THE

Thrice to its Pitch his lofty Voice he rears,——O Friend!UlyssesShouts invade my Ears.

TheFive Nationshave such absolute Notions of Liberty, that they allow of no Kind of Superiority of one over another, and banish all Servitude from their Territories. They never make any Prisoner a Slave; but it is customary among them to make a Compliment of Naturalization into theFive Nations; and, considering how highly they value themselves above all others, this must be no small Compliment. This is not done by any general Act of the Nation, but every single Person has a Right to do it, by a Kind of Adoption. The first Time I was among theMohawks, I had this Compliment from one of their oldSachems, which he did, by giving me his own Name,Cayenderongue. He had been a notable Warrior; and he told me, that now I had a Right to assume to myself all the Acts of Valour he had performed, and that now my Name would echo from Hill to Hill all over theFive Nations. As for my Part, I thought no more of it at that Time, than as an Artifice to draw a Belly full of strong Liquor from me, for himself and his Companions; but when about ten or twelve Years afterwards, my Business led me again among them, I directed the Interpreter to say something from me to theSachems; he was for some Time at a Loss to understand their Answer, till he had asked me whether I had any Name among them: I then found that I was really known to them by that Name, and that the oldSachem, from the Time he had given me his Name, had assumed another to himself. I was adopted, at that Time, into the Tribe of theBear, and, for that Reason, I often afterwards had the kind Compliment ofBrother Bear.

The Hospitality of theseIndiansis no less remarkable, than their other Virtues; as soon as any Stranger comes, they are sure to offer him Victuals. If there be several in Company, and come from a-far, one of their best Houses is cleaned and given up for their Entertainment. Their Complaisance, on these Occasions, goes even farther than Christian Civility allows of, as they have no other Rule for it, than the furnishing their Guest with every Thing they think will be agreeable to him; for this Reason, some of their prettiest Girls are always ordered to wash themselves, and dress in their best Apparel, in Order to be presented to the Stranger, for his Choice; and the young Lady, who has the Honour to be preferred on these Occasions, performs all the Duties of a fond Wife, during the Stranger's Stay: But this last Piece of Hospitality is now either laid aside by theMohawks, or, at least, they never offer it to any Christian. This Nation indeed has laid aside many of its ancient Customs, and so likewise have the other Nations, with whom we are best acquainted; and have adopted many of ours; so that it is not easy now to distinguish their original and genuine Manners, from those which they have lately acquired; and for this Reason it is, that they now seldom offer Victuals to Persons of any Distinction, because they know, that their Food and Cookery is not agreeable to our delicate Palates. Their Men value themselves, in having all Kind of Food in equal Esteem. AMohawk Sachemtold me with a Kind of Pride, That a Man eats every Thing without Distinction,Bears, Cats, Dogs, Snakes, Frogs, &c. intimating, that it is Womanish, to have any Delicacy in the Choice of Food.

I can however give two strong Instances of the Hospitality of theMohawks, which fell under my own Observation; and which shew, that they have the very same Notion of Hospitality, which we find in the ancient Poets. When I was last in theMohawksCountry, theSachemstold me, that they had anEnglishmanamong their People, a Servant who had run from his Master inNew York. I immediately told them, that they must deliver him up. No, they answered, we never serve any Man so, who puts himself under our Protection. On this I insisted on the Injury they did thereby to his Master; and they allowed it might be an Injury, and replied, though we never will deliver him up, we are willing to pay the Value of the Servant to the Master. Another Man made his Escape from the Goal ofAlbany, where he was in Prison on an Execution for Debt; theMohawksreceived him, and, as they protected him against the Sheriff and his Officers, they not only paid the Debt for him, but gave him Land, over and above sufficient for a good Farm, whereon he lived when I was last there. To this it may be added, all their extraordinary Visits are accompanied with giving and receiving Presents of some Value; as we learn likewise fromHomerwas the Practice in old Times.

Polygamyis not usual among them; and indeed, in any Nation, where all are on a Par, as to Riches and Power, Plurality of Wives cannot well be introduced. As all Kind of Slavery is banished from the Countries of theFive Nations, so they keep themselves free also from the Bondage of Wedlock; and when either of the Parties becomes disgusted, they separate without Formality or Ignominy to either, unless it be occasioned by some scandalous Offence in one of them. And in Case of Divorce, the Children, according to the natural Course of all Animals, follow the Mother. The Women here bring forth their Children with as much Ease as other Animals, and without the Help of a Midwife, and, soon after their Delivery, return to their usual Employment. They alone also perform all the Drudgery about their Houses, they plant their Corn, and labour it, in every Respect, till it is brought to the Table: They likewise cut all their Fire-wood, and bring it Home on their Backs, and in their Marches bear the Burdens. The Men disdain all Kind of Labour, and employ themselves alone in Hunting, as the only proper Business for Soldiers. At Times, when it is not proper to hunt, one finds theold Menin Companies, in Conversation; the young Men at their Exercises, shooting at Marks, throwing the Hatchet, Wrestling, or Running, and the Women all busy at Labour in the Fields.

On these Occasions, the State ofLacedæmonever occurs to my Mind, which that of theFive Nations, in many Respects, resembles; their Laws, or Customs, being, in both, form'd to render the Minds and Bodies of the People fit for War.

Theft is very scandalous among them; and it is necessary it should be so among allIndians, since they have no Locks, but those of their Minds, to preserve their Goods.

There is one Vice which theIndianshave all fallen into, since their Acquaintance with theChristians, and of which they could not be guilty before that Time, that is, Drunkenness: It is strange, how all theIndianNations, and almost every Person among them, Male and Female, are infatuated with the Love of strong Drink; they know no Bounds to their Desire, while they can swallow it down, and then indeed the greatest Man among them scarcely deserves the Name of a Brute.

They never have been taught to conquer any Passion, but by some contrary Passion; and the Traders, with whom they chiefly converse, are so far from giving them any Abhorrence of this Vice, that they encourage it all they can, not only for the Profit of the Liquor they sell, but that they may have an Opportunity to impose upon them. And this, as they chiefly drink Spirits, has destroyed greater Numbers, than all their Wars and Diseases put together.

The People of theFive Nationsare much given toSpeech-making, ever the natural Consequence of a perfect Republican Government: Where no single Person has a Power to compel, the Arts of Persuasion alone must prevail. As their best Speakers distinguish themselves in their publick Councils and Treaties with other Nations, and thereby gain the Esteem and Applause of their Countrymen, (the only Superiority which any one of them has over the others) it is probable they apply themselves to this Art, by some Kind of Study and Exercise, in a great Measure. It is impossible for me to judge how far they excel, as I am ignorant of their Language; but the Speakers whom I have heard, had all a great Fluency of Words, and much more Grace in their Manner, than any Man could expect, among a People intirely ignorant of all the liberal Arts and Sciences.

I am inform'd, that they are very nice in the Turn of their Expressions, and that few of themselves are so far Masters of their Language, as never to offend the Ears of theirIndianAuditory, by an unpolite Expression. They have, it seems, a certainUrbanitas, orAtticism, in their Language, of which the common Ears are ever sensible, though only their great Speakers attain to it. They are so much given to Speech-making, that their common Complements, to any Person they respect, at meeting and parting, are made in Harangues.

They have some Kind of Elegancy in varying and compounding their Words, to which, not many of themselves attain, and this principally distinguishes their best Speakers. I have endeavoured to get some Account of this, as a Thing that might be acceptable to the Curious; but, as I have not met with any one Person who understands their Language, and also knows any Thing of Grammar, or of the learned Languages, I have not been able to attain the least Satisfaction. Their present Minister tells me, that their Verbs are varied, but in a Manner so different from theGreekorLatin, that he cannot discover by what Rule it was done; and even suspects, that every Verb has a peculiar Mode: They have but few radical Words, but they compound their Words without End; by this their Language becomes sufficiently copious, and leaves Room for a good Deal of Art to please a delicate Ear. Sometimes one Word among them includes an entire Definition of the Thing; for Example, they callWine Oneharadeseboengtseragberie, as much as to say, aLiquor made of the Juice of the Grape. The Words expressing Things lately come to their Knowledge are all Compounds: They have no Labeals in their Language, nor can they pronounce perfectly any Word wherein there is a Labeal; and when one endeavours to teach them to pronounce these Words, they tell one, they think it ridiculous that they must shut their Lips to speak. Their Language abounds with Gutturals and strong Aspirations, these make it very sonorous and bold; and their Speeches abound with Metaphors, after the Manner of the Eastern Nations, as will best appear by the Speeches that I have copied.

As to whatreligious Notionsthey have, it is difficult to judge of them; because theIndians, that speak anyEnglish, and live near us, have learned many Things of us; and it is not easy to distinguish the Notions they had originally among themselves, from those they have learned of theChristians. It is certain they have no Kind of publick Worship, and I am told that they have no radical Word to expressGod, but use a compound Word, signifying the Preserver, Sustainer, or Master of the Universe; neither could I ever learn what Sentiments they have of a future Existence. Their funeral Rites seem to be formed upon a Notion of some Kind of Existence after Death: They make a large round Hole, in which the Body can be placed upright, or upon its Haunches, which after the Body is placed in it, is covered with Timber, to support the Earth which they lay over, and thereby keep the Body free from being pressed; they then raise the Earth in a round Hill over it. They always dress the Corps in all its Finery, and put Wampum and other Things into the Grave with it; and the Relations suffer not Grass or any Weed to grow on the Grave, and frequently visit it with Lamentations: But whether these Things be done only as Marks of Respect to the Deceased, or from a Notion of some Kind of Existence after Death, must be left to the Judgment of the Reader.

They are very superstitious in observing Omens and Dreams; I have observed them shew a superstitious Awe of the Owl, and be highly displeased with some that mimicked the Cry of that Bird in the Night. An Officer of the regular Troops has informed me also, that while he had the Command of the Garrison atOswego, a Boy of one of the far Westward Nations died there; the Parents made a regular Pile of split Wood, laid the Corps upon it, and burnt it; while the Pile was burning, they stood gravely looking on, without any Lamentation, but when it was burnt down, they gathered up the Bones with many Tears, put them into a Box, and carried them away with them; and this Inclination, which all ignorant People have to Superstition and amusing Ceremonies, gives the Popish Priests a great Advantage in recommending their Religion, beyond what the Regularity of the Protestant Doctrine allows of.

QueenAnnesent over a Missionary to reside among theMohawks, and allowed him a sufficient Subsistence from the privy Purse; she sent Furniture for a Chappel, and a valuable set of Plate for the Communion Table; and (if I am not mistaken) the like Furniture and Plate for each of the other Nations, though that of theMohawkswas only applied to the Use designed. The common Prayer, or at least a considerable Part of it, was translated also into their Language and printed; some other Pieces were likewise translated for the Minister's Use,viz. An Exposition of the Creed, Decalogue, Lord's Prayer, and Church Catechism, and a Discourse on the Sacraments. But as that Minister was never able to attain any tolerable Knowledge of their Language, and was naturally a heavy Man, he had but small Success; and his Allowance failing, by the Queen's Death, he left them. These Nations had no Teacher, from that Time, till within these few Years, that a young Gentleman, out of pious Zeal, went voluntarily among theMohawks. He was at first intirely ignorant of their Language, and had no Interpreter, except one of theIndians, who understood a littleEnglish, and had, in the late Missionary's Time, learn'd to read and write in his own Language. He learned from him how to pronounce the Words in the Translations, which had been made for the late Missionary's Use. He set up a School, to teach their Children to read and write their own Language; and they made surprizing Proficiency, considering their Master did not understand their Language. I happened to be in theMohawkCountry, and saw several of their Performances; I was present at their Worship, where they went through some Part of the Common Prayer with great Decency. I was likewise present, several Times, at their private Devotions, which some of them performed duly, Morning and Evening. I had also many Opportunities of observing the great Regard they had for this young Man; so far, that the Fear of his leaving them made the greatest Restraint on them, with which he threatened them, after they had been guilty of any Offence. Soon after that Time, this Gentleman went toEngland, received Orders, and was sent by the Society, Missionary toAlbany, with Liberty to spend some Part of his Time among theMohawks.

I had lately a Letter from him, dated the seventh ofDecember, 1641, in which he writes as follows:

"Drunkenness was so common among them, that I doubt, whether there was one grown Person of either Sex free from it; seldom a Day passed, without some, and very often forty or fifty being drunk at a Time. But I found they were very fond of keeping me among them, and afraid I should leave them, which I made Use of to good Purpose; daily threatning them with my Departure, in Case they did not forsake that Vice, and frequently requiring a particular Promise from them singly; by which Means (through God's Blessing) there was a gradual Reformation; and I know not that I have seen above ten or twelve Persons drunk among them this Summer. The Women are almost all entirely reformed, and the Men very much. They have intirely left off Divorces, and are legally married. They are very constant and devout at church and Family Devotions. They have not been known to exercise Cruelty to Prisoners, and have, in a great Measure, left off going a fighting, which I find the most difficult, of all Things, to dissuade them from. They seem also persuaded of the Truths of Christianity. The greatest Inconveniency I labour under, is the Want of an Interpreter, which could I obtain, for two or three Years, I should hope to be tolerably Master of their Language, and be able to render it easier to my Successor."

This Gentleman's uncommon Zeal deserves, I think, this publick Testimony, that it may be a Means of his receiving such Encouragement, as may enable him to pursue the pious Purposes he has in View.

TheMohawks, were they civilized, may be useful to us many Ways, and, on many Occasions, more than any of our own People can be; and this well deserves to be considered.

There is one Custom their Men constantly observe, which I must not forget to mention; That if they be sent with any Message, though it demand the greatest Dispatch, or though they bring Intelligence of any imminent Danger, they never tell it at their first Approach; but sit down for a Minute or two, at least, in Silence, to recollect themselves, before they speak, that they may not shew any Degree of Fear or Surprize, by an indecent Expression. Every sudden Repartee, in a publick Treaty, leaves with them an Impression of a light inconsiderate Mind; but, in private Conversation, they use, and are delighted with brisk witty Answers, as we can be. By this they shew the great Difference they place between the Conversations of Man and Man, and of Nation and Nation; and in this, and a thousand other Things, might well be an Example to theEuropeanNations.

The first Settlers ofNew-Yorkhaving been little curious in inquiring into theIndian Affairs, further than what related to Trade; or, at least, having neglected to transmit their Discoveries to Posterity, it is much more difficult to give a just History of these Nations before, than since the Time of their being under theCrown of England. What we can learn of Certainty, however, is this. TheFrenchsettled atCanadain the Year 1603, six Years before theDutchpossessed themselves ofNew-Netherlands, now calledNew-York, and found theFive Nationsat War with theAdirondacks, which, they tell us, was occasioned in the following Manner.

TheAdirondacksformerly lived three-hundred Miles aboveTrois Rivieres, where now theUtawawasare situated; at that Time they employ'd themselves wholly in Hunting, and theFive Nationsmade planting of Corn their Business. By this Means they became useful to each other, by exchanging Corn for Venison. TheAdirondacks, however, valued themselves, as delighting in a more manly Employment, and despised theFive Nations, in following Business, which they thought only fit for Women. But it once happened, that the Game failed theAdirondacks, which made them desire some of the young Men of theFive Nationsto assist them in Hunting. These young Men soon became much more expert in Hunting, and able to endure Fatigues, than theAdirondacksexpected or desired; in short, they became jealous of them, and, one Night, murdered all the young Men they had with them. TheFive Nationscomplained to the Chiefs of theAdirondacks, of the Inhumanity of this Action; but they contented themselves with blaming the Murderers, and ordered them to make some small[3]Presents to the Relations of the murdered Persons, without being apprehensive of the Resentment of theFive Nations; for they looked upon them, as Men not capable of taking any great Revenge.

This however provoked theFive Nationsto that Degree, that they soon resolved, by some Means, to be revenged; and theAdirondacksbeing informed of their Designs, thought to prevent them, by reducing them with Force to their Obedience.

TheFive Nationsthen lived near whereMont Realnow stands; they defended themselves at first but faintly against the vigorous Attacks of theAdirondacks, and were forced to leave their own Country, and fly to the Banks of the Lakes where they live now. As they were hitherto Losers by the War, it obliged them to apply themselves to the Exercise of Arms, in which they became daily more and more expert. TheirSachems, in order to raise their People's Spirits, turned them against theSatanas[4], a less warlike Nation, who then lived on the Banks of the Lakes; for they found it was difficult to remove the Dread their People had of the Valour of theAdirondacks. TheFive Nationssoon subdued theSatanas, and drove them out of their Country; and their People's Courage being thus elevated, they, from this Time, not only defended themselves bravely against the whole Force of theAdirondacks, but often carried the War into the Heart of theAdirondacks's Country, and, at last, forced them to leave it, and to fly into that Part of the Country, whereQuebeckis now built.

There are more Instances than one in History, of poor dispirited Nations, that by some signal Affront or Abuse have had their Spirits so raised, that they have not only performed notable Things on a sudden, but, if they happened, at the same Time, to be led and governed by wise Men, have so far kept up, and improved that Spirit, that they have become, in a Manner, a different People. Let us examine History, and we shall find, that the different Figure every Country has made in the World, has been ever principally owing to the Principles which were inculcated into, and carefully cultivated in the People. In this chiefly consists the Art of making a Nation glorious, or the Crime of debasing them into Servitude or Slavery. It was from the Notions of Liberty, Honour, and Glory, and such wise and generous Principles, which the meanest Citizen among the oldRomansentertained, that they became so great and powerful, and a Terror to all Nations; as the sordid, timorous, cunning Artifices, and the Love of Wealth and sensual Pleasures, cultivated among the presentRomans, has debased them now into the meanest and least feared Nation on the Earth. The History of theFive Nationswill readily shew, how far the ancientRomanPrinciples have been cultivated among them.

Soon after this Change of the People of these Nations, theFrencharrived atCanada, and settled atQuebeck; and they thinking it adviseable to gain the Esteem and Friendship of theAdirondacks, in whose Country they settled,Monsieur Champlain, the first Governor ofCanada, joined theAdirondacksin an Expedition against theFive Nations. They met a Party of two-hundred Men of theFive NationsinCorlar's Lake, which theFrench, on this Occasion called byMonsieur Champlain'sName, and both Sides went ashore to prepare for Battle, which proved to the Disadvantage of theFive Nations. TheFrench, in short, kept themselves undiscover'd, till the Moment they began to join Battle; and their Fire-arms surprised theFive Nationsso much, that they were immediately put into Confusion; for, before that Time, they had never seen such Weapons. The Trade with theFrench, soon after this, drew most of the neighbouring Nations toQuebeck, and they all joined in the War against theFive Nations.

TheAdirondackshaving their Numbers thus increased, and their Fire-arms giving them new Confidence, proposed nothing less to themselves, than the intire Destruction of theFive Nations. Upon this, their young Warriors became fierce and insolent, and would not be kept under any Discipline or Subjection to their Captains; but, upon all Occasions, rashly attacked the Enemy, who were obliged to keep themselves upon the defensive; and to make up what they wanted in Force, by Stratagems, and a skilful Management of the War. The young Men of theFive Nationssoon perceived the Advantages they gained by this Conduct, and every Day grew more submissive to their Captains, and diligent in executing any Enterprize.

TheFive Nationssent out small Parties only, who meeting with great Numbers of theAdirondacks, retired before them with seeming Terror, while theAdirondackspursued them with Fury, and without Thought, till they were cunningly drawn into Ambuscades, where most of their Men were killed or taken Prisoners, with little or no Loss to theFive Nations.

TheAdirondacks, by this Means, wasted away, and their boldest Soldiers were almost intirely destroy'd, while the Number of theFive Nationswere increased, by the Addition of the Prisoners, which they took from theSatanas.

The wisest and best Soldiers of theAdirondacks, when it was too late, now at length discovered, that they must learn the Art of War from those Enemies that they at first despised; and now five of their Captains endeavoured to perform by themselves singly, with Art and by Stratagem, what they could not do by Force at the Head of their Armies; they had however no longer any Hopes of conquering, their Thoughts were only set on Revenge.

It is not improper to observe here, once for all, that in writing the History ofIndians, it is often necessary to give an Account of the Enterprizes of single Persons, otherwise theIndianGenius can never be known, or their Manner of making War understood. AnIndiannamedPiskaretwas at this Time one of the Captains of greatest Fame among theAdirondacks:This bold Man, with four other Captains, set out forTrois-Rivieresin one Canoe, each of them being provided with three Musquets, which they loaded with two Bullets apiece, joined with a small Chain ten Inches long; they met with five Canoes inSorel River, each having ten Men of theFive Nationson Board.Piskaretand his Captains, as soon as those of theFive Nationsdrew near, pretended to give themselves up for lost, and sung their Death Song,[5]then suddenly fired upon the Canoes, which they repeated with the Arms that lay ready loaded, and tore those Birch Vessels betwixt Wind and Water. The Men of theFive Nationswere so surprized, that they tumbled out of their Canoes, and gavePiskaretand his Companions the Opportunity of knocking as many of them on the Head as they pleased, and saving the others, to feed their Revenge, which they did, by burning them alive with the most cruel Torments. This however was so far from gluttingPiskaret's Revenge, that it seemed rather to give a keener Edge to it; for he soon after undertook another Enterprize, in which none of his Countrymen durst accompany him: He was well acquainted with the Country of theFive Nations, and set out about the Time the Snow began to melt, with the Precaution of putting the hinder Part of his Snow Shoes forward, that if any should happen upon his Footsteps, they might think he was gone the contrary Way; and, for further Security, went along the Ridges and high Grounds, where the Snow was melted, that his Track might be often lost; when he came near one of the Villages of theFive Nations, he hid himself till Night, and then entered a Cabin, while every Body was fast asleep, murdered the whole Family, and carried their Scalps into his lurking Place. The next day the People of the Village searched for the Murderer in vain. The following Night he murdered all he found in another Cabin. The Inhabitants next Day searched likewise in vain for the Murderer; but the third Night a Watch was kept in every House.Piskaretin the Night bundled up the Scalps he had taken the two former Nights, to carry, as the Proof of his Victory, and then stole privately from House to House, till at last he found anIndiannodding, who was upon the Watch in one of the Houses; he knockt this Man on the Head; but as this alarmed the rest, he was forced immediately to fly. He was however under no great Concern from the Pursuit, being more swift of Foot than anyIndianthen living. He let his Pursuers come near him from Time to Time, and then would dart from them. This he did with Design to tire them out with the Hopes of overtaking Him. As it began to grow dark, he hid himself, and his Pursuers stop'd to rest. They not being apprehensive of any Danger from a single Man, soon fell asleep, and the boldPiskaretobserving this, knock'd them all on the Head, and carried away their Scalps with the rest. Such Stories as these are told among theIndians, as extraordinary Instances of the Courage and Conduct of their Captains. TheIndianswill often travel thus three or four Hundred Miles singly, or two or three in Company, and lurk about their Enemy's Borders for several Weeks, in Hopes to revenge the Death of a near Relation or dear Friend. Indeed they give themselves so very much up to Revenge, that this Passion seems to gnaw their Souls, and gives them no Rest till they satisfy it. It is this Delight in Revenge, that makes all barbarous Nations cruel; and the curbing such Passions is one of the happy Effects of being civilized.

TheFive Nationsare so much delighted with Stratagems in War, that no Superiority of their Forces ever make them neglect them. They amused theAdirondacksand their Allies theQuatoghies(called by theFrench Hurons) by sending to theFrench, and desiring Peace. TheFrenchdesired them to receive some Priests among them, in Hopes that those prudent Fathers would, by some Art, reconcile them to their Interest, and engage their Affections. TheFive Nationsreadily accepted the Offer, and someJesuitswent along with them: But after they had the Jesuits in their Power, they used them only as Hostages, and thereby obliged theFrenchto stand neuter, while they prepared to attack theAdirondacksandQuatoghies, and they defeated theQuatoghiesin a dreadful Battle fought within two Leagues ofQuebeck.

TheFrenchown, That if theFive Nationshad known their Weakness at that Time, they might have easily destroyed the whole Colony.

This Defeat, in Sight of theFrenchSettlements, struck Terror into all their Allies, who were at that Time very numerous, because of the Trade with theFrench, which furnished them with many the most useful Conveniences; for before that Time theIndianshad no Iron Tool among them.

TheNipeceriniens, who then lived on the Banks ofSt. Laurence River, fled upon this to the Northward, believing that the extreme Coldness of the Climate, and a barren Soil, would be the securest Defence against the Ambition of theFive Nations. The Remainder of theQuatoghiesfled with theUtawawasSouthwestward; and for the greater Security, settled in an Island, which being further than the Name of theFive Nationshad then reached, they trusted to the Distance of the Place, and the Advantage of its Situation.

Their last Expedition having succeeded so well, theFive Nationsgave out, that they intended next Winter to visitYonnendio, (the Name they give to the Governor ofCanada;) these Visits are always made with much Shew. Under this Pretence they gathered together 1000 or 1200 Men. Their out Scouts met withPiskaretnearNiccolet River, and still pretending a friendly Visit to the Governor ofCanada, as their only Design, he told them, that theAdirondackswere divided into two Bodies, one of which hunted on the North Side ofSt. Laurence RiveratWabmake, three Leagues aboveTrois Rivieres, and the other atNicolet. As soon as they had gained this Information, they killed him, and returned with his Head to the Army. TheFive Nationsdivided likewise into two Bodies; they surprized theAdirondacksin both Places, and in both cut them in pieces.

Thus the most warlike and polite Nation of all theIndiansinNorth America, was almost intirely destroyed by a People they at first despised, and by a War which their Pride and Injustice brought upon them; and we here see, that all the Advantages of Numbers, Courage and Weapons, is not equal to good discipline in an Army.

A very fewAdirondacksonly now remain in some Villages nearQuebeck, who still waste away and decay, by their drinking strong Waters, tho' when theFrenchfirst settled atQuebeck, 1500 fighting Men of them lived between that Place andSillerie, which are only a League distant, besides those that lived atSaquenay, Trois Rivieres, and some other Places. And since this decisive Battle, theAdirondackshave never been considered as of any Consequence, either in Peace or War.

TheQuatoghiesandAtawawasnow soon began to be in Want of theEuropeanCommodities, which had made them considerable among their new Friends. In order therefore to supply themselves anew, they returned to Trade atQuebeck; and by this Means the Place of their Retreat was discovered to thefive Nations; and they not having their Revenge satiated, while theQuatoghieshad a Being, soon convinced them, that no Extent of Country could set bounds to that Passion, when it rages in the Hearts of theFive Nations, for they soon after attack'd them in their new Settlement. TheQuatoghieshad the good Fortune to discover theFive NationsTime enough to make their Escape, and fled to thePutewatemies, who lived a Day's Journey further, where they, and all the Neighbouring Nations, secured themselves in a large Fort. TheFive Nationsfollowed, but, being in Want of Provision, they could not attempt a Siege, and therefore proposed a Treaty with thePutewatemies, which was accepted. ThePutewatemiesacknowledged theFive Nationsas Masters of all the Nations round them, applauded their Valour, and promised them their Friendship, and to supply them with Provisions; they would not however trust themselves out of their Fort, but sent out a Supply; and even this they did, only with Design to do that by Treachery, which they durst not attempt by Force; for the Provisions were poisoned. The Treachery was discovered however to theFive Nations, by an oldQuatoghie, who had a Son Prisoner among them; his Affection for his Son overcoming even his Hatred to his Country's Enemies. This Treachery highly enraged theFive Nationsagainst thePutewatemies, and the neighbouring People; but Famine obliging them to retire at this Time, they divided their Armies into Parties, the better to provide for their Subsistence, by Hunting; one of these Parties in their Chace fell in with a Village of theChicktaghicks(called by theFrench Hinois) and surprized the old Men, Women and Children, when the young Men were abroad hunting; but the young Men, upon their Return, gathering together all the rest of the Villages, pursued this Party of theFive Nations, and recovered the Prisoners.

This was the first Time that theFive Nationshad been seen in those Parts, but their Name was become so terrible, that theChictaghicks, notwithstanding this Advantage, left their Country, and fled to the Nations that lived westward, till the General Peace was settled by theFrench, and not till on that Occasion returned to their own Country.

InJune1665Monsieur De TrasiappointedVice-RoyofAmericaby theFrench King, arrived atQuebeck, after he had visited theFrench Islandsin theWest Indies, and brought with him four Companies of Foot; and inSeptemberof the same Year,Mr. Courselarrived Governor General ofCanada; he brought with him a Regiment and several Families, with all Things necessary for establishing of a Colony. Their Force being now thus considerably augmented, theFrenchGovernor resolved to chastise the Insolence of theFive Nations; and for that Purpose, in the Winter, sent out a Party against theMohawks, but these by the Cold, and their not knowing the Use of Snow Shoes, suffered very much, without doing any Thing against the Enemy.

This Party however fell in withSkenectady[6], a small Town whichCorlear(a considerable Man among theDutch) had then newly settled. When they appeared nearShenectady, they were almost dead with Cold and Hunger; and theIndians, who were then in that Village, had intirely destroyed them, ifCorlear, (in Compassion to his fellow Christians) had not contriv'd their Escape. He had a mighty Influence over theIndians; and it is from him, and in Remembrance of his Merit, that all Governors ofNew-Yorkare calledCorlearby theIndiansto this Day, tho' he himself was never Governor. He persuaded theIndians, that this was a small Party of theFrenchArmy come to amuse them, that the great Body was gone directly towards their Castles, and that it was necessary for them immediately to go in Defence of their Wives and Children. This they believed, and readily obeyed; and as soon as theIndianswere gone, he sent to theFrench, and supplied them with Provisions and other Necessaries to carry them back. TheFrenchGovernor, in Order to reward so signal a Service, invitedCorleartoCanada; but as he went through the great Lake, which lies to the Northward ofAlbany, his Canoe was overset, and he was drowned; and from this Accident that Lake has ever since been calledCorlear'sLake, by the People ofNew-York. There is a Rock in this Lake, on which the Waves dash and fly up to a great Height; when the Wind blows hard, theIndiansbelieve, that an oldIndianlives under this Rock, who has the Power of the Winds; and therefore, as they pass it in their Voyages over, they always throw a Pipe, or some other small Present to this oldIndian, and pray a favourable Wind. TheEnglishthat pass with them sometimes laugh at them, but they are sure to be told ofCorlear's Death. Your great CountrymanCorlear(say they) as he passed by this Rock, jested at our Fathers making Presents to thisOld Indian, and in Derision turned up his Backside, but this Affront cost him his Life.

In the following Spring theVice-Royand theGovernor of Canada, with twenty eight Companies of Foot, and all the Militia of the Colony, marched into the Country of theMohawks, with a Design to destroy this Nation, which by their Wars not only prevented their Commerce with the westernIndians, but likewise often put their Colony in Danger. It certainly was a bold Attempt, to march above 700 Miles fromQuebeckthrough vast unknown Forests. TheMohawkshowever, on their Approach, Men, Women, and Children, retired into the Woods, and all that theFrenchwere able to do, was to burn some Villages, and to murder some oldSachemsthat (like the old Roman Senators,) chose rather to dye than to desert their Houses.

TheFrenchwere so conceited before, of their Superiority over theIndiansin their Skill of War, and their Weapons, that they thought they could not escape, but the little Honour or Advantage they got by this Expedition lessened their Vanity, and made them desirous of Peace; and theFive Nationsremaining fearful of theFrench fire Arms, it was without much Difficulty concluded in the Year 1667.

TheFive Nationshowever being naturally very enterprizing and haughty, one of their Parties some Time after met with someFrenchin their hunting, and quarrelled with them. TheIndianshad the Advantage, they killed several of theFrench, and carried one Prisoner into their own Country.Monsieur de Courselsent on this to threaten theFive Nationswith War, if they did not deliver up these Murderers; and theFive Nations, to shew their publick Displeasure at this Breach of Peace, sentAgariata, the Captain of the Company that did the Mischief, with forty others, to beg Pardon; butMonsieur Courselwas resolved to make an Example ofAgariata, and ordered him to be hanged in Sight of his Countrymen; and theFrenchthink that this Severity was a great Means of preserving the Peace till the Year 1683.

TheDutch, who settled in theNew Netherlands, now calledNew-York, in 1609, entered into an Alliance with the Five Nations, which continued without any Breach on either Side, till theEnglishgained this Country. TheDutchgained the Hearts of theFive Nationsby their kind Usage, and were frequently useful to theFrench, in saving those of them that were prisoners from the Cruelty of theIndians.

In 1664,New-Yorkbeing taken by theEnglish, they likewise immediately entered into a Friendship with theFive Nations, which has continued without the least Breach to this Day; and History, I believe, cannot give an Instance of the most Christian or most Catholick Kings observing a Treaty so strictly, and for so long a Time as these Barbarians, as they are called, have done.

TheEnglishandFrench(Peace being every where settled) now endeavoured to extend their Commerce and Alliances among theIndian Nations, that live to the westward ofNew-York. TheFrenchhowever, in their Measures, discovered always a Design of conquering and commanding; for with this ViewMr. de Frontenac, who had succeeded in the Government ofCanada, in the Year 1672, persuaded theFive Nationsto allow him to build a Fort on the north Side ofCadarackui Lake, under Pretence of a Store forMerchandise, and the Security of his Traders, and under the same Pretence built several other Forts at some other considerable Places far in the Country.

TheEnglishandDutch, on the contrary, prosecuted their Measures only with the Arts of Peace, by sending People among theIndiansto gain their Affections, and to persuade them to come toAlbanyto trade; but the War with theDutch, which happened about this Time, prevented even these honest Designs from having the Success they otherwise might have had; for in the Year 1673,New-Yorkbeing surprised by theDutch, and restored the next Year to theEnglish, the Alterations of Government, and of Masters, obstructed very much any Measures that could have been taken for the publick Good. Their Trade was likewise considerably hindered by the War which theFive Nationshad at that Time with the River Indians[7], which forced many of thoseIndiansto seek Shelter among theUtawawas, who fell under theFrenchGovernment at last; however, theEnglish,DutchandFrenchhaving all made Peace inEurope, and the Government ofNew-Yorklikewise having obtained a Peace between theFive NationsandMahikandarsorRiver Indians, both theEnglishandFrenchwere at full Liberty to prosecute their Designs of extending their Commerce among theIndians, which both did with very considerable Success and Advantage to the Inhabitants of their respective Colonies.

But this Justice must be done to theFrench, that they far exceeded theEnglishin the daring Attempts of some of their Inhabitants, in travelling very far among unknownIndians, discovering new Countries, and every where spreading the Fame of theFrenchName and Grandeur. TheSieur Perottravelled in the Year 1667 as far asthe Fall St. MarybeyondMissilimakinak, and having learned thoseIndiansLanguage, gained them over to his Country's Interest.

The Courage and Resolution of many of these Adventurers are deservedly recorded by theFrench; but theEnglishgive it another Turn, and say it is the Barrenness and Poverty ofCanadathat pushes the Men of Spirit there, upon Enterprizes, that they would not have attempted, if they had lived in the Province ofNew-York. The chief Reason, in my Opinion, however, of theFrenchhaving so far succeeded beyond theEnglishis, that theIndian Affairsare the particular Care of the Governor and other principal Officers inCanada, who have the greatest Knowledge and Authority; whereas those Affairs inNew-Yorkare chiefly left to the Management of a few Traders with theIndians, who have no Care for, or Skill in publick Affairs, and only mind their private Interest.

TheFive Nationsbeing now amply supplied by theEnglishwith Fire-Arms and Ammunition, give full Swing to their warlike Genius, and soon resolved to revenge the Affronts they had at any Time received from theIndianNations that lived at a greater Distance from them. The nearest Nations, as they were attack'd, commonly fled to those that were further off, and theFive Nationspursued them. This, together with a Desire they had of conquering, or Ambition of making all the Nations round them their Tributaries, or to acknowledge theFive Nationsto be so far their Masters, as to be absolutely directed by them in all Affairs of Peace and War with their Neighbours, made them overrun great Part ofNorth-America. They carried their Arms as far South asCarolina, to the Northward ofNew-England, and as far West as the RiverMississipi, over a vast Country, which extends twelve hundred Miles in Length, from North to South, and about six hundred Miles in breadth; where they intirely destroyed many Nations, of whom there are now no Accounts remaining among theEnglish.

These warlike Expeditions often proved troublesome to the Colonies ofVirginiaandMaryland; for not only theIndiansthat were Friends to those Colonies became Victims to the Fury of theFive Nations, but the Christian Inhabitants likewise were frequently involved in the same Calamity.

TheFrenchhaving a long Time felt the Inconveniencies and Dangers they were in from this restless warlike Spirit of theFive Nations, made use of this Time of Peace to guard against it for the future, and were very diligent in pursuing the most prudent Measures. They sent some of their wisest Priests and Jesuits to reside among them, and the Governors ofNew-Yorkwere ordered, by theDuke of York, to give these Priests all the Incouragement in their Power. The chief View of these Priests was, to give theIndiansthe highest Opinion of theFrench Powerand Wisdom, and to render theEnglishas suspected and as mean as possible in their Eyes. They waited likewise for every Opportunity to breed a Quarrel between theEnglishand theIndians, and to withdraw theFive Nationsfrom fighting with those Nations that traded toCanada. For these Purposes these Priests were instrumental in turning the Resentment of theFive Nationsagainst theIndians, that were in Friendship withVirginiaandMaryland. The Governor ofMaryland, on the other Hand, to prevent the ill Consequences, that might happen by Wars between Nations that were in Friendship with theEnglish, and lived in their Neighbourhood, sentColonel Coursey, in the Year 1677, toAlbany, to increase the Friendship betweenVirginiaandMarylandon the one Part, and theFive Nationson the other; and, accordingly, both Sides gave mutual Promises atAlbany: But this good Understanding was soon shaken by some Parties of theOneydoes,Onondagas, andSenekas, who were out when this Treaty was made, and were ignorant of it. One of them met with theSusguehana Indians, who were in Friendship withMaryland, and fell upon them; they killed four of theSusguehanas, and took six Prisoners. Five of these Prisoners fell to the Share of theSenekas, who, as soon as they arrived in their own Country, sent them back with Presents, to shew that they kept their Promises withMaryland; but theOneydoesdetained the Prisoner they had.

Another Party, that went against theCanagesse Indians(Friends ofVirginia) were surprised by a Troop of Horse, who killed one Man, and took a Woman Prisoner: TheIndians, in Revenge, killed four of the Inhabitants, and carried away their Scalps, with six Christian Prisoners.

TheMohawks, all this while, kept strictly to their Words, and suffered none of their Men to go towardsVirginiaandMaryland.

There is Reason to think that theDutch, who lived aboutAlbanyat that Time, spirited up theIndiansagainst theEnglish; the national Differences, that were then recent, bred a Rancour in their Spirits. SomeDutchmenpersuaded theOneydoes, that theEnglishatNew-Yorkwere resolved to destroy them, and put them into a terrible Disturbance; for here theDutchand theFrenchPriests joined in the same Measures. The Commandant atAlbanyhearing of this, sent two Interpreters of theIndianLanguage, to persuade theOneydoesto come toAlbany, in Order to be assured of theEnglishFriendship, and to have their Jealousy removed; which being done,Swerise, one of the chiefSachemsof theOneydoes, excused his Countrymen atAlbanythe fifteenth ofFebruary1678/9, by laying the Blame on the People ofSchenectady, who had informed not one, but several of their People, and at several Times, that theEnglishdesigned to cut them all off; and said, had they not Reason to believe the People ofSchenectady, who are Friends and Neighbours to theEnglish? They brought with them a Christian Woman and her Child, that had been taken Prisoners, and restored them, praying the Governor to use his Interest to have their People restored, that had been taken by the People ofVirginia; but they kept another Christian Woman and her two Children, which they said they did only till such Time as their Prisoners should be restored, or someCanastoga Indiansgiven in their Place.

When theFive Nationsmake Peace with another Nation, that has taken some of theFive NationsPrisoners, if these Prisoners be dead, or cannot be restored, they usually demand someIndians, in Friendship with theFive Nations, in their stead; who either are adopted in Place of their dead Friends, or restored to their own Nation; and sometimes they desire some of their Enemies to be given to them, and even those frequently are adopted by a Father in Place of a Son, or by a Sister in Place of a Brother, and, most frequently, by a Wife in Place of a Husband lost in the Wars; but if they chance not to be agreeable to the Relations, then they are certainly made Sacrifices to their Revenge.

GovernorAndross, being acquainted by Letter with this last Proposal of theOneydoes, required the immediate Delivery of the Christian Prisoners, and promised to write toVirginiato have theIndianPrisoners sav'd. Some Presents being given to theOneydoes, and they promised to bring them in a Month's Time.

They, at the same Time, informed the Commandant atAlbany, that eight of their Men were then out against the People ofVirginia; that they knew nothing of what was now promised; and therefore, in Case they should do any Harm, they desired that it might not be taken as a Breach of their Promises they now made. They promised likewise to inform the Governor of every Thing these Parties shou'd happen to do. In the last Place they said, we shall be very sorry if any Thing should happen to the Prisoners that we have promised to restore, lest it should create some Jealousies of us, we hope that you will consider that they are mortal. Accordingly, inMayfollowing, theOneydoesbrought the other three Prisoners toAlbany, and, on the Twenty-fourth of that Month,Swerise, when he delivered them to the Commandant atAlbany, and the Commissioners forIndianAffairs, said,

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