which amounted to a very liitlerable fum, I was obliged to bear, and to refl Isfied jvith , an indemnitication for my other ex- lifes. - %\i Thus fitutted, my only expecflatlons jtre from the hr of a generous public ; to whom I fliall now jcmunicate my Plans, Journals, and Obfervations, which I luckily kept copies, when I delivered the jinals into the pbntation ollicc. And this I do more readily, as I hear they are tniflaid } and bre is no probability of their ever being published. b thofe who are inter efted in the concerns of the brior parts, of North America, from the contiguity ! their pofleflions, or commercial engagements, they II be extremely ufeful, and fully repay the fum at iich they are purchafed. To thofe, who, from a Bdable curiofity, wifli to be acquainted with the anners and cuftoms of every inhabitant of this 3be, the acconnts here given of the various nations at inhabit fo vaft a traft of it, a country hitherto loft unexpl ired, will furnifh an ample fund of lufement, and gratify their moft curious expeaa- bns. And I flatter myfelf they will be as favorably Iceivcd by the public, as defcriptions of iflands, Jnch afford no other entertainment than what arifes >m their novekv ; ajid dJfcovertss. th=<- il".-rr-. t^.^ 3mife very few advantages to this country, though Iquired at an immenfe expenfe. To make the following work as, comprehenfibJc 12 INTRODUCTION. ^y and entertaining as pofTible, I fliall firft give mv*ead. ers an account of the route I purfued over this im- menfe continent, and as I pafs on, defcribe the num- ber of inhabitants, the fituations of the rivers and lakes, and the produaions of the countrv. Havina dons this, I fhall treat, in diftin^ chapters, of the manners, cuftoms, and languages of the Indians, and to complete the whole, add a vocabulary of the words moftly in ufe among them. •>*.• ;m. ^t And here it is neceffary to befpeak the candor of the learned part of my readers in the perufal of it, as It .3 the produftion of a perfon unufed, from oppo- Ute avocations, to literary purfuits. He therefore begs they would not examine it with too critical an eye ; efpecially when he alTures them that his atten- tion has been more employed on giving a juft de- fcription of a country that promifes, in fome future period, to be an inexhauftible fource of riches to that people who fhall be fo fortunate as to pbfTefs it, than on the ftyle or compofition ; and more careful to ren- der .i,s language intelligible and explicit, than fmootb and florid. A JOURKAL. ,!•«?!. It, 4 JOURNAL OF THE TIR A VE L S, ^* WITH A DESCRIPTION or TBS COITNTRT, LAKES, isfc: In June iy66, I fct out from Bofton, and pr ^«r prefents to me Indian chiefs, during my continuance with them agreeable to tlfe Governor's order. But when i arriv! ed at the extent of their route, I was to find othei^ guides, and to depend on the goods the Governor had promifedtofupplyniewith. ^™or naa. We accordingly fct out togetlier, and on the 1 8th ,mived at Jort La Bpy. itis fort* is fitua"ed on fhe ttnce the Enghfli have gamed poilcffion of aU the f^-t- tents on this part of the continent, is caUcd bv Itiiem, the Green Bay. The reafon of its beit thus «enommated, is from its appearance ; fo|- 3aW ' Michxllniackmacin the fpring feafon, thou^8i,^he T/eef there have not even put forth their buds, ^t vou fin the counfry around La Bay, notwithAandS Se paf fage has not exceeded fourteen days, coyered^w h die Hunn It , and when Canada and its dependencies , were i6 CARVER'S TRAVELS. were furrendcrcd to the Engli/h, it was immediately I gamfoned with an oflker and thirty men. Thcic were made pnfoners by the Menomc^nies foon aftcrthc fmprife of Michillimackinac, and the fort has neither been gamfoned or kept in repair fince. The bay is about ninety miles long, but dIfFers mtich ! m Its breadth ; bemg in fome places only fifteen miles. I ^ , ni others from twenty to thirty. It lies nearly from northeaft to fouthwert. At the entrance of it from the lake are a ftring of iflands, extending from north to fouth, caUed the Grand Traverfe. Thefe are about thirty miles m length, and ferve to facilitate the palTage ot canoes, as they ilielter them from the winds, which lometimcs come wiih violence acrofs the lake. On the fide that lies to the foutheaft is the neareft and befti navigation. * The Iflands of the Grand Traverfe are moftly fmall 'i . and rocky. Many of the rocks are of an amazing fizc, ^^ and appear as if they had beei fafhioned by the hands of attifts. On the largcft and beft of thefe. iflands v ftands a town of the Ottowaws, at which I found one'^ of the moll confiderable chiefs of that nation, who re-'" ceired me with every honor he could poffibly ftiow tol a ftrangcr. But what appeared extremely fingular tJ rtie at the time, and muft do fo to every i^erfon unac' quainted with the cuftoms of the Indians, was the^s receptioa 1 met with on landing. As our canoes ap.| proached tile ilvore, and had reached within abom ^ three fcore rods of it, the Indians began a fue-de-joy ti m which they fired jheir piccec loaded with balls ; biitl at the fame time they took care to difcharge them in! luch f manner as to fly a few yards abo\* our heads • during this ihey ran from one tree or ftump to anoth-i er, fhoutmg and behaving as if they were in the heat M battle. At firft I was greatly furprifed, and was on I"'"" ••' •"-•-'-- "-jj ^ii/ "iiv*.uu«»;3 lu ictuiii their rire.i concluding that their intentions were hoftile ; but bej mg undeceived -by fome^ the traders, who informedj CARVER^s TRAVELS. »7 le that this was their ufual method of receiving the chiefs of other nations, I confxdered it in its true linht, and was pleafed v/ith the reipeft thus paid me. I remained here one night. Among the prefents I lade the chiefs, were fome fi)irituous 'iiiuois ; with Much they made themfelves merry, and all joined in a dance, that lafted the greatcft part oC lac nioht. In fche mornmg, when I departed, the chf^^att-mded me to ' the fhore, and, as foon as I n..d eniN?.rkect offf rod up In an audible voice, and with ^rcat u-leinA, a fervent ■prayer m my behalf. He prayed '« that tk^ Great Jpint would favor me with a prolberous vodkre : that ie would give me an unclouded Iky, and fmooth wa- lers by day, and that I might lie down by night, on a feaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted fleep and pleaf- # Ijit dreams ; and alfo that I might find continual pro- taion under the great pipe of peace." In this man-*- Jelr them"*'"'' ^^ petitions till I could no longer J muft here obferve, that notwithftanding the in- habitants of Europe are apt to entertain horrid ideas of ^e ferocity of thefe lavages, as they are termed, I re- ■ thrl^Tr'^''^ '''^I °^ '^^"^ '" ^he interior parts, fhe moft hofpitable and courteous treatment ; and am C:r'\ 'r'' •'•" ^^">' ^^^ contaminated by Se Z Kbnr. .K P'^'-u "' 'i*^"^" ^^ '^'''' ^«re refined ^Jghbors, they will retain f his friendly and inoffenfive Mua towards ftra:.ger.. Their invLracy and c ru' Ihl ^'r ^"'f^'''* ^ acknowledge to be a creat fcarrftL''''r°'t^^^/P''"'^" ' '°"IJ -ifl^ tfen- fc receted^ll t ^'^^'^ ^'?"S is hereditary, and hat- K ooL '"'^°; ^^ inmiemorirl cuftom, has ^^aken too deep root m their minds to be eafily extir- . ' brea? xUZf ■ ' "'' °' " ""^ """-nnion kind « the, ,e™ i,, Z:^"^ ^W'?™J„;'" */."■"'' B 2 3^i\ before.it begins to ripen, they i8 CARVER'S TRAVELS. t^^ they (lice off the kernels from the cob to which they grow, and knead them into a parte. This they aref enabled to do without the addition of any liquid, by the milk that flows from them ; and when it is efJ feaed, they parcel it out into cakes, and enclofing them m leaves of the baflwood tree, place them in hot] embers, wherc^ey are foon baked. And better fla-l Vored bread I flWer ate in any country. • This pla^is only a fmall village containing aboutl twenty fiv«bufes and fixty or feventy warriors, ij found nothing there worthy of further remark. Ih^piad. on the foutheaft fide of the Green bay, is' but very indifferent, being overfpread with a hea\y i growth of hemlock, pine, fpruce, and fir trees. The'''l communication between Lake Michigan and the Green ' J!^ ^ayi has been reported by fdme to be imprafticable, for the paffage of any veffels larger than canoes or boats, on account of the fhoals that lie between the iflands in . the Grand Traverfe ; but on founding it I found fuf- "^ iicient depth for a veffel of fixty tons, and the breadth proportionable. The iMid adjoining to the bottom of this bay is very ft fertile, the country in general level, and the perfpeaivc^^i view of it pleafing and extenfive. A few families live in the fort, which lies on tlic weft fide of the Fox river, and oppofite to it, on tJi. eaft fide of its entrance, are forae French fettlcrs who cultivate the land, and appear to live very comfortably! The Green bay or bay of Puants is one of tholei places to which the French, ^f I have mentioned inthJ Bitrodu^ion, have given nickriames. It^is termed b^ the inhabitants of its coafts, the Menomonia Bay ; but] w'ly the French have denominated it the Pnant .. Stinking bay, I know not. The reafon they themJ • 'fflwps rt%vi^ fat' -it fc. tKa* .i«> «i'ic 'n>\4- «»^ F»^*l« rivvt miflead ftrangers, *^ut that by adopting this mcthod| ' tli^ could ctmverfe with each other thd concerning Indians, ii^ xJSiRiT pref«i?e without being \ji«Jcrftood CARVER'S TRAVELS. ^ tem. For it was remarked by the perfons who firft raded among them) that when they were fpeaking to Bch other about them, and mentioned their proper lames they inftantly grew fufpicious, and concluded Ixat their vifitors were either fpeaking ill of them, or lotting their deftruftion. To remedy this they gave kern fome other name. The only bad confequences rifing from the pradice then introduced is, that Eng- lili and French geographers, in their plans of the in- Wior parts of America, giVe different names to thei |me people, and thereby perplex thofe who have o^f >fion to refer to them. Lake Michigan, of which the Green Bay is a part, is Ivided on the northeaft from Lake Huron by the raits of Michillimackinac j and is fituated between rty two and forty fix degrees of latitude, and bfr. fetn eighty four and eighty feven degrees of weft ^gitude. Its greateft length is two hundred and jhty miles, its breadth about forty, and its circum- Irence nearly fix hundred. There is a remarkable Iring of fmall iflands beginning over againft Aikin's Srm, and running about thirty miles fouthweft into lie lake. Thefe are called the Beaver Iflands. Their tuation is very pleafant, but the foil is bare. , How- irer they afford a beautiful profpeft. On the northweft parts.of this lake the waters branch it into two bays. That which lies towards the north the bay of Noi^ets, and the other the Green Bay ^ft defcribed, s^^j,, ., Tije waters of tliis as well as the other great lakes \xe clear and wholefome, and of Sufficient depthfor \e navigation of large flaps. Half the ipacc of the Icjmtry diat lies tp ,the, eail, and extends to Lake Hu^ >n, belongs to the Ottowaw Indiaiis. TWlime tiiat ^ iiorth and Jouth, and r^achqi aUnoft from the fouth- trn extremity of this lake acrofe the higji ksyds^^to ^tliiJiiw^Qkiaac, tliroughiOi^^jcentre of wbigkit.pafiefc ' So 4*6 CARVER'S TRAVELS. So that when thefe two tribes happen to meet at the.^ faitory, they each encamp on their own dominions, a few yards diftance from the blockade. The country adjacent, either to the caft br weft fide! ot the lake, IS compofed but of an indifferent foil, exJ cept where fmall brooks or rivers empty themfelves into! It ; on the banks of thefe it is extremely fertile. Ncarl the borders of the lake grow a great number of fand' cherries, which are not kfs remarkable for their manner i Ot growth, than for their exquifite flavor. They crow i upon a fmall ihrub, not more than fouf feet highT tlie J boughs of which are fo loaded that they lie in clufteni' on the fand. As they grow only on the fand, the warmth - of which probably contributes ;o bring them to fuch perfeftion ; they are called by the French, cherries de fable, or fand cherries. The fize of them does not ex- Cecd that of a fmall mufket ball, but they are reckoned fupenor taany other fort for the purpofe of fteepinrr in Ipirits. There alfcf grow around the lake, goofeberrie." black currants, and an abundance of juniper, bearing great quantities of berries of the fineft fort. ^ Sumack iikewife grows here in great plenty ; the> ' leaf of which, gathered at Michaelmas, when it turnr-. red, IS much efteemed by the natives. They mix'^f about an equal quantity of it with their tobacco, which' caufes ,t to fmoke pleafantly. Near this lake, and in/ deed about all the great lakes, is found a kind of ml low, termed by the French, bois rouge, in Englifh, rd wood. Its bark, when only of one year's growth, is ( a line fear et color, and appears very beautiftil j but as. It growvolder, it ehanges into a mixture of grey and red. The ftalks of this ihrub grow many of them toJ gether, and- rife to the height of fix or eight feet, thc^ largeft not exceeding an inch in diamater. The bark„ being fcraped from the fticks. nnd ^-i- i «"^ .,-.^j^ ^ ed, IS alfo mixed by the Indians with their fJbacco, and IS held by them in the higheft eftimation, forth Winter fmoking. A weed that grows near the great) lakes,! % CARVER'S TRAVELS. «l? tcs, In rocky places, they ufe in the fummer feafon. is called by the Indians, Scgockimac, and creeps pe a vine on the ground, fomctimes extending to ght or ten feet, and bearing a leaf about the fize of River penny, nearly round ; it is of the fubftance and lor of the laurel, and is, like the tree it rcfcmbles, ! evergreen. Thcfe leaves, dried and powdered, they Ewife mix with their tobacco ; and as faid before, akc it only during the fummer. By thefe three bcedaneums, the pipes of the Indians are well fuppli- • through every feafon of the year ; and as they are jtat fmokcrs, they are very careful in properly gath- Ing and preparing them. ')n the 2oth of September, I left the Green Bay, procecdetl up Fox river, ftiil in company with the iers and fome Indians. On the 25th I arrived at great town of the Winncbagocs, fituated on a fmall id, juft as you enter the caft end of the lake Win- bago. Here the queen who prefided over this tribe \tzd of a Sachem, received me with great civility,. i entertained me m a very diftinguifhed manner,, iring the four days I continued with her. TThe day after my arrival I held a council with the 5efs, of wliom I afked permilfion to pafs through eir country, in my way to more remote nations, on sfmefs of importance. This was readily granted, me, e requcft being efteemed by them as a great compU- ent paid to their tribe. The queen fat in the coiin- j, but only a£ked a few queftions, or gave fome trifling reaions in matters relative to the Itate j for womeii e never allowed to fit in their councils, except they. Ippen to be invcfted with the fuprcme authority, and en It is not cuftomary for them to make any formal sechcs as the chiefs do. She was a very ancient pman, fmall in ftature, and not much diftinsnUhcd her drel^ trom leveral young women that auended Ir. Thefe her attendants feemed gready pleafed lencver I ihowed any tokens of refpeft to their queen, particularly 23 CARVER'S TRAVELS. particularly when I faluted her, which I fren„<.«f1„ j-, thefc mquines, I have reafon to conclude thatT Winnebagoes onginally refided in feme of'th-nrn mces belonging to Ne'w Mexico ...U l^„f if:;,; from the.r native country, either by inteft^o dh fions, or by the^ extenfions of the SpLi^ c^Lcft " My reafons for adopting this fuppofition are Irft inaians (who, they fay, eave them the earlieft fuccnr dunng thexr emigration) wotwithftandi.yTheir pr/f Secondly that their dialed totally aiffers from er« ry other Indian nation yet difcovered j ft^innve.^* uncouth guttural jargon, which none of Snd^^ natrons in the Chipeway tongue, which is the nr^,„i ' ;"« !-«"/g^ throughout all ^hJ tribes, f om tSe £ the Mi^r^>^'' r 1^°^^ ^^« •"^^'^'t the^orders d the M.ffifipp,, and from the Hurons and lUindsto fuch as dwell near Hudfon's Bay i iar^''somfT^i^''' T'^'T ^^^^^^'^ to the Span- laras. borne f them informed me that thev hid ma the hpirl «f *;a "^ "^ '^"-v.- «gG, ne xnarched at tfiree moons. That during this expedition, whilft they lVELS. 'hich I frequently did iccafions the good old lile gaiety, and by her :afed with the attcn- >loyed in making the country, and in col- nee I could, of .the this people. From ' concludcj that th, I feme of thv- prov- \ ■^nd being (irven T by inteftni? divi- : Spanifh conqucfts,:™ )rthern parts, about | ppofition, are, ."irft, . to the Naudoweflie I the earlieft Aiccor ; nding their prefem % miles diiiant from y aiffers from ere., :d ; it being a veiy i me of their neigh- 1 onverfe with other j iich is the prevail-; bes, from the Mo- \ abit the borders of| 3ns and Illinois to atred to the Span- that they liad ma- :h took up feveral ularly acquainted CARVER'S TRAVELS. aa J) lie iiiarcnea at ic fouthweft, for xpcdition, whilft they jy were croffing a plain, thqy difcovered a bndy t,i m on horfcback, who belonged to the Black People ; ■ fo they call the Spaniards. As foon as they pcr- ipved them, they proceeded with caution, and c.ni- **»lcd themfelves till night came on j when they drew lear as to be able to difcern the number and fitu^- of their enemies. Finding they were not able to ^ with fo great a fuperiority by daylight, they Ited till they had retired to reft ; when they ruflied >n them, and, after having killed the greateft part the men, took eighty horles loaded with what they ned white ftone. This I fuppdfe to have been ;r, as he told me ..the horfes were fhod widi it, and their bridles were ornamented with the fame, len they had fatiated their revenge, they carried off ir fpoil, and being got fo far as to be out of the h of tixe Spaniards that had efcaped their fury, r left thw ufelefs and ponderous burthen, with ich the horfes were loaded, in the woods, and luntmg themfelves, in this manner returned to their mds. The paity they had thus defeated, I con- leto be the caravan that annually conveys to Mex- [, the filver which the Spaniards find in great quan- ts on the mountains lying near the heads of the leredo River : and the plains where the attack was ie, probably fome they were obliged to pafs ov^r in ir way to the heads of the river St. Fee, or Rio dpi fhe Miffifi f '"'° '^^ *^"^ ""^ ^'*^'^* *^ '^^ '^^^ r ors. 1 hew town contains, about fifty houfes, which It ,s fituated, nearly fifty acres. It lies thir- nvcr, xor about tour or five mUes from the bay, entle current •. after that fnar^ fjn „_:i- Winneba wgo Lake, it is full of rogks and' very rapid. 24 CARVER'S TRAVELS. rapid. At many places we werr<5bllged to land nu.] canoes, and carry them a confiderable way. Its breadtli in general, from the Green bay to the Winnehag'^ liake, is brtwcen feventy and a hundred yards : tli| land ©.. its borders very good, and thinly wooded \vi;| hickory, oak and hazel. The Winnebago Lake is about fifteen miles loii/^i from eaft to weft, and fix miles wide. At its fouth U eaft comer, a river falls into it that takes its ri^ near fome of the northern branches of the Illiiio, River. This I called the Crocodile River, in confcj quence of a ftory that prevails among the Indians, ( their having dclb-oyed, in fome part'of it, an anini. which ' from their defcription muft be a crocodile ( an alligator. ^1^ The land adjacent to the Lake is very fertil;'*^ abounding with grapes, plums, and other fruits, whic grow fpontaneoufly. The Winncbagoes raife on a great quantity of Indian corn, beans, pumpkin; , fquafhes and watermelons, with fome tobacco. Tliiai Lake itfelf abounds with fifli, and in the fall of ti| year, with geefe, ducks and teal. The latter, whii, refort to it in great numbers, are remarkably goodaJ extremely fat, and arc much better flavored than thof that are found near the fea, as they acquire their a ceffive fatnefs by feeding on the wild rice, which grod fo plentifully in thefe parts. Having made fome acceptable prcfents to the go. «ld queen, and received her blefling, I left the townt the Winncbagoes on the 29th of September, and aboJ twelve miles from it, arrived at the place where tJ Fox River enters the Lake, on the north fide of i We proceeded up this river, and on the 7th of Oftj ber reached the great Carrying Place, which divid it from the Ouifconfin. X mc r oa Ki vci , iroiri the oreen Bay to the ing Place, is about one hundred and eighty mili^ From the Wmnebago Lake to the Carrying^ Place AVELS. T obliged to land nvf^^ rable way. Its breadtli. xy to the Winnel>n|r a hundred yards : tl; ind thinly wooded wi bout fifteen miles lf)i s ^vide. At its fouti > it that takes its n •anches of the lUiiv odile River, in conk among the Indians, i 2 part of it, an aninu« uft be a crocodile J Lake 18 very fcrtili ind other fruits, whic nncbagoes raife on rn, beans, pumpkin h fome tobacco. Iks and in the fall of tfe 1. The latter, vrhi^ i remarkably good aa^ ter flavored than tho| hey acquire their wild rice, which groi^ : prefents to the go ing, I left the town ^ September, and ab t the place where i the north fide ofi I on the 7th of Oi Place, which divid| CARVER'S TRAVELS. as pj-cnt is gentle, ^d tUe depth of it confiderable • ^twithftanding which, it is in fome places with diffi! jlty tJiat canoes can pafs through the obllruaions [ey meet witli from ^hc rice ftalks, which are very |ge and thick, and grow here in great abundance. he country around it is very fertile, and proper in the ?heft degree for cultivation, excepting in fonie places UP tlie river, where it is rather too low. It is in no very woody, and yet can fupply fufficicnt to an- the demands of any number of inhabitants. This :r IS the greateft rcfort for wild fowl of every kind. It I met with in the whole courfe pf my tvuvels * luontly th^ fun would be obfturc^ by them for Kc minutes together. }^°"i.*°^'y miles up this river, fron* the great town lie Wmncbagoes, ftanUs a fmaUer town belonging hat nation. ® ^ - >eer and bears are veiy numerous in thcfe parts a great many beavers ;,:ul other furs aie taken ou ilreams that empty themfelves into this river. I he river I am treating of, is remai-kable fbr havinc 1 about eiglity years ago, the refidence of the unit- )andsof the Ottigaumies and the Saukics, whom l^rench had nicknamed, according to their wonted tom, Des Sacs and Des Reynards, the Sacs and i^oxes, of whom the following anecdote was relat- o me by an Indian. .bout fixty years ago, the French mimonimes and lers havmg received many infults from thefe peo- a party of French and Indians, under the com- Jd of captam Morand, marched to revenge their mgs. I he captam let out from the Green bay in wmter, when they were unfufpicious of a viilt of kmd, and purfuing his route over the fnow to fir villages, which lay about fiftv mJlee »« *k» i?— rer, came upon them by furpriTe. Unprepared m [ucntly killed or took prifoucrs the greatcH part of them. a\a 26 CARVER'« TRAVELS. them. On the return of the French to the Green bay, one of the Indian chiefs in alliance with them, who had a confiderablc band of the prifoners under j his care, flopped to drink at a brook ; in the mean I time his companions went on : which being obferved by one of the women whom they had made captive, flie fuddenly feized him with both her hands, whilft he ftooped to drink, by an exquifitely fufceptible part, j and held him faft till he expired on the fpot. As the chief, from the extreme torture he fuffered, was una- ble to call out to his friends, or to give any alarm, theyf pafTed on without knowing what had happened j and the woman having cut the bands of thofe of her fellow prifoners who were in the rear; with them made her j efcape. This heroine was ever after treated by her nation as their deliverer, and made a chiefefs in her) own right, with liberty to entail the fame honor onl her defcendants : an unufual diftin^on, and permit- ted only en extraordinary occafions. About twelve miles before I reached the Carrying Place, I obferved fevcral fmall mountains which ex-j tended quite to it. Thefe, indeed, would only be ef-j teemed as molehills, when compared with thofe on the! back of the colonies, but as they were the firft I hadl feen fincc my leaving Niagara, a tradl: of nearly eleven} hundred miles, I could not leave them unnoticed. [ The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebagoj Lake, is about fifty yards wide, but it gradually de-| creafes to the Carrying Place, where it is no more than! five yards over, except in a few places where it widensi into fmall lakes, though ftill of a confulerable depth.] I cannot reoolledt any thing elfe that is remarkable in this river, except that it is fo ferpentine for five niiles,] as only to gain in that place one quarter of a mile. ^ T'i.~ /*i^_i^_: Til i--,-_ !_.- .1 Ti^ _ • -"-^ • "v i.;:^ v,.;:ry2ii^ xxaic uciwccii jnc FOa and v?uiiv.Ori" fin Rivers is in 'breadth not more than a mile and three quarters, though in fome maps it is fo delineated asj to appear to be ten miles. And here I cannot Jiclpj ^ . •* renurking,; CARVER'S TRAVELS. 27 lartcr of a mile. -iTOA anu v'uiKOii-j emarking, that all the maps of tbefe parts, I have ev- Jer feen, are very erroneous. The rivers in genei^l a-e Idefcribed as riinnin^ [n different direftions from what hhey really do : and many branches of them, particu- Jarly the Miflifippi, omitted. The diftatices of places, likewife, ar- greatly mifreprefented. Whether this is yone by the French geographers (for the Engliih maps ire all copied from theirs) through defign, or for s^ant of a juft knowledge of the country, I cannot fay ; 3ut I am fatisfied that travellers who depend upon Ihem in the parts I vifited, will find themfelves much Bt a lofs. Near one half 'of the way, bettveen the rivers, is a lorafs overgrown with a kind of long grafs, the relt Df It a plam with fome fev/ oak and pine trees growing thereon. I oblerved here a great number of rattle- snakes. Monf. Pinnifance, a French trader, told me remarkable ftory concerning one of theie reptiles, of vhich he faid, he was an eye witnefs. An Indian, be-' longing to the Mcnomonie nation, having taken one ^i them, found means to tame it ; and when he had flone this, treated it as a Deity } calling it his great lather, and carrying it with him in a box wherever he went. This the Indian had done for feveral f«m- :|ers, when Monf. Pinniflmce accidentally met with 11m at this Carrying Place, juft as he was fetting off or a winter's hunt. The French gentleman was urprifed, one day, to fee the Indian place the box j'hich contained his god, on the ground, and opening he door, gave him his liberty ; telling him whilft he hlu ?'^ and return by the time he himfclf lay following. As this was but Odober, Monficur >ld the Indian, whofe fimnlirit^ .a^^iiuJ u.-i "f"*^ tTf'^u^'^^^^ r" »o"g enough' when'MVa;:. hved for the arrival of his great father. The Indian N fo confident of his creature's obedience that h^ ffcred to lay the Frenchman a wager oftwo git: of 2B CARVER'S TRAVELS. of mm, that at the time appointed he would come anti crawl into the box. This was agreed on, and the fecond week in May following, fixed for the dctermin. ation of the wager. At that period they both met there again ; when the Indian fet down his box, and called for his great father. The fnake heard him not , and the time being now expired, he acknowledged that he had loft. However, without feeming to be difcouraged, he offered to double the bet, if his great father came not within two days more. This wx^ .further agreed on ; whenrbehold, on the fecond dav, Aout one o'clock, the fnake arrived, and of his owr accord crawled into the box, which was placed rea.h for him. The French gentleman vouched for the truth of this ftory, and from the accounts I have often received of the docility of thofe creatures, I fee no rcr- fon to doubt his veracity. I obferved that the main body of the Fox river came from the fouthweft, that of the Ouifconfm fmn the northeaft j and alfo tliat fome of the fmall branch- es of thefe two rivers, in defcending into tbeci, doubled within a few feet of each other, a little tu the fouth of the Carrying Place. That two fuch rivers fhould take 'their rife fo near each other, and after running fuch different courfcs, empty themfelves int the fea, at a diftance fo amazing (for the former hnv ing paffed through feveral great lakes, and run up. wards of two thoufand miles, falls into the Gulf a St. Lawrence, and the otlier, after joining the Miili. fippi, and having run an equal number of mile dilembogues itfelf into the Gulf of Mexico) is an 'm ftance fcarcely to be met in the extenfive continent North America. I had an opportunity the year fol Jo wing, of making the fame obfervatioris on th^.„d « , dma-« like hayc„4v°fe; C i bciu^ I' 30 CARTER'S TRAVELS and ftimted oats, covered fome of tMe vaUies. So plentrful ,s lead h^rc, that I faw large quJtitfi of k ]ying about the ftreets in the town belon^nno the' rlvfr^n^y ^ ''^. ?^^^''^' ^^ proceeded down the nyer, and the next day reached the firft town of th«l Quigaumies. This town contaiued about fifty^ufol but we found moft of them dcferted, on account^ a«l and earned oft more than one half of the inhahitantsr I he greater part of thofb who fiirrived, had retired^ into tlie ^woods to avoid the contagion. f Miffifioli '4tnV'T^r'^^' extenfive river the luut iippi. The OuifccAfift, from the Carrying Place exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a" f ne and Tandy bottom, tolerably free from^rocks [ ? L^! "u.o^^^T'^'' '^' ^'^ "^ "^^^^ appeared to b^^ mer alfo feemed to be m general excellent ; but, thati -t a and warned them to qu t then- habitations j for tl^ fend on which they «rere bmlt belonged to him, and he had occafion fi It. As a nronf tha* ^le. 'jsW '-^ -^'^ > _" . • wasreally;theGre.tSpirit:h^&;;;::;;^ the grafs il^^uld immedi^ely fpring «p oa thofe very rocks fro^^ ]^ence hej^m, addreffeU them, which thcf J.VV !»lSi»#»^( CARVER'S TRAVELS, 3, Ley knew to be bai^^and barren. The Jndian» obeyu it ? UA f^' f^^"^^^^ that this miraculaL Iteration had taken place. They ihewed mc t^ie fpoir* bt the growth o£ the grafs appeared to be no w^ N of the French or Spaniards, to anfwer fome fdfifh tnow n "^ """"^'' ^^""^ ^^^'^'* '^*"' P"»l»oft« ^TWs people, foon after their removal, bnlk a town . fcL '"^ f '^f ^^^^^^PP'» ^^-^ the mouth, of tS iifconun, at a pace called by the French, La Prai!^ w I^ Ch,em which fignifies the Dog Plaim ; it T^ ^ge own and contams about th«c Imndred fami! kw h«l .^J f^f^ of hfe m great abundance. Z r^L ^ '°'^^ **^ ^ S^od fee and fhape. This. xrn IS the great mart where all the adjacSt trib« tre'^tT "^° '^^'^^^ '^'^ -oft remrtcta^ h«.. the Miffifippr, annu% aflemble about the "attS f o1heSd^'"^S^J^^^'^^^ their &rs to di^ol. drthdfr^^L ®"';i'^««t always that they L!< wn fS^ ^"^ * *^' '^ determined by a^eral^ ^cil of the chiefs, -virho confirit whether it ^uW more conducive to their intei^ft, to Sli LrZ^ thirplace, or carry them onto Louifiaaa TEh mfanac According: to the deci^orof Sifcotn' the Miffifippf. at. the oitrance of the Oiiir^nnfi^ >,»nd but thinly wooded. ' ' "' - ™-—"^"«i*y traders, 3a CARVER»s TRAVELSf. traders, who had accompanied mc hitliertd, tShkJ their refidcnce forthe winter. I then bought a can^l and with two fervants, one a French Canadian, "^1 Xt MS;t '' '-'''^ - ^^ ^^^' p-4 I l.'^H^? ''""fT fV- ^'^ P^*^^^ ^5th thetraderJ I landed, as I ufually dia, every evening, and having on. to lay themfelvea down to fleep. By a li|ht thai I kept burning I then fet down to copy the minute ?en o'dTV^'^^^^'ll ^^^ P^"<^^'"S day Abou ftenn/J : r"^ juftfinifhedmy memorandums,] fteppcd out of my tent to fee what weather it waJ As I caft my eyes towards the bank of the river ll bnght, fomethmg that had .he appearance of a herd of beafts, commgdown adefcent at fomc diftance] whilft I was wondering what they could be, one oS the number fuddenly fprung up, and difcovered to me the form of a ^lan. In an inftant Vhcy werp all onl their legs, and I could count about ten or twelve of -them running towards me. I immediately re-enteredl the tent, and having awakened my men, ordered theral to take their armes and follow me. As my firft aJ prehenfxons were for my canoe, I ran to the waterM fide and found a party of Indians (for fuch I now difj coverea them to be) on the point of plundering it. Before I reached them, J commanded my men not to ftre til I had given the word, being unwillmg to begin hoftihties unlefs occafion abfolutely required. I J cordmgf y advanced with refolution, clofe to the points of theu fpcars they had no other weapons, and bnndiflimg my hanger, a&cd them with a iSm voice, what they wanted ? They were ftaggered at this, and perceiving they were like to meet with s. "arm «... tion, turned about and precipitately retreated. ' Wei purluedthem to an adjacent wood, which they enter, ed, and we faw no more of them. However, for feari of CARTER^s TRAVELS. 33 their return, we twtfehed alternately during the „nainder of the night. The next day ray fervants ere under great apprehenfions, and earneftly entreat*. J me to return to the traders we had lately left* But itold them, that if they would not be efteemed old lomen (a term of the grcatcft reproach among the kdians) they muft follow nie ^ for I was determined \ purfue my intended route, as an Engliihman, when |ice engaged m an adventure never retreated. On iis they got mto the canoe, and I walked on the lore to guard them from any further attack. Tiie fcrty of Indians who had thus intended to plurder ;, I afterwards found to be fome of thofe £lr.agglinff knds, that having been driven from among the ditt tent tribes to which they belonged, for various femes, now aflbciated themfelves together, and, hving " I plunder, prove very troublefome to travellers who lis this way } nor are even Indians of every tribe bred by them. The traders had before cautioned E to be upon my guard againft them, md I would peat the fame caution to thofe whofe bufinefs might II them mto thefe parts. [On the I ft of November I arrived at Lake Pepinj hich IS rather an extended part of the River Miffi- bpi, that the French have thus denominated, about ro hundred miles from the Ouifconfm. The MiiE, ppi below this lake flows with a gemle current, but p breadth of it is very uncertain, in fome places it Ng upwards of a mile, in others not more than a larter. I his nyer has a range of mountains on each ^throughout the xvhole of the way ^ which in par- lukr parts approach near to it, in others lie at a areat- Ndlar««. Ihc land betwixt the mountains, a^d o« tj^'i'!' " generally covered with grafs, whh a few loves or tree*! inti»»(rv.*f^^ _- i •„• i __ . and elk are frequently feen. feeding roves ui In many places pyramidis of rock« ^ng old ruinous towers > at*dwo.amja«i appeared, *r«fem- ig pvedpice&f and 34 CARVER'S TRAVELS. and, what « very remarfcaHe, whilft this fcene prefenf. cd itfelf on one fide, the oppofite fide of the fame mountain was covered with the fineft herbage, which gradually afcended to its fummit. From tlen 7 h. moft beautiful and extenfzve profpeft that imagina- truitfuj meadow., numerous iflands, and all thcfe aboundmg with a variety of trees that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation ; fuch af the nut ree, the maple which produces fugar, vine i?. fll" n "'^' 8"pes, and plum trees bending u " der their blooming burdens, byt above all, the fine riv- er flowmg gently beneath, and reaching as far as the eye can extend, by turns attradl your admiration and excite your wonder. in lome places it is very deep, and in breadth ' nfrtf"""*" various" kinTs^S fifhi Great numbers furl r I'^Y'^'V''^^ '^"' ^^'^" ^^"'^ '^'^ ''^^^^ -dj=''^ent ; fuchasftorks, fwans, geefc, brants and ducks : and m the gi-oves are found great plenty of turkeys and partridges. On the plains are the largeft buffaloes of vZ 'u/T'"^'^-. ^''^ ^ obferved*the ruins of a French faftory, where it is faid Captain St. Pierre re- lidecl, and carried on a very great trade with the Nau- doweffies, before the reduftion of Canada. About fixty miles below this Lake is a mountain remarkably fituated ; for it ftands by itfelf exaftly in the middle of the river, and looks as if it had Hidden from the adjacent ihore into the ftream. It cannot hrJnt^'f ?,'""'''' ^^^^"^^^ immediately from the brink of the water to a confiderable height. Both the ^dians and the French caU it the Mountain in the ^ One day having landed on the fliore of the MJffi- iippi» i^mc miles beiow Lake Fepin, whilft my attertd- ants were preparing my dinner, I walked out to take a View of the adjacent country. I had not proceeded far, CARVER'S TRAVELS, \^ I far, before I carAj to a fine, level, open plain, on which • I perceived, at a little diftancc, a partial elevation that had the appearance of an intrenchment. On a near- er mfpea-ion I had greater reafon to fuppofe that it had really been intended for this many centuries a«o. Notwithftandmg it was now covered -vith wafs I could plainly difbern that it had once been a breaft- work of about four feet in height, extending the beft. part of a mile, and fufficicntly capacious to cover five thoufand men. Its form was fomewhat circular, and Its flanks reached to the river. Though much defac- ed by time, every angle was diftinguifhable, and apu peared as regular, and fafhioned with as much milita- ry ikilly as if planned by Vauban himfelf. The ditch was not vifible, but I thought, on examining more cunoufly, that I could perceive there certainly had been one. From its fituation alfo, I am convinced, that it muft have been dcfigned for this purpofe. It fronted the country, and the rear was covered by the mer, nor was there any rifing ground for a confidera- ble way, that commanded it ^ a few ftraggling oaks were alone to be fecn near it. In many place? fmall traas were worn acrofs it by the feet of the elks and deer, and .rom the depth of the bed of earth by which ht was covered, I was able to draw certain conclufions loiits great antiquity. I examined all the angles, and every part with great attention, and have often Waned myrelf,fmce, for noi encamping on the foot, and drawing an exad plan of it. To fhew that this clelcnptmu ,s not the offspring of a heated imagination, hi the chimerKral tale of a miftaken traveller, I find on jnqutry, fince my return, that Monf. St. Pierre, and feveral traders, have, at different times, taken notice 0. hmilar appearances, on which they have formed the Maine coni«9-Mr,»c K„* ..,Ui . —„•_•__ ". '^'^ "ic -nutely as I did. ,How . w^k ^ this \indTould cental "rP^^f 7 tl^^t hfhitl^rta (according to the jgeneul received opinion) l?.3ii .tUe :ieat of war, to untutorw'd i^ CARVER'S TRAVELS. Utitutored Indians alone, whofe whok ftock of military knowledge has only, till within two centuries, amount- ed to drawing the bow, and whofe only breaftwork, I cwen at prefent, is the thicket, I know not. I have given as exadt an account as poffible, of this fingullar appearance, and leave to future explorers of thefe dif- tant regions to difcover whether it is a produ^ion of nature or art, Perhaps the hints I have here given, might lead to a I more perfefk inveftigation of it, and give us very dif- ferent ideas of tlie ancient ftate of realms that we at prefent believe to have been from the earliell period only the habitations of favages. The Miffilippi, as far as the entrance of the dverj St. Croix, thirty miles above Lake Pepih, is very f.,llj of iflands j fome of which are of a confiderable length. On thefe alfo, grow great numbers of the maple or fu- gar tree, and around them vines loaded with gtapesj creeping to their very tops. • From the Lake upwardsl few mountains are to be feen, and thofe but fmall! Near the river St. Croix, rellde three bands of the! Nandoweflie Indians, called the River Bands. This nation is compofed, at prefent, of eleven bands.i They were originally twelve i but the Affinipoils, fomej years ago, revolting, and fei>arating themfelves from thel others, there remain only at this time eleven. Thofel I met here are termed the River Bands ; becaufe theyj chiefly dwell near the banks of thb river i the otherj, eight are generally diftinguiflhed by the title, Naudow-I eflies of the Plains, and inhabit a country that liejj more to the weft ward. The names of the former arc! the Nehogatawonahs, the Mawtawbauntowalis, and tliej Shahfweeutowahs, and coniift of about four hwndrcd| warriors. I iA liitic DCiuic I .uiV't. »»Ki* JiiCic xnrcc uM^zua, i ^ in with a party ©f the l^awtawbatintowahs, amountingj to forty warriors and tAieir families. With thefe 1 1 lided a day or two, tiuring whkh time five or lix theirl CARVER'S TRAVELS. 31 thftir number who had been out on an exc;irfion, re- turned in great hafte, and acquainted their compiin- ions that a large party of the Chipeway warriors, « enough," as they exprefled themfclvcs, " to fwallow them all up" were clofe at their heels, and on the p!jint of attacking their little camp. The chiefs suppli- ed to me and dcfired I would put myfeif at their head, and lead them out to oppofc thvtir enemies. As I wag a ftranycr and unwilling to excite the anger of either nation, I knew not how to aft ; and never found my- feif in z greater, dilemma. Had I rcfufed to affift the NaudaweHies I fliould have drawn on myfeif their dif- pleafure, or had I met the Chipeways with hoftile in- tentions, I fliould have made that people my foes, and had I been fortunate enough to have efcaped their ar- rows at this tir e, on fome future occafion fhould prob- ably have experienced the feverity of their revenge. In this extremity I chofe the middle courfe, and de- fied that the Naudowefllcs would AifFer me to meet them, that I might endeavor to avert their fury. To tl is they reluftantly aflented, being pcrfuaded, from the inveteracy which had long prevailed between them, that^ my remonftranccs would be in vain. Taking my Frenchman with me, who could fpeak their language, I haftened towards the place where the Chipeways were fuppofed to be. The Naudoweffies, j durmg this, kept at a diftance behind^ As I approach- ed them with the pipe of peace, a fmall party of their I chiefs, coniifting of about eight or ten, came in a tnendly manner towards me j with whom, by the I "jeans of my interpreter, I held & long cdfiverfation ; the refult of which was, that their rancour being by my perfuaficns in fome meafure mollified, they agreed to turn back, without accomDliflMno the-r f.x-.r-^^J'r'.-.'.r-.. poles. Duriqg our difcourfe I could percel've,"as thev lay fcattered about, that the party was very numerous, and many of them armed with mufkets. Having happily fuccceded ia my undertaking, I ^ returned 3« CARVER'S TRAVELS. returned without delay to the Naudowcflles, :ind dcf.r- .ed they would mftantly remove their camp to fome other part of the country, left their enemies fhould re- pent of the promife they had given, and put their intentions mto execution. They accordiiigly followed my advice, and immediately prepared to ftrike their ^^u\^ y ^^^y.^^'^^'-e doing this, they loaded me W4th thanks } and when I had feen them on board their canoes, I purfued my.routq. To this adventure I was chiefly indebted for the friendly reception I aftenvards met with from the NaudoweiTies of the Plains, and for the rcfpeft and honors I received during my abode among them. And when I arrived many months after at the Chin- cway village, near the Ottowaw lakes, I found that my fame hat reached that place before me. The Chiefs received me with great cordiahty, and the elder part of them thatiked me for the mifchief I had prevented. ^^^y'^'^/'^'^<^ ««e, that the war between their nation and the NaudoweiTies had continued without interrup- tion for more ;.tlian forty winters. That ^hey had long wifhed to put an end to it, but this was generally prevented by the young warriors of cither nation, who could not rel train their ardor when they met. They fuid, they Should be happy if Tome chief of the fame pacific difpuikion as myfelf, and who pofleiTed an equal degree of refolution and coolnefs, would fettle m the country between the two nations ; for by the interference of fuch . pcrfon, an accommodation, which on their part taey fmcerely defired, might be brought abdht. As I did not meet any of the Nau- doweflies afterwards, I had not an opportunity of for- warding fo good a work. About thirty miles below the falls of St. Antho- ny, at which I arrived ^h** «•»"*», ,u., ^c,^ r i^r. t _. Jt;epin, is a remarkable cave of an amazing depth. Ihe Indians term it Wakontcebe, that is, the Dwell- ing of the Great Spirit. The entrance into it is about tea VVELS. judowtflles, and tfcfjr- c their camp to fome cir enemies fliould re- given, and put their accordingly followed spared to flrike their this, they loadtd me fecn than on board 'Ry indebted for the met with from the for tJie rcfpea and = among them, ths after at the Chip- :es, I found that my e me. The Chiefs and the elder part ief I had prevented, •etween their nation d without interrup- That they had t this was generally ■ cither nation, who n they met. They chief of the fame who poflefled an Inefs, would fettle lation,^ } for by the n atc;;u3 auCi wiies j aiui ailaft the earrings from his ears j in fliort, he prefented to his god every part of his drefs that was valuable ; dur •mg this CA^V/ER.»s TRAVELS. '41 this Ii« frec^ently fmote his breaft with great violence thircw his arms about, and appeared to be much agi- tated. ^ '■■ AU this whije he continued his adorations and at length concluded them with fervent petitions that the Great Spirit would cpnftantly afford us his proteaion on our travels, giving, u&a bright fun, a blue iky, apd clear untroublecl waters ; nor would he leave the place till we had fmpked tog.ether with my pipe, in honor of the Great Spirit. I was greatly furprifed at beholding an inftance of iuch elevated devotion in fo young an Indian, and in- itead of ridiculing the ceremonies attending it, as I ob- ierved my catholic fervant tacitly dicf, J looked on'the prmce with a greater degree ofrefpeftfor thcfe finccre proofs he gave of his piety ; and I doubt not but that h.3 offering and prayers were as acceptable to the ujii- verhil Parent of mankind, as if they had been made with greater pomp, or in a confecrated place. Indeed, the whole conduct of this young prince at' once amazed and charmed me. During .the few day^ we were together, his attention feemed t6tally to be employed m yielding me every afliftance in his power ; and evenm io fliort a time, he gave me innumerable proots of the moft generous and difmterefted friend.- iliip i lo that on our return I parted from him with great reluaance. Whilft I beheld the artless, yet en- gaging manners of this unpolifhed i^ivage, I could not ' help drawmg a comparifon between him and fome of tae more rehned inhabitants of civilized countries, not much 1 own, in favor of the latter. The falls of St. Anthony received their name from 1 at^er Louis Hennipin, a French miihonary, who trav- hrft European ever leen by the natives. This amazinir body of waters, which are above 250 yards over, form Ihnuf.l ^^ ?° ^^'T^^ ' '^"^ ^^'^ perpendicuiariy about thirty feet, and ihc rapids below, inthefpace of D2 300 44 CARVER'S TRAVELS. ■ ' 300 yards more, render the defcent confiderably gwat- cr J fo that when viewed at a diftance, they appear toj be much higher than they really are. The abovemcn-j tioned traveller has laid them down at above fixty feet;! but he has made a greater error in calculating the! height of the Falls of Niagara } which he aflerts to bel 600 feet } whereas, from later obfervations accuratelyl made, it is well known that it does not exceed 140 fect.| But the good father I fear too often had no other foun- dation for his accounts, than report, or, at beft, al flight infpeftion. In th* middle of the falls ftands a fmall ifland, about j forty feet broad and fomewhat longer, on which growl a few cragged hemlock and fpruce trees j and aboutl half way between this Ifland and the eaftern fliore is aj rock, lying at the very edge of the fall, in an oblique! pofition, that appeared to* be about five or fix feet! broad, and thirty or forty long. Thefe falls vary much! from all the others I have feen, as you may approach! clofe to them without finding the leafl: obftrudtion! from any intervening hill or precipice. The country around them is extremely beautiful.! It is not an uninterrupted plain, where the eye finds rol relief, but compoled of many gentle afcents, which in! the fummer are covered with the fined verdure, c:id| interfperfcd with little groves, that give a pleafing va-i riety to the profpeft. On the whole, when the falls j are included, which may be feen at the diftance of four! miles, a more pleafing and piclurefque view cannot, II believe, be found through the univerfe. I could havel vrifned that I had happened to enjoy this glorious fightj at a more feafonable time of the year, whilft the treesi and hillocks were clad in nature's gayeft livery, as this! luuit have gfcatiy aducd 10 tne piCaiUrC * iCt.CI«v.uip however, even then, it exceeded my warmeft expe£la"[ tions. I have endeavored to give the reader as juft anj idea of this iuchanting fpot, as poffiblc j but all dc'i fcription, whether of the pencil or the pen, muft ftl'l infinitely Ihort of the original. M\ CARVER'S TRAVELS. 43 UIV JL il,CClTVt>)| At a little diftance below the falls ftands s fmzll land, of about an acre and an half, on which grow great number of oak trees, every branch of wh'ch, Ible to fupp'-rt the weight, was full of eagles' nefts. Ihereafon that thefe kind of birds rcfort in fuch num- bers to this fpot, is, that they are here fecure from the Stacks either of man or beaft, their retreat being uardcd by the rapids, which the Indians never at- ^mpt to pafs. Another reafon is, that they find a anftant fupply of food for themfelves and their young, fom the animals and fifh which are dafhed to pieces the falls, and driven on the adjacent fhorc. Having fat-'T I, my curiofity, as far as the eye of Ian can be ,ed, I proceeded on, ftill accompa- [ed by my ^ ., iiig friend, till J had reached the river K Francis, near fixty miles above the falls. To this I'er, Father Hennipin gave the name of St. Francis, M this was the extent of his travels, as well as mine, Iwards the northweft. As the feafon was fo advanced, W the weather extremely cold, I was not able to lake fo many obfervations on thefe parts as I other- lie ihould have done. [It might, however, perhaps, be necefTary to obfervc, lat in the little tour I made about the falls, after veiling fourteen miles, by the fide of the Miffifippi, came to a nver nearly twenty yards wide, which ran ^m the northeaft, called Rum River. And on the th ot November came to another termed Goofe Iver, about twelve yards wide. On the 21ft I ar- led at the St. Francis, which is aibut thirty yards ie. Here the Miffifippi itfelf growWiarrow, being more than ninety yards over ; and appears to be fefly compofed of fmali branches. The ice prevcnt- "Sv. «^ii» iioutiiig the depth of any of thefe three The country in fome places is hilly, ^ut without ic mountains ; and the land is tolerably good. I Jervcd here many deer and carriboos. fome elk, with abundance 44 CARVER'S TRAVELS. abundance of beavers, otters, and other furs. A litdJ above this, to the northcaft, are a number of fmal lakes called the Thoufand Lakes ; the parts abouj which, though but little fre.j^aented, are the befl: withij many miles for hunting, as the- hunter never fail.'- returning loaded beyond his expectations. The Miffiiippi has never been explored higher u| than the River St. Francis, and only by Father Hen nipin and myfelf thus far. So that we are obligel folely to the Indians for all the intelligence wt re abl to give relative to the more northern parts. As tlJ river 'is not navigable from the fea for veflels of anj confiderable burthen, much higher up than the Forls of the Ohio, and even that is accomplifl\e4 with girJ difficulty, owing to the rapidity of the current^ anj the windings of the river ; thofe fettlemcnts t!i| may be made on the interior branches of it, muft ! indifputably fecure from the attacks of any marltin power. But at the fame time the fettlers will have tlij advantage of being able to convey their produce to tl^ feaports, with great facility, the current of the rivd from its fource to its entrance into the Gulf of iMd ieo, being extremely favorable for doing this in ftna crafr. This might alio in time be facilitated by canaj or fliorter cuts ; and a communication opened water with New Nork, Canada, &c. by way of t'J lakes. The Forks of the Ohio zrc about nine hundref miles from the mouth of the Miflifippi, following courfe of the river ; and the MeiTorie two hundr^ miles above theft. From the latter it is about twcn miles, to .the#linois River, and from that to the Oiil confms which I have given an account of, about eig'| hundred more. „.*.,' rir. tU. "0 T «.i»fsii4fi4>/l f^\ rv\xr /"in/%^. Twrit/'n T hi "V left at the mouth of the River St. Pierre ; and hertl parted with regret from my young friend, the prinf of the Winnebagoes. This river being clear of ij by reafon of its fouthern fituation, I found nothings obAr CARVER»s TRAVELS. 45 bftrucH: my pafHige. On the 28th, being advanced 3ut forty miles, I arrived at a fmall branch that fell Vto it from the north j to which, as it haeJ no name lat I could diftinguilh it by, I gave my own. About Irty miles higher up I came to the Forks of Verd and ltd Marble Rivers, which join at fome little diftancc tfore they enter the St. Pierre. [The River St. Pierre, at its junaion with the Mif- ttppij is about a himdred yards broad, and continues bt breadth nearly all the way I failed upon it. It has fereat depth o£ water, and in fome places runs very pflcly. About fifty miles from its mouth are fome )ids, and much higher up there are many others, [I proceedcf' up this river about two hundred miles I the country of the Naudoweflies of the plains, whidi )s a little above the Forks formed by the Verd and td Marble Rivers, juft mentioned, where a branch bra the fouth nearly joins tlie Meflbrie River. By accounts I received from the Indians, I have re*. to believe that the River St. Pierre and the Mef- h*e, though they enter the MilTifippi twelve hundred lies from each other, take their rife in the fame neigh- rhood ; and this within the fpace of a mile. fThe River St Pierre's northern branch rifes from t Imber of lakes near the fliining mountains j and it jfrom fomeof thefe, alfo, that a capital branch of the irer Bourbon, which runs into Hudfon's Bay, has its jirces. ?rom the intelligence I gained from the Naudoweffic iians, among whom I arrived on the 7th of Decern- ■, and whofe language I perfeftly acquired during a Idence of fi ; months } and alfo from the accounts fterwards obtained from the Affinipoils, who fpeak ^ fame tongue, being a revolted band of t'^ Nau- reffies ; and from the Kiiiiftinoes. ne'lshho^s -^ A^mipoils, who fpeak the Chip^way^hnguage, mhabit the heads of the River Bourbon -, I fay thefe nations, together with my own obferva* tions, 4^ CARVER'S TRAVELS. tions, I have learned that ^ four moil capital rivert on the Continent of North America, viz. the St. Law^ rence, the Miffiilppi, tlie river Bourbon, and the OrJ gon orthe river of the Weft (a, I hinted in my intrJ dijiShon have their fources in the fame nei^hborhoodf Ihc waters of the three former are within thirty miy of^each other; the latier, however, is rather further] nJh'%^'''' *^'* '^'^^ P""^' ^^ the higheft lands i, North America ; and it is an inftance not to be pareti teted on the ot-lier three quarters of the globe, thai iour rivers of fuch magnitude fhould take their rife together, and each, after running feparate courfes, ditf charge thtiir waters into diffin-ent oceans at the difl ticc of two. thoufand miles from their fources. Fo? la their paflag? from^ this f^ot to th^ Bay of St. Law. reace, eaiV; to the Bay of Mexico, fouth / to Hudlbn'i ^y, not. h ; and to the bay at the Straits of Anniaa mUes ^'"^'"''''^^ "^'^^'''^' ""^ ^^° thoufanj I fliall here give my readers fuch reflexions as oci curred to me, when I had received this interefting in fonnatmn anclhadbynumberlefs inquiries, afcertainL ed the truth of ,t ; that is, as far as it was poffible tJ arrive at a certamry without a perfonal inveftigation. i .l,nl'%M r'T ;^'' '^^ ^^°"'^-^' particularly thofeof New England and Canada, are greatly afte Continent in the fhme direftion I- T'u^'fi^^^' ^f' ' *''^ ^^^*'"g *itJ^ the north linds (that from a fimdar caufe blow up the Bourbon l-om Hudfon s Bay) they are forced acrofs the great Ikes, down the current of the waters of the St. Law- »nce, and united, commit thofe ravages, and occafion fole fevere wmters, experienced in tlie beforemen- toned countries ? During their progrefs over the Ikes they becom.t expanded, and, confequently, afFeft greater traa of Imd than they otherwise would do. I According to my fcanty knowledge of natural phl- llophy,. this doef, not appear improbable. Wheflrer lis agreeable to the laws ertabli/hed by naturalifts to Icount for the pperations of that element, I^novr ftLnfTif7''^\'^f''n'°" ^'"''^ given of the fit- ^tion of thefe vaft bodies of water, and their near ap- E ■'''f "u^ ""^t^* "^''^^ "^y °^« undigefted fuL ffitions of their effed on the winds, may prove, peC On the 7th of December, I arrived (as I faid before) [tlicutmoft extent.of my travels to%vards the weft 4 tZ "^^ '"*^, ^ ^""S^ P^ty of the Naudowcffie Idians, among whom I refided feveii months. Thefe pmtituted a pari: of the eight bands of tl..- M---.=.J.-. "E"'"' of the plains} and ^re termed theWawpeen- Id .kI upon the infide bark of the birch tree ; which is as fmooth as paper, ar)d anfwers the fame purpofes, notwithftanding it is of a yellow cart. Their fketches are made in a rude manner, but they feem to give us as juft an idea of a country, although I the plan is not fg exaft, as more experienced draughts- men could do. ■'f- ^ I left the habitations of thefe hofpitable Indians thcj latter end of April, 1767 j but did not part from th'*m[ for feveral days, as I was accompanied on my journey by near three hundred of them, among whom were! many .chiefs, to tlie mouth of the River St. Pierre. At this feafon, thefe bands annually go to the Greatl Cave before mentioned, to hold a grand council with] all the other bands *, wherein they fettle their opera- tions for the enfuing year. At the fame time theyl carry with them their dead, for interment, bound upj an buffaloes' fltins. Befides thofe that accompanied! me, others were gone before, and the reft were tol follow. Never did I travel with fo clieerful and happy a com^ pany. But their mirth met with a fudden and tempo-j rary allay from a violent ftorm that overtook us onel day on our paffage. We had juft landed, and were! preparing to fet up our tents for the night, when aj heavy cloud pverfpread the heavens, and the moft! dreadfiil thimder, lightning, and rain iflued from it thai ever I heard or beheld. jfhelter as they could find ; for only a few tents w< as yet ereifted. Apprehenfive of the danger tl ,»iight efifue from ilanding near any thing which coi fervel plans of all the itcd : but as I CARVER'S TRAVELS. Si fcrve for a rondu(Jlor, as the cloud appeared to contain j fuch an uncommon quantity of elet^lrical fluid, I took my Hand as far as poUible from any covering ; choofing rather to be expolcd to the peltings of the florm, than I to receive a fatal ftroke. At this the Indians were I greatly furprifed, and drew conclufions from it not un- favorable to the opinion they already enteitained oF my refdution. Yet I acknowledf^ that I was never JBiore affeaed in my life ; for nothing fcarcely could lexcecd the terrillc fcenc. The peals of thunder were Ifo loud that they fliook the earth ; and the lightning Iflafhed along the ground in ftreams of lulphur ; fo ■that the Jnd'an chiefs themfelves, although their courajre in war is ufually invincible, could not heb ^rembling at the horrid combufticn. As foon as tlie ^torm was over, they flocked around mc, and informed tne, that it was a proof of the anger cf the e\ il ipirits, ^'hom they were apprehenfive that they had hiehlv ullcnded. ^ ^ When we arrived at the Great Cave, and the Indiana aad depbfited the remains of their deccafed friends in Ihe burial place that ftands adjacent to it, they held Iheir great council, into which I was admitted, and at the lame time had the honor to be inftalled or adopted k chief of their bands. On this occailon I made the [ollowing fpeech, which I infert, to give niy readers a pcimen of the language, and manner in which it is lecellary to addrefs the Indians, fo as to engage their jttention, and to render the Ipeaker's expreffion con- louant to their ideas. It was delivered on the firfl: day }iMay, 1767. . ' "My brothers, chiefs of the numerous and power- ii Naudoweflies ! I rejoice that through my long bode with you, I can now foeak tn "n'.^ tth.r^-.:r.h r-s^—^ In imperfedl manner) in your own tongue, like one of rour own children. I rejoice alio that I have had an Jpportunity fo frequently to inform you of the glory mu power of the Great King that reigns over the Englifh 5» CARVER'S TRAVFXS. 1: ^n : M n f EngliAi and other nations, who is defcended from a I very ancient race of fovcreigns, as old as the earth and waters j whofc feet iland on two great iflands, larger than any you have ever feen, amidft the greatcft waten in the world, whofe head reaches to the fun, and whofe arms encircle the whole earth : the number of whofe warriors are equal to the trees in the vallies, the ftalks of rice in yonder marfhes, or the blades of grafs onl your great plains : who has hundreds of canoes of hisj own, of fuch amazing bigiuis, that ill the waters in I your country would not fuffice for one of them to fwiml in i each of which have guns, not fmall like mine,! which you fee before you, but of fuch magnitude, thati a hundred of your fluuteft young men would withi difficulty be able to carry one. And thefe are equallyl furprifing in their operation againft the great king'sl enemies when engaged in battle ; the terror they carrjl with them, your language wants words to exprefs.! You may remember the other day when we were en-| camping at Wadawpawmenefotor, the black clouds,! the wind, the fire, the ftupendous noife, the horriblej cracks, and the trembling of the earth, which thenl alarmed you, and gave you reifon to think your godsj were angry with you ; not unlike thefe are the wai- like implements of the Engliih, when ikey are fighting! the battles of their great king. , *• Several of the chiefs of your bands have often told! »ne> in times pafl, when I dwelt with you in your tents,! that they much wifhed to be counted among the chilJ dren and allies of the great king my mafter. You may I remember how often you have defired me, when I returnj again to my own country, to acquaint the great king of! your good difpofition towards him and his fubjeils, and! that you wilhed for traders from the Englifh to coincl among you. " Being now about to take leave of you, and to re<| turn to my own country, a long way towards the rifingj fun, I agaia aik you to tell me whether you continucl of| CARVER'S TRAVELS. f» of the fame mind as when I fpoke to you in council laft winter j and as there are now feveral of your chiefs I here, who came from the great plains towards the fet- 1 ting of the fun, whom 1 have never fi)oke witli in council before, I afk you to let me know if you r.rc alj willing to acknowledge yourr'ive.. ilie children pf my great mafter the king of th , Englji:,; and other nation(s, as I fliall take the firft opp: n.:my u a»;(iu^iut him, of your defires and good inten.'r,;',;. " I charge you not to give i cJ. io bad reports, for there are wicked birds flymg about among tlie ncigh- boring nations, who may whifper evil things in your I ears againft the Engliih, contrary to what I have told I you ; you mull not belie've them, for I have told you ithe truth. " And as for the chiefs that are about to go to Michillimackinac, I flrall take care to make for them and their fuit, a ftraight road, fmooth waters, and jl clear fky ; that they may go there, and fmoke the I pipe of peace, and reft fecure on a beaver l)lanket under the Ihade of the great tree of peace. Farewell !" To this fpeech I received the following anfwer, from the mouth of the principal chief. «* Good brother ! I am now about to fpeak f^ you the language of thele my brothers, chiefs o. the I eight bands of the powerful nation of the Naudowef- jfies. We believe and are well iatisfled in the truth of I every thing you have told us about your great nation, and the great king cur greatcft fatlier ; for whom we fpread this beaver blank. l, that his fatherly proi-jaioii may ever reft eafy and fafc amongft us his children : your colors and your arms agree with the accounts you I have given us about your great nation. We defire tliat j when you return, you will acquaint the great king how 1 much the Naudoweffies wilh to be counted good children. .\mong " You may believe us when we tell you that we will not open our eras to any \>ho may dare to fpeak . eV?) E2 of 54 CARVER'S TRAVELS. of oitr great father the king of the Engllfh and other | nations. <* We thank you for what you have done for us in making peace between the Naudoweflies and the Chipe- ways, and hope when you return to us again, that you I will complete this good work ; and quite difpelling the clouds that intervene, open the blue Iky of peace, and caufe the bloody hatchet to be deep buried under the I roots of the great tree of peace. *' "We wifh you to to remember to reprefent to our I great father how much we deiire that traders may be lent to abide among us with fuch things as we need, that the hearts of our young men, our wives and chil- dren may be made glad. And may peace fubfift be- 1 tween us, fo long as the fun, the moon, the earth, and] the waters Ihall endure. Farewell !" I thought it neceflary to caution the Indians againftj giving heed to any bad reports that may reach them] irom the neighboring nations, to the difadvantage I of the Englilh, as I had heard, at different places j tlorough which I pafTed, that emiffaries were ftill em- ployed by the French to detach thofe who were friend- ly to the Englifli, from their intereft. And I faw,| myfelf, feveral belts of Wampum that had been deliv- ered for ♦^his purpofe to (bme of the tribes I wasl among. On the delivery of each of thefe, a talk wasl held, "herein the Indians were tol-d that the Englifh,! who were but a petty people, had jTcolen that countryl from their great father the king of France, whilft hej was afleep j but that he would foon awake, and take] them again under his protection. Thefe I found were fent from Canada, by perfons who appeared to be Well aucdcu tOvvofuS tiic gOvcfliiTient u: they lived. Whilft I tarried at the mouth of the River St. ierre, with thefe friendly Indians, I endeavored to gain 'ntelligence whether any goods had been fent to waro- the Falls of St. Anthony for jny ufe, agreeably CARVER'S TRAVELS. 5S lllh and other to the promife I hs ' received from the Governor when. I left MichilKmackinac. But finding from fome In- dians, who pafTed by in their return from thofe parts, that this agreement had not Ijeen fulfilled, I was oblig- ed to give up all thoughts of proceeding further to the northweft by this route, according to my original plan. I therefore returned to La Prairie le Chien, where I ! procured as many goods from the traders I left there the preceding year, as they could fpare. As thefe, however, were not fufficient to enable me to "renew my firft defign, I determined to endeavor to make my way acrofs the country of the Chipeways to Lake Superior j in hopes of meeting at the Grand Portage on the north fide of it, the traders that an- jniirlly go from Michillimackinac to the northweft } I of whom I doubted not but that I fhould be able to [procure goods enough to anfwer my purpofe, and alfo |to penetrate through thofe more northern parts to the [Straits of Annian. And I the more readily returned to La Prairie Ic [Chien, as I could by that means the better fulfil the jengagement I had made to the party of Naudowcffies [mentioned at the conclufion of my fpeech. During my abode with this people, wifhing to fe- cure them entirely in the intereft of the Englilh, I had advifed fome of the chiefs to go to Michillimackinac, ^vhere they would have an opportunity of trading, and |of hearing the accounts that I had entertained them p-ith of my countrymen, confirmed. At the fame [tune I had furnifhed them with a recommendation to the Governor, and given them eveiy dircftion necef- lary for their voyage. ill cosicqucnce or this, one of the principal chieft, and twenty five of an inferior rank, agreed to go the enfuing fummer. This they took an opportunity of aomg, when they came with the reft of their band to attend the Grand Council at the mouth of the River )t. Pierre. Being obliged, on account of the difap- pointment 5 or rather ftone, of which the Naudoweffiermake eir fem.^ utenfils. This country likewiff^bo^nd" Ith a milkwhite clay, of which China ware mi«h be ^de equal m goodnefs to the Aiiatic ; and alfo with a blue CARVETCi a blue (liy, that Ccvvfs the Indians ior paint, with thisj hikj the/ contrive; I »y mixing it with there4ftonc,| powdered, to paint thernfelves of different Thole that can get the bl v^ cby here mentioned, paimi t!»«mfclves very mudi with it -, particnlirly whets they ore about to begin theii fp lis an '3 paiin. ,s. h is aifo efteemed by then\ a iruirk of pe;«c, as it has a re- fymWf ice of a Hue iky, which whh them is a fym-l boi oi it, and majde ufe of in their fpeeches as a fignraJ t\w expreffion to denote penre. When they wiih toj ihcw that their inclinations are pacific towards otherl tribes, they greatly ornament I'-'th thernfelves and their I belts with it. . . I Having concluded my buiinc*s at La Prairie le Chi.| en, I proceeded once more up the Miffifippi, as far asl the place where the Chipeway E iver enters it, a littlej below Lake Pepinr Here, having engaged an Indiail pilot, I direfted him to fleer towards the Ottawavj Lakes, which lie near the head of this river. This li«I did, and I arrived at them the beginning of July. The Chipeway River, at its junction \vith the MiHij £ppi, is about eighty yards wide, but is mucWw^ider jf yoB advance into it. Near thirty miles Up it feparate into two branches, and I took my courfe through that which lies to the ealtward. The country adjoining to the river, for about fixt] miles is very level, and on its banks lie fine meadowij vhere larger droves of buffaloes and elks were feeding than I obwrvcd in any other part of my travels. Tb track between the two branches of this river is termei^ the Road of War, between the Chipeway and Nai> doweffie Indians. The country to the falls is '^ without any tin ber, and above that, -"ry /en and rugged, :lolely wooded with pi/ :h, maple, aim bu> Here a moft remarkafeh •- uiionifhing fight prefeit cd itfelf to my vievt: 1 - 'ood, on the eafl of river, which was about carters of a mile leiigtlij CARVER'S TRAV|:LS. 6i -^kngth,^nd m dqjthe further than my eye could reachl 1 obiijKved that«every tree, many of which w^re more^" «,] fT;nnT.v^er> in. .;r.^„U,^^.»„,.. lying fljj ^^ jj^g* ^1 app^ed^to have ,lhurrica3e, that (»filfe from .the weft fome years,jjgo ; but how many I could n^earn, -^s I found no inhabitants near it, of whom I Mild g}4n information. TJie coulitry on the weft- ifid^f the river, from being lefs wopdyjiidd ef<»ped, m a great meafure, this'havoc, as oifl| a mf trees'" were m blown down. Near the Jjteads of >Ris river, is a towii of the Ghip- eways, fro^whcnce it takes its name. It is fituatieA on g^ fide of the river, (xvhich at this place is of no Widerable breadth) and lies adjacent to the banics of a fmall lake. This town contains about forty hou^* ahd can fend out upwairds of one hundred . war^Jfc-s, many of v%hoth were fine, ftout young men..- ihe houfes of it ailr buHt after the Indian manner w ^^^1 "^^' plantations behind^ them -, but the ^A T u ^fjL '",g®"^''^'» feemed to be the naftieft people I had#rer b|Bn among. I oWerved, that the women and childr^indulged therafelves in a cuftom, w^l^h, though common, in fome degree, throughout every Indian nation, appears to be, accoi^ing to our ideas, of the moft nauceons and indelicate nature ; that of learchmg each other's head, and eating the prey caught Ik. / r ^ ^ ^^^ thiijfcown, and having dMd a num- per ot Imall lakes affl carrying places th* intervened, came to a head branch of the River St. Croix. This ' I branch I defcended to a fork, and then afcended an- lother to Its fource. On both thefe' rivers I difcovered [lev:.ral mmes of virgin copper, which was as nurp. as |i«rfi lound m any other country.,. 4, . He/e I came to a fmall h^-ook, which my guide i hought might be joined at m^e diftance by ftreains Ithat would at length render it i^avigable. The wat?r ^ at i» 62 \4 CARVER'S TRAVEJ^. ^ in at firft was fo fc:^y, that my canoe wouk|»by no ^eans Iwim m it j but having ftoppetkup fevesdl old Reaver dfms, wlii<#Jj|d been ^broken d&im.by"th? » hunters^i ^s ci^^o pToceed%r fome mile,, - I^IJie conjuiaion ofi few brooks, thefe aids bees >, till -— - — r-» — — —v.- became no longer neceffaty. In ag^ort time the water in- creafed to a moft ripid river, which we drfcended tiU it entered intcf Lair- Superior. This river | nafi T" ^^«"*^S|«anthat defired to accompany me if the town ome OUagaumies to the Carrying Plac6 o« Lake Superior, Goddard's I^Jvo^ To the weft of this is anotflS fn»|l dver, which alTo empties itfelf mto the Lake, ^hf I termed btrawbcrry River, from the great number g ftraw- berries of a good fize and flavor that sxM JKts tanks. ' i- ° ^ ' Th^ country from 4he Ottowaw Lakes to Lake Su- perior, IS in general very unpren and thickI^o%cd with woods. The foil in fome pisfts is tolerably good, in others but indifferent. In the heads of the St. Groix and the ChjpeMray Rivers are rxceedicg fine Ihirgeon. All the wil«rnefs betwr»'- "'^ ' '^uth ; its breadth has never-been properly ..ccirtaintd, but fuopofcd to be nboutone huntfcredjjuiles in its "^i^k^ partwThis lake is vefry full of ifl^nds ; thefe are,imhvever,of no great magnitude. Many confiderable "rivers empty them- felvcs into it, which, as yet, arc not diftkguilhed by kny names. The waters are llored witHTifli, fuch as trout and fturgeon, and .*llb with others of a Imallcr kind peculiar to thefe lakes. ;»Tfie land "" the louthweft part of it is^iery good, •"Specially about , the entrance of A large branch of the River Boibrbon, which flows from the fouthweft. On this river there 'S a failqrjj that was built by the Frei; 1^, calkd Fort la Reihe, to which the tract. :. from *lVlichilUmackinac refoftf ^o trade, ■with the Afl'mipoils *'-'vnd ^Killiftihaes. ' o this place the Mahahs, wh5 in^ ! bftb'u a country two hundred and fifty miles fouthwelt, * come aUb to trade with them -, and bring grfeat quaii- ' tl|ies of Indian 'orn, to exchange for knives, > ma- ^ *'ba^ks, and otV.^r ; rticles. Thefe people are fuppoied to dwtll On fome oi th ; l^gnchcs of the River oi the jw the northeaft fome moun- tains, and on the eaft ma^ barren piflns. The maple '^l* or fug- ^ ee grows here in great plenty, and there is -- likewile -fathered an m. azing quantity cf rice, whih ^'proves that grain will tlouiiih in thefe northern ul- ! mates as wclf as in w?' ..... feuftaioes, carrjHoo, and "moofe dtvr, are r ■ nerous in thefe parts. Tie buft; -•^es of this cow f c^ifter fi^ thoft- that are found jmore to the" fos i o ' mfmze ; the former being much imaller •, J ''^ -^ "^^ Britain ( Wei * Lakt Winnepeek has • i cm parts r<^|^c Oft * , 1^ CARVER'S TRAVELS. ^s • On ^e tiraters that^ll Jrito this lake, the neigh- boring nations take great numbers of excellent furs. Some of thefe th^ carry to the faaories and fettle- l» mcnts belonging to the Hudfon's Bay Company, lltu^ * ated above ' e entrance of the Bourbon River; but this they do with reluftance, on feveral accounts'; for forne of the Affinipoils and Killiftinoes, who ufually tra(' d with the Company's fervants, told me, that if th 7 could be furc of a conftant fuppiv of goods from Michillimaikinac, they would not tr any where elfe. They fhewed me fome cloth and otiier articles that they .-.ad purchafed at Hudfon's Bay, with which they were much diflatisfied, linking they had been grcariy impofed upon in the barter. Allo'ving that their accounts were true, J||bu]d not h Jn jommg m their opinion. But this dilluisfaaion mi£ \t probably proceed, in a great meafure, from the mtr ".s of the Canadian traders : for whilft the Frencu were in pofleffion of Michillimackinac, having acquired thorough knowledge of the trade of the northv n. .ountries, they were employed on that ac** couni, after th reduatience for thei? amval. "^ ▼ -jg^. J One day, whilft we were^ exftefl!|pbur wiflies for this'defirable event, and looking nrom an eminence in hopes of feeing them come over the lake, the chief prieit belonging to the band of KiUiftinoes, told us, that he would endeavor to obtain a conference w^ the Great Spirit, and know from him when the tWB- ers would arrive. I paid little attention to this decla* ration, fuppoling that it would*e ^oduftive of ^ne juggling trick, juft fuffkiently cowr'ed to deceive tiie ignorant Indians. But Hie king of that tribe telling^ meithat this|*as chiefly undertaken by the prieft, to alleviate ^f anxiety, and at the fame tir-e to co(irvin# me iftw Such intereft he had with the Great Spirit, 1 thought it neceffary to reftrain my anhnadverfions' on his defign. ^ Mk Thdfollowing evening was fixed u^n for this fpi^t- ual conference. When every thing had beer^roperly prepared, the king came to 9e and led me tb a capa- cious tent, the tovering of which^as drawn up, io ^^ as to rende iWhat was tranfafting within, vifihle to ^ thofe who ftood without. We found the tent fur- rounded by a great number of the Indians, but we readily gained adniiflion, and feated ourfelvcs on fkins laid on the groun.i for that purpofe. In the centre 1 obferved that there was a place of an obkxBig fliape, which was compofed of ftakes fturk in tM ground, with intervals between, ib as to form a kind of cheft or coffin, large enough to contain the boiy of a man. Tiiete were oi a miudic ii*-, rr.a placed at fuch a diftancc from each other, that what- ever lay within them was rcj^ltly to be difcerned. fhe tent was; perfe(illy illumuated by a great nwi^Dct . m of # ndians, but we lelvcs on ilcins lUUlC 111 IK CARVER'S T ■LlOa 73 o^^^^^s made of fplinters cut from the pine or birch tr«ipwhich the Indians h^kl in tlieir handl. In a few minutes the prieft entered ; when an amaz- ing large elk'o Ikin being fpread on the ground, juft at my. feet, he laid himfelf down upon it, after having ftript himfelf of every garment except that whicli he wore clofe -about his n)iddle. Being now proftrate on his back, he firft laid hold of one fide of the fkin, and folded it over him, and then the other ; leaving only his head uncovered. This was no fooner done, than two of the young men who flood by, took about forty yards of ftrong cord, made alfo of an e^s hide, and rolled it tight round his body, fo that he was completely fwathed within the Ikin. Beinjr thus bound up like an Egyptian Mummy, one took hun by the heels, and the other by the head, and lifted him over the pales into the eiiclofure. I could alfo now difcern him as plain as I had hitherto done, and Jttook care not to turn my eyes a moment from the objeft before me, that I might the more readily deteft the artifice ; for fuch I doubted not but that it would turn out to be. The priefl had not lain in this fituation more than a few feconds, when he began to mutter. This he con- tmued to do for fome time, and then by degrees cr^w louder and louder, till at length he fpoke articulately . however, what he uttered was in fuch a mixed jargoa of the Ch.peway, Ottawaw, and KiUiftinoe languages, that I could not underfland but very little of it. Havmg continued in this tone for a confiderable while, he at laft exerted his voice to its utmofl pitch, fome- times raving, and fometimes praying, till he had work- ed lumfelf into fuch an agitation, that he foamed at nis mouth. After havino" r^^mairj^d nour in the place, and continued his vociferation with unabated vigor, he feemcdto be quite exhaufted, and remained fpeechlefs. But ia an jnftant he Iprung ^ upon 74 CARVER'S TRAVELS. upon his feet, notwithftanding at the time he was put in, it appeared impofliblc for him to move either his legs or arms, and Ihaking off his covering, as quick as if the bands with which it had been bound were burned afunder, he began to addrefs thofc who ftood around, in a firm and audible voice. " My brorhcrs," laid he, ''- the Great Spirit has deigned to hold a Talk with his fervant, at 'my earneft requeft. He has not, m- deed, told mi when the perfons we cxpea;, will be here j but to-morrow, foon after the fun has reached his highcft point in the heavens, a canoe will arrive, and the people in that will inform us when tbc tra- ders will come." Having faid this, ht ftepped oi\t of the enclofure, and after he had put on his robes, (Ulmifled the afiem- bly. I own I was greatly aftonifhed at what I had feen ; but as I obfcrved that every eye in tlie com- pany was fixed on me with a view to difcover my Sentiments, I carefully concealed every emotion. The next day the fun flione bright, and long before noon all the Indians were gathered together on the em- inence that overlooked the lake. The old king came to me and alked me, whether I had fo much confidence in what the prieft had foretold, as to join his people on the hill, and wait for the completion of it ; I told him I was at a lofs what opinion to form of the pre.- diaion, but that I would readily attend him. On this we walked together to the place where the others were aflembled. Ri^erv eye was again fixed by turns on me and on the lake'; when juft as the fun had reached his zenith, agreeably to what the prieft had foretold, a panoe came round a point of land about a league dif- tant. The Indians no fooner beheld it, than they let up an univerfal fhout, and by their looks fcemed to iriuiiiuii Jii tnc iniv-1 Ctt tucir jmci!; iiiu~ x.r ■. ^- •!:■••" - with the Great Spirit. In fefs than an hour the canoe reached the fhorc, when I attended the kifSg and chiefs to receiyt thof« who ' he was put ; either his IS- quick as if vere burned ood around, rs/' lUid he, a Talk with has not, in- eft, will be has reached will arrive, len tlifj tra- le endofure, d the afiem- what I had n tlie com- dilcover my tion. [ long before r on the em- id king came h confidence in his people of it ; I told of the pre- m. On this others were turns on me had reached id foretold, a I league dif- han they fet ks fcemcd to 1 the fhorc, rccciye thofe CARVER'S TRAVELS. 75 vrho were on board. As foon as the men were landed, we walked all together to the king's tent, when, ac- cording to their invariable cuftom, we began to fmoke ; and this we did, notwithftanding our impatience to know the tidings they brought, without aiking any queftions ; for the Indians are the moft deliberate people in the world. However, after fome triv- ial converfation, the king inquired of them, whether they had feen any thing of the traders ? The men replied, that they had parted from them a few days before, and that they propofed being here the fecond day from the prefoit. They accordingly arrived at that time greatly to our fatisfaftion, but more par- ticularly {o to that of the Indians,- who found hx this event the importance both of their prieft and of 'their natif n, greatly augmented in the fight of a ftrangcr. This fl:ory I acknowledge appears to carry with ft marks of great credulity in the relater. But no one is lefs tlnftured with that wcaknefs than myfeif. The circumftances of it, I own, are of a very extra- ordinary nature 5 however, as I can vouch for their bei;ig free from citiier exaggeration or mifreprefenta- tion, being myfelf a cool and difpaffionate obferver qf them all, I thought it neceflary to give them; t^ the public. And this I do without wiflii ig to rniflead the judgment of my readers, or t^ nnake any fapw- ftitious impreffions on their mindjt, but leaving thetti to draw from it what conclufions thev pteafe. I have aheady obfervcd that the Aifinipoils, with a pa-.-t of whom I met here, are a revolted band of the Na-adowpflks ; who on account of Ibme real oT' imag- ined grievances, for the Indians in general are vei-y tenacious of their liberty, had Separated themfelves from their fnrnltPVwtfn- and ibusriit fo? ffiSyk^rti at' the expenfe of their :.-/e. For tl:^ country they^noiir inhabit about the border* of I^ke Wtiuwpeek, belii^ much further north, is not neai' fo fertile or agrecaWc 76 CARVER'S TRAVELS. as that they have relinquifhcd. They ftill retain the language and manners of their former aflbciates. The Killiftinoes, now the neighbors and aUies of the Affinipoils, for they alfo dwell near the fame lake, and on the waters of the River Bourbon, appear to have been originally a tribe of the Chipeways, as they fpeak their language, though in a ditferent dialect. Their nation confifts of about three or four hundred warriors, and thv^y feem to be a hardy, brave people. I have alreatly given an account of their country when I treated of Lake Winnepeek. As they refide within the limits of Hudfon's Bay, they generally trade at the factories which belong to that company, but, for the reafons mentioned before, they frequently come to the place where I happened to join them, in order to meet the traders from MichiUimackinac. The anxiety I had felt on account of the traders' delay, was not much alleviated by their arrival. I again found my expeftations difappointed, for 1 was not able to procure the goods I wanted from any of them. I \vm therefore obliged to give over my de- Hgns, and return to the place from whence I firft be- gan my extenfiv TRAVEL3) fT The beginning of Oftobcr, after having coa^^ round the north and eaft borders of X4ake Superior, il jrrived at Cadot's fort, which adjoins to tiie iFalls ©f St. Marie, and is fituated near the fouthweft xorner of it. - . : Lake Superior, formerly termed the Upper Lake, fsom it3 northern fituation, is fo called on account ;of its being fuperior in magnitutle to jiny of the lake?' o«i that vaft continent. It might jiuftly be termed ' the Cafpian of America, and is foppofed to be the l»rg«ft body of frefh water on the globe. Its circomfererice, according to the French charts, is about fifteen hun- dred miles ; but I believe, that if it was collided rO;ttT -.^--ivi iiiv, HlJi liJlilV UX their people being once driven on the ifland of Maure- pa$, which lies towards the northeaft part of the lake, found on itJarge quantities of a heavy, fliining, yellow land, that from their defcription' muft have been gold daft.; . .^Being ftruck with the beautiful appearance of it. CARVER'S TRAVELS. n It, m the morning, when they re-entered their canoe, they attempted to bring fome away } but a fplrit of an amazing fize, according to their account, fixty feet ia height, ftrode m the water after them, and command- ed them to ddiver back what they had tiken aw ierrified at his gigantic ftature, and feeing that „ had nearly overtaken them, they were glad to reftore their Ihmmg treafure ; on which they were fufFered to depart without further moleftation. Since this inci- dent, no Indian that has ever heard of it, will veiUure near the fame haunted coaft. Befides this, they re- counted to me many other ftories of thefe iflands, equally fabulous. The country on the north and eaft parts of Lake bupenor is very mountainous and barren. The weather being intenfcfy cold in the winter, and the fun having but little power in thefummer, vegetation there IS very flow ; and confequently but little fruit is to be tound on its fliore. It however produces fome few fpe- cies m great abundance. Whortleberries of an un- common fize and fine flavor, grow on the mountains near the lake m amazing quantities ; as do black cur- rants and goofeberries in the fame luxuriant manner. liut the fruit which exceeds all the others, is a ber- ry rcfembhng a rafpberry in its manner of growth, but ot a lighter red, and much larger ; its tafte is far more delicious tlian the fruit I have compared it to, notwith^ landing that it is fo highly cfteemed in Europe : It grows on a fhrub of -he nature of a vine, with leaves IJinilar to thofe of tne grape ; and I am perfuaded that was It tranfpianted into a warmer and more kind- ly clunate, It would prove a moft rare and delicious ixuit. Two very large rivers empty themfelves into this lake, on the north and northeaft fide ; one is called the Nipe- gon Kiver, or, as the French pronounce it, Allanii>egon, which leads to a band of the Chipeways, inhabiting a lake oi the fame name, and the other is termed the JMichipicootoB IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 10 !f I.I 1.25 ~ IIIIIM ||M 2.2 Sf li° |||||20 111= lA. Ill 1.6 Photograpnic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ So CARVER'S TRAVELS. Michiplcootoii River, the fource of which is fituated towards Jame's Bay, from whence there is but a Ihort carriage to another river, which empties itfelf into that bay, at a fort belonging to the company. It was by this paifage that a party of French from Michillimack- inac, invaded the fettlcments of that fociety in the reign of Queen Anne. Having taken and deflroyed their forts, they brought the cannon which they found in them to the fortrefs from whence they had iflued ; thefe were fmall brafs pieces, and remain there to the prefent time } having, through the iifual revolutions of fortune, returned to the poiTeffion of their former mafters. Not far from the Nipegon is a fmall river, that juft before it enters the lake, has a perpendicular fall from the top of a mountain, of more than fix hur dred feet. Being very narrow, it appears at a diftance like a white garter fufperded in the air. A few Indians inhabit round the eaftem border? of this lake, fuppofed to be the remains of the Algon- kins, who formerly pofleffcd this country, but who have been nearly extirpated by the Iroquois of Can»* da. Lake Superior has near forty rivers that fall in- to it, fome of which are of confiderable fize. On the fouth fide of it is a remarkable point or cape, of about fixty miles in lengthy called Point Cliegomegan. It might as properly be termed a peninfula, as it is near- iy feparated from the continent, on the eaft fide, by a narrow bay that extends from eaft to weft. Canoes have but a fhort portage acrofs the ifthmus, whereas if they coaft it round, the voyage is more than a hun» dred miles. About that diftancR tn ths vstp.^ af thft '•Tsfr juft dss feribed, a confiderable river falls into th^ lake, the head of which is compofed of a great aflemblage of fimall ftreams. This river i;, remarkable for tho abun- dance of virgin copper that is found on and near its banks. A metal which is met with alfo in feveral Other place* on this coaft. I obferved that many of CARVER'S TRAVELS. 8r the fmall iflands, particularly thofe on the eaftern fliores, were covered with copper ore. They appear- ed like beds of copperas, of which many tons lay in a fmall fpace. A company of adventurers from England began, foon after the conqutft of Canada, to bring away fome of this metal, bui the diftrafted fituation of affairs in America has obliged them to relinquilh their fcheme. It might in future times be made a very advantageous trade, as the metal, which cofts nothing on the fpot» and requires but little expenfe to get it on board, could be conveyed in boats or canoes through the Falls of St. Marie, to the Ifle of St. Jofeph, whidi lies, at the bottom of the Straits near the entrance mto Lake Huron j from thence it might be put on board, larger vefTels, and in them tranfported acrofs that lake to the Falls of Niagara ; there being carried by land acrofs the Portage, it might be conveyed without much more obftruftion to Quebec. The cheapnefs and cafe with which any quaiitity of it may be procured, will make up for the length of way that is neceflary to tranfport it before it reaches the fea coaft, and enable the pro- prictorsto fend it to foreign markets on as good terms as it can. be exported from other countries. Lake Superior abounds with a variety of filh, the principal and beft are the trout and fturgeon, which maybe caught at almcft any feafon in the greateft abundance. The trouts in general weigh about twelve pounds, but fome arc caught that exceed fifty. Befides thefe, a fpecies of white fifh is taken in" great qsantities here, that, refemble a ihad in their fliape, but they are rather thicker, and lefs bony ; they weigh abeut four pounds each, and arc of a delicious tafte. The beft way of catching thefe fifh is with a isci f utii zxmC irout itti^ul Dc Lukcn at aii times witii the hook. There arc likewife many forts of Analler fifii in great plenty here, and which may be taken with eafe j among thefe is a fort refembling a herring, that 82 CARVER'S TRAVELS. that are generally made ufe of as a bait for the trout. Very fmall crabs, not larger than a half a crown piece are found both in this and Lake Michigan. , ' This Lake is as much afFeiired by ftorms as the At- lantic ocean i the waves run as high, and are equally as dangerous to fhips. It discharges its waters from the foutheaft corner, through the Straits of St. Marie At the upper end of thefe Sraits flands a fort that receives its name from them, commanded by Mon- fieur Cadot, a French Canadian, who being proprie- tor of the foil, is ftill permitted to keep pofTeffion of It. Near this ibrt is a very ftrong rapid, againft which) though It 13 impoffible for canoes to afcend, yet when condufted by careful pilots, they might pafs down with- out danger. Though Lake Superior, as T have before obferved, ir fupphed by near forty rivers, many of which are confiderablc ones j yet it does not appear that one tenth part of the waters which are conveyed into it by thefe rivers, are carried off at this evacuation. How luch a fuperabundance of waters can be difpofed of, as It muft certainly be by fome means or -, with- ©ut which the circumference of the lake v ^ be con- tinually enlarging, I know not : that it does not einp. ty itfelf, as the Mediterranean fea is fuppofed to do, by an under current, which perpetually counterafts ttiat near the fur face, is certain j for the ftream which kills over the rock i& not more than five or fix feet in depth, and the whole of it paflls on through the btraits mto the adjacent lake j nor is it probable that 10 great a quantity can be abforbed by- exhalations } confequently they muft find a paflage, through fome fubterranean cavaties, deep, unfathomable, and never to be explored. The Ti'^iio rtf c*. -\j :_ j^ _-. 1 <. • ularly as thofe of Niagara or St. Anthony do, but confift of a rapid which continues nearly three quarters Oi a mile, over which canoes weU piloted might pafs. At CARVER'S TRAVELS. 83 At the bottom of thefe Falls, Nature has formed a moll: commodious ftation for catching the fifh which are to be found there in immenfe quantities. Perfons ftandmg on the rocks that lie adjacent to it, may take v'lth dippmg nets, about the months of September and paobcr, the white Mi beforcmentioned ; at thatfeafon, together with feveral other fpecies, thev crowd up to thisfpot in fuch amazing Ihoals, that enough may be taken to fupply, when properly cured, thoulands of mhabitants throughout the year The Straits of St. Marie are about forty miles lon^. bearing foutheaft, but varying much in their breadth 1 he current between the Falls arid Lake Huron is not io rapid as might be cxpcrted, nor do they pre- vent the navigation of fhips of burden as far up as the llland of St. Joleph. It has been obferved by travellers that the entrance into Lake Superior, from thefe Straits, affords one ot thfc moft pleafing profpcc^ in the world. The place m which this might be viewe ' to the greatcft advantage, 13 juft at the opening of the lake, from whence may be fecn on the left, many beautiful little Jilands that extend a confiderable way before you ; and on the right, an agreeable fucceffion of fmall points ot land, that project a little way into the water, and contribute, with the iflands, to render this delightfol bafon (as It might be termed) calm and fecure from the ravages of thofe tempcftnous winds by which the adjoining lake is frequently troubled. I c.^-^'"^ i^'a^'l*. '"^° '''^'''^ 3^*^" "°^ enter from the I Mraits ot St. Mane, is the next in magnitude to Lake Superior. It lies between forty fwo and forty fax de- grees of nprth latitude, and fcventy nine and eightv five degrees of weft longitude. Its fhape is nSu-iy triangular, and its circumference about one thmjfand luiies. On the north fide of it lies an ifland that is remark- a6ic tor bcmg new a hundred miles in length, and no more 84 CARVER'S TRAVELS. I A more tkan eight miles broad. This ifland is known hi the name of Manataulin, which fignities a Place of Spirits, and is conlidered by the Indians as facrcd as thpfe already mentioned in Lake Superior. About the middle of the fouthweft fide of this lake, is Saganaum Bay. The capes that feparate this bay from the lake, are eighteen miles diftant from each other J near the middle of the intermediate fpace ftand two iflands, which greatly tend to facilitate the paflage of canoes and fmall veflels, by affording them fhelter, as without this fecurity it would not be prudent to venture arcofs fo wide a fea ; and the coaitmg round the bay would iwake the voyage long and tedious. This bay is about eighty miles in length, and in gen- eral about eighteen or twenty miles broad. Nearly half way between Saganaum Bay and the northweft corner of the Lake, lies another, which is termed Thunder Bay. Th: Indians, who have fre- quented thefe parts from time immemorial, and every European traveller that has pafled through it, have unanimoufly agreed to call it by this name, on account of the continual thunder they have always obferved here. The bay is about nine miles broad, and the fame in length, and whilft I was pafling over it, which took me up near twenty four hours, it thundered and lightened during the greateft part of the time to an exceffive degree. There appeared to be no vifible reafon for this that I could difcover, nor is the countr)-^ in general fubjeft to thunder j the hills that flood around were not of a remarkable height, neither did the external parts of them feem to be covered with any fiilphurous fub- ftance. But as this phenomenon muft originate from fome natural caufe,T conjedlure.tlxat the fhores of the bar, or the adjacent mountains, are either impregnated Vt'nn Uii uncGiiiiiiOii nuaiiiity or iuipuurous inattci, or contain fome metal or mineral apt to attract, in a great degree, the electrical particles that arc hourly borne * over CARVER'S TRAVELS. e, on account us matter, or % dyef them by the pafTant clouds. But the folution of this, and thofc other philofophical remarks which caaia.ly occur throughout thefe pages, I leave to the diicuflion of abler heads. The flfh in Lake Huron are much the fame as thofe in Lake Superior. Some of the land on its banks is very fertile, and proper for cultivation, but in other parts It is landy and barren. The promontory that feparate. this lake from Lake Michigan, is compofed ot a vaft plain, upwards of one hundred miles Ion jr, but varying m its breadth, being from ten to £fteen miles broaa. This traft, as I have before obferved, js divided into almoft an eo.ual portion between the Ottawaw and Chipeway Indians. At the northeaft corner this lake has a communication with Lake Mich- Sed^ ^''''''^' °^ Michillimackinac already de- I had like ^o have omitted a very extraordinary cir- cumftance, relative to thefe Straits. According to obf rvat.on, made by the French, whilll they were ihpofleJlxon of the fort, although there is no diurnal ilood or ebb to be perceived in thefe waters, yet, from an exaa attention to their ft.te, a periodical deration hPv ""/'f ^''" t^'^^^^ered. It was obferved that I ees 'tni .h^ f f"''' u^"f '^"^°^ imperceptible de- grees til they had reached the height of about three half. .nT- '?u ^''^^^f^^'^ in feven years and a half and in the fame fpace they .s gently decreafed, ni they had reached their former fituation ; fo that revofSn.^'"' '^'^ ^"^ ''"^^'"''^ '^^''^ mexplicable t^onsould not be confirmed by the English, as theV "" ' """""" "■-■- ' aiterati lanitsofthe Straits Vas a ioj^ected by the winds H apparent. All thefe lakes are ' 5 fometimes to have the appearance S6 CARVER'S TRAVELS. appearance of a tide, according as they happen to blow ; but this is only temporary and partial. A great number of the Chipeway Indians live fcat- tered around this lake, particularly near Saganaum Bay. On its banks are found an amazing quantity of the fand cherries, and in the adjacent country nearly the fame fruit, as thofe that grow about the other From the Falls of St. Marie I leifurely proceeded back to Michillimackinac, and arrived there the begin- ning of November 1767, having been fourteen months on this extenfive tour, I travelled near four thoufand miles, and vifited twelve nations of Indians lying to the weft and north of this place. The winter fettmg in foon after my arrival, I was obliged to tarry there till June following, the navigation over Lake Huron for large vcffels not being open, on account of the ice, till that time. Meeting here with fociable company, I pafTed thefe months very agreeably, and without finding the hours tedious. One of my chief amufements was that of filhmg for trouts. Though the Straits were covered with ice, we found means to make holes through it, and let- ting down ftrong lines of 'fifteen yards in length, to which were fixed three or four hooks baited with the fmall fifh before defcribed, we frequently caught two at a time of forty pounds weight each ; but the com- mon fize is from ten to twenty pounds. Thefe are moft delicious food. The method of preferving them during the three months the winter generally lafts, is by hanging them up in the air •, and in one night they will be frozen fo hard that they will keep as weU as if they were cured with fait. I have only pointed out in the plan of my travels, *u« »:..^„:«- T mi/4o frnm mv Ipavinjy MichilUmackinac till I arrived again at that fort. Thofe countries that lie nearer to the colonies have been fo oftpn and fo minutely defcribed, that any further account of them CARVER'S TRAVELS. «7 muld be ufelefs. I fhall therefore only give mv read- ers m the remainder of my journal, as I at firft pro- pofed, a defcnption of the other great lakes of Canada, many of which I have navigated over, and relate at the iame tmie a few particular incidents that I truft will not be found inapplicable or unentertaining In June 1768, I left Michillimackinac, and returned n the Gladwyn /chooner, a veflel of about eighty tons burthen over Lake Huron to Lake St. Chire. where we (eft the Aip and proceeded in boats to De- troit. This lake ,s about ninety miles in circumfer- ence, and by the way of Huron River, which runs from the fouth corner of Lake Huron receives the wa ers of the three great lakes, Superior, Michigan! and Huron Its form is rather round, and in fome places It IS deep enough for the navigation of lame vefTels, but towards the middle of it there is a bar of rand, which prevents thofe that arc loaded from pafT- ing over it. Such as are in ballaft only may find water to carry them quite through ; the cargoes, how- ever, of fuch as are freighted muft be taken out, and -fter being tranfported acrofs the bar in boats re- Inipped again. ' - The river that runs from Lake St. Claire to Lake Ene (or rather the Strait, for thus it might be termed from us name) is called Detroit, which is in French the btrait. It runs nearly fouth, has a gentle current* xti u T^^ .*°'^" °^ ^"^°^t >s fituated on the it^uat:' ^'' ''-''^ ^'^" ""^^ -^- ^^^- Almoft oppofite on the eaftem (here, is the vUhm SS"of"hT^ ' ' •""= °""^'""' '""''^'^-° oeen treated of by fo many writers, that ndherm^ .^ foibif "f ^"^ ' ^r' ^'''^ "^y^^l^ ""^^^ oFonly^de- that hi^.''*?rT'^ people little known, or incidents SvLa r , ^r '^- ""«?'^^d by others, I fhall omit givmg a defcription of them. A miffionary of the order 88 CARVER'S TRAVELS. order of Carthufian Friars, by permiffion of the bifixop of Canada, rcfides among them. The banks of the River Detroit, both above and belo. hefe towns, are covered with fcttlemcnts tlut extend more than twenty miles 5 the country being exceedingly fruitful, and proper for the cultivation of wheat, Indian corn, oats, and peas. It has alfo many fpots of line parturage -, but as the inhabitants, who are chiefly French that fubmitted to the Englifti gov- ernment, after the conqueft of thefe parts by General Amherft, are more attentive to the Indian trade than to farming, it is but badly cultivated. The town of Detroit contains upwards of one bun- dred houfes. The ftreets are fomewhat regular, and have a range of very convenient and handfome bar- racks, with a fpacious parade at the fouth end. On the weft fide lies the king's garden, belonging to the governor, which is very well laid out, and kept in good order. The fortifications of the town confift of a ftrong blockade, made of round piles, fixed firmly in the ground, and lined with palifades. Thefe are defended by fomc fmall baftions, on which are mount- ed a few indifferent cannon of an inconfiderable fize, juft fufiicient for its defence againft tlie Indians, or an enemy not provided with artillery. The garrifon in time of peace, confifts of two hun- dred men, commanded by a field oflicer, who a£ls as chief magiftrate under the governor of Canada. Mr. Turnbull, captain of the doth regiment or Royal Americans, was commandant when I happened to be there. This gentleman was defcrvedly efteemed and refpefted, both by the inhabitants and traders, for the propriety of his condu among which is the Ofwego Bafs, of an excellent fla- vor, and weighing about three or fb^r poundsr There is alfo a fort called the Cathead or Pout, which are in general very large, fcraie of them weighing eight or ten pounds ; and they are efteemed a rare diih when properly dreffedv ,_ ij^ On the northweft part of fhis lake, and- 16 the fbuth-^ eaft of Lake Huron, is a tribe of Indians called Mif- fifauges, whofe town is denominated Toronto, fron> the lake on which it lies ; but they are not very nu- merous. The country about Lake Ontario, efpecially the more north and eaftern parts, is compofed of good land, and in time may make very flourifliing fettle- ments. TheOniada Lake, fituated near the Kead of the River Ofwego, receives the waters of Wood Creek, which takes its rile not far from the Mohawk's River. Thefe two lie fo adjacent to each other, that a junc- tion is efFefted by fluices at Fort Stanwix, about twelve miles from the moutlx of the former. This lake 100 CARVER'S TRAVELS, lake is about thirty miles long from caft to weft, ami near fifteen broad. The country around it bcIon-Ts to the Oniada Indians. ^ Lake Champlain, the next In H^e to Ldke Ontario, and which lies nearly eaft from it, is about eiohty miles in length, north and fouth, and in its broadeft part fourteen. It is well^^ftored with fiih, and the lands that lie on all the borders of it, and about its riverS) very gootl. Lake George, formerly called by the French, Lake St. Sacrament, lies to the fouthwefi: of the laft men- tioned lake, and is about Uiirty five miles long from fiortli«aft^ to fouthweft, but of no great breadth. The coiwitry around it is very mountainous, but in tlie val- lies the land is tolerably good. WheHtliefe two lakes were firft difcovered, they, were known by no other name than that of the Iro, quois Lakes j and I believe, in the firft plans taken of thole parts, were fo denominated. The Indians alfo that were then called the Iroquois, are fince known by the name of the Five Mohawk nations, and the Mohawks of Canada. In- the late war, the former, whic^^confift^ of the Onondagoes, the bniadas, the Senepas, the Tufcarories, and Iroondocks, fought on the fide of the Englifli : the latter which are called ..the Cohnawaghans, and St. Francis Indians, joined the French. A yaft traa of land tliat lies between the two laft mentioned lakes and Lake Ontario, was granted in the year 1629, by the Plymouth Company, under a patent they had received from King James I. to Sir Ferdinando jGorges, and to Captain Jolm Mafon, the head of that family, afterwards difthiguifhed from others^f the fame name, by the Mafons of Connedi* cut. Ine countries fpecified in tiiis grant are laid to begin ten miles from the heads of the rivers that run from the eaft and fouth into Lake George and Lake Champlain i an(;l continuing from thefe in a direa lin« CARVER^s TRAVELS. i04 fine weftward, extend to the middle of Lake Ontario ; from thence, being bounded by the Cataraqui, or river of the Iroquois, they take their courfe to Mon- treal, as far as Fort Sorrell, which lies at the junear the coail: |( of Labrador, and is about fixty miles in circumfer- I cnce. Lake Pertibi, Lake Wincktagan, Lake Etche- laugon, and Lake Papenouagane, with a nufnber of other fmall lakes, lie near the heads of the Buftard River to the north of the St. Lawrence. Many others, which it is unnecelTary to particular- ize here, are aifo found between the Lakes Huron and Ontario. The whole of thofe I }iave enumerated, amount- ing to upwards of twenty, are within the limits of Canacb •, and from this account it might be deduced, that the northen parts of No-th America, through thefe numerous inland feas, con. in a greater quantity of water than any other quarter of the globe. In October 1768 I arrived at Bofton, having been abfent from it on th's expedition two years and five months, and durim that time travelled near fcven thoufand miles. F? om thence, as foon as I had prop- erly digefted my- Journal and Charts, I fet out for England to communicate the difcoveries I had made, and to render thesn beneficial tb the kingdom. But the profecution of my plans for reaping thcfe adv?.n- tages have hitherto been ob.>vfr/=i-f;^v, ^C j-U-^:- r,/fL — ---I J - J"! T- . i^-j-ii -.-i ni-wu piuiciiuir., ^'•'" unhappily attendant on thefe, I determined to per- able to I was willing fevere. >^or could I flatter myfelf that I fhould be i however, accomplilh alone this great defijjn t04 CARVER'S TRAVELg. wjllmg to contribute .ij much as lay in ; ly power to« wards it. In all public undert;ikings wouKi ,'vcry on- do this, and furnifh with alacrity his particular "fnM-f: towards if, what ftupendous works might not oe compleced ? It is true that tlte Indians are not without fome fenfe of religion, and fuch as proves that they worlhip the Great Creator with a degree of purity unknown to nations who have greater opportunities of improve- ment ; but their religious principles are far from bein^ fo faultiefs as dcfcribed by a learned writer, or unmix- ed with opinions and ceremcMiies that greatly lelTcn their exceUency in this point. So that could the do(ftrines of genuine and vital Chriflianity be intro- duced among them, pure and untainted, as it flowed from the lips of its Divine Infl:r fuperfHtious or idolatrous drofs by which the rationality of their religious tenets are obfcurecL Its mild and beueficent preccp:s would likewife conduce to fbften their implacable difpofitions, and to refine thdr favage manners j an event moil defirable j and happy ihall I efteem myfelf, if this publication Ihall prove the means of pointing out the path by which (alutary inftruftions may be conveyed to them, and the converfion, though but of a few, be the confequencc. ^ CONCtUSION Oi TKE JOURNAJ.,. h', Of Of THi QmiX, MANNERS, CUSTOAfS, RELIGION, JND LAif. OVAGE OF TkS INDIANS. CHAP. I. OF THEIR ORIGIN, «.ft • k u- ^ '^^^»s by which America received its M mhubitants have, fince the time of its difcovery by ?ns '^f T: ^''" '^' ^^''j^^ ^^ numberlefs di Vifi! *\ " n . r • '"'^T^^ "" ^°"^^ t^^« difTerent opin- talc rTnn^Jf "^' ^/r'^' ^^"°"^ ^^'*^" ^^at have ^ afcen up the pen in defence of their conjeaures, the I ZrZT ^'^"i'^ "^"^^ ^^^^^'^ *^e boinds I have prefcnbed to myfelf, :«cl oblige me to be lefs explicit I on pomts of greater moment. ^ ^ From the obfcuritv in wKic^^ •^i^- J-u_.^ .• , ji^throu^ the total diiufcVietter;:;;;s;g^:^nS: nce.S^^^^ °" th. extenfwe continent and' t^ j "7 ages, I feaj-, that even after the moil minute invefti- gation. io6 CARVER'S travels:. gation, iffe fKall not be able to fettle it with any gi*ea^ degree of certainty. And this apprehenfion will re- ceive additional force, when it- is confidered that the diverfity of language, which is apparently diftinft be- tween moft of the Indians, tends to afcertain that this population was not efFefl- {hm tliat PVCr waSi a fhip that was formed to traverfe an unbounded o- c'ean, and had fo many llioals and quickdmds to guard agamft, ffiould be ignorant of, or Ihould not have com- municated to thofe' of hiij defcendants who furvived , ' ' : ■ ■- bun, CARVER'S TRAVELS. Jt^ nation in him, and by whofe means he was to execute the order of the Great Creator : I iay, who can believe he iiiould not have communicated to them the art of failing upon an ocean, which was not only more calm and pacific, but at the fame .time confined within its ancient limits ? Admitting this, how eafy is it to pafs, exclufive of the pafTige already defcribed, by land from the coaft of Africa to Brazil, from the Canaries to the Weftern hlmds, and from them to the Antilles ? From the Brltiili Ides, or the Coaft of France, to Newfoundland,. the pa%e is neither long nor difficult ; I might fay as much of that from China to Japan ; from Japan, or the Philipines, to the Ifles Mariannes j and from thence to Mexico. ^ There are iflands at a confiderable diftance from the continent of Afia, where we have not been fur^^ prifed to find inhabitants, why then fliould we won- der to meet with people in America ? Nor can it be imagined that the grandfons of Noah, when they were obliged to feparate, and fprcad themfelves in. conform- ity to the dcfigns of God, over the whole earth, iliould find it abfolutely impoffible to people almoft one half of it . I have been more copious in my extra«fts from this author than I intended, as his reafons appears to be iohd, and many of his obfervations juft. From this encomium, however, I muft exclude the ftories he Jias introduced of the Huron and Floridan women^ which I think I might venture to pronounce fabulous. I ihali only add, to give my readers a more com- prehenfive view of Monfieur Charlevoix's dilTertation, the method he propofes to come at the truth of what we are in fearch of. The only means by which this can be done, he liys, IS by comparing the language of the Ameri(;ans With the different nations from whence we might iuppofe tiiey have peregrinated. If we cojoipare the former u6 CARVER'S TRAVELS. former with thofe words that are confidcred as prim- itives, it might poffibly fet us upon fome happy dii- covcry. And this way of afcending to the original of nations, which is by far the leaft equivocal, is not lb difficult as might be imagined. We have had, and ftill have, travellers and millionaries who have attained the languages that are fpoken in all the provinces of the new world ; it would only be neceiTary to mak ? a collc«Slion of their grammars and vocabularies, and t-v collate them with the dead and living languages of tiiv; old world, that i>afs for originals, and the fimilarity might eallly be traced. Even the different dialects, in fpite of the alterations they have undergone, ftill re- tain enough of the mother tongue to furnilh conlider- ble lights. Any inquiry into the manners, c;.'ftoms, religion, or traditions of the Americans, ' in order to difcovcr by that means their origin, he thinks would prove fallacious. A difquifition of that kind, be obferves, is only capable of producing a falfe Hght, more liktiy to dazzle, and to make us wander from the right path, than to lead us with certainty to the point pro- pofed. Ancient traditions are effaced from the minds of fuch as either have not, or for feveral ages have been without thofe helps that are neceffary to prefervc And in this fituation is full one half of the New events, and a new arrangement of give rife to new traditions, which efface the and are thenafelvv,:} efi^ced in turn. After them. World, things, former, one or two centuries have pafled, there no longer re- main any traces of the firft traditions ; and thus we are involved in a ftate of uncertainty. He concludes with the following remarks, among many others. Unforeleen accidents, tempefts, and Ihipwrecks, have certainly contributed tO' people every habitable part of the world r and ought we to wonder after this, at perceiving certain refemblances, both of . . ,. perlon* I pcrfons an reinote fro enc*: betwt we are de notliing, I languages 1 thefc cloud By tills ii that prodig' Air.erica, a each other, totally and world, and h' -e pafled thofe, who fuch as are the g'ote, has been mc eel to fhipw which have treatife. lihall or before I giv( that is of ^ among the I in the year hiftory of tl of the moO: i gentleman, ^ American J] ites, either ■ foon after th This defc religious ritt marriages, ti language, tra ticulars. Ar liead, that h( CARVER'S TRAVELS. 1J7 I pcrfons and manners between nations thst are mofl: reinote from each other, when we find Aich a dificr- enc\; between thofe that border on one arother ? As wo are deftitute of hiilorical monumenti, there is nothing, I repeat it, but a knowledge of the pr:mitive languages that is capable of throwing ^ny Hght upon thcfc clouds of impenetrable darkncrs.*^ By this inquiry we ihould at leaft be fatisfied, anvong that prodigious number of various nations inhabiting Air erica, md differing fo much in languages from each other, wiiich are thofe who make ufe of words totally and entirely different from thofe of the old world, and who, confequently, muft be reckoned to h'-e paffed over to America in the earlieft ages, and thofe, who, from th- analogy of their language with fuch as are at prefonr ufed in the throe other parts of the globe, leave room to judge that their migration has been more recent, and which ought to be attribut- ed to fhipwrecks, or to fome accident fimilar to thofe which Lave been fpoken of in the courfe of this treat ife. I fhall only add the opinion of one author more, before I give my own fentiments on the fubjeiH:, and that is of James Adair, Efq. who refided forty years • among the Indians, and publiflied the hiftory of them in the year 1772. In his learned and fyftematical hiftory of thofe nations, inhabiting the weftern parts of the niofl fouthern of the American colonies ; this gentleman, without hefitation, pronounces that the American Aborigines are defcendcd from the Ifrael- ites, either whilft they were a maritime power, or loon after their general captivity. This defcent he endeavors to prove from theii; religious rites, their civil and martial cuftoms. their, marriages, their funeral ceremonies, their manners, language, traditions, and from a variety of other par- ticulars. And fo complete is his conviaion on this oead, that he fancies he finds a perfect and indifputa^ ble ii8 CARVER'S TRAVELS. blc fimilitude in each. Through all thefe I have not time to follow him, and fhall therefore only give a few extradls to fliow on what foundation he builds his conjectures, and what degree of credit he is en- titled to on this point. He begins with obferving, that though fome have fuppofcd the Americans to be dcfcended from the Chinefe, yet neither their religion, laws, nor cuftoms agree in the leall with thofe of the Chinefe ; which fuificiently proves that they are not of this line. Be- fic^A^s, as our beft fliips are now almoft half a year in failing for China (our author does not here recolleft that this is from a high northern latitude, acrofs the Line, and then back again greatly to the northward of it, and not diredtly athwart the Pacific Ocean, for only one hundred and eleven degrees) or from thence to Europe, it is very unlikely they fhould attempt fuch dangerous difcoveries, with their fuppofed fmall vcf- fels, againfl r;\pid currents, and in dark and fickly Monfoons. He further remarks, that this is more particularly improbable, as there is reafon to believe that this na- tion was unacquainted with the ufe of the loadftone to direft their courfe. China, he fays, is about eight thoufand miles diftant from the American continent, which is twice as far as acrofs the Atlantic Ocean. And we are not informed t^ any ancient writer of their maritime fkill, or fo much as . any inclination that way, befides fmall coafting voyages. The winds blew likewife, with little variation from eaft to weft within the latitudes thirty and odd, north and fouth ; and therefore thefe could not drive them on the American coafl, it lying direftly contrary to fuch a courfe. Neither could pcrfons, according to this writers ac- tount, fail to America from the north by the way of Tartary or ancient Scythia } that, from its fituation, never having been or can be a maritime power i and it CARVI i; s TRAVELS. 219 it Is utterly impraaiciihle, he fays, for any to come to America by fea from that quarter. Befides, the remaining traces of their rditjioua tercmonies and civil and martial cuftoms arc quite oppofite to the like veftiges of the Old Scythians. Even in the mod- crate northern cliinates there is not to be fctn the leaft trace of any ancient ftately buildings,' or of any thick fettlements, as jire faid to remain in the lefs healthy regions of Peru and Mexico. And feveral of the Indian nations affure us, that they crolTed the MiiUfippi before they made their prel'ent northern fetdements ; which, connected with the former ar- guments, he concludes will fufficiently explode that weak opinion of the American Aborigines being lin- eally defcended from the Tartars or ancient Scy- thians. Mr. Adair's reafons for fuppofing that the Ameri- cans derive their origin from the Jews are, Firft, becaufe they are divided into tribes, and have chiefs over them as the Ifraelites had. Secondly, becaufe, as by a ftria permanent divine grecept, the Hebrew nation were ordered to worftiip, at Jerufalem, Jehovah, the true and living God, ib do the Indians, ftiling him Yohewah. The ancient Heathens, he adds, it is well known worfhipped a plurality of gods, but the Indians pay their religious devoirs to the Great beneficent fupreme holy Spirit of Fire, who refides, as they think, above the clouds, and on earth alfo with unpolluted people. They pay no adoration to images, or to dead perfons, neither to the celeftial luminaries, to evil fpirits, nor to any created beings whatever. Thirdly, becaufe, agreeable to the theocracy or di- vine government of Ifrael, the Indians think the Dei- ty to be the immediate head of their ftate. Fourthly, becaufe, as the jews believe in the min- Jftration of angels, the Indians alfo believe that the i nigher regions are inhjibited by good fpirits Fifthly, I20 CARVER'S TRAVELS. Fifthly, bccaufe the Indian language and dialects appear to have the very idiom and genius of the He- brew. Their words and fentences being eXpreni\e, concife, emphatical, fonorous, and bold ; and often, both in letters, and fignifieatlon, are fynonimous with the Hebrew language. Sixthly, becaufe they count their time after the manner of the Hebrews. Seventhly, becaufe in conformity to, or after the manner of the Jews, they have their prophets, high priefts, and other religious orders. Eighthly, becaufe their feftivals, fafts, and religious rites have a great refeniblance to thofe of the He- brews. Ninthly, becaufe the Indians, before they go to war, have many preparatory ceremonies of purilica- tion and failing, like what is recorded of the Ifraelites. Tenthly, becaufe the fame tafte for ornaments, and the fame kind are made ufe of by the Indians, as by the Hebrews. Thefe and many other arguments of a fimilar na- ture, Mr. Adair brings in fupport of his favourite fyf- tem ; but I fliould imagine, that if the Indians are really derived from the Hebrews, among their relig- ious ceremonies, on which he chiefly feems to build his hypothecs, the principal, that of circumcifon, would never have been laid afide, and its very remem- brance obliterated. Thus numerous and diverfe are the opinions of thofe who have hitherto written on this iubjeiH: ! I ihall not, however, either endeavor to reconcile them, or to point out the enors of each, but proceed to give my own fentiments on the origin of the Ameri- cans •, which are founded on conclufions drawn from the moft rational arguments of the writers I have Xiieritioned, and from my own obfervations ; tlie con- fiftency of thefe I fliall leave to the judgment of my readers . CARVER'S TRAVELS. I2t The better to introdtice my conjeflures on this head, it is neceflary firft to afcertain the diflance be- tween America and thofe parts of the habitable globe that approach neareft to it. Tiie Continent of America, as far as we can judge from all the refearches that have been made near the poies, appears to be entirely feparated from the other quarters of the world. That part of Europe wJiich approaches nearetl to it, is the coafl: of Greenland, lying in about fcventy derrrees of north latitude j and which reaches within twelve degrees of the coart of Labnulcr, fjttiated on the nouheaft borders of this continent. The coafk of Guinea is the neareft pare of Africa } which lies about eighteen hundred and fAfy miles northeaft from the Brazils. The moft eaftern coaft of A/ia, which extends to the Korean Sea on the north of China, projefts northeall throueh enftern Tartary and Kamfchatka to Siberia, in about fixty degrees of north latitude. Towards wliich the \yelkrn coafts of America, from California to the Straits of Anni.in, extend nearly northweft, and lie in about forty fix degrees of the fame latitude. Whether the Continent of America ftretches any firtirer north than thefe ftraits, and joins to the eaft- erft parts of Afia, agreeable to what has been aflerted by fome of the writers I have quoted, or whether the lands that have been difcovered in the intermediate parts are only an archipelago of iflands, verging to- wards the oppofite continent, is not yet afcertained. It being, however, certain that there are many con- fiderable iflands which lie between the extremities of Afia and America, viz. Japon, Yefo or Jedfo, Ga- ma's Land, Behring's Ifle, with many others difcovcr- !!! J Jf'^^^^^^^^^'^' ^^^ befides thefe, from fifty degrees north there appearing to be a clufter of iflands that reach as far as Siberia, it is probable from their prox^ imity to America, that it received its lirfl: inhabitant^ "om them. ^ This ' ii 122 CARVER'S TRAVELS. This conclufion is the moft rational I am able t© draw, fuppofing that fince the Aborigines got footing en this continent, no extraordinary or fudden change in the pofition or furface of it has taken place, from inundations, earthquakes, or any revolutions of -the earth that wc are at prefent unacquainted with. To me it appears highly improbable that it fhould have been peopled from different quarters, acrofs the Ocean, as others have aflerted. From the fize of the lliips made ufe of in thofe early ages, and the want of the compafs, it cannot be fuppofed that any mari- time nation would by choice venture over the unfath- omable Qcean, in fearch df diftant continen|:s. Had this however been attempt eti, or had Amei-ica been Jfirll: accidentally peopled from fliips freighted with paflengers of both fexes, which were driven by ftrong eafterly winds acrofs the Atlantic, thefe fettiers mull have retained forae traces of the language of the qountry from whence they migrated; and this, fmce the difcovery of it by the Europeans, muft have been made out. It alfo appears extraordinary that feveral of thefe accidental migrations, as allowed by fome, and thefe from different parts, fhould have taken place. Upon the whole, after the moft critical inquiries, and the matureft deliberation, I am of opinion, that America received its firft inhabitants from the north- eaft, by way of the great Archipelago juft mentioned, and from thefe alone. But this might have been ef- fieded at different times, and from various parts : from Tartary, China, Japon, or Kamfchatka, the in- habitants of thefe places refembling each other in colour, features, and iliape j and who, before fome of them acquired a knowledge of the arts and fciences, O manners, cuftoms, religion, and language. The only difference between the Chinefe nation and ^he Tartars lies in the cultivated ftatc of the one, and ■ ' ' the CARViER's TRAVELS; I2J tRe unpoHfhed fltuation of others. The former have become a commercial people, and dwell in houfes formed into regular towns and cities ; the latter live chiefly in tents, and rove about in different hordes, without any fixed abode. Nor can the long and- bloody wars thefc two nations have been engaged in, exterminate their hereditary fimilitude. The prcfent family of the Chinefe emperors is of Tartarian ex- traction ; and if they were not fenfible of fome claim befide that of conqueftr, fo numerous a people would fcarcely fit quiet under the dominion of llrangers. It is very evident that fome of the manners and cuftoms of the American Indians refemble thofe of the Tartars ; and I make no doubt but that in fome future jera, and this not a very diftant one, it will be reduced to a certainty, that during fome of the wars between the Tartars and the Chinefe, a part of the inhabitants- of the northern provinces were driven from their native country, and took refuse in f'jma of the ifles beforementioned, and from thence round their way into America. At different period;; each nation might prove vi(n:orious, and the conquered by turns fly before their conquerors ; and from iience might arife the fimilitude of the Indians to all thcllr people, and that animofity which exifts between fo many of their tribes. It appears plainly to me that a great fimilarity be- tween the Indians and Chinefe is confpicuous in that particular cuflom of fhaving or plucking off the hair, and leaving only a fmall tuft on the crown of the head. This mode is faid to have been enjoined hy the Tartarian emperors on their acceffion to the throne of China, and confequently is a farther proof that this cuftom was Jn ufe among the Tartars ; to whom, as- well as the Uiinefe, the Americans might be indebt- ed for it. Many words alfo are ufed both by the Chinefe am* Indians, which have a refemblanc€ to each other, not only '^^S- 124 CARVER'S TRAVELS. I.' m only m their founc^, but their fignification. The Chi- nefe call a flave, Ihungo ; and the Naudowefile hi- dJJins, whofe language, from their little inta-coun\? with the Europeans, is the lead corrupted, term a dog, fhungufh. The former denominate oni fpecies of their tea, fhoufong ; the latter call their tobacco, ihoufalTau. Many other of the words uied by the In- dians contain the fyllables che, chiw, and chu, after the dlale^l of the Chinefe. There probably might be found a fimilar connexion between the lan^ua^e of the Tartars and the Ameri- can Aborigines, were we as well acquainted with it :is we are, from a commercial intercourfe, with that ot the Chinefe. I am confirmed in thefc conjcrhires, by the ac- counts of Kamfchatka, publiihed a few years ago by order of the Emprcfs of Ruflia. The author of which fjySj that the fea which divides that peninfula from America is full of illands ; and tliat the diftance be- tween Tfchukotikoi Kofs, a promontory wliich lici at the caftern extrouity of that country, and the roafr of Ar.rjvira, is not more th in t.vo dvgr .Ob and a half of a groat circle. He further fays, that there is the greateil rerdbn to fuppofe that Aiia and Amer- ica once joined at this place, as the coails of both con- tinents appear to have been broken into capes and bays, which anfwer each other ; more cfpecially a;5 the inhabitants of this part of .both refemble each other in their perfons, habits, cuftoms, and food. Tiieir language, indeed, he obferves, does not appear to be the fame, but then the inhabitants of each dif- tri<^ in Kamchatka (peak a language as different from each other, as from that fpoken on the oppofite conft. Th'fe obfervations, to which he adds, the ilmilarity v»l tnc Doacs or tn.c inuaDiianis or cacn. coair, anu a remark that the natives of this part of America are wholly ftrangers to wine and to tobacco, wliich he looks upon as a proof that they have as yet had .lO comnui- nicatiou CARVER^s TRAVELS. Ifaj nicatlon with the natives of Europe, he fays, amount to little lefs than a demonftration that America w as- peopled from this part of Afia. The limits of my prefent undertaking will not per-- mit me to dwell any longer on this fubje£t, or to enu- merate any other proofs in favor of my hypothefis. I am, however, fo thoroughly convinced of the cer- tainty of it, and fo defirous have I been to obtain; every teftimony which can be procured in its fupport, that I once made an offer to a private fociety of gen- tlemen, who were curious in fuch refearches, and to whom I had communicated my fentiments on thisi point, that I would undertake a journey, on receiv- ing fuch fupplies as were needful, through the north- caft parts of Europe and Afia to the interior parts of America, and from, thence to England ; making, as I proceeded, fuch obfervations both on the languages and manners of the people with whom I fhouid be converfant, as might tend to illuflrate the doctrine I have here laid down, and to fatisfy the curiofity of the learned or inquifitive : but as this propofal was- judged rather to require a national than a. private fupport, it was not carjfied into execution. I am happy to find, llnce I formed the foregoing eonclufions, that they correfpond with the fentiments of that great and learned hiflorian, Doaor Robert- fon ; and though with him, I acknowledge that the invefligation, from its nature, is fo obfcure and intri- cate, that the conjeftures I have made can only be confidered as conjectures, and not indifputable eon- clufions, yet they carry with them a greater degree cf probability than *he fuppofitions of thofe who af* fert that this continent was peopled from another quarter. vine &t the Doctor's quotations from the Journals ofBehring and Tfchirikow, who failed from Kam- ^atka, about the year 1741, in quefl of the Nevr World, appears to carry great weight with it, and to 1-2 ^ifford I2 fli«.,l^o» rpu:- i . .'»S»*t al- io^* L '^~ •^"-^> j-iiis uccoration iseiieem- ed to be exceffively gay and becoming. I the^ noS° ' T"""" '"?°"' "^"°"g t^^'" *o bore I t-ieir nofes, and wear in them pendants of different forts. 131 CARVER'S TRAVELS. forts. I nbfervecl that fca (hflls were much worn by thofe of the interior pnrts, ami reckoned very orna- mental ; but how thty procure them I could hot Jearn ; |)robably by their traffic with other nations nearer the fea. They go without any covering for the thigh, except that bcforij fpokcn of, round the middle which reaches ana form wH(^ T,*^7 "^'^'^e^ long, .„d as large^ thdr frontfeaKnUVef^^T'r^^^''"^ of it. '"' ^"^ ^'^^^"^ ^' far as the lower p^. of NntTS ^ ^-^'-^'genenilty place: a. ipot times a feafrtH/lP*'"If" *^^^ l«ir,li,dfom^ become tL^l'ST'r^^^ with. which they ^ Fwions, tnaa to the accoi^iooda^on of «34 CARVER'S TRAVELS. their huts or tents. They conftrudl the latter in the following fimple and expeditious manner. Being provided with poles of a proper length, they faften two of thcni acrofs, near their ends, with bands made of bark. Having done this, they raife them «p, and extend the bottom of each as wide as they propofe to make the area of the tent : they then erea others of an equal height, and fix them fo as to fup- port the two principal ones, pn the whole they lay iltins of the elk or de.€r, fewed together, in quantity fufficient lo covci- the poles, and by lapping over to form the door. A great number of Ikins are fome- tiracs required for this purpofe, as fome of their tents are very capacious^ That of the chief warrior of the NawdowelEes was at leaft forty feet in circumference, and veily commodious.. h .They Abferve no regularity in fixing their tents wlien they encamp, hut pUce them juft as it fuits * their ciinvcniency. The huts Alfo, which thofe who ufc not tents, eredt whenj they travel, for very few tribes have fixed abodes, or regular towns, or villages, are equally fimple, and «Ii»bft as foon conftrufted. They fix fmail pliable poles in the ground, and bending them till they meet at the top and form a femicircH then lafli them together. Thefe they cover with mats ,made of ruflies platted, or with birch btrk^ wfhich.they, carry with tliem in their canoes for. tkis purpbfe.. , . . . , Thefe cabins have neither chunmes nor windows i .^cre is only a fmall aperture left in the middle of the itoofs through which the fmoke is difcharged, but as this is obliged to be ftopped up when it rains or fxiows molcnlly, th& fmoke then proves exceedingly They lie! on fkins, generally thofe of the bear, vhidi arc placed in rowsQn the ground j and it the fiow is net large enough to contain beds fuflicient for CARVER'S rKAVELSi »33* flie accommodation of the wliole £.nm\y, a frame Is ereaed about four or five feet- from the ground in which the younger part of it fleep. As the habitations of the Indians are thus rude, tlieir domeftic titenfils are kw in numbfef, and plain m tlieir formation. The tools wherewith they falh- ion them are fo aukward and defeaive, that it is not only impoffible to form them with any degree of neat- nefs or elegance, but the time reqiiired in the execui- tion is fo confiderable, as to deter them from enqaging in the manufa^ure of fuch as are not abfolutely nec^ eJary. ^ The Naudoweffies mafce the pot^ in which theV boil their vic-liials of the black clay or ftone mention^ ed m my journal : which rcflfts the efFeas of fire' nearly as well as iron. When they roaft, if it is a large joint, or a whole animal, fuch as a beaver, th«y fix It as Europeans do, on a fpit made of hard wottct and placing the ends on two forked props', mw and then turn ^ it. If the piece is fmaller they fpit it as before, and fixmg the fpit in an ereft but flanting pofition, with the meat inclining towards the fire frequently change the fides, till every part is fuffi! ciently roafted. ^ ^ They make their difhes in which' they ferve up their meat, and their bowls and pans, out of the knot- ty excrescences of the maple tree or any other wood, ihey tafhion thevr fpoons with a tolerable degree of nealnefs (as thefe require much lefs trouble than large utenfiis) from a wood that is termed in Americl ftpoon W^ood, and which greatly refembles boxwood. Every tribe are now po/TefTed of knives, aAd* ftcels to ftnke fire with. Thefe being fo eflentially need- m tor the common ufes of life, thnfe -sK.-. K-.-.=l ^.-,t ..^ immediate communication with the European frader^! purchafe them of fuch of their neighbors as are fituat- ed nearer the fettlements, arid generallv give in ex. change for them flaves. . 3 <= »« ex. CHAP. UI. J 3^ CARVER'S TRAVEI^. CHAPTER III. ft ^P^rn MANNERS, ^UALIFICATIONSy (jv. >^ HEN the Indian women fit down, they place themfelves in a decent attitude, with their knees clofe together \ but from being accuftomcd to this pofture, they walk badly, and appear to be lame. They have no midwives among them, their climate, or fome peculiar happinefs in their conftitutions, ren- dering s^ny affiftance at that time unnccefiary. On thofe cccafions they are confined but a few hours from their uljjal employments, which are commonly very ^^Jgrioa^, as the men, who are remarkably indolent, ^re!^.i^Jthcm every kind of drudgery j even in their huntirtg; parties the former will not deign to bring home the game, but fend their wives for it, though it lies at a very conliderable dif^ce. , The women place their Ibildren foon after they m born on boards fluffed with foft mofs, fuch as is found in moraffes or meadows. The child is laid on its back in one of this kind of cradles, and being wrapped in Ikins or cloth to keep it warm, is fecured an it by fmall bent pieces of timber. \*'^To tliefe machines they faften firings, by which thejf hang them to branches of trees j or, if they find ixK^t trees at haml, faflen them to a flump or flone, whilft they t^anfaa any needful bufmefs. In this pofltion are the children kept for fome months, when they are taken out, the boys are fuffered to go naked, mid the girls are covered, from the neck to the knees, mMi4-f> « {VAC'. ^^*» J f* /U -^— ^ ___i.i?- -^.-^j. • The Indian women are remarkably decent- during their nienflrual illnefs. Thofe nations that are moil remote from the European fettlements, as the Nau- doweffics. CARVER'S TRAVELS. 137 doweffies, &c. are more particularly attentive to this point } though they all, without exception, adhere in fome degree to the fame cuftom. In every femp or town there is an apartment ap- propriated for tb'ir retirement at this ilrue, td which both fingle and married retreat, and feclude them- felves with the utmoft ftrianefs during this period from all fociety. Afterwards they purify themfelves m running ftream's, and return to their di/Tcrent em- ployments. The men on thefe occafions moil carefully avoid holding any communication with them^ and the Naudoweflzes are fo r" id ;« this o-Bfervance, that they will not fuffe. ^ belonging to them to fetch fuch things as tc r.-xeflliry, even fire, from thefe female lunar retreads, though the want of them is at- tended with the greateft inconvenience. They are alfo fo fuperftitious as to think, if a pipeflem cracks, which among them ,s made of .wc^od, that the pof- Mbr has either lighted it at on., of thefe polluted Jres, or held fome converfe wita a womaa during her retirement, which is cfieemed by them mofl dift graceful and wicked. The Indians are extremely circumfpcft and delib- erate m every word and aaio'n ; therein, nothing tha^ mrt..' T T° '"^ ^"temperate warmth, bu? that nveteracy to their encipies, which is rooted in every othrinft''''* '""^ '''''' "" ^' eradicated, in i tinuT "/^.^""^■^'^<^y are cool, :and remarkably ca#^ .ous akmg care not to betray on any account wha^ ilTt .P' /^""''T- ^^ ^" ^"^'^" ^^« difcovered that a friend ,s m danger of being intercepted and cut ini ^1, ? '^^'''"? H^ has-rendered himfclf obnox- ri\^/l°"r^ "^.^^^"^ 1""^ in plain and explicit n7.rX "^.^''^"^^'""c runs by purlumg the track Scooi;^ ^ enemy lies in wail for. him, but ^ hrft cool y afks him which way he is goin^ that day ? ^d hmng received his anfwer, with th/fame inJ^ ' ference 138. CARVER'S TRAVELS. f- -^eiKC tells him that he has been informed that a dog Jies near the fpot, which might probably do him a mifchief. This hint proves fuificient ;' and his friend avoids the danger with as much caution as if evci^y defign 3nd motion, of his enemy Li.d been point- ed owt -to hint. ; tr, V;Sfc«»tl»-r f.9:»v ' ! * This apathy often ihCvvi iefelf on occ.ifions that woii' I call forth all the fervor of a fufceptible heart. If. an Indian has been abfent froln his 'family and friends many months, either on a war or hunting party, wh^ his wife and children meet him at fome diftance from his habitation, inftead of the afFe£lionate feniatians that would naturally arife in the breail of more rciined beings,.imd be protluftive of mutual con- grafelationj, lie continues his courfe without paying the leaft attention to thofe who furround him, till he arrives at his home. He there fits down, and with the fame unconcern aj if he had not been abfent a day, fmokes his pipe ; thofe of his acquaintance whb followed him, do the iame ; and, perhaps it is ievcral hours before he relates to thfim theiiocidetits which have befallen him during his abience, though perhaps he has left a father, Iwother, or fern on the field, whofe lofs he ought to have lamented, or has been umViccefsful in the under- taking that called him from his home. 5, -Has aa Indian been engaged for fcveral days in the cbac4 or on any other laborious expedition, and bpiaccident continued thus l^ng without food, when he arrivt^ at the hut, or teat of a friend where he knows his wants may be iftimediately fupplied, he takes cane not to fliow tlie leaft fyniptoms of impa- tience, or to betray the extreme hunger by which he is tortured f. but on being invited in, fits coctented- If dowai^^aad. fmokes his nine with as mach comiio- fnm as if every appetite was allayed, and Iw was per- k&\f H eafei he does the fame if among ftrangers. "Ebis cwAom is ili-JiTlly adhered by every tribe they r>h 'rr«mnn„ CARVER'S TRAVELS. t^^ they efteem it a proof of fortitude, and think the re- verfe would entitle them to the appellation of old women. If you tell an Indian that his children have grcatlv ngnahzed themfelves againft an enemy, have taken many fcalps, and brought home many prifonen, he does not appear to feel any extraordinary plcafure on the occafion j his anfwer generally is, « it is welL" and he makes very little inquiry about it. On the contra- ry, if you mform him that his children are flain or taken prifoners, he makes no complaints, he only replies, « it does not fignify j" and probably, for forae time at lealt, afks not how it happened. Thwfeeming indifference, however, does not pro- ceed fk-om an entire fupprcffion of the natural afrec tions i for notwithftanding they are efteemed favages, I never faw among any other people greater proofe of parental or filial tendem:^r9 j and ahhough they meet their wives after a long abfence with the ^oical indif. fo-encejuft mentioned, they are not, in geneial, ^oid ot conjugal affeftion. ,, Another peculiarity is obfervatde in their nianncr of paying their vifits. If an Indian goes to vifit a . particular perfc. in a family, he mentions to whom bis y,fit ,s int«ided, and the reft of tl»e family im* mediately retiring to the other end of the hut or tent, are careful not to come near enough to intemipt them during the whole of the converfation. T^ fame method IS purfued if a man goes to pay his h:fpe£te to one of the other fex -, but then he mui^ be c^ul not to let love be the fuyea of his difcourfe^ whilft the daylight remains. .,..*- The Indians difcover an amaaing %citT, and ac S ""'t '^^ S'i***^ ^e^oung men very rarely attempt the virtue or married women, nor do thefe often put themfelves in the wav 142 carver's travi:ls. way of folicitation. Yet the Indian women in gener al are of an amorous temperature, and before they are married arc not tlic lefs efteemed for the indul- gence of their paflions. ■ The Indians in their common^ ftatc are ftrangers to all diltmaton of property, except in the articles of domeftic ufe, which every one confidcrs as his own and nicreafes as circumflances admit. They are ex' tremely hberal to each other, and fupply the defi- ciency of their friends with any fuperfluity of their own. * * y V* In dangers thoy readily . give affiftance to t!iofe of their band, who ftand in need of it, without anv ex- peitation of return, except of thofe juft rewards that are a ways conferred by the Indians on merit. Gov- erned by the plain and equitable hws of nature, every one js rewarded folely according to his deferts ; and their equahity of condition, manners and privileges. With that conftant and fociable familiarity which l^.vaib throughout every Indian nation,, animates them with a pure and truly patriotic fpirit, that tends to the general good of the fociety to which they be- If any of then- neighbors are bereaved by death, rwl ''^ ^^"'y ""^ ^^'^'^'^ children, thofe who are pof- lefled of the greateft number offlaves, fupply the dc- ftciency j and thefe are adopted by them, and treated m every refpeft as if they really were the children of the perion to whom they are prefented. The Indians, except thofe who live adjoininT to the European colonies, can form to themfclves" no Idea of the value of money; they confider it when they are madis acquainted with the ufes to which it IS applied by other nations, as the fource of innumer- able evils. To it they attribute all the mischiefs that are prevalent among Europeans, fuch "as "treachery, plundering, devaftations, and murder. . They CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,43 Jhej efteem it irrational that one man fliould be pofT^fTed of a greater quantity than another, and' are amazed that any honor flxould be annexed to the pof- ^ffion of It. But that the want of this ufelefs metal ihould be the caufe of depriving perlbns of -their Hber- ty, and that on account of this partial diftribution of It, great numbers ihould be immured within the drea- ry walls of a pnfon, cut off from that fodety of wliich they conftitute a part, exceeds their belief. Nor do they fail, on hearing this part of the European fyftem of government related, to charge the inltitutors of it with a total want of humanity, and to brand them with the names of favages and brute*. They fhew almoft an equal degree of indifference for the productions of art. When any of thefe are fliewn them, they fay, « It is pretty, I like to look at It, but are not mquifitive about the conftruftion of 4t, neither can they form proper conceptions of its ufc. But if you tell them of a perfon who is able to run with great agility, that is well Ikilled in hunting, can dKeft,w4th unerring aim, a gun, or bend with eafe a bow, that can dexteroufly w^rk a caiK>e, underftands the art of war, is acquainted with the fituation .of a country, and can make his way without a rruide, through an immenfe foreft, fubfifting during this on a maU quantitjj of prayifions, they are in raptures : they Mten with great attention to the pleafmg tale, and hi Jtow the higheft commendations on the hero of it. CHAP. I' lf^ W*!! ■ 144 CARVER'S TRAVEJJS. CHAPTER IV. THEIR METHOD OF RECKONING TIME, life, v>ONSIDERTNG their ignorance of aftronomy, time is very rationally divided by the Indians. Thofe in the interior parts (and of thofe I would generally be underftood to fpeak) ci unt .heir years by wimers ; or, as they exprefs themfelvcs, by fnows. Some nations among them reckon their years by moons, and make them confift of twelve fynodical or lunar months, obferving, when thirty moons have waned, to add a fupcrnumary one, which tliey term the Loft Moon ; and then begin to count as before. They pay a great regard to the iirft appearance of every moon, and on the occafion always repeat feme joyful founds, ftretching the fame time their hands to- wards it. Kvery month has with them a name expreffive of its feafon j for inftance, they call the month of March (in which their year generally begins at the firft New Moon, after the vernal Equinox) the Worm Month or Moon ; becaufe at this time the worms quit tlieir retreats in the bark of the trees, wood, &c. where they have (heltered themfelves during the winter. The month of April is termed by them the Month of Plants. May, the Month of Flowers. June, the Hut Moon. July, the Buck Moon. Their reafon for thus denominating thefe is obvious. :4»guft, the Sturgeon Moon j becaufe in this month they catch great numbers of that fifli. September, the Corn Moon, becaufe in that month they gather in their Indian corn. /vxv^u^> ii.« nr 11: Tv/r . .1 ^ ■> _ . .1'. ■5— "^"-trvi, liiv X I u veiling XTZUUII j as lilcy iCSVu at tilS time their villages, and travel towards the place where tthey intend to hunt during the winter. November, CARVER'S TRAVELS. '4; November, tlie Beaver Moon • for :,. .1 • the beavers befiin ,„ take a!fZ ■„ fhei ho,'!""?""' ;;? "on"" ' "''"'"' "- °^p^-,?oTs ;r.t':r hi-^a'ibeS'^.^r'idrr^r-- any other month. ^^ '° ^'^'^ than la February, they call the Snow Moon hpr.»r :;heH:^rTi^^^^^ ^-^"^ ti^rnutthi-- .akcd day.. The Moou'ilft ^'tlt^ih 'I *''" Its coming to life .again. appearance they term They make no diviiion of weeks • hut A., .t, count by fleeps ; half days by poSina to f^^V^^y noon ; and quarters by IheliCmT.nyX -^"^ ^ thirte r.^ / "Y"^ "" i^eir Dirch bark v^rv exnfl- Charts or maps of the countries witli which ,h„ fcquamted. The latitude and lonciudi ! i '^ '^ '"g to make them tolerably co„,p,X " ""j^ *=■"- about twenty Ennlifh mii^T T^f ^ ', ^PP^^^s to be ;mo halves 4dT»«erT.td 31l"l?^ * -"^id^ »i iiicir mans wi>K rr-ao*' - j:y"'A "'-"'"^"^""fe ifitcin tJieir war parties 0^?^ J I-/^^"^^^ *" «^°"n"l fions. ^ ^''* °' *^'^" ^^ft diftant hunting excuiv - Ihtj •J4<5 CARVER'S TRAVELS. i They have no idea of aritlvmetic ; and tl\ough they urc able to count to any number, figures as well as letters appear myftcrious to them, and above their comprehenfion. During iiif abode with the Naudoweffies, fome of the chiefs obferving one day a draft of an cclipfe of the moon, in a book of aftronomy which I held in my liand, they dcCred I would permit them to lock at it. Happening to give them the book ihut, they began to count the leaves till they came to the place in which the plate was. After they 'ad viewed it, and aiked many queftions relative to it, I tol' them they need not to have taken fo much pains to find the leaf on wlvich it was drawn, for J could not only tell in an jbftant the place, without counting the leaves, but alfo how many preceded it. They ieemed greatly amazed at my affertion, and begged that I would demonftrate to them the poffi- bility of doing it. To this purpofe I defired the chief that held the book, to open it at any particular place, and juft fliewing me the page carefully to conceal the edges of the leaves, fo that I jnight not be able to count them. This he did with the greateft cantion ; notwith^ (landing which, by looking at the folio I told him, to his great furprife, the number of leaves. He count- was ;ins ed them regularly ^ver, and difcovered that cxafl. And when, after repeated trials, the lad found I could do it with great readinefs, and without ever erring iu my jcalculalion, they all feemed as much aftonifhed m if I had raifed the dead. The only way they could account for my knowledge, was by concluding that the book was a fpirit, and whif- pered me anfwers to whatever I demanded of it. J^ofe who are lefs illiterate, contributed to increafc my confequence, and to augment the favorable opin- jpfi they already entertJiined of me. CHAP» V' CARVER'S TRAVELS; »4T CHAP. V. Of THEIR GOVERNMENT^ (sV. \ l^VER Y feparate body of ',; V'^nj is divi Jecf mto bands or tribes j which ba^u or ''.be forms a little community with the nation :o whvzh '!: belongsi As the nation has fome ixirticuU" -aibol by whicji it is diftinguiihed from others, fo '■ h >i .iibe has a badge from which it is denominctei; , as that of the Eagle, the Panther, the Tiger, the Buffalo, &c. ^. :. One band of the Naudowcilles is reprefented by a Snake, another a Tortoife, a third a Squirrel, a fourth a Wolf, and a fifth a buffalo. Throughout every nation they particularize themfelves in the fame man- ner, and the meaneft perfon among them will remem- ber his lineal defcent, and diftinguifb himlelf by his refpeftive family. Did not many circumftances fend to confute thff fuppofition, I fliould be almoll induced to conclude from this diftinftion of tribes, and the particular at- tachment of the Indians to them, that they derive Uieir origin, as fome have afferted, from the Ifraelites. Befides this, every nation dillinguilh themfclves b) the manner of conftrufting their tents or huts. And fo well verfed are all |he Indians in this diftindlion, that though there appears to be no difference on the niceft obfervation made by an European, yet they will immediately difcover, fror; the pofition of a pole left in the ground^ what nation has encamped on the fpot many months before. Every baiiu has a chief who is termed, the Great Chief or the Chief Warrior ; and who is' chofen in conlideration of his experience in war, and of his ap- proved valor, to direft tlieir militiu-y opesation*^ and J4i CARVER'S TRAVELS. to regulate all concerns belonging to that department, - Biit this chief is not confidered as the head of the ft ate ; be (ides the great warrior who is ele(n:ed for his warlike qualifications, there is another who en- joys a pre-eminence as his- hereditary right, and has the mere immediate management of their civil affairs. This chief might with great propriety be denominated fhe Sachem ; whofe aflent is neccflary in all convey- ances and treaties, to which he affixes the mark of the tribe or nation. Though thefe two are confidered as the heads of the band, and the latter is ufually denominated their king, yet the Indians are fenfible of neither civil or military fubordination. As every one of them enter- tains a high opinion of his- confequence, and is ex- tremely tenacious of his liberty, all injunctions that catry with them the appearance of a pofitive com- mand, are inftantly rejected with {corn. On this account, it is feldom that their leaders are fo indilcreet as to give out afty of their orders in a peremptory ftilp ; a bare hint from a chief that he thinks fach a thing ixecefTary to be done, inftantly aroufes an emulation among the inferior ranks, and it is immediatly executed with great alacrity. By this method the difguftful part of the command is evaded, and an authority that falls little fhort of ab- solute fway inftituted in its room. Among the Indians no vifible form of gov'ernment is eftabliihed ; they allow of »o fuch diftinftion as magiftrate and fubjedl, every one -appearing to enjoy an independence that cannot be controlled. The ob- je^ of government, among them is rather foreign than domeftic, for their attention feeras more to be employ- ed -1 preferving fuch an union among the members cr lacir liiDc as wiii cnauic Lucm lo waich fiic mo- tions of their enemies, and aft againft them with CGI. jrt and vigor, than to maintain interior order by any public regulations. If a fcheme that appears to CARVERS TkAVlJlLS: uy' h be of fervlce to the community is propofed by the" chief, every one is at liberty to choofe whether he will aflift in carrying it on ; fof they have no compulfory laws that lay them under any reftriaions. If violence is committed, or blood is flied, the right of revenging thefe mifdemeanors is left to the family of the injur-" ed : the chiefs afiume neither the power of inflifting- or moderating rhe punifhment. Some nations, where the dignity is hereditary, lim- it the fucceffion to the female line. On the death of a^ chief, his fifter's fon fometimes fucceeds him in prefer- ence to his own fon ; and if he happens to have no' fifter, the neareft female relation aflumes the dignity. This accounts for a woman being at the head of the Winnebago nation, which; before I was acquainted with their laws, appeared ftrange to me. Each family has a right to appoint one of its chiefs' to be a;i afliftant to the principal chief, who watches over the :ntereft of his family, and without whofe con- fcnt nothing of a public nature can be carried into ex- ecution. Thefe are generally chofen for their ability in fpeaking ; and fuch only are pennitted to make orations in their councils and general aflemblies.' , In this body, with the hereditary chief at its head,^ the fupreme authority appears to be lodged ; as by its determination every tranfaaicm^ relative to their Hunting, to their* making war or peace, and to all their public concerns ai'e regulatiid. ' Next to thefe, the body of warriors which comprehends all that are able to bear arms, hold their rank. This divifion has fometimes at its head the chief of the nation, if he has fignalized himfelf by any renowned a(n:ion, if not, feme chief that has rendered himfelf famuus. In their councils, which are held by the foregoing members, every affair of confequence is debated -, and no enterprife of the leaft moment. undertaken, unleft It tW meets with the general approbation of the Chiefs. They commonly alTemble iu ■^' hut ; 6t ' tent; ^ * " appropriated Js-0 CARVER'5 TRAVELS. appropriated to this purpofe, and being feated in a circle on the ground, the eldeft chief rifes and makei a Ipeech j when he has conchided, another gets up j and thus they all fpeak, if neceifary, by turns. On this occafion their language h nervous, and their manner of expreflion emphatical. Their ftile is adorned with images, comparifons, and ftrong met- aphors, and is equal in allegories to that of any of the eaftern nations. In all their let fpeeches thcv exprcfs themfelves with much Tehemence, but in common difcourfp| according to- our ufual method of fpeechv The young men are fuffered to be prefent at the councils, though they are not allowed to nrake a fpeech till they are i-egularly admitted ; ihey however liften •»vith great attention, and to Ihow that they both un- derftand, and approve of the refolutior? taken by the aflembled chiefs, they frequently exclaim, " That h right." « That is good." The cuftomary mode apaong all - the ranks of ex- preflmg their aflent, and which they repeat at the end of almofl: every period, is by uttering a kind of forcible afpiration, which founds like an union of the letters OAH. CHAP. VL OP THETR FEASTS. jyi ANY of the Indian nations rieither make ufc of brca^, iVit, or fpices j and ibmc of them havO never feeii or tafted of either. Hie Naudoweffies in particular have no bread, nor any fubftitute for it. They eat the wild rice which grows in great quanii- ties ia diftcrent parts of their territories ; but they i^ boii CARVER'S TRAVELS.. j^, bolUt and eat it alone. They alfo.eat the flefh of the beafts they kill, without having recourfe to anv far-'- Mceous fubftanxre to abforb the groiTer particles 'of it And even when they confume the fugar which thcT^' have extrafted from the m&ple tree, they u^ it not ti render W other food palataWe, b«t generally eat it Neither have they any idea of the ufe of milk, although they m.ght collect great quantities from the buffalo or the elk ; they only conr«Jer it as proper for the nutnmcnt of the young of thefe beaA 5 during therr tender ftate. I could rot perceive that anv inconvemency attended the total difufe of artidtJ eftee^d fo neceffary and nutritious by other nations, on the contrary, tliey are in general healthy and vigorous. ° ^ One diih however, T^rhichanfwers nearly the fame purpofe as bread, is in ufe among the Ott.gaumies, the Saukies, and the mor> eaflern nations where Inl dian com grows, which is not only much e/leemed tjr them, but ,t IS reckoned extremely palatable by all the Europeans who enter their dominions. Thii «s compofed of their unripe corn as before defcribed. hi' ^n '"/^l ^»'!»e ftate, boiled together with bears flefl, the ht of which moift.ns the pulfe, .nd renders ,t beyond comp^dfon delicious. They call this food Succatofh. ^ .Jr^/""*'!"' ^'■^ ^'''' ^''''^ ^^'^S Cannibals, as thev are faid to be. AH their vi. In the fprlng of the year the Naudoweffies eat the inlide bark of a fhrub, that they gather in fome part of their, country } but I could neither learn the name of it, or difcover fr^m whence they got it. It was of a brittie nature and eafily mafticatfd. The tafte of it was very agreeable, and they faid it was extremely nourifhing. In flavor it was not unlike the turnip, and when received into the mouth refernbied that root both in its pulpous' and frangible" nature. The lower ranks of the Indians :ire exceedingly nafty in dreffing their vi<^uals, but fome of the chiefs are very neat and cleanly in their apparel) tents and food. They commonly eat In large parties, fo tha^heir meals may properly be termed feafts' ; and this they do without being reftrifted to any fixed or regular hours, but juil as their appetites reqtiii 'r-^ wn exploits, and the f his ar^Hers. Whe;. ,':i« %i£S concluded his CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,^^ ■hi^: account of any memorable action, he qives a vio- ■^'tbiovr with his war club, againft a noft that is Med in the ground, near the centre of the affemblv for this purpofe. ' Every one dances in his turn, and recapitulates ti> . wondrous deeds of his flimily, till they all at laft joininthe dance. Then it becomes truly alarming .0 any^ftranger that happens to be among them, as Shey throw themfelves into every horrible and ter- rifying pofture that can be imagined, rehearfing at he fame tune the parts titey expeft to aft again^ thcjr enemies_ m the field. During this they hold their fliarp knives in their hr.nds, with which, as they whirl about, they are' every moment in danger of cutting each other's throat. 5 and did they «o?fhun tne threatened mifchiefwith inconceivable dexterity. It could not be avoided. By thefe motions thev ill tend to reprefent the manner in which they kill, fcalp, theyfet up the fame hideous yells, cries, and war- whoops they ufe m time of aftion : fo that it is im- Lts^^y^fdfrnr ^" ^"^ "'^^ ''''' ^^- - I have frequently joined in this dance with them, Dut It foon ceafed to be an amufement to me, as I could not lay afide my apprehenfions of receiving fome dreadful wound, that from the violence of their gef- tures m\ift liave proved mortal. ^ I found that the nations to the weftward of the Mif- fifippi, and on the borders of Lake Superior, ftiU continue to make ufe of the Pawwaw or Black Dance. tones of the Devil being raifed in this dance by the tr;„. ?^"' **^'y f "" ^^'' '^^' -^^ - former nines, atid ic «rt»T» •\A,._i«. i!_ n _^ • _ ffrl }\^^^. ^"^''P^an fett^n»ents. However, I ;»nd though I did npt aftuaUy fee the Devil railed b^ it. ts6 CARVER'S TRAVjELSr it, I was witnefs to fome fcenes that could only be per- formed by fuch as dealt with him, <)r were very ex- pert and dexterous jugglers. Whilft I was among the Naudoweffies, a dance, which they thus termed, was performed. Before the dance began, one of the Indians was admitted into a fociety which they denominated WakonrKitchewah, that is, the Friendly Society of the Spirit. This fo- ciety is compofed of perfons of both fexes, but fuch only can be admitted in^o it, as are of unexception- able charaifler, and wh© receive the approbation of the whole body. To this admijQion fucceeded the Paw- vraw Dance (in which I faw nothing that could gi\e rife to the reports I had heard) and the whole, ac- oice hpld any of their public meetings unlefs the fky be clear and mit clouded. A great -number of chiefs firft appeared, who were drefled in their beft apparei ; and after them came the head warrior, clad in a long robe of rich fitrs- that trailed col tlie ground, attended by a retinue of fifteen or Mltnty " perfons, p?-ated and drefled in the gayAmliner. Next foliowefl the nivm..Qi fuch as hMbe&i. akeady. vJviJted into thp fociety j CARVER'S TRAVELS. >57 fociety ; and in the rear a confufed heap of the low- er ranks, all contributing as much as lay in their power to make the appearance grand and /howy. When the aflembly was feated, and filence pro- claimed, one of the principal chiefs arofe, and in a fhort but mafterly fpeech informed his audience of the occafion of their meeting. He acquainted them that one of their young men wifhed to be admitted into their fociety ; and taking him by the hand pre- fented him to their view, aflcing them at the fame time, whether they had anj objediion to his becoming one of their community. No obje«Slion being made, the young candidate was placed in the centre, and four of the chiefs took their ftations clofe to him ; after exhorting him, by turns, not to faint under the operation he was about to go through, but to behave like an Indian and a man, two of them took hold of his arms, and caufed }\im to kneel ; another placed himfelf behind him, fo as to receive him when he fell, and the laft of the four retired to the diflance of about twelve feet from him e/.aftly in front. This difpofition being completed, the chief then ftood before the kneeling candidate, began to fpeak to him with an audible voice. He told him that he himfelf was now agitated by the fame fpirit which he fliould in a few moments communicate to him ; that it would ftrike him dead, but that he would in- ftantly be reftored again to life ; to tliis he added, that the communication however terrifying, was a neceiTary introdu(51:ion to the advantages enjoyed by the community into which he was on the point of be- ing admitted. » As he fpoke this, he appeared to be greatly agitat- ed ; ti"l at iait his eTiotions became fb violent, that his countenance w, diftortedj and his whole frame convulfed. At tlu. juncture hi threw fomething that appeared both in fliape and colour like a fmall bean, o at 158 CAUVER's TRAVELS. at t',* young man, which feemed to enter his mouth, and iie inftantly fell as motionlefs as if he had been fliot. The chief that was placed behind him receiv- ed him in his arms, and, by the afliftance of the other two, laid him on the ^rouau .w all appearance bereft of life. Having done this, they immediately began to rub his limbs, and to ftrike him on the back, giving him fuch blows, as feemed more calculated to flill the quick, than to raife the dead. During thefe extraor- dinary applications, the fpeaker continued his ha- rangue, defiring tjie fpedtators not to be furprifed, or to defpair of the young man's recovery, as his pref- ent inanimate fituation proceeded only from the forci- ble operation of the Ipirit, on faculties that had hith- erto been unufed to infp. rations of this kind. 'I'iie candidate lay leveral minutes withouL lenfe or motion ; but at length, after receiving many vio- IciiC blows, he bcgai to difcover fome fymptoms of retuiirag life. Thefe, however, were attended with ilrong convullions, and an apparent obftruftion in his throat. But t^ey were foon at an end ; for h v- ing difcharged ^:om his mouth the bean, or wliat- ever it was that the chef had thrown at him, but which •' thi' » lofeil •" Tpedlion I had Hot perceived to enter ^t^ he foon attcr appeared to be tolerably recovered* This p- •' vf the ceremony beir'T happily e'fFedled, the ofSciatJng chiefs diircbed him of the clothes he had ufually worn, and put on hun a fet of apparel en- tirely new. AVhen he v, .: drsfled, the fpeaker once he hand, and prefented J^im to .la and thorougiUy initiated hei at the fame time, to give ^iiiicani-'c, as Dcmg a '^'^'h ^' '''''" ber, he might ftand in need of. He then alfo charg- e 1 the newly ele^ed brother to receive with hu lility, and to follow with puni^uality the advice of his elder brethren. All more took him b% the foci<^ as a '• member, exhortin^: hiiii fuch ncccfrary CARVER'S TRAVELS. »59 All thofe who had been admitted within the rails, now formed a circle around their new brother, and the mufic ftriking up, the great chief fung a long, celebrating as ufual their martial exploits. The only mufic they make ufe of is a drum,, which is compofed of a piece of a hollow tree curioufly wrought,, and over one end of which, is ftrained a Ikin, this they beat with a fmgle ftick, and it gives a foui.J that is far from harmonious, but ttjuft ferves to I)cat time with. To this they fometimes add the chichicoe, an*:ij» aheir war dance: 'eytlia^eufe a kind of fife, forrhed of a reed, which mak^ -a ihrill harfh .oife. The whole aflembly were by this time united, and the dance began ; feveral fingers aflTifted the mufic with t' eir vol es, and the women joining in the cho IS at certain intervals, they produced together a not mpleafing but favage harmony. This was one of thv >oft agreeable entertainments I faw whilft I was among tlcm. I cor' not help laughing*at a Angular childiOi , cuftom i obiervr 1 they introduced into this dante, and which was the ly one that had the leaft appearance of conjuration. . Moft of the members carried in their hands an otter or martin's ikin, which bein^v taken whole from the body, and filled with wind, on being comprefled made a fqueaking noife through a fmall piece of wood organically formed and fixed in its mouth. When this inftrumenL was prefented to the face of any of the company, and the found emits ted, the perfon receiving it inftantly fell down to ajS pearance dead. Sometimes two or three, both'men • and women, wre on the ground together } ^ut im- mediately recovering, they rofe upland joined again m the dance. Thk fffmoA «•« .,ffx..'i — -~ *i-- -iT^-r .1 -, "." - ~ ' '■' ■•'^'"•'j vvcn iiic i-iiicis^ til nlelves, mfimte diverfion. T afterwards learned that thefe were their Dii Penates or Houfehold Oods. After i6o CARVER'S TRAVELS. / After Tome hours fpcnt in this manner the feaft began } ''vc diihes being brought near me, I perceiv- ed that they confifted of do^'s flefh ; and I was in- formed that at all their public grand feafts they never made ufe of any other kind of food. For this pur- pofe, at the feaft I am now ipeaking of, the new can- didate provides, fat dogs, if they can be procured at any price. In this cuftom of eating dog's flefh on particular occafions, they rcremble the inhabitants of Ibnie of the countries that lie on the northeall: borders of Afia. The author of the account of Kamfchatki, publiflied by order of the Emprefs of Ruilia (before referred to) informs us, that the people inhabiting Ko- r'kw, a crmitry iicrth af K:>tr,fclrit!c3, who vniiulit about ia hordes like the Arabsi when they pay their worfhip to the evil beings, kill a rein deer or a dog, the flefh of which they eat, and leave the head and tongue fticking on a pole with the front towards the eafV. Alfo that when they are afraid of any infedious diflemper, they kill a dog, and winding the guts aix)ut two poles, pafs between them. Thefe cufloms, in who h they are nearly imitated by the Indians, feem to add ftrength to my fuppofition, that America was ilrfl peopled from this quarter. I know not under what clafs of dances to rank that performed by the Indians who came to my tent when I landed near Lake Pepin, on the banks of the Mil- fifippi, as related in my Journal. When I look(;d out, as I there mentioned, I law about twenty naked young Indians, the moft perfe£l in their fhape, and by far the handfomeft of any I had ever feen, coming towards me, and dancing as they approached, to the muflc of their drums. At every ten or twelve yards they halted, and fet up their yells and cries. When they reached my tent, I alked them to come in ; whicli, without deigning to make me any anfwcr, they did. As I obfcrved that they were painted red and CARVER'S TRA\T:LS. ,6, and black, as they ufually are when they go againft an enemy, and perceived that fome parts of the war dance were intermixed \(ith their other movements, r doubted not but they were fet on by the inimical chief who had refufcd my falutation ; I therefore de- termmed to fell my life as dear as poffible. To this purpofe, I received them fitting on my cheft, with my gun and piftols befide me, and ordered my men to keep a watchful eye on them, and to be alfo upon their guard. The Indians being entered, they continued their dance alternately, finging at the fame time of their heroic exploits, and the fuperiority of their race over every other people. To enforce their language, though It was uncommonly nervous and expreffive, and fuch as would of itfelf have carried terror to the firmeft heart, at the end of every period they ftruck their war clubs againft the poles of my tent, with, fuch violence, that I expefted every moment it would have tumbled upon us. As each of them, in danc- ing round, pafled by nae, they placed their right hands over their eyes, and coming clofe to me, looked me fteadily m the face, which I could not conftrue into a token of friendfhip. My men gave themfelves up tor loft, and I acknowledge, for my own part, that I never found my apprehenfions more tumultuous on any occafion. When they had nearly ended their dance, I pre- lented to them the pipe of peace, but they would not receive it. I then, as my laft refource, thought I would try what prefents would do ; accordingly I took from my cheft fome ribands ard trinkets, which 1 laid before them. Thefe feemed to ftagger their relolutions, and to avert in fome degree their anrer r lor after holding a confultation. together, they'' fat down on the ground, which I confidcred as a favora- vk omen. 03 Thus 1 62 CARVER'S TRAVELS. Thus it proved, as in a fliort time they received the pipe of peace, and lighting it, fifft prefented it to me, and then fmoked with it theinfelve^. Soon after they took up the prefents, which had hitherto lain negleft- ed, and appearing to be greatly pleafed with them, departed in a friendly manner. And never did I re- ceive greater pleafure than at getting rid of fuch for- midable guefts. It was not ever in my power to gain a thorough knowledge of the dcfigns of my vifitors. I had fuf- ficient reafon to conclude that they were hoftile, and that their vifit, at fo late an hour, was made through the inftigation of the Grand Sautor ; but I was after- wards informed that it might be intended as a com- pliment which they ufually pay to the chiefs of eveiy other nation who happen to fdl in with them, and that the circumftunces in their condudl which had appeared fo fufpicious to me, were merely the efFefts ©f their vanity, and dedgned to imprefs on the minds of thofe whom they thus vifited an elevated opinion of their valor and prowefs. In the morning Wore I continued my route, feveral of their wives brought me a prefent of fome fugar, for whom I found a few more ribands. The dance of the facritlce is not fo deiK)minated from their offering up at the fame time a facrifice to any good or €vil fpirit, but is a dance to which the Naudoweflics give that title from being ufed when any- public fortunate clrcumftance befalls them. Whilft I reiided among them, a fine l:>rge deer acci- dentally ftraycd into the middle of their encampment, which they foon deftroyed. As this happened juft at the 'lew moon, they efteemed it a Uicky omen -, and having foafted it whole, every one in the camp par- took of it. After their feaft, they all joined in a dance, which they termed, from its being foniewhat of a religious nature, a dance of the facrliice. CHAP. CARVER'S TRAVELS. 1^3 CHAP. vm. OF THEIR HUNTING. Hi lUNTING is the principal occupation of the Indians; they are trained to it from their earlieft youth, and it is an exercife which is efteemed no lefs honorabl'^ than neceflary towards their fubriftence. A dexterous and refolute hunter is held in nearly as great eftimation by them as a diftinguifhed warrior. Scarcely any device which the ingenuity of man has difcovered for enfnaring or deftroying thofe animals that fupply them with food, or whofe Itins are valua- ble to Europeans, is unknown to them. Whilft they are engaged in this ejcercife, they (liake off the indolence peculiar to their nature, and become 7>.€m&, perfevering, and indefati^ble. They are eoually fugacious in finding their prey, and in the means they ufe to deftroy it. They difcern the iooin:?i>s of the hearts they are in purfuit of, akhough thcv le imperceptible to every other eye, and can follow the-a with certainty through the pathiefs foreft. The beafts that the Indians hunt, both for their flelli on which they fubfift, and for their Ikins, of which they either make their apparel, or barter with the Europeans for neceflaries, are the buffalo, the elk, the deer, the moofe., the; carriboo, the bear, the bea« ver, the otter, the martin, &c. I defer giving a fle- feription of thefe creatures here, and fball only at prefent treat of their manner of hunting them. The route they ihall take for this purpofe, and the parties that fhall go on the different* expeditions are iixed in their general councils, which are held feme tmae in the fummer, when all the operations for tlie enfuing winter arc concluded on. Tlie chief warrior, # whofe 1 64 CARVER'S TRAVELS. whofe province it is to regulate their proceedings on this occafion, with great folemnity iffues out an invi- tation to thofe who choofe to attend him ; for the Indians,' as before obferved, acknowledge no fuperi- ority, nor have they any idea of compulfion ; and every one that accepts it, prepares hinifelf by failing during feveral days. The Indians do not faft as fome other natfons do, on the richeft and moft luxurious food, but they to- tally abftain from every kind, either of viauals or drink ; and fuch is their patience and refolution, that the moft extreme thirft could not obhge them to tafte a drop of water ; yet amidft this fevere abfti- nence they appear cheerful and happy. The reafons they give for thus fafting, are, that it enables them freely to dream, in which dr,eams they are informed where they Ihall find the greateft plenty of game ; alfo that it averts the difpleafure of the evil fpirits, and induces them to be propitious. They alfo on thefe occafions blacken thofe parts of their bodies that are uncovered. The faft being ended, and the place of hunting made known, the chief who is to conduft them, gives a grand feaft to thofe who are to form the different parties j of which none of them dare to partake till they have bathed themfelves. At this feaft, not- withftanding they have fafted fo long, they eat with great moderation -, and the chief that prefides cm- ploys himfelf in rehearfing the feats of thofe who have been moft fuccefsful in the bufmefs they are about to enter upon. They fbon after fet out on the march towards the place appointed, painted or r?*^er be- daubed with black, amidft the acclamations of all 4>1«< it*is impoffible to defcrlbe their agility or perfever- ancc, whilft they are in purfuit of their prey j neith- er thickets, ditches, torrents, pools, or rivers ftop Chcm i they always go ftraight forward in the moil *r CARVER'S TRAVELS. i6s direa line they poffibly can, and there are few ^f the lavage inhabitants of the wocds that they cannot overtake. When they hunt for bears, they endeavor to find out their retreats ; for, during the winter, thefe ani- mals conceal themfelves in the hollow trunks of trees or make themfelves holes in the ground, where they continue without food, whiUl the fevere weather lafts. When the Indians think they have arrived at a place where th-fe creatures ufually haunt, they form thenilelves into a circle according to their number, and movmg onward, endeavor, as they advance to- wards the centre, to difcover the retreats of their prey. By this means, if any lie In the ^itermediate Ipace, they are lure of arouling them, and brlnirinff them down ^ither with their bows or their gunf The bears will take to flight at figlit of a man or a dog, and will only make reftftance when they are extremely hungry, or after they are wounded. The Indian method of hunting the buffi^do is by fonnmg a circle or a fquare, nearly in the fame man- ner as when they fearch for the bear. Having taken their ditterent Nations, they fet the grafs, which at this time IS rank and dry, on fire, and thefe animals, vho are extremely fearful of that element, flyinp with precipitation before it, great numbers are hem- mcd m a Jmall compafs, and fcafcely a finale one elcapes. • ^ o lliey have different ways of hunting the elk, the tlcer, and the cai > iboo. Sometimes they feck them out m the woods, to wliich they retire during the l^venty of the cold, where they are eafily fliot'from wiJmd the trees. In the more nothern climates tJiey take the ailvantasre of thf «vp:- !«..-r *.-; A=^.-.-..-.^ j.' ^ ^^ ; when the lUn has juft ft. :ngth enough to" mek •iie inow, and the fu^l in the night forms a kind of -rult on the furface, this creature being heavy, breaks it 1 66 CARVER'S TRAVELS. it witk his forked hoofs, and with difficulty extri- cates himfeif from it : at this time therefore he is foon overtaken and deftroyed. Some nations have a method of hunting thefe ani- mals which is more eafily executed, and free from danger. The hunting party divide themfelves into two bands, and choofing a fpot near the borders of fome river, one party embarks on board their eanoes, whilft the other forming themfelves into a femicir- cle on the land, the flanks of which reach the fliore, let loofe their dogs, and by this means roufe all the game that lies vt^ithin thefe bounds ; they then drive thena towards the river, into which they no fooner enter, than the greateft part of them are immediately difpatched by thofe who remain in the canoes. Botli the eMc and buffalo are very furious wnen they are wounded, and will return fiqfcely on their purfuers, and trample ^them under their feet, if the hunter finds no fneans to complete their deftruftion, or does not feek for fecurity in flight to fome adja- cent tree ; by this method they are frequently avoid- ed, and fo tired with the purfuit, that they^voluntariljr give it over. But the hunting in which the Indians, particularly thole who inhabit the northern parts, chiefly employ themfelves, and from which they reap the greateft advantage, is the beaver hunting. The feafon for this is throughout the whole of the winter, from No- vemb'er to April j during which time the fur of thefe creatures is in the greateft perfeftion. A defcription of this extraordinary animal, the conftruftion of their huts, and the regulations of their almoft rational com- munity, I fhall give in another place. The hunters make a£c of feveral methods to deftroy them. Thole generally fradlifcd, are either that of taking them m fnarcs, cutting tlirough the ice, or opening their caufeways. As ,eir canoes, CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,57 , As the eyes of thefc animals are very ouiclc, and their hearmg exceedn.gly acute, great precaution s necef % in app.oachmg their bodies; for a. thev fe dnm r , . ^ °^ lome laree river or UI-p «.. m ke a great noife by beating the water whh t elr taj^mipurpofc to put the whole fraternity on their They take them with fnares in the following man ner : though the beavers ufually lay up Huffide"" ftore of proviii^n to ferve for tlieir fuhfia/ ^^^^'^^9^^ piles ot rood. Ihe hunters having founrl r,,,t ^u- t»n,s placea .rap in ,U.ir wa,"\aited with faaU P-ecesofbark, or yoang fl,„„,/of u-J,, Xh ,hi htid l,» '^ , "''™ '"'■ fciMking them on the '-"!«: t;;°at ro:e^a^r:L^ff:r".^/- oeaversj, who never Ito iiialci. Ttl'tJ'' ^.«R^-" P'«i -"- •% fail liiuanrrted .,n 1 t.i '"^ ^'^"iy"- F'"^> wnere they are '.ted and taken. But they muft not be fuffered to t68 CARVER'S TRAVELS. to remain there long, as they would foon extricate themielves with their teeth, which are well known to be evceffively fharp and ftrong. The Indians take great care to hinder their dogs from touchiiig tiie bones of tlie beavers. The rea- fons they give for tliefe precautions, are, firft, that the bones are io excellively hard, tiiat they fpoil the teeth of the dogs : and, fecondly, that they are ap- prehenfive they ihall fo exaiperate the fpirits of the beavers by this periniffion, as to render the i"i;xt hunt- ing feafon unfuccefsful. The Ikins of thele animals, the hunters exchange with th:.^ Europeans for ncceflaries, and as they are more valued by the latter than any other kind of furs, they pay the greatefl attention to this fpecies of hunting. When the Indians deftroy buffaloes, elks, deer, &c. they generally divide the flelh of fuch as they have taken among the tribe to which they belong. But in huntmg the beaver a few families ufually unite and divide the I'poil between them. Indeed, in the firflkinftance they generally pay fome attention in the divifion to their own families ; but no jealoufies or murmurings .re ever known to arife on account of any apparent partiality. Among the Naudoweflies, If a perfon flaoots a deer, buffalo, &c. and it runs to a confiderable diftance before it drops, where a perfon belonging to another tribe, being nearer, firft fticks a knife into it, the game is confidered as the property of the latter, not- withftanding it had been mortally wounded by the former. Though this cullom appears to be arbitrary and unjuft, yet that people cheerfully fubmit to it. This decifion is, however, very different from that prattifed by the Indians on the back of ilic voionics,! where the firft perfon that hits, is entitled to the beft *^'- CHAP. CAR.VER's TRAVELS. I dp CHAP. IX. OP 7HEIR MANNER OF MAKING WAR, ^c. T err Indians begin to bear arms at the age of fifteen, and lay them afide when they arrive at the age of fixty. Some nations to the fouthward, I have been informed, do not continue their niihtary exer- cifes after they are fiftj% In every band or nation there is a feleft nun-ber who are ftiled the warriors, and who are always rea- dy to aa either oiFenfively or defenfively, as occafion requires. Thefe are well armed, bearing the wea- pons commonly in ufe among them, which vary ac- cording to the fituation of their countries. Such as have an intercourle with the Europeans make ufe of tomahawks, knives, and firearms ; but thofe whole dwellings are iituatec: to the weftward of the Miffi- lippi, and who have not an opportunity of purchafmq theie kinds of weapons, ufe bows and arrows, and alfo the Caffe Tete or- War Club. The Indians that inhabit ftill further to the weft- ward, a country which extends to the South Sea, ule in fight a warlike hiftrument that is very uncomnion. Having great plenty of horfes, they alwavs attack their enemies on horfeback, and encumber themfelvt^s with no other weapon, than a ftone of a middling fi;:e, curinuily wrought, which they falkn by a Orinff, aoout a yard and a half long, to their right arms, a ittle above the elbow. Thefe ftones thev convenient- ly carry ,„ their hands, .dl they reach their cnemie-5. "."■" -^- i'-^igiJig incm wiiti gre.ii dexterity, as they ride full Ipeed, never fail ' of doing executi«Mi. The country which thefe tribes pofr proaches the age of manhood to give proof of his val- or and prowefs. As they are early poffeflcd with a notion that war ought to be the chief bufmefs of their lives, that there is nothing more deilrous than the reputation of being a great warrior, and that the fcalps of their enemies, or a number of prifoners are alone to be efteemed val- j:;b e, it is not to be wondered at that the yoimg hi- i'.i^'M are continually reftlefs and uneafy if their ardor iS vcprefTed, and they are kept in a ftate of inadlivity. I'tther of thffe propenfities, the defire of revenge or the gratification of an impulfe, that by degrees be- comes habitual to them, is fujEKcient, frequently, to in- duce them to commit hofiilities on fome of the neigh- bouring nations. When the chiefs find any occafion for making war, they endeavor to aroufe their habitudes, and by that means foon excite their warriors to take arms. To this purpofe they make ufe of their martial eloquence, nearly in the following words, which never fails of proving efFedtual j ** the bones of our dc'ceafed coun- trymen lie uncovered, they call out to us to revenge their wrongs, and we muft fatisfy their requeft. Their fpirits cry out againft us. They muft be appeafed. The genii, who are the guardians of our honor, in- fpire us with a refolution to feek the enemies of our murdered brothers. Let us go and devour thofe by whom they were flain. Sit therefore no longer inac- tive, give way to the impulfe of your natural valor, anoint your hair, paint your faces, fill your quivers, caufe CARVER'S TRAVELS. '73 ciufe the foreft to refound with your fongs, confole the fpirits of the dead, and tell them they {hall be revenged." Aniraated by thcfc exhortations the warriors fn-^'-h their arms in a tranfport of fury, fmg the fong o , and burn with impatience to imbrue their handi in the blood of their enemies. Sometimes private chiefs aflemble fmall parties and make excurfions againft thofe with whom they are at war, or fuch as have injured them. A fingl, warrior, prompted by revenge or a delire to flvow his prowefs, will march unattended for feveral hundred miles, to furprife and cut off a ftraggling party. Thefe irregular fallies however, are^ot always ap*. proved of by the elder chiefs, though they are' often obliged to connive at them ; as in the initant before given of the Naudoweffie and Chipeway nations. But when a war is national, and undertaken by the community, their deliberations are formal and flow. The elders iiffemble in council, to which all the head warriors and young men are admitted, where they deliver their opinions in folemn fpeeches, weighing with maturity the nature of the enterprife they are about to engage in, and balancing with great fagacity the advantages or inconveniences that will arife from it. Their priefts are alfo confulted on the fubje^l, and even, fometimes, the advice of the moft intelligent of their women is afked. If the determination be for war, they prepare for it with much ceremony. The chief warrior of a nation does not on all occa- fions head the war party himfelf, he frequently de- putes a warrior of whofe valor and prutlence he has a gouu opinion, ihe perfon thus fixed on being firlt bedaubed with black, obferves a faft of feveral days, during which he invokes the Great Spirit, or depre- cates the anger of the evil ones, holding whilft it lafts no converfe with any of iiis tribe. f* He IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !S I.I ^ Ilia •4£ IM |40 Ml US KS M 2.2 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► VI '- 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER. NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i74 CARVER'S TRAVELS. He is particularly careful at the fame time to ob- fervc his dreams, for on thefe do they fuppofe their iuccefs will in a great meafure depend ; and from the firm perfuafion everv Indian, aftuated by his own prefumptuous thoughts is imprefled with, that he fliall march forth to certain vidlory, thefe are generally fa- vourable to his widies. After he has fafled as long as cuftom prefcribes, he aflembles the warriors, and holding a belt of wampum in his hand, thus addrefles them : « Brothers ! by tlie infpiration of the Great Spirit I now fpeak unto you, and by him am I prompted to carry into execution the intentions which I -am about to difclofe to you. The blood of our deceafed broth- ers is not yet wiped away ; their bodies are not yet covered, and I am going to perform this duty to them." Haying then made known to them all the motives that induce him to take up arms againft the nation with whom they are to engage, he thus proceeds : «' I have tlierefore refolved to march through the war- path to furprife them. We will eat their flefh, and drink their blood i we will take fcalps, and make prif- oners ; and fhould we perifli in this glorious enter- prife, we fhall not be for ever hid in the duft, for this belt fliall be a recompenfe to him who buries the dead." Having faid this, he lays the belt on the ground, and he who takes it up declares himfelf his lieuten- ant, and is confidered as the fecond in command y this, however, is only done by fome diftinguiflied warrior who has a right by the number of his I'caips, to the poft. Though the Indians thus aflert that they will eat the flelh and drink the blood of their enemies, the threat is only to be confidered as a figurative ti.pref- lion. Notwitliftanding they fometimes devour tiie hearts of thofe they flay, and drink their blood, by way of bravado, or to gratify in a more complete CARVER'S TRAVELS. »7f manrwr their revenge, yet they are not naturally an- thropophagi, nor ever feed on the flefh of men. The chief is now waflted from his fable covering, anointed with bear's fat, and painted \plh their red paint, in fuch figures as will make him appear moft terrible to his enemies. He then fmgs the war fong, and enumerates his warlike adlions. Having done this he fixes his eyes on the fun, and pays his adora- tion to the Great Spirit, in which he is accompanied by all the warriors. This ceremony is followed with dances, fuch as I have before deferibed ; and the whole concludes with a feaft which ufually confifts of dog's flelh. This feaft is held in the hut or tent of tlie chief . warrior, to which all thofe who intend to accompany him in his expedition fend their difiies to be filled ; and during the feaft, notwithftanding he has fafted fo long, he fits compofedly with his pipe in his mouth, and recounts the valorous deeds of his family. As the hopes of having their wounds, fhould they receive any, properly treated, and expeditioufly cured, muft be fome additional inducement to the warriors to expofe themfelves more freely to danger, the priefts, who ai-e alfo their dodors, prepare fuch medicines as will prove eflacacious. With great ceremony they carry various roots and plants, and pretend that they impart to them the power of healing. Notwithfiranding this fuperflitious method of pro* ceeding, it is very certain that they have actjuired a knowledge of many plants and herbs that are of a medicinal quality, and which tliey know how to ufe with great Ifcill. From the time the refolution of engaging in a war IS taken, to the departure of the warrioi's^ the niffhts are fpent in feftivity, and their days in making°the needful preparations. If it is thought neceflary by the nation going to war, to foUcit the aUiance of any neighbouring tribe, they tyC CARVER'S TRAVELS. thejr fix upon one of their chiefs who fpeaks the lan- guage of that people well, and who is a good orator, and fend to them by him a belt of wampum, on which is fpecified the purport of the embaiiy in figures that every nation is well acquainted with. At the fame time he carries with him a hatchet painted red. As foon as he reaches the camp or village to which he is deftined, he acquaints the chief of the tribe with the general tenor of his commilTion, who immediately aflembles a council, to which the ambafTador is in- vited. There having laid the hatchet on the ground he holds the belt in his ':.ind, and enters more mi- nutely into the occafion ot his embafly. In his fpeech he invites them to take up the hatchet, and as foon as he has finifhed fpeaking delivers the belt. If his hearers are inclined to become auxiliaries to his nation, a chief fteps forward and takes up the hatchet, and they immediately efpoufe with fpirit the caufe they have thus engaged to fupport. But if on this application neither the belt or ' het are accept- ed, the emifiary concludes that f jople whofe af- liftance he foiicits have already entered into an alli- ance with the foes of his nation, and returns with ipeed to inform his countrymen of his ill fuccefs. The manner in which the Indians declare war againft each other, is by fending a flave with a hatch- et, the handle of which is painted red, to the nation which they intend to break with ; and the rheffenger, notwithftanding the danger to which he is expofed from the fuddexi fury of thofe whom he thus fets at defiance, executes his commiffion with great fidelity. Sometimes this token of defiance has fuch an in- ftantaneous effect on thofe to whom it is prefented, that in the firft tranfports of their fury a fmall party will iiiue forth, without waiting for the pcrmiflTaon ot the elder chiefs, and flaying the firft of the oftending nation they meet, cut open the body and ftick a hatch- et of the fame kind as that (hey have juft received, into CARVER'S TRAVELS. :rs more mi- '^^ 177 into the heart of their flaughtered foe. Among the more remote tribes this is done with an arrow or fpear, the end of which is painted red. And the more to exafperate, they difmember the body, to fhow that they efteem them not as men, but as old women. The Indians feldoni take the field in large bodies, as fuch numbers would require a greater degree of induftry to provide for their fubfiftence, during their tedious marches through dreary forefts, or long voy- ages over lakes and rivers, than they would care to bcftow. Their armies are never encumbered with baggage or military ftores. Each warrior, befides his weapons, carries with him only a mat, and whilft at a diftance from the frontiers of the enemy fupports himfelf with the game he kills or the fiili he catches. When they pafs through a country where they have no apprehenfions of meetirj with an enemy, they ufe very little precaution, fometimes there are fcarcely a dozen warriors left together, the reft being difperfed in purfuit of their game ; but though they ihould have roved to a very confiderable diftance from the war- path, they are fure to arrive at the place of rendezvous by the hour appointed. They always pitch their tenis long before funfet j and being naturally prefumptuous, take very little care to guard againft a furprife. They place great confi- dence in their Manitous, or houfehold gods, which they always carry with them ; and being perfuaded that they take upon them the office of ccntinels, they fleep very fecurely under their proteftion. Thefe Manitous, as they are called by fome nations, but which are termed Wakons, that is fpirits, by the Naudoweffies, are nothing more than the otter and — .... intus i iiavt^ u:ic.tuy ucicnucu, lor wmcQ however, they have a great veneration. After they have entered the enemy's country, no people can be more cautious and ch-cumfpeiH: j fires are 178 € CARVER'S TRAVELS. are no longer lighted, no more fhouting is heard, nor the game any longer purfued. They are not even permitted to Ipeak ; but muft convey whatever they have to impart to each other by figns and motions. They now proceed wholly by ftratagem and am- bufcadc. Having difcovered their enemies, they fend to reconnoitre them } and a council is immediately held, during which they fpeak only in whifjjers to con- fider of the intelligence imparted by thofe who were fent out. The attack is generally made juft before day break, at which period they fuppofe their foes to be in their foundeft flaep. Throughout the whole of the pr<;- ceding night they will he flat upon their faces, with- out ftirring ; and make their approaches in the fame pofture, creeping upon their hands and feet till they are got within bow fhot of thofe they have deftined to deftruftion. On a fignal given by the chief warrior, to which the whole body makes a:\fwer by the moft hideous yell, they all ftart up, and difcharging their arrows in the fame inftant, without giving their ad- verfaries time to recover from the confufion into which they are thrown, pour in upon them \vith their war clubs or tomahawks. The Indians think there is little glory to be acquir- ed from attacking their enemies openly in the field ; their greateft pride is to furprife and deftroy. They feldom engage without a manifeft appearance of advan- tage. If they find the enemy on their guard, too ftrongly entrenched, or fuperior in numbers, they retire, provided there is an opportunity of doing fo. And they efteem it the greateft qualification of a chief warrior, to be able to manage an attack, fo as to deftroy as many of the enemy as poffible, at the cx- penfe of a few men. Sometimes they fecure themfelves behind trees, hillocks, or ftones, and having given one or two rounds, retire before they are difcovered. Europeans, who CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,7^ who are unacquainted ^{th this method of fight- .ng_^too often find to their coil: the deftruftive efficacy General Braddock was one of this unhappy num. ber Marchmg m the year ,755, to attack Fort Du Quefne, he was mtercepted by a party of French and ccifederate Indians m their intereft, who by this in- sidious method of engaging found means to defeat his army which confifted of about two thoufand br.ve and well difc.plined troops. So fecurely were he Indians pofted, that the Englifh fcarcely knew from whence or by whom they where thus annoyed. During the whole of the engagement the latter had fcarce y a fight of an enemy ; and were obliged to retreat without the fatisfafiion of being able to take he leaft degree of revenge for the havoc made among hem. The General paid for his temerity with his life, and was accompanied in his fall by a great num- be of brave.fellows j whilft his invifible enemies had only two or three of their number wounded. When the Indians fucceed in their filent approach- es and are able to force the camp which they attack, a fcene of horror that exceeds defcription, enfues Ihe lavage fiercenefs of the conquerors, and the d(*f- peration of the conquered, who well know what thev have to expert fhould they fall alive into the hand, ot their affailants, occafion the moft extraordinary exertions on both fide,. The figure of the combat ant all befmeared with black and red paint, and cov- ered with the blood of the flain, th?ir horrid yeUs and ungovernable fury, are not to be conceived by thole who have never crofled the Atlantic ^ I have frequently been a fpertator of them, and once bore a part m a fimilar fcene. But what added to tne hnrrnr nf if- «roo *U«* T u- j „ _. .1 ^ . . of being able to oppofe their favage attacks. Every circumftance of the adventure ftiU dwells on my re- membrance, and enables xne to defcribe with greater perii»icuitjr i8o CARVER'S TRAVELS. perfpiculty the brutal fiercenefs of the Indians when they have furprifed or overpowered an enemy. As a detail of the mallacre at Fort William Henry, in the year I757» the fcene to which I refer, cannot appear foreign to the defign of this publication, but will ferve to give my readers a juft idea of the feroc- ity of this people, I Ihall take the liberty to infert it, apologizing at the fame time for the length of the digreflion, and thofe egotifms which the relation ren- ders unavoidable. General Webb, who commanded the Englifh ar- my in North America, which was then encamped at Fort Edward, having intelligence that the French troops under Monf. Montcalm were making fome movements towards Fort William Henry, he detach- ed a corps of about fifteen hundred men, confifting of Englifli and Provincials, to ftrengthen the garrifon. In, this party I went as a volunteer among the latter. The apprehenfions of the Englifti General were not without foundation ; for the day after our arrival we faw Lake George (formerly lake Sacrament) to which it hes contiguous, covered with an immenfe number of boats ; and in a few hours we found our lines attacked by the French General, who had juft landed with eleven thoufand Regulars and Canadians, and two thoufand Indians. Colonel Monro, a brave oiEcer, commanded in the Fort, and had no niore than two thoufand three hundred men with him, our detachment included. * With thefe he made a gallant defence, and proba- bly would have been able at laft to preferve the Fort had he been properly fupported, and permitted to continue his efforts. On every fummons to furren* der fent by the French General, who ofered tk »v«rk{V honorable termS; his anfwer reneatledly was. That he yet found himfelf in a condition tcJ repel the moft vigorous attacks his befiegers were able to make •, and pnpalipHlv was. CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,8j ^ildtnt^'t v^A ^'^^r' ^''''' infufficient, he the '^a^t t^'^ ""' * ^"^- --»^- ^-n^ t^tt^li^rP""!*?**' H"S »^q«''n*«d General Webb with W fitU3t,«„, and defired he would fend him feme fre/h troqps, the General difpatched a mcffJZ to h.rn wuh a letter, wherein he informed him ha^lj ZTl^ Tr^'V ^^^ ^'«»' =»"d therefore Le h«n orders t^ furrender up, the Fort on the beft tefmJ ! tL T?^- ^""""^^'.^^^ immediately fent a flag, o/truce, defiring a conference with the governor. ^ ^5^r accordingly met, attended only by a fmall k knew no. how .hat could be. nor ihoTd hJ fur- -emfer ,, „p whilft i. was in his power .o defend i Itf u* .t^' P^i" mto the Colonel's hand, " By th^ a„d,or.ty do I make the requiiidon." The brave Governor had no fooner read the coments of k, 4d nanaer m chief, and no. .0 be difobeved. than h, ^^i'- t^^^^"^^' a„dreluaantlX;^d^t^ bL\°f '*^'''*'" ""^ '^^ «'"'"' *^^^^"*=« the garrifon S^f /h^f ^''' i^ ^^ P«^«^i«ed to ma?ch out ^In .nf ^r" :;^.^"'' *^ ^ allowed covered X p„l T P'''' '^^\ '^SW to Fort Edward, Sfages.^^ to proteathem from the fury of t|ie of^abouuW thouiand men, iSidi^^^ ^^^^Ig 2' ^^e drawn up within the line^, and on the |lH»mtof marchmg off, when ^eat numbers of the ^1 •mi i8a CARVER'S TRAVELS. ^ Indians gathered about, and bcgarv t6 plundwr. We were at firil in hopes that this was felf into the' midft W theT Sut S^! lore I got thus far out of the Ixands of the Indians the collar ana wriftbands of my ^hirt.were aU th^t* remamedofit,and my flefh was fcratchcd and torn m many places by their favage gripes. BythStmie the war vvhoop was given-, and the fodians -began to murder thofe that were neareft t^ them without diftinaion. It is not in the po^j; of word, to give any tolerable idea of the horrid fcene that now enfued ; ifaen, women, and children were difpatched m the moft wanton and cruel manner, and immediately fcalped. Manyof thefe favager^k t i^l:rtounf ^ ^^^•"^' - '' «-i -- ^- We now perceived, though too lat^ to avail us that we were to expeade captives, rCiurn home. -- -.1-. iu-,i.».i=iui I'cucjf 15 iu iucky (is to inaKe good their retreat unmolefted, they haften with ihe greateft ^edition to r«ach a country where they may be pcr- fetlly fecuFC i and that their wounded companions may ipo GAR¥ER's TRAVELS. may not'ret^d their flight, they carry them by turns Thjir litters are made in a rude manner of thi- branches of trees. Their fledges confift of two fm^! ix"feeTti:'°TH t'"''^^^^^ j^'-^' -^ "- iix teet long. The forepart is turned up, and the fides are bordered with imall bands. The Tndi n draw thefe carriages with great eafe, be they ever ?o thfc breaft. Tlus collar is called a Metump, and is in ufe throughout, America, both in the fettlments nd the internal parts. Thofe ufed in the latter are made of leather, and very curioufly wrought. «,;.h ^i.P"^''"^"^ *^"""S ^^^^ "^-^ch are guarded with the greateft care. During the day, if the lour ney is over land, they are always^eld byVm of tl; viftorious party; if by water, they Je faftened to I?o„."Z' ' ^^ .*' ?^'Sht time they are ftretched ^nH ? w^^^f ^"^'^ "^^^^ ^^t^ their legs, arms, jnd neck faftened to hooks 5xed in the ground. T^l are held by an Indian, who inftantly awakes at the leaft motion of them. ^ Notwithilanding fuch precautions are ufuaUy taken by the Indians, it is recorded in the annals of New Tt^f^f' ^''•""^ "''r '^ -^"^^ '^^ ^ig'l^n^e of fJ^% warriors, and not only to make he.* efcape from them, but to revenge the caufe of her coun- try men. confimn/''-'t*^°' * ^^^^ ^^"^ of Canadian Indians, conhftmg o, ten warriors attended by two of their nIw F^'f ' J'" i{?^'*?" ^"*° '^^ '^^^ iettlements of New England. They lurked for fome time in the length, after having killed and fcalped feveral people, found means to t^ke prifoner a wonSi,, who had with her aW3V vnUk. 4, CARVER'S TRAVELS. ,p, towards their native countr^^ whirl, 7* *^'=V'*''^'*^^ TTje fecond night of their retrcaf .1,. » whofe name, tf I miftair, „„. "^^^t, the woman, «folution worthy S Ae ml' ^' ^.°""' ''''™'<' , taghtfteftoSfd^IweSl'Sh ''?''•. She Blades by which they wt.^ f" SS '•"\ hands the eowry of her freedom T„ ?? , *" *« '=^ ™ied that hej7o„,„c.I° 4^, PTS^'f' ""•'"ftc ibey had fuffered to grunbonnJ ?? i^/°"' "'""" b«»g ftrprifed at wL trw* Lbo J^PT' r"** "»ved at a diflan„ with greaT ^^rfl'tL !l ^V" ™pons of the Indian,. whTch a^^^^,?? *f"^™ -ample i =.nd t4i;g%'Sht''t&S'7» '""""i" Seeping Indians, feveral of whT^^ Vi* '^'L"P''« ** pached. But her att«n« „ *,° '.""'"'">' ^- il« imbecility of h^rTrj"* "'"'^ frn(.ratid% »d refolution, male a feelteVT'""* """^th wMch „„,y r«ved .o\w2«*t."Thl'''"' and made her efcpe? ' ^^° '""^^^ ^" «n^e, . "^^ heroine then topic off the realms nf h.. • ^ « edcnemfcs, and incizing ittbrofttLi '"^"l^ awOTteUiv *t^5_^___^ *" *"°^e tney were carrvinnr ,• ---^i 1 — lii ^ p»uw*3 ox their Uif^^c /t_ ^ .-"> • triumph to the lately beett dragged; ^ou*, ux their ibcceft, fhe ^u,^ whence fhe had f^ ' aftbniihment of her ng^ghborsin 192 Ci^VER's TRAVELS. neighbors, who could fcarcdy credit their fcnfes, or the teftiinonies fhe bore of her amaaonian intrepidity. During their, march they oblige their prifoners to iing their death ibng, which generally confifts of thde dr fimilar fentenccs : " I am going to die, I am about to fuffer •, but I will bear the fevereft tortures my enemies can inflia," with becoming fortitude. I will die like a brave nwp, and I fhall then go to join the chiefs that hav^e iufFered on the fame account." Thefe fongs are continued with necciTary intervals, until they reach the viUage or camp tp which they afe going. v! When the warriors are arrived within hearing, they fet up different cries, wJhich cowimunicates to their friends a general hiftjory ,of the fucccfs of the expedi- tion. ,lhe number of the death cries they give, de- clare how many of their own party are loft 5 the num- l^er of war whoops, the number of prifoners they have taken. It is difficult to defcribe thefe cries, but the beft idea I can convey of them is, that the former coniifts of the found whoo, whoo, whoop, which is continu- «4 in a long ihrill tone, nearly till the breath is ex- haufted, and then broken off with a fudden elevation of the Toice. The latter, is a loud cry, of much the iameiand, which is modulated into notes by the hand being pJaee4 before the moiith. Bo*h, of them might be heard to a very confiderable diftance. , WJiilft thefe are uttering, the perfons to whom they are defigned to convey the intelligence, contin- ue motionlefs and all attention. When this ceremo- ny is performed, the whole village ifluc cait to learn the particulars of the relation they have juJft heard in general terms, and according|iy as the news proves mqun^ful or the contrary, thqy anfwer by fo many MvVis^ii;;:;wi^9 cr C!7C3 01 iaiIiciiLuuuii&. ■ > ' B^ngby this time arrivecj'.flt the village or camp, the women and children arm themfelves with fticks and Be account." CARVER'S TRfTELS. »93 a«d bludgeons, and, form tkcmfdvcs into two ranks dirough wluch the^rifttiers ar^ pbliged to pafs. The ty ot the hne, js very fevere. Somcftmes they are fo beaten over the head and face, as to haveScdy any remains of hfe j and happy would it be forTh.m li^ Buftf ".'"^ ""P"''« their wretched £: mgs But their tormentprs take care that none of ke blows they give prove mortal, as they wifh to r^ Tfter\"vr'^'^ ^"^'""'"^ '^^^^ ^--^ ^^'^^^olt After having undergone this introductory difcipline they are bound^hand and foot, whilft the ch eS hold acouncil m which their fate i. determined Thofe who are decreed to be put to death, by the ufual or E Tto tr' r '""^ ^^^^^ of^the^:~: uchasareto be fpared, are given into the hands of he chief of the nation : fo that in a flxort t'me ^ I'aHdhnv/'P'''''' i"' ^'^ P''""y ^«^ ««^^anced in life. and have acquired great honor by their warlike deed! I always atone for the blood they have fni hi !k tortures of fire Th^.V r...// • ^ ^ ^^ ^^^ ■ known hvth.h{ , "*''^^^' '" '^^^ ^^ rondily S Z "^ blue marks upon their breafts and arms. t^,Zl " '''''''' ^° *^^ ^^-^ - ^^ters arc to I i^tXT the f "^-'1;'^^ hieroglyphics are made, e»pJ fl'i^^^^'^f.^he fkin with the teeth of filh, or fliaro! edfl,nts, dipped in a kind of ink made of the S^ m!" .uT'- ^'^^ *hofe of the ancient Pidb^f fintam thefe are efteemed ornamental j and at the '""' -"«-•«* auout luxii. indelible of his valor. The prifoners deftined I "Wpiace of execution & which to '(ieath are foon led to is generally in tiie centre of »Wi # 'CARPI'S TRAVELS. of the camp or village ; 'meiH;, bckte ftrJpt, artd every — of their bodies blacken^ fflf ikm of a crow part or raven is fixed on their heads. " They are then bound to a ftake, with faggots heaped around them, and obhgedy for the laft time, to fing their death The jvarriors, for fuch it is only who commonly fuffer thispuniOiment, now perform in a more prolix manner this fad folemnitf. They recount with an audible voice all the mve adiions they have perform- ed, and pride themlclves in the number of enemies they have killed. In this rehearfal they fpare not even their tormentors, but ftrive by every provoking tale they can invent, to inritatc and infult them. Some- tinjcs this has the defired effea, and the fufFerers are difpatfched fooncr than they otherwife would have bten. There are m^y other methods which the Indians ■ make ufe of to put their prifoners to death, but thefe are only occafional j that of burnirfg is moft generally lifed. o / Whilft I was at . the chief town of the Ottagaumles, an Ilhnois Indian was brought in, who had been made a- prifoner by one of their war parties. I had tlwn_an opportunity of feeing; the cuftomary cruelties mfli^ed by thefe people on their captives, through the minuteft part of their procefs. After the previous fteps neceflary to tliis condemnation, he was carried, early in -the morning, to a little diftance from the town, where he was bound to a tree.' This being done, all the boys, who amounted to a gi^at number, as the place was populous^ were per- mitted to amufe themfelves with Ihooting their ar- rows at the unhappy viftim. As they were none of thenj more than twcive years old, and were placed, at :tsIT.\,j LilV- ]»,..„ Ij-..-^ '.'rCii^t. F*-"~ ctrate to the vital parts, fo- that the poor wretch flood i9S CARVER'S TRAVfiiJi ^ wcafe his tortures thai- k« • ^"^uce them to in- greater pr^fs of forrfrnde ^tf * .-^'fW^ *<> girc «les of &, when he w.7' , "" ^^ ^^^ ^^8- have uttered, a S of S^"> *^T^ ^°"^'» -^^^cii^^^^ '^ -"^<^- beneficial conrequence ^^r^? °^"^°^^ ^^an one 5-e, that diaboSTuft oLtr ^^J, f ^ '^- dooiinant paffion in thi. hr„ii ?' * 's the pre. "«>7 tribe, ZTt K^cs 7he :^r"'''"''"™«f « not kacm how L out S, ?• ''°'"™' "'«' H< ac<,„,i„,ed them ?hat h. r/u*""" '" "'^'h- fomeo/,h»;,™„f" T, ■- ''^'' J-o-Mofore taken ipfi '^' 'CAR^FER^s TRAVELS. full of fliarp fpHnters of turpentiue wood, to which he then fetfire, and dancing ai^nd them enjoyed the agonizing pan^s of the flaming victims. This bravado, which carried with it a degree of in^lt, that even the accuftomed ear of an Indian could riot liften to unmoved, threw his tormentors off theijr^ guard, and (hortened the duration of his torments ; for one of the chiefs ran to him, and ripping out his heart, flopped with it the mouth from which had iflued fuch provoking language. Innumerable are the ftories that may be told of the courage and refolution of the Indians, who happen to be made prifoners by their adverfaries. Many that I have heard nre fo aftonifhing, that they feem to exceed the utmoft limits of credibility ; it is, how- ever, certain that thefe favages are poflHTed with raa- ny heroic qualities, and bear every fpecies of misfor- tunes with a degree of fortitude which has not been outdone by any of the ancient heroes either of Greece or of Rome. Notwithftandlng thefe afts of feve^ity exercifed by the Indians towards thofe of their own fpeciPs, ■i^ho fall into their hr ds, fome tribes of them have been remarked for tiicir moderation to fuch female prifoners, belonging to the Englifh colonies as have happi^ned tc be taken by them. Women of great beauty havr frequently been carried off by them, and during a narch of three or four hundred miles, through tneir retired forefts, have lain by their fides without receiving any infult, and their chaftity has remained inviolate. Inftances have happened where female captives, who have been pregnant at the time of their being taken, have found the pangs of child- birth come upon them in the midft of folitary woods, and favages their only companions ; yet from thefe, favages •^s they were, have they received every affifi:- ance their fituation would admit of, and been treated with a degree of delicacy and humanity they litt.<: expected. This This i not proc only irth tion with iiig that enjoy the taken gn Indians t has difFu proved of Thofe of grace, women, a who, aftei to die, hoi A heral notice tha expedition which is Iiave loft t fied in the deprived ol fanguinity. The divi «• cafes, w wceived an and having w^ounds, if then clothe ble and refr Whilft th deavor to a< them that as now be cht J^eu", withoi ''e wanting ( of their coiir low of. CARVER'S TRAVas. . ^^^ onl/ inherent 'rife 'X ht'; £""""' """ " proved of pubHcutm,;^^ ""'"■ """'"='-^' "-^ h" -odie hoy » S7- ,:t rpofe. "' ^°"''''"-'' «Hi.ion. are defted o ^enf ^J!' ,» *^ l?« which is about to take IhJ "A r '"''*■■*"""'« liave loft their fons T^h ^t j ''"'^ ''■'""»" *''>» tlen covLVm ^ 'PP? '° '■^"^ received any ; they Whilft ,K • ^* J ""'"' ^'"re Will afford. dJor S r--"'^" ''°'"='*'" "re «==*"g. they eo. Zm,h, "^"r^"^ confolation to the,n , ttey S of Ae°r colnL 1^ ^'™/'"='' atonement for the loii R3 If 198 CARVER'S TRAVELS. H|H| 1 -T^BBtf* >' It?@wl 1 H^^. ^\' ■ ■P ^Bli kn >n i;it to If any men arc fpared, they are commonly given to the widows that have loft their hufbands by the hand of the «nemy, fliould there be any fuch, to whom, if they happen to prove agreeable, they are foon marrieii. But fhould the dame be other wife engaged, the life of him v/ho falls to her lot u great danger ; efpecially if Ihe fancies that her hufband wants a flave in the country of fpints, which he is gone. << When this is the cafe, a nimiber of young men take the devoted captive to fome diftance, and dif- patch him without any ceremony : after he has been fpared by the council, they confider him of too little confequence to be entitled to the torments allotted to thofe who have been judged worthy of them. The womni are ufually diftributed to the men, from whori ":ey do not fail of meeting with a favour- able reception. The boys and girls are taken into the families of fuch as have need of them, and are confidered as flaves i and it is not uncommon that they are fold in the fame capacity to the European traders who come among them. The Indians have no idea of moderating the rav- ages of war, by fparing their prifoners and entering into a negociation with the band from whom they have been taken, for an exchange. All that are cap- tivated by both parties, ai-e either pxit to death, adopt- ed, or mad'" Aaves of. And tu. j>;uti. ►lar are e vnr nation in this refpedt, that if .-• • i , -r tribe, „..a a warrior, fhould be taken pmuiier, and by chance be received into the houfe of grace, either as an adopt- «d perfon or a flave, and fhould afterwards make his efcape, they will by no means receive him, or ac- knowledge him as one of their band. i..ic coiiuition Ox iucii as arc adapted, diiters iwi in any one inftanee from the children of the nation to • nich they now belong. They affume all the V^tits of thole whofc places they fupply, and frc- . qucntly CARVER'S TRAVELS. '' ildren, and an>rnK.f„l „r.r T" ^* unnatural European governors of she out nr,f« . J" 'i" peri„tendan> or ™mn,frari« T'SdS, rflt^ ^• have been informed that it was ih, W ', .i"' ' m ffionaries that firft t,U ^ j T'""^ »"'* '^■^"ch .hefe unhappy cattl«t°"l''''. '"""•i-aion of •h>- by fo doinffuur^, .K . f- '«"™ents, and valuable. ^ ^^' "■= '"'^"' *•« 'hey were eo'^'af brr. mltdTiSy'ru^' „1 *f "»«'- ■mich b.-,rb.,rity and blocSd h„. « ? '^ '^"'"" nities of fpreading the^ reS ?' °PP°""- «i- To this mm^ft Th^„ * """"f *'="' '""'•f- ^rchafe f„eh^^.Ti;%L':;^^rwltr '-^ '"'''" •» no. h'o^er f^S'.olhf ""^^ of p^ceeding w«, fohers. 7nfte:rof'bJ„'g '^JlZ' 1 '^"^ ^'"'" ""dty ,:„, bloodftedr h only Snfed ^/'^"'^^ ^..en the Indian nations .o "t^lSre'^l'S'^^^t or fame b„t Ti,; ^ • "' '^""S "° '""«" -^enKe for whSh M,. »^r"-™™' of fpirituous li,„o„! of with alm^ft "'""''' ""^ '0 •« «cl»»g«d? S and carry them off. furprife •ormcnted ad put to d«.th, fiu„ theft ei^i^t of 209 CARVER'S TRAVE]US. of receiving fo valuable a.confideratipn for tUepi have been e?ccited than there ufpally had be§n ; but it does not appear that their accuftomed crviehy to the war- riors they take, is in the leaft abated j their natural 4efire of vengean(;:e muft be gratified ; they now only l?ecorne more affiduous in fec^ripg a greater number of young prifpners, whilft thofe who are made cap- tive in their defence, are tormented and put to death as before. The miffionaries finding, that contrary to their wrfhes, their ze^l had only ferved to increafe the Mc pf the noxious juices, applied to the governor of Canada, in the year i<593, for a prohibition of this |)aneful trade. An order was iffued accordingly, but it could not put a total ftop to it j the French Couri- ers de Bois were hardy enough to carry it on dandef- tinely, notwithftanding the penalty annexed to a breach of the prohibition was a confiderable fine and ^mprifonment. . Some who were deteiled in the profecution of it, ,irithfeeif ifeaiM&saq»t, tJiiey i^ r^aijped their habitual CARVER'S TRAVELS. aoi habitual inclination, the Indians became infenfibly pre- judiced m favor of that people, and I am perfuaded will take every opportunity of flvewing their attache ment to them. And this, even- in defpite of the difgraceful eftima- tion they muft be held by them, fmcc they have been dnvcn out of Canada ; for the Indians conftder everv conquered people as in a ftate of vaflalage to their conquerors. After one nation has finallv fubdued another, and a conditional fubmiffion is agreed on it IS cuftomary fcJr the chiefs of the conquered, when they fit m council with their fubduers, to wear pcttj- ^fh^^J"" ^<^^"fw^edgment that they are in a ftatc of lubjeaion, and ought to be ranked among the wo- men. Their partiality to the French has however taken too deepjroot for time itfelf to eradicate it CHAPTER X Of rmin MANNER of MAKzm PEACE, ^c. A HE wars that are carried on between the Indian nations are in general hereditary, and continue from age to age with a few interruptions. If a peace becomes necelTary, the principal care of both parties is to avoid the appearance of making the firft advances. When they treat with an enemy, relative to a fuf- penfion of hoftilities, the chief who is commiffioned to undertake the negociation, if it is not brought about t)y the mediation of fome neighbouring band, abates nothmg of his natural haughtinefs : even when the af, .«"s or nis country ^re in the worft fituation, he makes no concefllons, Bvt endeavors to perfuade hw adverfarie§ that it is their intereft to put an end'<» the war. " *^ Accidents *02 CARVER'S TRAVELS. Accidents fometimes contribute to bring about a peace . between nations that otherwife could not be prevaile ' on to liften to terms of accommodation. An inrtance of this, which I heard of in almofl: every na- tion I pafl'ed through, I ihall relate. About eighty years ago, the Iroquois and Chipe- ways, two powerful nations, wer& at war with the Ot- tagaumies and Saukies, who were mucji inferior to their adverfaries both in numbers and ftrength. One. winter near a thoufand of the former made an excur- £on from Lake? Ontario, by way of Toronto, toward* the territories of their eneiaies. They coafted L^ke Huron on its eaft and northern borders, till they ar- rived at tl;ie ifland of St. Jofeph, which ; is fitujited in the Straits of St. Marie. There they croffed thefe Straits upon the ice, ^ about 'Bfteen mUes' below the falls, and continued their route ftill weftward. As the ground was Covered withfnow, to prevent a dif- covery of their numbers, they marched in a ilngle file, treading in each others footfteps. Four Chipeway Indians, paffing that way, obferv- edthis army, aad rcadijy ^guefied from the dire«ftion of their march, and the precautions they took, both the coiftitry to which they were haftening, ^nd their •litflgns. Notwithftanding the nation to which they belong- ed was at war with the Ottagaumies, and in alliance with their invaders, yet from a principle which can- not be accounted for, they took an inft^nt refplutibn to apprjfe the former of their danger. To this pur- pofe they haftened away with their ufual celerity, and, faking a circuit to avqid difcovery, arrived at the hunt- ing grounds of ^he Ottagaumies, before fo large a l^pdy, moving in fo cautimis a manner, could da _ - J .-.— -J. .- ... . . ... ............ ;f ^prs, fome of which were Saukies, whom they inform- t^ioi the approach of their eneipi^. The CARVE^R's TRAVELS. 203 .nJhlu^'^' in^ediately colleaed their whole force. ^forth/'^f «» the fteps that where to be tX* with th^r f T^""''- ^' '^'y ""''' encumbered w.th their famihes, it was impomWe that they could rereat mtune; they therefore determined o^ch^[e he moft advantageous fpot, and to give the IroSs the beft reception in their power. ^roquois Not far from the place where they then hannpn/.J tobe,ftood twofmall lakes, betw7e« which ra^^ n^row neck of land about a mile in length „d",,! tTthXr"-^''-'' !."^^ ^" ^^^^^^^- Concluding hat the Iroquois intended to pafs through this defile die united bands divided their little pl-ty „to two m^ of two hundred each. One of thefe^ooL poft the extremity of the pafs that lay neareft to their knting grounds, which they immediately fort fied otA^"^^ work formed of palifades j whilft the '^i h a dehgn to hem their enemies in when they hS entered the defile. . ^ ^ JnuK^Tl^ focceeded ; forno fooner had the tvholeof the Iroquois entered the pafs, than, beiW provided with wood for the purpofe, they formed f lmm^d;f^'';T'f^ ^'''*" perceived their fituation, and K- 7 u^ P"""^"^"^ *° extricate themlblves. Un- hdtf A^^'^V^''' ^^^ J"^ ''^'^ Pl^-^» which had fo fardiflblvedthe ice as to render it immflable ?;Ki yet there Ml remained fuff.ciem to p e3 Them S '•'^'' Pf "St °^^^ • ^^^^ ^'^' o" ^^"> or from mmmmg acros. In this dile„,ma it wa» agr^d ;!li:'l5f,!^!! J."'»-J- !-/--one of theLaft ^oeffeat&'^iVo'Sr ''''^ """ '""^ ^«"*^^^«dea uf^lTi^r"'^'"^ ;^'' ^^^^^^^ ^ith the •ual compofure and unappehenfivenefs of Indians, they 204 LVEPJs TRAVELS. they amufed themfelves three or four days in fifliing. By thiij time the ice being quite diirolved, they made themielves rafts, which they were enabled to do by Ibthe trees that fortunately grew on the fpot, and at- tempted to cf ofs one - fettlements belonging to* " ~ are at prefent in a flat Itltfk di fpii^fi^o ris thefJUf .„^ on eacSHfer, fouthward, agaum the CEerok^ ' laws or Illinois. ' Sometimes the Indians grow tire^ of I war which Oiey have earned on againft fome neM^uring nation for many year, without^ch ibcce^l in ^^ ^ey feek for mediafors i> begin a negociatimi. Thefe bemg obtamed, tJie treaty is thus conduae^ A number of their o^ chiefs, joined by thofe who have accepted the friendly ofEce, fet out Lgether &r he country of the^ enemies ; ftih as a,e cl^ t r P^^ ^'"''^ '"*^Srity. They bear before A^ «Vs lacised badge of fnendfhip were ever treated dif- * * ^peafuliy, li Puifionhn, an '* B&y Company, id peace. WTien tliem to remain Idom commit Kofi' ^xcwrfions to the Eoaahs, Chicka- -'>A' ■ZoS. H^^^'s TflAVELS. $^ refpe^ifuUy, or its rights vIolate(J|- The Indians bc- j%ve that the Grot Spirlt'never fuffers an infra<^ioa is kind to go unpunlflied. he Pipe of Peace, which is termed by |h^H|pcIi jWfitne Calamet, for what reafpa I ^t/^kP^'*'^ about foui;iget loim. The .bowlwHfcs mad marbl^, and the I^m of \t of a lipP^ood,-* curio painted with hieroglyphics in various /colours, adorned with feathersfi»-%f the moft beautifi bVJt it is not in my power to convey an' idea Jlrious tints and pleailng x)rn,aEnents *o£; this cfteemed Indian implement. ^ ^' fery nation has a different metliod of decorating pipes, a{^ they can tell at "firft light to what i it belongs. , treaties, and-gr thefe occafions. The afiiftaijl: or when the chiefs tobacco rrtiixed ing ,care at the ground is ihorougl kept^surni '■» uf^, as an introduftion to all raopy attends the vie of it on rop^|the great bM SH Rentionl at no part of it touclics filled, he takes a coal that led, from a fire which is generally midft of the aflembly, and places it on the tof As fooa as it is fuiHcil^y l^hted, he throws off thd%oal. wie then turns the ftem of it towards the heavens, after this towards the earth, and now hold- ing it horizontally, jtioves ifimfelf round till he has co makn ed g circle ; by the firft «£tion he is fuppofed 'to^Pj^nt It to the .Gj^at Spirit, whofe 4^ is thereby )licated ; by the fecond, to avert any malicious jrpoiltlon q£ the evil fpirits ; and by the third to gain the prote»Stion of the fpirits i^h^iting the aiiv the earth, and the waters.- Havl|g||||||||^ fecured the favor of thofe inviiible fuppofc it agents. SBMMB power tncy is either to forward or i|||||^a the Iflue of their prefcnt deliberations, he preftnts it to. the hered- J* ; w ' ita7 ..ASj CARVER'S TR/wiiLSr- 2^07 l!7n two or three whiffs J en, and then around him upon the groundl ^^ ^ It^ afterwards t>ut in the iSme manner intb the ZtLl "^'^^f'^^^ or ftr.ng,rs, who obi ve ind to all the other chiefs m turn, accordihjt to their l^dation. Dunng this time the peln Iho exe- 2^thjs Wable office holds th'e pipe iTight^t mmmd, as if he feared. to prefs the facred iiu ^ ^°^^ ^^y ^^^ pi-efumeto touch it b who are intrufted with the c„ leac:, approach |j|gj^o^yn or cai?p ^^ZlZ ™^^^^5^^ - approach ||^o^vn or camp' e S .7d"H ^'"^' '^'^ ^5S«ng and d.nc& B|tlM8 tifne the adVerfe party are apprized of their SS 7t' ^'^,«g^^<^Pipe^Peacedi^- mg^themfdves of their wohted endmy, invite thenv ; to the habitation of the Great Chief. Trfd f n^A hem A council is then held j and w&n the fpeeches ftop to the tre^r^he parnted hatchet is buried :« ground as a memorial that all animollties betSen the contending nations have ceafed, ai^d a peicji ' mp'^ce. Among the ruder bands/ fuchas^havflo' ommunicatiori with the Europeans, a war club SinT I cd red IS buried, inftead of.thc hatchet. ' ^ linth^t^^ if '^' every ftipulked article Thefe belts ^»i(j".'. -#'^' V.^^'i^. °( ^^^"5 found on the c&afts out an ^-ig,%nd round like other beads. J3e|f ftrung: 0% #■ 2o8 's TRAVELS. ^^n leather ftrings, and fefVeral of them fewed neatly *'» Together with fine finewy threads, they then compofc what is termed a belt of wampum- ^, ^ The Ihells are generally of tAvo colours, »fome white and others violet s but the latter are lore highly ef- teemed than the former. They are held in as much cftimation by the Indians, as gold, filver, or precious ftones, are by^e Europeans. The belts are compofed of ten, twelve, or a greater nu m^ laf firings, according to the importance o(j^ afiyHpt agitation, or the dignity of the perfofit |t wMlpPit is prefented. On more trifling oqdj^gl^ ftnngs of thefe beads are prerent^Ju|fl||e c^ie^to each other, a a^ ^equently worn ijMMpibout their necks, as a vall^R ornament. ">•' CHAP. XI. OF 7HEIR GAMES. S I hav& before obref€|||| the Indians are grCjUly addifted to gaming, and will^ven ftake, and loffUJIth compofure, all the valuaWes they are pofleff- cd %f. They amufe themfebf^ at fcve^^l . forts of games, but the principal and moft efleemed among ^them is that of the ball, which is pot unlike the Eu- ^ ropean game of tennis. The balls tlicy ufe are rather larger than thofe made life of at tetmis, and are formed of a piece of deer's fkin ; which being moiftened to render it fupple, is ftuffed hard with the hair oF' the fame creature, and fewc^ with its fincws. The ball fcicks, arc about three feet long, at the end of which there is fixed a kfnd of jacket, refembling the palm of the hand, and i'alllionea of thongs eiit from a deer's ikin.> In thefe they CARVER'S TRU.? ELS. 2C9 Ihey catch the ball, ai iJMJrt to a great diftance, , ii lif they are not prevent^d«I^Tome of the Sbyoilte par-^^^^ rtjr, who fly to intercept it. ' ^ This game is generally played by large companies, that fometuTies confift of more than three hundred ' aiid It IS not uncommon for different bands to plau, agamft eaokj^er. "-^ F'^>»j ^^ iPi^^^, ^'""'"S two poles in %e ground' at » lix hundred yards apart, and one of thefe goals 5ng to each party of the combatants. The ball is a^u-eft Ine between the goals : toward^ whicli ejich par y endeavom to ftrike it, and whichfoever fide the gam" '' "'""^' '^''' '"^" ^oal, reckons toward^: The^^are fo exceeding dexterous in this man^ex- Si^ioistthef '' tf ^^t* ^^^"^ - ^'^-«^ direttions by he force of the rackets, without touch- II nn^ T"'''^, 'l"«ng the whole contention ; for they ^^a|got allowed to catch It with their hands. They «|th amazmg velocity in purfuit of each^ther. aMien one is on the point of hurlif g it flfgW difta^j^n antagt,nift overtakes him. tnd by #fud: 'iin W» daflicf down the-balh ^- Afe ' l^. n.,.i^''^ ""/^ ? """'^ vehemenc^that they fie- quently wound each other, and fometimes a hLe is oken ; but notwithftanding thefe accidents there Itrength to affeft them ; nor do any difputes ever happen between the parties. putes ever JJr\'' '"°f^'' S^me alfc^ ufe' among 'them fonf nnf V ; ^"^r^ '' P^'J'^'^ b^'tween two per- ions only.. Each perfon has fix or ei^ht l.>H^.iX.„ S"thf ^ ' Peachltone either in fize o? mape', ex^e^ ^e coln^ «r,« f drangular j two of the fides of whic^x # !je coloured black, and the others white. The^. they, throw^pmtothe air, from whence they mintZ ^ * bowl 21Q CARVER'S TRAVELS. 11* bowl or platter placed ttsdoi^th, and made to fpin round. ,i » ; According as thefe bones prefent the ivhite or black fide upwards they reckon the game -, he that happens t6 have the grcateft number «:urn up of a fimilar ccU our, counts five points ; and forty is the game. « The Winning party keeps his placc,|,jjBd the lofer yields liis to another who is appointed j^p^lae of umpires ; for a whole village is fometi i^ coned in the party, and at times one band ^>iays agaiHf another. « During tl^s play the Indians appear Ic be greatly agitated, at every decifive throw fetPup a hideous (hout. They make a thoufand contortioifs, addreff- ing themfelves^'^'at the fame time to the bones, >d loadMg with imprecations, the evil fpirits that aflift their mccefsful antagonilVs * At this game fome wil.' iofe their apparel,*all the moveables of their cabins, and fometimes even their liberty; notvvithftanding there are no people in the univei^ more, ieaious of the latter thaa the Ullfes are." CHAPTER XII. OF riiETR MARRIAGE CEREMONIES, ^c. L HE liidiacr^-?llow of polygamy, and perfons ©f every rank indulge themfelves in this point. The chiefs in particular have a feraglio, which coniifts of an uncertain number, ufualiy from fix to twelve oi* TV-.r: 1^.3 *'"£ p: many as there is a probability of their being able, with* the chil4ren they may bear, to maintain. It is not unconrjkmon: for an Indian to fliarry two fifters ; fometimes, continence Such as zi their hufb; vior, and continue in lives, excej fome ftranj not admit tion. In t their hufba pleafed to it is knowi receiving h manner as ii that ar^eai latter are r< to thofe of isviu Witii liii The India CARVER'S TRAVELS. jtimcs, if there hacpem to be more, the whole bcr ; and nott»«iiidin£r 'hie /-.. I * civilized nations) JH|,1 "nlo^ hi ! f^^'^'' *° -cateft harmony. ^^ ""'°"' they aUhvc an the '^he younger wives are fubmii^ve HKf elder • ceaiiL thofe h '"' no children, do fud^lS^ial offil «H»r but iKtle from a ftate of fervitude. How- ^they perform every injunftion wi.^h the fir"ateft Heerfuinefs, ,n Ijopes of gaining thereuv the affec have the happinefs of becoming mothers, and he en titled to the refpea attendant on that ftate. fakes To h;^rT/r"'°'' ^°r ''*» ^^"'Jian, although he fakes to himfelf fo many wives, to live in a ftate of contmence .;ith many of th^m for feverai years Such as m. not fo fortunate as to gain the favor nf Z: Ltr^w'^ '''^' '''"^^^- aT;r:'d:nriSh:5 vw, and by thit means to fhare in his cmbrac^ JVM, except tig^ppen to be preftnted by him to fome ftranger Ifi^f, whofe abode among (llfem wS not admit of his entering into a more hLTcmZT. Sed t? ?!?. T^ ^^"' "murmuring, and a^e not diA plealed to the temporary union. But if at any tinie receivrng h,s confent, they are puniflKed in the ikJ manner as if they had been guilty of adultery. ^ whtll?* • *u'* .'"''''• P^«^^le«t among the nations, that ar<^arer|^,lements, as the manners%f^c oLr ^^^ »««*-e conformable in fome points to^thofe of the Euro^, by the intcrcourfrtW Indian nations »«-* ■ BMcripge ceremonies, and 1^ jn tjK 4 la #* 12 CARVER'S TRAVEL^. itihabit the borders if of their divorces. The tribes of C:inada,^malce ufc of the foI^^^Hcu ' Wheh Ji^tf^u ng Indian has ^^Riis inclinations on one of tlfPSBIter fcx, he endeavors to gain her con- icnt, and*# tie fucceeds, it is never known that her ■ parents ever obftruft their union. When every pre- liminary is agreed on, and the day appointeci^ . the friends and acquaintance of. both parties aflemftlc at the houfe or tent of the oldeft relation of the bride- groom, where a feaft is prepared on the occafion. The company who meet to affift at the feftival are fpmetimes very numerous : they dance, they fing, and enter into every other diverfion ufually made ufe of- on any of their pubire rejoicings. When thefe are finifhed, all thofe who attended* merely out of ceremony depart, and the bridegroom^ and bride are left alone with three or four of the neareft and oldeft relations of either fide ; thofe of the bridegroom being men, and thofe of the bride, women. Prefently the bride attended byf*th«tfe few friends, having withdrawn herfelf for the pijwrf ofe, appears at one of ttfc doors of the houfe, and is led to the bride- groom, who ftands ready to receive her. Having now taken their ftation, on a mat placed in the centre of the rqpm, they lay hold' of the extrenuties of a wand, about four feet ItJng, by wiUcL they continue fcparated, whilft the old men pronounce fome fhort harangues fuitable to tlie occafion. The married conple after this make a public decla- ration of the love and regard they enteitairtlfe^ each other, and ftill holding the rod between thej^-dance and fing. When they have finMied this pSft of the ceremony, they break the rod into^as many pieces as iSiereare witrieffes prefent,j||jfe each take a piece, and ;^A ^**b' Vk- The bride is* then reconlWked out of the door at ,c cnt€re<^ wiicre iier young wmpswwons wait to ■mes, there ai CARVER'S TRAVEIS. ^» attend hg||Aer father's houfe ; there the brid. groom is o^P ta feck her, and the marria Je t cMifmnmatcd. Ver« often tht Jif, "}^^'^'^&^^ 's M.r.s houfe .iU m'Thtr ch-,a,TvL"r'Ltt her apparel, which is aU .he fortune L " SauJ pofleffca of, and accompanies her h„rband"o'ws ha"li S "'} '""■?'""« off" Wons to juaify their con- «. The mtncllos whoTere prefent al the ,^r mge, meet on the day requefl«yit the lioufr,.f^^ ijipna the pieces of rod Whichthey had receteA TI t:oTK;'X''''"''''°'^'^-^^"p- or 111 will between the coupe or their relatS ai?^ after a few months they at^ at liberty to mryiaTn When a marriage is thus diflblved, the chXer: wh.ch have been produced from it, are^qually d^id! dbetw^n them; and as children are efteemid a rcafure by the Indians, if the,^mber happem to b^ odd.ihe woman is^wed to t*the bet^efha f Pd dr die woman i^gfev lofcgh this cuftom bgh this cuflom feemi to encourage ficklenefs nd frequent reparations, yet^ there are many of tht Indians who have but one wife, and enjoy wiL lerT W of women P^inraVrnv^brat^talr^^^^^^ Lh .^"?^"'^» "^^cept iu the cafes before men- Si"^^^.\^« -2\ ^^nfi^red as either a violatfl i vtty 1 ttle from each other in their marriage Qeremo- .'"es, there are fbme exceptions. The Ihu^^ms ception ^ have % 2X4 CARVER'S TRAVELS. t»^- have a fmgular method of celebratyBH&.eir marri- ages,, which feems to bear no refenfliffKe to thofe made ufe of by any other nation I pafled through. When orte of tKeir young men has fixed on a young woman he approves of, he difcovers his paffiqn to her parents, who give him an invitation ta corae and live with them in their tent. He accordingly accepts the offer, and by fo doing engages to refide in it for a whole year, in the char- after of a menial fervant. ^During this time he hunts, and brings all the ijWBe he kills to the family ; tcFha B pro' his "daughter and th^^jfildren that miglflflie the con- fequence of their union. This however is only doiH|rl whilft they are young men, and for their firft wjfg, and not repeated like Jacob's fervitudes. When this period is expired, the marriage is folera- llized after the cuftem of J:he country, in tlie follow- ir|g manner : Three or four of the oldeft male rela- tions # tlie bridegrbom, and as many of the bride's, accompany the young couple from their refpedive tents, to an open part in th# centre of the catm). The chiefs and warriopsj being here aflfembled to receive them-, a Paitajpf the latter^are drawn up in two ranks on eadi mm of the t|||||||| teywhich means the fatllcFhas an opportunity of fee- Hwwhether he is «M|» provide for the fupport of * ' th^plt egmom iTOiief and bride immediately on their aruyal. Their principar^iief tjjen acquaints the whole aflembly with the clefign of their meeting, and tells them that the couple before them*, mentioning at the fame ti%^j,.lheir names, are come to avow ptiblrcly their .gMt jlntiOns of living to- gether as man and wife.* He tOTralks the two young people alternately, whetl>^ they defire that the union _j-i ':*m Uk\.tai vvi ^ „ - _ I'UI^ wici* an siiuiuxv voice that the^sBo fo, the warriors fix their arrows^ and difcharge them over the heads of the married pair tJ^ done, the chiefjionounces them man^and The names, are CARVER', Tj|g|§ ^,^ carries her amWft the »r 1, 7 "'^"'' ™"«'- he to his tent. The cerem;^ "'r'""' f "'' 'P^^atots dude the feftival *" "'"''' ™'l<"n, con- te?Z"?ft£ ^° «'■»«> »".o„g the Naudo:et ^.he^areaccorpliftld "^'"'""""^ "^ '^-™»S h*w tliefe cafes bites off .h. * f^ , '^'"^ huAandJo. of punifhfaent was Sd^m V""" "i« """^ Among the Indians as well ns Fnm^^ there are many that devotr U .," ^?" *I^^'°"«» and notwithftanding hSTcoun f^ '^'"k *?#««^re.^ ern writers of the friaS 'f ' ?^'" ^^ ^ 9^0''- wamors^hat are thus diipofed Vw? ^^ 5^°""^ nities £o* gratifying th2™fl^5 ^7'"' °PP^^*^"- lAaU deliribel ^ ''^ " ""*»^^'' ^"§"1^, ' trefs thnf h^ n II P^*°" ^^e has chofen for his mif-- 'iJ ■ "i nWHfieen alrlia m I Wle^ge no fuperi K —-uupruiaauojti,^; except L _ ,^^w ----7 *^V«* ■# 2i6 .1* M rjER's IHAVELS. prehtnfiveof any.c^ieck or control in the accomplifh- ment of his purpofes, if he can find a convenient op- portianity for completift|; them. - ' , ;, ^. As the Indians are alio under no apprehenfion of robbers, or fccret enemies^^ they leave the doors of their tents or huts unfaftencd dur.ng thQ night, as well as iH the day. Two or thr^ hours after funfot, the flaves or old peopfc cover over the fire, that is 'generally burning in themidft of their apartment, with aihes, and retire to their repofe. ' . „, Whilft darknefs thus prevails, and all is quiet, ore , ,oi thefe ions of plaifure, #^rapped up clofely in his •' Wanket, to prevent his being known, will fometimes ent^ the apartment of his^ntepded miftrds. tiavmg 'firft lighted at the fmothergd Bre a fmair^lmter of wood, which anfwers the purpofe of a match, he ap- .proaches the place <(rhere fhe repofes, and gentl^y^l- ^ine away the covering from the head, jogs her tiUflie awakes. If. fhe then rifes up, and blows out die ji„ht,*^ needs no ftirther confirmation that his .oni- -pany i?not difiigreeable j but if; after he has difcov- ered himfelf, ihe hic^s hfir head, and takes no notice <*of him, he might reft aiTured that aay further folio .tations will prove vain, and that it is ncceflky unme- " diately for him to retire. ^ i During his flay ;he conceals the light as much as poSble inthe hollow of his hands, and as the tents or rooms of the Indians are ufually large and capa- / cious, he efcapes without deteftion. It is laid that the young women who admit their lovers on thefe oc- cafions, take great care, by ^nJ/jm^m application to herbs, with the potent effi^^P l^ich tiiey arc ^ell acquainted, to^vchtJ| ffeas of thefe iliic.tf "«rs from ^^com^mmm^ ^^ ^^"^'^ *^^ f'^'"''*, L^«n..^ i..»nJi gnfli^^fey muft forever remain un-j parried. "^ m hildren of the Indians are ^ . ., ^^. .,.. aame of the naothor : aw if a wo^jgW'f'j # CARVER'S 1 RAVELS. 4,7 ries fe^^eral hufbands, and has iflbe by each of' them they are called after her. The reafon they aive T; and to the mother for their corporeal and apparent part^ ,t ,s more rational that they fhould be diftS^ ^1 V?K^ '^^"'"^^ °^ *^^ '^««^> from whom cy Jir : ^^T^*^^^^ ^^^"^^ *^^- bythat of tS ftther, to which a donbt might fometime^ arife wheth! «r they arejuftly entitled. There are fome ceremonies made ufe of bir th« Sea h' l^' ^"P°'"'°" °^ ^^'^ "^"^-' ^^d it-S con! whatther ^^ "^ ^"^'"''" ""^Src^' importance ; but what thefe are I could never learn, through the fecre- cy obferved on the occafion. J only know tha Tt s SLfr" '''" ''''''''" ^"^ p^^^' *^^ ^^^ ' .n^r'''"^^"^'''^^^*^'^*^"^^'^^^^ ^own by them LfcY'^f^ and aperfon cannot recommend s of theW^ t""' '?'"''°^ '^ ^^^ y""»S^^ branch! There is fome difficulty attends an explanation of f^ manner in which the Indians diftinS Xm- SLTr^^ °^'^" Befidesthenamfo tbe'^: here ie" ;;^ 'L'"^ "'^'""/"'^ ^"^ '"^ denomLed. drenr^^ S! *^'¥ ^'^ P^^^°»^l> «ncl which the chil. - dren receive frogj their mother. hasdther'rf ^/l^" d'ft'ng^'fHed by a name tliat ftas cither fome reference to their abilities, or vo the ^:^^'^^'^^ ^f-'"-^ -d thefe are acuir^ k r- ' .r**.'^ *^ '•"^ "gc oi manaybood. Suck ^ W.8„al,zed .hemfel,es either in thtir war «• h«n" ng parto. or are pcrfTefled of fo™ eminent qiTfi. "'■■on, receive . name that ferve. to pe^^g the ■■lame ai8 CARVER'S TRAVELS. fame of thefe actions, or to make their abilities con- fpicuous. Thus the great warrior of the Naudowcflies was named Qttahtongoonilifhcah, tbat is, the Great Fath- er of Snakes j ottah being ia Englifh father, ton- goom great, and Hihcah a fnake. Another chief was called Honahpawjatin, which means a fwift running over the mountains. And when they adopted me a chief among them, they named me Shebaygo', which lignifies a writer, or a perfon that is curious in mak- ing hieroglypfcjcs> as they faw me often writing. cn:\P. xiii. fiF rHEiR RELIGION. I lT is very difficult to attain a perfeft knowledge joi the religious principles of the Indians. Their cere- monies and dojftrines have been fo often ridiculed by the Europeans, that they endeavor to conceal them ; and if after the greateft intimacy, you defire any of them to explain to you theii* fyftem of religion, to pre- vent your ridicule, they hitermix with it many of the tenets they have received of the French miffionaries, fo that it is at laft rendered an unintelligible jargon and nbt to be depended upon. Such as I could difcover among the NaudowefHes ffor they alfo were very referved in this point) I fhall give my readers, without paying any attention to the accounts of others. As the religion of that people from their fituatlon appears to be totally unadulterat- ed with the fuperftitions of the church of Rome, we xliiili cw r „«i: f^^-t(\-rivrtc '\ more perfeft idea of the original tenets and ceremo- nies of the Indians in general, waan from thofe of any nations thiat approach nearer to the fettlemejits. It Or CAlt\rER»s TRAVELS.. u^ V^er1:fV}^^ ''u^^'''^^^^^^ «°"^ Supreme Bein^. Giver of Life, who prefides over all things Tul Ch.eexvays call this being Manitou, or S ' M ton ; the Naudoweflies, ^Wakon or ToSo ^^^^^^^^ hat IS, the Great Spirit ; and they look up to ht Is T'JrKir^'- ^^°"^ ''^'^ no evil can prre? They alfo beheve in a bad fpirit, to whom t^iey af mbe great power, and fuppofe that through hsmea„: all tne evils which befall mankind are infliS To hat he would either avert their troubles, or mod emf them when they are no longer avoidable. Hiey fay that the Great Spirit, who is iniJnitelv good neither wifhes or is able to do any mi^^Wef o on them all the bleflmgs they deferve j whereas th^ l^r^TlZmt'f''''^^'''''^ - contrive" W fie nsay punifli the hmnan rice i and to do- whth i,T They hold alfo that there are good fpiritsTa Uer degree, who have their particular depTrtment^ iJ which they are confhntly contributingfo the h 'J fs of mortals Thefe they fuppofe i pref de over lot I f''^^°':^'"^^>' Produaions of nature, fuch as thofe lakes, mers, or mountains that are of an „n common magnitude j and likewife the beafts, ^ X /hes and even vegetables, or ftones that exceed tt reft of then- fpecies m fize or fing,alarity. To all of thefe they pay fome kind of adoration Thn. when they arrive on the borders of LakTsuper or or the banks of the Maffifippi, or any othe/ereat bn= Md magician, fits by the Datilf J, ■'^°''' P"'^'*> tling in his ears a soadEfillj '"1. "','«'''■ "•«- called a Chichicoue. fnd makL it"* '^>' "«""»• Aat cannot be well defcril^d^ ' d'^greeable, aoife ofthedoftor-r^eft^Zn £r"' f «'"'' '^'* Meve that th'e mXd^iadeuft V„rrr'"^ flis recovery, bv tlivf>,-ti^^ c "'f."^> contributes to ^ ieaft-that it S take off h^'^ '^' ^^'"^'^ ^ ^r fl^all not inercafe the L^fdv Tk^''?' ^^ '^^' ^« lous enough to- LlaLT^? • ^' i^'' '^^^ ^^^ credu- « the return o/a luSv .Lf^^™'^, '^'" "' '''joice H and which fer^eTto iLh 1? "' "',' "'sl" cheer. .iey .ravel during ,r:J|fcVc;TheT^'""^ "'>'■' Notwithftandin? Mr a,i • u !^ nations ^monT2oThet7/r ^S^^^^'that the !ittL« :..• y Z'^otn he refided. obferve ^.ritu W; ^™^Fcoulinevt"dr°'"'='' ^^Mohi *»' lie but a few d^e" to ^7 '"r^^^^ft 'ribe« 'race, of the iLjii^r ■ '« ""nhweft, the IteA P«KUlM female cuftom and thdr divifion, int-0' 222 CARVER'S TR,AVELS. into tribes, carry with them proof fufficient to eftab- liilv this aflertion. The Jefuits and French miffionaries have alTo pre- tended that the Indians had, when they firft travel- led into America, feme notions, though thefe were dark and confufed, of the chriftian inftitution ; that they have been greatly agitated at the fight of a crofs, and given proofs by the impreffions made on them, that tli^y were not entirely unacquainted with the facred myfteries of Chriftianity. I need not fay that thefe are too^ glaring abfurdities to be credited, and could only receive their exiftence from the zeal of thofe fathers, who endeavoured at once to give the l>ublic a better opinion of the fuccefs of their miffions and to add fupport to the caufe they were engaged in. • The Indians appear to be in their religious princi- pies, jude and uninftrufted. The doftrines they hold are few and fimple, and fuch as have been gen- crally imprefled on the human mind, by fome means Gt Other, in the moft ignorant ages. They however have not deviated, as many other uncivilized nations } and too many civilized ones have done, into idolatrous modes of worfhip ; they venerate indeed and make offerings to the woijderful parts of the creation, as I have before obferved } but whether thole rights arc performed on account of the impreffion fuch cxtraor- dinary appearances make on them, or ^whether they confider them as the peculiar charge, or the ufual pUces of residence of the iavifible fpirits they ac- knowledge, I cannot pofitively determine. The human mind in its uncultivated ftate is apt to afcribe the extraordinary occurrences of nature, fiich as earthquakes thunder, or hurricanes, to the interpoCtxon of unfeen be'mm -. the troubles and dif- alters alio that are annexed to a favage life, the ap- prehenfions attendant on a precarious fubfiftencc, and thofe nuniberlefs inconveniences which man in his improved ftate has found means to remedy, are fupr pofed :ient to eftab- lave alTo pre- ;y firft travcl- »h thefe were itution i that CARVER'S TRAVELS. ^^ pofed to proceed from the interpofitfon of evil V„- % tliefavage, confequently, lives TcnnHnii ^'f ' ' fions of their unkind at4ck« ,«i? "''^ apprehen- recourfe to charms to fh. % A'"" '''*^ '^^"^ ^« his prieft, or the powerfuHnfl '^'%?'^°"'« o^ Fear has of courfe a Teatr ^^ '"^ ^«"«0"». gratitude, and ZnfyTl^Z". '"-^'^ ^^^^tions than the wrath of the evf/tZ ? r""-" *° ^^P^^^ting the good beings. ' '" '^ ^^'^'''S the favor J have not been illuminated SfhtL ,^^'°^ "'^^ only candifperfe the cloudrof fi,n a'-^'°"' ^^'^'^ ranee, and they arfas W i ^^Perft.tion and igno- can be that hSZtZnf ''^ ^'"^^ ^^ « people^ CHAP. XIV. ftate is apt > of nature, mes, to the bles and dii- lifc, the ap- Iftence, and man in his xly> are fupr pofed OF 7HEIR DlS£^S£i ^c. . ercifss VZ4 CARVER-'s travels: crcifes they expofe themfelves to from their infancy, before they have fuflicicnt ftrength to fupport thenu But the diforc'er to which they are inoft fubjeft, is the plcurify j for the removal of which they apply their grand remedy and prefervation againft the gen- erality of their complaints, fweating. The manner in which they conftruft their ftovcs for this purpofe is as follows : They fix feveral fmall poles in the ground, the tops of which they twift to- gether, fo as tP' form a rotunda': this frame they cov- er with ikins or blankets j and- they lay them on with fo much nicety, that ihe air is kept from enter- ing through any crevice ; a fmall fpace being only left, juft fufficient to creep in at, which is immedi- V- ately after clofed. In the middle of this confined building they place red hot ftones, on which they pour water till a fteam arifes that produces a great degree of heat. This caufes an inftantaneous perfpiration, which they increafe as they pleafe. Having continued in it for fome time, they inimediately haften to the^neareft ftream, and plunge into the water ; and, after bathing therein for about half a minute, they put on their clothes, lit down and fmoke with great compofurC; thoroughly perfuaded that the remedy will prove effi- cacious. They oftea make ufe of this fudoriferous method to refrefh themfelves, or to prepare their minds for the management of any bufinefs that ro quires uncommon deliberation and fagacj«:y. f5i » • They af€ likcwife affli^ed with the dropfy and pa- ralytic complaints, which, however, are but very fel- dom known among them. As a remedy for thefe, a» well as for fevers, they make ufe of lotions and de- *o£^ionf t c&inDQfed. cf hsrbsi which the nh.v&c'.im know perfectly well how to compound and apply. But they never truft to medicines albjae ; they always have reeourfe like wife to fdme fuperftitious ceremo = *- : " nies, CARVER'S TRAVELS. 22 «-vl-»tTa*^««'iriO njes. without which their pntients would not think .1,, ph^cal preparations fuiEciently powerful "" f tTi:ufe.t?.rt^ ^^^ w ..me than m.ght be expcfted'^from their n,o<£ otplS „„^!'!l,"l° ?'" "'. ' '■"»'«' "'"■':•» thofe reptiles an nually fted, they will alfo extraft fplimers It ;. f moifture remaining in it. ^'^ • It has long been a fubjea of difpute, on what con originated in America, but the literary conteft ft iJltl! mms undecided; to give fome eluciSon ta tlf ihall remark, that as I could not difcover tl e leafV races among the Naudoweffies, with- whom I refi^d to':-;-/.^tornr„-i-i.S^ SSt "thaTtl''"*^ °' '■"^•' cerStd et; iSS gr„r7hr lithTrf' ^°«'p>™d »f » viote 5: "."*'> w"h all Its alarminff fiTmntn-. • *>-■•- -- - uneafy. 2tS CARVER'S TRAVELS. uneafy, for he would engage that by the following ]\\ . .» next pang would put an end to her exfi '"^ ^^" il^e^L^ '''"''"' ^^'^ accidentally paffed hv \Yr *^^ groans >t the unhappy fufferer and jl ^* edfrom whence they proceeded R.-' f^"'""" quainted with the def^ra?rc,>r„rnV ^"'"S made ac- cafe ftiP *«u ,k • ""P*^*^^*^ circumilance attend n a the ed fn r !u ^' '"^^^"^^"^^ that if fhe might be perm Ihefurgeon that had attended and th^ » • 'fho was then nreft-nf K. • . » ^"" t"e nadwue P'^^er^ing their^atlem Tf T'" "^ '"^^^ ^«P^ ^^ edto m.L r patient, the Indian woman was allow- jtlffht nvp.. fJ,r ' r , -^**-'"ti, aiici bound it ituHestL rnfr ^'^ ,^ ^"^o^t'OJ^ ; and from the gJesthat confequently eiifucd, ifee Wi|s in a fe^ ' feconds 228 CARVER'S TRAVELS. feconds delivered. The moment this was achieved, and time enough to prevent any fatal efFeA, the handkerchief was token ofF. The long fufFering pa- tient thus happily relieved from her pains, foon after perfeftly recovered, to the aftoniflxment of all thofe ■who had been witnefs to herdefperate fituation. The reafon given by the Indian for this haaardous method of proceeding was, that defperate diforders re- quire defperate remedies j that as Ihe obferved the exertions of nature were not fufficiently forcible to effect the defired confequence, Ihe thought it neceTary to augment their force, which could only be done by fome mode that was violent in the extreme. CHAP. XV. 0^ THM MANNER IN WHICH THEY T^EAT THEIR DEAD. An Indian meets death when it approaches him in his hut,, with the fame refolution he has often faced him in the field. His indifi'erence relative to this important article, which is the fource of fo many I .apprehenfions to almoft every other nation, is truly :admirable. When his fate is pronounced by the phyfi- cian, and it remains no longer uncertain, he harangues thofe about him with the greateft compofure. I If he is a chief and has a family, he makes a kind of funeral oration, which he concludes by giving to hisl children fuch advice for the regulation of their conj his friends, and iffues out orders for the preparation of a feaft, which is defigned to regale thofe of his tnbej that can corhe to inronouncc his culogium. I CARVER'S TRAVFJ^S. 229 HEY 7^EAr After the breath is departed, the body is drcfTed in the fame attire it ufually wore whiift living, his Face is painted, and he is feated in an ereft pofture on a mat or ikin, placed in the middle of the hut, with his weapons by his fide. His relations being feated r«und, each harangues in turn the dcceafed ; and if he has been a great warrior, recounts his heroic ac- tions nearly to the following purport, which in the Indian language is extremely poetical and pleafing : " You ftill fit among us, Brother, your perfon re- tains its ufual refeinblance, and continues fimilar to ours, without any vifible deficiency, except that it has loft the power of adion. But whither is that breath flown, which a few Iiours ago fent up fmokc to the Great Spirit ? Why are thofe lips filent, that lately delivered to us expreflive and pleafing language ? why are thofe feet motionlefs, that a fhort time ago were fleeter than the deer on yonder mountains ? why ufe- lefs hang thofe arms that could climb the talleft tree, or draw the toughefl: bow ? Alas ! every part of that frame which we lately beheld with admiration and wonder, is now become as inanimate as it was three hundred winters j»go. We will not, however, bemoan thee as if thou waft forever loft to us, or that thy name would be buried in oblivion ; thy foul yet lives in the great Country of Spirits, with thofe oi" thy nation that are gone before thee ; and though we are left behind to perpetuate thy fame, we fhall one day join thee. Aftuated by the refpeft we bore thee whiift living, we now come to tender to thee the laft aft of kind- nefs It IS in our power to beftow : that thy body might not lie neglefted on the plain, and become a prey to the beafts of the field, or the fowls of the air, we will take care to. lay it with thofe of thy predeceffors who are gone before thee : hoping at the fame tisrs-. thnt- thy ipirit will feed with their fpirits, and be 'ready to receive ours, when we alio fhall Country of Souls." u arrive at the great In 230 CAR\TIR's TRAVELS. In fbort fpeeches fomewhat fimilar to this does eve- ry chief ipeak the praifes of his departed friend. When they have fo done, if they happen to be a great dif, ,tance from the place of interment, appropriated to their tribe, and the perfon dies during the winter fea- fon, they wrap the body in ikins, and lay it on a high ftage built for this purpofe, or on the branches of a large tree, till the fpring arrives. They then, after the manner defcribed in my Journal, carry it, togeth- er with all thofe, belonging to the fame nation, to the general burial place, where it is interqd with fome othejr ceremonies that I could not difcover. When the Naudoweffies brought their dead for in^ terment to the great cave, I attempted to get an in- fight into the remaining burial rites ; but whether it was on account of the ftench which arofe from fo many bodies, the weather being then hot, or whether they chofe to keep this part of their cuftoms fecret from me, I could not dilcovei- ; I found, however, that they confidered my curioiity as ill timed, and the,ref9re I withdrew. After the interment, the band to which the perfon i>elong8, take care to fix near the place fuch hiero- glyphics as Ihall /hew to future ages his merit and ac- complifbments. If any of thefe people die in the fummer, at a diftance from the burying ground, and they find it impoffible to remove the body before it |)utrefies, they burn the flelh from the bones, preferv,. mg the latter, bury them in the manner defcribed. As the Indians believe that the fouls of the deceaf- cd employ themfelves in the fame manner in the country of fpirlts, as^they did on. earth, that they ac- quire their food by hunting, and have there, alfo, ene- mies to contend with, they take care that they do not enter thofe regions defencelefs and unprovided ; they confeqiiently bijry with them their bow^i their arrowS:; and ^il the other weapons ufed either in hunting or war. As they doubt not but they will likewiie have occafion ll;w^ j^— ^ rmed me, that as the child was fo younr died, and unable to fupport itfelf in the coun- Xfhm 23? CARVER'S TRAVELS. tfy of fpirits, both flie and her hufband had been ap- prehenfive that its fituation would be far from happy ; but no fooner did fhe behold its father depart for the fame place, who not only loved the child with the tenderefl; afFe He peeled the bark fron i tree, near the entrance i of a river, and with woon coal, iiixed with bear's trreafe, their' ufual lubrtitute for ink, made in an un- couth, but expreflive manner, the figure of the town of the Ottagaumies. He then formed to the left a man dreffed in Ikins, by which he intended to reprefenti a Naudoweffie, with a line drawn from his mouth tol that of a deer, the fymbol of the Chipeways. Afterl this he depiaured dill further to the left a canoe asl proceeding up the river, in whicji he placed a maiJ fittinc with a hat on ; this figure was defigned td reprelent an Englifliman, or mylelf, and my I'renchj man was drawn with a handkerchief tied round hi^ head, and rowing the canoe ; to thefe he added fevj cral other fignificant embi-- ns, among which thd Pipe of Peace appeared painted on the prow of thd canoe. l xt j I The meaning he intended to convey to the Maudoj weflies, and which I doubt not appeared perfedUl intelligible to them, was, that one of the Chipewaj chiefs had received a fpeech from fome Naudowdij chiefs, at the town of the Ottagaumies, defirmg hnj to condua the Englifliman, who had lately b' en amoni them, up the Chipeway river j and that they thereDl rennired. that the Chipeway, notwithftanding he vaj an'avowed enemy, flionld not be moieitea uy iu.j on his paflage, as he had the care of a perfon who* they cfteemed as one of their nation. CARVER'S TRAVEtS. J41 .anefi, andwhfchlmLfft'' blazon .w,h great ex. cri bu'. I never el'^StrvX" '"■"""'■''" .Uem than ,hc fymboU alr^dydX.M """"« A aor. VOCABULARY .. he Ch.pewat W GT 4Gli. A'. £. This people do not make u.- A V .;f'<:/o/ Aj BOVE Abandon Admirable Afterwards All Always Amifs Arrive Axe Afhes Affift B Ball Bag, or tobacco pouch Barrel Beat Bear a Bear, a young one Beaver Beaver's fkin Be, or to be ileard * "^^^^h, Becaufe Believe w Spitnink i*ackiton Pilanvah Mipidacb Kokali NapitcH, '^okouchtn '^gacwet Pitigoe (^ofpetaiugan O1V utonugan Pakkite Mackuvah Makon ■^piminique 'M if chiton Metvinch Tilerimah »e ccnfonants, F^ or y. »v 242 CARVIJR's T]^AVBl§. Bplly , Black Mj/hwiout Mariaute Blood Mi/kow Bpdy .n) Bottle Shijhfgfl Brother Neconnis Brandy or Rum ^Seuttaivawbah Bread Pabattpj'igan Breccli M'tfcoufm Breeches Kipokiiie Koufaff Buck Canoe Wq/ketch' Cheman CaU Te/henekatv Oiemanx) Chief, a Carry Petou Child, or Children Bobelo/hin Coat Capoteiuian Cold, I am 'Keka/cb Come on Moppa Come to 'Pemotcha Comrade Neechee Concerned Tallemiffi Com Melomin Covering, or a W^ffllwst.. JJTaivbeivwn Country Endawlawkeen Courage ' ^agwawmi/JU Cup D Olfltvgf^,, Dance Nemeb Dart Shefiikwc Die, to Mp Di& Mackoan Dog Alim Dead Neepo Devil, or evil Spirit Matcho'ManitQu Dog, a little one AUtnm M.t X^^bftj CARVEU»s TRAVELS. 243 Done, it is done Doubtlefs Drefs the kettle Drink Drunken Duck E Earth Eat Each Englifh ■' Enough Ai^ Equal, or alike Efteem Eyes F ?aft i^-ll Far off ' Fat Friend Father Few, or little Fatigued Field fown Fire jfire, to ftrikc Find Fifh Fork Formerly Fort FtjrwarJ French Freeze, to^ Freezes hard -tv Si>ia& '' hI Tojhlton "'"'^ m Ontdatouhah ^s Pdi^tbah ^^^1 \ Minikwah •>-~^ ' '1^1 »" Ouifquiha' 1^1 Chickhip ; A ' nBI Aukwin , Oivi/jlirte ta| Papegik sH^^^^I Skgdumjb Mimiiic ' ■9^^^H Tanubifcouh ft-' 'H^^^l Natupetelitnd'ur ^^1 Wijkinhhie IB Waliehic u Ponkiftn Watfaiu '^^^1 Pimmitee Bw^^^^^l Niconnis m Noofah '^^^^1 Maungis ^I^^^^^H TaukwiJ/i mH Kittegaumic '^ ^HJ^^^^I Scutta ^^^1 Scutecke i^^H Naniounaviavi ''l^^^^l Kickon '.ifl^H Naffa^vok'uyot '-"'^ '^^l Pirn.vcgo i^^H Wakaivm — • -'t'** i^**»*v l^MHH Nechtegoojb fli KiJUn ^m Kiffin Magat wM Full 244 CARVER'S TRAVELS. } Full Fufee or Gun G God, or the Great Spirit Go by water Girl Give Glafs, a mirror Good Good for nothing Govern Ger.tral, or Command er in Chief Grapes Great Cireedy Guts H Hare Heart ^ . , , Hate Half Hair, human Hair of bcafts TIandlome Have Head Heavsn *Ierb icre Hidden Home Jlonor Hot •r* iiuw How many Hunt Moujkimt Kitchi Man'itou Pimmifcaiv Jeckivajftti Millanu Waivbemo Cawlatch Malatal Tibarimnw Kitchi Okimanv Simauganifh Shoamin Manatou Sawfanvkyji Olawbi/b Waivpoos Michenjuah Shingaurimaw Nawbal Liju Peival Camgininne Tandaulanu Oujlecouan Speminkaknvin Maje/k Aconda Kemouch Entayent Mackaivalaw Akejhotta 1 uivne Taivnemi/ik Kev)ajpi Hut^ CARVEfe's TRAVELS. % Hut, or Houie I Tndians front Ifland immediately Indian corn v Intirely Impoftor It might be fo K Kettle King, or chief Keq) &iife Knife that Is crooked Know L Laugh lAzy Lame Leave LctttT Life Love Long fincc Land Carriage Lofe Lie down Little M Meat Much Man March, to go ■ W'ig'Waum IJhinawbab Pe*wa%uhick Minis Webatch Mtttaivmin Nanvpitsh Mawlaivti/Jie Tawneendo Aciikons ' Oiemcfw J Gamverimaw ..-,[ Meckomm Cootawgon Thickiremaw ' Kitchigawmir^ Patvpi Kittimi Kikeia:e Pockiten Maivfignaugan • ' Nowfjimowin oaukte * Shaivfifia - Cappafaw^OH ■ Packilaugae"' J IVeipemaiu Nibii/aiv Allijfithpe Pimmo'j^e WesHvin . .. A ^^ . 1 ,i • ■■t W 2 Medlcifitf CARVER'S TRAVELS. • »t Medicine Mcrchandife ' Moon Mortar to pound in Male Miftrefs N Needle Near Nation Never Night No Nc^c Nothing Not yet Not ai all Nought, good foi* ") nothing J, Old ; Otter Other U? , : ;t0^1.n.''»' Part, what pai^" "*' Powder, gun on d^tift Peace, to mat^. Phiy '^^^■' ■ Proper Prcfentiy ' Peninfub O Quick itegar4 K Majkikk Alokochigon Debicot Poutawgon , Nape Neremoujin ShanvbonH^ Penvitch Irisiee Cawiikaw Debtcot Kanv Kahego Kanvmlfcbi Kaguta> Ma/at at Kaunuejhine Nikkik . Coutaci Poagan 7awnapee Packeigo Pingo Pecacotiche TCaiulaimia 8ait>fega WM^ebatch ^Rlinniffin Kegotcb 'liii. M CARVER'S TRAVELS. Red Refolre Reladon Refpeft Rain Robe River Run> to S Sad OSll Sack, or Bag Sea, or large Lake Shoes Ship, or large Canoe Sorry Spirit Spoon Star Steal Stockings Strong Sturgeon Sun Sword Surprifing Since Shirt Slave Sleep Sit down T Teefcb 1*hat There Mtfconx) ^tbelindon ^awwetnaw TatvbatumicM Kimmewan Ockolaw Sippitn i*itcheb9t Pemrfcatji/ Mq/kimot ■^gankitchigatvmink Maukiffin Kitcht Lheman Nifcottijfte Manitou ■ Miekwon Alank Kemautin M'tttaui Majbkaunuab Lanumack Kiju Simaugan £twah, Etnvah Watvbemo Mapedoh Papawl wean Wackan Nippee Mintepin Mntaundak "TibffH T Maiubah WatfaudeH t.Xi 14^ ^Al^k^ tHil^^liv This Truly Together Tbbaccc Tongue T5r,^ ioo little Too much Thiink ym ■ To-ras;»rrow the W WamorS Water War Way Well then \ What is that ? What now ? Whence Where White Who is there ? Wind Winter Woman Wood Wolf Yefterday Yet Young YeUow er Maunaah K'kit Setnau Ofa .'mniangis qffaiHse Megwdtch W'o'wbunk Oufnvaiubunk Semragafifiiitj^ ' ■"Nebkl Mickon TattneenJah ! ^vagonie ? Taunippi Tab ^ Waube ^agonie Maubiti f' Loutin Ptpoun Icknuee Mittic Mawhingon Petchilaiiigo Mmmmcatch WifcotiMJt f^" 1 The NUMBKtCJiB^'" Sir/ /the-^HiPEWil^ i.. '-■■' On? , s44« ■»'■*■■ ""afhili Three CARVER'S TRAVELS. 249 Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten ISieven Twenty Thirty Forty Fifty Sixty Seventy Eighty Ninety Hundred Thoufand Nifou Neau ' , I Nayan Ningout-vcajfou Ninchowaffbu ShongaJJou Mittaujfou MittauJJcu mh'tk Nifichtanuna'w Nijfou Mitto'wnaiu Neau Mittanunanu Naratt Mittanvnaw Ningoutrwajfou Mitt/tivmt'io Ninchonvafou Mittanunnw .' Nijpmaffou Mitiawttaiu Snongajou MiitanuPaix} Mittaujfou Mitta'wna'xu KMittauffou Mittauffou \ Mittaf : Tonge) Mench Eh'wahnteah Otah ' Otenavj Muzah Otak Menuah JEtfaxvboh Meyah jfeefltnaiu Mopiniyahie Shanttapaiu Shanuapanu JVakon O-wah Menah Muzamchupah .Chupah ^Shaiveah Menis ^eah Mfbteemo Otnli/hcaiv JPaahtah WakoH Meneh Wakon jinnee Jllopintayare 2|f ■»-^ T.'^ liJi V Talk k cArX^er's travels. Talk Tree There W Woman Wonderful Water What Who is there ? Wicked Y You Young You are good You are a Spirit You are my g^od friend No Good 0<\x)ehchln Ockanu Dache Wimtokejab Meneh Tanvgp Heyahachta Chee WaJlHah Chee Waken Chee Wajhtah Kitcki'wah Che Heyah Wajhtab The NUMERICAL Terms ofthe Naudowissies. One Two Three Four Fivfc Six Seven IT-ne Ten Eleven T«yenty Thirty Forty- Fifty tiixty Seventy * v't Woncha'w Noompaw Taiuvionee Toboh Sanubutte Shatvco Shanucopee Shahindohin . Neochunganong WegOuhnngaf ong Wegochunganong IVonchato Wegochungi^nong N mpana fVegochunganong Taiumonee iVegochunganong T" h«h We£ ■^umanong Sa*wbuife Weg, : unganong Sha'oico Wegoehun^ nong Shatucopet Eighty Eighty Meoh ace 'fn'ak Xo/ Uit)tmyahle\ 'I 'neghh I will iiee the new j ftiw clipud^. ; piien^eliun P-guide ^; 1 peer! ,.'*■ '" ■ & /it I CARVER'S TRAVELS. Eighty Ninety Hi tdrccl Thoufand - ^S3 l hindohin t (^htmganong Opohng ^^'^''^""S^^ong Opahng. "hic!. they unite ihei,w6iS,h,!u r'"»" '" rf -wlody, Ihouffi, Lr^ ^ "S- '"* '■<""' kind .lions: and-liavc ,,iven asTr '"";'>V'"«g cxped!- [fcrence r,f the idi^omfvm ^S^u.""""-"" ^ "^"1!^ |fe'h:''ew ^'^^"^^^^^y-^m, to K "P""!^ Great w"'-' ™P°"' '"'' *'i»'-ft J!««uide ^- >f iA filty S,"'' "■°™. «gtefc%ient f " ! . T": \ ^: "^'y ''^'k ' > "y ta,t load^aliid. Mi / CHAP. XVin. X i'?n f) I V ^54 'CARVER'S TRAVELS. CHAPTER XVIII. 0/ rHE BEASTS, BIRDS, FISHES, REPTILES, AND INSECTS, H'HICH ARE FOUND IN THE INTERIOR PJRTS OF NORTH AMERICA. O^.^^hefe I Ihall, in the firfl: place, give a cat- alogue, and afterwards a defcription of fuch only as are either prcuUar to this country, or which differ ip fome material point from thpfe that a^e to be met with \xi pther realms,. .OF THE BEASTS. The Tyger, the Bear, Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, the Cat of the Mountain, the Wild Cat, the Bufl^lo, the Deer, the Elk, the Mopfe, the Carrabpu, the Carca- jou, the Skunk, the Porcupine, the Hedge-hog, the Woodchuckj the Racoon, the Martin, the Filher, the Mufquafh, Squirrels, Hares, R.abbits, the Mole, the Weezel, the Moyfe, tl^e Dprmoufc, the Beaver, the Otter, the Mmk, and Bats. - ' . The TYGER. XHc Tyger of America^rdfemMes in flvapC'thofe of Africa arid A^a, but is confiderabl/ fmaller* Nor does it appear to be fo fierce and rav- enous as they are. -TJiC colour of' it is a darkifh fal- low, and it is entirely free from fpots. I fav? one on an ifland in the Chipeway Rjver, of which I had aj very good view, as it was at po great diftance fromj me. It fat upon its hinder parts like a dog; and! did not feem either to be apprehenfive of our approacbJ or to difcover any ravenous inclinations. It is, how-| ever, very feldom to be met with in this part of the world. ,1 The BEAR. Bears are very numerous on tlusi continent, but more particularly fo in the northerr parts! CAkVER»s TRAVELS. 255 puts of it, and contribute to furnifh both fooil and beds for almoft every Indian nation. Thofe of Amer- ica differ in many refpe^s from thofe cither of Greenland or Ruffii, they being not only fomewhat fmaller, but timorous and inoffonfive, unlefs they arc pinched by hunger, or fmarting from a wound. The fight of a man terrrlics them ; an J a dog will put fcvc- ral to flight. They are extremely fond of grapes, ami will climb to the top of the hiaheft trees irt queQ of them. This kind of food renders their flcfh excefll ivelyrich, and finely flavoured ; and it is confequcnt- ly preferred by the Indians and traders to that of any other animal. The fat is very white, and befidcs be- ing fweet and wholefome, is poflefled of one valuable .;ji -.vvivvo, iio» wiii they ever attack a man, except they have accidentally fed on the flefli of thofe flam in battle. When they herd together, as they oHm do m the winter, tfiey make a hideous and ter- '■ rible 2s6 CARVER'S TRAVELS. rible nolfe. In thtfe parts there are two Jcinds j one of which is of a fallow coloujp, tjie other of a' dun, in- clining to a black. The. FOX. There are tvyo forts • of i kjxes in Nori h America, which differ only jn their colour, one being of a reddifh brown, the other of a grey v thofe of the latter kind that are found near the river MilTifippi, are extremely beautiful, their l^air being of a filver DOGS. The dogs employed by the Indians In hunting appear to be all of the fame fpecies ; they carry their esrs ereft, and greatly refemble a wolf about the head. They are exceedingly ufeful to them in their hunting excurfions, and will' attack the.ficr- ceft of the game they are in purfuit of. They are alfo remarkable for their fidelity to their mafters ; but being ill fed by them, are very troublefome in their huts or tents. , The CAT of the Mountain. This creature is in fhape like a cat, only much larger. The hair or fur refcmbles alfo the flcin of that domeftic animal ; the colour, however, diiFers, for the former is of a reddilh or orange caft, but grows lighter near the belly. The whole £kin is beautified with black fpots of dif- ferent figures, of which thofe on the back are long, and thofe on the lower parts round. On the ears there are black ftripes. This creature is nearly as fierce as a leopard, but will feldom altack a man The BUFFALO. This bead, of which there are amazing numbers in thefe parts, is larger than an ox has ihort black horns, with a large beard under his chin, and his head is fo full of hair, that it falls over his eyes, and gives him a frightful look. There is a' bunch on his back which begins at the haunches, unci increafing gradually to the Ihouldcrs, reaches on to the neck. Both this excrefce^ce and its wliole body are cqm ired with long hair, or rather wool, of a dun or moufe colour, which is e^^^^edingly valuable, oipe- ciully CARVER'S TRAVELS. 257 cialljr that on the fore part of the body. Its head is larger than a bull's, xvith a very fhort neck j the breaft IS broad, anc^. the body decreafes towards the buttock?. Hide creatures will run away at the fight of a man, and a whole herd will make off when they perceive a fmgle dog. The fleih of the buffalo is excellent food, Its hide IS extr^ely ufeful, and the hair very ^""^r ^Ji^ manufa^fbare of various articles. 1 he OEER. There is but one fpcies of deer m North America, and thefe are higher and of a flim- in.r make than thofe in Europe. Their fhape is near- ly the fame as the European, their colour of a deep T rh. A ^ '^'r S?''"^' ""^^y ^"'g^ ^"^ branching. This beaft IS the fwifteft on the American plains, and I %"l i^S'ther as they do in other counfries. the ELK greatly exceeds the deer in fize, being in bulk equa to a horfe. Its body is fliaped like thai 0. u deer, only its tail is remarkably Ihort, being not more than three inches long. The colour of its hair which ,s grey, and not unlike that of a camel, but of a more redd.fh caft, is nearly three inctds in length, and as coarfe as that of a horfe. The horns of this' creature grow to a prodigious fr/e, extending fo wide .ha. two or three perfons might fit between them at eer^'b^Vr" 7\^. -^ "^^ forked like diole of ' er^.^ m""' !," '^r T'^' °^ ^'^'''^^' «" the out^ Lk.^ , °^ ^""T *^ ^"""^ ^^ thofe of the elk re- femblea deer 3, the former being flat, and eight or ZdTZ '''"''^* '''^''''' '^' '^"er are round and confiderably narrower. They ihed their horns every Tew o"ne^' "°"'^ f ^'^''''^' ^"^ ^y Auguft th^ new ones are nearly arrived at their full growth. Notwithfundmg their fize, and the means of defence nature hag fumln^^A ^u^-. ^.vi .. _ _ '^^ wticutc as a rl^*.- Tu ":".;'/"":"" ••""' ^""^y "»c »» amorous as well as that of a buck. They feed -n ijrafs in the fummcr, and on mofs or bud«. in .k. ":„ " ^''' '" ^^^ mofs or buds in the winter. X The 258 - CARVER'S TRAVELS. The MOOSE is nearly about the.fize of lue elk, and the horns of it are abnoft as nijinerous as that animal's i the ftem of them, however, is not qyite fo %vicle, and they branch ov both fides like thofe of a deer. This creature alfo flieds thero every year. Though its hinder parts are very tjroad, its tail is not above an inch long. It has feet and legs like a camel ^ its head is about twp feet longi its vjppcr lip, is much larger than the under, and the noftrils' of it are fo wide that a man might thruft his, hand into them a cohfiderabl^ way. The hair.of the. piopfe JsJight grey, mixed with a blackifli red. It is very elaftic, for though it be beaten ever fo long, it will retain its originalihape. The flefh is exceeding good fpp'd, ea- fy of digeflion, and very noyrlihing. The nofe or upper lip, whirh is large and loole. from the gums, is cjftccmed a great delicacy, being of a firm coiijiftence, betwe::n marrow and griille, and when, properly drefTed, affords a rich and lufcious difh. Its hide is very proper for IcatTier, being thick and ftrong, yet foft aud pliable. The pace of this creature is always a trot, v/hich is fo expeditious, that it is exceeded in fwifthefs but -by few of its fellow inJiabitants of thefe woods. . It is generally foun^ in the fjrefls, where it feeds on mofs and buds. Though this creature is of the deer kind, it never herds as thpfe do. Mofl au- thors confound it with the elk, deer or carrabou, but it is a fpecies totally diiTerent, as might be difcovered by attending to the defcription I have given of each. /The CARRABOU. This beaft Is nor near fo tall as the moofe, however,, it.isifomftthi.ug like it in flupe, only rather more heavy, and incliniug to the form ' f an afs. The horns of it arc not fiat ,is thofe of tlw elk are, but round like thoGj^.of the deer; ,they alfo *•«• kAA^ more over the face than either thofe of the elk or moofe. It par,takes of the fwiftnefs of the deer, and is with diiriculVv overtaken by its purfuer*. The flefli of CARVER'S TRAVELS. ..^ ofitilkewife Is equally as good, the tongue particu- larly .s in lugh efteem. The fkin being Looth ^^ ti^'^cYrca cat kin I jV ; -^M ^^'' creature, which Is of thq cat kind, is^a terrible enemy to the preceding four foe- cies of beafts. He either comes upon them from fomJ concealment unperceived, or climbs up into T trS and takmg his ftation on fome of the bnnches' waits' iT'fl l^"'' ^r'"" ^y ^" ^^^^^"^^ °f heat orS takes flidter under ,t ; when he faftens upon his neck and opening the jugular vein, foon brings his prey o the ground. This he Is enabled to do by h L long tail, w,th which he encircles the body of hil ad- verfary ; and the only means the-^ have to^flVun ht" fate ,s by flymg immediately to the water ; L th Ltte" V'' ^^^^^^^"^-^ g'-t diflike to'tS de! r^urpy: '""^""" ^°* "^ '^^^^^«- 1- "n effea im'?JLf H^'T' ™^ '' *^^ "^^^^ extraordinary an- mal that the American woods produce. It is rather lefs than a pole cat, and of the fame fpecles it i^ aierefore often miflakeh for that creature b^i; yj^ J>fferent from it in many points. Its hair k loZ }oLZf ''"n?'^ ''-'''' ^^^Se biack and whkf fl ots the former moftly on the ihouldcrs and rump - Its ta.1 IS very bufhy, like that of the fox, part bhcV and part white hke its body ; it hves cl ie% in the woods and hedges ; but its extraordinary powers ^e only fhewn when it is purfued. As foon ^ he fin^s Sra"ite'"^^f^^^^^ ^ ^-'^ ''^ from an T. Ik ? ^ ''"" f "'^'''' "f ^« ^"^^ile a nature, and at the fame time fo powerful a imell, that the air B tamt.,f with it for half a mile in circmnWce and his purluers, whether n.en nr dc^. u!!:l'^:l^^ .' iuCTocated with the itrnch, are ohlmM \^"''""^ ''"""" theniirriiif r^..fi '«■"> •»re oDiiged to give over defcribc 20''?" a6o CARVER'S TRAVELS.- dcfcrlbe the noifome effefts of the liquid witTi wfiich this creature is fiipplicd by nature for its defence. If a drop of it falls on your clothes, they arc rendered fo difagreeable that it is impoilible ever after to wear them j or if any of it enters your eyelids, the pain be- comes intolerable for a long time,*and perhaps at laft you lofe your fight. The fmell of the ik>.nk, though thus to be dreaded, is not like tha* of a putrid car- cafs, buf a ftrong fcctid effluvia of muflc, which dif- pleafes rather from its penetrating power than from its naufeoufnefe. It is notwithftanding, confidered as conducive to clear the head, and to raifc the fpirits. This water is fuppofed by naturalifts to be its urine j but I have diflefted many of them that I have fhot, and have found within their bodies, neat- the urinal veflel, a fmall receptacle of water, totally diftin£t from the bladder which contained the urine, and from which alone I am fatisfied the horrid ftench proceeds. After having taken out with great care the bag where- in this water is lodged, I have frequently fed on them, and have found them very fweet and good ; but one drop emitted taints not only the carcafs, but the whole houfe, and renders every kind of provifions, that are in it, unfit for ufe. With great juftice therefore do the French give it fuch a diabolical name. The PORCtrPINE. The body of an American porcupine is in bulk about the fize of a fmall dog, but it is both fhortcr in loigth, and not fo high from the ground, k varies very much from thole of other countries both in its {taijpm smd the length of its quills. The former is like that af a fox, except the head, which is not fo Iharp a:^d long, but refembles more that of a rabbit. Its ^ciy is covered with haii of a dark broall give , a concife defmption of it. The beaver is an aiuphibiom quadruped, which cannot live for any long time la the xvater, and it is faid is even able to exift entu-ely without it provided it has the conv^ni- ence of fometimes bathing jtfelf. The largeft beavers are nearly our feet in Jength, and about fourteen or fifteen inches in breadth over the haunches j thqy weigh about fixty pounds. Its head is likr that of fmall, the ears fliort, round, hairy on the Sutfidc, aiKi Wh within, and its teeth very long ^ the und^ et.h ftand out of their mouths about the breadth^ tliree fingers, and the upper half a finger, all of which are broad,^crookal, ftrong, and Oiarp ; befides thofe teeth called the >icifore, which grow double, mm fct very deep in their jaws. :ind bead like, th- -=!^= .t£ ^^. L^!l 1^^ W fixteen grinders, eight on «Si^i«k; below, (iir«Stlv or her. With the.fornier tl appoii each •ifc able to cut down trees 2^ith tlieir i«^t, and laid it on wi^h thdr taik, which they had Ijefore made ufe of to tranfport it to the pUce where it is requifite, iheyconftruiathein with as much, fuiidity and regu- larity ts the ' ttibft experienced >orknc\en could do. The 'formation of their cabins is ,no lefs ,? mazing. Thefeare cither built on pc^es in the middle of the fmall lakes they have thus formed, on the bank of a river, or at the extremity of fqjpe point of land that advances 'into a lake. The figure bf t^em is round or oval, and they are lafhioncd with aii ingenuity c- .qualto thqir dams. Two thirds of the edifice ftand? above the' Water, and this part is fufficiently capacious to C9nta'ln' eight ' or ten inhabitants. Er.ch beaver ;h3sliis place alligned him, the flqor df which he cu- ,>ipufly ftrews vtr^th leaves, or fmair branches of the pine tree^ to as to render it clean and comfortable ) ind their cabins ai:e'aU iituated ib' contiguous to each other, as to allow pf an eafy commuiitcation. The winter never rurprifesthefeafiimiil^ befoi^' tjieir buii- nef? is completed } fof by the" latter end of, Se^tfember their hdules are linifhed, a^d tWeir^ock of provifions is generally laid in, Tbtfe donflft,X)f toll pi^c€l3 of W(X)d whofe texture is fqfl^ lllch^ ^k thh poplar, the afpin, or willow, &c.wiiich'th^ey Say Up-m pite, m *dHpofcofinfuch manner' as to preftrve thcir^moiltr ure. Was I io enumerate e^Qfj inftarceof fagnctty Vk-v:- *-j u„ Aih-ryjered in th oi nvcrs, off it>i? THE Eagl Hawk, the he Hawk, Whippei'wilj, the Night Hawk^ the' F.-fl, the Raven; tlic Crow, the Owl, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I ■ 10 "" 140 US ■■■■ M 2.0 1.25 1.8 U III 1.6 y] <^ /2 % ^1 ^1 -<^ erior to any other fort. The TEAL. 1 have already remarked in my jour- nal, that the teal found on the Fox River and the 'head branches of the Miflifilppi, are perhaps not to be equalled for the fatnefs and delicacy of their flefti by any other in the world. In color, fhape, and liz^ they are very httle difterent from thofe found in other countries. , ' The LOON is a water fowl, fomewhat. lefs than a teal, and is a fpecies of the dobcbtrk. Its wings are lliort, and it£ legs and feet large -oportion to the body J the color of it is a dar.. own, nearly ap- proaching to black ; and as it feeds only on fifh, the flefli of it is very ill flavoured. Thefe birds are exceed- ,ingly nunbic and expert at diving, fo that it is almofl inqpofilble fol- one perfon to ilioot them, as they will iie!xt6roufly avoid the fhot by diving before they reach them i fo that it requires three perfons to kill one of them, and this can only be done the moment it raifes its head out of the water as it returns to th6 furface after diving. It however only repays the trouble t^ken to obtain it, by the excellent ffiort it aflfords. •^/ Thc'fARTRlDGE. The^e are three forts of par- ftidges here, the browii, th^ red, and the Hack, the 'firft of ^ which is *Woft eftcemed. Tliey zK all much 'larger' than the European partridges, being ttcarly the ^iiH^ptilka plKaTam^, thekixead andejfis arc alfo CARVER', TRAVELS. j^, the twilight of the evenL ^^ " "'°'"'"S and in when thfy art .^fii; fhot ^* '^"""S the wmta- xnonths. The WOOD PIGEON is irearlv th. r no,TprV;.r, r ^ " fuppofed to make a greater tlJv' ^^^^- •^^^- '^^'^ ^'^'^ '» ^aped nearly like heEiu^pean jay, only that its tail is loLer (>, th. top of Its head s a rr^n- ^.f ki r »""Scr. un the ™ftd or let J„»ra, pTcafui VT''"'' "''^'' » neck behind, and the Sck.fenf r^.^f ">= Jn .« J ^ "^'"S are barred acrofs with black m an elegant manner. Upon the whole thlT bird r^n The WAKON BIRD- a« -v k --^- • ^_ •„ - otparadile. The name they haVe give*! it i«'exn«.r A«v. ior tf , the wafcon bird being in tbei, Imf^m^ m tike 27i CARVER»s TRAVELS. the bird of tlie Great Spirit. It is nearly the fiz: of a fwullow, of a brown color, Ihaded about the nock with a bright green ; the wings are of »i darker brown than the body; its tail is compofcd of four or five feathers, which are three times as long as its body, and which are beautifully fhaJed with green and pur- ple. It carries this fine length of plumage in • the liime manner as a psacock does, but it is not; known wheth- er it ever raifes it into the ere£t polition that birds fometimas do^s. I never faw any of thefe birds in the colonies, but the Naudowefli^ Indiana caught feveval of them when I was in their country, and feemad to treat them as if they were of a iup^rior rank to any other of the feathered race. * The BLACK BIRDi There are three forts of birds in North America that bear this i^ajns ; the firft is • the com;non, oi as it is there termed, the crow bVack bird, which is quite black, and of the fame fize and Ihape of thofe in Europe, bat it has not that mel- ody jn in its notes which they have. In the month of September this fort lly in large flights,- and do great mifchief to the Indian Corn, which is at that time juft ripe. The fecond fort is the red*\ving, which is rather fmaller than the firft fpecies, but like that it is black all over its body, except on the lower rim of the wings, where it is of a fine, bright, full fcarlet. It builds its neft, and chiefly reforts among the fmall buflxes that grow in meadows and low, fvvampy plac- es. ' It whifWes a few notes, but is ncA equal in its fong to the European black bird. The third: fort is of the iiime fize as the latter, and is jet black like that but all the upper part of the wing, juft below the back, is of a fine clear white i as if nature intended to diyerfify the fpecies, and. to atone for the w,ant of a rnciouious pipe uy iii»* i^caut^ oi us piuuii^c j ^^• this alfo is deficient in its mufical powers. The ^)€aks of every, fo^ are of a fujl yellaw, and the ft loales gf each of a rufty ^^k like the European. >4f ' '- _ '^^' CARVER'S 'THAVEIJ3. K3 Tl.e RED BIRD ,s about the fize of n fparrou-, but ^vith a long tail, and is all over of a bright verl mi hon color, I faw many of tUem about the Ottawaw J.akcs, but I could not learn that they Tunc. I alfo ohfer^'cd m fome oUier parts a bird of much the lame make, that was entirely of a fine vellow m WHE'lTiAW is o/the cuckoo. kind, bein. hke that, a fohtary bird, and fcarcely ever feen. In the fummer months it is heard in the groves, where It makes a noife like the filing of a faw, from whkh It receives its name. : ' TheKINGMRDisIikeafwallow, and feems t6' he of the W ipeces as the black martin 6r fwift. I is called the King Bird becaufe it is able to mafter almoft every bird that flies. I have often feen it brin? down a hawk. «» The HUMMING BIRD. This beautiful bir^? which ,s thefmalleft of the feathered inhabitants of the a.r,^is about the third part of the fee of a ^vrm' and IS fhapcd extr'cmcly h'ke it. Its legs, which ar^ about an inch long, api^ear like tWo fmall needled' and Its body is proportionable to them. But its plumi' age exceeds defcription. On its head it has a fmall !f ^ u V'"l'. ^'T^ ^^^^^ » *^^ ^'^""^ of it is red, the belly white, the back, wings, and tail of the fmcft pa e green ; and fmall fpecks of gold are fcatteredf with inexprefiible grace over the whole ; befides this, an almoft imperceptible down foftens the colors, and produces the moft pleafing fhades. With its billj which :s of the fame diminutive fize as the other mrts of Its body, It extrafts from the flowers a moifture which is Its noiinfliment ; over thefe it hovers like a bee, but 2)ever lights on them, moving at the fame time its wings with fuch velocity that the motion of them is imperceptible; notwithftandin? whJ h tl..u ^.u. „ munmmg nolle, trom wh^.nce i"t receives its Wnrer " ejf 274'. CARVER'S TRAVELS. Of ras FISH£S iVHicH are found in the JVateas oh ^ the MismsiPFi. I hnv€ already given a dcfcriptioti of tl^e that are taken in the great lakes^ . . v • , The Sturgponi the Pout or Cat Fifli^ the Pfke, the Carpi and the Chub; The STURGEON. The frefh> >yater ilurgeon is fhaped in iH) other refpcft like thofe taken near the fea, ojxcept in the formation of its head and tail ; which are fafliioned in the fame mtmaer^ but the bo- 6.^ is not (6 angulated,. nor are thare fo many horny fcales about it as- on the latter. Its length is generally about two fect^ and- a- half or three feet long, but in circumference not proportionable, being a flender fiih. The fleHi is exceedingly^ delicate and finely 11a-- voured} I caught fome in the head waters of the riv- er St. Croix that far' exceeded- trout. The manner of taking them is by watching them as they lie undex* the banks in z.\ clear flreami and dartii^g at ihem ^th a fifh-fpear ifor they will not take a bait. There is alib in the Miflifippt, and there are onI)~, another fort than the.fpecies I have- defcribcd-, which is fimilar to it in every re^eft, except th^ the upper jaw extends fourteen or fifteen indies beyond the under; this extenfive jaw, which^s ofa^griftly lubftance, is three inches and a half broad^ andcontinues of that breadtii, fomewhat in the Ihape of an- oar, to the end, which is flat. Thjs flefhiof this ii/h, however, is not to be comparediwith the other fort, and is not fo much efteemed'even by the Indians. ^ The-. CAT FISH. This- fihi is about eighteen inches long ; of a brownilh color, and without Icales. It has a large round head, from whence it receives ifc mi-rtA .y,(v^ tiiCii ~~'^'-- aA.. four fVrong, Iharp horns, about two inches long. Its fins are alfo very bony, and ftrong, and without great care CARVER'S TRAVELS. ^f care will pierce the hands , of thofc .who take them. It jeighs commonly about five or fix pounds ; the «eih of It IS exc.€fl]vcly .^t and lufcjous, and greatly reltmbles that.of an ell in its flavour. The CARP and CHUB ^re muck the fame m ,tiiole m England, and nearly about the fame fizQ. ^i- ■OF SERP^NTH. _The Rattle Snake, 4he Long Black Snake, the Wall or Houfe Adder, the Striped, or Garter Snake, the Water Snake, the HiflingSn^ke, the Green Snake* .the fhorntari Snake, the ,%ckled Sn^ke, the Rinjj ASnake, the Two-headed Snake. The RATfLE SNAKJ^. There appears to be two fpecies of this reptile } one of ,which is com^ monly termed -the Black, and t;he other the YeUowj and of thefc the latter is generally confidered as the ^rgeft; At their full growth they su-e .upwards o£ five fcct long, and the middle part of the body, at which It IS of the greateft bulk, meafures about nine inches round, from that part it gradually decreafes ,both towards the head juid the tail. The jieck is proportiQBably very fmall, and the head broad and deprefletl Thde are of a light brown color, the ins e* the eye red, and all the upper part of the body brot^, n^ixed with a ruddy yellow, and chequered witfi 'mwy regular lines e awaits the approach of his ene- mies, rattling his tail as he (ces or hears them coming on. By this timely , intimation, which heaven feems to^ have provided as a means to ccunteraft the mif- chitj^ this Venomous reptile would otherwife be the perjietrator of, the unwary traveller is apprifed' of his danger^ and has an opportunity of avoiding it. It is how-ever to be obferved, that it never aits offen- fively ^ it neither purines nor flies from any thing that aj^roaches it, but lies in tlie pofition delcribed, rattling his tail, as if reluctant *tp hurt. The tectli with which this fcrpent effe<^ts his poifonous purpo- fes arc not thofe he makes ufe of on ordinjiry oqoa- lions, th«y are only two in, number, very fmall ^id iliarp pointed, and fixed ir> a finewy fubftance that lies near the extremity of the upper jaw, refembling the claws of a cat j at the root of each of thefe, might be extended, £ontra>5J:ed, or entirely hidden, as need requires, are two fmall bladders whio^i nature has fo ,^^A-...a^.i ixm x'.t-- 1%. ifViMt an ^^(tr maide by the teeth, a drop of a grecnifli, poifonous li- quid i enters . the wcmnd, and taints with its deftruc- tive quality the wlu)le mafs of blop4f JLn a;:noment :.:.i the CARVER'S TRAVELS. 277. the unfortunate viftim of its wrath feels a chilly trc mor run through all his frame ; a fwclling immedi- ately beg.ns on the fpot xvhere the teeth had entered, wh.chlpreads by' degrees over the whole body, and produces on every part of the ikin the varielrated hue ofthe inake. The bite of this reptile is mo're or IcCs venomous according to the fcafon of the year m which ,t ,s given. In the dog days, it often proves "mo^flhTT^' -lefpeciallyff tiL wound isTdc among the fmews. fituated in the back part of the- ^LfaW^ 'r'\ 'r ^'^^'^ '^'^^> i^ -tumn, or aim api^ication of proper remedies j and thefe Pro- tlebnake Plantam, an approved antidote to the poi- ever hey are to be met with. There are likewife Its bite. A decoftion is made of the buds or bark of the wlutc aili, taken internally, prevent ks per- n.c.ous eftecb Salt is a newl/ diibovered emfdT and if apphed immediately to the part, or the wound be waflxed w.th brine, a cure might be affizred The fat of the regile alfo rubbed on it, is frequentt foLd to be very eiEcacious. But though the lives of the tXiele, and their liealth in fon.e degree 4ftored r - they annuaUy experience . flight return of the tad: ^1 fymptoms about the time they received the inftl ation However remarkable it may appear, it i cel tam, that though the venom of tliis c^eatui affeas ^^ a greater or lefs degree, all animated naLrf tie JrS;;t^lS!?^°-° ^^-"^e, -that amS:?^' often obferved, and I can confirm the obf™ion that the Rattle Snake is charmed with any Sr^nif oas 278 CARVER'S TRAVELS, ous founds, whether vocal or inftnimental } I have many times fccn them, even when they have been enraged, place thcmfelves in a Ilftening [wfture, and continue immoveably attentive and fulceptible of de- light all the time the mufic has lafted. I ihould have remarked, that when the Rattle Snake bites, it drops its under jaw, and holding the upper jaw ereft, throws itfelf in a curve line> with great force, and as quick a.s lightning, on the objeft of its refentment. In a moment after, it returns again to its dcfenllve pofturc iiaving difengaged its teeth from the wound with great celerity,, by means of the pofition in which it had placed its head when it made the attack. It never extends itfelf to a greater diftance than half its length will reach, and though it fometimes repeats the blow two or three tin ss, it as often returns with a fudden rebound to its former ftate. The Black Rattle Snake differs in no other refpe' »-^^l»^''^'^'"s 'V^ainft confumptions. The LONG BLACK SNAKE. Thefe are alfo of two forts, both of which are exaaiy fimilar in fhape and hze, only the belly of one is a light red, the oth- er a fault blue } all the upper parts of their bodies are black and Icaly. They arc in general fix>m fix to eight feet ni length, and carry their heads, as they crawl along, about a foot and an half from the ground. 1 hey eafily chmb the higheft trees in purfuit of birds andfqmrrds, which are their chief food ; and thefe, a IS raid, they rharm by their looks, and render in- capable of cfcaping from them. Their appearance carries terror with it to thofe who are unacquainted with tucir mability to hurt, but they are pcrfeaiy in- ottcnfive and free from venom. The STRIPED or GARTER SNAKE is exa^- ^Ti ?i?!n'.^«^!,^P*'''" ^°""^ '» o'^^er climates. '<; ^^" .WATER SNAKE is much like the Rut,!e bnake in fhape and fize, but is not end.>vved with t]>c lainf venomous powers, being, quiie harmlefs. The HhSSING SNAKE I havis of the fame fhape as the hwift, but Its color is brown • it i nr^l!; r oppor..e difpoftion, being au'o etL- TZ^ f„ S tlwt thefe hzarJs are mremely brittle, and will break off near the tail as eafily as an icicle. Among the reptiles of North-America, there is a- f|.ec.es of the toad, termed the TREE TOAD »l,ih ;? nearly of the fame Ihape as the comm™ forr It reef ftiTwnr? ^«".^'T'- '' '•' "<■-" ^-1^ of he tr<^ 'to ?j t "T''' ''''" " '■'^'■^"'''^ *^ ^o"o'- .INS£CTS. Para.re,:YTa"rtu5f f l!1 t^ f^SieT'o'-f '«,ef a*^"? -umerou. »d diverged that eCa' f^fcinrdeSp! tioh i82 CARVER'S TRAVELS. tlon of tl-re whole of them would fill a volume ; I Jhall therefore confine myfelf to a few, which I be- lieve are almoll: peculiar to this country ; the Silk Worm, the Tobacco Worm, the Bee, the Lightning 13u£T, the Water Bug, and the Horned Bug. the SILK WORM is nearly the fame as thofe of France and Italy, but will not produce the fame quan- tity of filk. The TOBACCO WORM is a caterpillar of the fize and figure of a filk wor^, it is of a line lea green color, on its rump it has a (ling or horn near a quar- ter of an inch long. The BEES, in America^ principally lodge their honey in the earth to fecure it from the ravages of the bears, who arc remarkably fond of it. Tlie LIGHTNING BUG or FIRE FLY is about the file of a bee, but it is of the beetle kind, having, like that infcft, two pair of wings, flie upper of whicli are of a firm texture, to defend it from danger. When it flies, aiKl the wings are expanded, there is under theie a kind of coat, conftrufted alfo like wings, which is luminous •, and as the infecl: paffes on, caufe^ all the hinder part of its body to appear like a bright fiery coal. Having placed one of them on your hand, the under part only fliines, and throws tlic light on the fpace beneath ; but as foon as it fpreads its upper wings to fly away, the whole body which lies behind them appears illuminated all around. The light it gives is not conftantly of the fame mag- »itude, even, when it flies j but feems to depend on the expanfion or contra£l^on of the himinous coat or wings, and is very different from that emitted in a dark night by dry wood or fomc kinds of fifli, it hav- intr much more the appearance of real fire. They feem to be fenfiblc of the power they are poflefied of, and to know the moft fuitable time for exerting it, as in a vei'y dark night they are much more numer- ous than at any other time. They are only fcen during the CARVER'S TRAVELS. affj the fummcr months of June, July, and Auauft, and then at no other time but in the niglit. Whether irom their color, which is a duflcy brown, they arc not then difcernible, or from their retiring to holes and crevices, I know not,«but they are never to be difcov- eredm the day. They chiefly are feen in low fwampy land, and appear like innumerable tranflent gleams oi light. In dark nights, when there is much light- ning without rain, they feem as if they wiilied either to mutate or aflift the flafhes ; for during the inter- vals, they are uncommonly agile, and cmleavour to throw out every ray they can collea. Notwithftand- mg this effulgent appearance, thefe infects are per- tectly harmlefs, you may permit them to crawl upon your hand, when five or lix, if thev freely exhibit their glow together, will enable you to read almoli the Imallelt print. The WATER BUG is of a brown color, about the hze of a pea, and in ihape nearly oval ; it has* many legs, by means of which it pafTes over the fur- face of the water with fuch incredible fwiftnefs, that It icems to Aide or dart itfelf alorrg. The HORNED BUG, or as it^is fometlmes term^ ed the STAG BEETLE, is of a dulky brown color. nearly approaching to black, about an inch and an half long, and half an inch broad. It has two large horns, which grow on each fide of the head, and meet horizontally, and with thele it pinches very hard • they are branched Hke thofeofa fiag, from whence It receives its name. They fly about in the evening, and prove very troublefome to tliofe who are in the helds at that time. I mufl: not omit that the LO€UaT is a feptennial mlect, as they are only feen, a fniall nr.mhes* c-f flr-- glers excepted, every' feven years, whenVheV infeft thefe parts and the interior colonies in large fwarms and do a great deal of mifchief. The years when tacy tlujs arrive are denominated the locuft years. CHAI^TER a84 CARVER'S TRAVELS. CHAPTER XIX. OS rH£ TREES, SHRUBS, ROOTS, HERBSy FLOWERS, ^c: 1 SHALL here obferve the fame method that I have purfued in the preceding chapter, and having, given a lilt of the trees, &c. which are natives of the interior parts of North America, particularize fuch only as dilFerfroui the produce of other countries, or,, being little known, have not been defcribed. OF TREES. Tlie 0:\k, the Pine Tree, the Maple, the Afli, the Hemlock, the Bafs or White Wood, tlie Cedar, the Elm, the Birch, the Fir, the Locuft Tree, the Poplar, the Wickopic, or Suckwic, the Spruce, the Horn- beam, and the Button Wood Tree. The OAK. There are feveral forts of oaks in thefe parts ; the bhck, the white, the red, the yellow, the grey, the fwamp oak, and the chtfriiut oak ; the five former vary but little m their external appearance, the Ihaps of the leaves, and the color of the bark being To much alike, that they are fcarcely diflinguifh.able ; but the body of the tree, when fawed, difcovers the variation, which chiefly confifts in the color of the wood, they being all very hard, and proper for build- ing. The fwainp oak differs materially from the oth- ers both in the fhape of the leaf, which is fmaller, and in the bark, which is fmoother ; and Ukewife as it grows only in a moift, gravelly foil. L is cfteemed the toughcft of all woods, being lb ixrong,,yet pliable, that it is often made ufe of inftead of whalebone, and is equally ferviceable. The chefnut oak alfo is greats ly different from the others, particularly i^ the fhape ■ ' " ^ ■ ' ■ ■ of CARVER'S TRAVELS. 28,- of the leaf, which much reieinbles that of the cheft- ruit tree, and for this reafon is fo denominated. It IS neither fo ftrong as the former fpecies, nor fo touch as the latter, but is of a nature proper to be fplit into rails for fences, in which ftu: :: 'will endure a conftder- able time. The PINE TREE. That fpecies of the pine tree peculiar to this part of the continent, is the white, thequality of which r need not dcfcribe, as the tim- ber of It is fo well known under the name of deals. It grows here in great plenty, to an amazing height -and fize, ahd yields an excellent turpentint, thou'^h not^ m fuch quantities as thofe in the nqrthern parts of Europe. ; The MAPLE. Of this tree there are two forts, the hard and the foft, both of which yield a lufbious juice, from which the Indians, by boiling, make v^ry good lugar. The lap of the former is much richer and fweeter than the latter, but the foft produces a greater quantity. The wood of the hard maple is ve- ry oeautifully veined and ourled, and when wrought into cabinets, tables, gunftocks, &c. is greatly valued. That of the foft fort differs in its texture, wanting the variegated grain of the hard; it alfo f ows more ilraight and free from branches, and is'more eafily Ipht. It hkewife may be diftinguifhed from the hard, as this grows in meadows andiow lands, that on the Jnlls and uplands. The leaves are ih aped alike,- but thole ot the folt maple are much the largeft, anrf of a deeper green. The ASH. There are feveral forts of this tree in tuefe parts, but that to which I (hM confine mv de- Icr^ption IS the yellow alli, which is only found 'near the head branches of the Mifllfinni, Th;= tr-e -t"-— - to an amazing height, and thV body of k' Tfcf firm and lound, that the French traders who go into that country from Louifiana, to purchafe fiirs, make of them pen.iguays ; this they do by excavating them by 285 CARVER'S TRAVELS. by £re, and when they are completed^ convey in them the produce of their trade to New Orleans, where they find a good market both for their veiTels and cargoes. Tlie wood of this tree greatly rcfeinblcs that of the common afh ; but it might be'diftinguilh- ed from any other tree by its bark ; the rofs or outfidc bark being near eight inches thick, and indented with furrows more than fix inches deep, which make thofc that are arrived to a great bulk appear uncommonly rough J and by this peculiarity they may be readily known. The rind or inflde bark is of the fame thick- nefs as that of other trees, but its color is a fine bright yellow, infomuch that if it is but flightly handled, it will leave a ftain on the fingers, whicScannot eafily be Wafhed away ; and if in the fpring fki peel off the bark, and touch the fap, which then rifes between that and the body of the tree, it will leave fo deep a tinft-are that it will require three or four days to wear it off. Many ufeful qualities belong to this tree, I 4oubt not will be difcovered in time, befides its prov- ing a valuable acquifition to the dyer. The HEMLOCK TREE grows in every part of America, in a greater or Icfs degree. It is an ever- green of a very large growth, and iias leaves fome- what like that of the yew ; it is however quite ufc- lefe, and only an iiicumbrancc to the ground, the wood being of a very coarfe grain, and full of wind-fliakcs crrracks. The BASS or WHITE WOOIJ is a tree of a mid- dling Cze, and the whiteft and fofteft wood that grows ; when quite dry it fwims on the water like a cork ; in the fcttlemen'ts the turners make of it bowls, trenchers, and diihss, which wear fmooth, and will laft a long time ; but when applied to any other pur- pw'ic :z is irii irom durauic. The WICKOPICK orSUCKWIK appears to be a fpecies of the white wood, and is diftinguiflied trom it by a peculiar quality in the bark, which, when pounded, CARVER'S TRAVELS. - 287 pounded, and moiftened with a little water, inftantlv be o^es anutterof theconfxftence and naturfof h ? ^IrJ^r^ ' u' ^"^''"' P'^y '^''' ""o«, and it greatly exceeds p.tch, or any other material ufually fnnro matcThrL^h r ''f "'"' '^'' '^' ^^^^^r cannot pa - etiate through it, and its repelling power abates nnV for a confiderable time i, P"^^ cr aoates not The BUTrON WOOD is a tree of the lar.eft fize, and might be diftinguiflied by its bark wM f 5 iVar TREES. The BUTTER or OIL NTTT a ^ been ™de by any' a^KL i^ "S^i^Te'r more particular in my account of if tk . "'^ in meadows where the foH U T^^ ''^^ S^^^^'^ pmiit, and its leaves relemble thofe of the xvilnnf The nut has a fhell more hke that flZ 7- , ? pe is more fu.rowed, and itrf ei^ a fo much longer and lar^r than a wainu ai^J con' d o?r'r ^"^"^'^'" ^^^^^"^^> which sVcry oily" and of a rich, agreeable flavor. I am perfuadS thll a much purer oil th,n .u„* -.r -,..... . P^"."aaed that ed from this nut: "The^ild^ bXr^"' '' '"'^'^ good purple; and it is faid either ' which darker gathered. It this tree dyes _ . -initsfhade, being ipitcr, according to the month iS varies acco; The £68 CARVER'S TRAVELS. The BEECH NUT. Though this tree grows ex- n£lly Uke that of the lame name in Em-ope, yet it produces nuts equally as good as chcftnuts ; on which bears, martins, fquirrels, partridges, turkies, and many other birds and bcaib feed. The nut is contained, whilft growing, in an outfide cafe, Uke that of a chcll- nut, but not fo prickly ; and the coat of th.e infide IhcU is alfo fmooth like that ; only its form is nearly triangular. Vaii quantities of them lie fcattered a- bout.in the woods, and fupply with food great num- bers of the creatures juft mentioned. The leaves, which are white, continue on the trees during the whole winter. A decoction made of them is a cer- tain and expeditious cure for wounds which arife from burning or fcalding, as veil as a reirorative for thofe members that are nipped by the froft. The PECAN NUT is fomewhat of the walnut kind, but rather fmaller than a walnut, being about ihe fize of a middle acorn, and of an oval form ; the fhell is eafdy cracked, and the kernel fhapcd like that of a walnut. This tree gi-ows ciiietty near the Illinois River. The HICKORY is alfo of the walnut kind, and bears a fruit nearly like that tree. There are feveral forts of them, which vary only in the color of the wood. Being of a very tough nature, the wood is generally ufed for the handles of axes, &c. It is alfo very good fire wood, and as it burns, an excellent fugar difllls from it. FRUn TREES. I need not to obferve that thefe are all the fponta- neous productions of nature, which have never re- teivcd the adViiatages Oi ingiaiimg, tt^nipxaiiuug, ^■^^ manuring. The Vine, the Mulberry Tree, the Crab Apple Tree, the Plum Tree, the Cherry Tree, and the Sweet Gum Tree. Th»? treat num- CARVER'S TRAVELS. 885^ would b^ e ' n^ if Lfr ''"•"'■' ™ '^'='" "f ">'">. ^^^ " equ.1I, if not fupenor, to thofe of that coun- »nd I a,y, anT^o;' In t,;;^^" "' ' t !![""" quantity of filk ,vorms '^' '^""' ""^ rope. ^ °^ ^'™"'' ">^ thofe of Eu- »n o„e fide, and Sn tTe Xfrthe ffl'f 'f ly green, and much fmaller Boi'h llr '' '°!."'- theproduSionsofn,^ ' "'.""""^ ''"''«'='' «■«" The CHERRY TREf" Tf ™™Pr='' '*^'- Jherries in .his cl„n™,,,t?k tLeT'T."' fand cherrv • th^- ^■«r,^ wl "'acf. the red, and the -/rht:e!S--«^"^tnSt. thi.fpla e Th,'';/,,^^" S've ^" ^^^°""t of them in uees which bcnp thL J' ' r^^ ^^^P^' ' 'he gene.,,, ,^^, ^^[^2^7 t'^/l^ ^^ . Se'ffi^'t^trr T\ 4 '" '"^-- '^^= ■ ""ck (o« juft defcribed j .fo tJi« .licbu&es' which 2po CARVER'3 TRAVELS. which bear them appear at a diftancc like folid bodies of red matter. Some people admire this fruit, but they partake of the nature and tafte of aUim, leaving a difagreeablc roughnefs in the throat, and being very aftringent. As I have already defciibcd the fand cherries, which greatly exceed the tviro other forts, both in flavor and fize, I Ihall give no farther Uefcrip- tion of theip. The wood of the blar,fc cherry tree is very ufeful, and works well into cabinet ware. The SWEET GUM TREE or LTQ^TID AMBER (Copalm) is not only extremely common, but it af- tbrds a balm, the virtues of w^hich are infinite. Its bark is black and hard, and its wood fo tender and Aipple, that when the tree is felled, you may draw from Ihe middle of it rods of five or fix feet in length. Ji cannot be employed in building, or furniture, as it warps continually. Its leaf is indented with five points, like a ftar. This balm is reckoned by the In- dians to be an exoellent febrifuge, and it cures rWounds in two or three days. ' SHRUBS. The Willow, Shin " "ood, Shumack, Saflafras, the Prickly Afh, Moofe AVood, Spoon Wood, Large El- der, Dwarf Elder, Poifonous Elder, Juniper, Shrub Oak, Sweet i"em, tine Laurel, the Witch Hazle,the l^IyrtleWa;. Tree, Winter Green, the F eve)- Bulh, the Cranbc.y buih, the Goofeberry Bufli, the Currant Bufli, the Whirtle Berry, the Ralberry, the Black Bcrry,.a^d the Choak Berry, ' i- ■• The WILLOW. There are fevcffai fpecies of the willow, the moft remarkable of .which is a fmall fort that grows on the banks (i£ the Miffifippi, skvdSomc ojJbcr.piaccs aajaceuj;. Xm*^ uarK.;»vx -ixsss mxfiv i-;- plies the btaver witk its winter food. ; and where the water has waflied the foil from its roots, they appe^ir to confift of Jibres interworen f ogether like fchread, ■ . '■- thv CARVER'S TRAVELS. a^i the color of which is of an inexprcffibly fine fcarlet ; with this the Indians tinge many of the ornamental parts of tlicir dr^-fs. SHIN WOOD. This extraordinary -fhrub grows in the forefls, and rifrng like a vine, runs near the ground for fix or eight fccr, and then takes root a- gain ; m the lame manner taking root, and fprina- ing up fuc^effively, one- ftalk covers a larj^e fpacc^; th.s proves very troublcfome to the haHy traveller, by ItriKing agamft iiis fliins, and entangling his lees from which it has acquired its name. The SASSAFRAS is a wood well known for its medicinal qualities. It might with equal propriety be termed a tree as a fhrub, as it fometimes grows thirty feet high; but in general it does not rearh higher than thofc of the fhrub kind. The leaves xvhich yield aft agreeable fragrance, are lar^re, nii.i nearly feparatod into three divilions. It bears a reel- diih brown b^nry, of the fize and ihape of Pimento, ^Kl which 13 fomctimes-ufed m ths colonies as a fub- ftitute for tlia< fpice. The bark or rpots of thii tree, IS inhnitely fupcrior to the wood for its ufe in medi- cine, and I am furprifed it is io feldom to be met with, as its efficacy is fc much greater. The PRICKLY AKH is a ihrub that fometimcs prows to the height of ten or fJtcen feet, and has a leaf cxaaiy relembling that of an aih, but it receives the epithet to its name from tlw abund:mce of fLort thorns with which every branch is covered, and which renders it very troublefome to thofe who pafs through the fpot where they grow thick. It alfo bears a icarlet berry, which, when ripe, has a fiery tafte, like pepper. The bark of this tree, particularly the bark ot the roots, is highly efleemed by the natives for its iuemcinai qualities. 1 have already meationed one mftance of its efficacy, and there is no doubt' but that tae decoftion of it will expi'ditioufly and rad- ' ically remove aU impurities of the blood. . The )2 CARVER'S TRAVELS. The MOfVSE WOOD grows about four feet high, and is very full of branches j but what renders it worth notice, is its baric, which is of fo ftron^ and pliable a texture, that being peeled off at any feafon, and twiftcd, makes equally as good cordage as h^nip. The SPOON WOOD i's a fpecies of the laurel, and the wood when fawed refcmbles box wood. The ELDER, commonly termed the poifonous elder, nearly refenibles the other forts in its leaves anc branches, but it growi much liraighter, and is only found in fwampi and moiil: foi.s. This ihrub is en- dowed with a very extraordinary quality, that renders it poifonous to fome conftitutions, which it affe6ts if the pcrfon only approaches within a few yards of it, whiilc others fTtay ever, chew the leaves or the rind without receiving the leal> detriment from them : the poifon, however, is not mortal, though it ope- rates very violt I'tly on the infeiHred perfon, whofe body and heail iwell to an amazing fize, and arc cov- ered with eiuptions, that at their height rcfemble the confluent fmall pox. As It grows alfo in many of the provinces, the inhabitants cure its venom by drinking faflron tea, and anointing the external parts with a nnixture cofnpofed of cream and marili mallows. The SHRUB OAK is exaftly fimilnr to the oak tree, both in wood and leaves, and like that it bears an acorn, but it never rifes from the ground above four or five feet, growing crooked and knotty. It is found chielly on a dry, gravelly {c'.. The WrrOi . HAZLE grows ver -> . 'iy, abo»r ten feet hi"h, and is covered ear' 'a M.- , with nu- merous white bloflbms. When this ihrub is in bloom, the Indians efteem it a further indication that the froft is entirely gone, and that they might r — »u„: T.. 1 1 r„:j _1 — , .m 'he power of attracting gold or filver, and that twigs of CARVER'S TRAVEL^. 293 of it are made ufe of to difcover where the vein, of hrfe -acta s he hui j but I am apprehenHve that th^ h^^ ' f"'T '^^^T' ^"^ "^^ ^° be depended The MYRTLE WAX TREE is a fhrub abou^ X ai:':Hke ^;^ -— -rtle, but they f.S xnctiy alike. It bears its fruit in bunches, like a nofcgay, nfing from the fame place in variot i alks n, a latle nut, contammg a kernel, which is wholly covered with a gluey fubft^nce. whick being bo d in water, fw.m. on the furr-xce of it, and becomes .kLd of green wax; this is more valuable than bS^, tax being of a more brittle nature, and mixed with 'r . WlN;rER GREEN. This i. an ever rrfcen ' of " ti;e fpec.es of the myrtle, and is found .on dry heaths the flowers of it are white, and in the form of a ro^' are hnooth and round ; theie are p^eferved d r h. the fevere feafb,. by the fnow, and ar. at this tt e Uio higheft perfeaiom The Indians eat theriber wes. ea-ceminLM hem verv half „r,;r ./i • • to thfl {] -n.^^u rrl - oaiiamic, and invigorating- The FEVER BUSH grows about five or fix feet ^:^:l^^ t^^ 'I 'il=« tha? of a lilach, and it b'n.r' l^ZT T'J- "! ^ '^""y "^^""- • '^^^^ ftalks of itare excefhvely brittle. A dccoaion of the biids or wood an e,c^il.ntfebrifugey«nd.fVom this valuabl prop- wjmcdy for ali mflammatpry cott^plaints, «a>d e- ' A a 2 r 294 CARVER'S TRAVELS. wife much efteemed on the fame account, by the in- habitants of the interior parts of the colonies. The CRANJ3ERRY BUSH. Though the fruit of this bufli greatly refembles in lize and appearance that of the common fort which grows on a fmall vine, In morafles, and bogs, yet the bufli runs to the height of ten or twelve feet ; but It is very rarely to be met with. As the meadow cranberry, being of a local growth, and flourifhing only in morafles, cannot be tranfplanted or cultivated, the former, if removed at a proper feaibn, would be a valuable acqulfition to the garden, and- with proper nurture, prove equally as good, if not better. The CHOAK BERRY. The fl^rub thus termed by the natives grows about five or fix feet high, and bears' 'a berry about the lize of a floe, of a jet black, Trhich contains feveral fmall feeds within the pulp. The juice of this fruit, though not of a difagreeable flavor, is extremely tart, and leaves a roughnel's in the mouth and throat when eaten, that has gained it the name of choak berry. ROOTS AND PLANTS. Elecampane, Spikenard, Angelica, Sarfiipanlla, Giniang, Ground Nuts, Wild Potatoes, Liquorice, Snake Root, Gold Thread, Solomon's Seal, Devil's Bit, Blood Root, Onions, Garlick, Wild Parfnips, Mandrakes, Hellebore, White and Black. * SPIKENARD,' vulgarly called in the colonies Petty-Morrel. This plant appears to be exadly the iame as the Afiatic fpikenard, fo much valued by the ancients. It grows near the fides of brooks in rocky places, ana its ftcm, which is about the iize of a goofe quill, fprings up like that of angelica, reach- ing about a foot and a half from the ground. It bears bunches of terries, in all rcfpecfts like thofe of the elder, only rather larger. Thefe are of fuch a balfaoii*; CARVER'S TRAVELS. .^^ balfamic nature, that when Infufed in fplrits, they niakc a moft palatable and reviving cordial ^ SARSAPARILLA. The ro'ot ofthis plant ^uch . the n.oft eftimable part of it, is abou't the fize of a goofe quill, and runs in different direftions twmed and crooked to a great length in the gVound ! from the principal ftem i^ it fprings many fnX; hbres, all of which are tough and flexible. Lorn he root mnnediately fhoots a ftalk about a foot and an ha f long which at the top branches into three ftems each of thefe has three leaves, much of the il.ape and' fize of a walnut leaf ; and from the fork of e^cl of the three ftems grows a bunch of bluifh white flow ers, refemblingthofeof the fpikenard. The bark^f the roots, whu:h alone Ihould be ufed in medic ne is of a bittenfh flavdr but aromatic. It is deiervLdfy 'ef! teemed^for ,ts medicinal yirtues, being a gent e fbdor ific, and yery powerful in attenuating ^heC, when impeded by grofs humors. ^ ' ^" GINSANG is a root that was once fuppofed to grow only in Korea, from whence it was uflfal y ex! ported to Japan and by that means found its wLTo Europe ; but it has been lately difcovered to be alfo a native of North America, where it grows to as g eat perfedlion, and as equally valuable. Its root Jfe I fmall carrot, but not fo taper at the end ; it i W times divided into two or more branches, in all oW refpeas it refembles farfapariUa, in its g owt tZ tafte of the root is bitterifl.. In the eaflern part of Afiait bears a gi-eat price, being there confidered as a SSTr's"' w/" '1 "'"f '' ^'^ inhabitamsTin" 1 dUorders. When chewed it certainly is a great ftre^ngtheneroftheflomach. ^ ^^^ • ^u-^? THREAD. This is a plant of the fmall IZttl^'^'fl ^""^ '; ^--Py places, and lieTot the ground. The roots fpread themfelves juft under haadfuis. They refcmble a large entangled ilcein of thread, 29 <5 CARVER'S travels: thread, of a fine, b»iglit gold color ; and I anvper- fuadcd would yield a beautiful and iKrmancnt yellov/ c|ye. It alfb greatly eft^xMiied both by the Irdiaii-a aiid colonifts, as a remedy for any Ibrenefs in the mouth, but the tafte of it is. exqvUiitely bitter. - SOLOMON'S SEAL is a p^ant that grows on the fides of rivers, and in rich jneadow land. It rifes in the whole to about three feet high, the ftalks being two feetj when the leaves begin to fpread themfelves and, reach a foot further. A part in every root has an irapreffion upon it al/cut the {r/.c of a lixpeucC; which appears as if it was made by a il~al, and fror.i thefe it receives its name. It k greatly valued on account of its. being a fine purifier of the blood* - . devil's bit is another wild plant which grows in the fields, and receives its name iVom a print that feems to be made by teeth in the rootf^. The Itidians fay that this was onr.« an aniverfal remedy for every diforder that is incident to human nature ; but fome of the evil fpirits envying mankind the poffefTion of fo efiicacious a medicine, gave the root a bite, which deprived it of a great part of its virtue. BLOOD ROOT. A I'ort of planta:!n that fprirgs- out of the ground in fk or feven long rough icr.vcs, the veins of which are red } the root of it is like a- faiall carrot, both in color and apjiearance ; wht^n broken, the infide of it is of a deeper color than the outlide, and diitils feveral drops of juice, that look like blood. This is a flrong emetic, but a very dan- gerous one. HERBS. tain .o Balm. Nettles. Ci'T'UP Foil Ev^^hflrrl-it . SAMrrifr r°''''"° »"J Cat Mint. a.Ki on ,'h t''.^ 'V^'""= ''"'r^ ='■"'' f«^ fr<™ knot, ,W f .7""™' ='".'' fome of the ju ce fwallowcd ftl con" t al\rr^r''"^''TseU fy,,,;.:^'!' t- liquor they ; n at tv ',i„, '"'^ '""' "^ '''''""■''-• POOR ROBIN'S PLANTAIN is of ,h. r , gent quality, and becomes beneficial to mankind, for if grated into coid water, and taken internally, it is Jxrir'li -'-''' '^^ ^^P'^'nts of the bowels. ' WILD INDIGO is an herb of the fame fpeci« as that from whence indigo is made in the fouthern col- onies. It grows in one ftalk to the hnght of five of fix mches from the ground, when it divides into manr ^'lilr^ ?"" "^^""'^ '^"" ^ 8'-^''^* ""'"l^er of fmall hard blurfl, kaves that fpreud to a great breadth, and among thefe it bears a vellow flowe^r ; the juice of k hasaverydtfagreeable^cent. ; ^.?t^ ^^^'^ ^"^ ^ voody -rocft, tiiv?ded into fe^l era] branches and ,t fends forth a ftalk abmit three feet high J the leaves are like thofe of the nettle or betony, and they have a ftrong fmdl of mint, with a bitmg acnd tafte; the Bowers grow on the tops of tL Tr '' ^f /'^^ °^- f-"t purple or whiti/l. '^olor. It ,s called cat mmt. becaufe it h faid cats ft«ve an antipathy to it, and will not let it ^row. It has nearly .the virtue of common mint.* ' • FLOWERS. Hearths Eafe, LilUes Ted and yellow. Pond LJIKes, Cowihps, May. Flowers, JdTamine, Honeyfuckle RocfcWy;fticWes, Rofes red and white, vld Ho t lyhock, Wild Pinks, Golden Rod. " "oi I fliall not enter into a minute defcrJptior. of the- flov;ers above recited, but only juft obferJe that they much refemble thofe of the faine name which grow il Europe, and are as beautiful m color, and as perfeft ::uis.?:ittr'^^pp^^-^^-.^^^^-^ ffi.f ^'^r"f ^^'*'^''»^^i«^<^^'t-'^a«>•ft I havtf .<» tbc'«jltivr.»f;that p'lojt publjfl)cd A FJRINACBOUS 30O CARVER'S TRAVELS. FARINACEOUS and LEGUMINOUS ROOTS, ^c. Ma'ze or Indian Corn, Wild Rice, Be;tns, the Squafh, Sec. MAIZE or INDIAN CORN grows from fix to ten feet high, on a ftalk full ofjoints, which is ftiff ami folid, and when green, abounding with a fweet juice. The leaves are like thofe of the reed, about two feet in length, and three or four inches broad. The flowers which are produced at fome diftance from the fruit on the fame plant, grow like tlie ears of oats, and are fometimcs white, yellow, or of a pur- ple color. The feeds are as large as peafe, and like . them quite naked and fmooth, but of a roundilli furface, rather comprefled. One fpike generally con- fifts of about fix hundred grains, which are placed clofely together in rows, to the number of eight or ten, and fnmetimes twelve. This corn is very whole- fome, eafy of digeftion, and yields as good nourifh- ment as any other fort. After the Indians have re- duced it into meal by pounding it, they make cakes of it, and bake them before the fire. I have already mentioned that fome nations eat it in cakes before it is ripe, in which ftate it is very agreeable to the pal- ate, and extremely nutritive. WILD RICE. This grain, which grows in the grcateft plenty throughout the interior parts of North America, is the moft valuable of all the fpon- uneous produdlions of that country. Exclufive of its utility as a fupply of food for thofe of the human fpecies, who inhabit this part of the continent, and obtained without any other trouble than that of gath- ering it in its fwectnefs and nutritious quality, it attral>es may be produced ; whereas, in thofe realms wh.ch are not furnifhcd wkh this bounteous g ft of nature, even if the elimatc is temperate and great haidlhips from the want of an immediate re- ource for neceliluy food. This ufeful gra n Lws m the waer where it is about two feet deep and where it hnds a rich, muddy foil. The ft-dt^nf v and ti^e branches or ears tha't bear th Ldf r femWe oats both m their appearance and manner of Lo W 1 he ftalks are full of joints, and rife more than S feet above the water. The natives gather the a In ;« the following xnanner: Nearly about he Time hat It begms to turn from its millcy Le and to ripeT they run their canoes into the midfl- of .V '""P.'^"* bunches of it together, j„/t beU tc el" wi^' £".'' preferve it till ,1," H„ "i l.^'";- "''f™" "«/ ^e=„ the fubjea of mud^ f^^eutoiLrwly'ihis'fpon" Amcnc., or^m thoie countries fituatcd in the fame parallels 1 3oa .CARVER'S TRAVELS. parallels of latitude, .where the waters arc as apparent- ly adapted for its growth as in the climate I treat of. As for inftance, none of the countries that lie to the Ibuth and eall of the great lakes, even from the prov- inces north of the Carolinas, to the, extremities of Labradore, produce any of this grain. It is true I found great quantities of it in the watered lands near .Detroit, between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, but on inquiry I learned that it never arrived nearer to maturity than juft to hloflbm j after which it appear- ed blighted, and died away. This convinces me that tjie north w?ft wind, as I have before hinted, is much more powerful in thefe than in the interior parts ; and that it is more inirnical to the fruits of the earth, after it has pafled over the. lakes, and become united with the wind which joins it from the frozen regions of the north, than it is further to the weftward. BEANS. Thefe are nearly of the fame fliape as the European beans, ' but ai'e not much larger than the fmalleft llze of theni. They are boiled by the Indians, and eaten chiefly with bear's flefli. The SQUASH. They have alfo feveral fpecies of the M£i.()N or PUMPKIN, which by forae are called fquafhes," and which ferve many nations partly as a fubllitute for bread. Of thefe there is the round, the crane neck, the fmall, flat, and the large ablong fquafh. The fmaller forts being boiled, are eaten during the fummer as vegetables ; and are all of a pleafing flavor. The crane neck, which greatly ex- cels all the others, are ufually hung up for a winter'^ ftore, and in this maijner might be preferved for fe- y.eral months. 1 APPENDIX. likes an ward t( large co are fo fi and oth which I hereaftci dered c( pi, whic ble theii foreign c Nile, th which d convenie country, and veffe they hav( The » from nor fertile an eluding o on the toj nted, whe tants, the '-ii-iiL/iilXl They will fpontaneoi b.icco : an APPENDIX. 303 APPE NDIX. '^-r-^ lAkc I I HE courittks that lie between the ■s and River Mii] ween ynyp'h and from thence great ibuth- warrl t« ^xr A ;;, ":vt'J:"> '«"" rrom thence Ibuth ward to Weft Honda, although in themidftnfl b^e contment, and at a great diLnce fustic 1 are fo fituated, that a cm^munication between them ^jd other rcahn, might conveniently be op ned b^ " eaftrbT; ^'f , ^T"^ °^ coloniesTa? ma^ -leatter be founded or planted therein, will be ren dered commercial ones. The yreat R v^ luffl^r PJ, which rtms through the whfeTf S:em K-' be their mhab>tants to eibblifh an intercourfc St Nile, the Danube, or tiie WoIot do thJf \ tonve„,er>ce for sporting the produce of thdrc™ d SaTonirr'T ""''= °f °">-' '"'-"-•" th«, K, k ^ ''"''''™ • n°t"'thftandinK which ihe Bl/hfipp,, as I have before obfcrved nm. b^cco ; and the more nothern parts, wine, oil, beef, tallow, 304 APPENDIX. Iti tallow, fit Ins, buffalo wool, and furs ; with lead, cop- per, iron, coals, lumber, corn, rice, and fruits, bolides earth and barks for dying. Thefe articles, with wliich it abounds even to pro- fuflon, may be tranfportcd to the ocean through this river without greater difficulty than that which at- tends, the conveyance of merchandifc down fomc of thofe I have }ui\ mentioned. It is true that the MiiTifippi being the boundary between the Englifli and Spanifli fettlcmcnts, and the Spaniards in pol- ieffion of the mouth of it, they may obRru'ill certainly arife to fettlers, are known, inultitudes of adventurers, allured by the profpeft of fuch abun- dant riches^ will flock to it, and eftablilh themfelves, though at the expenfe of rivers of blood. But Ihould the nation that happens to be in pof- feffion of New Orleans prove unfriendly to the inter- nal fettlers, they may hnd : way into the Gulf of Mexico, by the river Ii)ervillc, which empties itfelf from the Miffifippi, after palling through Lalte Mau- repas, into Lake Ponchartrain, which has a commu- nication with the fea, within the borders of Weil Florida. The River Iberville branches off from the. MilUfippi about eighty miles above New Orleans, and though it is at preient choaked up in fome parts, it Blight at an inconflderable cxpenfc be made navi- gable, fo as to aafwer all the purpofes propofcd. Although the Knglifh have acquired fmce the laft peace a more extenllve knowledge of the interior parts than were- ever obtained before, even by the French, yet m. y of their produdlions ftill remain unknown. And though I was not deficient either in alllduity or atten'don during the fhort time I remain-, ed in thcni, vet I mull acknowledge that the intelli- gence I gained was not lb perfedl as I could W'ili, and that it requires further refearches to raake the, world APPENDTX. i^S world ihoroii^c^hly acquainted witli the real valu; of Ihefe long hidden realms. TJie parts of the MifTlftppi, of which no furvey has hitherto been taken, amount to upwards of cudit mndredrndes following the courfe of the ftrcan., that IS from the Illinois to the Ouifconlin Rivers! riansot luch as reach from th>; former to the Gulf ot Mexico, have been delineated by feveral hands, and I have the pleafure to .find that an a^ual furvey of the mtermediate parts of the Misllfippi, between the Ilhnois River and the fea, which the Ohio, Che- rokce, and Ouabache Rivers, taken on rhe fpot by a very mgen.ous Gentleman,*' is now publ./hed. I flatta- myfelr that the obfervations therein contained, which have been made by one whofe knowledge of the parts therein defrribed was acrj^iired by a perfon- trT^^'^'^rtf ^^ ' ^°^'^ J"clgment,\vin con- hrmthfe ".marks I have made, and promote- the nlaa 1 am here recommending- ^ I fliall alfo hei^ give a concife defcrlptloii of each, begmnmg according to the rule of geographers, witl^ that which lies moft to the north, ^ ° ^ ' "^ It is however neceifary to obferve, that before thefo Mements ca« be eftablii],ed, grants muft be pro! cured m the manner cufton.ary on fuch occafion,, and the lands be purchafed of thofe- who have ac! .'renter 'dil;',/° '"n" '^ V^"S poMon , but no greater difficulty w.Jl attend the completion of this pomt, than the original founders of every colony o* aid XTV"'A''^ '°' ^^'^^"'■'^ their intentions * and the number of Vidians who inhabit thcfe trads being greatly inadequate to their extent, it i. not t^ be doubted, but they vnU readily give up for a rea! fonable confideration, territories tha? are of Iktl. S .^- iiicm i o, remove for the accommodation of their B b 2 30(5 APriNDIX. ne\v ncij^lilwrs, to lands at a greater diAancc fronts the Millilippi, the navigation of which is not eflfcn- tial to the welfare of their communititrs. No. r. The country within thcfe lines^ from its fituation is coklcr thnn any (>f the othera } yet lam. convinced that the air is much more ttnnperate thani in thofe jn-ovinccs that He in the Tame degree of lati- tude to the caft oF it. The foil is excellent, and there is a great deal' of land that is free from woods in the parts adjoining to the Miiiiiippi ; whilll on the contrary the north eallcrn borders of it are well M^ooded. Towards the head^ of the River St. Croix, pice grows in gre; t plenty, and tlicre is abundance of- copper. Though the f^lls of .Saint Anthony are iit?iiatcd at the fouth eaft corner of this diviilon, vet rlwt imj:>€djm€Ht v/ill not totally obftrudt the naviga- tion, as tlie Rlver-'St, Croix, wiiich runs through a f.peat p?rt of the Jfouthern (klc of it, enters the Milli- lippi jail below the Falls, and ilows. with fo gentle a current, that it affonls a convenient navigation for boats.. ■ This tract »»■ about one hundred miles from north vfcii to fuuth eaft-, and. one hundred and twea- tyin^iles fixwn north ea/l to fouth weft. .\ ■""^'Ko.' If. Th'S- ttuxCt, us I have aheady defcribed it''m-vfiy Journd, exceeds the highcft encomiums I can give it ; notwlthikinding whicli it is entirely un- inhabited, and the profufion of blefUngs that nature has fhowcred on- thi.> heavenly- fpot, retuni uiienjoy- €d to thclapfron> whence they fpnmg. Lake Te- f)ih,'a5 I have termed it rfter the 'French, lies within thefe bounds j but the lake to whxh that nante prop- *crly belongs, is a little above the' RH'er St. Croix; kowevcr, as aH the traders call the low zr lake by that name;'! have fo denominated it, contrary to the in- ^^^^K rc ;»:^^ r : \ r ^r.\r.^* ■"-•'-■■ V *}yiBg in unequal angles, the dimeniions. of it cannot be exactly gi.ven, but it appears to be on an average dbout' one'hundrecVand teiV laifes Ibn'g, anrf- eighty bi-oad. ■ ••-•"- No.IH. KC froms* ,ot cflen- from its yet I am ■ •ate than) c of lati- lent, and m woods lit on the £rc well k. Croix, bundancc- hony are ilon, yet e navia;a- irough a he Milli- gentle a ition for ile£ front lid twau- defcribed miums I fircly un- it natura luienjoy- jake Pe* ;s. within me prop- i Croix ; e bi'^.that » the in- t cannot 1 average d eigluy No. IH. APPENDIX. 307 No. III. I he greateft part of this divillon is lltr- at.'d on the River Ouifconlln, Tvhich ii navi.aljle for boats about one hun been the fubjec^ of innumerable difquiiitions. Ma- ny efforts likewife have been made by way of Hud- ion's Bay, to penetrate into the Paciiic Occanj though without fuccefs. I fhall aot therefore trouble my- icif iv cjmnierate the advantages that would refult' from this,inuch wifl^ed for tlifcovcry, its utility being already top well known to the commercial world to need any elucidation j. I fbali only confine, myfelf to. the 310 APPENDIX. the methods that nppear moft probable to enfure fuc- cefs to future adventurers. The many attempts that have hitlierto been made for this purpofe, but which have all been rendered- abortive, feem to have turned the fpirit of making ufeful refearches into another channel, and this molt interefting one has almoft been given up as impracli- cable J but, in my opinion, their failure rather pro- ceeds from their being begun at an improper place, than from their impradlicability. All navigators that have hitherto gone in fcarch of this paflage, have firft entered Hudibn's Bay } the confequence of which has been, that having fpent the feafon during which only thofe feas ai-e naviga- ble, in exploringrmany of the numerous inlets lying therein, and this without difcovering any opening, terrified at the ap-^roach of winter, they have haften- ed back for fear of being frozen up, and confequent- ly of being obliged to continue till the return of fum- mer in thofe bleak and dreary realms. Even fuch as have perceived the coafts to enfold themfeives, and who have of courfe entertained hopes of fucceedingi have been deterred from profecutiijg their voyas^' left the winter fhould fet in before they could reach a more temperate climate. Thefe appreheniions have difcouraged the boldeft adventurers from completing the expeditions in which they have engaged, and fruibated every at- tempt. But as it has been clifcovered by fuch as have failed into the northern parts of the Pacific Ocean, that there are many inlets which verge towaitls Hud- fon's Bay, it is not to be doubted but that a paffage might be made out from that quarter, if it be fought for at a proper feafon. And Ihould thefe expe^a- <-!vii3 i,--w uiiap^.-viiiicu, iiic cjipiorcra wouicl iiut uc in the fame hazardous fituation with thofe who fet out from Hudibn's Bay, for they will always be fure of a iafe retreat, through an open fea, to warmer regions, even? APPENDIX 3'« «d:"cf:7ss',af'''"!5- """ "-'^ -- w,.t.oo.„ch c«u4eaio„ 0.^4 ht^:! .c7thl'%™tnlS--„!'r'"« "-= P>- Of inquiry af. n^yfelf and others, in e^d^ L 'S '"7 ?^ ^' ^5^ tinent of Americi t W i. ° l ^^ ^^''°^' ^^^^ <^on- We defigned to have purfued nearlvfi,- r that I did 5 and after haLgZiiTrtfltTl T" pin, to have proceeded up the River q. P- ^ ^^" from tlieace uu a bran^K «f 1 «^ ^^' ^'^""e* and having difcovSidtw 5^^^^ ^^^°^'^> ^^^ of the Weft on X «T /i ^ ^""^S^" °^ R^ver lands thatd^idetlew^t'^ ^""^^^^ °f the h^^iriE?^^--^^^ -.itisf^t^!^-s:t^^^^^^ would fromTheniCeh^'''^'^^"°"^^='^ he gentleman J..Z"±'^.^!^''' ^'? -^^^^''chcs. This tion by Colonei^Wrr rnv'Sr.^! '".k'^' ^'''P^^'" have taken out with him .T^- '^ °^^''"' ^"^ to / on the occafion, and for navigating the latter 3t2 APPENDIX. latter ; In all, not lefs than fifty or fixty men. The grants and other requifltes for this purpofe were even nearly compleated, when the prefent troubles in A- America began,which put a rtop to an enterprife that proinifed to be of inconceivable advantage to the Britifh dominions. {•,„,,!» ,■?»?!«»*! mm men. The e were even | luble 5 in A- erpri fe that ^age to the • -H -I