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n.
NOTES,
ON THE SETTLEMENT AND
INDIAN WARS,
OF THE JVESTEnJf PARTS OF
VIRGINIA 6c PENNSYLVANlAy
fROM THE TEAR 1763 tJNTIL THE
YEAR 1783 IMCtUSIVfi.
TOGETHEa WITH A VIEW,
Cfthe stale of society and manners of the first settle^:
^. of i fie fV^tstem Country,
^^^ »^^^*^>* ^■^■tr ^^^^^4
^'^■^^^^s.m
BY THE REV. DR. JOS. DODDRIDG^J
•*ji^*
■■-^t:
WBLLSnVRGtt, FA.
PKtMTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE GAZETT^^
FOB. THE AUTlIOI(f
1
■0.
I
■a-
: - )
mvnaef oi> iniittKiA, west or tbk AiXBoiixi;^
MOUNTAIN, TO wit:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-
iounh day of May [A, D. 1624 J in (he forty-
eighth year of the Independence of the Uuited
States of America, Joseph Doddriege of ^the
laid district hath deposited in this office the title of
a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor^
in the words following to wit:
*^Notes on the settlement and Indian wars of ihb
Western parts < f Virginia and PennsylTania)
from the year 1763 until the year 1785 inclu-
fire. Together with a view of the state of
fociety, and manners of the grot settlers of
the Western Country. Bv iis Bev. Dr, Jb^
Doddridge.'*
In conformity to the aetof the Congress of thflr
Suited States, entitled *^ An act for the encour-
agement of learning by eeclif ing the copies of maps^
charts and books to the authors ana proprietor||
of sueh ^copies during the times therein menP
lioned." And also to an act ejntitted, **An act
supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the
encouragement of learning by securing the co-
pies of maps, charts and booke» to the author^
And proprietors of such copies faring the-times
therein mentioned, and extending .the benefita
'thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and
etching historical and other prints.^ «
In testimony whereof I Xohn Webster Clerk
•f the said court, have heretot^^t my hand and
affixed the veal of my officie tlK^ite above men-
tioned. * *i*
J. T^flB^iai ClerJk, U. S. distiyt^
•t'j'.,
«
602658
-2 2. ». S5
mmttttmuttmitiikimt.
■"^'itiiri
V,
V ' I N B E> lt« r
• FIBST PART.
1
Chaptgr. Pa«b?'
I. The WilderncM - - «*
II. Antiquities •.- -25
HI. Aborigine* 4^
IV. Weather - - 6^
V. Birds and Beast* 6r
VI. Serpents 76
VI. Wild Fruits 83
VII. Hermit .-.---.-- 9i»
PABTSECONDr ^
VIII. Settlenjent of the Country - - - 9»
IX. House Furniture and Diet - - - 101
|p[. Dress -*..----,-. 113
^I. TheFort - • IIT
XII. Caravans ----...- UCT
XIII. Hunting - 133
.XIV. The Wedding . - ISS^
*XV. House Warming - ' lS4
XVI. Working • - 1^
XVII. MachanicArts UO
XVIII. Medicine 147
XIX. Sports - 165
XX. Witchcraft - - 161
XXI. Moralskiif^ ....... ]67
XXII. SlftVt^PlKyi^ ..... 174
XXIII. CirilizAifWK'^ ! ; « • ^ Iff^
• ■ ■ - . t
PAtLT THIRD.
tXtV, Indian Warfare - - - - - '- 2Q#
XXV. War 1763 - - 21^^
XXVI. D(jrifnoro*B War • - - - - 225
XXVII. The DLath of Cornstalk - - 237
XXVIII. Wappatomica Campaign - - 241
XXIX. Gen. M'Intosh'd Campaign • - 243
XXX. The Moravian Campaign • - 249
XXXI. The Indian Summer - . . i^ 266
XXXII. Crawford's Campaign - - - 268
XXXIII. Attack on Rice's fort - • - 281
ixxiv. Expected attack on niy father's fort 287
XXXV. Coshocton Campaign ^ .1 . . 291
:jcxxvi. Capture of Mrs Brown - - - SH
xxxvit. Lewis W^fsel --.... 2^9
XxxTiii. Adam Pue -...•. soi
;iRxiz The Jofat^aons • • v « . ^ aoi
r-
JA* ELEGY oj>rms
FAMILY VAULT
^^
m
*
iiM
*;
TO 1H£ UEADEU.
After considerable dt^lay, I liavc fulfilled mj en*-
gagemenlto the publick, with reaprct to the his-
tory of the eeltlenjent and wars of the western
f-arls of Virginia and Pernsylvanis. The cause*
(,{ the delay of the work were unavoidable, and »
recital of them can be of no service.
Whether the *'Note8" are well executed, or olh*
rr7;i8e, must be ^eft to the candid decision of my
country, and I am well aware the decision will
speedily be made.
It will be the opinion cfsome readers, (hat I have
bestowed too great a pcrtioti ot the book, on the
primitive aspect of the coun ry, snd ll e his'^cry cf
the state of society and manners ; t' its early ia^
habitants.
My reason, for having bestowed so tnueh atten-
tion on these subi«ct9 is this, these maters of our
cariy History, which, if faithfully presfrved, will
hereafter be highly iotexesting, are fast ' hastenin^^
into obliTk)n, and in a lew tirore years would be
totally lost. On the contrary, the eveiita of tbe
war are muc^ longer remembered.
Had we ft similar history of the early afftte of
any of the £aropeaa countries^ to that wbieh hi
here presented to the world, of our own. Witb
how much interest would this record be read bjr
ftH classee of pe(^le? For iastftBee, had we the
ineiiMrii^s of the peefrfe, who eirected thoAe riid#
monuments which Wfit seettered over our country^
. the record would give m elastic character to everj
lectioD el the oew wori^^ but in ererj re^im Jt
^M,
TO Tins REASEIt.
the world eicept our owd, the commcncenent of
Che period of tneir hi»f cry was long posterior to
that ofibtir settlement; their early history is there*
fore buried in impenetrable oblivion, aud its piece
19- occupied by immense regions of fable and con-
jecture.
To the two first parts of this history, it is pre-
sumed, oo great additions will l>ere&fttr be neces-
sary. Future generations will be competent, to
mark any changes which may take place in the
physical. condition, and in the sci^ntinc and mcr&l
state of our country, fr- m the data here given, and
unquestionably, the changes which are to take
place in all those departntentp, in the progress of
time, will be great indeed.
The history of our Indian wars, is in every res-
pect, quite iniperlf ct. The very limited range of
the war, whicn 1 had in view, in this work, is not
fully executed. The want of health, and in some
instances, the want of proper information, have
prevented the relation of several events which
took place in this section of the country, in the
course of our conflicts with tbe sons of the forest,
Bud which, altho' of minor importance in their fi-
nal result^^ would nevetheless fc>rm an interesting
portion of the history of those conflict?.
The various attacks on Wheeling fbrt, and the
fatal ambuscade near Grave Creek have been omit-
ted, for want of a eorrect account of those eccurren*
ees.
These omisfirons are the less to be regretted a»
Koah Zane Esqr. has professed a determination to
give the publick, tbe biography of bis father €oK
Ebenerer Zane. the first proprietor and defender
•f the important station of Wheeling. This work«
will be no more tbafi ft measare of justice, to tb^
Hiaa
40 THE RIADBR. ^
fenory oft man who held aucb m impovtant tnH
(rilaus stttioo, M that Which fell to (he lot ol Col.
lane, and who tilled that atation with fo much ho-
)r to himself and advantage to our infant coun-
ty, as he did. This biography will cont&in a»
scurate account of all the attack* on Wheel-
)g, as well as all other events of the war wbick
)k place ia its immediate neighbourhood.
A well wnlten liistory of the whole of our
rars with the Indians in the western regions^
rould certainly be a valuable acquiBiiion to our
literature. It would, however, be a work of time
\d considerable labour, as ita materials aro
icattered over a large tract of country aod^ ift
)oirit of time^ extend through half a century.
The whole amount ofour preeent memoriali,
)f 4|]tis widely extended warfare consist merely
)f detached narrations, and these are for the
loat part but badly written. In m%nj instanecff^
Ithey are destitute of historical precision, witk
regard to the order of time, and the successiofi
[of facta, so that they are read ondy as anecdote*^
and of course with but little advantage to a<»»
eace. -^ ^
This work^ deairable, on many accounts. The
bravcryi, vietcirieB and «ufferiAg6 of our forefathers^
ought to be*, correctly end indelibly recorded.
Thos» wl^ have lived, and died for posterity,
ought to be reti^rded with imnerishable fame, m.
the grateful remembraeee ertbeir deseendants^^
The nMH)umefTts« conferred on moral worth, by
the pen of the historian^ are move durable tbaia
those erected by the ehissel of the scud^plor;.
A flseasnre of justice is eertatnfy due to oup
barfaariaB.enemieftthemftcltrea. For wKatever^f
ipgfatem> pnideat . (keeight and arraiigemeot^ thejr
T« Tin RCAOEin
R
chsetr^A in their wars with us, thet ought ij
have full crrdiL For the ftttl emouiit of all thJ
patriotic motives by wbieh thege urfortuMiJ
people vrere actuated in their bloody confliclil
they deserve Owr srnccrest comn)if>eraiion. I
The wars of these people, are not to be rcga?d.|
•das wholly the oflTdpring of a savage thirst fori
blood. They fought for their native country,
They engaged in the terrible war of IT6d, with
a view to recover from the possession of the!
white people, the whole of the wesiern settle*
Dienti.
Their continuance of the war, after the conclu-|
alon of our revolutionary content, had for its object {
the preservation of as nnuch of their country, u
they then had in possession.
On the part of (he most intef Urgent of the Jn*
dian cbiefsj they fought from a motive of re-
▼enge and with a valor inspired by desperation.
They foresaw the loss of their country and the
downfall of their people, and therefore resolved
on vengeance for the past, and the future wrongf
to be infiioted on them.
There is yet another reason for the work.un^
der consideration. The present generation are
witnesses of both the savage and civilized state
of mankind. Both eitremes are under our in-
spection. To future geoeratione, the former will
exist only in history.^ The Indian nations are
now a subjugated people, and every feature of
their former state oi society must soon pass a-
way. They will exist only through the medium
oftheir admixtures with the white people. Such*
has been the fate of many nations. Wheie are
now the Assy^aHs, Chaldeans, & Romans? They
BO longer eiiitj ind yet the English, Fi^nob ani^
TO THE READCIU
^liaos are,' in part detceodanU of the •noient
\m%n8, S^ioh will b.e ihft fate of the aborigioea
lour country. They will perish, or lose their
[tional character and ^aisieoce, b^ adroixtures
ih their conquerors. To posterity therefore
iir history will be highly acceptible. Indeed it
|y bo said of all history, that like good wine it
»ws better by age.
In the execution of this work, I have aimed at
|tb, and nothing but truth. Impartialty, im«
leg no restraint on my pen; for independently
the circumstance, that the contents of this
tory, in general, interfere with no party; I am
[umbered with but few individual obligations,
;ratitude. To ^political panv, religious and
sr communities, I owe no obligations of any
|d; for an^ benifits confered on me, so that
iFe felt fully at liberty, to speak the truth
icern^g all classes of our people, and I trust
ivf,«ie so.
9^ material factSt in the historical parts
^bis^#rk have been ommitted, the omission
hamened from want of information, In-
eot statements, if there be any, have taken
^e, in coQsequenee of improper information,
ithercase, I am not blameable, as I have done
I best my circumstances allowed, in collect*
[materials for the work,
lould my humble attempts, at writing the
^ry of my countir, meet with good ac-
mce among my fellow citizens. I snail
inue tocolle6t,fron(i all quarters, the materials
'le work herein recommended, as a desidei^
in the literature of our country,
aids in (his work, I earnestly invite cooai-
ititftB fr«ift ill tkf le gtatleaoA ffbo, fqjy
* ■
I
Ifi THE Muncc
IMS a knowledge of oceorrencefl vrfaich took pU
fjariog our liuian war, aod not narrtted in
work. I am particularly anxious to obtain (I
history of the eettlements of tht^ Dunkards,
Dunkard Creek^aQd the Dunkard bottom on Cbc
liver.
JOSEPH DODPRIDGUI
WeMwgh,
Jdhe n, 18131;^
m
w^W*'
'.^'■t-Ut',!^
*il|
wars
¥ m « ¥ AG IB.
work by I
ntst^ I have had it Id view
aettl0i&eiit and Indian
f VirpliiiV aiid Penn-
laei^ed to the public:
^^ commencing the
ofvfij inability to eze*
Hitich ]ftb(|ur and difficulty: a
** >tt~ai?^08t histories arci
0p^inal Gompotttion from
' took place when I wfj
?^ b^ the often repeated
whose friendship I esteem^
on I respeoti I concluded
llhefSf f had toiled amon^t
)tiintry in ** turning the wii-
IftlitfuS fields," I wo^d venture to
jMBtla^^ sai^character^ ai an historian of that
tt of the #m which I am best
uai^dvwf whose ^arly luBtory has never yet,
to anv tetent, been committed to record^ iu hajipes
that having saved the principal materials of thi«
history from oblivion^ some abler hand maj here-
after improve upon the work, by givitog it anv en*
largement, different arrangement, or embeUisb*
ment of style, which it may be thought tc require^
Many considerations present themselves to the
generous^ and enlightened mind of the native of
tlie wait; to induce him to regard a work (^ this
A
i^
1>REFACE.
■3^''''
Jcind as a sacred duty to his coiinti|L and his it'
ceslors, on the part of bim i|Koj|jidertiO^^
ccute it, rather than a trial o[f Utin*ary sJkilK & tdfi
fbr literary fame,or a means of piroctirihg gi|in.
Something is certainly di}^ the memory of pur
brave forefathers, who, I'^UPbut littJfe aid ipom
the collonial gov^nments %efbre tbe^reTolutit|p-
ary war, and with still le^ assjatance fi^m tbfilcoiT-
fe deration, after the declaration o^iiidej^^ence,
subdued thefore^by th^per»evering l^b9iu|^,and
defended their infant <»titry by t|»d|%9lu|)^^^^^^^
ond unrequited military^l^vice, e^^f^^i^lto^
derous warfare of their savag^e enemies. ' ,
The extensive catacombs of ancient Oreece, af)4
Palestine, the pyramids of Egyptj^Qsercnlihf ^ude
sepulchral monuments of our ^^n.^country, serve
io shew the sacred regard of g0nj^tions oC|f iliple
«riuquity for the remams of tff^iln^rious
This pious regard foivihe ashejkbf;%nce|b^,'|s^
not without Its useful inBuencepji^the jn^rals^and^
piety of their descendants: l^f Ottered atpne^
onU scu]ptuj«d monument comaiipth» most im^ „
pn asive lessons pfbiograpbyj oemne the^moijiri^^'
ful refnains of 'tb« subjects of those lessons vatpmti
near at hand, when they are pf ^^^n^^^ to us dn
the sepulchres where their ashes re]|||p j^.
Is the memory of ou^ forefathers lih worthy or
historic, or sepulchral cottimemoration ? No peo-
ple on earth, tn similar circumstances, ever acted
more nobly, or ibore bravely than they did: No
people of any country, or age, ever made greater
iacrafices for the benefit of posterity, than those
ivbich were made by the first settlers of the west-
fern regions What people ever left such nobltf
legacies to posterity, as those transnnitted by our
forefathers te thetr dtse^ndfintsf— A wild'ernei^t
:W^
PfiEFACC.
VU
cliangcd ifitix ft Bwtful country, and a governmoDt
llle be^t oiif^rifc. fhey have borne the burden
andheatof ttedayo^ial. They have removed
eve^y obstacle fVomllvmpilh» and^feft every lauda-
ble' object 4)r ambiHvAl^whin our reach.
^Wh^r«t^libfiH Vre^n<5>w^nd the remains of the
valiaritflllbneers of i'u* country, so deserving the
grateful riem^mbranee of their descendants? Mast
many of th#V ^or wlkt of public burying grounds,
were^^uribd pa H(ireti^;^ which their la-
boiir bii#ra#ib€id' fr<Hii' the desert. The land ha?
passed to dther ban da, and the fragile wooden en-
closures, whvch once'suxl^unded their graves havc^
never to be replaced? The
sigbated the precise spot of
sunk to the common level of
- ^-— ,^ instances the earthy coveriog
„ jw b'^ises will, if they have not alrea-
%, brvio&ted wi|^ the plow^share, and the grain
growii^dveftf^i^Lvyill fill the reaper^s sickle or
the j|i%88 the mold's scythe. tJngrateful descen-
la of a B^av6, and'wotthy people, to whom yo»
^ .. . your existence, your country and your liberty,
^iait tbua you treat with utter neglect, the poor re^
ttiains of yottf incestors.^
In how many ihstances has the memory of far
less moral worth, than the amount possessed by
many of the fathers of our western country, occu-
pied the chisselof the sculptor,, the song of the po*
et, and th^ pen of the historian; while the gloomy
shade of impenetrable oblivion is rapidly settling.
over the wholie history, as well as the remains, of
the fathers of our country.
Shoi4d any one say <« no matter what becomes
of th4Jn|ffles,jor remains of these people,'* it is an-*
J"!
1SI1
AUSFA
.*'»-
,^-
totbeealUof'
•wered) if such be your iDienii|
duty, with regard to tbe mtt^Hj
i{ is not likely that your o»i)[S^t^«^ bug}|fc(^]ive
beyood the grif^. VQitfllNydieiiib; b^f.^
will be your alL ^jhoeP p rflp dew^hiqh^l^K .
Irom tbe better, tfce geiij^ropteeliDgs ^timm^Oy
can never be yours; butWusiiJie iveli^^m&^lAfve
of the benefactors of our countr}^, pf^sl^muolcry
as a prodigal offswiinj^^inl^jd^f^^ y^ur |tt|^ot-
ten estatep? No! 1%i8)jpM^
lice to tbe world. Tbey i|^p|> t^ilelLiiQ^^
for others; ^ou on the cql^ary live lor ydureelf
alone: llieir exaippl^|i|fflNo live, boeaiise it is
worthy of imitation; yours on this^^niirtrgr*. 99 In
example of sordid aya^iiM, ought t^j|||M|&ref;|^--
The history of natiobiM ^ V^^'^''^W3^H|klir^
cred amQog all eQlignteneafHiioni^ M
hais oAen ^en puraiied bevoQ£ii|^ej||^^^
bommenoeinent pfv jiUtory hjt into |b^r|pcmat
fable. Among the Gfrei^s the ^t(biMoi<de|s. (^
natiohy and the init^nters of use&pii^ts |nr^
among the godf, and ^l»l&prad^trtilt^ikttnii^ei^^
Viies ofadivineiibaracfer. %
The Romans wiboM origin waa more recent, anC^^
better known were not slow. Ui recording thl^
illustrious deeds o( the foundfirif of tiieir empirei
and bestowing anniversary honors upon ibair fnem.o
The benefits of tbe histories of tbose^ illustriouf
nationa were not confined to themselves alone :-^
Tbey gave light to the world. Ha^ |bey n,ef er e v
isted what i»|. immfqse dedtiction wquIcI |iaye
been made from the litenry world. %hp fabiM^ii^
era would have been drawn nearer to U9 by at leasf^
two thousand years. ^' >
Nationai history if all importaat to aatyand patS
rSEPACE.
IX.
TV-
ribtiam, as it places before us the best examples'
of our forefathers. We seethe wisdom of their
councils^ tfieir perseverance in action, their suf^
ferinj?, their bravery iia war, and the great, and'
UsfefulJresults of their uiilted wisdom and labours.*
l^e see in succession evlry act of the great drama
which led us from infancy to maturity, from war to
peace, and from poverty to wealth, and in propor-
tion as we are interested in the results of this dra-
ma, we value the examples which it furnishes. —
Even the faults which it exhibits are not without^
tlicir use. 4
History gives a classic character to the places^
to which it relates, and confers upon them a roman'
lie value, as scenes of national atchievements. What
would be the vat ue of t^e famous citv of Jerusalem,
wer3 it not for the sacred history of the place? Iv
is a place of no local importance in any respect
whatever. Palestine irself, so tamous in history,,
is but a small tract of country/an^d for the most!
part poor, and hilly. The classic character ef
Greece, and Rome hfasgivep more or less impor**
tamce to almost every mountain^ hill, and ' valley,
lake, and island, which they contain, on account
of their having'been the places of some great af-
chievements,orof their having given birth, to illus*
trious personages;
Classic scenes, as well as classic monuments,
and persons, constitute an impressive part of na-
tional history, and they contribute much to tbe^
patriotism of the nation to which they belong.
If the Greeks should succeed in their- present*
contest with the Turks, their liberty will be
justly attributable, in a great degree to the potent
efficacy of the hisl dry of their ancestors. This;
history may produce another Leonides, Epamiaoa^-
m.:
vkWkcm
t ,
dea. Lycurgufi, Sophocles, Timon, tnd Demoalhe-
ne8| 'o rival the mighty deeds of thehr forefath-
ers, and establish a second time the indepeodence
of their native country.
The bislory of our own country ought to fur-
nish the first lessons of reading for our children, but
unfortunately most of them are too large for
school books. The selections in common use for
schools are mostly foreign productions. They
are good in themselves; but better adapted to ma-
ture age than youth, because the historical facts
to tvhich they allude have reference to times,
places, and persons of which they have no knowl-
edge, and therefore must be read by our children
without an understanding of their contents. This
circumstance retards the progress of the pupil.—
This practice ougbtto be discontinued: our youth
ought first to be presented with the history of their
own country ,and taught to believe it to be of greater
importance to their future welfare,' than that of
any other nation or country whatever.
The notes now presented to the publick, em-
brace no very great extent of our country, nor
do they detail the events of many years, yet the
labour of Collecting, and arranging them was
considerable, as there never existed any printed
records of the greater, number of events herein
related; or if such did exist, they never were with-
in the reach of the author.
The truth is from' the commencement of the
revolutionary war, until its conclusion, this coun-
try and its wars were little thought of by the people
of the Atlantic States, as they had their hands
full of their own share of the war, without attend-
ing to ours. ' Far the greater number of our cam-
4^§igos, scouts, buildings, and defences of (brtii
'fi
MErACC.'
wf
were efiiecM witboat th»Md of a roan, a gun, a
I bullet, or dKarge of powder from the general
goreroiDeot The greater number of our men were
tmany jeariin succession engaged in military ser^^
vice, along bur frontiers, a considerable part of
their time from spring till winter, without an in*
listment by gorenment^or a cent of pay. Their
officers were of their own election. Their ser-
yices were wholly voluntary, and their supplies
while in service were furnished by themseWe s.
Thus owing to our distant situation, and
the heavy pessure of the revolutionary war upon
the general government, the report of the small but
severe, and destructive conflicts which very fre*
^uently took place in this country, was lost in the
thunder of the great battles which occurred along
our Atlantic border; campaigns' begun, and ended
without even a news paper notice; as a printing
press was then unknown in the country.
It was not until a Aer the conclusion of the rev-'
olutionary war, that the general government
nndertook to 6oish the indian war, first by plac«
ing a cordon of spies, and rangers, and forts a<«
long the frontiers, and afterwards by the canr*
paigns of Harmer, St. Clair, and Wayne.
These latter campaigns are matters of history,
and need not be repeated here.
The want of printed documents was not the
only difficulty the author had to contend with:
when be travelled beyond the bounds of his ow<i
memory, he found it extremely difficult to pro-
cure ioforroation from the living, concerning the
events which he wished to relate; in personal in*
terviews with several gentlemen extensively con-
eemed in the events of the war, thev promised
lo faraish the documents required^ b«l thay hati
I^HEFA^.
not been furoiehed, and he soon found tliSt he had
no chance of cbiainibg them but tbi^tfUf writing
thf^m from tlieir verbal narra'tibris.
Ido not intend i&^0 oBserVation es a reflcfctidn
on the integrity of the gentlemen to wJl^in {■
fillude: They: ere men who are not libieral scho-
lars, and therefore not in the habit of writing on
historical subjects, so that haw««er vivid thieilr re-
membrance oflbe transaclioir in question, when
they undertake its narration on paper, they never
can please theoMel Ves, und tber^ore give up the
task for fear of public exposure; not k|)Owitt|[.that
the historian will give the facts narrated by in-
competent scribes, his own. dress and arrange-
ment.
In delihiaiing the manners and'customs of the
e^rly inhabitants of our counrty, the author pre-
sents to Ms readers a state of society, with eve-
ry advantage afforded by. experience to aid him iii
giving its taithfulpprtraitj^ for it was the state of
society in which he himself was raised^ and pas-
sed his early y^ars.
Jn this djppartment ofhistory everyTcader wish-
es to be told, not only the trutb,^ but the whole
tr jth. Let the picture of human manners be ev-
er so rude, . barbarous, or even savage, he wishes
to see it in its full dimensions, and/in all its parts^
The reader it is hoped will not complain if
the atitbor has introduced him to the interior of
the cabbins^ the little forts and camps With their
coarse furniture, which were tenanted by our fore-
fiithers. The rude accommodations presented to
his inspection, in tlie homely visit, will form an a-
greeablc, end even a romantic contrast to th^
present state of society in our country. This
^Btrast will shew him what mighty changes
PKEFAC».
XftK
A%y be cfiocled under an cn1ighteh«^^d fre^
of^bt .despot
ttinAh^nd ther#
sraMR8,becavde
'^"* fo th#per-
flW" tjj6 cam-
M Existence
»ur plimtffy bifdd
^ apply th« LiQ«<i
ere English fH*
UiM^ •*^-
^ tboir^'hasbirQuffbt^^is work
W^^iptyijUy endeavoured
»au lirlipi^s i
|er can do M^^
%co^
fu^ tbe
^fj^r.Cfli
, ttiiratia^f^grtl
KMJ^fpeipallnl^
*^ the itfnpenar%d|ii^ ef
mt|M^ sirornitf
>1<S ^MtoHt frofH
hose awful decisi^s therels n#appRl; ivithou^
ivokink tha^ justMSte^iicb VhetW asked; ert-
Inasked tbeworkwiffle^^ to receim •
.■ -**
#
^
Ht
»;■■
;'#■
.. «
^'
■ •* *-
\^»
^^fi^"
W'
tiaer 11683%
r
1k» * t
T^'l*per8<^plio'btsivi(ne0i»ed all (he ch|g^.
J, wbicb^bayipaken pVs^inibe ivestern co6%
r , since its first ^l^enitent, ^f||ormer ippeii^'
ce is lik^fi dreai^pr rom^nc^' lli$' will |M;
difficult4& *reaHte the features of that wifl^^
ss, which wili' the abode 0f^ his InTknf days.— •
|ie little ciHio ir l)it&ih%^ existsi
^little ne|% i^d triick nIteilwhitBh faVe him a
-nt^ siijPlilf^ tsCMpse t)^^
Ive befO;)iwatTdw^d up iiiiirateAi[(ed meadDir^
Shard % grain |^ "Ipid^ f^in which
peo]^te>hjid reslip so Wl»y fj^aii^i^sumroers,
^ vanished, atf^i ^^ Like Ihe beiere^ fabrick of a
bion left 11(^1 a wi%k be1iiQd> Lal^g^rmft,
Ith splenmd iiiansfph boused, and wfH^ned
Irns, b«ipii|ir, ViUages^WliftVeo cities, now.oc-
|py the d^e#HDfKinrpg|||ul sporti^, fauotlng
^ roi1itar|jm»iursioD8. In I^By^e of forest treea
p ■ hawthorn bt|shes, he J^eMp awfur foniin of
^stice, or the Sacred Temple with its ftitt«riog
lire pinaling to the heavens ; and instead of the
Hr whoop of savf^es, or the howling of woTveS
ketri the swelitnf^ anthem^ or jpealiog or^|||^
•-■■•■■ - -1*: ■ .•"■^^"■■^t-
?«.'•
•i
X
< »
•lU
TUB wildi;rnki9.
VA'try fihrre •utToundetl by (be buiy bum of
nifO| tod ^ tplendor. art#, refintnentii and com* |
fortformnied hft^ hft^forme v ttit*. and tbat of
Jiit country bave taoUhad from hit maJRkory; or if
soiiirtiotet he baffowi a rtflectioii't^ \i» originil
^•pccf, (ha niti^^ilillkt (o be carried back to t
period of (ime^^^ili ilftore remote tbon it really ia.
The immense cbln|aa wbieb ba?e taken place in
the phyaical, jmi^ VKiral state of the country, have
been gradual, ia#d.tferetbre, icarcely perceived
i'tom year toyeail but the vieir from one extreme
to the other, ia like (he prospect of the jOpposile
ahbre, orera vast expanse of water, whosir hills,
vtlteys, mountaioa and forests, preient a oonfused
and romantio aj^ary, ^ich loses itself in (hs
^ijlaiithorbcoA.^
One advantage ft least results from Hkving liv-
ed in a atata t>f se^lM^y* «vcr on the change, and
afways for tlie bat^, it doubles the retrospect of I
'life. IVith lisi, at any rate, it baSsbMuA that efi)stf. '
Did not the flefii^^st^mb^ of w^ years ||iach
ine the contrary, iP^Jcrtbiflit mya#)f.it %a8t
one hundred y4»p^ e)^ fifty, ^i^ase
is said to be Wi^Y.mml^nl With those who have
pasped. thai^ lWi|t cities, orlncient aettleraents,
vvhereM year, the same uncharging as*
)||ot oTthlngs presentanself^ There life passes
away la an mIusioik •^r^mtti) havin|i%ian pre*
sented with no BtriKti|pSTen¥s, or greaf^and impor*
(ant cbaogteSv to mK its different p«riodS) and
give them an im^^R^ distance ^om each otheri
an^itends with a bitter complaitot of its short*
»eas. It must be my b^n faulty if I shall ever have |
•ccasibn to make this eomplaint.. IdonotrecoU
lect to have ever heard if made, by any of my cotem*
^portry coontrymaD) whose deaths I have witnessed*
V-'
'.»*■-
'X..
His wiLDRiiMAil
l4
A wildefnMs of great eit«nt> pfesenting the
virgin ftce of ottiiT«t unchanged by human cut-
tif atioD, or art, is certainly one of the mott aub-
lime terreftial objecti which the Creator ever pre-
■ented to the view of roan I but those portions of
the earth which bear this character, derive their
features of sublimity Arom very different aspects.
I'he great deserts of Africa wear an imposing^
aspect, even on account of their utter barrennesft of
vegetation, where no tree atSbrds fruit, or shelier
from the bOrning beat of the day, no bii;d is heard
to sing, and no dower eipands ita leaves to tfatt
lun; u well as from their immense eitent*
In the steppes of Russia, the orieotal plain of
Tartary, the traveller, did not his reason correot
the illusion of his senses, at the rising and sitting
of the sun, would imagine himself in the midst <»
^ boundless ocean, so vast, so level and munoton*
eus is the prospect around hitD.
What must be the awful sublimity cf the imiMkiaft '
regions of polair solitude, where the distant suit
reflects his dascliograys from plains of snow, anf
mountaina of ice, but witfioiit warming.
The valley of the Mississippi, whose easterh an#-
western boundaries are the Allegheny and Rookjp*
Mountains, thife northern the chain of lakes which
separate us from Canada^ and th<e southern, the
gulf cf Florida, in addition to the imposing gran-
deur of its vast extent, is an immense region of ani*
mal and vegetable life, in^l their endless varie*
ties. In all this vast giteflfw country, nomoun**
tain rears its towering head lo vary the scenery>
aiyd aflbrd a resting place for the clouds, no volca*
no vomits forth its sMoke, flame and lava in sub*
Hm^ ta dtatrudtive grandeor. fiven tboio pcit^
■■■#*-ts
■/-
mfe ^itbkiiKtei0i
lions of this valley which in ages past, were ill
beds of lakes, but have been drained by the sink-
Sng of the rivers, present a rich vegetable
Inould.*
This gFf at country leems to have been designed
by divine Providence for the last resort of oppres-
sed humanity. A fruitful soil, tinder a variety of
cliroattrs, supplies abundantly all the wants of lifei
while our geographical situation renders us un-
isoDquerabie. From thiB place of rdfuge^ we may
*Thtrt i* wtiny viidmce that ihosiR Iratts of our
Inmntry^ whidi tonsUt qf beds of rounded gravel and
9iones have JamvHy been lakes ^ which have been drain'
ed by the lowering ef the beds of thp rivers. These /racfs
of Country have been 'covered with a vegetable mouldy
from the decay of vegetable matters on llmr surface, so
as to have become goi>d Ifundfor cultivaiidn. Such arc the
Pickaway and Sandu^ plains j and indeed the greater
part of the Scioto country, a$ well as many other trqc(s
6/ land along ether rwers.
The Ohio river has lowered Us bed from jyty to etgh"
fyfeet, SteubenviUeyBeavertownand Cincinnati stand
im the first aUuvym. of the river\ ihi% alhme/ii is at leaH
JBtoentyJeet abm thf prtsent bed oj tht river. This
fhmwmenoin of the Ififvomv^ cf tfie waters is not confi*
ned to our own country.^ Theformer bed ef the Red Sea
ii from thirty io forty feet above the preserU surface df
its waters* The jl^ck Sea is .sinking lyy the wearit^ down
of the canal (f Constantixtqpk; and it seems every
\»ay probable that a considerable portion of the deserts
of^rica, n^, ihefeOy iserftncejovered with the waters
l§^ ottM Atlantic Large tracts oJ%ur southern sea coasf»
are evidinily aUuvial, The causes qf the sinking cf
ihe beds of rivers, and the recession of the sea from &
Htfih^^ mat bel^tpi thtitiiefsUgatim ^ i^lfii^i
tr^
WB VnLDERVEalti!
m
Aear, ts bftrinleas thunder, the military coQvulsions
of other quarters ot the globe, without fefling
their concussiong. Vice and folly may conqufr
na: the world never can. Happy region! laige and
f ilile enough for the abode of many millions.—
Here the hungry may find breadv and coriflcienc^
ihe full possession of its native rights.
With the geography, and geology of this couil-
try i here no concern- Heave these subjects to
the geographer, and natural historian. The as*
pect which it bore at the time of its discovery,
ind settlement^ must alone be presented to the
xeader. .
One prominent feature of a wilderness is its
solitude. Those who plunged into the bosom Of
this forest, left behind them,' not- only the bu-
sy hum of mf^n, but domesticated animal life
g nerally. The parting ray«i of the aetting sun
did not receive the requiem of the feathered song*
frters of the grove, nor was- the blushing aurora
ushered in by the shrill clarion' of the domestic
ibwls. The solitude of the night was interrupt-
ed only by the howl of the wolf, the melancholy
moan of the ill-boding owl) or the shriek of the
frightful panther. Even the faithful dog, the only
steadfast companion of man- among the brute crea«
tion, partook of the si4enc6 of the desert; the dis^*
eipline of his master forbid him to bark, or move,
but in obedience to bis commaud, and his native
sagacity soon taught hinrthe propriety of obedience
to this severe government.
The day was, if possible, more solitary than the
night. The noise of the wild turkey, the croaking
of the raven or '^The woodpecker tapping the
hollow beech tree," did not much enlivea thf^
^caryiccnef
m
THE Wri»SRNS|ik
The various tribes of singing birds are not in*
iibbitants of (be desert; tbey are not carnivorous^
and therefore aiiist be fed from the labours of man.
At any rate they did not exist in ibis <:ountry alita
first settlement.
Let the imagination of the reader, p4irsqe the
track of the adventurer into this solitary wilder-
ness. Bend ing bis course towards the setting sun^
over undulating bills, under the shade of large for-
osl trees, and wading through the rank weeds, and
grass which then covered the«arth. Now viewing
from the top of a bill, Uie winding couise of the
creek whose streav) He wishes to explore. Doubt*-
ful of its course, and of his own, be ascertains- tW
cardinal points of north and south, by the thickness
of the moss, and bark on the north side of the an-
cient trees. Now descending into a valley and
ptet^eging his approacli to a river, by seeing large
tell, basg-wood and sugar trees, beautifiiUv festoon-
ed with wild grape vines^ Watchful as Argus, bis
-restless eye catches every thing around him. In ail
unknown region, and surrounded with dangers, he
isibe sentibelofhisown safety, and relies on him-
telf alone for protectioo. The toilsome march pi
the day being ended, at the fall of night, he^ seeks
for safety, some narrow sequestered hollow, and
lay the'side of a large log, builda a fire, and af-
ter eating his coarse, and scanty meal^ wraiis-
hinisttlf up in his blanket, and lays him down on hrs
bed of leaves, with his feet to the little fire for re-
pose, bopifig for favorable dreams, ominous of fit-
ture good luck, while his faithful di:>g and gun re-^
pose by his side.
But let not the reader suppose that the pilgrim
of the wilderness, could feast bis Imagioation
with the romaaiic beautiei of nature, witboOta^y
■>
TIM witvtmvcii.
W
^awBftck from eon6ioting pauiionfl, IIU iitua-
tion did dot afford him much time for oontempla-
tion. He wat ao exilo from the warm clothing
and plentiful roansioira of lociety, Hh homely
woodsman's dress, soon became old, and ragged;
the cravings of hunger compelled .him to sustain
from day today the fatigues of the chase, OU.
ten bad he to eat bis venison, bear meat, or wild
turkey, without bi^ad or salt. Nor was this all.
at eveiy step, the strong passions of hope and
fear, were in full exercise. Eager in the pur^
suit of his game, his too much excited imagina^*-
tion, sometimes presented him with th(s phantom
of the object of his chase, in a bush, a log; or mos-
By bank, and occasioned him to waste a load of
bis ammunition, more preoioua than gold, on a
creature of bis own brain, and be repaid himself
the expense by making a joke of his mistake.--^
His situation was not without its danger.^. He
did not know at what tread his foot might be
Btuilg by a serpent, at what moment he might-
meet with the formidable bear,^ or, if in the e<
*lt is taidy that far some Hvhb ajltr Braddoclz's
defeat^ the bears havir^ feasted on the slainy thought
PiOt they had a right to kUl and eat every human being
Vnth whom they met. tdnunde of wine of the name of
TUer^ had like to have loAhis life by one of them. /^
4^0$ in the eum^ner time^ when bears were poors and not
worth kiUing: being in the wooda, he saw an old male
hear winding along afUr him: with a vteto to have thi
eport of seeing il\A bear runyhe hid himselfitehind a tree:
when the bear approaehed him^ he sprang out and hallo(^
ed at him; {ntt mffee instead of rawniig iff as he expect •
^jumped at hiin^jvith muulk'iMiJi} ij^imy ui\4&
tnf
la
fits wit»BiiRi:u«
▼onlBfTt he know not on wh«t limb of a (roe ^ 6*
TIT hi* liraU, the u>ur(leroui, pmlher might he
pf r«hed| in a squetting nttitudt), to drop down
(itHH), end teur him to pieoen in a nioineitt.—
nhrn vvAl(»hing n de«r lick from hid blind at
night, thA forn^idHhit^ panther was oflen hie rival
in tlm »«mo buiiiivf!!!*. and if, bv hie growl, or
etherwiscs the man dtsoovercsd the preeenoe of
hid rival, the lord of the world alwajre reiiretl aa
apiu^dily end stcrtMly as potsilne, leaving him the
undiiituibed posiieBiiion of the chanoe ot game fof
iUt inght.
Tli<* wildernr 69 wne a region of luperetition.-*
Tho adventurous huntei sought ibr ominoue pr«-
an^eii c( hie Aiture good, or bad luok, in ei*erj
tl:it)|i about him. Much of hie succeee dc^pended
on the statr of the weathtr; snow and rain^wera
^vorabltf, becaus*^ in the former he oould track
his geii^**, and the latter prevented them froiq
he»r t^ the auatling of the leaves beneath his feet.
The apt carance of the oky, morning and evening,
gave him flu* oignn of the timet), with regard to the
w^atht r. S\i far he was a philosoptier. Perhaps
ho was aidvd in hn prognostics on this subject, by
•0!ue Old rht^umaiio pnin, which he called his ^^wea-
th<>r clock.*' Soy whut you please about thiff^
doctors, the Ar^t st^ttiers of this country were sel-
dom m>stttkt n in \\\U latter indication ot the weath-
er, TiM« rruakiiig of a Hven, the howl.ng of a
dog. and theficrtcchofanowl, were as prophetic
»■ ■ 11 -
^^'}>}xd him by oppbfii^s t/ie muzzk bJ his gun io his
htck\ ojKift.W'^- ii-tjj: Um kilivil hiin iti ou ins/cml.— •
If hs ^anhati snapfHuiythckunitrttotild hart b€a% torn
tv >».ar > . >M 'he i^pai* AJm </w, kt t<i^« ht nttcf itjidcr-
i\>ik hi play i»ii,X a 6eaf.
l^te WILOCRinBtft.
»
futuTO mUfortunet among tho fiir«t (iffventurrrl
)to thii country, od (hey were «moni{»t the ftn<»
iant pagans; but abovtt all their dreams wernre«
arded at ominout of good or ill succoois, Oden^
rhen a Uov I heard them relate their dreama, and
jie events which fulfilled (heir indications. Wit)i
|ome of the woodsmen there were two girls of (heir
foquaiotance, who were regarded as (he goddes*
es of their good or bad luck. If they dreamed of
he one, they were sure of good fbrtune; if of the
f(ber, they were equaliv sure of bid. How muoh
>ve or aversion might have bad to do in this cis^'
cannot say, but such watthe fact.
Let not the reader be surprised at the superiti**
lion which existed among the tirst adventurers into
the western wilderness. Superstition is universal-
ky associated witb ignorance, in oil (hose who
)coupy perilous sit uatioits in life. The comMi'
i9ed to be considered harbingers of war. The sea
[eaptain nails an old horse shoe to the foot of tho
{toast of his ship to prevent storms. The QcrmaQi-
rased to nail the horse shoe on the door-sill, to pri^
nrentth^ intrusion of witchea. Ttie German soN
[dier reciteta charm, at the rising ofthe sun, when
in the course of the day, he expects to be eDgage4-
in battle, by the means of whioh he fancies that
lie lortifies himself against the contact of ballr
|ef every description.'^ Charms, inoantati« n%.
and amuletd have constituted a part of (he super-
stition of all ages, and nations. Philosophy alone
t^an banish t heir use.
The passion of fear exciied by danger, the pii^
*vV<wy ycnrs agOy iscM a mcmusoipt oj this tfonder*
^(f chartny inU htwe so for^iott^a its i^mient\ t/m| / cOf^
fiol now uiiikrtakt to givt a irmslatum of^it^
1^
TBB WitVtOlFBifi
Merit of sQpersiiiion, operated powerfully on \U
first adveuturera into this country. Exiled froml
foeiety, and the coiiifortt of Hfe, their sittiatioaf
was perilous in the extreme. The bite of a ter*
pent, a broken limb, a wound of any kind*, or a fitl
of sickness in the wilderness, without those ac*|
eooimodations, which wounds and sickness re«
quire, was a dreadful calamity. The bed of sici;*
ttess, without medical aid, and above all, to bedes*
titute of the kiiM) attention of a mother, sister, wifll
or other female friends, those ministering aogelgl
in the wants and a69ictions of man, was a situation I
w^bich could not be anticipated by the tenant on
the forest, with utlier sen^ments than those of tbo]
deepest horror.
. Many circumst'anees coneurredto awaken in (he I
mind of the early adventurer into this country, the
most serious and even melancholy reflectioni. He
•aw every where around him indubitable evidences I
of the former existence of a large population of]
barbarians, which bad long ago perished from the
tarth. Their arrow beadi furnished him witfi
gun djnls; stone hatches, pipes, and fragments of {
tarthen ware, were found m every place. — The
lemains of their rude fortir'f.iiiioBS, were met witi
in many places, and some of them of considerable
extent and magnitude. Seated on the summit of]
some sepulchral mound, containing the ashes of
tens of thousands of the dead, he said' to kimsel^|
'* This is the grave, and this no doubt the temple
of worship of a long succession of generations, long
since mouldered into dust; these surrounding val«
lies were once animated by their labors, hunting]
and wars, their songs and dances; . but oblivi^m
bas drawn her impenetrable veil over their wttole
))i8tory; no lettered page, no sculptured moaame)$(
"■^
ANTt^TTlXlttt
ifi^
iforat wbo they were, from whence they eamet
le period of their existence, or by what dreadful
itastrophe the iron hand of death has gWen thena
complete an overthrow, and made the whole ot
lifl country an immense Golgotha.
SucI), reader, waa the aspect of this country at
first discovery, and such the poor and ha;Eardoua
»t of the first adventurers into the bosoms of ita
irests. How widely different is the aspect of
lings now, and how changed for the better^ the
mdilion of its inhabitants i If such important
langes have taken place in so few yeara, and with
ich slender means,, whaijmmense improvements
%j we not teMQoabljr anticipate for the futuf^
•intiquitiesi
' , CHAPTER ir.
The western country in comtndn with^m09t
cry other region nf, the earthy exhibits eyidenca^
if a numerous population, which must have ekis-
"^d, and periBhed long anteiaOr to the period of
istory.. ' ■■■■,■''■■.
The evidences of the most i^mote population ot
\T country are found: only in the few, and rude
!mains< of their worka, which have escaped tfa'ef:
vagea of time. Sitch of these antiquities as hayiM
onie under the notice of the author shall be deis
^rihe^ w^th sewe remarks upon them.
^
ANTIQUITIES.
AiT0ir heacls, at the first settlement of the couq^J
try were found every vvitere. TheBO were made
tiini stone of various sizes, and colours, and sbapJ
ed with great art, and Deainetis. Their fabricatioil
required more skill, and labour tbau that of maj
ki^ig our ordinary gun tlinis.
From the great numbers of those arrow points!
^und air over the country, it is pr^'sumable thatl
(hey must Ifave been in general use, by a liarge popj
ulaiior^, and for a great length of time. The autli
lias never been informed whether af the discovery]
ar>d settlement of America by the Curopeana the
t|ndians were in the habit of using ^m. I
Some of those arrow pointa we£ of great sizi^j
and weight, so that those vtho used titem must havf
been gigantic fellows, and of great iuu8cular|
■tretigtbi ^^^
For a ](ong time- after the settlement of the coiip.*
ky, the Indian arrow heads furnished the main sup'
ply of guD- flints, for our hunters^ and warriord
nany of whom prefered th^ ra to the imported fliiitsJ
The arrow points have nearly vanished from tbe|
iSountry. i have not seen one for many years.
Stone pipes, and hatchets, were frequently founj
bere in early timea^ The pipes were rudely roade^'^
but nany of them of very fa bcitul shapes. The ei
istence of those pspes, shews very clearly that thel
practice of smoking acrid substances is ofgreatl
antiquity. Before the use of tobacco, the IndiJ
ans smoked the tooer>,bark of the red willow mixedl
with sumack leaves. They do so still,, when th^l
saobot procure tobaicco.
Some fragments of a rude kind of earthen wart
w£re found in some placcsi It was made of po]tj
Ijrb-^arth&ise^ witkcalomed ahel^^BBd biir&i '
mi
i#^.#
Al^Ti(iUltltff.
^
pV^ptr uardoeas. This ware was no doubt used
}r cooking. 1
Some rude trinkets of copper hate been foQOd
in some of the Indian graves. These, howereKd
rere but few In number^ and eihibited no skill
|n the art of workiog metals. Many years ago^ I
procured ten copper beads, which were found iiii
me of the smaller graves on Grave Creek ilat.
%e whole number found at the time, was about
)ixty. They app<^ared to hav6 been made of ham?
lered Wire, cot off at Unequal lengths, and in some
f them the end^ Weire not more than hall? their
Surface in contact; add sO sddered.
The Bnoient forts, ab they are called, are gen^
Orally formedJn the neighbourhodd of . the larg0
Ifraves along m fiver, 4nd mostly on the first al<^
[uvioo of their bottom^. They lU'iB of all shapet
md various dimensions. They JlMve been so oueii
lescribed by different authors', that 4 description of
^hem is not necessary here. Whether tbey were
really fortifications; or ordinary inclosures of their
iowns, is ndt sobehain. It is saiid/to be a com-'
kon practice among the Indians of Missouri, to
inclose a piece of ground^ which tbey intend for
I town, with stockades, on eacb side of whic^b
ihey throw up i^ motind ol eilrth, iind that when
leof their.to^tis has been sb long deiertfd that
the stockAdin]g bai rotted down; tfie Vemaining
lound of earth has precisely the same ap|>earance
IS one of the; ancient forts. If this wis their ori-
and nu>st probably it viasj they were fortifi-
mtions in this sbme degree that the Walls of all an*
ieot towns, and citiei we)^'^ and hot otherwise.
:*he circular mounds at Circleville, in Ohio, ar^
the only I have ever seen, which appear to liai(^
'^ m eitdtttiiVely iBteBfledfer efortri||| ^ ^.\
The sepulchral mouods, make by far the greet*
«et figure an«ong the etitiquites of our country. IqI
?)oint of iDsgiiitude some of them are truly sub-
iibe,.aDd iinpoeiog monuments of human laborjl
for the buria) of the dead.
The large grave>OD Grave creek flat, is the only]
large one in this section of Uie country! The di-
ameter pf its base is said to be one hundred yardsJ
Sts altitude et least seventy-five feet^ some
give it at ninety feet. The diameter at the top ii
^fteen yards. The sides and top of the movnd are|
covered with tree^^of all sizes and ages, incerroin'
gled with fallen «irid decaying timber, like ths
surrounding Woods.
Supposing this august pyramid* t/contain hu'
man hones, in equal proportion with the lesser
%)D0unds which have been opened from- time to
lime, what myriads of human beings must repose
k} its vast dimensions.*
The presefh owner.of this moui^d, the euthor has
been informed, has expressed his determination
to preserve it in its original stete during his lifst.
He will not eufier the axe jto. violate its timber, nor
« ta ll .^ I .,^'.; ■/■,•, ^
^President Jefferson miilUkms having mair a per*
ptndicular cut mrough an Indian groHy on the river
Mivanna^near J^mticeUo, tDiih a vkw *^ examtns Us
:i/ntefnal structwCy andtonients. The. base of the grant
vqg forty feet in diam^r; Us Aeigftt aeven Jut and an
half, J^ier a tar^ui exannnation ejf the bones contain;-
edin Ae eepukhrei he condiuded that U m^iu con-
tain one thfMUmd dteletons, Suwoeing this esHniaie
correct vhat mustbethe' number o* ^cektons contained
inihe great fyramid tf Qtame creekf Those iohoan
ouriint9i»enoug& to makeihe calculation are re^eHed^ iq. do
le, mdgivt Ae reniili*-— «M)fe« on VirgwiOj p. 181*
f
■•»'/
ARTl^VlTUCf.
I Ike BQBttockt Mi earth. May bii f uccetf ert itf
t title of the estate forerer feel the itme piouinyf
I for tl^ august mansion of the deadj^i^
[the fenerable monument of antiquitf ^
19
l^estruction mhich has already •nnm|||^#<lN
cedalarge number of the lesser ipmwi^if
the dead. « f^Illi^.
Most of the writers on the antii^^
country, represent the sepulchral moil
consideration, as peculiar to America. ..---
such the fact, they iroul^jbe objects of greal ciirir
osity indeed^ as ihehr Mtpfiging exclttsiirely to
this quarter oC the g^be, fviKald golo |yp^ ^^^^
the aborigine! of Amerib| weno mS^mfmgom alt
other nati^i8%^e^the earth^^yeast if lpa||nanner
fdi*po8ingofihei|-dead/ ^' %
But the fact iB not so. The history of these ancieiii
sepulobres of the dead embsaces Europe, Asia, «
Africa, as well as North and SpMtli America.
Large grpupes of Jhoee moMDili a:i% iaet mth i^
inanv plapen betiveanSt.Petersbw^h andM^covyai
Russia, ^^n tbefeopleoflbatiBountiy are uji^^
if they haVe any ''''** ^'' — '*'' — '*^-^' '~' '
swer in the ne
the graves of
tvhom cons
Near the roout
ition .concvrnlnf them they an '
.. They iupDose that ^y ar«
ilain IIP bftt^^ut v?be"oif^%
, they na^^l^o knowledge*
tbe river pomtherps agroup
of five mounds which from time imoiemcKrisl ha!|#
been denominated ^^Thefipe hra^then,'*^ ^imifar
mounds Ate vgry numeraus along ^be shores of the
Black sea and those of Ibo sea of Acqr and through-
out the whtple cpuhtry of the Crimea^ They arc
found throughout ancient Greece. In the neigh-
bourhood of affiment Troy there are several of
them sear^i «• ht$t fs any in America, ifeia
C
s-
■'W'
io
AICTtQUlTlCtf*
■iS^jtf!^.
^^iotsnd defended b^ Robbin*, in the viciniiy of
VMUnoon in Africa ts certftinly an ancient lepul*
'itl^al mound aUho* be crf|8 it a nataral one',
f Thi|Lis'tb«-ntore probable as (he remains of for*
titH^aMm #^^mi-wa11a similar to thosr: in our I
GoiJMQniist in abundance in the neighborhood of
WMdm^ On the hills nearCambridge ioEnghnd
ftre sHei^h'two large barrows as the tombs of Gog
and Magog, The Cairne of Scotland are structiirt-i
of tbo same kind but m^e wholy of stone. Peru
and Mexiob contain a vast number of those mounds
of all s&lpes and of the 1arge%t dimensions* Lasilj
the faoiAr^ramidsof Egfpt h^ve httr\ dsscer!
tained ^W«epulchraredi^ce0, •^ffi^)>robabili. I
\y they are %oeval itiih tbe se|jiiH:hriil'nflionufHenti|
of other quarters of the globe already' mentioned. I
l^ej^ were designed for tbe last and permanent Im-
bibition of tlie regal grandeur of those monarchs
by whom thef AVlve succesively erected*
Thc^^r^at number and magnitude of tfie sepuU
t%al monuments of antiquity serve to sheiv that
during the time of their erection; over so large a
portli^jpi of the earth, mankind g^e raliy must have
beefiWtuatediMt^etronjl desijrlflpff'eserve the re-
mains of the dena^^romdfsdoluti^and their namesi
.mnd renoi| as far as possible fr0m oblivion. Tho
extensive ^sAaOombB of £gypt, Syracuse^ and Pales''
tine are foUy illuatrative of the genera! wish for
the preservation of the body after death arid pos-
tbumouH fame. , What must have been the labour
and etpense of excavating limestone or marble
tOcics to such vast extent and with bubfa exquisite
workmauship for the purpose of furnishin|; elegant
anil Imperishable recesses for the dead.
The aucientfigypiiah^ held the first rank among
the nations of antiquity, ia'their care, alid tkill
▲2(TiQUmilf
H
or preservinr the remBint of their cletd. To (he
noit »pleodid and estcitoive catacoiabf, Ihej bo*
^ed the praeiioe of cvkbaloiiDg their bod^t
any of wiitcri have so far eicaped the ravages «lf
lime. TNte ^mbalnied bodiea, preierffd froni
^ufrifactioti bj ceratef and bandagei^of IiDen^"*
ire still found, soineiinief in aohlaqr ^^^s, and
jrrmctii.)ei in large nuntbcrl, m newly 'diicov-
icred catacoiobs; but ibr want oflettcrt, their early
lliifitory hasvaoiijhed foreyer.*
I While the aneient l^gyjptiiina ikilf ullv preicrvi^^
[the individual boditiMtheir dead^^otfier nalioni
irfnetft t^e pj^tic«W eoHeoting tbeijMinea oC
fmd defiiofiiting them ii^ Hpulcb^
riDoni^|itii|raiiat}<H)al character.
I vJifi^irlyanf'^^^ mounds, which have
bt4^t|or«)Ughly opencdfin Alia an4 XjRi^nca> con*
[tain,, about the ce<iti:e of the |){|fl|% f^) co^ti, 9^
vault tf stone, con||^iniDgbuf i>iipei»|)|t^. thM|
we may Teasonahlyiiuppose, wa^a iillBophagua
ofthepatfiarch, or %et moiiiurch ^ th4 <^^ or
nation to wnich the i epulchrS belo^^d. Thel^ie*
forward all his people were deposited iftthe grav^
of the fouiDder of the nation, In prpem of tioi^
^Upwardt of tventyywn ago. tht aulher $mMl^
and part of ike arm of anMgvptmn twutiim|/, tf i%
Fianldin Mbrary nf Ph&etj^ Jt vfos £over$4
with two dam^oges ^tr^l is tdikd m hmMd Hma(,
J>eiv!m tU ikm and the fwst^dage their wh a layer'
oj plaisterofsome kifidofgum^andiht san\e b^tmm
the first and outer bandage. The thumb and fingers
were separately^ and very neaUy bandaged, it was in
me, and appearance, the left hand of a smaU mnum.
This reKet^ antiquity f is no doubt sefseral thamand
years old. ' *
hn
AVTKimtltS.
the daily increasing mound became the natibtitl
history. Its age was the age of the nation, and
its magnitude gave the census of their relative
numbera^ and military force, with regard to oth-
er nations about them. What a sublime spectacle
to tiie peppie to whom it belonged, must one of
tho^larg^aepulchrea.bave been! The remains
of toe first chief of the nation, with his people,
and their successors, throOgh many generations^
ftposing together in the same tomb!
It is a wdl known fact, that some natioas of
jliidiaQS^ ever since the settlcpient of America by
^%ie B<iropiaDS, have been in the habit of collect-
ing the bones of their dead^ from every^qusfrter,
fiirthe purpose of depositing them, with those of
their people^ at their chief towns* This ^u^t
liave been l^e^^^eral practice durihg-the tim\ of
the erecti^*^p^e large ane^t graves of our
country^ l^pi^Pl^hes found^h those of them
which j^i^;&il^^ opened, htfve been thrown pro-
tpif^cuoitily ^|i!«i^ collecfieus, as if emp*
tied out of ^^ets, Or ba^d.
^ Besidea^e large graves, srnalier ones are found
in many p^ces, regoote from the large mounds;
and ati^ti'aces of the ancient forts. Most of
the^etiire ^ade wh<$lLy of stone, and for the mosi
partcontain but Vitegie skeletbni^' ¥^ these
solitary iapui)df^ eiretfted t^ the rnifc&fry of the in-
divicl'»ai- ^ whose r^™Aa they illivlr.? Such ap-
pears to hai'e been'^Hr fn^t. T^Ta^t a sinaiiar Cus-
tom prevailed amangst tbe ancient Hdbi>ew8, we
have an evidence in the burial of Absalom, the
rebellious son of Divid, who, although unworthy
of %plac3 in the royal sepulchre, was neverthe-
less honofei] with such a rude monument of stdne^i
M we often meet with in our cauolry. After h^
0-
'iNTIQUlttEg.
85
X9M slain by Joab, the commander in cbief of his
father^s army ** They took Absalom and cast him
into a great pit in the wood, and cast a vtry gnat
heap of stones upon him.''
Froill all these facfs^ it appears (hat the strong
desire of posthumous fame induced those naiions,
Amongst whom the art of writing was unknown,
to preserve the remembrance of their ehicf^, or
friends, bT erecting over their dead bodies tf
lieap ofearth, or a pile of stones; as well at to
make the congregated dead of many generaCrdns,
a national monument, and a national record.
' Nearly all the sepulchral mounds which have
been opened in Asia^ and America h>re bden
found to contain moreo/less charcoal snd'c&lcined
bones. From thw fact, it appears thnt those an-
cient tomba wel^e alfars for sacmfiee. The early
histories of ^ Greeks and B^ani, inform us
that it w^ customary to offef^Jsacrafices on the
tombs of lidH)«a siain in battfo^ with the revolting
fiQ^Tthatthe victims offered* oii Ihose sepulchral
alta^,«irere^ often the prisooera taken in war.
fstanders, surrounded by a great extent of ocea n ,
and therebv precluded from •migrations, are less
liable to chiinge their hngnaged, manners, anil
cilstomSi than t|ps inhabitants of contrnenfs. —
Hence those oftlll Society Islands of the So'it^^
Sea, an4^se of the Sandwich islands of the Pa-
cific, stil^'^o1»ti|iue the ancient practice of depos-
iting th^%)(|if»fff their dea* in- mounds, or as they
call Iheob mcimi; and these morai are their tem-
ples, on the tops of which their idols ire placed
iof worship. The truth is, tlieae mounds were
Ihe higl^laces of the pi|gan nationf, mentioned in
the Old Testament, and aroonfrptese we 'mav
fafely reckon the Hmoua tow.er Wlabel.
34
ANTIQUTIfi0.
fc' .
It wu on the top of one of those mounds in
the island of Qwbybee, that c»pt. Co^k, wraped up
in three hundred ells of indiaoolotb^^nd mounted
on a scaffold of rotten rioling, wai woi^hippf d as
a go^ under the name of (>raooov but while recei-
ving the devotions cf the islanders, he was every
mom^nV'l&aif) of. tumbling down and breaking his
Beck.* ■%
Hafving given the history of the ancient sepul-
ohral mounds, as they eiist in every quarter or the
S lobe, two questionsi^nly remain for discussion:
t what period of the world were they erected,
and! Aether by a barbarous or civilized people?
The gres^t antiquity of^he roonumants in ques-
tion, may ^e ascertained by many fact«, ^hich
cannot fiu tostrUre the notice ^i^ attentive ob-
server of the. m^i|^ of afttiqui^^* ^^^^^^^ as
far as the autJI^t^^ws^none of tlfej large mounds
are found on^ti^^P^t or lower bottiyois of ouri^*
ars, but alw^yi bn the aecond or h%b^t a|^ii|^;
and ipch iHneir situatibn in Asia and £im^.^
None of them are to be seen on those tr0eis of
country which were the beds cf lakes, or inland
seas. Iff (he goeat oriental plain of Tartary, a great
part of wtiich was formerly covered by the waters
of the Black and Caspian Seas, and thoseof the sea
of Azof, but which bave been drain^^if by the
breaking down of the Thracian Bo^hMis, j^irhich
formed the; canal of Constantinople: .htit ihey
are found in abundar.ce along the hif her grounds
of the scutbern and western shores of thtbe seas,
* For a partknlar description of ike 'antiguiiics of mm
country, ihe risMkr is referred tQ themgehioui nnia of^
Caleb ATWAl&i Esq. of Cift^UUy kd^ly publish*
ed in iht Jirchfisologia ,^m^iui, . «
iS
ANTIQUITIES*
^3
id in the ncighboiiog country of Crim TartRry.
be gain of the land upoil the waters of our globe .,
IS been immensely greal; but this gain has been
It slowly made. The very scites of oa^raqcient
cjbs, g)?e a very remote antiquityfor the pibricd '
their erection. Their 8i>uaaoL8,. mainly along
te large* rivers and on the shores of lakef, an-
punce the primeval llate of nations. As tb«
Ms of the water are more easily obtained than
lose of the forest, and these last more easily
Ian the productions of the earth. The first em-
loymi^nt of man must have been that 'of lifhing,
Id his first (dod the productions of the waters. ' /
These mo* nds and forts are not found in any
reat oumbersslopg the shores of the main oceans.
[his circumstance goes to shew that those by
mom they were made, were not in the practice
navigating the great seai.. That their existence
of higher antiquity than the eommencement of
te period of history is evidetkt from the fact that
)neof them contain a single inscription of anykiiid
^ven the famous pyramids of Egypt do sot contain
[single tetter or hierogiiphic, to announce the time
rhen, or thiaj^rsons hy'whom they^ were}^erected%
* letters had been io use at the time of the olitld-
ig of those stupendoot repositori^ of departed
[randeMr, they wOultf-^eubtless have been used to
Innounce^the names and honour of 'hose who e*
[ected them for/tn^pulchral and imperishable mo<^
mments, of their JiV A power, wealth and majes*
Another evidence of the great age ofthese rude
remains of^nti^uity, ^ tbis; there exists no whero #
^vfn a tTadfliO^ftiyiiccountefftli^ir Origin. ^^m^fP--
—fielt period Sf^h^w.Grician histo#y, they W^^
llonly suj^osed^ to^^tejplhe graves.
t
•^
S0
AitTK^riTieg.
giants. After what lapse of time does (rddilbj
(ie^nerate into fable? At what period of tii
does fable itself wear out, and consign eJl aniij
qiiity toa.totaI and acknowledged oblivion?
this baa happened with regard 4o the antiquitie
^tinder consideration.
l^rom aH these eonsiderationt, it appears tb^
•ay enquiry concerning ^e history of the antii
quities of our country, would-be a fruitless rt|
aearcb. "Close shiU those grave*, nor tell
single 1ale,*VconeerDingL the nunieroiis populatic
whose reliots they enclose; * &
The antiquities ' of oup country do not pVesen
to the imhd of Ihe author, the slightest evidenJ
ces that this quarter of the world was ever inhabij
ted by a civilized people, before it ^as discovert
by the European?., They present do tracerof Ui
art of building,, gculptcipe or painting-; not a sionj
xoarked witli a hanifiier is any where; to be foui
ft is supposed' by some,, t^at the aborigines
this country were in the habit ol using iron tool^
and ioipleisetits of war; that such was the fact, a;
pears to roe very doubtful^ There can exist no spe
•imens of iron, coeval with the antiquitiesof tbii
country,, as iron, in alroosl^aoy silutation is lial
t0 rust, and pass to its primative state of ore.
•the disoovary of^Ameriea^^' Indians kfttw nothj
ing of the use of iron. Any people who liiive en
been in the^ habit of U8ln|^ iroo^ wiU be sure
leave some indelible traces . of « its use, behio^
them; but the aboriginos ofiiiii country hateleil
-none.
Babarians in maay instances, have possessef
n^o stilt possess, the art of .writir%; but \t ii
Nobe prijsume.d that aud^^ii^d peqptf
vixere destitttt^f (bat art.%The orir" '^
^r*-:
m
ANTIQUITIES.
l^
ttvc», nor tell
talkto of ibis country poasesied it not; or thejr
rould ceptai n ly have left aoino traces of ^ bf h|od
them. ^ * ••
If they possessed some trinketfl of copper,, iii-
rer, goldv^i^ evjen tools, and military weapons. of
pron, they nevertheless, furrii^ no evidences 'of
bivilizatioo, aiall hktory goes to shew that the
lornaniental, or military use of these sietais, is
[cooiisteiH; with the grossest Bwbarism. 'fhe'
Calmae TCariers have tbei| jjgj^,; and sttver-
amilfts^ ^l|df |t what peop\^iijfe|trlh are mor6
[barbarooi^flian tlie Calmucs. !^|r,4anie may be
said of the CiroastAnt;^ Ih^ )||^^^baidance
[of gt^d-and silvM^orniiiient^; J^f it{i«|^^
[ Copper may ikve f^«od its ivay to|ni^^^tr;
^ironr Feruya country in which that rn^t^K^p|n*
[daot: a few gold, atid silver coinsi if stj|^lye
been found to pur cQiiinlry, may have cooitf'
Asia, or even £ij^op^|;^^bt|||hey certainly were ire?
er BianuiacturBd" l^rf^* , '^ ' , .,"* "
If i|kt theperio4^ofVi|nehercfli aUs^fd^tovt
was any thing like civiIi3;atioa in thd world j It waS'
eicluftively confifjed to Egypt) and Ihe isli^ds
in the neighbourhoocj of that country, Tha py^
ratnid^ of %ypt, an^ the Qtie^^ns palace in th^ is-
land of Cyprus, are tMiiit of hewn stone; bnfpi^
ling lip hugestonea, in usel^^ss edldce^^ b^ the
hands of slaves, is no great evidance of civiHza*
tion. In fact the edifices themselves, aUhorthej'
manifest a degree of machanical SkilV, and'the use
of iron tools are; efrVdences of the gloss«st barbar-
ism ori the part of those by whose orders they were*^
built. It was exbaustin| the lives and resoiirses
of a nation ir^ju^el^s mon'unients not of rational
grandeu* ; butsojaly for thai of the iadividuaj «iLonr
■•-■'V..
8$
AKTIQVITTES.
It 19 not worth wbiin to amuso ourselves with
the fanciful ereatio »s, of a vivid imagination un •
supported by facts. Tlie evidences of science,
and civilization ere not furnished by the antiqui-
ties of our country, and in vain beyond the peri-
od of history, do ue look for tbena in any otbf r
region of theearih,* By what events could the
monuments of arts, sciences, and civilization have
been utterly deslroysd? Storms, cartfaqnakes, vul-
canoes and war, distructive as ihey are, are not
tiufficiently so ttf^^<^ them. Tho>h#fe8 of our
rivers, and ]aki$rjpil^ been inhabit^^ by^ a race
of barbari8n%M^i^ ^ha^ subsisted by hunting)
and UshiQ^i^^pit^ : hai^ )4|f% us their forts^ or.
fownwi^i£ii^piief|^^g^^ l|ii little else^—
If ihJl^pl^^Ji^ 'l^ehind t^ any fnonumeotd of
l^ta lH^^lcilences, ihey in like manner would
bave^'dl^ended to us^but nothing of the kind
ha#c(line to our hands. Tljiy wMPre not there-
in if>0ftse68ed of thos^^rtSj: and seiences,
which are evsential to a c^^i^ state of^isor
ciety It is Itl^* asked, wfaeth# those pecpl^y
who have left -behind th«»in lh6~atf|ii|Uit}e3 of out
country, were the ancett0rs of ^e present indi*
ons?- Unquestionabljf tbay were^ and reader,
their coteinporaries of Europe, and Asia, wera
v^ur ancestors and they were mine. Humiliating
M this statement may seem, it must be true; oth-
erwise there must have been two creations of
the human race, and this wc have no rteason to
auppoBi^
' Perhapa the moral philoaopher might say with
truth; t^t the intellectual faculties of man, on a
general ^le, like those of the mdividual, ha^e
been doomed to pass thro' a tedious Infancy, non-
age and youth, before they ahall reach the xeiiitb
ANtiqUITlES.
U
of manhood. However rud^, and iftdicatiire 01"
barbarism, the antiquities whic^t tho89 renpte gen-
erations have leA behind them, their reloition to
us as ancestors, is no way^dishononrabie to
us. It is only saying that theirs ivas the infant
state of the intellectual faculties of man. 1vi>at
were the inteUectual faculties oi Sir Isaac New-
toi|in his infancy, and nonage, in comparison to
the state of their full detrelopement, when he not
only grasped the dimensions of our globe; but In
the Scifl^nte of astronomy, wl^irled in triumph
through ttie signs of heiiven^ Yet it is no way
dishpnotafole to this prince of phi]p^;>hers> that
lie was once an^infant, and a Ifoy^ "^^ * v
It may be adMsd, by what even fs has all^emem*
brance of tbo^ie'ref^pte generations, been so far
effaced, that even. th<i fabulous era of the world
has left them, in totiil and acknowledged oblivion?
Here we are truly i^^|he^dark. One %M of
period oftime assigpd for t-*^^^ j -' ^ ^
wttrlcf^iEissed away foi^fore the
of the flood, ^ When all the fouS
deeip were broken «p*jfoj tfu
ven we6openod» find Wp'^^s
ly days, and forty nights?^ ,
To this it may: be ofsrjecteid, ^ev^
that in ail probability this flood
every region of the globe; but might hilebeen co^r
lined to that part of ir^ which was knowa to ibe
writer of the sacred history. This point icannpt
be ealily settled: but admitting that such Jifts the
fact; and admitting for the niotuenty aU^^^ob^
jections^of that too iashlonable^ philosopl)|i Ivhicli
rejects the auth^tieity of divine t-eveliiiMia a^o-
gethci^ what ^uld lie ^he reiult? >^fttld j^^
limitatiOQof tlie eitttent or tfa^ history of tW m*
ation of I
^atastrop
"tbegr
ndows of
n the eaddfor-
»y the believer^
not extend to
io
ANTItViTlES.
tructioR, on the one band, or the total denial of
its authenticity on the other hand, have anjj
bearing onthe physicail evidences of the migh-
ty. revolutions v^hich liave taken place on ogrl
globe? Tim natWal history of those revolutionij
is exhibited) and its awful import cannot be mis-
taken. The philosopher sees all over the surface |
of the earth, ^nd even within is bowels, the spoils {
•ftheoeean. Ail fossil coal, he says, was vege-
table matter. If so, by what tremendous convul-
sions, have such iimnense quantities tyf vegetable I
matters 'been buried,over so great a portion of the
globe, and nt such tleptiis below its surface? All
lioiestone^^ inarble and selenite, h^ says, has beoo !
formal Wm tbjB s^iells of the n\i|Derous tribt-s ef{
shell fish, because like those she||i, tiiey are car-
bonates of lime; and yet there is no description
■of stone more abundant than the carbonates of I
^'lime. If this be -correct, what must be the age of
'eworid, and what ^estrvictive revolutions^ must
ave rent,^jm^ cjbanged the position of its^^om-
onent ^j^up^ery quarter!
Yet it sefl^Wery -way probable, thai tfao|^ des-
trug^ive convuj^nB, ^/ji^h haveteen e^asioned
iiyjpoods,.earQqualcJ^psnd subterranean fires,
MIevertook pj^eover tlie whole extent of the globe
at any *ime;di|j|t have affected different regions
in snccession so that however great the destruc-
tion of ammated nature at any one of those tre-
memdioua tevolutions, the greater amount of it
still femained in other regions.
«,^iiM^ having passed in review ihe aniiquities
^^f^ coun^,^ particularly the melancholy mon-
ument%of the ancient dead, what have we gained?
^iSimply this, that the generations of remote anti-
quity were eTflty where the same, at least in
iTNtlQtJItlEi*
i\
tbeif ^evertnct for the dead, Vtrhosie mdRUtneiit^
constitute almost the only history which ihey havd
left behind them, and that for want of letters, and
other testimonials cf arts, and sciences, we are
warranted in sayitigthat their state of society roust
have been that which we denominate thebarbarouRj:
yet their history, rude is it is^ is entitled to respect.
They Were no doubt the antideluvian race: they
were the primeval fathers of mankind. The inx-
mediate progenitors of our race, to whom the mu-
tiificent creator gave dominion over the tish of
the see, the fowl of the tir, and every living thing;
[that moveth upon the e^rtb.^' ^roto them w^
have inherited our existence and bur charter Cd
this possession oif the world, fiven the harbaroud
state ofi^ciety is entitled to respect; forharbarism
has its virtues.
Much as the physical happihesd of Mn hits beeil
>aiugmented by civilization, how far ha*8 his moral
state received improvement from the vugmentatioh
of his science and civiliiittioo? Hk<^(| the^ made
his heart the better? Hav^ they taiught him the
noble philanthrophy dt the good Sftmiiritan? Or
has be only exchanged thie ferOcity of the tatag^
for the cunning of th% sharper? Are the vicei
of our naiture diminilhed In force, bir are they onlj^
Varnished like a whited sepoTchre and placed under
concealment, so as to obtain their objects with
greater effect, an^ on « broade scale? Have the
political institutions of the world become sources
of freedom ^ pes^ce and good will to the ' p^ople^
Let the boasted region of our forefathers, ^¥i|»ht-
ened Europe, answer the enquiiy. Therl- Hl^d^
contributions, insupportable m their amount, itf'
dace all the 'miseries of pauperism; royal aaUtiMi
4M
ifittivnitB*
present its millione of subjecU to the deadly mi^
chinery of modern warfare; but are the valiantl
dead honored with a monument of iheir. existence |
anti bravery? Not that insatiable avarice which |
knows imthing sacred, makes a traffic of their!
bones, the groatking engine converts them to pow
der to furnish manure for an unfriendly soil. If I
this is civiliTation, pray wliat is barbarism ?
A veneration for antiquity seems to be natural to i
tnan; hence w« consider as barbarians, those who!
demolish the relicts of antiquity. We justly blame
the Turks for burningthenne marble oolutmis of{
a;<^ient Greece Into Ume; but do we display a just*
er taste, with regard to the only relieks which our
country is honoured? When those reiic^a shall
have di«appeared. and nothing but tbeir hiatory
shall remainj Will not future generations pro-
tiounce 08 batbaHans for having demolished them.'
I'hose venerable sepulobral mounds ought to be
teligiously preserved, and e^n planted witb ever*
greens. They Would figure well in our grave
Jrards, public squarea, andT^ublic walks; but what
Is likely to b& Hieir fate ^ If in fields^ for the^sake
of a few additionul ears i>f corP) or sheaves of
Wheat, they are plo^wed'do#o. If within the lim-
its of atown^t demolished to afford a scite for a
)ious«, OF garden, or to fill up some aunken spot^
while the walla which inclosed the town^ or fort of
the ancients, are ^adeinto-brick. Suchiamant
Such am the eiiligbtaned>( ^merioanal
.' ^>
MorigineSi
CHAPTER III.
WfiETtiER the lodtans of North, and South h"
»etica, and the Tarlars of the Dorih eastern coasts
' the pacific c>oean, have had a common or)giiv>
, an enquiry which baa long esereised the ingen-
^ty of the statesmen, and historiant of our coun !
ry, some of vrhfim hare derived our aboriginal
opulatioa from Asia, while others of them co^t
18 honor of having given populaiioa to Asiaiio
rar<ary, to America.
Resemblance of languages, manners and cuf«
)ms, mode of litis religious cerenKioies, and co«
>ur, are regarded as evidences of a Gommunity
"origin*
Of these tests the first, namelj) that of a siroilarr
U of languages is considered the most important
id conclasive, and has therefore received the,
reateet amount of attentioi from the learned.
Doct. Bartoa, a farmer professor of medicine ia
je University of Pennsylvaniavbas given a vocab-
ulary of about frfty corre'sponding words, of about
[ighty different languages of the North, and South
American Indians, and about thirty Qf those
csiatic Tartars, for the purpose of showf^
ientity of th-eir origin, by the resemblancf
inguages. ' "W"
To the mind of the author of this worl^ tbia
laborious rescareh has resulted in nothing very'
Snclttsivej^ as from the specimans gi||n ioi Ihoi^
44
▲B9RICHNfi3.
U
Tocabularies, the resembUnce between thofte nii-
merous langutgrs, appeers aatiroaU as cau weH
be imagiDtfd. This vraut of success in the learned
author, is not to be wondered at: as nothing ii
inure permanent than a written language^ so no-
thing can be more fleeting and changeable than
an unwritten one.
The languages in question, are all of the latter
class, that ie to say, they are all unwritten lao-
guages and of course, constantly on the change,
so thfkt if they had all originally sprung even from
{be same language, in the lapse of some thouands
of yearsj (hey would no doubt have been as wide of
the original, and as different from each other as ths
iMjbus languages of these wandering tribes are at
pfwnjt.
What is theHebrew Tanfuage at present?* A mere
Wffittea language, and nothing else. Its pronunci-
^ion his gone with the breath of those who spoke
it% Nad it pot been a written language what traces
of iJt would now remain ^ Most likely all traces of
it, by this time would have been wholy obliterated.
Many, worde of it might have remained among the
Aribe, Copts, and Syrians, while the original would
iieve been buried in utter oblivion.
iThe present languages of £urope,^eihibit clear-
Jy whet immense changes take place in lan^ua-
ges in the lapse of a fev^ centuries. Tbe Eng-
lish^ French, Italian, Spanish and PortuguesA laa-
guaj^B, have ^11 sprung from tbe dow^ml of the
^impire,. and all these bnguageelare com*
inly of tbe languages; of the Roman em-
the German, that of their conquerors;
and '^flpbow differfint are their languages from
each otner. A man of science can readily trace
<|ut tb^ir rea^blanoe to each ttheF. {{pt sa vfii^,
m
orlfiiiai
Nil loi
for I
Mlit h<
*! U
iNHelih
Awa I
•kffdrff
ttiflish
elj
mbl
Alt'llKiiNKlf;
i
^
cen thoie nii-
I as can weH
itlil.raM, (0 whom thry are ill distinct Ian*
9 can w«« ipiigef, as mucli lo aa they, ^fould havu bcfn if
the learned jjjjl^ j,^j „„ common origins. Had tbena langua-
as nothing ii
guage; so no*
tangeable thac
langui
§M never bct'n ivriftept the comnjuniiy ot'thtir
orkinala woiihl, in all human probability, have
hmn ioit sight of long before thia time.
It r *i 1 <* '^^ proof that such wouhl hav« been thn cnso,
111 o! tiie »a«« j^^it 1,0 understood that the Ent;!nh laf.guago n
'°*^K h ■ll|l«"pofL»tinandGfrm..n. Take all the word?
n ine cnange, ^^^^ |^^^^ 1^^^.^ d.:i ived from those two langungts
ung even ironj f^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^ Erglii»h, and you will have but a few
'""^''^^VJ^^Jfl^dH from other longunges behind; yet when tii
lecn a8Wideor|jj|ligl,,„^j, jj^^r, '*''* Ourman spoken, bin ear
CD other as tn«pp||(,^lyy.pgQ^f^j 209 n iirgle '.rord which b^arn nny
ngtrjpea%reat|pg|gnnblance to liis ovtn language; ao wi«lily dif-
HUffit are the pronunciations of these lMiigiiHt;e>:
resent?' A merciyjUoiigb go ne&rly al!ic*d to each other. Tbc huii>u
Its pronunciiSrvation would huld good with regard to ilo
ose who spokeupn languid**, did we une the pronunciution rt
ge what traces C^ro, and Virgil, in reading and speaking it.-^
ly all tracei ofQi this iiuhjcct we may go farther, and aujiposc
>ly obliterated. i||ghe languageii above enumerated, to have been
ed among Ihe gilrrittrn from their /!rst form%tion, 'till this date,
original would aii now for the first time to be committed to
liljling, out of a dozen scribe*, scarcely any two
^exhibit clear-i^^em would spell the same wordo with the itaiiio
ce io lantfua'kiilrp. Tbiftditference of orthography would sti;i
!g. The Enf-
ortuguest lao-
iw^ml of thei
agel^are €om-i
e Roman em-
r conquerors;!
nguagea from
readily trace
{{pt 60 witl
er obliterate the traced of the cumniunity « t
riginaU of those kiodied languaged, ko f ir a)
lere sound is conc*^ ned in perpituu'it)g iho
mbrance of their conn mon origins,
le present ^4erman language is cleft into a«
X variety of dialvcts ao widely ditfcrent from •
other, that the {peasantry of diflfereiit district-}
e German ei>tp«re, do not well an<<ect»tan i J
^
4i#afaiiii#.
tteh other. Tat t leholar in thit Itngutgt rtidi)
discovers (bit til fboM didecti hi?e had i com-
mon origin and by strict attt ntitfn to tha vari«d
Sruttuneiation of tha dipthongt and tripthongi
'liieh in <hat language are Terjr riumerouf, he can
understand them alt. Not lo, were the language
unfrritten.
The pretent Saion language, ia common Ger-
man. How widely difTtrent must it have hrei
among our forefathera, soTeral centuriea ago, from
what it is now!
It stiema every way probable that tha Garlic of
the higblanda of Scot]and,.the WeUh of EngUrd,
and the Irish were originally th« same language ;
but for a lung time paat, iliey have been three dii-
tinct languagea
The ritudfr bjr this time I trutt mutt see, that
tmong wandering barbarians, constantly iorm
ing new tribee, and seeking new habitations,
languagea ao far as the mere sound of words is
oopcerned, furnish, after the lapse of seveifl
thousand yeais, but a poor test of a communiiv of
origin.
With reference to the test of a common oriKia,
furnisned by similarity of langusges, Mr. Jitftr-
son has ventured the probability of tU«>re being
twenty radical languages among the Anifriean In-
dians, for one amongst the Asiatic Tartars, and
hence he gives America the honor of having givtQ
population t< Tartary. His words are these:
** But imperfect as is our knov^ledge of the Ian-
' guage? spoken in America, it suflicas to dit)cf;ver
Ibe foilowiitff rfn-arkable fact; arratgirg them
unritrtlie radical ones to which thiynay bv put*
pably tracrd, and doing the f:ame by those cf the
rod men ot Aaia^ thir will ba fuuod probably 20 in
LOlOfiCi
io called
Ihey havi
\ Agigoi
Accurate
|es of Ai
|varrante(
^racy o
laid that
Of his fiat
ier upon
and natio
There
permanei
merit of i
live case
this tent,
placed w
tltat any |
j^ode of I
|»f the m(
)|ular sue
he ^ente
cci of til
aijguage
iaaie oni
^e diftt^rc
kill take
|he langu
lonable t
lBK)»(Ciaii,
latiguitgv
ihclr uial
And thiii(
irBORI«IKiJ*
4i
BO • com*
Ui« vtriid
tripthoflgi
Dili, he can
Uogutge
mmon Qer-
have hr.ft
It tgo, (torn
It Gaelic of
»f England,
n language;
n three dii-
>t tec, that
mtly lorm
habitat ions,
f words ii
<»f fefcifl
•miuiinity of
non oriKia,
Mr. JitTtr-
'I'^re being
nieiican In-
Pariarf, and
aving givio
) these:
of the Ian*
to di{iCf;ver
girg them
lay be pal-
hofc cf (lie
ibabJy iO in
Marici for one in Asia of thote radieal tanguagitt,
|o called beeauae if iltj were ever the HtniCy
they havt lott all re«einblance to each other/*
MOTKf ON TiROIMU, p. 137.
\ A gigantic coocluaion? A concluaion, which aa
iccurate knowledg*; of one hundred of the langua-
tea of America and A»ia, would acarcely have
firarrantad: With all deferrrnce tn th«; uaual ac-
furacy of thitilluatrious philoaopher, it may be
taid that a teal for (he honor of thn ahoriginet
Jf hit native country, must have led him to con-
;r upon them the prturiiy of claio), to individual,
$nd national eiiatence.
There it one feature of language, much mor«
permanent than its Bound, and that 14 the arrange-
ment of ite sentencf't, with regard to the nomina-
tive cate, with itt veih, and objective cate. On
this te»t, it teems to me tome reliance may be
placed with tafe(y, at it doet not appear filcHy
that any people ever made any change in Uieir
toode of eipreation: because it it (he atrangemrnt
|»f the members of a sentence which Hxes the re-
ular euccetsion of ideat. Ifihe agent is first in
he sentence , then (he action and laatly the tub-
cct of (he action, the ideas of thotic who apeak a
aiiguage so arranged, follow each other m the
fame order; should (he menibers of the aentence
e diftWiendy diiiposed, a corresponding diiforence
ill take place in the (houghtH of those who speak
he language in question. IVoiii all thi^ it is rea«
oiiahle to infer that the arrangement of sentences^
IjiKptcialiy among bArbaiiaiiS wfio have no written
lauguitges, is the nioKt iini'aryiiig filature of all
their uialicta. la this resptct at Jcuai ^' Words
land ihiiigs/*
4$
iiOIIIQINCf.
fe*
. Irt the Hebrew liit; reib ffandf almoRt uniromY)^
•( ibe bf ^innin^ of the sentence, laxt the noirJ
ativr, and then* the nbjt ciive caie. It would '
ofiome inipertance toknoiv whulhiT Ihia arran(,.
merit in that of Asiatic latigua(e*!t generally, an^
whether uur Indian languoget have tba aama irj
rangeinent ot'HCDtoLcei. f
In the German, which ia probably one of th^
oliktt languages cfthe world, the nominative cm
it at the beginning of tlio benterce, then !he ot
jfctive case, ant) last of all the v«ib.
In the £nglish (ht* nuniinative is the !; iiiirj
of theaeotf^nce, neit tlit* vi rh, and lastly %ii« ob«l
jectire case, so that the rases in our laiigtiPM
are determined by ilie position of the bouds, aoq
not by their terniiriatiofis
In the Latin artd Oree.k languages, there seei
to have bten nodiiiiule arrangement rf the men]
bors of a seiitence, nor was it requisite tlierj
ahould, as their concerd, and government won
determined by the terminations of their verbs, mi
subptantivcB.
The ttst of a samenesa in the arrangement of tlii
vembers of sentences, has, as far as I know, navi
been attended to, ill any attempt to discover a r
semblance between the Asiatic^ and Americi^
laiiguagei. A likeness in the sounds cf words i|
Icne has been regarded as furnishing the cvideoct
of their affinity.
But who shall determine the point in nuettiotil
V. here shall we find a philogivt, suftieiently versrj
in the larguages of Asiatic Tartaiy, and those i
the Indians of America, to determine the questioi
c4 their rcKeiiiblance to each othei ? Aa these lao|
guages contain no Boifoce, art d are therefore o(
4»uith learning, it is nut likely that such a pcrs(
AB0RlQlNi4«
4d
will be found before the Indian languages shall
have Tanished from the earthy
With the religious rites and' ceremonies of the
Tartars, and American Indians,^ we are too littlo
acquainted to jusiifj anj conclusion, concerni?)g
the identity of their origin fro^ them. The most
that we know on this siibject, is that their pawawft
or priests are professed, sorcerers, who are suppo*
•ed capable o[ fniiicting misfortunes, disease, and
death, by charms, and . incantations. The angf-
koks of Greenland, and Esquimaux, were men of
the same profession. Most likely the Tartar
priesthood is of the same cast.
,The next thing to be considered is the aame-
BeSi,ol colour, as having relation to the queatida
under discussion. Here it is hoped, a littleij
jixity in stating the physical causes of all tbi"^
ties of human coloirs, will be eioused.
On this subject twa questions present them«
M^es. ' First, what is colour, and secondly, what
are the natural causes of the rarious colors of the
human .skin?
Colour it a certain arrangement of particlei o^
the surface ef bodies, so constituted as to reOecty,
or absorb the riya of light in such a manner as to
make a specific injipression on the organs of rision
4en.omiA^te4 colour. That arrangement of parti-
cles on the sijrface of bodies which absorbs all
the rays of light, is denominated hlack;rOo the con-
trary, thi^ which reflects them at their angle pf
incidence, produces the white colour.^
riotis angles of reflection of the rays of ji
stitute the ground work of all colours 1^
extremes of black and while. Colour i|
a mere modification of particles on the
hodiea.
^
ab0f:ginc5*
There Arc fo!ir cnrdinftl vorietiea of humiau
colour. First, !liec1c«r ivliite of ihc hypeiborea^n,
«iich as th^t of the Swedes, Danes, and PoIoBg
end otRers in the eame parrelels of latituile8.
Secondly, fhe Fwarth}' coloui of the inhabitants
of the south of Europe, and the northern parts
of Africa, and Asia, Thirdly, the jet black of ti;e
negroes, and AbyBinians of Africa, but with this
difference, that the latter^ have the features c f
Europeans, and long straight hair: and laetly, tha
ret}, or copper co!our of the Asiatic tartars, and
American Indians. Varying with the iparakls of
latitude from that of Sweden, to the toirid zone^
the hitman skin exhibits every possible shade of
differencfi betweea ihie white, and the deepest
Mack.
Concerning the pbysical cause cf (he varlQUSi
colors of mankind,, s great irariety of opinions
have been entertained, I shall however take nc
notice of any of them, but give that theory on
thi» subject, which appears to be founded in truth,
snd which now generally prevails. It is that,
which attributes all the varieties of human colour
to the infiueoce of cUnaate, and diffeieot mode$i
•f living.
£very phenomena of the subject in questioiki
evidently coincides with this opinion.
The sciences of anatomy, and phisiology, have
clearly decided that (he rete mucosum of the skin,
is the basis of its colour. This, bowevep, requises
some explanation. The skin consists of three
membiranes. The outer one is the epidermis, or
scarf skin, the second is the rete mucosum, or aa
the exps^^on imports, a mucous membrane, or
net worP^hich lies imInediatelT under the scarf
fikini^ftnd lastl^r the true skin^ Thislalter, or trti^
x&oRicmi&tf.
5t
iktn is peHeclly w\Me in all people, tbc epidisirifiis^
orscarlskin ir universally transparent. TItrough
ibis transparent scarf skin, the colour of jHfie rete
mucosunf), underneath is discovered.
That the state of the t'etc mucosUiD) with regafd
to colour, is varied by the influence of climate,
and mode& of life, there can be no doubt. The^
zones of the earth are scarcely better marked out
by their parallels of latitude, thlb are the inbabi-
ti»nts of: their respective latitudes^ designated by
their shades of colour^ from the white of the north,
to the black of the tropical regiohs^ Tbos^ lat-
ter regions- alone, exhibit considerable varietT of^
eolpur. Their inhabitants are not all black it
may be said however, that nohe of tbem are
white. Their must be something peculiar in the
air, and certain portions of Afriea, which give
the sooty colour of: the negro, and Abyainian.*
JPhisioIogy Will in time discover this pheno'menom
Whatever may have been the original colour of
mankind, a <ibangi3 once induced by remoyals
from obe ^egiOi) to others, would be augmented
Ihroti^h successive ; fenerations, until tbe indti^
eiiice'ofelimfitig would have exerted its full effcictt
lllven the tnduence ol mother? to have their off-
spring of that ddour esteemed most beautiful,
tvould have eonaiderable efiect,,]& liaatening oti
the change from the original catonr.
The s tiniTig black, amtong the Afti^ps is equal
in point o^ beauty V to tkeYHIy and Ih^ rose among
t^ewhite». Tlie' srglit of a white person mo»^
those of the AfViiians,: wbt>r have not: beenri^v^be
habit of seeing Eufopeaos, never fails 4o dij^J^
deepest hortor. At. first sight tliey asdSI ^^be
whiteness of theikioy to sofneileaftfaaomo cad ift<«
^utaMe disaasci ' #
61
X1iCRi^i^£9.
Ilvidetices of the influence of climate oh (U
tiuman colour, present themselves cooBtantly to
our observation. The descendants of the Afric&ni
in our country, far are from having the sooty black |
colour of their forefathers, the natives of Africa.
The latter ak'e distinguished from the former at |
first sight.
In Ameriba thisrie are inahy full blooded negroes I
scarctly a shade nearer the black, than niany of
our mulattoes. These ^re denominated vshite ne<
groes. Africa ekhibits none of this descriptioD.
These people exhibit One presumptive evidienceJ
^that thb original colour of mankind was white.
The skin of a full blooded negro infant, for
some time after birth, is nearly white. It is
hot until the skin of the child has been exposed to|
ihe air for some time, that the rete mucosum be*
comes of siicb a texture as to exhibit the black |
colour.
Many of our young itien of a fair coroplt xion,
alter perfoiming several Voyages down the river^j
and among the west India Islands, return swar-
thy men^ and reraaio so for life.
fivery roothar is aware of the influence of the
sun in tannir>^ their children, especially during
the prevblence of the equinoctial wind in the
vpriiig of the year, and tberefore take every pains,
to prevent their blasting influencis on the lilly, and
the rose, of their littlb progeny^ (during thjat season.
It may be asked, why the Indian bolour in Amer-
ica aniong tht white people ? Why this difference
•flcolour in the sama region.^ All . circumstan-
tas idUg, the red colour of the Indian, is the co-.
lourMltehis natural to oiir country. Many of
those of the white people who have been bronghi
bp iataieegtlie Indians fton their iofuiey, difTef
%
ABeiI«lHB^
53
§om tlism bat little io point ofcoloar, and art (o
ht distinguib <:d from them, onlj by the diffisreDce
•f their features. There are maoy of bur white
jieople of a darker hue than many of the In*-
diani. We do not to readily perceive thit, he-
eause a ff hite man, let hit colour be ever i o dark, \8
gtill a white man, whil« an Indian with a whiter skin
it atill an Indian. We lose tight of the colour of
bftb in the national eharacter of each, of which
we never lose sight. Were any number of white
people to ado^t the ladian mode of living in its
full «txtent, in a few generations, the difference
•f colour between them and the Indian would not
be great. How much whiter is a French Cana-
dian boatman than an Indian? Scarcely a single
shade. Thus physiology has ascertained beyond
a shadow of doubt^ that the rete macoBua is the
basis of the human colour, and innumt^rable facts
go to show that the various states of this m«m«
brane, which e^thibit all the varieties of the hi-
man colour, are necasioaed by the influence dt
different climatei, and modes of living.
But from the varieties of this membrane se
slight in themselves, that physiolef y can scareelj
discover them, except in their effects, what
mighty cohs(;i{ences have arisen! What impop*
Hint conclusions have been drawn!
An African is black, has a woolly head, an4
a flat nose; he is therefore not entitled to the
rights of human natursi But he is a docile being
possessed of but little pride of independence, an4
a subject of the softer paj^sions^, who rftther ihas
nsk his life in the defence of his liberty will
«*Take the pittance and the lash." HeiglktMl^
Ibrt a f roper sabject for alavary* ^^
«4
iBoii6rf^iif^.
'.
Tho InctUn has a copper cotoured skin, and
'tlicrefore the rights of huinln nature du not be*
long to him! Cat he will not work, and his
high sense of independence, and ttroiyg dedire of
Teve^gft would place in dtinger the propertj, an;]
life of the oppressor, who should attempt to force
him to labor. He is therefore to be exterminated;
or at least despoiled of his country, and driven
to somerRmote region where he must jjerish!
Such 1ias been, and such stiTl is^to a certain
'extent, the logic of nations poseef-s^d of all ihb
science cf the world! — Of cluistian nations-
How horrid the features of that sluvtry to which
this logic has given birth! The b^enevolent heart
lileeds at the thought of the cruelties which have
always accoinpanied it; amongst the Mahomedans
as soon aa the christian slave embraces the religi-
on of his master, he is free; but among the fol-
lowers of the Messiah, the slave may indeed em*
'briekce the religion of his master; t}ut he still re*
nislins a slave; although a christian brother.
It is a curious circumstance, that while our
Missionaries are generously traversing tha mcst'
inhospitable regions, and eii'deavouring with in-
'cesiant toil, to give tW science of £u rope, and
America, together witli t1be christi^ rc^^elafian,
to the benighted pagans, most of the legis1arur(%
Df our slave holding state have mad6 it an highly
penal offence) to teach a slave a single letter-^
^iVhila at great expen^de and waste of varua-
)>le lives, fve are (endeavouring to teach the natives
Df Aftica, the use of letters, no one durst attempt to
^6 the sa^e thing for the wretched descehdabts of
that ill-j|fled people, houndjn the fetters of slave-
^ in America. Thus otir sJiaverv Chains the snui
%8 m^M if» hodf. Would a MttMeimaii hnM
A30ai6lt>BSi
55f
his filave from lieeroingto roadllie Alcoreo.^ Siirt-*
ij b(! would r.ot
We are often told bj; slaveholders, tbtl iheji
would vrilliiigly {i'lve freedon to their glaves, if
ti;ey could do it with safeij: If they could gvt rid
ofthem when ft ce;i but are they more dangerous
ivlftn free, than when in slavery! But adniitting:
the hct, that owing to their ignorance, f tupidity.
and bad Itablts, tltey are unlit tor frct«dom; wc
ouraeWes have made them so. We debase theiti
(o the condition of brute», and then use that de-
baseitiest as ao argument for perpetuating their
slavery. • «
I will conclifde this digression, with the elo-
quent language of President Jefferson on the sub*
ject. ** Human liberty is the gift of Sod; and can-
not be violated but in his wrath. Indeed 1 trembld
for my country, when I reflect that Qod is just*
and that his justice cannot sleep forever: that c€>n-
sidenng nuinberf), Tiature, and natural means on^
Ty, a revolution of the wheeh of fortune, ao ex*
change of situation is among the possible events:-
il may bpcome probable by supernatural inter*
fercnce. The Almighty has no attribute whic)i>
can take side with us in such a contest."
But to return. Why this great solicitude of.tb^-
learned, io discover the, geueology of^ ihe Ameri-
can Indians.^ This solicitude is like maoT other
*Many suppose that some of the Indians are oj Jew-
ish origin. This may indeed heiht coit.^ Jar at an car-
ly period of the Jcwhh history, Shalmapcficrf the king of
A^^yxia, i&^k Samaria after a siege of three f^cars con-
tinuance^ " %&nd the king of Assyiia did cdHrry arvay :
Israel into Jlssyria., ai\d put them in Halaky and in
flahf/r, by the rivtr Gozan, and in the city if tbfi-
u
A90BlfilXCES.
fjiibiontblt puriuiu of tho present daj. It is lU^
a voyage to the northern polar regions, or a jour-
ney into Africa; in the former of n Iiich, nothing
is seen but immense islands of ice, and in the
latter little else than regions of and deserts; but
the voyager and traveller return home rich in dis-
coveries — of red snow— •the probable cause of the
aurora boreal is— or of an hidden catacomb, full of
mumnies^and the hug5 head of the lesierMemnei*,
Besides actual discoveries, both are rich— in cen-
JBCtures of little or no importance to the world.
We Might say the Englishman, the French-
nan, and German, what is yeur. origin? He
knows no more of his own j;«nealogy, than he
does of that of the American Indians. The blood
of fifty nations, for aught he can tell to the con-
trary, runs in his veins. He may bf related to
the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Greeks,
Bomans, Copts and many other smaller nation^
whose very names have long since been burieil
in oblivion.
•HfedlM.'* From these placet tit is hghly probable ma*
9lf of the Jews, found their vay into Eastern Tartary,
and from thence to •Jmcn'ca, but toith the loss of their
national character, language and religion. Ten cf
Ike twelve tribes were carried off by ShaUnaneser, Jftev
this everd^ history no longer recognizes those tribes m
Jews; thenceforward the kingdom (fisral. consisted on^
ty of the tiibes of Juda, Benjamin, and part ^ the tribe
of Levi. So large a number oj prolific people, must
have soon associated themselves, by travellings commeru^
and intermarriages, with dl the surrounditig nati(ms,
smd of course weir descendants would be as likely If
^9yi tSiir wi^ to Mmerica, as any other people.
II KingSy Chap, It.
dQfitveo Virgittia,p. U^*
A£0RI6INfii.
67
Thus while you are anxiously inquiring for Ihc
ori^ii of the poor Eavag«8 of America, you forget
your own. Perhaps ot ihis moment, you kno.v
nothing of your immediate ancestry, beyond yoUT
^rand father, or at the farthest your great giand
father.
If we should infer a commuoily of origin, bc-
tfveen the Tartars of A^^ia, and the Ameiican'']|ti-
dians, from a resemblance of color, it would Le
no more than saying tb;it the same causes, will in
similar circumstances, produce the same effvicts:
the sun and air will produce the same cffec/s
on nian in Tartary, that they- do in America in
the same latitudes. It is now too late, or soon
will be so, to find any thing like a solution of V.ns
question from any resemblance between the la.]-
guages of these people. The religious vvorsljip tf
savages, is every where pretty much the sajne,
and therefore throws no light on the subject. O.i
their traditions no reliance can b»? placed, because
to a ptople who have no written science, the past
is a region of fabulous uncertainty.
It is enough for the solution of this queFition, thst
the navigatifin of the northern Atlantic, & northern
Pacifici^ has at all time* been practicable, evci to
the imperfect navigation of the nations inhabiting^,
their shores, and that they have at all times car-
ried on a constant intercourse wiih each ether,
especially ao'oss the northern pacific.
But to which continent shall we arcribb the
honour of having given population to the oiL«*r. —
This is the most important point in this dipcus-
eioOy bit can it ever be settled? Fcr nr.y part I
am perfectly willing to concede to the old world
(be honour of having given Population to the new
It is luucb (ho largest continent, and by far, tt^
fint in arts and Bcieoces. Besides placing tome
reliance on the oldest, and not tb« least authen-
tic history in the world, I can see no reason
why the garden of Eden, near the head of the
Persian gulf, was not a point from which the
whole world might as conveniently be peopled, and
in as short a time, as from any other spot wbioh
a geographer can point out.
On the whole, the race of mankind constitutes
an eidufive genus of animated beings; man is
therefore an unit, and as such must have bad
one comman origin ** No matter what colour, an
Indian or an African sun may have burnt up-
on him." He justly claims a kindred relation
to the whole of his race. What though' the se^
vere cold of the arctic circles has dwindled their
inhabitants down to a dwarfish stature. What
though in more fortunate climates we meet witb
Anekim, or Patigonians, m all the essentials o£
bis physical , and moral character, nukn is the
•ame m every region of the globe.
May this paternal relation be every where re^
Gognizedl May a just, and enlightened policy,
and above all may the holy religion of the good
Samaritan, induce the strong to respect the claims
of the weak upon his justice and humanity, and
<*Todo unto others^ as be would tbey ^should ^
nnt^him;"
#■
n^
c.
_ V ,
Wealhep.
GHAPi'ER \%
Great changes have taken piace \u our r/^i* •"
[em of weather, eiace the sett lemont <:;i' \\w, '^toi^'
jrn country, yet those changes have b*e/. r.og.ad'
lal, that it is no very easy taEk to ic^coUcct, or
lesciibe them.
At the first settlement of Ihe courJrT the sum-
lers were mucbqpoler than ibeyore of prejent/
^or many years wc scarcely tvtf butl a oinj^^e
rarm nif,ht during the whole summer. ThA (;^«>t)-
Ings were cool, and the mornings frequcnt'f j un>^
comfortably cold. The coHn^sv of the nights ivi;p
>wiDgto the deep shade of the lofty fsFist tr-e'^fy^
rhich every where covered lh«; ground. In addi
tioDto this* the surface of lVt<3 ear lb tva? still fur«
ther shaded by large crn^% of wild grass, aod^
[weeds, which DrevcoUd \i from becoming heated
by the rays or thu sun during the day. At sun
jdowo, 'b(^ aW bttgan to become damp, and cool,
[aad* continued to increase in coldness, untill war*
jm^d by the sunshine of the succeeding day.
This wild herbage afforded pasture for oar cat'
jfle, and horses, from spring 'till the onset of win-
ter. To enable the owner to iind his beasts, the
leader of each Hock of cattle, horses, and sheep
was furnished with a bell suspended to the neck^
by a leathren, or iron collar. Bells, therefore coa«
ftituted a consider abb article of traffic in earjt
fiO
WIAWrtl.
One dipfrfssiDg circumstance reeulled from tlie
wild herbage of our wildernese. It produced in-
numerable swarms of gnats, n)oschet(oes,and horse
Hies. Those distressing insects gave such annoj-
anfte to man, and beast that they may j«>stly be
ranked among the early plagues of the counti|.
During that part of the season in which they weie
prevalent,, they made the cattle poor, and lessened
the amount of their milk* In plowing, they were 1
very distressing to the horspSi It was customary
to build large fires cf old logs, about the forts, the I
cmoke of which kept the flies from the cattle,which
soon learned to change their position, with evcrj
•hange of wind, so as to keep themselves con-
, etanily in the enjoke. '
Our summers in e«rly tiflDCSj* were mostly very J
dry. Tha beds of our large creeks, excepting in^
the deep holca, preeentcd nothing but naked rocks.
The mills were not expected to do any grinding
after the latter end of May, excepting for a short
time after a thunder gust; our most prudent bouse-
keepers, thf reform took care to have their summer
stock ef flour ground in the months of March and
April If tbis stock was expended too soon, there
were no resources but thcs»^ of the hominy block;
or hand miU. It was a frrquent gaying cimong
our farmers^ that three good rains were sufficient
t© make a crop of corn,if they happened at the pro-
per times. The want of rain was compensated in
tome degree, by heavy dewp, which were then
mote common than of late, owing to the shaded
situaiion of the earth, 'which prevented it from
becoming cither warm or dry, by tlie rays of the
sun, during even the warmest weather.
Frosi, and show, set in much earlier in former
tomes, than ef late. I have kuowB the whole crop
tyAATtfBB.
>f cerB io Greenbrier destroyed by frost, on tlie
light of the tvrenty-second of September. The
jorn io thii district of country was umitly froit-
ntten, at the eamc time. Such early frosts of e-
|ual severity^ hare not happened for some time
>ait. Hooting snows usually Gommeoced about
[be middle of October. Nov^enber iras regardei
\B a iriDter mooth, as the winter fre(}utA4ly set ia
ritb sererity during that montb, and sossetimes a^t
IB early period of i^
For atongtiae after the settlemest of the cotin*
r, we bad an abanianee of saow, in comparisBi
the amtntnt w* usually have now. It was bb
inusual thing to hare snews from. one, to three
It it in depth, «nd of long eontinuance. Our
leople often became tired of seeing the moBOto&-
|bus aspect of the cAuntry so long corered witb a
[deep snow, and ** longed to see the gr lund bare
[once more."
I well remember the labour of opening roada
jtbrough those deep snows, which often fell in t
single night, to the barn, spring, smoke bouse^ ani
leorn crib. The labour of getting wood, after a
[deep fall of snow, was in the highest degree disa-
gre|able. A tree, when fallen, was literally buri-
ed in the snow, so that the driver of the horsea
[bad to plungethe whole length of his arms intoit^
I to get the log chain around the butt end of the
tree, to haul it home. The depth of the snows, the
citreme cold and length of our winters, were ia-
deed distressing to the first settlers, who were but
poorly provided witb clothing, and Whose cahiaa
were mostly very open, and uncomfortable. Gft«
ling wc.>d, making fires, feeding the stock, aod
goinf to mill were considered sufficient employ,^
ment for any family, and truly those lajieajrs loi^
IHim Uulf qpB^rflr BDj thiBg else.
m '
m
^VBATIilrIU.
y
Ai our roads, in e&rl^ times, did rot m^mit cf
the use of gleig^is, tl.e onl}^ fpoil \te hid rn the
time of a deep euow v^xks th»t of lacing about on
t'le crust of its puificp. IIU was forofd by a
slight ibawFuccfedt-d by o ftvere frcst. On this
nrust we could liavtl out legs, Irusb, and cwing
to gif r.t drifts of enow in many jilacts, over the
Ijigl'.eet fences.
Jliesc crusts wrre often fatal to fhe deer.
WoJvcSv dogd and ircn could piir.uc them ivitli.
out breaking through the cruft: TKe deer on the
eon irarj', when puiSMcd, owing to the smalW tig:
of their hoc)f& always broke through it, unlt-ss
when it ^vas uncomnaonlv hard. Ilie hun-
ters never killed tht^ deer in the dead of winter,,
as their fikii)« and flesh were thei of hut little
Talȣ. Taking advantage of them in the time of
a crust, they held a dishonourable practice, and
ttiey aiwcyg relieved them from the pursuit rf
wolves End dogs whf.nevcr it fell in tbfir
way to do so. l^)reigrirrs, however, who were
pot in the habit of huntitigf of en pursied" and'
caught them on the crust far the sake of inform-
ing their frienHs in the old country by letter that
they had killed a deer.
An iticident happened in my father's neigh"
bourhood which for some time was highly satisfac-
<*?ry to the hunters, as it looked like a proridcn-
tial punishment for taking advantage of the deer
in the time of a crust, p.« well a tdurans of putting
aD end, to the unlawful sport.
A Captain Thomas Wells, a noted warrior*
hunter, and trapper, was informed by one of
his neighbours who came to his house to bor-
row a bag, that a deer had been killed by the .
vrolvts, the night before, not far from Lis housfi?^
10 ftc^mit r/
about on
;^ni^ bja
, yn this
land cuJRg
'» over the
'he dfcr.
^bem irifl,.
««•>' on ([^g.
^'^le bun..
of winter,
but ii/tJc
Jc time of
^^ice, and
ho were
Jf<^ «nd^
in/arm-
5lter that
sarisfac-
oridcn-
hc decf
t'arrior^
one of
^o bor-
^»y the
ilOU8^^
iFEAtiJiitj.
lihil t)jat the (Issr Imd not been wholly devourerf.
They concluded, tjiat as tht; wolves would visit
the place, Uie aucceeditig lugbt, for the purposti
ofliilishing cijcir }jrcy, they mi^ltt catcii one of
tlieni in a wolt* trap, l^^ey acoprdiiigly set a
large trap in ilio llead o( a npring, close by the
relicts of ihe deei'. ! he spri.'ig had welted the
9now as it fell, and was then cutered with a
thick coat of dry leaves, under these leaves the
trap wp^ concealed.
Shortly after !h*^y had finished their work, a
couple of new comers from Ireland, in purKail
of a deer, with dogs, canae to ihe place, and see*
ing the bones of the deer, called a halt to look
at them. One of them whose feet happened t«
be very cold, stepped on the dry leaves o-
verthe spring, and phced one of his -feet in the
wolf trap, which instantlv fastened on his foot with
its mercile'ss javvs. With great labour, ditH-
culty and delny, th*% foot was , eitricated from the
trap. The first house they called at, after the acci-
dent, wiis that df tho (nan who bf^^assisted C»pt.
Wells to set the trap. They complained biUvrly
of the occabrence^ and saiid that thi^|iad wrdifght
full half an haur before they could pt tlta w|cked
thing off the foot. They wondered whetlie.rjhere
was no law in Ameriea to punish people for i^t*
ting iuch wicked things about the woddf, ti
catch people by the feet. The gentleman hearcl \
fheir complaint, without letting them know that ^
he had any hand in setting the trap. F^ortdnately
the trap struck the Hibf^rniiin aeross tke soal of hitf
lihoe, which being thick, and frozen prevented '
the mischief it wouH otherwise have done bim^
Vthe jaws of the trap hadretth^d kiB anel^ ihn
\
t J
(4
IVSATHUI.
^
boses of his It; moet hay* been brolcci (o fmtt
bj ihcm.
The jukas whit', were carved out of this ertB^
t'broui^hout the neighbourhood, and the high glee
^ith which the hueters related the tale, terred
to ehew the foreigners the detestation in whicb
the practice of killing deer in the winter seatoa^
wai held, and in a great measure put a stop to
their sport.
But to return. The spring of the y^ar infor»
mtr times wa^ pretty much like our preseat spriafg
t^'e cummonlj had an open spell ef weather du-
ring the latter part ot February, denominated by
'*P«wwawing days," and by others "Weather
breeders." The month of March was commonly
stormy, and disagreeable throughout. It was t
tomnion sayiag that we must not expect spring
until the "Borrowed days;" (hat is, the^ree'
trax days of April were over. Sugar was often
Kjade in the early part ^of April It senetimes
happened that a great part ef April was but little
better than Marchj with regard to storms of rain,
anew, and a e 'la chilling aif^ t oace noticed
forty "frosts ef|ter the first ity of April; yet our
iruit;ihar7*»..1^:^Was not wholly destroyed. We
^e?er^cO>sidered ourselves seeure from frest,
intil the iirst ten days of May had past. Durirg
tbcie d^ys we never failed of having cold stor-
ttiy Weather, with more or less frost.
On thewhole, although the same variable 8yv»
tern of weather continuei^ our springs were
i^troierly somewhat colder, and accon^panied with
more snow, than they are now, but the change
Ib these respects, is no way favourable to vegt^*
latioB as our latest springs are uniformly follow-
^a kf tk« Kttt If litlnl se«ata»» k h a Itw #tt
*
.§jj^^
'#
IpATflftft.
e5
fte Vegetable world that the longer t^'Vefttfttive*:
principle is delajed, the more rapid w^eo^tla
motion. Hence those northern countfies Which
have but a short summer, and no springy ard
amongst the most fruitful eountries 1o the
World. ,In Russia, Swedeoi and Defiiiia||r/ the
transition from Winterio summer, ocetipies but a
very few days; yet a failure of a crop in tboee coun^
tries is but a rare occurrence: while in our lati*
tudes^ Vegetation prematurely put in moti^^Jind
thenoAen checked ^*By the laggeriog repr. of
winter's frost," frequently faite ofattaiping iis ul«
^imate perfection. * »
From this history of the system of the weather
bf our early timed, it appear3 th4t our seasone l^ave
already undergone great and important changes^
bur suihrners are much warmer, our falls mi^cli
milder and longer, and our winters shmrter by at
leust one months and accompimied withmut^h^si
^now and cold thain formerly.
What causes have effected these ohangea in our
'system of wcaher, and what may we reai0'oi|lf
Isuppose. will he the pititAate extent ofthiii tiev^-
tion,aIready so apparent in oiir system of weit||»^
Id all countries, the popul^^tloki of a deseH b]^
acivilisBed, land agricultural people, has ii|d a
great effect on its c%iate* ::■' \'^'■^■^■'.'■■y'■'''■i':^,
^ Italy, which is novf a warm country, with Very
mild winters^ was in^he time of Horace, &Virgil,a9
|oold and as subject to deep snows, m the westlra
' oifiiti^ wks at its first settleolieot.* ^l^hiloiophgr
T^»ce /tt6oriififB»: gfelti^
ft«m^iinffi(crml oeufe?
Hor, lib, f^ pit TJS^
66
WkATtfEti
i . ■■
\.
I '*■
has attributed the change of the eeasont in that
country, to the clearing of its own forests, togeth-
er with those of France to the norths and those of
Geroiany to the east, and north of Italy. The
Bame catise has produced the same effect in our
country* Every acre of cultivated land, mus.t in-
crease the heat of our sunomerp, by augmenting the
ext.ent of the surface of the ground denuded of its
tiinber> so as to be acted upon, and heated by the
rays of the sun:
The future prospect of the weather through-
out the whole extent of the western country is
not very flattenngi The thermometer in the hot*
est parts of our summer months already . ranges
from ninety to one hundred degrees^ A frigbful
degree of heat for a country as yet not half clear-
ed of its native timber} When we consider the
j^reat extent of the valley of the Mississippi, so
roi&ote ^om any sea to furnish its cooling breeftes)
1fvitb««ft iBountains to collect the Tapours, sug-
Inent and diversify the winds, and itatered only
^f a few rivers, .which in the summer time are
diminished to a small amount of wateri We hav«
efery data for. the unpleasant conclusion that the
cliuiatQ of the western regions will ultimately
become intensely hot and subject to distressing
calpia and droughts of long continuance^
j^freaily we begin to feel the elfects of the in*
create of the beat o( summer in. the noxious ef-
tluyia of the stagnant waterof the ponds and low
grounds along our rivers; These fruitful sources
of pesti1en|ial exhalations have converted l»tgc
tracts of oiir country into- regions c»f slol^oeaa mm
d^ath. .While the excessive heat and dryness o^
our settlements remote fron^ the large water cours*
eif|^1iariB be^A visited by endeipio dis^t^riea i^
9EA9V9 AHV BIRDS.
©If
tWir most mortal stales. Thus (he most fortu*
nate r«giQQS of the* earth have drawbacks t>oai
their aidvantagjes which serve in some degre< to
balance* the conditioti of .their mhubitatit^ wiih
that of the people of coontries less gifted by na-
ture ia point of sail, elimate and situation.
The conflict for equalibriu on between the rari*
ficd airof the South and the den ^e atmosphere
' of the Nortiivwill continue forever the changea*
bJe state of weather in this country, as there ia
DO mo^untainous barrier beiw'een tis and the norths
ero j^sgions of our xontinent
. •" X. **- "-
CHAPTER Vi
^nk reader tie^trtot^t^ect that this chaptef
will contain a Usi of all the Bsists and fiirdi which
were tenants of iheirestei^nwild^ness, at the iiin^
of its first settienitnc. 1 shtf | dnJy hri^idj notice
a fewof those«*^b6thda»es#hiiti|i1iavealrea^^ to-
talis or paHiaTI^ disap^^earedfi^oni the dbttntry^
gether with those i»htch hiiire emigrated here
wit»r ow i^nmio*!.** TOi i^twi^ratio n, as iar as
It goes, win serve to shew the hatnral bwtorian a
oelCinctidn hetwieeh those Beasts and Birds which
wrimtttiriJI^ l<%nanta of th« wilMnei^ and refuse
M
BEASTf AND MBl{tf.
the tocieiy of man, aid those ^hieh follow his fojot
s(p)^8 from one region to another, and although
partially wild yet subsist in part upon bi>s labors.
The Biitf&loe, and Elk have entirely disappear-
ed from this pecfion of the country. Of the bear
and deer but very few remain. The wolres for-
merly 80 numerous, and ao distructive to the cat-
tle arc now seldom heard of in our older settUe^
ments.
It may seem sfrange that this. ferocious and cun-
ning animal, sO long the scourge of the mounta-
nious districts of Europe should have so suddenly
ftisappeared from our infant country. The sagacity
rf the wolves, bids defiance to the most consuni*-
mute craft of the hunte'rji, many of whom through*
out life, never obtained a single ehance to shoot
at one of them. Sometimes indeed they outwited
them by pit-fills, and ated traps ^ but no great
number were killed by either of these nieans; nor
tiad the price set upon their scalps by the state
Jegisl'ifures any great eflTect in diminishing their
number and depredations. By what means then
did their destruc*ion< happen ^ On this subjfct
I will hazard the bpinion that a greater number
of them Were df'stroyed by hydrophobia than by all
other means put together. That this disease took
place amongst them at an early period is evident
from the fact that nearly forty years ago, a cap-P
tain Ranhio of Racoon Greets, in Washington'
bounty, ta. was bitten by a mad wolf. A few
years ago, Mr. John M^Camaut of this County^
net with the same misfortune. In both cases the
wolf was kiIed,aHd lam sorry to add both these mea
died, aflep having suffered all the painty and hor-^
jrors, a6compabying tb«t most frigiitful of all d\M
j^nses, t^t in^icttsd by tbe bite of a cabid aaimMK
SBABTt KOm Blips. '^
An animal so ferocious ti a vrolfy and under (lie
influence of madness, bites evei^ tbin| he cair
reach, of course the oompanions of bis pwn den
and thicket, are the first victims of bis tage.^^
Hence a single wolf would be the 'means of de^
stroking the whole number of bis fellows, in his^
immediate neighborhood at least. In the advanced
state of the disease they loose their native wild •
neSs, leave their dens, and thickets ind seek the
flocks and herds about farm houses and in some*
instances have attempted to enter the honses -them*
selves fbrthe purpose of doing mischief.
The buzzards, or vultures, grey and bald eagles,^
ravens*, or aa they, were generally^ called oorbiea-
were very numerous bere informer times. It
was no uncommon thing to see from fifty, to one
hundred of them perched on the trees over a sin-
gle carcase of carion. All these large ci^rnivorous^
birds have nearly disappeared from our settle^
ments.
The wild Turkeys wliicb used to be so libtin-
dant, as to supply no inconsiderable portion of^i
provision for the first settlers, are n<ow rarely^
The different kintls of wodd-peekercr still re:*
main in the countnL witfi the exception of the
largest of that geiuR of birds, the wOOil^coek.
which is now ver^carce.
The black and grey sqtiii^rels still remain in tlie
Jnouotry, these beautiful, but desthictive little i^nv
mats, gave ^ceat annoyance to4be first settlers of
our country, b> devouring large qijaniitieaoftbieir
eorn in the fields, before it was. fit lor gathering.
There is Bomethirig singular in the Eistdry of/
.^e squirrels. • Sometimes in the course Hk- §m^
m
t
fM
ihcA&id Axdb ftiuiK
yeatt (liey become so nvmerouf, ai to tlirHU^
the dcitructiob of whole crops; wbefi as if by
eommofa consent they co9>nence an emigratioa
from West, to East, crossing the rivers in countrets
r ambers. At the commencement of theiF liiarch
tliey are very fat,> and furnish an agreeable afli-
cle of diet; but towards its conclusion they be-
come sickly, and poor, irith large wortns attach-^
ed to their skins. After this emigrstion •.btl
ate scarce for some years, ttieii multipltr, ^iTilgrate,
and perish as before. -The cause of this phena<
menon, is L believe upknowo. It cannot he tbe
want of food i' for the districts of countries whipb
they leave, arc often as fruitful, or more sq tb.aa
thosfs to which they direct their course.
The terrible panther, as well aa the wild cat, have^
also taken their leave of us.
Thus, in far lesa time than it cost the Jews
to rid themselves, of the serpents, and beasts of
prey wbicb. infestedthe ^'Hill^ country of Judea,'^
vVe base freed ourselves from those which be-
longed to our country, Our flocks and herds are
safe from their annoyance, and our children are
not torn to pieces by "A she hear, out of the
wood.'*
In return for the beastsihnd birds which have
left us, we have gained an l^ual number from the
Atlantic aide of the^ mountains, and which were
unlirnown at tho'firsl aettlement of the country.
Our moroiDga and evenings are now enlivened
with the nr*attinaand, vespers of a g^reat variety
of sirtg^ivg birds, which have slowly followed the
amfgration from the other side of the moontaip.
"(be hotkey bees are nol natives of this country;
Vvt they always kept a little in advance of the
frlite pppulMipo* We formerly had aome prefno;^
•-.^li'-?, ■.■i?'4j
■kASYB Aim WlWtfit
titit kee iiuD(ers; but the tmoiitit ^f hontj obtained
from the woodsy wN never oonsidereble owing
to the want oft t^aMcieot quantity of ffowera tct
furnish it.
€r6^ ^nd blacltbirde lufe of late become' rt->
^^Ventj. They vi^e^d not nttives of the wilder^
•es?.
Rats, which were not known hero for sever at
years aOer the aettlemenl of the country, teok
posaession of it, in its whole extent,- in one winter
seaRop., Children of twelve yeara old, and under^
Hfvif^ never heard their name, were roucbanr-
prised at finding a new kind of mice, as they oal-
led them« with smooth tails.
Oppossums.were late comers into the country;
Fux -squirrels have but a very few years ago made
their appearance on this side of the mountains. ^
Thus our country has ezcbariged its thinly scat-
tered, popolation of savages^ for a dense popula-
tion of civiliaed inhabitant9,.and its. wild beasts
and largo carnivoroua fowls, for domesticated
animals and fowls, and'Others which although
wild are inoffensive in their babits, and ]Wi at
least partially on the labours of man. This baa
been effected* here perhaps in less time thansucli
important changes were ever effected in any other
region of the earth.
The cases of the two unfortunate victims of the
hydrophobia*. here alluded to deserves some noi^
tice.
Capt. Rankin was bitten by the wolf in hts^HTfl
dopr. Hearing in the dead of night a noiae a-
mongst. his beasta in the yard^ he got up and jOpien-
ed the upper part of his door^ which wasadouble
eoe. The wolf instantly made a spring to get^in**.
^tHi l^e house. ^4akin> \viih great presencie c!|t^
^
•EAITI ANB MIDI/
mind caught 4}ie wolf in His arms ts be wfti p«i'^
fling over iltH lower ha!f of the door and lieldbim
£i8t on il8 upper edge, and sgainetthe doorpost, uo-
til a man belonging to tlie household jumped piit of
l^ed, got a koi^, and cut the wotfs throat; but
the wolf in in the mean time bit bim severely, in
t))e wrifit. If I recollect rightly he lived but a
afaoK time after warde.
Mr. John M^Cammant, who lived but' r few^
miles from this place on the road to ^VashingloD,*^
met a similar death, much in the same ^v ay.-— j
lleariog an uproar amongst his beasis^not far frcm
the house he went to see what was the matter. — \
He bad not gone far before the wolf sprang at'
hiiQ^ and- bit him severely in the left breast.— '
Beinf- a very strong, resolute man be caught the f
wolf by the jaws, a^nd-beld them apart cabling
on an. apprt^ntice ladvto bring an ax to knock
the wolf on the head. He canie with all speed;.-
btut finding- be bad no chance of striking the.
v^olf^ without riskicig an injury to his niaBter, lie
dropped tha ax, r^in back to the . bouse, and got
a^butcher knife with wbich ha cut the wolf V,
tlir^oat.
It was between 4<eTen, and eight weeks before
the ykus took effect, so as to produce the sjmp-
lomBof the terrible disease wfaich followed. >:
From the time I firai heard of his being bitteit
lly the Wolf, Lanticipli ted the consequence with
horror, and the more so, becauaehe applied to a
.physician who bad the reputation of' curing tfie
bite of a mad animal with a single pill. Placing
confidence in this nostrum, he neglected all oth-
er medical aici.. tn this pill, r had no confidence
having pirevioualy seaiiaiid examined one of thcm^
MtA^n AMD •lllfli'.
aii^To'uDcl it roa^fe of ingrediend, posieiied of
acsrcely ant medicinal effinaoy whatever.
On the Thursday preceding liis death, he be*
oame slightly iodispoied. On Friday and Saturv
day he had the appearance of a person taking an.
intermittent fever. On Sunday the hydrophobic
came on. It was then I first saw him. l-la\'ing ne-
ver seen the disease before, I was struck with con-
•ternatiofi ^t his appearance. Evefy sense ap-
peared to have acquired an hundred fold excita-
bility^ The slightest impression upon ami: of them^
fare hiD a thrill of (he deepest hbrrortXN^iie^ the
fight of coloured clothing, the sud^i|;passage oC
«ny person between him and the ligtlt^ (be wi(i<^
dnir, or candle, affected Wim beyond- d(BS^riptio»».
^ On Sunday night bis convulsive Qti^O^llietbn^.
He was then fanlened by his hands and' feel to the
l>ed posta, to pmvent bim from doing- miachiefw—
At d o'clock on Monday evening he became deli-
rious, his file ceased, and at two o'clock in the
morning dealli put a period: to hia suifofio^.
It is impossible for Unguage to deaenbe tbi»
lerrtble disease, "fhe horror of miad wbicK he
continual^ suffered, was e^ual to tha! wbicb
would be felt by the most' timid^ lad^^ on bein^
conripelled to go alone, at midnigbt into a grave
y'ard, with an entire eertaintjF oiT seeing a ghost, in
t he nest frightful form which a disordered imagi-
natiba ever ascribed to e departed apiritw
lie aeveral. timet requested tho; physicians tjo
bleeUt hini*to death. Several veins were opei^df
but the blood had so far lodged itself la engor|;e^
meTitt in the viscera^ that none could he discharged
trom,the veins. He then requested that some of hie
iimlMk might be cut off,, that the same object might
heeff«Qt«4thikiway. Finding this re^e^t would^
A
i;:.r
^ismm^wm
I rUttfe-li^'^
•
s-
^
-•y4
BEi.fiTs iNO sm:
not be coinp!red with, he looked up tolas rifle,
a&d begged of inc, t. ith tears in bis eyes to take it
down and shoot bim tbrougb tbe bead^ ^^'i'^^
"I will look 6t yon \vitl» (if light and tbar>kfulnefi»^
wbile you are pulling the trigger. In doing this you
will do rigVit, Hinol^fiom your countenar.ee that
you piiy nu: but yru ki:o\7 jiot tbe tbotsardlb fiwt
of ubat lt^u(!Vr. You ought to put an end Xo 117
tnieery, and Qod himself mil not blame you for
doing 60*"
What t|iad« these requests the more distressing,
tra^i4ie;ci>cu«i8tance, that they did rot proceed
from any^earai^gement ©f roindj on tbe contrary^
CKcepliDg^^ufing tbe time of bis file, which lasted
enly-a ff^weeconds at a time, he was in the full I
•xfUfoi^e of b^ underAtanding: His discourse, un^ '
(il abo^t three o^clock on Monday evening vva9
Jtuiteratioi.a}. He I'equeated prayers tn be made
or him, ant! deliberately gave directious about
4he place of his intiTfTient, and funeral sermon, all
which re<^ueBCf were conrip](bdw>tlK
The fttadei nob doubt, wtthetto fcfiow as much
as possible concerning (he fa^jouspil), an impro-
per rf'lianee on which terminated in the death of
Mr. M^Cammant. I ^ave bad an opportunity of
examHiing two of tbfm at a eonsiderable distance
ef finte apart. Tbe first f saw was aboii^ fi?e ti^p^s
a# liMr'ge as one of AndersOn^s piHs, and eomposed
of Burguody pt^(^ and igr^en Rue. Tha second
VTQsmade oftbe same materials, with a narrow
strip of paper rolled up m the middle ol it, * The
paper contained aboot a dozfn ilt-sbapen letters,
nut nolsoarriEifnged as to spell any word in any
lanj^uage with which I em acquainted. Tbe phy-
sician who |i:ave those pills, reported that he got
Iboitcipe fof making then fron a priest of Abv8«
^^,
tA A!9D BlKDSk
*r'
siaia. Such is the saperatltion which ttitl re-
mains tltache*^ to the practice of the healing; art|
and from which) in all JikeHhood, it will never bo
separated.
But why then (Ims celebrity of ihi^ pill, as a pre*
ventativeuf canine madness? Has it iieverhadtbe
etfect ascribeQ to it? Certainly nevct*
Far the greater cumber of those who are laid to
be bitten by ribid animals have been bitten by an-
imals eimer not really mad, or hot in such & gta:>
of madness as to communicate the disease.
An event which fell under my own observation
Several years ago will serve to explain this matten
Several children one of whonj was my ownjweie
said to have been bitten by a mad cat, which wael
Ihstantiy killed. On tinquiry 1 found that ihll«
was no report of mad animals in the nefghborh^d»
i then gave it as my opinion that the apparent
madness of the pat, piwceeded only from <;ater«
wanling. This did not satisfy any one but myself^
80 1 bad tp treat the children as i shouli!. ha^e, if
thi^ cat bad been really%iad, and thiis got the cre«
dit of curing four cases of canine madness: acre*
dit whiidh I never deserved.
A few yi;ars ago, a gentleman of my neighbor*
hood brought me bis daughter whom he saTd bad
be^iy}itten by a m&d Cat. I asked if the cat was
a Mate one, he answered in the affirmative. He
said he had imprisoned htm ma closet, I am glad
of that said Ij keep him there a few days, and you
will find him as well as ever he was: and so it
turned out.
Dogs are subject to ft Similar madness from the
Same cause. In this state, likd cats, they are apt
tQ bite even their best friends^ In this case tlid
tiaimal ki reported to be mad and hmtintly Idllfedv
#■
.^..*
\ ■ ' 1
n
(Eirts uah ti
*#
fo such eases these pills, ts well as other nosiritlA
for this disease do vioudeis} that is inhere there ||
tioihirig to he donet
feHAPTER VI.
, ,. Aiiol^is the plagues of the Jew?^ at this time olf
\heir settlement on the land cf Canaan, that cf
the serpents wliicb abounded in that country, was
not fhe least. In like hianher tW early settlers
of this country were much annoyed by serpento.
pt the poisonous kinds of tj^em we had but two,
the rattle snake and the copperhead, both o|
Which were very numerous in Wexj section ot
the country, but especially the rattle .shake. We
had also diiferent kinds of blaqk jsnajkei; with a
B umber of leaser sorts, but these iast/are not
poisonous* The bite of the rattte snake was Crei
quenlly mortaiy always extremely painful; that of
the copper- bead not much less so.
. Let the reader imma§^ine the situation of ouif
first settlers, with regard to those poisonous rep-
tiles when informed^ that an harvest day seldooi
passed in which the labourers did, not hoeet witk
;irore or less of them. The reaper busily employ*
ed with his sickle was suddenly alarmied by the
^hii of ii rattUaake 8t his feetj he iDStantly tk-
■*-n^^
SfiRPEIilS.
17
iMattil, got a club, and giving^ the enake a h\ovr
or two, finished his execution by strikii)^, the point
of the sickle through its head and holding it up to
the view of the company. It was then thrown a-
side by the root of a tree, or in a bunch cf bushes
and then lahaur recommenced. This often
happened a half a dozen times in the c^iurse of a
single day. This was not the worst, owing to the
heavy daws and grovvih of rank weeds among
the snaall grain, it was requisite to let the grain
lie in grips a day or more to dry before it was
bound up. Tiie rattlesnakes often hid themselves
under iheie handfulls of grain, and hence it often
happened that they were taken up in the arms of
those who were employed in gathering and bind-
ing them. If the labourer happened to be even
an old man, stitfened with toil and the rheuroatismv
be dropped all and sprang away wi<h all the agil*
ity of a boy of sixteen, and however brave in oth-
er regpecti^, it was sorHetime before the tremor of
his litnbs and the palpitation of his heart wore off*.
Terrible bs the serpents were to men, they ware
slill mor« so to otr women, to whose lot i(gpne;rai-
ly fell to pull the dix. The iUx patch w^as common-
ly near the grain (ield. While the men were re-
aping the gra.ia tlie women were pulling theflar.
The ratilesnaktis were ofien mut with anaongihQ
flax. When this happened the women always screaan
cd with all mighf. A race then look place a-
niong the younger reapers, to decide who should
kave the honor of killing the snake. In the race
each one picked up a club, and the first of them
who reached the serpent instantly despatched
bim. This was a little picco of chivalry with
which the girli wtre well pleastd. Very kvr we.-
d
>'*!•?
t
r7S
SttRPlfN^S.
men bad the Hardihood to attack and kill a ratile*
8»ake. At thv eight of one of them, they always
.gave aloud shrtck, as if conscious of being the
Tveaker vessel; in similar circuuiBtances a man
never dotfS this, as he has no otic to depend upon
lor protection but himself. I have often seen wo-
men su overcome with terror at the sight of a
rattlesnake, as to become almost incapaole of
jDoving,
Every season, for a long time, a number of our
S<!0ple were bitten by those poisonous reptiles,
ome of tbem died: those of them who escaped
death, generally suffered a long and painful con-
finement, which If ft some of them in an infirm
atate of health for the rest of their lives.
In the fall those reptiles cor<gregate together in
Ofivtiet among the rocks, where, it said that they
remain in a dormant statq during the winter.-—
Whether this is the fact or not I cannot tell, never
having seen one of their d^s opened.
These dens were common a)) over the country,
and many of them well known to our people, who
much dreaded the egress of their poisonous inha*
Mtants,io the spring of tbeyear,notonIy on account
of themselves, but also on account of their beasts
many of which were killed by the .bites of tho
aniikes.
There was a den in the neighborhood of my fa*
ther's place, and I well remember n rare piece of
sport of the children belonging to the farms about
it. It was on a warm day in the spring of the year
wb^n we knew that the snakes were out among
the leaveB eunnir.g themselves We encircled the
^tn including several acres of ground, by p^rtiug
tht' leavf^s 8o as to pr«^veni the fire from spreading
tVi#ugk tho wood)}. On the inside of thia rii||^
*•■"
s-
8talP(Iiti9«
«»
%h If t fir« ta the drj leaves, f n ikthott time w0
htd thfe fun of i^ing tbo snakes jumpiogp end
writhing in the bla^e of ihe leaves. After the
burning was over we collected a considerable pile
of our burnt snakes * .
I have heard of btit two attempts tol demolisli
the dens of the snakes. The first wni sonae*
whpre in the Allegheny mountain. My informant
told me that by the time they had killed about ninetr
of (hem, they became so sic^en/^d by the stench,
of the serpents that they were obliged to quit the
work; although there was still a great number of
them in view. The next attempt to deslroy a
snake den, took place between New Lancaster and
Columbus in the slate of Ohio, the snakes had chO"*
sen one of the old Itidian graves, composed main •
ly of stone for their residence. . They gave suclr
afkuoyaoce to the settlers in its neighbourhood,,
that they aseembled for the purpose of demolish^
ing it. Li doing so they found several Imndre^
snakes together with a vast q\iantity of the bones
of those or them which through a long series ol'
years had perished rn the den. Tl>€se were ia-
termin^led with the bones of those human beings,
Sov whose sepulture the mouud had been en:cted.
Da these reptiloB possess that power of fascin^'
ation which has so frequently been ascribed to
tbem? Many of ttieni as I have seen, I never wit*?
RBsaed an instance of the t xercise of this power.
I'bove several times seen birds flying about them;,
approaching cbse to their heads, and uttering
soises which aeeined to indicate the gioatest dis-
tress; but on examination always found that the
strange eonduct of the bird, was owing to an ap^
jiroach of; the soake to the nest containing its
80
S£Ii#BKt£.
y
^ Tif ftt'^fiuch C08CS as tnose above mentioned ai^
dfirfi fiiist&ken for uistances of the exercise of ho
.Bower of fascination, is quite certain; ncvcnlie-
leas thol this power exists there can be no dcubt,
/The grcattr r;uirjb r<?t the early settlers say that
they liRve been uitnesses of the exercise of this
j«ou'er, and iI;ct testimony is worthy of credit.
It eeems from some report* worthy of belief,
t)jat even mankind as weii as birds and be&sti
are subject to this f||pinating power of serpents. ,
A Mr. Wa^er Hill, a h^bourer in Maryland iti
rarly times, informed me that once in the spring
ti the year, himself $nd a fellow labourer were di«
I tcTc'd by their employer to clean out the baro.
In doing this they found a rattleanake among the
rubbish. Instead of killing, they threw it into a
l^ogshead, with a view to have sport some with bim
fkfter they bad finished their work. Accordingly in
the evening when the work was done, my infor*
tnant stooped over the top of (he hogshead to take
ti \o6k at thr snake, when instantly be said, he be«
came sick at the stomach, giddy neaded, and par-
tially blind. His head sunk downwards towards
Mmt of the serpent, which w&s elevated some dis^
tence above its coil. The eyes of the snake were
rtea^ily 6xed on his, and looked, as b^ expressed
liim«elf, like balls of fire. His companion observ-
ing his approach to the snake, pulled him away*
It was some time before he came to himself. I havt
lieard of an instance of the fascination of a young
ledy- of New- Jersey.
This power of fascination is indeed a strange
phenomenon. Yet according to the usual muni-
licence of nature^the poor miserable snake, which
inherits the hatred of all animated nature, ought
CD have semt means of procuring lubsistenae, as
MRiriitiri*
well ai of defeDCc: but he has no teeth, or claw* to
till him in catching his prey, nor ftct u» assigi hnn
in flight or purauit. Hie poieon, hov^e^er, tnablca
hia to tak« reVcng© lor the hatred enu-ilaiued
aff4io8t him, and bis power of charmiitg |.rccurfc»
bim a scanty supply of provision.
But whatisihispowtrof fat>cination? Is there acy'
physical agtincy in it? I think it muHt be adinjtimt
that there is some physical agency employed in
Ais niaitei*, although ive ma^ot bi- abb* to ascer*
tain what it is. If there be nWJch agency employ-
ed in fascinaiioii by serpents, it must be i flPecRul
% a power, similar to that which superstiiiun ns-
eribes to charms, irmulets, spoils,- and inc^nta-»
tioni. A. power wholly immaginary, unknown
to the laws of nature, and which philosophy lota I'^
1^ rejects as utterly ii»pp88ibl«».
On this subject Iwill hazard the opinion thot'
the charm under consideration, is ctTccted by.
means of an intoxicating odour,^wbich the serpent'
has the power of eoQittihg:
That the rattles nakes have the power of giving
out a Tcry ofieosivcTapour^ I know by experience,
ha^ng often smelt them in warm sunny dny?, es-
* peoially after a shower of rain, when plowitig in:,
the field. Thir oAen happened when I. did not'
see any of them;, but it always excited a painfull
apprehension that li should' speedily meet with
some of them. The "odour of a asi^rpent, ]z an
odour sul generic. A person once accustomed to it
can never mistake it for any thing eUe.
I have heard it said, although I cannot vouch
for the truth of it, that a nnakt^, when in the act of*
charming, appears, by the alternate expatisioa^
and depression of its sideB, to be engaged inthtac^i
«f blowing with:aU its might.
.U.r, ,«t>.t;.,
m
iffi»rEHT»
I think it every way probable, that in every m-
tftftDce of fascination, the position of the snake is
to the windward of ilie victin^ofit^ charm.
But why should this intoxicating odour draw
its victitn to the source from whence it isFueF?
HttTfi I must plead ignorance to be eure; but dnei
any thing more happen to the bird or beast in this
oase than happens to mankind in consequence
of the uf^e of those intoxicating gasses, or llui^s
furruFhfd by the art^ chemistry.
A person atfectedT^ the exhilerating gas, clings
to the jar and sucks the pipe, aAtr he has inhalei
its whole contents, and is not the madness ccca-
sioned by inhaling this gas, equal to that which
takes place in the bird or squirrii, when under the
inflsience of the charm of the serpent. The vic-
tims of this serpentine fascinati n scream and
run, cr flutter about awhile, and then resign them*
pelves to tilt ir fate. In like manner the persoD
who inhales the gas is instantly deprived of reagon,
becomes franiic, and acts the iiiadmaD;bul should
he continue to inhale this gas only for a ihort
time, death would be the consequence. The
rame observation may be made with regard
to A]<-ohcl, the bai^is of ardent spirits, a habit of
using which occasions^ repetition of the intoxi-
catitig draught, unril, in spiie of every considera-
tion of honor, dtjty, end interest, the indulgence
jEn<^s in a slow but iiitviiabie suicide.
My reader, I hope will not complain of the
hng-h of this article. He perhaps has never seen
one 0: the poisonous reptiles which so much an*
»o\ed his forefathers; but in gratitude he ought to
Ireflt'Ct on the ai^plling dangers attendant on the
teitlemeBt of his native country. The first settler
Hi night kue\v not where t^ art lis fo©t wilketjt
ilftMRlf^
aft
^tnger of being asatiled bj the Aings of a lerpent.
£#eri bis ctbin was not secure from the invaiion of
thetntkes. In the day time^if in the woods he knew
not in what bunch of weeds, or grass, he might
provoke a rattlesnake by the tread of bis foot, or^
from behind what tree, or log he might be net by
(jut bullet, or tooiabawk of an lodiao.
Wild Fruits.
CHAPTER VI.
After having described the wei^tern wildci*-
ness, an account of its native fruits cannot be im-
proper. To the botanist, and agriculturalist this
history cannot fail of being acceptable. To the
former it wiU serva^to shew the great improv<>
ment which cuUivaii^ has made upon the indi-
genous fruits of the forest. To the latter it yrill
point out what plants may yet be cultivated witli
succe.ss, although hitbeilo neglected, For in-
stance, should he inquire whether thia country,
is calculated by nature (or the cultivation of
the vine, he has only ip ask whether the coun-
iry ia its original state produced the fruit of
.theviiie. Those early settlers who profited by
the indicatioa with regard to the cultivation of
ilre apple trc^, furnished by the growth ef tb^
m
#ii» mmiHk-
H'
crab tppleinfbft oo<int?y, <l^rived gir«it adv»i|^.
tf^e from their corr«ct phHosopliy, in the h»gh'
price of their fruit, while tb<>se who oeglect«fi
ifliit indicfttioD, ami delayed planting their tre«9|
tBotil they vritnef;»ed the growth of Iniit on the
trees of their neighbors, were left several years in
the rear in this respeot.
Ingifing the history of our native fruits I sbalt
follow the order in which they ripeaed from
•pring until winter, tt^n&anner of gathering them/
with some remarks W the present state oi those,
of them which still remain in the country..
'The first fniit «vhicb ripenetl m\\ye country was-
Ihe wiid 8ti*awberfy. It grevi o«i p^r land, on
which there was no tionber.- There were many
aucb places of small eitent, on the points of hills
along thecreeki). They were denominated * bald:
knobs.' The fruit wat smelly and much sourer
than the cultivated strawberry* It was not. a--
buQdant in any place..
The service trees were the first in bloom in the
ipring. Their bieautiful little flowers made a fine
Appearance through tht woods, in the mcnth of
April. The berries were ripe in June: They
Ire tv^eet, wiih a very slig|i immixture of; acidity,.
Mfidavery 8 gf'eeable flavour. The service trees
igrew abiinjdantly along. the small water courses,,
iind more ibbly over the hills at a distance from
tli«m. AieWofth^fiie trees still remain, but their
fruit is i^ostiyjtvoured by the great number of
bmiaKll hiroa which have Accompanied the popular
Ifonof the cduntrjr. Qaniroe for gathering the
strvice berries as well as other fruits was Sunday,
^ in large companies, under the protection of some
ef our warriors in arms. In doiog this a great
'iitfitilkr «f tbtt trees were cut dewo, so ih^ #^
"vtiLy ravin.
r courees.
(ir#f» of tliem wts les^enrd ever? yptr. Thii fruit
miy be considered bs lost to fhe country, for aN
tiioui[;h the trees ini^^hl by cultivated in gardens^
the ben tea K'ould oti be devoured by tke smdll
birds, before they would be fully ripe.
BtsckberrieB grew in abundance in those places
where shortly before the settlement of ihe country.,
the timber had been blovn down by hurricanes..
Those places we called the *•*• fallen timber/'
When ripe, which was in^e time of harvest
tlhe children, and y»ung people resfrted to th!
*'faHen timber^' in large companies, under a guar^^
fdr tbe purpose of gathering the berries, of which
tarts were often made for the harvest table. The
" the fallen timber," owing to a new growth of
trees no longer produces those berries, but e*
nough of tbeni are to be had along tlie fences on
most of our farms.
Wild raspberries of an agreeable flavour were
tbxsnd ia many places, but not plentifully any
ivher^.
Gooseberries of a small size, and rery full ot
tiiorbs, but of an agreeable taste, grew in tome
places in the woods. Tbe amouat of (hem WM
out small. Whatever may be the reason, this fruit
does not succeed well, when transplanted into
gardens, where tb«y flower abundantly, but shed
tbe berries before they become ripe.
WhortUbenries were never abundant in this
section ef the country, but they were so in many
places in the mountains.*
"^ Wild plums were abundant m rich land
They were of various colours, and sizes, and ma-
ny of them of an excellent flavour. Tbe wil#
plunks of late years, have, like our damson plutn^
Ij^leBof premftinrely. The beetle bug, orcur^t^
S
'A
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at
. «
frtliD HtvfnL
U04 an iBiect uDknpwn to tbecounerf^ tt U$ fimi
lettleaient; i>ut oow numerous evf>rf wEere, p^
^vites tb«.gr«eDfruir, for tba df|H>iitton of iti
fegfg. Tbig occftsioM a flow of the juice of thi
jCryit, 80 that it becoBieg goaioiy, and falls off.
An iodifi^rent U'mA of fruit, called buckhcniei
llfed to grow on smell ebrubfi^ on poor rid^^cs. Thi»
fnolt lifts nearljr vani^faed from Ihe setitJed parts «r
Ibecoiioiry.
Gw felJ ftiiks wHp wiitleri and h\i mpes;
llie former gcew iti iM bottom laodi. Tbej were
lipi^,of little value, and feldom used; The ftll
grapet grew on the high gioundsj . particularlr
in the -feJIen timber lattd. Of theae grepea we
Ifftd aeveral varietiepv end some of tb€«i» large
aod of en exeellent flavoitr We stiH have tSe
wsid grapesr but not in such abuiidence as fo^
yfriy. fn process of time they will di«appeer
^ID^ the cetNiir]^ r^
P&etvhiKws giww on large B[u8?i«iiaR«Qg«th#
•ill bottoms ojf small water eourpes. Tbfef
ir in large elMsters, and ripen? witb the IfT'gt
**- m tbe- fklK ChHdreii wei« veci^ Ic^d #
... .. •'• '■'^^ ' ■* ', ■ ■ ■'■ ' /■' "■ ■ ''i- ''..I
_#8d haws^ gr«ir«n th« wlitlft^ ibjt$)^in bUihee.-*i?
TOif «iift«f vavioiis Itii^s. The iMi bawsfrhieU
«i»| aiwAljIpfttiiP i& large tiiiteil^^
. |4mve # »o«f of abdttf f a>»^4vee» .«rtlNs itiM
f^^ "»i?y garden, wtiiafc^r«f»i^rBlfedli^oin tb#^
umB. 'rb»berri#ewli»iiri»«i«%|j||w»)end%!ak#
##ni^ tbe ebildf^Ni •i^'t<ai^%ad df*«»iMtii^tti,
^ild ebemnes m^wmmkuti^mii^um^p^mm
■ft Aoir beoommi teartft^
» ■ , , ' "'■■1 " * ■ .
Pawpftwi were plenty along the grtat i^Ater
coor8e«, and on the rich liills. Some pe<^1e are
fond of eatiogf them. Scarcely ^uy beast will
touch tbeiD, even the omnivorous hoiBf nevi;r eitr
thew. It is Aaid that raccoons are fond of
ibem. ThiByarcitilipIenfy rn many placea.
The crab apple was very tbuitdant along the
imaller water coiirsen. The foliage of th^ tree
which bears this fruit is like^that of the doniestlG
apple tree, but ndt so large. nThe rree itself it
aiBaller, of a slower growth than the Orchard ttte.
and the wood of a much firmer teitu re. It blos-
soms a hnle lat^r than our orchards, arid when \n*
bloom makes a noble appearance, and KHi tlia^
surrounding air wi»b a delicious fragrance. The
crab appears to be a tree oCgreat longevity.
Sour as as the crab appl«B were, the childr^g
wnre fond of eating them, e«peciaUy when in th»
winter season, they could find them und^r tf»
leaves, where defended from the frost, they icqui-
tei a fine «dden colour, g fragrant aineU, andfotti
»ucQ of their sournessv ^ »
Bae or more of these indigenoira apple freii
•ti^ht to be planted in every orchard, in honour •f
their native tenwi^ of our forests, a« Well iis fdr
«h^ conveoienct ofourladies, who are very founi
oftbem for wcserves, but are aometimea "unabla
to procure them.
W Utkan^ nuts we had a great vi^iety;^oml
•; ihti ^kness of their shelll, were little InVt!
l^^^,^^^ '^'^' .^^ white wafnuti.^
we^ gtfiei^l feed a gTeit Abundance. Of black **
wa^notti, i^vw4eties«^ |osi2e, and amount of
88
VYtLD FRI^m.
Thus a munificent providence hti furniiiic^
Mb region of the earth, ivhh the greater iuq.
^ ber of fruits which are to be found in the oli
ll warld; but owing to the want of cultivation, they
were inferior in size, and flavour to the same kibdi
of fruit in Europe. It has been my fate, as well
as that of many otbers in this country, to use, yi
infancy, and youth, the native fruits of the wil*
derness, and in more advanced age to enjoy (he
fan^e kinds of fruits, in their most improved state.
The salutary etfect of the cultivation of tbojM
iruite, are therefore, present to our senses, and
. we cannot fail to appreciate them
It may hot be amiss to notice in thi^ place, ibe
changes which have taken place in the growth, ond
bearing of some of our fruit trees, since the settle*
H^ent of the country.
My father planted peach trees at an early periodi
fqe some time a crop of peaches once in tbref^
or four years was as much we expected.—
After some time these trees some became so fat
• naturalized to the climate,.as to bear almost evei)
year. The same observation applies, although in
a less degree, to the apple trees which were
frst planted in the country. Their fruit was fre-
quently wholly killed by the frost: Thia has not
happened for many years past. The pear, sRd
heart cherry trees, altnough, they blossomed abMn*
gently, bore but little fruit for many years; but in
process of tin^e they afforded abundant crop!.
Stjchwaa the effect ot their becoming naturalized
t^ our climate.
# The peach, and pear trees did very weH until
liieyetr 1806, when a l<>»g succession of Tainy
^feas^ni eommetptced»4Airing mU^ jthe trees i)
vergrcw tkimsel? es, and the fills being wa'>'^
triu) tEtntfc
iB
rainy, they continued their growth untj the onset
•f winter. Their hrtnches veere then fdll of wp,
and as water occ^pJe* a greater epaee when
froien, than whep fluid, the feezing oftbe water
the? conuined.burftjed line texture of iheir W<IOfl, ^
and rendcf ed them unfit fpr the transmuwon of
tap, the next eeasoo. This fact leads to the con-
olution, that thopo soft- wooded fruit trees ought
to he plaatedio the liighest situations, and pooirst
land, where they will have the slowest possible
growth. TThe few dry seasoi^, we hvft had lit-
terly, have, in some measure restored the pet^M
trees. If such seasons should continue for any
length.of time, thf peaches, and pears will agtin
become plenty. . ,
If annua! plants, as well as trees, possess the fa-
culty of becoming naturalized to soils, and climates
remotefrom those ih which they fire indigenous,
what great advanM^es may we hot reasonably
anticipate for the future prosperity of our country,
from this important law of the vegetn^ble world t
If by a slaw progf«ss/rom South to Nor rh, the |e«
riod of the growth, of a plant may be shortened to
three foiii^hs, or even less than that of the time* of
its gi^owth in the south, thesugar cane, alre|dgr
transplanted from the islands of the West |n*
dies, to the shores of the Mississippi, miiy sloi|lf
travel tip that river, and its branches to latttt^e*
far i^ortb of any region which has heretofore wit-
nessed its growth. The cotton plant, and cof-
fee tree, in all probability will take the siihe
4Sour(ie*
The conclusions of philosophy, with regard^
the future, are prophetic, when correctly df^
tfirom the unerring test of eiperience. In tbe *
90
T\'IL» FRUITI.
I*^
])ectbtrii presented of the practicabilify of nfilur>
aliziDg the plants of the foutb, to the temptrate
latitudes far north of their native region, it is odIjt
eayingtfaiat what has happened to one plant, may
UDder similar treatment happen to another. For
«xatiiple. How widely different is the large
squaw corn, in its size, and the period of its growth
from the Mandan corn. The latter ripens, under
the fortieth degree of north latitude; and yet the
squaw and Mandan corn are not even ditfereot
species; but only vanetiea of the same plant ' The
squaw corn might tratrei slowly to the north, and
' ultimately dwiudle down into Mandan corn: while
the Mandan corn by being transplanted t* the .
south increases m size and )en|;tbens the period ,
ef its growth.
The cherry tree, a native of Cerasia, was once
cultivated as a tender exotic plant in Italy. It
now grows in the open air as far north as St.
Petersburgh in, Russia. The palma christi, the
plant which furnishea the beans of which the
castor oil is mftde, is a native of the tropiostl re*
Sions, yet it now ilourishes^ and bears trait abun-
antly in our iatitudesi I once saw a plant of
thih iiind in a garden in thia town, the seed of
vrlnch bad jSbme from the West Indies amongst
coffee. The plant was large^ and vigorous; but'
owing to Its too great a removal,«at once, Irom
its native aoil and climste it bore no beans.
These observations have been made tc abew
Jlbat the independence of our country may be vast-
ly augmented, by a proper attention to the laWs
•t nature with regard to the vegetable world,
0Orii|al wa may hereiifter cultivate witbm our
ciiralMntry, the precious iraits eTcn of the trp*
IgiCBt*
Hermit.
CHAPTER ni.
A MAN of the name of ThoiDM Hardie, who from
tu§ mode of living was properlj entitled to the ap-
pellation of hermit, lived ih' the ntigborhood
i^ my father's placj. His- appearance, dress, and
deportment, are among the earliest impressions (^
my memorjr.
He was^ an Englishmas, By birth andedutatioB.
and an ordained Clergymao of the Church of Eng.
land. He must have been a man of profound lear-
nin^. Some of his books in Greek and German
fell into my hands aflcr his death. His marginal
remarks in the Cfreek books shewed clearly that
he hW read thenr with great attention.
His appearance was in the highest degree Tene*-
rablc. He^was pretty far advanced in age: hi»
hsad was bald, hh heir grey, and hischin decor-
at^witha large well ^shapen beard. His dr«s»
was a long robe which reached to his feet, held to-
gether with a girdle about his bins. This he cal-
led his phylactery. His clothes were all fastened'
together with hooke and eyes. Buttons, and buo-
ities were abominations in his view.
fn the time of the Indian ivdr, he went about
Wherever he choose, wkhout arm«, believing,
?*!!*°'1^'^V"*^'"^''*»* ^oM hurt him, acc<
I!lSVi?.*'^".?^^ °"*5 although h© frequentlr
|>?8ed himself todanger, ^ '
Ik
.vi.'":;:W'>:-:.,v:f
4|iS THE BfiRMin
Hitf conversation must hare been of the moit
interesting kind. He seemed to be master of eve-
ry science and possessed an inexhaustible fund of
anecdi^s. He frequently entertained pretty large
•ompaHes, with relation? of events in England
and other parts. In all his anecdotes a'nd bistori-
eal relations, he was the only speaker; for he knew
•very thing and bis hearers nothing.
But, however entertaining this hermit's ebnver-
sation and anecdotes, they were conducted in a ve*
ry singular way. When speaking he seldom kept
his seat, but paced the floor from one side .of the
b^use to the other, sometimes with a slow measured
st«fp> sometim^B in a quick and irregular gait,
iTuriog ail tbis time he was constantly twitching
bis beard, and sputtering out tobacco spittle, in
•u'G^ a #ay that its drops were almost as small si
those of mist. Sometimes be would walk up to
•ne of his hearers so as to bring bis face almost ia
eontact with that of the person to whom be wai
^pealLing, be would then speak in a low tone of
VOite, almost approaching to a whisper, durinj;
this time bis heater was apt to be a little annoyed
by the particles of tobacco spittle falling on bis
ia(^ sind clothing. After talking a while in this
wiliy, he would whirl aboui. and talk again in a
lioud tone of voice.
Soibetimes the hermit would preach to the peo* '
pie in the fort. When be did this he wore s
black r<^e, mada Hke the rest of his robes, in the
fasbion of a liaorning gown. Sometimes be put
on bands of the common size and shape. At other
les be bid over bis robe a very fine piece of
m, About four feet long and about eighteen io«
^ broad, in the middk of this tber« was a bole
igbifdiieib be put hit bead^ so that th« fitcf
THI BCRMIT.
M
of linen hung down tt equal lengthi before and
behind. This deeomtion gave him a truly fener-
able appearance. 1 think from the greatiMitent
of his learnin*, he must, have been a firtl rate
preacher. In addition to this, to the best of my
recolleetion, his roiee and elocution were of the
first drder. In his public services, particularly m
the marriage ceremony, which it fell to his lot to
perform very often for our early settlerSjhe followed
the ritual of the Church of England.
This Hermit possessed one art, the like of
which I never witnessedor heard of sinee. He wat
in the habit of giving a> piece of white paper four or
fi^e inches square a sin|ple fold, and with a very
small pair of scissors which he always carried, a*
bout himv he would soon produce the picture of
a buck, a tlk,. flower-pot, turkey, or any thing
else he cho^?«.- These pictures sometimes ha4
a single sometimes a doubU estoon border which
had the appearance of fine needle work. While
doing this be was eommoDly engaged in conversa-
tion, and appeared to^^'^ke very little notioa of
what he was, doing.
I remember f once asfted him to shew mehew te^
make such pieturesi He answered with apparent
ehsgrin. **Nb, P cannot. It is a star in the head,
and you dont possese ity therefore say bo odote
about it."
Mr* Hardie although he professed hiinselCa
clergyman of the church of England, was. nev-
ertheless attached to the Dunkard society. I
think ou the river Lehigh, but whether he cao^
into the eountry with the Dunkards who
the estahUshments which gave name to De
CVMk and Dunkard bottom 91 eUeat ri!
H»
H
THt Hsmirr*
k fi
k
' I have not been iolormed. 1 hate indeed, nefir
been able to obtain the bintory of the aettlement
and 4 e| gtrture of those people from the country^
Mr. bardie brought with him into the coun-
try an orphan lad, whom be raised in his hermi-
tage, and taught him his religious principles with
aueb^ffect, that when grown up ne saffered big
beard to giow long. He adopted his Master's dew
portment and mode of confersation. He was not
jio#e?er, the disciple of his master in every point.
After bis beard had grown to a tolerable length he
•ncaged in a scout against a couple of Indians who
baa takdn two women and a child prisoners from
the neighboihood. The prisoners were recover-
ed lii the evening of the second day of their cap-
tivity. On this occasion, the yuiing Dunkard be-
haved with the utmost bravery. He fired the first
gaA,and was first at the Indian camp, to save the
ptlioA«rs from the tomahawk. When the party
returned to the fort| they unanimously pro-
tested that so brave « man should not wear suck
afk ugly beard, and accordingly shaved it off; but
belet it grow again. All this however, did not
suit the pacific princi^SeiB of his master.
This disciple of the hermit departed from his
fldifiler in another point. He was twice married.
Th!«t, I believe displeased the old hermit; for
BOon after the first marriage of his pupil, he went
down aimong his brethero in the lower part of
Pennsylvania where he died.
Although these Hermits seeded wholly devoted
~ie means ofsecuring their future inteVest; they
"^heless did not e^ntirely neglect the present
Ibut took care to fecure themselves two ve-
fuable tracts of land. The one on Cross
where their first h^rimitage was ereotedf
M
i$m iniittVi
to
iThe otbef the pitee now owii«fl by tk. lob«
Cutbb«rt8oii on whicb tbe tecood hermitMjMVM
When a boy, I was often at the latter benDitage
for the purpo»e of reC'^ifing instruotioDi in aritn«
netic from the old Hermit; alihough tbe old malt
was a good hand at washing and cookings vet
the apparent poverty and w^etcbedoesa of the
cabin demoDstated in mott iropresaive manner
*'That it is not good for man to be alone.''
Thare waa'something strange in the character and
I latter end of the younger Iterrait. Duringtbe greef
ter part of his time, especially in his l^cr yeers,
the was enthusiasticallv religious. Beme eeting
he commonly read a few verses in his bible, in«
stead of saying grace. When alone, be was ofteA.
engaged in soliloquies, sometimes be attempted t«
[preach, although he was a great stutterer. Sev-
leral times he became quite deranged. On one oc**
[caBioo he took it into bis bead that he ought te
[be scourged, and actually prepared bickoriesy
[strtppBd. himself, end made a mulatto man whip
hnm until he said be bad enough. Throughout
life with the exception of his last year, be wai
remarkably lazy and careless about bis worldly
ftfTairs, owing to bis great devotion to reading and^
religious eiercises. He was the last in tbe neigh*
[jourhood at planting, sowing, reaping, and every
thing else aoout his farm, so. that, although he
'lad an excellent tract of land, he eould hardly
lake out to live.
About a year before his death he fell into a e
lumptive complaint. During this year bis for
religious impressions seemed intirely to have
lakeo his mind. He became completely the
^ the world. Whenever any conversation, fur^i
■^4y**/'
- " nii^^'T^An^'i^Si'i
., .,i.^.,^.*^
8K
mM MMtif:
lifiouf libjfletf wtt offered him by bit hif nefgl^
bour tg pbo 0tw tbat bis end wai fatt approach*
ing, Xmlwaya replied witb aome obiervation t-
bout building a barn, a fence, or lomething else
of a worldlf nature. During tbi§ jear be did
mora world% businesi^ than lie ever bad doneift
any ten year* of hit life before.
I knew an inatance of a eimilar change in the
deportnuant of a gentleman whom I attended
10 a levera attack of the dropey. B^ore bis ill-
Mfs he was an easy^ good natuied, careless man
and a good neighbour; but after bis recovery he
was eicei^ely avaricious, pofane in his laiw
gpagOt anA tyrant to his family, and neigbbouri.
totb these in^n appeared to bate undergone as
•oliro eb«nge in the state of the mind, and ei<
ttrnal deportment.
Tbe question whether tb'e moral syeteaa of our
nature Ss not as apt to suffer a deterioration, u to
r—e\f9 an improremeftt in eonsefuencc of safers
and long continued fits of sickness, wonld be a&
interesting subject in moral philosophy, and da-
flnraa tha attentioB of Mai ef aeienee.
t,rs
Item of our
'fttion, u to
t of stf er«
onldbt an
ij, and da-
^^'
PdRt SECmift
4-,'
SsM
TbeS
somihen
Ihat ^m
in the II
p. Tfc
rom the
rlBod, a
bHed, m
(f them 1
lemean
le militi
They effc
irith pae
(one, ai
le vvriid
Lani \
the sa]
^ J* taking
I crop of
sd thee
)d a pre
djoining
lis righi
a----, -sA*-
Beiikment of ill
(CHAPTER VIH.
The Settlemenifi on tW« side of the meontafo's
commenced irtong the MonongfttieU, titd i»|tfveen
that Tiver ancl the Laurelfti€igi^,f{i they^l778«
In the tueeeedtng year the^ reached tlielRbi^ri-
rcr. The greater Durober^the first settlers eaiile
romthe upper parts of the then colonies df MJi
jrland, and yirginia. Br»ddock?8 trail, ia# it was
laHed, was the rout bjr'which the greater number
|f them crossed Iba mountains* A less^number W
lem cameby tbewayofBedlbrd andFortLigonler.
le military ioadlrom Pennsylvania to Ptttsbargh.
They effected tbeir removals on horses furnished
irith paok^stddles. This was the more easUy
lone, as abut fedf these early adFedturers inl«
he wilderness were eoeumbered wiil^#ubh
LanJ was the object which invited the greater
iumbor of these people to xsross the mountain, for
H the saying then was, ** It was to be had here
^r taking op;'» that is, building a qabin and raisinjr
I crop of grain, however small, of any kind, enti°
«d tbeoeeupant tofour hundred acres of Ian
id a preemption right to one thousand aorea:
ajomiogi to be secured by a land office w
"!» right was to take ciifoct if th|fe^^ bipi
1*.,-
t.
4fo
nTTtElieEKT OF TBE COVNTST,
%t 80 much vacant land or any part thereof, tA*
joining the traot secured by ih^ aettlenienl i*]^^
Ayupi early period, the government of ViriMp
appi^fed three comRnissioneralo give certifi^cftiei
of settlement rightf. These ceitifieatea together
^ith the surveyor's plat were sent to the land office
•f rlie state, where they laid six mouths, to g.
' Wait any caveat which nngbt be offered. If none
was offered the patent theti issued.
There was at an early period of our settlementi j
Ml inferior kind of land title iclenomioated a ** ton^
!|pf^k right)" which was made by deadening a I
lew tree«,near the head of a spring, amd markiAg|
the baryi| fiome one, or more of them with the i
iuiitial^ j^lie name >oC the person who made tl)e
iitoprovement. I remember having seen a num*
>»i^6f tliose *Momahawk rights," when a bo|,
For alongjime many of them bore the names iofl
those whomade ihem. I hav^ no knowledge of tljl [
efficacy of M:ie tomahawk improvement, or whether I
it conferred any right .whatever, unless followed!
by an actua) settlement These rights however
were often bought and sold. Those who wish-
ad t%-B^ake settlementa on their %orite tracts of |
landi bought tip the tomahawk improvements, w
ther thajt^nter into quarrels with those who fatd
Biade tB%n. Other improvers of the land with
a vi^ew to actual settletnent, and who happened to
^be alout vfsteran fellows^ took a very differen i count
from that of purchasing the <* tomahawk rigtlis."
tVben i^nt^yed^ by the dainnantt^ under thoie
*it8,th^yi deliberately cut a few good hiccoriei,
;ave them what was called in those days "i
' if^*. thaUt a sound whippingi. ;
iCthe early fettlers took the preeaufioi
|r the^i^atmna-itt the sprkrgi leavial {
;<§i"1%;
tifniLtifBNT or mc covntit,
tUeir families behind to raise aerop of corn, an4
then return' and bring them- out in the fall.
Thil I ebdttld think wat the better way. Others,
iapecitily those fhose raniires ilere «ma1l,1||^oght
them widi them in the spring. Mjr fathei^ idok
the tatter isolnrse. .JEis family was but small and
he brought them an with hini. The indian me^al
which be bi^ought over the mountain was expeef-
ed six weeks too soon, so that for that length of
~ time we had to live without bread. Ttie lefo ren*
ison and the bireast of the wild turkies, we wera
taught to call bread.' The Hfcsh of the bearjjtf
denominated meat, lliia artificd did not suca^l
very v^ell, after lirittg in ^s way ioi^me time
we became ilckty, tha st^nlach seeinAto be id-
ways empty, ind tormenled with a seBb of hun-
ger^ "I remeinber how narrowly the ebildreft
watched ttie growth of the poftato^ lopi, ntln^-
kin and' iqfualh v1n«i, hoping from day to tfiy, to
get soinelhiiif t6 aniwei^ in the place, of bread.
HoW^lddiitwas the taa^of l^ pdtatoel
wheii w«ge^ th#l»^ l^af «jillnltis id^ we
were permuted tdimU thiyifuiiif %ortti(d>rro«siing
eari. ^ Still Hiore so Wtoi It hi^ acqfulred itiH-
cient lardoettito be ttiade^ iiito jaMliiy elUBea by
theaidof « tifratj^ W^theivl^me hjNiltl^
vigoirdni aii c^tented with ottir siti^on^ poor
as it was. -■■■"'•"' f'-'-:- '''■'■ - ^'■' -
My father with a tmill nuinl^er of bH neigh-
bours made their tettlenlenti in the spritig of 1771^
Tho^ they Were In a poor i^d destitute situatioi)
they neverlbeless lived in peatfef but tbeir tran*
%uimy wns not of long contmuance. t^-—-
most att^ocious murders of the peaceable
ibiske'In^UM it Captina and Yellr^ '
i03
SBlTLBilfiNT OF THE .eOUNTAT.
brougbt OD the war of Lor<i Dunmore in the spring
of thejreftf ^^^*« Ourlitijejicttlemeot then broke
up. The women and children were removed to
MorrU'lort in Sandy creek glade ifome distance
to the east of Uniontown llie Fort consiBted of
an aflsembiage on smatl hovels^ oitiiiiited on the mai -
gin of a large andno;fciou8 mareh,the effluvia of
^hich g;aye the fpost of the women and child r#^n
the fevered ague^ The men were compelled
|)y nec^asitf tor .nBturn home, and risk the toma-
bawj^and sc«l|uiig %)ife of the ladjans, in rais-
ing ilpl to keep their familieB from fitarvation, the
•uc^Kding winter. ThoM «ujSering8, dangers, and
lossef lyerethe tribiite we bad to pay to thattbiret
for blbpd^ wflbh actuated those veteran murder-
ers wbt^brottght the war upon usi Ttememory of
the sufeKfiri in this war as well as tb«t of their
descendants stiU looks back upon them with re*
gret, and %bbo;rre«ice* arid the pago of hislory will
icOnsll^.their' naines to postenty^ wit|^ the Jull
weight of infamy « th^ deser?^.
A eorrefit an4 dfiitt^ed^^^^i^^ the origin of
8ocietif(s^ and their progress from one condttioo
or pcant cf weajifch, scienoi^ and civilkalion, to
another in thes^$ltuportaat respeSi a much
bigb<5ir grade, is alw^shifhjy interesting; even
when received through the dtisky medium of his-
tory, oAentimjes but i^iorly and pwUtaUy writtifen;
but w^«thi}retrospi?c$ of tbiii|^.pa$^
drawn from the re«pllectionkif e^perienc?, th«
Impressions which it mates on the bart aii^of tie
|d,deep andJa^liug Vind. .
llowing history of the stale ojT sociefyt
1 customs of aur l^refatbecs is to be
,|he latter source^ and it is ^iveiD to the
Iba r^coUe^pR that many ofjny oo«
8&TTLKIfKlf8s,er tttR COUNTRY.
m
tompories, still living, fift^e, i9 w«U lit mjself
witnessed all the scenes and events herein desorib-
ed, and whose memories would speedily delect and
expose any errors the work n^ay contaio.
The muoieipal, as well as ecclesiastical institotiont
of society whether good, or bad, id oonseqiience
of their long continued use, give a eorresponifiog
cast to the public character of the society, whose
conduct they direct, and the inoi'6 so becausft \tt
the lapse of tim^the observance of them becc^ev
a matter of conscience. ,,,g^
This observation appU«s,JB full force, fotH in-
fluence of our early land laws, which^ allowed jfbuc
hundred acres, and no more, to a se^meAt right.
Many of our first settlers seemed to regard thia a*
mount of the surfaoe of theeartij, avlbe allotttenl
of divine providence for one family, and beli^eved
that any attempt to get m<>rc^Wou]d be sinful. Most
of them, therefore eontentcd therosel vos Vith that
amount;, although they mi^ht have evaded thelaw.
which allowed but ode seitleoient right ta any on6
individual, by tafeiog out the title papers in the
»ames of others, to be afterwards transfeited to
tbem,^f i^ purchase. Soms^fow indeed :^ur-
tued this .practice J. ijut it Wasjh^d in destairon.
^ My father, like many others, bclie?ed, ihat b««
ving secured his legal allotment, the rest of the
coHntry belonged of right, to those who choose
to settle in It. There waa a piece of vacant knd
adjoining his tract ancoueting to about two hun-
dred acres. To this tract of land he had the pre-,
emption right, and accordingly tecured it \ ^
rant^ buthis conscience would notperiml
refam H in his faniitf, he therefoi*c gave (
jpprofaiice lad whoafi he mi raised it^k^«
Tb»a rad pold itto m^^m^ fi^f
wf, and a wool hat, '^^^
m'
104
•WrTUMeMT W THB COUNTHy.
*!?*?■
OiTing to the equni distribution of real property
directed bjr our land.Uwe, and the sterling integrity
of our forefathers, in their observance of iheni, vrt
htivt no districts of **8old land" as it is called, that
is large tracts of lfir.d in the hands of individualr,
or companies nho neiiher sell nor improve them,
a« in the case in Lower Canada, and the norih*
western part of Pfiiins^lvania. These iinseulcd
tracts fiifike huge blanks in thi fopulalioo cf the
Oountry where ihey exifet.
Jffiie division lines betfrecn those whose lands
■ipiiied-, were generaily made in an amicable
manner, before any survey of theoi was made, by
the partiee^ concerned, lo doing this they were
guided Aie&nly by the tops of ridges and water
oo|trie9, buVparticuiarly the former. Hence the
fieater number of farms in the western parts of
eoiaylvania and Virginia bear a striking resem*
blance*to an amphitheatre. The buildings occu-
py a low situation and th^ top0 of the surifounding
bills are the boundaries of the tract to which the
family mansion belongs.
Our forefathers were fond of farms of this des-^
oriptionybecai^e, as they said, tb||are attended
vrilhthiseonvenienee " that ever| thing comes
to the hoiise down hill.*' In the billy parts of the
state of Ohio, the land having been laid off in an
arbttiracy manner, by straight parellel lines, with-
out regard to hill or date, the farms present adif*
jpsrent aspect from those on the east side of the ri*
?er opposite. ^ There the buildings as frequently
py the tops of the hills, as any other situation.
r people had beeome so accustomed to the
of ^* getting land for taking it up," that for a
time it was generally believed, that the land
e weet nde ef the Ohio wotild ultimately h\
•ETTUcmiiT or IBM cocimv.
1^
disposed of in that way. Hence almoat the whole
tract of countrv betvreen the Ohio and MatlcingunK
was parcelled out ID tomahawk itoprovements; but
these laMer improvers did not content thetiiseWea
with a single four hundred acre tract a piece. Ma*
i»y of them owneda great number of tracts of 'the
best land, and thus, in imagination, werif '^as
** Wealthy as a South sea dreara.*^ Afany of the
land jobbers of this class did not content them*
selves With inarkiog the trees, at the usual height^
with the initials of their names; but cliinbed/iip.
the large beech trees, and cut the letters in |i^ir
bark, from twenty to forty feet from the groSm!;
To enable them to identify those treea^ at a futui'e
period, vtbey made marks on other ttees around
them as references. «
Most of the early settlers c^irsi^ered their land as
of little- value, from an apprehension that af^r a
few years cultivation it would^lose its fertility^ at
least for a long time. I have often heard them
•ay that-sueh a field would bear so mamy crops aftd
another sa many, more or less thao tbati The
ground of this belief concerning tho short lived
fertility of the land in this country, was the pover-
ty of a great proportion of the land in the lower
parts of Maryland and Virginia, which after
producing a few crops, became unfit for use and
was thrown out into commons. •
In their^ unfavorable opinion of the nature df
tbe^eiiof our country, our forefathers were ut-
terly' mistaken. The nMi*« weeds were scarce-
ly destroyed, before the white clover, and differ-
ent kind» of grasa made their appearancggii^
These soon covered the ground, so as to ^mUk
|>Mttti» fer> the cattle, by*the time the woediKk»
roB
IBTTLEMfiKKV OP VHC ^tfVlVMr,
WM eaf«n out, as well as protect the Boil from be<
in|; If ashed away by drenching rains, lo often in«
jurious io hilly countries.
Judging from VirgiPg* test of fruitful and bar*
ren soils, the greater part of this country must pos-
iesJB every requisite for fertility. The test is this;
dig a hole of any reasonable dimensions and drpth.
If the earth which was taken out when thrown
lightly back into it, does not fill up the hole the soil
IS fruitful; but if it more than fill it up the soil is
barren.
/JJM^hoever choses to make this experiment will
A ltd the result indicative of the richness of our
aoil. Even our graves notwithstanding the size of
the fault are seldom finished with the earth throivo
out of them, and they soon sink below the surfaee
of the earth.
*^ti/« locum saptes oeuZts, atltque jubebU
In 9^ido puteum demitti, omnemque repones
Rwsits hwnuni, et pedibus summas (Bqutibis aren0.
Si deerunt: rarumy peeorique et vitibus altm
Apttia uber tirit. Sin in sutp'posse negabunt
Jrtjocay et serobibus superabit terra repletis,
iSbwsut ager: glebas cunctantes crasaaqite ierga ,
Jm jft ttMy 9tUidi$ ttrram prosemde juvencis.
A yir. Geo. lib, ii, I 230.
t. ■'
4
House Furniture and
Diet.
CHAPTER IX.
I'he nettlement of a nevr country, in the iumt'
iliate neighbourhood of an old one, is not attended
with much difficuHy, because supplies can be rea-
dily obtained from the latter; but the settlement
•f a country very remote from any cultivated re-
gion, is a very different thing, because at the out*
set, food, raiment, and the implements of tlll-
bandry are obtained only in small suppUee and
with great difficulty. The ta<)k of making neir
establishments in a remote wilderness, in a time of
profound peace is su^ciently difficult; but wheo
'>n addition to all the unavoidable hardships attend-
ant on this business, those resulting from an ex-
tensive and furious warfare with* savages are su-
peradded; toil, privations and sufferings are then
carried to^^e full extent of the capacity of men t*
•ndurethem.
Such was the wretched condition of our fore«
fathers in making their settlements here. To all
their riifficulties, and privationa the Indian war
was a weighty addition. This destructive war-
fare they w^re compelled to sustain almost 0^t6
kanded, because the Revolutionary cooteaM^ffith
BD|[land, gave fall employment for the mfiitary
lA
BlVfK rORNITOXB ^D mti.
w
streDgtb, and reiourcea, on the east tide of th^
motirvtains.
The folloiving hblory of the poverty, labours!
iuffenD^B, manDBrs nud customs, of our forefil
ther§, .will appear like fr collection of ^^ tales A
olden limes" without any garnish of language tol
•poil the original portraits, by giving them Bhadcil
of tiolouring whicli they did not possess. I
I shall follow the order of things as they occurredl
during the period of time enjhraced,in these narm.!
tires, begtning with those rude accommodationil
with which our first adventurers into this countrj
furnished themselven at the commencement of
Hfeir eitablishmentSi It wiU be a homely nt>rri>l
live ; yet valuable on the ground of its being
real history*
If my reader when viewing through the mediuBJ
which I here present the stifTurings of human ni<
J^ in one of its most depressed and dangerouil
IRndltions should drop an involuntary taar; let
him not blame me for the sentiment of symuathj
which he feels. On the contrary if he should
fometimeft meet with a recital calculated to
excite a smile or a laugh I claim no credit for hill
eujo) roent. It is the subject matter of the historj
and not the historian which makes those wide-
ly different impressions on the mind of the rea*
der. V
In this cliipter it is my design to||nve a brief
account of the household furiiilnreanQ articles of
diet which were used by the first inhabitants of
Our counlhy. A discription of their cabins and
half* faced camps and their manner of bu>ildiiig
them will be found elsewhere.
'**'^p1je furniture for the table, for several yean
tfm the aettlement of this Gountrjy cooaiated of
■■■1 ' ■ ■ ^■"•" ■
M
.m
XlffUSB
^WWl
iTURB Arm nmti
lU^
a Cevr pewter dished, plates, andspoona; but moitly
af ttoodcn bowli, trenchers aod nof^gint. If these
last were scarce, gourds and bard shelled squash^
es made up the dtficiencj\
The iron pots, kniires, and forks were brought
atom the east side of the mouotaios along with the
salt, and iron on pack horsea.
These articles of furniture, corresponded ?ery
well with the articles of diet, on which they vf^re
emplojed. **Hog and homin>'* were proverbial for
The dish of which they were the component par^s.
Jonny cake and pooe were at the outset o/j4i«
settlements of the country, the only forms of bread
in use for breakfast and diooer. At supper, oailk
aod mush were the standard dish. When milk was
Bot plenty, which was often the case^ owinjc^to
the scarcity of cattle, or the want of prop^.!^^^-
ture for them, the substantial dish of booainy |ril>>«^
to supply the place of them; miish was i^eqaeony
eaten irith sweetened water, molaases, bears oil*
or the grave;^' of fried meat. ^
Every family, besides a little gar^ln, for the
few vegetables which they cultivated, had an^tb-
er small enclosure containing from half an acre .
to an acre, which tbev called a ^'Truck patch."
In which they raised corn, lor roastiDg-eary,
isumokins^quashes, beans, and pob|toe8. These
10 the I&tpr part of the summer and fall,^ were
cooked with their pork, venison and bear meat
&)r dinner and made very wholes6flG# and^^well
tasted dishes. Tlie standard dinner dish for ev*
ery log rolling, house raising, and harvest day
was a pot pye, or vfhat in other countries, ia '
led "8ea pye." This besides answering fo
ner, served for a part of the supper also. ^
TeMaindef of it Irom dinner, being eatei ivifii
A.
m-
' *
110 HOUStf FtBIflTVIl4|M» DIET.
milk io thft eveoiog, fiftcr the conclusion of \\
labour of the day.
In otir whole clieplay of furnilure, the ijflllj
ebina, and silver were unknown. It did
then as now require conlributions from lie fou
quarters of the glebe (o furnish the breakfast ti
ble. viz. the silver from Mexico; the cctleefrcn
the M'est Indicf;; the tea from Gl^ina, and \[i
dielft and pprcel&iD from Eurofje, or Asia. Id
•ur homely fare, and unnighily cabins, and furJ
niture, produced a hardy veteran race, wbop1antei|
the first foot steps of society, and civil izutiooJ
in the immense regions of the west, found to]
hirdihood bravery, and labour from their earlu
youth, they 8u«*ained with manly fortitude thf]
fatigue, 6f the chace, the campaign and i\pout,aod|
strong irms **Turned the wilderness iot«l
illtil 'fieidi" and liave left to their' d.escenJ
ants the rich inheritanbe of an immense empiit]
blessed with peace and wesltb.
I well recollect the first time I ever saw a teij
cup ftB4 saucer,^d tasted coffee. My mother
died when 1 was^bout sis or seven years of age.
My father then sent me to Maryland m\ih a bro*
ther of my grandfather^ Us. Aleiander Wells, to]
school.
At Colonel Brown V in the mountains, atStoojj
oreck iflactes, I for the first time sm| tame geeMt
and by bantering a pet gander I Pt a severe bi*i
ting by bis bill, and beating by his wings. I won*
delved v#y much that hirds so large and strong]
•hould be so much tamer than the wild turkies,]
at this place however all vnas right, excepting tbs|
;^j|e birds which they called geese. The cab*
apcl its furnitjiice wexe sii^ as i had been a«*
fatig
i|^tb
^iPant
wJ
Wp.'
BAtiiE rvMyuRB and »ibt.
Hi
[customed to sets in the backwoodi as my eoun-
ry W&9 then called.
At Bedford every thing WM changed. The ta-
vern At which 'my uncle put up, was a stone
liouse, and to make the change still more complete
It ivas plastered in the inside, both as to the walls^
ind ceiling. Oq going into the dining room I
;ra8 struck with astonishment at the appearaoca
)fihe bouse. I had no idea^ that there was anf
louse in the world which was not built of logs;
[)ut here I lookeci^ round the bouse and could see
DO logs, and above I could see no joists; whetheiri
luch 1^ thing had been made by the bands of mail)
ir bad grown so of itself, I could not conjecture.
' bad not the courage to inquire any thing about it.
When supper came on, '* my confusion itaa
,rorse confounded.*^ A little cup stood in a biffgcH'
)ne with some brownish looking stuff in it, which i|^
ras neither milk, honunwDCM* broth: what to do
7ith thead little cups and tjhe little apoon belong-
ing to theOD, i covld not 4eH^ and t%as |f|iid to
kskaay thihg coneelningtbe iffe of theft.
It was ift the time df the war, and t^e company
itf9 ^ving accoufits of catching, whipping and
lianging th^ tories. l^he word jai2 frequently
>ccurred: this word I had never heard before; but *
soon discovered, and waa much terr\|Sed at ita •
Deaning,.and #ippo8ed that we were in much
langer of the ute of the tories; for I thought,
IS we had come from the backwoods, it was alto*
[ether likely that we must be tories too. For fear
f being discovered IdUrst not utter a single word.
therefore watched attentively to eee what^tlie|i,
Mg folks would do with their little cups and
ipooiiB. I Imitated them, and found the taste m
he coffee nauseous beyond any thing I ever ht^'^
♦
%
f^-
S'
W
lU
H6U8B CTSKITtrRt
**
DtB:r.
tasted in my life. I continued to drink, as the
rest of the company did, with the team ttreaniiDg
from my eyes, but when it wss to end I was at a
lots to know, OR thelitde cups were filled \nmt.
diately after being emptivd. This circumstance
distressed me very much, as I durst not say I had
enough. Looking attentively at tbe grown per*
sons, I saw one man turn his little cup bottom up>
wards and put his little spoon across it. I obser*
vedthat after this his cup was not filled again; I
followed his <?xam pie, and to my great satisfaction,
the result as 10 my cup was the ^ame.
Tbe introduction of delft ware was considered
l»y man? of the backwoods people as a culpable
innovation. It was too easily broken, and tbe
plates Qf that ware dulled their scalping aid clasp
Kni»es; tea ware was too small for men; they might
do for women and childrea. Tea and coffee weie
f% slops, which in the adage of the day <«difi
not stick by the ribs*" The ided was they were
designed only for people of quality, who do not
labor, orytbe fMac^ A genuine backwoodsmora
would hhve thougb^imself disgraced by show-
ing a fondness for those slops. Indeed, many of
^^Mm faafe to this day, rary liitla rfsp«et for tham^
f
Dres&.
#
•HAPTER X.
©N the frontier-s and particularly amouf st ihaee
who were much in Ihe habit of huntings and going
on scouts, and campaigns^.the dress of the men was
partly mdian, and partly that of civilizes na-
tions.
^ The hunting shirt was universaUy worn.— .
This was a kind of loose frock, reachiijg halfway
down the thighs, with large sleeres, open befof^-
and 80 wide a9 to lap over a foot or more wbeik
belted. The cape was large, and scmet|in«s band-
somely fringed with a ravelled piece of cloth of
* fc^!^^ ^?^°^^ ^'^"^ **»a* ofclb^ bunting shirt it-
self. ^ The bosom of this drels served as a wallet
to hold a chunk of bread, cakes, jirk, tow f^t
wiping the barrel of the riile, of any other nece^.
sary for the hunter or warrior. The belt which
was always tied behind answered several purDoa-
es, besidesljat of holding the dress together^
In cold wether the mittens, and sometimes the
bullet-bag occupied the front part of it. Td the
right side was suspended the tomahawk and to the
left the scalping knife in its leathern sheath.—
Ihe hunting shirt was generally madt oflinsey.
«)metimcs of coarse linen, and a few W
dressed deer skins. These last were . very c^l
Md uncomfortable la wet weather. The swS
4nd ja<jkct were of the common faabion. Uptib^'
K
A'-
i,;;
114
^
ORESS.
of drawers ^r^ breeches nnd leggins, Sl^re the
^re^ of the thighs, and legs., a |>air of moca&-
sons ansiwered for me feet much better than ehoes^
These were made of dressed deerskin. They^vere
mostijr made of a single piece with a gathering
seam along the top of the loot, and another from the
liottom of the heel^ without gathers as high as
the ankle joint or a little higher Flaps were left
on eachsi^e to reach some distance up the legs.
These were nicely adapted to the ankles, and low-
er part of the leg by thongs of deer skin, «o
that no dust, gravel, or spoiw could get within the
mpcaSson..
The mocassons in ordinary use cost hjit a few
hours labouf to make them. This was done by
.an initrument denominated a mocaason awl, which
was made of the backspring of an old dapsknife.
This awl with its buckshorn handle was an ap-
pendai^e of every shot poucih strap, together with
A roll of buckakin for mending the mocassons.*^
T^is was the ld>oui|;i of almost every evening.-^
They were sewed together and patched with deer
« skill thongs, or whangs as they were commonly
called. ; /'' Tt V
in cold Weather the mocassons vrttB well stuff-
ed with deers hair, or dry leaves, so as to keep
the feet comfortably warm; but in wet weather
it was usually said that wearing them Was^^A de-
cent Way of goin|f barefooted;" atfd such was tbe
f%ct) owing to the spongy texture of the leather
of which they were made.
.Owing to this defective covering of the feet,
iii<^e than to any other circumtta rce the great-
«i! lumber of our hunters apd Warriors were af-
jBicted with the rheumatism in their limbs^ Of
this difeaso the-^ were all apprehensive in eold
* »
ir*>
!>ttE89.'
iw
)cads6n8.'*^
or #et weather, and therefore' aUf^&ye slept with
their feet to the fire to prerent ordure it as well
ae they could. This practice uof uestioiiably #ad
a very ialutary effect, and prevented many of
them irom becoming confirmed cripples in early
life.
In the latter ycart of the indian war our young
men hecame more enamoured of the indian dresV
throughout, with the exception of the matchcoat.
The drawers were laid aside andtiie leggins made
longer, 80 as to reach the tipper part of the thigh.
The indian breed! clout was adbptcd. This wa»
a piece of linen or'eioth' nearly a yM long, atitt
eight or nine inches broad. This^ passed - nttlNr
the belt before and behind^ leading the cnd^ for
flaps hangiof feforo tind behiod over the ;hefi.<^
These flaps were sbmetimes^' omaaiented'^ ti^Jtli
some coarse kind of embroidery work.' To the
same bdts which seenred the breech cl6ut, stringps
which supported the long leggins were stlache^.
Whan this b<elt as was'OltVn the case passed a^eir
the hunting shirt the upper pat^t of the thighs lii^
part of the hips Were naked.- ^^
The young warrior instead of being abashei
by this nudity was proud of his indian Tike deess.
In some (a w iitstan 6e9 T have seen them go in to
places of public worship in this dress. Their ap-
pearance however did not add much to the dev(y-
tion of the foung ladies.
The linsey petticoat and bed gown whiclv were
the universal dress of our women in. early timeSy
would make a strange figure in our days. A
small home made hankerchief in point of elegance
would illy supply the place of that profusion of
ruffles with which the necks ofour ladies are hew
ornamented.
A-*.
/1 6;
DR£3«.
/,
.Tbcy went barfooted in tvar.n wealher« and in
cold, (heir fe«l were covered with niocRssopH,
GOiree shoe?, or shoepacks, which would inake
but Qfiorrv figure beside the elegant inorrocco
slippers oUeii embossed with bullion which at
present ornament the feet of their daughters and
grand- dau(>hters.
The coaid and bedgowns ofthe women os well as
the hunting ehirts of the men were hang in full
^ifiplay on wooden pf*gs round the walls of their
Cabins, so that while they answered in some degree
thepUce of paper hangings, or tapestry they &d*
nounced to the stranger as well as neighbour the
wealth or poverty of the family in the articles of
cloathing. This practice has not yet been whd*
ly laid «fiide amongst (he backwoods families.
Tbe historian would say to the ladies of the pre^
sent time. Our iancestora of your sex knew no*
thing ofthe ruffles, leghorns, curls, coinbSy rin^
ftnd Other jewels with which their fair daughters
jikdw decorate themselves. Such things w^ic not
#^n to be hod; Many ofthe younger part of them
Xflire preily well grown up before th«y ever saw
Itbe inside of a store room, or even knew there
was such a thing in the world, unless by bearsoy,
and indeed scarcely that.
Instead of the toilet, they bad to handle the
distaff or shuttle, the sickle or weeding hoe, con*
tented if they could obtain their linsey cloathing
lind cover their heads with a sun bonnet made
of six or seven hundred linen. t^u
The Fort. #
CHAPTER XI.
Mt reader will understand by thu term, not on-
ly a plaoe of defence, but the residence of a small
Dumber of families belonging to the same ocigli-
bourbood, As Ibciiulkn node of warfare was
an indiscriminate slaughter of all agea, and both
sexes, it was as requisite to ^^ 'ovidc for the safety of
the women and children as for that of the men
The fort consisted of cabins, blockhouses^ and
stockade?. A range of cabins commonly form-
ed one side at least of the fort. Divisions, or par-
titions of logs separated the cabins from each
other. The walls on the outside were ten or tivelFo
feet high, the slope of the roof being turned whol-
ly inward. A very few of these cabins had pun-
cheon floors, the greater part were earthen. :^
The blockhouses were 'juilt at the angles of the
fort. They projected about two feet beyond the
outer walls of the cabins and stockades. Their
upper stories were about eighteen inches ev^iy
way larger in dimension than the under one, leav-
ing an .opening at the commencement of the se-
cond story to prevent the enemy from making a
lodgment under their walls. In some forts in-
stead of blockhouses, the angles of the fort were
furnished with bastions. A large folding gate
aado of tbtc^ jlabs, nearest the spring c1om4 the
K 2
s*
*...
113
frtffi FOtlT»
fort. The stockades, bastions, cabins, and blook^
home vrali) wem ftirtilshcd with port holes at pro-
pei|i^eights an j di*3tance8. The whole oftheoul*
side ivas made ootnpUtely bullet proof.
it may be truly said that Decessily is the moth-
er of invention; for the whole of this work was
made without the aid tf a single nail or spike J
iron, and fur this reason, such things were not to
be had.
In some places, less exposed, a single block-
house, with a cabin or two constituted the whole
fort.
Such places of refuge may appear very trifling
to those who have been in the habit of seeing
the formidable military garrisons of Europe and
America; but they answered the purpose, as the
Indians had no artillery. They seldom attackecji
and scarcely ever took one of theoi.
The families belonging to these forts were so
attached to their own cabins on their farms, that
they seldom m<>ved into their fort in the spring
until compelled by some alarm, as they called
it; that is, when it was announced by some mur-
der that the indians were in the settlement.
The fort to which my father belonged, was
during the first years of the war three quartets
of a mil0 from his farm; but when thirfori went
>o o.icay, and became uafit for defence, a new
one was built at his own house. I well remem-
ber thai, when a little boy, that the family were
SUinetimes waked up io the dead of nighf, by an
ekpresii with a report that the indians were at hand.
The express came softly to the door, or back
window, and by a gentle tapping waked the fani''
fly. !Fhi« was easily doae as an habitual (tfti
( ■
119
nade us erer watchful and sensible to the elight-
est alarm. The whole family were instantly in
notion. My father 8iezed his gim and other im-
plemenis of war. My step mother '^aked «L
and dressed the children as well as she ooulo,
and being myself the oldest of the children, I had
to take my share of the bu^hens to be carried to
the fort. There Was do possibility of gelling a
horse m the night to aid us in removing to the
fort. Besides the little children we caught up what
articles of cloathing and provision we could get
hold of in the dark, for we durst not light a candid
dr even stir the firok All Ibis was done with the
utmost dispatch and the silence of death. The
greatest care was taken not to awaken the*young-
est child.
To the rest it was enough to say inJiar^aod not
a ivhimper was 'heard afterwards. Thus it ofteit
happened that the whole number of families be-
longing to a fort who were in the evening at tbeiv
homes, were all in their little fortress before the
dttwnof the next morning, ii the course of the
succeeding day, their household furniture was
brought in by parties of the men underarms.
Some families belonging to each fort#ere much
less under the influence of fear than otiilrli & who
after an alarm had subsided, in spite ofjBvery re«-
monstrance would remove home, while tKeir more
prudent neighbours remained in theforh Such
families were denominated ^^fool- hardy** and gave
no soiall amount of trouble by creating such fre-
quent necessities of sending runners to warn them
of their danger, and sometimes parties of our m^
T|^ protect the ID during their removal.
#•
Caravans^
CH^PTI^. xir.
Ths Bcquisition cf the indiepensible articlegofj
fait, iron, steel apd castings presented great dif*
ficultirs to the nrst settlers of the western coun*
try. They had no stores of any kind, no salt, iron,
nor iron works; nor bad tbey money to make
purchases where those articles could be obtained.
Peltry & furs were their only resources, before ihey
had tiflne to raise cattle and borsea for sale in the
Atlantic states.
Every fjimily collected what peltry and fur,
they could obtain throughout the year for the pur*
pose of sending them over the mountains for bar*
ter.
In the fall of the year, after seeding time, every
family formed an association wilh some of their
neighbowEs for starting the little caravan. A mas*
t^r driv(# was selected from among them who
was tO"))e assisted by one or more young men and
sOmetirttes a boy or two. The ^orses were fitted
out with pack saddles, to the hinder part of which
was fastened a pair of hobbles made of hickorj
withs, a bell and collar ornamented bis neck.—
The bags provided for the conveyance cf the
salt were li!led with feed for the horses; oo the
journey a part of this feed was left at conyeoient
atagea on the way down, to support the r^ro of
Ibe cartTan; large wallets well filled wH| biead,
■^i^^ •'^''■^,-: -^
CARAVANS.
iu
jjrk, boiled ham and cheese furoHlied pulsion
fbr the drivers. At night aft«r faadihg, the norset
whether put in pasture or turrjod ou,t iuto the woodB
were hobbled and the bells were opened. Ml^
The barter far salt and iron f/as made firttw
Biltimore. Frederick, |Iagerstown, OJdt^wo an4
Fort Cujnberland in succession became the place
of exchange. Each horse carried iiro buihela of
alluoi salt weighing eighty four pounds the bushe).
This to be sure watt not a hf?avy load for the horses
but it was enough consideriug^tke scantjf subsia-
tance- aHowed them on the journey.
The common price of a bushel of allUtn salt, al
an early period was a good^cow and calf; and until
fveighti were introduced, the salt- Was- lueasufed
into the half bushel, by hand as ligluly\8 possible.
Vo one was permitted to walk heavily o?«r the floor
while the operation of measuring waiB going on.-
Tha followinif anecdote will serve to shew how
Utile the native sons of the forest knew of the
etiquilte of the atiantic cities.
A neighbour of my father, some years after the
seltlemeai of the couhtry, had eollecied a small
drove of cattle for the Baltimore market. Amongst
the hands employed to drive them was one who
never had seed any condilion of society but that
of wopdsmen.
At one of their lodging places in the mouotain^
tbe landlord and his hired man, in the course of
the night stole two of the bells belonging to the
drove and hid them in a piece of woods.
The drove had not gone far in the morning be-
fore the bells were missed; and a detachment
went back to recover the stolen bells, ,The nien
weri> found reaping in the field of the landJoi'd;,
Sh^y were aocuaed df the theft| but they doQie^
ru
CARAVAK9»
th«c!llrge. The toitureorsu'eating according to
the cuBtom of thattime^ that U of suspension by
the arms pinioned behind their backs, brought J
i|anfe8sion. The belli were procured and huirg|
Around the necks of the thieves. In this ccr.di.
lion they were driven on foot before the diMach*
mrsit until they overlook {he drove which by thji
tf nie had gone nine miles A halt was called and a
jury selected to try the culprits; They were con.
denned to receive a certain number of lashes oa
the bare Haak from the hand o^ ea^b drover....
The man above ttlluded to was the owner of one
of the bells; whea it came to bis turn to use tb«
liiekorv now says he to the thief ^^You inferail
scoundrel; Til work your jacket ninateen to the
dosen, only think what a rascally flgure ] ehould
Bkake in the s&eeta of Bialtimore without a bell oa
my horae,'*
Thf^ man wat in earnest, having teen no horsei
^aed wijthout bells, lie thought they wore reijLMisita
^ every aituation.
Ilk*
&
CHAFTER XIIL
Tins was an iorpoHant part of the employv-
ment of the^ early eeitlers of ^ibie €Ottntr)r. For
some ycars^'the woods supplied Ihein with I be
greater amount of their subsistance, and with re-
gard to some families at certain iimea, Uie wh^e
of it; for it was no unoommoo thing^forfaoiilief
to live several ipooths without a mouthful of bread.
It frequently happened that there was i!o break-
fast uT^til it was obtained -from* the wOods. Fur
'and peltry were the people's money. They bad
nothing else to give in exchange for rifles, salt, and
iron, on the other side of the mountainf>.
The fall and early part of the winter was the
season for hunting the deer, and the whole of the
winter including part of the spring for bears i^nd
fur skinned animals. It was a customary saying
that fur is £ood during every month in the name of
which the Tetter R occurs.
The class of hunters with whom I was best ac-
quainted were those whose hunting ranges were
on the western side of the river and a^ the dis-
tance of 8 or 9 miles from it. As soon as the
leaves were pretty well down and the weather be^
came rainy, accompanied with light snoi^, these
men after acting the part of husbandoieii, so far ai
the state of warfare permittedithem to do so, soon
began to feel that they were^munters. They be*
it'fm
Vt4
liVNTIKO.
came unpasy Al'Konne. Everything about ttien
krcfime disagreeable. Tbo houie wea too warn.
3^e frathcT bed too 8orr,ardev«ti (he good wife
was rot thought for the time being, a proptr
companion. The mind of the hunter was whoiI|
•occupied vvith the camp and chase.
I have efU'n seen the ro get up early m the roorn*
irg at this season, walk hastily out and look aO'
xiously to the woods and snufTthe autumnal windi
with the highest rapture, then return into ihi
bouse at>d cast a quick and attentive look at tbe
rifle, which was always suspended to o joist bji
oouple of bucks horn»i, or little loiks. iVis hunung
dog understanding the intentions of bisintstfr,
would wajfttistail and by every biandishment in bii
power exprea^ his readiness to accompany him ts,
the wood|i.
• A day was «oon appointed for the march of tbe
little cavalcade to the camp. Two or three horses
fumis^hed with pack saddJea ivf.re loaded with
4our, Indian mt&lf blankets and every tbin^; else
temiisito for the use of the hunter.
A bunding camp, or what wascalleil a half fa-
oed cabin waa of the following form; the back-
part of it was sometimes a large Tog; at th^ dis-
tance of eight or ten feet from this two stakes were
ee! in~ the gri^und a few inches apart, and At the
distance of eight or ten feet from these two more,
to receive the the ends of tbe poles for tbe aides
of the camp. The whole slope of the roof, was
from the fiont to the back. The eoveriDg was
mar)e of slabs, skins, or blankets^or if in tbe apring
•of the y^h ^^c ^ark of hickory or asb trees. Tlie
front was left entirely open. The fire waa built
fllrectly before this opening. The cracks be-
Iwooiiiie logs wero||lfd[ with moti, jlry leaved
wivTiira.
m
f frved for t htd. It is thus that a couple of nt ■«
ia a few booTf,' wifl conatruot for thenitelve|,ft
temporapy, but tolerably eo.i&for(ible defeoeot
irom the inolemenciee of the weather. Tba
beaver, otten, tnuikrai and squirrel are scarceljf
their equate in 'dispatch in fabricatiof for thenv
jelTee aeofert fron^ the tempesti
A litdo more paini would have made' a htti-
ting eamp a defence against the Indiana. A ca-
bin ten teat iqu'are, butlet 'proOf and tiiroishaft
with ^porl holes, would have enabled two or thre«
hunters to hold Wenfy iodians at 'bay for aof
length of « time. Bat this preOaut^on 4 belief*
was* never attended to; hence the hunters wer*'
often surpt^fed ami killed in .theiir camps.
. The site for the camp was selected with all th«
sagacity of (be' woodsmen, so as to have*it ahelter*;
<ed by th^ surrounding hills from every win3, hut>
Bore^ especially from those of the north and west*
An uncle of mine of the name of Samuel Teter
occupied the' saine camp for several yeara in suo*
•cession. It waii situated on oqe of the aouthera
branchea of Cross Creek. Although f lived ma-
ny ^years' not more thain fifteen miles from the r
place, it ^arnot 'till within a very (ew, years ftg«.«^
that I discovered its situation. It if as shewn me
by^a geDttleman living In the neighbourhood.*^
Viewing the hills round about it, I soon pereeiv*
edi!thb'safl»^ty of the hunter in the site for hie
oamp. Not a wind could touch him^ and unlese
hy'the^TeBOrt of his gun or the sound of his aae^
it would naVe^een % mere accident if 4ya iediaft ^
^ad disieovered his 'Concealment. .^ .
HaMiiig was- not a mere ramble in pursuit dl
r 4q- iliht^h Ihev was ^othioc ot fkili 4xA
■:%
ite
UUI7TING.
iM.
calculation; on the contrary the hunter before he
•et out in the morning, was informed by the state
of the weather in what situation he might reason'
ably expect to meet With his game; whether on
the bottoms, sides or tops of the hills. In stormy
weather, the deer always seek the most shelter-
ed places, and the leeward sides of the hills. In
rainy weather, in which there it not much wind,
they keep in the Open woods ^n the highest
ground.
In every situation it was requisite for the hun^
ter to ascertain the course of the wind, so as to
get the leeward of the game. This ha effected hj»
putting his finger in his mouth, and holding it
there until it became warm, then holding it,lii
hove his head, the sideiwhich first becomes cold
ihewB which way the.- wind blows«:
As it was requisite too for thb hunter to know
the cardinal points, he had only to^observe the
trees to ascertian them. The Ka^ of an ag«d
tree is thicker end much rougher on the north
than on thi^ ieuth side. The same thing may be
•aid of ^ moss, it is much thicker and stronger
on thi^l^orth than on the south sides of the trees.
Thl|^lK>le business of the hunter cousists of a
fuccesisidh of intrigues. From morning 'Ull
iight he was |D the alert to gain the wind of his
j(»me, and appp^ich them without being discover-
ed. If he succeeded In killing a deer, ne skined
it, and hung it up out of the reach of the wolves,
end immediatly resumed the i^lse Hill the close
of the evening, when he bent his course ton^ds
his camp; whf n arrived there he kindled ^ his
. fireflNytegether with his fellow l^iinter, cooked
hisftuppl^ The supper fini*bed, the adventures
of tht day furnished the tales to the OTeDi}i>g,-<
■UlTTf N6«
m
the 8pike buck,, the two and three pronged bucip
the doe and barren doe, figured* through their ao*
ecdotes with grettt advantiigo* It should seem
that after hunting awhile on the same, ground, the
hunters became acquainted with nearly all the
gangs of deer within their range, so as to know
each flock of them wh^n they saw them. Often
some old buck, by the means of his superior sft-
ffftcity and watchfulness, saved his little gang frond
the hunter^s skill, by |[iving tiriety notice of hit
approach. ^The cunning o* the hunfer^ and that
of the old buck were slaked against each^ otfiiif,' *
finA it frequently happened that at the conclusioo .
ot the bunting season, the old fellow was left the
free uninjured tenant of his forest; but if his rival
succeeded in bringing^ him down, the victory was
followed by no small amount of boasting on the
part of the conqueror.
Wlien the weather was not suitable for bunting,
theskins and carcases of the game were brought
in and disposed of.
Many of the hunters rested from their labOurii
on the Sabbath day, some from a motive of pietyj;
Others said that whenever they hunted on Sundaj^,
they were sure to have bad luck oo the r^itctf
the week. «|^
.'^
m
CHAITER. Xm
P< i
-:si'
PpE atqHg^tiinir«;ftpJ't^^eflrstget|Iementofthii«
0t»untry, the inhabitams in geiieml^arriedjoungk
t There vi;a« no distinctiott of rftnk, iftd veiy lit-
ih of foriune. On the»Q accounti the. first impres*
fliop of love resulted ininarrlege^«nd a faroily ei-
lilbliihineBt eoii bt»t • UlOe Ubour ao4 ootbinr
fi^if' '
A di^riOtioD of a wedauf from the begining t§v
the end will serve to shew ibt mannen of our fore*
Hithers and rm^ik Hhe grade of cit jUEetionlfblclfc
|r|s stibccedf d to tHeiMwdt itileof aocietyin the
bourse ofa few years, . .
At en Wly period, the prectioe of ^ eelebrajllDg^
Ibtei ipijirrUge at tiie hous^ of- the bride begen,iao4
tt^s^id sefi]H^ with greal- prc^rieiyr Slie b1s#
^j^stjie choice of W)e ^cie^t to perlbrin Uie ewe-
In the firttSi^ of the settlement of (fiis coun»
ti^r, aweddingTngaged Ihe attention-of a whole
neighbourhood ;.jand the frolic was anticipated by
old end young with eager exjf|eetatioD. This is not
to he wondered atvwben it it told thai a wedding
waj ^ i ito it th e^y gpathering which vVas nut ac-
0O^BIKwitlj||Kj(|bour of reaping, log rolling,
j^bi^r^aning. soBB aeot^^orean*^
M
4'^-
we wiMilro.
1t9
tn the morniDg of tbe wedding dav, the grboiiwi
ftnd his at|eDd«atft aiaeinbled at the house of >bis
father for fhe purpbi^ of reaching the mansion 6f
his bride by oooo, which was the usual time for
celebrating the nuptials; which for certain must
take place before dinner.
Let tbe reader iitiagine an assembtage of pep*
|)le, without a store, tailor or maotuamaker Witbia
an hundred miles; and an assemblage of h<^sef,
without a blacksmith or saddleil within an eqiifl
distance. Ilie gentiemen dressed in 6boe{^G]if|
mocassons, leather breeches, leggtns, lintey hc^iil* *
ing shirts, and all homemade. The >i^i<» dres*
sed in iinsey pettlcoatcts and linsej or Une,n be4
gowns, coarse shoes, Stockings, halldl:erchlefi|^
and buckskin gloves, if any* If .there were aof^
bucklef, rings, buttons, or rufSeSy they %%re the^
relick&i;>l bid tinesi family pieces from parebfi
dft griina p^rehts/ The horses were caparidone%
vrith did iiijlalei; did bridles or hsilteirs, and ;|>ack4
laddlesy with, a b^g or blanket thrown oyer
them: a rope Or striii|^ as often iopatituted $he
girth M a piece of leather.
^Iphe march, in double fit^ was tt^ti vaU(tvipt4.
^d by thd^ naitowpess and obatt^tibBi of>u^7
borsi paths, as they were calle4^|^H| we had' Jidr
toads; and these diffibuities weiiPiRen mcreali'
e|, somf times by the good, and sometioaes by th#,
^ill will ol neighbours, by falling trees and tyin|
grape ?ii|6S across •thei way. Sometimes an am''
buscaje if flis formed by the ^ray side, and aflLlih'^
expected discharge of ^^^^t^Mtfl ^<
iojs to edrer the wedcKnglMw wi
Leit t^Hikder imagine the sc^Pwhl
edtl^wOharge; the suddeu jpariil df tha bdrs^
^
4#.
P^^
S^ftk W19>lpfe-~
|§Al^j|irJfkkftOf tht gfirls, Aod tbe cblvtlric buath 4f
^l^pirfartnerB to «&«« them from f4llip^. Some*
.MD^BSj.iA §pU9 of'^^i^ll thtt could be done to pn*
tent il, some wore thrown to the nound* jf«^
jvristtelhbw,. or. ankle happened (obe »prain«4{|^^
VRai-tiedt^witb a bank«rcbiof,,aiid'little.more wif
.thoi^g^t t)r; aaid^bout it. *
, •A*oiKer«ofemony^poiiiiiioiiljf took" place befon
iiht ^art| reaehed the house of the bride, after thi
j^aciiceol^iMkiftgwhiskctjbegany which was zi-
lain ii|i;l J, period; when the party were about a
%i|4» Vfcop the place of th^ir d«siiDation,two young;
> men' would aiagle out to run for the bet-
<Ae; the vforaor the path, she more loga^ brush an4
|eep:,}ifil|i^8 the belter, as these obstacles afford^ ;
ail o^portuoiiy f»ihe greater display 6f intrepi-
dity and borseinanabip. . Ilhe jBnglish foz chase,
\^ p^l of danger to tho ridere and titeir ^^^es, ii
Nothing to this raee fctr^he bottIe«^ .Theflhrt was
tnnouiiee^ by an Indian yelli logs, bru^, 0)udd|
VlUoWs, hill arid g(en„ were speedily , passed bj ^
|bie rival ;poi^ies* xPhe bottle was llirays filleq
lor the occasion, so that tlMire was nb use for
^ud|^fr^ ;for the i0t> who reached 'the^d«Grwa»,
pf «^eii^e^:with^evprize« wilh^w^icb he returned"
u^ tfiumph ^lire ^ company. On approaGhin|-,
ibem^ he- a^fliPpcedhif. victory over hj» rival b^ ;
|ilBh^i.whroop« M the head of tbe troop, be
nve- twB bottle; first to the gfoom and bta atteo^
^nts,tnd then to. e^ch pair \n, successioAv.to the*
mrjjf the liRe,>fi^:ing- each a dram; ;And theq^
the hesooi of jiie hunting' :
.the company f .
marriage preceede4thedin-
T, whicW svf^^P^bsiantial back woods /east of
efy poi'lc, IM^ attd^«ametiffleii. vtni^a. and
%**,;^.
Ml, WBBMira^'
bitar nett rottted and b»iled^ with ]^ttty ^
IKitatoes, cabbage, and other vegejablea. t^pt
the dthner the greateat bilaiity alwajra preniltdi
ahhough the Cable night ba-ft'large slab of timbi|»
hewed out with a broad ate,supported by fouraltoka
aet io au|er holeB;^nd Ihe farhiture, aome old
pewter-dishes, and plates; the rest) wooden boWib
and trenchers; a few pewter spoons, much battered
about the edge#i were to be seen lat ronne tabjea.
The rest were made of horns.* If JulWea were
scarce, the ^efioi^ncy^waa|nade^ by the sca^l:^—
ing knives which were carried in sheathi a us pcnd?*
ed 10 the belt of the bunting shirt. *
At^er-dJoner the dancing eommenco^^* laiid go^
Jieratty lastednill the next nwrningrf l*b#%urc»-
of the dances we|« three, aad :.fonf baf)^«||;
leels, or sqiiarf^ iiwtcs; and j%s. The cdnvinei^*
"I* J* 52? •^*'*y» • square four, vibiob wos follow,
td bj ^|^t;was called jjging it ol^ that is^ ti^o of ^
the four would sioi^leo^t for a jte^and wefo^ol.
J(^ed by the remaining- cou|>le. The jij^wero-
•fieh- accompuiied «««th wftat was caMed cunj^iv
<«rtr that ,is|«wfa«n either of the parties b^cafu^^
^fedmhe dance, on intimaiion th<a place waa
suppliefd by someone c^ the eooi^piyir^hoiii anyr
interruption of >ehe dance: lit 3H|^y a 4lhai«
Wis often continued 4ilLt|teinudi^|Piri^^^^^^^
tired flff his situatioi^. Inward, the jj^ pjirt of '
m night, if any pfihe company, through WeaH-
»eM, :^terap«d to conceal thewselr^p; for th0>
purpose of sleeping theyiwei^ bubted^ip, paiadei
•n the iioiir, and the 6 ddler of^^i^o nf
outUl to*oiorro w morning.'* ^i
Ahoi^t nine^ or ten o'cJoct, ^,^ „,^„,^
the youiji^liidies stole off the brido^ 4d put her » -
nw.v lidoiag: this, itire^aatJy.^ip^enad/tha^t
US
tbey bad lo tsccnl! a ladder instead of a pair of
tiairt, leading from the diniog and ball room \^
the ioft, tbe^oor of wbicb was made of clspboardb
lying, loose and vvithout nails. This ascent oa^
might tbink, would put the bride and b^r attends
ants to (he blueh; but as the foot pi the faddei
was pommonty behind (he door« whieh ivas pur-
posely opened for the occasion^ and its rounds iV
the inner ends were weU hung nhh hunting sbirti
petticoats, and other articles of clothing, the can*
dies being on (be opposite side bf the house, (be
exit of the bride was noticed but by few. This
done, a deputation of young men in like manner
at(ble oflT the ^room, and placed him souj^y by tbs.
aide of bis %»d^. The danee still continued y^^'
if saata happened to be scarce, whicb ^Ji^as often
the case, every young maPf wlien* nqf^^ngaged i^,
the dance, was crbliged to offer bis ^ ap,a 6tj^
ifof oneof tb<^glrlsi andtbeoff«r wais sm to be
apcepted* jo the midst of this hilarity the bri^|
and groom iirere not forgotteo« |?reUy late in (^
flight, some one vyould remind the company th«^
t|ke new couple must stand in need of some rs^
Iresfament: Uack fi^^t(T, ftrbicb was the name of
the bottle^ jSaplIed for, and sent up the ladder;
biit tometi AJIpck Betty did not go alpne, 1 hare
many itimealiii as mnco bread, beef, pork aai
cabbage ieiit along with her, as tvould afford I
ago«dm«aiforbau a da^ei birngry men. Tb
joupJT couple were compelled to eat and drinl^
uioil Of less, of ^.bakiver was offered tb|m,
"* co«if||!p;ine festivity il any^^pnted t^
_ie|f t#^jlNlm, ftQd the young couple (o
oast^he vrootd eall out, ^ where is black Betty,
VTf^t to kiss ber sweet lips:'' black Betty ^ai
~ iiiiidad to bioil Ibtii holding her up iii jbi»
V-
VftB WBBBma.
i9*
I^Blband, we would say* *' her«*l httUfi to the
^oni) odt forgettfog myielf; tnd her&'f to^ tfot
Bride, thumptng luck and, big children:" This,
80 far from oeiog taften amiss, wa8.eon8idered aa-
an eipression^ofav^ry prpper and friendly wisbf;
Ibr big; children, especially sons, were o^ great im-
portance;- as we w^re few in numi^er, and engaged.
> in perpetual hostility with the Indians, the end of
which no .one could foresee. Indeed many of
them seemed to suppose that war was-the natural
state of man, and' therefore did: not anticipate any
conclusion of it; every big son' was therefore con^
ftidered^s a young soldier.
Fut'tOreturn. - It often happened that same
neighbours-or relations^ ribtbeihgasked to the wed^
difig, tdok offence^ and'theinode of revenge adop*^
ted by then^ on such occasions, was that of out*
ting off the maries, foretops^.aiid taih|.oftbe bdCMt'
el^ihe f#ij§df ng coispany.
Another method of revenge whieh was- adopted-
when then chastity of the bride was a iittla suspec^
. led, was that of setting up^ a pair of horns on polea^.
or trees, on the rou4 of the wedding company.-^
This was a hint ta the groom that be might e^
pect to be eomplimented vi1i|i4ti>ai||,oChorB8 bim-r
On returning to the infare, tbe MJPolpjroces*
sion, and the race tor black Bfet<y was the same aa
befoie. Tbe feasting: and dandng oiften lasted'
for sevet'al days,, at the end of which the whole
odmpany were so eikhausted wi^loas of^8leep,Jtba]^
several ^^s rest were f 64uis^|Pi|^ th
turn to thieir ordiniii^kbours. r^lm
Should^. be 9sked why I have iifgpP
pleasant portrait Jofibe ra^^ manners pf our ^ ^
^^tbi^^ 1 ^niyt^tn would iMki^md^C)^,^^
dyi-
i
'"^pP"'
ISi
THE WEpDIFG*
ftre you pleased with the histories of the blood an|
carnage of battles? "Why arc you delighted vritlri
the fictions of poetry, the noypi and romanGe^ I
hare related * truths and oiijy truih| strange as it
inay seem. I have depicted a state of society,
and manners, which are fast vanishing from xU
memory ot man, with a view to give the youth ti
our country a knowledge of the advantages of cii*
ilizat ion, and to give contentment to the agfed, by
preventing them from saying ^* that foriner timet
were better than the present."
Tlie Mouse WariMngi
CHAPTER XV.
I will, proceed to state the usual mafifiersf
fettling a young couple in the world.
A spot was selected on a pi^ce of land of one
' parents, f<mihelr haDitation. A day wu
id sbj^^^^^^r their marrage for com* j
^l^^^pK of building their, cabin. Tbs;
iigfue party ccmsif^ted of cbbppers,whoseJbusin«si|
was to fell tbfc treei and out them off tt
grtpef le*ilgtbs. A liuaa with i^ teaoi for h»ulhi|
J. i^S
THI HOUSE WARHINtt*
%S&
iial maiifierof
theDi to (he n|ace, and arranjf^io; tbem, properly ^
assorted, at the sides and ends of the buildiog, 'a A
carpeoter, ifsucb be might be called, whose tiu-
sinesa it was to search t^e woods for a proper
tree for making clapboards for the roof. Tb«
tree for tlf|s purpose rount b<^ straight grained and
from three; to four feet in diameter. The boards
wera split four feet long, with ajarge froWf'aod
as wtdoas the timber would allow. They were
used vrithoUtr pUiningor sha?iiig. Another di-
vision wara eo^lo^ed in gettit)g:^uncheons for
the floor of the cabm)' this waiidOBe by splitti^ig
trees, about eighteen ipches in diameter, apd hew»
ing the faces of the in with a broad axe. They were
half the leOgth of the floor they were inteoded
to make.
The rosterials for the cabin were mostly pre**
pared on the first day and soroettmes the foundav
tion lai^inthe eireaing. The second day waa
allotted ^ihe raising. -
I| the moaning of the next day the neighboura
cOlleoted for the raising. The first thing tabe done
was the election of four corner men, whose busi-
ness it wa« to notch and place the logs. The rest
of the company furttisbed them with the timbers*
In the meantime the boards and ptt|^|eona were
collecting for the floor and roof, fif^H^ by the
time the cabin was a few rounds hig^K sl0||lets
and floor began to be laid. The door wat i&ade
by sawing or cutting the logs in one side so as t«
make an openin|p about three feet wide. Thia
opening-was secured by uprigl^ pieces of tir^
about three inches thick throujiwhicth holey
bored into the ends of the logs ibr $|| puif^
pmninf them fast. A similar opeliitfg, but^
wa8nadaatihlend£»rlhechiiittiey. Thia waa^
M
n9
THt 'Booffi wAionira.
"■'IP
built of logs -and made large to addlit of n'hHk
<and jama MHoae. At the square, tiro emd logi
proj^eied afoot or eigbtean inchea beyond the wiM
to receive (lie butting -poles, as theywere cal^
against which the endaof tjie lirst row ofcli^
lioards was supported. Tl^e i^of waa formed hj
making the end logs shorter until a single log
formed (he comh of the roof, on these logs (h«
clap* boards were placedjthe ranges of them Up.
^iog some ^stance over those n«itt>elow (hen
;arid Iriipt in thiir placesty logs, placed at pro^
Pittances uoon thrai. *
The Toor, and aometimes,the floor were finiBhed
on the same d»y of tlie raising. . A third da} wii
•canunonly apent1)y a few carpenters ia level-
ingofftbe floor, making a clap .'board door and
a tabla; This last waa made of a apUt sls^
lu^d supported by four-round legs selTn auger
bolea. Some three legod albOls^ wer^made .^
the same manner. Some pios,atuok in the Jogt. it
the back ■ ar the liouae • tuported ..soma . clia,
Ijoarda which s«»rved forahelv^s for the tsbls!
futBiture A single vfotic, placed with its loww
ond in a hole io the floor and Ihe lipper end fasten*
ed to a joistjerved for a bed stead, %y pljicing i
ie In tha%#k wi^b one «nd thrpueh a am
pole In thr^k with one «nd througli a «rack
4»mw<^tl^pgs Of the wall. Thia front pols
wa^^^jpHsei liy a i(horter one within the fori,
-wilb iii^^er end through another -crack. From
ihe frcinf pole, through a «rack between the Jogs of
^he end •of the hous^ die boards were, put on
»ks^^ formed tfad1)ott^nr of lire bed. Sonie times
ssi 'Wife pinned^oihe fdi* a little dis-
i?e thase; for the purpo«<^ of supporting
Wnd^ foot t>f the %ed,^hile the walls
-^«Pportrof-4t» liiik i^dThead, Afew
■m
^.
THE H0V8B WARMINH.
1S7
^egs around the walls for a display of the coats cC
the women, and buntiog shirts of the men, and tw^
small forks or bucks horns to a joist for the rifle
and shot pouch, completed the carpenter work.
la the mean time masons were at work. With the
heart pieces of the timber of which the clapboards
were made, they made billets for chunking up
the cracks between the logs of the cabin and chim-
ney, a large bed of niortaT was made for daubing
up those cracks; a fev/ stones forined the back
and jambs of the chimney.
The cabin being firnished, the "ceremony Of
house warming took place, before the young coii«
pie were permitted to move into it.
The house warming was a dance of • whole
night's continuance, made up of the relations of
the bride and groom, and their neighbours. Oh
the day following the young couple toiA: ^Ofli^
t4on Of ^eir dtw ndaniHoii.
Cte
41
'■•?«..
s^
f:
m
Workings
CHAPTER XVI.
IViE necessary Itboare of the farms along the
frontiers, were performed with every danger and
idifficulty innmaginable. The whole f opulation of
4be frontiers huddled together in their little forts,
left the country with every appearance of a de-
serted region; and such would have bean the o-
jiinion of a traveller concerning it; if be had not
«een here and there, some smaU fields of ^corn, or
•tber f rain in a growing state.
It is easy to immagina what losses niust bava
.%een sustained by our first settlers owing to this
deserted state of their farms. It was not the fuH
ineasore of their trouble, that they risked their,
lives and (tften lost them, in subduing the forest
:«nd turning it into fruitful fields; but compelled
to leave them in a deserted state during the sum-
mer season, a jl^^ftt part oi the fruits of their la-
l^urS ttttf l<!9it % "lis untoward tiroumstance.
Their^fbi
9folvesM|
were eitin let into their fields, through brea«beB
made in their fences by the falling of trees, and
jff^uently almost the wbo|e of a little crop of corn
lislriB^ed by squirrels and raccoons, so than
ly Iwiilies, ' and after an hazardous a»i )%•
„ lious spring and summer; had but little leit ^
|iai|if»Bfarl tf the dreary winter^
^- . '%'. * ;-"
''and hogs, were devoured by the
thers, and bears. Horses and cattle
VrORiflNG.
f^
t*he earl^ settlers on the frontiers of this 60un<<'
try, were like Arabs of the desert of Africa, inr
at least two respects, every man was a soldier^
arid from early in the spring, 'till late in the fair
was almost continually in arms. Their work waa
often carried on by parties, each one of whom had
his rifle and every thinj; else belonging io hia
war d^e^s. These were deposited in some central
place inthe field. A ceniinel was stationed on the
outride of the fence, so that on the IvaSt alarm the:
whole company repmred to their arms, and were
resdy for the combat in a moment.
Here again, the rashness of some families pro-*
vcd a sourse of difficutiy. histead of joining the
working parties, thfy went out and attended t! eir
farms by thcmsrres, and in case of alarm, an ex-
press was sent for them, and sometimes a parly
of men to guard them to the fort. These fami-
lies, in some indtances, could boast that they h»»d
belter crops, and were every way better provided
for the winter, than their neighbours. In other
instances their temerity cost them their lives.
In military affairs, when every one concerned is
lefi (o his own vhII, matters are sure to be but badly
managed. The whole frontiers of- Pennsylvania
and Virginia presented a succes^^ ^{jB^^'^^^^y
camps or forts, we had military <^>uicif^|M: is i^
say, captains and colonel; but they itBiy res-
pects, were only nominally such. They l^d ad*
vise; but not command. Those who chose to follow^
their advise did so, to such an extent as suited their
fancy, or interest. Others were refractory Jiid"
thereby gave much trouble. These officeta w6^|d
lead a scout, tr compaign. Those who ihoujlt
proper to accompany them did so, those who did
not remained at hoioe. Public cil^m m '
i4^
UEClUMtC ARTA*
f nly punifehment for their lai^ineis or cowardice.
There wos no compulsion to the performance of
3ni1itary duties^ and no pecuniary reward when
they were performed'.
It is but doing jusiiee to the first settlers of
this country to say^that. instances of disobedience
of families and individuals to the advice of our
officers, were by no means numerous. The grea-
ter number chftet fully submited to their directioni
with a j^rQlPpt^aud I'aitbful ohcdieoce.
Mechanic %3lrts.
CHAPTER XVIIi
in gjyng tl4tklstory of the stats of the mechan-
ic artaSuh^ey were exercised, at an early period
of the ialmmebl of thi» country, Ftshall present
a peop]^^ driven by necesaity to perform works of
mechanical skill, iFar beyond what a person en-
joy|ii« all the advantages of civilization, would ex-
IHBejt from.a population piaced io such destitute'
djpcumatancet.
iMy reader, wiH naturally ask where W)ere their
mills for grinding grain ? Where their tanners for.
anakkii; leather ^ Where their smith shopafor lBa^
\
BiKCnANiG ART9.
141
king and repairing their farmir|f utensils? Wha
were their oarpeoters, tailori<, cabinet wcrkfiieb,
shoemakers, and weavers? The answer is, those
manufacturers did not exist, nor had they any
tradesnaen, who were professedly such. Every
family were under the necessity of doing every
thing for themselves, as well as they could.
The hoioiny block, and hand mills, wers in use
ill most of our houses. The first was made of a
large block of wood about three feet long, with
an excavation burned in one end, wide at the top^
and narrow at at the bottom, so ^hat the action o^
the pestle on the boffbm threw the corn up to
the sides toward the lop of it, from whence it con :
tinutlty fell down into the centre.
In consequence of this movement, the whole mast
of the giain was pretty equally subjected to the
strokes of the pestle. In the tall of the year while
the indian corn was soft, the block and pestle did
very wellfor making mealfor johneycake^arid muKli ;^
but were rather slow when the corn bi^caine hard.
The sweep was sometimes used to lessen the
toil of pounding grain into meal. This was a
pole of some springy elastic wood, thirty feet long
or more, the but end was placed u'lder the side
of an house, or a large stump, this pole was sup-,
ported by two forks, placed aboat one ^Ifd of Hr
length from the but end so as to el^a0 the smalt
end about fifteen teet from the groundftb this ivas
attached, by a large mortise, a piece of a sapling
about five, or six inches in diameter and viglu or
ten feet long. 'Die lower end ofthii was:|^aped^
so ab to^answer for a pestle. A pin of wood ttlfput
through it at a proper height, so that two pmoot^
4^uld Work at the sweep at once. Thia toipple
...^-^
Ht
sffiGiAAmd AkTi*
machine very much IlBMOfied the labour, iDil^ez*
pedited the work.
I remember, that when a boy I put up an exr
cellent sweep ^ my fathers, ft was made of a su-
gar tree sapling. It was kept going almost con-
fttantiy from morning till nigjit bf our neighbours
for several weeks.
Its tb» Qreenbriar country where they had 9u
number of saltpetre eayoo, the first settlers made
.plenty of ejeelleot gun I ? by the means of
liK>8e sweepa and mortar^
A machine, still more silpple t^an the morfar
and pestle was used for making meal, while the
corn was too soft to be beaten. U ws^s called a
grater. This was a half circular piece of tin,
perforated with a punch from the concave side,
and nailed by its edges to a block of wood. The
ears of corn were rubed on the rough edges of
the holes, while the meal fell through them en
the board or block, to which the grater was nailed,,
which being in a slanting direction, discharged
the meal iritc a cloth or bowl placed for U» recep-
tion. This to be sure was a slow way of makiog
meal; but necessiiy has^nola^.
The hand mill was better than the mortar, and
grater. U wm madip of two circular stones, the
lowest of nihioh was- called the bed stone, the
upper one the runner. These were placed in
1:; hoop, with a spout for discharging the meal.—
A sthU tvas let into a hole, in tlie upper surface
of lhe,,ru8ncr, near the outer-edge, and its up-
per^i^ through a bole in a board fastened to a
J0i»|^bove, so that two persons- cjijuld be employed-
in %rning the mill^j&t the san)e titoe. The g;raiat
was put iJrto the openinij, in th* runner by> hand*
Xb«fe miils aCi^ still in use iki. I^alestioe, the anr-
J
mcRAmo MKm^
Ui^
tfientcowitry ofthe Jfews. To v niiUoflhissorlr:
out Saviour alluded, wheo; with rcfcienoe to tbo
(f^truetiotl of Jaru»alein he wid "Ttro wooae*
shall be grinding at »jRill, the ooe sball be take»
and the other left.'*
This mill ifl much preferaWe to that used at
preient in upper Egypt, for making: the dhouf-
ra bread. It is a smooth 8ton<?, placed on o4i in-
clined plain upon which the grain is sfn^ead, wbidi
is made into meal, b}F^ rubing, another stone up
and down upon it.
Our first water milli^ were of that discHp*
t ton denominated tub mills. Il consisis of a
perpendicuhir shaft, to the lower end of which
an horizontal wheei of' about four or fiv<e feet
diameter is attached^ the u^pper end passes through
the bedfeftone and carriea the rwyner aAer the
manner of a trundleheadv, Thiese millswere built
with, very little expenee, and many of them ao4
swered the purpose very well. .
Instead of bolting^clothsv sifters were in general
use. These, were made of deer skins in the state
of parchment, atretched over, an hoop aud pver^
{iorated with a hot wipE>i '^ '• '
Our clothing ^^as afT bf domestic manufaci^
lure. We had no other resource for clothing., and
this indeed, was a poor one. The crogf '6f flais.
often failed, and the sheep were destroyitoy the
wolves. Lihsey, Which is made of flax^and wool,
the former, the chain and the latter, the lillir^gy wait
ttie warmest and nnost sdbslanti&l cloth we could
make. Almost every house contained a loom, Mid
almost every woman was-a weaver.
Every' family tanned their own leatheri Tfe
tfn vat was a large trough sunk to the uppaa^
^^ io the ground. A quantity of bark waa ea?
144
MECHANIC ARTfl.
sily obtained every Spring, ID clearing and (tuii
ing l»nd. This after dryings ivas brought in «o(I
in wet days was shaved and pounded on a bl«c|(
of wood, with an axe or mallet* Ashes was usedf |
in place of lin>£ for taking off the hair, fieari
oil, hogs lard and tallow, answered the place of]
Ash oil. The leather, fo be sure was coarse; but
it was substantially good. The operation of cur*
rying was performed by a drawing knife with its
edge turned, after the manner of a currying knife, j
The blacking for the leather was made of scot
and fcegslard. ^ .
Almost every family contained its own tailor8j|
tnd shoemakers. Those who could not make
shoes, could make shoepaeks. These like mocas'
sons were made of a single piece of leather with
the exception of a tongue piece on the top of tbi
foot. This was about uvo inches broad and cir*
cnlar at the lower end. To this the main piece
of leather was sewed, with a gathering stich. The
Beam behind was like that of a mocasson. To
the Aboepack a boal was sometimes added. The
women did the tailor work. They could all cut
out and make hunting shirts, leggins and drawers,
^ The state of society which existed in our country
mt fin early period of its settlement, is well calculate) I
to calUnto action every native mechanical geDiou8.{
This happened in this country. There was in al*
most every neighborhood^ some one whose nalu^ I
ral ingenuity enabled bim to do many things for]
himself and his neighbours, far above what could
have been reasonably expected. With tlie few
loots which they brought with them into the coun*
try, they certainly performed wonders. Their 1
plows, barrows with their wooden teeth, audi
^eda were io many instances weU made* Tbe^
MECHANIC ART^.
145
\ own tailors:
aL^..
eooper ware,, which comprehended ever; tbin^p
for holding milk* and water, waa generally pretty
weU executed. The ccder ware by having al-
ternatly a white and red stave, was then thought
beautiful, many of their puncheon floor's were ve-
ry neat, their joints close and the top even a«d
smooth. Their looms, although heavy did very
well. Those who could not exercise these me*
chanic arts, were under the necessity of giving la*
hour, or barter, to their neighbours to exchange for
fbe use of them, so far as their necessities required. ^.,
An old Bian in my father's neighborhood had thefl|P
art of turning bowls, frotn the knots of trees, par« »
ticularly those of the ash. In what way he did it»
£ do not know: or whether there was much mys-
tery in bis- art. Be that, as it may, the old man'i
skill was in great request as well turned woodeA
bo wis. were aonongstaur first rate article* of house-
hold furnitwre.
My brothers, and myself once undertook to pro*'
eure a fine s'sit of these bowls made, of the best
wood, the ash.. We gathered ali we could find on
our father'i land and took them^to theartbt, who
was to jive, as the saying was one, half for the o-
ther. He put the knots in a branch before hie
do^r. A freshet came and swept theai all away.
Not one of them was ever found. This was a ,
dreadful miaforlune. Our aitticipati0it of aa
elegant display of new bowls was utterly blasted
in a moment, as the poor old man was not able to
repair our loss, or any part ofit.
My father possessed a meebanioe] geoiouaof th0
highest order, and necessity which is the mother
of invemioO) occasioned the full exerciic of hista*
lents. His farming utensils were the best in the
Beighbourhood. Aftes makiDg his bom;, lie oC^a
14^
SIECIUNIO ARTS.
, .te
used* it, as a weaver. AH t!ie shoes belonging to
the family were mnde by himself. He alway*
spun his own shoe thread. Saying (h&t no wo-
man coold spin shoe thready as well as he could.
His cooper ware was made by i)iiT)se)f. 1 have
seen him mak^a sataH, neat kind of wooden ware
•ailed set ivork,. in which the st(\vfs,.vvere all at>
tacbed to the bottom of the vessel, by tlte nncans of
a groove cut in them by a strong claps knife,
and small chisel) before a single hoop v\as put ofi.
Ho was sufficiently the carpenter to build the
best kind of, houses then in use, that is to say
first a cabin, and afterwards the hewed log house^
with a shingled roof. In his tatter years he be*
came sickly, and not heing able to lebour, ke a-
'mused himself with tolerably good imitatioLS of
cabinet work..
Not possesing sufficient healib for service on
the scouts, and campaigns, his duty was that of
Impairing the rifles of his neighbours, when they
Deeded it. In this business he manifested a high
degree of ingenuity. A t^mall depression on the
surface of a stump or log and a wooden mallet,
were his instruments for straightening the gun bar-
rel when crooked. Without the aid of a bow string
he could discover the smallest bend in a barrel*
With a bit of steel, he could makea saw for deep-
'^niog the fuFrow8,.when requsite. A few shots de«
termined whether the guo might be trusted.
Although he never bad been more than hs
weeks at school; he was nevertbelef;s a first rats
penmaD,and a good arithmetician. His penman-
ftbip was of great service to his neigbdours ia
writing letters, bonds, deeds of conreyaoce, &c.
Young ae I was, I was possed of an tat whicb{<
.wal o)f great use. It wag that o(. wenving. sk^^V
&*t„
jiEDiciin:.
147
pouch str«p8) belts, an% garters. I could make
my loom and weave a beli in lens than one day^—
Having a piece of board about four feet long, an
inch auger, spike gimlei, and a drawing knife; I
needed no:other tooU or materials for making any
loom.
It frequently happened, 'that my weaving proved
serviceable to the family, as I often sold a belt for a
days work, or making an hundred rails. So thM
although a boy, I could exchange my labour for
Hiat of a full grown person, for ao equal length of
time.
5
J^Iedicine.
JCHAPTER XVin.
This amongst • rude and illeterate people, cdf||
sisted mostly of specificks. As far as I can rec(M^
lect them, they shall be innumerated, together
with the diseases for which they were used.
The diseases of children were mostly ascribed (•
worms. For the expulsion of which a selu*
tion of conunoD salt was giren* The dose wai
always large. I well remember, having been cem-
j^dledto ttke hilft table spoon ftill^ when ^uilf
148
Sl£DieiM.
7^
•mall. To the best of fpy recolleclion it geMN
ally answered the purpose.
Scrapings of pewter spoons, wac another len.
edy for the worms. This dose was also largo, i>
mounting,! should think, from twenty tofortygraiu
It was commonly given in sugar.
Sulphate of 'iron, or^green coperas was a third
remedy for the worms. The dose of this was al*
80 larger than w« should venture to give.at this
time.
For burns a poultice of indian lineal was i
common remedy. A poultice of scraped -potatoei
was alse a favourite remedy with some people.
Roasted turnips, made into a poultice was used by
'Others. Slippery elm bark ivas often used in the
seme way. I do not recollect that any iir*
ternal remedy, or bleeding was -vver used for
/bums.
The croup, or whpt was then trailed the **BoM
liives" was a. common disease amoDg tlie children,
many of whom di^d of it.
For the Cure of this, the juice ofYoasted onion
or garlick was g^iven in large dosea. Wall-ink
^as also a favourite remedy with manj of the tilt
ladies. For fevers, swearing was (he genenl!
remedy. This was generallj^ performed by meabi
•cf a strong decoction of ▼irginia snake root. Tbe
iose Was always v^rylirg^^. If a tiurge was a^e(t,it ;
Wtts idmut half a pint of a strongdf^coclioii of whitu
fralnut bark. Thia, virhen intended for a putge, Wai
peeled doivniii^arda; W for a vomit it iVaa peeldl
vpwaids. Ito^'aii pb^ sick, or boi^aiif root, a spe*
eies of epicacuanha nvaB frequently lised for a
tomit ana sometidites the pocooti or blood root
T6t tbef bft^ of a^rattfe, or copper strak^, a greit
tMltgf 6fii)«ciAoa w«ra usad. Iram^berwbeifi
Will W ip hare M#ft m«p bitlffV ^ »5J^«
•oilw bfiwhi into tHe fort «» • »M\bML ^w^^
th^il^ #M >S inUiplecei of fkoal {wo mchjtt
10 loBiUyjpUt open Ui tuoomioo, md Iwd on tiie
wowlW'fraw oitlbe|K>i|oi,w tUy ewetjrf
it Wbtii thU WM over, t firie wm kwdlrf
Upiiitlirfort jwd wd the wholo of th; wMPoent
birned to ishoHby «n!|of wengo for aie|fipuiy
helii^donew . ■.■^ . .s^ M^H
After this process wu ofer^ • JW flutiititj env
oberaut l^fea w m colleoted end boiled nr »J0t*
Tbe whole of Ibe wounded mMi^ leg end pirt wbit
<hiih were pieced in e niece of cbeenut berk, fmb
ffovi tbe tree, end tbe decoction ponredon tbe Jeg
80 ii lb mn down into tbe pot egain; nflttr contsn-
vans thii prooese (or ##0^ time, a quanug' ,
ollbe bwred learet were bited Ui tbe leg, TyȤ -
wan repeated several tiiiief a day. Tbe man Pf ^^^
well: but whether owliig to tbe treat|nentbeetown
<ed on bis iround, ie, not so uerlain. ^ ^ .
A nuoiber of native plants were used for tbe
cure of snake bites. Among^ them the white
plantain held a bigli rank. This was boiled ua
. milk and the decoction giYen the patient in
1^ mmntities. Akind of fern, which from Its
tes^iAance to tbe leases <tf walnut, was capMl
S^nut fern, wee anowr wmedf. AnlantwiOi
Miius r^otS) resembling the seneiia-snake roo^ef
a bla^ ^<our and a strong, but not disagreepa
sma^ WM considered and relied on as the in-
^nn ipeeiic, for tfaie cure of the sting ot a soaka*
f A decoction of this root was also used for^tbA
^ ^a^ laotber jf^ wl^cb far|p«pr
imo 4ist>ioiffK.
leflembles tb^ one above mentioned; but violently
jpoiionouB, wad soinetinies mistaken for it and uied
in ifs plaee. I knew ti^o young wonten who
JQ consequence of being bitten by rattle snakei,
.tised tbe poisonous plant instead of the othfr,
and learly lost their lives by themistake^ The
roots were applied to their legs in tl^e .form of a
])ou}tice, tbe violent burning and swelling oc-
,«asioned by the inflamation, discovered the mis-
take m tipie to prevent them from taking any
-'* tbe decoction, which had they done, it would
ve been instantly fatal. It Was with difficulty
that tbe part to which the poultice was applied
ivas saved from mortUtcation^ so that tbereni-
edy was far worse than the-diseasp.
Cupping, sucking tbe wound and making deep
isions which wer^tilled with salt and gun
der, were amon^tihe remedies for snake
8. It does not apprtfar to me, that any of the in-
rnal remedies used the by Indians and the first
.iettlers of thi»yCountry, were well adapted for the
cure of the disease occasioned by thef bif«s of a
anake. The poison of a snake like that of a bee
ht wasp, must consist of an highly ^concentrated
m^ very poisor^us acid, which.instantly inflames
the part to wkjich it is applied. That any
aUbstance whatever, can act at a specific for the
decomposition ef thiia poison, seems altogether
idoiibtful. The cure of the fevei* occasioned by
this animal poison, must be effeOted with re-
fet'ence to those getieral iadications tvhich are
regarded in the ^uife of Other ifeveiv of i^jual
Ibree. The ioternal remedies aiiuded to^ s*#' for
«| I am a€4)uainted with them are posited of
0/d» or no medical efficacy. They are ^t isme-
gcs, cathdUcs, or sudurifics. Wbat then^ Tbejf
Ufeoiciscc.
isr
d t04 soTfiir
treliarittlesi lubataiicel which do wondcw in all
tboie cnwf in which there it nothing to be doiie.
the truth i«^he bile o£a rattle or copper wko
irt a fleshy or tcDderous part, where the blood vef.
selarc neither uumeroui or large, soon heale*
under aay kind of treatment. But whpn tBe
fangs of^ the serpent, which are hollow and e-
JBCt the poison through an oriaoe near the poiptay
penetrate aWood fessel of any coosideraple »i«e,
a malignant and ineuraWe fever waa gener-
ally the immediate consequence andthe patient
often expired in the first paroxysm. . - ^
The same oiwepvaiioos apply tothe eflfecta of the-
Hite of serpents, when inflicted on beasUi. Korsef
were frequently killed by them, aCthey were opin-
inooly bitten somewhere about the nose in whicb
the blood-vessels are numergna and lar^e. 'ono^
gaw a horse die of the bitApf a rattle snike,^
The blood for some t\m befora he expired
exuded in great qoaatitf through the pores of the
skin*'* ., i'* ■ ' " i-^:.,-',^ '. '
Cattle were lesafrequenlly killed, because tl^^'r
noses are of a grisly texture, and less, furni^^hed
with blood msels than those of a horse. P«>gi
were someUnii^s bitten andbeing naturrally phy^V
tiians they commonly scracbed a bole iii eome
damp piacO and held the wounded* jiart in the
(^und^till the infiamation abated. Hogs,wben in
tolorable order were never hurt by them,owinet<l
their Ihi0k substratum of fat ^ between the ^3ft
inusctilar flesh and blood vessels. The ho^ i^
nerally took immediately tevcnge fer the wiUfy
doee^imi.byioila??!^^ tearing to pieces a6d, ^-
fouring the serpent which inflicted it. :
ifbe il«h, whieiiwar ft. ferji oommen dipetiit
'4f
■•'V
|d early (imet, wai commonljr cured hj ta o\n^
meat madt of brimttoBt and bogs lard/ '
QttB ibet, and other woonds were treated with
flipacrjelm bark, flax teed and other such like
poultio')!. BfaoY loit their lires from woundi
wbiob would noWoe considered triting aod eaiil;
ouiod. The uiis c£ the lancet and other means of
depletion,in the treatment ofwoundaconiitutedoo
part of their auM in this eountr|, in early times.
My mother died in earl? life of a wound fron
the tread of a horse, which any person in 4 he bt*
bitof letiog blood: might have cured by two or three
hleeding8,witbout any other remedy. The woupA
waapouHicedwithSpikenard roots and. soon termt*
sated in an extensive mortification..
Most of the men, of the early setfers of thii
luntry were affectedwith the rheumatism. For
\ht from this <4pea» the hunters genertkllj
i^ept witbthenr feet to the fire.. From this prac-
tice they certainly derived much advantage. The
oil of rattle snakes, geese, wolves, bears, ^poonsi
ground-bogs and |)ole-eats, was applied to swelli!^
joints and bathed in before the fire.
The pleurisy was the only discease irvhtcb wm
piplioaed to require hlood lutings but in many
OM^ a bleeder was not to be had;
Roughs, and pulmonary consumptions were
treated with a great variety of syrrups, the prii*
^IjffiA ingredients of which were commonly spike-
i9rd and' elecampane. These syrrupa certainly
gave but little relief.
Charms and incantations were in tise for the
^ clbie of inani diseases. I learned, when young,
"" |be incantation, in Qermao; for the cure of bumi,
f£tij(»piD^lAiod^ fot the tooth ache, anitbe eWtfi^
M:;]^ciiiiei
15d
%pi\ii9ibi\w\n inbatllr; but for the WMt of faith
in ihuir f ffic«'>y, I pev* i used any of th<am.
Tii'i: cirasper.if, ff Si Authony^i iire wa8 cir-
e'jmscnbvid by th? Mom! cf a b\Rck cat. Mence
ihcifi vTft? scasrctC'y a bhr;k v^'. to be seen, whose
i^fi.n and trvll bat? ijUwrim iVc-i^catly cropped,
for acoDty!buti:«ii of' bV>jd,
Whether «ii« med/cai protesaim^ h productive
of most jfO<»ti oir harm, may '^^Jt* be a matter
of dispute with some philo»oj.her« who usver san? *
any cojitSitir^iii of roriely, in ;?^>j<ih there were no
jibjihhiiSr, an-i '.herd'(j«r«j co«Jd uot be furnished'
a proper teat far CtcMbi^\hf} <{(M8lioii. ' Had hH
utibeliefer in ihe hca'ir-jBf s^vt !if eo amongst Ihe ear«"
]y inhabitants of this country, he would have been
in a ;>roper f^ituation tci v/itnets the con8equeii|gp -
of the want, ot the exeraii|^of this art. For ma-
Ay yeai'i m ^uccussion there was no person wlio
bor«i even tht name of a Do'ctor within a oonsid-
ef&ble distance of the residence. of my father.
For the honor of the medical profession, I
must give it as my opinion, that many of our peo-
ple perished for want of medical skill and atteii')^
tion. *
The pleurisy was the only diieaao which was,
in any considerable degree, understood by our
people. A pain in the side called for the use of
the lancet, if there waff any tol-^ hiid; but ||^«
ifig to its sparing use, the pat- at was xpt to be
left with a spitting of blood, viich 'iametimes '
endedi n consumption. A great nuo)b<T of chil
dreu died of the croup. Rt^outtcut and inte
nittent fevers,- were treated with wan
drinks, lor the purpoae* of swf^ating. The p
tients were denied the use of cold wa^er and Ires
iicv Mftnj of them died. Of those who.eacapMfli^
m
Ittsfcilf^.
not a few dl«cl aflterwards of the dropsjr, or e00^,
•umptioD; or irere left with paralytic limbs.^U
Breaths in child bed were not unfrequent. Ma-
gy, na doubt, died of the bite of serpents, in con^
geqiienee of an improper reliance on specifics pes*
tessed of no medical virtue.
My father died of an hepatites, at the age of
about forty six. He had laboured under this dis-
oase for thirteen years. The fe?er which acconi"
sanied it was called " Tho dumb ague" and ths
awelling in the region of the liver, *^The ague cake**
The abscesa bursted and discharged a Targe quan-
tity of matter which put a period to his life, in a*^
|»Out thirty hours after the commencement of the
Thus i, for one, may say, that in all hufflan
probability, I lost both my parents/ ifor, wan^t of
medical Md»
.*«!.>• >^-^*>^
{"^%^*
m
. M
Hi V*.
CHAPTER XlX/~
Thbsb were such m might hh ezpecied amon^
ft people, who owing to their"* circumstances, sj
well as education, set an higher Taloe on piys"
oial, than on mejital endowments, and on ikilt
in bunting and bravery ia warf than on any p<riife *
accomplishments, or fine 'arts* >
Amusementa are, in many instances, either im«
itations of the busines8H>f Im^, or at least, of some
of its particular objects of pursuit; ootlie |»arMJ|
young men bebnging^ to nations in a state w
warfare, many amusements are regarded as 0iie«^
peraiions for the military character which ttiey
are expected to sustain in future life. Thus, the
war dance of savages, is a pantomime of their
stratagems and horrid deeds of cruelty in War,
and the exhibition jpreparea the aninds of tb^ir
young men for a participation in the bloody trag-
edies which they representr Dancing, aaipng
civilized peophe^is regarded, not only as an amtise*
meat suited to the youthful period of human life;
but as a means of inducing urbanity of m aj j ^ba
and a good personal deportment in publiclP--
Horse racing, is regardea by the statesman, aa
a preparation, in variout ways, for the equeatrii
department of warfare: it is said that the enriii
goferoment never fosseaad a good cavalry unti^
the encouragement given to pi.blick races,' thi
jbreed of horte^^ was improved. Qamef, in irlu(
n&
•FlMRTStf^
there \% a mixture of chance and skill, are iiif]
to improTe the undcretaodingin mathematical vm
other calculations.' I
Many of the sports of the early settlers oftbitj
eotmtry, were imitative of the exercises and strtt.)
agems of hunting and war. Boys were t&ugiit|
the use of the 6ow and arrow, at an early tgtJ
btit although they acquired considerable adroit.1
ness inthe use of them, so as to kill a bird or
squirrel sometiiDesi Yet it appe&rs to me (hat is
the hands of the white people, the bow and arrow!
could never be depended upon for warfare or
bunting, unless made and maoaaed in a different]
manner, from any specimeaa of them which le?er
saw.
In ancients times, the bow and arrow nrast haiej
leen deadly instruments, in the hands of tb^. W
barians of our country; but I much doubt, whetheri
any of the present tribes of indians could make j
much use of the flint arrow beads j which mug^j
have been so generally used by their forefatheri«
.-Fire armsv wherever they can be obtained]
soon put an eiid to the use of the bow and arrow;]
but independently of thiacircumstanee, militaryJ
as well as other arts, sumetimes grow out of date [
and vanish from the world. Many centuries haTft-j
elapsed since the world has witnessed the dee*
tructive accuracy of the B^njaniites, in their usrj
€th6 sling and Stone; nor doet) it appear tome
at a diiuipution, in (be sixeaodfitTength of tb»
aborigines of thifi country, has occasioned a de«
crease of aecuracy and eflVct i» their use of the
t^ow and arrow. From ail the ancit nt skeleton}
vvbich h&ve come under my notice, it does not
appear ^hat'ihis section of the globe was ever^
uibalntad by a \vt%%^ race of humao beuigs thai^
»5p«».
m.
&^ wbiioli posMf sed it ayhe time oCitldlspirery
lif tbe iSitiropei&i^. V, ,v
Oiiiittpomnt Iftitloai^ oui^lio^a, vi|lb#or
of imitating thenmie if( every >ird and bet»t
in tlid v»k>ds. ThM faculty was not merely a
pastime; but a verf neoeiiary part of eduealioik,
'en account of its iittllty in certain circumstaD&es.
Tbe imitkions of tbe gobbling and other sounds
•f wild turkeys, ollen brought tbo^e Jceen ejped,
and eyer #atobf#tel^|iit8 oObelorest, wubin
the withiin?(Bach^f Hierlfte. TOe bleating of the-
fa^n^mugbt its dam to b^r death in the sama «ffty^
The hunter often CQUecied a ooiiipfMiy of HQ^j^sh
owls to the tvees abM his cao^, nod amuset^
himself with their hoarse sctearotngv his^ hovvt
would raise and obtnin responses j^d^ a pac{^ ot
vfoites, BO as to inform him £»f thwr iieig|kbi|g||||
hocid,.as weU M guard him, against their de^iiF
datioAs^
f his imitatira faouHy« was sometimes requiS'-
ite as a measura i>r»recauiion in war*, tha jO'*'
diaos, when soatteiwd about in^ a iieighboul^HH>d»
o^en eolle^d together, by imttatinc; Instep V|)f
day, and Wi^res or owia^by night ^i^imlil siu
uati90,our pe9pU dU tbasame. ^ I have <pan wit-
nassed the c6ta^niatioii< of a whola^ nalgl^fKur-
hood, in consequence of #fisw s<Mrfaf Ips ol^ls.'
An eac)yiVd^orre#iise;blth^ l^ilaii?efae^
was considered as an indication that its posae^
would becomia ia dua^ time,, a gSMi4 hunter m
a vaUant wm^ior.. ' *
V^rowiiigr tha^ tomahawi^, waa another bomb
sport, in mNui^ many acquirtd ciaosiderable akftl«
Tbet«m|h)iwkwtlkli its handle, of a certain length
will make ft pfin number of turns in * given dif;
Upce. Sa| ill fife etapai'lt will atril^ wi^ the edr
%:w
159
»poexR<
tbe handle dbwnwRrde, at (he distance of seven inj'
a balf^ it i%ill strike with the edge, ^le handle up.
wtfrds, and so q». A Ikt)^ experience enabled !
the boy to measure the distanoe with bis eye,
when walking; through the woods, and strike a
tree with his toiirabaU'k, in any way he choose.
» 'Sk^ Athletic sports of running, juniping, and
wrestlinfi^jtwere tbe pastimea of boyti, io ooflnniioB
with the ikien. ; ^ i
A well grown^y, at theafeof t#elve or thir.
teen years, w&B^urnished with a sntfalJ ritle and
shot poueh . He then became a foi t soldier, and^
had his port hole ai^sifned him. Hooting squirrels,,
turkeys and racoons soon- made hiin. expert ia
the use of his gon.
Dancing, was ^ the ptikcipal amuseinent of our
mg people of both sexes. Their dances, to be
Ittfe, were of- the simplesi forms. Three and
four handed reels and jigs. Country, dances, co.
tilliotya and minuets, were unkni>wn.' i'temeniber
to have seen once or twice, a dance which was
CaWcd^ '^be Irifth Trot" Bui I hai^e long sines-
ii>rg0tl^ iti %ur«.
. ^di>ti^g^at marks, w^ofr a eommoi^ diTiersion ti*
iDonif the men^ |\ ben their stock of anoiunitioo
woii^d allow it; thir howevervWa» fer^m being'
«iWaya the case. The present mode of%hooting of
fii^d Ms n^ttheii inpraetie«'.'[^ts mode' was not
Ipiaidered ;»9 any, trial of the veliie of a gfin; nor
rodeed, a^ m^xdk ofa test of the skill of a marks-
»ao. Their sheoting was from a #eat^ and at as
greirl a di^tabee er the lengtik and weight of the
Sarrel of the gun would throw a ball on^ a horizon-
til level.^ Such wae their regards to accuracy, io'
those' ftp(»'ti?e trials of >their riSes^ «nd of tbeir^
»>»iv skiU in; thft^^tise of theiii> thgt thej^cfleo ptit^
t?o&m*
is»
^nofs, or come other joft substance on fhe^'log or
or stump from which they shot, for fear ofhmfU}ff:
the bullet throwa from Ojc mark) by the spring of
the barrel; Whe%tbe TkiA% was held to the sids
of a;troe for ft re^r, it was pressed against it
as lightly as possible, for the esme reason.
Riil«s of former timen^were different from those
of modern date: f^w of them carried more than
forty five bullets to ihe pound' Bullets- ol* a less <
size were npt thought sulffici«fTi]^l>efivy for haoi-
ini?or war.
* Dramatic narratrenSf^chiefly -concerning jack
and the giant, furnished our young people with
another scource of amiisement during their leisarci
hours/ Many of those tales were lengthy,, and
.embraced a .considerable ran^e of ificident.^
Jack, always the hero of the story, after eucounteir-^
iog many dilliculties, and performing mmj great
achievments, came off conqueror of the giant-rf
Many of these stories, were tales of knight er-
rantry, in which some captive vii^n, waa relifas-
ed from captivity, and'^estored to her lover.
These dramatic narrations, concerning jai^k
and the giant, bore a sirOn^ resemblaotce to the
Poems of Ossiao, the story of the Cyclops and Ulys-
es,io tkeOdyssy of Homer and the tale of th^ gienf,
and great-heart, in the Pilgrim's Progress, they
were so arranged, as to the diflferent incidents of
the narration, that Ihey were easily committed tli|^
memor^. They certainly have been haoded down
from generation to generation, frodl time im-
memorial. '^
Civilization,basindeed,bani8hed tlie use of thoB«
avcient tales of romantic heroism; but what thtHf
it has subatitated In their place^ the novel and jro*
mance.
♦
^^
)ffin$!i*
i''-^j,
It is thuB, that Ho tvery sitte of society, the
'inimaginatioli of nan is eternaUy at war with ret-
8t>n and truth,. That fiction should be acceptable
to an unenlightened jiBOple, isttot to be wondered
at, as the treasures of truth have never been un-
folded to their mind} but that a civilized people
thciBipelves,«houId, in so nofUny instances, like bar-
bi^^aprefer the fairy regions of fiction to the au-
' ff Hit treasures of truth, developed in the sciences of
theology, histor^i|||toral«nd moral philosophy, is
truly a sarcasm m human nature. It is as mucV j
as to say, lh«t it is essential (o our amusement,*]
that, for the time being, we must suspend the ei-
eroiso c^feason, mnd submit to a voluntary de-
ception.
Stnging, was another, hut not Tery commoa
^amosem^jtit among our first settlers. Their tunei,
were rudie enough to be sure. Bobio Hood fur-
Dished a number of our songs, the balance were
mostly tragical. These last were denominated *4ots
songi ibout murder;" as to cards, dice, back-gan-
moQ and other games of chance, we knew nothing
ibottt tpm. Theae are amongst the blessed gifli
#■"
K» , .'»•'
*
Witchcraft.
t ,
X;HiPT£R; XX,
amuseiDent.
1 SHALL not be lengthy on this subject The
teliet in witchcraft Was pflpllsnt ftmoAg the
^eaHy settlers of the vvestem country. 1*o th6
witch was asOribed the ^nendoiis power of io-
Hicting strange aiid incuirable diseases, particular-
ly oh children'-^ of destroying Gittle by shootmg
tbetn with hair balls, and a gr^at Variety of ether
means of destroction-^f . inflicting spells and
curses on gitns and vottier things^ and lastly o#-
changing men ibto horses, and alter brtdi9»g and
saddling them, riding them in fall spe|il. over
hill and dale to their ffolicks and other^p^iiis of
rendezvous; • More ample powers <^ miscilii$^1%iMa
these eannet well be immagined^ ■ ^ r,
Wiiards, were ioeB supposed to possess the
Same mischievous powers as the witches; but
those were seldom exercised for bad purposes.-—
The powers of the wizards were exercised al-
most eiclusively for the purpose of counteract-
ing the malevplent infloences of the witches of
the other sex. I have known several of those witcli
i^asters, as they were called, who ma% a publick
profession of curing the diseases inflWed by the
influence of witches, and I have knotm respect-
able physicians, who bad no greater portion of
business in the line of their nrofession, than many
of those witch masters baa in theirs.
."i
-.-J^IS:-'.
"" V
I«
VmUCIULFT.
Tho meftii» by wtiicb the witch was tupip«|.
«4to infliet dUeaf««9 comes simI spells, I iie?«
439u]d 'lea^n; The^ were oooult scienees, whii^
no one ww sutmosed to.uDd|nitftn^ e^icepting
the \vitcb beffsel),Aiidoowonalr,a8 BO sueharti
ever existed in any iSQURipy.
Thf^.diseases of^cbildreii stijp|>osed toJbe in^cte^
4>y mtcbcraft) were 4hose of the interoal dropsy
of the braio, aiid the ficlrets. Thc| symptons and
4$tif6 of these <!^|tticUve^e«0e8 were utterly
ithknei^ ill i^ttir times Id jAi^ttmnt^. Di|.
^siBS Which ^s^ld tt^iit^ bd aciiOuiit^dfornQri
ctitod, iNste usually s^eHbed ^0 joiiie ittpen|.
kitral ^E^otoy cf « obsiHgiimnt Idhd.
Fb^ th^ct^)^th^di^e(i|«iA9iJililid^yvnto|'
Mft, thi t^i^t^ bf tH# siiP0^«i^ vHtich mt$
Mwh :^ a stump dr |tt«ae i»f hcift and sfaot^^
H^itiYik mm t^<nmm$'Mm4m0imkir. nu
lif^r ^mM l^tmmte^A piiihfMl ahd loifietintiii
i Utdcllf ipell JOU ib^ liftrt W the #!tch corrsl-
^ndiihrtrii^ffa ^ |!|ii (^ the jKirtl^ir it^tk bf
4he biltt^. Another kj^^iMT of ^ms, jM^tiid
getting some^f thevchirds Wat^; i^hicfi Wlis dos^^
1%' (io&ef «U) ^ ii "^iil iiid htiN% up In a chUnne^.
This isbt^blhnifnted this #ii;eb Mh rs^an|;o^
Whibh TastM lis loD]gp alF tha i/il^ fediaiiied ifi'
th^ chiM^ey; the vntbh hltilhut itthHWi^of te-
ll^ vi^^ liers^if froni aii^ Sbelf inifi^tlld oU faerla
.sny WW^ whicii waif that of bor#d#iilg siUnfelthidg^
jko Uiatter «yj^t,^f tie fi^toily ^ t^
bfthe exdpe of £er witchcraft !^^
I have plowii sl^ral poivr (irfd wonii^, mut^
8urt>risedilt b^lrtf refused ^^uestl which bai
iS{ial1y bee^D gi's^ted Witb&Ut htisiiaffohi thdalm^t
»eart brok^a itfhei^li^iQhiid i»f 1h« ^lir^ t|fe
^■■
#
ffitcncBArr.
m
il^en cuttle or dogt were suppof ed to be under
fbe mduence of wHpheraft they weriB burnt in the"
Ibrebetd by « brnttd^Aff^iroo, or when de^d burn-
ed wholly ip whes; Tliia inflicted n epell upov
the witcb which' co^ld only hp removed by bor-
rowing &8 itbove stated;-
Witches were olien eaid to milk the cot^e o£
their neitshboMrS. This they did bj fixing a new
pin in » hew toWel for each cow intended to be
milked. This towel was huTr»^?erber own door^.
and by the means of certanr incantations the
millt was isxtracted from the fringes of the towet
after the manner of milking^ a cow. This hap-
pened when tbo cows were too poor to cpre mnch^
milk. ' ■• ■ \-" /^^•'■•^' ' .
The first fwmao glastffilowertin thiecpufitry^
drove the witches out of their furoacep by ^roWr
ilng lifiogr poppies i|ito thenii .
The greater or leas emount of belief ki witehv
^ft, ne^omancy m^ astrology, serveslto sho^'
the relative amount ot philosophiciil 6ci<»ii#e if
' any country. Ignoraficc is always assoeii^iifd witfr
superstition, which, prbsept^nji^ an endless variety;
0f source* ^ bope ftad fear, witiii rc|^rlP
to this good or ba^ K»tunes of li^^ IjCeep 0lJ» bjfir
nightjsd iMnii contin^urtly berassed. wHIl gt^^N''
lewi an^delusnre; but sl^ong^^ end often d^^lf
I distressing' i^pressione o^ a false fkitfii. F^r
this diseftie oltbe mwd tjiere isno cure but thj^
^of philosophy. Thi? sdience^bewi^ theeiili|b-
tened vc»son d mftQiibwt noeiect^^teYieir <99^
be produced in the physical worlKwi^otit W
ec^te^doding cau^e. This siejencef finnqv^cet
theiihedeath beW is but a jpoinentiry vm^'*
motiof of the nern^s of the ear, and lhe4"
IViiiQhlbe i^n8eQf% bvf in the w«U^ a|;|
-IHr '^
,^^^*4
,^/*ts»j»;9S«^
si
m
y^irtHCtiii^>
the>iiot?Ung ofthedog, and the croaking •£ tU
raven are but the naiural languages of the betil
and fowl, and no way prophetic of the death of
the tick. Tbe comet, which used to shake pei<
tilence and war from its fiery train, is now view*
ed with as little emoti.^n as the movenicnts of
Jupiter and Saturn in their respective orbiti.
An eclipse of the s jn, and an unusual freshet
of the Tiber, shortly after .the assassination of
Julius Geasar, byt-Casius and Brutus, threw the
whole of the Roman empire into consternation.
It was suppossed that all the. gods of l^eaven and
earth, were enraged and about to take revenge foi
the^ murder of the emperor; but since the science
of astronomy foretells in the calender the
time and entcnt of the eclipse, the phenomenon is
not viewed as a miraculous and portentous; but
as a comiDon and natural event;
/JThftt the pythoness and wizard of the IFIebrews,
the monthly soothsayers, astrologers and prognos-
ticators of th« Chaldeans,- and the sybils of the ^
Greeks and Romans wer^mere mercinary im-
postors, there can be no doubt.
To say that the pythoniess, and all others of
her class were aided in their operations by the
intervention of familiar spirits does not mend
the matter; for spiritff, whether good or bad, pds-
0ess not tbe power of life and death, health
and disease, with regard to man, or beast. Pres-^
cience, itf a^Jncommunicable attribute of God;
and iher6|||i spirits cannot foretell future e-
rents/ ■%'
The afflictions of Job, through the intervention
Satan, were miracalous. The possesions men-
ned in the N|;w Testament, in all* bumjin pro-
abUity w«r<&!^iMpiacal dif^a^es; an4 )^ ^t theji
f **.*
wtYcBcBirr.
9
(^rel the luppOMd evil spiHti ipftke With ai^ tu*
«d)ble Toice. These events w«re alfD imrteul^t|
end effectecl for a special purpose. But from
miracles,' no general conclufions eah be drawn,
i^ith regard to the divine g<^v9mment of the world.
The conclusion is that' the powers professed'
to be exer^sed by the oecult science of n«orb-
ihancy and othier arts of difioation^ were neither
more nor less tlian imposturef .' .
Among the Hebrews, the ptof^ission'of arts of
divination wa# thought deserving capital^ pun*
ishment, becaiisO the profession was of ffigan pr*
igin, and of course iaeompatible' with the pro*
Rssion of theism, and a tbeoeraticlbriii of gor •
ernment. These jugglers perpeh>ated a debasing v
superstitlotf athong the people; They were also
swindlers^ who diVeMed their neighbpuie of large
sums of money, and valuable presents, without
an eqUiTslent. On the ground tben,^ of fraud aloi]ie| ^
a^cordingtO the gealous of the ^riiaihal codes of V
ancient .governments} this offiioe deserved cap*'
ital punishment. . , ,. .*
But is the present lime better than the "past witli''
regard/toasuperBtitiottS belief in occult iodiien- ^
ces? D(:rnotraces,ofthe polt^eism of our fore*
f^be^B remain aiDOjag their christian descendants f '
Wis enquiry must be answered in the affirma|
tive. Should an aliUanac maker venture to giv^
* out the christian calender ' without the' column '
containing the sipiS of the zOdiac^^he calender
would be condemned asbeing toi||| deficie^^
imd the whole impression would r^ain onr hia^^
But what are these signs? They are constelH
tiUoQS- qI the zodiac, Jhat is clutters of atai^
169
%?
mjcwmm.
twelfe io number, within, and inclvding (he <ro*
I licks of Ctncer and CepricoiD. Theee constel-*
ation9 reseoible the aDimals after which they
are named. But what influence do these cluMeri
of et&ra exert on the animal and the plant. Cer-
tainly none at all; and yet we are taught that the.
nothern conetellationa gorern the divisions of living
bodies alternately from the h^ad to the reins, and
in like manner the southern from the reins to the
feet. The sign then makes a skip from the feet
to aries, who again assumes the government of
the bead, &nd so on.
About half of these constellations, are friendly
divinities and exert a salutary influence on the
animal and the plant. The others are malignant
in their temper, and govern only for evil pur-
poses. They blast during their reign the seed
sown in the earth and render medicine and oper**
ations of surgery unsuccessful.
We have read ef the Hebrews worshiping the
host of heaven, whenever they relapsed into idol-
atrr and these same constellations were the hoBts
of heaven which they worshiped. We, it is true
make no offering to these hosts of. heaven, but
we give them our faith and cemfldence. We hope
lor physical benefits from thbse of them whose
dominion is friendly to our interests, while the
reign of the mtilignant onel9 is ah object of
dread and painful apprehension
hit us nq4 boast very much of our science,
civilizatioi^ Or even Christianity while this column
of the relicts of paganism still disgraces the chris*
tian calender.
I have madejbese observations with a view to
4i8crcdit tlggp^anis^ of superstition still existing
^mong us*
diea^p, the howUnjg^} 0f the do^
"ml -„ '- W * '
'^.
P
M;^
♦'
•
MORALik
nft
itie croaking of t raTen are prophetio of future ۥ
ftofs we are not good chrittians. While we are dis-
mayed at the signs of heaven we are for the time
being pagans. Life has reaT evils enough to eoiw
tend with, without immaginary ones.
. I
JMorah.
CHAPTER XXr.
In the section of the country where iny fatbel
lived, there was, for niany years attcr the set«
tlement of the country, "Neither law nor gos-
pel." Our want of legal government, was owing
1o the uncertainty whether we belonged to the
state of Virginia or Pennsylvania. The line,
which at present divides the two states, was not
Tun untlll some time after the conclusion of the
revolutionary war. Thus it happened, that during
a long period of time we knew nothing ot courts,
lawyers, magistrates, sheriffs, or constables. Ev*
ery one was therefore at liberty **To do what-
ever was right Hi his own eyes. >^
As this id a^'dtate of society, whj|^g^w of mt
li sloiSciOribe >il
Readers have ever witn08ift|i h slil^ciOribe
'♦
■? ■-
■^-
^
;4*-
i«a
ttOTRixj;
minutdy fis I'eiir, fliid give ift delail, (iTose tfor^
al maifms wbicb, in t greit decree, tnawered ^
4 important purposda municipftl jurisprudence.
In the &8t pJMCty let it b'e ofater^ed that in |
sparse population B^re all the members of tbi
community are welt known to each other, inlt
especially-io a time of war where every roan ca*
pable of bearings arm* is considered highly tiI.
uable, as a decoder of his' country, puMic opiB*
'^W^ ion has its ftrit efiect and answers^ the purposci'
^ of legal government better than' it Would in i^j
dense population, and in time of peace;:
Such was the situation of ouirpeople' along tU]
fifontiers of- our settlements.'^ They-had no cirii,
military or ecclesiastical lawsf at least none" thit
were enforced* and yet ^'They were a law unto
"themselves'^ as to the leading obligations of our'
nature in all the relations ih which they stood
«I6 each other. Hie turpitude of vice and thf
fMJ(tBtj of moral virtue, were then as apparent
as^they are now, and they were then' regardel-i
with the same sentiments of aversion or respect'!
which th^ inspire at the present time. Ihdu9*
try, in working and hunting, bravery in war, can*
dor, honestj^ hospitaUty) ai^f ttefllness of deport-
ment, received their fiAlireward of public honoTf
and publie eonfidence among^' our rude forefath-
ers, as well as aniong their fc^ttei.^ instructed and
more polished descendants. The punishment
whieh they inflicted upon offenders bythe inipe*
riaroourt of public opinion, were well adapted
feir the reformation of the eulprit,or his expulsion
from the community.
M The punishment for idleness, lying, dishonesty,
^ and ill faiie J^enerally, was that • of ''Hating thsj
offender out^^ at they expressed it^ This modi
-fu..-
-'■V.
JWRiLft
16^
Af ehastisement was like the aHmea of ibe Greeks,
ft was a public expression, in various ways, of
a general sentiment of indignation against suclt
as transgressed the moral maxims of Uie commu-
flity to which they belonged. This commonly re-
suited cither in the refarmation or bamshmcnt:
of the person against whom it was directed.
At house raisingSr log rollings and harvest
parties every one was expected to do his duty
faithfully. A person ao did not perform hw
share of labour on these occasions was dfesigoatea
t»y the epithet of -^Lawrence" or some other*tilla
stiU more opprcPbiaus and' when it ceme to hiy
turn to require the like aid from his neighbo«r3j-
the idler soon^^ felt his punishment, m their refusal'
to attend i& bin ealls*-
Although there was no legal compulsion to th$*
performance of military duty; yet every man o^
foil age and size was expected to.do his full share-
of public Service. U he did^ not do^ so he waf
•*Httted out 83 a coward." EVen the want of any
article of war equipments, such' aa ammuniti(Mi,
a sharp Hint, ct priming wire, a scalping knife or
tomahawk was thought highly disgraceful. A
man, who without a reasanable cause failed to go-
on a scout or campaign when it came to \m turn,
met with -an expressiom^ of indignation in the
countenances of all his neighbours, and epithets
^f dishonor were fastened upon him without
mercy.
Dei)t8, which maRe such an uproar in civilize*
life were but little known among our forefather*
at the early settlement of this couotry". After the'
depreciation of the ci>n<ir»etital paper tt)ey had
no money o€ any kind; every thing purchased^
\!ras paid for in produce or labour.^ ';M good ©♦w.
ii'
'»•
"-#^
#
tml ciftlf was oftep tfie price of a busbeT of af^
lum 6$lt. If a com r act vv as not puiictually fit)*
filled, tbr credit of tbe delinquent wa^ at an e»i).
Any petty thef^ was punisned with all tbe in;
famy tbateould be heaped on the oifeitder. ji ^^
man on a campaign sU^h from hid comrade^ i
cake out of the asbea, in Which it ivas baliiing.—
^e was immidiately named '^Tbe bread rounds.'*
This epithet of reproach was bandied ebout iq
this way, when he came in sight of a grotip of niiei^
one of them would call **wlio comes (here? ^^^
othi«F would answer *^The bread rounds.'^ If any
one 9>eant to be more sericus about tbe matter,
he would eait out **Who stvlB a cake out of ibe
ashess" Another replied by giving the name of
the man in full, to this a third would give confiif
roation^^ by exclaiming **That is true and no lie/
This kind of "Tongue lashing" he was doomed t**
begr, for tbe re$t of the campaign, as well as fof
years after his return honnkj.-
If a theft was detected,- in any of the frontier
s,ett]ementff, 8 summary moi^ of punishment wif
always resorted to. The f»rst settlers, as far |
knew of them had'^a ki(id of inn^ite;, or heredita^f
iletestation of the criwk* of tbeft, in any shape q?
degree, and their ma$im vras that '^n thief qaui^
be whip|>ed.'^ If the tbcfi| was of something of
some vulAie, a kmd ^ jurjr of ^be neighbourhood
after beant\g tb^ t^iti^aoay would" cond^ma
the culprit to Moses Law, that* is to Forty stripe^
•wre oo#i tf the theft was o^ SOW® am*!! article,
tb*e oieodier W9» doomed to ^rry o^ his bacH
the it)ig of the Ignited States, which then eonsist"
ed of thirteen stripe?. In either oasiC, seme abis
hands were selected to execute the sentence, sf
fhat the stripes wer^ etire to be w^U Uidon*
^lOlMJt
m
Tbii:^ ptfiiiBbaient wad followed by ft senteace
ekil#. H^tt th«ti WAfl ittfbrmed ibat be must
iepiftiip In so many (d^» add be seen tbero no
ij^pre^ peaiU(jr cffbaviDg tbe Dumber of bis sinpdM
For tuMf yttfB after the law was put in oper«
atioh iti tbe west^i^n pari of ¥ir^nta^ the magis-
irat^tftbettseWes, w^relti Ibc habtt of |;ii^ing those
^ho were brought before thetn on charges of
«maii ih!sf>s, >tbd libertjr of beiii^ lent to jail, or
taking a whipping. Tb^ latter was comnioiil|^
cbosdn and was immedialely inflicted, after which
the thiefwaii ordered to clear out.
In some iiratance{|, dtripesWereiafliot^ilinot for
the ponishmetit of an fiS^nct; but for the purpose
of extorting a eodfbssion from suspected persons.
This was the torture of our early times, and oo
d0^ibt Hdihetimeii very unjustly inflicted.
If awdmain was 4^iven to tatlltng and slander-
ing her neighbsiursy the Wad furniiHied by common
coQseni^ with a kind of patent right to aay what*
eVer she pieaBed, i^iihout being belle^^dL Her
toogae was then jsa^ to be baridiAesBj or to bB 119
(Qcaadel.
With aii tbi&ir rudeness jthesep^pAe w«re given to
hospitality and freely dividfsd their rough f&M with
a niei|hlKnir, or atratiger^ and wotild have been
bfbndtfd at tbe offbr of pay. In their iettlementa
ild forts, they lived, they Worked, they fought
«nd feasted, or suffered together, in cordial bar*
mony. They were ,watm and constant in their
friendships. Oa the other hand they were re^
i^engeful in their resentuienis. And the point of
honour sometimes led to personal co'if^bats. If
^ne man called another . a liar, be was consid*
i^red as having givett ft Qbaltenge fi^ob th« pe»^
,^!
a
.•<!
MOBALI*
'9, iii;'
who received it must accept, or be deeaa^i
Coward, a«d the charge was geijerally an^weill
on the spot, with a blow. Jf the injured person tu
decidedly iinG^ble to fight the aggressor, he roiglil
get a friend to do it for him. Tha same th«t
took place on a charge of cowardice, or anj otb^
■didbonourable action, a battlf^ njost follow ao4
the person who inade the charge iBUSt tight, eitbel
-the person agfcinst whom he made the charge or anjf
<^hBfnpion who choose to ^espouse his cauee.--.
TbU» circurtistanced, our people in early imik
xvere much more cautious of speaking ^evii ^
their neighbours than th^'y are at pr:esent.'
Somet«nnt'8 pi inched baules occuitf^ in wbidi
time, place, and secotids were appointed before-
hand. I remeniber having seen one of those pitch-
ed battles jn my tatl^rs fort, when a boy. One
erf th^ yoiiDg men knew very Wjcll beiorehani]
that he should ^et tti^ worst of the battle, and
no doubt repented the engagement to fight; but
there was no getting over it. The poiiit of bon*'
our demanded the risk of battle. He got bis whip*'
{>ing; (heyihen shook hands and w^re good frieudi
afterwards.
t 'JRhe mode <»f aingle combats in those days mi
dangerous in the extreme; altbo' nov eapons were
lifed, fista, teeth and feet were employed at will| I
tiutidbovenU, the detestable practice of gouging^,
by which eyes were sometimes put out^ rendert4
this mode of fighting frightful indeed; it was not
kowever, so destructive as the stilettci of ar/ltiJLin,
the knife of a Spaniard, the small sword of the
Frenchman, or the Pistol of the American cr
English duelist.
* Instances of eeduclion, aipid bastardry, did not
Creqaently happen in eiir early t^Ties, I r^; member
*.
H >,
f^
^•
J |b6 iatttnce oftbe lonner, in wliicli tBe life of the
mtn vftf put in jeopardy by the resentment of
UMLkhS:
gra*t personel d»: ger from the brothers, or other
relations of the Tictime of seduction, family hoA*
our, being then estimated at an high rate.
I do not recollect that profane language, WM
much more prevalent in our early times than at
Ipresent.
Among the people with whom t was most con*
versant, there was no other vestage of the chris-
tian religion than a faint observation of Sunday,
and that merely as a day of rest for the aged, and
a play day for the youo^^
The first christian service t ever heard was ia
the Qarrison Church in Baltimore county, in Ma»
ryland where my father had sent me to school.
1 was 4hen about ten years old. The ap-
pearance of the church, the windows of which were
Gothic, the white suT{>lice oftbe minister, and the
responses, in the^eervice, overwhelmed me with
sutprize. Among my school fellows in that place*
It was a matter of reproach to me that I was not
baptized, and why? Because, as they said I had
no name. Such was their notion of the effiottt
*ey of baptism^
*
i»
:'■>
0^^
w
a
OHAFTER XXII.
iispressioQfl, oiHbe iDin4 pf the author oq
iWtaag the cruelties exercised on slaves and con-
Tict serviots, in the state of Maryland.
If some of my readers should com(>laiQ of the
antroduction of too great, a portion of my own his-
ftoiy, and that of my family, into this work, I trust
;! shall not hepon^idered hlaroeable for having
given the narrative of the herrid cruelties exe^
oised upon slaves and serv^nto, which I was doom"
,«d to witness in. my early years, together with the
lasting impressions which the view pf these tor-
.torea ma^a upon my infant mind.
On the 4eath of my mother, which liappened
,9rhen J was about.eight ^ears old, ray father seat
jne under the aare of a relation, to Maryland fqr
the purpose of being sent to school.
When arrived there, 1 was in a new world. 1 had
left the backwoods behindme. I bad exchanged «j
its rough manners and poor living, for the build*
ings, plenty and polish of, civilized life. Every
thing l^aw and heard aonlbunded me. I learnti
•after some timcf, that there were fM^ and' poor^
masters, alaves and convicts, and I diacoverea
that the poor servants and convicts were dnder
entire subordination to their maslefis. i saw that
iihe slaves and convicts lived in filthy hovels cal*
jjted kitchens, and that they wer^ poor, ragged ao4
/.,
t
BtlVSHf.
^Tirty^ and Irept at hard labor^ while their ma8«
iters and faniilies lived in large houses, were well
clothed and fed and did as they pleased. The
reason of this diffidrence it the condition of men
and women of the same race of beings, I could
not comprehend.
Having no idea of crime, I thought it could he
liQ otherwise than unjust, that some should have
•0 little and others so much, and that one should
work so hard and others perform do labor.
My residence was in a oeighborhbod wherA
Hilaves <md convicts vnere numerous^ and where
tortures inflicted upon tbcm'j bad become the oc"*
ciirences of almost everyday, so that they were
viewed with indiflereoce by the whole {yopulation
el>the neighbourhood, a» matters of course. Thus
it is that cudtom reconciles htAnan nature, with
iH its native fiyhipathies to the grossest barbaritiei^
and hardens the heart against the intrusion oit
feeling, at the sight of the most exquisite suf-*
fering of a fellow creature.
Not so with me, who never had Witnessed ^<ie1l
tortures; rhad^otI%en long it) my newhabita«
don, be^re I* witnessed" a scene which I shall
* never forget. A convict servant, accused of some
trivial offencey was doomed to the whip, tied witb
his arms extended upwards to the limb of a 'tree
» and a bundle of hrcrories were thrown down be*
fore himv be wibls ordered to look at them and
told that they^* should all be worn out on him and
a great macf more, if he did not make I con-
fession of the crime alledged against him. . The
operation began by tucking up the shirt ovet
his head^ so as to leave his back and shouldert
Baked. The master.theo tooktwoofthehiecorfei
1« hit handy and by forward and backfeandfed'
' *
fpf(^
•LAVEJtt
strokef, each of which sounded like t wiggcj^
whip, and applied with the utnoat rapidity aii4
wiih hia whole muscular strength, in a few ijb.
conds lacerated the shoulders of the poor mil*
erable sufferer, with not less than fifty scourgei,
00 that in a little time the whole ofhisshouldera
had the appearance of a mass of blood, streams of
which soon began to flow down bis back and side»;
he then made a confession of bit faul* A fsn^i
not worth naming; but this did not save him froi
further torture. He had put hin master ^*To tl
trouble of whipping hiu and he must have a liitf
more." His trowsers were then unbuttoned sd41
suffered to fall down about his feet, two new hio»>
ories were selected from the bundle, and so ap*
plied that in a short time his posteriors like bit
shoulders exhibited nothing but laceration, and
hlood A consultation was then held betwesa
the master and the bystanders, who had beea
€x>oily looking on, in which it was humanely wu*
cluued **that he had got enough.*^ A bason oi
brine and a cloth were ordered to be broughtij
with this his stripes were washed or salted u]
they called it During this operation the suffer*
iog wretch writhed and groaned as if in the
gooies of death. He was then untied and toU
to go home and mistress would tell him whi
to do.
From this scene of torture I went home, with a'
fiaavy bearr, and wishe 1 myself in the backwoode
mgainfnofdid the frequence, of witnessiog suck
^ceaes, lessen in any degre^, the horror which they
first occaaioned in my mind.
It frequently happened, that torture was inflict*
ed upon slaves and convicts, in a more protracted
Hiuaner^ thwi in tjiat above described. Whea
tin
^#
^
KUlftRT;
(fie TJCtim or cruelty was doomed bt bis master
torecsWe tbe lash, several of bis neigbbouts were
ealled oDy for tbeir assistance. They attended
at the time and place appointed. A jug of rum and
water were provided for the occasion. After tbe
trembling wretch was brought forth and tied up,,
the number of lashes which he wf^jn to receive,
was determined on, and by lot, or otherwise, it
was decided, who should begin the operation, this
»d<9oe, the torture commenced; at the conclusion
|if the^first course, the operator pretending gr^at
.^liearinesB, called for a drinfe of rum and water,.
||in which he was joined by (he company. A cer*
tain time was allowed for tbe subject of theip
cruelty ^^to cool" as they called it. When the
allotted time had expired, the next hand' took his
turn, and in like manner ended with a drink, and
so on untiV the appointed number of lashes were
all imposed. This operation lasted several hours.*
sometimes- half a day^ * at the conclusion of
which tbe sutferer, with his hands swollen with
the cords, was unbound and suffered to put on
his shirt.- His executioners j to whom the
operation, was rather a frolic than otherwise, re-
turned home from the seene of tneir labor, half
drunk. Another method of punishment still more
retracted than this^ was that of dooming a slave
receive so many lashes, during several days in
succession, each of those whipping, excepting
tbe first, was called ^^Tickling^up tbe old scabs*'^*
A couple of waggoners in tbe neighbourhood,
having caught a man, as they said in the^ct of
stealing something from the waggon, stripped
him and fastened him to the binder part of the*
y^^ggoD, got out their jug of rum and anMi«e4
■im
"■^«*
, ■'%>
fii^--
*^
Chemie1r€i by mtkinig^ leorerbn bit back for wt^
gen. He ibat could make tbe deepea^ score ntf
10 ba?e tbe first dram. Sometimes tbe cuts ap.
pearing to be equal, no decisiofo could be. bad uq.
til tbe second or tbird trial was made. This
sport was continued for several bours, until the
poor fellow was almost killed, and tbe waggonert
Dolh drunk.
Female 6enrants,botb wbite& black were subjecli
ed to tbe wbip in common witb tbe male*, paving
to pass tbrougb tbe yard of a neighbour, on*my iray
to icbool, it happened that in going my usu^l rout,^
in a cold, snowy morning, when I came within
Yiew of tbe boose I was much surprised at seeint
% naked woman standing at the whipping post and
her roaster witb a biccory in bis band, mien I got
to the place, I stopped to see what was going oo,
after the woman bad received a certain number of
lashes, a female black slave was ordered from the
kitchen, striped and fastened by the irons of the
whipping post, her scars eihibited the stripes and*
corrugations of former years. Both these women
bad bandkercbiefs tied around their eyes, to prevent
them from seeing when tbe blow was coming.
Tbe biccory used by this man was a forked one,
twisted together and tied. A biccory of this ind,
owing to tbe inequalitv of its surface, gives the
greater pain, l^itb this be scored the backs of
these two women alternately; but for what length
of time I de not know, being fboched at th^
eight, I hurried onto school, and letlt the mas*
ter ati%is work.
I might here relate many other methods of tor-
ture, of t^bich I have been eye witness among these
people, such as the thumb screw, sweating, the
birch &c. bnt it is eoougb, the' heart sickens a't
the recollectioif of such cruelties,
J:
-,.;^^-
ILAVCRT;
111
Somt time ago, I ntde enquiry oft^geDtlemeni
who bad receotlr remoTcd from the neighbour*
bood, Id which 1 bad lived io Marjland, to this
coQDtry, concerning the present state of the fami-
lies, of my former acquaintance in Maryland, be
informed me, thai of the whole number, of those
families, only three or four of their descendants
remain possessors of the estates of their forefatb-
crs; of the others, their sons had become diseip-
ated, sold their lands, and had either oerished m
consequence of intemperance, or left tne country,'
so that the places which once knew those fami-
lies, as princes of the land, now know them no
more. Thus it i8, that in mora and physical rear
pects at least '^llie sins of the fathers, are visit-
ed upon children, to the third and fourth genera-
tion.
If the verv sanctuaries built by the former hi-
erarchy of the slave states, in which the oppres-
sors used the ritual of the christian service, with
hands recking with the blood of slaves, have long
since ceased to be vocal with the songs of 2ion,
have passed to other hands, or even fallen to de-
cay, it is only saying that, Qoo is just.
The recollection of the tortures, which I
witnessed so early io life^ is still a source of affiic-
tion to my mind. Twentyfour hours never pass,
during which my imroagioation does not present
me with the ufiSicting view of the plave or servant^
writhing beneath the lashes of his master, and.
cringing from the brine with which he salted his
stripes. ;in
During n^y stay, of three years, io the region of
slavery, my only consolation was, that (lie time
would come, in which the masiei'and Hlave would
eicbange situations: ^hat the fiximer would rtccivi»
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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Photographic
^Sciences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4503
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•d^neftr.
«»
the puDiabment d(ji$ to bis crveUy; \!i^bile tbe latftr
sbbuld find rest from bi^tbits and sufferings, in
tbe kingdon of Heavsn. Tbe masler I regarded
at Pivee who after ** Being elotbed in purple and
fine linei\' and fanng^ suniptuously every day*^
must soon *'L1ft ua bis eyes in bell, being in tor-
ment/' The slave was L^arus, who after closing;
his sufferings in death, was to b^ **Cairied by the
angels into Abraliana's bosom."
' F^omtbia afflicting^ state of society, I returned
10 the back^woods. « Republican, without know^
iftg^themeaniDi^'of the terns, that i%, with an utter
^testation of an* arbitrary po?/er of one man om
another;
Od readings this reoitaY,'tViehisldrian' wilfnatu^
rally reffect^ that personal, real, or political slavery) ,
has, at all times* been the' condition of almost tb^^
whole human raee^ that the history of mania
the history of* opin'Msor^v^aBd the vt'e^s of op«
pressiou. Wars, bastiles, prisons,'Cro86es, gibbits^
tortures^ scourges and fire, in the hands of despots^
iMive been the instruments of spreading^despla tion
andinisery over the e^rth. The philosopher) re*
gards those roeana of distruetion, ard^their exten-
sive use^ in all ages, as indices of ihe depravity and
ferocity of mam From (be blood-stained pages of
history, he turns with di.sgpust and horror, and pro-
nounces an involuntary Anathema on the whole of
bis race.
But is the condition of the world still to remaia
the same? Are the moral impressionsof'^nr nature,
tobewrever sacraiiced at the shrine of lawless am«
bition? '^ Is man, as heretofore,. to be born only to
dbstroji^br be destroyed. Does the good Samari-
llm see no rational ground of hope, of better things
Idtrfiitttreag^s? Wetrusthe dibes9>and that as^e^*
♦
fti to ^na«, vnW witHeisthe fulfillment of bis b#'
Beroleot wishes and pvedictions^
. The Aaierioan Revolution, was tlie c6inmence»>
inent of a new era in the history of the world.— >
Tb« issue of that eventful congest, snatched the
sceptre from the hands of the monarch, and placed
It, where it ought to he, tn the iaods of the pe<h>.
pie. •
On the sacrad altar of liberty, It consecrated the
rights of man, surrendered him tb« right and the
lK>wer of governiog^ himself, and placed in hit
nands, tbo resources of bis eouotrj, as* ■winitioni
:0f war, for his defence.^ The experiment was lo-^
deed bold an baaeadnus; bul success lies hitherto^,
more than^ justified the most sangiiine anticipa*
tioo of those who made it. The world has M*^
Eessed, with astoViishment^ the rapid growth anf
eon iirmation,ol our noble fabric of freedom. From
our«distant hori^n, we hare relucted a string
end steady blazis of light, on ill fated Europe, from
firoe immemorial involved in tbefBtters and gloom
of slaverer. Our history has^excited a general and
ardent spirit of enquiry into the nature of our civ<>
il institutions^ and a strong wish,, on the part of
the people rndietant countries, to participate in ous
blessings.
But will an> eiample,. so portentous- of ,evil, td
the chiefs of despotic institutions, be viewed with
indifference, by those who now sway the seeptre,
with unlimited power,, over the many millions
of their vessels > Will they adopt no meas^aes of
defence, against the influence of that thirst fOffree*
dom, so widely diffused and so rapiply gaining
strength throughout their empires .> WiM they
make' no effort to remove from the world those free
governments, whose example gives them so much
eoBoyance^ The measuree of defence will hm
♦.
.m
189
•LAVRr*
adopted, ihn effort will be made; for power U nev*
er surrendered without a struggle.
AkeadjT nations, which from the earliest period
of their history, b^ve constantly- crimsoned the
jearth with e&ch others blood, have' become a baod
of brothers, for the distruction of every gern
of huwan liberty. Every year witnesses an asso*
elation of the raonarchs of tbore nations, in un*
hlllov^d conclave, for the purpose of concertiog
measures for effecting their dark^designs. Hith*
erto the execution of tbose measures have been,
alas! Ibo fatally successful.
It would be impolitic and unvi^iso i^'us, to cal*
.eutate on escaping the hostile notice olf the dei*
pots of continental fiuropt;' already wa bear, like
distant' thunder, their expiessipos of indignation,
and threats of vengence.- We oiifbt to antici-
pate the gathering storm^ without dismay; but
Bfet with indifference. In viewing the dark side
of the prospect beforo' uis; one souroe of conssU
fitidn,*oriiiuch]magnitude, presents itself: It is con
fidently expected, that the brave and potent nation,
with whom we have a common origin, will not
risk the loss of that portion of liberty, which at
the expence* of^sd much blood and treasure, tbej
l4ve secured far tbemaelTes, by all unnattiral asso-
eSation^wiltr despots, for the unholy purpose of
makings War on the freedom of tko few nations of
^heeartb,i';faiGh possess any considerable portion of
that inyaluablo blessing; on the eontrarj it is hoped
1^ U|J^hat ihay^witt, if neeessityshould require, en*
jHdyliie bravery^j^- their pieople; their immense
resources and tne trident of the Ocean, in defence
of thair own libartias and by^aoasequeace tboie
ofv^tberar-
f
ower IS Dev*
\
ClYlU^ATlOlfk
1^<
•LeglflTitoni, fathers of oiiir eoimfryl lofe no
time: spare to expeoee, in hastening on the re«
qiiisite means of defence, for meeting with tafety,
and with ? ictory, the impending 8torni> whic^
foooer, or later, avuBtfiidl u|Mmii9*
'0-
Civilization.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Tofi causes, which led to the present state of,
civilization of the western country are subjects
whic^ deserve some consideration.
The state of society and manners of the, ear*
ly settlers, as presented in these notes, eh^wa
very clearly, that their grade of civilization waS| .
indeed, low enough. The descendants of the Bog*
lish caviliers from Maryland and Virginia, whe
settled mostly along the rivers, and the descen*
dants of the Irish, who settled the interior parte
of the country, were neither of them remarilblo
for science, or urbanity of manners. The fcMrmer
were mostly illiterate, rough in their ma|»neni|
and nddieted to the rude diversions of horse ra«
cing» wrestling, jom[nng, shooting, dancing ^e^
These diversioas Were often abcgniptfiied with
* ■;;.
•■♦
1S4
^iviuZATram
■w^''
penontl eombilis whicb coniisted df UoWi, _^
ktiog andgovnof. This mode ef fighting wii
fibat tbey called rmigk asd tam6fe Sometiflovi ^
apreviont ttipulation was made, to use tbt fiiti
#n]y; Yet tbese ^eopla were industroas, enter*
prizing, generous in tbeir bospitaUty, and bran
in tbe defence *of tbeir countrjet
Tbese people^ for tbe most part, formed the
#ordon ak>ng tbe Obio fiver tin the Irontiers <|
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky, wbieb de*
fended tbe country against the attacks of tbe In-
dians, duriof tbe ^i;^volutionary war. They were
Che Janizaries of tbe-coantij, that is, they were sol-
diers, when they choose to be so, and when thty
choose, laid down tbeir arms. Tbeir military scr*
viee was voluntary %hd of course received no psy*
IVitb tbe desGCDdants of the Irish, 1 bad but
little acquaintance; although 1 Hved near them.
Ax an early period,tbey weie comprehended in the
Fresbyterian churcb and were therefore, more
reserved in there deportment than their frontier
Beigbbours, tmd from their eituation, being lees '
•iposed to the indian warfare, took less part ia
that war.
The patriot of Ibe western region, fitids bis To^
of country and national pride, augmented to tbe
highest grade when be compares tbe political moral
end religious character of bis people, With that
cf tbe inhabitants of. many large divisions ti
the old world. In Asia and Airica, generation
after glneration passes without any change in the
moral and religious cbaracter,or physical condition
of the people*
On tne Wbary coast, the traveller, if a rir«
m^ lies in bis way, and b^)penB to be high) mi||.t
cirnizATioiT*
either twim it, or wi^U uotil it Ki^sidea, If tbii
traveller i« a chrifitiao, he jnutt bave a firnoaD an4
a guard. Yet this was oacajthe country of i\m
famous Carthagenians. .
In upper E^pt the people grind mealy
for their dhoura fore^d, hy rubbing it . between
two flat stones, ^liis is done by women.
In Palestine, the grinding of grtfiu, is still per*
formed by an iU constructed hand mill, as in the
days of our Saviour. The roads to the famoua
city of Jerusalem, are still almost in the rude state
of nature. '
In Asiatic Turkey, merchandize is still carriei
on by caravans, which are attended with a military
guard, and the naked walls of the caravansera if
their fortress and place of repose at night; instead
t»f a place of entertainment. The streets of Con-
stanople, instead of being paved, are, in many
places almost impassable from mud, filth and the
carcases of dead beasts. Yet this is the metrop*
olis of a great empire.
Throughout the whole of the extensive regiofi#^
•f Asia and Africa, man from bis. cradle tO; bii»(
grave, sees no change in the aspect of any thing'
around him; unless from the desolations of wat.
His dress, his ordinary salutationsof his neigh-
bours, his diet and hi$ mode of eating it, are.
prescribed by his reiigious institutions, and his
rank in society,^ as well as his occupation are
determined by his birth* Steady, and unvarying
as the lapse of time in every department of life
generation after jeneralioo beats the dull mono*
tonous round. The liindoo, would sooner die a
martyr il, the stoke than sit on a ohair, or eat
ivi» ftinife eajibrk. . .
ft
•^Sf'^. \
» -x^
..-JS. ■
WB
crriLizATKJlr.
The cleseendant of Ishmael Is still <<A wild
mtn,*' hungry, tbirttj and half naked, beneath a
i)urning aun, he traverses the immense and in-
bospitable desert of Zahara, apparently without
ftny object, because his forefathers did so be-
fore him. Throughout life he subsists on Camel's
milk and flesh, while bis only covering from tl)e
inclemency of the weather, is a ilimsey tent
of Camels hair, his single, solitary virtue is that of
hospitality to strangers; in every other respect be
Is a tbiei and a robber.
The Chinese still retain their alphabet of thirty*
eix thousand Hieroglyphics, They must nevier ex-
change it for one of twenty letters, which would
answer an infinitely better purpose.
Had we pursued the course of the greater num-
ber of the nations of the earth, we should have
been a^ this day treading in the footsteps of our
Ibrefatbers from whose example in any respect
we should have thought it criminal to* depart, in
the slightest degree.
Instead of a blind, or superstitious imitation of
the manners and customs ot our forefathers, we
have thought, and acted for ourselves and we have
chang<|d ourselves and every thing around us.
Thelinsey and coarse linen of the first settlers
of the country, have been exchanged for the sub«
•tantial and fine fabricks of Europe and Asia.— ^
The hunting shirt, for the fashionable coat of
broad clothe and the mocasson for boots and shoes
of tanned leather. The dresses of our la dies, is e«
iqual in beauty, fineness and fashion, to those of the
cities, and countries of Europe, and Atlantic A*
erica.
It is not enough, that perseveiing iodustrr^^lis
iej»i^}«d»f to purchase the ^Purpleand fiae^tt^^
;. I-: j.A.\
CIVILIZATION.
M
horn foreigners and to use their porcelaio and g1as«
ware whether plain, engraved or gilt. We ha^
nobly dared to labricate those elegant, comfortable
and valuable productions of art tor ourselves.
A well founded prospect of large gairta froM use*
ful arts, and honest labour has drawn to our
•ountry, a large number of the best ertizans of o«
tber countries. Their inachanic arts, inamensely
improved by American genius have hitherto rear
lized the hopeful prospect which induced their
emigration to our infant country.
The horse paths, along which our forefatliera
made their laborious journies over the mountaiVf^
for salt and iron, were soon succeeded by ws^goa
rosds, and those again by substantial turnpikes^
which, as if by magic inchantment have brought the
distant region, not many years ago denoir'sated
*The backwoods^ into a close and lucratire totUte ^tioa
with our great Atlantic cities. The journey over
the mountains, formerly considered no Im^y $o
expensive and even perilous, is now madd in e
▼ery few days, and with accomodations, not div-
pleasing to the epicure himself. Those giants of
North America, the different mountains composing
the great chain of theAlegheny, formerly so fright-
ful in their aspect,jind presenting so many SltR*.
Culties in their passage are now scarcely noticed
by the traveller,in his journey along the graduated
bikh^ays, by which tliey are crossed.
The rude sports of former times, have been difw
cotttfbuedi Athletic trials of muscular strength
Und activity, in which there certainly is not
>BUAh^ipf merit, have given way to the morei|bbI#
imbillon loir mental endowments, and skill in tiseu
■fvit'pi^ T6 the rude, and often indecent songSy
^Ill^l^lPgbly and unskilfully stingy have succeedeii
180
ClVlLtZATK^.
the psalm, (hfi hymn, and svifelling finthein. %
the clemorous boast, the provoking b&oter, the bi.
ting uarcasm, the horrid oath nnd imprrcation,have
succeedfid urba.ify of mannerd aiid a course of
oonTerB&tion eidightenrd by science, and chastea*
cd by mental attention and respect.
Above oil the direful »pirit of revenge, the cier-
'ciie of which so nrtuch approiimated the charie*
ter of many of the first settlert of our country, to
that of the vrorsl of savagea, is now utiknown.
The Indian might pats in safety among those,
whose remen;brance still bleeds at the recollection
of the loss of their relatives, who have perished
under (he tomahawk and scalping* knife of the
aavages.
The Moravian bretberen) may dwell in safety
pn the cites of the villages desolated and over the
bones of their brethren and forefathers murdered, bj
the more tban savage ferocity of tba whites. Nor
let it be supposed, that the rCfurn of peace, produ"
ced this salutarv change of fueling, towards the
tawney sons of (he forest, The thirst cif rerecje,
Wbs not wholly allayed by the balm of peace. S«-
veral Indians fell victims to the private vei^gance, of
those who had recently lest their relations in the
i|ar, for some years after it had ceased.
V If the state of society and Ltauners, from the
commencemeiit of the settlemfots in this coyntry,
cturingthe lapse of many years, owing tothesan-
gi^inary character of the l4[idian mode of wai far<>
ahd other circumstances, was in a state of retro-
gression, as was evidently the case. If ignorance
|s rrhre easily induced than science. If society
more speedily deteriorates, tban iuqiproires: If it
be much easier for the civilized man to become
frildj than for the wild man tf beooi||i« civilized:
cmuzATioxr*
m
wbatmetBi have anreited the progreii of the ear*
Ijr inbabitantf of the western region towards bar-
barism? What agents, ha?e directed their influ-
ence ia favour of science, morals and pielf ?
Hie early introduction of commerce, was among
the first means ofchanging, in some degree tho
exterior aspect of the population of the country,
and giving a new current to public feeling and
individual persuit.
The huntsman and warrior, when he bad ei«
obanged his hunter's dress, lor that of the civili«
zed man, soon lost sight of his former occupa-
tions, and assumed a new character, and a new
line of life; like the soldier, who when he receivcf
his discharge, and lays aside his regimentals, soon
looses the feelinc of a soldier, and even forgets,
in some degree, his manual exercise.
H&d not commerce, furnished the means of
changing the dresses of our people, and the fur*
niture of their houses, had the hunting shirt,
mocasson and leggins, centinujsd to be the dress
of our men, bad the three legged stool, the nog«
gin, the trencher and wooden bowl continued to
be the furniture of our houses, our progress
towards science and civilization would have been
much slower.
It may seem strange, that so much importance
IS attached to the influence of dress, in givipg
the moral and intellectual character of society.
In all the institutions of despotic governments,
we discover evident traces ot the highest grade
of human sagacity and foresight. It must have beeo
the object of the founders of those governments,
to repress the genius of man, divest the mind
of every sentiment of ambitioni and prerent the
'*■.
110 QmLixinofi "~~*
oogninnce of any ruJe o^ jif«, tittpiki itiif hh
Mind obedience to the des|^t, and his established
Snstitutions of religion and go?ernment: hence the
canon laws of religion, in all gOTernmepts despot-
ic in principle, have prescribed the costume of
each class of society, their diet, and their mtn-
ner of eating it, even their household furniture,
is in like ooanner prescribed by law. In all these
departments, no oeviation from the law, orcus^
torn is permited, or even thought of. The whole
Science of human nature, under such govern-
ments, is that of a knowledge of the duties of the
•tation of life, prescribed by parentage and the
whole duty or man that of a rigid performance
•f them; while reason having nothing to
do with either the one, or the other, is never
cultivated.
Even among christians, those founders of re-
ligious societies have succeeded best, who ban
prescribed a professional costume for their fol-
lowers, because every time the disciple looks it
liis dress, he is put in mind pf bis obligation^ to
the society to which he belongs, aid he is therCf
fore, the less liable to wander into strange pas-
tures.
The English government could never subdue
the Esprit du courof the north of Scotland, un-
til, after the rebellion of 45, the prohibition of
wearing the tartan plaid, the kilt and the bon-
net amongst Highlanders, broke down the spirit of
the clans.
I have seen several of the Moravian Indians,
and wondered that they were permitted to wear
the indian dress; their conduct, when among the
wkite people, soon conTineed me thai liie Qoar
ClVlUSATfOlfi
M
iertion 6/ ikon ^hcm t bmt was far from beiaf
oomplete.
There can be little doubt, but that if pernia ^
eioD should 6e given, by the supreme power oi
the Musselman faith, for a change, at the^ will
•f each individual, in dress, household furniture,
and in eating and drinking the whole Mahomi-
dan system would be overthrown in a few years<
With a a similar permission . the Hindoo supersti*
tion, would share the same fate.
We have yet some small districts of country,,
where the costume, cabins, and in some meas-
ure, the household furniture of their ancestors are
still in use. The people of these districts, are far
behind their neighbours, in every valuable en-^ '
dowment of human nature. Among them the
virtues of chastity, temperance and industry, bear
no great value, and schools and places of wor>
ship, are but little regarded. In general every
one *^Does what is right in his own e>es."
Jn short, why have we so soon forgotten ov^
forefathers^ and every thing belonging to our fpir*
mer state? The reason is, every thing belonging^
to our former state has vanished from our views;
we meet with nothing to put us in remembrance
oi them. The recent date, of the settlement of our
country, is no longer, a subject of reflection. Its
immense improvements, present to the imagina-
tion, the results of the labours of several cen-
turies, instead of the work of a few years; and
we do not often take the trouble to correct the
false impression.
The introduction of the mechanic arts, has eer-
lainly contributed, not a little, to the morals an4
aeieoiific improvement of the country*
101
ClVIUZi.TIOM^«
The carpenter, the joiner aod mason, have dig.
placed tne rude, unsightly and uncomfortsble
cabin of our forefathers, by comfortable, and in
many instances elegant mansiora of stone, brick
hewn or sawed timbers.
The ultimate objects of civilization are the mb*
ral and physical happiness of man. To the latter,
the commodious mansian bouse, with its furniture
contributes essentially. The family mansions of
the nations of the earth, furnish the criteria of
t6e diffierent grades of their moral and mentil
condition. The savages universally live in tenti,
wjti|:wams or logdes covered with earth. Ba/bariani
neit to these, many indeed have habitations some-
things better; but of no value and indifferently fur*
nlsbjed^ Such are the habitations of the Sussias
^artar^ and Turkish peasantry.
Such is'the effect of a large, elegant and welt
furnished house on the feelings and deportment of
a family, that if you were to build one, for a fami-
ly of Savages, by the occupancy of it they would
lose their savage character} or if they did not
choose to make the exchange of that character,
for that of civilization, they wonld forsake it, for
the wigwam and the woods.
This was dona by many of the early stock of
backwoodsmen, even after they built comfortable
houses for themselves. They no lon|;er had the
chance oi **A fall hunt," The woods pasture was
eaten up. They wanted " Elbow room." They
therefore sold out, and fled tit the forest of the
frontier settlements, choosing rather to encounter
tfke toil of turning the wilderness, into fruitful field0>
a second time, and even risk an Indian war, ra<
ther than endure the inconveniences of a crouded
aattlement. Kentucky, first offered a resting place
efriLiafAtioK.
'%s
Ibr those pioneers, then Indiana and now the Mie^
•ouri&nd it cannot be lung before the Pacific o-
cean, will put a final stop to the westward march *"
•f those lovers of the wilderness.
Substantial buildings, have the effect of giving^ '
iralue to tht soil and creating an attachment to
the familj residence. Those who have accustomed
tberoselves ta poetry, ancient, or modern need not
be told how finely and bow impressivelj, the
household goda the blazing hearth, the plentiful
board and the social fire aide, figure in poetical
imagery. And this it not <^Tying up nonsense
for a song,^ They are realities of life, in ita mo6t
polished states. They are among its best and
most rational enjoyments: They associate the little
family community, ia parental and filial affection
and duty, in which even tb« well clothed child,
leels its importance,, claims, and dulies. ^ (f
The amount of attaebm^nt (o the family mtnsiofr,^
furnish^a the criterion of tha relative amauntof viir^
tue in the members of a family. If the bead of a
family should wandaT from the path of parental du •
iy, and become addicted to vicious habits, in pro-
portion as bis virtue suffers a declension, his love
of bifi home and family abates, until, at last, uO^ »
pi|ce however bMe and corrupting it may be ,,
IS more agreeable to him than the once 4vkidomum_
If a similar decle^nsion m virtue happens on the
part of the maternal ^hief of the fi^mily mansion,
ibe ^rst effect or her deviation fKoni the path of
t9atfirnal|viriue, i| that /^Her feet abideth not iii
tie^O|!irn bouse.'' l^he same observations npply
to children. When the young man, or woman
ioitead of manifesting a strong attachment for
|}m^ |apij| ijaiipfion w **Gifcn ta outgoing" to
194
CIVILIZATION.
%
\
places of licentieus resort, their moral ruin maj
be 86id to be at no great distance.
Architecture, is of use, even in the jmportutt
province of religion. Those who build no boug-
es for themselves, build no temples for iheeer^
vice of God, and of course derive the len
benefit from the institutions of religion. While
our people lived in cabins, their places of woi'
ship >vere tento, as they were called, rheir seaii
logs their communion tables, rough slabs of bewi
timber aHd the covering of the worshippers, tin
leaves of the forest trees.
Churches^ have succeeded to tents, with their 1]
rude accomodations for public worship. T)ii|
very aspect of those sacred edifices, fills the mini;
of the beholder, with a religious awe, and as to
the most believing and sincere, it serves to it.
orease the fervor of devotion. Patriotism, is sog* ,
mented by the sight cf the majestic forum of jm*;
tice, the substantiar public highway and bridge
with iti long succession of ponderous arches.
Home and Greece, would no doubt, have ftl'
len much sooner, had it not been for the patriot*
ism inspired by their magnificient public edjficei,
bad it not been for these, their histories would
have been lesg complete ismd lasting than thejf
have been.
Etnigration, has brought to the western regiobi
the wealth, science and arts, of our eastern breth-
trn and even of Europe. These we biope baT»|
puffered no deterioration, in the wrestern country.
They have contributed much to the chaoge
which has been effected, m the moral and scieDti*
6c character of our country,
The ministry of (he gospel hae contributed no I
d^nbt iflUBienfiely, to the bappy abange wbicV
■■"■-^'^--'-
ciVirlzATtON.
nt
bas been effected in the state of out western
society. At an early period of our settlements
ihrec Presbyterian clergymen, commenced their
clerical labours in our infant settlements. The
Re7. Joseph Smith, the Rev. John McMillan,
and the Bey. Mr. Bowers, the two latter of
whom, are still living. They were pious/ patient,
laborious jjneo, who collected their people into
regular congregations, and did all for them that
their circumstances would allow. It was no dispar*
agement to them, that their first churches were
the shady groves, and their- first pulpits a
kind of tent, constructed of a few rough slabs
and covered with clapboards. *^He vi|ho dvirelleth
not exclusively, in temples made with hands,*',^
was propitious to their devotions.
From the outset, they prudently resolved to
create a ministry in the country, and acccordr
iogly, established little grammer schools at (heir
own'houses or in their immediate neighbourhoods.
The course of education which they gave their
pupils, was indeed, not extensive; but the piety of
those who entered into the ministry, more than
made up the deficiency. They formed societies
most of which are now large and respectable,
andio point of education their ministry has much
improved.
About the year 1792, an Academy was estab^
lished at Cannonsburgh, in Washington County,
in the Western part of Pennsylvania, which was
afterwards incorporated under the name Jeifer*
son college.
(The means possessed by the society for the un-
dertaking, were indeed but small; but they not
only erected a tolerable edifice for the academy;
l^at created a fund, for the eduoation of such piot^
J"
\ '
%.^- *
m
€itTIU2ATI01f»
young men as w«re desirous of entering into the
inimstry; but unsble to defray the eipences cf
Ibeir education.
Tbis institution bas been remarkably succegifal
In its operations. It bas produced a large num^
her of good scholars in all the literary professioQi
and added immensely to tbe seince of tbe coua*
try. ' V
Next to thiSjWasbington college, situated in the
county town, of the county of that name, has been
the means of diifueiog much of tbje light of scieaci
thro' tbe western country.
Too much praise, cannot be bestowed on those
good men who opened these fruitful sources of
instruction for our infant country, at «o early a pe-
riod of its settlement. They have inmienseJy ioi*
proved the departments of theology, law, medicine
and legislation in the^western regions.
At a later period, tbe Methodist society began
their labours in the western parts Of Virginia anci
Pennsylvania, their progress at first was sloyr; bat
their zeal and perseveranoe, at length, overcame
every obstacle, so tbat they are now one of tbe
most nuQierous and respectable societies in ih\i
€o4ntry. l^be itinerant plan of tb^ir ministry, 1^
well calculated to convey the gospel throughout a
thinly scattered population.
AccordUigly, th^ ministry has kept pace with
tbe ex|ensioa of our settlements. The little
^in was scarcely built, and the 'little 6eI4
fenced iu, before these evengelical teachers made
their vppearance amongst t|em, collected tbsiB
into societies and taught tbem th^ worship of
I|l4itidtf^R for the labours of these inda^tiga-
"pieman, (^||oantry, as to a great axttnt of its kU
. *.i
OIVIUZATIOV.
m
ilements, would have been at this day a temi bar-
baric region. How aany thousands, and lens of
fhousandd, of the most ignorant and licentious of
our population have they instructed, and reclaime
from the error of their ways? They have restore
to SQciety even the most Worthless, and made them'
valuable and respectable, as citizens, and useful in
all the relations of life. Their numerous, and zea*
lous ministry bids fair to carry on the good work
to any extent which our settlements, and popula*
tion may require.
With theCatholics, I havebutlittle acquaiutance,
but have every reason to believe, tWat in propor«>
lion, to the extent of their flocks, they have done
well. In this country, they have received the e*
piscopalvisitations of their Bishops. In Kentuck*
cy they have a Cathedral, a Coll«tge and a Bishop.
In Indiana thfy have a Monastry of the order of St
Trap, which is also a college, and a Bishop.
Their clergy, with apostolic zeal, but in an
unostentatious manner, have sought out and min-
istered to their scattert;d flocks throughout the
country; an4 as far as I ktiow, with good auc«>
cess.
The societies of friends, in the western coun-
try, are numerous, and their establishments, in
good order. Alt ho' they are not much in favour
of a classical education, they are nevertheless,
in the habit of giving their people a substantial
English education.- Their habits of industry and
attention to useful arts and improvements, are
highly honourable to themselves, and worthy <^
.imitation.
The Baptists in the State of Kentucky, took the
lead in the ministry, and with great success* Their
198
ClVILIZATlOK*
establishmenid, are, as I have been informed, at
present, numerous and respectable, in that state.
Ji great and salutary revolution has taken place
Id this community of people. Their ministry
iras formerly, quite illiterate; but they have turned
th^ir attention to science, and have already erect-
ed some very respectable literary establishment!,
in different parts of America.
The German Lutheran and Reformed churches
In our country, as far as I know of them are doing
well. The number of ihe Lutheran congregations
Is said to be, at least, ote hundred, that of the
reformed, it is presutuf d is about the same amount .
It is remarkable, that throughout the whole
extent of the United States, the Germans, in pro-
portion to their wealth, have the best churches, or-
gans and grave yards.
^ It is a fortunf^te circumstance, that those of
our citizens, who labor under the disadvantage
of speaking a foreign language, are blessed with a
ministry, so evangelical as that of these very
numerous and respectable comnr.unities.
The fjpiscopalian church, which ought to have
been foremostjin gathering in their scattered flocks,
have been the last, and done the least of any chris-
tian community, in the evangelic work.
Taking the western country in its whole ex-
tent, ^t least one half cf its population was ori-
ginally of epiFGopalian parentage; but for want
pf a ministry of their own, have associated with
other communities. They bad no alternative, but
that of cbanging their profession or living
and dying without the ordinances of religion.—*
It can be no subject of regret, that those ordin-
imaes were placed within their reach, by other
hliBds^ whjlfit they were withheld by (bese^ by
#*ii
CITIU2ATI0II.
199
vrbom, as a matter of ri^^ht and duty tbey ought
tobaTe been given.
One single chorea episcopus, or suffragan bish-
op) of a fdithfu) spirit who, twenty years ago.
should have "Ordained th«>.in elders in every place"
where they were needed, would have been the
iostrument of forming episcopal congregations o«
ver a great extent of country, and which by thia
time would have become large, nuniorous and
respectable; but the opportunity was neglected,
and the consequent loss to this church is irrepa*
rable.
So total a neglect of the spiritual interests of so
many valuable people, for sogre^ a length of
time, by s ministry so near at hand; is a aingular,
and unprecedented fact, in ecclesiastical history,
the like of which never occurred before.
It seems to n>e, that if the twentieth part ot
their number of chri»t)ftn people, of any other
community, bad been placed in Siberia, and de«
pendent on any pfber eeclesiafsliea} authority, is
fkis country, that that authority would have reach-
ed them, many years ago with the min-
istnition of the gospel. With the earliest and
most numerous episcopacy - in America; not
one of the eastern bishops has ever yet crossed
the Allegheny mountains, although the dioces*
ses of two Of them, comprehend large tracts of
country on the western side of the mountains.
rt is hoped that the future diligence of thia
community, will make op, in some degree, for
the negiligence of the past.
There is still an immense void in this country
#hioh it is their duty to fill up. Prom their res«
pectability, on the ground of antiquity among \h»
if
HAd
eilVlUCATION.
reformed churches, the science of thetr*patriarclii^
who have been the lights of the world, frrm their
Dumber and ^i^reat resources, even in America,
she ought to hasten to fulfil the just expectations
of her own people, as well as those of other
commuoities, in contributing her full share to
Ihe Science, piety, and cTiilization of cur ecus-
From the vrhcle of our eceleeiastical history,
it appears, that with the exception of the epis<
•opal church, all our religious communities have
done well, for their country.
The author begs, that it may be understood^
that with the distinguishing tenets of our religieus
societies he has nothing to do, nor yet with the
excellencies or defects of their ecclesiastical in*
stitutions. Tbey are noticed on no other ground
than that of their respectiye contributions, (o
the science and civilization of. the country.
The last; but not the least of the means of our
present eivilizatioo, are our excellent forms of
government and the administration of the laws.
In vain, as means of general reformation, are
echools, colleges, and a ministry of the gospel of
the best order, a land of liberty is a land of crimc^
as welt as of virtue.
It is often mentioned, as a matter of reproacli
to England, that in proportion to her populatioa
they have more convictions, executions and trans*
portations than any other country in Europe.—
o^ould it be asked, whatis the reason of the preik
alence of crime in England ? Is it, that human
nature is worse there th«in elsewhere!* I{o.—
There is more liberty there, than elsewhere in
Europe, and that is the true, and only solution
9f the matter in queetioa. Whera a p eaple^^are
OmtlZATION.
801
it liberty, to learn what thev cbooff, to think
and act as they please, and adopt any profession j^'
for a living or a fortune, they are much more lia ^
ble to fall into the commission of crimes, thai
a people, who from their infancy, have bee
accustomed to the dull, monotonous march o
despotism, which chains each individual to the
rank and profession of his forefathers; and does
not permit him to wander into the strange and
devious paths of hazardous^ experiments.^
la America, should a stranger read a While,
our numerous publications of a religious nature,,
the reports of missionary and bible societies, at
first blush he would look upon the Americans as
anation- of Saihts;.let him lay these aside, and'
read the daily newspapers, be will change his
opinion^ and; for the time being^ consider them'
as a nation, abounding in crimes of the most at*
^ trocious dye. Both portraits are^rue.
The greater the amount of freedom, the greater
the necessity of a siosdy and faithful administra*
tion of ju|tice; but more especially of criminal jus-
tice, because a general dimision of science,. while
it produces the most salutary effects, on a gene-
ral scale, produces alJBO the worst of crimes, by
creating tne greater capacity for their commis-
sion. There is scarcely any art, or science, which<
is not in some hand^, and certain ciAsurostanceSy,
made an instrument of the most atrocious vices..
The acts of navigation and gunnery, so necces-
•ary for the wealth and defence of a na^oo,.
have often degenerated into the crime of pincy.
The beautiful art of engraving, and the more
useful art of wriung have been used by tbo
fraudulent for counterfeiting all kinds of public
j|pd private doouments of credit. Were it not
f
iiH* j^ ttflUKAflOlC
\£pr scieoee a6d freedom, the important profetsioBt
|f theology and phjaick, vrould not be so fre-
enily asfumed by the pseudo priest and tha
ack; without previous acquirements, without
fight, and for purposes wboNy base and unwar*
rantable.
The truth is^ the western country is the re*
ginn of adventure. If we have derived some ad-
vantage from the importation of science, art*
and weatlh; we have on the other hand besn
much annoyed and endangered, as to our morale
and political state, by an imme^ae importation
cf vice, associated with a high parade of science,
and the most consumate art, in the pursuit o^
wealth by every description of unlawful meaas.
The steady administration of justice, has been
our only safety from destruction, by the pestilential
iiifluence of so great an amount of moral depraT-
ity, in our infant country*
Still, it may be asked whether faets warrant
ti)e belief, that the scale is fairly turnedJn farour
of science, pie^y and civilization, whether in
regard to these important endowments of puf
nature, the present time is better than the pasf^
and the future Hkely to be better than the pres-
ent. Whether,, we may safely consider our pol-
itical instit lotions, 80 matured and settled that
•ur personaf HUtT^Ti property and sacred honor,
are not only securtd to us for the present, but like-
IplH remain the ioberitarice of eur children, for
geirilaatioijsyettocome. Society, io its best state
meiiibles a ble«*ping volcsno, aa to the amount of
latent moral evil, which it always contains. It
is enough, for public safety, and all that can re»
jenabl^ be expected, that the good prepoudecaie
\ 'I
CiVILIZATtON.
toii^
0rer the evil. The moral entl political roeansi
which have been so successfuily employed, for
prereatiog a revolutionary exptonion, have, aa
we trust, procrastenated the danger of such an
e?ent, for a long time to come. If we bavo
criminali), they are speedily pursued and brought
to justice. . ^
The places of our country, which still remain
io their native state of wilderness, do not, as
iD many o(her countries, afford notorious lodge-
ments tor thieves. Our hills, are not as in the
wilderness of Judea *^ Hills of robbers/' The
ministry' of the holy g08p*^l is enlightening the
minds of our people with the best of all sciences,
that of God himself, his divine government and
man's future state.
Let it not be thought hard, that our forums of
justice are so numerous, the stile of their
architecture so imposing, and the business which'
occupies them so multifarious; they are the price
which freedom must pay, for its protection. Com*
merce, circAating tnrough its million channels,
will create an endless variety of litigated claims.
Grimes of the deepest dye, springing from science
and liberty themselves, require constantly the vigi«
lance and coertions of ctiminal justice. Even
the poorest of our people are solicititious for the
education of their children. Thus the great sup*
ports ofour moral and political state, resting on their
firmest bases, public opinion and attachment to
our governm4%nt and laws, promise stalvSity i||^
generations yet to come. f^
I'
'JNi
i
#
THIRD P.mT.
4' '
w
or
Indian Warfare.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Preliminary observations on tbo character of
the Indian mode of waifare and its adoption by the
white people.
This is a subject, which presents human nature
in its roost fevolting features, as subject to a vin*
dictive fipipit of revenge, and a thirst of human
b!ood« leadiiQg to an indiscriminate slaughter of .
ail ranks, ages and sexes, by the weapons of war,
or by torture.
The history of man, is for the roost part, one
continued detail of bloodshed, battles and devas-^r
tations. War has been, from the earliest periods
of history, the almost constant employment of
individuals, clans, tribes and nations. Fame, one
of the roost potent objects of human ambition,
has at all times, been the delusive; but costly re*
ward of military achievements. The triumph of
conquest, the epithet of greatness, the throne and
the sceptre, have uniformly been purchased: by
the conflict of battle, and garments rolled in
blood.
If the modern European laws of warfare,
have softened in some degree the horrid features
of national conflicts, by respecting the rights of
private property, and exteodipg humanity to the
sicV, wounded and prisoners; we ought to reflect
.that this amelioration is the effect of civilization
'*..
208
INDIAN WARFARE.
^^1
only. The natural state of war, knows no such
mixture of mercy with cruelty. In fais primitvie
statesman knows no ohject in his wars, but that of
the extermination of his enemies, either hy death
or ceptiviiy.
The wars of the Jews were exterminatory in tbeir
object. The destruction of a whole nation ^as
often the result of a single campaign. Even
Ihe beasts themFclves were sometimes included
in the general massacre.
The present war between the Greeks and
Q'urks, is a war upon the ancient model: « war
cf utter extermination.
It is to be sure, much to be regreted, that our
people so often followed the cruel examples oT
the -Indians, in the slaughter of prisoners, and
Sometimes won^en and childreir; yet let thrm re*
ceive a candid bearing at the liar of reason and
justice, before thiy are condemned, as barbariaDB,
equally wi(h the Indians themselves.
History, scarcely presents an example of a civlliw
zed nation, carrying on a wai with brarbarians,
without adopting the mode of warfare ofthehar*
barous nation. The ferocious Sriiwarrow, when
at war with the Turks was as much of a savage
as the Turks themselves. His slaaght^rs were as
indiscriminate as theirs; but during his wars against
the French, in Italy, he faithfully observed the
lawl of civilised warfare.
Were the Greeks now at war with a civilized
nation, we should hear nothing of the barbarities
which they have committed on the Turks; but
being at war with barbarians, the princple of
'0elf defence compels them to retaliate on the
Turks, the barbarities which they commit on
t|)em.
%
'*»
I5B1AN WARFARE.
209
t^rs were as
In the last rebellion, in Ireland, that of united
Irishmen, the government party, ivcre not much
behind the rebels, in acts of lawless cruelty. It
was not by the hands of the executioner alons
they perished. Sumriiary justice, as it was called,"^^"^
was sometimes indicted. How many perished
under the torturing scourge of the drummer, for
the purpose of extorting confessions. These ex-
tra-judicial executions were attempted to be jus-
tified, on the ground of the neccessily of the case. |
Our revolutionary war has a double aspect; on
the one hand we carried on a war with the English,
io which we observed the maxims of civilized
warfare, with the utmost strictncsti; but the brave,
the potent, the magnanimous nation of our fore*
fathers had associated with themselves, as auxila-
ries, the murderous tomahawk and scalping knife
of the indian nations around &ur defenceless froB-
tlers, leaving those barbarous sons of the forest
t» their own savage mode of warftu'e, to the full
indulgence of all their native thrist (or humaa
blood.
On thsm then, he the blame of all the horrid
features of this war between civilized and savage
men, in which the 'former were compelled, by
every ^riocijple of self defence, to adopt the In-
dian mode oi warfare, in all its revolting and dea*^.
tructive features
Ware those who were engaged in the war t*
gainst the Indians, less humane than those who car*
riedoo the war c gainst their Eaglish allies? No*
Thf y were not. Both parlies carried on the war
on the same principle of reciprocity of advantages
and disadvantages. For example, the English and
AanericaBs take each one thousand prisoners.-—
S.
■i-a^*
flO
I2r»IAN Warpars.
They are exchanged: Neither army is weftl;ened
by this arraitgement. A lacrafice is indeed made
to humanity, in the expense of taking care of the
.,sick, wounded and prisoners; but this expense is
mutubl. No disadv&Htages result from all the clem-
cijcy of modern warfare, excepting an augmen-
tation of the expenses of war. In this mode of
«7arfare, those of the nation, not in arms, are safe
front death by the hands of soldiers. I^ilo civivi.
zed warrior dishonors his sword with the blood of
l)elp]e8fl infancy, old age, or that of the fair sex.
He aims his blows only at those whom be finds
in arms against him. Theindian kills indiscrim-
inately. His object id the total extermination of
his enemies. Children are victims of his ven«
geance, because, if males, they may hereafter be-
come warriors, or if females, they may become
mothers. Even the foetal state is criminal in
bis yiew. It is not enough that the foetus should
perish with tbe murdered motber, it is torn from
her pregnant womb and elevated on a stick or
pole, as a trophy of victory and an object of hor-
or, to the survivors of the slain.
If the iodian takes prisoners, mercy has but
little concern in the transaction; he spares the
lives of those who fall into his hands, for the pur-
pose oi feasting the feelings of ferccious vengeance
of himself and his comrades, by the torture of
hi» captive, or to increase the streng^th of his na-
tion by his adoption into an Indian lamilj, or for
the purpot?e of gain, by selling him for an higher
price,! hau nis scalp would fetch, to his christian aN
lies of Canada;ror be it known that those allies were
in the consiant practice of making presents for
8C|lp^, aud prisoners, as well as furnishing the
meftui for carrying on the iadian war, which for
INSniN WARfARir.
Ill
00 oiajDy years desolated our defenceless frontiers.
No lustration can ever tvash out (hit national
stain. The foul blot must remain, as long as the
page of history shall convey the record of the
foul transaction, to future generations.
The author would not open wounds whicb
bare, alasl already bled so long; but for the
purpose of doing j^is ice to the memory of bis fore«
latb'^rs and relatives, many uf whom perished in
the defence of their country, by the hands of the
merciless iodians«
How is a war of extermination, andf acconnpan*
ied with sucb acts of attrocious cruelty tu be
met by those on whom it is inflicted? Must it be
met by the lenient maxiois of civilized warfare?
I^itst the Indian captive be spared his llte?^—
What advantage would be gained by this ccmrse ?
The young white prisoners, adopted into india»
families often become complete indians, but in hovr •
few iostances did ever tn rndian become civi!i«
Sted. Send a cartel fo^ on exchange of prisoners;,
the Indiana knew nothing of tbia measure of
clemency in war; the bearer of the while (lag for
the purpose of ciTecling the exchange, would
have exerted hi humanity, at the forfeit of hi*
life.
Should mj cocmtrymen be stilt charged witb
barbarism, in the prosecution of the iodian war,
let him who harbours this unfavourable impression
concerning them, portray in imm agination the
horrid scenes of slaughter, which frequently^ mnt
their view in the courae'of the Indian war '** J»i«i%
if he can bear th* r*»fl©**i-«, looK at helple^ti ii\U^ -
uy, vrrgiii beauty, and hoary age, dishonoured by
the ghastly wounds of the tomahawk and scalp*
tog knife of the Mvagt* Let him heap the shrieks
m
t\s
INDIAN WARrA'RBv *
of the victims of the indian torfnre by fire, and
smell (he surrounding air, rendered sickening by
the efSuvia of their burning flesh And blocd.—
Let him hear the yells, and view the hellish fea-
♦tures of the surrounding circle of savage warrior.%
rioting in all the luxuriance of vengeance, while
applying tht> ilaoiing (orchee to the parched limbs
oi ihe sutfererF, and then suppose those nnurdercd
iniants, matrons, virgins and victims of torture,
were his fjiends and relations, the wife, 8i<itep>
^ child, or hrother; what would be bis feelings!..
After a short season of grief, he would say '*! will
DOW think only of revenge,*'
Philosophy shudders at the destructive aspec^t
of war inany shspe, Christianity, by teaching th«
religion of tbo good Samaritan altogether forbids
it; bui 'he original settlers of the western regiops,
like the greater part of ihe worM, were neither
' philosophers, ncr saints. They were '*Men o(
like passions with others.^' And therefore adopt-
> od the iodian node of warfare from necessity, and
a motive of revesge; with the exception of burniog
their captives alive, which they never did; if this
liodies of si^vage enemies were sometimes burn*
ed, it was not until after they were dead.
Lot the voice of nature, and the law of nations
plead in favour oi the vetPian pioneers^
•f the deseri regions of the west. War has hith-
•ito been prominent trait in the moral systiem of hu-
man nature, and will continue such, until a rax^icol
'-v^Q shall be effected in favour oi science,,
'^**^m- ' — «* '^^oeral scat^.
moral t antf p*»«y» »»» • »— * .* «f
In the conflicts el nations, ftS WcM «» ino»« v*
individuals, no advantages are to be eonoeded:
2f meroy may be associated with the carnage and
df^yastatioDS ef war^that merqif must be reciprocal
— ^^-
iNMAlf WAHTkHW:
flS
fire, and
blood
lellish fea.
wrarrior5^
Incc, while
|ched limbs
nfiurcJercd
[of torture,
'ife, sister^
Ifeclingsf^
say *'l will
tive appeot
aching th«
her foibi^
;rn regions,
ere neither
8 "Men of
jfore adopt-
cessily, and
1 of burning
[ did; if the
imes burn*
ad.
V of nations
pioneers
ir has hitb-
'stemofhu-
(i) a radical
•* --. «^
9 tno«« iM»
eenoeded:
image and
recifrocftl
but* B war of utter exteronination, must be nnet'
br a war of the same character; or by an overwhelm
ming force which may pot an end to it, without'
a sacrafiee of the belpUrsa and unoffeDding part
of boitite nation; auobB forco was not at the
eomroand of the first inhabitants of this country..
The sequel of tbe indian war goes to show that
in a war with savages, tbe choice lies between ex-
termination and subjugation. Our government has *
wisely and humanely pursued the latter course.
The author begs to be understood, that the fore*
going observaiirns, are Bot intended as a justifi-
cation, of the whole of f be transactions of our peo-
ple with regard to the indians during the coursa
of the war. Some instances of acts of wan-
ton barbarity occurred on our side, which havft
received, sind must continue to recive tbeunf'quiv-
ocal reprobation o( all the civilized world. In tbe ^
course of this history, it will appear that more
diads of wanton barbarity took place on our sid^;
than the world is no^ acquainted with*
trty ^^1
• -1
,,
ft
War o/^irea
CHAPTER XXV.
The tresitj.of peace between bis Britiih Mt*
jet^^, aod the kings of Fraoee, Speia and Pon
tugal, concluded at Pbris, on the 1 0th of Febru*
try 1763, did not put an end to the indian v^ari*
fairiPt the frontier parte and back eettlemcnti,
#f the colonies of Great Britain.
The spring and summer ef 1763, as well u
tho^e of 1764, de&erve to be nstnicrable'in fciitorj,
for the great extent and destructive results, of i
Kar of titerimination, carried on by the united force
of all Ibe indian nations of of the western goub*
try, along the shore of the northern Irkes aad
throughout the ivbole eitent of the frontier let-
tlements of PennHylvania, Virginia and North
Carolina.
The events ef this war, as they relate to the
frontier of P« nnsylvania^and the shores of the lakes
are matters of history already, and therefore shall
be no farther related here than is necessary to
five a coouected view of the military events of
those disasterous seasons. The massacre by the
indiatia in the south western part of Vitgiitia, so
far as they have come to the knowledge of the au-
thor, shall be related mora in dt tail.
The Etiglisb histrrians, atfribute this terrible
fiar to tii< inflveDce of the French Je&Qltea over
^▲R OP 1763.
jS:r&
ilift indiani*; but whether with much troth aoA
ctndor, is, la say the least of it,^ extremely doubt-
ful.
The peace of 1763, by whic!i the provinces of
Canada, were ceded to Britain, was otfensivo
to the iadlansy especially, as Ihey very well knew
that the English govern meat, on the ground of
this treaty, claimed the jurisdiction of the wes-
tern Gountiy generally; and as anindian sees no
difl^rence, between the right of jurisdiction and
that of possession, they considered themselves
as about to be dispossessed of the whole of their
country, as rapidly as the English might find it
convenient to lake possession of it. In this o*
pinion, they were confirmed by the building of.
forts, on the Susquehanna, on lands to which the
the Indians laid cUitn. The forta and posts of
Pittsburgh, Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara, Dtroit,
Presque Isle, St. Joiteph and Machilimakinac,
were either built, or improved and atrengthed,
with additions to their garrisoot. Thus the In-
dians saw themselves surrounded on the north
and cast, by a strong line efforts, while those of
Bedford, Ligoniec and Pittsburgh, threatened an
extension of them into the heart of their country.
Thus circumstanced, the aborigines of the coun'*
try, had to choose lietween the prospect of being
driven to the inhospitable regions of the north and
west; of oegociatiog with the Britiib government,
forcontinuancc of tbe possession of their own land;
or of taking up arms for its defence. They choose
the latter course, in whiah a view of the smallnessof
their numbers and the scantiuets of their re-
surce, ought to have taugfit them, that alt^ugb
^IfistQry (^ England, Vol lo, page 399,
m
^AROF nM
they night ^o much miscbief; they could not ll^
tirottely sticcted; but the indiaos, as well as their
brelhern of the white (kin, are often driven by
their impetuous paesiont, to rash and c^estructive
enterprises, which reason, wece it (:|ejr!nitled ta
give its counsels, would disapprove. .
The plan resolved on by the indiai^, for the
prosecution of the war, was- that of a general;
massacre of all the inbabitftnts of the English set*
tiemeots,. in the western country, as well as of
those on the )and&oii.tbeSndq^ehanna,,to which
they laid claim..
N^vef' did military oommanders ofany^ nation^,
display- more skill, or their troops more steady
and' determined bra^ery^ than did tfiose red men
of the wildernese, in the prosecution of their
gigantie plan fdr the- recovery of their country,
irem the posfessioik>of the Baglish.. It was in*
deed a war of utter extermination on an extensive
scale. A oonllict whieb. exhibited hvnian ni*
ture in its native state, in which the cunning if
the fox, is asaociated with the crnelty of the tiger.
"We read the history of this war with feelingi
of the deepest horror; but why?* Qn the part of
the savages, theirs was the ancient mode of war-
fare, in which there was notbiBg.of mercy;. If
science, associated with the benign, influence of
the christian system, have limited the carasg^
of war, to these in arms; so as to give the right of
life, and hospitality to women,. infancy,. old age,
the sick, wounded and prisoners, may not a far-
ther extention of the influence of those powert^
fdL; but salutary agents, put an end to war alto*
gllher? May not future generations read the
liistory of our civilized warfare, with equal hop*
t^
.J.,
..!»
ill**'-'. >*...»,..,
r^.-K
^i^
WAR OP no' J.
«11
)uM notQ^
fell as their
driven hj
t^eitructiTc
he/mitted t«
laiw, for the
pf • general)
[Eoglish set*
woJl as 0^
la,, to which
OBjr nation f,
lore steady
loee red men
ion of their
►ir country,
It was in-
an extensire
I hvttan 1)1-
e cunning ff
r of the tiger,
Wtb feeliagf
n the part of
Dodt of war-
■ ; mercy; . If
influence of
Iht ceritge
> the right of
cy, old age,
&y not a far-
lose powers
lo war alto-
s read tb^
> equal bcio
Tor, and won«3tr, that willi our science and piety,
^e. hid warflat fcli!!
The Fiiiglislt ti adhrt^, anjong the the indians were
(be Bri^t victiiiift in this cuntest Out of ono
hundred and twenty of therUfninon^ the different
nation!*, onlv two or three escaped being murder«
fd. The forts of Presque Isle, St. Jsscpli anii
Machilimnkinac were t&l:c.«,with a general slaugLt^
tcr of their geni^ons.
The fortresses of Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara,
petroit and Pitt were with dilficulty preserved
frum being taken.
It was a princpal object wiih the indians to grt
possession of Detroit and fort Put, either by as»
sauU or famine. The former was attempted witli^
regard to Detroit. Fort Pitt, being at a consider-^
able distance from the settlements, where atono
supplies could be obtained, determined the lara-
ges to attempt its reduction by fiamine.
In their first attempt on Fort Detroit, the In-
dians calculated on taking possessien of if, by
stratagem. A large number of the indians ap-
peared before the place under pretence of hold-
ing a congrets^ with major Gladwin the comman-'
dant. He was on his guard and refused them ad-,
mittaoce. On the. next day, about five hundred
more of the indians arrived in arms and demand-
ed leave to go into the fort, to hold a treaty. The
eoromandaot refu'^vd to admit a greater number
than forty. The Indians undertsood his design o€
detaining them as hoitagts, for the good conduct
ef their comrades, on the outside of the fort, and
therefore did not send them into the place, the
whole number of men in the fort enc^ on bv^il'
twd vessemuj «;: j? tbe^rircr, did not exceed
QW hundred and l^i^ or twclvei^tut fey the itie,|ii«
'^i^L^t^ id
S18
win cp K'tff
oflhft cftnnor»9 Ibfy poesesscd, tbey mo^c iil,if|
to keep tbc indiuns at a distance and convinee
them that they could i.ot i^kn ll;c platu.-,
Wlien ihe indions wire nlout to rcliie, Cap.
tain Dalycl airived at tite fort, wi h u consider*
able reinforcement for the relief cf the jilace.-^
He made a sortie against the bi raBt wcr)i» which
the indiaiishad thrown up, with two hundred md
forty fife men. This detachment was driven
back with tho bs9 of seventy men, killed and
forty two wounded. Captain Dalyel itaa atnottg
the BJatn.
Of o«e hundred men who were escorting!
large quantify of pruvitiiuua to Detroit, siit'y sevsft
were massacred.
Fort Pitt had been invested for some time, be*
fore captain Ecryer had (he least prospect of relief.
In this situation he, and his garrion nad resolved
to stand it out to the last extremity and even perish
of lamliie; rather than fall into the hands of the
Bavages; DAtwithstanding the fort was a bad one,
the garrison weak, and the country between the
fort, and Ligooier was in possession of the savages,
and his inessengers lulled, or compelled to
return back. \n this situation, 0ol; Bouquet wbi
eent by General Amburet to the relief ef the place,
with a large quantity of previsions under a strong
escort. This escort was aUacked by a large bo-
dy of Indians, in a narrow deSie, onTurUe Greek,
and would have been entirely defeated, had it not
been for a successful stratagem employed by the
commander, fov extricating themselves from the
savage army.. After susiaifiifig a furious contest,
from one o'clock 'till night, and for several hours
the next morning, a retreat was pretendo^i* ^*^^ ^
vi&w to draw the loditns into & clofle engageqaeatii.
VAR OP 17G3.
21!)
•e cgcortinga
It, Bix'y seveft
ome time, be.
•»P«Gt of relief,
^ad resolved
Iferen perish
nands of the
'«? a bad one,
^ beliveen the
>fthesavagej.
'^mpelled to
Bouquet wai
r«i the place,
'o-^r a atronz
;*'«rg:e bo.
wMt? Creeir,
^'i had it not
oyedby the
f« from the
ouB contest,
iy^r$l hours
previously to this movement, four companies of in«
fantry and graiiadiurs were placed in atubuscade.
Thf plan puiiceeded. When the retreat conuni ne-
ed, the Indians thought themselves secure of victo-
ry, end pressing forward with great vigour, fell into
(he ambuscade, and were dispersed with gruat
eiaughter. The lo^s on the side of the English
WIS abave one hundred killed and wounded, that
cf the indians, could not bave been less. This loss
fvti severely felt by the indians, as in addition to
ihe number of warriors who fell in the engagemfnt)
trveral of the most dietinguished chiefs) were uonoD*
gst the slQiri. Fort Pitt, the reduction of v hich
they had niucb at heart, was now placed cut of
their reach, by being effectually relieved and sup-
plied with the munitions of war.
The historian of the western region of our coun-
try, cannot help regarding Pittsburgh the present
flourishing emporium of the northern part of that
region and its immediate neighbourhood as classic
ground, on account of the memorable battles which
hi^re taken place for its possession, in the infancy
of our settlements. Braddocics defeat, Major.
Grants defeat, its conquest by Gen. Forhis, the vic-
tory over the indians above related, by Major. Bou-
qtiet, serve to shew the importance in which tbi8
post was held in early times, and that it was ob*
tained and supported by the English government,
at the price of no small amount of blood and trea-
sure, li) the neighbDurhood of this place, as ivell
as in the war- worn regions of the old world, the
plough share of the farmer turns np,from beneath
the surface of the earth, the broken and ruBty imple-
ments of war, and the bones of the slain in battle.
It was in the course of this war that the dread-
ful massacre at VV^oniiag^ took place> aad deaola*
WAR OP 1763
ted the fine settlements of the New England pgQ,
pie along the Susquehanna.
The extensive and iodiscriminate slaughter of
toth sexes and. all eges by the Indifins, at Wyg.
ming and other .places, so exasperated a Urgi
nutuber of men, denominated the '^Faiton fooTi*>
that they rivalled the most ferocious of the indiaDi
themselves, in deeds ef cruelly which have dig.
lioncured the bisiory of our country, by the record
of the sheding of iunooent blood, without the
slightest provocation. Deeds of the most atlro*
€ious barbarity.
^ The Caaestoga Indians had lived in peace for
"more than a century, in the neighbourhood o{
Lancaster. Their number did not exceed forty,
Against these unoffending descendants of the
first friends of the famous William Penn, the Pax-
ton Boys first directed their moro than savage
vengeance. Fifty seven of them, in military
array, poured into their httle village and instaRt*
iy murdered all whom they found at home, to the
number of fourteen men, women and childres.
These Of them who did not happen to he at home
at the mnssaore, were lodgtd in the jail of Lan-
caster, for safety. But alas J This precaution
was unftvailiflg. The Paxton boys broke open the
jail door «nd mur^lerod the whol« of them, ii
lumber from fiUeen to tw«nty. It was in ¥aii (bat
U\W6 poor, defenceless people protested their io*
fiocenco and begged for morcy on their kntei.
Blood was the the order of the day, with those
ferocious Paztoo boys. The death of the vio-
tims of their cruelties, did not satisfy their rage
fyr slaughter; they mangled the dead bodies of the
Indiana, with their scalpiag ki. ives and tomahaivks,
in the most shocking ejid bcutalmaBncijgcalp*
WAR or 1765.
2n
tog tren the children and chopping off the hands
lod feet of most of them.
The next ohject of those Pazton Boys, was the
murder of the christian Indians oi the villages of
Wfquetank and Nain. From the exectition of
ibis infernal design, they were prevented by the
humane interference of the government of Penn<
fylrania, which removed the inhabitants of both
places under a strong ^uard to Philadelphia, for
protection. They remained under guard from
ffovenber 1763 until (he close of the war in Da-
eember 1764, the greater part of this time they
occupied the barracks of the city. The Paxtoti
Soys twice assembled in great force, at no great
distance from the otty,with a view to assault the bar*
rack and murder the iodiansrbutowing to themili-
liry preparations made for their reception, they at. ,
itit, reluctantly desiisted from the enterprize.
While we read, with feeling8*l>f the deepest hor«^
for^ the record of the murders which have, at dif-
ferent periods, been inflicted on the unoffending
christian Indians, of the Moravian profession, it is
lome consola^on, to reflect, that our government
have had no participation in those murders; but oft
the contrary, have at all times afforded them ali
theprotectioo which circumstances aHowed,
The principle settlements in "Qreeobriar, were
Ihose of Muddy creek and the big levels, distait
about fifteen or twenty miles from each other.—
iBefore these settlers Were aware of the existence
of the wais ani supposing that ths peace made
with the French, comprehended their Indian alliei
also, about sixty indians visited the settlement oft
Mufddy creek. They made the visit un,der the
ftiasb of friendship. They were cordially received
T
m
WAii Or tics.
and treated with all the hospitality which it wag in
the power of these new Dettlers to bestow upon
fbem; hot on a siidden, and without any previous
Intimaiion of any thii»g like an hofitiie inteution,
theiitdiioe murdered, in cold blood, all the men
^longing to the settlement and made piieoneiscf
the women and children.
' Leaving a guard with their prisoners, they then
marohed to the settlement in the Levels, before the
late of the Muddy creek settlemeot was known.
, Here, as at Muddy creek, they were treated witk
jtb« most kind and attentive hospitality, at tb«
house of Mr. Archibald Glendennin, who gave the
Indians a sumptuous feast cf three fat elks, which
he had recently killed. Here, a scene of slaughter
iimilar to that wh' ;h had recently taken plact
at Muddy creek, occured at the concluFion of
the feast. It commence vith an old woman^
who having a v^ sore leg, shewed it to an in*
di^n, desiring his advice how she might cure it;
This request he answered with a blow of tlis
tomahawe, which iostantly killed her.' In .a few
minutes all the men belonging to the place shared
tlie same fate. The wcmen and children, were
made prisoners.
In the time of the slaughter, a negro woaoaa
at the spring near the house where it happened,
killed her own child for fear it should fail into
the hands of the Indians, or hinder her from ma*
king her escape.
Mr«t. Glendennin, whose husband was among the
ilein and herself, with her children prisoneii,
boldly charged the indians with perfidy and cow*
$rdi^. in taking advantage of the masic cf lrienfJi«
thip to con mit murder. One of the indians, exas*
peraied at her boldnesS) and stung, no doubt at tha
WAR OF 176^
;^stte6 of her charge ag&inst them, brandished hia
tomahawk over her head, and dashed her
husband^^ soalp in her face. In defiance of all
his (hraats, the heroine still reiterated the charged
orper6dy and cowardice against the iodiana.
0(1 the next day,after marching about ten milea^
vrhiie passing througVi a thicket, the Indians fovni«
ioga/ront and rear guard, Mrs. Olendennin gave
her ioriQt to a neighbour woman, stepped into the
Itusbes without leing perceived by the in.diapfy
|nd made lier escape. The crVea of the. child
pade the indlans enquire for the mother. She
»|«npt to be found. **WeU"»8y9 one of thero^
•^[jvilt aoon bring the cow ta her calf," and talc*
ing the child by the feet, beat its brains out a*
M^DSt-a tre^. Mrs. r>!endennin returned home, m.
pfe course of the succeeding night, and cohered
thacorpsc of her husband with te nee rails. Havr
i^g perfdrmed this piouAo£^lfur her murder-
ed bl^band, she cihoose its a placS of 8afd\y, a corn-^
^0 where, as she related, her heroic resplutioii
l|l^ S'tcceeded by a paroxism of grief and dea-
pendency, during which she immagined she saw^
Hl^ with the aspect of a murderer, standing with^'
idla few steps of her^ The reader of this narra^
tip, instead of regarding this fit of despondency^
asafeminiae weekn86s,on the part of this dau|ph-
terof aMiotion, will commiserate her situation
of unparalled dcsttlution an(* distress. Alone,,
in the dead of night, the survivor of all (le in*
Ifot settlements of that district, while all her re-
Utives and neighbours cf both settlements, were
either prisoners or lying daad, dishonoured by
l](h&stty» wounds of the tomahawk and scaljiing,
koife of the savages, her husband and her Itfiil^
4ren amongst the slaiii^
«S4
War or 17^3.
It wu some days, before a force could be coHect*
«d in the eastern part of Bottttouit and the a4«
joining couuiry> for the purpo&e of burjii]^ the
dead.
Of the eveatsof this war^m the south westent
frontier of Tirgirie, and in the eountry of Holt*
tein, the then western part c£ North Carolina,
the author has not been itiformed, farther than
that, on the part cf the Indians it was earned oa
with t-he greatest ectivifyt and its course inaik*
ed with many deeds ci' the most attrocious cru*
tlty, until late in the yaar lt94,whtna prrio4
Wi$ pul to this sanguinary contest, by a treaty made
triuli the iodi&ti nations; by Sir Williani Joba*
' ton ai the Qerman Flats.
ffa* per ^dy and cruelties praetised by the h*
iianp^ during the war of ilBS and 17^^, ocei.
sfoned the revoMpg and sanguinary ch&recter of
CHe itvdian waiHwnicli. took place afterwards,
^he iitdians baa resolved on <he total exter-
ninalion cf all the settlers tf our north and
sonlh Wf stern frontiers, and being no lorger us*
dter the contrpul o>f their former alliesVt)}^ Frencb;
lliel were at full^ liberty to exercire all their oi-
tiife ferooity and riot in the indulgecce cf thet»
iiiiiato mir&t for blood.
'?■■)>■
*f
mmore s
I
'^1
1 :■ '- , ; «
■fk
' I K\
CflAPTER XXYI.:
#v.
i >v
'f After the couclusioii of the indito wtiy »
1^^ the tf «?4ty,y»n«^^ 3' with the chief«j ^ hjr w '
l|fpiartt Johnson at the Ijfermaa flMav '<^ ijbe
*^ilftfr port of IT^^i'^tho wclteni $|tt€mei3ii»: e^ •
^" MjieaceuntiUbo'j^^^^^^ V
Pifriq^ . ihw period of -^^ i ime, tho settte^eiits •
;r9ase4 viith grcai MJMdHialciog; the wijpJe■^|-
^^ ^f %o western Ironlier. j^eR (he jmor^ of
|e JpiuiP^ on^the Yo'gioU sid^lj^^ a conaid^hle -
^JlilioJi a« eai^ M thcyfflH^^^ a^
titt eatwes >whici 'l«l to 4he dbsteuci«»ife *eir
pti^i iut it ianow^ too^ j^e to cffcice ir^ the -■
llMsfc-l^tterM list^^ m^si remaio^ a di^onbiurfl||e *■
Wift our neiHifetl-fhiitory ; goM^^ however iii# /
gtriBf out of evil. .The injuiries inHiotecl upon ^
a iadiauit, In early -timea l^y our forefathera; ,
||i»y induee theii^ descendanis to shew juffrce and <
«l#r<^cto^e dioiished poaterify of those children >
of 4be^il4Ur»es9, whose anoesU»^s .perishedt in *
eold i^ibdy ,uii4®|^ the tomahaw^k and scalpiiiir ;
JKQi|»^ ofthotwliile w > :
In t^e. noni^ of Mp^ 17^311, a rwDOur«^»w.'
culated thai the indiauB hadstolen^^^fw^Olf-
Ji from some land Jobbers, ix'the WhioaftdH
m
XkUKMOkE's WJkB*
Kenhawa rivcM. No evidences of the fact
having been adduced, leads to the concluHon thit
the report was false. This report however, in-
dueed a pretty general belief that the indians
were about to make war upon the frontier settle-
ments; but for this apprehension there does not
appear to have been ther slightest foundation.
In consequence of this apprehension ot being
tttacked by the Indians, the land Jobbers asscen-
dcd the river, and collected at Wheeling. On the
2tih of April, it liras reported in Wheeling that a
oiQoe contidning two Indians and some traders^
was coming down the river and then not far frem
4he place. Chi heariog this the commandant of
iheitatioB, Capt. Cresap, proposed taking a party
to go ip tbe riveir and kill the Indians. Jbispre-
te^ was vehemM|ly opposed by Col: ?ane, iU
tropnetcj of tk Jfcc^. ^ He stated tonhe cspt^
that the kilUftg oTOose !adian«, Wpnld inevitabk
irrin^ o» a wir, in which much mnocent blood
vtiH^dbe shed, and that the act in itself would
be ail atifocious murder, and a disgrac0 to his
B&me forever. Ilia good counsel was losti Tl^
Hftrty went lip %ht riVir. On being asked, at^it
Kturn, vrhat bad become of the Indians ? • They
coolly answered that ''They had fallen overbeafd
into the river !*» Their canoe, dn being examined
waa feiiba bloody, and pierce^thb^
m^Bfitii Wood whlefe w# she^in this war,
aod Irnble H» ^ vengeance which followed.
In the e^enShl 6f the same day,tho party he ar-
ior *hat there was an e|icampment of in4»sns at
- th^ mWth of Captii a, went down the fiver lo
the pfece, trftackedihe iodiaei and killed several
pf ^illil. ;Irt i**^8 affair; oR« of Cresap's>»rty
ivas leveWly wounded.
bVNMORE^S WAK.
w
k1«hd massacre at Captina and that which (oak
daett ^^ I^A^^f'^) B^^u' ^o^^y i^i'^s above Whce)>
Inf^tk Uwi days af^er that at Captina wete on-
Atieflionably the sole causes of the war 1774.-«>
;lV last was perpetrated Uj tbirty-two roeo, un-
der the comcnand of Darnel (Ireathouse. The
frtiole number killed.at this place, and on the riv-
||i opposite to it was twelve, besidea several
touoded. Thr» horrid massacre W|s effect-
,«d^y an hypocritical strattgem, which reflects
t|ie^ deepest dishonour on the inetiaory of those
i^» were ft^nts in it
The* report of the miMrders commfilted on th6
Isidians near Wheeling, induced a helief thr.t
j^ity would immediately* commence hos«^
iliiies/and this apprehension furnished the pre*
t^t Cor . the muriler above related. The o^teost-
|l4 object for r^tsingthe part|jj||dev Gre«thouse,
wif that of defi^ndiog the fanrH^of Baker^ whdse
h^ttS^ was opposite i<i »lar^e encaaipment of
Titian?, at the mouth of big Yellow Creek.-^
i!he party were coccealed in aitfhuiicade, khf^
ibeir oomfaander went over the Hver, und^r th^
jfBSsk of friendship to the Indian caOD^^ to aiser^
titn their number, while tbere> an inman wbmaii
^s^vised him to return home speedily, sijriiif that
the. tadiahs were drinking and aogryt on accdfiAt
*of*the murder of thew people down thevjir-
er, and might do him tome mischief. Oil h^'rCt-
lurn to his party he reported that the insane
iiref e too strong for an open attack. He returiied
.: to Baker's and requested hjm to give any iodian*
whaibigbt come over, in the course of the da^^
[as^buchrum as.they mi|ht c»iUfor, and geia»
; many of them drunk as he possibly could*, The
plan succeeded. 6ev^ralliidiaii moa wiib tw<;r
m
dunmore's wab[.
women came over the river to Boker^s, viho
previoMsly been in the habit of peiling rum to tie
indianff. The n»en drank freely and became ]o>
toxl0#ted. In this 8tate they were all killed by
Greathquse, and a few'bf his party ^ I say a few
of bia (^acty; for it is but justice ^ to &rate^thit
not . more than tiye or six of the whole numbec
.^ad any participation in <he sldughterat the house.
The rest protected against it^ as an^atlrociousmv^
der. £*rom4heir Qumber, t>eiog l)y far the majority,
they niight have prevented the deed;. , but altur
j^They did hot; A little icdian girl alone was si^*
id from. lh!| slaughter, by the Kumanity of 6&i|e
one of the part;p, whose name is- not now know^..
"^ The Indians in the caanpa, hearing the ^fiQ{{
at the housej sent a oanoe with twoinen in if tb
len^uire what ha4 happened. The$e two ird^|s
twere botli bbot ^y n, aa 80oii< as they ]ar;ded^
the beacli. A IHI^d an d larger caiaoe vr as tb|p
manned f^ith a niimber of Indians/ in arms; biit
jjA Attempting to reach ttie ahore, some distance >
lelpw the bousp^ were received by a well direoK
ed .fire from tfie party, whii^, killed the jjreat|p
iMipvb^r of them an^ . compeil^d the survivors |p
xeturQ. A. great number of shots were exchan|«
ed acrosa the rivei^ ^t without damage to m
while pariy, not one of whom was even wQufidel.
li^e^j^dian, mep who were murdered were all
T]ie woman who gave thefiriendly advice to the
coipmander of the party, when in thi^ iodian
camp was amonget thfj the flarri at fieker*s houjse.
, The maesacres of the indians at Captil^a and
i^elfow cre^fe, jcomprrhended the w^ole of the
family of the famous, but uhfqrtunate Logan, who
H^m^e^e events ha^ beeAa lover of the whites
DUrVMORE'S WlIU
d29
undl a strenuous ajvocate for peace; but in the coq-
flict which fullowH them, by way of revenge for
(he death of hi^ people, he became a brave and
aanKuiiiary chief, among the warriors.
The settlers along the frontieri*, knowing that
the Indians would make war upon them for the
murder of their people, either moved, oif to the
iotertoF, or took up. their residence in forts. The
apprehension of war was soon, reallized. In %■
tiiort time the iodians Commenced bostiUties a*
long tUe whole extent of pur frontiers.
bxptess was speedily sent to Williamsburgb,
Ihd then seat of government: of the Colony d
Virginia,, communicating intelligence of the cer-
tainty of the commencement of < an Indian war^
Tbe a temblji was then in'session.
' A plan for a campaign, for,. the purpose of put*
^ng a speedy conclusion, to the indian hostihtiee
was adopted between the ^j||of Dunmore, the.
Ooreroor of the Colony, an oWn. Lewis ef Bot«
letourt Coupty^ Qeo. Lewis was appointed to the
eomimand of tho southern ^division of tbe forcea
to be employed on this occasien, with orders to
laise a large body of volunteers and drafts, from
the southeastern, Counties of the Colony, with all.
'dispatch. These Purees were to rendezvous ai'
Ipamp Union in. the Greenbriar eountr/. . The-
Eail of Dunmoce was to raise aeother armv in tbe
northern coufrties of the Colony, and in the set?
.tiements west of the mountains and asteinble
them at fort l^tr, and from thence descend theri*
ver to Pointpieasant at the mouth of the great Ken-
hawa, the place appointed tor thejufietion of the
%wo bipmiesyfor the purpose of invading the indiaiV
country and destroy ing as many of. their ri*?*
S80
vvvKomri war;
)a^c% ss thej could reach, in the course oftht
Beason.
On the eleventh of September the farces orider
Opn. Lcivi.^, rmounting to eleven hnrdr^d men^
eommeitced their rnftrch from Camp Union to
Pointpleasaot, e distance of cne hundred and nxtj
miles. The tract of country between these two
points, was at that time, a trackless deeert. Gapt.
Matthew Arbuckle, the pilot, conducted the army
by the nearest and best rout tQ their place ef dig.
tinalion. The flour and ammuoiiion were nbol*
)y transported on pack horses, as the rout ^ai
ioipassible for wheel carriag^es. After a painfi^
inarch of nineteen days the army ariived, on (ha
ihst of October, at Ppintpleasaot, where an en*
caroproent Was madel v*
Gen.Ijewis w&s exeet dirigly dietppoioted^at hearfng
no tidingi* of the Earlof Duriroore,wbo,aGeordir.g
to previous &rraD||U|eDts wa% to form a junction
with hin at this pHil. He iHimeditteiy dispatch^
ed some scouts, to go ly land in the direction of
Fort Pitt to obtain intelJig^ence of the rout whic&
the Earl had taken, and then vetoro with the ut<
mo^t dfspnl^b^ On the ninth, three naeo who had
formerly been indian Iradera, arrived in the can^tp,
t>n express from the Earl ^ to iiiform Lewis that he
had changed, his pYan of operations, and intended
to march to the Indian towns by the way of Hock-
hooking and directing Geo. Lewis to commeoca
hia march immediatery, for the old Cbilicoth^
town. ' -''^'''-ry::.¥t-fi-'^--yy';: ^'-^^''
Very early in the mornii\gof the tenth" two
young men set out from the canap to hunt, up the
river. Havfiig*fonc bbout three miles they felf
upoaa camp of the Indians, who were then in the
act of preparing to inarch to ttUck the camjp of
DUNMCHE^S WAR;
231
Ggh. L'^iris* Ti<e indians fired upon them and
liiiied one u( them, the oihrr ran ht.ck to the
catnp with ihieligefice that he indiaiis, in ^reat
force, vroM iniuiiidiaiply give battle.
Gen. LewU iostantly ordered out a detach-
meDt of the Botteto^urt troop>$ under Col. Flem-
ing and another of the Aiiguhta truop^, under Go).
Cbarlea Lewi^, remainiog himself vi^iih the reserfe
for the dufence of the camp. The detacimieiit
marched out in two lines, and otet the iodiana
it the same order about four hundred yards from
the camp. The battle commenced a little aftec
eunrise, by a heavy firing from the indiaos. Ai the
ons^t our troops gave back some distance, until
net by i reinforcement, on the arrival of which
the Indians retreated a little way and formed
• line behind logs and trees, reachiag from the.
bank of the Ohio, to that of the Kenhawa.—
By this manoeuvre,' our arimjINnd camp, were
(^mpletcly invested, being inclosed between the
two rivers, with the iodian line of battle in front;,
10 that no chance of retreat was lelft. An inoes-
lant fire was kept up on both sides, with but lit-
tle change of position until sundown, when the
iadians retreated, and in the night recrossed the
Ohio, and the next day commenced their n^arch
to their towns on the Scioto.
Our loss in this destructive battle, was seven-p
ty* five killed, and one hundred and Ibrty wound-
td. Among the killed were Col • Charles Lewis,
Col. Fields, Captains Buford, Murrey, Ward«
Wilson And M^CIenachan;^ Lieutenants, Allen,.
^Idsby and Dillon and several subaltern officers^
Col. Len'iS) a distinguished and meretoripua
fiiiScer, was aoitally wounded by the first lire ef
93^
fAJVK^JLKrB WAR
(he indiani, but walked roto tbe camp abd expirtd
in his own tent.
The number of indiana engaged In the battle
of the Point was never ascertafned, nor yet ihi
amount of^ their loss. On th*e morning aiter (bt
engagement) twenty oi^e wer^ found on the battie
ground, twelve more were afterwards found ia
SitTerent placea where they had been concealed.
A great number of their dead were said to bare
been thrown into tlie river during the enjp;agement.
Considering tliat (he Whole number of our men
engaged in this conflict, were riflemen and from
habit sharp shooters of the first order, it is pre*
•umeable, that the loss oti the aide of the indiaoi
was at least equal to ours.
The Indians, during theliattle were ecmmand*'
od by the Cornstalk warrior, thelcingof the Shaw
anees. This eon glthe forest, in Lis plans cf at*
tack and retreat, awin all his inanbeuvresthrough«>
out the engagement,. displayed the ebill and brSf
▼ery of the most consummate 'General. During
the whole of the day, he wart beard from our linesi
vociferating, with the, voice of Stentor **Be strong
be strong.'' It is even said, that he killed one
vihw men Widi his own hand for cowardice.
The dey after tbe1)attte,d'ter bu rying the dead,en •
frencbments were thrown. up round the camp, and'
a competent*!; uerd was appointed for the care and
protection oi the aick and wounded. On the day
following 'Oen. XeWis commenced his march for
the Sbawanec a towns on the Scioto. This march
was made through a tractless desert and attend-
ed with Inmost in#uperftb)e difficulties 8::d privt*
tiwis.
In the mean time the Earl of Dunmore, having
collected a force and provided boats at iPoriTiti^
irNMORfi^S WAR.
83d
deMendcd the river to VVheeliog, wliere the ^rmy
halted for a few days, and then proceeded down
the river in about one hundred canoes, a few keel
boats, and perouges to the mouth of Hochoclc •
ing, and from thence over land until the array had
?ot within eight miles of the.Shawanee town
!bilicotbe, on the Scioto. Here the army halt*
cd and made a breast work of fallen trees and
entrenchments of such extent as to include about
twelve acres of ground, with ao inclosure in the
centre containing about one acre^ surrounded by en-
trenchments. This was the citadel which con-
tained the markves of the Earl and his superior of-
fieers.
Before the army bad reached that place, the i»-
dian chiefs had sent several messengers to the
Earl, asking peace. With this request hesooa
determined to comply, and tj^refare sent mi ex-
press to Gen. Lewis with an Oiier for his imme-
diate retreat. This order Gen. Lewis disre|^ard«
ed and continued his march until hie lordship in
person visited his camf), Was formally introduced
to his officers and gave tbjB order in person. ^«
The army of Gen. Lewis then oMomenced their
retreat.
It was with the greatest reluctance and chagriSi
that the troopa of Gen. Lewis returned from the
the enterprise in which they were engaged* The
massacres of their relatives and friends at the
big Levels and muddy Creek, and above all, their
recent loss at the battle of tiM Point had inspired
these big knives, as the uMliana called the Vir-
ginians, wHh an invei^w^ thirst for revenge,
the gratification of whioK ihey supposed was shoNrt<h
)j to iaice place, in ite total deatructioa of the in^
*-A»/
iu
liVKlfORE^S WAR.
<6Uni and their towns, along the Scioto and San-
dusky rivers ^Tlie order of Dunmore was obeved]
i>ut with every expression of regret and disap-
oiotmeDt.
The £ai?l and his officers having returned to
Itis xarop, alreatgr with tbeindians was opened
the foliowing day.
In this treaty, every precaution was used on llie
part ofour people to prevent the indians from lend-
ing a treaty, in the tragedy of a massacre. Only
eighteen indians, with their chiefs were permit-,
ted to pass tho outer gate of their fbrtitied en-
xamp«i>«t, after having deposited their arms witli
the guard at the gate.
1*he treaty was opened by Cornstalk, thfe war
4Jhief of the Shitwances in a lengthy spe/ch, in
which he boldly charged the white peo-
ple with having k§»n the authors of the com-
mencement of,th#war, in the massacres of the
Indians at Captina and yellow Creek. Thii
apeech he delivered in so loud a tone of voiced
that he was heard all over the camp. The terms
cf the treaty were soon settled and the prisoners
delivered up.
Logan the Cayuga ehief assented to the treaty;
hnt Btiil indignant at the murder of his family,
refused to attend with the other, chiefs at the
camp of Dunmore. According to the indian mode
IH sueh cases, he sent his speech in a belt of wam-
pum by an interpreter, to be read at the treaty.
^Supposing, that this work may fall into the
btxnds of some readers, whe have not seen
the speeeb of Logan; the author thinks it not
amiss to insert this celebrated morsel of indiaa
eio^uence, la this plate, with (he observation
f-
SliJNMORB ft WAR.
n4;
ibftt the authenticity of the speech, is no longer
a subject of doubt. The speech is as follows.
H appeal to any white man to say, if ever he en-
tered Logan's cabin hucgry, and he gave him not
irieat: if ever he came cold and naked, and he
elothed him not.' During the course of the last
long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his
cabin, an advocate for ptace. Such was my love
£ar the, whites, that my country-men pointed as
they passed, and said *Logan is tie friend of the
white men.' f had- even thought to have liv<%d
with you, but for the injuries of one man. Col.
Cresap, ihe last spring, in cold blood, aod unpro-
voked, muidered ail the relations of Logan, not even
sparing my women and children. There runs not
a drop of my blood in the veins of any living crea-
ture. Tliis called on me for revenge. I have'
sought it: L have killed man) :^I bave fully glut-
ted my vengeance: for luy c%ntry I njoice af
the beams of peace. But do not harbour a thought
ihat mine is the joy of fear. Logan nevf r felt fear.
He will not turn on hisheel to save his life. Who.
is there to mourn for Logan?— Not one."
Thus ended, at the treaty of Camp ^.harloKe in;
the month of November 1174, the disastfious
war of Dunmore. It began in the wanton and
unprovoked murders cf the indians at Captina
and yellow Creek, and' ended with an awfuLisa-
craficeoflife and property to the Demon of re-
venge. On our part we obtained at the tieatyv
a cessation of hostilities and a surrender of pris«
oners, and nothing more.
The plan of operations adopted by the indians
in the war of Dunmore, shews very clearly ihat
their, chiefs were by no Diears deficient \n the ■
foiesifht and siill, necessary for making the^
*i.
IS6
vvnunfa mat.
#
moit prad^t tniniiar^ 8n'anf€men<8 Ibr obtaining
success atid TictoTf, in their roode of warefate.
▲t alp eitrlj p^rlorii#>tjr obtained intelligence of
the piao of the cadipaigt) against then), concerted
fietween il)'#v^arj of Dunmore. and Gen. Lewis.
With a view, tfieflllire, to attack the forces of these
commanders eepers^tel^ they speedily collected
their waniorf, a^$1)y dfbrced marches reached
the Point, bc%ri&4hf e^jptccted arrival of the troops
under Durtttiore. Sueh was the privrcy wiih
Vihich they conducted their inarch to Poinf pleas*
ant, that Wn. Lewis knew nothing of (he ap-
pioae^'cfjthe indian army, until a few minutes
wfyt^ th#e(^inmencement of the battle, and it ig
•tely way probable, tl^at if Cornatalk, the iodian
«omimander, had had alfttlj^|g|p^#force at the bat-
He ofibe foit|^ the #hoJ#lriany of Gen. Lewia
wotfld havf» hee^j|ut off*, as the wary savage had
'left tbeni no chlfnce of retreat. Had the army
of Lewia hcen defeated, the arnriy of Dunmore,
consistii^g of hut little more than one thousand
fneh» n^ould have shared tke fate of those armies,
whieh at different periods, have suilfered defeats,
Sn consequence of venturing too far into the ia-
^ti>oiintry, in ouaabcrs too small, and with muni-
'M^e-of war inadequate to sustain a contest, with
tlie iiiiited forces or a niimber of indian natioos.
It wat the general belief among thev/Hcers of
>ur army, at the time, that the £arl of Dunmore,
While at l^heeUiig, rroeft^ advice from his Got-
ernmetit of th<^ probability of the approaching viar,
between England and the Colonies, and that af-
terwards, all his mea^Ofes with regard to the in-
diaps, had for their ultimate object, an alliance
with those ferocious warriors, for aid of the mofh-
.1^ c^Uiitry in their contest with us. This sup-
i-S'-
hP%
DtKMORS^S WllU
237
jffeiice of
(oncerled
■ Lenrig.
of these
diected
reached
le (roopa
ey with
in'pleas-
the ap-
minutes
and it ig
[he iodian '
>|^ the bat.
**. Lewia
vfige had
the army
Dun more,
thousand
e artn^ef)
1 defealp,
Jo thein>
ith muni-
teat, wiih
nadoDs.
iliicers of
)urjinore>
his Got-
"fig w ar,
] that at-
» the in>
alliance
le itiofh-
bia 0up<
position jtccounta for bis not formioi; a juoetion '
with tbipurmy of Lewis at Pointpleaaant. Tlia ^
deviatiojii from the original plan of tbe campaign
jeopardized tbe army of Lewis and well nigh cc*
casioned its total destruetion/ The conduct cf
the Earl at tbe treaty, shews a gocdunderataodiog
betwen him and the Indian chiefs* He did not
suffer tbe army of Lewis to form a junction with
bis own, but sent them^ bacb, before < the. treaty^
was concluded, thus risking tbe safety of nia owa •
rcc^s, for at tbe time of tbe treaty, the* iodian war-
^' i were about bis camp, in force sufficient ta *
"> intercepted bis retreat and destroyed bia^s
Holearmy. . "
The death of VornstdIM
V
W'.-J
CHAPTER XXTIL
Titia was t>ne of tbe most attrocious murdeit''^
eommitted by tbe whites duiing. tbe whole course '
of tbe war.
In the summer of 1777, when (bef confederacyt'v
of the indian nations, under tbe influence ol tbe
British government, was formed and began to »
commit hoatiles along our faontier settlements, .
Cornstalk ande youn^ chief of tbe name of Red hi
U « :
•''iWK'
49B
THE PEATB OV CORRSTAUC
hawk and another Indian njadea visit to the garth
Bon at the Pdfnt,cdmmanded at that time hy captain
Arhuckle. Gbrnstalk stated to the Gapiainf that,
with the exception of himselfand the tribe to which
he belonged, all the nations had joined the £ng«.
Yishy and that unless protected by the .whites.
'^They would have to run with the stream."
€apt. Arbuekle thought proper to detain tha
Constalk "chief and his two coirpanins as hos-
tagefi, for the gocd conduct of the tribe to which
they ; belonged. They bad opt been lorg^ in this
situation before a son of Cornstalk'?, concerned
for the safety of his father, cane to the opposite
side ofthe river and hallooed, his father, know-
ing his voice, answered him. He was brought
over th^ river, The father and son mutually em<
braced each other with the greatest tenderness.
On the day following, two Indians who had
eoDeealed themselves in the weeds on the bank of
the ICenbawa, opposite the fort, killed a man cf
ofthe name of 6iImore,,as he was returning from
hunting. As soon as the dead body was brought
over th«i river, there was a general cry amongst
Ihe men who were present, ^' Let us kill the Indiacs
in the fort." They immedisiiely ascended the
bank ofthe river with Capt. Hall at their head,
to execute their hasty resdidtidn. On their way
tliey were met by Capt. Stuart and-Cbpt. Arbtic-
IHe, who endeavoured fo dissuade them from kil-
lings the Indian hostages, say ihg that they cer-
^tainly had no concern in the murder of Gilmore ;
but i'emonstrance wss in vaii^*. Pale as death
with rage, they cocked their guns and threateiied
the Captains with instant death, if ihey should,
attempt to hindec them from exectuing their ptir-
pose, ^
*^
THS DCATH OF CORNSTLK«.
239
When tlie murderers arrived Eft the house where
tiie hostages were confiaed, Cornstalk rose up to
meet tMn at the doori but iostanily received
sevea bullets ^through his body, his son and his
other two lellow hostages were instantly dis**
pitched with buUets andtnmahawks.
Thus fell the Shawanee war chief, Cornstalk, ,
who like Logan his companion in arms, Was con-
spicuous for., intellectual, talent, l^ravery and^
BHsfortune^
The biography of Cornstalk, as far it is now
Jeoown, goes to shew that he was no way deH*-
cient in those mental endowments, which consti-
tute human greatness.
On the evening preceding the battle of Point- ^
^ea^ent, he proposed going over tVie river to the -
caaip of -Gen. Lewis, for the purpose of making
peacer Tiie raajorityJn the council of warriors
voted' against the measure. *' Well," said Corn -
gtalk," since you have resolved on (lighting, you
ihall fight, alibough it is likely we shall havu
hard work, tomorrow; but if any nian shall at^
tempt to run away from the battle, I will kill ?
bim with, my own hand,!' and accordly fulfilled,
bis threat, with regard - to one cowardly fellow.
After the indians had returned froL.. the bat-
tle, Cornstalk called a council at the. Cbilicothe
tcwn, to consult what was to be done next.—
In this council he reminded .the war chiefs of
their folly in preventing him from making peace,
before the fatal battle of Pomtpleasant, and asked
*^What shall we. do now, the long* knives ar%
eoming upon us by two routs. Shall weturnoqii^^x
tad light them !" All were silent. Hethenask-
•d ''Shall we kill all our sqaws and children^ and
then fight until we shall ail be killed oursebresi^
''Wf
THE BEATH OF COBNSTILR
To this DO reply was made. Hv then rose up
and Btruck his (ooiabawk iiii the war post in the
middle of the couociJ house, sayiog ^*Sia<ce you
are riot inclined to fi^ht, I will ^o and m^b
peace." Ard.BCCordly did «o. .
Oflithe morniog of the day ofhis dejitb,a coon*
cil was held, in the foriat the point, in which, he
was present. During the sitting . of ihe council,
it is said that he seenifd. ;o have a presentinept
ol hi^ appipachiDgfatek, la one. of .his 9peecheii,
he remarked to the council ^* When I was youn|^
every time I went to war, I thought it likely thit
i might return more;, but I still lived, I f^m dqW'
in your hands^ and yc^u may kill , me if you chooie.
I can die but once, and it is alike to m^, i\hetl^r
I die now, or at another timo." When the mev^
presented , themselves before .the dqor, for pur*
pose of killing theindians, Cornstalk's son maiii.
fested sijrns of fear, on observing which, his faili'i
er said, JLlont be afraid my son, the great spirit:
seniyou here to die .with me, and we must sub*
mil to his will. It 4s all /or the beet/'
evi
am
th<
*
.>KS
^
rose up
>08t in (he
^Siace you
>b,a coun*
which, he
e coujicil,
esf^oUmept
speecheji,
[was youn^^
!t likely (bit
,1 am now^
you choow.
^, whetliiEr
f:n the nevj
»r, for pur.
*a sonmaRi*
ch, his fath',
^eat spirit
•e must sub-
Jfcippcttomica Cam
GHAPTEH xxvnr.
UicDER the eonniiaand of Col. Angui M^DonaYd
{tnir huo<^rDd mpii wer6 collected from the uestern
pwt pi T\t^\}d% by |ju^#4^rof th« Eailof Duft*
^t, the then Govertill^ Vi^iftria. The place
ofrende:(you$ waA Wb^elin^ idme trme inihe
tnonlh of June 1774 Tbey went down the riv-
er in boats and canoes to the mouth of Capjtina,
frc^ thence by the shortest vout teethe Wappato-
mica town ^irbbut sixteen miles belo^ the present
€o8boctoR. The. pilots were Jonath&n Zane^
Thomas Nicholson and Tady Kelly. About six
miles from the tovvn> the army r^ere met by a
party of indians to the number of ^ or 50, who
gave a skirmish by the way of ambuscade in
which two of our men were killed and eight or
■nine wounded; One indian was killed and sev-
eral wounded. It was supposed that seterat moF|
of them were killed, but they were carried off.-V
When the amry came to the town, it was found
evueuated, the indians bad retreated to the op-
posite shore of the river,, where they had^med
an ambuBcadev supposing Che party wouliMHIft9
the river from the town. This was in»*i1^
ly discovered^ The commaDding ofiQlccyifaeD aetft'
^
''}A^'
wA
VTAPPATQMICA CAMI>AIGeT;.
sentinelB up and dowo the river^ to give notice, ii^
case the i(Nliao8 shouM attempt to cross above or
below the town. A privnte in conopany of Capt.
Cressap, of the naoie of John Hargus t'Le cfihe
scntioeU below the toVn displaced tie ekill of
backwoods sharpshooter, seeing an indie p btrhiiij
a blind across the river, raising up bis head, air
(imep, to I00I& over the river. Hcrgia charged'
bis riile with a s^^eond ball and taking deliberato
aim,.pafifed both balls through the neck of ihe inr
dian./ The indians dragged oflf the body and bu*
ried it with the honours of war. It^was found the
next morning and scalped by HarguF..
Soon after the town w&s taicen,. tbe icdians
from the opposite shore sutd fcr. peace. Ibe
commander otfered them peace, en condition cf
their sending over their chiefs as host&ges. Fivs
ofihem came over tbe river and wtre put urider
guaid as hostages, l^ the rooming thejr wers
ixiarlhed in front of the aiooy t>ver the river,-*
M-'heo the party had reached the western bank of
the Muskingum the indiars- represented that they
Could not make p,eacevwitbcut the presence of the
chiefs oft bye other towns. On which one of the
chiefs was releasM to bring, m the others. He
did not. return in the appointed time. Another
chief was permitted to go on the same eirand,
who in Ukei manner did not return. The party
'ea moved up the river to the next town,.which
as about a mile above the (i)8t and on the
opposite shore. Here we had a slight skirmish
with the ibd^ane,in which oiie cf them wa^ killed
and one of our men ii^ounded. It was then dis-
d, that during mthe tiine spent in the ne-
lpU| the ii)dian^^re employed in removing
vscim atd chUdrep) old people and tStcifi
bavini
the CQ
the Wi
ft^art
9hio^
ihai^
■T-M
^^
GEIY. M^lNTOSH^tf CAmfAICX^
911
l^om the upper towns. The towns were boro-
ed and the corn cut Mp. The party then returned
te the place from which they set out, bringing
ivitli them the three remaining chief who was feent
(0 WiMiamsburgh. They ^wcre released at the
peice the succeeding falL
The amry were out of provisions before they left
the towns and had to subsi-^t on weeds, one ear
of com each day^ with a very scanty supply of
game. The corn was obtained at one of the indiaa
towns.
Gen. M^Iotosh^s
Campaigu.
.%
CHAPTER XXIX«
In the spring of tibe year ]'if78, Clovei^ment^
having sent a small force of regular 't^ops unde^
the bommaod of Gen. M*IntQ|^, for the defenicfjii,
the western frontier. ThejSfieneral with
fttlarsand militia from folP^Pitt 4j(8cen||[d
Ohio^bput thirty Dulles and built fdrt M^Bib o|t
ftdfUi W- the preaent Beave^ towoi ^e %l
944
esv. Mcintosh's campaign
was mude of fitrdng itockftdes furnished bftstions
find mouuted with one n\x pounder. This sta*
tion was well selected as a point from a small mili*
tary force, always io readiness to pursue, or io-
tercept the War parlie's of Indians, who frequent-
ly made incursion, into the settleiiventa, onlhe op«
posite side ofihe river, in its immediate neighboar-
liood. The fort was well garrisoned and supplied
with proTisions during the summer.
Some time in the fall of the same year, Generi]
M'lotosh received an order fiom Government lo
make a campaiffo against the Sandusky townsk-.
This order, ne attempted to obey with one thouiv
and men; but owing to the delay in making necei-
sary outfits for the expedition, theo^cerf^on reacL*
iugTuscarawa, thought it best to halt at that place,
1)uildan<^ garrison a fort, and delay the farther
iinMecutioD of the campaign until the next spring^
Affiordingly they erected fort Laurens on the
Bank of the Tuscarawa. Some time afier the
completion of thjs fort, thf Gen. rieturned with
the army to fort Fitt, leaving Col; John Qibson,
with a command of one hundred and fifty men to
protect the fort until spring. The Indians were
Boon acquaintexl with th eexistence of the fort, and
soon «onvinced our peopJCi by sad exjperience of
the b|d policy of building and attempting to hold
a fort, so far in advance of our sett\ements and
er forts. \^;
T)ie first pnQoyance the'faiTisoD received from
the iOidiima|i!as some tifnie in the month of la&uat
17. in tha night XW^ they caugfii mo^tr of the
l||pl)HMi belonging ta« fort, and- takiiig ihtm ^ff
mke <Ha<NkQ^(iM»p%0(ods, they tooli off their
Wla «M(|ra|| Winnhtiiiide by tha ape of a
f^M^^^m^^^wm of It i^liiP «t ft
■«'r^ii
"Hfm.
tmlA i^ftmet fromJlia fort. In the norniog (hi
^ $& J»«»*4!«ro. wifU t»l»n irfiwow^
)i|i|.iiw. gif»i UR •t,the«awofwtr|
Ylif i^ver, M(IPrt*»# hetrd fiC v .
•I^TjiXiS trintt ciffl!i|iii|rtwicef do llfo Md death
; ig^Hifll.depend r^^- > ^ ^ , ' ^ ^^,
^i^ae4odii|ii;ewiim ill M^f ^^^JglHT;,
m4 d^M^iee firam t^ft«rt^4in .the oppewte elde
mm nw. floJt,# <?»PF^«y fpequeotiy Md
Plistioiii iii|g tS^iWI^e << our jwr«J«f;J-;.
igse ©<;«i!efrtfiiw>«» Wl^efeeyed to d«p^ th^
^i^^ootbee of the wk wjd hpp«d fw P«*««i r^^.
lf(^ «w0h exi»Pf^»ted w *k« AmenfSMii M#^ \
^s^".
146
015. M^1MT06H^8 CAMPAlOZf.
Ij went out among the Indians during tbeiritay at
their eneampment, with the mutoal content of
both parties. A* abprt time before the indiani left
the place* they feot word to Col. Gibson by the
eld Indiaoi that they were desirous of peace, ind
that if he would send them a barrel of flour tbsy
would send in their proposals the neat day;
but although theOolond eomplied with their
request, they marched off without fulfilling their^
eoMement.
T|e cofnmandef, suppQaiog the whole number
of the Indians had gone onT, gave pernniesion to
Col. Clark, of the rennsylvania line, to escort
the invalids, to the number of eloTen or twelve to
fort Mcintosh. The w|6le number of this detach-
ment was fifteen. The warylndiaiit had leftaparty
behind,for the purpose of doing mischief. Tbeee
attacked this part| of invalid?, and their escort
-'^~ ttwo miles fro^ the fort, and killed the whole
h^ with the ejcception of four, amongst whom
wfTthe captain^ who fran back to the fort. On
the same day a detachment went out from the fort,
broi^bt in the dead, and buried tb'em with the
honours of war, in front of the foit gaf(». ,
In three or four days^fler this disaster, a
relief of seven hundred men^ under Qen. Mcin-
tosh arrived at the fort with a supply of ptovi-
ston; a great part of vrhich wil lost by an unto-
ward accident. When the relief had reaehed
itbin about one hundred yards of the lort, the
l^rison gav^ them a salute of # general discharge
of musketry, at the report of which the pack
bprses took firight,brokeloo^ and scatter^ the
provisions m every
fo that the greaC^r'
tovfred again. "^'^'^
through the woods»
oouliney^rbe re^
:*»^
■;«:
1
,v -,
OIN. M^IKTOBU^S CAMPAIOIK.
til
Amdnf other trannactioM which ^.ook.jt»fe
tMttt thii lime, WM ihtt of githerinR »»f^ lb«: •*'
fitiiit of the fourteen men who h«d felUo in t!>e
^buscftde. during the winter, far interment, '/i»4
Ihich eould QOt be done dujring the inveMrri^n);
of the place by the Indaos. They were Ccwnd
tf^sUy devdurtd 1:^ the iiroltrea. '^he Uu^w^ p^r-
ir dug • pit large enough to oontaiu the rsv%Aii.<^
of.aU of them, and after depositing them in t!?^.
lit, merely covering them with a little earth, m'Jk
«tiew i9 htfte revenge on the wolves for (devour*
ipg their companions, they covered tfee pit with
tinder sticks, rotten wood and bits of hark, not
^sufficient strength to bear the weight of a wj?/,
On the top of this covering they placed a pt^
df meat, as bait fo? the wolves^ The next
idroing seven of them were foynd in the pj
l*l^y were shot ond the pit^fitled up.
if\)r about two weeks teforO the reli(sJt arr
the garrison had bceft put o|i the ihor aJ'ow
ance of halfa pound or sour flour anci ».n e^ut^l
.weight of stinking meat for every tt70 3/*y8. Tho
-greater part of last week, they had nothing to sub-
. fflitOQ but such roots as thej •iould tind in the
woods and priariesj^nc^ rftw hides. Two men lost
lieir lives i>y eating wild parsnip roots, by mis-
take. FourmOre nearly shared the same fate; but
were saved by medical aid. ' . ^ . ^.
On thetcvening of the atrival of the relief, tW(|
dayf rations were issued to each man in the fort.
T^se rations were intended as their allowance du*
rin||their march to fart Mcintosh; but many of ^hr
in4^% supposing them to hive been back rations
ea upthe whole of their iglowance before the
next morning. In consequence, of this impm-
* j^l^ eating i^oderatei, ftfter such ^x*
■*> 'i..
*
iA
.;««*'
TMB MMUyUn Cii»A£i|f
OrtiBja; stariratiQB irom the wtnt of provid))|
about ^fori^ <)fiW/in|ii became faint and IneL
during the first (^|'/i march. Oh the secohd idft|,
however the i^iSei'^rs were mei by a |r(eat numbii
. eftl^eir friends frotn the settlemeDts to which ibev
belonged, by whom they were a^pTy supplied mlh
1 ft'^j.^VerBon,' who ^ succeeded Cpl^ Cibson^^
the, command of ,lort l^uretis, continued its gos.
ecssioQ until tto sext fau, wbeii the garrisoB, an«i
lieiog, Uke tbeir predecessors redtiicd almost te
, atarvatioii,* evacufited^the place.
I Thus jeoded , tbe^disasterous bOsidess of fort
^ lAurcDS, in which muclfl fatigue and suffering
'were endured and manv lives lost; bat,with%
. any beneficial resiUr to fpi oountVy,
The Moravian
CHAPTER XXX.
j,lt'i»-
M
1H
This «?er meinmo»^bte«ampfttgpi took place lb
the month of l^f^^Mt^* '^^^ weather, during
the greiater ^MpTtlra mon^t February Vad been
ua<kunmotii| inCefsdJhtt tibe war ;|»art«e# ^em
ft *.
■:"*
^x
H^*;* % ■-,'«
raft M«lUlVIAir CAUPAIGN.
2i9r
BAodusky Visited the Bettlementff, and committed
depredatioDB earlier than usual. The family o£
a mlliam Wallace, conpisting of his wife and five
or six ehildreo, were killed, and John Carpen«
ter taken prisoner. These events took place iot
the latter partt>f February. The early period at
which those fatal visitations of the Indians, took
place, ted to the conclusion that the murderers-
were either Moravians; or that the warriors had'
had their winter quarters at their towns, ott
the Muskingum, in either case/ the Moravians^
being in fault,^the safety of the'frontier settlements:
required the tLestruction. o£ their eBtabIishment»
at that place. ^
Accordingly, between eighty and ninety mea
were hastily collected together for the fatel en*
terprize. They rendezvoused and encamped t^
first night on the Mingo bottom, on the thctjMHp'
side of the Ohio river. Each man furnisheciii|||^«
self with his own arms,, ammunition and provi*
sion. Many of them bad horses. Tha second
day's march brought them within one mile of
the middle Moravian town^ where they encamp*
ed for the night. In the morning the men were
Avided into two e|ual parties, one o£ which. '
was to cross the rnner about a mile above the towo^, •
their videttes having reported that there were i^» ^
dians on both sides of the river. The other part
was divided into three divisions, one of whi
was to take a circuit in the woods, and reach tl^ft
yiver^ a little distance below the town, on the east
side. Another division was to fall into the middle
pi the (own, and the third «t its upper en^*
fe.
S .-•-,
m
rat MoiATiAM cAiiPAi<»r
WbQittbiB party designed to nake the attack
on the west side, bad reached the river, they foiinl
no craft to take them over; but something like
t canoe was seen on the opposite bank. The
river was high with some floating ice. A young
man of the name of SlOoghter swam the river and
brought over, notacanoe^ but a trough design,
ed lot liolding sugar water. This trough couI4
carry but two men at a time, In order to expedite
their passage, f^ number of men stripped off their
clothes, pat them into the trough, together with
ihtir guna, and swam by its sides, holding its edges
with their hands. When about sixteen had croi-
aed the river, their two centinels, who had beea
posted in advance, discdvered an Indian wboee
name was Shabosh. One of them broke one of
ia^arms, by a shot. A shot from the other cea-
^killed him. These heroes then scalped and
Sihawked him.
By this time, about sixteen men had got over
the river, and supposing that the firing of the
guns which killed Shabosh, would lead to an in-
jtant discovery, they sent word to the party de-
signed to attack the town on the east side of the ri*
rer, to move on instantly; which they did.
In the m^an time, the small party which bad
'erpssed the river, marched with all speed, to the
ain town on the west side of the river. Here they
und 8 large company of indians gathering the
GQm, which they had left in their fields the pre*
ceeding fall, when they removed to Sandusky.—'
On ^e arrival of the men at the town, they pro-
fessed peace and good will to the Moravians, and
informed them that tbej had come to take tbem
to fot'i Pitt, for their safetjr. .^ The Indians sur-
;,^gll§0df daUf^d hd«.|Mp *«na and appeared
THE M O&iTrAN CAMP AKGIf '
%Sfi
bigbly delighted with tbe prospect of thetr re»
mava), aod began, with all speed to prepare vie*
tualsfortbe white men^ and for themselre^ on.
their journey.
A party of white men and Indians waa imme*
diately despatched to Salem, a short distance from
Gnadenhutten, where the indians were gathering:,
in tbeir corn, to bring tnem into Qnadenhutteo.
Tbe party soon arrived with the whole number of
tbe indians from Salem.
lo the mean time the Indians at Ghiadenhutten
were confiaed in two houses some distance apart,
and placed under guards, and when those from
ISalem arrived they were divided, and placed in
the same houses, with their brethren of Qnaden-
butten.
Tbe prisoners being thus secured, a cou
war was held to decide on their fate. Th
cers, unwilling to take on themselves the 'Wile
responsibility of the awful decision, agreed to re-
ler the question to the whole number of the men..
The men were accordingly drawn up in a line.— •
The commandant of the party, Col. David Will*
tamson then put the cj^uestion to them in forai>
'^Whether the Moravian Indiana should. be takeft^
prisoners to Fittsburgh, or put to death, and re*
quested that all those who were in favour of sav*
iog their lives should step out of the line, and f<
a second rank.r On this sixteen, some say ei^
teen, stepped out of the rank, and formed them*
•elves into a second line;^ but alas! This line of
nercy was far too- short, for that of vengeance.
The fate of the Moraviaiis was then decided ony
and they were told to prepl^e for death.
The pri8onee8,.from l\x% tim%they were placed
iH the guaird bo«i0| iiireiBpirrl^
i^i
m
'1^
h-"s*y
"W
rx,-*- ■
■ w;, ,.v.
m
THE HURAIAV CAIIPAIO!r,v
^v
tbeir defolions of singing bymQS, praying, tnj'
•ihorting each other to place r Irm reliance in the
mercy of the Saviour of men. Wbeo tbeir fkte wm
aanOunced to them, these devoted people embrac*
ed, kissed, and bedewing each other faces and
bosoms with tbeir mutual tears^ asked pardon of
the brothers, and sisters for any offence tney might
have given them through life. Thus, at peace with
tbeir Sod, and each other, on being asked hv those
who were impatient for the slaughter, "^Whether
they were ready to die.** They answered '^That
Ibey bad commended tbeir souls to God, and wese:
resdy to die."^
The partieu?ars of this dreadfuF catastropfiejare
too horrid to relate.. Suffice it to say, that in a feir
minutes these two slaughter-houses, as they were
i^^n calied, exhibited in tbeir ghastly interior,.
Ilnfamangled^ bleeding remains, of these poor ud*
iafcunate people^ of alV ages and seies, from the
aged grey beaded parents, down to the helpless
tnfnnt ttC it9 mother^s breast, dishonoured by the
fatal woundspf the tomahawk, mallet, wardub,,
spear and scaljptng knife.
Thas Of Brainard and Zeisbergerf Faithfttf
missionaries, who devoted your whole lives to
incenanttoil and sufferings, in your endeavours
t6 make the wilderness of Pagamsn» *^rejoice and
'^ossom astberose'^ in feitb and piety to God f
" us perished your faitbf«l followers, by the fflur-
derous bands of the more than savage white meD»
Faithful pastors! Tour spirits are again associat-
ed with those of ;f our. flocks, '^^ ^far e the wicked
cease from tronbling tnd the WiMmie at rest'*'
^ The number of the slain, as^Mted by the
onjMir return fr^m the %flmtgn wm eigb*
Ifl ei|^ Bine; but tfat Itoravian tceoui^
,aL ^i.v-'A»*'- ,■. «,
"f*'
m
f^.Co/fe^^^^^^^^ His wife wjBkri.
1^«^:i^tbt t#n, oniha easi side of Ae
P* a*ii^iM? at the, same time wi^.|ho| m nMr
I. iffiTatiamptiog to, ina^« bK*«!!f«^l!^; ^S*^
fflliLT(St»rde of th« river,; :%o oth^a
dSXrw. men, who w^w Mppw^d to •>«J«J«^.
f"9h.ei, jb be tomihwMf fi^J "italiS
9. to hmmjiido li»e»c«pe »»«>8.fW«y»
iftlt into »lSf8«rwhS%oold h||e Ae w»to^
T^ZW^^L^.^^^^^
^1k«I from ajc^abbatd auapef *4|fl«« ^. . -
±H^; l£rXJl vlftA Aimed at •toBting ione of tM
"«S«*- Tbut the i^KM the rop«,o«e(M«>»e^ *f »jr
tofoSk "Und.^^^i.4dH5e« ««ai^^^^
^W f'O'SiiiB^^fi^'^itl.rin, oat of w«ijm
,4r»rm. After a few i^ow tho
i^';
/'i
Ite iBf 5^
Hieii
nu
fHE MflRAVIAN CJIMPAION.
and pursued the Indian,wbo when overtaken struck
ibe horse 6n the head with a iDlub. 1 he rider
Sfirang from the horse, on which thelndifiD seized,
threw him down find drew bis tomahawk to kiii
him. At that instantf one of the party i^ot rear
enpugh to ehoot the Indian, which he did 'merely
in time to save the life of his companion.
Of the whole nunber of the, Indians at Goaden-
huterand Salem, only two made their escape.*.
These wer<B two la^s of f^jdrkcn or fifteen years cf
age. One, of them after being knocked down and
scalped; but not killed, had the presence of mind
to ;}te fitiU'enipng the dead, until the dusk of the e*-
v^irii^g, Wh^n he silently crept out of the door aad
nade his escape. T^e\pther lad slipped through
a trap door into the cellar of one of the slaughter-
bouses, from whieb he made \a& escape thfough
, i» 1^1 cellar w in do w.
9P^^^^^^-^ wei:e;£oi'tunate in getting t<>getber
ii^l^e wdoilk the samf^ night. Another lad^ some-
what la^^er,*in attempting (o pass thro' the same
window^ it is supposed stuck fast and was burnt
'alive. ■..; ■ ^ V^'V''
The In^ian^f the upper towDy were appriz-
ed of thelir danger la due tliDe;to malce their es-^
e^p|^^ two of them .having found the mangled <^
body o^ ShaMlb. Frovidentklly they all made
their eseape, although they mmlf ' have been easi-i
^iyowrlidt(^ttbJ^;thfrparty^ifithejrhad undertaken
^ibi^iir pursuit: A division of the men were order-
ed to ^o to Sbonb|Un;;but finding t|0 place desert*
edf Jlhey took what pltihder ^t^cy^P|^^find, and
returpcd to^^ their com paniouK ^jMMfc^ ^Pgfaf''
ther miliar the Indians. ,, ^^^.«««»«=— . ^._ .
^ev ther^ork'bf dtaKi
v ? gbinderip^ed^^all thel>t "
m'
and the
thatowawere
%
•.•."'■*■
setott
^t.
i^heB>
edthe
Sucl
fair.
pje,di8
annatt
Bei
which
sidaratj
0«rin
farnlsh
vians^
tli^Q) tv
In a
pain w
maxina
rioa, tt
DUKliti
^yci
iiifficiei
^te nu
mencec
cairyol
lisifttine
truth 1
oQght t
after il
eding
lideof
■ ' ■■ ^& L^
Tfi£ I^ORAVtAN tABIPAIGir.
S53
sftl on fire «nd tbe slaughter houses among the
^t. The dead bodies were thus consumed to
ilHiBA' A rapid retreat to the settlemeots finish- .
Qdihe campaign.
3uch were the principal events of rhis horrid af«
fair. A massacre of innocent, unofTendiog peo*
pie, dishonorable not only to our country, but num
tn nature itself.
Before making any remarks, on the causes
which led to these diegraceful ef%nts, under con*
sideratioh. It may be proper to notice the man^*
0er in which the enterprize was conducted, as.
fttrnlsfatog evidence that the murder of the Mora*
Tians Was intended, and that no resistance t>om
tlj^in was anticipated.
In a millitary point of view, the Moravian caai«
pain was conducted in the very worst manner im«
miginable. It was undertaken at so flatly a pe-*
nod, that a deep fall of snow, a thing very cqa^
miNi in the early part of March, in former tiaal^
would have de/eeted the enterprise. WheQ the
ICDny came to the! river, Instead of oltDstructing a
liifficient number of tafts, to transport the requi-
site number over the river at oncl| they coin«
menced orofBsing in a sugar trough, which cotild
Citry Oiilv two men ata time, thus jedpifrdizing (be
j|tfety -6f those who first went over. The two
ieifttineli who ahot Jbubosb^ according to military
%w>#tiglft to hftve be^h executed on the flpbt|fot
hit^g^red without orderi^ thereby gNring premit^
im ttdtice of tbe epproaeh o( 6w men. ; Th6
truth id, neitrly the whole ibfumber of the $tfaf
odght tO'hlivkfa||» transported t>ver the river, fb^
aAerHl iheStf^Ki ei^loyed, ahd precautbn uv^
ed in Mitinj; |nb«ffibii^o%^bel^^ the eiiilf
licleof the rirS^i|j|# vin^re but one nftn f^i)^ ofi«
M
4*.
•i^'
m
t&E MORAtVAN CAUFAlCltt.
tqu&w fouod in it, all the others being on the olhu
side.. This circumstance they ought to have
known before band, and acted accordingly. The
Indiana on the west side of the river amounted to
about eigty, and among them above thirty.men, be-
sides a number of young lads, all possessed of guns
and well accustomed to the use of them; yet this
large number was attacked by about siiteen men.
If, they bad really annticipated resistance, they
deserved to lose tbeir lives for their rashness. It is
presumeable, however, that having full confi-
dence in the pacific principles of the Moraviang,
they did not expect resistance; but calculated on
Mood and plunder without having a shot fired at
them. If this was really the case, the author
leaves it to justice to find, if it can^ a name for the
transaction.
^', One can hardly help reflecting with regret, that
ihMe Moravians, did not for the moment^laya* ,
sMI their pacific principles and do themselves jus-
tile. With a mere show of defence; or at most a
few shots, they might have captured, and dis-
armed these few men , and held them as hostages
for the safetyil^ their people and property, until
thejf could hc^ve removed them out of their way.
Th^M they mijfht have done on the easiest terms,
as the remaiirder of the army could not have cross- ^
ed the river, without their permission^ as there |
was but one canoe at the place, and the rivee too ^
•high to ,be forded. But alas t These truly cfaf is-
tian people f^uffered themselves to be betrayed by
liypjOcritica) professions of friendship, until '^They
fr<ire led as sheep to the slaughter*" Over this
horrid deed, humanity muH shtiiitears of com*
miseratioO| as long^as (^a ^reei^ri el it ^%\l re^
naiih . '':■:':
»4
«Sf
s:
Let not the reader 8upp09<^, that I have* present-
•d him with a mere immaginary possibility of de«
fence, on the pat't of the Moravians. This de-
fence would have been an easy task. Our peo-
p\e did not go oil that campaign with a view of
fighting. There may have boen some brave men
among them; but they were far from being all
such. For my part, I cannot suppoise for a mo-
ment^ that any white man who can harbor i
thoaght of using his arrtis fur the killing. of wo-
en and children, in any case, dan be A brave man«<
o! He is a murderer.
The history of the Moravian settlements, on thi^
Muskingunl, and the peculiar circumstances of
their inhabitants during the revolutionary ccm-
test between Great Britain and America deserfd
a place here.
In the year \Tl2y the Mora vi^d^n villages W4ire com
fenced by emigration^ from B^riedensbtitten on^
6ig leaver and from Wyalusing and Sheisheqflm
on the Susquehanna. In a short time thdy roseid
considerable extent and prosperity, bontaining up-
tva(:ds of four hundred people. Duriqg tbeeunindiei^
iDf Dunniore's war, they were much alnoyed by wai^
parties of the indians, and disturbed by perpetual
i'Umours of the ill intentions of the white people
of the frontier settlements towards them; yet
their labors, schools and rbligio\is exiercise wen(
im without interruption.
in the revolutionary wari which began in 1775^
the situation of the Moravian settlements was tm-
Iv deplorable. The English had associated wttb
their own means of warfare against the American^
the ^^Scalping'kntfo and tomahawk*' of the mer-
i^less ladianl^v ltict« alMes of Bngland isofiimit*
-«h4 .^
f50
im MOBATIAN CAMPAIGN*
<ed the moBt horrid depredations along the vvhole
eiteni of our defenceleBs fronlier. From early in
the apring, until late in the fall, the early setUeri
of the western parte of Virginia and PennBylvania,
iad to aubonit to the Qeverest hardships and priva-
tions. Cooped up in little stockacle forts, they
wrorked their little fields in parties under armf,
Suarded bycentinels and werf doomed from day to
ay to witnef s, or hear reports of the murders or
captivity of their people, the burning of their houi«
es and the plunder of their property.
The war with the English fleets and armies, on
the other side of the mountains, was of such i
character as ^o engage the whole attention and rs*
sources of our government, so that, poor as the fint
•eittlers of this couutry were, they had to bear alinoit
the whole burden of the war during the revoiu*
tlonary contest. They choose their own officers,
furoished their own means and conducted the war
illpeir own way. Thus circumstanced, *^They be-
clme a law unto thrm6«lves" and, on certain oc«
casions, perpetrated acts which government were
compelled to disapprove. This lawless temper of
«ur people ¥^ never fully dissipated until: the
conclusion of the whiskey rebellion in 1704. ^
The Moravian villages, were situated between
the settlements of the whites and the towns of the
warriors, about sixty miles from the foimer, and
not much farther from the latter. On this ac«
qonnt they were denominated ^*The half way
bouses of the warriors." Thus placed between
two rival powers, engsged in furious warfare, the
preservation of their neutralitjy was no easy task,
Serhspe impossible. If it re(|uires the same phys-
:al force to preaerve a neutral station, among
bfligerent aationsi that it di«» ((i^osecttte a war,
^
%..#
THE MORAVIAN CA5IPAIG!V.
€59
IS 18 unquestionably the case, this pacific peo«
51e had no chance for the preservation oi theirs.—^
'be very goodness of their hearts, their aversion i9
the sheading of human blood, Irought them |q«
to difliculties with both parties^ When they sent
their runners to fort Pitty to inform us of the ap-
proach of the war parties, or received^ fed, secret
ted and sent home prisoners, who had made their
fscspe from the savages,, they made breaches of
(heir neutrality, as to the belligerent Indiais.— <
Their furnishing the warriors with a resting placew
and provisions wna contrary to their neutral
engagements to us;> but their focri ekuation ren^
dsfed those acoomodationt to (ht warriors una-
voidable on their part^ as the warriors possessed
both the will and the means to compel them ta
|i?e thenv whatever they wanted from (hem.
Tiie peaceable Indiane, first fell under aus^i-
cion with the Indian warriors, and the Engli^
commandant at Detroit, to whom it was reported
(hat their teachers were in close confederacy with
the American Congress, for preventing, not only
their own people, but also the Delawares and some
Other nations from associating tlieir arms mth
those of the British, for carryieg on the war a-
gainst the American colonies.
The frequent failures of the war expeditions of
(he Indians was attributed to the Moravians, wh^
often sent runners to fort Pitt to give notice
of their approach. This charge against them
was certainly not without foundation. In the
spring of the year 1731 the war chief of the Del-
awares fully apprized the Missionaries and their-
fdllowers of their danger both from the whiter
and Indians, and reauested them to remove to i^
It]||kce of safety fitQQimpth. This request wasnoi^
:*
'ii-^r
R^
«M
*Vi^ MOBAITAN CAMPAIGN.
Bonplied ivith. The ahnost prophetic prediction
•f Ibis chief were literally nilnleil.
In the fall of the >esi; Hdl, the eetth meDti'
of the Movtviane were brcken up by upwardi
cf three hundred waniora, the mifsioti^ries ta<
ken prisoficr^) after being rtbbrd cf almost
•▼ery things Tbe.kdiQoa uere left to f>bift for
themselvea is the barrf plains of Sandusky,
where mott of their horsc!^ and cattle perished
from faming, during the w'^tUa. The mlsaicDa.
lies were taken' prisoners to Detroit; but after an
eiamiuatlon by the governor, peroiiaed to i«tu]^
to their beloved people again..
In the letter p^rt of February, a party of &bo\i(i
eoe hundred and fifty dfthe Moravian Indians^
leturoed to their dererted villages on the Mua?
kingum, to procure corn.tD keep their familie*
%t)A cattle from starving. These, to the aniount.
ot niSety-siXy fel), iotp the hands of Williamsoa
and' his party and were murdered.
The causes which If d (o the murder of the
Mc^iivians are now to be detailed.
The pressure of the Indian war ^long the whole
ef the western frontier, for several years preceed-
xng the event under consideration, bed bee&
dreadfully severe. From early in the spring, un«
til the commencement of winter, from day to day
nturders were committed in everj^ dirrction, by
the Indians. The people lived in forts which
were in the highest degree uncomfortable. The
tfien were harrassed continually with the duties of
going on scouts and campaigns. There was
scarcely a family of the first eettlerp, who did not
at some time or other,, loose more orJcss of their
number by the merciless Ipdians. Their cattle
IB^ere killed^ their ciabins btune4 nn4 their horsei.^
THB M0RAVIA2Y CAMPAI«K*
«fttl
otrried oft These losses were severely felt by a
people so poor as we were, at that time. Thus
circumstaoced our people were extsperated to*
madness, by the extent end seTerity of the war.
The uoavaiiingf endeavours of the American con-
gress to prevent the Indians from taking up the hatch <
et against cither side in the revolutionary contest,
contributed much to increase the general indigna-
tion against them, at the same time those pacific
er.deavours of our government, divided the Indiana
amongst themselves, on the question of war or
peace with the whites^ The Moravians, part of '
the D^lawires, and some others, faithfully endea-
voured to preserve peace; but in vain^ The In^*
dian maxim was *^He that is not for us, is against
UB." Hence the Moravian missionaries and their
f6Uovvers,.were several times on the point of be-
*'tng murdered by the warriors* This would have-
been d^ne,. had it not been for the prudent con-
dact of some of the war chiefs..
On the other hand, the local situation of the-
Moravian villages excited: the jealousy of Ihe^
white people. If they took no direct agency in the
war^ yet they were, as they^ were then called "Half *
way houses" Between us and the warriors, at which
the latter could stop, .rest, refresh themselves and!
trafiiQ off their plunder. . Whether these aids, thus
given to our enemies, were contrary to the laws of^'
neutrality between beligerents, is a questioQM
which I willingly leave to the decision of^ivifians. .
On the part of the Moravians they were unavoid-
able. It they did not give or sell provisions- to^)
the warriors, they would take th^m by foi cp. Tbe^-
fault wasin their situation, not in tbamsalvea^.
W2L
M
THE BIORATIAK CAMPAfflH.
The longer tbc war continued, tbe more ^
people complained of the situation of these Mor«i
•▼ian Tillagee. It was said, that it was owing ii^
their being so near us, that tbe warriors com-
menced (heir depredations so early in the spring,
and crntinued them until so late in the fall.
In the latter end of the year 1781, the militia of
tbe frontier came to a determination to break up the
Moravian villages on the Muskingum. For thig
f)urpose a detachment of our men went out under
the cominand ' of Co! David Williamson,* for the
purpose of i!} Slicing the Indians with their teach-
ers to mote farther dfT, or bring them prisoners
to fort Pitt. When they arrived at the villages
they found but few Indians, the greater number
of them havirtg removed to Sandusky. These few
were well treuted, taken to fort Pitt and deliver-
ed to the commandant of that station, who after
a short detention, seut them home again.
Thio proceedure gave great offence to the peo-
ple of the country, who thought that the Indians
ought to hare been killed. Col. Williamson who
before this little campaign, bad been a very pop*
Qlar man, on account of bis activity and bravery
in war, now became the subject of severe ani-
juadversions on account of bis lenity to the Mor-
avian Indians. In justice to the memory of Col.
"Williamson, I have to say, that although at that
time very young, I was persuially acquainted vnth
*Tlie Bev, John Ileckewdder^ the historian cftke
J^oravicms, states that this campaign iu the Jail of 1181
was commanded by Capt, Biggs, This was not the tase^
it was commanded by Cut. David WUliamscnf the
same who commanded the fatal campaign the succeed*
.:;#■
W
¥
THE MORAVIAN CAMPAIGIT;
•6S
biiD, aDd from my recollection of his coDTersa-
sion, I say with confideoce that be was a brave
roan, but not cruel. He would meet an enemy in
battle, and fight like a soldier; but not murder a
prisoner. Had he possessd the authority of a su*
perior ofRcer in a regular army. I do not believe
that a single Moravian Indian would have lost
his life; but he possessed no such authority. Ha
was only a militia officer, who could advise; but
not command. His only fault was that of too easy a
compliance with popuhr optnion and popular pre-
judice. On this account his memory baa beeii
loaded with unmeritted reproach.
Several reports, unfavourable to the Moravians^
bad been in circulation for some time before tbo
Campaign against them. One was that the night
kfter they were liberated at fort Pitt, they cross-
led the river and killed or made prisoners of a fa-
toiiy of the name of Monteur. A family on Buffa«»
)oe Creek had been mostly killed in the snmmer
br fall of 1781, and it was said by one of them
Who, after being made prisoner, made his escape^
that the leader of the party of Indians who did the
bischief, was a Moravian: These, with other re-
})6rt8, of similar import served as a pretext for their
destruction, although do doubt they were utterly
Use.
Should it be asked what sort of people compos-
ed the band of murderers of these unfortunate peo^
))1e? I answer. Tbey were not miscreants or
vagabond?, many of them were men of the first
standing in the country. Many of them were men
liirho had recently lost relations by the band of
the savages, several of the latter class found arti-
cles which had been plundered from their owD
houses, or those of their relations, in the houges
■ ■-S^V-
m
2&-f;
THE MORAVIAN CAMPATftlT.
Il>"
of the Moravians. One man it is f aid frucd \ht
eiolbes of his wife and children, ?7ho had been
murdered hy the Indians but a few days before.
They were still bloody; yet there was.no unequi-
vocal evidence, that ihepe people had any direct
agency io the war. Whatever of our property
was found with thenn, had been left by the vv&rri-
ors in exchange for the provisions whicli they took.
from thera. When:, attacked by our p;eopIe; al-
though they might have defended theroselves, they
did not. They nevfr fered a single shot; They
were prisoners) and had been promised protection.
Every dictate of justice and humanity required
ibat their lives shculd be npared. The complaint
of thfir villages being- *'H'a^f way houses for the:
warriors" was at an end, as they 1 ad been remov-
ed to Sandusky the fall bt-fore. It was therefore-
an attrccious ar>d urqualified murder^ But by
whcro committed? By a majority of the campaign?./
For the honor of my country, I hope Lmay safely
answer this question in the negative* It was one
ftf those convultions of the rooralsiate of society, in
which the voice of the juptice and humanity of a
xnajority is silenced by the clamour and violence
of a lawless minority. Very few of our men im-
hrued their: ban^ds in the blood of the Moravians.
Even; *ho8e. wiio had not voted for fiavirg their
lives, . retired from the scene of slaughter with
horror and disgust. Why then did they not giv^
their votes in their favour ?. The fear of public in-
dignation restrained them from doing so. They
thought well;, but had not heroism enough to ex-
press their opinion Those who did so, deserve
nonourahle rriention for their intrepidity So far
S8 it may hereafter be in my power^ this honour
•1*
?HEi IITDIAN SUimERw
S6&
f^iiallbe done tbem« While the names of the mur-
derers shall not &tain the pages of history^ from.
vsy pen at least.
t^mwierw
CHAPTER XXXI.
A9 coNNEeTED With the hiBtory of (he indiaoi
wars of the western country; it may not be a^^
miss to give an explanation of the term *^Indiai|^
Summer."
This eipresBion, like many others, has contin*
lied in general use; notwithsfanding its origina^
import has been forgotten. A backwoodsman,,
seldom heare this expression, without feeling a
^hill of horror, because it brings to hia mind
the painful reooUection of its original applica<^
lion. Such is the force of tbe faculty ot asBO-^
elation inhuman nature.
The reader must here be reminded, that, du*.
ring the long continued Indian warp^^ sustained
by the first settlers of the western country^ they
enjoyed no peace excepting, in the winter season,^^
when, owing to the severity of- the weather, th«
Indians were unable to make ^heir excursions in-
to the settlements. The onset of winter was.
theFiefore hailed as a jubi}ee,^by the early inhab-
::-^fl^
'#■
266
THE INDIAN SUMMER.
itanis of the country, who throughout the fpiine,
and the early part of the fall, had been cooped
upio their little uncomfortable forts, and subject-
ed to all distresses of the Indian war.
At the approach of winur, therefore all tie
farmfps excepting the owner of the fort,
removed to their cabins on their farms^ with the
joyful feelings of a tenant cf a prison, on recover-
ing his release from confinement. All was bus-
tle, and hilarity,, in preparifjg for wintei^by gath-
ering in the corn, digging potatoes, fattening hog?,
»«td repairing the cabins. To our for^fathere, the
gloomy months of winter were more plea^t^nt than
the zephyrs of spring, and the flowers of May.
It however, somfitimes happened, that after the^^p^
parent ons-^t of winter, the weather became waritif
the smokey time commencFd,ard lasted for aconsid
erable numbt;r of days. This was the indian sum-
mer, because it aHbrded tl^e if)dian« another ep"
portuniry of visitingthe settlements with their des-
tructive warfare. The mehing of the snow sad-
dened every countenance, and the general warmth
©f the sun chilled every heart with horror. The
apprehension of itnether visit trom the Indians^
and of being drivenback to the detested fort, was'
painful in the highest degree and the distressing
apprehension- was frequently realized.
Toward the- ktter part of February, we com-
monly h'ad ft fine spell of open warm? weather,
during which the snow melted away. This was
denominated the '^Pawwawing days*'^ From the
supposition that the Indians were then holding-
their war councils, for planing off their spring cam-
paigns into the pettlements. Sad experience
taught us that m this conjecture^ we were not of^;
\9n mistaken.
m'
9«B INDIAN SUMUCB.
26T
Sometimes it happened that the Indians fentur-
cd to make their excur&ioos too ]ate in the fall, or
too eariy in the spcifig for their own conveni'*
ence.
A man of the name of John Carpenter was taken
early in the month of March, in ihe neighbourhood
of this place. There had been several warm
davs, but the night precteding his capture, there
ivas a* heavy fall of snow. His two horses which
they took with him, nearly perished in swimming
the Ohio. ^ The Indians as well as himself suffered
severely with the cold before the reached the Mo«
ravian towns on the Muskingum. In the morning
ailer the first day^'s journey beyond the Moravian
towns, the Indians, sent out Carpenter to bring in
the horses which had been turned out in the even*
iDg, after being hobbled. The horses had made
a circuit and fallen into the (rail by which tliey
came the preceeding day, and were making their
way homewards. >
When be overtook the horses and had taken olT
their fetters, as he said, he had to make a moi<t aw
ful decision. He had a chance and barely a
ehance, to make his escape, with a certianty of
death should he attempt it without success; on the
other band the Yiorrible prospect of being tortured
to death by fire pres^ted itself, ad he was the first
prisoner taken that spring, of course, the general
custom of the Indians of burning the first prison*
er every springy doomed him to the flames.
After spendii|g a few minutes in making bis de»
cision he resolved on attempting an escape, and'
effected it by way of Forts Laurens, Mcintosh, and
Pittsburgh, If I recollect rightly, ho brought both
his horses home with him*
,K
m
«$d
XiiLJ^FOJCD^B CAkPAIOiV
This happened in th^ year 1782. The cspfu^
"of Mr. Oarpeoter, and the murder of two families
about the saine time, that is to say, in the two or
three first days of March, contributed materially
to the Moravian Campaign) end the murder of
that unfortunate people.
Cpawford^e Campaigit^
iCHAPTEE XXklli
Tiitf, in ohe point of Vievir at lieastj id to be boit-
idered as a second Moravian Campaign^ as onb,
bfita objects wa^ that of finishing the work oi
Inurd^r and plunder, tvith the Christian Indians at
their new eatablii^hment on the Siandtilky; The
pext object was that of destroying tht^ Wyandot
lowna on the same tiver; It was the re»ol ution of
all those coqcernod in this eii^itbn, notto spare
the life oK any. Indiana that t&ight JTall ihto their
bands, whether friends or fo^d. It will be seen
in the seqiiel that the result of this caovpaign was
Widely diffident frbni that of the Moravian cam^
pi^aigo the precelidi >g March. *
It should seem, that the long continuance of
the Indian Wa^, had debased a oonsiderabje por*..
tionof9ur populatioh to the savage stat^ of ourna<*
lure. Haring lost so many relati ve£ by the Indians
,*
€!illWF«R]l*fl CAHItiI«!V.
m
U witnessed their horrid murderff, and other depre«
datioDS on so extensive a scale, they became sub*
iects of that indiscrifhinatiog thirst for revenge^
which is such a prominent feature in the savage
character, and having had a taste of blood and
plunder, without risk, or loss on their part, they
resolved to go on^ and kill every Indian they could
gnd, whether friend or foe^
Preparations for this campaign commenced soon
'after the return of the Moravian campaign in the
month of March, and as it was intended to make
what was called at that time ^<A dash/' That 10
AD enterprise cnnducted with secrecy and des*
patch, the men were all mounted on the best hors-
es they could procure. They furnished them«
selves with all their outfits, except some ammuni*
tioD, which was furnished by the Lieutenant Col*
onel of Washington country.
Oa the 25th of May i?83, 489 men mustered
at the old Mingo towns, on the western side of the
Ohio river. They were all volunteers from tha
immediate neighbourhood of the Ohio, with thd
ei^ception of one company from Ten Milo ia
Washiog^on county. Here an election Was held
for the o£lce of commander in chief for the ex-
pedition. The candidates were Col. Williamson
and Col. Crawford. The latter was the success^
full candidate. When notified of bis appoint-
ment, it is said that he accepted it with i^parent
reluctance.
The army marched along "Williamson's trail"
as it was then called, until they arrived at the up-
per Moravian town, in the fields b^^lorjgi'ng to which ^
thiere was still plenty of corn on the stalks with
which their horses were plentifuily fed, during
theqight of their eocampment there«
:%'
i^
";:?rt':^
i^
**^-u
%
«w
«llAWFeR]>^8 CAMPAION*
Shortly after the army halted at this pla^e,
ftwo Indians were discovered by three nten, who
had walked somie distance cut of the c&nip.-~.
Three shots were fired at one of them, but with-
out hurtirg him. As soon as the bew a of xht dis-
covery of Indians had reached tlie camp, more
tthan one half of the men rushed out, without ccm-
mand, and in the most tLmuttuous manner, to see
what happened. From that time, €oI. Crawford
felt a presentiment of the defeat wh>ch iiulluHcd^
The truth is, that noiwithstandiLg the secrecy
and despatch of the enterprise, the Izidians were
beforehand with our people. They saw the ren-
dezvous on the miiigo bottom, knew their num-
ber and deetination. They yisted every encamp-
meni immediately on their leaving it, and saw from
thf/ir writing on the trees and scraps of paper that,
**No quarter was to be given to any Indian, wheih^
•r man, woman or child..'' n
Noihing material happened during their march
until the sixth of .June, when their guides con-
ducted them to the site of the Moravian villages,
on one of the upper branches of the Sanduslcy riv-
er; but here instead of meetiitg with Indians and
J>lunder,they met with nothing but vestiges of deso-
ation. The place was covered with high grassland
the remains of a few huts alone, announced that
the place*' had been the residence of the people
whom ihey intended to de8trry;butwbohad mov*
•drrffto Scioio Bome time before.
In this dilfoima, what was to be done? ThjB
ofiicers beid a council, in which it was determin-
ed to march one day longer in the direction of
upper Sandusky, and if they should not reach the
town in the coursie of the day» lo make aretr^t
l^itb all 0pee^ .
TJJ<
ChAWFOR^S CAMPAIO^.
t1%
l^he march was commenced the next morning;,
through the plains of Sandusky ar»d continued
until about two o'clock, when the advance guard
was attacked and driven in by the Indians, who
were discovered in large nunibers, in the high
grass, wifh which the place was covered. The
Indian army was at that moment about entering
a piece of woods, almost entirely surrounded by
plains; but in this they were disappointed by a
rapid movement c''oar men. The battle then
commenced by a heavy fire from both sides.—
J^rom a partial possession of the Woods which
they had /Qfained at the onset of the battle, the
Inlians were soon dislodged. They then attemp-
ted to gain a smnll skirt of wood on our right
flank, but were prevented from doing so by ihe
tigilence and^ravery of Maj. Leet, who com-
manded the- right wing of tho army at that ixmd.
The tiring was incessant and heavy until dark,
when it ceased. Both armies lay on their arma^
during the nigh*,- BVifh adopted the policy of
kiniling large fires along the line of battle, and
then retiring some distance in the rearofthi^ra,
fo prevent being surpized by a night attack. Du-
ring the conflict of the afternoon three of our
men were killed and several wounded.
In the rooming our army occupied the batcle
ground of the prr-ceediug day. The Indians made
no attack during the day, until late in the evening.
But ,were seen in large bodies traversing the plains
ID various directions. Some of them appeared to
be imployed in carrying off their dead and
wounded.
In the morning of this day a council of the of-
ccrs w^s held, in which a retreat wasj^Bolved on^
as the only means of saving iheir ari]|||L The la-
'%
i7t
MAWrCKD^S CAMPAUN,
diani &ppearin(|[ to increase in number every hour,
l)uring the Bitting of this council, Col. WillioiA.
ion proposed tekirg one hurdrcd ai:d fifty vciu*
teeis, and mercbing directly to upper SaLduske}'.
TLiR proposiuon the commander in chief prudent-
hf rejetied, paying, ^ 1 have no doubt but that you
would reach the town, but you would find notbirg
there but empty Wignams, and having token cffgo
many of our beist men, you would leave the reRUo
be destroyed ty the nest of Indians with v^licK
^ ve are now suirounded^and on your return they
would attack and destroy you. Tbry care noth*
ing about defending their towns. They are wortl^
notiting. Their squaws, children and property have
been removedfrom them long since. Our lives ani
baggage, are what they want^and if they can get
us divided they will soon have tlji^m. We must
stiiy together a!nd do the best we can/'
During this dny, preparations w^re made for »
retreat by burying, the dead, burning fires o«
Ter their graves to prevent discovery, and prepar-
ing means for caryingoff the wourded. The re-
treat was to eommence in the course of the
Bigbt. The Indiana, however, became apprized
of the intended retreat, and about su)>down attact-
ed the army with great force^and fury, in every di-
rection, excepting that of Sanauskey.
When the line of march was formed by the com-
inander in chref^ and the retreat commenced, our
guides prudently took the direction of Sandus-
key, which afforded the only opening in the Indian
lilies and the only chance of concealment. After
marching about a mile in this direction, the army
wheeled about to the left, and by a circuitous rout
gained the trail by which tbey came, before day.
T^ey Gontllped tbei| march the whole of the neil:
t
.#.
Itf, with • trfling annoyance from the Indian^
nbo fired a ftw dinrant shots at the rear guards
which slightly wounded two or three men. At
night they built fires, took their suppers, secured
(he horses and resigned thenmelyes to rfn'ose,
withput placing a single centinel or vid»)tte fir
safety. In this careless situation, they might have
been surprized and cut off ^)y the Indians, who,bow*
ever, gave them no disturbance during the niglit^.
nor afterwards during the whole of their rf'treat.
The number of those compopipg the main body
in the retreat waasupposeU lo be about three huii*
dred.
Most unfortunately, when atetreftt was resolr--
•d on, a difference of opinion prevailed concerning :
the best mode of effecting it. The greater num«
ber thought best to keep in a body avid retreat as
fast as possible, , while a cofisidereble nun ber'
thought it safest to break off in small parties, and
make their way b^rae in d ffereut directions, at
voiding the rout by which they came. Accor-
dingly many itttemptcd to do so, calculating that
the whole body of the Indians would follow the
main army. In this they were entirely mistaken.
The Indians paid but Utile attention to the main '
body of the army, but pursued the small partita
with such activity ytbat but very few of those who
composed them made their escape.
' The only successful party who were detached'
' from the main army, w^s that of about forty men
under the command of d Captain Williamson, who^^
'^preltv late in the night of the retreat broke through
' the Indian lines under a severe fire, and with som^
loss, and overtook the main artny oo this fflornio^
oCthe second day of the r^ treat.
*^. ,
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)
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Photographic
Sdences
Corporation
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23 WIST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80
(716) 872-4503
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'<^
'^
For ief eraM|ljs afler the retreaf of our •rinw,
the Indians were spread prer the whole coun-
try, from Sandiitbj to the Moskingom in pur*
auit of the straggling partiea, most of whcm uera
trilled on the spot. They even pursued them aN
most io the banks of the Ohio. ArUT^n ef.the
iianne of Mills was killed* two miles tathe east*
ward of the site of St. Clairsrille,. in the direc*
tioD of Wheeling from that place. The number
killed in this way, must have been reiy great, the
precise amount, however, was never fairly ascer-
tained>
At the commencement of the retreat, Col. Craw-
ford placed himself at the bead of the army, and
continued there until they had;gDnfr about a quar-
ter of a mile, when missing his son John Craw-
ford, his son- in-law Major Harrison, and his neph-
ews Major Rose and William Crawford, he halted^
and called for them astlie line passed, but with-
out finding them. After the army bad passed him,
he was unable to overtake it, owing to tie weari-
ness of his horse. Falling. in company with Doctor
Knight and two others, they travelled all the night,,
first north, and then to the east, to avoid the pursuit
of the Indians. They directed their courses du-
rinsT the night by the north star.
On the next day, they fell in with Captain Jbbn^
Biggs and Lieutenant A«hley, the latter of whom
Wa« severely woundedi There were two others^
in company with Biggs and Ashhy. They en*
damped together the sucoeeding. night. On the
next day, while on their march they w^ieattrcked
by a party of fhdian<^, who made Colonfl Craw-
|JK*d and Doctor Kiiight prisoners. Tl:e other
four made tfieir escape, but Captain fiiggs and
JLlaule^aaill^Ashley were killed the ueit day,.
C^onel Crawford and Docter HKIght, irere iin«
mediaUIy taken to ao loUiaq eii^an}pmeot,at »
flhort distance from the pluca w&ere they were^
oiptured. Utote they foundmoe fellow prisoDera-
and aeventeen Aidtansi On the next day tbey^^
irere marched to the old Wyandot town, and on
the next morning; were paraded, to set off, asi
they were told, to go to the new town^ But alas!^
A irery different destination- awaited these captives f^
Nine of the prisoners were marched off some dis-
tance before the Colonel and the Doctor, who-:
were conducted by Pipe and Wingemond (wo De«
vlaware chief?. Four cf the prisoners were to*
Siahawked.aad. scalped ion^ die way^ at different^
places-
Preparations had been made- for the execution^
of Colonel Crawford, by setting a post about 6f-
teen feet high in the ground, and making a large fire<
of biocory polfes about six yards from it. About*
half a mile trom the place of execution, the remain* -
tng fiire of the nine prisoners,, were tomahawk-
ed and scalped by a number of squaws an<li
boys;.
When arrived at the S'rei the CoIOnel was strip*-
ped and ordered to sit down.' He was then S8«
v«rely beaten with sticks and afterwards tied to the<
post, by a rope of such length as to allow him to*
walk two or three timss round i^s^nd then back a*-
gain.. This done^ they began the torture by di8<^
eharging a great number of loads of powder upon^
tlim, from bead to foot, aftl^r wbich they began to^
apply the burning endd of ihe hiecory poles, tho
•quaws in the mean time throwing coals and hot-
ashes on bis body, so that in a little time he hacii
nothing but coals to walk on. lit the midtrt of his ■
ttifferings, he begged 4>l the noted Simm Qirty U^>
t
t v..^
Uke pitty tmfttn ind shoot him. GiHy, ttuBtin^*
Ij answered '"^Ifou see I l^tve' no gun, I cannot
•boot," and laughed heartily «t the scene. After
tuffering about three hours he became faint and
fell down on his face, an Indian then scalped him,
and as old squaw threw a quantity of burning
coals on the idaca from which the scalp was ta*
ken. After this he rose and walked round the post
a[ little, but did not live' much longer. After he ex*
pired his body ytta thrown into the fire and con*
■umed to ashes. Colonel Grawferd's son and son-
tn-law wera executed at the Shawanees' town.
Dr. Knight, was dponned to be burned at a town
tbout forty miles 'dl#tiiot from Sandiisky, and com-
mitted to the care pfia young Indian to be taken
there. The first day they travelled about tvienty
five miles, and encamped for the night. In the
morning the gnats beinp; very troublesome, the
jDoctor requested the Indian to unti0 biro, that ba-
migbt help him to make a fire td keep them off.—
IVitb this request the Indian complied. While
the Indian was on his knees and elbows, blovring
the fire, the Dr. caught up a piece of a .tent pole
which had keen Imrned in two ^^ about eighteen
inches long, with which he struck the Indian on
his head with all his might, so as to knock Lim
forward into the fire. The stick bowerer broke,
so that the Indian, although severely hurt, was not
killed, but immediately sprang up, on this the Doc-
tor caught up the Indiaa^s gun to shoot him, but
drew back the cock with so much violence that
ka broke the main spring. The Indian ran off
with an bedious yelling. Doctor Knight then
made the best^ his-way home, which he reached
m twent^yHays, almost famished to death.—
Tkf sxuhHPoi no uae, after carrying it a da; or
#
•■a
t
CRAWrORD*8 ClMPAI&rr.
in
tvro he left it belkind. On bis journey be subsisted
OD roots, a few yonng birtfe and berries.
A Mr. Slo?er, who had been a prisoner among^
the Indians and wa» one of the pilots of the
army, was also taken prisoner, to one of Shaw-
anee towns on the Sciota. After being there »
fe/v day, and as be tlioughf, in favour of the ln«'
dians, a council of the chiefs was held in whicby.
it was resolved that Slover should be burned.—
The fires were kindled and he was blackened and
tied to a stake, in an wicovered end of the coi(n-
eil house. Just as they were about commencing:
the torture, there came on suddenly, a heavy
tbun(!fer gust with a great fall of rain w bich Vinjf.^
out the fires. After the rain waa over the Indiai
eotcluded that it was then too late to commeticl
and finish the torture that day, and therefore
{)ostponded it till the next day. Slover was lueii
oosed from, the »tak«, conducted to an ^emp*
ty bouse, to a log of which he was fastened with
abuffaloe tug fastened round his neck, bis nrms
were pinioned behind h'm with a cord. Until
late io the night the Indians sat up smoking andi
talkiogr. They frequently asked Slover bow be
would like to eat fire the next day. At length oor
ef them laid down and went to aleep,. the oth-
er continued smoking and talking witn Slover.-—
Bometime after midnight, be also laid down end-
went to sleep. Slover then resolved to make an ef^
fort to ffet loose if possible, and sQ|^extricated one^
of his bands from the cord and ^M|[£|{1 to work
wml the tug round bis n€9k; bwMHjj^ effect.
Be had not been long engaged' ilr^n|< e flfortp,,
before one of the ludians got up and smoled bia'
pipe awhile. During this time Slover kept very
alitt fioc ku o£ an examination* The Indian laf
-■*
#
f78
•RAWFORD^fl OABtPAKil?.
img down, the pritionf r renewed his t flbrffi, lut for
some time without effect. He rrrigned himself
to bit fuie. After resting for aWlilc, he rescW.
cd to make Dnotlxfr nnd a liiBt tfl'ort, and as he
related, put h'ln hand to (he tug^ and wiihoot
difficulty slipped 14 o^er his hi ad. The day wai
jvst then hreaking.- He sprang over a fence in.
to a cornfield, but Itad proceeded but a little dis-
tance in the fif Id, before he caoie a cross a squaw
and several fbildrt'n, lying aster p ut;der a mul-
Berry tree. He then changed his course for pert
of the connmons of the town, on which be saw
^ tome horset feeding;. Passing over the fence
1^ ^ ^*^"* ^^^ ^^^^i '^* fcucd a piece of an old quill.
'^lilQ'bis he took with him. It was the only covering lie
had. He tltcn untied the cord frcni the othet
arm, which by this imie was very much swelled.
Having selected, as he thought, the best borse
on the commons, he tied the ccrd to his lower
jaw, mounted him and rede cffatfbll spetd.-^
The horse gave out about ten o'clock, to that
he had to leave him.' He then travelled on foot
ivith a stick in one hand, with which be put up the
weeds behind him, for fear rf being tracked by the
Indians^ lo the other he carried a bunch of bush--
ft to brush the gnats and moschettoes from his
naked body. Being perfectly acquainted with the
rout be reached the.r4ver Ohio in a short time,
almost famished with |unger and exhausted with
fiitigue*' '9^r "'i ' '
Tnut Mi|l^thitdisa#Qut campaign, l^u
the last |||iP|nich took place in tbi»section orthe
country, during the Revolutionary contest of the
Amencant^ witti, the Qiuther country. It was un*
dertaken with the very worst of views, those of
Border and plunder. It was conducted witk<ml>
•KAWrORD*f CAMPAICIC.
21$
4K0icieDt noetns to encouoter, frith any pronpecl
of success, ihe large ibrce of inrlians opposed to
oors io tite plains of Siudusky. It was conducled
without that eubunlinatiou and dibcipiini;, so re«
quisite to injure succress in any hazardoui} enter^
prize, and i: ended in a total dificomfiiurei. Never
did ao enterprize more coinptetlyfuil uf attaining its
object. Never, on any occasion, bad the ferocioua
lavages more ample revenge (or the murder of their
pscific friends, than tb^t which thej obtained oo
this occasion.
Should it be asked what considerations led so
great a nupiber of people into this desperate en^
terprize ? Why with so small a force^ and such
dender means they pushed on so/ar as the plains
of Sandusky?
^e. answer is, that many believecl tli^at the Mo^
ftvian Indians, taking no part in the war, and hav-
iogi^ven offence to the warriors on several occa«
•ions, their belligerent Oiends would not take up
uims in their behall*. In this conjecture they
V((re sadly mistaken. They did defend them with
ill the force at their command, and no wonder, for
Doiliithstanding their christian and pacific prin-
iCiplei^ the warriors still regarded the "Moravians
u .their relations, whom it was their 4uty to de**
fend,.
The reflections which naturally arise out o£
th^ history of the Indian war in the western
country, during our revolutionary contest with
Qr^at Britain, are not calculated do honour to
human nature, even in Us civilized stat^ ^^^^ Qn our
fide, jMeed, as to our infant goverlMiti the
ease is^t so bad. Our Congress faith?(flly eii-
^voured to prevent the Indians from taking
ifirt Ia the war oa either «ide. Tke fiogliio
#
ISO
CRWrORB^il CAMPAIGN
,/
^overiMneot, on the other bftnd, made tlUet
4>f M nraDj of the Indian natioDf af they could,
and they imposed no restraint on their savage
mode ot warfare. On the contrary the comman-
dants, at their posts along our Heslern frontier,
received and paid the Indians for scalps and prii*
«ners. Thus the ekin of a fvhite man's, or even
a woman'a bead served in the bands of the In*
^ian, as current coin, which be exchanged for
urms and ammunition, for the farther prosecutioo
of his barbarous warfare, and clothing to cover
bis half naked bodjr. Were cot these rewards
the price of blood? Of blood,^ shed in a cruel
manner, on an extensive scale; but without ad-
Tantage. to tbat government which employed the
Ravages, in their warfare againet their reiativei
find fellow chrlsiians, and paid for their murdeii
by the piece.
The enVight«ned historian must Tiew the whols
of the Indian war, from the commencement of
the revolutionary contcst^lf no other light, linn
a succession of the most wontoii murders of til
ages, from helpless infancy, to decrepid old age,
and of both sexes; without object, and without
^^ct.
Oo our side, it is true, that the pressure cf
the war along our Atlantic border, was such, that
our government could not furnish the means for
making a conquest of the Indian nations at war
against us. Tne people of the western country,
poor an they were, at that time, and unaided by
governmfHt could not subdue them* Our^am*
paigns, hastily undertaken, without sufficieijlporce
and means, and illy executed, resulted in notb«
ing benificittl. On the other hand, tn» Indians,
with tb» aids their allies C9uld giva them in the
miMoHii^^MX
m
e^imtry. were not tbleto ilitlEi % toli«
Ib^ ll^|tt»iit iff 11^ iidtf ^^H^nmii-
i &6 <bt^Hi^ our jfetttiMiiiiti,^ M^
imni W^ma^ betante itrdnger lod
mm^^9tit to f etr, disriflf lb(i «rbole
inisl liftfi(»#it0. It win tbei«fo^:» #M^
ttdi*f ibf tiiiitEllli* rtAiigbfe* aitwiiilpn
i^i&^'^er wbptfi teeoli bttniiet^ ttill
'>i
Utttdeh (m Mu^shrti
%i
Mock house, and Ww; in dangerous .ame^, .f#
ifc^wiee iftd plMe oir reftile for iwelte <fp^
y^ its imfeadiateiteigbbourliit»)d. Jt 2psitua^
t^ BuMg&toe^Oteek,, about t#^?^A»««n »»^^
&o»ilt junction wHb tbfl, riv^^fe, ^ ^,. ,
:, freybuii^ to the a^i^of fW %^
%»iiSf the few men tictongini to tig /ort had
yKo Hager's townr^'#^^A^*^^^ I)^!^
^^^^foir* for sali, iron, a|ii #mn#|it|oii.ts j^
#ttiile^irt«8l#lthose^flMp. Tll«i
^t^^
ATTACK ON U0B^0 FOXt.
oa tbia jantntf simewbat earlier thai feaion tUt
. iiatial, beeaufe there hadheen^'A ttlll tiiiie,»u
SPhalit'Oo recefttmlarma ofl!he lo^iaitf.
A km cNqfa hefore the attack Km this fort, aboot
900 lodiaoa^hadiMke their laat attaek oo Wh«ei.
^ teg 'fort. 4Qb 4he ihird p^^t of the mfeatmem of
• WheeKoif, > the ladlan cHiefii heid r coqooil, in
^Ivhieh it waadeternsHied, Ihat ihe-ieiie of WhealiDg
ihbufd be raised) twc^liundrfd* of the warriofi ft.
furo home, and the remaining hundred of pick-
ed OBeo, make a dash into the countrv and strike
» heairy hlow eomewhere before their return.**
It waa Iheir determination to take a fort lome-
where and maflsaereaUltspeople, iorerengefor
fheMefeat at Wbeelinff,
, " tfiirB of thejihinv^taciP^ ^y the Indiana, WM
gi^fii ^ two White men, who haid' been sHide
pmoaerii when laqa, raised among the Indians tod
fallen to war with them. These men deserted
l^^m them soon allti^ th^ ooanoilitt the cloteof
Ihe seige of Wheeling, the notice wasjndeed
|liltsh6rt, hot it reached Rice,s fort about half
^Q h^inati befoire the eommeocettient >of 4he attaek.
:^e4filelUgeBeerW^s brought bj.Mr.^aco1il^iHer|
« ^ho leoi^i^ it at #oct. Iloorefs ioibe nelgbbouni
Itood of ^aibiogton. Makiiig all sipeed hooif^ he
'l^iineliry 'i»-pwedln time to * Asslet In the de-
i(i0^ of tioffiipe. Oh, recai?ing thii mwst the
jfgople <df tli^n^^^ that tM hl<>vv was
' )aieFid<eid for ; Iheoi 'i^nd .iorthis c^jecture the|
'were not; .mistaken. < 'Bat 4ttUe time • wai^l^w*
editbemfofypre^aiatioo, B^
fhf> in^|a|)s 'bad' sarrbonded . the placAefore
ilie]^!^Fe mcovere^ hot tb^ were m\l ot fome
distancp. > When discovered^ the alarm waa^eo^
ito Which eye^ man raa to bis ciKbia ior fail gin
«•-
A'
AftAClt OR HtCE'f AOftt;
taa
^ look refuge in the block houie. The Indi*
Mil •otirerliig tbe ftlam with a wwr wb|K>p fro**
S^fvbolo liM, oommfBoed firipg tod runnioif .
tiMftfdi tht fori from every direetioD. It wm eti^
4ei^ thiWf itttentioa lo take the pk4e by tmobu
Kat tN fire of the Inditiia wm aotwered by that of
KtfbiweafidskUfatharpahootm. Tbi»unei|MJCt.
id iteceptioD wef anted the inleodedaMauU en^
mi^m ladiaat take refuge behind lojt. stump*
l^S^et^ The firing continued with Imie inl«r^
tfimoii for about four hours.
^Ihekitervahi of tho fiHng the Indiana Tr«-
«,fli^y»ealled out to the people of the foil '^Givj
JL give upf tot^many Ipdian. Indian too big. «•
Br. They were l^nswered with defiance.— -*.
«»awne on you cowards; w€ are ready for you.-<-
itoir ttstoQpyel^vrb^^ ^^^ ^^ ^"^ makfthplai
msem Mym^* ,. . ^ ;. . . ,1.
#itfing this eroni^g, miUiy of the Indiandj at som#
ttgwiae froi»ihe fbrti anmsed theioseif ea by «{®^
fethe horses, oattloi hoga aud sheep, nntU tuo
am. was ttrewed with their dea* bodies.
IWIbwrtte»o*l^^it nigbiOie Indian .irsi^l
Um^ basil about m wda- ftosf tho^fort. TO|>
lam Wat largo imd ful of gram and bay. Ttof-
ZZml 9aa fiSgbtM nad at first it seemed to en*
|*««4|io,b«in|iiroftl^lo^^
SlSrer ground than the fort. T^ nifW nm
m!L Ilia Oirrled thu flsmo andbarmng sfdin*
fai#i»adiffbW»t direction, so that thf b^rn^l^5^
tMiint #hichaftfirftira»r©garWl«s a^dttngfg
Ottsailot fatal occunrencoi proted ih theisi»ie^
^ .mea^rSf throwing astrofig light to-a-^gm^fij
r^ce io^rery direction, »« ^^^^^^^ l»fif »^it
^ M app^ach^ tho fort to eet ffje to^ the w»|ff
fS4
ATTACK en lUCE'f fOlilr.
whieb they might ha^a done it littU riik'
lipder the corer of darkneif. '
AAerthe barn wai f;et on fire, the Iiidiini.co1-
' Jected on the tide of the fort oppoaite the biro
•0 if to hire the idyintage of the light end kept
i prettv eonatint fire, ivbich wii ia iteidly an.
swered bjr that of the fort, until about t#o o*cloclr,
nvhen the lodiana left the placf and made a hai-
Jy retreat.
Thus wu this little place defended bj a 8por»^
tan band of aix men, arainat one hundred chof-
en warriora, exasperated to madneaa by their fa^
lure at Wheeling fort. Their namea ahall be in.
aoribed in the list cf the heroes of out early
tiroep. They were Jacob KliJlcr, Oeorge
Lefler, Peter Pullenweider, PenieM^ice, George
Pelebaum and Jacob Lefler junr. George peliebaiiiD
waa ahoi in tl>e forehtadytlitough a pun bole at the
eecond fire of the Indiana and inatantly expired, lO
that in reality, the defence of the place v^aa made'
By6n1y^vein«n.
The loaa of the Indiana vrasfour, tb^ee of whoDi
werelrilled at the firat fire from the fnrt. the other'
waa killed about aun down. There ean bb ilpdouH
but that a number more were killed nnd wounded
in the enga^ment, but concealed or ciraed of,
JL targe divilion of theae Inline ^n iihdr^'etre^^
paewd withiii ji Httle diataii^eW my ftibera Ibrt!
In foWowin| their trail^ a ^ dajiafierwMda, I
»^tid I large poultice of ebiwed^im^fraa leerea.
^nd r^ic ejiwitb 1i nfeir one.
r Exansplei'Wprf onil bratery, ud hiAf hmM
Sf|^4»«i>iktr^)vvl^ icceptille ^ to reai^lf 1
ATTACK 0!t BIC£^i FOAT.
£13
Mirji, An ioiUnce of both ofthe«e bapptned dnr-
^|,ttiv Ktttek on tbiB tort, which may \k wortB
>miliivRi6e,0Qe erf thepriooipil BHanMong-
tii^til Wefbrt of tbtt Ditee, oh he«riogtbe rep^
(be detertefrfrbm the Ibdiant, mounted a tery
itrotig aictiVe mara and rode in all baste^ to another
fo^t, about tbr«e and a half miles diitkotfrom bit
oiro, fdr fu#tb^ newa* if any coold be bad, cpncera
iD| tb^ presenee of a body of Indiana in the neigh-
bo#)Wld.
liifrife^be reached (ha place b^ beard (be report
"^a |?l^» at'btii owii fort* life instantly ratum*
'P'fillC aipdiriible, until be arrived within siibt
ilicr fort. Pliidinf that it still held put,1it
dpi^ln^d" to reten it and assist in its ddw
jp^ei <^r JMnttstiib the a^ttempt lo doing this, be
h# tO'Cross'tb^creett, the fort being some distance
M^ il'on the opp<^itie hank. He saw no Indiana
Ihntilbis tnareifMN^ng down the bank oif the creek,at
wliieh iniiiMlY ahdui fourteen of them jumped cp
pii amongtne liifeels a^^^ «iidtdii^coafiB^d
iiiir l^uift^ p hiiil. qnehulleiwoiinded hiin in th«
'^ImiJQ^^Pf ^ ''^i^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ elbdw. Wjt,
^tii^3^ Smrai^mm of the Indians caqie
up aild* Jhot at bim. A second ball wo vhded bi^
10 'the tbteh » little above the kn^Ci but wiOi-,
o«t bjr«^kifi| the hdiiC, the b^| th'dn palsscU
tranmrsly ftrottgh the neck of |h^ niaref mfij
xiSne Tuning up^ to toroiJiawk him.> tie pid<i t^
eidper afl^r hairing about thirty shotr#ed i^ 1^'
;&lbik Vmy short distance. AftaT riding ilit|i;
ms
^^
,^4'
-1!S6
ATTACK OR RfSS'fl PdlT.
four milei, he retched Ltmb's fort miicliexbaiisfed
with the lots of blood. Alter ^etiitig his wotindf«
dressed end resting a while, he i^et off late itt ^he e-
veDiAg with twelve men, fietermuked liT l^ossible to
reiach the fort under cover of the Bight. When
they got within about two hundred yards of the
it, t>e7 halted. The firihg at the fort
still cofitioued; Ten of Ih^ men thinlcing the in*
ferprize too hazardous, refused to go any farther
ana retreated. Rice and two other men crept si-
lently along towards the fort; but bad not proceed-
ed far be fore they came dose upon an Indian in his
concealment.. He gave the alarm yell, which was
instantly passed round the li^es with the utmost
regialarity. ,^1h8 c^ccH^oned the ipdianf ^0 mafeft
their last enoH io take the place and makitheir re^
treat, under cover of the night. Rice itid his
two Companions returned invsafeyf to L'amb*s
<brt.
4 4
About ten o'clock next morninsf, sixty m^n col-
lected at Rice's fort for the relief of the place.—
They pursued the tnd^ians, who kept in a body for a-
bout two miles. ^1^ Indian! hao then divided in-
to small parties and tock over the hills in dHTer-
tni 'directions, so that thry could be tracked nb
farther, tte pursuit, #a8 of course given up.
A imiU divi^it of the Indians^ had not proceed-
ed fat* after th6iirsei))^ti<m^ before they discovcr-
edtour met), comlnig from a neighbouriivg fortio
the directioti of that which they had left. Tba'
Indians vvayliyedihe path and ebot two of them
dead 01) the ipot. The bthei^ fled. One of (hem
beiig swift of foot soon made his escape. The other
iieing a noor runner was pursued by an Indian, who
lifter 1^ irmart chase came close to him. The ni^an
,^€hett wheeled round and Eoapped his gun utthelli*
[ J^'ClnSiM Wi«4t.«PP6inted, for ttte knot .
^lZ.SO th.t he got the WvW|t^otjW«.n,
■STwheeled round and inedhw m •8»2'v J'
iJpILVdU80cffWdl.idlto
"«»■ •
-^"\/-' «¥■:« ■' ^ J
ofr
■*
Tnyfat^
CHAPTEE XXXIV.
of the altack on Rice'tblockhouse^hich^ai buf
i few mUes distant, wtf sent jrord *« «^ ««^
families who were oat on their farnis, tp^^fl^^
Siately trthe fort. Kbecomro^^
bef^« ibe tvro runnew bad time to gve in^ a^
iSilo thc^f^Uy of a Mr- Charles Stai«ijWW
4Wed about three quartfeM of a »ite from tbe
:t ^^y returned in r«<^ J^«*«^ •^^**J^ SSr
t^ iouie waa burned down, and toll they
>K
' fit*.
E-*
10$ E^n'GCiso AmtK^^NUir father's rofi\f
had seen (wo fires between that and the fort,,
'at which (be Indians were^ncanped. There
was tberefora no d'dnbt thitt an attaclc wotilif
be roade- on ouBfprt, earlj in the n)orniti|;.
In order to. gife (he reader a correct idiea of
the miUtary tactieke^ of onr early times, I' wilf
give, in detail, the whofe process of the prepat-
ations, which were made for the expected attttclr,
and,a»tiearly is I can, I win|Tve the ooinihand^
of Gapt. Teter, our officerj in his own words.
In (lie first place, he eOlIeetedaU oor men to-
gether^ «nd related the biitUes andYkirmtshes he
had been in, and r>'a1]y they werenpt few in nunh
ber. He wa^ fn Bi^addoob^'s defeat. Grant's de-
feat, the taking of fort Pitt, jand neaily all .tli({
batiiefi which took nlaceb^lweeii the Ei^^lislt,
and the French aha Iiidian6, ftom l^iiidddck^ft
defeat until the caf tHire of that place by Geo.
^mki. ffe rein^n«tedriis ^'^Fhat in ease (he In-
dians should sijecied, w^need etpe^t no mercy;
thii every man, w<^man and chifd Would h^ ki)i'
ed on the spot^r T:<ey have been defeated at one
fort and now they ai^ mad ehdugh. tt they
ehotitd succeed in facing ourt elf tli^ir ven-
geance will fall on pur beads. We mu^t. fight
for durselves- and oniS ahotber/ittid for cmt wives
and ehild^^h, 'brbtlif«r« ind sflt^riT. We must
makis tbc^ best ptopari^ons W can, a Httlr af-
tei^ day b¥eakj Wo shall htvt th6 ' eraek ot the
He then jiill^ requisition of all tlie powder
andtead in tfiilei^foift 'l*he dinintthitioti ^tB ajt-
ctiA%tii1y divided attfongst all the ftien^' and the a^
mount supposed to be f^lly sufficient. ^When
this wa« done, "Now says the captain, "When y^tl
»tiii yj|# bdlleti^ ett off tkt neckir very ciioilf'
* |»T|ICTED ATTACK CK MY sFATHEl'l FORT. t9§
«n4 scrape fhesn^, so as to make them a lit-
^e 1^84^ a;)d get ^tches one {lURdred finer thair
Slie you cdmmon^ use, aod liave them nrcl^
ed, for ir a rifle happens to be ehoaked^ in.
Hbe time of battle^ tbereVis one j(tiD and o»e roan
^t, *for the rest of the battle, Xou will have
io time to unbreach a gun and get a plug, ta
driveaut a ballet. Have the locks ivell oileA^
aad your flints sharp, . so as not to miss fire.
Such vfere bis Orders to the jneO' He lheii»
laid to this women "These yellow fellows are
veiy bandy atyseiting fire to houses, and water isi^
a very good thing to put out fire. You must 6lt
every vessel with water. Our fort Is not well
stockaded, and these ugly fellows may rush into?
the middle of is and attempt to set fire to our
cahma in twenty placta at once." They fell tc^
wbirkj and did aa be had orderedr '
The men, having put their jifles in order, «*Now^
s«ijs he let every man gather in hia axeSy mat^
tocks'and hoes, and place them losite of bir
door, for the "Itidiaos may n^ke a dash at
. them with their tomahawks* to cut them down,-
and an a^r^u that case, might hit, whe»a§un
would inias fire»
\ Like a good commanderT our captain, not conr
tent ijrith living orders, went from bouse to houscK^
to see Ab^t every tbieg was right.
The ladies of the present day, will suppose that
our womeft were friiyened half to death, wtib tShe
i\j^ prospeet of su^ao attack of tlie Indians 1^ on
th«contrary» I do not know that I ever %%y9 a uaef-
rier set of women in my life. They weii|.oii
-^with their work of carrying water and cutting bw*'
i;lei patches, for the men, apparently without the:
flSaft emoUon of iear, and I have every te^ott \»
-%
M.
<)&.
:^,
■#.
f90 EJ[p£CTEI> ATTACK OR ftlT FilttER^S PORT^
believe, that (hey woolt! have been plcfised, vihh'
tljc craelccfthe$ti&||il them<»i|)g« \
Btiriiig^anilid%|nde,*ke !|a|i i^«€6^halr|^
around the fo#t} so c^ivfideiit iv&g our caf^ain, that
the attaek «voulid'ii%t be made before day break.
I was at that ime^ Jhirl^^n or fourteen year? oC
'l^gi^;but ranked^as afortwHiftr/ Afier getting my
gun and all things elee in order, I went up i&to tlm
garret loft of my fa her*8 hottse^ and laid down a-
bbuiibe Rlfiddlie 6( th% floor; with w^ sh* pou^h
on and my gttfi by my side^ txpeeting to be waked
tip by tb«raport of taa' gimt af day* bipak', to taka;
my statioii at iKe port b^ attsig pied «»»» wbieb
iva*m tile fecoft^ 8t6i7 %f^be>bt>m
1 idf d^ Jot 8vi4ke^^ abo^ion^r^^i^ the a#
larm was aH ove^ ^befiMly w4biebl«i^ sofpoted^
had baen kiHed, had isoM into th« I1liil^4^t dly
Ibreak; fnstiead cf^tbi lioiii* birfn#b>u«i)l ii wa^
oiilirNa large old log oh fiae^ baat tba boi^> ^hieb
hal btfen tieen by oor expreasea. If tbi^ Mieea
any ^itfg lUi^ fire^ between (h$k aad^ the iWtt il
Btirat have been foj^ fire; Stteb l« the creative
pbvmi^ kwgiimisiOD> wben>> ttaidep Ibe wi^Bee^
^.
IT;..
W'
I
CHAl^PilR XiXV.
Tais ^inp^ign took ipUce io the fuinmor of
1180, «n* waft d«pe©|e4««w»Mhe lodiao vilUgw
Bumb^f of »«gttJi»ftwa^UUMa|^
«wkl#iioo,4bii8ef irW^
: ftiif4roti«t4h«:oMiip, Itli0t6»^orftl informed fmf^
4li6«yect)of libe «xpe^tipD, he jf as op|aged ID,
and enquired of biBB, wketlier any of the ohiialiaii
Indmns 3ii*«« hiwiting»of engaged Id bttsin^ lil »•
, di»e©t«»of hisaHHToh. <b Mi^ans^ered lO the *
neiatite. He. slated that notl^wgwould «»e bina
-*mttdxw paiDy-thaD to bear, that eny. of the ftwravi-
Slndian8,"liiid heenmoleited by thetrOopi» •«►*
«ejwdiansbad aNiys, from *e cpmpnenca..
jneai of ikl/war^flond*ioM tbett««^W *» « fl»*n»«f
. tfaatdidtbembopiaiir* . ^ ,
A partof the l^kU M Wwll^df^JJ f <^«^^
tTio river,; to doBtroy th© MorikW» TiP-*^^*''*
m F^
^
L' .
^^Hf^2 I^r^'^ 1
k^*
W^^XiL-
P^ *' \j
wA
1*'^
'•"%
<
iiiii%iinBife^^ .-
^m.
:>"U'
m
'cofuoerbK vjkmiia^*
^.
■were prefented from execatiii|( thfeir fffoiect, *b|
^ * At W bV Eje»'« 3PIiii}| a few iMles from Co.
#ktdnHfi tiAfin Ptt•<^lle^»ii8 tilten. Soon af^
i^^f&iwb iftflNw<i^#w«re diioovcred, one
^rWhbm^ #oittdi49 b4t hO) to #en as tbeotber
Daaila tbeif Qi^a.
' ' IPfaa cbtomtWe?, know ifig tbat ihwe two IbdU
«iii, Wottld %At <«#'itfiio*l'#itjatch lin^olng to
iKa tbivii.'te gWa nda«r«f tlia af ^loacb of ibt ar-
»y. oi^eH*a i^ipW ii»«tfiH^ i^^^ »*«»-
tiikeWby^ttllrlik Tll«^|^^^^^a The
army reached the pHce io tbjf*«i ^y|i«o»». The
•#igbt aod left w*iiA aplfdiMthed aia^i?er a little
ilKti •M!>eloW'^1lnMrbv«rl^«4hb^ilter m^
%ddfr««it*1Wi ^'^^Wrt^ lilM*ii^*0iii^ef f ^^
am itt tbitmaie^liHbi iiil mmoi^M riveiyto-
3iBtwre#afcW«^iF#iiaa^ uH8«ii«»i withmit fiN
iii^^hil* ll!i»l, t%a ♦if<^ ^wn^int^ to a
1^ lie»hti blHaif^td the foaetif ^«f raiiji
tfe aimy Soiild tmi^m ^ ©w^4#Ah«v tlwr til-
llget With their inhabitajpis <m the WettiMeof the
tiver, el<il^ped destractibil.
Among the pHtooere, »iiteen waJfriors wire
fK>inted out by I^ekillk, a fnendly Delaware chief,
who WM with th« artny iof Broadhead.
AKttle a^r Aark) a toii&cil of war waft held, to
Ke^riDioe ^ the llate.of the waifiors in cue^^^
They wertt doiittied to death, and* by t^ord^r of
Uie i»m*i|*p, they w«ire bound, taken a little dis-
Utm belo«i||e town aodvdtf patched with toma^
a
¥..
i4« *.«'
'f^.V^*' 'iite»4jil
,?mi^-
-'Ml
C\»SHOCtON CAMt^AIOIf*.
293
fiarly tbe next morning, an Indian presented
himself on tbe opposite bank of the river and aslc*>
ed for the big captain^ Broadhead presented hi a*
'self and asked the Indian what he wanted? To
which he replied ^' 1 want peace," ^^send over some
of your chiefs*' said Broadhead. ** May be you
kilF said the Indifan. He was answered. 'They
shall not be killed.*' One of the chiefs, a well
looking ms^n, came over tne river and entered into
conversation with the commander in the street;
but while engaged in conversation^ a man of the
name of Wetzel came up behind him, with a toma*
hawk concealed in the bosom of his hunting shirt,
and struck him on the back of his head; He fell
and instantly expired.
About eleven or twelve o^clock, tbe army ^com^
menced its retreat from Coshocton. Sen. Broad<^
bead committed the care of the prisoners to the
militia. They were about twenty in number.—-
After marching about half a lo^ the Hien com-
menced killing them. In a shorf^imethey were
all despatched , except a few women and children^
who were spared and taken ta%rt Pitt, and afCet
Bome,time exchanged for an equal number of theit'
fnsoners.
4t-
■m
J*
•t-
•
Captivity of Mrs.
Brown.
■«..**'
CHAPTER XXXVI.
On the t7th day of Mtrcb 1789,about 10 oVIock
In the forenoon bs she was spinning in her hcuie,
her black woman who had stepped out to gather
augar water, screanaedout^'here are Iiidianf.'*^
I^be jumped up, ran to the wiridour and
then to the door, where she was met bj ooe of iha
Indians presenting his gun. She caught held
of the muzzle and turning it a#ide, begged
him not to kill, but take her prisoner. The other
Indian in the mean time caught the negro wrman
and her boy about four years old, and brought
them into the house. They then opened a chest
end tock ot)t a email box and some articles of
cloathing, and without doing any further dan.sge,
or setting fire to the house, set off with herself
and son about two years and a half old, the black
#oman and her two children, the oldest four yean
and the youngest one year old. After going about
one and a half mile, they halted and held a con«
6u>tation,as she suppo8ed,&bout killingthe children.
This she nnderBtocd to be the subject by their jes-
tures aiiiJ frequently pointing at the children.
Toontoi ^C|kdian8, who could ipeak cnglift
S* ■ ■ ^- ■^•3!
• %;
CAPTURfi 0^ Mrs. BROWlf.
29^3
the lieM out her little boy and beggad him not to
*](ill him, as be would make a fine little Indian af-
ter a while. The Indian made amotion to her
(0 Wilk on witb her child. The other Indian
tben struck the negro buy with the pipe end of his
tomahawk, which knocked him down and then
dispatched him b} a bicuv with the edge, across
the back of the neck and then scalped him.
, About 4 o^cIock in the evening, they reached
the river, ab )ut a mile above Wellsburgh and car-
ried a canoe, which had been thrown up in some
drift wood, into the river. They got into thia can-
oe and worked it djwn to the mouth of Rush
run, a distance of about five miles. They pulled
up the canoe into the mouth of the run, as far as
they could, then went up thcrun about a mile and
eacampsd for the night. The Indians gave the
prisoners all their own clothes for covering a^d
added one of their own blankett. A while before
day. Iight,the Indians got up and put another blan*
ket over them.
. About sun rise they began their march, up a ve«
ff steep hill, and about* 2 o'clock halted on
Short Creek about twenty mites from the place from
whence tbf-y had set out in the morning. The
place where'they hailed, had b«en an encampment
shortly before, as well as a place of deposite tup
the plunder, which they had recenly taken from tbe^
house of a Mr. Vanmeter, whose family bad beeii
killed. The plunder was deposited in a sycamore'
tree^^ They tapped some sugar trees w^ien there
before. Here they kindled a fire and put on a
brass kettle, with a turkey which they ba4 killed
OP the way, to boil in sugar water.
Mr. 01as<), the fir^t husband of Mra.^^rown wa»
Warking with an hired man in • field, apet a ^uafl
#"
-'n*-*'
%&i
-^~.
i»e
CAPTUSI OF MRS. BRtHv^f.
ter of a mile from the house, vihcn kis wiiTr «nd
family were tiken, but knew nothing of the e- '
vent until 2 o'clock. After searching about the
place and going to several houses in quest tf
ftis family, be went to Mr. Well's fort, and
t^ollected ten men besides^ himself, and the Eame
night lodged in a cabin, on the bottom, on
wb.ch the^ town now stands.
Next morning, they discovered ihe place from
which the Indians had taken the canoe frcm
the drift, and their tracks at the place of their
embarkatioi). Mr. Glass could distinquish the
track of. his wife by the print of the high heel of
her shoe. They crossed over the river and went
4own on the other side until they came nc&t
the mouih of Rush run; but discovering no tr&cka
oftbe Indians, roost of the men concluded tlat
they would go to the mouth of Muskingum,
]iy water, and therefore wished to turn back. —
Mr. Glass begged of them to go as far as the
mouth of Short creek, which was only tuo or
three miles farther. To this they agreed. When
they got to the mouth of Rush run, they found the
oaooe of the Indians. This was identified by a
proof, which goes to shew the presence of mind of
Mrs. Brown. While going down the river, one of
the Indians threw into the water several papers,.
4<ivhich be had taken out of Mr. Glass's trunk,
some of these she picked up out of the water, ard
under pretence of giving them to the child,
dropped them into the bottom of the canoe.—
These lilt* no doubt. The trail of the Indians
•od th^ir prisoners, up the run to their camp
and then up the river hill, was soon discovered.
The trail at that time, owing to the softness of
the groynd^ and the height of the weeds, was
eifily ti^lowed.
'■•wS*
. K
CAPTVIIE OF MRS. SBCWlT. tO]
^ About an hour after the Indians bad baited, Mr/
diass and his men came within sight of the tmok<»
of their camp. The object then was to save
the lives of the prisoners, by attacking the Indiana
80 uneipectedlj, as not to allow them time to. kill
them. With this view they crept as elily as they
could, 'till they got witlin something more than
one hundred yardi from the camp. Fortunately
Mrs. Brown's little son, had gone to a sugar tree, to
get some water, but not being able to get it cut
of the bark trough, bis motberhad stepped out
of the camp to get it for him. The negro wo-
man was setting some distance from the two
Indians, who were looking attentively at a scar-
let jacket which they had taken some ti|i|| be •
fore. Oa a sudden they dropped the jfcket,
and turned their eyes towarda the men, who sup*
posing they were discovered; immediately dis*
charged several guns, and rushed upon them, at
full speed, with an Indian yeil. One of the In*
dians, it was supposed, was wounded the flfst
fire, as he fell and dropped bis gun and Ibot
pouch. After running about one hundred yardtj.
a second shot was fired after him, by Maj;'
M'Qiiire, which brought him to his hands and
knees; bat there was no time for pursuit, as the
Indians had informed Mrs. Brown that there wis
another encampment, close by. fhej therefore
returned boms with all speed, and reached the
Beach Bottom fort that night. ^ !^«^ * |
The other Indian, at the first firori iln a Ihtte
distance beyond Mrs. Brown, so that she was in
a right line between him and the white men,
here he baited for a little to put on hit shot peu^
LBWIf WETSBCi
which Mr. Glass, for the momeDt, mistook f4# t
•n •««mpt to kill his wife with t tomahawk.
This artful maDCBuvre no doubt, saved the life
of the savage, as his pursuers durst not shoo«
•t hif^i without risking the life of Mrs. Brown.
V •
■ \*'
^Lewis Wetseh
CHAPTER XXXVir.
Tbb following narrative, goes to shew how
asfteh may be effected bjr the skiH, bravery and
pfc|lical activity, of a single individual^ in the
parazAO warfare carried on against the Indianfl,
•D die western frontier.
Lewis Wetsel, was the son of John Wetsef,
ft German, who settled on big Wheeling abofat
Iburteen miles from the river. He was amongst
^ ^rst adventurers into that part of the coun-
try.' His educjEitionJIlike that of his cotemporaries,
iras that of the^uoter and warrior. When a boy
lb Udopt^itei llsctiGe ofloading and firing bis
^e a9- hiH^» "^bi^ was a meant of maJcing
iiiA so deraProtive to the Indians alterwards.
When about thirteen years old, he was takeft
prisoner by the Incl^ans,. together with his broth*
«r Jacob^ about eleven y^cs old. Before he was ta«
keo he received a slight wound in the breast
tepi ft bullet, which carried off a small pioce of
irlretal
Hreoty i
After th
pered to
lod go
jeeted, I
fith hit!
dredyar
log. "V
btrefooti
Docasso
lid retu
lajs he
lod thei
bad not
came, hi
thsm.
hiians
sside if
into thel
the lodif
pursue)
dodgedl
ed Whl
f bore t|
makini
spent
" Intl
went
campi
the pi
thelol
OQ th<
^^^ urns vrnTnt. t9P
A bmit bone. The second rfght after they
fffe taken, the Indians encamped at the big liclr^
Hivoty miles from the rirer, on the waters of hV*
Hihaa*! creek. Ttie boys were not confined.—
After the Indians had fallen asleep, Lewis whis«
paied to his brother Jacob, that he roust get up
lod go back home with him. Jacob at first ob*
jeeteo, but afterwards got up and went along
fith him. When they had got about one hun-
ted yards from the camp, tney sat down on «
log. **Well" said Lewis «'We can't go home
btrefooted, I will go back and get a pair of
iD9cas90i9 for each of us,*' and accordingly did so,
II j returned. Af^er sitting a little longer **Now"
lays he *^I will go back and get father's gun,
lod then we'll start" This he effected. They
bad not travelled far on the trail, by which they
came, before they heard the Indians coming after
thsm. It was a moon light night. When the
Iiiians cams pretty nigh them, they stepped
aside into the bushes, let them pasis, then fell
into their rear and travelled on. On tile return of
the Indians they did ^ the same. Tti^y were^ then
pursued by two Indians on horse back, whom they
dodged in the same way. The next day they reach
ed Wheeling in safety, crossing from tbe indian
shore to Wheeling island, on a raftxxf their own
( makine. By this time Lewis had become, aloioit
•pent from, his wound.
In the year IT82, after Crawford's defeat,
went with a TJiemas Mills, wbo#db|en io
campaign, to get his horse, which he aHp^ft
the place where St. ClairsTille nowVlndSi At^"^^
the Indian springs, two miles from ^t, CJairsvilte;^
00 the Wheeling road, they were, met %^utiSr«!
ty lodiani, who were in ^urfuUW the iUigltiV
800
L&triS WETSEL
from the campaign. The Indians acd vh)^ tuh
discovered each other about the same moment.^
Lewis fired first and killed an Indian, the
fire from (he Indians wounded Mills in the heel, he
was soon overtaken and killed. Four of the In*
dians then singled out, dropped their guns, and
pursued Wetsel. Wetsel' loaded his rifle as he
ran. After runing about half a mile, one of the
Indians having got within eight or ten steps of him,
Wetsel wheeled round and shot him down, ran,
and loaded his gun as before. After going a*
bout three quarters of a mile farther, a second
Indian came so close to him, that when he turn-
ed to fire, the Indian caught the muzzle oi the
gun, and as he expressed, *^He and the Indian
bad a severe wring." He however succeeded,
in bringing the muzzle to the Indian's breast,
and killed him on the spot. By this tinne, he,
as well as the Indians, were pretty well tired;
the pursuit was continued by the two ree^aining
Indians. Wetsel, as before, loaded his gun, and
stopped several times during this latter chase^
when he did so, the Indians tcee'd themselves.—
After going something more than a mile,
Wetsel took advantage of a little open piece of
ground, over which the Indians were passing, a
abort distance behind him, to make a sudden
for purpose of shooting the forcnioBt,
got behind a little sapling which was
mall t# cpver his body. Wetsel shot and
^ hj^tfei glp^ The wound, in^e issue, pro-
fiiflH|The last of the Inofans then gave
a HtHe flRind said *^No catch dat man, gun al-
ways loaded" and gave up the chase, glad nor
a<lubt to get o| with bis life*
.*
f
*#
i^M
ADAM rOK.
^^^
dot
% 19 said, thai Lewis Wetsel, in the course of
(be Indian wars in this part of the country, kill-
ed twenty seven Indians, besides a number more
along the frontier settlemenls of Koatucky.
A'iam Poei
CHAPTER XXXVIIK
In the summer of 1783, a party of sereto^
Wjandots, made an incurfion into a- settlement,,
aome distance below foit Piu, and several miles
from the Ohio river^ Here- finding an old-
man alone, in a cabin,. they killed him, pack-
ed up what plunder they could find, and com-
menced iheir retreat.. Amongst thfeir party
was a celebrated Wyandot chief, who, in addi-
tion to his fame as a warrior and co^nsfiUor, was,
as to his size and strength, a real gianti
The news of the visit of the Indians, soon sj
through the neighbourhood, and a, party
good riflemen was collected, in % few h(
the purpose of pucsuing the I'l'^^^^" ^^
iy were twdlbrothers of the namefflHIj^dai
Aridrew Poe. They were both frarous idl^^^ c<
rage, size and activity. ^
This little party, commejpced the pursnit o^
(he Indians, with a determifti^n, if po88ib|e, not
r:p
im,.
■V^
ADAM PCE.
to Buffer^em to escape, as they usually ^jd oft
Fuch occasiocB, by making a spec dy flight to the
fiver, crossing it, nnd then dividing iiito fobH
parties, to meet at a di^tant poirt, in a given (iipe.
The pursuit was continued the gteater part cf
the night after the Indians bad 6oT\t the rrns-
chief. In the niorning, ihe party found them-
reives en the trail of the Indians, vrhich led to the
river. When arrived within a litde distsrce cf
l^e river, Adam Poe, fearing an anrjbutcade, left
the party, who followed directly en the trail,
to creep aldng'the brink rf the rivet lark, un-
der cover cf the weeds and bushes, to fall en
the rear cf the Indians, should be find then) in
ambuscade. He had net gone far, before he
Baw the Indian rafts at the water'^s edge. Not
Beeing any Indians he stepped softly down the
bank with his riAe cocked. When about half
way down, he discovered the large Wyandot chief
and a small Indian, within a few sttps of him.— •
They were standing with their guns cocked, and
looking in the direction cf cur 'P4rty;:);f|^^ hy
this lime had gone some distance i^j^er dcwa
the botroro. Poe took aim at the large Chief, but
lis rifle missed fire. The ludians hearing the
^nap of the gun lock, instantly turned round
id discovered Poe, who being too rear them
treat, dropped hU gun and instantly sprang
^^ bank upon them, and seizing the large
iditji^t^ the gjoths on his breast, and at tlie
" " ie enibraqiag th* %eck of the small one,
>Dgj|i^) Clown on Hhe ground, himself
itmAVThe Indian s^on extricated him-
ta the raft, got bis .tomahawk, and at-
ten^iji^d to dispatch Poe, the^tge Indian hold-
hfS |Ai,fastin bis aiiDB wiff^^is might, tbi^
*i
'^"•i'^
A0AM POe.
i03
n^
better to enable his fellow to effect m^urpoge.
Poe, llbivever, so well wafched the motions o(
the Indian, that when in the act of aiming his
blow at his head, by a vigorous, and well di-
rec ed kick, with one of his feet he staggered
the savage, and knocked the tomahawk out of
his hand. J*his i&ilure, on the part of the small
Indian, was reproved, by an exclamation of con*
tempt from the lar^e one.
In a moment, the Indian caught up his tome*
hawk again, approached more cautiou8iy,brandish-
inf$ his tomahawk and making a number of feign*
ed blows, in defiance and derision. Poe, bowev*
er, slill on bis guard, averted the real blow from
his head, by throwing up his arm, and receiving
it on his wrist in which he was severely wounded;
but not so as to loose entirely the use of his band •
In this perilous moment, Poe by a violent ef<^
fort, broke loose from the Indian, snatched up one
of the Indiau^s guns, and shot the small Indian
thkuugh the breast; as he ran up the third time to
tomahawk him.
The large Indian was fiow on his feet, and
grasping Poe by a shoulder and leg,threw hinii down
on the bank. Poe, instantly disengaged himself
and got on his feet. The Indian then seized him a-*
gain and a new struggle ensued, which, owing to
the slippery state of the bank, ended in the fall d*
both combatants into the water. J.^^ ^
In this situation, it was the object of eaca4o
drown the other* Their efforts to«^tfect their Qj^r*
pose were continued for some timeli||h
nate success, sometimes one being uiiUFthe^
ter and sometimes the other* Poe at length seil
ih« tuft of hair on the soalp of the lodiany wittf
■; !w'^'
^04
ADAM FOE.
"Which HHPldliis head under the water, until h^
supposed bira drowned. ^
Relaxing his hold too scnon, Poe^ instantly found
his gigantic antagomst on his feet again, and rea-
dy for another combat. In this, they were carri*
ed into the water beyond their depth. In this aitu*
ation they were compelled to loose their hold on
each other and swim for mutual safety. Both
sought the shore, to seize a gun, and end the
contest with bullets* The Indian Wing the best
ewimmer reached the land first. Foe seeing this
immediately turned back into the water to escape,
if possible, being abot, by diving. Fortunately
the Indian caught up the rifle, with which Foe
-had killed the other warrior.
At this juncture, Andrew Foe, missing his bro«
^her from the party, and supposing from the re-
;port of the gun which he shot, that he was eitb<-
er killed, or engaged in conflict with the Indians,
hastened to the spot. On seeing him, Adam call-
ed out to him to **kill the big Indian on shore"
But Andrew's gun, like that of the Indian's,
-was empty. The contest was now between the
white man and the Indian, who should IcTad and
fire fir^t. "Very fortunately for Foe, the Indian,
in loading drew the ramrod from theHhimbles
•of the stock of (he gun, with so imuch Tiolence,
that it slipped out liis hand and fell a little dis-
tance from him, he quickly caught it up, an A
ramined^own his bullet. This little delay gave
"Foe the advantage.— He s!iot the Indian as he
'Wairrai8u||JiiB gun, to take aim at him.
J 8Q(N^8 Andrew had shot the, Indian, be
ed into the river to assist his wounded bro*
Iber to|hore; but Adano, thinking more of the
t>f carrying the big Indian home, as 8>
Ai>AM f^t.
m
m
305
IfOp^y^f vifctory; than of his own safety, urged
Andrew to go back, and prevent the struggling
lavage from rolliog himself into th6 river'aod e8«
iBjipitig. Andrev^^a solicitude for th^ life of hia
brother, prevented him from complyiog with this
request.
In the mean time, the Indian, jealous of the hon*^
or of his scalp, even in the agonies of death, 8uc»
ceeded in reaching the river and getting into the
current, so that his body was never obtained. .
An unfortunate occurrence took place during
this conflict. Just as Andrew arrived at the top
i)f the bank, for the relief of his brother, one of
the party who had followed ^lose behind bim^
Meing Adam in the river and mistaking him foir.
t wounded Indian, shot at him and wounded
him in the shoulder^ He, howibver, reicovered
Aram his wounds. /,
During the contest between Adani Poo atd
the Indians^ the party had overtaken the re-
teaining six of them. A desperate conflict
ensued, in which Ave of the Indians were kill-
ed. Our loss wat three inen killed and Adaini
Foe severely wounded.
Thus eifled this Spartan conflict, with the losi
vi three valiant men on our part and with that of
the whole of the Indian party with the exceptioA
bf one warrior. Never, on any occ^ion was
there a greater display of desperate bi^very, and
'Seldom did a conflict take place, which, in th^ ^.
issue, ptroved fatal to so great a prolHtioo^or
those engaged in It*
The fatkl issue of this little campaign, on
llde of the Indians, occasioned an Mm
Ipoarning among the Wyandot nation, /thi
IPaiH with his four brothers, all of vfaCHllwt
ft a
■m
m
A.
ADAM POB«
frilled at the safl^. place, were amongst ftie most
^distinguished epefs and warriors of their d^-
tjon.
The big Indian was msgnanimous, as well ag
dra?e. He, more than any other individual, con-
tributed, by his example and influence, to the
jgood character of the Wyandots, for lenity to-
wards their prisoners. He would not suffer them
to be killed or ill treated. This mercy to captives,
was an honourable distinction in the character
of the Wyandots, and was well understood by
our first settlers, wh6, in case of captivity,
thought it a fortunate circumstance to fall into
their hands.
Ii is consoling to the historian, to find instances
of those endo .omenta of mind, which constitute
human greatness, even among savages. Tbe
original f*taroina of those endowments, or, what
is called /^entui, are but thinly scattered over
the earth, and there can be but little doubt, but
that the lower grades of society posses their
equal proportion of the bases of moral great-
ness, or in other words, there is as much of na<^
ft«s gtimA^ in proportion to numbers, amongst
savages, as there is amongst civilized people.^
The difference between these two extremec ^f
iociety, is nr.erely the difference of educatius.^
This view of human nature, philosophical!) co^
rect, is well calculated to increase the benev-
olence^ even of the good Samaritan himself, and
* courage his endeavours, for the instruction of
s most ignorant, and the reformaticn of the
most barbarous.
^ Had the aborigines of our coimtry, been poi-
ijltsed of science to enable them to commit to
|he (aithftl page of history, tha crentt of Uyi
ADAif I*OE,
[their di«
8 well as
ual, con-
>e, to the
lenity (o-
iffer them
captives,
character
rsfood by
captivity,
t fall into
instances
constitute
ge». The
, or, what
lercd over
doubt, but
>88e8 their
>ral great-
UCh of fMk
), amongst
people.—
tremep cf
icatiuii.-^
call J cor*
le bener-
nself, and
ruction of
Q of tke
e BOTpf
$&f
iotercourse with us, since thd ^is^Mr- and
lattlement of their native land, by the BBRpeanSf
what would be the contents of this history?!—
^oi such as it is, from the handd of our histo-
rians, who have presented nought but the worst
features of the Indian character, as exhibited in
the course of their wars agairist the invaders of
tbeir country. While (he wrongs inflicted on
tbem by civilized men, have occupied but a very
BinaU portion of the record. Their sufferings^
tbeir private virtues, their bravery and magnan-
imity in war, all individual instances of great >
1I96S of mind, heroism, and clemency to cap-
tives, in the midst of the cruelties of their barbarouf
warfare, roust ^oon be buried with themselvf^i'
Lin the tomb of tbeir national existence.
The Johnsons.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The follotlving narrative, goes to shew that
the long continuance of the Indian war, had in-
spired even the young lads of our country, not
only with all the bravery, but even the subtilit^
of the Indians themselves
In the fall of the year 1795, two boys of
iame of John and Henry Johnson, th6 first
*■
'*
IB'
•"■ ff^awg:
,'S»Pt««»««
SIS
tm j'oiiNsftM*
$
ftpd latljll^l jcars old whose pareotn livid in
)^TpenieT^ station, a little diplance above the
iiV>uth of Short Creek, on the west side of the
I »i01iiQ> river, were sent out in the evening to hunt
'tjbe cows. At the foot of the rivir hill, at
the back of the bottom they sat down under ik
hiccory tree to crack nuts. After sometime^
they saw two men coming towards them, one ci
whom had a bridle in his hand, being dreAStd
like white men they mistook them for theit;
father and an uncle in scat cb of horses. When
they drBcovered their mistake and altcmpied to
run otr, the Indians, pointing their guns at them,
told them to stup, or they would kill them.««-^
They halted and were taken priscners.
The Indians, being in pursuit of borsef , con-
ducted the boys by a circuitous rout over the
Short Creek bills in search of them, until late
in the evening, they halted at a spring in aholloti
place, about three miles from ihe fort. Here they
kindled a small fire, cooked and eat some vic«
iuals, and prepared to repose for the night.
Henry, (he oldest of the boys, during the ram-
ble bad affected the greatest satisfaction at having
been taken prisoner. He said, his father was a
hard master, who kept him always it hajrd tvork,
and allowed him no play;: but that for his port
he wished to live in the woods and be a hunter.
This deportment,^ soon brought him into intima-
cy with one of the Indians, wh? eould speak ve«
ry good English. The Indian frequently asked
the boys, if they knew of any good horses, running
in (he woods. Sometime berore they baited, one of
the Indians gave the largest of the boys a little
Ira^, wHich he supposed contained money aod^
iMlpi bim carry it. «
the boys
«r, the )
over tbci
them, on
Pretty
aod one
John in 1
Eide. In
awake, f
then wh
and unti
of noihic
but wh<
him, sa}
fore we
greed to
ofthc ri
log with
them. I
little br
trigger,
should 8
Heth
gtandini
him wi
back c
to be f«
up; but
such fo
exprest
iiuiver.
Attl
elder b
^e pi
THE JOimsOMJ
30$
When night came on, the fire was covered up,
the boys pinioned and made to lay down togeth-
er, the Indians then placed their hoppis straps
orer them, and laid down, one oo each side of
ibem, on the ends of the straps.
Pretty late in the night, the Indians fell asleep^
sod one of them becoming cold caught hold of
John in his arms and turned him over on the out
eide. In this situation, the boy, who had kept
awake, found means to get his hands loose, h^
then whispered to his brother, made him get up,
and untied his arms. This done, Henry thought
of nothing but running off, as fast as possible
but when about to start, John caught hold of
Mm, saying *'We must kill these Indians be-
fore we go " After some hesitation, Henry a-
greed to make the attempt. John then took one
of the rifles of the Indians, and placed it on a
log with the muzzle close to the head of one oC
them. He then cocked the gun, and placed hia
little brother at the breach with his fioger on the
(rigger, with instructions to pull it, as soon as he
should strike the other Indian.
He then took one of thelndian's tomahawks and
standing a straddle of the other Indian struck
him with it. The blow, however, fell on the
back of the neck and to one side., so as not
to be fatal. The Indian then attem^ited to spring
up; but the little fellow repeated his blows with
such force and rapidity, on the scull, that as he
expressed it **The Indian laid still And begin to
quiver.'*'
At the moment of the first stoke, given by the
elder brother, with the tomahawk the younger
fjae pulled the trigger, and shot away a e^z
i\o ^^
nte joHNsoior.
siderable portion of the lodian^s lower jAtr.-^
Tlvia laJian, a inoni«!nt after receiving the shot
began to flounce about and yell in the most fright-
ful manner. The boys then made the best of
their way to the fort and reached it a little be-
fore djay break. On getting near the fort they
found the people all up and in great agitation on
their account. On hea;rir)g a woman ekclaiiu
"Poor little fellows, they are killed, or taken pris-
oner?" The oldest one an&wered '*N0! mother,
ive are here yet,
Having b&ought nothing away with them from
the Indian camp, their relation of what had ta-
ken place between them and Uie Indians, wa?
not fully credited ABinall party was soon mad<:
up, to go and ascertain the truth, or falshood of
their report. This party, the boys conducted to
the spot by the shortest rout. On arriving at
the place., they found the Indian whom the eld-
est brother had tomahawked lying dead in the
camp. The other, had crawled away, and taken
his gun and shot pouc^h with him. After scalp>
ing the liidian, the party returned to the fort,
and the same day a lorger party went out to look
tfter the wounded Indian who had cratfled some
didlance from thi^ camp and concealed himself
in the top of a T^en tree, where; notwithstand-
ing the severity .ctf# his wound, with aSparUn
bravery be deterniltted to sell his life as dearly
as possible, and having tod bis gun for the pur-
Sose, on the approach of the men to a proper
istance, be toelLjiim atone of ihem, and puUed
t^e iri|fger, but Eis gun missed tire. On hear-
ing the snap of the look, one of th&men ei^plaim*
ed ^*\ sho^ild not like to he killed by a dead In-
dian*" The party concluding that the IcdiAh
m :^'
m
THE JOHNSONS.
si^
vould die at any rate, thought hest to retreat
and return and look for him after some time.—
On returning, however, he cotrtd not be found
having crawled away and concealed himself
in some other place. Ilis skeleton and gun wera
found some time afterwards.
The lodians who were killed, were great war^
riora and very wealthy. The bag which was
supposed to contain money, it was conjectured
was got by one of the parly, who went out first
in the morning. On hearing the report cf tbe^
boys, he slipped off by himself, and reached the
place before the party arrivedr For some time
afterwards, he. appeared f.o have a greater pleii«
ty of money thun his neighbours.
The Indians themselves, did honor to the bra-
very of these two boys. After their treaty with
Gen. Wayne, a friend cf the Indians wbo were
killed, made enquiry of a man from Short creek,
what had become of the boys who killed the
Indians? He was answered that they lived aUhd
same place, with tbeir parents, the Indian repli-i
ed *'You have not done right, you shoald ma'
kings of those boy?.
^■Hi
**■
AJf ELEGY.
ON »I9
¥ A M I L ¥ -^ A 13 L T.
<^ ^«»^^«»^i^^^<»^^^^^^^^^^
BY THE AUTHOR.
Where Allegheny's towering, pine clad peakg)
Rise high in air, and sparkle in the sun,
At whose broad base the gushing torrent breaks,
And dashes through the vale with curling foam^
Mj father came: while vet our world was youngy
Son of the trackless forest, large and wild,
Of ooanners stern, of understanding strong.
As nature rude; but yet m feeling mild.
iTheo our Columbia rising from the woods,
Obieyed the fflandafes of a foreign king,,
And then, the monarch as a father stood;
Nor made us feel bis dread ambition's stingC
For him no splendid mansion rear'd its bead,'
And spread its furniture of gaudy forms,
His was the humble cot, of forest wood.
Made by his hands a shelter from the stormn^
Ko cosily dress the work of foreign hands.
Nor silks from Indian, or Italian realms,
His clothing plain, the produce of his lands,
]^of 9bapea with modero skilly nor set with gem|i'
tfec^
01"
A:« ILEOY
31$
Simple his Tare, obtained from fields and wood?,
His drink, the crystal fountaln'i vholesom*
streams,
No fettered nlave for biro e^er sbed bis blood|
To swell in pomp, aoibuion's idle dreams.
L<mk back, ye gaudy sons of pride, and tbow.
To your fureialher^s humble, lowly state-
How much thi>y sufltred, ntuch they toiled foryotj^^ '
To leave their happier offipring, rich, and ^reatrv
With meek Aurora's earliest dawn be rose^
And to the spacious, trackless woods repaired
When Boreas blew in Autumn^s whirling snows,
To hunt the prowling wolf,, or timid deer.
And when stern winter bowlM thro' leafless wood|^
And filled the air with bitter, biting Irost,
He bunted to his den, the grisly bear;.
Nor without danger facM the frightful beast.
The shaggy native cattle of the west.
The lK>unding elk, with branching antlers largt^
The growlrng panther, with his frowning crest,
Were victims to his well aim*d, deadly charge^
In hunting frock, and Indian sandals trim)
O^er lengthening waates, with nimble steps h6 raa&>
Nor was Apollo's dart more sure in aim;
Than in bis skillful hand, the deadly gun.
m^'To masters, schoi^ls, and colleges unknown^
The forest was his academic grove,
Self taught: the lettered page was all his owf^
And bis the pen^ with oioest art t^ move/
^%
.m
* i
"?-1l|.
^u
AJI ELEG7,
I'bink hoiye lettered men with all your claim 9«'
Ye rich in all the spoils of fields, and floods,
That solid sense, and virtues fairest gems,
Dwell not with huntsmen^ in their native woods.^
WbenchangM thewoodsman/or hard culture's toil^^
To fell the forest, and to clear the field,
And cover o'er with waving grain, the soil^^
He was ih^ busbaod^ father, and tl>e friend'
Hi?, was an ample stort of ardent mind, «
Rich in liberal and creative ar|8,
To trace the landscape wiih correct design.
And ply in many ways^ the tradesman's par|L9S?
With feeling heal;| sincere, and ever kind.
He was the fi i#flid, and father of the poor,
His iras the wish for good to all mankind.
And pity often taxed his litUe store;
#■
His lengthen'd years, of sickness, toil, and pajp|
Were cherish'd by religion's heavenly call,
^rong was llis faith in the Redeemer's name, .
He sunk in death, and died beloved of all.
'}Ay father and my friend, it was thy aim
To make thy children rich in mental store^
To thv expanded mind, the highest gain,
Aod may they honoi%ell thy tender car^
My ffidther, sweetest, loveliest of heftacey
F^air as the ruby blushes of the morn.
Adorned with every caflivating grace^
Hot pitty sincere, and heavenly born^*
i..r
?^l
■^fi
ASt CLEfiY.
^19
With hope elate she saw her little throng,
Ruddy as morn, and free'ii as zephyr^s breete,
Chanting with voice accute their little song,
Or sporting thro' the shade of forest trees. '
By fatal accident, in all her charms
Snat«hM from her babes, by death's untimely dafl^,
Resio;ned me to my second mother's arms,
Who welffulfill'd a tender mother's part.
Say f hen, shall the rough woodland pioneers,
Of Mississippi's widje e?(tended vale.
Claim no just tribute of our love, or tears,
And their names vanish withihe passing gale.
With veteran arms, the forest they subdu'd,
W^th veteran hearts, subdued the savage foe,
Our country purchased by their valiant blood,
Claims for theoi all that gratitude can do.
* Their arduous labours,gave us wealth, and ease,
Fair freedom followed from their doubtful 8trif6|
Their well aim'd measures gave us lasting peace,
^ And all the iocial blessedness of life.
*
Then let th<)ir offspring, mindful of their claim^
Cherish their honor in the lyric band—
O save from dark oblivion's gloomy reign,
Jhe brave, the worthy, fathers of our lao4;
' ' ' 0^ , * . ,
My dear Eliza*, (Ob! fond hopebeguird.)^
' Siveet as the rose bud, steeped in mormoidnWf
Th)' withered ngyfiv, I clainti my lovely child;
Sor have I bid thee yet a long adieu.
MM*.
*Tk6 authorU daughlefj Hgti fiJtiM
^J^
»(^
*:.
#16
AK ELlCI&V.
Bweet little ten&nts ef this dark domain^
Yours was but a momentary breaib,
You ope'd your eyes on Jife, disliked the stehe^,
BesigD'd your claim, and shut them up in ^ath
Soft be your rest, ye tenants oif my iomlt
Exempt from toil, and bitter biting cari|
Saei«d jotir dust until tbe general joom,
Oires ibe reward of heavenly bliss to shatr^
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