Hence it is also that many, upon receiving a piece of information, there rest themselves as upon a rock of certainty. Now either of these I consider equally blameable as they lead to distrust, doubt, and sometimes to a complete refutation or assertion of facts that very oftentimes cast a stain or stigma, sometimes upon the whole people, and without any other foundation than, as might be said, that all powerfulveto.They have feasts for the dead, most commonly berries, or in countries where it is made, sugar. Generally yearly a bark box of perhaps 2 or 3 gallons is placedinthe grave, upon it, or well hid in some private nook, if they are afraid, or do not chuse, it be taken.I ought rather to have said these are sacrifices. But independent of these, they have feasts also, and feasts of baptism—feasts in short for almost every occasion. Besides these they havesmokingfeasts; these are to deliberate. I shall, should it please God I live, make it a point to enquire particularly into the origin of all these.[Conjuring Ceremony (June 4th, 1823)]June 5th. These last 3 days have been busy and turbulent ones for me. It is now considerably past midnight (and of course the 6th June) but my Indians are drinking and I cannot think of going to bed. Till they do I shall employ my few remainingleisuremoments ('till next year, please God I live so long) in giving you an account of a conjuring bout I, with some difficulty, got an Indian to make last night (June 4th).In the evening the hut was prepared at some distance from the houses on account of the stink, asthe spiritscannot or will not endure any pollution. The hut consisted of ten poles about seven feet out of ground, well stuck in, and somewhat better than three feet diameter. The Poles were secured with two hoops. They were covered with two parchment skins (of moose) well bound with many rounds of strong leather line.Thetopwascoveredwith a dressed skin and secured also, to prevent its being carried off (by the wind).About 10 P.M. (still broad daylight with us) we drew up with the conjurer, smoked and chatted some time. After this he took his drum, much resembling a tambourine, and with a stick gently struck it all the time he made a speech. I was almost touching him (all seated) but from the noise of the drum and his low voice, for the man has a dreadful complaint on his lungs, I could only gather, "Take pity upon me; take pity upon me. Hear and come. Let me not speak in vain, nor become abashed. Show me charity. ..." It was a moderate and decent prayer. After thisthey, for there were several men,began to sing using the drum and rattler. They sang, among others, the Moose, Horse, Bear, and Dog songs, about a dozen in number.[Then] he prepared by taking off his clothes, all to his cloute, and asked who should tie him. I replied that I would, but was afraid of hurting him. Another conjurer did, beginning with his fingers between the 2 joints nearest the hand, nearly as I can describe it, thus giving a double turn to the line between each finger. And the line was new mackerel, small, which I happened to have in my pocket by accident. I drew up toinspect. And observing the fingers to swell upon his complaining of the tightness, I felt a good deal for him.After this his blanket was wrapped round him and tied in such a manner, lengthways, crossways and every way. And a good knotItied at each meeting of the cords, for I assisted inthis, that I could have laid any wager that it was beyond the power of spirits themselves, thus tied, to [extricate] themselves. And his hands wereunderhis hams. As he could no more move than fly,of himself, the other conjurer and I put him to the door. But behold it was with difficulty! We could just get his head in, the entry being too narrow by about ten or twelve inches screwing and jaming considered."It will do, it will do." said the conjurer, "Cover me now."His back was covered with a blanket, and we all retreated to our seats, myself about four feet distant. The others took the drum and began to sing.I could not help but laughing in myself and pitying the boldness of their vanity. But I had soon occasion to think otherwise, and had I not predetermined that reason should conduct me throughout the whole of this, I cannot say how far in theotherextremeImight have gone.But to return: The conjurer desired the others to sing. They began a short song, I believe it was that of theStone, and the man entered in an instant! I was struck dumb with astonishment, for he appeared to me toslidein by something that was neither invisible nor descernible. I heard something that, for the life of me, I cannot account for, and that's all.From the time we covered him (twenty-five minutes past 10 P.M.) to the time we had done hunting for the twine that tied his fingers, not quite five minutes elapsed. And not one and a half minutes [passed] before his blanket and the cords were thrown out to us! Not one of them, apparently (one knot)untied! My astonishment and apprehensions of his being entirely carried off from us were such that I was nearly springing up to haul him out for fear of his being forever lost.The others continued singing a few other songs, and I had the utmost anxiety in hearing [him] repeatedly call out, as if in the greatest apprehensions himself, "Enough! Enough!Enoughof ye I say!", and frequently for the space of some minutes repeating the same, and now and then calling out, "Do notThouenter!"TheStonewas the first one known to us by his song; for every one, almost, that entered sanghissong, to which those (the Indians) on the outside would keep chorus. A vast number entered. I verily believe upward of an hundred [did so], for upwards of that number of times the frame shook back and forwards, and very smartly, as if to fall. And among the first were some truly terrible characters. I have almost entirely converted myself from these foolish ideas of ghosts and hobgoblins, but I assure you in truth that I more than once felt very uneasy.The Ice entered. He made a noise extremely resembling that made by a person shivering with cold, loud, and hoarse andliquid.The Devilhimselfalso entered inpropriapersona, in a very authoritative and commanding manner. I assure you there was no laughing nor gigling outside. All the time he sang and spoke.The Turtle spoke as an old, jocular man. "I hate the French, for in their travels, when they find me, they kill me and eat me. I shall answer none of their questions." But this was a joke, for he laughed."Speak out, Turtle! Speak out louder that we hear thee!" said those without."I would too," replied he, "but my voice is so strong I must contract it thus, otherwise ye could not endure the sound of it. Stop!" continued he, "I must imitate the drunk!" which he did to the great diversion of us all. And [he] concluded with snoring, the natural end of all drunken feasts, and then became quiet.On which another voice (which I also perfectly heard and understood as well [as] the Turtle herself [sic]) cried out, "See! See if she does not look like a frog stretched out!" and this raised a proper laugh both in and out.The Dog entered, and spoke perfectly plain and [distinctly], and with a more elegant and harmonious voice [than] I ever heard in my life.Bears of three or four different sorts, the Horse, Moose, Skeletons, spirits of departed andstilllivingfriendsentered. But none but the latter and above mentioned were to be understood by any but the conjurer himself.On the entering of one, "That is my (adopted) Son." said an Indian seated by me, and called out his name to which he readily answered besides questions. This young man and a girl, both living, spoke very plain[ly] (you must observe that it is not their bodies, but their souls or spirits that enter). [There were] children almost at the instant of birth, dwarfs, giants. But this latter did make a noise indeed.We all laughed very heartily when the Horse entered, for it appears he passed too near the Turtle who called out as the horse was flying about (in the inside) singing and rattling his rattler, "I wish you would take care of yourself andnottreadon one." in allusion to his diminutive size in comparison with that of Horse.It is somewhat surprising that everyone that entered, whether he spoke [plainly], or was interpreted, their first words were, "Your lands are distressed. Keep not on the Grand River—sickness, sickness.""But from amongstyehereI shall select only a few aged ones." said one of the latter, but in avoiceno one but the conjurer could understand.As he went out, however, the conjurer paid him a most bawdy compliment. We all laughed and asked what was the matter."Pah! Nothing. I am only afraid of him." said the conjurerOne of them that entered, apparantly the Devil himself for he spoke and actedenveritablemaitre, startled us all a great deal and enquired authoritatively and angrily, "What want ye of me? Speak!"Upon several hurried enquiries put to him, he said that some things I saw and heard in my house this winter were by Mr. Frobisher, who expired so dreadfully in 1819. "He is a skeleton (Pah-kack); and it is he who builtthishouse. He comes to see."Though I did certainly both hear and see several times this winter, and once in particular about two A.M., yet I do not feel much inclined to add faith to this assertion of Davy's. I must have something more substantial. But I am much inclined to doubt master Davy's assertions and considerthisand several others of his sayings at former periods in the same light as those he delivered at many of [the] Grecian temples, for I have every substantial reason to consider him as the same identical gentleman. However, a short time hence will decide.The Turtle said we should have a good deal of rain, but not averygreatdeal, and a very high wind, and as soon as the Sun should appear. "At its setting, an Indian (naming him by a very extraordinary and bawdy feature in hisperson) should arrive and bring us meat;butthisyouwilleatofcourse,andI shall gowithout."{"Beware of yourselves. Tomorrow night you shall drink and be drunk. Drink and leave the house as soon as you can,fortherearefromthatwind(by which he designated theSouth)whoiftheydrinkwithye,yeshallbecomepitiful" alluding to two blackguard half breed brothers who, proud of the bravery of their deceased father, are ever and anon insulting and domineering over other Indians. It is worthy of remark that an aged man in the course of this last winter was [advised] of the same and repeatedly pressed not to drink at the house on their accord}.This is now the 6th (June). The Sun appears, but the wind is very high, and we have frequent showers of rain and snow. About midnight the conjurer addressed me and asked if I wished to see any ofthem(the Spirits). I accepted the offer and thrust my head underneath. And being upon my back, I looked up and near the top observed a light as of a star in a cloudy night, about one and a half inches long and one broad—though dim, yet perfectly distinct. Thoughtheyallappear as lights, some larger and others smaller, this one was denominated the Fisher Star, the name by which they designate the Plough, I believe we call it, or Great Bear, from the supposed resemblance it bears to that animal, the fisher.When I was entering, several of the Indians on the outside called out to the spirits, "Gently! Gently! It is our Chief who wishes to see you. Do him no evil!" I had my apprehensions.A little after one P.M. one of my men looked in with several Indians and saw several small lights about as large as the thumbnail. A few minutes before two P.M., being daylight, they gave another shaking to the frame and made their exit.The above is an account of only a small part, for I am too much pressed for time. I cannot therefore enter into particulars, nor a larger detail, nor give you my opinion further than a few words. I am fully convinced, as much so as that I am in existence, that spirits of some kind did really and virtually enter, some truly terrific, but others, again, quite of a different character.I cannot enter into a detail by comparisons from ancient and more modern history, but I found the consonance, analogy, resemblance, affinity, or whatever it may be termed, so great, so conspicuous that I verily believe I shall never forget the impressions of that evening.But above all things that stick most forcibly in my mind is the unbound gratitude we owe and ought to shew every instant of our existence to that Almighty Power that deigned to sacrifice his only Son for us for our Salvation! Oh my God, let me never forget this! And teach me to thank thee not only with my lips but with every action of my life!Here I must close and in a few minutes seal up this for your perusal, sincerely wishing I may find an opportunity, safe, of conveying it to you.How earnestly I wish Robert had been present and understood the language. This would convince the most skeptic.To MrWmNelson, WmHenry G. NelsonNote: Read these pages among yourselves and lend them not out of the house.
Hence it is also that many, upon receiving a piece of information, there rest themselves as upon a rock of certainty. Now either of these I consider equally blameable as they lead to distrust, doubt, and sometimes to a complete refutation or assertion of facts that very oftentimes cast a stain or stigma, sometimes upon the whole people, and without any other foundation than, as might be said, that all powerfulveto.
They have feasts for the dead, most commonly berries, or in countries where it is made, sugar. Generally yearly a bark box of perhaps 2 or 3 gallons is placedinthe grave, upon it, or well hid in some private nook, if they are afraid, or do not chuse, it be taken.
I ought rather to have said these are sacrifices. But independent of these, they have feasts also, and feasts of baptism—feasts in short for almost every occasion. Besides these they havesmokingfeasts; these are to deliberate. I shall, should it please God I live, make it a point to enquire particularly into the origin of all these.
June 5th. These last 3 days have been busy and turbulent ones for me. It is now considerably past midnight (and of course the 6th June) but my Indians are drinking and I cannot think of going to bed. Till they do I shall employ my few remainingleisuremoments ('till next year, please God I live so long) in giving you an account of a conjuring bout I, with some difficulty, got an Indian to make last night (June 4th).
In the evening the hut was prepared at some distance from the houses on account of the stink, asthe spiritscannot or will not endure any pollution. The hut consisted of ten poles about seven feet out of ground, well stuck in, and somewhat better than three feet diameter. The Poles were secured with two hoops. They were covered with two parchment skins (of moose) well bound with many rounds of strong leather line.Thetopwascoveredwith a dressed skin and secured also, to prevent its being carried off (by the wind).
About 10 P.M. (still broad daylight with us) we drew up with the conjurer, smoked and chatted some time. After this he took his drum, much resembling a tambourine, and with a stick gently struck it all the time he made a speech. I was almost touching him (all seated) but from the noise of the drum and his low voice, for the man has a dreadful complaint on his lungs, I could only gather, "Take pity upon me; take pity upon me. Hear and come. Let me not speak in vain, nor become abashed. Show me charity. ..." It was a moderate and decent prayer. After thisthey, for there were several men,began to sing using the drum and rattler. They sang, among others, the Moose, Horse, Bear, and Dog songs, about a dozen in number.
[Then] he prepared by taking off his clothes, all to his cloute, and asked who should tie him. I replied that I would, but was afraid of hurting him. Another conjurer did, beginning with his fingers between the 2 joints nearest the hand, nearly as I can describe it, thus giving a double turn to the line between each finger. And the line was new mackerel, small, which I happened to have in my pocket by accident. I drew up toinspect. And observing the fingers to swell upon his complaining of the tightness, I felt a good deal for him.
After this his blanket was wrapped round him and tied in such a manner, lengthways, crossways and every way. And a good knotItied at each meeting of the cords, for I assisted inthis, that I could have laid any wager that it was beyond the power of spirits themselves, thus tied, to [extricate] themselves. And his hands wereunderhis hams. As he could no more move than fly,of himself, the other conjurer and I put him to the door. But behold it was with difficulty! We could just get his head in, the entry being too narrow by about ten or twelve inches screwing and jaming considered.
"It will do, it will do." said the conjurer, "Cover me now."
His back was covered with a blanket, and we all retreated to our seats, myself about four feet distant. The others took the drum and began to sing.
I could not help but laughing in myself and pitying the boldness of their vanity. But I had soon occasion to think otherwise, and had I not predetermined that reason should conduct me throughout the whole of this, I cannot say how far in theotherextremeImight have gone.
But to return: The conjurer desired the others to sing. They began a short song, I believe it was that of theStone, and the man entered in an instant! I was struck dumb with astonishment, for he appeared to me toslidein by something that was neither invisible nor descernible. I heard something that, for the life of me, I cannot account for, and that's all.
From the time we covered him (twenty-five minutes past 10 P.M.) to the time we had done hunting for the twine that tied his fingers, not quite five minutes elapsed. And not one and a half minutes [passed] before his blanket and the cords were thrown out to us! Not one of them, apparently (one knot)untied! My astonishment and apprehensions of his being entirely carried off from us were such that I was nearly springing up to haul him out for fear of his being forever lost.
The others continued singing a few other songs, and I had the utmost anxiety in hearing [him] repeatedly call out, as if in the greatest apprehensions himself, "Enough! Enough!Enoughof ye I say!", and frequently for the space of some minutes repeating the same, and now and then calling out, "Do notThouenter!"
TheStonewas the first one known to us by his song; for every one, almost, that entered sanghissong, to which those (the Indians) on the outside would keep chorus. A vast number entered. I verily believe upward of an hundred [did so], for upwards of that number of times the frame shook back and forwards, and very smartly, as if to fall. And among the first were some truly terrible characters. I have almost entirely converted myself from these foolish ideas of ghosts and hobgoblins, but I assure you in truth that I more than once felt very uneasy.
The Ice entered. He made a noise extremely resembling that made by a person shivering with cold, loud, and hoarse andliquid.
The Devilhimselfalso entered inpropriapersona, in a very authoritative and commanding manner. I assure you there was no laughing nor gigling outside. All the time he sang and spoke.
The Turtle spoke as an old, jocular man. "I hate the French, for in their travels, when they find me, they kill me and eat me. I shall answer none of their questions." But this was a joke, for he laughed.
"Speak out, Turtle! Speak out louder that we hear thee!" said those without.
"I would too," replied he, "but my voice is so strong I must contract it thus, otherwise ye could not endure the sound of it. Stop!" continued he, "I must imitate the drunk!" which he did to the great diversion of us all. And [he] concluded with snoring, the natural end of all drunken feasts, and then became quiet.
On which another voice (which I also perfectly heard and understood as well [as] the Turtle herself [sic]) cried out, "See! See if she does not look like a frog stretched out!" and this raised a proper laugh both in and out.
The Dog entered, and spoke perfectly plain and [distinctly], and with a more elegant and harmonious voice [than] I ever heard in my life.
Bears of three or four different sorts, the Horse, Moose, Skeletons, spirits of departed andstilllivingfriendsentered. But none but the latter and above mentioned were to be understood by any but the conjurer himself.
On the entering of one, "That is my (adopted) Son." said an Indian seated by me, and called out his name to which he readily answered besides questions. This young man and a girl, both living, spoke very plain[ly] (you must observe that it is not their bodies, but their souls or spirits that enter). [There were] children almost at the instant of birth, dwarfs, giants. But this latter did make a noise indeed.
We all laughed very heartily when the Horse entered, for it appears he passed too near the Turtle who called out as the horse was flying about (in the inside) singing and rattling his rattler, "I wish you would take care of yourself andnottreadon one." in allusion to his diminutive size in comparison with that of Horse.
It is somewhat surprising that everyone that entered, whether he spoke [plainly], or was interpreted, their first words were, "Your lands are distressed. Keep not on the Grand River—sickness, sickness."
"But from amongstyehereI shall select only a few aged ones." said one of the latter, but in avoiceno one but the conjurer could understand.
As he went out, however, the conjurer paid him a most bawdy compliment. We all laughed and asked what was the matter.
"Pah! Nothing. I am only afraid of him." said the conjurer
One of them that entered, apparantly the Devil himself for he spoke and actedenveritablemaitre, startled us all a great deal and enquired authoritatively and angrily, "What want ye of me? Speak!"
Upon several hurried enquiries put to him, he said that some things I saw and heard in my house this winter were by Mr. Frobisher, who expired so dreadfully in 1819. "He is a skeleton (Pah-kack); and it is he who builtthishouse. He comes to see."
Though I did certainly both hear and see several times this winter, and once in particular about two A.M., yet I do not feel much inclined to add faith to this assertion of Davy's. I must have something more substantial. But I am much inclined to doubt master Davy's assertions and considerthisand several others of his sayings at former periods in the same light as those he delivered at many of [the] Grecian temples, for I have every substantial reason to consider him as the same identical gentleman. However, a short time hence will decide.
The Turtle said we should have a good deal of rain, but not averygreatdeal, and a very high wind, and as soon as the Sun should appear. "At its setting, an Indian (naming him by a very extraordinary and bawdy feature in hisperson) should arrive and bring us meat;butthisyouwilleatofcourse,andI shall gowithout."
{"Beware of yourselves. Tomorrow night you shall drink and be drunk. Drink and leave the house as soon as you can,fortherearefromthatwind(by which he designated theSouth)whoiftheydrinkwithye,yeshallbecomepitiful" alluding to two blackguard half breed brothers who, proud of the bravery of their deceased father, are ever and anon insulting and domineering over other Indians. It is worthy of remark that an aged man in the course of this last winter was [advised] of the same and repeatedly pressed not to drink at the house on their accord}.
This is now the 6th (June). The Sun appears, but the wind is very high, and we have frequent showers of rain and snow. About midnight the conjurer addressed me and asked if I wished to see any ofthem(the Spirits). I accepted the offer and thrust my head underneath. And being upon my back, I looked up and near the top observed a light as of a star in a cloudy night, about one and a half inches long and one broad—though dim, yet perfectly distinct. Thoughtheyallappear as lights, some larger and others smaller, this one was denominated the Fisher Star, the name by which they designate the Plough, I believe we call it, or Great Bear, from the supposed resemblance it bears to that animal, the fisher.
When I was entering, several of the Indians on the outside called out to the spirits, "Gently! Gently! It is our Chief who wishes to see you. Do him no evil!" I had my apprehensions.
A little after one P.M. one of my men looked in with several Indians and saw several small lights about as large as the thumbnail. A few minutes before two P.M., being daylight, they gave another shaking to the frame and made their exit.
The above is an account of only a small part, for I am too much pressed for time. I cannot therefore enter into particulars, nor a larger detail, nor give you my opinion further than a few words. I am fully convinced, as much so as that I am in existence, that spirits of some kind did really and virtually enter, some truly terrific, but others, again, quite of a different character.
I cannot enter into a detail by comparisons from ancient and more modern history, but I found the consonance, analogy, resemblance, affinity, or whatever it may be termed, so great, so conspicuous that I verily believe I shall never forget the impressions of that evening.
But above all things that stick most forcibly in my mind is the unbound gratitude we owe and ought to shew every instant of our existence to that Almighty Power that deigned to sacrifice his only Son for us for our Salvation! Oh my God, let me never forget this! And teach me to thank thee not only with my lips but with every action of my life!
Here I must close and in a few minutes seal up this for your perusal, sincerely wishing I may find an opportunity, safe, of conveying it to you.
How earnestly I wish Robert had been present and understood the language. This would convince the most skeptic.
To MrWmNelson, WmHenry G. Nelson
Note: Read these pages among yourselves and lend them not out of the house.