FOOTNOTES:[62]At Deerfield, Mass.
FOOTNOTES:
[62]At Deerfield, Mass.
[62]At Deerfield, Mass.
I was born within ten miles of the town of Aberdeen, in the north of Scotland, of reputable parents. At eight years of age, being a sturdy boy, I was taken notice of by two fellows belonging to a vessel, employed (as the trade then was) by some of the worthy merchants of Aberdeen in that villainous and execrable practice of stealing young children from their parents, and selling them as slaves in the plantations abroad, and on board the ship I was easily cajoled by them, where I was conducted between decks, to some others they had kidnapped in the same manner, and in about a month’s time set sail for America. When arrived at Philadelphia, the captain sold us at about sixteen pounds per head. What became of my unhappy companions I never knew; but it was my lot to be sold for seven years, to one of my countrymen, who had in his youth been kidnapped like myself, but from another town.
Having no children of his own, and commiserating my condition, he took care of me, indulged me in going to school, where I went every winter for five years, and made a tolerable proficiency. With this good master I continued till he died, and, as a reward for my faithful service, he left me two hundred pounds currency, which was then about an hundred and twenty pounds sterling, his best horse, saddle, and all his wearing apparel.
Being now seventeen years old, and my own master, having money in my pocket, and all other necessaries, I employed myself in jobbing for near seven years; when I resolved to settle, and married the daughter of a substantial planter. My father-in-law made me a deed of gift of a tract of land that lay (unhappily for me, as it has since proved) on the frontiers of the province of Pennsylvania, near the forks of Delaware, containing about two hundred acres, thirty of which were well cleared and fit for immediate use, on which were a good house and barn. The placepleasing me well, I settled on it. My money I expended in buying stock, household furniture, and implements for out-of-door work; and being happy in a good wife, my felicity was complete: but in 1754, the Indians, who had for a long time before ravaged and destroyed other parts of America unmolested, began now to be very troublesome on the frontiers of our province, where they generally appeared in small skulking parties, committing great devastations.
Terrible and shocking to human nature were the barbarities daily committed by these savages! Scarce did a day pass but some unhappy family or other fell victims to savage cruelty. Terrible, indeed, it proved to me, as well as to many others. I, that was now happy in an easy state of life; blessed with an affectionate and tender wife, became on a sudden one of the most unhappy of mankind: scarce can I sustain the shock which forever recurs on recollecting the fatal second of October, 1754. My wife that day went from home, to visit some of her relations; as I staid up later than usual, expecting her return, none being in the house besides myself, how great was my surprise and terror, when, about eleven o’clock at night, I heard the dismal war-whoop of the savages, and found that my house was beset by them. I flew to my chamber window, and perceived them to be twelve in number. Having my gun loaded, I threatened them with death, if they did not retire. But how vain and fruitless are the efforts of one man against the united force of so many blood-thirsty monsters! One of them, that could speak English, threatened me in return, “That if I did not come out they would burn me alive,” adding, however, “that if I would come out and surrender myself prisoner, they would not kill me.” In such deplorable circumstances, I chose to rely on their promises, rather than meet death by rejecting them; and accordingly went out of the house, with my gun in my hand, not knowing that I had it. Immediately on my approach they rushed on me like tigers, and instantly disarmed me. Having me thus in their power, they bound me to a tree, went into the house, plundered it of every thing they could carry off, and then set fire to it, and consumed what was left, before my eyes. Not satisfied with this, they set fire to my barn, stable, and outhouses, wherein were about two hundred bushels of wheat, six cows, four horses, and five sheep, all of which were consumed to ashes.
Having thus finished the execrable business about which they came, one of the monsters came to me with a tomahawk and threatened me with the worst of deaths if I would not go with them. This I agreed to, and then they untied me, gave me a load to carry, under which I traveled all that night, full of the most terrible apprehensions, lest my unhappy wife should likewise have fallen into their cruel power. At daybreak myinfernal masters ordered me to lay down my load, when, tying my hands again round a tree, they forced the blood out at my fingers’ ends. And then kindling a fire near the tree to which I was bound, the most dreadful agonies seized me, concluding I was to be made a sacrifice to their barbarity. The fire being made, they for some time danced round me after their manner, whooping, hollowing and shrieking in a frightful manner. Being satisfied with this sort of mirth, they proceeded in another manner: taking the burning coals, and sticks flaming with fire at the ends, holding them to my face, head, hands, and feet, and at the same time threatening to burn me entirely if I cried out. Thus, tortured as I was, almost to death, I suffered their brutalities, without being able to vent my anguish otherwise than by shedding silent tears; and these being observed, they took fresh coals and applied them near my eyes, telling me my face was wet, and that they would dry it for me, which indeed they cruelly did. How I underwent these tortures has been matter of wonder to me, but God enabled me to wait with more than common patience for the deliverance I daily prayed for.
At length they sat down round the fire, and roasted the meat, of which they had robbed my dwelling. When they had supped, they offered some to me; though it may easily be imagined I had but little appetite to eat, after the tortures and miseries I had suffered, yet was I forced to seem pleased with what they offered me, lest by refusing it they should resume their hellish practices. What I could not eat I contrived to hide, they having unbound me till they imagined I had eat all; but then they bound me as before; in which deplorable condition I was forced to continue the whole day. When the sun was set, they put out the fire, and covered the ashes with leaves, as is their usual custom, that the white people might not discover any traces of their having been there.
Going from thence along the Susquehanna, for the space of six miles, loaded as I was before, we arrived at a spot near the Appalachian mountains, or Blue hills, where they hid their plunder under logs of wood. From thence they proceeded to a neighboring house, occupied by one Jacob Snider and his unhappy family, consisting of his wife, five children, and a young man his servant. They soon got admittance into the unfortunate man’s house, where they immediately, without the least remorse, scalped both parents and children; nor could the tears, the shrieks, or cries of poor innocent children prevent their horrid massacre. Having thus scalped them, and plundered the house of every thing that was movable, they set fire to it, and left the distressed victims amidst the flames.
Thinking the young man belonging to this unhappy family would be of service to them in carrying part of their plunder, they spared his life,and loaded him and myself with what they had here got, and again marched to the Blue hills, where they stowed their goods as before. My fellow sufferer could not support the cruel treatment which we were obliged to suffer, and complaining bitterly to me of his being unable to proceed any farther, I endeavored to animate him, but all in vain, for he still continued his moans and tears, which one of the savages perceiving, as we traveled along, came up to us, and with his tomahawk gave him a blow on the head, which felled the unhappy youth to the ground, whom they immediately scalped and left. The suddenness of this murder shocked me to that degree, that I was in a manner motionless, expecting my fate would soon be the same: however, recovering my distracted thoughts, I dissembled my anguish as well as I could from the barbarians; but still, such was my terror, that for some time I scarce knew the days of the week, or what I did.
They still kept on their course near the mountains, where they lay skulking four or five days, rejoicing at the plunder they had got. When provisions became scarce, they made their way toward Susquehanna, and passing near another house, inhabited by an old man, whose name was John Adams, with his wife and four small children, and meeting with no resistance, they immediately scalped the mother and her children before the old man’s eyes. Inhuman and horrid as this was, it did not satisfy them; for when they had murdered the poor woman, they acted with her in such a brutal manner as decency will not permit me to mention. The unhappy husband, not being able to avoid the sight, entreated them to put an end to his miserable being; but they were as deaf to the tears and entreaties of this venerable sufferer as they had been to those of the others, and proceeded to burn and destroy his house, barn, corn, hay, cattle, and every thing the poor man a few hours before was master of. Having saved what they thought proper from the flames, they gave the old man, feeble, weak, and in the miserable condition he then was, as well as myself, burdens to carry, and loading themselves likewise with bread and meat, pursued their journey toward the Great Swamp. Here they lay for eight or nine days, diverting themselves, at times, in barbarous cruelties on the old man: sometimes they would strip him naked, and paint him all over with various sorts of colors; at other times they would pluck the white hairs from his head, and tauntingly tell him he was a fool for living so long, and that they would show him kindness in putting him out of the world. In vain were all his tears, for daily did they tire themselves with the various means they tried to torment him; sometimes tying him to a tree, and whipping him; at other times, scorching his furrowed cheek with red hot coals, and burning his legs quite to the knees. Onenight, after he had been thus tormented, while he and I were condoling each other at the miseries we daily suffered, twenty-five other Indians arrived, bringing with them twenty scalps and three prisoners, who had unhappily fallen into their hands in Conogocheague, a small town near the river Susquehanna, chiefly inhabited by the Irish. These prisoners gave us some shocking accounts of the murders and devastations committed in their parts; a few instances of which will enable the reader to guess at the treatment the provincials have suffered for years past. This party who now joined us, had it not, I found, in their power to begin their violences so soon as those who visited my habitation; the first of their tragedies being on the 25th of October, 1754, when John Lewis, with his wife and three small children, were inhumanly scalped and murdered, and his house, barn, and every thing he possessed burnt and destroyed. On the 28th, Jacob Miller, with his wife and six of his family, with every thing on his plantations, shared the same fate. The 30th, the house, mill, barn, twenty head of cattle, two teams of horses, and every thing belonging to George Folke, met with the like treatment, himself, wife, and all his miserable family, consisting of nine in number, being scalped, then cut in pieces and given to the swine. One of the substantial traders, belonging to the province, having business that called him some miles up the country, fell into the hands of these ruffians, who not only scalped him, but immediately roasted him before he was dead; then, like cannibals, for want of other food, eat his whole body, and of his head made, what they called, an Indian pudding.
From these few instances of savage cruelty, the deplorable situation of the defenseless inhabitants, and what they hourly suffered in that part of the globe, must strike the utmost horror, and cause in every breast the utmost detestation, not only against the authors, but against those who, through inattention, or pusillanimous or erroneous principles, suffered these savages at first, unrepelled, or even unmolested, to commit such outrages, depredations and murders.
The three prisoners that were brought with these additional forces, constantly repining at their lot, and almost dead with their excessive hard treatment, contrived at last to make their escape: but being far from their own settlements, and not knowing the country, were soon after met by some others of the tribes or nations at war with us and brought back. The poor creatures, almost famished for want of sustenance, having had none during the time of their escape, were no sooner in the power of the barbarians than two of them were tied to a tree, and a great fire made round them, where they remained till they were terribly scorched and burnt; when one of the villains with his scalping knife ripped open theirbellies, took out their entrails, and burned them before their eyes, while the others were cutting, piercing, and tearing the flesh from their breasts, hands, arms and legs, with red-hot irons, till they were dead. The third unhappy victim was reserved a few hours longer, to be, if possible, sacrificed in a more cruel manner: his arms were tied close to his body, and a hole being dug deep enough for him to stand upright, he was put into it, and earth rammed and beat in all round his body up to his neck, so that his head only appeared above ground; they then scalped him, and there let him remain for three or four hours in the greatest agonies; after which they made a small fire near his head, causing him to suffer the most excruciating torments; while the poor creature could only cry for mercy by killing him immediately, for his brains were boiling in his head. Inexorable to all he said, they continued the fire till his eyes gushed out of their sockets. Such agonizing torments did this unhappy creature suffer for near two hours before he was quite dead. They then cut off his head, and buried it with the other bodies; my task being to dig the graves; which, feeble and terrified as I was, the dread of suffering the same fate enabled me to do.
A great snow now falling, the barbarians were fearful lest the white people should, by their tracks, find out their skulking retreats, which obliged them to make the best of their way to their winter quarters, about two hundred miles farther from any plantations or inhabitants. After a long and painful journey, being almost starved, I arrived with this infernal crew at Alamingo. There I found a number of wigwams full of their women and children. Dancing, singing and shouting were their general amusements. And in all their festivals and dances they relate what succcesses they have had, and what damages they have sustained in their expeditions; in which I now unhappily became a part of their theme. The severity of the cold increasing, they stripped me of my clothes for their own use, and gave me such as they usually wore themselves, being a piece of blanket, and a pair of moccasins, or shoes, with a yard of coarse cloth, to put round me instead of breeches.
At Alamingo, I remained near two months, till the snow was off the ground. Whatever thoughts I might have of making my escape, to carry them into execution was impracticable, being so far from any plantations or white people, and the severe weather rendering my limbs in a manner quite stiff and motionless; however, I contrived to defend myself against the inclemency of the weather as well as I could, by making myself a little wigwam with the bark of the trees, covering it with earth, which made it resemble a cave; and to prevent the ill effects of the cold, I kept a good fire always near the door. My liberty of going about wasindeed, more than I could have expected, but they well knew the impracticability of my escaping from them. Seeing me outwardly easy and submissive, they would sometimes give me a little meat, but my chief food was Indian corn. At length the time came when they were preparing themselves for another expedition against the planters and white people; but before they set out, they were joined by many other Indians.
As soon as the snow was quite gone, they set forth on their journey toward the back parts of the province of Pennsylvania; all leaving their wives and children behind in their wigwams. They were now a formidable body, amounting to near one hundred and fifty. My business was to carry what they thought proper to load me with, but they never entrusted me with a gun. We marched on several days without any thing particular occurring, almost famished for want of provisions; for my part, I had nothing but a few stalks of Indian corn, which I was glad to eat dry; nor did the Indians themselves fare much better, for as we drew near the plantations they were afraid to kill any game, lest the noise of their guns should alarm the inhabitants.
When we again arrived at the Blue hills, about thirty miles from the Irish settlements before mentioned, we encamped for three days, though God knows we had neither tents nor any thing else to defend us from the inclemency of the air, having nothing to lie on by night but the grass; their usual method of lodging, pitching, or encamping, by night, being in parcels of ten or twelve men to a fire, where they lie upon the grass or brush wrapped up in a blanket, with their feet to the fire.
During our stay here, a sort of council of war was held, when it was agreed to divide themselves into companies of about twenty men each; after which every captain marched with his party where he thought proper. I still belonged to my old masters, but was left behind on the mountains with ten Indians, to stay till the rest should return; not thinking it proper to carry me nearer to Conogocheague, or the other plantations.
Here I began to meditate an escape, and though I knew the country round extremely well, yet I was very cautious of giving the least suspicion of any such intention. However, the third day after the grand body left, my companions thought proper to traverse the mountains in search of game for their sustenance, leaving me bound in such a manner that I could not escape. At night, when they returned, having unbound me, we all sat down together to supper on what they had killed, and soon after (being greatly fatigued with their day’s excursion) they composed themselves to rest, as usual I now tried various ways to try whether it was ascheme to prove my intentions or not; but after making a noise and walking about, sometimes touching them with my feet, I found there was no fallacy. Then I resolved, if possible, to get one of their guns, and, if discovered, to die in my defense, rather than be taken. For that purpose I made various efforts to get one from under their heads, (where they always secured them,) but in vain. Disappointed in this, I began to despair of carrying my design into execution; yet, after a little recollection, and trusting myself to the divine protection, I set forward, naked and defenseless as I was. Such was my terror, however, that in going from them I halted, and paused every four or five yards, looking fearfully toward the spot where I had left them, lest they should awake and miss me; but when I was two hundred yards from them, I mended my pace, and made as much haste as I possibly could to the foot of the mountains; when, on a sudden, I was struck with the greatest terror at hearing the wood cry, as it is called, which the savages I had left were making upon missing their charge. The more my terror increased the faster I pushed on, and scarce knowing where I trod, drove through the woods with the utmost precipitation, sometimes falling and bruising myself, cutting my feet and legs against the stones in a miserable manner. But faint and maimed as I was, I continued my flight till daybreak, when, without having any thing to sustain nature but a little corn left, I crept into a hollow tree, where I lay very snug, and returned my prayers and thanks to the divine Being that had thus far favored my escape. But my repose was in a few hours destroyed at hearing the voices of the savages near the place where I was hid, threatening and talking how they would use me if they got me again. However, they at last left the spot where I heard them, and I remained in my apartment all that day without further molestation.
At night I ventured forward again, frightened; thinking each twig that touched me a savage. The third day I concealed myself in like manner as before, and at night traveled, keeping off the main road as much as possible, which lengthened my journey many miles. But how shall I describe the terror I felt on the fourth night, when by the rustling I made among the leaves, a party of Indians, that lay round a small fire, which I did not perceive, started from the ground, and seizing their arms, ran from the fire among the woods. Whether to move forward or rest where I was, I knew not, when to my great surprise and joy, I was relieved by a parcel of swine that made toward the place where I guessed the savages to be; who, on seeing them, imagined they had caused the alarm, very merrily returned to the fire, and lay again down to sleep. Bruised, crippled, and terrified as I was, I pursued my journey till breakof day, when, thinking myself safe, I lay down under a great log, and slept till about noon. Before evening I reached the summit of a great hill, and looking out if I could spy any habitations of white people, to my inexpressible joy I saw some, which I guessed to be about ten miles distant.
In the morning, I continued my journey toward the nearest cleared lands I had seen the day before, and, about four o’clock in the afternoon, arrived at the house of John Bell, an old acquaintance, where, knocking at the door, his wife, who opened it, seeing me in such a frightful condition, flew from me screaming, into the house. This alarmed the whole family, who immediately fled to their arms, and I was soon accosted by the master with his gun in his hand. But on making myself known, (for he before took me to be an Indian,) he immediately caressed me, as did all his family, with extraordinary friendship, the report of my being murdered by the savages having reached them some months before. For two days and nights they very affectionately supplied me with all necessaries, and carefully attended me till my spirits and limbs were pretty well recovered, and I thought myself able to ride, when I borrowed of these good people (whose kindness merits my most grateful returns) a horse and some clothes, and set forward for my father-in-law’s house in Chester county, about one hundred and forty miles from thence, where I arrived on the 4th of January, 1755, (but scarce one of the family could credit their eyes, believing, with the people I had lately left, that I had fallen a prey to the Indians,) where I was received and embraced by the whole family with great affection. Upon enquiring for my dear wife, I found she had been dead two months! This fatal news greatly lessened the joy I otherwise should have felt at my deliverance from the dreadful state and company I had been in.
Gen. Webb, who commanded the English army in North America, which was then (1757) encamped at fort Edward, having intelligence that the French troops, under Monsieur Montcalm, were making some movements toward fort William Henry, he detached a corps of about fifteen hundred men, consisting of English and provincials, to strengthen the garrison. In this party I went as a volunteer among the latter.
The apprehensions of the English general were not without foundation; for, the day after our arrival, we saw lake George, (formerly lake Sacrament,) to which it lies contiguous, covered with an immense number of boats; and, in a few hours, we found our lines attacked by the French general, who had just landed with eleven thousand regulars and Canadians, and two thousand Indians. Colonel Monro, a brave officer, commanded the fort, and had no more than two thousand three hundred men with him, our detachment included.
With these, he made a gallant defense, and probably would have been able, at last, to preserve the fort, had he been properly supported, and permitted to continue his efforts. On every summons to surrender, sent by the French general, who offered the most honorable terms, his answer repeatedly was, that he yet found himself in a condition to repel the most vigorous attack his besiegers were able to make; and, if he thought his present force insufficient, he could soon be supplied with a greater number from the adjacent army.
But the colonel having acquainted General Webb with his situation, and desired that he would send him some fresh troops, the general dispatched a messenger to him with a letter, wherein he informed him that it was not in his power to assist him, and, therefore, gave him orders to surrender up the fort, on the best terms he could procure. This packetfell into the hands of the French general, who immediately sent a flag of truce, desiring a conference with the governor.
They accordingly met, attended only by a small guard, in the center between the lines; when Monsieur Montcalm told the colonel that he was come in person to demand possession of the fort, as it belonged to the king his master. The colonel replied, that he knew not how that could be, nor should he surrender it up, while it was in his power to defend it.
The French general rejoined, at the same time delivering the packet into the colonel’s hand, “By this authority do I make the requisition.” The brave governor had no sooner read the contents of it, and was convinced that such were the orders of the commander-in-chief, and not to be disobeyed, than he hung his head in silence, and reluctantly entered into a negotiation.
In consideration of the gallant defense the garrison had made, they were to be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, to be allowed covered wagons to transport their baggage to fort Edward, and a guard to protect them from the fury of the savages.
The morning after the capitulation was signed, as soon as day broke, the whole garrison, now consisting of about two thousand men, besides women and children, were drawn up within the lines, and on the point of marching off, when great numbers of the Indians gathered about, and began to plunder. We were at first in hopes that this was their only view, and suffered them to proceed without opposition. Indeed, it was not in our power to make any, had we been so inclined; for though we were permitted to carry off our arms, yet we were not allowed a single round of ammunition. In these hopes, however, we were disappointed; for presently some of them began to attack the sick and wounded, when such as were not able to crawl into the ranks, notwithstanding they endeavored to avert the fury of their enemies by their shrieks or groans, were soon dispatched.
Here we were fully in expectation that the disturbance would have concluded; and our little army began to move; but in a short time we saw the front division driven back, and discovered that we were entirely encircled by the savages. We expected every moment that the guard, which the French, by the articles of capitulation, had agreed to allow us, would have arrived, and put an end to our apprehensions; but none appeared. The Indians now began to strip every one, without exception, of their arms and clothes, and those who made the least resistance felt the weight of their tomahawks.
I happened to be in the rear division, but it was not long before I shared the fate of my companions. Three or four of the savages laidhold of me, and while some held their weapons over my head, the others soon disrobed me of my coat, waistcoat, hat, and buckles, omitting not to take from me what money I had in my pocket. As this was transacted close by the passage that led from the lines on to the plain, near which a French sentinel was posted, I ran to him and claimed his protection; but he only called me an English dog, and thrust me with violence back again into the midst of the Indians.
I now endeavored to job a body of our troops that were crowded together at some distance; but innumerable were the blows that were made at me with different weapons, as I passed on; luckily, however, the savages were so close together that they could not strike at me without endangering each other. Notwithstanding which, one of them found means to make a thrust at me with a spear, which grazed my side, and from another I received a wound, with the same kind of weapon, in my ankle. At length I gained the spot where my countrymen stood, and forced myself into the midst of them. But before I got thus far out of the hands of the Indians, the collar and wristbands of my shirt were all that remained of it, and my flesh was scratched and torn in many places by their savage gripes.
By this time the war-whoop was given, and the Indians began to murder those that were nearest to them, without distinction. It is not in the power of words to give any tolerable idea of the horrid scene that now ensued; men, women, and children were dispatched in the most wanton and cruel manner, and immediately scalped. Many of these savages drank the blood of their victims, as it flowed warm from the fatal wound.
We now perceived, though too late to avail us, that we were to expect no relief from the French; and that, contrary to the agreement they had so lately signed, to allow us a sufficient force to protect us from these insults, they tacitly permitted them; for, I could plainly perceive the French officers walking about at some distance, discoursing together with apparent unconcern. For the honor of human nature, I would hope that this flagrant breach of every sacred law proceeded rather from the savage disposition of the Indians, which, I acknowledge, it is sometimes almost impossible to control, and which might now unexpectedly have arrived to a pitch not easily to be restrained, than to any premeditated design in the French commander. An unprejudiced observer would, however, be apt to conclude, that a body of ten thousand christian troops—most christian troops—had it in their power to prevent the massacre from becoming so general. But, whatever was the cause from which it arose, the consequences of it were dreadful, and not to be paralleled in modern history.
As the circle in which I stood inclosed, was by this time much thinned, and death seemed to be approaching with hasty strides, it was proposed by some of the most resolute, to make one vigorous effort, and endeavor to force our way through the savages, the only probable method of preserving our lives, that now remained. This, however desperate, was resolved on, and about twenty of us sprang at once into the midst of them.
In a moment we were all separated, and what was the fate of my companions I could not learn till some months after, when I found that only six or seven of them effected their design. Intent only on my own hazardous situation, I endeavored to make my way through my savage enemies in the best manner possible. And I have often been astonished since, when I have recollected with what composure I took, as I did, every necessary step for my preservation. Some I overturned, being at that time young and athletic, and others I passed by, dexterously avoiding their weapons; till at last two very stout chiefs, of the most savage tribes, as I could distinguish by their dress, whose strength I could not resist, laid hold of me by each arm, and began to force me through the crowd.
I now resigned myself to my fate, not doubting but that they intended to dispatch me, and then to satiate their vengeance with my blood, as I found they were hurrying me toward a retired swamp that lay at some distance. But, before we had got many yards, an English gentleman of some distinction, as I could discover by his breeches, the only covering he had on, which were of fine scarlet velvet, rushed close by us. One of the Indians instantly relinquished his hold, and springing on this new object, endeavored to seize him as his prey; but the gentleman being strong, threw him on the ground, and would probably have got away, had not he who held my other arm quitted me to assist his brother. I seized the opportunity, and hastened away to join another party of English troops that were yet unbroken, and stood in a body at some distance. But before I had taken many steps, I hastily cast my eye toward the gentleman, and saw the Indian’s tomahawk gash into his back, and heard him utter his last groan. This added both to my speed and desperation.
I had left this shocking scene but a few yards, when a fine boy, about twelve years of age, that had hitherto escaped, came up to me, and begged that I would let him lay hold of me, so that he might stand some chance of getting out of the hands of the savages. I told him that I would give him every assistance in my power, and to this purpose, bid him lay hold; but in a few moments he was torn from my side, and by his shrieks I judge was soon demolished. I could not help forgetting my own cares for a minute, to lament the fate of so young a sufferer; but it was utterly impossible for me to take any methods to prevent it.
I now got once more into the midst of friends, but we were unable to afford each other any succor. As this was the division, that had advanced the furthest from the fort, I thought there might be a possibility (though but a bare one) of my forcing my way through the outer ranks of the Indians, and getting to a neighboring wood, which I perceived at some distance. I was still encouraged to hope by the almost miraculous preservation I had already experienced.
Nor were my hopes in vain, or the efforts I made ineffectual. Suffice to say, that I reached the wood; but, by the time I had penetrated a little way into it, my breath was so exhausted that I threw myself into a break, and lay for some minutes apparently at the last gasp. At length I recovered the power of respiration; but my apprehensions returned with all their former force, when I saw several savages pass by, probably in pursuit of me, at no very great distance. In this situation I knew not whether it was better to proceed, or endeavor to conceal myself where I lay till night came on; fearing, however, that they would return the same way, I thought it most prudent to get further from the dreadful scene of my distresses. Accordingly, striking into another part of the wood, I hastened on as fast as the briers and the loss of one of my shoes would permit me; and after a slow progress of some hours, gained a hill that overlooked the plain which I had just left, from whence I could discern that the bloody storm still raged with unabated fury.
But, not to tire my readers, I shall only add, that after passing three days without subsistence, and enduring the severity of the cold dews for three nights, I at length reached fort Edward; where, with proper care my body soon recovered its wonted strength, and my mind, as far as the recollection of the late melancholy events would permit, its usual composure.
It was computed that fifteen hundred persons were killed or made prisoners by these savages during this fatal day. Many of the latter were carried off by them and never returned. A few, through favorable accidents, found their way back to their native country, after having experienced a long and severe captivity.
The brave Col. Monro had hastened away, soon after the confusion began, to the French camp, to endeavor to procure the guard agreed by the stipulation; but his application proving ineffectual, he remained there till General Webb sent a party of troops to demand and protect him back to fort Edward. But these unhappy occurrences, which would probably have been prevented had he been left to pursue his own plans, together with the loss of so many brave fellows, murdered in cold blood, to whose valor he had been so lately a witness, made such an impression on hismind that he did not long survive. He died in about three months, of a broken heart, and with truth might it be said, that he was an honor to his country.
I mean not to point out the following circumstance as the immediate judgment of Heaven, and intended as an atonement for this slaughter, but I cannot omit that very few of those different tribes of Indians that shared in it ever lived to return home. The small-pox, by means of their communication with the Europeans, found its way among them, and made an equal havoc to what they themselves had done. The methods they pursued on the first attack of that malignant disorder, to abate the fever attending it, rendered it fatal. While their blood was in a state of fermentation, and nature was striving to throw out the peccant matter, they checked her operations by plunging into the water; the consequence was that they died by hundreds. The few that survived, were transformed by it into hideous objects, and bore with them to the grave deep indented marks of this much dreaded disease.
Monsieur Montcalm fell soon after on the plains of Quebec.
That the unprovoked cruelty of this commander was not approved of by the generality of his countrymen, I have since been convinced of by many proofs. Only one, however, which I received from a person who was witness to it, shall I at present give. A Canadian merchant, of some consideration, having heard of the surrender of the English fort, celebrated the fortunate event with great rejoicings and hospitality, according to the custom of that country; but no sooner did the news of the massacre which ensued reach his ears, than he put an immediate stop to the festivities, and exclaimed in the severest terms against the inhuman permission; declaring at the same time that those who had connived at it had thereby drawn down on that part of their king’s dominions the vengeance of Heaven. To this he added, that he much feared the total loss of them, would deservedly be the consequence. How truly this prediction has been verified, we well know.
Mrs. Scott, a resident of Washington county, Virginia, was taken captive by Indians on the night of the twenty-ninth of June, 1785. Her husband and all her children were slain; and before morning she was forced to commence her march through the wilderness.
On the eleventh day of her captivity, while in charge of four Indians, provision becoming scarce, a halt was made, and three of the number went on a hunting excursion. Being left in the care of an old man, she made him believe she was reconciled to her condition, and thus threw him off his guard. Anxious to escape, and having matured her plans, she asked him, in the most disinterested manner possible, to let her go to a small stream, near by, and wash her apron, which was besmeared with the blood of one of her children. He gave her leave, and while he was busy in “graining a deer-skin,” she started off. Arriving at the stream, without a moment’s hesitation, she pushed on in the direction of a mountain. Traveling till late at night, she came into a valley where she hoped to find the track along which she had been taken by her captors, and thereby be able to retrace her steps. Hurrying across the valley to the margin of a river, which she supposed must be the eastern branch of the Kentucky, she discovered in the sand the tracks of two men who had followed the stream upward and returned. Thinking them to be the prints of pursuers, and that they had returned from the search, she took courage, thanked God, and was prepared to continue her flight.
On the third day she came very near falling into the hands of savages, a company whom she supposed had been sent to Clinch river on a pilfering excursion. Hearing their approach before they came in sight, she concealed herself, and they passed without noticing her. She now became greatly alarmed, and was so bewildered as to lose her way and to wander at random for several days.
At length, coming to a stream that seemed to flow from the east, she concluded it must be Sandy river; and resolving to trace it to its source, which was near a settlement where she was acquainted, she pushed on for several days, till she came into mountainous regions and to craggy steeps. There, in the vicinity of a “prodigious water-fall,” she was forced to leap from a precipice, upon some rocks, and was so stunned as to be obliged to make a short delay in her journey.
Soon after passing through the mountain, (Laurel mountain,) she was bitten by a snake which she supposed was venomous. She killed it, and expected her turn to die would come next; but the only injury she received was some pain and the slight swelling of one foot. A writer, whose narration we follow, and whose facts are more reliable than his philosophy, thinks that, being “reduced to a mere skeleton, with fatigue, hunger and grief,” she was probably, on that account, “saved from the effects of the poisonous fangs.”
Leaving the river, Mrs. Scott came to a forked valley, and watching the flight of birds, took the branch they did, and in two days came in sight of New Garden, the settlement on Clinch river, before referred to. Thus, after wandering in the wilderness for six long weeks, almost destitute of clothing, without a weapon of defense or instrument for obtaining provision; exposed to wild beasts and merciless savages; subsisting a full month on the juice of young cane stalks, sassafras leaves and similar food, looking to God in prayer for guidance by day, and for protection by night, shielded from serious harm, and led by an unseen Hand, on the eleventh of August, the wanderings of the widowed and childless captive were brought to a close.
J. C.
THE END.
TRANSCRIBER NOTES:
Punctuation has been corrected without note.Alternate and archaic spellings have been retained.Obvious misprints have been corrected without note.Inconsistencies in the hyphenation of native words have been retained.Page v: Page range for Ethnology section changed from "131 to 165" to "231 to 265".Page 10: "Allegany" changed to "Alleghany" (in which I had descended the Alleghany).Page 10: "Apalachian" changed to "Appalachian" (their parent beds in the Appalachian range.)Page 13: "bouyancy" changed to "buoyancy" (idea of the buoyancy of American character).Page 13: "Cincinnatti" changed to "Cincinnati" (the late Dr. Sellman of Cincinnati).Page 16: "Cincinnatti" changed to "Cincinnati" (occurred on the descent to Cincinnati).Page 23: "Pittsburg" changed to "Pittsburgh" (from Pittsburgh to Shawneetown).Page 29: "seige" changed to "siege" (he was at the siege of Bergen-op-zoom) and (at the siege of Louisburg).Page 32: "withou-" changed to "without" (without beds or fire).Page 37: "deluvial" changed to "diluvial" (large areas of diluvial earth).Page 40: "porphorytic" changed to "porphyritic" (the greenstone is handsomely porphyritic).Page 41: "Sante" changed to "Santa" (to Santa Fe and Chihuahua.)Page 42: "mountanious" changed to "mountainous" (the wide and mountainous tracts).Page 42: "minerological" changed to "mineralogical" (several objects of mineralogical and geological collection).Page 43: "Massachussetts" changed to "Massachusetts" (the one native of Massachusetts).Page 44: "injre" changed to "injure" (hobbled he will injure his legs).Page 44: "characterestics" changed to "characteristics" (thus united characteristics of three varieties).Page 48: "shists" changed to "schists" (broken down slates and schists).Page 55: "seanned" changed to "scanned" (and vale after vale were patiently scanned).Page 58: "ancle" changed to "ankle" (well nigh cured his ankle).Page 68: "auspicies" changed to "auspices" (under better auspices).Page 71: "CONSTUTION" changed to CONSTITUTION" (AND CONSTITUTION OF THE INDIAN FAMILY).Page 74: "lattitude" changed to "latitude" (the tribes north of latitude 42°.)Page 75: "somtimes" changed to "sometimes" (and such is, sometimes the case).Page 76: "horriffic" changed to "horrific" (is to some horrific).Page 83: "cot" changed to "not" (did not alter her purpose).Page 86: "indominitable" changed to "indomitable" (and each was the indomitable foe of the race.)Page 93: "accasion" changed to "occasion" (On another occasion).Page 100: "her's" changed to "hers" (She rested with hers suspended).Page 100: "dissention" changed to "dissension" (Internal dissension has done more to destroy).Page 109: "Sault-ste-Mairie" changed to "Sault Ste-Marie" (and aged and respected hunter of Sault Ste-Marie).Page 111: "impercations" changed to "imprecations" (denouncing imprecations upon).Page 114: "Bawaiting" changed to "Bawating" (they were permitted to remain at Bawating).Page 114: "Obenangoes" changed to "Obinangoes" (The Obinangoes eventually emigrated).Page 114: "compasionate" changed to "compassionate" (mild, and compassionalte tone).Page 114: "ths" changed to "the" (again assured that the cord).Page 124: "un" changed to "an" (he had made an upright figure).Page 125: word missing in original (The idea grew into his mind that at some "missing word").Page 126: "passsed" changed to "passed" (many days passed).Page 132: "Bawiting" changed to "Batwating" (along the north coast of lake Huron to Bawating) and (along the north shore of lake Huron and of Bawating).Page 135: "beseiged" changed to "besieged" (who besieged twelve and took nine).Page 135: "Pittsburg" changed to "Pittsburgh" (the present sites of Pittsburg and Erie).Page 140: "Chagomiegon" changed to "Chagoimegon" (rendezvous was Chagoimegon).Page 145: "cheiftan" changed to "chieftain" (And the fate of their chieftain deplore—deplore).Page 148: "glace" changed to "glance" (only necessary to glance backward a short way).Page 161: "visiter" changed to "visitor" (that the fearful visitor came.)Page 165: "motly" changed to "motley" (The motley heap of gaudy and soiled stuffs).Page 179: "listle" changed to "little" (and be allowed a little time to replenish).Page 189: "peces" changed to "pieces" (on the bright side of one of the brass pieces).Page 192: "Chegoimgon" changed to "Chegoimegon" (located at Chegoimegon, on Lake Superior).Page 192: "Sault Ste. Maries" changed to "Sault Ste Marie" (the late Mr. Nolin, of Sault Ste. Marie).Page 193: "authoritive" changed to "authoritative" (adding in an authoritative voice).Page 197: "eat" changed to "ate" (took up the grass braid and ate it).Page 200: "INTERPRTER" changed to "INTERPRETER" (TO THE INTERPRETER).Page 201: "groupe" changed to "group" (Philology brings into one group).Page 203: "geograghical" changed to "geographical" (these tribes in their geographical position).Page 212: "atlar" changed to "altar" (to violating the altar).Page 214: "Chesapeak" changed to "Chesapeake" (lying on the eastern shores of Chesapeake bay.)Page 219: "recal" changed to "recall" (from the race whose memory they recall).Page 225: "raphsodies" changed to "rhapsodies" (to these bold and unfettered rhapsodies).Page 233: duplicate "of" deleted (and modes of life).Page 234: "groupes" changed to "groups" (and the adjacent groups of islands).Page 234: incomplete sentence in original (a popular corruption, in the north-west, of Athabasca, which see.)Page 234: "erea" changed to "era" (in the present era of the United States).Page235: "lauguage" changed to "language" (their language as observed by).Page 240: "alcadia" changed to "alcaldia" (of the alcaldia mayor of Nexapa).Pagev248: "Massachusets" changed to "Massachusetts" (and in part in Springfield, Massachusetts.)Page 250: "Mechilimackinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (Chippewa chief of Point St. Ignace, Michilimackinac).Page 252: "Lousiana" changed to "Louisiana" (during their residence in Louisiana.)Page 254: "molodious" changed to "melodious" (They have melodious soft voices).Page 258: "Janerio" changed to "Janeiro" (the woods and mountains south of Rio Janerio.)Page 265: "Apallachians" changed to "Appalachians" (Appalachians; a nation of Indians who formerly).Page 265: "Apallachian" changed to "Appalachian" (the leading range of the Appalachian mountains.)Page 265: "Apallachians" changed to "Appalachians" (the northern groups of the West Indies, to the Appalachians).Page 267: "Shoisk" changed to "Shoiskw" in the table for consistency.Page 271: duplicate sentence deleted (Minwäwa, a pleasant sound.)Page 275: "preceeded" changed to "preceded" (a negative form when it is preceded by the adverb.)Page 281: "synonomous" changed to "synonymous" (used as synonymous with person.)Page 282: "Posessive" changed to "Possessive" (B: Possessive inflection.)Page 286 and 287 appear to have been reversed in the original. The pages have been switched, but the beginning of page 288 does not correspond to the preceding text.Page 288: "Louisaina" changed to "Louisiana" (in upper Louisiana).Page 288: "seige" changed to "siege" (after a siege, Aug. 13, 1521.)Page 299: "acurate" changed to "accurate" (a subject of accurate investigation).Page 300: the last sentence on the page is incomplete in the original.Page 303: "ryhme" changed to "rhyme" (have neither rhyme nor metre).Page 307: "succesful" changed to "successful" (the warrior who should be successful).Page 313: "charcter" changed to "character" (of a highly favorable character).Page 317: "fron" changed to "from" (attracted much attention from observing).Page 319: "arrrived" changed to "arrived" (had first arrived in the lakes.)Page 326: "languages" changed to "language" (speaking a different type of language).Page 331: "maratime" changed to "maritime" (to share in the maritime enterprise).Page 343: "retured" changed to "returned" (and then returned to the boats).Page 352: "esents" changed to "presents" (and distributing small presents).Page 377: there is a typo in regard to the annual interest paid as stated in the original. The amount is left as printed in the original.Page 377: "Michilimachinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (west of the straits of Michilimackinac).Page 386: incomplete sentence in original (in juxtaposition in their new).Page 386: "Delewares" changed to "Delawares" (with the example of the Delawares).Page 388: "disscusions" changed to "discussions" (their civil discussions must tend to show).Page 402: "Febuary" changed to "February" (In the month of February).Page 415: the two footnotes referenced in the Death Song on this page are missing in the original.Page 426: "possesion" changed to "possession" (regaining possession of the fort).Page 434: "snos" changed to "sons" (his two sons).Page 441: "lilly" changed to "lily" (of the rush and the water lily.)Page 451: "Michilinackinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (who had been lately at Michilimackinac).Page 460: "insence" changed to "incense" (after remaining coiled, and receiving incense).Page 463: "inabitants" changed to "inhabitants" (to secure the inhabitants from the attack).Page 477: original is missing the footnote referenced in the text.Page 479: "villanous" changed to "villianous" (in that villianous and execrable practice).Page 481: "Apalachian" changed to "Appalachian" (at a spot near the Appalachian mountains).Page 483: "have" changed to "gave" (These prisoners gave us some shocking accounts).Page 484: "moccasons" changed to "moccasins" (and a pair of moccasins).Page 495: "Archepelago" changed to "Archipelago" (called the northern Archipelago.)
Punctuation has been corrected without note.
Alternate and archaic spellings have been retained.
Obvious misprints have been corrected without note.
Inconsistencies in the hyphenation of native words have been retained.
Page v: Page range for Ethnology section changed from "131 to 165" to "231 to 265".
Page 10: "Allegany" changed to "Alleghany" (in which I had descended the Alleghany).
Page 10: "Apalachian" changed to "Appalachian" (their parent beds in the Appalachian range.)
Page 13: "bouyancy" changed to "buoyancy" (idea of the buoyancy of American character).
Page 13: "Cincinnatti" changed to "Cincinnati" (the late Dr. Sellman of Cincinnati).
Page 16: "Cincinnatti" changed to "Cincinnati" (occurred on the descent to Cincinnati).
Page 23: "Pittsburg" changed to "Pittsburgh" (from Pittsburgh to Shawneetown).
Page 29: "seige" changed to "siege" (he was at the siege of Bergen-op-zoom) and (at the siege of Louisburg).
Page 32: "withou-" changed to "without" (without beds or fire).
Page 37: "deluvial" changed to "diluvial" (large areas of diluvial earth).
Page 40: "porphorytic" changed to "porphyritic" (the greenstone is handsomely porphyritic).
Page 41: "Sante" changed to "Santa" (to Santa Fe and Chihuahua.)
Page 42: "mountanious" changed to "mountainous" (the wide and mountainous tracts).
Page 42: "minerological" changed to "mineralogical" (several objects of mineralogical and geological collection).
Page 43: "Massachussetts" changed to "Massachusetts" (the one native of Massachusetts).
Page 44: "injre" changed to "injure" (hobbled he will injure his legs).
Page 44: "characterestics" changed to "characteristics" (thus united characteristics of three varieties).
Page 48: "shists" changed to "schists" (broken down slates and schists).
Page 55: "seanned" changed to "scanned" (and vale after vale were patiently scanned).
Page 58: "ancle" changed to "ankle" (well nigh cured his ankle).
Page 68: "auspicies" changed to "auspices" (under better auspices).
Page 71: "CONSTUTION" changed to CONSTITUTION" (AND CONSTITUTION OF THE INDIAN FAMILY).
Page 74: "lattitude" changed to "latitude" (the tribes north of latitude 42°.)
Page 75: "somtimes" changed to "sometimes" (and such is, sometimes the case).
Page 76: "horriffic" changed to "horrific" (is to some horrific).
Page 83: "cot" changed to "not" (did not alter her purpose).
Page 86: "indominitable" changed to "indomitable" (and each was the indomitable foe of the race.)
Page 93: "accasion" changed to "occasion" (On another occasion).
Page 100: "her's" changed to "hers" (She rested with hers suspended).
Page 100: "dissention" changed to "dissension" (Internal dissension has done more to destroy).
Page 109: "Sault-ste-Mairie" changed to "Sault Ste-Marie" (and aged and respected hunter of Sault Ste-Marie).
Page 111: "impercations" changed to "imprecations" (denouncing imprecations upon).
Page 114: "Bawaiting" changed to "Bawating" (they were permitted to remain at Bawating).
Page 114: "Obenangoes" changed to "Obinangoes" (The Obinangoes eventually emigrated).
Page 114: "compasionate" changed to "compassionate" (mild, and compassionalte tone).
Page 114: "ths" changed to "the" (again assured that the cord).
Page 124: "un" changed to "an" (he had made an upright figure).
Page 125: word missing in original (The idea grew into his mind that at some "missing word").
Page 126: "passsed" changed to "passed" (many days passed).
Page 132: "Bawiting" changed to "Batwating" (along the north coast of lake Huron to Bawating) and (along the north shore of lake Huron and of Bawating).
Page 135: "beseiged" changed to "besieged" (who besieged twelve and took nine).
Page 135: "Pittsburg" changed to "Pittsburgh" (the present sites of Pittsburg and Erie).
Page 140: "Chagomiegon" changed to "Chagoimegon" (rendezvous was Chagoimegon).
Page 145: "cheiftan" changed to "chieftain" (And the fate of their chieftain deplore—deplore).
Page 148: "glace" changed to "glance" (only necessary to glance backward a short way).
Page 161: "visiter" changed to "visitor" (that the fearful visitor came.)
Page 165: "motly" changed to "motley" (The motley heap of gaudy and soiled stuffs).
Page 179: "listle" changed to "little" (and be allowed a little time to replenish).
Page 189: "peces" changed to "pieces" (on the bright side of one of the brass pieces).
Page 192: "Chegoimgon" changed to "Chegoimegon" (located at Chegoimegon, on Lake Superior).
Page 192: "Sault Ste. Maries" changed to "Sault Ste Marie" (the late Mr. Nolin, of Sault Ste. Marie).
Page 193: "authoritive" changed to "authoritative" (adding in an authoritative voice).
Page 197: "eat" changed to "ate" (took up the grass braid and ate it).
Page 200: "INTERPRTER" changed to "INTERPRETER" (TO THE INTERPRETER).
Page 201: "groupe" changed to "group" (Philology brings into one group).
Page 203: "geograghical" changed to "geographical" (these tribes in their geographical position).
Page 212: "atlar" changed to "altar" (to violating the altar).
Page 214: "Chesapeak" changed to "Chesapeake" (lying on the eastern shores of Chesapeake bay.)
Page 219: "recal" changed to "recall" (from the race whose memory they recall).
Page 225: "raphsodies" changed to "rhapsodies" (to these bold and unfettered rhapsodies).
Page 233: duplicate "of" deleted (and modes of life).
Page 234: "groupes" changed to "groups" (and the adjacent groups of islands).
Page 234: incomplete sentence in original (a popular corruption, in the north-west, of Athabasca, which see.)
Page 234: "erea" changed to "era" (in the present era of the United States).
Page235: "lauguage" changed to "language" (their language as observed by).
Page 240: "alcadia" changed to "alcaldia" (of the alcaldia mayor of Nexapa).
Pagev248: "Massachusets" changed to "Massachusetts" (and in part in Springfield, Massachusetts.)
Page 250: "Mechilimackinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (Chippewa chief of Point St. Ignace, Michilimackinac).
Page 252: "Lousiana" changed to "Louisiana" (during their residence in Louisiana.)
Page 254: "molodious" changed to "melodious" (They have melodious soft voices).
Page 258: "Janerio" changed to "Janeiro" (the woods and mountains south of Rio Janerio.)
Page 265: "Apallachians" changed to "Appalachians" (Appalachians; a nation of Indians who formerly).
Page 265: "Apallachian" changed to "Appalachian" (the leading range of the Appalachian mountains.)
Page 265: "Apallachians" changed to "Appalachians" (the northern groups of the West Indies, to the Appalachians).
Page 267: "Shoisk" changed to "Shoiskw" in the table for consistency.
Page 271: duplicate sentence deleted (Minwäwa, a pleasant sound.)
Page 275: "preceeded" changed to "preceded" (a negative form when it is preceded by the adverb.)
Page 281: "synonomous" changed to "synonymous" (used as synonymous with person.)
Page 282: "Posessive" changed to "Possessive" (B: Possessive inflection.)
Page 286 and 287 appear to have been reversed in the original. The pages have been switched, but the beginning of page 288 does not correspond to the preceding text.
Page 288: "Louisaina" changed to "Louisiana" (in upper Louisiana).
Page 288: "seige" changed to "siege" (after a siege, Aug. 13, 1521.)
Page 299: "acurate" changed to "accurate" (a subject of accurate investigation).
Page 300: the last sentence on the page is incomplete in the original.
Page 303: "ryhme" changed to "rhyme" (have neither rhyme nor metre).
Page 307: "succesful" changed to "successful" (the warrior who should be successful).
Page 313: "charcter" changed to "character" (of a highly favorable character).
Page 317: "fron" changed to "from" (attracted much attention from observing).
Page 319: "arrrived" changed to "arrived" (had first arrived in the lakes.)
Page 326: "languages" changed to "language" (speaking a different type of language).
Page 331: "maratime" changed to "maritime" (to share in the maritime enterprise).
Page 343: "retured" changed to "returned" (and then returned to the boats).
Page 352: "esents" changed to "presents" (and distributing small presents).
Page 377: there is a typo in regard to the annual interest paid as stated in the original. The amount is left as printed in the original.
Page 377: "Michilimachinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (west of the straits of Michilimackinac).
Page 386: incomplete sentence in original (in juxtaposition in their new).
Page 386: "Delewares" changed to "Delawares" (with the example of the Delawares).
Page 388: "disscusions" changed to "discussions" (their civil discussions must tend to show).
Page 402: "Febuary" changed to "February" (In the month of February).
Page 415: the two footnotes referenced in the Death Song on this page are missing in the original.
Page 426: "possesion" changed to "possession" (regaining possession of the fort).
Page 434: "snos" changed to "sons" (his two sons).
Page 441: "lilly" changed to "lily" (of the rush and the water lily.)
Page 451: "Michilinackinac" changed to "Michilimackinac" (who had been lately at Michilimackinac).
Page 460: "insence" changed to "incense" (after remaining coiled, and receiving incense).
Page 463: "inabitants" changed to "inhabitants" (to secure the inhabitants from the attack).
Page 477: original is missing the footnote referenced in the text.
Page 479: "villanous" changed to "villianous" (in that villianous and execrable practice).
Page 481: "Apalachian" changed to "Appalachian" (at a spot near the Appalachian mountains).
Page 483: "have" changed to "gave" (These prisoners gave us some shocking accounts).
Page 484: "moccasons" changed to "moccasins" (and a pair of moccasins).
Page 495: "Archepelago" changed to "Archipelago" (called the northern Archipelago.)