The Iroquois: a history of the Six nations of New York

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A History of the Six Nations

• CONRAD • KIMM

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.

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THE IROQUOIS

A HISTORY OF THE SIX NATIONS
OF NEW YORK

BY

S. C. KIMM, A. M., Ph. D.

SUPERVISING PRINCIPAL OF THE MIDDLEBURGII SCHOOLS
MIDDLEBURGIT, N. Y.

'•It was th3*foe, fierre, brave and strong,

Who for your homes contending stood,

That brought the need which wrought ere long

Your mighty league of brotherhood.

And though it only lives in name,

Or on the bold historic page,

O keep its bright, proud hero-fame

Unsullied still from age to age."

Hathaway.

MIDDLEBURGH, N. Y.

PRESS OF PIERRE W. DANFORTH

1900

INTRODUCTION

The author's object in presenting to the public this
short History of the Six Nations is to place in com
plete form the material, gathered here and there, often
from sources not available to the general reader, nec
essary to an understanding of the lives and motives of
the people who composed that powerful confederacy
which controlled for many years the polity of all the
tribes living in the limits of what is now the North
Central States of our country. Statesmen by nature,
and conquerors by practice, they were well named the
"Romans of the West." And although they stood as
a strong bulwark between the French and Dutch, and
later between the French and English and thus were
largely influential in preserving their hunting grounds
for the Anglo-Saxon race, yet slight mention is made
of them in our school histories, and little opportunity
is given our boys and girls to learn what an important
part they played in the early history of our colonial
and national life. Had they thrown their influence
on the side of the French there is every reason to be
lieve that this country, which to-day offers the great
est opportunities for the development of the numan
race, would not be under the rule of the descendants
of the liberty loving Teutons. If this little volume
should serve in some small degree to keep green the
memory of an unfortunate people, who seemed by na
ture destined for greater things, then its mission will
have been accomplished.

220554

vi INTRODUCTION

The author wishes to take this opportunity to thank
the Rev. George Hardy, of Sauquoit, N. Y., for his
timely article on the Oneida Indians, and to Hon. G.
L. Danforth, A. M., Hon. J. Edward Young, Mr.
John Mallery and others for access to their excellent
private libraries.

REFERENCES

McMaster's United States History.

Parkman's Historical Works.

Robert's New York State History.

Fisk's Discovery of America.

New York Civil List.

Beauchamp's New York State Museum.

The Annals of America.

Smith's History of New York.

Morgan's League of the Iroquois.

Schoolcraft's Notes on the Iroquois.

The Iroquois, by Minnie Myrtle.

Documentary History of New York.

Sinim's Border Warfare.

Dr. Colden's History of the Five Nations.

Stone's Life of Brant.

Campbell's Border Wars of New York.

Lossing's Empire State.

THE IROQU01S

CHAPTER I

THE SIX NATIONS

THE first European who touched American shores
found here a race of human beings unlike any that he
had ever come in contact with before. On the shores
of the stormy Atlantic, the smiling Pacific, in the
frozen North, beneath the scorching rays of the torrid
sun, and on the snow clad peaks of the mighty Andes,
were found the same race, characterized by copper col
ored complexion, high cheek bones, straight black
hair and small deep set eyes. Whence came this race
covering such a vast territory, and ranging in culture
from the lowest grade of savagery up to the highest
grade of barbarism ? It is not the province of this pa
per to discuss the origin of man, nor to attempt to
prove either that Adam was the ancestor of the human
family, or, as many scientists think, that man appear
ed in various parts of the earth contemporaneous with
the biblical Adam. Before men took up the study of
Geology it was supposed that there had been no great
changes in the form of the land masses of the earth,
and so the relations of the continents of America and
Asia had remained the same since the advent of man.
Because Europeans had never come in contact with
such a race before, they concluded that in some remote
age he must have come from Asia or some Asiatic is
lands, and so many theories have been advanced show
ing how they first reached these shores. Bancroft,
speaking of their origin and consanguinity, says,
''Schoolmen and scientists count their theories by the

8 A : : >: f : .••••: : TE-IJ-: #ROQUOIS

hundreds, each sus!aimrig some pet conjecture with ct
logical clearness equalled only by the facility with
which he demolishes all the rest. One proves their
origin by Holy writ, another by the sage sayings of
the fathers. One discovers in them Phoenician mer
chants, another the ten lost tribes of Israel. They are
tracked with equal certainty from Scandinavia, from
Ireland, from Iceland, from Greenland, across Behring
Strait, across the Northern Pacific, the Southern Pa
cific, from the Polynesian Islands, from Australia,
from Africa. Venturesome Carthagenians were thrown
upon the eastern shore, Japanese junks on the western.
The breezes that waftecl hither America's primogeni
tors are still blowing, and the ocean currents by which
they came cease not yet to flow. The finely spun
webs of logic by which these fancies are maintained
would prove amusing did not the profound earnestness-
of their respective advocates render them ridiculous. ' '

The more we study the American Indian, from\ the
light of geology and ethnological history, the more we
are of the opinion that the Autochthonic theory of the
origin of our aborigines is the most in accord with re
cent discoveries and consequently the most satisfactory
of acceptance. In the first place had he emigrated
from Asia he would have had the same blood in his
veins that coursed through the veins of those Asiatics
who founded the Ancient Eastern Civilizations. If
such were the case, how was it that he remained in a
state of primeval savagery so many centuries while his
brethern were developing such a high state of civiliza
tion in the parent country ? Blood will tell ! With
all the natural advantages which the American conti
nent offers, scarcely equaled anywhere in the world,
one would expect as rapid development in civilization
on the American continent as in Asia. But such was
not the case. Nowhere has there ever been discovered

THE SIX NATIONS fl

any remains that showed much knowledge of art or
science. People who had intelligence enough to con
struct ships or other means of transporting themselves-
across so great distances would have had intelligence
enough to have preserved some memorial of so great
an event. But proofs of such are entirely wanting.
Their traditions and myths go back to their creation,
and yet it is to be strongly questioned whether there
is much similarity between them and those of Eastern
continents — enough to even partially prove a common
origin. The fact that they had many social customs,
habits and religious rites similar to other people's in tx
savage state proves nothing beyond the fact that all
nun in the same plane of savagery and barbarism have
exhibited the same mental, moral and physical traits.

Whatever theory may be adopted as to their origin,
or whatever birth place may be assigned them, this
one thing all men are agreed upon, the American abo
rigines have occupied this continent during a much
greater period than was formerly thought. Tradi
tions, earth mounds, moral and physical peculiarities
prove this. And yet when we contemplate that each
successive age has left no more track upon the waste
of time than a ship leaves in crossing the ever chang
ing deep there is seen something of the difficulties to
be overcome in arriving at some definite knowledge
concerning the primitive Indian. Bryant says in his
noble poem, "Thanatopsis," "All that tread the globe,
are but a handful to the tribes that slumber in its
bosom." Science is coming to our aid and the hand
of genius may yet gradually lead us back through at
least part of the long, dark, silent past into the realm
of the primeval Indian where may be revealed to us
his early, physical characteristics.

Researches during the last fifty years have already
thrown much light on the ethnology of the American

10 THE IROQUOIS

savage. Shell mounds of great antiquity have been
found on the banks of the St. John's, Alabama, and.
Mississippi Rivers, and in many other localities. The
glacial period was the most characteristic of the Pleio-
cene age which occurred certainly more than 50,000
years ago. Traces of the existence of human beings
in North America during the glacial period have been
found in abundance. Quartzite implements have been
found in the drift near the city of St. Paul. A part of
a human jaw was discovered in a deposit of red clay
belonging to the early part of the glacial period.
Over sixty implements, three human skulls and other
bones were found securely imbedded in the Trenton
gravel. Discoveries by Prof. Winchell show that in
all probability all the continent from the Atlantic to
the Mississippi river was inhabited by this race during
the great ice age. In 1866 a human skull was dis
covered in the gold bearing gravels of the Pleiocene
age. This discovery has called forth many heated
arguments and learned disquisitions from scientific
men. What makes the discovery so interesting is the
fact that the fossil remains of two apes most nearly
like man in physical structure were found in the Up
per Miocene. By the agitation one would think that
these learned men are afraid that Darwin's "Missing
Link" may yet be found.

In entering upon the study of the people found up
on this continent b}7 Europeans that which strikes us
most forcibly is the great number of languages spoken
by the different tribes. Squier put the number at 400
while Ludewig claimed there were 1,100. These
languages were divided into several thousand dialects.
This proves that there was a sparse population con
sisting of many scattered tribes. About the eleventh
or twelfth century there existed east of the Mississippi
River three great families. One of these, the Algon-

THE SIX NATIONS J I

quins, occupied all that region east of the Great Lakes
as far north as Hudson's Bay and east to Labrador.
This family was divided into many tribes the names of
•which frequently occur in the writings of the colonists,
and novelists, like Cooper. About the thirteenth or
fourteenth century an offshoot of the great Dakota
family known in history as the Huron-Iroquois family
seem to have moved eastward, something as did the
hordes from the great German forests in early Euro
pean history. They, like the Teutons, were the most
hardy and aggressive men on the continent. Tho'
numbering far less than their neighbors they pushed
their way eastward to Niagara where they separated,
part working their way up the St. Lawrence and an
other part going down the Susquehanna. The Hu-
rons settled in the peninsula between the Great
Lakes. Another part afterward known as "The Neu
tral Nation" settled near Lake Erie. The Susquehan-
nocks, in the fertile valley of a great river which is
called after them to-day, while the Tuscaroras went as
far south as North Carolina. The group which moved
along the north bank of the St. Lawrence were per
haps the most hardy and the most intelligent and im
portant of all the aborigines north of the Gulf of Mex
ico. Cortes in 1536 found one of their villages
"beautiful for situation" on the present site of Mon
treal. But they seem to have been driven out by the
vastly greater numbers of the Algonquins, for several
years later when Champlain visited the country the
beautiful Iroquois village had vanished. Doubtless
the larger part of them moved across the river and
lake to a locality near the present site of Osvvego,
where the three small but fearless tribes of the Iroquois
established themselves. At first they consisted of the
Senecas, Mohawks and Onondagas, but afterward two
•of these tribes became divided forming two additional

12 THE IROQUOIS

tribes, viz., the Cayugas and Oneidas. Just when
these five tribes united to form that great ''Barbaric
Republic' ' which played such an interesting part in
the intercolonial wars, is not certainly known, but it
must have occurred previous to the discovery of Amer
ica by Columbus.

CHAPTER II

THEIR LEGENDARY ORIGIN

THE Iroquois have a very pretty legend relating to
their origin and final union into a confederacy. A
great many years ago they were confined under a
mountain near the falls of the Oswego from where
the}* were led by the "Holder of the Heavens" into
the beautiful Mohawk ralley, along which and farther
westward they settled, each tribe in a different locality.
About this time the sixth tribe, known as the Tusca-
roras, left and moved toward where the birds fly in
winter. The remaining five tribes kept up a continu
al warfare with one another. After a time a fierce
and warlike tribe came from the home of the north
wind and falling upon the Oaondagas nearly exter
minated them. This threw the Iroquois tribes into
the greatest consternation. Unless they cotiLl over
come these northern barbarians their whole nation
would perish. In their great distress they called upon
the "Holder of the Heavens," affectionately called by
the people Hi-a-wat-ha "The Very \Vise Man." The
IroquoL-. were his dearest children so they followed his
advice at all times. Hi-a-wat-ha told them to call
representatives from all the tribes to a great council to
be held on the banks of Onondaga Lake. The great
council fire blazed for tliree days and yet no Hi-a-wat-
ha appearedtohelportoadvi.se. At length guided
by the Great Spirit he was seen coming across the lake
in a white canoe bearing with him his beautiful little
daughter. Scarcely had they landed upon the shore
when there suddenly arose a migiity wind and an im-

14 THE IROQUOIS

mense bird so large as to darken the landscape swoop
ed down upon the beautiful girl and crushed her into
the earth. Speechless with grief Hi-a-wat-ha mourned
for his daughter three days. Then he said, (<I will
meet you to-morrow and unfold to you my plans."
On the following day he arose in the council and spoke
as fellows :

"Brothers; you have come here from a great dis
tance to provide safety for yourselves and your homes.
How should it be done ? We can make no progress
by opposing these tribes from the cold north singly.
We must unite all our tribes into one band of brothers.
In that way we shall be able to keep our enemies from
our land."

"You, the Mohawks, sitting under the shadow of the
'Great Tree,' whose roots sink deep into the earth,
and whose branches spread over a vast country, shall
be the first nation, because you are warlike and
mighty."

"And you, Oneidas, a people who recline your bod
ies against the 'Everlasting Stone,' that cannot be
moved, shall be the second nation, because you give
wise counsel."

"And you, Onondagas, who have your habitation
at the 'Great Mountain' and are overshadowed by its
crags, shall be the third nation, because you are gifted
in speech, and are mighty in war."

"And you, Cayugas, whose habitation is the 'Dark
Forest,' and whose home is everywhere, shall be the
fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in
hunting."

"And you, Senecas, a people who live in the 'Open
Country,' and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth
nation, because you understand better the art of rais
ing corn and beans, and making cabins."

"You, five great and powerful nations, must unite

THEIR LEGENDARY ORIGIN 15

and have but one common interest, and no foe shall
be able to disturb or subdue you. If we unite, the
Great Spirit will smile upon us. Brothers, these are
the words of Hi-a-wat-ha; let them sink deep into your
hearts.! Admit no other nations, and you will always
^e~Tree\ numerous and happy. If other tribes and na
tions are admitted to your councils they will sow the
seeds of jealousy and discord, and you will become
few, feeble and enslaved. Remember these words.
They are the last you will hear from Hi-a-wat-ha.
The Great Master of Breath calls me to go. I have
patiently awaited his summons. I am ready to go.
Farewell !"

The legend ttlls us that when the good Hi-a-wat-ha
finished his speech the air was filled with the sweetest
music. The beautiful white canoe lose slowly into the
air, and it bore their good friend and wise councillor
far into the eternal blue. The music slowly died away
and the dusky savages were left to try the experiment
of becoming a confederated nation.

CHAPTER III

THEIR NAME AND LOCATION

THEY proudly called themselves Ongwe-Honwe,
'"Men all surpassing others," and it has been said that
"The)' were the proudest representatives of natural
manhood ever discovered." Strange as it may seem
the white men who carried on negotiations with these
sons of the forest received a diplomatic training that
enabled them to place New York in a position among
the colonies far beyond that to which her size entitled
her. The Iroquois designated themselves as Ho-de-
no-san-nee, "A people dwelling in a long house."
According to another writer, they called their confed
eracy Ko-no-shi-oni — the "Long House." Their ter
ritory seems to have extended from that occupied by
the "Neutrals" near Lake Erie up to and even beyond
the Hudson River. The Senecas were placed in the
western part of their territories as a defence against
the fierce, western tribes. Afterward the Iroquois ex
tended their conquest as far as the Mississippi river,
and "it was solely on this conquest that the English
based their claims to that territory as against the
French at the opening of the French and Indian war,
and it was in this way that New York came into pos
session of that vast section which she gave to the
United states from which \\ere carved Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan an:l Wisconsin." For this alone
both our state and national governments owe a great
debt to this barbaric republic.

The eastern gate of their territory was kept by the
Mohawks, in many respects the ablest warriors among

THEIR NAME AND LOCATION 17

all the aborigines of America. Near Lake Onondaga
where Hi-a-wat-ha appeared to them in his beautiful
•canoe they kept their great council fire, the capital of
the confederacy. It was the duty of the Onondagas to
guard this fire, the general meeting place of the nation.

CHAPTER IV

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE IROQUOIS

CLASSICAL students are apt to look to foreign lands as
the birth place of political institutions. Long before
Europeans had set foot upon these shores, the Iroquois
had marked out a form of government "of the whole,
by the whole, for the benefit of the whole," almost a
prototype of that great government which followed it,
— the best, and freest the world has ever seen. Re
membering that this people had not yet developed be
yond the barbaric stage, we are astonished to find so
much in their form of government of what we are
wont to expect only in the highest civilization. They
were surrounded by tribes not advanced beyond the high
est stages of savagery or the first stages of barbarism.
They had never come in contact with people as intelli
gent as themselves. The refining influences of Chris
tianity had never penetrated their strongholds, and
they had no universities greater than the studies of
nature and their simple lives. How did it happen
that there was such a striking resemblance between
their clan and tribal governments and that of our old
Teutonic ancestors back in the German forests nearly
2000 years before ? Why had they the spirit of the old
Greek Amphictyonic Council ? Our answer is this :
Like needs have brought about like conditions of so
ciety in various ages in widely separated parts of the
earth. When first discovered the Iroquois were fast
conquering or at least gaining an influence over all the
surrounding tribes. Their plan was largely one of ex
termination and adoption rather than of conquest. If
they spared a tribe it was to levy tribute, and woe to

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE IROQUOIS 19

that tribe if it refused to acknowledge their sovereign
ty. Some seem to think that if they had not been
checked in their career by the coming of the whites
they would have extended their empire over the great
er psrt of North America. Their domain extended
from the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes on the
North to the Carolinas on the South, and from the
lordly Hudson on the East to where the Ohio mingles
its peaceful waters with the Mississippi.

Although their confederation was purely Democratic
in spirit, }'et, ruling over so large a territory, they
found it necessary to adopt the representative form.
They were constrained at first to form a league of de
fense against the more numerous and hostile tribes by
which they were surrounded. This union developed
their natural aptitude for government, and necessity
compelled them to keep it in active operation. In a
short time instead of acting on the defensive they be
came the most aggressive warriors on the American
continent. Like the political fathers who framed our
present constitution they made a wide distribution of
power.

Lossing gives the following division: "Each canton
or nation <vas a distinct republic, independent of all
others in relation to its domestic affairs, but each
bound to the others of the league by ties of honor and
general interest. Each canton had eight principal
sachems, or civil magistrates, and several inferior
sachems. The whole number of civil magistrates in
the confederacy amounted to nearly two hundred.
There were fifty hereditary sachems."

"Each canton, or nation was subdivided into clans
or tribes, each clan having a heraldic insignia called
totem. For this insignia one tribe would have the
figure of a wolf; another of a bear; another of a deer;
another of a tortoise and so on. By their totemic

20 THE IROQUOIS

system they maintained a perfect tribal union. After
the European came, the sachem of the tribe affixed his
totem, in the form of a rude representation of the ani
mal that marked his tribe, to the documents he was
required to sign, 'like an ancient monarch affixing
his seal.' "

Fiske in his Discovery of America sa>s "The con
federacy had no Chief Sachem or Chief Magistrate."
But Lossing says "The League had a President
clothed with powers similar to those conferred on the
Chief Magistrate of the United States. He had au
thority to assemble a Congress of Representatives of
the League. He had a cabinet of six advisors, and
in the Grand Council he was moderator. ' '

PUBLIC OFFICE

It was only by merit that public office could be se
cured, and public opinion was the only reward for
years of active service.

The Onondaga tribe was honored by having the first
President selected from among their wise men. Tra
dition says this man was Ato-tar-ho who lived in a
swamp surrounded by hissing serpents, and who ate
and drank from dishes made from the skulls of those
whom he had slain in battle.

Receiving no pay but that of public favor, these
sachems became renowned for their prudence and sa
gacity. All affairs of great importance were transacted
in the general council at Onondaga, but in local affairs
and in cases of pressing emergency each nation acted
for itself.

In one thing the Iroquois were not unlike the Ro
mans ; military power was stronger than the civil
power and often overthrew the latter by deposing the
sachems. The military leaders received their author
ity from the people, receiving the title of Chief. A
military leader wishing to secure a band of followers

THK GOVERNMENT OF THE IROQUOIS 21

organized a war dance, which was the recruiting sta
tion of the tribe. It was never necessary to resort to
conscription to fill the ranks. But however strong
the army might be, there was a third party which had
the right to veto a declaration of war. This party
\vas composed of the matrons of the long houses who
could demand a cessation of war; nor wras it any dis
grace for the bravest chief to bury the hatchet at the
command of the peace party. In this one thing, at
least, the Iroquois were a step in advance of the most
highly civilized nations of to-day, "woman was man's
co-worker in legislation." Pre-eminent in their love
of freedom they never made slaves of any, not even
captives in war. These they either killed or adopted
into their own tribes. Born diplomats they excelled
many a modern master of diplomatic art in tact, self
repression and political sagacity.

CHAPTER V

THE HOME

ONE of the most interesting things in the study of
these Indians is that of their manner of building their
habitations or "Long Houses." I quote from Mr.
Morgan's "House Life of the American Aborigines."
^•The long house was from fifty to eighty and some
times one hundred feet long. It consisted of a strong-
frame of upright poles set in the ground, which was
strengthened with horizontal poles attached with
withes, and surmounted with a triangular, and in some
cases with a round roof. It was covered over, both
sides and roof, with long strips of elm bark tied to the
frame with strings or splints. An external frame of
poles for the sides and of rafters for the roof was then
adjusted to hold the bark shingles between them, the
two frames being tied together. The interior of the
house was comparted [divided] at intervals of six or
eight feet, leaving each chamber entirely open like a
stall upon the passage way which passed through the
centre of the house from end to end. At each end
wras a doorway covered with suspended skins. Be
tween each four apartments, two on a side, was a fire
pit in the centre of the hall, used in common by their
occupants. Thus a house with five fires would con
tain twenty apartments and accommodate twenty
families, unless some apartments were reserved for
storage. They were warm, room}', and tidily-kept
habitations. Raised bunks were constructed around
the walls of each apartment for beds. From the roof
poles were suspended their strings of corn in the ear,
braided by the husks, also strings of dried squashes

THE HOME 23

and pumpkins. Spaces were contrived here and there
to store away their accumulations of provisions. Each
house, as a rule, was occupied by related families, the
mothers and their children belonging to the same gens,
while their husbands and the fathers of the children
belonged to other gentes; consequently the gens or
clan of the mother largely predominated in the house
hold. Whatever was taken in the hunt or raised by
cultivation by any member of the household was for
the common benefit. Provisions were made a common
stock within the household. Besides the food, the do
mestic utensils, the rude implements of husbandry,
and the children belonged wholly to the gens or clan."

IROQUOIS WOMEN

Marriage life among tne Indians was somewhat dif
ferent from that among the white people of our times.
Fiske in his most excellent work — The Discovery of
America, says: "When a young woman got married
she brought her husband home with her. Though
henceforth an inmate of this household he remained
an alien to her clan. If he proved lazy and failed to
do his share of the providing, woe be to him. No
matter how many children, or whatever goods he
might have in the house, he might at any time be
ordered to pick up his blanket and budge; and after
such orders it would not be healthful for him to dis
obey, the house would be to hot for him and unless
saved by the intercession of some aunt or grandmother
of his wife he must retreat to his own clan, or, as was
often done, go and start a new matrimonial alliance in
some other. The female portion ruled the house. ' '
And yet the wife was the slave of her husband. It
was she who generally dressed the skins from which
she made clothing for the family and often built the
wigwam. She cultivated the soil with the rudest im
plements while her. husband hunted and fished or went

24 THE IROQUOIS

upon the warpath. One writer has said that "These
women, in keeping secrets and in being close-mouthed
excel all the other women of the world. Rubens nor
Titian could hardly equal them in the skill of coloring
their robes, belts of wampum, or birch boxes in red,
blue or yellow. They used quills of porcupines as their
pencils, and selected for their colors the leaves and
blossoms of plants, chiefly the forest sumac and the
juice of berries."

POTTERY

The Iroquois excelled many of the other Indians in
the manufacture of fabrics and domestic utensils,
which they often ornamented with taste and skill.
One of the most ancient of their arts was that of pot
tery. In very old mounds are found earthern pots and
pipes with curious ornamentation. Some of this ware
is so firm as to admit of considerable polish. The ma
terial out of w7hich they made their pottery was clay
and quartz. According to Morgan, who was well
versed in the domestic life of the Iroquois, their clay
pipes were as hard as marble. They often ornament
ed their pipes with the picture of some animal. An
other kind of pipe was carved out of soap-stone.

In Indian burial places are found earthen pots hold
ing, perhaps, five or six quarts in which had been de
posited food for the departed to sustain them while on
their journey to the realm of the Great Spirit.
EDGE TOOLS

Metal utensils seem to have been unknown among
the Iroquois before the advent of the white man
[Morgan.] They made rude knives and chisels of
flint and hornstone. The tomahawk also was made of
stone and was shaped not unlike the steel axe of the
present day, except that, instead of an eye, a groove
was hollowed out around the tomahawk in which a
crotched or split stick was fastened with a thong or

THE HOME 25

withe. They also made a kind of stone gouge, con
cave, by means of which they hollowed out hard
stones for mortars in which they ground their corn,
paint, barks and roots for medicines. It was only
with the greatest labor that an Indian could cut down
trees, and cut them into logs. Fire was applied at
the foot and as fast as the wood became charred the
coal was scraped away till, after a long time, the tree
was burned through and fell. In the same manner it
was burned through at regular distances to make logs.

BARK BARRELS, AND TRAYS

Perhaps more convenient articles were made out of
the bark of trees than of any other material. Barrels
wrere made of the inside bark of the red elm. It was
arranged so that the grain ran around the barrel, and
carefully fastened up and down the side with thread
made of thin bark or hide. These had a bottom and
not infrequently a cover and were used as receptacles
for seeds, corn, beans, dried fruits, and the like. They
were very durable, often being retained in the family
for a hundred years. [Morgan.] A flat piece of inside
bark from some large tree was turned up at the ends
and sides, which were held in place both inside and
out by splints of some very strong wood. This made
a very convenient tray for many uses. In these were
mixed the various ingredients from which were made
their most civilized food.

ROPES AND STRAPS

From bark wrere also made the rope and strap with
which they carried their burdens. Rawhide was often
used but does not seem to have been as serviceable as
those made from bark. The inside bark of the elm or
bass wood was secured and boiled in ashes and water.
Then it was dried and separated into filaments, wrhich
were braided into various kinds of rope. That made
from slippery-elm was very pliable and the most dur-

-26 THE IROQUOIS

able. The burden strap used by the Indian women
was often ornamented with porcupine quill-work.
These displayed a skill in design and workmanship
scarcely equalled by the women of any barbaric nation.

MAPLE SUGAR

One of the Indian festivals is that instituted to the
maple and is known as the Maple Dance. Whether the
Indian learned from the white man how to make sugar
or the white man learned from the Indian is uncertain.
[Morgan.] At any rate, the Indian sap- tub was a
unique and handy article surpassing the trough used
so many years by our forefathers. "A strip of bark
about three feet in length by two in width, makes the
tub. The rough bark is left upon the bottom and
sides. At the joint where the bark is to be turned
up to form the ends, the outer bark is removed; the in
ner rind is then turned up, gathered together in small
folds at the top and tied around with a splint. It is
then ready for use, and will last several seasons.
Aside from the natural fact that the sap would be
quite at home in the bark tub, and its flavor preserved
untainted, it is more durable and capacious than the
wooden one and more readily made." [Morgan.]

THE BIRCH BARK CANOE.

The Indian also excelled in making his bark canoe
which was, perhaps, his only conveyance worthy the
name. It was so light that he could carry it around
falls and obstructions, so strong that it could carry
several tons, and, with good care and usage, would
last many years. It was made from the bark of the
birch, red-elm or hickory. A single piece of bark was
taken from a tree from ten to forty feet in length, and,
after the rough, outside bark was peeled off, was bent
into the required shape. All around the top edge of
the canoe, rim pieces, both inside and out, were fasten
ed either with threads of bark or with splints. Across

THE HOME 27

the bottom, inside, and up the sides were placed ribs
at a distance apart of a few inches, which were fasten
ed to the rims. Lengthwise, on the bottom was some
times placed a thin, wide piece of wood on which to
stand. Pitch was used in stopping seams and small
holes. At the ends, which were pointed, the bark was
united with the greatest care. One person usually
paddled these canoes, while standing in the stern, ex
cept on long expeditions when several seated on alter
nate sides paddled the light canoe with great swiftness.
By the use of this conveyance they passed quickly from
point to point along their numerous lakes and rivers.
The furs which the early traders bought of the Indians
were brought a great distance in their easily contrived
boats.

SNOW SHOES

"The snow shoe is an Indian invention." [Mor
gan.] The white hunter quickly saw its utility and
made it his inseparable companion on his long winter
expeditions. With it he could travel farther on the
snow than he could in summer on the ground. It was
no unusual thing for a trapper to travel forty miles be
tween sun -and sun on a pair of snow shoes. At the
same time he would carry a heavy load of traps or
furs besides his gun and provisions. A piece of hick
ory or ash about one inch in diameter and six feet long
was bent with the bow at the front end and brought to a
point at the heel. Near the front it was from fourteen
to eighteen inches across, and held in shape by cross
pieces firmly fastened at each end to the rim or frame.
Between these cross pieces and the outside frame, was
a very strong netting of woven deer thongs, the
meshes of which were about an inch across. At the
fore part of this net work the ball of the foot was fast
ened, leaving the heel free, while the toes of the foot,
at every step, naturally bent over the cross braids to

28 THE IROQUOIS

which the net work was fastened at the front. If the
snow be slight!}7 packed or frozen it will bear a man
who can easily run down heavy game.

THE BABY FRAME

Another Indian invention was the baby frame. It
was about two feet in length and twelve or fourteen
inches through, curved at the front, and having a bow
extending out over the front at the upper end. The
mother exercised the greatest skill in ornamenting the
frame. The baby was wrapped in a soft blanket and
placed in this frame, and a cover was thrown over the
arch or bow at the top. When walking, the mother
fastened this frame to her back. When working in
the field, she would hang it from some nearby support
and it would swing in the breeze. Travellers tell us
that a baby would hang thus for hours and not make
a single complaint.

BASKETS AND BOTTLES

The Indian women also showed much inventive gen
ius in the baskets which they wove from splints, corn-
husks and flags. The most perfectly finished of these
was the sieve basket, designed for sifting corn meal.
The bottom of the basket was woven so finely as to an
swer this purpose nearly as well as a wire sieve. [Mor
gan.] Another ingenious contrivance was the salt
bottle which was woven larger at the bottom than at
the top and looked not unlike a small wicker woven
demijohn.

THE MOCCASIN

"The moccasin is preeminently an Indian invention,
and one of the highest antiquity." [Morgan.] It was
made of a single piece of skin with a seam only at the
top and heel. When not allowed to fall at the top, it
reached above the ankle where it was fastened with
deer strings. There has never been made any outside
covering for the foot that was more nearly adapted to

THE HOME 29

the purpose for which it was designed. The needle
was made from a bone found near the ankle joint of
the deer. The thread was made from the sinews of
the same animal. The deer skin is tanned by the use
of the brains of the deer. These are dried in cakes for
future use. The hair is scraped from the skin, after
which the skin is soaked in a solution made by boiling
the cake of brains in water. After a few hours it is
wrung and stretched till it becomes pliable. Some
times it is necessary to repeat this process. Afterward
it is thoroughly smoked till the pores are full and the
skin is tough It is then ready for use. The brains
of some other animals were also used. Bear skins
were not tanned but were left with the hair on for
beds upon which to sleep. [Morgan.]

INDIAN CORN

The Iroquois used three kiads of corn, White, Red
and White Flint. When ripe they husked and braid
ed it as our farmers do to-day and hung it in a dry
place. It was their staple article of food, and they
used it on nearly all occasions. They ground it in a
mortar and sifted the meal in a sieve basket, and then
baked it in loaves an inch thick and about six inches
in diameter. This was the Indian bread. They also
had a way of charring the corn which would cause it
to keep for several years. Another way was to pick
the corn when it was yet green and partially roast it,
and then it was shelled and dried in the sun. With it
was mixed about a third part of maple sugar and
ground into flour. The hunter or warrior could sub
sist upon a small amount of this while on a long ex
pedition. ' 'This noble grain, one of the gifts of the
Indian to the world, is destined, eventually, to become
one of the staple articles of human consumption."
[Morgan.]

CHAPTER VI

LEGENDS

Nearly all writers on Indian affairs tell us the Indian
knew little if anything of the passion of love. But the
large number of love legends that have been handed
down from generation to generation go to show that
the dusky young people of the forest could love as
truly as the more civilized white people.

In different parts of our State are to be found huge
bluffs where the ledge of rock has either been raised
nearly vertical by some great upheaval of the earth's
crust, or has been worn away on one side so as to pre
sent an unbroken fall of from one to two hundred feet.
These places are known as "Lovers' Leap." There is
such a romantic spot near the city of Little Falls. The
Indians have a very pretty legend connected with these
places. Once upon a time, when one of the Iroquois
nations was at war with the Algonquins, a brave and
handsome young chief was taken prisoner and con
demned to die. While awaiting the day of execution,
he was fed by a beautiful Iroquois maiden , daughter
of the chief. Her pity for the brave young warrior
soon changed to love, and she determined to save his
life. Watching her opportunity, one night when the
sentinels, tired with their long vigil, had fallen asleep,
she glided silently to his side and cut the cords which
bound him, and whispered to him to follow her.
Scarcely had they reached the river's brink when the
shrill war whoop sounded on the night air, and they
knew they were pursued. They had not gone a hun
dred rods before they saw a dozen hardy \varriors in
canoes rapidly gaining upon them. They paddled to

LEGENDS 31

the shore and climbed the rugged mountain on the
brow of which they were discovered in the early morn
ing light. The old chief, beside himself with anger,
drew his bow to shoot the fugitive Algonquin, when
the maiden stepped before him to shield him from her
father. She plead for her lover's life, and said they
would throw themselves from the precipice rather than
be separated. Several warriors were sent forward to
secure them, when the lovers, with a despairing cry,
turned and threw themselves from the ledge and died
together on the rocks below. Too late the stern father
repented of his cruelty and wept over the tragic end of
the life of his beautiful daughter.

DISCOVERY OF MEDICINE

The Indians have some queer traditions concerning
the discovery of medicinal plants. The following is
one of these : "An Indian hunter went forth to hunt,
and as he wandered in the forest he heard a strain of
beautiful music far off among the trees. He listened
but could not tell whence it came, and kne\v it could
not be by any human voice, or from any instrument he
had ever heard. As he came near it ceased. The
next evening he went forth again, but he heard not
the music; and again, but in vain. Then came the
Great Spirit to him in a dream and told him he must
fast, and wash himself till he was purified, and then
he might go forth, and he would hear again the music.
So he purified himself and went again among the
darkest trees of the forest, and soon his ear caught the
sweet strains, and as he drew near they became more
beautiful, and he listened till he had learned them and
could make the same sweet sounds. Then he saw that
it was a plant with a tall green stem and long tapering
leaves. He took his knife and cut the stalk, but ere
he had scarcely finished, it healed and was the same as
before. He cut it again, and again it healed, and then

:32 THE IROQUOIS

he knew it would heal diseases, and he took it home
and dried it by the fire, and pulverized it, and apply
ing a few particles of it to a dangerous wound, no
sooner had it touched the flesh than it was whole.
Thus the Great Spirit taught the Indian the nature of
medicinal plants, and directed him where they were
.to be found."

THE PIGMIES AND GREAT BUFFALOES

The Pigmies were like folks, who lived in the far
distant North where it was so cold that they could not
grow to the stature of men and women. These little
folks were always doing good to the family of man.
'The Great Buffaloes were huge monsters that lived on
human flesh and travelled in great subterranean walks
from which they would suddenly appear upon the
earth and devour all the people in a village before they
had time to escape. "One day an Indian maiden was
dipping w^ater from a little brook, and as she bent over
the stream, the water reflected a strange appearance.
On looking up she beheld three Pigmies just alighting
near where she stood. She knew immediately that
there was danger, for they never at any other time
made themselves visible to mortal eyes. The Pigmies
knew where the Great Buffaloes had gone, and that
they would soon return, and they bade the maiden
flee to inform her people that they might be ready for
flight if they should not succeed in their mission; but
they told her they \vould meet her again at the stream
and inform her if they were able to destroy them.
When they had finished their message, with one stroke
of their paddles the canoe arose in the air and sailed
along over the tree tops a great distance, and then de
scended to the water, when another stroke bore it
again aloft. When they reached the place where the
buffaloes appeared, they cut down the largest hickory

LEGENDS 33

trees and split them in two parts for their bows, and
made them arrows of the tallest pines of the forest.
With these they pierced them and sent the arrows with
such force that they passed through the monsters, who
fell crushing whole forests beneath them. From their
blood arose the small buffaloes, while their bones have
remained undecayed for untold centuries."

1 'The Pigmies, having accomplished their purpose, re
turned to inform the maiden at the stream, who listened
to their story with delight, and ran to announce the
glad tidings to her people, and then they departed to
their northern home. ' '

THE PLEIADES

The Pleiades, or Seven Stars, were placed in the
heavens in the following manner :

' 'Seven little boys asked their mothers to permit them
to make a feast; but they were denied. Still intent up
on their purpose, they went alone and procured a little
white dog to sacrifice, and while dancing around the
fire, they were suddenly carried away through the air
by some invisible spirit. Their mothers gazed after
them with inconsolable anguish, till they saw them take
their place in the sky among the starry hosts, where
they are dancing still as the seven stars of the pleiades. ' '

WITCHCRAFT

A belief in witchcraft seems to have been born in the
American Indian From the very interesting writing
of Schoolcraft I take the following, concerning this be
lief among the Iroquois :

"Among the Iroquois the belief was universal, and
its effects upon their prosperity and population, if tra
dition is to be credited, were at times appalling. The
theory of the popular belief, as it existed in the several
cantons, was this : The witches and wizards constitut
ed a secret association, which met at night to consult on
mischief, and each was bound to inviolable secrecy.

34 THE IROQUOIS

They say this fraternity first arose among the Nanti-
cokes. A witch or wizard had power to turn into a
fox or wolf, and run very swift, emitting flashes of
light. They could also transform themselves into a
turkey or big owl, and fly very fast. If detected, or
hotly pursued, they could change into a stone or rotten
log. They sought carefully to procure the poison of
snakes or poisonous roots, to effect their purposes.
They could blow hairs or worms into a person. ' '

The same authority recites a story told by Webster,
the naturalized Onondaga, who heard it from the lips
of an aged Onondaga. This old man said that he had
formerly lived near the old church on the Kasoida
Creek, near Jamesville, where there was in old times a
populous Indian village. One evening, he said, whils't
he lived there he stepped out of his lodge, and immedi
ately sank in the earth, and found himself in a large
room, surrounded by three hundred witches and wiz
ards. Next morning he went to the council and told
the chiefs of this extraordinary occurrence. They ask
ed him whether he could not identify the persons. He
said he could. They then accompanied him on a visit
to all the lodges, where he pointed out this and that
one, who were marked for execution. Before this in
quiry was ended, a very large number of persons of
both sexes were killed. Another tradition says that
about fifty persons were burned to death at the Onon
daga castle for witches.

The delusion prevailed among all the cantons. The
last persons executed for witchcraft among the Oneidas,
suffered about forty years ago. They were two females.
The executioner was the notorious Hon Yost of revolu
tionary memory. He entered the lodge, according to a
prior decree of the Council, and struck them down with
a tomahawk. One was found in the lodge; the other
suffered near the lodge door.

LEGENDS 35

ANCIENT WORSHIP

In Schoolcraft's notes on the Iroquois we read "that
it was a striking peculiarity of the ancient religious
system of the Iroquois that, once a year, the priesthood
supplied the people with sacred fire. For this purpose,
a set time was announced for the ruling priest' s visit.
The entire village was apprised of this visit, and the
master of each lodge was expected to be prepared for
this annual rite. Preliminary to the visit, his lodge
fire was carefully put out and ashes scattered about it,
as a symbolic sign of desolation and want. Deprived
of this element, they were also deprived of its symbolic
influence, the sustaining aid and countenance of the Su
preme Power, whose image they recognized in the sun."

"It was to relieve this want, and excite hope and
animation in breasts which had throbbed with dread,
that the priest visited the lodge. Exhibiting the insig
nia of the sacerdotal office, he proceeded to invoke the
Master of Life in their behalf, and ended his visit by
striking fire from the flint, or from percussion, and
lighting anew the domestic fire. The lodge was then
swept and garnished anew, and a feast succeeded.
This sacred service annually performed, had the effect
to fix and increase the reverence of the people for the
priestly office. It acted as a renewal of their ecclesias
tical fealty; and the consequence was, that the institu
tion of the priesthood was deeply and firmly seated. ' '

THK INDIAN YEAR

' ' Whether this rite had any connection with the pe
riod of the solstices, or with the commencement of the
lunar year, is not known, but is highly probable. Their
year was the lunar year. It consisted of thirteen moons,
each of which is distinctly named. Thirteen moons of
28 days each, counting from visible phase to phase,
make a year of 364 days, which is the greatest astro
nomical accuracy reached by the North American
tribes."

CHAPTER VII

THE ONEIDA STONE

THE following excellent account of the historical
Oneida Stone was kindly furnished by the Rev. George
Hardy, of Sanquoit, N. Y,

Near the entrance of Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, on
a slight artificial mound, is a roundish, oblong boulder
of gray syenite, known as the Oneida Stone. It was
an object of special veneration to the Indians of New
York, and especially to the Oneidas, the second of the
tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. Indeed it gave
name to this tribe, and through them to many localities
in the State and elsewhere. The story of the Stone
contains much of legend mixed with certain facts of
veritable history. We will make no attempt to disen
tangle these, but give the story as accepted by the In
dians. In the Oneida speech, onia is stone; oniota is
child of the stone, or man of the stone. By mispro
nunciation this became Oneida. The stone was heav
en sent, a token of the presence of the Great Spirit. It
was given to the tribe at its very beginning, on the Os-
wego River, near Oneida Lake. To them it was sacred,
and became central in their religious and social life. It
was their alter of sacrifice. Around it were held the
feasts of New Year and harvest, and other festivals.
Beside it were their war diners and council fires. It
added solemn sanction to their treaties and other en
gagements. Later, when the headquarters of the tribe
were removed to the eastern end of the lake near where
it receives the waters of Oneida Creek, the Stone ac
companied them, untouched by human hands. The
same thing occurred at a subsequent removal up th:

Tin: oXi-iDA STONE 37

creek, — the stcne taking position on a hill on the east
ern side, in what is now the town of Stockbridge, in
Madison Co. Here it remained during the subsequent
history of its people. It here saw the rise and power of
the confederacy of the Five Nations. It here listened
to wisdom and eloquence unsurpassed by Greek or
Roman. Logan, the white man's friend uttered words
that burn. Sconondoa, warrior- chief and last orator of
his race, swayed the hearts of his fellow tribesmen.
This was the resting place of the stone when the white
man appeared in the land, and the red skinned children
of the Great Spirit began to give way before him. It
saw the hunting grounds of its people becoming the
corn fields of the stranger, their forest-trails growing
into his highways of traffic, their hills and valleys filled
and crowned with his settlements. It saw its people
themselves wTaste away at the stranger's presence, their
council fires extinguished, their festal days unobserved,
their sacrifices unoffered. It saw them diminished and
scattered, their tribal life lost, and their political powrer
forever gone. "It was a stranger in the home of its
children, an exile on its own soil." Awhile after the
opening of the Forest Hill Cemetery, the Oneida Stone
was, by glad consent of all parties interested, removed
to its present location, there to be cared for as a memo
rial of a people who showed many excellences of char
acter, and took no insignificant part in some of the ex
citing incidents of our nation's history.

CHAPTER VIII

GAMES

WE are largely indebted to that excellent work,
Morgan's League of the Iroquois, for a description of
the six principal games of the Six Nations. These
were played both at their religious festivals, and on
special days set apart for celebration. Challenges were
sent from village to village, or from tribe to tribe, and
not infrequently from the stranger tribes or nations.
When these formal challenges were lacking, frequent
ly a village separated into two divisions, not unlike
our old fashioned spelling schools, each division striv
ing for the mastery.

GAMBLING

Betting was common among the Indians, and it was
not unusual for one of them to gamble away all the
property which he might possess; "his tomahawk, his
medal, his ornaments and even his blankets. ' '
THE BALL GAME

Of all tnt, games played by these people, the ball
game was the one most favored. The bat used was
about five feet long and looked not unlike a tennis
racket .split lengthwise. The ball was made of deer
skin. There were six or eight players on each side.
The field was about eighty rods across, with a gate on
each side, which was simply two upright poles about
three rods apart. One of these gates belonged to each
party and the contest was to see which party would
first carry the ball through its own gate a given num
ber of times. In preparing for games of strength, skill
and endurance, the contestant often went through a
rigid course of dieting and traiuing. He entered the

GAMES 39

lists naked except that he wore a waist cloth. The
players were stationed in parallel lines, each side op
posite of its own gate. The ball was dropped between
the two rows where were stationed one player from
^ach side. These two immediately began a contest
for the possession of the ball. Great skill and dexteri
ty was displayed until one or the other would succeed
in sending it into the field among his own party. Then
began a lively skirmish between the two parties to see
which side could first force the ball through its own
gate. The game often lasted the entire afternoon, and
not infrequently was finished on the succeeding day.
If one of the players was injured, he left the field and
his place was filled with another from his party. The
Indian was peculiarly fitted for this game.

THE GAME OF JAVELINS

The game of javelins did not require the skill nor
the endurance that was needed in playing ball. In
this there was required a ring about eighteen inches
in diameter, and each player had from three to six
javelins. The contending parties were drawn up in
two separate lines facing each other. One party rolled
the ring in front of the other party who threw their
javelines at it. If one of the party struck the ring, it
was set up for a target at the spot where it was hit,
and each man was required to throw his javelin at it.
Those javelins, which hit the target thus thrown, were
saved; these which passed the target without hitting it
became the property of the other side and were thrown
at the ring by them. Those javelins which hit were
thus won and laid out of the play, while those which
missed went to the rightful owners. Then the ring
was rolled by the other party, and the foregoing was
repeated. This was continued until one side had lost
all their javelins, which decided the contest.

40 THE IROQUUlS

THE GAME OF DEER BUTTONS

The game of deer buttons was a fireside game and
was played with eight buttons about an inch in diame
ter made of elk horn, and were blackened upon one
side. The players seated themselves upon a blanket
spread out for the purposed Near them was a certain
number of beans piled upon the floor. One of the
players would take the eight buttons in his hand,
shake them, and throw them on the blanket. If all
turned up the same color, the player took twenty beans
from the pile, if six turned up of the same color, he
took two beans; if seven, he took four. He continued
to throw so long as not less than six of the same color
turned up, when the throw passed to the other player.
Thus they continued till the beans were in the posses
sion of the two players, after which the loser was
obliged to pay forfeit from his own stock till one man
won them all. Any number could play this game at
the same time, but each one had to give up two, four
or twenty beans for each lucky throw of the opposing
side.

THE GAME OF SNOWSNAKES

The game of snowsnakes was played only in the
winter season. The snakes were carefully made of the
toughest hickory and were about one fourth of an inch
thick and in width tapered from one inch at the head
to half an inch at the foot, and were six or seven feet
in length. The head was round and turned up like a
sleigh runner, and was tipped with lead. These were
played by skillfully throwing them so that they would
run or slide a great distance over the frozen snow.
The number of players was limited and selected with
the greatest care. After the place had been selected
and the direction determined, the snakes were thrown
by the contending parties. That snake which ran the
greatest distance was a point for the side to which it

GAMES 41

belonged. These contests were repeated till one side
had won the necessary number of points.

THE BOW AND ARROW

"In archery the Indian has scarcely been excelled.
With a quick eye and a powerful muscle, he could send
his arrow as unerringly as the archers of Robin Hood."
To be the best marksman in the tribe wras considered
a great honor. The bow was three or four feet in
length and very strong, so that when the string was
well drawn back it sent an arrow with great swiftness.
It required the greatest muscular strength to use such
a weapon. The arrow was about three feet long,
pointed with flint or other hard substance, and at its
small end were fastened feathers in a spiral form which
caused it to revolve. This gave it a horizontal direc
tion and may have been what suggested the grooved
rifle barrel. Morgan tells ns that the Scottish and
English archers tipped their arrows with straight
feathers.

LEAPING AND WRESTLING

He further says that leaping, wrestling and other
gymnastic exercises appeared to be no part of their
public amusement. Very often in hand to hand con
tests the white man exhibited more skill in boxing
and could throw his Indian opponent, but could not
keep him down when thrown.

THE FOOT RACE

There was one exercise in which the Indian greatly
excelled, viz: the foot race. Situated as the six na
tions were they needed runners to carry messages
from nation to nation and it was a matter of national
pride to have the swiftest runner. There grew up a
spirit of emmulation which resulted in regular contests.
The competitors often went through a course of train
ing and dieting as the more civilized athlete does to-day.

42 THE IROQUOIS

THE PEACH STONE GAME

From ancient times it was customary to close the
Green Corn and Harvest festivals and the New Year's
jubilee with the Peach Stone game. So much did
they admire this game that they believed they would
enjoy it in the future life in the realm of the Great
Spirit. Six peach stones, which had been ground
down so that the pit could be removed, were blacken
ed upon one side. These were thrwon into a wooden
or earthern dish and the count depended upon the
number of one kind that came up similar to the game
of deer buttons already explained except that nothing
less than five of a kind counted instead of six. It
often took the greater part of two days to play this
game, and simple as it may seem, it usually produced
great excitement throughout the tribes whose represen
tatives were engaged. I quote again from Morgan.
"Among the Iroquois, in the celebration of their
national games, as far as they went, is to be found the
same species of enthusiasm and emulation which
characterized the celebration of the games of antiquity.
Although the national games, like the popular songs
of one people, may be incapable of exciting the en
thusiasm or awakening the patriotic spirit of another;
yet they are not, for this reason, devoid of interest.
If it be asked what interest for us can attach to these
games of the Iroquois, one answer at least may be
given: — they show that the American wilderness,
which we have been taught to pronounce a savage soli
tude until the white men entered its borders, had long
been vocal in its deepest seclusions, with the gladness
of human hearts. ' '

CHAPTER IX

EARLY EXPLORERS

WHEN Cartier ascended the St. Lawrence he found
a large village occupying the present site of Montreal
surrounded with crops of waving corn. It was occu
pied by a tribe of Indians which the French named
the Iroquois. They treated the white men with great
reverence, as if they were divine, even bringing their
sick and laying them before the French that their
presence might heal them. Cartier, returning to Que
bec, betrayed the confidence of the natives by forcing
their head chief and several of his followers on board
and taking them to France where they died. Four
years later he returned and attempted to plant a
colony. But the Indians, remembering Carder's
former conduct, lost faith in the white man and his
black robed priests, and consequently did not show
their former kindness. The French leader became
discouraged and set sail for France. About the same
time Roberval attempted to establish a colony on the
same site, but being unfitted by nature for a leader of
men his attempt resulted in failure and for nearly
seventy years the St. Dawrence furnished music for
none but savage ears. [Doyle's English Colonies in
America.]

CHAMPLAIN

The French were the first Europeans to intrude
upon the domain of the Iroquois. It was given to
Samuel DeChamplain to carry his faith and his nation
ality into the heart of the territory of the amphictyonic
league, and by so doing he forever ruined all pros
pects of winning the haughty Iroquois and his land

44 THE IROQUOIS

for the French crown. He was a French soldier
anxious to build a great empire in the New World.
Nearly seventy years after Roberval left Quebec, Cham-
plain and DeMonts re-established a colony at that
place. They gained the good will of the surrounding
red men, and the war trained Frenchman, Champlain,
could not resist the entreaties of the Hurons to aid
them in their expeditions against their powerful
enemies, the Iroquois, They ascended the outlet of
Lake Champlain on the west bank of which they en
countered a large force of the Iroquois. [Golden.] Cham-
plain placed himself at the head and shot down three of
the enemy, who were astonished beyond measure at the
sound of the white man's gun. The Hurons seeing
the disorder in the ranks of the enemy rushed forward
and gained a signal victory. The place of this battle
was at or near Ticonderoga in Essex county, a place
destined to be the scene of many a skirmish in after
years. Such was the Iroquois' introduction to the
Frenchmen, one which they never forgot and never
wholly forgave. The echoes of Champlain 's guns did
not cease to reverberate till they died away on the
Plains of Abraham. Had he come among them as did
Penn among the Delawares several years later, French.
History on American soil would have been much dif
ferent from what it was. The year following Cham-
plain gained another victory over them on the river
Sorel. In the Autumn of this same year still anxious
to press his conquests south of the St. Lawrence he
again lead the Hurons against their ancient enemies.
He crossed the outlet of Lake Ontario and coasted
along its eastern shore for many miles. At some point
within the present limits of Jefferson county they hid
their canoes and marched overland to Oneida Lake.
South of this, perhaps in Madison county, they found a
fort, strongly palisaded surrounded by ditches so that

EARLY EXPLORERS 45

they could neither take the place by storm nor set it
on fire. Champlain was wounded and was compelled
to retreat from the country followed for many miles
by the infuriated barbarians. This ended Champlain' s
work in the present limits of New York south of the
great river; and by his policy the Anglo Saxons aided
by the powerful Six Nations eventually became the
dominant race.

THE DUTCH AND THE IROQUOIS

111 the fall of 1609 Henry Hudson sailed up the
great North River. About five years later the Dutch
established a trading post just south of the present site
of Albany. Thither flocked the Indians with furs to
exchange for articles which the white man had to sell.
At the same time the French were trying to secure the
trade with the tribes in this part of the country and
came up Lake Champlain i:i boats for that purpose.
Thus early in the seventeenth century the French and
the Dutch became commercial rivals in the New World.
After a short time this trading post was abandoned
and in 1617 a fort was erected at the mouth of the
Tawasentha. The Dutchmen with an eye to business
formed a treaty with the surrounding Indian tribes,
perhaps the first ever made with the red men. The
Iroquois were leaders in bringing about this treaty of
peace while the other tribes were considered as their
subjects. They buried the tomahawk and the white
men promised to erect a church over the place as a sign
of perpetual peace. These traders builded with the
Indians better than they knew. The treaty of Tawa
sentha lasted as long as the Dutch held possession of
the country, and did much to hold the friendship of
the great barbaric league. The cqntrast between the
treatment accorded the Iroquois by Champlain and the
treatment by the Dutch was so great that the latter
had the confidence of these tribes and could depend

46 THE IROQUOIS

upon their alliance. They respected the rights of the
Indians, paid for the lands which they occupied and
in their dealings were influenced by rules of justice
and equity. They were not zealots, neither did they
come to conquer the country and form a great empire
in the New World. They were largely traders and
encouraged peace with their savage neighbors as the
surest road to money getting.

Early in the history of Fort Orange an incident oc-
cured which might nave created hard feeling on the
part of the Mohawks. A party of Mohicans on their
way to attack their ancient enemies, the Mohawks, in
duced a few Dutchmen to join them. The Mohawks
gained a signal victory and the Dutch leader and three
of his men lost their lives. The Mohawks claimed to
have acted on the defensive, so the Dutch wisely let
the matter drop. Shortly after this the Mohicans were
driven from their beautiful hunting grounds on the
Hudson by their ancient enemies. All the river
Indians were subject to the Mohawks and in the winter
of 1643 a large party of them marched down the west
bank of the Hudson to collect tribute from the tribes
living there. These fled in terror and sought refuge
with the Dutch in and around Manhattan. Had Kieft
pursued a course dictated by reason and humanity he
would have befriended them and won their lasting re
gard. But he gave orders to have them cruelly massa
cred. This aroused all the surrounding tribes who
started upon the war path destroying whole villages
spreading terror and destruction wherever they went.
This state of things continued nearly two years when
the governor made treaties with several of the tribes
even going with much pomp to the land of the Mo
hawks. They made a preliminary treaty with him at
Fort Orange afterward confirmed by a large gathering
of Indians at Fort Amsterdam, at which time a party

EARLY EXPLORERS 47

of Mohawks came as arbitrators for the Five Nations.
Stuyvesant as Governor renewed friendly alliances
with the powerful Mohawks. Indeed so often did this
nation act as arbitrators between the Dutch and River
Indians that great jealousy was aroused on the part of
the latter. In 1661 Arendt van Curler was sent to
purchase the "Great Flats" where Schenectady now
stands. Nearly twenty years before he had penetrated
far into the country of the Mohawks. In all of the
years that he had dealings with the western Indians
he treated them with the greatest kindness, and to him
more than to any other man was due the peaceful
settlement of the Mohawk Valley. In 1667 he was
drowned in Lake Champlain, the crystal clearness of
whose waters is a type of his dealings with the un
fortunate red men.

CHAPTER X

RELATIONS WITH OTHER TRIBES

AFTER the destruction of the Pequots on the Mystic
river, Sassacus, knowing that the English would soon
attack his tribe, determined to march westward and
throw himself on the mercies of the Mohawks. He
did not seem to understand the fierceness of this tribe,
for as soon as they saw him they cruelly shot him.
'The handful of his followers who escaped the English
were finally assigned lands by the Mohawks near Lake
Champlain.

THE ERiES

About 1643, according to Schoolcraft, the Senecas
aided by some of the other members of the confederacy,
began a war with the Eries and their allies, the an-
dastes. These Indians lived near Lake Erie and were
known to the French as the Neuter Indians. They
were given this name because they kept aloof from all
the wars of the surrounding tribes. Cusic, the Indian
historian, says "That del-gates from a northern nation,
with whom the Iroquois were at war, having been re
ceived by the Eries, Yagowanea, the female ruler of
the tribe, at Kienuka, on the Niagara Ridge betrayed
the Seneca deputation to their concealed enemies from
the North, by whom they were killed." This was in
violation of their neutrality and the Iroquois flew to
arms. The war was short and bloody. There could
be but one outcome. The Six Nations so long accus
tomed to wage war successfully with large and power
ful tribes soon conquered the Eries, and as a nation
they disappeared from history. Mr. P^vanswho wrote
in 1755 says those who survived fled to the valley of
the Ohio and later still crossed the Alleghanies.

RELATIONS WITH OTHER TRIBES 49

THE HURONS

After the Hurons had united with the French, the
Iroquois became their most bitter enemies. The whole
•country from the Oswego, Genessee and Niagara riv
ers, even to Montreal, was covered with war parties.
Both of the same race, they carried on the fight with
the bitterness of a family quarrel. A journey of a
thousand miles was cheerfully undertaken by an Iro
quois if only he could glut his savage revenge. The
Andastes, who could have sent a band of nearly 1.500
warriors, offered to assist the Hurons. They refused
assistance and alone attempted to defend themselves
and their country; but by 1647 the Huron tribe was
brought to great straights and were compelled to seek
shelter under the guns of Quebec. Even here they
were not safe and were finally driven from the valley
of the St Lawrence about the year 1659. They fled
up the great Ottowas river and across to the Mani-
toulin chain of islands. But the merciless Iroquois
would give them no peace and they sought refuge on
the shores of Lake Superior. Here again they were
attacked by their relentless enemies and a great many
of them cruelly massacred. This place is still known
as Point Iroquois.

THE ANDASTES

In 1 66 1 the Senecas began to carry on a desultory
warfare with the Andastes. The latter gained a few
small victories when the Seriecas raised an army of
i, 600 warriors and marched into their country and be-
seiged a small fort. The Andastes held out bravely and
at last, sallying out, they drove the Senecas in headlong
flight. This victory earned them not a small amount
of fame, and caused some of them, harassed by their
incursions, to move north of Lake Ontario. But from
this time their power began to wane. Prisoners were
taken sometimes by one Iroquois tribe and sometimes

50 THE IROQUOIS

by another. Schoolcraft relates that a party of 60
Andastes boys engaged a party of Senecas and put
them to flight. But by the year 1675 they had been
subdued by the Iroquois.

CHAPTER XI

THE IROQUOIS AND THE ENGLISH

It was about this time, 1664, that the English com
pelled the Dutch to surrender their rights to the pres
ent limits of New York. The relations between the
Dutch and Iroquois were very friendly. The sturdy
Hollander had almost the entire trade with the Five
Nations, and had extended his influence even beyond
the Great Lakes. Even long after the advent of the
English, he acted as interpreter. When the Iroquois
learned that the English had taken the place of the
Dutch, they at once admitted them into their confi
dence, and the English, on their part, did their utmost
to preserve the friendship of this powerful confederacy.
Their enemies became the enemies of the Iroquois and
their friends, the friends of the latter. The English
soon learned that the French wished to acquire the
beautiful Mohawk valley and if possible extend their
conquest to the ocean itself. The Six Nations were a
tower of strength for the English against the encroach
ments of the French. Schoolcraft says "who can read
the details of an hundred years' sanguinary contests,
without perceiving that it was the undying vigilance,
the unerring accuracy of their geographical knowledge
of the wilderness, and the manly bravery of the Iro
quois, which, up to the year 1775, preserved western
New York to the English crown?"

Champlain had furnished neighboring tribes with
guns, powder and knives which they used in their
wars against the Iroquois. When the Dutch came
they could secure these coveted weapons and soon be
came a terror not only to the surrounding tribes, but

52 THE IROQUOIS

to the French themselves. They successfully repelled
the invasions of La Barre, Denonville and Frontenac,
and for a long time resisted the establishment of French
missions at Oneida, Onondaga and Ontario. The in
troduction of fire arms entirely changed the Indian
mode of fighting. They took longer and more fre
quent excursions, and no tribe was able to withstand
them; while the council fire at Onondaga burned
brighter than ever before. The English early estab
lished an agency among the Mohawks which, by a
slow growth, in time fully protected English interests.

FRENCH IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY

In 1665 Concelles, governor of Canada, sent a party
against the Mohawks. They travelled on snow shoes
suffering greatly from the cold. They got as far as
Schenectady where the Indians would have defeated
them had it not been for the hospitality of Corlear who
had great influence with the Mohawks. The next
spring, twelve light companies of foot, and the whole
militia of Canada marched into the country of the Mo
hawks, who retired into the forests on the approach of
the enemy. Although the French were unable to sub
due the Mohawks, yet through a great parade of
strength and the Indian's fear of fire arms, a peace
was concluded in 1667 which lasted several years. The
French governor improved this cessation of hostilities
by sending out missionaries, building forts and estab
lishing trading posts. In 1672 he penetrated as far as
Oneida Lake where he started to build a fort, which
Count Frontenac completed the following year.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON

Sir William Johnson, on being appointed superin
tendent of Indian affairs, assembled a very large num
ber of Indians at his place on the Mohawk and an
nounced his appointment to them. Pie made offers to
them to restore their confidence in the English and to

THE IROQUOIS AND THE ENGLISH 53

counteract French influence. He eloquently plead
with them to send their warriors on Braddock's expe
dition. They promptly told him that the governor of
Virginia had occupied their lands in the Ohio valley
and so they would not assist him. However they
agreed to remain neutral. They also declined to ac
company Shirley in his expedition to Osvvego. But
they promptly sent a large body of warriors to meet
Deiskau at Crown Point where they fought with great
bravery losing their leader, King Hendrick.

Johnson's victory, which was really earned by Lv-
man, at Crown Point, was the turning point in the as
cendency of the British influence with the Iroquois and
their allies, which had been at a very low ebb at the
commencement of the French war. The unearned
fame which Johnson acquired raised him greatly in the
estimation of the Iroquois. The triumph at Lake
George, in which King Hendrick lost his life, presaged
events soon to transpire. England, advised by such
men as Johnson, clearly saw that whoever conquered
would control the Indians, and she prepared for a great
struggle. In a very general council, convened at his
hall, April 19, 1767, Johnson made a long speech to
the representatives not only of the Iroquois but many
other Indians. He attempted to prove to them that
the French were deceiving the Indians and would not
keep their promises, but that if they held with the En
glish, their lands and their lodges would be protected.
Said he, "Tell them, from me, to look at the French
forts, built and building through the middle of their
country, and on their best building lands. Let them
look at French flags, flying in their forts at all the great
lakes, along the great rivers, in order to oblige them
to trade with the French only, and sell their skins,
and take goods from them at what prices the French
may please to put on them. And it is a thing well

54 THE IROQUOIS

known to all Indians, that the French cannot sell their
goods near as cheap as the English can."

CROWN POINT

The expedition against Crown Point was in
charge of General Wm. Johnson with Colonel Lyman
second in command. The latter made all the military
plans for Johnson, and preceded him in the hot sum
mer days to a place about fifty miles from Albany, the
:great "carrying place" between Lake Champlain and
Albany. Here he constructed a fort and named it
"Fort Lyman." Later in the season Johnson, who,
according to Lossing, had neither the courage nor the
skill of a good general, arrived at the place on his
way to Crown Point. Discouraged by Braddock's de
feat and knowing that the French were gaining a kind
ly interest on the part of the Iroquois, he would have
given up the expedition had it not been for Lyman.
He finally constructed a camp on Lake George with
out entering it or making proper fortifications. Hear
ing that the woods to the north were filled \vith French
and Indians, he sent Colonel Williams with a detach
ment of provincials accompanied by King Hendrick
with a band of Mohawk warriors. They all fell into
an ambuscade and Williams and Hendrick and many
of their followers were killed. Those who escaped
from the carnage fled to Johnson's headquarters. He
succeeded in felling a breastwork of trees and bringing
into action two large guns which did much to check
the rush of the motley crowd of French and Indians.
Just at this point Lyman maK:hed upon the scene
with his small army and took charge of the battle,
Johnson having retired with a slight flesh wound. The
battle raged furiously for several hours when the
French commander' received a mortal wound and his
followers fled leaving Lyman a victor. Had Johnson
taken advantage of the panic in the French army he

THE IROQUOLS AND THE ENGLISH 55

could have captured Crown Point and perhaps have
driven the enemy into Canada. We have described
this action at some length because of the prominent
part taken by the Mohawks and the great loss which
they sustained in the death of their leader, Soieugar-
ahta, popularly known as "King Hendrick." School-
craft tells that he was a chief of high standing among
the Mohawks, of approved wisdom, undoubted tre-
pidity, and a firm friend of the English. He had visited
England, and had been presented at court. He united
great amenity of manners, dignity of bearing, and
mild features, to the most determined courage and en
ergy. The band of warriors which he led are said to
have "fought like lions." In comparing his judg
ment as a general with that of Johnson's, it is said that
when the latter wished to send a small company to
meet the French, Hendrick said, "If they are to fight
they are too few; if they are to be killed they are too
many." He easily stood in the first rank of the In
dian statesmen of his age. The following story has
been handed down from his time.

Once \vhen visiting at Johnson Hall he saw an em
broidered scarlet coat, such a one as was frequently
worn by English officers of that day. He became pos
sessed of a strong desire to own it, which desire he
satisfied in the following manner : One morning he
said to Johnson, "Brother, me dream last night."
"Indeed," said Johnson, "What did my red brother
dream?" "Me dream that coat be mine." Johnson,
thoroughly understanding Indian nature, promptly
said, "Brother, the coat is yours." Some time after
this, the Indian commissioner made a visit to King
Hendrick, and one morning said to him, "My red
brother, I dreamed last night." "What did my white
brother dream?" Hendrick asked. "I dreamed," re
plied the wily Johnson, "that you gave me this tract

56 THE IROQUUIS

of land," and he described a section of land with cer
tain natural boundaries, including about 100,000 acres.
Hendrick was astonished, hesitated a few moments,
and replied, "The land is yours, but do not dream
again." England confirmed the title, and it was
known for many years as "The Royal Grant.'' The
writer can remember when the older residents called
the present village of Deveraux, in Fulton County,,
the "Corner of the Grant."

CHAPTER XII

MISSIONARIES AMONG THE INDIANS

Courage has been admired by all men from the re
motest period, and he is the bravest man who resolute
ly faces a known danger. No braver set of men ever
lived than those who penetrated the savage wilderness
to establish Christian Missions for the conversion of
the Indians. Many of them were cruelly tor
tured and put to death in the most revolting and
shocking manner. Yet their zeal never waned. They
were actuated by a desire to spread Christianity; all
French missionaries were anxious to extend French
influence and to form a great French empire in the
New World. Somewhere about the year 1640 or 1641,
the Iroquois conceived the idea of making a sort of
treaty with the French, but did not wish to have their
Indian allies included in the treaty. These terms were
promptly rejected by the French. The Iroquois
quickly prepared for war. A large party of them
captured, on the St. Lawrence, three Frenchmen ac
companying several boat loads of Hurons to the Huron
Country. Many of the Christian Indians were killed
and a few taken prisoners. One of the captives was
an Indian maiden who, tradition says, married a Mo
hawk chief and was long remembered for her virtues
and intelligence. She exerted a marked influenc'^
among the Mohawks, and many interesting stories are
told concerning her goodness. The three Frenchmen
were led from town to town along the Mohawk river
for a week or more. Their finger nails were torn off,
and pieces of flesh were cut from their backs. They
were made to run the gauntlet, and then they were

58 THE IROQUOIS

tied to stakes while the children and youths amused
themselves by throwing live coals upon them. At last
one of them was killed, and a second who had shown
great bravery was adopted iuto the tribe. The third
Frenchman, who was no other than Isaac Jogues, the
accomplished scholar and zealous priest, was retained
by them and became a missionary to these barbarians.
The customs of the Mohawks were revolting to a man
of such a refined nature. He saw captives burned at
the stake and their flesh eaten. Van Curler, who was
at this time a Dutch Commissary, hearing of the treat
ment that Jogues was receiving, made a journey into
the country of the Mohawks. The Indians received
him kindly, but would not accept his offers for the re
lease of the missionary. Later, on an expedition to
Fort Orange, he made his escape and was befriended
by the great Dutch preacher, Rev. Megapolensis.
Money was donated so that he was able to return to
his native country where he was received with signal
marks of honor.

After some time he returned to this country and
acted in the capacity of peace agent between the Can
adian French and the Iroquois. His knowledge of the
Indian character made him fairly successful on this
journey. Some time after this he returned to found a
mission among the Iroquois, but in some manner while
he had been away from the Indians, they had acquir
ed a superstitious fear of him, and as soon as he made
his appearance among them, he and his companions
were cruelly tortured and put to death.

CHAPTER XIII

THE REVOLUTION

When we consider that the colonies were surrounded
by hostile tribes of Indians numbering many thousands
of souls, nearly all under the influence of the British
who had been fifteen years winning the affections of the
tribes from the French; the cruelty of savage warfare;
the great resources of the mother country on land and
sea; we are astonished at the courage of our forefathers
in attempting to cut loose from England. To cope
with the ablest generals that a powerful nation could
send, required a skill in war unheard of on the part of
young and undeveloped colonies. But at the same time
to cope with an unknown number of barbarians insti
gated and often led by still more savage white men was
an undertaking frought with the greatest danger. The
colonists went into the struggle with the warwhoop ring
ing in their ears, and visions of midnight massacres be
fore their eyes. Schoolcraft estimates that the English
employed 770 warriors in this sanquinary struggle,
whose tomahawks and scalping knives were employed
on the frontiers of New York, Pennsylvania and Vir
ginia. It has been fully established that a bounty had
been placed upon the scalps of the settlers, to incite
the savage desires of an ever vengeful foe. It was
only through war that the Indian character could de
velop and the Indian could win renown. He longed
for war as the highway to glory. On the one hand
British emissaries represented that the war was com
menced by the colonists, a case of son against father,
and that there could be but one outcome — for how
could a few colonists cope with so powerful a nation?

60 THE IROQUOIS

On the other hand the Americans represented that the Six
Nations had no part in the quarrel and should remain
neutral, and then it would matter not which party
might win, their lands wTouldbe safe. But the Indian's
horizon, bounded only by his tribal relations, could not
understand the rights and justice of nations. He loved
war, and treacherous by nature, he preferred always to
be on the winning side. He feared also that if the
Americans should win he would lose his hunting
grounds by the onward movement of the settlers. Al
ready the fur bearing animals were growing scarce or
disappearing altogether. Great sections of their land,
the home of their forefathers, had been bargained away
by their chiefs for a few paltry trinkets. It was natur
al that the Indian would seek vengeance on those whom
he found occupying these lands. And it seemed the
weaker and more helpless the victim, the greater the
cruelty displayed by Indian nature. In the face of all
these difficulties how could the colonists hope to win
over the Six Nations to neutrality? And yet their ef
forts met with partial success. In Schoolcraft's His
tory of the Indian Tribes we read that ' 'The Mohicans,
of Stockbridge, ranged themselves on the side of the
Americans, and performed good service as scouts
throughout the contest. The Oneidas did the same.
The voice of the popular chief, Skenandoah, was heard
in favor of the rising colonies; and the watchful and
quick eye of Attatea, known as Colonel Louis, carefully
noted the approach of evil footsteps during the great
struggle of 1777,. an^ gave every day the most reliable
information of the march and position of the enemy. ' '
To the foregoing might be added at least a part of the
Tuscaroras, who were influenced by the Rev. Kirkland,
a resident for many years among the Oneidas, and one
small clan of the Mohawks at the lower castle. All
the rest of the Six Nations aided the English. Their

THE REVOLUTION 61

military skill and their knowledge of the country allied
with great native cunning and treachery made them the
most dreaded foe with which the Americans ever con
tended. Circumstances brought the Iroquois under
that very capable guerilla leader, Thyendanagea, better
known as Joseph Brant, who had been brought up un
der the direction of Sir \Vm. Johnson. Schoolcraft
says "he hated the Americans as Attila did the Ro
mans."

Sir Win. Johnson died suddenly in 1774 at just the
time he wras so much needed by the English in shap
ing the Indian policy to the advantage of the mother
country. "He disappeared from the scene of action
at a critical period, when, to employ an Indian alle
gory, two thunder clouds, black with anger, seemed
rushing into conflict, leaving no one of sufficient ca
pacity to cope with or control the storm. Great
Britain had lavished on him the highest honors, and
he was held in the highest respect by the Indians."
Continuing, Schoolcraft says, ; 'Those who have inves
tigated the proceedings and the character of Sir John
Johnson, of Guy Johnson his deputy, of Colonel Claus,
and of the various subordinates, who thenceforth con
trolled the direction of Indian affairs, have arrived at
the conclusion, that this important interest \vas man
aged in a bad way, if their object was to serve the
Crown. The encouragement of murders and massacres
was well calculated to arouse the deepest hostility of
the colonists, and to cement them in the closest bonds
of unity against the oppression of the British yoke.
Numbers of persons, previously lukewarm in their
cause, were driven to take an active part in the con
test by deeds of blood and Indian atrocity. The sev
eral conferences, held in the office of the British De
partment, during the years '75 and '76, proved the in
capacity of Sir William's successors to control great

62 THE IROQUOIS

events. The Six Nations were, as a body, the friends
of the British, and did not like to see their officials, in
public councils, and by public letters to committees
and corporations, palliating or denying acts which they
had secrectly approved, and had stimulated them to
perform." The patriots had no faith in the kindly
intentions of Guy Johnson, and Washington wrote a
letter to Schuyler saying "watch the movements of
the Indian Agent, Colonel Guy Johnson, and prevent,
so far as you can, the effect of his influence, to our
prejudice, with the Indians." Johnson well knew
that his every movement was watched and he heard
frequent rumors that a body of patriots was coming to
arrest him. He sent a letter to the Oneidas stating
this and asking them for the sake of old friendship to
come to his aid. This letter was intercepted and fell
into patriot hands. The Rev. Kirkland was urged to
use his influence to turn the friendship of the Oueidas
from the English to the colonists. Brant, who was
Johnson's secretary, had a dissolute sachem prefer
charges against Mr. Kirkland to Johnson with the ob
ject of getting the missionary removed. The Oneidas
rallied to the support of their pastor and Brant was
baffled for the time being, although later, as it appears
from Mr. Kirkland' s letters, Johnson ordered him not
only to remain away from the Oneidas, but not even to
speak to them . Johnson arrested travelers on their way
up the Mohawk and searched them to see that they did
not carry messages to the Indians. All this time he
was in active correspondence with the committees of
Tryon county, and to other patriots claiming that
he was unjustly persecuted.

In May a council of the Mohawk Chiefs was held at
Guy Park, a beautiful spot on the Mohawk river.
This was attended by the committees of Albany and
Tryon counties. Little Abraham, wiio seems to have

THE REVOLUTION 63

been the leading Mohawk Chief at this time, was the
principal speaker. Among other things he said that
•'the Indians did not wish to have a quarrel with the
white people, nor did they wish to have their supply
of powder cut off. If it is we shall distrust you, we
are willing to communicate with you in the presence
of our Superintendent." It was evident from his
speech that they were wholly under the influence of
Johnson. As the Western Indians, who had been in
vited, were not present at this council, the Superinten
dent called another to take place farther west at
Crosby's Manor. In June of this year a letter was ad
dressed to Johnson asking him to use his influence to
keep the Indians from committing depredations, and
to hold themselves neutral from a contest that in no
wise concerned them. This letter pointed out to him
the risk he ran, as owner of a great estate in that lo
cality, of calling upon himself the enmity of his neigh
bors. Johnson's reply to this letter threw the blame
of the existing state of affairs on the colonists. He
showed why he had been compelled to fortify his resi
dence and he denied having stopped travelers on their
journey except in the case of two New Englanders.
He did not hold the council at Crosby's Manor, but
moved his retinue to Fort Stanwix. This caused no
small speculation and concern on the part of the patriot
settlers of the Mohawk Valley. After a short respite
he moved still farther West to Ontario where he held
a conference with the Indians uninterrupted by the
whites. He was much annoyed that supplies and
messages were constantly intercepted while being con
veyed to him. It was from this place that he wrote a
letter to Mr. Livingston burning with loyalty, and
filled with complaints of Herkimer and other patriots
who had interfered with his affairs in the Mohawk
Valley. He also stated that his conference with the

£4 THE IROQUOIS

Indians was perfectly satisfactory to himself, he hav
ing convened 1 340 warriors. There was also present
at this council his Secretary, Brant, and the noted
Butler and his son Walter. There was present of the
Six Nations at least the Senecas, Cayugas and some of
the Mohawks who had not emigrated to Canada.
When we consider the close alliance that had existed
between the Iroquois and the British for more than
100 years, we wonder that Johnson did not have more
Influence with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. This
council served to alarm the whole of the Mohawk
Valley, and Herkimer wrote that he had positive in
formation that Johnson would soon mo ye down the
river, and beginning just below Little Falls, would de
vastate the entire region eastward. The fact that Sir
John had remained at Johnson Hall backed by a large
following of loyalists lent color to this report. Some
preparations for defence were made, but it was soon
learned that Johnson had gone to Oswego where he
drew up a treaty with the Indians. A little later, ac
companied by several Iroquois chiefs, he journeyed to
Montreal, evidently for the purpose of getting the in
fluence of Sir Guy Carleton to firmly cement the friend
ship of the Indians to the Crown. It was at the con
ference at Oswego, according to Lossing, that Johnson
invited the Six Nations to ''feast on a Bostonian and
drink his blood." Stone also mentions this in his Life
of Brant. Although it was a figurative speech, it was
taken up by the patriots as a sort of battle cry to
arouse the passons of their more lukewarm neighbors.
To attempt to counteract the influence of the John
sons' and if possible to keep the Six Nations neutral
in the impending struggle a commission of five men
was appointed to treat with the Indians. General
Philip Schuyler was a member of this committee. An
assembly was soon called at Albany where many

THE REVOLUTION 65

speeches were made both by members of the committees
and by the leading orators among the Indians. One
of these was Little Abraham. In the main his speech
was pacific. He however complained that the colonists
had taken two large sections of land from the Mohawks
for which they had not payed " so much as a pipe."
He demanded that these be restored, for "if they are
not and you win in this contest, you will take us by
the arm and pull us all off." A pretty true prophecy
of what did occur in after years. Little Abraham
claimed that at the Oswego Council Johnson advised
the Indians to remain neutral. This was a great sur
prise to the commissioners as it did not well accord
with Johnson's actions, nor with the silent prepar
ations which Sir John was making at the old residence
on the Mohawk. He was surrounded by a sort of body
guard of Scotch retainers who had settled on his lands
in and about Johnstown. In Campbell's Annals we
read that committees were appointed to "keep an eye
on Sir John and his doings. ' ' It was one of these that
deposed Sheriff White and lodged him in jail . at Al
bany.

The Whigs declared that Sir John was in communi
cation with Guy Johnson in Canada, and that powder
was furnished the Indians from that source. Finally
it was determined to ascertain just where Sir John
stood in the war, and a committee was sent to ask
whether they might have the free use of the Court
House and whether he would permit the Scotch settlers
to form into companies in the patriot service. Sir
John replied that he never prevented their use of the
court house nor the Scotch from enlisting in the patriot
service. But as for himself ' 'he would not lift his hand
against the King even to prevent his head from being
cut off."

When it was learned from one Council that a large

66 THE IROQCOIS

amount of ammunition had lately been received at
Johnstown, Congress ordered General Schuyler to pro
ceed at once to that place and disarm and intimidate
the Loyalists. It was thought proper to inform the
Mohawks of the Lower Castle, who according to Stone,
had not been drawn away by Brant, of this order.
The Mohawks were displeased and showed great love
and anxiety for Sir John. General Schuyler did not
wait for the return of the messenger but marched at
once towards Johnstown. At Schenectady he met
Little Abraham who made a long speech, the under
current of which showed much dissatisfaction that the
patriot army wTas marching into the country of the Six
Nations, and he urged upon Schuyler to be careful
what he was doing. The General made a long speech
to them which seemed satisfactory. He told them that
their representatives might be present at the interview
with Sir John.

There were constant additions to his forces
during the next day till he had about 3000 followers.
Before reaching Johnstown he was met by Sir John
who agreed to deliver up all arms except what he need
ed for his personal use; that the Scotch Highlanders
should do the same. He was asked to give up all
property intended for the Indians that the patriots
might divide the same among them, but he denied
having any. Sir John was liberated on parole with
the agreement that he wras to go no farther west than
the Flats, but east and south as far as he might choose,
but not to go to any seaport town.

The amount of ammunition and arms was exceed
ingly small, and it turned out that Council was an im
postor. Schuyler had much trouble to preserve order
in such a collection of undisciplined militia. Sir John
did not keep his word but either directly or indirectly
used his influence to excite the Indians to hostilities.

THE REVOLUTION 07

Schuyler learning this sent Colonel Dayton with a part
of a regiment to arrest him. But when the Colonel ar
rived at the Hall he found that Sir John with a large
number of his retainers and some disaffected loyalists
were on their way to Canada. Dayton examined all
the papers that he could find among Sir John's effects
and took Lady Johnson a prisoner to Albany. Stone
tells us there is some reason for thinking that a party
of Mohawks was sent from Canada to bring Sir John
out of the neighborhood of Johnstown. Be this as it
ma}T, he and his followers reached Canada in a sorry
plight. For fear of falling in with the patriots he was
obliged to strike through the forests where he was
much delayed in the tangled underbrush. One by one
members of the party became exhausted and were left
to be brought in by Indians engaged in the British ser
vice. When the}' were once more united, they were
formed into a company under Sir John as Colonel in
the British army and were known as the "Royal
Greens. ' ' Tories fleeing to Canada were added to this
company from time to time. This partisan band was
actuated by such hatred of their old neighbors that
they performed some of the most dastardly deeds ever
committed by any body of civilized men.

In the latter part of the year 1775 Brant went to
England, doubtless to see for himself the strength of
the mother country, before committing himself to a
policy that might be the ruin of his nation if the patri
ots should win. It is thought by Stone that Guy
Johnson accompanied him on this voyage. He received
marked attention from all classes and promised as head
man of the nation to enlist 3000 Iroquois warriors in
the British cause. He returned by way of New York
and made a journey as best he could through a hostile
population to Canada. He took the field on his ar
rival and was present at the unfortunate affair of the

(58 THE IROQUOIS

* 'Cedars" where Major Butterfield made his cowardly
surrender.

The Continental Congress continued their efforts to
•win over the Indians and met a deputation of them at
Philadelphia when an Onondaga Chief conferred upon
President Hancock the name of the ''Great Tree." In
Spark's Life of Washington we read that Congress
finally decided to enlist the Indians in the patriot cause,
and offered a reward for every British officer that the}'
might bring in. General Schuyler was strongly op
posed to this resolution saying that the Indians could
not be relied upon in a time of pressing emergency.
From "time immemorial" the Great Council Fire at
Onondaga had been kept brightly burning, but for some
reason never known to historians it was extinguished,
according to Stone, either in the last part of 1776 or in
January of 1777. At the time many Onondaga war
riors perished together with two principal Sachems.
Perhaps the only reliable information which we have
of this event so momentous to the Six Nations is found
in an old letter among the papers of General Herkimer.

During the middle of the year 1777 a band of Mo
hawks led by their chief went to Unadilla and asked
for food, saying that if it were not given them they
would take it by force. They declared themselves in
favor of the Great King. This showed the settlers
what they had to fear and they began to collect at
Cherry Valley and some of the older settlements.
Brant was collecting his forces at Oghkwaga, so Gen
eral Herkimer determined to march a small company
to this place evidently with the determination of learn
ing Brant's intentions. He was told by this cunning
leader that the Indians were pledged to the King and
that as the Indians had formerly fought the whites
united they had noihing to fear now that the whites
were quarreling aiiung ti:emselvjs. A t.*r tl:L con

TIIK REVOLUTION (59

ference Brant united his forces with those of Johnston
and Butler. Or.e of his first expeditions was to go to
Cherry Valley with the hopes of making captures of
prominent persons. But the place appeared to be forti
fied so the Indians laid in ambush near a bend in the
road where they were concealed in the thick under
growth. In the evening they waylaid and scalped
Lieut. Wormwood, who had just borne dispatches to
Cherry Valley, and took his companion prisoner. The
dispatches which fell into the hands of Brant deceived
him as to the real strength of the place and he retired
without doing any more injury.

SIEGE OF FORT SCIIUYLER.

As the summer advanced rumors came to the settle
ments that Colonel St. L,eger was at Oswego collect
ing a large force of Tories and Indians to capture the
forts and to destroy the crops and buildings in the Mo
hawk valley and then unite with Burgoyne in the vi
cinity of Albany. He had with him the Royal Greens
of Sir John and nearly 1000 Indians under Brant. He
followed the old route up the Oswego river to the
junction of the Seneca and Oneida to the lake, and
along wood creek to Fort Stanwix. Before reaching
here his force was augmented by other bodies of In
dians, principally Cayugas and Onondagas. The
fortress was in a dilapidated condition and was com
manded by one of the bravest officers in the whole
patriot army, colonel Gansevoort, with Colonel Willett
second in command. The latter had just been sent to
the help of this weak position. St. Leger, on march
ing from the forest into the clearing arranged his line
of march so as to make the greatest possible display of
his troops, hoping thus to frighten the little garrison.
He had not yet learned that the American soldier is
not frightened by mere display. The British Colonel
made the investment complete. He placed his artillery

70 THE IROQUOIS

•on the south; Sir John's followers occupied one bank
of the Mohawk while the Indians prowled through
•the adjoining forests watching every avenue. Death
was certain to ever}' one venturing many yards out
side of the works. Even children who happened to
be captured were inhumanly treated. St. Leger is
sued a pompous proclamation which affected neither
the settlers nor the garrison. His artillery was able to
do but little damage. The garrison had provisions
sufficient for six weeks, and ammunition for their small
arms, but were sadly deficient in cannon. For a flag
they sewed together strips of white shirts, and blue
from a captured cloak, while the red was made up from
odds and ends found about the fort. What they lack
ed in equipment they made up in courage, resolved to
hold out to the last well knowing that to surrender
was to die the most cruel death tnat the savage could
devise.

When the news reached the settlements that St.
Leger was about to start on his march toward the east
•consternation seized upon all. But when he began to
approach Fort Stanwix their courage returned and
they responded readily to the call for volunteers to go
to the aid of Colonel Gansevoort. The country turned
out almost to a man, and Herkimer soon found him
self at the head of nearly 1000 troops all eager to push
on to Fort Stanwix. Ariving at Oriskany a messenger.
was sent forward to apprise Gansevcort that succor
was at hand. His arrival at the fort was to be an
nounced by three successive discharges of cannon.
The message was delayed till late the following morn
ing and General Herkimer did not think it prudent to
advance until re-inforcements came up; besides he
wished to act in conjunction with Colonel Willett who
was to make a sortie from the works. Brant had
learned that Herkimer was on his wav to relieve Fort

THE REVOLUTION 71

Stamvix, and, knowing the country between that place
and Oriskany he called into requisition all his knowl
edge of Indian warfare and of lying in ambush. The
lay of the land was exactly suited to this sort of fight
ing. About two miles from Oriskany where the road
crossed the river there was a swamp on either hand
crossed by a causeway. Above the swamp were hills
crowned with virgin forests. Here Brant skillfully
hid his Indians in a semi-circle and waited for Herki-
mer and his men.

While Herkimer was waiting for re-inforcements or,
at least knowledge that a sortie had been made from
the besieged fort, his officers became eager to press for
ward. In vain the staunch old general urged the pro
priety of delaying. High words ensued. Many of
the officers accused him of disloyalty, some even call
ing him a Tory and a coward. Herkimer retorted by
telling them they would be the first to run should they
suddenly meet the enemy. At last, losing his patience,
he gave the order to "march on." The troops rushed
forward in files two deep with an advance guard and
flankers on either side. All unconscious of danger the
van guard entered the ambuscade when suddenly the
entire forest seemed alive with savages. Blood curd
ling yells sounded on every hand, and almost immedi
ately the circle was completed in the rear cutting off
all retreat.

Colonel Yischer's regiment and the baggage train
were just entering the ravine, when, hearing the firing
the}' fled leaving their companions to their fate. They
were pursued by the Indians for a long distance and
man}' of them either captured or killed, a just retribu
tion to a command and its leader who would desert
companions in a time of great peril. They fulfilled
Herkimer' s prophecy of a few hours before, a:id paid
the penalty of their cowardice. Herkimer' s men fell

7:> THE IROQUUlS

around him like autumn leaves before a gale. His
horse was shot under him and his leg was shattered by
the same ball that killed his horse. At almost the
same time Colonel Cox and two of the captains fell
mortally wounded. From nearly every tree darted an
Indian to tomahawk and scalp the wounded. Amid
this scene of carnage, which promised the utter exter
mination of his army, Herkimer preserved his usual
self control. Seated on his saddle, with his back
against a tree, this heroic Dutchman calmly smoked
his pipe and gave orders for the conduct of the battle.
The battle raged thus for some time when the enemy-
made a charge. Never was a charge withstood' under
more trying circumstances, and never was greater cour
age displayed than these farmer soldiers showed at that
time. Both sides fought like tigers while above the
din of battle sounded the dreadful yell of the Indians.
The provincials were fighting for their homes and
their country. Suddenly a heavy shower broke upon
the combatants and arrested the progress of the fight.
During the lull the patriots arranged themselves on
more advantageous ground, placing two men behind a
tree instead of one man as heretofore. When the
action first began it was observed that whenever a man
fired his gun, before he could re-load, an Indian would
dart forward and tomahawk him. Under the new dis
position one man reserved his fire much to the disad
vantage of the Indian who attempted his former tactics.
Disgusted with this mode of fighting, and suffering
great loss of numbers, the Indians were about to with
draw from the fight when they were re-inforced by
Major Watts with a detachment of the Royal Greens.
Many of these were acquaintances and neighbors of the
militia who sprang forward to meet this new foe, while
the pent up hatred of these neighbors showed itself in
one of the fiercest hand to hand fights recorded in the-

THE REVOLUTION 73

annals of American History. Stone tells us "that
they fought each other with knives, some even dying
in each others embrace." At tftis time a firing was
heard in the direction of the fort. Colonel Butler
hearing it seized the opportunity to deceive the Pro
vincials, by sending toward them a company of the
Royal Greens who wore caps similar to those worn by
the militia. At first the Provincials did not see their
green coats and thought that help was at hand, but on
a nearer approach the ruse was discovered and the
fight was again renewed. One of the militiamen was
so much deceived that he went up to shake hands with
one of the tories, a neighbor whom he supposed was a
friend. He was instantly taken prisoner, but in the
struggle which followed, another militiaman rushed
forward and struck down his captor and freed him.
This second man was then attacked by three of the
Tories who felled him to the ground. He received
two severe bayonet wounds, yet he succeeded in drag
ging one of these men down upon him, when the pros
trate Provincial stabbed the Tory, who was uppermost,
in the side, while others came and rescued the gallant
patriot from his assailants. Such was the struggle be
tween old neighbors and acquaintances.

The Tories and Indians finding their numbers de
pleted, and hearing fighting in the rear suddenly re
treated leaving the Provincials masters of the field.

As soon as the heavy shower would permit, Colonel
Willett with two hundred and fifty volunteers rushed
from the fort and attacked the camp of Sir John. So
sudden and unexpected was the rush that Sir John did
not even have time to put on his coat wrhich he had
taken of! because of the heat. Colonel Willett and his
men drove the Tories at the point of the bayonet out
of their camp and across the Mohawk. They captured
several wagon loads of camp equipage which

74 THE IROQUOIS

they sent back to the fort. Stone says "among the
spoils were clothing, blankets, stores, five British
standards and the baggage of Sir John, with all of his
papers. ' ' The Provincials swept through the camp of
the Mohawks and returned to the fort without the loss
of a man.

Thus ended one of the most fiercely contested
battles of the Revolution. Schoolcraft gives the num
ber of Indians slain as one hundred, thirty-six of whom
were Senecas. This tribe had been induced to join in
the expedition by a liberal use of liquor and promises
that they were not to fight but to look on and smoke
their pipes while the others did the fighting. But at
the battle of Oriskany they found themselves in a po
sition where they were "compelled to fight for their
lives; and in the end of the battle were completely beat
en with a great loss of killed and wounded. ' ' The
narrative of Mary Jemison says that, when they return
ed to their towns and reported their great losses, ''the
mourning was excessive and was expressed by the
most doleful yells, shrieks, howlings, and by inimit
able gesticulations."

The unfortunate prisoners were the first with their
blood to administer to their spirit of revenge. Indeed
it was common report that the British officers connived
at, if they did not consent to the most cruel and bar
barous massacres of many prisoners.

After the battle General Herkimer's troops made
litters upon which the}* carried many wounded com
rades down the river to their homes. General Herki-
mer was conveyed to his home below Little Falls
where he died a few days later from an unskillful am
putation of his leg. Thus passed away one of the
truest patriots of his day, a man whom the struggling
patriots could ill afford to lose. "If Socrates died like
a philosopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving senti-

THE REVOLUTION 75

mentalist, General Herkimer died like a Christian
hero."

After the Battle of Oriskany St. Leger used all the
means at his command and that his cunning could de
vise to induce the garrison to surrender. He compell
ed Colonel Bellinger and Major Frey, who were prison
ers in his camp, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort
greatly exaggerating the loses in the battle of Oriskany,
and that in all probability Burgoyne was already in
Albany. This letter, having no apparent effect on the
intrepid colonel, was followed by a verbal message
from St. Leger stating in effect that if the garrison
was not surrendered at once the Indians would be per
mitted to satisfy their revenge upon them as soon as
the works were captured. Not only that, but the en
tire Mohawk valley would be ravaged with fire and
sword. The messenger was emphatically informed
that such a message was a degrading one for a British
officer to send and one which no cultured officer would
carry. Failing in this St. Leger issued an appeal to
the residents of Try on county urging them to accept
proposals of peace and to use their influence to induce
the garrison to surrender. If this were not done, that
their homes and property would be destroyed, them
selves carried into captivity and the entire garrison
would be killed. Messengers were sent down the val
ley with this appeal. The anxiety displayed by St.
Leger to induce a surrender convinced the besieged
that the British doubted their ability to capture the
place, and made them more determined to hold out.
Colonel YVillett, accompanied by a single officer, one
dark night passed stealthily through the camps of
Tories and Indians and made his way down the valley
to General Schuyler's headquarters. At Fort Dayton
he learned that General Schuyler had ordered General
Arnold to go to the relief of Colonel Gansevoort. He

76 THE IROQUOIS

proceeded to Albany and returned within a fe.v days
with the followers of General Arnold.

The messengers of St. Leger who had been dispatch
ed down the valley with the appeal already mentioned
stopped with a Tory not far from the present site of
Herkimer. Here one night while at a secret meeting
of Tories they were discovered and captured. Among
the rest was Walter Butler who was in the act of mak
ing a speech to the assembly when he was arrested,
At a subsequent court martial he received a death sen
tence, but, at the intercession of acquaintances, he
was sent to prison in Albany from which he escaped
later and became one of the most cruel leaders in that
border war.

Living near Little Falls was a gypsy-like character
who was the mother of an idiotic Tory by the name of
Hon-yost Schuyler. The latter was one of the cap
tured part}7 spoken of above and had also received the
sentence of death. When his mother heard of his
danger she hastened to General Arnold's headquarters
and pleaded eloquently for her son's life. The general
yielded to her importunities on condition that Hon-
yost would cut holes in his clothes to make it appear
that he had had a narrow escape from the Patriots,
and spread the report among St. Leger' s troops that a
large army was rapidly approaching for the relief of
the garrison. A friendly Oneida Indian was selected
to aid him in this enterprise, while the condemned
Tory's brother was retained as a hostage to make sure
that Hon-yost would carry out the plans. Hon-yost
and the Oneida approached the camp from different
directions for the purpose of confirming each others
report. Hon-yost happened upon a body of Indians at
just about the time they were holding a pow-wow to
ascertain what would be their future luck in the cam
paign. In a very mysterious manner he imparted to

THE REVOLUTION 77

them the news that Arnold was within a few hours
inarch with a large army, "as numerous as the leaves
-of the trees." From another direction came the
Oneida bearing a belt to the Indians, and confirming
all that Hon-yost had said, but adding that the army
was coming to attack the British and not the Indians.
Ever since the battle of Oriskany the Indians had
shown great dissatisfaction, and a vague rumor was all
that was needed to cause them to desert. In vain did
St. Leger assemble their chiefs and urge them to re
main. Band after band moved away. The British
leaders began to quarrel among themselves, when an
old chief raised the cry "They are coming!" Away
went the Red Coats, officers and privates alike. Tents
-were left standing, arms and knapsacks were thrown
away, and even much of their provisions, artillery and
ammunition were left to be secured by the colonists.
The Indians not only enjoyed the confusion into which
rthey had thrown St. Leger and his troops, but they
fell upon the small detachments of British soldiers and
prisoners removed from the main body and murdered
them in cold blood.

St. Leger hastened back to Oswego and thence to
Montreal and later to Lake Champlain to aid Bur-
goyne. The Tory Hon-yost returned to Fort Dayton
and secured the release of his brother. Not many
months afterwards he left the country and joined the
forces of Sir John Johnson. After the close of the
war he returned to the Mohawk valley where he was
long known for the part which he played in the relief
of Fort Stanwix, as well as for his peculiarities.

RUMORS OF INDIAN AND TORY RAIDS.

Early in the fall of 1777 the colonists in the Mohawk.
Schoharie and Cherry valleys were greatly alarmed by
.a report that Johnson and ButUr were engaged in rais
ing an army to desolate -11 these disaffected regions.

78 . THE IROQUOIS

Later a messenger arrived at Canajoharie and announc
ed that Johnson had engaged the services of twenty-
two Indian nations against the Colonists. A belt was
sent to the Oneidas to join with them, but if they re
fused they were to be the first to feel the effects of the
invasion. In a measure to offset these rumors and
messages an address was sent to the Six Nations with
a view to win them to neutrality, if nothing more.
But the poverty of the country and the lack of presents
from Congress more than counterbalanced any good
that may have come from the message. The British
with an eye to business kept the Indians supplied with
just the things to suit their needs and fancies. These
appealed to the Indian much more strongly than logic
or oratory.

COUNCIL AT JOHNSTOWN.

The year 1777 opened with still more extended
rumors of the union of the great western tribes with
those of the Six Nations against the colonists. A
council was called to convene at Johnstown some time
in February to which were invited representatives of
all the Iroquois. There was a large gathering of
Oneidas, Onondagas and Tuscaroras, but the Mohawks
and Cayugas sent a very small number, while the
Senecas sent a message of surprise saying, ''That
while our tomahawks were sticking in their heads,
their wounds bleeding and their eyes streaming with
tears for the loss of friends at German Flatts, (Oris-
kany,) the commissioners should think of inviting
them to a treaty."

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras convinced the com
missioners of the sincerity of their friendship, but it
was evident that the remaining Six Nations were
wholly under the influence of British pay and presents.
Indeed the Oneidas secretly told them that these In
dians wrere under the control of Butltr and would re-

THE REVOLUTION 71)

new hostilities in the spring. It was at the time of
this council that it was proposed to erect a fort at
Cherry Valley. During the year before, three small
forts had been erected in the Schoharie valley. At
the request of the Oneidas it was also ordered to erect
a fort in their territory.

RAID IX THE MOHAWK VALLEY

In the early part of the summer a large party of
Tories, who had previously fled to Canada, returned
and secured their families and considerable of their mov
able property and returned by way of the Sacondaga and
Lake Champlain to Quebec. They picked up several
prisoners on their way and destroyed considerable
property.

RAID IX SCHOHARIE VALLEY

At the opening of this same spring Brant returned
to his old quarters near Unadilla, while he himself per
haps did not murder helpless women and children, yet
his active mind planned excursions that were carried
out in all their horrid details, and yet the Tories wrere
oftentimes more cruel than the Indians. The historian
Stone quotes the following story in support of the
above story. "While a party of hostiles were prowl
ing about the borders of Schoharie, the Indians killed
and scalped a mother, and a large family of children.
They had just completed the work of death, when
some loyalists of the part}' came up and discovered an
infant breathing sweetly in its cradle. An Indian
warrior, noted for his barbarity, approached the cradle
with his uplifted hatchet. The babe looked up in his
face and smiled; the feelings of nature triumphed over
the ferocity of the savage; the hatchet fell with his
arm, and he was about stooping down to take the in
nocent in his arms, when one of the loyalists, cursing
him for his humanity, thrust it through with his-
bayonet, and, thus transfixed, held it up struggling in.

80 THE IROQUOIS

the agonies of death, as he exclaimed — "this too, is a
rebel. ';

BRANT BURNS SPRINGFIELD

It was in this year (1778) that Brant made a descent
upon Springfield and captured all the men that he
-could find in the place and burnt the entire settlement,
save one house in which he left the helpless women
.and children. A little later a large party of Indians
were engaged with the Schoharie militia. They were
victorious and carried away a large amount of plunder,
and what they could not use they destroyed. But
cruelty was not always with the Indians and Tories.
The first blood shed in the beautiful Schoharie valley
in this war was that of an old Sachem who was cruelly
murdered by a band of Americans. — [Stone.]

CHAPTER XIV

THE WYOMING MASSACRE

Much has been written and said concerning the de
vastation of the beautiful Wyoming Valley; some
claiming that the Tories were largely the cause of the
raid and massacre; some that the celebrated Indian
leader, Brant was the prime mover and instigator;
others even going so far as'toclaiin that the Provincial-
ists foolishly accepted a challenge to meet the enemy
half way. The following account of the battle is taken
largely from facts collected by that indefatigable search -
tr after historical data, Stone.

For a great many years there had been a contention
between land specalators and settlers as to who had
the best claim to the land. At just about the time of
the opening of the Revolution another of these bitter
feuds sprang up engendering great factional hatred
at the time that the people should have been
united against the common foe. Man)' of the settlers
who were loyalists fled from the valley, declaring
that they would be revenged upon the whigs. Early
in the summer of '78 they conducted John Butler with
more than a thousand other Tories and Indians into
this valley. Many of the able bodied men were away
to the seat of war, leaving only a small company of
soldiers, old men and boys to oppose this large force.
The most of the women and children were assembled
at Fort Forty. The Patriot leader attempted to sur
prise the Tories at Fort Wintermoot, but they had
been apprised of the movement and were prepared.
The Tories occupied the right and the Indians the left.
The battle raged furiously for some time when the
Patriots were commanded to fail back into a better po-

82 THE IROQCOIS

sition. The order was mistaken for a retreat and a
panic ensued. This was the opportunity looked for by
the Tories to revenge themselves upon their neighbors.
Aided by the Indians they fell upon the fleeing Patri
ots and slaughtered without mercy. The Seneca In
dians were rewarded with nearly two hundred and
fifty scalps. A few escaped to the mountains. Dark
ness came and lent its horrors to the scene. The un
fortunate prisoners were put to the greatest tortures.
A party of them were bound while a half breed woman
named Queen Esther murdered them with club and
tomahawk. The inmates at Fort Forty, who had pass
ed the night in the greatest apprehension, surrendered
on the following morning to Butler with a strong
promise that their persons and property should be safe.
But no sooner had the British leader left the valley
than the Indians who loitered behind began an indis
criminate massacre of the few remaining settlers.
Some escaped to the mountains and made their way
back to Connecticut. Others perished in a nearby
swamp. Not a building was left standing. Crops,
fences, fruit trees, in short everything that would glad
den the eye of the colonists or supply the necessities of
life was laid waste. Lossing says "The details of the
desolation of the beautiful Wyoming valley and of the
horrors of the flight of the survivors of the massacre
form one of the darkest chapters in human history."
It so pleased the British Secretary that he praised the
Indians for the part they played and proposed to direct
a series of such raids against the several frontier settle
ments.

For a long time it was claimed by writers that Brant
and his Mohawks were present at the massacre of Wy
oming. This the Indian leader and his descendants
have strenuously denied.

THE EVOLUTION 83

RAID ON COBLESKILL

Some time in the spring of this year Brant with a
large following of Tories and Indians fell upon Cobles-
kill and destroyed much property and many lives.
Captain Patrick with a small band of Provincials at
tempted to stay their progress but were all killed or
taken prisoners except four who though badly wound
ed, escaped.

RAID IX SCHOHARIE VALLEY

Later in the summer a band of Tories and Indians
went into the Schoharie valley and began to destroy
property and kill and take prisoners those who came
in their way. Colonel Vrooman, who commanded the
little fortress at Schoharie, either could not, or dared
not attempt to stay their progress. Colonel Harper,
who happened to be in the fort, was not satisfied to see
property and lives sacrificed without an effort made to
prevent it. Alone he made his way through the bands
of prowling Indians and reached Albany where he se
cured a company of soldiers to go to the relief of Scho
harie settlers. Early the next morning the enemy
were surprised by a sudden attack of cavalry and fled
precipitately.

Later a scalping party of seven Indians entered this
valley and made a prisoner of Mr. Sawyer. They
marched several miles into the forest, and having
bound their captive laid down to rest. Mr. Sawyer
feigned sleep, and when his captives, tired with their
long march, were in deep sleep, he worked the cords
loose from his wrists, arose quietly to his feet, seized a
tomahawk and killed six of the sleeping Indians while
the seventh one escaped. He then returned to his
home.

RAID ON HERKIMER

In the early fall a scout by the name of John Helmer

84 THE IROQUOIS

cauie into the settlements near Forts Dayton and Her-
kimer with the news that Brant at the head of a large
party of Indians was within a few miles and would be
upon them during the night. The news spread rapid
ly and soon the excited settlers came hastening to the
forts bringing their more valuable articles. They had
no time to prepare for the protection of their grain and
cattle. The night set in dark and rainy. Brant ar
rived at Shoemaker's place where he sheltered him
self from the storm, hoping to take the settlers by sur
prise at dawn of the following day. In the gray light
of the early morning the Indians scattered through the
settlement and at a given signal the work of destruction
began. Kvery where were to be seen flames arising
from burning buildings and the dusky forms of the
barbarians driving oft horses and cattle.

The colonists looked out from Fort Herkimer and
saw both his season's labor and winter's provisions
disappear before the torch of the invader. Shortly
after leaving with their plunder they were pursued by
a body of militia, but to no purpose. A party of
Oneida Indians however went to the Uiiadilla settle
ment, burnt several dwellings and recaptured consider
able of the booty, besides taking prisoners.

SETTLERS INVADE THE INDIAN COUNTRY

There were stationed in the Schoharie valley several
regular troops and a company of them determined to
invade the territory of Brant. By a rapid march they
entered Unadilla which they found deserted. They
burned the entire settlement with the only saw mill on
the river. They hastened to Brant's head quarters,
Oghkwaga, which had also been hastily deserted. Here
they found an abundance of provisions stored for
winter use, with some cattle and furniture. They
rested for a day or so and then proceeded to lay waste

THE REVOLUTION 85

the entire section. They went further down the river
and destroyed the Indian castle. The campaign lasted
sixteen days and was one that required much courage
and hardihood.

Walter Butler after his escape from confinement at Al
bany, went through the Seneca country on his way to
Niagara. Burning with thoughts of revenge he stirred
up the ill feelings of the Senecas and succeeded in rais
ing a war party with which to desolate the frontier
settlements in retaliation for his recent indignities.
On the way he met Brant whom he induced to return
with his Mohawks, making a total force of nearly seven
hundred men.

MASSACRE AT CHERRY VALLEY

The fort which had been recently built at Cherry
Valley was commanded by a man not much versed in
Indian warfare. He was told that a large party of
rangers and Indians were on the march against his
post but he refused to believe it, saying that it was
only an idle rumor. The people urged him to permit
them to move their effects into the fort, but he allaj^ed
their fears, and sent out a scouting party to watch for
any approaching enemy. These scouts made a con
siderable journey into the forest, and wearied with
their day's march, kindled a bright fire and lay down
to rest. When they awoke they found themselves
prisoners compelled to furnish information to their
captors as to the strength and location of the fort and
principal families of the settlement. Having secured
all necessary information, they pushed onto within a
mile of the village where they halted for the night
concealed by the thick evergreens. Early in the morn
ing a traveler rushed into the settlement and warned
the commander that a large band of Indians was ap
proaching. Even then he was incredulous until the
Indians burst upon the settlement, and the work of

86 THE IROQUOIS

death began. Whole families were killed or taken
prisoners. One household were killed while at family
prayers. It is asserted that in many instances the
Tories were more cruel than the Indians, and that a
chief of the Mohawks interposed to protect the help
less. One man, while working in the field, saw the
Indians between himself and his house. He fled to
the woods and thus escaped. When he returned to
his house he found it on fire and his wife and three
children killed. Men who had been away from home
on business returned to find their property destroyed,
homes in ashes, and their loved ones either murdered
or carried into captinty.

Butler and Brant with their captives and plunder,,
marched a long distance into the forests when it was
decided to send back the women and children, except
such as it was thought best to retain to effect an ad
vantageous exchange of prisoners. Campbell in his
annals of Tryon county tells us that not a single build
ing was left in the settlement. All the stores and
provisions were destroyed, and hardly a living creature
remained except the few soldiers in the fort, which the
Indians wrere not brave enough to capture. This post
was deserted and the valley was a scene of desolation
until peace came, when the survivors of that terrible
struggle returned and rebuilt their homes, and culti
vated their neglected farms.

CHAPTER XV

THE PATRIOTS IXVADE THE ONONDAGA COUNTRY

The early spring of the year 1779 was made memor
able by a campaign against the Onondagas. This
tribe had pursued a vacillating policy, pretending at
times to be friendly toward the cause of the Colonists,
but nearly always working with the British. Rumors
of an intended invasion by Brant, who was to be aided
by the Onondagas convinced the authorities at Albany
that the time had come when this tribe should be treat
ed as enemies; so an expedition was secretly planned
which set out in the fog of an April morning and
hastened by way of Oneida Lake to their territories.

The Indians lived in a series of villages along the
Onondaga creek and had for many years kept the
national council fire burning. Arriving at the edge of
the village the Provincials separated into several com
panies in order the better to take by surprise the dif
ferent villages. But in some unknown manner the
wily foe had learned of the approach of an enemy,
and fled leaving everything behind. But few captives
were taken, while a very large quantity of provisions
were destroyed, and many guns and rifles were captur
ed. Their council house and three entire villages were
burned, and their horses and cattle were killed. It is
a disputed point in the history of these times whether
the Onondagas merited such chastisement. But
when we call to mind the raids that had been made by
the Tories and Indians upon defenceless settlements,
and that many of the patriot soldiers had lost friends
and relatives in these midnight raids, we wonder at
the clemency they showed in their treatment of the
Indians who fell into their power.

THE IROQUUIS

The Oneidas, who had been uniformly on the side
of the Patriots, or at least neutral in the quarrel, were
greatly excited over the treatment which their neigh
bors, the Onondagas, had received, and sent a messen
ger to ask the cause. It was explained to them that
parties from that nation were constantly on the war
path and that scalps were found in their castles. If
these reasons were not satisfactory they should appeal
to the commissioners at Albany. It does not appear
that the Oneidas followed up the matter any further,
and there it dropped.

DESCENT UPON PALATINE AND STONE ARABIA.

At the same time that the expedition \vas being
made against the Onondagas, a small part}' of western
Indians entered Palatine where they captured a few
prisoners and drove the frightened people into the fort.
Seizing several horses they made good their escape.
A party of Mohawks made a descent upon Stone Ara
bia, burned several houses and put to death a number
of the inhabitants. A wandering party of the western
Iroquois also entered the Schoharie settlements and
marched away with prisoners and plunder. So many
incursions at various points at the same time created
great consternation and au urgent appeal was made to
General Clinton for help. Within a short time a large
force was marched up the Mohawk, much to the re
lief of the settlers.

THE ONONDAGAS SEEK REVENGE

It is not to be supposed that a strong and warlike
nation would be frightened into submission at the loss
of property and villages. The loss of the ancient
:ouncil fire called forth threats of dire vengeance,
and within a short time three hundred of their fiercest
warriors were on their way to the east determined to
wipe out their recent disgraces in the blood of the

TilK REVOLUTION SO

hated pale face. Their intentions evidently wcie to
fall upon Cobleskill and capture it by surprise. But
the inhabitants, having been warned, sent to Schoharie
for aid, and soon a detachment of continental troops
were on their way. On the following morning a small
band of Indians were seen in the edge of the clearing.
Nearly the whole force was sent out to give them bat
tle. The Indians retreated into the forest and thus
drew the Provincials into an ambush. Suddenly the
terrible war whoop sounded on every hand. From
every tree darted forth an Indian with the deadly tom
ahawk and scalping knife. Those who escaped fled
with the panic stricken inhabitants to the Schoharie-
kill. Many more of the latter would have perished
had not a few braver th^n the rest entered a house on
the road and held the Indians at bay for some time.
The Onondagas were unable to dislodge them, so they
set fire to the building and the brave soldiers perished
in the flames. The entire settlement was destroyed,
and more than twenty were killed or taken prisoners.
The Indians, doubtless feeling that they had been
amply revenged, returned in great triumph to their
homes.

MASSACRE AT MINIS INK

Before the c^ose of the year the ever restless Brant
planned another attack upon the exposed settlements.
This time the blow fell upon Minisink in Orange coun
ty. At the head of a small band of his Mohawks and
a few Tories, who were acquainted with the county,
he stole upon the sleeping settlement and set many of
the houses on fire before the inhabitants realized that
an enemy was near. Several months before the sold
iers formerly stationed there had been removed, leav
ing the settlement without protection. Panic stricken
they fled from their burning homes, leaving the in-

90 THE IROQUOIS

vaders to riot upon the spoils. They arrived in Gosh-
en in a pitiable plight. Nearly all had rushed from
their homes with little or • no preparation for such a
journey.

The entire settlement was laid waste, crops were de
stroyed and cattle driven away, and several people
were killed or taken prisoners. Brant and his small
body of followers took what booty they could carry
and joined the main body of his army.

Colonel Tusten, who was then at Goshen, set out in
pursuit of the enemy with about one hundred and fifty
men. When he learned the numbei of Brant's follow
ers, he called a council of war and advised not attack
ing the enemy until reinforcements could be obtained.
But the majority would not listen to prudence and the
march was immediately resumed. They overtook
Brant near the mouth of Lackawaxen creek. Through
some lack of tactics the Continentals became separated
and the Mohawk leader wheeled his men into the gap
and closed in upon the main body. The Patriots
fought like demons but were overwhelmed by num
bers and nearly all killed. When the order was given
to retreat a panic ensued and the Indians fell upon
them and tomahawked all within their reach, not even
sparing the wounded or the attending surgeons. Only
thirty escaped of all the number that had so proudly
left their homes but a short time before bent on revenge.

Many years afterward the bones of the slain were
gathered and buried and a neat marble slab was erect
ed bearing the names of the victims. In 1862, through
the generosity of Dr. Cash, a neat monument was
erected comemorative of that sad affair.

CHAPTER XVI

REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND.

Any work touching the history of the Six Nations
ivould be incomplete -without, at least, a short account
of the most famous missionary among the Iroquois, one
who did more than any other white man to preserve
the friendship of the Oneida and Tuscarora Clans for
the Patriots during their long struggle for political free
dom.

Rev. Samuel Kirkland was well fitted by nature for
a missionary among the Indians. He had great con
stitutional strength, and was vivacious, courageous and
benevolent. Devoted to the cause of the Indian, he
labored with all the powers of a great and noble mind
for his conversion. He first went among the Senecas,
where he remained a year and a half. He made friends
among them, but few if any converts. Unable to ac
complish much among these tribes, he returned east and
established Joseph \Vooley as a teacher among the Mo
hawks. They went by way of Cherry Valley to the
famous Indian village of Onohogkwage, where they
received a hearty welcome. The Mohawks were de
lighted to have a teacher among them, and they prom
ised Mr. Kirkland to take good care of Wooley, after
which the missionary returned to Johnson Hall, where
he remained till mid-winter. Here he made prepara
tions to return to the Seneca country.

Accompanied by two Seneca Indians, he set out on
snow shoes with a forty pound pack of clothing and
books to traverse that long and perilous trail. Unac
customed to such severe exertions, he soon began to
feel the effects of the journey. His guides went ahead
and made a snow shoe road for him. At night they

92 THE IROQUOIS

would clean away the deep snow and make a fire, near
which a bed was made of evergreen boughs. As they
travelled farther west, his sufferings from swollen feet
and ankles caused by walking on snow shoes, were se
vere, and he must have perished had it not been for the
kindness of his guides. At the principal Oneida vil
lage, he remained a short time till he was able to re
sume his journey. At Onondaga he was glad to again
accept the hospitality of the Indians, who assembled
at their Council house to hear the message of Sir Wil
liam to the Senecas. Mr. Kirkland took special pains
to record that "the Council house was So feet long and
contained four fires. The messenger made a speech
for three quarters of an hour, and was responded to by
the head Sachem, who spoke for an hour like Demos
thenes. ' ' After the Council broke up, there was much
hand shaking when the party started again late at night
on their journey to the Seneca country. Twenty-three
days after leaving Johnson Hall, foot sore, and almost
exhausted, he arrived at Kanadasegea, the Capital of
the Seneca Nation. After discussing the matter in1
two different Councils he was finally adopted by the
head Sachem and placed in a small family. Shortly
afterward his host suddenly died. This placed Mr.
Kirkland in a perilous position, but he finally won the
confidence of the Indians. After some time a famine
occurred and he determined to set out for Johnson Hall
for provisions. He was accompanied by a Seneca with
his squaw. They nearly lost their lives on Oneida
Lake during a severe storm, but finally reached the
Hall where the Indian woman died, greatly mourned
by her husband.

The missionary seems to have been able to accom
plish but little among the Senecas. It is to be divided
that Mr. Kirkland did not write fully concerning.

THE REVOLUTION 93

the life of these people at that time. It would have
given us much historical information which now can not
be obtained. In the summer of 1766, he began his
work among the Oneidas, which he continued for forty
years. Here he built him a home and associated with
him in his work, David Fowler and his wife, two
educated Indians. In 1769, he went to New England,
where he married Miss Jerusha Bingham, a niece of
Dr. Wheelock. Mrs. Kirkland was a great help to her
husband and exerted a marked influence over the
Oneida women.

When it became evident that there was to be a
rupture with the mother country, Mr. Kirkland
travelled from tribe to tribe using his influence to pre
serve the neutrality of the Indians. To what extent
he succeeded has already been mentioned. For about
two years the Oneidas and Tuscaroras kept out of the
fight, but later they rallied under the leadership of the
celebrated Oneida chief — Skenando, and did excellent
service for the patriot cause.

This popular chief was a great friend of Mr. Kirk
land, and one of the wisest councillors the Six Na
tions ever had. He died at the age of no, and was
buried at Clinton, N. Y., in an orchard on the old
Kirkland homestead. After the Revolution the mis
sionary set about to repair the ravages of war, collect
the scattered families and rebuild their homes. Mrs.
Kirkland died in 1788, and it was about this time that
Mr. Kirkland wrote an account of the Six Nations.

In 1791, he married Miss Mary Donnelly who died in
Clinton in 1839, aged &4- One daughter married Mr.
J. H. Lathrop, of Utica; another Mr. Francis Amory,
of Boston, and a third Dr. Edward Robinson, a pro
fessor of Hamilton College.

Mr. Kirkland made great efforts to found a school at

94 THE IROQUOIS

Clinton, and finally secured a charter for Hamilton,
Oneida . Academy. He gave a large tract of land and
set apart 12 acres as a site for a school. This com
mands an extensive view of the valley and village and
is now covered with a great variety of trees and shrubs,
with class memorials and modern educational buildings,
making it one of the pleasantest college sites to be
found. Here is also preserved the little, eld house in
which the great missionary lived.

Mr. Kirkland died in 1808 and was buried in the
land he helped to win to civilization, with his wife and
daughter on one side and the "white man's friend, "
Skenando, on the other.

CHAPTER XVII
SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN

So frequent had been the forages of the Indians,
which had always been conducted with much cruelty,
that it was decided to make an expedition into the
land of the Iroquois and "pay them off in their owrn
coin. ' '

Clinton wras ordered to collect a large body of men
at Schenectady, and transporting boats and provisions
overland to the head of Otsego lake, to descend the
Susquehanna and join Johnson at Tioga. The people
along the Mohawk and in the adjoining sections re
sponded nobly to the call for help, and in a few days
the General was able to report 1500 men, nearly 200
boats and a large supply of provisions, so many indeed
that General Washington declared that Clinton would
be delayed and could not keep his movements secret
from the Indians.

A large party of Oneidas had volunteered to join
the expedition, but on receiving information that they
would be attacked by the British unless they remained
neutral they decided to remain at home, except such
few as might individually wish to act as guides and
runners.

While waiting at Otsego lake for orders from Gener
al Sullivan, Clinton caused the waters of the lake to
be dammed up. thus enabling him to float his boats
down the river when the proper time should arrive.
He was kept impatiently waiting until near the middle
of August by the slow movement of General Sullivan.
When, at last, he received word to proceed down the
river, he embarked his troops and supplies, and letting
out the waters from the lake, was borne rapidly on the

00 THE IROQUOIS

swollen river toward the point of juncture with the
greater part of the expedition. The few scattered
settlers and the Indians along the river were surprised
to see their crops swept away by a sudden rise of
water in the river, and when the latter considered that
there had been no rain for a long time, the}' concluded
that the Great Spirit must be offended with them;
while the sight of a large flotilla of soldiers riding upon
the bosom of a river that had never floated anything
larger than a birch bark canoe struck terror to the
bravest heart.

Sometime after the middle of August the united
commands, 5000 strong commenced their westward
march to the land of the Cayugas and Senecas. So
long had General Sullivan been making his prepara
tions that the Indians had become apprised of his
movements and had thrown up earthworks at Newton,
not far from the present site of Elmira.

BATTLE OF NEWTON

The arm)' marched with the greatest caution destroy
ing everything on the route that might in any way aid
the Indians. Late in the morning of the 29th the ad
vance guard came upon the works of the enemy.
These had been so arranged that the}' could be ap
proached only in front and on the left flank which
rested upon a high ridge thickly covered with Indians,
back of which was another ridge also well guarded.
A skirmishing was kept up until the main body of the
army arrived with General Sullivan. He immediately
sent a brigade to carry the heights and turn the left
flank of the enemy while he engaged them in front.
Then was fought one of the most exciting battles re
corded in Indian history. The Indians fought for
their families, their lands and the graves of their
fathers. The}- contested the ground inch by inch,

SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN N7

springing like panthers from tree to tree, refusing to
yield even at the point of the bayonet. Brant, the
leader of the Indians, seeing that their left flank must
not be turned at any cost, was everywhere present
leading and cheering his men. The fearful battle cries
of the Indians and the shrieks of the wounded were
drowned by the thunder of the cannon in the valley
below. In a last desperate attempt Brant brought a
company of Johnson's Rangers to the help of his hard
pressed followers, but too late. His left flank was
turned, and the enemy fearing that Sullivan's men
would get into their rear, raised their cry of retreat
and fled from the field. So precipitate was their re
treat that they could not carry away all their dead
with them. Their loss in killed and wounded was
much greater than that of the American army which
.sustained a loss of only six killed and less than 50
wounded. These together with the heavy artillery
were sent back to Tioga, while the greater part of the
arm}' started westward in light marching order. Where-
ever they came to buildings and growing crops they
halted long enough to destroy them and then hurried
on. Why the Indians did not oppose them at some of
the narrow and difficult passes does not appear. In
some places they were obliged to ford streams flanked
by high hills where a few brave men could have delay
ed the progress of a large arm}-.

In a short time they reached Katherine's town at
the head of Seneca lake. This they laid in ashes, and
they destroyed crops and orchards leaving only a deso
late waste.

CONDITION OF THE SENEGAS AND CAVUGAS

Much has been written both for and against Sulli
van's expedition. The Cayugas and Senecas had
reached a good degree of civilization. They had clear
ed large tracts of land 0:1 which they raised crops that

98 THE IROQUOIS

would gladden the heart of any farmer. They had
excellent orchards of apples, pears, and peaches. They
had large towns and villages, many of them laid out
in streets, and composed of framed houses, often paint
ed, and containing many of the necessities of civilized
life. The only advantage that the Americans could
hope to attain by the destruction of these homes was
to deprive the Indians of the means of subsistence for
the coming winter and thus throw their support upon
the British at Niagara.

DESTRUCTION OF THE SENECA CAPITAL

Every where the terror stricken Indians fled before
Sullivan's army. In a short time they reached the
beautiful Seneca capital, Kanadaseagea, surrounded by
large fields covered with crops and fruit orchards. The
inhabitants had fled leaving their winter supplies, their
orchards, the product of years of toil, their comfortable
homes, to the mercies of a revengeful invader. Several
towns in this locality were destroyed, and the army
left in its track only scenes of destruction and devasta
tion. The towns of Kanandaigua and Honeoye were
wiped out together with great stores of grain, vegeta
bles and fruit. From this place preparations were
made to march upon Genesee, the large village of the
tribe.

BATTLE OF GENESEE.

Here the Indians placed their women and children
out of reach of the Americans and prepared to defend
their town. A sharp skirmish ensued when the
Indians suddenly turned and fled. The soldiers were
greatly pleased with the beaut}' and fertility of the
Genesee valley. Sullivan in his report said "The
town of Genesee contained 128 houses, mostly large
and very elegant. It was beautifully situated, almost
encircled with a clear flat, extending a number of
miles, over which extensive fields of corn were waving,

SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN 99

together with every kind of vegetable that could be
conceived." After quoting the foregoing, the histor
ian Stone goes on to say, "But the entire army was
immediately engaged in destroying it, and the axe and
the torch soon transformed the whole of that beauti
ful region from the character of a garden to a scene of
drear and sickening desolation. Forty Indian towns,
the largest containing 128 houses were destroyed.
Corn, gathered and ungathered, to the amount of
160,000 bushels, shared the same fate; their fruit
trees were cut down; and the Indians were hunted
like wild beasts, till neither house, nor fruit tree, nor
field of corn, nor inhabitant, remained in the whole
•country. The gardens were enriched with great quan
tities of useful vegetables, of different kinds. The size
of the cornfields, as well as high degree of cultivation
in which they were kept, excited wonder; and the ears
of corn were so remarkably large, that many of them
measured twenty inches in length. So numerous were
the fruit trees, that in one orchard they cut down
fifteen hundred." From this point General Sullivan
seems to have turned back, retracing his steps over the
devastated district to Tioga. On the route he sent
detachments to the small villages and fields lying
several miles from the main traveled road. On these
raids 9 towns and villages, including the capital of the
Cayugas, were destroyed, besides great quantities of
provisions, and large numbers of fruit trees.

Why General Sullivan did not continue his journey
to the seat of British power among the Indians at
Niagara, from which Tory and Indian raids were so
frequently made, has never been satisfactorily explain
ed. Certainly this was one of the objects which the

Commander-in-chief had in view when he ordered the

*

organization of the expedition. It could not have been
because cf the weakness of his army. He had fought

100 THE IROQUOIS

no great battle, except at Newton, and his soldiers had
enjoyed excellent health. Niagara was in no condi
tion to withstand an attack, and had no time to bring
reinforcements from Montreal or Quebec Finally it
could not be lack of provisions for his soldiers destroy
ed enough to have sustained an army many times its
size during a much longer campaign. To be sure he
brought the hardships of war home to those who had
made so many raids against the white settlers; but
instead of subduing them he only aroused them to a
greater frenzy for revenge. Stone says ' 'Stimulated
by a yet keener thirst for revenge, clouds of savages
were afterward again and again seen to sweep through
the valley of the Mohawk with the scalping knife and
the torch." And who can blame the red man then
"driven from his beautiful country, his habitations
laid in ruins, his fields laid waste, his orchards
uprooted, his altars and the tombs of his fathers over
thrown. ' '

ARRKST OF THE MOHAWKS AT THE LOWER CASTLE

When the Johnson's and other Tories influenced the
Mohawks to accompany them to Canada, there was
one clan which refused to accompany them. This clan
lived at the Lower Castle on the Mohawk river, on
terms of friendship with their white neighbors, pre
serving a strict neutrality. General Sullivan had
been informed that these Indians w^re acting as spies
and secretly aiding and encouraging those Tories and
Indians who were making frequent raids into the
Mohawk and Cherry Valleys.

On the return inarch he ordered Colonel Gansevoort
to proceed down the Mohawk valley and capture the
entire clan, burn their castle and carry them prisoners
to Albany. When the Colonel arrived in the neigh
borhood of the castle he learned that the Indians were
even then sheltering those \\hite people who had

sl'LUVAN'S CAMPAIGN 101

recently been deprived of their homes by Indian and
Tory raids. The inhabitants of the frontier begged
him not to destroy the property of the clan , consisting
of homes as convenient as many owned by the white
settlers; of stores of provisions, and of cows, horses
and wagons. However the Colonel carried them all
captives to Albany where General Schuyler procured
their release.

CHAPTER XVIII.

DESTRUCTION OF THE ONEIDA CASTLE

The winter which followed the invasion of Sullivan
has come down in history as one of the most severe
known to have occurred on this continent. The Indians
whose property had been destroyed were compelled to
seek food and shelter of the British at Niagara. A
great many fell sick, and not a few perished from
hunger and exposure.

Some time during this winter the Indians and Tories
made a raid against the Oneidas, destroyed their vil
lage and castle, and drove them down the Mohawk
where the colonists settled them near Schenectady
and supported them to the close of the war. Dr.
Kirkland said that ''this dispersion of the Oneidas,
and the devastation of their country, were greatly det
rimental to their nation. When the war came on,
they had attained to some degree of regularity, indus
try, and prosperity. But, driven from their homes,
reduced to want, dependence, and abject poverty,
their habits became more intemperate and idle than
ever, and they never recovered from their depression. ' '

RAID OF HARPERSFIELD

Brant, actuated by the strongest feelings of revenge
on account of the sufferings of his people, began early
in the spring to prepare for the destruction of the
frontier settlements. Early in April at the head of a
band of Tories and Indians he fell upon the settlement
of Harpersfield and destroyed it, killing a few and
taking several prisoners. He then set out through the
forests toward the upper Schoharie fort. He suddenly
fell in with a small band of militia who were engaged

INDIAN RAIDS 1<M

in making maple sugar while they kept watch for any
straggling bands of the enemy. When busily engaged
in their work they heard the appalling war whoop and
the deadly crack of the rifle. Those who survived the
first onslaught were taken prisoners. Brant was de
ceived into the belief that the fort had recently been
strongly reinforced, and so he retraced his steps to
Niagara. ' The journey was one of great peril to
the prisoners, and Brant exerted himself to the utmost
to save their lives from the revenge of his followers.
Added to this all suffered extremely from the want of
food. However, many of them lived through the ter
rible ordeal and finally returned to their desolate homes.
As spring advanced, and the snow disappeared,
roving bands af Indians, often guided by Tories, fell
upon the exposed settlements in all directions, even
going as far south as Orange county.

RAID ON LITTLE FALLS

One of these raids was made upon a settlement near
\vhat is now the village of Little Falls. The only
important mills for grinding flour for several miles
were situated at this place and owned by a Mr. Ellis.
But few men were at the mills at the time and not pre
pared for an attack. They tried to escape, but most
of them were taken prisoners, and the property was
entirely distroyed.

SIR JOHN JOHSON'S RAID INTO JOHNSTOWN

When the Johnsons left the country for Canada they
left a large amount of treasure and several slaves at
their old home at Johnstown. Sir John determined to
secure these, and at the same time severely punish
those whig neighbors who had been the cause of all
his troubles. One dark night in early spring he enter
ed Johnstown at the head of about 250 Tories and
Indians, while a company of nearly the same number
were sent to destroy all the dwellings along the

104 THE IROQ'iJUlS

Mohawk except those belonging to Tories. The houses
were plundered and burned and most of their inhabi
tants killed or made prisoners.

Sir John, avoiding the small garrison, marched to
his old home, secured 20 slaves, and a large amount of
treasure, which was carried away in the knapsacks of
40 soldiers. He collected also a band of loyalists, after
which he united his forces and \vith his prisoners and
booty returned unmolested to Canada. He wisely
avoided the usual traveled routes and so the army sent
by Governor Clinton was unable to capture his forces.
When we consider that the entire country was panic
stricken, and that the people cruelly murdered were
tne old neighbors of Sir John, many of whom had
rendered acts of kindness to himself and to different
members of his family, we do not hesitate to place this
act among the most cruel and bloodthirsty of that ter
rible border strife. Stone says, "The irruption, how
ever, was one of the most indefensible aggressions
upon an unarmed and slumbering people, which stain
the annals of the British arms."

BRANT DESTROYS CANAJOHARIE

On the summer following this incursion a large
supply of provisions was to be sent to Fort Schuyler,
and, as a rumor had been spread abroad that Brant
was intending to capture these, all the militia around
Canajoharie was called out to help protect the escort
from attack. The wily Indian leader then feU upon
the defenceless settlements and laid them waste. In
Almon's Remembrancer we read "that in the Canajo
harie settlement 99 buildings were burnt, 17 persons
killed, and 52 taken prisoners. On the Schoharie 27
buildings burnt, 7 persons killed, and 21 taken prison
ers. At Normanskill there were 20 houses burnt.''
"The forts destroyed by Brant at Canajoharie, were
built by the people themselves, but had not yet been

INDIAN RAIDS 103

garrisoned. The inhabitants had complained bitterly
that they were thus compelled to leave their own fire
sides unprotected, to assist the government in re-open
ing the communication with Fort Schuyler. But being
assured that their town could be in no danger, they
submitted to the order, and their militia marched to
the upper section of the valley. The result was de
plorable enough; while the success of his stratagem
added another plume to the crest of the ' 'The Great
Captain of the Six Nations. " ( Stone. ; Sir John John
son and Brant, not satisfied with the excursions sepa
rately undertaken, determined to unite their forces and
enter upon a campaign of destruction that would, if
possible eclipse Sullivan's expedition.

SIR JOHN AND BRANT UNITE TO DESTROY ALL THE

VALLEY SETTLEMENTS

In the summer following the Johnstown expedition,
Sir John collected a force composed of his Royal Greens,
a number of Mohawks, a detachment of Butler's-
rangers, and a company of regulars and ascending the
St. Lawrence he crossed over the country to the head
waters of the Susquehanna where he united his forces
with those of Brant and Cornplanter. They were pro
vided with excellent arms and a large amount of
ammunition, and according to the report of Mar>
Jemison, the Indians never went upon the war path
vowing deeper vengeance against the usurpers of their
hunting grounds. From the Susquehanna they
crossed the hills to the Schoharie Valley. Silently
passing the upper fort they began the work of destruc
tion in the early dawn. Those in the middle fort were
first apprised of the approach of the enemy by the
sight of the burning buildings. The commandant sent
out a company of volunteers, but they soon learned
that they were opposed by a large body of Indians and
Tories, when they quietly retreated. The fortress wras.

106 THE IROQUOIS

quickly surrounded, and Sir John planted his little
battery on a rise of ground commanding the place. A
flag of truce was sent toward the fort but was fired
upon by the intrepid Murphy of Schoharie fame.
Thereupon Sir John began a brisk fire which did no
special damage. After a time a second flag of truce
was sent which was again fired upon by Murphy.
When Sir John could find no other means of access to
the fort he determined to take it by assault. Having
arranged his men for that purpose he sent forward a
third flag of truce which Murphy again drove back.
All at once the Tories raised the siege and continued
their march down the river, burning and plundering
as they went. The crops were unusually large that
year, and the settlers were entirely unprepared for
such an invasion, consequently every thing known to
belong to a Whig wras totally destroyed, besides several
killed and a large number taken prisoners. The
historian Stone tells us that Sir John had ordered that
the church at the middle fort should not be destroyed.
How well his commands were obeyed is shown by the
following quotation from a paper read by the Hon.
Geo. L. Danforth at the centennial of the Old Dutch
church at Middleburgh. "And now coming down to
the terrible but glorious lyth day of October, 1780,
terrible in its work of destruction and desolation,
glorious in the perfect defence and triumphant resis
tance of the three forts — before the suit begins his
career that day we hear the boom of the alarm gun at
the upper fort 5 miles awray, and the guns of our fort
over there answer, aye, aye! We wait and watch in
feverish suspense, and soon we see the advance down
the valley of the British, Tories and Indians, working
their way by smoke and flame. They reach Weiser-
dorf; and barns and dwellings, stacks of hay and straw,
yield to the barbarous torch, and with an additional

INDIAN RAIDS 107

pang of sorrow, we see the lurid flames mount the
sides and circle the steeple of the old Dutch meeting
house, dear to the hearts of the heroic band who
stand at the middle fort ready to receive, and able to
roll back the shock and charge of the coming foe. ' '

Farther down the valley Sir John divided his forces
sending the Regulars down the valley while the
Indians skirted the clearings along the foot of the range
of hills at the left. They halted but a little while at
the lower fort, and evidently not being courageous
enough to make an assault, continued their work of
devastation as far as Fort Hunter where they encamped
for the night. There he remained long enough to
send out small parties in all directions to destroy every
piece of property that could be found and to secure
prisoners. When the entire country had become a
scene of desolation and waste he proceeded up the
Mohawk completely destroying every thing on both
banks of the river.

General Van Rensselaer hearing of the invasion of
the Schoharie valley set out in pursuit. He camped
but a few miles from Sir John' s motley troop, but de
layed long enough to allow a detachment of the enemy
to branch off to the north to attack Fort Paris in Stone
Arabia. This fortress was under the command of
Colonel Brown who, by the direction of General Van
Rensselaer, immediately marched with his small troop
to meet the foe. But the general failed to co-operate
with him and he and his brave followers were over
powered and many were killed. Those who escaped
fled to Fort Plain. The scattered detachments of Sir
John's troops continued their work of devastation
gradually marching towards the west and collecting at
a place called "Klock's Field." The enemy selected
a field of battle so as to be protected on one side by the
bend of the river. Sir John's immediate followers

108 THE IROQUOIS

were place:! in the front with Brant's Indians on tile-
flank. The patriot army numbering now about 1500'
men did not come up with the enemy until late in the
afternoon when an attack was immediately made.
The Indians were soon put to flight, but darkness com
ing on, the General would not allow a pursuit. The
next morning Sir John had disappeared. One noted
historian declares that had the Continental troops kept
up the fight and pursuit for a short time they would
have had the enemy completely hemmed in the bend
of the river where they would have been obliged to
surrender. The flying enemy were pursued rapidly as
far as Fort Herkimer from which point General Van
Rensselaer sent word to his advance guard of Oneidas
and militia to continue the pursuit. The Oneida chief,
finding himself in the rear of the flying enemy, and
learning that he was not supported by the main part of
the army turned back, and thus ended what might
have been a glorious victory for the patriots had the
campaign been conducted with more energy.

A small company had been sent from Fort Schuyler
to destroy the boats which Sir John had left to convey
his troops back to Oswego. Sir John surprised these,
took them prisoners and proceeded on his way unmo
lested.

The winter which followed brought great distress to
all the outposts of the north. The Indians and Tories
had destroyed so many provisions the preceding au
tumn that the settlers could scarcely support their
families. As a result they had but very little to send
to the army. Brant kept warriors constantly watching
the Mohawk valley so as to cut off supplies going west
to Fort Schuyler. No one could travel except under a
strong escort, without being captured by some band of
roving Indians. During the late winter and early
spring Brant captured a number of scouts and no small

INDIAN RAIDS 109

amount of provisions. Added to all this the Oneidas
were no longer in a safe position, for Brant had shown
great hatred toward them and was likely at any time
to attempt their destruction.

The courage of the settlers had sunk to its lowest
point by the repeated incursions of the Tories and
Indians when Colonel "Willett was appointed to the
command of the militia for the defence of the country
against the raids of the barbarians. Scarcely had he
entered upon his command before he had an opportuni
ty to display his abilities as an Indian fighter.

DESTRUCTION OF CURRIETOWN

Early in the summer a band of Indians attacked and
burned the settlement of Currietown and retreated to
their night encampment in a dense forest. Colonel
Willett quickly raised a band of volunteers and pro
ceeded to surprise them while asleep, but found it im
possible to reach them before daylight of the following
morning. The Indians learning of their approach took
a more favorable position and wraited their appearance.
A small number was sent in advance to draw out the
Indians. They fled at the first fire followed by the
main body of the enemy. These were met by the main
body of Willett' s meli who poured in a deadly fire.
At the same time the Indians tried to turn his right
wing. Failing in both attempts the)' betook them
selves to trees and attempted th.2 usual Indian tactics.
Soon the settlers cheered on by their gallant leader,
chased the Indians out o: the woods and down the
Susquehanna at the point of the bayonet. Colonel
Willett' s loss of men was small while the Iroquois lost
more than an eighth of the number engaged, besides
all of their camp and plunder.

LAST INVASION OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY.

It remains to record the last serious invasion of the
Mohawk valley by the Tories and Indians. The John-

110 THE IROQUOIS

sons and their Tory neighbors were constantly moved
by a great hatred toward the whig residents of the
valley, and so were constantly planning for their de
struction. In October of 1781 Major Ross assisted by
Butler and his son suddenly appeared at Warrensbush
near the junction of the Mohawk and Schoharie rivers
and began the work of plundering and burning. They
crossed the river not far from Tribe's Hill and marched
rapidly towards Johnstown killing and taking Whig
prisoners and destroying all their property. Colonel
Willett, learning of the approach of the enemy, made
ever}7 effort to collect the scattered militia. By a
forced night march he reached Fort Hunter the fol
lowing morning. Having forded the river he overtook
the enemy not far from Johnstown. He divided his
force into two divisions, and sent Major Rowley by a
circuitous route to fall upon their rear \vhile he en
gaged them in front. The battle had scarcely begun
when the militia broke and fled, nor was Willett able
to stop their retreat until they had reached a stone
church far in the rear. The enemy were rejoicing over
their easy victory and were busy cutting down and
scalping stragglers when Major Powley's division fell
upon their rear. Another genera1! battle ensued which
continued till near dark when Willett succeeded in
reorganizing a company to go to the assistance of their
companions in arms. The enemy hard pressed on all
sides maintained a stubborn resistance till dark when
they broke and fled.

The brave colonel remained that night upon the
field of battle endeavoring to relieve the sufferings of
the wounded. As soon as possible he sent a detach
ment to Oneida lake to destroy the boats of the enemy,
and a scouting party to follow the movements of Ross
and Butler. The former failed in their undertaking,
but the latter discovered the course of the fleeing army

INDIAN RAIDS 111

and Willett set out in pursuit. He overtook a small
body of them not far from the northern line of the
Royal Grant. A sharp fight ensued when some were
killed, others taken prisoners, while the remainder
fled. The Patriots pressed on in hot pursuit and over
took Butler at Jersey Field, where a short battle was
fought resulting in the death of many of the enemy.
It was in this battle that an Oneida killed the noted
Tory leader, Walter N. Butler, whose body was left in
the wilderness without burial. We quote from Stone,
"So perished Walter N. Butler, one of the greatest
scourges, as he was one of the most fearless men, of
his native county. No other event of the whole war
created so much joy in the Mohawk valley as the news
of his decease."

The death of their leader caused a panic among the
enemy and they fled in all directions not occupied by
the pursuing Patriots. Night put an end to the pur
suit, although it is said that the fleeing Tories did not
halt until the following day. Colonel Willett left
them to pursue their dreadful march through the snows
of a trackless wilderness, nearly 100 miles without
food and without blankets', while he returned in tri
umph with a large number of prisoners and with the
loss of but a single man.

CHAPTER XIX.

EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION.

In the treaty of peaca in '82 Great Britain made no
stipulation in behalf of the Red Men who had so nobly
fought for her. Having cast in their fortunes with the
side which was vanquished, by the usages of war it
would be expected that the conqueror would deprive
them of the soil over which they and their fathers had
roamed so many years. But Washington and Schuyler
both labored writh the authorities of New York to give
them sections of land on which they might live per
manently subject to the general control of the State as
they had formerly been under the rule of Great Britain.
A meeting of the representatives of the government
and of the Six Nations was held at Fort Stanwix where
the matter was discussed. Red Jacket, a famous
Indian orator and a rival of both Brant and Cornplan-
ter, in an eloquent speech opposed such an arrange
ment; but Cornplanter clearly foreseeing the folly of
striving longer in arms against the Americans, urged
the Indians to accept the best terms they could get and
be content to live in peace. It was finally agreed that
the Iroqitois should occupy certain large tracts of land,
all of which must lie east of a north and south line
running through Buffalo. This treaty caused great
dissatisfaction among the Indians, and Red Jacket
took this opportunity to draw much of Cornplanter' s
influence to himself. The latter was rewarded, as will
appear later, by the gift of a tract of land on the
Alleghany river in Pennsylvania, which was to belong
to him and his heirs forever. At the outbreak of the
war the English commission had promised, no matter

EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVOLUTION 113

what the outcome of the war might be, to furnish the
Mohawks with as valuable hunting grounds as they
then possessed. At the close of the war Brant urged their
claims upon the British government and was offered a
large tract of land north of Lake Ontario, but the
Mohawks did not wish to be removed so far from their
confederates, the Senecas, who urged them to settle on
their lands within New York. But inasmuch as they
had cast their fortunes with the English, Brant pre
ferred to have his people live on British soil; so he
succeeded in getting the grant changed to a location
nearer the Senecas. They finally settled on a tract of
land "six miles on each side of the river, from the
mouth to its source," viz: the Ouise or Grand River,
flowing into Lake Erie on the north about 40 miles
from the Falls of Niagara.

Brant at once began to work for the moral and intel
lectual uplifting of his people. He encouraged the
work of the missionaries and caused portions of the
New Testament to be translated and printed in the
Mohawk language.

At his death he \vas succeeded by his son John who
with his warriors aided the British in the war of 1812.

We will close this chapter by quoting from the his
torian Lossing. "From time to time after 1785 the
State and individuals piocured lands from the
Indians by cession or by purchase. The Tuscaroras
and Oneidas first parted \vith some of their territories
in 1785. In 1788 both the Oneidas and the Ononda-
gas disposed of all their lands excepting some reserva
tions, and in 1789 the Cayugas ceded all their lands to
the State, excepting a reservation near Cayuga Lake.
In each case thi right of free hunting and fishing in
all the counties was reserved."

"The Senecas parted with most of their territory in
1 795. The same year the Mohawks, most of whom

114 THE IROQUOIS

fled to Canada at the close of the war, relinquished all
their lands to the State for a consideration. So late as
1819 there were about 5,000 of the Six Nations in the
State, in possession, in eleven reservations, of two
hundred and seventy-one thousand acres of land. In
1838 these lands had been disposed of, nearly all the
titles extinguished, and the Indian population had
removed westward across the Mississippi River. I Such
\vas the final act in the drama of the once powerful
barbarian republic in the State of New York — the great
Iroquois League. It has disappeared from the face of
the earth and entered the realm of past history/^'

A few, however, of the different clans remain to
preserve the customs and traditions of their fathers.
Hemmed in on all sides by the aggressive and grasping
Anglo Saxon, they sigh for the departed glory of the
days before the white man touched these shores, when
their rule extended from the lordly Hudson to the
Mississippi, and from the rushing St. Lawrence to the
peaceful Carolinas. When we contemplate how quickly
this great division of the human family have lost the
most beautiful land upon which the sun smiles, how
the ploughshare of the invader turns up the bones of
their forefathers, their customs and traditions despised,
and themselves outcasts and wanderers among a strange
people, we are led to exclaim, ''Lo the poor Indian!"

CHAPTER XX.

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE SIX NATIONS

The following account of the present condition of the
Six Nations is taken largely from the Official Census of
1900.

SAINT REGIS INDIANS

The Saint Regis Indians are the successors of the
ancient Mohawks, and their reservation is situated in
both St. Lawrenie and Franklin counties. They own
about 15,000 acres, the greater part of which could
easily be made into productive farming land. Some
parts are exceptionally fertile and nearly all is well
watered. The entire reservation is level or slightly
rolling. The timber has been nearly all cut away for
fuel. The roads are very poor, in many parts being
little more than trails. The Saint Regis Indians also
occupy a large tract in Canada, as many, or more,
living on English soil as in New York. Three-fourths
of the entire tribe are Roman Catholics. They have a
pleasant little church, capable of seating 600 people,
just across the line on the Canadian border. The
Methodists have built a church for the Protestant
Indians at a cost of $2,000. The Conference sends a
regularly ordained preacher who is supported by the
Missionary Society.

Among the Indians that have united with the
churches may be found many who are as true to their
professions of Christianity as are their white neigh
bors who have liad many more opportunities for relig
ious culture. They are less quarrelsome than many
Indians, and are generous, consideiing the means at
their disposal. Intemperance has a strong hold upon

116 THE IROQUOIS

many, and especially upon those who are able to wield
considerable influence. They are known for the purity
of their home life, a condition brought about by the
teachings and influence of Christianity. New York
maintains 5 separate schools for the education of the
children at an annual expense of perhaps $1,500. The
cost of the school buildings was about $1,400. The
younger generations easily acquire the rudiments of
English, but there their education usually stops. The
one great drawback in intellectual development is the
lack of ability to think and speak in English. One
writer has said : "It keeps down the comprehension
of ideas, which cannot find expression through the
Indian vocabulary, and it is simply impossible for the
Indian either to appreciate his condition and needs or
make .substantial progress until he is compelled by
necessity to make habitual use of English."

THE ONE I DAS

It will be recalled that the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras
under the influence of that great and good missionary,
Mr. Kirkland, threw in their lot with the Patriots
during the Revolution, and it would be suppos
ed that they, after having been so long in
sympathy with the civilization of the whites, would
have conformed more rapidly to new conditions which
grew up after the close of that long and sanguinary
strife. But such has not been the case. In 1785 the
Tuscaroras united with the Oneidas in selling a large
portion of their lands to the State of New York. The
tribe kept making treaties with the State and selling
more and more of their lands until in 1846 they had
but 350 acres left. About this time the greater part of
the nation emigrated to Wisconsin leaving a small
remnant to hold the land in severalty. There is some
thing pathetic in the thought of these red friends of
our forefathers being obliged to see their once happy

THE OXEIDAS 117

hunting grounds gradually occupied by the usurping
pale face until the}' were finally compelled to leave the
scenes of their youth, and the groves of their fore
fathers by the very people whom they had befriended,
and seek new homes far toward the setting sun.

Besides a few scattered families there are two small
clusters of houses, one at Orchard near the village of
Oneida, and another at Windfall in Madison county.
The census of 1890 showed that the children attended
no school, and attendance at church was only occasion
al. The most of them do not till the little land they
pretend to own. Much of it is occupied by white
people. The Indians work some, by the day, but
spend most of their time at such work as basket weav
ing, or idling about. They are peaceable and some
are assimilating with their white neighbors and slowly
taking on the manners cf civilization. Studying over
the present condition of the Oneidas, we were forcibly
reminded of the speech of one of their number, ''before
long there won't be any of us left."

THE OXOXDAGAS

The Onondaga reservation lies in the county of the
same name, and is about five miles south of the city of
Syracuse. The Indians own about 6100 acres, at least
three-fourths of which could be made highly fertile.
Underneath the reservation lies a bed of limestone
which is quarried for building purposes, and brings in
some revenue to the tribe. The greater portion of the
farming land is tilled by the whites, some of whom
rent of the Indians under sanction of the State. They
pay a fair rental which keeps some of the tribe from
want. The government is in the hands of twenty-
seven chiefs, nearly all of whom belong to the pagan
party, and- are elected as in olden times by the females
of the families represented. In the constitution of
1882 provision was made for a president, judges, clerk,

US THE IROQUUlS

treasurer, marshal, school trustee and other officers.
L,aws respecting wills, dowers, the settlement of es
tates and marriage were made to conform more to those
of the State of New York.

There are twro churches on the reservation, the
Protestant Episcopal, and the Methodist. While the
number of communicants in each is small, yet the
buildings are commodious and would be ornaments to
any village. The pastors are earnest and do a good
work among the few who profess Christianity. The
non-christian, or Pagan party, hold their religious rites
at the council house of the nation.

If all jealousies and rivalries between the Christian
societies could be eliminated, they w^ould wield a great
er influence over the Pagan party and eventually might
be the means of bringing the tribe to a much higher
state of civilization.

The State has provided one school for the Onondaga
nation which is held in a building that cost $500.
This is centrally located and should be attended by all
the children of school age on that reservation. A few,
and they are usually the children of Christian Indians,
attend regularly, but the greater number are indiffer
ent to education.

TUSCARORA RESERVATION

This nation occupies a tract of land of about 6200
acres situated in Niagara county five miles from Sus
pension Bridge. This is one of the best cultivated
tracts of all the land owned by the Six Nations. The
chiefs compel every land owner to maintain a fence at
least four feet high. The larger part of the land is
watered with pure springs. The Indians generally
till their own land, except those who are physically
unable to do manual labor. These lease their farms
and live upon the rentals. There are many apple and

THE SENEGAS AND TONAWANDA* no

peach orchards, and the raising of fruit is a source of
considerable profit.

Government among the Tuscaroras is administered
much as it is among the Onondagas, vacancies among
the chiefs being filled by the women of the clans.
There are a president, clerk, treasurer, etc.; besides a
large number of sachems and chiefs. The laws are
few and the people are orderly and peaceable.

The Presbyterians and Baptists both maintain
churches each of which has a good Sunday school,
good singing, and a fairly intelligent audience.
There is also a Ladies' Aid Society in connection with
the church.

There are two schools among the Tuscaroras each
presided over by competent teachers. The buildings
have attractive surroundings, but the attendance is
very small.

THE SHXECAS

The Seneca Indians are settled on five different re
servations. The Tonawanda, Allegany, Oil Spring,
Cornplanter and Cattaraugu \

TONAWANDA

The Tonawanda reservation embraces about 6,500
acres of land lying partly in each of the counties of
Erie, Genesee and Niagara. The roads are poor, and
the fences are not well kept up. But little over half
of the reservation is cultivated and much of this by
white people. A great deal of the timber has been
wasted, but there is enough for a few years to come.

There are three church buildings: the Baptist, built
of brick at a cost of $3,600, has a membership of forty
or fifty. The church members are the proud possess
ors of a good organ. The Presbyterian church, cost
ing $2,500, is not as large as the first named, nor is it
as influential; while the Methodist is the smallest of
the three, but perhaps not less active. There are three

120 THE IROQUOIS

schools mentioned for the education of these Indians,
but little if any more interest i.s shown in books than
by the other Indian nations. By an act of the State
Legislature money was set aside to erect and equip a
large school for manual training. A farm, teams and
implements were provided, but through indifference
and mismanagement the whole scheme was dropped
and the buildings allowed to go to decay.

The Tonawanda Senecas are govcrqed by thirty-four
chiefs elected by the women. The executive officers
are elected by a vote of the people.

ALLEGANY

The Allegany reservation lies in Cattaraugus county
and contains over 30,000 acres, of which not much
more than 5,000 acres are either under cultivation or
used for pasturage. The soil on the uplands is very
poor, and the lowlands are subject to floods. A great
deal of the land is covered with second growth timber,
the former h^avy growth having been cut and rafted
down the river.

All Allegany and Cattaraugus reservations are both
governed by a constitution which provides for the
election of a council of sixteen members. There is a
president who has the casting vote in case of tie, fills
vacancies till the next election, and recommends nec
essary measures to the council. Also provides for a
peacemaker's court elected for three years, which has
jurisdiction in all matters relating to wills, estates,
real estate and divorces. A clerk, treasurer and mar
shals are also provided for.

The Presbyterians have one church on this large
reservation costing $1500. There are about one hun
dred members, some of whom labor zealously for the
conversion of their tribe. The Baptists have a very
small society. The State provides for six schools all
of which are indifferently attended.

CATTARAUGUS 121

OIL SPRING

The Oil Spring reservation contains a small tract of
640 acres. It lies in both Cattaraugus and Allegany
counties.

CORXPLANTER

The Cornplanter reservation lies on both sides of the
Allegheny river in Warren county, Pa. It contains
nearly 700 acres and is owned by the heirs of the fa
mous chief, Cornplanter. In religious matters these
Indians are closely associated with those of the Alle
gany reservation. The Presbyterians have a small,
but well built church with a membership of about
forty. They own a church organ and have a good
Sunday school.

CATTARAUGUS

This reservation lies in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua
and Erie counties, and contains over 21,000 acres of
fertile land mostly in the valley formed by Cattaraugus
Creek. The land is well watered and capable of pro
ducing large crops. Wood for fuel is scarce, but there
are indications of the presence of natural gas which
may in the future take the place of that article. The
roads are very poor, '.tho some efforts are occasionally
made to improve them.

In selecting this spot for their permanent homes,
the Senecas exercised good judgment. There are three
religious denominations on the reservation. The Meth
odists have a church which cost nearly $2,000; the
Presbyterians have a larger building costing about
$2,500; while the Baptist church cost but $1,500. In
this as on all the reservations, the Indians pa}' but
little toward the support of the gospel, the greater part
of the expenses being paid by some of the organizations
of the different churches.

Perhaps the Cattaraugus .schools are among the best,
if not the best of all the Indian schools. There are

12l> THE IKOQUOIS

ten in number, part of them in charge of experienced
teachers. In 1855 Mr. Thomas founded a school
which is now known as "The Thomas Orphan Asy
lum." It has come directly under the control of the
State. It has a productive farm, a good boarding
home, and hospital, thus making it an ideal home for
the orphan children of the Six Nations. There are
regular hours for study, recreation 'and work, and the
children are guided by sympathetic and affectionate
teachers. The Indian boys and girls display excellent
musical talent, and many of them have become really
proficient in the common branches, and in physiology,
history and drawing. This school clearly demon
strates what might be done to raise the Indian to a
higher intellectual plane when he is surrounded by the
advantages and opportunities for growth which the
more fortunate whites enjoy.

14 DAY USE

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

LOAN DEPT.

This book is due on the last date stamped below, or

on the date to which renewed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

MAY281966 20

MAY 1 2 1971 «

MAY 121!

APR 2 8

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LD 21A-60m-10,'65
(F7763slO)476B

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Diversity of '
Berkeley

Jniversity of California
Berkeley

YB 35528