BookJ=L^l_ PRESENTED BY do n ^ (9^ / f^ ^ ^A A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. FOR FAMILIES AND LIBRARIES. BY BENSON J. LOSSING, AUTHOR OF " PICTORIAL FIELD-BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION," " HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FOR SCHOOLS;" "LIVES OF EMINENT AMERICANS," ETC. ILLUSTRATED BY NEARLY THREE HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS. NEW YORK: MASON BROTHERS 108 & 110 DUANE STKEET. 18 5 7. DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONTISPIECE. On one side stands an old man representing The Past, counting the passage of the years upon the dial of Time. On the opposite side is a young woman, representing The Present, and holding in her hand the Constitution, and the pileus and cap of Liberty. She is pointing to the unfinished pyramid of the States of the Republic, over which is the rising sun, with the words ExCELSOiR— " still higher I" On one side of The Past is The British Flag indicating the Colonial Era. On the other side is the American Flag, indicating the Confederation. In the center is a Doric Column, Emblem of Strength and Congruiiy, surmounted by an Eagle, the symbol of Sovereignty. These represent our government. Leaning against the column is History, making her records. On the side of The Past is a Censer, emblem of Purification, the incense from which, comii.g down from The Past, is diffused over The Present. Over-arching the whole are stars upon a blue field, our national Constel- lation, and symbol of our Confederated States. Around The Past clusters the Ivy, ar.d aro'iud The Present is the Honeysuckle. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, BY MASON BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. ELECTROTTPED BY PRINTED BY THOMAS B. SMITH C. A. ALVORD, 82 & &4 Beekman Street, N. T. 15 Vandewater-st., N.T. ra PREFACE. This work has been prepared with great care, for the purpose of supply- ing a want long felt by the reading public, and especially by Heads of Fam- ilies. Every important event in the history of the United States, from the Aboriginal period to the present time, is presented in a concise, but perspic- uous and comprehensive manner, without giving those minute and often tedious details, which are valuable to the student, but irksome to the common reader. The History of our Republic is herein popularized, and adapted to the use of those who may not find leisure to peruse more extensive works upon the subject. The materials have been drawn from the earlier, most elaborate, and most reliable historians and chroniclers of our continent. The work is constructed upon a new plan, which, it is believed, will be found to be the most acceptable yet offered to the public, for obtaining, with facility, and fixing in the memory, a knowledge of the great events of our truly won- derful history. And having visited a greater portion of the localities made memorable by important occurrences in our country, the writer claims, in that particular, an advantage over his predecessors in this special field, for he has been able to correct errors and give truthful impressions of things and events. An endeavor has also been made to show the cause of every import- ant event, and thus, by developing the philosophy of our history, to make it more attractive and instructive than a bald record of facts. And wherever the text appeared to need further elucidation, additional facts have been given in foot-notes. The arrangement of the work is new. It is in six Periods, each com- mencing where the history naturally divides into distinct epochs. The first Period exhibits a general view of the Aboriginal race who occupied the con- tinent when the Europeans came. The second is a record of all the Discov- eries and preparations for settlement, made by individuals and governments. The third delineates the progress of all the Settlements until colonial gov- ernments were formed. The fourth tells the story of these Colonies from their infiincy to maturity, and illustrates the continual development of Dem- ocratic ideas and Republican tendencies which finally resulted in a political VI PEEPACE. confederation. The fifth has a full account of the important events of the War for Independence, and the sixth gives a concise history of the Re- public, from its formation to the present time. The Supplement is com- posed of the most important State Papers connected with that formation, such as the Stamp Act, and papers put forth by the Stamp Act Congress ; the papers presented to the consideration of the world by the First and Sec- ond Continental Congresses ; the Declaration of Independence ; the Articles of Confederation ; and the Federal Constitution, with the admirable Farewell Address of Washington. These documents, thus grouped and preserved, will be found valuable as embodying the principles of our government. The original draft, with the amendments, of the Declaration of Independence, is given ; and, in foot-notes, every charge made against the king of Great Brit- ain, in that manifesto, is proven from History. The Federal Constitution is also accompanied by important commentaries. The system of concordance interwoven with the notes throughout the entire work, is of great importance to the reader. When a fact is named which bears a relation to another fact elsewhere recorded in the volume, a reference is made to the page where such fact is mentioned A knowledge of this relationship of separate events is often essential to a clear view of the subject, and without this concordance, a great deal of time would be spent in searching for that relationship. With the concordance the matter may be found in a moment. Favorable examples of the utility of this new feature may be found on page 289. If strict attention shall be given to these refer- ences, the whole subject will be presented to the mind of the reader in a comprehensive aspect of unity not to be obtained by any other method. The engravings are introduced not for the sole purpose of embellishing the volume, but to enhance its utility as an instructor. Every picture is intended to illustrate a fact, not merely to beautify the page. Great care has been taken to secure accuracy in all the delineations of men and things, so that they may not convey false instruction. Geographical maps have been omitted, because they must necessarily be too small to be of essential service. History may be j^ead for the purpose of obtaining general information on the subject, without maps, but it should never be studied without the aid of an accurate Atlas, The author has endeavored to make this work essentially a Family History, attractive and instructive; and the Publishers have generously CO- worked with him in producing a volume that may justly claim to be excellent in every particular. With these few observations concerning the general plan and merits of the work, it is presented to the public, with an entire willingness to have its reputation rest upon its own merits. ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. iLLtTMINATED FrOXTISPIECE 2. Sioux Indians 3. Portrait of Red JACiiET 4. A Wigwam 5. Wampum 6. Indian HiEROtti-TPiiics 7. Indian Weapons 8. Calumets 9. Indian Burial-Place 10. Indian Totum 11. Profile of Black Hawk 12. Uncas's Monument 13. Portrait of Sa.muel Kirkland 14. Southern Indians 15. Columbus before tue Council of Salamanca 16. Portrait of A.merigo VESPtJCCl 17. Northman IS. Norman Ship 19. Old Tower at Newport 20. Portrait of Columbus 21. Portrait of Isabella 22. The Fleet of Columbus 23. Banner of the Expedition 24. Balboa 25. Portrait of De Soto 26. Portrait of Sebastian Cabot 27. Portrait of Verag azzi 2S. Cartier's Ship 29. Arms of France 30. French Noblem.4^n, 1540 31. Raleigh's Expedition at Roanoke 32. Portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh 33. R-^leigh's Ships 34. English Gentleman, 15S0 35. Portrait of Henry Hudson 36. The Half-Moon 37. Building Jamestown 38. Portrait of Captain John Smith 39. Portrait of Pocahontas 40. Seal of New Netherland 41. A Puritan 42. Thf, Mayflower 43. Governor Carver's Chair 44. Portrait of Cecil, Lord Baltimore 45. Hooker's Emigration TO Connecticut 46. First Meeting-House in Connecticut 47. Portrait of Roger Williams 48. Portrait of William Penn. 49. The Assembly* House, Pennsylvania 50. Oglethorpe on the Site of Savannah 51. Embarkation of the Pilgrims 52. Portrait of James Edward Oglethorpe 53. Church Tower at Jamestown 54. First Colony Seal, Massachusetts 55. Portrait of John Wixtiirop 56. First Money Coined in the United St.vtes.. 57. Portrait of King Philip 5S. Pallisaded Building 59. Portrait of Captain Church &>. Portrait of Cotton Mather 61. Williams's House, Deekfield 62. Plan of the Siege of Louisburg 63. Portr.\it of Peter Stuyvesant 64. City of New York in 1664 65. Stuyvtjsant Surrendering Fort A.msterdam to the English 66. The Charter Oak PAGE Penn's House 162 Plan of Charleston in 1680 166 Early" New England House 176 I)UTCHM.4.N, 1660 176 Plan of Fort Du Quesne 1S6 Portrait of Braddock 186 Burial of Braddock 187 Plan of Fort Edward 190 Portrait of Sir William Johnson 190 Plan of Fort William Henry 191 Portrait of General Abebcrombie 191 Pl.\.ns of Forts at Oswego 192 Block House 192 M.\p of Lake George and Vicinity 194 Portrait of Lord Amherst 196 Plan of Ticonderog.i 196 Ruins of Ticondeeog a 19J Portrait of Lord Howe 107 Plan of Crown Point 200 Plan of Fort Niagara 200 General Wolfe 201 Milit.\ry Oper.^tions at Quebec 202 Monument to Wofle and Montcalm 202 P.\TRicK Henry before the Virginia Assem- bly 207 Portrait of James Otis 207 Portrait of Benjamin West 210 Portrait of David Rittenhouse 211 Portrait of Patrick Henry 214 A Stamp 215 Portrait of Cadwallader Colden 216 Portr.\it of William Pitt 217 Portrait of John Dickenson 219 Portrait of Sa.muel Ada.ms 221 Portrait op Lord North 224 F.tNEUIL H.\LL 225 Snake Device 226 Portrait of Charles Tuo.mson 227 Carpenter's Hall 228 John Hancock 2-30 Plan of Bunker Hill B.^ttle 235 Bunker Hill Monu.ment 235 Portrait of Joseph Warren 237 Portrait of Philip Schuyler 2-39 Plan of the AValls of Quebec 242 Portrait of General Montgo.mery 242 Culpepper Flag 243 Union Flag 245 Bill of Credit or Continental Money 245 Portrait of General Lee 243 Portrait of General Moultrie 249 State House, Philadelphia 250 Portrait of Benjamin Rush 251 Portrait of General Putnam 253 Plan of the Battle on Long Island 254 Plan of Fort Washington 256 Retreat of the Americ.vns from Long Island 257 The Jersey Prison-Ship 259 Plan of the Battle at Trenton 263 Portrait of Robert Morris 264 Portrait of Sil.\s Deane 266 Portrait of Benjamin Franklin 267 Plan of the Battle at Princeton 269 Portrait of La Fayette 273 Plan of the Battle at the Brandywine. .. 273 ClIEVAU.X-DE-FRISE 274 Plan of the Battle at Gee.mantown 275 Vlll ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE 133. PoRTKAiT OF Gesekal St. Claik 276 134. Portrait op Kosciuszko 277 135. Portrait OF Joseph Brant 27S 136. Portrait of General Burgoyne 27S J37. A Treaty 278 13s. burgoyne surkenuering his swori) to Gates 279 1-39. Plan of Operations at Bf.mis's Heights 281 ] 10. Portrait of Francis Hopkinson 284 141. Plan of Encampment at Valley Forge 285 142. Portrait of Sir Henry Clinton 287 143. Plan of THE Battle at Monmouth 2S8 144. Portrait of Count D'Estaing 2S9 145. Portrait OF Baron Steuben 291 146. Portrait of General Lincoln 294 147. Plan of Stony Point 298 148. Portrait of General Wayne 298 149. Portrait OF Daniel Boone 299 150. Portrait of George Hogers Clarke SuO 151. Clarke's Expedition across tue "Drowned Lands." 301 152. Portrait of General Sullivan 304 153. Plan of the Siege op Savannah 8h5 154. Portrait of Count Pulaski 305 155. Portrait of John Paul Jones 307 156. A Gun-Boat at Boston 307 157. Portrait OF Admiral Hopkins 308 153. Cipher Alphabet 809 159. Portrait of Governor Kutledge 310 ]G:>. Portrait OF Commodore Whipple 310 161. Plan of the Siege of Charleston 311 361 Portrait of David Kamsay 312 163. Portrait of General Gates 314 164. Portrait OP General Sumter 315 165. Plan OF Battle at Sanders's Creek 315 1C6. Portrait of Baron De Kalb 316 167. Portrait OF Colonel Tarleton 816 168. Portrait OF General Marion 317 16^ Portrait of Lord Corn wallis 3lS llK Marion's Encampment on the Pedee 821 171: Portrait of Governor Trumbull 823 172. Portrait of Benedict Arnold 825 173. The Captors' Medal 827 174. Portrait of General Greene 331 175. Portrait of General Morgan 331 170. Portrait OF Colonel Washington 332 177. Portrait OF Colonel Henry Lee 333 178. Plan OF the Battle at Guilford 3.33 179. Plan OF the Battle AT IIobkirk's Hill 3-34 180. Portrait of Rebecca Motte 335 181. Plan of Fort Ninety-Six 3.36 183. Portrait of General Pickens 336 18-3. Portrait of Count de Eochambeau 839 184. Portrait op Count De Grasse 840 185. Plan of the Siege of Torktown 341 186. Portrait op Benjamin Thompson (Count Eumford) 846 187. Portrait of Ja.mes Jackson 347 188. Portrait of George Clinton 350 189. Portrait of John Marshall 351 190. Portrait of General Mifflin 852 191. Order OF the Cincinnati 352 192. Portrait of Bishop Carroll 854 193. Franklin before the Constitutional Con- vention 357 194. Portrait of Oliver Ellsworth 360 195. Portrait OF Alexander Hamilton .361 196. Portrait of llupus Putnam 302 197. Inauguration of Washington 364 198. Portrait of Gouverneur Morris 864 199. Portrait op Washington 365 200. Portrait op Robert R. Livingston 366 201. Portrait of Tench Coxe 869 202. Portrait of General Knox 870 203. AVayne's Defeat of the Indians 375 204. Portrait of John Jay 879 205. Portrait of Fisher Ames 3S0 206. Portrait of John Adams 883 207. Portrait of C. 0. Pinckne y 384 PACE fcu;^ 208. Portrait of Martha Washington 387 '■ ' 209. Portrait of Tiio.mas Jefferson 389 210. Portrait OP Commodore Bainbridge 391 211. United States Frigate 891 ^ 212. PoRTRAix of Lieutenant Decatur 392 213. Mohammedan Soldier 392 214. Burning of Tijjg Philadelphia at Tripoli.. 393 215. Portrait of Rufus King 395 216. Portrait of Aaron 'Burr 896 217. Portrait of Robert Fulton 398 • 218. Fulton's first Steamboat. 899 219. Portrait of William PinkneA' 400 220. A Felucca Gun-Boat 401 221. Portrait op John Randolph 403 222. Portrait of James Madison 4W5 223. Portrait op General Dearborn :."410 224. Portrait of Stephen Van Rennsselaer.... fl3 22.5. Sloop-of-War 415 226. Portrait of Governor Shelby 417 227. Plan of Fort Meigs 418 228. Plan of Fort Sandusky 419 229. Major Croghan 420 230. Perry on Lake Erie 421 231. Portrait of Commodore Perry 423 232. Portrait op General Pike. 425 2.3.3. Fort Niagara in 1813 427 234. Portrait of Captain Lawrence 429 2.35. Portrait of Commodore Porter 431 2.36. Portrait op General Brown 432 237. Map op the Niagara Frontier 434 238. Portrait of Com.modore Macdonough 435 239. Plan OP THE Battle op New Orleans 4.39 240. Portp.ait op W\ C. C. Claiborne 440 241. Jackson at New Orleans 441 242. Portrait of James Monroe 447 243. Capture of Pensacola 449 244. Portrait ok Edward Livingston 452 24.5. Portrait of John Quincy Adams 455 246. Portrait of ])ewitt Clinton 456 247. Portrait of John C. Calhoun 458 248. Portrait op General Jackson 460 249. Portrait op Robert Y. IIayne 463 250. Portrait op Osceola 466 251. Map op the Seat op the Seminole AVar 467 252. Portrait of Martin Van Bl'ren 470 253. Portrait op "William H. Harrison 474 254. Portrait of John Tyler 476 255. Portrait op James K. Polk 479 256. Portrait of General Scott 485 2.57. Map of the Region of Taylor's Oper-'^.tions 486 258. Portrait op John C. Fremont 483 259. Plan op Intrenchments at Vera Cruz 489 260. Map of THE Route OF Scott's Army in Mexico 490 261. Bombardment of Vera Cruz . . . ; 491 262. Operations near Mexico 493 263. General Scott Entering THE City of Mexico 495 264. Portrait of General Taylor 498 265. Portrait of Henry Clay 500 266. Portrait OF Millard P^illmore 502 267. Portrait of Daniel Webster 503 268. Portrait of Joseph Smith 504 269. Mormon Emigration 505 270. Portrait of Professor Morse 507 271 . Portrait of Dr. Kane 510 272. Portrait of Franklin Pierce 514 2T3. Portrait of Santa Anna 515 274. An Ocean Steamship 516 27.5. Crystal Palace in New York 517 276. Portrait of Captain Ingraham 518 277. Portrait OP James Buchanan 532 278. Founding New States 537 279. Portrait of Tiio.mas Jefferson 589 280. Portrait of John Adams -. 589 281. Portrait of Dr. Franklin 589 282. Portrait op Robert R. Livingston 589 283. Portrait OF Roger Sherman 589 284. Portrait of Charles Carroll 601 285. PoBTKAiT or Judge Story 612 Ife _ » H I S T Pt Y THE UNITED STATES. FIRST PERIOD. THE ABORIGINALS. CHAPTER I. EED JACKET. Every cultivated nation had its heroic age — a period when its first physical and moral conquests were achieved, and when rude society, with all its impurities, was fused and refined in the crucible of progress. When civilization first set up its standard as a permanent ensign, in the western hemisphere, northward of tlie Bahamas and the great Gulf, and 10 THE ABORIGINALS. the contests for possession began between the wild Aboriginals, who thrust no spade into the soil, no sickle into ripe harvests, and those earnest delvers from the Old World, who came with the light of Christianity, to plant a new empire, and redeem the wilderness bj cultivation — then commenced the heroic age of America. It ended when the work of the Revolution in the eighteenth century was accomplished — when the bond of vassalage to Great Britain was severed by her colonies, and Avhen thirteen confederated States ratified a Fed- eral Constitution, and upon it laid the broad foundation of our Republic' Long anterior to the advent of Europeans in America, a native empire, little inferior to old Rome in civilization, flourished in that region of our Con- tinent which now forms the south-western portion of our Republic, and the adjoining States of Central America. The Aztec Empire, which reached the acme of its refinement during the reign of jNIontezuma, and crumbled into frag- ments beneath the heel of Cortez, when he dethroned and destroyed that mon- arch,' extended over the whole region from the Rio Grande to the Isthmus of Darien ; and when the Spaniards came, it was gradually pushing its conquests northward, where all was yet darkness and gloom. To human apprehension, this people, apparently allied by various ties to the wuld nations of North America, appeared to be the most efficient instruments in the hands of Provi- nce, for spreading the light of dawning civilization over the whole Continent. it, they were not only denied this glorious privilege, but, by the very race which first attempted to plant the seeds of European society in Florida, and amonor the Mobilian tribes,^ and to shed the illumination of their dim Chris- tianity over the dreary region of the North, was their own bright light extin- guished. The Aztecs and their neighbors were beaten into the dust of debasement by the falchion blows of avarice and bigotry, and nothing remains to attest their superiority but the magnificent ruins of their cities and temples, and their colossal statuary, which has survived the fury of the Spanish icono- clast and the tooth of decay. They form, apparently, not the most insignificant atom of the chain of events wdiicli connects the history of the Aboriginal nations of America with that of our Republic. The position of the tribes of the North is different. From the beginning of European settlements, they have maintained, and do still maintain, an important relation to the white people. The first inhabitants of a country properly belong to the history of all sub- sequent occupants of the territory. The several nations of red or copper- colored people who occupied the present domain of the United States, when Europeans first came, form as necessary materials for a portion of the history of our Republic, as the Frenchmen* and Spaniards,^ by whom parts of the territory were settled, and from whom they have been taken by conquest or \ purcui*se. The history of the Indian^ tribes, previous to the formation of settlements among them, by Europeans,' is involved in an obscui-ity which is penetrated ^ Page 360. ' Page 43. 3 Page 29. < Page 180. ' Page 51. 6 Page 40. '' Before the year 1G07. THE ABORIGINALS. l\ only by vague traditions and uncertain conjectures. Whence came they ? is a question yet unanswered by established facts. In the Old World, the monu- ments of an ancient people often record their history. In North America, such intelligible records are wanting. Within almost every State and Terri- tory remains of human skill and labor have been found,' which seem to attest the existence here of a civilized nation or nations, before the ancestors of our numerous Indian tribes became masters of the Continent. Some of these appear to give indisputable evidence of intercourse between the people of the Old World and those of America, centuries, perhaps, before the birth of Christ, and at periods soon afterw^ard.'^ The Avhole mass of testimony yet discovered does not prove that such intercourse was extensive; that colonies from the eastern hemisphere ever made permanent settlements in America, or remained long enough to impress their character upon the country or the Aboriginals, Br** they existed ; or that a high degree of civilization had ever prevailed on our Continent. The origin of the Indian tribes is referred by some to the Phoenicians and other maritime nations, whose extensive voyages have been mentioned by ancient writers, and among Avhom tradition seemed to cherish memories of far- off lands beyond the sea, unknown to the earlier geographers. Others per- ceive evidences of their Egyptian or Hindoo parentage ; and others find their ancestors among the "lost tribes of Israel," who "took counsel to go forth into a further country where never mankind dwelt, "^ and crossed from north- eastern Asia to our Continent, by way of the Aleutian Islands, or by Beh- ring's Straits.* These various theories, and many others respecting settlements of Europeans and Asiatics here, long before the time of Columbus, unsu])ported as they are by a sufficiency of acknowledged facts, have so little practical value ' Remains of fortifications, similar in form to those of ancient European nations, have been discovered. An idol, composed^of clay and gypsum, representing a man without arms, and in all respects reserabUng one found in Southern Russia, was dug up near Nashville, in Tennessee. Also fireplaces, of regular structure ; weapons and utensils of copper ; catacombs with mummies • ornaments of silver, brass, and copper; walls efforts and cities, and many other things which only a people advanced in civilization could have made. The Aboriginals, themselves, have various traditions respecting their origin — each nation having its distinct records in the memory. Nearly all have traditional glimpses of a great and universal deluge ; and some say their particular pro- genitor came in a bark canoe after that terrible event. Tliis belief, with modifications, was current among most of the northern tribes, and was a recorded tradition of the half-civilized Aztecs. The latter ascribed all their knowledge of the arts, and their religious ceremonies, to a wliite and bearded mortal who came among them ; and when his mission was ended, was made immortal by the Great Spirit. 2 A Roman coin was found in Missouri ; a Persian coin in Ohio ; a bit of silver in Genesee county, New York, with the year of our Lord, 600, engraved on it; split wood and ashes, thirty feet below the surface of the earth, near Fredoniii, New York ; and near Montevideo, South America, in a tomb, were found two ancient swords, a helmet and shield, with Greek inscriptions, showing that they were made in the time of Alexander the Great, 330 years before Ciirist. Near Marietta, Ohio, a silver cup, finely gilded within, was found in an ancient mound. Traces of iron utensils, wholly reduced to rust, mirrors of isinglass, and glazed pottery, have also been discovered in these mounds. These are evidences of the existence of a race far more civilized than the tribes found by modern Europeans. 3 2 Esdras, xiii. 40-^5. The people of north-eastern Asia^ and on the north-west coast of America^ have a near resemblance in person, customs, and languages ; and those of the Aleutian Islands present many of the characteristics of both. Ledyard said of the people of Eastern Siberia^ " Universally and circumstantially they resemble the Aborigines of America." 12 THE ABORIGINALS. for the student of our history, that we will not occupy space in giving a deline- ation of even their outlines. There . are**elaborately-written works specially devoted to this field of inquiry, and to those the curious reader is referred. The proper investigation of such subjects requires the aid of varied and exten- sive knowledge, and a far wider field for discussion than the pages of a volume like this. So we will leave the field of conjecture for the more useful and important domain of recorded history. The New World, dimly comprehended by Europeans, afforded materials for wonderful narratives concerning its inhabitants and productions. The few natives who were found upon the seaboard, had all the characteristics common to the human race. The interior of the Continent was a deep mystery, and for a lonjr time marvelous stories were related and believed of nations of giants and pigmies ; of people with only one eye, and that in the centre of the fore- head ; and of whole tribes Avho existed Avithout eating. But when sober men penetrated the forests and became acquainted with the inhabitants, it was dis- covered that from the Gulf of Mexico to the country north of the chain of great lakes which divide the United States and the British possessions, the people were not remarkable in persons and qualities, and that a great similarity in manners and institutions prevailed over that whole extent of country. The Aboriginals spoke a great variety of dialects, but there existed not more than eight radically distinct languages among them all, from the Atlan- tic to the Mississippi, and westward to the Rocky Mountains, namely : Al- gonquin, Huron-Iroquois, Cherokee, Catawba, Uchee, Natchez, MoBiLiAN, and Dahcotah or Sioux. These occupied a region embraced within about twenty-four degrees of latitude and almost forty degrees of longi- tude, and covering a greater portion of the breadth of the north temperate zone. All the nations and tribes were similar in physical character, moral senti- ment, social and political organization, and religious belief. They were all of a copper color ; were tall, straight, and well-proportioned ; their eyes black and expressive ; their hair black, long, coarse, and perfectly straight ; their constitutions vigorous, and their powers of endurance remarkable. Bodily deformity was almost unknown, and few diseases prevailed. They were indo- lent, taciturn, and unsocial ; brave, and sometimes generous in war ; unflinch- ing under torture ; revengeful, treacherous, and morose when injured or oifended ; not always grateful for favors ; grave and sagacious in council ; often eloquent in speech ; sometimes warm and constant in friendship, and occasion- ally courteous and polite. The men were employed in. war, hunting and fishing. The women per- formed all menial services. In hunting and fishing the men were assiduous and very skillful. They carried the knowledge of woodcraft to the highest degree of perfection; and the slightest indication, such as the breaking of a twig, or the bending of grass, was often sufiicient to form a clew to the pathway of an enemy or of game. The women bore all burdens during journeys; spread the tents ; prepared food ; dressed skins for clothing ; wove mats for THE ABORiaiNALS. 13 A WIGWAM. beds, made of the bark of trees an^-the skins of animals ; and planted and gathered the scanty crops of corn, b^ns^ jjeas, potatoes, melons, and tobacco. These constituted *the chief agri- cultural productions of the Aboriginals, under the most favorable circumstances. In these labors the men never engaged; they only manufactured their implements of war. Their wigwams, or houses, were rude huts, made of poles covered with mats, skins, or bark of trees ; and all of their domestic arrangements were very simple. And simple, too, were their implements of labor. They were made of stones- shells, and bones, with which they prepared their food, made their clothing and habitations, and tilled their lands. Their food consisted of a few vegetables, and the meat of the deer, buffalo, and bear, generally roasted upon the' points of sticks; sometimes boiled in water heated by hot stones, and always eaten without salt. Their dress in summer was a slight covering around the loins. In winter they were clad in the skins of wild beasts,* often profusely ornamented with the claws of the bear, the horns of the buffalo, the feathers of birds, and the bones of fishes. Their faces were often tat- tooed, and generally painted with bright colors in hideous devices. Their money was little tubes made of shells, fastened upon belts or strung in chains, and called wampum^ It was used in traffic, in treaties, and as a token of friendship or alliance, belts constituted records of public transactions in the hands of a chief There was no written language in all the New World, except rude hieroglyphics, or picture writings. The history of the nations, consisting of the records of warlike achievements, treaties of alliance, and deeds of great men, was, in the form of traditions, carefully handed down from father to son, especially from chief to chief Wampum INDIAN HIEROGLYPHICS.^ Children were taught the simple ' The engraving at the head of this chapter represents some Sioux Indians, in their winter and fanciful costumes. "^ "Wampum is yet in use, as money, among some of the Western tribes, and is manufactured, we believe, as an article of commerce on the sea-shore of one of the counties of New Je^se}^ It is made of the clear parts of the common clam-shell. This part being split off, a hole is drilled in it, and the form, which is that of the bead now known as the hwjle^ is produced by friction. They are about half an inch long, generally disposed in alternate layers of white and bluish black, and valued, when they become a circulating medium, at about two cents for three of the black beads, or six of the white. They were strung in parcels to represent a penny, three pence, a shilling, and five shilUngs, of white; and double that amount in black. A fathom of white was worth about two dollars and a halij and black about five dollars. They were of less value at the time of our war for independence. The engraving shows a part of a siring and a heU of wampum. 3 This is part of a record of a war expedition. The figures on the right and leftr — one with a gun and the other with a hatchet — denote prisoners taken by a warrior. The one without a head, and holding a bow and arrow, denotes that one was killed ; and the figure with a shaded part below the cross indicates a female prisoner. Then he goes in a war canoe, with nine companions, denoted by the paddles, after which a council is held by the chiefs of the Bear and Turtle tribes, indicated by rude figures of these animals on each side of a fire. 14 THE ABOEIGINALS. INDIAN WEAPONS.-' CALUMETS. arts practiced among them, sucli as making wampum, constructing bows, arrows, and spears, preparing matting and skins for domestic use, and fashion- ing rude personal ornaments. Individual and national pride prevailed among the Aboriginals. They were ambitious of distinction, and therefore Avar was the chief vocation, a.s we have said, of the men.' They generally went forth in parties of about forty bowmen. Sometimes a half-dozen, like knights- errant,'' went out upon the war-path to seek renown in combat. Their weapons were bows and arrows, hatch- ets (tomahawks) of stone, and scalping-knives of bone. Soon after they became acquainted with the Euro- peans, they procured knives and hatchets made of iron, and this was a great advance in the increase of their power. Some wore shields of bark ; others Avore skin dresses for protection. They were skillful in stratagem, and seldom met an enemy in open fight. Ambush and secret attack were their favorite methods of gaining an advantage over an enemy. Their close personal encounters were fierce and bloody. They made prisoners, and tortured them, and the scalps^ of enemies were their trophies of war. Peace was arranged by sachems' in council ; and each smoking the same "pipe of peace," called cahmiet,^ was a solemn pledge of fidelity to the contract. With the Indians, as with many oriental nations, women were regarded as inferior beings. They were degraded to the condition of abject slaves, and they never engaged with the men in their amusements of leaping, dancing, target- shooting, ball-playing, and games of chance. They were allowed as spectators, with their children, at war-dances around fires, when the men recited the feats of their ancestors and of themselves. Marriage, among them, was only a tem- porary contract — a sort of purchase — the father receiving presents from the 1 It was offensive to a chief or warrior to ask him his name, because it imphed that his brave deeds were unknown. Red Jacket, the great Seneca chief (whose portrait is at the head of this chapter), was asked his name in court, in comphance witli a legal form. He was very indignant, and replied, "Look at the papers which the white people keep the most carefiilly" — (land cession treaties) — •' they will tell you who I am." Red Jacket was born near Geneva, New York, about 1750, and died in 1830. He was the last great chief of the Senecas. For a biographical sketch of him, see Lossing's " Eminent Americans." ^ Knights-errant of Europe, six hundred years ago, were men clothed in metal armor, who went from countrj'' to country, to win fame by personal combats with other knights. They also engaged in wars. For about three hundred years, knights-errant and their exploits formed the chief amusement of the courts of Europe. It is curious to trace tlae connection of the spirit of knighthood, as exhibited by the one hundred and thirty-five orders that have existed, at various times, in the Old World, with some of the customs of the rude Aboriginals of North America ^ a, bow and arrow ; h, a war club ; c, an iron tomahawk ; d, a stone one ; e, a scalping- knife. - * * They seized an enemy by the hair, and by a sJiiHful use of the knife, cut and tore from the top of the head a large portion of the skin. ^ Sachems were the civil heads of nations or tribes ; chiefs were military leaders. ^ Tobacco was in general use among' the Indians for smoking, when the white men came. The more filthy practice of cheiviwj it was invented by the white people. The calumet was made of pipe-clay, and was often ornamented with feathers. THE ABORIGINALS. 15 husband, in exchange for the daughter, who, generally, after being fondled and favored for a few months, was debased to the condition of a domestic servant, at best. The men had the right to take wives and dismiss them at pleasure ; and, though polygamy was not very common, except among the chiefs, it Avas not objectionable. Every Indian might have as many wives as he could purchase and maintain. The husband might put his wife to death if she proved unfaithful to him. The affections were ruled by custom, and those decorous endearments and attentions toward woman, which give a charm to civilized society, were wholly unknown among the Indians ; yet the sentiment of conjugal love was not always wanting, and attachments for life were frequent. There was no society to call for woman's refining qualities to give it beauty, for they had but few local attachments, except for the burial-places of their dead. From the frozen North to the tropical South, their funeral ceremonies and methods of burial were similar. They laid their dead, wrapped in skins, upon sticks, in the bottom of a shallow pit, or placed them in a sitting posture, or occasionally folded them ^^/-^' _rv\ in skins, and laid them upon high scaffolds, out of the reach of wild beasts. Their arms, utensils, paints, and food, were buried with them, to be used on their long journey to the spirit-land. By this custom, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul was clearly and „ ., , , i''. . . , ..,,*' BURIAL-PLACE. forcibly taught, not as distmctively spu'itual, but as possessing the two-fold nature of matter and spirit. Over their graves they raised mounds, and planted beautiful wild-flowers upon them. The Algon- quins, especially, always lighted the symbolical funeral pyre, for several nights, upon the grave, that the soul might perceive and enjoy the respect paid to the body. Relatives uttered piercing cries and great lamentations during the burial, and they continued mourning many days. Like that of the earlier nations of the world, their religion was simple, with- out many ceremonies, and was universally embraced. They had no infidels among them. The diiallty of God is the most ancient tenet of Indian faith — a prominent tenet, it will be observed, in the belief of all of the more advanced oriental nations of antiquity. They believed in the existence of two Great Spirits : the one eminently great was the Good Spirit,' and the inferior was an Evil one. They also deified the sun, moon, stars, meteors, fire, water, thun- der, wind, and every thing which they held to be superior to themselves, but ' They believed every animal to have had a great original, or father. The first buffalo, the first bear, the first beaver, the first eagle, etc., was tlie Manitou of the whole race of the different crea- tures. They chose some one of these originals as their special Manitou, or guardian, and hence arose the custom of having the figure of some animal for the arms or symbol of a tribe, called Mum. For example, each of the Five Xatioxs (see page 12) was divided into several tribes, designated The Wolf, The Bear, The Turtle, etc., and their respective Mums were rude representations of these animals. When they signed treaties with the white people, they sometimes sketched outlines of their Mums. The annexed cut represents the totum of Teyenda- gages, of the Turtle tribe of the Mohawk nation, as afiQxed by him to a deed. totuji. it would be a curious and pleasant task to trace the intimate connection of this totomic system with the use of symbolical signet-rings, and other seals of antiquity, and, by suc- cession, the heraldic devices of modern times. 1Q THE ABORIGINALS. thcj never exalted their heroes or prophets above the sphere of humanity. They also adored an invisible, great Master of life, in diflFerent forms, which they called Manilou, and made it a sort of tutelar deity. They had vague ideas of the doctrine of atonement for sins, and made propitiatory sacrifices with great solemnity. All of them had dim traditions of the creation, and of a great deluge which covered the earth. Each nation, as we have observed, had crude notions, drawn from tradition, of their own distinct origin, and all agreed that their ancestors came from the North. It can hardly be said that the Indians had any true government. It was a mixture of the patriarchal and despotic. Public opinion and common usage were the only laws of the Indian.^ All political power was vested in a sachem or chief, who was sometimes an hereditary monarch, but frequently owed his elevation to his own merits as a warrior or orator. While in power, he was absolute in the execution of enterprises, if the tribe confided in his wisdom. Public opinion, alone, sustained him. It elevated him, and it might depose him. The ofiice of chief was often hereditary, and its duties were sometimes exer- cised even by women. Unlike the system of lineal descent which prevails in the Old World, the heir to the Indian throne of power was not the chief's own son, but the son of his sister. This usage was found to be universal through- out the continent. Yet the accident of birth was of little moment. If the recipient of the honor was not worthy of it, the iif/e might remain, but the in- Jiuence passed into other hands. This rule might be followed, with benefit, by civilized communities. Every measure of importance was matured in council, which was composed of the elders, with the sachem as umpire. His decision was final, and wherever he led, the whole tribe followed. The utmost decorum prevailed in the public assemblies, and a speaker was always listened to with respectful silence. We have thus briefly sketched the general character of the inhabitants of the territory of the United States, when discovered by Europeans. Although inferior in intellectual cultivation and approaches to the arts of civilization, to the native inhabitants of Mexico^ and South America, and to a race w^hich evidently occupied the continent before them, they possessed greater personal manliness and vigor than the more southern ones discovered by the Spaniards. They were almost all wanderers, and roamed over the vast solitudes of a fertile continent, free as the air, and unmindful of the wealth in the soil under their feet. The great garden of the western world needed tillers, and white men came. They have thoroughly changed the condition of the land and the people. The light of civilization has revealed, and industry has developed, vast treas- ures in the soil, while before its radiance the Aboriginals are rapidly melting hke snow in the sunbeams. A few generations will pass, and no representa- tive of the North American Indian will remain upon the earth. 1 It was said of McGillivray, the half-breed emperor of the Creeks, who died in 1793, that, not- withstanding he called iiimself "King of kuigs," and was idolized by his people, "he could neither restrain the meanest fellow of his nation from the commission of a crime, nor punish him after he had committed it. He might persuade, or advise — all the good an Indian king or cliief can do." 2 rage 43. THE ALGONQUINS. 17 CHAPTER II. THE ALGONQUINS. The first tribes of Indians, discovered by the French in Canada,' were in- habitants of the vicinity of Quebec, and the adventurers called them Mon- tagners, or Mountain Indians, from a range of high hills westward of that city. Ascending the St. Lawrence, they found a numerous tribe on the OttaAva River, who spoke an entirely different dialect, if not a distinct language. These they called Algonquins, and this name was afterward applied to that- great collection of tribes north and south of Lakes Erie and Ontario, who spoke dialects of the same language. They inhabited the territory now included in all of Canada, New England, a part of New York and Pennsylvania, the States of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, eastern North Car- olina above Cape Fear, a large portion of Kentucky and Tennessee, and all north and west of these States, eastward of the Mississippi. The Algonquin nation was composed of several powerful tribes, tho most nnportant of which were tho Knisteneaux and Athajjascas, in the far north, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Menomonees, Miamies, Piankeshaws, Pottowatomies, Kickapoos, Illinois, Shawnees, Powhatans, Corees, Nanticokes, Lenni- Lenapcs, or Delawarcs, Mohegans, the New England Indians, and tho Abenakes. There were smaller, independent tribes, the principal of which were the Susquehannocks, on the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania ; the Manna- hoacks, in tho hill country between the York and Potomac Rivers, and the Monocans, on the head waters of the James River in Virginia. All of these tribes were divided into cantons or clans, sometimes so small as to afford only a war party of forty bowmen. The Knisteneaux yet [1856J inliabit a domain extending across the con- tinent from Labrador to the Rocky Mountains, and are the hereditary ene- mies of the EsQUiJiAUX. their neighbors of the Polar Circle. The Athapascas inhabit a belt of country from Churchill's River and Hudson's Bay to within a hundred miles of the Pacific coast, and combine a large number of tribes who speak a similar language. They, too, are the enemies of the Esquimaux. The extensive domain occupied by these tribes and the Esquimaux, is claimed by the British, and is under the control of the Hudson's Bay Company. The orginal land of the Ottawas was on the west side of Lake Huron, but they were seated upon the river in Canada bearing their name, when the French dis- covered them. They claimed sovereignty over that region, and exacted tribute from those who passed to or from the domain of tho Hurons.- They assisted ' Page 48. 2 Between tlie Ottawas and Hiirons, was a tribe called ]\IississaGn^iics, who appoar to have left tho Algoxquixs, and joined the Five Nations, south of Luke Ontario. Kcmnant-s of this tribe are still found in Canada. 3 18 THE ABORIGINALS. the latter in a war with the Five Nations' in 1650, and suffered much. The Hurons were almost destroyed, and the Ottawas were much reduced in num- })ers. Some of them, Avith the Huron remnant, joined the Chippewas, and, finally, the whole tribe returned to their ancient seat [1680] in the northern part of the Michigan peninsula. Under their great chief, Pontiac, they were confederated with several other Algonquin tribes of the north-west, in an attempt to exterminate the white people, in 1763.'- Within a fortnight, in the summer of that year, they took possession of all the English garrisons and trading posts in the West, except Detroit, Niagara, ^^ and Fort Pitt.^ Peace was restored in 1764-5, the confederation was dissolved, and Pontiac took up his abode with the Illinois, where he was murdered.^ " This murder,'' says Nicol- let, "which roused the vengeance of all the Indian tribes friendly to Pontiac, brought about the successive wars, and almost extermination of the Illinois na- tion." His broken nation sought ijefuge with the French, and their descendants may yet [1856] be found in Canada. Those two once powerful tribes, the Chippewas and Pottaavatomies, were closely allied by language and friendship. The former were on the southern shores of Lake Superior ; the latter occupied the islands and main land on the western shores of Green Bay, when first discovered by the French in 1761. They afterward seated themselves on the southern shore of Lake Michigan [1701], where they remained until removed, l)y treaty, to lands upon the Little Osage River, westward of Missouri. They arc now [1856] the most numerous of all the remnants of the Algonquin tril^es. The Chippewas and the Sioux, west of the Mississippi, are their deadly enemies. The Sacs and Foxes are really one tribe. They were first discovered by the French at the southern extremity of Green Bay, in 1680. In 1712 the French garrison of tAventy men at Detroit,*^' Avas attacked by the Fgxes. The French repulsed them, with the aid of the Ottawas, and almost destroyed the assailants. They joined the Kickapoos in 1722, in driving the Illinois from their lands on the riA'er of that name. The Illinois took refuge Avith the French, and the Kickapoos remained on their lands until 1819, when they AA'ent to the Avest bank of the Missouri in the vicinity of Fort Leav- enworth. The Sacs and Foxes sold their lands to the United States in 1830. Black HaAvk, a Sac chief, Avho, Avith his people, joined the English in our second war with Great Brit- ain,'' demurred, and commenced hostilities in 1832.*^ The In- dians Avere defeated, and Black IlaAvk,'^ Avith many of his AA'ar- j '• BLACK HAWK. riors, were made prisoners. Among the very fcAv Indian tribes A\ho haA^e remained upon their ancient ' Chapter III, p 23. ' Page 205. ^ page 200. '^ Page 198. 5 He was buried on the site of the city of St. Louis, in ilissouri. " Neither mound nor tablet,"' says Parkman, " marked the burial-place of Pontiac. For a mausoleum, a city has risen above the forest hero, and the race A\'^hora he hated Avith such burning rancor, trample Avith unceasing foot- -steps over his forgotten gr.ivc." ^ Page 180. 1 Page 409. s Page 463. 3 This picture is from a plaster-cast of the face of Black HaAvk, taken when lie Avas a prisoner in New York, in 1832. See page 4G3. THE ALG ON QUINS. 19 territory, during all the vicissitudes of their race, are the Menomonees, ^vho were discovered by the French, upon the shores of Green Bay, in 1699. They yet [185GJ occupy a portion of their ancient territory, while tlieir southern neighbors and friends, the Winnebagoes, have gone westward of the Mississippi.' The MiAMiES and Piankesiiaws inhabited that portion of Ohio lying be- tween the Maumec River of Lake Erie, and the ridge which separates the head waters of the Wabash from the Kaskaskias. They were called Twightwees by the Five Nations, and English. Of all the Western tribes, these have ever been the most active enemies of the United States.- They have ceded their lands, and are now [1856] far beyond the jMississippi. The Illinois formed a numerous tribe, twelve thousand strong, when dis- covered by the French. They were seated upon the Illinois River, and consisted of a confederation of five families, namely, Kaskaskias, Oahokias, Tamaronas, Michigamias, and Peorias. Weakened by internal feuds, the confederacy was reduced to a handful, by their hostile neiglibors. They ceded their lands in 1818, when they immbered only three hundred souls. A yet smaller remnant are now [1856] upon lands west of the Mississippi. It can not properly be said tliat they have a tribal existence. They are among the many extinct commun- ities of our continent. The once powerful Shawnees occupied a vast region west of the Alleghan- ies,2 and their great council-house was in the basin of the Cumberland River. At about the time when the English first landed at Jamestown* [1607], they were driven from their country by more southern tribes. Some crossed the Ohio, and settled on the Sciota, near the present Chilicothe ; others wandered eastAvard into Pennsylvania. The Ohio division joined the Erics and Andastes against the Five Nations in 1672. Suifering defeat, the Shawnees fled to the country of the CataAvbas, but were soon driven out, and found shelter with the Creeks.5 They finally returned to Ohio, and being joined by their Penn- sylvania brethren, they formed an alliance with the French against the En- glish, and Averc among the most actiA^e allies Avith the former, during the long contest knoAvn in America as the French and Indian War. They continued hostilities, in connection with the Delawares, even after the conquest of the Canadas by the English."' They AA'ere subdued by Boquet in 1763,' and again by Virginians, at Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great KenaAvha, in 1774.^ They aided the British during the RcA^olution, and continued to annoy the Americans until 1795, Avhen permanent peace Avas established.' They AA^ere the enemies of the Americans during their second Avar Avith Great Britain, a part of them fighting Avith the renoAvned Tecumseh. Noav [1856] they are but • Tho "Winnebagoes are the most dissolute of all the Indian remnants. In August. 185.'>, a treaty was made with them to occupy tlie beautiful country above St. Paul, westward of tho Mississippi, between the Crow and Clear Water Eivers. - Page 408. ^ The Alleghany or Appalachian Mountains extend from the Catskills. in tho State of New York, in a south-west direction, to Georgia and Alabama, and haA'c been cnhed "the backbone of the country." Some geographers extend them to tho "White Mountains of New Hampshire. * Page G4. " Page 30. ° Page 203. ■' Note 7, page 205. * Note 4. page 237. ' Page 374. 20 THE ABORIGINALS. a miserable remnant, and occupy lands south of the Kansas River. The road from Fort Independence' to Santa Fc passes through their territory. - The PowHATANS constituted a confederacy of more than twenty tribes, in- cluding the xVccohannocks and Accomacs, on the eastern shore of the Chesa- peake Bay. Powhatan (the father of Pocahontas^), was the chief sachem or emperor of the confederacy, when the English first appeared upon the James River, in 1G07. He had arisen, by the force of his own genius, from the po- sition of a petty chief to that of supreme ruler of a great confederacy. He gov- erned despotically, for no man in his nation could approach him in genuine ability as a leader and counselor. His court exhibited much barbaric state. Throuo-h fear of the English, and a selfish policy, he and his people remained nominally friendly to the white intruders during his lifetime, but after his death, they made two attempts [1622, 1644] to exterminate the English. The Powhatans were subjugated in 1644,^ and from that time they gradually di- minished in numbers and importaiv^e. Of all that great confederacy in Lower Virginia, it is believed that not one representative on earth remains, or that one tongue speaks their dialect. On the Atlantic coast, south of the Powhatans, were the Corees, Chcraws, and other small tribes, occupying the land once inhabited by the powerful Hat- teras Indians. ^ They were allies of the Tuscaroras in 1711, in an attack upon the English,'' suffered defeat, and have noAV disappeared from the earth. Their dialect also is forgotten. Upon the great peninsula between the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, were the Nanticokes. They were early made vassals, and finally allies, on com- pulsion, of the Five Nations. They left their ancient domain in 1710. occu- pied lands upon the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, until the Revolutionary War commenced, when they crossed the Alleghanies, and joined the British in the Avest. They are now [1856] scattered among many tribes. The Original People,'' as the Lexni-Lenapes (who are frequently called Del- ' United States fort on the Missouri. Santa Fe is in New Mexico, 765 miles south-west of Fort Independence. 2 One of tlie most eminent of the Shawnee chiefs, was Cornstalk, who was generally friendly to the Americans, and was always ready to assist in negotiating an honoral;le peace between them and his own people. But he cordialh' united witli Logan, the Mingo chief, against the white people in 1774; and during tlie same l>attlo at Point Pleasant, his voice, stentorian in volume, was frequently heard, calling to his men, "Be strong! be strong!" He made his warriors fight without wavering, and actually sunk his tomahawk deep into the head of one Avho endeavored to escape. He was murdered by some exasperated soldiers at Point Pleasant. When he perceived their intent, he calmly said to his son, who had just joined him, " My son, the Great Spirit has seen fit tliat we sliould die together, and has sent you hither for that purpose. It is His will ; let us subnut." Turning to the soldiers, he received the fatal bullets, and his son, who was sitting near him, was shot at the same time. The celebrated Tecumseh— meaning a tiger crouching for his prey — who endeavored to confederate all the Western tribes in opposition to the white people, was also a Shawnee cliicf. See page 408. = Page G6. 4 Pagrp i08. 5 This tribe numbered about three tliousand ^^■arriors when Raleigh's expedition landed on Roanoke Island in 1534; when the English made permanent settlements in that vicinity, eiglity years later, they were reduced to about fifteen bowmen. c Pasre 168. 7 This name has been applied to the whole Algoxquix nation. The Lenni-Lenapes claimed to have come from beyond the JNIississippi, conquering a more civilized people on the way, who inhabited the great valleys beyond the Alleghany Mountains. THE ALGONQUINS. 21 awares) named themselves, comprised two powerful nations, namelj, the Minsi and the Delawares proper. The former occupied the northern part of New Jersey, and a portion of Pennsylvania, and the latter inhabited lower New Jer- sey, the banks of the Delaware below Trenton, and the whole valley of the Schuylkill. The Five Nations subjugated them in 1650. and brought them under degrading vassalage. They gradually retreated westward before the tide of civilization, and finally a portion of them crossed the Alleghanies. and settled in the land of the Hurons,' on the Muskingum, in Ohio. Those who remained in Pennsylvania joined the Shawnees,^ and aided the Frencli against the En- glish, during the French and Indian War.^ In 1768, they all went over the mountains, and the great body of them became friends of the British during the Revolution. They were at the head of the confederacy of Western tribes who were crushed by Wayne in 1794,^ and the following year they ceded all their lands on the Muskingum, and seated themselves near the Wabash. In 1819, they ceded those lands also, and the remnant now [1856] occupy a territory north of the Kansas River, near its mouth. The MoHEGAXS Avere a distinct tribe, on the Hudson River, but the name was given to the several independent tribes who inhabited Long Island, and the country between the Lenni-Lenapes and the New England Indians.' Of this family, the Pequods,*^ inhabiting eastern Connecticut, on the shores of Lono- Island Sound, were the most powerful. They exercised authority over the Montauks and twelve other tribes upon Long Island. Their power was broken by the revolt of Uncas against his chief, Sassacus,^ a short time before the ap- pearance of the white people. The Manhattans were seated upon the Hudson, in lower Westchester, and sold Manhattan Island, whereon New York now stands, to the Dutch.*^ The latter had frequent conflicts with these and other River Indians.' The Dutch were generally conquerors. The Mohawks, one of the Five Nations,'" were pressing hard upon them, at the same time, and several of the Mohegan tribes were reduced to the condition of vassals of that confederacy. Peace was effected, in 1665, by the English governor at New York. In the mean while, the English and Narragansets had smitten the Pequods,'' and the remaining independent Mohe- gans, reduced to a handful, finally took up their abode upon the west bank of the Thames, five miles below Norwich,'" at a place still known as Mohegan Plain. Their burial-place was at Nor- W'ich, and there a granite monument rests upon the grave of Uncas. The tribe is now almost extinct — "the last of the Mo- uNCAs .MONrMK.NT. }jjg,^j^g-' ^yj|| gQQjj slecp wlth hls fathcrs.'^ ' Pap:8 23. 2 p,,„g i9_ 3 Fourth Period, Chap. XII. * Paje 374. ^ Pasce 22. " Page 86. '' Patje 87. ^ Page 1.^9. ° Pago 140. '» Page 23. " Page 87. '= Note 4, page 340. " The last known lineal de.scendant of Uncas, named Mazeon. was buried in the Indian cemetery, at Norwich, in 1827, when the remnant of the Mohegan tribe, then numbering about sixt}', were present, and partook of a cold collation prepared for them by a lady of that city. The most noted leaders among the New England Indians known to history, are" Massasoit, the father of the re- nowned King Philip; Caunbitant. a very distinguished captain; Hobomok; Canonicus; Miasto- nomoh : Ninigret, his cousin ; King Philip, the last of the "Wampanoags ; Canonchet, and Anna- wan. We shall meet them in future pages. 22 THE ABORIGINALS. The Aboriginals who inhabited the country from Connecticut to the Saco River, were called the New England Indians. The principal tribes were the Narragansets in Rhode Island, and on the western shores of Narraganset Bay ; the Pokonokets and Wampanoags on the eastern shore of the same bay, and in a portion of Massachusetts ; the Nipmucs in the center of Massachusetts ; the Massachusetts in the vicinity of Boston and the shores southward; and the Pawtuckets in the north-eastern part of Massachusetts, embracing the Penna- cooks of New Hampshire. These were divided into smaller bands, having petty chiefs. The Pokonokets, for example, Avere divided into nine separate cantons or tribes, each having its military or civil ruler, but all holding alle- giance to one Grand Sachem. They were warlike, and were continually engaged in hostilities with the Five Nations, or with the Mohegans. The English and Dutch effected a general peace among them in 1673. Two years afterAvard [1675], Metacomet (King Philip) aroused most of the New England tribes against the English. A fierce Avar ensued, but ended in the subjugation of the Indians and the death of Philip, in 1676.' The power of the Ncav England Indians was then completely broken. Some joined the more eastern tribes, and others took refuge in Canada, from whence they frequently came to the border settlements on errands of rcA^enge.* These incursions ceased Avhen the French dominion in Canada ended in 1763.^ When the Puritans came* [1620], the New England Indians numl^ered about ten thousand souls; noAv [1856] probably not three hundred representatives remain ; and the dialects of all, except of the Narragansets, are forgotten. EastAvard of the Saco River AA'ere the Abenakes. The chief tribes Avere the Penobscots, NorridgeAvocks, Androscoggins, and Passamaquoddies. These, Avith the more eastern tribes of the Micmacs and Etchemins, Avere made nom- inal Christians by the French Jesuits ;^ and they Avere all firm allies of the French until the conquest of Canada by the English, in 1760." , Most of the Abenakes, except the Penobscots, Avithdrew to Canada in 1754. A fcAv scattered families of the latter yet [1856] dAvell upon the banks of the Penob- scot River, and Avanderers are seen on the St. LaAvrence. Like other New England tribes, they are rapidly fading, and Avill, doubtless, be extinct before the daAvn of another century. CHAPTER III. THE HURON -IROQUOIS. We noAV come to consider the most interesting, in many respects, of all the aboriginal tribes of North America, called Iroquois by the French. The pre- fix ''Huron" was given, because that people seemed, by their language, to form ' Page 128. " Pago 130. ' Page 202. * Page 114. ' Page 130. « Page 20.'3. THE IIURON-IROQUOIS. 23 a part of the Iroquois nation, and like them, were isolated in the midst of tho Algonquins, Avhen discovered by the Europeans. The great body of the Iroquois occupied almost the whole territory in Canada, south-Avest of the Ottowa River, between Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron ; a greater portion of the State of New York, and a part of Pennsylvania and Ohio along the south- ern shores of Lake Erie. They were completely surrounded by the Algon- quins, in whose southern border in portions of North Carolina and Virginia, were the Tuscaroras and a few smaller Iroquois tribes.' The Hurons occupied the Canadian portions of the territory, and the land on the southern shore of Lake Erie, and appeared to be a distinct nation ; but their language was found to be identical with that of the Iroquois. The Hurons consisted of four smaller tribes, namely, the Wyandots or Hurons proper, the Attiouandirons," tlu^ Eries, and the Andastes. The two latter tribes were south of the lake, and claimed jurisdiction back to the domains of the Shawnees.^ Those "Romans of the Western World," the Five Nations, or Iroquois proper, formed a confederacy composed of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk tribes, all occupying lands within the present State of New York. They fmcifully called their confederacy the Long House. The eastern door was kept by the Mohawks ; the western by the Senecas ; and the Great Council fire was Avith the Onondagas, at the metropolis, or chief village, near the present city of Syracuse. The French, as Ave have ob.serAxd, gave them the name of Iroquois ; the Algonquins called them Mingoes." At Avhat time the confederacy was formed, is not knoAvn. It Avas strong and powerful Avhen the French discoA'ered thein, in 1609, and they Avere then engaged in bloody Avars Avith their kinsmen, the Wyandots." 1 The Southern Iroquois were the Tuscaroras, Chowans, Meherrins, and Nottoways. The three latter were upon the rivers in lower Virginia, Called by their respective names, and Avere known under the general title of Tuscaroras. * Neutral Nation. Wiien the Hurons and Five Nation's were at war, the Attiouandirons lied to the Sandusky, and built a fort for each of the bc41igerents when in that region. But their neu- trality did not save them from internal feuds Avhich finally dismembered the tribe. One party joined the Wyandots ; the other the Iroquois. 3 Page 19. * Miugoes, Minquas, and Maquas, were terms more particularly applied to the Mohawk tribe, who calljd themselves Kayingehaga, " possessors of tho Hint." The confederation assumed thf; title of Aquinuschioni, "united people;" or as some say, Konoshioni, "cabin builders." 5 The time of the formation of the confederation is supposed to have been at about the year 1539. According to their own tradition, it was about two generations before the white people came to trade witli them. Clarke, in his history of Onondaga county, has given, from the lips of an old chief of the Onondaga tribe, that beautiful legend of the formation of the great confederacy, which forms the basis of Longfellow's Indian Edda, " Hi-a-wat-ha." Centuries ago, the story runs, tiie deit.v who presides over fisheries raid streams, came from his dwelling-place in the clouds, to visit the inhabitants of earth. He Avas delighted with the land where the tribes that afterward formed the confederacy, dwelt ; and having bestowed many blessings on that land, he laid aside his Divine character, and resolved to remain on earth. He selected a beautiful residence on the shore of Te-ungk-too (Cross lake), and all the people called him Hi-a-wat-ha, "the wise man." After a while, the people were alarmed by the approach of a ferocious band of warriors from the country north of the great lakes. Destruction seemed inevitable. The inhabitants thronged around the lodge of Hi-a-wat-ha, from all quarters, craving his wise advice in this hour of great peril. After solemn meditation, he told them to call a grand council of all the tribes. The chiefs and warriors from far and near, assembled on tho banks of Lai blazed three days before the venerable Hi-a-wat-ha arrived. He had been devoutly praying, in silence, to the Great Spirit, for guidance. Then, with his darling daughter, a virgin of twelve years, he entered liis white eanoe, and, to tho great joy of the people, he appeared on the Oh-nen- 24 THE ABORIGINALS. In the year 1649, the Five Nations resolved to strike a final and decisive blow against their western neighbors, and, gathering all their warriors, they made a successful invasion of the Wyandot, or Huron country. Great num- bers of the Wyandots were slain and made prisoners, and the whole tribe was dispersed. Some of the fugitives took refuge "vvith the Chippewas ; others fled to Quebec, and a few were incorporated into the Iroquois confederacy. Yet the spirit of the Wyandots was not subdued, and they claimed and exer- cised sovereignty over almost the whole of the Ohio country. They had great influence among the Algonquin tribes,' and even as late as the treaty or Greenville, in 1795, the principal cession of lands in Ohio to the United States was made by the Wyandot chiefs in council." They, too, are reduced to a mere remnant of less than five hundred souls, and now [1856] they occupy lands on the Neosho River, a chief tributary of the Arkansas. Being exceedingly warlike, the Five Nations made hostile expeditions against the New England Indians^ in the East, the Ei-ies, Andastes, and ta-ha. A great shout greeted him, and as he landed and walked up the bank, a sound like a rushing wind was heard ; a dark spot, every moment increasing in size, was descending from the clear sky. Fear seized the people ; but Hi-a-wat-ha stood unmoved. The approaching object was an immense bird. It came swiftly to earth, crushed the darling daughter of Hi-a-wat-ha — was itself destroyed, but the wise man was unharmed. Grief for his bereavement prostrated him in the dust for three days. The council anxiously awaited his presence. At length he came : the subject of the peril from invaders was discussed, and after deliberating a day, the venerable Hi-a-wat-ha arose and said : "Friends and Brothers — You are members of many tribes and nations. You have come here, many of you, a great distance from your homes. "We have met for one common purpose — to pro- mote one common interest, and that is, to provide for our mutual safetj^, and how it shall best be accomplished. To oppose these foes from the north bj- tribes, singly and alone, would prove our certain destruction. We can make no progress in that way. "We must unite ourselves into one common band of brothers ; thus united, we may drive the invaders back ; this must be done, and we shall be safe. "You, the Mohawks, sitting under the shadow of the "Great Tree,' whose roots sink deep into the earth, and whose branches spread over a vast country, shall be the first nation, because you are wai'like and mighty. "And you, Oneidas, a people who recline your bodies against the ' P]verlasting Stone,' that can not be moved, shall be the second nation, because you give wise counsel. "And you. Onondagas, who have your habitation at the 'Great Mountain,' and acre over- shadowed by its crags, shall be the tliird nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech, and mighty in war. "And you, Cayugas, a people whose habitation is the 'Dark Forest,' and whose home is every- where, shaU be the fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. "And you. Senegas, a people who live in the 'Open Country,' and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth nation, because you understand better the art of raising corn and beans, and making cabins. "You, five great and powerful nations, must unite and have but one common interest, and no Ibe siiall be able to disturb or subdue you. If we unite, the Great Spirit will smile upon us. Brothers, these are the w'ords of Hi-a-wat-ha — let them sink deep into your hearts. I have said it." They reflected for a day, and then the people of the "Great Tree," the "Everlasting Stone," the "Great Mountain," the "Dark Forest," and the " Open Countrj-," formed a league like that of the Amphyctioni of Greece. The enemy was repulsed, and the Five Kations became the terror of the Contine-nt. Then Hi-a-watha said, " The Great Master of Breath calls me to go. I have patiently waited his summons. I am ready — farewell !" Myriads of singing voices burst upon the ears of the multitude, and the whole air seemed filled with music. Hi-a-wat-ha, seated in his white canoe, rose majestically above the throng, and as all eyes gazed in rapture upon the ascending wise man, he disappeared forever in the blue vault of heaven. The music melted into low whispers, like the soft summer breeze ; and there were pleasant dreams in every cabin of the Five Nations on that blessed night. ■ Page 17. 2 Page 3T4. 3 Paw 22. THE HURON-IROQUOIS. 25 Miamies in the West/ and penetrated to the domains of the Catawbas" and Cherokees^ in the South. They subjugated the Eries in 1655, and after a con- test of twenty years, brought the Andastes into vassalage. They conquered the i\Iiamies* and Ottawas^ in 1057, and made incursions as far as the Roanoke and Cape Fear Rivers to the land of their kindred in dialect, the Tuscaroras, in 1701." Thirty years afterward, having been joined by the Tuscaroras, and the name of the confederacy changed to that of the Six Nations, they made war upon the Cherokees and Catawbas.' They were led on by Hi-o-ka-too, a Seneca chief The Catawbas were almost annihilated by them, after a battle of two days. So determined were the Five Nations to subdue the southern tribes, that when, in 1744, they ceded a part of their lands to Virginia, they reserved a perpetual privilege of a war-path through the territory. In the year 1712. the Tuscaroras having been signally defeated by the Carolinians,' came northward, and in 1714 joined the Five Nations. From that time the confederacy was known as the Six Nations. They Avere gen- erally the sure friends of the English and inveterate foes of the French.' ^(/if^c^/c^^^^ They Avere all friends of the British during the Revolution, except a part of the Oneidas, amons: whom the influence of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland'" was > Page 17. = Page 26. 3 Page 27. ^ Page 17. s Page 17 6 Page 168. ^ Page 17. s page 168. » Page 192. '" Samuel Kirkland was one of the most laborious and sclf-sacrilicing of the earlier missionaries, who labored among the tribes of the Six Nations, lie was born at Norwich, Cunncc-tieut, in December, 1741. He was educated at Dr. Whcelock's school, at Lebanon, where ho prepared for that missionary work in which he labored forty years. His ellbrts were put forlii chielly among 26 THE ABORIGINALS. very powerful, in favor of the Republicans. The Mohawks were the most active enemies of the Americans ; and they were obliged to leave the State and take refuge in Canada at the close of the Revolution. The others were allowed to remain, and now [1856J mere fragments of that great confederation exist, and, in habits and character, they are radically changed. The confederacy was forever extinguished by the sale of the residue of the Seneca lands in 1838. In 1715. the confederacy numbered more than forty thousand souls ; now [1856J they are probably less than four thousand, most of whom are upon lands beyond the Mississippi.' CHAPTER IV. THE CATAWBAS. In that beautiful, hilly region, between the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers, on each side of the boundary line between North and South Carolina, dwelt the Catawba nation. They Avere south-westward of the Tuscaroras, and were generally on good terms with them. They were brave, but not warlike, and their conflicts were usually in defense of their own territory. They expelled the fugitive Shawnees in 1672,^^ but were overmatched and desolated by the w^arriors of the Five Nations^ in 1701. They assisted the white people of South Carolina against the Tuscaroras and their confederates in 1712 :■• but when, three years afterward, the southern tribes, from the Neuse region to that of the St. INIary's, in Florida, and westward to the Alabama, seven thousand the Oneidas ; and, during the Revolution, he was active in restraining tliem from an alhance witli tlie rest of the confederacy against the Patriots. He was exceedingly useful in treaty-making; for he had the entire confidence of the Indians. He died at Paris, in Oneida countj', in February, 1808, in tlie 67th year of his age. See Lossing's "Eminent Americans" for a more elaborate sketcli. ' Tlie ciiief men of the Five Nations, known lo the white people, are Garangula, who was distinguished toward the close of the seventeenth century for his wisdom and sagacity in council, and was of the Onondaga tribe. Logan, whose celebrated reply to a white messenger has been preserved by Mr Jefferson, was of tlie Cayuga tribe. To the messenger he said: ''I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan's cabin hungiy, and he gave him no meat; if ever he came cold and naked and he clothed him not." Then speaking of the cruelty of the white people, who, m cold blood had murdered his fiunily, he said : "They have murdered all the relations of Logan — not even sparing my women and children. This called on me for revenge; I have sought it. '^ I have killed many. I have tiilly glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor i be "thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one!" Joseph Brant (Thayendanega), was the most celebrated of the Mohawk tribe ; and Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha), was a very renowned Seneca, greatly distinguished for his eloquence. Cornplauter, who lived till past a century in age, was also a distinguished Seneca chief. Red Jacket was very intemperate toward the latter part of his life. On one occasion a lady inquired after his children. He had lo.?t fourteen by consumption. Bowing his head, he said : " Red Jacket Avas once a great man, and in favor with the Great Spirit. He was a lofty pine among the smaller trees of the forest. But after years of glor}', he degraded himself by drinking the fire-water of tlie white man. The Great Spirit lias looked upon him in anger, and His lightning has stripped the pine of its branches!" 2 Page 19. ^ Page 23. * Page 168. THECHEROKEES, 27 strong, confederated in an attempt to exterminate the Carolinians/ the Cataw- bas were among them. They were again the active allies of the Carolinians in 1760, Avlicn the Cherokees made war upon them,' and they remained true friends of the Avhite people afterward. They joined the Americans during the Revolution, and have ever since experienced the fostering care of the State, in some degree.^ Their chief village was upon the Catawba River, near the mouth of the Fishing Creek, in Yorkville district, South Carolina; and there the remnant of the nation, numbering less than a hundred souls, are now [1856] living upon a reservation, a few miles scj[uare. Their ancient language is almost extinct. ^ 3 (^— ♦■^W— • CHAPTER V. THE CHEROKEES. Of all the Indian tribes, the Cherokees, who dwelt westward and adjoining the Tuscaroras^ and Catawbas,^ among the high hills and fertile valleys, have ever been the most susceptible to the influences of civilization. They have been properly called the mountaineers of the South. Their beautiful land extended from the Carolina Broad River on the east, to the Alabama on the west, includ- ing the whole of the upper portion of Georgia from the head Avaters of the Ala- tamaha, to those of the Tennessee. It is one of the most ddightful regions of the United States. These mountaineers were the determined foes of the Shawnees," and after many conflicts, they finally drove them from the country south of the Ohio River. They joined with the Catawbas and the white people against the Tus- caroras in 1712,' but were members of the great confederation against the Carolinians in 1715,* which we shall consider hereafter. The Five Nations and the Cherokees had bloody contests for a long time. A reconciliation was finally efiected by the English about the year 1750, and the Cherokees became the allies of the peace-makers, against the French. They assisted in the capture of Fort Du Quesne in 1758,^ but their irregular- ities, on their return along the border settlements of Virginia, gave the Avhite people an apparent excuse for killing two or three warriors. Hatred was en- gendered, and the Cherokees soon afterward retaliated by spreading destruction ' Page 170. 2 Pntje 204. ^ In 1822, u Catawba warrior made an eloquent appeal to the legislature of South Curohna for aid. " I pursued the deer for subsistence," lie said. " but the deer are disnppenring. and I must starve. God ordained me for tiie forests, and my ambition is the shade. But the strength of my arm decays, and my foot fail me in the chase. The hand that fought for your liberties is now open to you for relief" A pension was granted. 4 Page 25. 5 Page 204. " * Page 19. 7 Page 1G8. » Page ITO. » Page ISG. 28 THE ABORIGINALS. along the frontiers.' Hostilities continued a greater portion of three years, Avhen peace was established in 1761, and no more trouble ensued. During the Revolution the Cherokees adhered to the British ; and for eight years afterward they continued to annoy the people of the upper country of the Carolinas. They were reconciled by treaty in 1791. They were friends of the United States in 1812, and assisted in the subjugation of the Creeks.'^ Civili- zation was rapidly elevating them from the condition of roving savages, to agri- culturists and artisans, when their removal west of the Mississippi was required. They had established schools, a printing press, and other means for improve- ment and culture, when they Avere obliged to leave their farms and the graves of their fathers^ for a new home in the wilderness.^ They are now in a fertile country, watered by the Arkansas and its tributaries, and are in a prosperous condition. They now [1856] number about fourteen thousand souls. ^ CHAPTER VI. THE UCHEES. Ix the pleasant country extending from the Savannali River, at Augusta, westward to Milledgeville, and along the banks of the Oconee and the head Avaters of the Ogeechee and Chattahooche. the Europeans found a i-emnant of the once powerful nation of the Uciiees. Their language was exceedingly harsh, and totally unlike that of any other people on the continent. They claimed to be descendants of the most ancient inhabitants of the country, and took great pride in the fact ; and they had no tradition of their ever occupy- ing any other territory than the domain on which they were found. They, too, have been driven beyond the Mississippi by the pressure of civilization, and have become partially absorbed by the Creeks, Avith whom less than a thousand souls yet [1856J remain. They are, in fact, an extinct nation, and their lang-uase is almost forgotten. J Page 204. ^ P'''ge 428. 3 A native Cherokee, named by tlie white people, George Guess (Sequoyah), who was ignorant of every language but his own, seeing boolcs in the missionary schools, and being told that the characters represented the words of the spoisen English language, conceived the idea of forming a written language for his people. He first made a separate character for each word, but this made the whole matt"cr too voluminous, and he formed a syllabic alphabet of eighty-five characters. It was soon ascertained that this was sufficient, even for the copious language of the Cherokees, and this syllabic alphabet was soon adopted, in the preparation of books for the missionaiy schools. In 182G,"a newspap-r, called the Cherokee Phcenix. jirinted in the new characters, was established. Many of tiie native Cherokees are now well educated, but the great body of the natives are in ig- norance. ■* Note 4, page 32. THE MOBILIAN TRIBES. 29 CHAPTER VII. THENATCHEZ. Of this once considerable nation, -svho inhabited the borders of the Missis- sippi, where a modern city now perpetuates their name, very little is known. When first discovered by the French, they occupied a territory about as large as that inhabited by the Uchees. It extended north-easterly from the jMissis- sippi along the valley of the Pearl River, to the upper waters of the Chickasa- haw. For a long time they were supposed to belong to the nation of Mobilian tribes, by whom they were surrounded, but their language proved them to be a distinct people. They were sun-worshippers; and from this circumstance, some had supposed that they had once been in intimate communication with the adorers of the great luminary in Central and South America. In many things they were much superior to their neighbors, and displayed signs of the refinement of a former more civilized condition. They became jealous of the French on their first appearance upon the Mississippi, and finally they con- spired, with others, to drive the intruders from the country. The French fell upon, and almost annihilated the nation, in 1730. They never recovered from the shock, and after maintaining a feeble nationality for almost a century, they have become merged into the Creek confederacy. They now [1856J number less than three hundred souls, and their language, in its purity, is unknown. ^ « » » »■ C H A P T E P. Yin. THE MOBILIAN TRIBES. Like the Algonquins and Iroquois nations, the Mobilian was composed of a great number of tribes, speaking different dialects of the same language. Their territory Avas next in extent to that of the Algonquins.' It stretched along the Gulf of IMexico, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, more than six hundred miles ; up the Mississippi as for as the mouth of the Ohio ; and along the Atlantic to Cape Fear. It comprised a greater portion of the present State of Georgia, the whole of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, and parts of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The nation was divided into three grand confederacies of tribes, namely, Muscogees or Creeks Choctaws, and Chick- asaws. ' Page 17. 30 THE ABORIGINALS. SOUTHERN INDIANS. The Creek Confederacy extended from the Atlantic Avestward to the high lands which sep- arate the waters of the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers, including a great portion of the States of Alabama and Georgia, and the whole of Florida. Oglethorpe's first interviews' Avith the natives at Savannah, were with people of this confederacy. The Yamassees, or Savannahs of Georgia and South Carolina, and the Seminoles of Florida, were of the Creek confederacy. The latter were strong and warlike. They were at the head of the Indian confederacy, to destroy the white people, in 1715.'^ When the general dis- persion followed that abortive attempt, the Yamassees took refuge with the Spaniards of Florida. Small bands often annoyed the white frontier settle- ments of Georgia, but they Avere not engaged in general hostilities until the Revolution, Avhen the Avhole Creek confederacy^ took part with the British. The most inveterate and treacherous enemy of the Avhite people, have ever been the Seminoles. Bands of them often went out upon the Avar-path, with the Yamassees, to slay the pale-faces. They joined the British in 1812-14 ; and in 1817 they renewed hostilities.^ They were subdued by General Jack- son, and afterward remained comparatively quiet until 1835, Avhen they again attacked the Avhite settlements.^ They Avere subjugated in 1842, after many lives and much treasure had been sacrificed.^ A few of them yet [1856] remain in the CA-erglades of Florida, but a greater portion of the tribe have gone west of the Mississippi, Avith the other members of the Creek confederacy. The Creeks proper now [1856] number about twenty-four thousand souls. The number of the whole confederacy is about thirty thousand. They occupy lands upon the Arkansas and its tributaries, and are among the most peaceable and order-loving of the banished tribes. In the beautiful country bordering upon the Gulf of Mexico, and extending Avest of the Creeks to the Mississippi, lived the ChoctaAvs. They were an agri- cultural people when the Europeans discovered them ; and, attached to home and quiet pursuits, they have ever been a peaceful people. Their wars haA^e ahvays been on the defensive, and they never had public feuds Avith either their Spanish, French, or English neighbors. They, too, have been compelled to abandon their native country for the uncultivated wilderness west of Arkansas, betAveen the Arkansas and Red Rivers. They now [1856] number about two thousand souls. They retain their peaceable character in their new homes. The ChickasaAV tribe inhabited the country along the Mississippi, from the borders of the ChoctaAV domain to the Ohio RiA^er, and eastAvard beyond the Ten- nessee to the lands of the Cherokees^ and Shawnees.^ This warlike people were the early friends of the English, and the most inveterate foes of the French, ' Pao:e 102. 2 pa