*//
T
T M"E/ryE A R S
R A V E L S
T*H ROUGH THE
INTE RIOR PARTS
O F
NORTH-AMERICA,
FOR MORE THAN
FIVE THOUSAND MILES,
CONTAINING
An Account of the great Lakes, and all the
Lakes, Islands, and Rivers, Cataracts,
Mountains, Minerals, Soil and Vegeta-
ble Productions of the North-West Re-
gions of that vast Continent;
♦ w I T H A
DESCRIPTION of the BIRDS, BEASTS, RE?-
TILES, INSECTS, and FISHES peculiar,
to the COUNTRY.
TOGETHER WITH A CONCISE
HISTORY of the GENIUS, MANNERS, and
CUSTOMS of the INDIANS
Inhabiting the Lands that lie adjacent to the Heads and
to the Weftward of the great River Mississippi ;
A p
, A N D AN
PEN
D I X
Describing the uncultivated Parts of America that are
the moil proper for forming Settlements.
By Captain JONATHAN CARVER,
OF THE PROVINCIAL TROOPS IN AMERICA.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY JOSEPH CRUKSHANK, IN MARKET-STREET,
BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD-STREETS.
M DCC LXXXIX.
7 0 £ E P H E A^-K-S. Esa
P E E S I D E N T
OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY.
S I R,.
WHEN the Public are informed that
I have long had the Honor of your
Acquaintance- -that my Defign in publifh-
ing the following Work has received your
Sanation —that the Compofition of it has
flood the Teft of your Judgment- — —and
that it is by your Pern^iffion9 a Name fo de-
fervedly eminent in the Literary World is
prefixed to it, I need not be apprehenfive of
its
^^■^Vftil
DEDICATION.
its Succefs ; as your Patronage will unques-
tionably give them Affurance of its Merit.
For this public Teftimony of your Favor,
in which I pride myfelf, accept, Sir, my moll
grateful Acknowledgments ; and believe me
to be, with great Refpeft,
Your obedient,
humble Servant,
J. CARVER.
-
f!C3^3^3^5^3^^5^!5^3^5^^5^3^^5^^^^
A N
A D D R E
S s
TO THE
P U B L I
c.
THE favorable reception this Work has met with,
claims the Author's molt grateful acknowledg-
ments. A large edition having run off in a few months,
and the fale appearing to be it ill unabated,^ a new im-
preflion is become neceffary. On this c-ccaiion was he
to conceal his feelings, and pafs over in fllence, a dif-
tin&ion fo beneficial and nattering, he would juftly k-
cur the imputation of ingratitude. That he might not
do this, he takes the opportunity, which now prefents
itfelf, of conveying to the Public (though in terms ina-
dequate to the warm emotions of his heart) the fenfe he
entertains of their favor; and thus tranfmits to them
his thanks.
In this new edition, care has been taken to rectify
thofe errors which have unavoidably proceeded from the
hurry of the prefs, and likewife any incorrectness, in the
language that has found its way into it.
The credibility of fome of the incidents related in the
following pages, and fome of the flories introduced
therein, having been queflioned,. particularly the prog-
noftication of the Indian prieft on the banks of Lake
Superior, and the ftory of the Indian and his rattle
fnake, the author thinks it neoeffary t3 avail himfelf of
the fame opportunity, to endeavor to eradicate any im-
premons that might have been made on the minds of his
readers, by the apparent improbability of thefe relations*
As to the former, he has related it juil as it happened. .
Being an eye-witnefe to the whole tranfadtion (and, he
flatters himfelf, at the time, free from every trace of fcepti- -
cal oftinacy or enthufiaftic credulity) he was confequently
able to defcribe every circumilance minutely and imparti- •
a 2 ally.?
vi A D D R E S S.
ally. This he has done ; but without endeavoring to ac-
countfor the means by which it was accomplifhed! Whe-
ther the r prediction was the refult of prior obfervations,
from which certain confequences were expefted to fol-
low by the fagadous prieft, and the completion of it
merely accidental ; 6r whether he was really endowed
with fupernatural powers, the narrator left to the judg-
ment of his readers; whofe conclufions, he fuppofes, va-
ried according as the mental faculties of each were dif-
pofed to admit or rejed fads that cannot be accounted
tor by natural caufes.
The Itory of the rattle fnake was related to him by a
French gentleman of undoubted veracity ; and were the
£2? t? rt-38 thorou8'hly acquainted with the
lagacity, and ^nftm&ve proceedings of that animal, as he
is, they would be as well affured of the truth of it. It is
well known that thofc fnakes which have furvived through
tlie fummer the accidents reptiles are liable to, periodical-
ly retire to the woods, at the approach of winter ; where
each (as curious obfervers have remarked) takes poffeffion
of the cavity it had occupied the preceding year. As foon
asthefeaxon is propitious, enlivened by the invigorating
rays of the fun, they leave thefe. retreats, and make the!
way to the fame ipot, though ever fo diftant, on which
they before had found fubfiftence, and the means of pro-
pagating their fpec.es. Does it then require any extraor-
dinary exertions of the mind to believe, that one of thefe
regular creatures, after having been kindly treated by its
mafter, mould return to the box, in which it had ufually
been fopphed with food, and had met with a comfortable
abode, and that nearly about the time the Indian, from
former experiments, was able to guefs at? It certainly
ooes not ; nor w»3I the liberal an! ingenuous do S
truth of a dory fo well authenticated, becaufe the circum!
fences appear extraordinary in a country where the fub-
jeft of it is fcarcely known.
Thefe explanations the author hopes willfuffice to con-
vex his readers, that he has not, as travellers are fome-
timcsfuppoicdto do, amufedthem with improbable tT.
turgor 5 ^U""e T^* * ™kW * -
tares ia> 01 oi the marvelous,
CONTENTS.
*««#3
CONTENTS.
*7
19
20
21
2?
23
24
ib.
JNTROD UCTION, - _■ 1
The Author Jets out from Bojlon on his Travels ■, 9
Defcription of Fort MichilUmackinae, - 10
— -'— i'W Z# Zfoy, - - 1 1
" — ; the Green Bay, - - Jb.
— Lake Michigan, - - - 14
Arrives at the Town of the Winnebagoes, - 1 6
Excurfion of the Winnebagoes towards the Spani/h Settle-
ments, -
Defcription of the Winnebago Lake,
Injlance of Refolution of an Indian Woman,
Defcription of the Fox River,
Remarkable Story of a Rattle Snake,
The great Town of the Saukies,
Upper Town of the Ottagaumies, -
Defcription of the Ouifeonfin River,
Lower Town of the Ottagaumies, or, La Prairies Les
Chiensy - - „ . . _
An Attack by fome Indian Plunderers, - „ 26
Defcription of the Mijjjffippi from the Mouth of the Oujf-
corfm to Lake Pepin 9 - m - 27
— Lake Pepin, - . . 2g
Remarkable Ruins of an ancient Fortification, - ib
The River Bands of the Naudowejfe Indians, - qo
Adventure with a Parly of thefe, and fome of the Chip'e-
ways, - . . - - ib,
Defcription of a remarkable CaveP - . 2 2
Uncommon Behavior of the Prince of the Winnebagoes at
the Falls of Si. Anthony, - . &,
Defcription of the Falls, - ,, fi *+
Extent of the Author's Travels, - ., _ .. "A
Defcription of the River St. Pierre, -• . 2
Sourcu
EKEHSa
CONTENTS.
Sources of the Four great Rivers of North-America, 3S
Rejleclions on their Affinity , - - "39
The Naudowejjies of the Plains, with whom the Author
wintered in the Tear 1 7 66, " " '"" 4°
The Author returns to the Mouth of the River St. Pierre, 42
Account of a violent Thunder-ftorm, - - 43
Speech made by the Author in a Council held by the Nau-
doweffies at the great Cave, - - 44
Adventure with a Party cf Indians near Lake Pepin, 48
Defcription of the Country adjacent to the River St.
Pierre, - - - - - 50
Account of different Clays found near the Marble River, 5 1
Defcription of the Chipeway RJver, - - ib.
Extraordinary Ejfecls of a Hurricane, - - 52
The Author arrives at the Grand Portage on the North-
wefl Borders of Lake Superior, - - 54
Account of the Lakes lying further to the North-wejl :
Lake Bourbon , Lake IVimiepeek, Lake Du Bois, Lake
La Pluye, Red Lake, &c. ib.
Account of a Natwn of Indians fuppofed to have been tri-
butary to the Mexican Kings, - - 60
»,. the fhining Mountains, - - 61
A lingular Prediction of the Chief Priejl of the KilTifti-
noes verified - - - * 02
Defcription of Lake Superior, - - 66
Story of the two Chipeways landing on the Jfland of Mau-
repac, - - - — - 68-
Account of great Quantities of Copper Ore, - - 70
Defcription of the Falls of St* Marie, - - 7 1
. — , — - — Lake Huron, - - -• 72
j — . Sagananm and Thunder Bays, - 73
Extraordinary Phenomenon in the Straits of Michillimac-
kinac,
Defcription of Lake St, C^ire,
the River ; 7' own,
Remarkakli Rain at Detrm
Attack of Fort Detr'it ly r-ontiac,
Defcription of Lake Erie, - *
■ the River and Falls of Niagara,
■ Lake Ontario, and Lake Oniada,
- Lc:h Ghamfflain, and Lake George,
and Fort of Detroit y
74
76
ib.
77
ib.
H
85
86
87
Account
CONTENTS. ii
Account cf a TraB of Land granted to Sir Ferdinando
Gorges, and Captain John Mafon, - - 87
The Author's Motives for undertaking his Travels, - 89
CHAPTER L
The Origin of the Indians, - - 93
Sentiments of various Writers on this Point, - 94
■ ■ Monfieur Charlevoix, - - 99
James Adair, Efq. - - l°4
the Author of this Work, - - 1 07
Corroboration of the latter by Doclor Robertfon - HI
CHAPTER II.
Of the Perfons, Drefs, $c, of the Indians, - 1 it
An Account of thofe who have written on this Subject, ib.
Defcription of the Perfons of the Indians, - 115
their Drefs, - - ' - 1 16
. — the Drefs of the Ottagaumies, - 1 1 8
. — the Drefs of the Naudozue/Jies, - ib.
The Manner in which they build their Tents and Huts, ib.
Their domeflic Utenjils, - - - 119
CHAPTER III.
Of the Manners, Qualifications, &c, of the Indians, I2G
Peculiar Cujloms of the Women, - - 121
The circumfpecl and Jlozcal Difpofition of the Men, - ib.
Their amazing Sagacity, - * - 1 24
The Liberality of the Indians, and their Opinion refpeel-
ing Money, - - - - 125
CHAP-
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Their Method of reckoning Time, &c. ~ » 1 2 7
The Names by which they diftinguijh 'the Months ; 128
Their Idea of the life of Figures, - - 129
CHAPTER V.
0/* ffo/r Government, &c.
Their Divi/ion into Tribes ,
7^<? C$/V/> 0/* && Bands,
The Members that compofe their Councils,
130
ib.
*3*
132
CHAPTER VI.
Of their Feqfts, - -
Their nfudl Food, -
Their Manner of drejfmg and eating their Vicluals,
135
ib.
CHAPTE R VII.
Of their Dances, • . » »_, 136
77^ Manner in which they dance, ». » - ib. .
The Pipe or Calumet Dance, -. -. 137
The War Dance, -. », *.. - ib.
The Pawwaw Dance, - •-* - 1 3$
^« uncommon Admiffion into a Society among the Nau~
dowejftes, "- -, - - I39
The Dance of the Indians on the Banks of the Miffif
fippi, referred to in the Journal, «~ - 1 42
The Dance of the Sacrifice, -. - 144
CHAP-
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Of their Hunting, - - - -145
'Their Preparation before they fet out, - - ib.
Their Manner of hunting the Bear, - - 146
U Buffalo, Deer, &c. 147
l ■ ■ ■ , — .Beaver, - - 148
CHAPTER IX.
150
ib.
Of their Manner of making War, &c.
The Indian Weapons, ~
Their Motives for making War, - - 152
Preparations before they take the Field, , - 1 54
The Manner in which they foliclt other Nations to become
their Auxiliaries, • - - - 156
Their Manner of declaring War, - - 157
The Method of engaging their Enemies} - - 15%
An Inflance of the Efficacy of it in the Defeat of Gene-
ral Braddock, - - - 159
A Detail of the Maffacre at Fort William Henry in the
Tear l"J$"J, - - • - 1 60
Acutenefs and Alacrity of the Indians in purfuing their
Enemies, - \ 167
Their Manner of Scalping, - - ?* 168
The Manner in which they retreat; and carry off their
Prifoners, . - - - - 1 69
A remarkable Inflance of Heroifm in a Female Prifoner, ib.
Treatment of their Prifoners, - - 171
The Origin of their felling Slaves, - - 177
CHAPTER X.
Of their Manner of making Peace, &c. -- 1 79
Ac count of an Engagement between the Iroquois and the
Ottagaumies and Saukies, * - ib.
Manner
xn
CONTENTS.
Manner in which they conducl a Treaty of Peace, 183
Defcription of the Pipe of Peace, - - ib.
, , Belts of Wampum, - - 185
CHAPTER XI.
Of their Games,
The Game of the Ball,
1 r Bowl or Platter,
185
186
ib.
CHAPTER XII.
Of their Marriage Ceremonies, - - 187
The Manner in which ths Tribes near Canada celebrate
their Marriages, - - - ~ 188
The Form of Marriage among the NaudoweJJies, 190
Their Manner of carrying on an Intrigue, - 192
Of the Indian Names, - ? - 193
CHAPTER XIII.
Of their Religion,
Their Ideas of a Supreme Being,
Future State,
194
*95
196
ib.
Of their Priefls,
The Sentiments of others on the religious Principles of the
Indians oppofed, - - - 1 97
CHAPTER XIV.
i99
ib.
Of their Difeafes, &c. -
The Complaints to which they are chiefly fubjeSl,
The Manner in which they conflrucl their Sweating
Stoves, • ib.
The Methods in which they treat their Difeafes 200
An
CONTENTS. m
An extraordinary Inftance of the Judgment of au Indian
Woman, in a defperate Cafe, - - 202
CHAPTER XV.
The Manner in which they treat their Bead, - 203
A Specimen of their Funeral Harangues, - 204
Their Method of burying the Dead, - 205
Afingular Injiance of parental AjfeBion m a Naudo-
we/Jie Woman, - - - - 206
C HAP TE R XVI.
A concife Char abler of the Indians, -■ - 2 08
Their perfonal and menial Qualifications, - 2 09
Their public Character as Members of a Community, 210
CHAPTER XVII..
Of their Language, Hieroglyphics, Ssfo - 211
Of the Chipevuay Tongue, . - - . . 2 1 2
Defripthe Specimen of their Hieroglyphics, £sV. 213
Vocabulary of the Gtnpeivay Language, - 2 1 C
1 ■ ■ Naudoive/fie Language, - - 223
c h a pte r xvnr;
Of the Beqfis, Birds, Fifhes, Reptiles, and InfecJs, which
are found in the Interior Parts of North-America, 2 2 1 :
B E A S T S.
The Tiger. The Bear, - - „ 22~
The Wolf The Fox. Dogs. The Cat of the Mountain, 230
a 7fe
xiv C O: N T E N T S.
The Buffalo. The Deer. The Elk, - 231
The Moofe. The Carrahoo, - - 232
The -Carcajou. The Skunk, - - 233
The Porcupine, - - - - 234
The Wood-chuck. The Racoon. The Marten. The
Mufquajb, - - - - 235
Squirrels. The Beaver, - - ' - 236
The Otter. The Mink, - ' - - 240
B I R D S.
The Eagle. The Night Hawk. The Whipperwill, 241
The Fijh Hawk. The Owl. The Crane, - 242
Bucks. The Teal. The Loon. The Partridge, 243
The Wood Pigeon. The Woodpecker. ■ The Blue Jay. ,
The Wakon Bird, - ' .'. ' 244
Tie Black Bird. The Red Bird. The Whetfaw, 245
The King Bird. The Humming Bird, - 246
F IS H E S.
7 he Sturgeon, . - -
The Cat Fifh. The Carp. The Chub,
246
247
S E R P E N T S.
The Rattle Snake, - - - - 248
The Long Bled Snake. The Striped or Garter Snake.
The Water Snake. The Hiffmg Snake. 1 he Green
Snake, - - - - < - ' 2$i
The Thorn-tail Snake. The Speckled Snake. The Ring
Snake. The Two-headed Snake. The Tortoife or
Land Turtle, - - - 252
L I
A R D S.
The Sw':ft l&sard. The Slew Lizard. The Tree Toad, »;§
INSECTS.
CONTENT'S. xt
INSECT S!'
♦•
The Silk Worm. The Tobacco Worm. The Bee. The • "*
Lightning Bug or Fire Fly, - - 254
The Water Bug. The Homed Bug. Locu/l, - 255
CHAPTER XIX. . •
Of the Trees', Shrubs, Roots , Herb's, Flowers, &a- 256
TREES. ' *
The Oak, - ; - 2\S
The Fine Tree. The Maple. The AJh% - 257
■The 'Hemlock ^ree. ■ Thd Bafs or White Wood. The
Wickopick or Suck wick. The Button Wood, 258-
NUT TREES.
The Butter or Oil Nut. The Beech Nut,
*Fhe Pecan Nut, The Hickory,
FRUIT TREES.
259
260
The Fine, - .... 250
The Mulberry Tree. Ihe Crab Apple Tree. The Plum
Tree. The Cherry Tree. The Sweet Gum Tree, 261
S H R U B ' S. '
The Willow. Shin Wood. The Sajafras-, - 2(5*2
The Prickly JJh. The Moof? Wood. The Spoon Wood. ~„
' The Elder, - - ... 26?
The Shrub Oak. The Witch Hazle. The Myrtle Wax . '
Tree. Winter Green, - - - 264
The Fever Bujh. The Cranberry Bufi. The Choak
Berry, -- - - . 2£-
ROOTS
£ja
&yi CONTENTS.
ROOTS and PLANTS.
Spikenard. Sarfaparilla. Ginfang, - - 266
Gold Threaa, Solomon's Seal. Devil's Bit. Blood Rooty 267
HERBS.
Santcle. Rattle Snake Plantain, - - 268
Poor Robin's Plaintain. Toad Plaintain. Rock Li-
verwort. Gargit or Skoke. Skunk Cabbage or Poke.
Wake Robin, - - . - 269
Wild Indigo. Cat, Mint, - - - 270
FLOWER S,
ib.
FARINACEOUS and LEGUMINOUS
R O O T S3 fcv.
Maize or Indian Corn. Wild Rice,
Beans. The Squafb,
271
273
A P P E N D I X.
The Probability of the interior Parts of North- America
becoming Commercial C Ionia, - - 274.
The Means by which this might be effl8ed, - 275
Trails of hand pointed out, on which Colonies may be
eflabifh d with the £#• atji Advantage, - 276
Differ 'talion on the Dfcovery of a No,t"j-weft Paffage, 28c*
The mqfl certain Way of attaining it, - - ib.
Plan propofed by Richard Whiiworh, Efq. for making
an Attempt from a Qua.t.r hi.krto unexplored, 28 i
The Reafn of its being poflponed, - - lb.
INTRO-
•'f^**^ .....
Oncd^xjjai^oic ^iiuj^«j±) a
INTRODUCTION,
NO fooner was the late War with France con-
cluded, and Peace eitablifhed by the Treaty of
Verfailles in the Year 1763, than I began to
confider (having rendered my country fome fervices du-
ring the war) how I might continue Hill ferviceable^
and contribute, as much as lay in my power, to make
that vaft acquifition of territory, gained by Great-Bri-
tain, in North- America, advantageous to it. It appear-
ed to me indifpenfably needful, that Government mould
be acquainted, in the firft place., with the true Hate
of the dominions they were now become poffeffed of.
To this purpofe, I determined, as the next proof of
my zeal, to explore the moll unknown parts of them?
and to fpare no trouble or expence in acquiring a know-
ledge that promifed to be fo ufeful to my countrymen.
I knew that many obftruttions would arife to my fcheme
irom the want of good Maps and Charts ; for the
.French, whilil -they retained their power in North-
America, had taken every artful method to keep all
•other nations, particularly the Englim, in ignorance of
the concerns of the interior parts of it : and to ac-
complifh this defign with the greater certainty, they
had publiihed inaccurate maps and falfe accounts ; calling
the different nations of the Indians by nicknames they
had' given them, and not by thofe really appertaining to
them. Whether the intention of the French in doing
this, was to prevent thefe nations from being difcovered
-and traded with, or to conceal their difcourfe, when
.they talked to each other of the Indian concerns, in
their prefence, I will not determine ; but whatsoever
was the caufe from which it arofe, it tended to miflead.
B As
ii INTRODUCTION.
As a proof that the Englifh had been greatly deceiv-
ed by thefe accounts, and that their knowledge rela-
tive to Canada had ufually been very confined; — before
the ccnqueft of Crown-Point in 1 759, it had been eileem-
-ed an impregnable fortrefs ; but no fooner was it taken,
than we were convinced that it had acquired its greateft
fecurity from falfe reports, given out by its poffeffors,
and might have been battered down with a few four
pounders. Even its fitiiation, which was reprefented to
be fo very advantageous, was found to owe its advan-
tages to the fame fource. It cannot be denied but that
fame maps of thefe countries have been published by
the French with an appearance of accuracy ; but thefe
are of fo fraall a iize, and drawn on fo minute a fcale,
that they are nearly inexplicable. The fources of the
MilmTippi, I can affert from my own experience, are
greatly mifplaced ; for when I had explored them, and
compared their ikuation with the French Charts, I
found them very erroneoufly reprefented, and am fatis-
fled that thefe were only copied from the rude iketch-
es of the Indians.
Even fo lately as their evacuation of Canada, they
•continued their fehemes to deceive ; leaving no traces by
-which any knowledge might accrue to their conquerors ;
for though they were well acquainted with all the
Lakes, particularly with Lake Superior, having con-
stantly a veffel of considerable burthen thereon, yet
their plans of them are very incorrect. I difcovered
many errors in the defcriptions given therein of its illands
and bays, during a progrefs of eleven hundred miles that
I coailed it in canoes. They likewife, on giving up
the pefTefrlcn of them, took care to leave the places they
had occupied, in the fame uncultivated flate they had
found them ; at the fame time deftroying all their naval
force. I obferved myfelf part of the hulk of a very
large veffel, burnt to the water's edge, juil at the open-
ing from the Straits of St. Marie's into the Lake,
Thefe difficulties, however, were not fuflicient to de-
ter me frcm the undertaking, and I made preparations
for fetting out. What I chiefly had in view, after gain-
ing a knowledge of the manners, cufloms, languages,
foil,
INTRODUCTION. iii
foil, and natural productions of the diilerent nations that
inhabit the back of the MiiTiffippi, was to aCeeitam the
breadth of that vaft continent, which extends from the
Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, in its broadeft part be-
tween 43 and 46 degrees northern latitude. Had I
been able to accompliih this, I intended to have pro-
poied to government to eilablifh a pod in feme of thole
parts about the Straits of Annian, which having been
firit difcovered by Sir Francis Drake, of courfe belong
to the Englifh. This I am convinced would greatly fa-
cilitate the dlfcovery of a Northweft Paflage, or a com-
munication between Hudfon's Bay and the Pacific
Ocean, An event fo deiirable, and which has been f>
often fought for, but without fuccefs. Befides this im-
portant end, a fettlement on that extremity of America
would anfwer many good purpofes, and repay every ex-
pence the eiiablimment of it might occafion. For it
would not only difclofe new fources of trade, and pro-
mote many ufeful diicovenes, but would open a paflage
for conveying intelligence to China, and the Engiiih
fettlement s in the Eaft Indies, with greater expedition,
than a tedious voyage by the Cape of Good Hope, or
the Straits of Magellan will allow of.
How far -the advantages ariiing from fuch an enter-
prize may extend, can only be ascertained by the favor-
able concurrence of future events. But that the com-
pletion of the fcheme, I have had the honor of firrl
planning and attempting, will fome time or other be
effected, I make no" doubt. From the unhappy divifi-
ons that at prefent fubfiil between Great-Britain and
America, it will probably be fome years before the at-
tempt is repeated ; but whenever it is, and the executi-
on of it carried on with propriety, thofe who are fo
fortunate as to fucced, will reap, exclufive of the nation-
al advantages that mull enfue, emoluments beyond their
moll fanguine expectations. And whilft their fpirits
are elated by their fuccefs, perhaps they ma/ bellow
fome commendations and blefiings on the perfon who
firfl pointed out to them the way. Thefe, though but
a fhadowy recompenoe for all my toil* I mail receive
with pleaiure.
To
iV I N T R 6 D U C T I O N,
To what power or authority this new world wilf
become dependent, after it has ar'ifen from its prefent un-
cultivated ftate, time alone can difcover. But'as the feat
of Empire from time immemorial has been gradually
progreffive towards- the Weft, there is no doubt but
that at^fome future period, mighty kingdoms will'
emerge from thefe wilderneiTes, and ftately palaces and
folemn temples, with gilded fpires reaching the fides,
fupplant the Indian huts, whofe only decorations are
the barbarous trophies of their vanquished enemies,
As fome of the preceding paiTages have already in-
formed the reader that the plan I had laid down for
penetrating to the Pacific Ocean, proved abortive, it is
neceffary^to add, that this proceeded not from its im-
practicability (for the further I went the more con-
vinced I was that it could ceitainly be accomplished)
but from unforefeen disappointments. However, I pro-
ceeded fo far, that I was able to make fuch difcoveries
as wiU be ufeful in any future attempt, and prove a
good foundation for fome more fortunate fucceiTor to
build upon. Thefe I mail now lay before the public in
the following pages ; and am fatisied that the* greateil
part of them have never been published by any perfon
that has hitherto treated of the interior nations of the
Indians; particularly, the account I give of the Nau-
doweilks, and the Situation of the heads of the four
great rivers that take their rife within a few leagues of
each other, nearly about the center of this great con-
tinent ; viz. The River Bourbon, which empties itfelf
into Hudfon's Bay ; the waters of Saint Lawrence ; the
MiffiiTippi, and the River Oregon, or the River of the
Weft, that falls into the Pacific Ocean, at the Straits of
Annian.
The impediments that occafioned my returning, be*
fore I had accomplished my purpofes, were thefe. On
my arrival at Michillimackinac, the remoter! EngliSh
port, in September 1766, I applied to Mr. Rogers, who
was then governor of it, to furniSh me with a proper af-
fortment of goods, as prefents for the Indians who in-
habit the track I intended to purfue. He did this only
in part; but promifed to fupply me wii;h fuch as were
necclTary^
-
INTRODUCTION. f
aeceffary, when I reached the Falls of Saint Anthony,
afterwards learned that the governor fulfilled his pro-
mife in ordering the goods to be delivered to me ; but
thofe to whofe care he intruded them, inftead of con-
forming to his orders, difpofed of them elfewhere.
Dilappointed in my expectations from this quarter, I
I thought it neceffary to return to La Prairie Le Chien ;
for it "was impoffible to proceed any 'further without
prefents to enfure me a favorable reception. ^ This I did
in the beginning of the year 1767, and finding my pro-
grefs to the weftward thus retarded, I determined to
direct my courfe northward. I took this ftep with a
view of finding a communication from the Heads of
the Mifliflippi into Lake Superior, in order to meet,
at the grand Portage on the North-weft fide of that lake,
the traders that ufually come, about this feafon, from
Michillimackinac. Of thefe I intended to purchafe
goods, and then to purfue my journey from that quar-
ter, by way of the lakes du Pluye, Dubois, and Ou-
nipique to the Heads- of the River of the Weft, which,
as I have faid before,, falls into the Straits of Annian,
the termination of my intended progrefs.
I accomplifhed the former part of my defign, and
reached Lake Superior in proper time ; but unluckily
the traders I met there, acquainted me,, that they had
no goods to fpare ; thofe they had with them being
barely fufficient to anfwer their own demands in thefe
remote parts. Thus difappointed a fecond time, I found
myfelf obliged to return to the place from whence I be-
gan my expedition, which I did after continuing fome
months on the north and eaft borders of Lake Superior,
and exploring the bays and rivers that empty them-
felves into this large body of water.
As it may be expected that I fliould lay before the
public the reafons that thefe difcoveries, of fo much im-
portance to every one who has any connections writh
America, have not been imparted to them before, 11 ot-
withftandmg they were made upwards of ten years ago.
I will give them to the world in a plain and candid
manner, and without mingling with them any complaints
oa account of the ill treatment I have received.
B 2 .Qn<
vf INTKQDUC T I O N.
m On my arrival in England, I prefented a petition to.
his Majefty in council, praying for a reimburfcment of
thofe lums I had expended in the fervice of government.
This was referred to the Lords Commiffioners of Trade.
and Plantations. Their Lord/hips from the tenor of, it
thought the intelligence I could giye, of fo much import-
ance^ to the nation, that they ordered me to appear before
the Board. This meffage I obeyed, and underwent a long
examination ; much I believe to the fatisfa&idn of every
Lordprefent. When it was fmiihed, I requeued to know
what I mould do with my papers ; without hefitation the
firft Lord replied, That I might publifh them whenever I
pleafed. In confequence of this permiffion, I difpofed
of them to a bookfeiler : but when they were nearly rea-
dy for the prefs, an order was iiTued from the council
board, requiring me to deliver, without delay, into the
Plantation Office, all my Charts and Journals, with
every paper relative to the difcoveries I had made. In
order to obey this command, I was obliged to re-pur-
ehafe them from the bookfeiler at a very great expence,
and deliver them up. This frefn difbiirfement I endea-
vored to get annexed to the account I had already de-
livered in ; but the requeft was denied me, notwithstand-
ing I had only a&ed, in the difpofal of my papers, con-
ifbrmabiy-to the permiffion I had received from the
Board of Trade. This lofs, which amounted to a very
considerable fum, I was obliged to bear, and to reft fa-
tisfied with an indemnification for my other expences.
Thus litnated, my only expectations are from the fa-
vor of a generous public ; to whom; I mail now com-
municate my plans, journals, and obfervations, of which
I luckily kept copies, when I delivered the originals
into the Plantation Office. And this I do the more
readily, as I hear they are miflaid : and there is no pro-
bability of their ever being publimed. To thofe who *
are mtereflcd in the concerns of the interior parts of
North- America, from the contiguity of their poffefuons,
or commercial engagements, they will be extremely ufe-
ful, and fully repay the fum at- which they are pur-
chased. To thofe, who, from a laudable curiofity, wifh:
to be acquainted with the manners and cuftoms of every
inhabitant
I N T R a D U C T I O N. vli
inhabitant of this globe, the accounts here given of the
various nations that inhabit fo vail a trad of it, a coun-
try hitherto almoft unexplored, will furnifn an ample
fund of amufement, and gratify their moil curious ex-
peftations. And I flatter myfelf they will be as favora-
bly received by the public, as defcriptions of iilands,
which afford no other entertainment than what arifes
from their novelty ; and difcoveries, that feem to pro-
mife very few advantages to this country, though ac-
quired at an immenfe expence.
To make the following work as comprehenfible and
entertaining as poffible, I mall firft give my readers an
account of the route I purfued over this immenfe con-
tinent, and as I pafs on, defcribc the number of inhabi-
tants, the fituation of the rivers and lakes, and the pro-
ductions of the country. Having done this, I ■ (hdl
treat, in diflincTt chapters, of the manners, cuftoms, and,
languages of the Indians, and to complete the whole,
add a vocabulary of the words moftly in life among them.
And here it is neceffary to befpeak the candor of the
learned part of my readers in the perufal of it, as it is
the produ&ion of a perfon unufed, from oppofite avoca-
tions, to literary purfuits. He therefore begs they would
not examine it with too critical an eye ; efpecially when
he aflures them that his attention has been more employ-
ed on giving a juft defcription of a country that promifes,
in fome future period, to be an inexhauftible fource of
riches to that people who fnall be fo fortunate as to pof-
fefs it, than on the ftyle or conrpofition ; and more care-
ful to render his language intelligible and explicit, than
fmooth and florid.
JOURNAL
OF THE
TRAVELS,
WITH A.
D E S C R I P T I O N
0 F THE
COUNTRY, LAKES, 6'C
.. ' v : :
IN June 1766, I fat out from Bofton, and proceed-
ed by way of Albany and Niagara,, to Michillimac*-
kinac \ a fort fituated between the Lakes Huron and
Michigan, and diftant from Boilon 1300 miles. This
being the uttermoft of our factories towards the north-
weft, I confidered it as the moft convenient place from
whence I could begin by intended progrefs, and enter
at once into the regions I defigned to explore.
Referring my readers to the publications already ex-
tant for an account of thofe parts of North-America,
that, from lying adjacent to the back fettlements, have
been frequently defcribed, I mall confine myfelf to a
defcription of the more interior parts of it,, which having
been but feldom vifited, are confequently but little
known. In doing this, I {hall in no inftance exceed the
bounds of truth, or have recourfe to thofe ufelefs and ex-
travagant exaggerations too often made ufe of by tiavel-
lers, to excite the curiofity of the public, or to increafe
their own importance. Nor (hall I infert any obfervati-
on%
IO
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
ens, but fuch as I have made myfelf, or, frcm the cre-
dibility of thofe by whom they were related, am enabled
to vouch for their authenticity.
Michillimackinac, from whence I began my travels,
is a fort conipofed of a ftrong ftockadej and is ufually
defended by a garrifon of one hundred men. It con-
tains about thirty houfes, one of which belongs to the
governor, and another to the commiiTary. Several tra-
ders alfo dwell within its fortifications, who find it a con-
venient^fituation to traffic with the neighboring nations, j
Michillimackinac, in the language of the Chipeway In-
dians, fignifles a Tortoife ; and the place is fuppofed to
receive its name from an ifland, lying about fix or kvm
miles to the north-eaft, within fight of the fort, which '
has the appearance of that animal.
During the Indian war that followed foon after the
conqueft of Canada in the year 1 763, and which was car-
ried on by an army of confederate nations, conipofed of
the Hurons, Miamies, Chipeways, Ottowaws, Pontow-
attimies, Miffiflaugcs, and fome other tribes, under the
direction of Pbntiac, a celebrated Indian warrior, who, -
had always been in the French intereft, it was taken by j
furprize in the following manner : The Indians having -
fettled their plan, drew near the fort, and began a\
game at ball, a paftime much ufed among them, and
not unlike tennis. In the height of their pame, at
which fome of the Englifh officers, not Mped'tug any
deceit, flood looking on, they ftruck the ball, as if by
accident, over the flockade ; this they repeated two or
three times, to make the deception more complete;
till at length, having by this means lulled every fufpi-
cion of the centry at the fouth gate, a party ruihed by
him; and the reft foon following, they took pciTeiTioii
of the fort, without meeting with any oppofitidn. Hav-
ing accomplished their defign, the Indians had the hu-
manity to fpare the lives of the greateft part of the
garnion and traders, but they made them all prifoners,
and carried them off. However, fome time after they
took them to Montreal, where they were redeemed at a
good price. The fort alfo was given up again to the
■bnghfli at the peace made with Pontiac, by the com-
mander of Detroit the year following. ' Havino-
CARVER?s TRAVELS. u
-Having here made the necefiary difpofitions for pur-
fuing niy travels, and obtained a credit from Mr. Rogers,
the orovernor, on fome Englifh and Canadian traders,
who were going to trade on the Miffiffippi, and re-
ceived alfo from him a promife of a frefh fupply of
(5 goods when I reached the falls of Saint Anthony. I
left the fort on the 3d of September, in company with
thefe traders. It was agreed that they fhouid furnifh
me with fach goods as I might want, for prefents to
the Indian chiefs, during my continuance with them,
agreeable to the governor's order. But when I arrived
at- the extent of their route, I was to find other guides,
and to depend on the goods the governor had prcmifed
to fupply me with.
We accordingly fet out together, and on the 1 8th
arrived at Fort La Bay. This fort is fituated on the
fouthern extremity of a bay in Lake Michigan, termed
by the French, the Bay of Puants ; but which, fince
the Englifh have gained poffeflion of all the fettlements
on this part of the continent, is called by them, the
Green Bay. The reafon of its being thus denominated,
is from its appearance ; for on leaving Michillimackinac
in the fpring feafon, though the trees there have not even
put forth their buds, yet you find the country around
La Bay, notwithflanding the paffage has not exceeded
fourteen days, covered with the fineil verdure, and ve-
getation as forward as it could be were it fummer.
This fort is alfo only furrounded by a itockade, and
being much decayed, is fcarcely defensible againft fmall
arms. It was built by the French for the protection of
their trade, fome time before they were forced to relin-
quifh it ; and when Canada and its dependencies were
furrendered to the Englifh, it was immediately garri-
foned with an officer and thirty men. Thefe were made
prifoners by the Menomonies foon after the forpife of
Michillimackinac, and the fort has neither been garri-
foned or kept in repair fince.
The bay is about ninety miles long, but differs much
in its breadth ; being in fome places only fifteen miles,
in others from twenty to thirty. It lies nearly from
north-eaft to fouth-weft. At the entrance of it from
i the
J£L»'^fc
52 CARVER's TRAVELS.
the lake are a firing of iflands, extending from north td
fouth, called the Grand Traverfe. Thefe are about thir-
ty miles in length, and ferve to facilitate the pafTage of
-canoes, as they fhelter them from the winds, which
fometimes come with violence acrofs the Lake. On the
fide that lies to the fouth-eafl is the neareil and bell na-
vigation.
The iflands of the Crand Traverfe are moflly fmall
and rocky. Many of the rocks are of an amazing fize,
and appear as if they had been fafnioned by the hands
-of artifts. On the iargefl and bell of thefe iflands ftands '
•atown of the Ottowaws, at which I found one of the
*mofl confiderable chiefs of that nation, who received
me* with every honor he could pofilbly mow to a flran-
ger. But what appeared extremely lingular .to meat
the time, rand muft do fo to every perfon unacquainted
••with ^the cufloms of the Indians, was the reception I
met with on landing. As our canoes approached the
(bore, and had reached within about threefcore rods of
it, the Indians began a feu-de-joy.; in which they fired
their pieces loaded with .balls; but at the fame time
they took care to difcharge them in fuch a manner as
to fly a few yards above our heads : during this they ran
from one tree or flump to another, jfhouting and behav-
ing as if they were in the heat of battle. At firft I
was greatly furprifed, and was on the point of ordering
my attendants to return their fire, concluding that their
intentions were hoflile ; but being undeceived by fome ■
of the traders, who informed me that this was their ufu-
al method -of receiving the chiefs of other nations, I con-
sidered it in its true light, and was pleafed with the re-
fpecx thus paid me.
I remained here one night. Among the prefents I
made the chiefs, were fome fpirituous liquors ; with
which they made themfelves merry, and all joined in &
dance, that lafled the greatefl part of the night. In
the morning when I departed, the chief attended me
to the fhore, and, as foon as I had embarked, offered
up, in an audible voice, and with great folemnity, a
fervent prayer in my behalf. He prayed " that the
Great Spirit would favor me with a profperous voyage ;
that
CARVER'S TRAVELS. *jj
that he would give me an unclouded iky, and fmooth.
waters, by day, and that I might lie down, by night,
on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted fleep, and
pleafant dreams ; and alfo that I might find continual
protection under the great pipe of peace." In this man-
ner he continued his petitions till I could no longer
liear them.
I mult here obferve, that notwithstanding the irihabi*
-tants of Europe are apt to entertain horrid ideas of the
ferocity of theie favages, as they are termed, I received
from every tribe of them in the interior parts, the moll
hofpitable and courteous treatment ; and am convinced,
that till they are contaminated by the example, and
fpirituous liquors of their more refined neighbors, they
retain this friendly and inoffenfive conduct towards Gran-
gers. Their inveteracy and cruelty to their enemies, I
acknowledge to be a great abatement of the favorable
opinion I would wifh to entertain of them ; but this
failing is hereditary, and having received the [auction of
immemorial euftom, has taken too deep root in their
minds to be ever extirpated.
Among this people I eat of a very uncommon kind
of bread. ^ The Indians, in general, ufe but little of
*his nutritious food: whilil their corn is in the milk,
as they term it, that is, juft before it begins to ripen,
they flice off the kernels from the cob to which they
^row, and knead them into a pafteV This they are
enabled to do without the addition of any liquid, by
the milk that lows from them ; and when it is effect-
ed, they parcel it out into cakes, and enclofmg them in
leaves of the baffwood tree, place them in hot embers,
where they are foon baked. And better flavored bread
I never eat in any country.
This place is only a fmall village containing about
twenty-five houfes and fixty or feventy warriors. I
found nothing there worthy of further remark.
The land on the fouth-eaft fide of the Green Bay, is
but very indifferent, being overfpread with a heavy
growth of hemlock, pine, fpruce, and fir trees. The
communication between Lake Michigan and the Green
Bay, has been reported by fome to be impracticable for
C the
'tztft
CARVER'S travels.
H
the paffage of any veffels larger than canoes or boats, on
account of the fhoals that lie between the iflands in the
Grand Traverfe ; but on founding it I found fufficient
depth for a veffel of fixty tons, and the breadth propor-
tionable.
The land adjoining to the bottom of this bay is very
fertile, the country in general level, and the perfpedtive
view of it pleafing and extenfive.
A few families live in the fort, which lies on the weft
fide of the Fox River, and oppofite to it, on the eaft
fide of its entrance, are fome French fettlers who culti-
vate the land, and appear to live very comfortably.
The Green Bay or J3ay of Puants is one of thofe
places to which the French, as I haye mentioned in the
introduction, have given nicknames. It is termed by
the inhabitants of its coafis, the Menomonie Bay ; but
why the French have denominated it the Puant or Stink-
ing Bay, I know not. The reafon they themfelves give
for it is, that it was not with a view to miilead ftrangersj
.but that by adopting this method, they could converfe
with each other concerning the Indians, in their pre-
fence, without being underftood by them. For it was
remarked by the perfons who .firft traded among them,
that when they were fpeaking to each other about them,
and mentioned their proper name, they inflantly grew
fufpicious, and concluded that their vifiters were either
fpeaking ill of them, or plotting their 'deflrudlion. To
remedy this they gave them fome other name. The on-
ly bad confequence arifing from the practice then intror-
duced is, that Englim and French geographers, in their
plans of the interior parts of America, give different
names to the fame people, and thereby perplex thofe •
who have occafion to refer to them.
Lake Michigan, of which the Green Bay is a part,
is divided on the north -earl from Lake Huron by the
Straits of Michillimackinac ; and is fituated betwen for-
ty-two and forty -fix degrees of latitude, and between
jeignty-four and eighty- feven degrees of weft-longitude.
Its greateft length is two hundred and eighty miles, its
breadth about forty, and its circumference nearly fix
hundred. There is a remarkable firing of fmall iflands,
beginning
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 15
beginning over againft Afkin's Farm, and running about
thirty miles fouth-weft into the Lake. Thefe are called
the Beaver Iflands. Their fituation is very pleafant, but
the foil is bare. However they afford a beautiful profped.
On the north-welt parts of this lake the waters branch
out into two bays. That which lies towards the north
is the Bay of Noquets, and the other the Green Bay
juft defcribed.
The waters of this as^well as the other great lakes are
clear and wholefome, and of fuificient depth for the na-
vigation of large ihrps. Half the fpace of the- country
that lies to the eait, and extends to LakeHuron, he-
longs to the Ottowaw Indians. The line that divides
their territories from the Chip^ways, runs nearly north
and fouth, and reaches almoll from the fouthern extremi-
ty of this lake, acrofs the high lands, to Michillimacki-
nac, through the center of which it paiTes. So that when
thefe two tribes happen to meet at the fa&ory, they each
encamp on their own dominions, at a few yards diitance
from the ftockade.
The country adjacent either to the eaft or weft fide of
this lake, is compofed but of an indifferent foil, except
where fmall brooks or rivers empty themfelves into it ; on
the banks of thefe it is extremely fertile. Near the bor-
ders of the lake grow a great number of fand cherries,
which are not lefs remarkable for their manner of growth,
than for their exquifite flavor. They grow upon a fmali
fhrub, not more than four feet high, the boughs of
which are fo loaded' that they lie in chillers on the fand.
As they grow only on the fand, the warmth of which
probably contributes to bring them to fuch perfection ;
they are called by the French, cherries de fable, or fand
cherries. The fi-ze of them does not exceed that of a
fmall mufket ball, but they are reckoned fuperior to any
other fort for the purpcfe of fteeping in fpirits. There
alfo grow around the lake, goofeberries, black currants,
and an abundance of juniper, bearing great quantities of
berries of. the nnefl fort.
Sumack like wife grows here in great plenty ; the
leaf of which, gathered at Michaelmas, when it turns red,
is much eileemcd by the natives. They mix about an
equal
m&k
i6 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
equal quantity of it with their tobacco, which caufes it
to imoke pleafantly. Near this lake, and indeed about
ah the great lakes, is found a kind of willow, termed by
the French, bois rouge, in Englifh, red wood. Its bark,
when only of one year's growth, is of a fine fcarlet co-
lor, and appears very beautiful ; but as it grows older,
U changes into a mixture of grey and red. The ftalks
of this ftrub grow many of them together, and rife to
the height of fix or eight feet, the largeft not exceeding
an inch diameter. The bark being fcraped from the.
iticks, and dried and powdered, is alfo mixed by the
Indians with their tobacco, and is held by them in the
higneit eilimation for their winter fmokmg. A weed
that grows near the great lakes, in rocky places, they
fife in the fummer feafon. It is called by the Indians,
■oegockimac, and creeps like a vine on the ground, fome-
times extending to eight or ten feet, and bearing a leaf
about the fize of a . filver penny, nearly round; it is of
the fubrlance and color of the laurel, and is, like the tree
it refembles, an evergreen. Thefe leaves, dried and pow-
dered, they likewife mix with their tobacco ; and, as faid
before, fmoke it only during the fummer. By thefe
three fuccedaneums, the pipes of the Indians are well
iupphed through every feafon of the year; and as they
are great fmokers, they are very careful in properly ga-
thering and preparing them.
On the 20th of September I left the Green Bay,
and proceeded up Fox River, ftill in company with the
traders and fome Indians. On the 25th I arrived at the
great town of the Winnebagoes, fituated on a fmall
lfland, juft as you enter the eaft end of Lake Winneba-
go. Here the queen who pr elided over this tribe inftead
of a Sachem, received me with great civility, and enter-
tained me in a very diftinguifhed manner, during the
four days I continued with her.
The day after my arrival I held a council with the
chiefs, of whom I alked permiffion to pafs through their
country, in my way to more remote nations* on bufmefs
of importance. This was readily granted me, the requeft
being efteemed by them as a great compliment paid to
their tribe. The queen fat in the council, but only
a&ed
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 17
aiked a few queftions, or gave fome trifling directions in
matters relative to the Hate ; for women are never allow-
ed to fit in their councils, except they happen to be in-
verted with the fupreme authority, and then it is not
cuftomary for them to make any formal fpeeches as the
chiefs do. She was a very ancient woman, fmall in
ftature, and not much diftinguifhed by her drefs from
feveral young women that attended her. Thefe her at-
tendants feemed greatly pleafed whenever I mowed any
tokens of refpeft to their queen* particularly when 1
faluted her,, which I frequently did to acquire her favor..
On thefe occafions the good old lady endeavored to af-
fume a juvenile gaiety, and by her fmiles mowed me
was equally pleafed with the attention I paid her.
The time I tarried here, I employed in making the
beft obfervations poffible on the country, and in coiled--
ing the moft certain intelligence I could,, of the origin,
language, and cuiloms of this people. From thefe en-
quiries I have reafon to conclude, that the Winneba-
goes originally refided in fome of the provinces belong-
ing to New Mexico; and being driven from their na-
tive country, either by inteftine divifions, or by the ex-
tenfions of the Spanifh conquefts, they took refuge in
thefe more northern parts about a century ago.
My reafons for adopting this fuppofition, are, Firu>
from their unalienable attachment to the Naudowefiie In-
dians (who, they fay, gave them the earliefl fuccors
during their emigration) notwithstanding their prefent
refidence is more than fix hundred miles diitant from that
people.
Secondly, that their dialect totally differs from eve-
ry other; Indian nation yet difcovered ; it being a very
uncouth, guttural jargon, which none of their neighbors
will attempt to learn. They converfe with other nations
m the Chip i way tongue, ,which is the prevailing la iguage
throughout all the tribes, from the Mohawks of Cana-
da, to thofe who inhabit the borders of the Miffiliippi,
and from the Hurons and Illinois to fuch as dwell near
Hudfon's Bay.
Thirdly, from their inveterate hatred to the Spanf*
ards. Some of them informed me that they had many
C 2 excurfions
CARVERS TRAVELS.
-Li
18
excurfions to the fouth-weft, which took up feveral
moons. An elderly "chief more particularly acquainted
me, that about forty-fix winters ago, he marched at the
■nead of fifty warriors, toward the fouth-weft, for three
moons. That during this expedition, whilft they were
croffing a plain, they difcovered a body of men on horfe-
back, who belonged to the Black People ; for fo they
call the Spaniards. As foon as they perceived them,
they proceeded with caution, and concealed themfelves,
till night came on ; when they drew fo near as to be
able to difcern the number and fituation of their enemies,.
Finding they were not able to cope with fo great a fu-
periority by day-light, they waited till they had retired,
to reft ; when they rallied upon them, aad, after having,
killed the greateft part of the men, took eighty horfes
loaded with what they termed white ftone. This I fup-
pofe to have been filver, as he told me the horfes were
.fliod with it, and that their bridles were ornamented
with the fame. When they had fatiated their revenge,.
they carried off their fpoll, and being got fo far as to be
out of the reach of the Spaniards that had efcaped their
fury,^ they left the ufelels and ponderous burthen, with.
which the horfes were leaded, in the woods, and mount-
mg themfelves, in this manner returned to their friends.
The party they had thus defeated, I conclude to be
the caravan that annually conveys to Mexico, the filver:
which the Spaniards find in great quantities on . the
mountains lying near the heads of the Coleredo River:
and the plains where the attack was made, probably,,
fome they were obliged to pafs over in their way to the
heads of the River St. Fee, or Rio del Nord, which
falls into the Gulf of Mexico, to the weft of the
Miffifnppi. ../
. The Winnebagoes can raife about two hundred war-
riors, Thdr town contains about fifty houfes, which are ^
ftrongly built with palifades, and the iftand on which it
is fituated, nearly fifty acres. It lies thirty-five miles,
reckoning according to the eourfe of the river, from the
Green Bay.
The river, for about four or five miles from the bay,
las a gentle current ; after that fpace, till you arrive at.
the
CARVER'S TRAVELS;
I£
the Winnebago Lake, it is full of rocks and very rapid,.
At many places we were obliged to land our canoes, and
carry them a confiderable way. Its breadth, in generals
from the Green Bay to the Winnebago Lake, is be-
tween feventy and a hundred yards : the land on its*
borders very good, and thinly wooded with hickory, oak,
and hazel.
The Winnebrgo Lake is about fifteen miles long from
eaft to weft, and fix miles wide. At its fouth-eaft cor-
ner, a river falls into it that takes its rife near fome of
the northern branches of the Illinois River. This I
called the Crocodile River, in confequence of a ftory
that prevails among the Indians^ of their having deflroy-
ed, in fome part of it, an- animal, which from their de-
f crip t ion mull be a crocodile or an alligator.
The land adjacent to the Lake is very fertile, abound-
ing with grapes, plums, and other fruits, which grow
fpontaneoufly. The Winnebagoes raife on it a great
quantity of Indian corn, beans, pumpkins, fquafhes, and"
water melons, with fome tobacco. The Lake itfelf
abounds withfifh, and in the fall of the year, with geefe,
ducks, and teal. The latter, which refort to it in great
numbers, are remarkably good and extremely fat, and
are much better flavored than thofe that are found near;
the fea, as they acquire their exceffive fatnefs by feeding
on the wild rice* which grows fo plentifully in tkeie
parts.
Having made fome acceptable prefents to the good
old queen, and received her bleffing, I left the town of
the Winnebagoes on the 29th of September, and about
twelve miles from it, arrived at the place where the Fox
River enters the Lake on the north fide of it. We
■proceeded up this river^ and on the 7th of Oclober
reached the great Carrying Place^ which divides it from,
the Oaifconiin.
The Fox River, from the Green Bay to the Carrying
Place, is about one hundred and eighty miles. From:
the Winnebago Lake to the Carrying Place the current
is gentle, and the depth of it ■ coniiderable ; notwith-
ilanding which, it is in fome places with difficulty
that canoes can pafs, through the obilruclions they,
meet
Q^^
w- CARVER's TRAVELS.
meet with from the rice flalks, which are very large
and thick, and grow here in great abundance. The
country around it is very fertile, and proper in the
higheft degree for cultivation, excepting in iome places,
near the river, where it is rather too low. It is in no
part very woody, and yet can fupply fuihcient to aniwer
the demands of any number of inhabitants. This river
is the greatefl refort for wild fowl of every kind, that I
met with in the whole courfe of my travels ; frequently
the fun would be obfcured by them for fome minutes
together.
About forty miles up this river, from the great town
©f the Winnebagoes, ftands a fmaller town belonging
to that nation.
Deer and bears are very numerous in thefe parts, and-
a great many beavers and other firs are taken on the
ilreams that empty themielves into this river.
The river I am treating of, is remarkable for having
been, about eighty years ago, the refidence of the united
bands of the Ottigaumies and the Saukies, whom the
French had nicknamed, according to their wonted
cuilom, Bes Sacs and Des Reynards, the Sacks and
the Foxes, of whom the following anecdote was related
tome by an Indian.
About fixty years ago, the French miflionaries and
traders having received many infults from thefe people,
a party of French and Indians, under the command of
Captain Morand marched to revenge their wrongs. The
Captain fet out from the Green Bay in the winter,
when they were unfufpicious of a viiit of this kind,,
and purfuing his route over the fnow to their villages,
which lay about fifty miles up the Fox River, came up-
on them by furprife. Unprepared as they were, he;
found them an eafy conq iefl, and confequently killed
or took prifoners the greateil part of them. On the re-
turn of the French to the Green Bay, one of the Indi-
an chiefs in alliance with them, who had a coniiderable
band of the prifoners under his care, flopped to drink
at a brook ; in the mean time his companions Went on :
which being obferved by one of the women whom they
had made captive, ihe fuddenly feized him with both
hep
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 21
her hands, whilft he Hooped to drink, by an exquifitely
fufceptible part, and held him fail till he expired on the
fpot. As the chief,, from the extreme torture he fufFer-
ed, was unable to call out to his friends, or to give any
alarm, they palled on without knowing what had hap-
pened ; and the woman having cut the bands of thofe
of her fellow prifoners who were in the rear, with them
made her efcape. This heroine was ever after treated
by her nation as their deliverer, and made a chiefefs in.
her own right, with liberty to entail the fame honor
on her defcendants : an unufual diftin&ion, and permit-
ted only on extraordinary occafions.
About twelve miles before I reached the Carrying
Place, I obferved feveral fmall mountains which extend-
ed quite to it. Thefe Indeed would only be efteemed
as molehills, when compared with thofe on the back of
the colonies, but as they were the firft I had feen frnce
my leaving Niagara, a track of nearly eleven hundred
miles, I could not leave them unnoticed.
The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebago Lake,
is about fifty yards wide, but it gradually decreafes to the
Carrying Place, where it is no more than live yards
over, except in a few places where it widens into fmall
lakes, though ftill of a confiderable depth. I cannot re-
collect any thing elfe that is remarkable in this river, ex-
cept that it is fo ferpentine for five miles, as only to
gain in that place one quarter of a mile.
The Carrying Place between the Fox and Ouifconfm
Rivers is in breadth not more than a mile and three
quarters, though in feme maps it is fo delineated as to
appear to be ten miles. And here I cannot help remark-
ing, that all tlie maps of thefe parts, I have ever feen,
are very erroneous. T e rivers in general are defcribed
as running in different directions from what they really
do ; and many branches of them, particularly of the Mif-
fifiippi, omitted. The diflances Ox places, likewife, are
greatly mifreprefented. Whether this is done by the
F ench geographers (for the Englifh maps are all copied
from theirs) through defign, or for want of a juft know-
ledge of the country, I cannot fay ; but I am fatisfied
that
iifatai
22 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
that travellers who depend upon them in the parts I vi-
hted, will find themfelves much at a lofs.
Near one half of the way, between the rivers, is a mo-
rals overgrown with a kind of long grafs, the reft of it
a- plain with fome few oak and pine trees growing there^
£?' /^bfe.rJed here a &reat number of rattlesnakes.
Moni. Pmnifance, a French trader, told me a remarks
•We : itory concerning one of thefe reptiles, of which he
laid, he was an eye-witnefs. An- Indian, belonging to
the Menomonie nation, having taken- one of them,
found means to tame it; and when he had done this,
treated* as a Deity; calling it his Great Father, and
carrying it with him, in a box, wherever he went. This
the Indian had done for feveral fummers, when Monf.
rinnixance accidentally met with him at this Carrying
riace, juft as he was fetting off for a winter's hunt. The
French gentleman was furprifed, one day, to fee the In-
dian place the box which contained his god, on the
ground, and opening the door, give him his liberty ;
tehing him, whilft he did it, to be Aire and return by
tne Ume he himfelf mould come back, which was to be
in tne month of May following. As this was but Oc
tober, Momieur told the Indian, whofe fimplicity afto-
m.hed him, that he fancied he might wait long enough
when May arrived, for the arrival of his great father;
Ine Indian was fo confident of his creature's obedience;
that he offered to lay the Frenchman a wager of two
gallons of rum, that at the time appointed he would come
and crawl into his box. This was agreed on, and the
iecond week m May following, fixed for the determine
tion of the wager. At that period they both met there
again ; when the Indian fet down his box, and called for
his great father. The fnake heard him not; and the
time being now expired, he acknowledged that he had
loit. However without feeming to be difcoura<red, he
offered to double the bet, if his great father came not
within two ^ys more. This was further agreed on;
when behold on the fecond day, about one o'clock, the
inake arrived,, and, of his own accord crawled into the
box, which was placed ready for him. The French gen-
tieman vouched for the truth of this flory, and from the
accounts.
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 23
accounts I have often received of the docility, of thofe
creatures, I fee no reafon to doubt his veracity.
I obferved that the main body of the Fox River came
from the fouth-weft, that of the Ouifconfin from the
north-eaft ; and alfo that fome of the fmall branches of
thefe two rivers, in defcending into them, doubled,
within a few feet of each other, a little to the fouth of
the Carrying Place. That two fuch rivers mould take
their rife fo near each other, and after running fuch
different courfes, empty themfelves into the fea, at a
diitance fo amazing (for the former having paiTed through
feveral great lakes, and run upwards of two thoufand
miles, falls into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the other,
after joining the MiffiiTrppi, and having run an equal
number of miles, difembogues itfelf into the Gulf of Mex-
ico) is an inilance fcarcely to be met in the extenfive
continent of North-America. I had an opportunity the
year following, of making the fame obfervations on the
affinity of various head branches of the waters of the
St. Lawrence and the Miffiffippi to each other; and
now bring them as a proof, that the opinion of thofe
geographers, who aflert, that rivers taking their rife fo
near each other, muft .ipring from the fame four.ce, is
erroneous. For I perceived a vifibly diflincl feparation
in all of them, notwithflanding, in fome places, they
approached fo near, that I could have Hepped from one
to the other.
On the 8th of October we got our canoes into the
Ouifconfin River, which at this place is more than a
hundred yards wide ; and the next day arrived at the
Great Town of the Saukies." This is the largeft and
beil built Indian town I ever faw. It contains about
ninety houfes, each large enough for feveral families.
Thefe are built of hewn plank, neatly jointed, and co-
vered with bark fo compactly as to keep out the moil
penetrating rains. Before the doors are placed comfort-
able fheds, in which the inhabitants lit, when the wea-
ther will permit, and fmoke their pipes. The flreets are
regular and fpacious ; fo that it appears more like a ci-
vilized town, than the abode of favages. The land near
the town is very good. In their plantations^ which lie ad-
jacent
24 CAR V E R's T R A V E L S.
jacent to their houfes, and which are neatly laid out
they raife great quantities of Indian corn, beans, me^
Ions, &c. fothat this place is efteemed the beft market
for traders to furnifh themfelves with provisions, of anv
within eight hundred miles of it.
The Saukies can raife about three hundred warriors,
who are generally employed every fummer in making
ancurfions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee
nations, from whence they return with a great number
of flaves. But thofe people frequently retaliate, and, in
their turn, deftroy many of the Saukies, which I judge
to be the reafon that they increafe no falter
Whilft I ftaid here, I took a view of fome moun-
tains that lie about fifteen miles to the Southward, and
abound in lead ore. I afcended on one of the higheft
of thefe, and had an extenfive view of the country. For
-many miles-nothing was to be feen but lefTer mountains,
which appeared at a diftance like haycocks, they being
free from trees. Only a few groves of hickory, and
itunted oaks, covered fome of the vallies. So plentiful
is lead here, that I faw large quantities of it lying about
the ftreetsin the town belonging to the Saukies, and it
ieemed to be as good as the produce of other countries.
On the 10th of Odober we proceeded down the ri*
ver, and the next day reached the Mi town of the
Ottigaumies, This town contained about fifty houfes,
but we found moll of them deferted, on account of
an epidemical diforder that had lately raged among
them, and carried off more than one half of the in-
habitants. The greater part of thofe who furvived, had
retired into the woods, to avoid the contagion.
r/)n.theri5th we entered ttfat extenfive river the Mif-
iiiiippi. I he Ouifconfin, from the Carrying Place to
the part where it falls into the Miffiffippi, flows with a
imooth, but itrong current; the water of it is exceed-
ingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and
ianay bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a
lew iflands, the foil of which appeared to be good, though
fomewhat woody. The land near the river alfo feemed to
be, m, general, excellent; but that at a diftance is very full
ot mountains, where it is faid there are many lead mines.
About
CARVER'S TRAVELS. t$
About five miles from the jun&ion of the rivers, I ob-
served the ruins of a large town, in a very pleafmg
fituation. On enquiring of the neighboring Indians, why
it was thus deferted, I was informed, that about thirty
years ago, the Great Spirit had appeared on the top of
a pyramid of rocks, which lay at a little diflance from it,
towards the weft, and warned them to quit their habita-
tions ; for the land on which they were built belonged
to him, and he had occafion for it. As a proof that he
who gave them thefe orders, was really the Great Spirit'
he further told them, that the grafs mould immediately
ipring up on thofe very rocks from whence he now ad-
dreffed them, which they knew to be bare and barren.
Ihe Indians obeyed, and foon after difcovered that this
miraculous alteration had taken place. They mewed me
the fpot, but the growth of the grafs appeared to be no
ways fupernatural. I apprehend this to have been a flra-
tagem of the French or Spaniards, to anfwer fome felfifli
view; but in what manner they effeaed their purpofes
1 know not. r
This people, foon after their removal, built a town
on the bank of the Miffiffippi, near the mouth of the
Ouifconfin, at a place called by the French, La Prairies
les Chiens, which lignifies the Dog Plains; it is a We
town, and contains about three hundred families • the
houfes are well built after the Indian manner, and plea-
iantly fituated on a very rich foil, from which they raife
every neceffary of life in great abundance. I faw here
many hones of a good iize and fliape. This town is the
great mart where all the adjacent tribes, and even thofe
who inhabit the moll remote branches of the MifliffiDpi,
annually affemble about the latter end of May, brinV-
mg with them their furs to difpofevof to the traders. But
it is not aiways that they conclude their fale here - this
is determined by a general council of the chiefs,' who
Wult whether itwould be more conducive to their
mtereft to fell their goods at this place, or carry them
on to Lomfiana, or Michillimackinac. According to
P^SZ ItSS fci,h" —J f±*
26 GARVER's TRAVELS.
The Miffiflippi, at the entrance of the Ouifconfm, near
which Hands a mountain of confiderable height, is about
half a mile over ; but oppofite to the laft mentioned
town it appears to be more than a mile wide, and full
of iflands, the foil of which is extraordinary rich, and
but thinly wooded.
A little further to the weft, on the contrary fide, a
fmall river falls into the Miffiflippi, which the French
call Le Jaun Riviere, or the Yellow River. Here the
traders who had accompanied me hitherto, took up their
refidence for the winter. I then bought a canoe, and
with two fervants, one a French Canadian, and the other
a Mohawk of Canada, on the 19th proceeded up the
Miffiflippi.
About ten days after I had parted from the ttaders,
I landed as I ufually did, every eyening, and having pitch-
ed my tent, I ordered my men, when night came on,
to lay themfelves down to fleep. By a light that I kept
burning I then fat down to copy the minutes I had taken
in the courfe of the preceding day. About ten o'clock,
having juft finifhed my memorandums, I Hepped out of
my tent to fee what weather it was. As I call my eyes
towards the bank of the river, I thought I faw by the
light of the ftars, which (hone bright, fomething that
had the appearance of a herd of beafts, coming down a
defcent at fome diftance ; whilft I was wondering what
they could be, one of the number fuddenly fprung up,
and difcovered to me the form of a man. In an inflant
they were all on their legs, and I could count about ten
or twelve of them running towards me. I immediately
re-entered the tent, and having awakened my men, or*
dered them to take their arms, and follow ■me. As my
firft apprehenfions were for my canoe, I ran to the water's
fide, and found a party of Indians (for fuch I now dif-
covered them to be) on the point of plundering it. Be7
fore I reached them, I commanded my men not to fire
till I had given the word, being unwilling to begin
hoftilities unlefs occafion abfolutely required. I accord-
ingly advanced with refolution, clofe to the points of
their fpears, they had no other weapons, and brandish-
ing; my hanger, afkedthem with a ftern voice, what they
6 ; wanted?
-
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
27
ivanted ? They were ftaggered at this, and perceiving
they were like to meet with a warm reception, turned
about and precipitately retreated. We purfued them to
an adjacent wood, which they entered, and we faw no
more of them. However, for fear of their return, we
watched alternately during the remainder of the night.
The next day my fervants were under great apprehen-
fions, and earneftly entreated me to return to the traders
we had lately left. But I told them, that if they would
not be efteemed old women (a term of the greater! re-
proach among the Indians) they muft follow me ; for
I was determined to purfue my intended route, as an
Englishman, when once engaged in an adventure, ne-
ver retreated. On this they got into the canoe, and I
walked on the more to guard them from any further,
attack. The party of Indians who had thus intended to
plunder me, I afterwards found to be fome of thofe
ftraggling bands, that having been driven from among
the different tribes to which they belonged, for various
crimes, now affociated themfelves together, and, living
by plunder, prove very troublefome to travellers who pafs
this way ; nor are even Indians of every tribe fpared by
them. The traders had before cautioned me to be upon
my guard againft them, and I would repeat the fame
caution to thofe whole bufinefs might call them into
thcfe parts.
On the 1 ft of November I arrived at Lake Pepin,
which is rather an extended part of the River MiffiiTippi,
that the French have thus denominated, about two hun-
dred miles from the Ouifconfin. The Miffiffippi below
this lake, flows with a gentle current, but the breadth
of it is^ very uncertain, in fome places it being upwards
of a mile, in others not more than a quarter. This river
has a range of mountains on each fide throughout the
whole of the way ; which in particular parts approach
near to it, in others lie at a greater diftance. The land
betwixt the mountains, and on their fides, is generally
covered with grafs, with a few groves of trees interfperf-
ed, near which, large droves of deer and elk are fre-
quently feen feeding.
In
28
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
In many places pyramids of rocks appeared, refem-
bling old ruinous towers ; at others amazing precipices ;
and what is very remarkable, whilft this fcene prefented
itfelf on one fide, the oppofite fide of the fame moun-
tain was covered with the finer! herbage, which gradu-
ally afcended to its fummit. From thence the moll beau-
tiful and extenfive profpect that imagination can form*
opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful meadows,
numerous iflands, and all-thefe abounding with a variety
of trees that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without
care or cultivation ; fuch as the nut-tree, the maple
which produces fugar, vines loaded with rich grapes,
and plum-trees bending under their blooming burdens,
but above all, the fine river flowing gently beneath,
and reaching as far as the eye can extend, by turns at-
tract your admiration and excite your wonder.
The Lake is about twenty miles long, and near fix in
breadth ; in feme places it is very deep, and abounds
with various kinds of fifh. Great numbers of fowl fre-
quent alfo this Lake and the rivers adjacent ; fuch as
tlorks, fwans, geefe, brants, and ducks : and in the
groves are found great plenty of turkeys and partridges.
On the* plains are the larger! buffaloes of any in Ame-
rica. Here I obferved the ruins of a French factory,
where it is faid Captain St. Pierre refided, and carried
on a very .great trade with the Naudoweffies, before the
reduction of Canada.
About fixty miles below this Lake is a mountain re*
markably fituated ; for it Hands by itfelf exactly in the
middle of the River, and looks as if it had flidden from
the adjacent (here into the firearm It cannot be term-
ed an ifland, as it rifes immediately from the brink of
the water to a confiderable height. Both the Indians
and the French call it the Mountain in the River.
One day having landed on the fhore of the Miffiffippi,
fome miles below Lake Pepin, whilf! my attendants
were preparing my dinner, I walked out to take a view
of the adjacent country. I had not proceeded far, be-
fore I came to a fine, level, open plain, on which I per-
ceived at a little diftance, a partial elevation that had
the appearance of an intrenchment. \On a nearer inflec-
tion
-
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 29
tion I had greater reafon to fuppofe that it had really
been intended for this many centuries ago. Notwith-
ftanding it was now covered with grafs, I could plainly
difcern that it had once been a breaft-work of about
four feet in height, extending the bell part of a mile,
and fufficiently capacious to cover five thoufand men.
Its form was fomewhat circular, and its flanks reached
to the River. Though much defaced by time, every
angle was diftinguifhable, and appeared as regular, and
fafhioned with as much jnilitary {kill, as if planned by
Vauban himfelf. The ditch was not viiible, but I thought
on examining more curioufly, that I could perceive there
certainly had been one. From its fituation alfo, I am
convinced J:hat it mull: have been defigned for this pur-
pofe. It fronted the country, and the rear ivas covered
by the River ; nor was there any riling ground for a con-
iiderable way, that commanded it ; a few ftraggling oaks
were alone to be feen near it. In many places&fmall
traces were worn acrofs it by the feet of the elks and
deer, and from the depth of the bed of earth by which
it was covered, I was able to draw certain conclufions of
its great antiquity. I examined all the angles, and eve-
ry part with great attention, and have often blamed
myieif fince, for not encamping on the fpot, and draw-
ing an exacl plan of it, To (hew that this defcription
is not the offspring of a heated imagination, or the
chimerical tale of a miftaken traveller, 1 find on enqio-
ry fince my return, that Monf. St Pierre and feveral
traders, have, at different times, taken notice of fimilar
.appearances, on which they have formed the fame con-
jectures, but without examining them fo minutely as [
did. How a work of this kind could exift in a country
that has hitherto (according to the general received opi-
nion) been the feat of war to untutored Indians alone*
whofe whole ftock of military knowledge has only, till
within two centuries, amounted to drawing the bow,
and whofe only breaft-work, even at preient, is the
thicket, I know not. I have given as exa& an account
as poflible, of this Angular appearance, and leave to fu-
ture explorers of thefe diftant region v to difcover whe.
ther it is a production of nature or ait.
P 2 Perhaps -: .
3o CARVERS TRAVELS.
Perhaps the hints I have here given, might lead to a
more perfect invefligation of it, and give us very diffe-
rent ideas of the ancient ftate of realms that we at pre-
fent believe to have been from the earlieii period only
the habitations of lavages.
The Miffiffippi, as far as the entrance of the River
St. Croix, thirty miles above Lake Pepin, is very full
of iflands ; fome of which are of a coniiderable length.
On thefe alio, grow great numbers of the maple or iu-
gar tree, and around them, vines loaded with grapes,
creeping to their very tops. From the Lake upwards,
few mountains are to be feen, and thofe but miall. Near
the River St. Croix, refide three bands of the Naudo-
weffie Indians, called the River Bands.
This nation is compofed, at prefent, of eleven bands.
They were originally twelve ; but the Aliinfpoils fome
years ago, revolting, and feparating themfelves from the
others, there remain only at this time eleven Thofe I
met here are termed the River Bands ; becaufe they
chiefly dwell near the banks of this River : the other
eight are generally diftinguifhed by the title, Naudo-
weffies of the Plains, and inhabit a country that lies
more to the weilward. The names of the former are
the Nehogatawonalis, the Mawtawbauntowahs, and the
Shahfweentowahs, and coniiil of about four hundred
warriors.
A little before I met with thefe three bands, I fell in
with a party of the Mawtawbauntowahs, amounting
to forty warriors and their families. With thefe I refided
a day or two, during which time five or fix of their num-
ber who had been out on an excurfion, returned in great
hafte, and acquainted their companions that a large par-
ty of the Chipeway warriors, " enough,' ' as they ex-
prelfed themfelves, " to fwallow them all up," were clofe
at their beels, and on the point of attacking their little
camp. The chiefs applied to me, and defired I would
put myfelf at their head, and lead them out to oppofe
their enemies. As I was a ftranger, and unwilling to
excite the anger of either nation, I knew not how to a£t ;
and neve^ found myfelf in a greater dilemma. Had I re-
fufed to afliit the iNaudowemea I mould have drawn on
myfelf
CARVER's TRAVELS. $l .
myfelf their difpleafure, or had I met the Chipeways
with hoftile intentions, I mould have made that people
my foes, and had I been fortunate enough to have efcap-
ed their arrows at this time, on fome future occaiion
mould probably have experienced the feverity of their
revenge. In this extremity I chofe the middle courfe,
and 4eiired that the Naudoweffies would fuffer me to
meet them, that I might endeavor to avert their fury.
To this they reluctantly affented, being perfuaded, from
the inveteracy which, had long prevailed between them,
that my remonilrances would be in vain.
Taking my Frenchman with me, who could fpeak
their language, I haflened towards the place where the
Chipeways were fuppofed to be. The Naudoweffies du-
ring this, kept at a diftance behind. As I approached
them with the pipe of peace, a fmall party of their chiefs,
confining of about eight or ten, came in a friendly man!
ner towards me ; with whom, by the means of my inter-
preter, I held a long coaverfation ; the refult of which
was, that their rancor being by my perfualions in fome
meafure mollified, they agreed to return back, without
accomplifhing their favage purpofes. Durirtp- our di{~
courfe I could perceive, as they lay fcattered about, that
the party was very numerous, and many of them armed
with mufkets.
Having happily fucceeded in my undertaking I re.
turned without delay to the Naudoweffies, . and defired
they would inftantly remove their camp to fome other
part of the country, left their enemies mould repent of
the promife they had given, and put their intentions m
execution. They accordingly followed my ■ a'dvicc, and
•immediately prepared to llrike their tents. Whilft thty
were doing this, they loaded me with thanks ;■ and when
i had feen them on board their canoes, I purfued my
route. *J
To this adventure I was chiefly indebted for the friend™
ly reception I afterwards met with from the Naudoweffies
of the Plains, and for the refpedt and honors I received
during my abode among them. And when I arrived
many months after at the Chipeway village, near the
Uttowaw lakes, I found that my fame had reached that
place
3z CARVER'S TRAVELS.
place before me. The chiefs received me with great
cordiality, and the elder part of them thanked me for
the mifchief I had prevented. They informed me, that
the war between their nation and the Naudoweffies had
continued without interruption for more that forty win-
ters. That they had long wifhed to put an end to it,
but this was generally prevented by the young warriors
of either nation, who could not reilrain their ardor when
they met. They faid, they mould be happy if fome
chief of the fame pacific diipofition as myfelf, and who
poffeffed an equal degree of refolution and coolnefs,.
would fettle in the country between the two nations ; for
by the interference of fuch a perfon, an accomodation f
which on their parts they fincerely defired, might be
' brought about. As I did not meet any of the Naudo-
weffies afterwards, I had not an opportunity of forward*
£ng fo good a work.
About thirty miles below the Falls of St. Anthony,
at which I arrived the tenth day after I left Lake Pepin,
is a remarkable cave of an amazing- depth. The Indians
term it Wakon-teebe, that is,, the Dwelling of the Great
Spirit. The entrance into it is about ten feet wide, the
height of it five feet. The arch within is near fifteen
feet* high and about thirty feet broad. The bottom of
it confiiis of fine clear land. About twenty feet from
the entrance begins a lake, the water of which is tranfpa-
rent, and extends to an unfearchable diflance ; for the
darknefs of the cave prevents all attempts to acquire a
knowledge of it. I threw a fmall pebble towards the
interior parts of it, with my utrnofl ftrength : 1 could
hear that it fell into the water, and notwithstanding it
was of fo fmall a iize, it caufed an aiioniihing and horri-
ble noife, that reverberated through all thofe gloomy re^
gions. I found in this cave many Indian hieroglyphics,
which appeared very ancient, for time had nearly 'cover*
ed them with niofs, fo that it was with difficulty I could
tr Q.i them. They were cut in a rude manner, upon
the iniide of the walls, which were compofed of a lion e
fo extremely foft that it might eaiiiy be penetrated with
a knife ; a itone every where to be found near the Mif-
MavvL
CARVER'S TRAVELS, 33
fiffippi. The cave is only acceffible by afcending a nar-
row, iteep paffage, that lies near the brink of the river.
At a little diftance from this dreary cavern, is the bu-
rying-place of feveral bands of the Naudoweffie Indians ;
though thefe people have no iixed refidence, livino- in
tents, and abiding but a few months on one fpot, yet
they always bring the bones of their dead to this place ;
which they take the opportunity of doing when the
chiefs meet to hold their councils, and to fettle all pub-
lic affairs for the enfuing rummer.
Ten miles below the Falls of St. Anthony, the River
St. Pierre, called by the natives the Waddapawnienefo-
tor, falls into the Miffiffippi from the weft. It is not
mentioned by Father Hennipin, although a large, fair
river : this omiffion J conclude, rnuft have proceeded from
a fmall ifland that is fituated exactly at its entrance, by
which the light of it is intercepted. I mould not have
difcovered this river rnyfelf, had I not taken a y'iqw9
when I was fearching for it, from the high lands oppofite*
which rife to a great height.
Nearly over againft this river I was obliged to leave
my canoe, on account of the ice, and travel by land to
J:he Falls of St. Anthony, where I arrived on the 17th
"of November. The Miffiffippi from the St. Pierre to
this -place, is rather more rapid than I had hitherto
found it, and without iflands of any confideration.
Before I left my canoe I overtook a young prince of
the Winnebago Indians, who was going on an embaffy
to fome of the bands of the Naudoweffies. Finding that
I intended to take a view of the Falls, he agreed to
accompany me, his curiofity having been often excited
by the accounts he had received from fome of his chiefs :
he accordingly left his family (for the Indians never tra-
vel without their houmolds) at this place, under the care
of my Mohawk fervant, and we proceeded together by
land, attended only by my Frenchmen, to this celebrated
place.
We could diftin&ly hear the noife of the water full
fifteen miles before we reached the falls ; and I was great*.
ly pleafed and furprifed, when I approached this aflonifh-
ing work of nature: but I was not long at liberty to
indulge
34
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
indulge thefe emotions, my attention being called off by
the behavior of my companion.
The prince had no fooner gained the point that over-
looks this wonderful cafcade, than he began with an
audible voice to addrefs the Great Spirit, one of whofe
places of refidence he imagined this to be. He told him
that he had come a long way to pay his adorations to him,
and now would make him the bell offerings in his power.
He accordingly firfb threw his pipe into the flream ;
then the roll that contained his tobacco ; after thefe,
the bracelets he wore on his arms and wriils ; next an
ornament that encircled his neck, compofed of beads
and wires ; and at laft the ear-rings from his ears ; in
fhort, he prefented to his god, every part of his drefs
that was valuable : during this he frequently fmote his
breaft with great violence, threw his arms about, and
appeared to be much agitated.
All this while he continued his adorations, and at
length concluded them with fervent petitions that the
Great Spirit would conftantly afford us his protection
on our travels, giving us a bright fun, a blue fky, and
clear, untroubled waters : nor would he leave the place
till we had fmoked together with my pipe, in honor of
the Great Spirit.
I was greatly furprifed at beholding an inilance of fuch
elevated devotion in fo young an Indian, and inilead of
ridiculing the ceremonies attending it, as I obferved my
catholic fervant tacitly did, I looked on the prince with
a greater degree of refpeft for thefe fincere proofs he
gave of his piety ; and I doubt not but that his offer-
ings and prayers were as acceptable to the univerfal
Parent of mankind, as if they had been made with great-
er pomp, or in a confecrated place,
Indeed, the whole conduct of this young prince, at
once amazed and charmed me. During the few days we
were together, his attention feemed totally to be em-
ployed in yielding me every affiilance in his power; and
even in fo fhort a time, he gave me innumerable proofs
of the moil generous and difintei eiled friendship ; fo
that on our return i parted from him with great re-
luctance. Whilil I beheld the artlefs, yet engaging man-
ners
CARVER's TRAVELS. i5
uers of this unpolifhed favage, I could not help drawing
a comparifon between him and fome of the more re-
fined inhabitants of civilized countries, not much, I
own, in favor of the latter.
The Falls of St. Anthony received their name from
Father Louis Hennipin, a French milfionary, who travel-
led into thefe parts about the year 1680, and was the firft
European ever feen by the natives. This amazing body
of waters, which are above 250 yards over, form a moil
pleafing cataract ; they fall perpendicularly about thirty
feet, and' the rapids below, in the fpace of 300 yards
more, render the defcent confiderably greater ; fo that
when viewed at a diflance, they appear to be much
higher than they really are. The above-mentioned tra-
veller has laid them down at above iixty feet ; but he
has made a greater error in calculating the height of
the Falls of Niagara ; which he afferts to be 600 feet ;
whereas from later obfervations accurately made, it is
well known that it does not exceed 140 feet. But the
good father I fear too often had no other foundation
for his accounts, than report, or, at befiY, a flight in-
fpection.
In the middle of the Falls Hands a fmall ifland, about
forty feet broad and fomewhat longer, on which grow
a few cragged hemlock and fpruce trees ; and about half
way between this ifland and the eailern fhore is a rock,
lying at the very edge of the Fall, in an oblique pofition,
that appeared to be about five or fix feet broad, and
thirty or forty long. Thefe Falls vary much from all
the others I have feen, as you may approach clofe to them
without finding the lead obilruclion from any interven-
ing hill or precipice.
The country around them is extremely beautiful. It
is not an uninterrupted plain, where the eye finds no re-
lief, but compofed of many gentle afcents, which in the
fummer are covered with the finen: verdure, and inter-
fperfed with little groves, that give a pleafing variety to
the profpecl:. On the whole, when the Falls are in-
cluded, which may be feen at the diflance of four miles,
a more pleafing and picturefque view cannot, I believe,
be found throughout the univerfe. I could have wifhed
that
Emm
56 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
that I had happened to enjoy this glorious fight at a
more feafonable time of the year, whilil the trees and
hillocks were clad in nature's gayefl livery, as this muft
have greatly added to the pleafure I received ; however,
even then it exceeded my warmefl expectations. I have
endeavored to give the reader as jufl an idea of this
enchanting fpot, as poffible ; but all defcription, whe-
ther of the pencil or the pen, mull fall infinitely fhort,
of the original.
At a little diftance below the Falls ilands a fmall
tfland, of about an acre and an half, on which grow a
great number of oak trees, every branch of which, able
to fupport the weight, "was full of eagles nef s The
reafon that this kind of birds refort in fuch numbers to
this fpot, is, that they are here fecure from the attacks
either of man or bead,, their retreat being guarded by
the rapids, which the Indians never attempt to pafs.
Another reafon is, that they find a conftant fupply of
food for themfelves and their young, from the animals
and fifh which are dafhed to pieces by the Falls, and
driven on the adjacent ihore.
Having fatisfied my curiofity, as far as the eye of man
can be fatisfied, I proceeded on, Hill accompanied. by
my young friend, till I had reached the River St. Fran-
cis, near fixty miles above the Falls. To this river Fa-
ther Hennipin gave the name of St. Francis, and this
was the extent of his travels, as well as mine, towards
the north-well. As the feafon was fo advanced, and the
weather extremely cold, I was not able to make fo many
obfervations on thefe parts as I otherwife fhould have
done.
It might however, perhaps, be necefTary to obferve,
that in the little tour I made about the Falls, after tra-
velling fourteen miles, by the fide of the Miffiffippi, I
came to a river nearly twenty yards wide, which ran
from the north-eaft, called Rum River. And on the
20th of November came to another termed Goofe River,
about twelve yards wide. On the 2 ill I arrived at the
St. Francis, which is about thirty yards wide. Here the
MiifiiTippi itfelf grows narrow, being not more than nine-
ty
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
37
tj yards over ; and appears to be chiefly compofed of
fmall branches. The ice prevented me from noticing
the depth of any of thefe three rivers.
The country in fome places is hilly, bat without large
mountains ; and the land is tolerably good. I obferved
here many deer and carriboos, fome elk, with abundance
of Reavers, otters, and other furs. A little above this,
to the north-eaft, are a number of fmall lakes called the
Thoufand Lakes ; the parts about which, though but
little frequented, are the beft within many miles, for
hunting, as the hunter never fails of returning loaded be-
yond his expec~taticn>.
The Mifliflippi has never been explored higher up than
the River St. Francis, and only by Father Hennipin and
myfelf thus far. So that we are obliged folely to the
Indians, for all the intelligence we are able to give rela-
tive to the more northern parts. As this River is not
navigable from the fea for vefTels of any confiderable bur-
then, much higher up than the Forks of the Ohio, and
even that is accompli fhed with great difficulty, owing to
the rapidity of the current, and the windings of the ri-
ver ; thofe fettlements that may be made on the interior
branches of it, muft be indifputably fecure from the at-
tacks of any maritime- power. But at the fame time the
fettlers will have the advantage of being able to convey
their produce to the fea-ports, with great facility, the
current of the river from its fource to its entrance into
the Gulf of Mexico, being extremely favorable fordoing
this in fmall craft. This might alio in time be facili-
tated by canals or fhorter cuts ; and a communication
opened by water with New- York, Canada, - bV. by way
of the lakes. The Forks of the Ohio are about nine
hundred miles from the mouth of the Mifliflippi, fol-
lowing the courfe of the river ; and the Meflorie two
hundred miles above thefe. From the latter it is about
twenty miles to the Illinois River, and from that to the
Ouifconfin, which I have given an account of, about
eight hundred more.
On the 25th I returned to my canoe, which I had left
at the mouth of the River St. Pierre ; and here I part-
ed with regret from my young friend, the prince of the
E Winnebagoest
*
sg CARVER's TRAVELS.
Winnebagoes. This river being x:lear of ice, by reafon
of its fouthern fituation, I found nothing to obftrudt my
-pafTage. -On the 28th, being advanced about forty miles,
I arrived at a fmall branch that fell into it from the north ;
to which^ as it had no name that I could diftinguifh it
by, I gave nry own. About forty miles higher up I
came to the Forks of Verd and Red Marble Rivers,
which join at fome little diflance before they enter the
Bii Pierre.
The River "St. Pierre, at its junction with the MifTiiTip~
pi, is about a hundred yards broad, and continues that
breadth -33 early all the way I failed upon it. It has a
Jgreat depth of water, and in fome places runs very brifk-
ly. About fifty miles from its mouth are fome rapids,
,and much higher up there are many others.
I proceeded up this river about two hundred miles to
#he country of the Naudoweifres of the Plains, which
lies a little above the Forks formed by the Verd and
Red Marble Hivers, jiift mentioned, where a branch
from the fouth nearly joins the MeiTorie River. By the
accounts I received from the Indians, I have reafon to
believe that the River St. Pierre and the MeiTorie, though
they enter the MiiTiffippi twelve hundred miles from each
other, take their rife in the fame neighborhood ; and
this within the fpace of a mile.
The River St. Pierre's northern branch rifcs from a
mvmb.er of lakes near the mining mountains ; and it is
from fome of thefe, alfo, that a capital branch of the
JRjver Bourbon, which runs into Hudfon's Bay, has its
fources,
From the intelligence I gained from the Naudoweflie
Indians, among whom I arrived on the 7th of Decem-
ber, and wh-ofe language I perfectly acquired during a
refidence of five months ; and alfo from the accounts I
afterwards obtained from the Affinipoils, who fpeak the
fame tongue, being a revolted band of the Naudoweffies ;
and from the Killiftinoes, neighbors of the AiTmipoils,
who fpeak the Chipeway language, and inhabit the heads
of the River Bourbon ; I fay from thefe nations, toge-
ther with my own obfervations, I have learned that
the four moft capital rivers on the Continent of North-
America,
CARVER's TRAVE L'S. 3$
America, viz. the St. Lawrence, the Miffiffippi, the
river Bourbon, and the Oregon or the river of the Welt
(as I hinted in my Introduction) have their fources in:
the fame neighborhood. The waters of the three former
are within thirty miles of each other; the latter,, how--
ever, is rather further weft.
This (hews that thefe parts are the higheft lands lw-
North-America ; and it is an inft'ance not to be parallel-
ed on the other three quarters of the globe, that four
rivers of ftich magnitude mould take their rife together,.,
and each, after running feparate courfes,, difcharge their
waters into different oceans at the diftance of two thou--
fand miles from their fources. For in their paftage from
this fpot to the bay of" St. Lawrence,, eaft, to the Bay
of Mexico, fouth, to Hudfon's Bay, north,, and to the
bay at the Straits of Annian, weft,, each of thefe traverfe
upwards of two thoufand miles*
I fhall here give my readers fuch reflections as -occur-
red to me, when I had received this interefting informa-
tion, and had by numberlefs enquiries, ascertained the
truth of it; that is, as far as it was pofiible to arrive
at a certainty without a perfonal investigation.,
It is well known that the Colonies, particularly thofe
of New-England and Canada, are greatly affected, about
the time their winter lets in, by a north -well; wind,
which continues for feveral months,, and renders the cold
much more, intenfe there than it is in the interior parts
of America. This I can, from my own .knowledge, after!,
as I found the winter, that I parted to the weftward of
the Miffiffippi far from fevere ; and the north- weft wind
blowing on thofe countries confiderably more temperate
than I have often experienced it to be nearer the coafta
And that this did not arife from an. uncertainty of the
feafons, but was annually the cafe, I conclude, both from
the fmall quantity of mow that then fell, and a total
difufe of fnow (hoes , by thefe Indians,; without which
none of the more eaftern nations can poffibly travel du-
ring the winter.
As naturalifts obferve, that aff refembles water in ma-
ny refpects, particularly by often flowing in a compact
biody i and that this is generally remarked to be -with .*
the.
4o CARVERS TRAVELS,
the current of large ftreams, and feldom acrofs them,
may not tne winds that fet violently into the Bay of
Mexico about the fetter end of the year, take their
courfe over the continent in the fame diredion as the
Mifliffippi does ; till meeting the north winds (that from
Vimhar f afe Dlow *P tlie Bourbon from Hudfon's Bay)
they are forced acroft the great lakes, down the current
ox the waters of the St. Lawrence, and united, commit
thofe ravages, and occaflon thofe fevere winters, expe-
rienced in the before-mentioned countries ? During their
progrefs over the lakes they become exoanded, and con-
iequently aflfea a greater traft of land than they other-
wile would do.
According to my fcanty knowledge of natural philo-
sophy, tins does not appear improbable. Whether it
is agreeable to the laws eftablifted by naturalifts to ac-
count for the operations of that element, I know not
However, the defcription here given of the fi tuation of
the.e vaft bodies of water, and their near approach to
each other, with my own undigefted fuppofitions of their
efredt on the winds, may prove perhaps, in abler hands,
the means of leading to many ufeful difcoveries.
On the 7th of December, I arrived (as I faid before)
at the utmoft extent of my travels towards the weft ;
where I met with a large party of the Naudoweffie In-
dians, among whom I refided feven months. Thefe con-
ftituted a part of the eight bands of the Naudoweffie*
of the Plains ; and are termed the Wawpeentowahs, the
TmtOHs, the Afrahcootans, the Mawhaws, and the Schi-
ans. The other three bands, whofe names are, the Schi-
anefe, the Chongoufceton, and the Waddapawjeflin,
dwell higher up, to the weft of the River St. Pierre,
on plains that, according to their account, are unbound-
ed ; and probably terminate on the coaft of the Pacific
Ocean. The Naudoweffie nation, when united, confifts
of more than two thoufand warriors. The Affinipoils,
who revolted from them, amount to about three hun-
dred; and leagued with the KilJiftinoes, live in a conti-
nual ftate of enmity with the other eleven bands.
As I proceeded up the River St. Pierre, and had near- I
ly reached the place where thefe people were encamped,
I
CARVER'S TRAVELS?
4* :
Iobferved two or three canoes coming down the itream ;
brat no fooner had the Indians that were on board them,
discovered us, • than - they rowed toward the land, and
leaping afhore with precipitation, left their canoes to
float as the current drove them. In a few minutes I
perceived fome others ; who, as foon as they came in
fight, followed, . with equal fpeed, the example of their
:ountrymen.
I now thought it neceffary to proceed with caution;
and therefore kept on the fide of the river oppofite to
:hat on which the Indians had landed. However, I
fall continued my courfe, fatisried that the pipe of peace,-
which was fixed at the head of my canoe, and the Englifli
:olors that were flying at the Hern, would prove -
ray fecurity. After rowing about half a mile further, ;
n turning a point, I discovered a great number of tents, >
Hid more than a thoufand Indians, at a little diftance-
Erom the more. Being now nearly oppofite to them, I
>rdered my men to pull directly over, as I was willing.,
:o convince the Indians by fuch a llep, that I placed -
fome confidence in them.
As foon as I had reached the land, two of the chiefs
^refented theb hands to me, and led me, amidit the
iftonifhed multitude, who had moil of them never feen-
i white man before, to a tent. Into this we entered,
md according to the cuftom that ■ univerfally. prevails
imong every Indian nation, began to fmoke the pipe of
Deace. We had not= fat long before the crowd became fo
rreat, both around, and upon the tent, .that- we were
n danger of being crufhed by its fall. On this we re-
urned to the plain, where, having gratified the curiofity
>fthe common people,- their wonder abated, and ever
ifter they treated me with great refpec~L
^ From the chiefs I met with the moil friendly and hof- ■
)itable reception ; which induced me, as the feafon was ;
b far advanced, to take ■up my refidence among them"
Luring the winter, To render my flay as comfortable
.s poffible, I..firft endeavored to learn their lano-nao-e.
Phis I foon did, fo as to make myfelf perfe&ly intell
igible, having before acquired fome flight -knowledge of
he-. language of thofe Indians that live on the back of
- ■ f E--2- tW
42 CARVER's TRAVELS,
the fettlements ; and in confequence met with every ao
commodation their manner of living would afford. Noi
did I want for fuch amufements as tended to make fo long
a period pafs cheerfully away. I frequently hunted with
them ; and at other times beheld with pleafure their re-
creations and paftimes, which I /hall defcribe hereafter
Sometimes I fat with the chiefs, and whilft we fmoked
the friendly pipe, entertained them, in return for the
accounts^ they gave me of their wars and excurfions, with
a narrative of my own adventures, and a description o£
all the battles fought between the Englim and French in
America, in many of which I had a perfonal fhare.
Ihey always paid great attention to my details, and
afked many pertinent queflions relative to the European
methods of making war.
I held thefe conventions with them in a great mea-
fure to procure from them fome information relative to
the cmef point I had coniantly in view, that of gaining
a knowledge of the fituation and produce, both of their
own country, and thofe that lay to the weftward of them.
Nor was I difappomted in my defigns ; for I procured
from them much ufeful intelligence. They likewife drew
lor me plans of all the countries with which they were
acquainted ; but as I entertained no great opinion of
their geographical knowledge, I placed not much de-
pendence on them, and therefore think it unnecefTary to
give them to the public. They draw with a piece of
burnt coal, taken from the hearth, upon the infide bark
of the birch tree ; which is as frnooth as paper, and an-
fwers the fame purpofes, notwithilanding k is of a yellow
call. Their iketches are made in a rude manner, but
they feem to give us as jufi an idea of a country, al-
though the plan is not fo exa&, as more: experienced
draughtfrnen could do.
I left the habitations of thefe hofpitable Indians the
latter end of April 1767 ; but did not part from them
for feveral days, as I was accompanied on my journey by
near three hundred of them, among whom were many
chiefs, to the mouth of the River St. Pierre. At this:
feafon, thefe bands annually go to the Great Cave, be-
fore mentioned, to hold a grand council with all the other
bar. da;
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 43
bands ; wherein they fettle their operations For the enfu-
ing year. At the fame time they carry with them their
dead, for interment, bound up in buffaloes fkins. Be-
fides thofe that accompanied me, others were gone be-
fore, and the reft were to follow.
Never did I travel with fo cheerful and happy a com*
pany. But their mirth met with a fudden and tempora-
ry allay from a violent ftorm that overtook us one day
on our paflage. We had juft landed, and were preparing
to fet up our tents for the night, when a heavy cloud
overfpread the heavens, and the moft dreadful thunder^
lightning, and rain, iffued from it, that ever I beheld.
The Indians were greatly terrified, and ran to fuch
fhelter as they could find ; for only a few tents were as
yet ere&ed. Apprehenfive of the danger that might
enfue from ftanding near any thing which could ferve for
a conductor, as the cloud appeared to contain fuch an
uncommon quantity of ekarical fluid, I took my ftand
as far as poftible If om any covering ; chufmg rather to
be expofed to the peltings of the itorm, than to receive
a fatal ftroke. At this the Indians were greatly fur-
prifed, and drew conclufions from it not unfavorable to
the opinion they already entertained of my refolution.
Yet I acknowledge that I was never more affected in
my life ; for nothing fcarcely could exceed the terrific
fcene. The peals of thunder were fo loud that they
fhook the earth ; and the lightning flamed along the
ground in ftreams of fulphur ; fo that the Indian chiefs
themfelves, although their courage in war is ufually in-
vincible, could not help trembling at the horrid combuf-
tion. As foon as the itorm was over, they flocked
around me, and informed me,, that it was a proof of
the anger of the evil fpirits, whom they were appre-
henfive that they had highly offended.
When we arrived at the Great Cave, and the Indians
had depo&ted the remains of their deceafed friends in
the burial-place that ftands adjacent to it, they held their
great council, into which I was admitted, and at the
fame time had the honor to be inftalled or adopted a
chief of their bands. On this occafion I made the fol-
lowing fpeech, which I infert, to ^wq my readers a fpe-
cimea
4fti
C A RVER's T R A V E L S.
cimen of the language and manner in which it is neceffa-
ry to addrefs the Indians, fo as to engage their attention,
and to render the fpeaker's expreffions confonant to
their ideas. It was delivered on the firft day of May
1767.
" My brothers*, chiefs of the numerous and powerful ■.(
" Naudoweffies ! I rejoice that through my long abode
" with you, I can now fpeak to you (though after an
" imperfect manner) in your own tongue, like one of
€t your own children* I rejoice alfo that I have had.
" an opportunity fo frequently to inform you of the glo-
" ry and power of the Great King that reigns over the
«* Englifh and other nations ; who is defcended from a
u very ancient race of fovereigns, as old as the earth
*l and. waters; whofe feet Hand on two great iflands, >
u larger than any you have ever feen, amidffc the greatefl
u waters in the world; whofe head reaches to the finv>
«' and whofe arms encircle the whole earth. The num—
** ber of whofe warriors are equal to the trees in the •
u vallies, the ftalks of rice in yonder marfhes, or the
*k blades of grafs on your great plains. Who has hun-
** dreds of canoes of his own, of fuch amazing bignefs, ,
" that all the waters in your country would not fuflxce
*f for one of them to fwimin; each of which have
4i guns, not fmall like mine, which you fee before you*;,
a but of fuch magnitude, that an hundred of your.
M floutefl young men would with difficulty be able to*<
u carry one.: And thefe are equally furpriiing in their
46 operation againft the great king's enemies when en-
41 gaged in battle ;, the terror they carry with them, your
" language wants words to exprefs. You may remember
" the other day when we were encamping, at .Wadaw-
" pawmenefotor, the black clouds, the wind, the fire,,
*c the ftupendous noife, the horrible cracks, and the trem-
cc bling of the earth, which then alarmed you, and gave
**•- you reafon to think your gods were angry with you ;
*' not unlike thefe. are the warlike implements of the
u Englifh, when they are fighting the battles of their
" great king.
" Several of the chiefs of your bands have often told
w me, in times pafl, when I dwelt with you in your
" tent.v
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
45
* tents, that they much wifhed to be counted among
<« the children and allies of the great king my mailer.
« You may remember how often you have defired me,'
« when I return again to my own country, to acquaint
" the great king of your good difpofition towards him
* and his fubje&s, and that you wifhed for traders from
*' the Englifh to come among you.
" Being now about to take my leave of you, and to
<* return to my own country, a long way towards the
" rifing fun, I again afk you to tell me whether you con-
'* tinue of the fame mind as when I fpoke to you in
" council laft winter ; and as there are now feveral
«< of your chiefs here, who came from the great plains
" towards the fetting of the fun, whom I have never
" fpoke with in council before, I afk you to let me know
" if you are all willing to acknowledge yourfelves the
" children of my great mailer the King of the Englifh
" and other nations, as I mall take the firft opportunity4
** to acquaint him of your defires and good intentions.
« I charge you not to give heed to bad reports ; for
" there are wicked birds flying about among the neigh- •
" boring Rations; who may whifper evil things in your
" ears againft the Englifh, contrary to what I have told
'i you 5 you muil not believe them, for I have told you
<* the truth.
« And as for the chiefs that are about to go Michilli-
" mackinac, I {hall take care to make for them and
" their fuit, a ftraight road, fmooth waters, and a clear
'* fky4 that they may go there, and fmoke the pipe of
" peace, and refl fecure on a beaver blanket under the
« made of the great tree of peace. Farewell!"
To this fpeech I received the following anfwer, from
the mouth of the principal chief:
" Good brother ! I am now about to fpeak to you
u with the mouths of thefe my brothers, chiefs of the
" eight bands of the powerful nation of the Naudo wellies*
" We believe and are well fatisfied in the truth of every
" thing you have told us about your great nation, and
" the great king our greatefl father ; for whom we
_" fpread this beaver blanket, that his fatherly protecl:i«
" on may ever reft eafy and fafe amongft us his children ?
<* youir
W^
a6
CARVER's TRAVELS.
4i your colors and your arms agree with the accounts
M you have given us about your great nation. We de-
'* fire that when you return*, you will acquaint the great
** king how much the Naudoweflies wifh to be counted
*i among his good children.
" You may believe us when we tell you that. we will
u not open our ears to any who may dare to fpeak evil
*< of our great father the king of the Englifh and other
"- nations^
"■ We thank you for what you have done for us in
N making peace between the Naudoweflies and the
*« Chipeways, and hope when you return to us again,
H that you will complete this good work; and quite
M difpelling the clouds that intervene, apenthe blue iky
** of peace, and caufe-the bloody hatchet to be deep bu-
" ried under the roots of the great tree of peace.
" We wifh you to remember to reprefent to our great
u father* how much we defire that traders may be fent
" to abide among us, with fuch things a& we need, that
u the hearts of our young men, our wives, and chil-
u dren may be made glad. And may peace, fubfift be-
" tween us, fo long as the fun, the moon, the earth,
** and the waters fhall endure. Farewell !"
I thought it neceffary to caution the Indians againft
giving heed to any bad reports that may reach them
from the neighboring nations, to the difadvantage of
the Englifh, as I had heard, at different places through
which I pafTed, that emiffaries were ftill employed by
the French to detach thofe who were friendly to the
Englifh, from their intereft. And I faw, myfelf, feve-
ral belts, of Wampum that had been delivered for this
purpofe to fome of the tribes I was among. On the
delivery of each of thefe, a Talk was held, wherein the
Indians were told that the Englifh, who were but a pet-
ty people, had ftolen that country from their great fa-
ther the king of France, whilft he was^fleep ; but that
he would foon awake, and take them aVain under his
protection. Thefe I found were fent from Canada, by
perfons who appeared to be well affected towards the go-
vernment under which they lived. ,
Whilft
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
47
Whilft I tarried at the mouth of the River St. Pierre,
with thefe friendly Indians, I endeavored to gain intelli-
gence whether any goods had been fent towards the Falls
of St. Anthony for my ufe, agreeable to the promife I
had received from the governor when I left Michilli-
mackinac. But finding from fome Indians, who paffed
by in their return from thofe parts, that this agreement
had not been fulfilled, I was obliged to give up all
thoughts of proceeding further to the north-well by this
route, according to my original plan. I therefore re-
turned to La Prairie le Chien, where I procured as ma-
ny goods from the traders I left there the preceding
year, as they could fpare.
As thefe, however, were not fufficient to enable me
to renew my firft defign, I determined to endeavor to
make my way acrofe the country of the Chipeways to
Lake Superior; m hopes of meeting at the Grand Port-
age on the north fide of it, the traders that annually go
from Michillimackinac to the north-weft ; of whom I
doubted not but that I mould be able to procure goods
enough to anfwer my purpofe, and ahb to penetrate
through thofe more northern parts to the Straits of An-
nian.
And I the more readily returned to La Prairie le
Chien, as I could by that means the better fulfil the
engagement I had made to the party of Naudowefiies
mentioned at the eonclufion of my fpeech.
During my abode with this people, wifhing to fe*
cure them entirely in the iatereft of the Englifh, I had
advifed fome of the chiefs to go to Michillimackinac?
where they would have an opportunity of trading, and
of hearing the accounts that I had entertained them
with of my countrymen, confirmed. At the fame time
I had furnifhed them with a recommendation to the
governor, and given them every dire&ion necefTary for
their voyage.
In confequence of this, one of the principal chiefs,
and twenty -five of an inferior rank, agreed to go the
enfuing fummer. This they took an opportunity of do-
ing, when they came with the reft of their band to at-
tend the grand council at the mouth of t^e River St.
PJerre,
1%
48 CARVERS TRAVELS.
Pierre. Being obliged, on account of the difappoint-
ment I had jufl been informed of, to return fo far down
the Miffiffippi, I could from thence the more eafily fet
them on their journey.
As the intermediate parts of this river are much fre-
quented by the Chipeways, with whom the Naudoweflies
are continually at war, they thought it more prudent5
being but a fmall party, to take the advantage of the
night, than to travel with me by day ; accordingly no
fooner was the grand council broke up, than I took a
friendly leave of thefe people, from whom I had received
innumerable civilities, and purfued once more my voyage.
I reached the eaftern fide of Lake Pepin the fame
night, where I went afhore and encamped as ufual.
The next morning, when I had proceeded fome miles
further, I perceived at a diftance before me, a fmoke,
which denoted that fome Indians were near ; and in a
fhort time difcovered ten or twelve tents, not far from
the bank of the river. As I was apprehenfive that this was
a party of the Rovers I had before met with, I knew not
what courfe to purfue. My attendants perfuaded me to
endeavor to pafs by them on the oppolite fide of the ri-
ver ; but as I had hitherto found that the befl way to
enfure a friendly reception from the Indians, is to meet
them boldly, and without mewing any tokens of fear, I
would by no means confent to their propofal. Inftead
of this I crofied directly over, and landed in the midft of
them, for by this time the greateft part of them were
ftanding on the more.
The firft I accofled were Chipeways inhabiting near
the Ottowaw Lakes ; who received me with great cor-
diality, and (hook me by the hand in token of friend-
fhip. At fome little diftance behind thefe ftood a chief
remarkably tall and well made, but of fo flern an afpeft.,
that the moft undaunted perfon could not behold him
without feeling fome degree of terror. He feemed to
have palled the meridian of life, and by the mode in
which he was painted and tatowed, I difcovered that he
was of high rank. However, I approached him in a
courteous manner, and expected to have met with the
fame reception I had done from the others; but to my
great]
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 49
rreat furprife, be withheld his hand, and looking fiercely
\t me, faid, in the Chipeway tongue, " Cawin nifhifhin
;< faganofh," that is, " The Englim are no good," As
le had his tomahawk in his hand, I expected that this
aconic fentence would have been followed by a blow ;
:o prevent which, I drew a piflol from my belt, and,
rolding it in a carelefs pofition, palled clofe by him, to
.et him fee I was not afraid of him.
I learned foon after from the other Indians, that this
#as a chief, called by the French, the Grand Sautor, or
:he Great Chipeway Chief, for they denominate the
Zlhipeways, Sautors. They likewife told me that he had
[>een always a ileady friend to that people, and when
:hey delivered up Michillimackinac to the Englifh on
:heir evacuation of Canada, the Grand Sautor had fworn
:hat he would ever remain the avowed enemy of its new
^ofTeflbrs, as the territories on which the fort is built be-
longed to him.
Finding him thus difpofed, I took care to be conftant-
:y upon my guard whilft I ftaid ; but that he might not
fuppofe I was driven away by his frowns, I took up my
abode there for the night. I pitched my tent at fome
iiflance from the Indians, and had no fooner laid my-
felf down to reft, than I was awakened by my French
fervant. Having been alarmed by the found of Indian
mufic, he had run to the outfide of the tent, where he
beheld a party of the young favages dancing towards us
in an extraordinary manner, each carrying in his hand a
torch fixed on the top of a long. pole. But I ihall defer
any further account of this uncommon entertainment,
which at once furprifed and alarmed me, till I treat of
the Indian dances.
The next morning I continued my voyage, and before
night reached La Prairie le Chien ; at which place the
party of Naudoweffies foon overtook me. Not long after,
the Grand Sautor alfo arrived, and before the Naudo-
weffies left that place to continue their journey to Michil-
limackinac, he found means, in conjunction with fome
French Jtraders from Louiiiana, to draw from rne about
ten of the Naudoweffie chiefs, whom he prevailed upon
to go towards thofe parts.
F The
SiBi
S°-
CARVER's TRAVELS.
3 he remainder proceeded, according to my direaioas,
to the Englifh fort ; .from whence I afterwards heard that
they returned to their own country without any unfor-
tunate accident befalling them, and greatlv pleafed with
tne reception they had met with. Whilfl not more than
bait or thofe.who went to the fouthward, through the
■^iterence of that fouthern climate from their own, lived
±o reach their abode. And flnce I came to England I
lave been informed, that the Grand Sautor having ren-
dered himfelf more and more difguilful to the Englifh, by ■
his inveterate enmity towards them, was at length flab,
^eci m his tent, as he encamped near Michillimackinac,
-by a trader to whom I had related the foregoing ilory
1 mould have remarked, that whatever Indians happen
to meet at I a Prairie le Chien, the great mart to which
ail who mnabit the adjacent countries refort, though the
sal ions to which they belong are at war with each'other,
yet they are obliged to reflrain their enmity, and to
■iprbear all hoflile ads during their flay there. 'This re-
gulation has been long eftablimed among them for their
mutual convenience, as without k no trade could be car-
ried ory fne fame rule is obferved alio at the Red
Mountain (afterwards defcribed) from whence they jjet
*?./?Qnre1?f wli"Ich tlie7 make their pipes : thefe fW
inciipenfable to the accommodation of every neighboring
tribe, a fimilar reilridion becomes needful, and is of pub-
lac utility. r
. Th5 ^\eTr St' Pierre> which runs through the territo-
ries 01 the NaudoweiTies, flows through a moil delightful
country, abounding with all the necefiaries of life* that
grow fpontaneoufly ; and with a little cultivation it rmVht
be made to produce even the luxuries of life. Wild rice
grows here in great abundance ; and every part is filled
with trees bending under their loads of fruits, fuch as
plums, grapes, and apples ; the meadows are covered with
hops, and many forts of vegetables; whilfl the ground
as ftored with ufeful roots, with angelica, fpikenard, and
ground-nuts as large as hens eggs. At a little diftance
trom tne lides of the river are eminences, from which you !
have views that cannot be exceeded even by the moil
fceautiful of thofe I have already defcribed ; amidfl thefe
are 1
'CARVER'S TRAVELS. 5^
ire delightful groves, and fuch amazing quantities of
naples, that they would produce fugar iuflicient for any
lumber of inhabitants.
A little way from the mouth of this river, on tli%
lorth fide of it,' (lands a hill, one part of which, that to-
wards the Mimffippi, is compofed entirely of white flone,
>f the fame foft nature as that I have before defcribed 1
:or fuch, indeed, is all the ftone in this country. ^But
,vhat appears remarkable, is, that the color of it is as
amite as the driven mow. The outward part of it was
crumbled by the wind and weather into heaps of land,
)f which a beautiful composition might be made ; or^ f
im. of opinion that, when properly treated, the itone h~
'elf would grow harder by time, and have a very nobler
?rTect in architecture.
Near that branch which is termed the Marble River, ,
s a mountain, from whence the Indians get a fort of recT
tone, out of which they hew the bowls of their pipes.
[n fome of thefe parts is found a black, hard clay, or ra-
:her ftone, of which the Naudowefiies make their family
itenfils. This country likewife abounds with a milk-
white clay, of which China ware might be made equal
in goodnefs to the Afiatic ; and alio with a blue clay that
ferves the Indians for paint, with this laft they contrive,
ay mixing it with the red ftone powdered, to paint them-
felves of different colors. Thofe that can get the blue
:lay here mentioned, paint themfelves very much witli it ;
particularly when they are about to begin- their fports and
paftimes, It is alfo efteemed by them a mark of peace*
as it has a refemblance of a blue iky* which with them.
Is a fymbol of it, and made ufe of in their ipeeches as
a figurative expreffion to denote peace. When they wifii
to fhew that their inclinations are pacific towards other
tribes, they greatly ornament both themfelves and their
belts with it.
Having concluded my bufmefs at La Prairie le Chien,..
I proceeded once more up the Miffiffippi,- as far as the
place where the Chip e way River enters it a little below
Lake Pepin. Here, having engaged an Indian pilot, I
dirsfted him to fleer towards the Ottawaw. Lakes,, which
Si CARVER'S TRAVELS.
Ik near the bead of this river. This he did, and I ar-
rived at them the beginning of July.
£ The Chipeway River, at its junaioa with the MiflK-
ippi, is about eighty yards wide, but is much wider as
you advance into it. Near thirty miles up it feparates
into two branches, and I took my courfe through that
winch lies to the eaftward.
.tFh^ country adjoining to the river, for about fixty
JUfea, is very level, and on its banks lie fine meadows,
where larger droves of buffaloes and elks, were feeding,
than I had obferved in any other part of my travels.
l ne track between the two branches of this river is
termed the Road of War between the Chipeway and
.Naudoweflie Indians.
The country to the Falls is almoft without any timber,
and above that very uneven and rugged, and clofely wood-
ea with pines, beach, maple, an^ birch. Here a molt
remarkable and aftoniihing fight prefented itfelf to my
view. In a wood, on the eaft of the river, which was
about three quarters of a mile in length, and in denth
farther than my eye could reach, I obferved that every
tree, many of which were more than fix feet in circum-
ference, was lying flat on the ground, torn up by the
poots. This appeared to have been done by foirie extra-
ordinary hurricane, that came from the weft fome years
ago; but how many I could not learn, as 1 found no in-
habitants near it, of whom I could gain information.
Ine country on the weft fide of the river, from being
iefs woody, had efcaped in a great meafure this havoc,
as only a few trees weie blown down.
Near the heads of this river, is a town of the Chipe-
wrays, from whence it takes its name. It is fituated on
each fide of the river (which at this place is of no consi-
derable breadth) and lies adjacent to the banks of a fm all
lake. 1 "his town contains about forty houfes, and can
fend out upwards of one hundred warriors, many of
whom were fine, flout young men. The houfes of it are
bulk after the Indian manner, and have neat plantations
behind them; but the inhabitants, in general, feemed
to be the nafdefl people I had ever been among. I ob-
ierved that the women and children indulged themfelves
in
CARVER'S TRAVELS; 53:
in a cuilom, which though common, in fome degree,
throughout every Indian nation, appears to be, aecord-
ing to our ideas, of the moil naufeous and indelicate na-
ture ; that of fearching each other's head, and eating
the prey caught therein.
In July I left this town, and having croffed a number
of fmall lakes and carrying places that intervened, came
to a head branch of the River St. Croix. This branch
I defcended to a fork, and then afcended another to
its fouree. On both thefe rivers I discovered feveral
mines of virgin copper, which was as pure as that found :
in any other country.
Here I came to a fmall brook, which my guide
thought might be joined at fome diftance by ftreams
that would at length render it navigable. The water
at firft was fo fcanty, that my canoe would by no means -
fwim in it ; but having Hopped up feveral old beaver
dams, which had been broken down by the hunters, I -
was. enabled to proceed for fome miles, till by the con-
junction of a few brooks, thefe aids became no longer ne-
ceffary. In a fhort time the water increafed to a moil ra-
pid river, which we defcended till it entered into Lake
Superior., This river I named after a gentleman that
deiired to accompany me from the town of the Ottagau-
mies to the Carrying Place on Lake Superior, God« -
dard's River.
To the weft of this is another fmall river, which alfo
empties itfelf into the Lake. This I termed Strawber-
ry River, from the great number of ftrawberries of a-.
goodfize and flavor that grew on its banks.
The country from the Ottawaw Lakes to Lake Supe-
rior, is in general very uneven and thickly covered with
woods. The foil in fome places is tolerably good, in <-
.others but indifferent. In the heads of the St. Croix
and the Chip^way Rivers are exceeding fine flurgeon* .
All the wildeinefs between the Miffiffippi and Lake Sn- -
perior is called by the Indians, the Mofchettoe Country, ,.
and I thought it mofl juilly named ; for, it being then
their feafon, I never faw or felt fo many of.thofe infecls s
in .my life,
F.3 , Tk^:
jSii^Sk
54
CARVER's TRAVELS.
The latter end of July I arrived, after having coaftec
through Weft Bay,, at the Grand Portage, which lie;
on the north-weft borders of Lake Superior. Her*
thofe who go o* the north-weft, trade, to the Lakes Dc
riuye, JJubois, &c. carry over their canoes and barcao*
about mne miles,, till they come to a number of fmall
lakes, the waters of fome of which defcend into Lake
Superior, and others into the river Bourbon-. Lake
Superior from Weft Bay to this place is bounded by
rocks, except towards the fouth-weft part of the Bay
where- 1 firft entered it, there it was tolerably level.
At the Grand Portage is a fmall bay, before the en-
trance of which lies an ijland that intercepts the dreary
and uninterrupted view over the Lake, which otherwife
would have prefented itfclf, and makes the bay ferene
and pleafant. Here I met a large party of the K-illifti*
noes, and Affinrpoil Indians, with their refoe&ive kinps-
and their families. They were come to this place in
order to meet, the traders from MichiUimackinac, who
make this their road to the north-weft. From them I
received the following account of the Lakes- that lie to
the north-well of Lake Superior.
Lake Bourbon, the moft northern of thofe yetdit
covered, received its name from the French traders who
accompanied a party of Indians to Hudfon's Bay fome
years ago ; and was thus denominated by them in honor
of the royal family of France. It is eompofed of the
waters of the Bourbon River, which, as I have before
©bferved, fifes a great way to the fouthward, not far from
the northern heads of the MiffirTrppi.
.This lake is about eighty miles in length, north and
fouth, and is nearly circular. It has no very large iflands
on it. The land on-the eaftern fide is very good; and
to the fouth-weft there are fome mountains: in many
other parts there are barren plains, bogs, and moraftes.
Its latitude is between fifty-two and fifty-four degrees
north, and it lies nearly fouth-weft from Hudfon's Bav.
As through its northern fituation the weather there 'is
extremely cold, only a few animals are to be found in the
country that borders on it. They gave me but an in- '
different account either of the beafts, birds, or fifties*.
There
CARVER'S TRAVELS. $•§'
There are indeed fome buffaloes of a fmall fize, which
are fat and good about the latter end of fummer, with
a few moofe and carriboo deer : however, this deficiency
is made up by the furs of every fort that are to be met
with in great plenty around the lake. The timber grow-
ing here is chiefly fir, cedar, fpruce, and fome maple.
Lake Winnepeek, or as the French write ft, Lac
Ouinipique,- which lies neareft to the foregoing, is com-
pofed of the fame waters. It is in length about two
hundred miles north and fouth ; its breadth has never
been properly afoertained, but is fuppofed to be about
one hundred miles inits wideft part. This lake is very
full of iflands; thefe are, however, of no great magni-
tude. Many confiderable rivers empty themfelves into
it, which, as yet, are not diftinguiihed by any names.
The waters are flored with fifh, fuch as trout and ftur-
o-eon, and alfo with others of a fmaller kind peculiar to,
thefe lakes..
The land on the fouth-wefl part of it is very good,
efpecially about the entrance of a large branch of the
River Bourbon, which flows from the fouth-weft. On
this river there is a factory that was built by the French,
called Fort la Reine, to -which the traders from Michil-
limackinac refort to trade with the AfTinipoils and Kil-
liflinoes. To this place the Mahahs, who inhabit a coun-
try two hundred and fifty miles- fouth- weft, come alfo to
trade with them; and bring great quantities of Indian,
corn, to exchange for knives, tomakawks, and other ar-
ticles. Thofe people are fuppofed to dwell on fome. of
the branches of the River of the Weft*
Lake Winnepeek has on the north-eaft fome moun-
tains, and on the eaft many barren plains. The maple
or fugar tree grows here in great plenty, and there is
likewife gathered an amazing quantity of rice, which
proves that grain will flom iih in . thefe northern climates
as well as in warmer. Buffaloes, carriboo, and moofe
deer, are numerous in thefe parts. The buffaloes of
this country differ from thofe that are- found more to the
fouth only in jize ; the former being much fmaller : juft
as the black cattle of the northern parts of Great Britain
differ from Englifh oxeu.
Oh
■I
5° CARVER'S TRAVELS
with r uaarce n SH^ RlVCr ' blIt this ^V do
Company's fervants told me, that if they colTe fure
& COrtat{ap^°£ Soods fr» MichiUhLkinac
they would not trade any where elfe TU "™acK'nac>
We cl oth and other «&£%*% ESjS&S
Hudfon's Bay, with which they were much SLfi f
thmtog they had been grea/y im^d^f the .
Allowing that their accounts were true T ™,M „ *
Mp 'joining in their opinion. But tS diW^?
jwght probably proceed, in a great meafure frl k" '
intrigues of the Canadian trader! for whS^T \' ■'
were in poffeffion of Michfflimackin^t If; &3 i
a. thorough knowledge of the trade of the north weft
redudion of Canada, by the Engliih traders there in the
eftabblhment of this trade with which they were hem
HuSTb r Indlan8 fr°m thdr ^tachment'to the '
In In behalTo? t^Sny' ^ ? e"^e ** Sood #
won in behalf of their new employers, was by depreciat
jng on all occafions the Company's goods and main f
mg the advantages that woula &%&££££»
ing en irely with the Canadian traders. In tW tfey
too well fucceeded^and from this, doubtlefs, did the
ddTatisfaaion the Affinipoils and Kilhftinoes expreS
to me, partly proceed. . But another reafon au~-
H„Hf *> R f T'^ k"gth °f their J^«eygto the ^
Hudfon s Bay faa0„eS) which, they informed me, took
them up three months, during the fummer heats to go
and return, and from the fmallnefs of their canoes thfy
UU " sS >°re th3n Vhird °f the beavei- h v
killed. So hat it ,s not to be wondered at, that thefe
Indians fcould wdh to have traders come to refide amot
them. It is true that the parts they inhabit are wkhlf,
the .
CARVER'S T R A V ELS. 57
ie limits of the Hudfon's Bay territories ; but the Corn-
any mud be under the neceffity of winking at an en-
-oachment of this kind, as the Indians would without
oubt protea the traders when among them. Befides,
ie pafTports granted to the traders that go from Michil-
mackinac grve them liberty to trade to the north-well
aout Lake Superior ; by which is meant Fort La R>eine,
.ake Winnepeek, or any other parts of the waters of
re Bourbon River, where the Couriers de Bois, or Tra
ers, may make it moft convenient to refide.
Lac du Bois, as commonly termed by the French in
heir maps, or in Englifh the Lake of the Wood, is fo
ailed from the multiplicity of wood growing on its
anks; fuch as oaks, pines, firs, fpruce, &fc. This
^ake lies ftill higher upon a branch of the River Bour-
-on, and nearly eaft from the fouth end of Lake Win-
:epeek. It is of great depth in fome places. Its
ength from eaft to weft about feventy miles, and its
jreateft breadth about forty miles. It has but few iflands5
ind thefe of no great magnitude. The fifties, fowls, and
quadrupeds that are found near it, vary but little from,
hofe of the other two lakes. A few of the Killiftinoe
[ndians fometimes encamp on the borders of it to fifh and
mnt.
This Lake lies in the communication between Lake
Superior, and the Lakes Winnepeek and Bourbon. Its
waters are not efteemed quite fo pure as thofe of the
3ther lakes, it having, in many' places, a muddy bottom.
Lac La Pluye, fo called by the French, in Englifh
:he Rainy Lake, is fuppofed to have acquired this name
from the'firft travellers, that patted over it, meeting with
an uncommon deal of rain ; or, as fame have affirmed,
Prom a mift like rain, occafioned by a perpendicular
water-fall that empties itfelf into a river which lies to
the fouth-weft.
This Lake appears to be divided by an ifthmus, near
the middle, into two parts: the weft part is called the
Great Rainy Lake, the eaft, the Little Rainy Lake,..
as being the leaft divifion. It lies a few miles further to
the eaftward, on the fame branch of the Bourbon, than
the laft mentioned Lake. It is in general very mallow
in
1
^ w^—m n—niiM i
58 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
in its depth. The broadeft part of ft is not m«e than
twenty rmks, ItS length, including both, about three
Md good ; and fome excellent fifh are taken in it. A great
many fowl rerort here in the fall of the year. Moofifd
Kfc^T -in 8Tplen?' and liWife the --boo,:
to C ♦ " \K-Ch£ °r gI°VeS eXC6eds h7 far a»7 other
bord, f r-thTln, North-America. The landmen the
borders of this Lake is efteemed, in fome places, very
good, but T^h tUck coyered w.£h P ,7
reude a confiderable band of the Chip^ways.
Eaftward from this Lake lie feveral fmall ones, which
ZntZl &^8fthe^T^S Place, and from
thence into Lake Superior.. Between thefe little Lakes
are leveral carrymg places, which renders the trade to
the north-weft difficult to accomplifh, and exceeding te-
dious, as it takes two years to make one voyage from
Miclnlhmackmac to thefe parts. S
„ff^ ^ r \co™Paratively fmall lake, at the head
W pTp-°f thr Brb°n River' which is «Med by
fome R£d Rlvel, It form k n^y ^ ^
ixty miles in circumference. On one fide of it is a to-
lerable large rQand, clofe by which a fmall river enters.
It bears almoft fouth-eaft both from Lake Winnepeek
and fr0m Uk du Bok The ^ ^ ^P^
httfo known or frequented, even by the favages them-
Not far from this Lake, a little to the fouth-wefh- is
another, caled White Bear Lake, which is nearly about
the fize of tne kft mentioned. The waters that compofe
MMK ■ ^'i 6 m°Lft n°rthern of any that fupply the
MiffiffipF, and may be called with propriety its moffc
remote fource. It is fed by two. or. three fmall rivers, or
rather large brooks.
A few miles from it, to the fouth-eaft, are a great
number of fmall lakes, none of which are more than ten
miles in circumference, that are called the Thoufand
x.akes. in the adjacent country is reckoned the fineft
tfcf^f? furs°ianr on this continent; the Indians
^Vno hunt here, ieldom returning without having their ca-
noes.loaded as deep a3 they can. fwim.
Having
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 59
, Having jufl before obferved that this Lake is the
itmoft northern fource of the MifTiiUppi, I fhall here
:nrther remark, that before this river enters the Gulf of
Mexico, it has not run lefs, through all its meanderings,
:han three thoufand miles ; or, in a ftraight line from
lorth to fouth, about twenty degrees, which is nearly
fourteen hundred Englifh miles.
Thefe Indians informed me, that to the north-weft
y£ Lake Winnepeek lies another, whofe circumference
waftly exceeded any they had given me an account of.
They defcribe it as much larger than Lake Superior.
But as it appears to be fo far to the north-weft, I mould
imagine that it was not a lake, but rather the Archipe-
lago, or broken waters that form the communication
between Hudfo-n's Bay and the northern parts of the
Pacific Ocean.
There are an infinite number of fmall lakes, on the
more weftern parts of the weftern head-branches of the
Miffiffippi, as well between thefe and Lake Winnepeek,
but none of them are large enough to fuppofe either of
them to be the lake or waters meant by the Indians.
They likewife informed me, that fome of the north-
ern branches of the Mefforie and the fouthern branches
of the St. Pierre Jaave a communication with each other,
except for a mile ; over which they carry their canoes.
And by what I could learn from them, this is the road
they take when their war parties make their excuriions
upon the Pawnees and Pawnawnees, nations inhabiting
fome branches of the Mefforie River. In the country
belonging to thefe people it is faid, that Mandrakes are
frequently found, a fpecies of root refembling human
beings of both fexes ; and that thefe are more perfect
than fuch as are difcovered about the Nile in Nether-
Ethiopia.
A little to -the north-weft of the lieads of the Mefforie
and St. Pierre, the Indians further told me, that there
was a nation rather fmaller and whiter than the neigh-
boring tribes, who cultivate the ground, and (as far as
I could gather from their expreflions) in fome meafure,
the arts. To this account they added that fome of the
nations who inhabit thofe parts that lie to the weft of
the
Co CARVER's TRAVELS.
the Shining Mountains, have gold fo plenty among them
that they make their moil common utenfils of it. Thefe
mountains (which I fhall defcribe more particularly here-
after) divide the waters that fall into the South Sea from
thoie that run into the Atlantic.
The people dwelling near them are fuppofed to be
fome of the different tribes that were tributary to the
Mexican kings and who fled from their native country, ,
to leek an afylnm in thefe parts, about the time of the
conqueft ox Mexico by the Spaniards, more than two
centuries ago.
As fome confirmation of this fuppofitlon, it is remark-
ed, that they have chofen the moft interior parts for their
retreat, being ftill prepoffeffed with a notion that the
iea-coafts have been infefted ever fince with monfters vo-
xmting fire, and hurling about thunder and lightning;
from whofe bowels iffued men, who, with unieeri inftni!
ments, or by the power of magic, killed the harmlefs
Indians at an aftcniftimg diftance. From fuch as thefe,
their fore-fataers (according to a tradition among them
that ft.ll remains unimpaired) fled to the retired abodes
they now inhabit. For as they found that the floating
monfters, which had thus terrified them could not an-
proach the land, and that thefe who had defcended from
their -floes did not care to make excurflons to any confi-
deraole diftance from them, they formed a refolution to
betake themfelves to fome country, that lay far from the
lea-coafts, where only they could be fecure from fuch di-
abolical enemies. They accordingly fct out with their
iamuies, and after a long peregrination, fettled themfelves
near thefe mountains, where they concluded they had
round a place of perfeft fecurity.
The Winnebagoes, dwelling on the Fox River (whom
I have already treated of) are likewife fuppofed to be
fome ftrollmg band from the Mexican countries. But
they are able to give only an imperfect account of their '
original refidence. They fay they formerly came a great
way from the weftward, and were driven by wars to take
refuge among the Naudoweflies; but as they are entirely ■
ignorant of the arts, or of the value of gold, it is rather
to be fuppofed, that they were driven from their ancient
fettlements
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
6~t
fettlements by the above-mentioned emigrants, as they
pafTed on towards their prefent habitation.
Thefe fuppofitions, however, may want confirmation ;.
for the fmaller tribes of Indians are {abject to fuch va-
*ious alterations in their places of abode, from the wars
Jiey are continually engaged in, that it is almoft im-
poflible to ascertain, after half a century, the original
[ituation of any of them.
That range of mountains, of which the Shining
Mountains are a part, begin at Mexico, and continuing
torthward on the back, or to the eait of California, fepa-
■•ate the waters of thofe numerous rivers that fall either
nto the Gulf of Mexico, or the Gulf of California.
From thence continuing their courfe Hill northward, be-
tween the fources of the Mifliilippi and the rivers that
•un into the South Sea, they appear to end in about
brty-feven or forty-eight degrees of north-latitude ;
vhere a number of rivers arife, and empty themfelves
uther into the South Sea, into Hudfon's Bay, or into
;he waters that communicate between thefe two feas.
Among thefe mountains, thofe that lie to the weft of
:he River St. Pierre, are called the Shining Mountains,
rom an infinite number of chryftal ftones, of an amazing
ize, with which they are covered, and which, when the
im-ihines full upon them, fparkle fo as to be feen at a-
fery great diftance.
This extraordinary range of mountains is calculated to
>e more than three thoufand miles in length, without
iny very considerable intervals, which I believe furpafies
my thing of the kind in the other quarters of the^olobe.
3robably in future ages they may be found to contain
nore riches in their bowels, than thofe of Indoftan and
Vlalabar, or that are produced on the golden coaft of
guinea; nor will I except even the Peruvian mines. To
he well of thefe mountains, when explored by future
I!olumbufes or Raleighs, may be found other lakes, ri-
rers, and countries, full fraught with all the neceiTaries or
uxuries of life ; and where future generations may find an
ifylum, whether driven from their country by the ravages ,
)f lawleis tyrants, or by religious perfections, or re-
u&antly leaving it to remedy the inconveniences arifing
Gr from
62 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
from a Superabundant increafe of inhabitants ; whether,
I fay, impelled by thefe, or allured by hopes of com-
mercial advantages, there is little doubt but their expec-
tations will be fully gratified in thefe rich and unex-
Haufted climes.
But to return to the Affinipoils and Killiftinoes, whom
I left at the Grand Portage, and from whom I re-
ceived the foregoing account of the lakes that lie to the
north-well of this place.
The traders we expected being later this feafon than
ufual, and our numbers very confiderable, for there were
more than three hundred of us, the Hock of provifions
we had brought with us* was nearly exhaufted, and we
waited with impatience for their arrival.
One day, whilft we were all expreffing our wifhes for
this definable event, and looking from an eminence in
hopes of feeing them come over the lake, the chief prieft
belonging to the band of the Killiftinoes, told us, that he
would endeavor to obtain a conference with the Great
Spirit, and know from him when the traders would ar-
rive. ^ I paid little attention to this declaration, fuppofmg
that it would be productive of fome juggling trick, juft
fufficiently covered to deceive the ignorant Indians.
But the king of that tribe telling me that this was chiefly
imdertaken by the prieft, to alleviate my anxiety, and at
the fame time to convince me how much intereft he had
with the Great Spirit, I thought it neceffary to reftrain
my animadveriions on his defign.
The following evening was fixed upon for this fpi-
ritual conference. When every thing had been properly
prepared, the king came to me and led me to a capaci-
ous tent* the covering of which was drawn up, fo as to
render what was tranfa&ing within, vifible to thofe who
ftood without. We found the tent furrounded by a great
number of the Indians, but we readily gained admiffion,
and feated ourfelves on fkins laid on the ground for that
purpofe.
In the center I obferved that there was a place of an
oblong fhape, which was compofed of ftakes ftuck in the
ground, with intervals between, fo as to form a kind of
cheft or coffin, large enough to contain the body of a
man.
CARVER's TRAVELS.
63
nan. Thefe were of a middle fize, and placed at fuch
1 diftance from each other, that whatever lay within them
vas readily to be difcerned. The tent was perfectly il-
uminated by a great number of torches made offplinters
:ut from the pine or birch tree, which the Indians held
n their hands.
In a few minutes the prieil entered ; when an amazing
arge elk's fkin being fpread on the ground, mil at my
eet, he laid himfelf down upon it, after having fhipt him-
elf of every garment except that which he wore clofe about
lis middle. Being now proiirate on his back, he firfh laid
iold of one fide of the fkin, and folded it over him, and
hen the other ; "leaving only his head uncovered. This
[/as no fooner done, than two of the youag men who
tood by, took about forty yards of iirong cord, made
lfo of an elk's hide, and rolled it tight round his body,
0 that he was completely fwathed within the fkin. Be-
ng thus bound up like an Egyptian Mummy, one took
dm by the heels, and the other by the head, and lifted
iim over the pales into the enclofure. I could alfo now
lifcern him as plain as I had hitherto done, asd I took
are not to turn my eyes a moment from the objecl he-
ore me, that I might the more readily detecl the arti-
tce ; for fuch I doubted not but that it would turn out
o be.
The prieffc had not lain in this ITtuation more than a>
ew feconds, when he began to mutter. This he conti-
nued to do for fometime, and then by degrees grew loud-
r and louder, till at length he fpoke articulately ; how-
yer, wkat he uttered was in fuch a mixed jargon of the '
^hipeway, Ottawaw, and Killiitinoe languages, that I
:ould underfland but very little of it. Having continu-
d in this tone for a confiderable while, he at.laft exerted.
lis voice to its utmoil pitch, fometimes- raving, and
ometimes praying, till he had worked himfelf into fuch
n agitation, that he foamed at his mouthi
After having remained near three quarters, of an hour
n the place, and continued his, vociferation with unabated
igor, he feemed to be quite exhaufledj and remained
peechlefs. But in an initant he fprung upon his feet,
Lotwithftanding at the time he was put in, it appeared
impoiEble;
Bfiti&2
64 CARVER's TRAVELS.
impoffible for him to move either his legs or arms, and
making off his covering, as quick as if the bands with
which it had been bound were burned afunder,,
he began to addrefs thofe who flood around, in a firm
and audible voice. " My brothers/' faid he, « the
" Great Spirit has deigned to hold a Talk with his
fi fervant, at my earneft requefr.. He has not, indeed,
"■ told me when the perfons we expect, will be here ;
46 but. to-morrow, foon after the fun has reached his high-
eft, point in the heavens, a canoe will arrive, and
*' the people in that will inform us when the traders
u will come."
Having faid this, he Hepped out of the enclofure, and
after he had put on his robes, difmiffed the afTembly.
I- own I was greatly aftonifhed at what I had feen ; but
as I obferved that every eye in the company was fixed on
me with a view to difcover my fentiments, I carefully
concealed every emotion.
The next day the fun (hone bright, and long before
noon all the Indians were gathered together on the emi-
nence that overlooked the lake. The old king came to
me and aflced me, whether I had fo much confidence in
what the prieft had foretold, as to join his people on the
hill, and wait for the completion of it? I told 'him I
was at a lofs what opinion to form of the prediction ^ but
that I would readily attend him. On this we walked
together to the place where the others were afTembled.
Every eye was again fixed by turns on me and on the
lake ; when juft as the fun had reached his zenith, agree-
able to what the prieft had foretold, a canoe came round
a point of land about a league diftant. The Indians
no fooner beheld it, than they fet up an univerfal fhout,
and by their looks feemed to triumph in the intereil their
prieft thus evidently had with the Great Spirit.
In lefs than an hour the canoe reached the more, when
I attended the king and chiefs to receive thofe who
were on board. As foon as the men were landed, we
walked all together to the king's tent, when, according
to their invariable cuftom, we began to fmoke ; and this
we did, notwithstanding our impatience to knew the
tidings they brought, without afldng any. queftions ; for
the
CARVEl's TIAV'E'LS; 0
the Indians are the moil deliberate people in the worlds
However, after fome trivial converfation, the king en-~
quired of them, whether they had feen any thing of the
traders? The men replied, that they had parted from
them a few days before, and that they propofed being
here the fecond day from the prefent. They accordingly
arrived at that time greatly to our fatisfaction, but more
particularly fo to that of the Indians, who found by this
event the importance both of their prieft -and of their na- "
tion, greatly augmented in the fight of a ftranger.
This llary I acknowledge appears to carry with it
marks of great credulity in the relator. But no one is
lefs tinctured with that weaknefs than myfelf. The cir-
cumflanees of it, I own, are of a very extraordinary na- -
tiire ; however, as I can vouch for their being free from
either exaggeration or mifreprefentation, being myfelf a
cool and difpafHonate obferver of them all, I thought it -
neceffary to give them to the public. And this I do
without wifhing to miflead the judgement of my readers,
or to make any fuperftitious impr'eiiions on their minds9
tut leaving them to draw from it what concluiions they/
pleafe.
I have already obferved that the Affinipoils, with a:
part of whom I met here, are a revolted band of the :
Naudoweflies ; who on account of fome real or imagined :
grievances, for the Indians in general are very tenacious
of their liberty, had feparated themfelves from their
countrymen, and fought for freedom at the expertce of
their eafe. For the country they now inhabit about the-
borders of Lake Winnepeek, being much further north,
is not near fo fertile or agreeable as that they have relin-
quished. They ftill retain the language and manners of
their former aiTociates.;
The Killiftmoes, now the neighbors and allies of the
Affinipoils, , for they alfo dwell near the fame lake, and
on the waters of the River Bourbon, appear to have been >
originally a tribe of the Ghipeways, as they fpeak -their-
language, though in a different dialect. Their nation
confifts of about three or four hundred warriors, and they:
feem to be a hardy, brave people. I have already given
an account of their country when I treated of Lake
G z- Wmneptek^
66 CARVER'S TRAVELS,
Winnepeek. As they refide within the limits of Hud-
fon's Bay, they generally trade at the fa&ories which
belong to that company, but, for the reafons mentioned
before, they frequently come to the place where I hap-
pened to join them, in order to meet the traders from
Michillimackinac.
The anxiety I had felt on account of the traders de-
lay, was not much alleviated by their arrival. I again
found my expectations difappointed, for I was not able
to procure the goods I wanted from any of them. I
was therefore obliged to give over my defigns, and return
to the place from whence I firft began my extenfive cir-
cuit. ^ I accordingly took leave of the old king of the
Killiftinoes, with the chiefs of both bands* and departed.
This prince was upwards of fixty years of age, tall and
flightly made, but he carried himfelf very ere&. He
was of a courteous, affable difpofition, and treated me*
as did all the chiefs, with great civility.
I obferved that this people Hill continued a cuftom*
that appeared to have been univerfal before any of them,
became acquainted with the manners of the Europeans,
that of complimenting fhangers with the company of
their wives ; and this is npt only pra&ifed by the lower
ranks, but by the chiefs themfelves, who eileern it the
greater! proof of court efy they can give a ftranger.
The beginning of Qaober, after having coafted round
the north and eaft borders" of Lake Superior, I arrived
at Cadet's Fort, which adjoins to the Falls of St. Marie,,
and is fituated near the fouth- weft corner of it.
Lake Superior, formerly termed the Upper Lake,
from its northern fituation, is fo called on account of
its being fuperior in magnitude, to any of the Lakes on
that vaft continent. It might juft ly be termed the Caf-
pian of America, and is fuppofed'to be the larger! bo-
dy of frefh water on the globe. Its circumference, ac
cording to the Fiench charts, is about fifteen hundre
miles; but I believe, that if it was- coafted round, an
the utmoft extent of every bay taken, it would excee
fixteen hundred.
After I firit entered ft from Goddard's River on th
weft B.ay, I coafted near twelve hundred miles of th
north
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 67
north and eaft fhores of it, and obferved that the greateil
part of that extenfive tract was bounded by rocks and
uneven ground. The water in general appeared to lie
on a bed of rocks. When it was calm, and the fun
fhone bright, I could fit in my canoe, where the depth?
was upwards of fix fathoms, and plainly fee huge piles of
ftone at the bottom, of different mapes, fome of which
appeared as if they were hewn. The water at this time
was as pure and tranfparent as air ; and my canoe feemed
as if it hung fufpended in that element. It was impof-
fible to look attentively through this limpid medium at
the rocks below, without finding, before many minutes
were elapfed, your head fwim, and your eyes no longer
able to behold the dazzling feene.
I difcovered alfo by accident another extraordinary
property in the waters of this lake. Though it .was in
the month of July that I paffed over it, and the fur-
face of the water, from the heat of the fuperambient
air, impregnated with no fmall degree of warmth, yet
on letting down a cup to the depth of about a fathom,
the water drawn from thence was fo exceffively cold,
that it had the fame effect when received into the mouth
as ice.
The fituation of this lake is varioufly laid down ;
i)ut from the moil exact obfervations I could make, it
lies between forty-fix and fifty degrees of north-latitude,
and between eighty-four and ninety- three degrees of weft-
longitude, from the meridian of London.
There are many iflands in this lake, two of which are
very large ; and if the land of them is proper for cultiva-
tion, there appears to be fumcient to form on each a
confiderable province ; efpecially on Ifle Royal, which
cannot be lefs than an hundred miles long, and in many
places forty broad. But there is no way at prefent of
afeertaining the exa& length or breadth of either. Even
the French, who always kept a fmall fchooner on this
lake, whilft they were in porlefiion of Canada, by which
they could have made this difcovery, have* only acquired
a flight knowledge of the external parts of thefe iflands ;
at leafl they have never publifhed any account of the in*,
ternal parts of them,, that I could get intelligence of.
Not
sa
CARVER's travels.
Nor was I able to difcover from any of the conven-
tions which I held with the neighboring Indians, that
they had ever made any fettlements on them, or even
landed there in their hunting excursions. From what I
could gather by their difcourfe, they fuppofe them to
have been, from their firfl information, the refidence of
the Great Spirit; and relate many ridiculous ftories of
enchantment and magical tricks that had been experi-
enced by fuch as were obliged through ftrefs of wea-
ther to take fhelter on them..
One of the Chipeway chiefs told me, that fome of
their people being once driven on the ifland of Mauro-
pas, which lies towards the north-eafl part of the lake,
found on it large quantities of a heavy, mining, yellow
fand, that from their defcription mull have been gold
dufL Being flruck with the beautiful appearance of it,
in the morning, when they re-entered their canoe, they
attempted to bring fome away ; but a fpirit of an amaz-
ing fize, according to their account, fixty feet in height,
flrode in the water after them, and commanded them to
deliver back what they had taken away. Terrified at
his gigantic flature, and feeing- that he had nearly over-
taken them, they were glad to reftore their fhining-
treafure ; on which they were fuffered to depart without
further moleftation. Since this incident, no Indian that |
has ever heard of it, will venture near the fame haunted,
coaft. Befides this, they recounted to me many other
ftories of thefe iflands, equally fabulous.
The country on the north and eaft parts of Lake Su-
perior is very mountainous and barren. The weather '
■being intenfely cold in the winter,, and the fun having
but little power in the fummer , vegetation there is very
flow ; and eonfequently but little fruit is to be found i
on its more. . It however produces fome few fpecies in .
great abundance* Whortleberries of an . uncommon fize
and fine flavor^ grow on the mountains near the lake in
amazing quantities ; as do black currants and goofber- -
ries in the fame luxuriant manner..
But the fruit which exceeds all the others, is a berry •
refembljng a rafberry in its manner of growth, but of a
lighter red, and much larger ', its taite is far more deli-
cious
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
69
tious than the fruit I have compared it to, notwithstand-
ing that it is fo highly eileemed in Europe : it grows on
a fhrub of the nature of a vine, with leaves fimilar to
thofe of the grape ; and I am perfuaded that was it
tranfplanted into a warmer and more kindly climate, it
would prove a moil rare and delicious fruit.
Two very large rivers empty thernfelves into this lake,
on the north and north-earl fide ; one is called the Nipe^
gon River, or, as the French pronounce it, Allanipegon,
which leads to a band of the Chipeways, inhabiting a
lake of the fame name, and the other is termed the Mi-
diipicooton River, the fource of which is fituated to-
wards James's Bay, from whence there is but a fhort
carriage to another river, which empties itfelf into that
|>ay, at a fort belonging to the company. It was by this
-paflage that a party of French from Michillimackinac
invaded the fettlements of that fociety in the reign of
Queen Anne. Having «taken and deftroyed their forts,
they brought the cannon which they found in them to
the fortrefs from whence they had ifTued ; thefe were
fmall brafs pieces, and remain there to this prefent time ;
having, through the ufual revolutions of fortune, return-
ed to the poffdTion of their former mailers.
; Not far from the Nipegon is a fmall river, that jufl
before it enters the lake, has a perpendicular fall from
the top of a mountain, of more than fix hundred feet.
Being very narrow, it appears at a diilance like a
white garter fufpended in the air.
1 A few Indians inhabit round the eaftern borders of
this lake, fuppofed to be the remains of the Algonkins,
who formerly pofFefTed this country, but who have been
nearly extirpated by the Iroquois of Canada. LaKe Su-
perior has near forty rivers that fall into it, fome of which,
are of a confiderable fize. On the fouth fide^ of it is a
remarkable point or cape, of about fixty miles in length,
called Point Chegomegan. It might as properly be
termed a peninfula, as it is nearly feparated from the
continent, on the eafl fide, by a narrow bay that ex-
tends from eaft to weR. Canoes have but a fhort portage
acrofs the ifthmus, whereas if they coaft it round, the
voyage is more than an hundred miles*
3 ' About,
7°
CARVERS TRAVELS.
I
About that diflance to the weft of the cape juil de<
fenbed, a confiderable river falls into the lake, the heac
of which is compofed of a great affemblage of fmal
ftreams. This river is remarkable for the abundance oi
virgin copper that is found on and near its banks. A
metal which is met with alfo in feveral other places on
thiscoaft. I obferved that many of the fmall iflands3
particularly thofe on the eaftern mores, were covered
with copper ore. They appeared like beds of copperas,
oi which many tuns lay in a fmall fpace.
A company of adventurers from England began, foon
after the conqueft of Canada, to bring away fome of
this metal, but the diftraded fituation of affairs in Ame-
rica has obliged them to relinquifh their fcheme. It
might In future times be made a very advantageous
trade, as the metal, which colls nothing on the fpot, and
requires but little expence to get it on board, could be
* conveyed in boats or canoes through the Falls of St.
Mane, to the Me of St. Jofeph, which lies at the bot-
tom of the Straits near the entrance into Lake Huron ;
from thence it might be put on board larger veffels, and
in them tranfported acrofs that lake to the Falls of Ni-
agara; there being carried by land acrofs the Portage,,
it might be conveyed without much more obftru&ion to
Quebec. The cheapnefs and eafe with which any quan-
tity of it may be procured, will make up for the length,
of way that is neceffary to tranfport it before it reaches
the fea coaft, and enable the proprietors to fend it %a
foreign markets on as good terms as it can be exported
from other countries.
Lake Superior abounds with a variety of flfh, the
principal and bell are the trout and llurgeon, which may
be caught at almoft any feafon in the greateft abun-
dance. The trouts in general weigh about twelve pounds*
but fome are caught that exceed fifty. Befides thefe>
a fpecies of white flfh is taken in great quantities here,
that refemble a mad in their fhape^ but they are rather
thicker, and lefs bony; they weigh about four pounds
each, and are of a delicious talle. The bell way o£
catching thefe fifh is. with a net ; but the trout might
be taken at all times with the hook, There are like-
wife-
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 71
foife many forts of fmaller fifh in great plenty here, and
which may be taken with eafe ; among thefe is a fort
-efembling a herring, that are generally made ufe of as
1 bait for the trout. Very fmall crabs, not larger than
lalf a crown piece, are found both in this and Lake
Michigan.
This Lake is as much affe&ed by florms as the Atlan-
:ic Ocean ; the waves run as high, and are equally as
langerous to mips. It difcharges its waters from the
buth-eafl corner, through the Straits of St. Marie. At
he upper end of thefe Straits Hands a fort that receives
ts name from them, commanded by Monf. Cadot, a
French Canadian, who being proprietor of the foil, is
till permitted to keep poffeflion of it. Near this fort is
I very ftrong rapid, againft which, though it is impoffible
or canoes to afcend, yet when condu&ed by careful pi-
3ts, they might pafs down without danger.
Though Lake Superior, as I have before obferved, is
implied by near forty rivers, many of which are confi-
ierable ones ; yet it does not appear that one tenth part
•f the waters which are conveyed into it by thefe rivers,
re carried off at this evacuation. How fuch a fuper-
bundance of waters can be difpofed of, as it mull cer-
ainly be by fome means or other, without which the
ircumference of the lake would be continually enlarging,
know not : that it does not empty itfelf, as the Medi-
srranaen fea is fuppofed to do, by an under current,
?hich perpetually counteracts that near the furface, is
ertain ; for the ftream which falls over the rock is not
lore than five or fix feet in depth, and the whole of it
affes on through the Straits into the adjacent lake;
or is it probable that fo great a quantity can be abforb-
d by exhalations ; confequently they mull find a pafTage
irough fome fubterranean cavities, deep, unfathomable,
ad never to be explored.
The Falls of St. Marie do not defcend perpendicular-
r as thofe of Niagara or St. Anthony do, but confifl
f a rapid which continues near three quarters of a mile,
ver which canoes well piloted might pafs.
At the bottom of thefe Falls, Nature has formed a
10ft commodious llation for catching the fifh which are
to
7* CARTER'S TRAVEL S.
to be found there in immenfe quantities. Perfons Hand-
ing on the rocks that lie adjacent to it, mav take with
dipping nets, about the months of September and Oc-
tober, the white fifh before mentioned .; at that feafon,
together with feveral other fpecies, they crowd up to
this fpot in fuch amazing fhoals, that enough may be
taken to fupply, when properly cured, thoufands of in-
habitants throughout the year.
The Straits of St. Marie are about forty miles long,
bearing fouth-ea'ft, but varying much in their breadth*
The current between the Falls and Lake Huron is not
fo rapid as might be expected, nor do they prevent the
navigation of ihips of burden as far up as the liland of
St. Jofeph.
It has been obferved by travellers that the entrance in-
to Lake Superior, from thefe Straits, affords one of the
moil pleafing profpects in the world. The place in
which this might be viewed to the greateil advantage,
is juil at the opening of the lake, from whence may
be feen on the left, many beautiful' little iflands that
extend a confiderable way before you ; and on the right,
an agreeable fueceffion of fmall points of land, that pro-
ject a little way into the water, and contribute, with
the iflands, to render this delightful bafon (as it might
be termed) calm and fecure from the ravages of thofe
tempefluous winds by which the adjoining lake is fre-
quently troubled.
- JLake Huron, into which you now enter from the
Straits of St. Marie, is the next in magnitude to Lake,
Superior. It lies between forty-two and forty- fix de-
grees of north-latitude, and feventy- nine and eighty-five,
degrees of well -longitude. Its fnape is nearly triangular,,
and its circumference about one thouiand miles.
t On the north fide of it lies an ifiahd that is remark-
able for being near an hundred miles in length, and no:
more than eight miles broad. This iHand is known by
the name of Manataulin, which fignifies a Place of Spi-'-
rits, and is confidered by the the Indians as facred as>
thofe already mentioned in Lake Superior.
About the middle of the fouth-wefl fide of this lake,
is Saganaum Bay. The capes that feparate this bay.
from
CARVER's TRAVELS. 73
from the lake, are eighteen miles diftant from each other ;
near the middle of the intermediate fpace Hand two
iflands, which greatly tend to facilitate the pafTage of
canoes and fmall veiTels, by affording them fhelter, as
without this fecurity it would not be prudent to venture
acrofs fo wide a fea ; and the coafting round the bay
would make the voyage long and tedious. This bay is
about eighty miles in length, and in general about eigh-
teen or twenty miles broad.
Nearly half way between Saganaum Bay and the
north-well corner of the Lake, lies another, which k term-
cd Thunder Bay. The Indians, who have frequented thefe
parts from time immemorial, and every European tra-
veller that has parTed through it, have unanimouily agreed
to call it hy this name, on account of the continual
thunder they have always obferved here. The bay is
about nine miles broad, and the fame in length, and
whilft I was pafhng over it, which took me up near
twenty-four hours, it thundered and lightened during
the greater! part of the time to an exceflive degree.
There appeared to be no vifible reafon for this, that I
Could difcover, nor is the country in general fubject to
thunder ; the hills that flood around were not of a re-
markable height, neither did the external parts of them.
Ceem to be covered with any fulphureous fubftance. But
-as this phenomenon mull originate from fome natural
caufe, I conjecture that the mores of the bay, or the ad«
jacent mountains, are either impregnated with an un-
common quantity of fulphureous matter, or contain
fome metal or mineral apt to attract in a great degree^
the electrical particles that are hourly borne over them.
by the palTant clouds. But the folution of this, and
thofe other philosophical remarks which cafually occur
throughout thefe pages, I leave to the difcuffion of abler
heads.
The fim in Lake Huron are much the fame as thofe
in Lake Superior. Some of the land on its banks is
very fertile, and proper for cultivation, but in other
parts it is fandy and barren. The promontory that fe-
parates this lake from Lake Michigan, is compofed of
a vail plain, upwards of one hundred miles long, but
H varying
*74 CARVERS TRAVELS,
varying in its breadth, being from ten to fifteen miles
broad. This tract, as I have before obferved, is divid-
ed into almoft an equal portion between the Ottawaw
and Chipeway Indians. At the north-eaft corner this
lake has a communication with .Lake Michigan, by the
Straits of Michillimackinac already defcribed.
I had like to have omitted a very extraordinary cir-
cumftance, relative to thefe Straits. According to ob-
servations made by the French, whilfl they were in pof-
feflion of the fort : although there is no diurnal flood or
ebb to be perceived in thefe waters, yet, from an exact
attention to their Hate, a periodical alteration in them
has been difcovered. It was obferved that they arofe by
gradual, but almoft imperceptible degrees till they had
reached the height of about three feet. This was ac-
complifhed in feven years and a half ; and in the fame
fpace they as gently decreafed, till they had reached their
former fituation ; fo that in fifteen years they had com-
pleted this inexplicable revolution.
At the time I was there, the truth of thefe obferva-
tions could not be confirmed by the Englifh, as they had
then been only a few years in poffeffion of the fort;
but they all agreed that fome alteration in the limits
oi the Straits was apparent. All thefe lakes are fo af-
fected by the winds, as fometimes to have the appear-
ance of a tide, according as they happen to blow ; but-
this is only temporary and partial.
A great number of the Chipeway Indians live feat-
ured around this lake, particularly near Saganaum Bay.
On its banks are found an amazing quantity of the fand
cherries, and in the adjacent country nearly the fame
fruit, as thofe that grow about the other lakes.
From the Falls of St. Marie I leifurely proceeded
fcatk to Michillimackinac, and arrived there the begirt
ning of November 1767, having been fourteen months
on this extenfive tour, travelled near four thoufand miles,
and vifited twelve nations of Indians lying to the weft
and north of this place. The winter fett.ing in foon af-
ter my arrival, I was obliged to tarry there till June fol-
lowing, the navigation over Lake Huron for large vef-
fels not being open, on account of the ice, till that time.
Meeting
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
■15
Meeting here with fociable company, I pafTed thefe
months very agreeably, arid without finding the hours
tedious.
One of my chief amufements was that of fifhing for
trouts. Though the Straits were covered with ice, we
found means tojnake holes through it, and letting down
ftrong lines of fifteen yards in length, to which were fix-
ed three or four hooks baited with the fmall fim before
defcribed, we frequently caught two at a time of forty
pounds weight each ; but the common fize is from ten*
to twenty pounds. Thefe are moil delicious food. The
method of preferving them during the three months the
winter generally lafls, is by hanging them up in the air ;
and in one night they will be frozen fo hard that they
will keep as well as if they were cured with felt.
I have only pointed out in the plan of my travels the
circuit I made from my leaving Michillimackinac till
I arrived again*at that fort. Thofe countries that lie
Bearer to the colonies have been fo often and fo minute-
ly defcribed, that any further account of them would ber
ufelefs. I mall therefore only give my readers in the
remainder, of my journal, as I at flrft propofed, a de-
scription of the other great lakes of Canada, many of
which I have navigated over, and relate at the fame
time a few particular incidents that I trull will not be
found inapplicable or unentertaining.
In June 1768 I left Michillimackinac, and returned
in the Gladwyn Schooner, a vefTei of about eighty ton$
burthen, over Lake Huron to Lake St. Claire, where
we left the (hip, and proceeded in boats to Detroit,
This lake is about ninety mile& in circumference, and by
the way of Huron River, which runs from the fouth.
corner of Lake Huron, receives the waters of the three
great lakes, Superior, Michigan, and Huron-; Its form
is rather round, and in feme" places it is deep enough fox
the navigation of large veffels, but towards the middle i
of it there is a bar of fand, which prevents thofe that
are loaded from paffing over in Such as* are in ballad
only may find water fufficient to carry them quite
through j the cargoes^. .however* of fuchas.are freight-
it^
76
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
cd imift be taken out, and after being transported aerofs
the bar in boats, re-fhipped again.
The j-iver that runs from Lake St. Claire to Lake
Erie (or rather the Strait, for thus it might be termed
from its name) is called Detroit, which is in French, the
Strait. It runs nearly fouth, has a gentle current, and
depth of water fuiHeient for fhips of confiderable burthen.
The town of Detroit is fituated on the weftern banks of
this river, about nine miles below Lake St. Claire.
Almofl oppofite on the eaitern more, is the village of
the ancient Hurons : a tribe of Indians which have been
treated of by fo many writers, that adhering to the re-
flri&ions I have laid myfelf under of only defcribing
places and people little known, or incidents that have pair-
ed unnoticed by others, I {hall omit giving a defcriptiogt
of them. A miffionary of the order of Carthufian Fri-
ars, by permiflion of the bifhop of Canada, refides among
them. .
The banks of the River Detroit, both above and be-
low thefe towns, are covered with fettlements that ex-
tend more than twenty miles ; the country being exceed-
ingly fruitful, and proper for the cultivation. of wheat,
Indian corn, oats, and peas. It has alfo many fpots of
fine pafturage ; but as the inhabitants, who are chiefly
French that Submitted to the Englim government, af-
ter the conqueft of thefe parts by General Amherft, are
more attentive to the Indian trade than to farming, it is
but badly cultivated.
The town of Detroit contains upwards of one hun-
dred houfes. The ilreets are fomewhat regular, and
have a range of very convenient and handfome barracks,
with a fpacious parade at the fouth end. On the weft
fide lies the king's garden, belonging to the governor,
which is very well laid out, and kept in good order.
The fortifications of the town confift of a ftrong ftock-
ade, . made of round piles, fixed firmly in the ground,
and lined with palifades. Thefe are defended by fome
fmall baftions, on which are mounted a few indifferent
cannon of an inconsiderable fize, jufl fufficient for its de-
fence againfl the Indians, or an enemy not provided with
artillery.
The
CARVER'S TRAVELS,
ir
The garrifon, in time of peace, confifls of two hun-
dred men, commanded by a field officer, who acts as'-
chief magiilrate under the governor of Canada. Mr„
Turnbull, captain of the 6oth regiment, or Royal Ame-
ricans, was commandant when I happened to be there.
This gentleman was defervedly efleemed and refpected,
both by the inhabitants and traders, for the propriety of
his conduct ; and I am happy to have an opportunity of
thus publicly making my acknowledgments to him- for
the civilities I received from him during my iiay.
In the year 1762, in the month of July, it rained on
this town and the parts adjacent, a fulphureous water of
the color and confidence of ink ; fome of which being
collected into bottles, and wrote with, appeared perfectly
intelligible on the paper, and anfwered every purpofe of
that ufeful liquid.: Soon after, the Indian wars already
fpoken of, broke out in thefe parts.- I mean not fay
that this incident was ominous of them, notwithilanding, .
it is well known that innumerable well atteited inftances
of extraordinary phenomena happening before extraor- -
dinary events, have been recorded in almoft every age by
hifiorians of veracity ; I only relate the circumftances
as a fact, of which I was informed by many perfons of '■■■
undoubted probity, and leave my readers, as I have hl-&
therto done, to draw their own concluflons from it,
Pontiac, under whom the party that furprifed Fort
Michillimackinac,: as- related in the former part of this
work, acted, was an enterpriling chief or head- warrior of
the Miames; During the late war between the Englifii
and the French, he had been a Heady friend to the lat-
ter, and continued his -inveteracy to the former, even »
after peace had been concluded between thefe two na-
tions.;. Unwilling to put an end to the depredations he
had been fo long engaged in, he collected an army of f
confederate Indians, confuting of the nations before enu- -
merated, with an intention to renew the war. However j, ?
inftead of openly attacking, the Englifh fettlements, he
laid a fcheme for taking by furprife thofe fort* on the
extremities which they had lately, gained poffeffion of.
How well the party he detached to take Fort Michil-
limackinac fucceeded, the reader already knows. - To**
H-a.~. • _ g^t
78
CARVER's TRAVELS.
get into his hands Detroit, a place of greater confe-
quence, and much better guarded, required greater re*
iblution, and more confummate art. He of courfe took
the management of this expedition on himfelf, and drew
near it with the principal body of his troops. He was,
however, prevented from carrying his defigns into exe-
cution, by an apparently trivial and unforefeen circum-
fiance* On fuch does, the fate of mighty Empires fre-
quently depend !
The town of Detroit, when Pontiac formed his plan,
was garrifoned by about three hundred men, commanded
fey Major Gladwyn, a gallant officer. As at that time
every appearance of war was at an end, and the Indians-
feemed to be on a friendly footing, Pontiac approached
the Fort, without exciting any fufpicionsin the breaffc
of the governor or the inhabitants. He encamped at
a little diftance from it, and fent to let the commandant
know that he was come to trade ; and being defirous of
brightening the chain of peace between the Englilh and
his nation, defired that he and his chiefs might be ad-
mitted to hold a council with him. The governor ftilb
unfufpicious, and not in the kail doubting the fmcerity
of the Indians, granted their general's requefl, and iix~
ed on the next morning for their reception*
The evening of that day, an Indian woman who had;
been employed by Major Gladwyn, to make him a pair
of Indian (hoes, out of curious elk-fkin, brought them,
home. The Major was fo pleafed with them, that, in-
tending theie as a prefent for a friend, he ordered her
to take the remainder back, and make it into others-
for himfelf. He then directed his fervant to pay her for
thoie me had done, and difmined her. The woman,
went to the door that led to the flreet, but no further ;.
fhe there loitered about as if me had not frnifhedthe bu-
finefs an which fhe came. A fervant at length obferved,
her, and allied her why fhe flaid there ; fhe gave him,,
however, no anfwer.
Some fliort time after, the governor himfelf faw her ;
and enquired of his fervant what occafioned her flay*
Not being able to get a fatisfaclory anfwer, he ordered ,
the woman to be called in. When fhe came into his.
prefence
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 79
prefence he defired to know what was the reafon of her
loitering about, and not haftening home before the gates
were fhut, that (he might complete in due time the
work he had given her to do. She told him, after much.
hefitation, that as he had always behaved with great
goodneis towards her, fhe was unwilliug' to take away
the remainder of the fkin, becaufe he put fo great a va-
lue upon it ; and yet had not been able to prevail up-
on herfelf to tell him fo. He then afked her, why (he
was more reluctant to do fo now, than fhe had beea
when fhe made the former pair. With increafed re*
lu&ance fhe anfwered, that me never mould be able to
bring them back*
His curiofity being now excited, he infifled on. her
difclofing to him the fecret that feemed to be ftruggling
in her bofom for utterance. At laft, on receiving a pro-
mife that the intelligence fhe was about to give him
mould not turn to her prejudice, and that if it ap-
peared to be beneficial, fhe mould be rewarded for it, fhe
informed him, that at the council to be held with the
Indians the following day, Pontiac and his chiefs intend-
ed to murder him; and, after having maffacred the gar-
rifon and inhabitants, to plunder the town. That for
this purpofe all the chiefs who were to be admitted in-
to the council-room, had cut their guns fhort, fo that
they could conceal them under their blankets ; with
which, at a fignal given by their general, on delivering
the belt, they were all to rife up, and inftantly to fire on
him and his attendants. Having effected this, they
were immediately to rufh into the town, where they
would find themfelves fupported by a great number of
their warriors, that were to come into it during the fit-
ting of the council, under pretence of trading, but pri-
vately armed in the fame manner. Having gained from
the woman every necefTary particular relative to the plot,
and alfo of the means by which fhe acquired a know-
ledge of them, he- difmilTed her with injunctions of fe-
crecy, and a promife of fulfilling on his part with punc-
tuality, the engagements he had entered into.
The intelligence the governor had jufl received, gave
•him great uneafinefs j and he immediately eonfuked the
officer
m
CARVERS TRAVELS.
I
officer who was next to him in command, on the fub-
je£. But that gentleman confidering the information as
a.ftory invented for fome artful purpofes, advifed him to
pay no attention to it. This conclufion, however, had
happily no weight with him. He thought it prudent to ■
conclude it to be true, till he was convinced that it was
not fo; and therefore, without revealing his fufpicions
to any other perfon, he took every needful precaution
that the time would admit of. He walked round the
fort during the whole night j and faw himfelf that every
centinel was on duty, and every weapon of defence m.
proper order.
As he traverfed the ramparts which lay neareft to the
Indian camp, he heard them in high feflivity, and, little
imagining that their plot was difcovered, probably pleaf-
ing themfelves with the anticipation of. their fuccefs. As
foon as the morning dawned, he ordered all the garri-
fon under arms 5 and then imparting his apprehenfions
to a few of the principal officers, gave them fuch direc-
tions as he thought neeefTary. At the fame time he fent
round to all the traders, to inform them, that as it was
expecled a great number of Indians would enter the
town that day, who might be inclined to plunder, he
defired they would have their arms ready, and repel eve-
ry attempt of that kind.
About ten o'clock, Pontiac and his chiefs arrived ; and
were conducted to the council-chamber, where the go-
vernor and his principal officers, each with piftols in their
belts, awaked his arrival. As the Indians paffed on,,
they could not help obferving that a greater number of
troops than ufual were drawn up on the parade, or
marching about. No fooner were they entered, and
feated on the fkins prepared for them, than Pontiac afk-
ed the governor on what occafion his young men, mean- .
ing the foldiers,. were thus drawn up, and parading the
itreets. He received for anfwer, that it was only in-
tended to keep them perfect in their exercife.
The Indian chief-warrior now began his fpeech, which
contained the ftrongeft profefTions of friendfhip and I
good-will towards the Englifh ; and when he came to
the delivery of the belt of wampum^ the particular mode
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
8l
of which, according to the woman's information, was to
be the fignal for his chiefs to fire, the governor and all
his attendants drew their fwords halfway out of their
fcabbards ; and the foldiers at the fame inftant made a
clattering with their arms before the doors, which had
been purpofeiy left open. Pontiac, though one of the
boideft of men, immediately turned pale, and trembled j
and inftead of giving the belt in the manner propofed,
delivered it according to the ufual way. His chiefs, who
had impatiently expe&ed the fignal, looked at each, .
other with aftoniihment, but continued quiet, waiting
the refult.
The governor in his turn made a fpeech ; but inftead
of thanking the great warrior for the prof effions* of friend-
fhip he had juft uttered, he accufed him of being a trai-
tor. He told him that the Englifh, who knew every
thing, were convinced of his treachery and villainous
defigns ; and as a proof that they were well acquainted
with his moil fecret thoughts and intentions, he ftepped
towards the Indian chief that fat near eft to him, and
drawing afide his blanket, difcovered the Ihortened fire*
lock. This entirely difconcerted the Indians, and fruf-
trated their defign.,
He then continued to tell them, that as he had given
his word at the time they defired an audience, that their
perfons fhould be fafe, he would hold his promife invi-
olable, though they fo little deferved it. However, he
advifed them to make the beft of their way out of the
fort, left his young men on being acquainted with their
treacherous purpofes, fhould cut every one of them to
pieces.
Pontiac endeavored to contradict the accufation, and
to make excufes for his fufpicious conduct ; but the go-
vernor, fatisfied of the falfity of his. proteflations, would
cot liiten to him. The Indians immediately left the
fort, but inftead of being fenfible of the governor's gene-
rous behavior, they threw of the mafk, and the next
day made a regular attack upon it.
Major Gladwyn has not efcaped cenfure for this mis-
taken lenity ; for probably had he kept a few of the
principal chiefs prifoners, whilft. he had them in his paw*.
$2
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
er, he might have been able to have brought the whole
confederacy- to terms, and have prevented a war. But he
atoned for this overftght, by the gallant defence he made
tor more than a year, amidft a variety of difcourae;e-
ments. .
■t During that period fome very fmart flrirmifhes happen,
ea between the befiegers and the garrifon, of which the
following was the principal and moil bloody :. Captain
l^elzel, a brave officer, prevailed on the governor to give
him the command of about two hundred men, and to
permit him to attack the enemy's camp, This being
complied with, he fallied from the town before' day.
break ; but Pontiac, receiving from fome of his fwift-
footed warriors, who were conflantly employed in watch-
ingthe motions of the garrifon,. timely intelligence of
their de%n, he collected together the ehoieeft of his
troops, and met the detachment at fome diftance from hia
camp, near a place fmce called Bloody-Bridge.
As the Indians were vaftly fuperior in numbers to
Captain DelzePs party, he was foon over-powered and
driven back. Being now nearly fnrrounded, he made a
vigorous effort to regain the bridge he had juft croffed,
by which aione he could find a retreat ; but in doing
this he loft his life, and many of his men fell with him.
However, Major Rogers,- the fecond in command, affiu>
ed by Lieutenant Breham, found means to draw off the
Shattered remains of their little army, and conduaed
them into the fort.
Thus confiderably reduced, it was with difficulty the
Major could defend the town ; notwithstanding which,
he held out againft the Indians till he was relieved, as af-
ter this- they made but few attacks on the place, and on-
ly continued to blockade it.
The Gladwyn Schooner (that in which I afterwards
took my paffage from Michillimackinac to Detroit, and
which I fmce learn was loll with all her crew, on Lake
Erie, through the obflinacy of the commander, who
could not be prevailed upon to take in fufficient ballaft)
arrived about this time, near the town, with a reinforce-
ment, and neceffary fupplies. But before this veffel
CQtfid reach the place of its deftination, it was moft
vigorously
CARVER'S TRAVELS. gs
figoroufly attacked by a' detachment from Pontiac's ar-
my. The Indians furrounded it in their canoes, and
made great havoc among tfa crew;
At length the captain of the fchooner, with a confi-
^evable number cf his men being killed, and the favages
beginning to climb up the fides from every quarter, the
lieutenant (Mr. Jacobs, who afterwards commanded, and
was loft in it) being determinded that the ftores mould
not fall into the enemy's hands, and feeing no other al-
ternative, ordered the gunner to fet fire to the powder-
room, and blow the fhip up. This order was on the
point of being executed, when a chief of the Hurons,
who underftood the Englifh language, gave out to his
friends the intention of the commander. On receiving
this intelligence, the Indians hurried down the fides of
the fnjp with the greateft precipitation, and got as far
from it as poffible ; whilft the commander immediately
took advantage of their conflernation, and arrived with-
out any further obftruc~tion at the town.
This feafonable fupply gave the garrifon frefh fpirits ;
and Pontiac being now convinced that it would not be
in his power to reduce the place, propofed an accom-
modation ; the governor wifhing as much to get rid of
fuch troublefome enemies, who obftru&ed the intercourfe
of the traders with the neighboring nations, liltened to
his propofals, and having procured advantageous terms,
agreed to a peace. ^ The Indians foon after feparated,
and returned to their different provinces ; nor have they
fmce thought proper to diflurb, at leaft in any great de-
gree, the tranquillity of thefe parts.
Pontiac henceforward feemed to have laid afide the
animofity he had hitherto borne towards the Englifh, and
apparently became their zealous friend. To reward this
new attachment* and to infure a continuance of it, go-
vernment allowed him a handfome penfion. But his reft-
lefs and intriguing fpirit would not fuffer him to be grate-
ful for this allowance, and his conducl at length grew fuf-
pjcious ; fo that going, in the year 1767, to hold a coun-
cil in the country of the Illinois, a faithful Indian, who
was either commifTioned by one of the Englifh governors,
or inftigated by the love he bore the Englifh nation, at-
tended
»4 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
tended him as a fpy; and being convinced from ther
fpeech Pontiac made in the council, that he ftill retained
his former prejudices againft thofe for whom he now pro-
feffed a friendfhip, he plunged his knife into his heart,
as foon as he had done fpeaking, and laid him dead on
the fpot. But to return from this digreflion.
Lake Erie receives the waters by which it is fupplied
firom the three great lakes, through the Straits of Detroit*
that lie at its north-well corner. This lake is fituated
between forty-one and forty-three degrees of north-lati-
tude, and between feventy-eight and eighty-three de-
grees of weft-longitude. It is near three hundred miles
long from eaft to weft, and about forty in its brOadeft
part : and a remarkable long narrow point lies on its
north fide, that projects for ieveral miles into the lake to-
wards the fouth-eaft.
There are feveral iflands near tlie weft end of it fo in*
fefted with rattle-fnakes, that it is very dangerous to land
on them. It is impoilible that any place can produce a
greater number of all kinds of thefe reptiles than this
does* particularly of the water- fnake. The lake is co-
vered near the banks of the iflands with the large pond-
lily ; the leaves of which lie on the furface of the water
fo thick, as to cover it entirely for many acres together ;
and on each of thefe lay, when I paffed over it, wreaths
of water-fnakes balking in the fun, which amounted to
myriads.
The moft remarkable of the different fpecies that in-
Feft this lake, is the hiffing-fnake, which is of the fmafl
-fpeckled kind, and about eighteen inches long. When-
&ny thing approaches, it flattens itfelf in a moment, and
its fpots, which are of various dyes, become vifibly bright-
er through rage ; at the fame time it blows from its
mouth, with great force, a fubtile wind, that is report-
ed to be of a naufeous fmell 5 and if drawn in with the
breath of the unwary traveller, will infallibly bring on
a decline, that in a few months muft prove mortal, there
being no remedy yet discovered which can counteract its
baneful influence.
The ftones and pebbles on the fhores of this lake are
moft of them tinged^ in a greater or lefs degree, with
fpots
CARVER'S TRAVEL S. 85
Jpots that refemble brafs in their color, but which are
.of a more fulphureous nature. Small pieces, about the
iize of hazle-nuts, of the fame kinds of ore, are found
on the fands that lie on its banks, and under the water.
The navigation of this lake is efteemed more danger-
ous than any of the others, on account of many high lands
that lie on the borders of it, and project into the water,
in a perpendicular direction for many miles together; fo
that whenever fudden ftorms arife, canoes and boats are
.frequently loft, as there is no place for them to find a
Shelter,
This lake di fcharges its waters at the north-earl end,
into the River Niagara, which runs north and fouth, and
is about thirty-fix miles in length ; from whence it falls
into Lake Ontario. At the entrance of this river, on
its eaftern more, lies Fort Niagara ; and, about eighteen
miles further up, thofe remarkable Falls which are efteem-
ed one of the molt extraordinary productions of nature at
prefent known.
As.thefe. have been vifited by fo many travellers, and
fo frequently defcribed, I (hall omit giving a particular
description of them, and only obferve, that the waters
"by which they are fupplied, after taking their rife near
two thoufand miles to the north-weft, and palling through
the Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie, during
which .they have been receiving conftant accumulations,
at length rum down a ftupendous piecipi.ce of one hun-
dred and forty feet perpendicular ; and in a ftrono- ra-
pid, that extends to the diflance of eight or nine miles
below, fall nearly as much more : this river fo:n after
empties itfelf into Lake Ontayo.
The noife of thefe Falls may be heard an amazing
way. I could plainly diftinguifh them in a calm morning
more than twenty miles. Others have faid that at part
ticular times, and when the wind fits fair, the found of
them reaches fifteen leagues.
■ The land about the Falls is exceedingly hilly and un-
pen, but the greateft part of that on the Niagara River
is very good, efpeciaJJ^L&r. grafs and pafturage.
I Fort Niagara Stands nearly at the entrance of the w ft
end 6T|Uke Ontario, and on the eaft part of the Straus
1 I ^ ' of
m C A R VER'i TRAVEL S.
of Niagara. It was taken from the French in the yeax
1759, by the forces under the command of Sir William
Johnfon, and at prefent is defended by a confideiable
•jgarrifon.
Lake Ontario is the next, and leaft of the five great
Lakes of Canada. Its fituation is between forty-three
and forty-five degrees of latitude, and between feventy-
Fix and feventy-nine degrees -of weft-longitude. The
form of it is nearly oval, its greateft length being from
north-earl to fbuth-weft, and in circumference, about fix
hundred miles. Near the fouth-eaft part it receives the
.waters of the Ofwego River, and on the north-eaft dis-
charges itfolf into the River Cataraqui. Not far from
the place where it iffiies, Fort Frontenac formerly ftood,
which was taken from the French during die laft war,
in the year 1758, by a fmall army of Provincials under
Coh Bradftreet.
At the entrance of Ofwego River iliands a fort of the
fame name, garrifoned only at prefent by an inconfidera-
Jble party. This fort was taken in the year 1756, by
the French, when a great part of the garrifon, which
.-confifted of the late Shirley's and Pepperil's regiments,
were niaffacred in cold blood by the favages.
In Lake Ontario are taken many forts of £rh, among
which is the Ofwego Bafs, of an excellent flavor, and
weighing about, three or four pounds. There is alfo a
fort called the Cat-head or Pout, which are in general
very large, fome of them weighing eight or ten pounds ;
and they are efteemed a rare dim when properly dreffed.
On the north- weft part of this Lake, and to the fouth-
-eaft of Lake Huron, is a tribe of Indians called Miffifau-
ges, whofe town is denominated Toronto, from the lake
*on which it lies ; but they are not very numerous. The
country about Lake Ontario, efpecially the more north.,
and eaftern parts, is eompofed of good land, and in time
may make very flouriibing fettlements.
The Oniada Lake, fituated near the head of the Ri-?
•ver Ofwego, receives the waters of Wood-Creek, which-
takes its rife not far from the Mohawk's River. Thefe
■two lie fo adjacent to each other, that a junction is ef-
fected by ftuices at Fort Stanwix, about twelve miles
from .
CARVE R's T R A V E L S.- 87
from the mouth of the former. This lake is about thirty
miles long fromeaft to weft, and near fifteen broad. The>
country around it belongs to the Oniada Indians.
Lake Champlain, the next in fize to Lake Ontario,.*
and which lies nearly eaft from it, is about eighty miles -
in length, north and fouth, and in its broadeft' part four-
teen. It is well ftored with fifh, and the lands that lie-
on all the borders of it, or about its rivers* very. good*-.
Lake George, formerly called by the French, Lake
St. Sacrament, lies to the fouth-wefi of the- la& menti-
oned lake, and is about thirty-five miles- long from north-
call to fouth-weft, but of no great breadth. The conn*-
try around it is very mountainous, but.in.the:vallles the
land is tolerably good.
When thefe two lakes were firft discovered, they were
known by no other name than that of the Iroquois
Lakes; and I believe in the firft plans taken of . thofe
parts, were fo denominated. The Indians alfo that were
then called the Iroquois* are fin ce known by the name
of the Five Mohawk nations, and the Mohawks of Ca-
nada. In the late war, the former, which confift of the
Onondagoes, the Qniadas, the Senecas* the Tufcarories,
and Iroondocks, fought on the fide of the Ehglifh : the
latter which are called the Cohnawaghans, and St. Fran-
cif Indians, joined the French.
A vail tract; of land that lies between the two lafl
mentioned lakes,vand Lake Ontario, .was granted in the
year 1629* by the Plymouth Company* under a patent .
they had received from King James I. to Sir Perdinan-
do Gorges, and to Captain John Mafon, the head of
that family, . afterwards diflinguifhed from others of the
fame name, by the Mafon s of Connecticut. The coun--
tries fpeciiied in this grant are faid to begin ten miles
from the heads of the rivers that run from the eail and"
fouth into Lake George and Lake Champlain ; and con»
tinuing from thefe in a direct line weft ward, extend to
the middle of Lake Ontario ; from thence, being bound-
cd by the Cataraqui, or river of the Iroquois, they take-
their courfe to Montreal, as far as Fort Sorrell, which
lies at . the junction , of this .river, with, the .Richlieu ;
ancl ,
■■B
m C A R V E R's T R AVE L S.
and from "that point are eaclofed by the laft mentioned
river till it returns back to the two lakes.
This immenfe fpace was granted by the name of the
Province of Laconia, to the aforefaid gentlemen, on fpe-
cified conditions, and under certain penalties; but none-'
of thefe amounted, in cafe of omiffion in the fulfilment
of any part of them, to, forfeiture, a fine only could be*
exacted.
On account of the continual wars to which thefe
parts have been ' fubjecl:, from their fituation between"
the fettlements of the Englifh, the French, and the In- •
d*ans, this grant has been fuffered to lie dormant by the
real proprietors. Notwithilanding which, feveral towns
have been fettled iince the late war, on the borders of -
Lake Champlain, and grants made to different people by
the governor of New- York, of part of thefe territories, •
which are now become annexed to that province.
There are a great number of lakes on the north of.
Canada, between Labrador, Lake Superior, and Hud- 1
foil's Bay, but thefe are comparatively fmall. As " they >
Ik out of the track that I purfued, I mall only give a
fgmmary account of them. The moll wefterly of thefe :
atfe the Lakes Nipiilng and Tamifcaming. The firft lies
at the head of the French River, and runs into Lake •
Huron ; the other on the Ottawaw River, which emp- '
ties iilelf into the Cataraqui, at Montreal. Thefe lakes
are each about one hundred miles in circumference.
The next is Lake Miftaffiri, on the head of Rupert's
River, that falls into James's Bay. This Lake is fo ir->\
regular from the large points of land by which it is in-;
terfected on every fide, that it is difficult either to de-J
feribe its mape, or to afcertain its fize. It however ap- -
pears on the whole to be more than two hundred miles -
in circumference.
Lake St. John, which is about eighty miles round,
and of a circular form, lies on the Saguenay River, di- '
re£tiy north of Quebec, and falls into the St. Lawrence,'
feme what north-eafi of that city. Lake Manikouagone •■
lies near the head of the Black River, which empties it- '
Mf into the St. Lawrence to. the e ail ward of the laft'
mentioned river, near the coaft of Labrador, and is about
fixty
C A R V El' s TRAVEL S. Sr
fixty miles in circumference. Lake Pertibi, Lake Winck-
tagan, Lake Etchelaugon, and Lake Papenouagane,
with a number of other fmaH lakes, lie near the heads
of the Buftard River to the north of the St. Lawrence.
Many others, which it is unneceffary to particularize
here, are alfo found between the Lakes Huron and Gn«
tario.
The whole of thofe I have enumerated, amounting to
upwards, of twenty, , are within the limits of Canada ;
and from this account it might be deduced, that the
northern parts of Norths America, through thefe nume-
rous inland fea->, contain -a greater quantity of water than *
any other quarter of the globe.
In October 1768 I arrived at Eoilon, having been ab-
fent from it on this expedition two years and five months,
and during that time travelled near feven thoufand miles.
From thence, as foon as I had properly digefted my;
Journal and Charts, I fet out for England, to commu-
nicate the difcoveries I had made, and to render them
benencial to the kingdom. But the profecution of my
plans for reaping thefe advantages have hitherto been ob-
structed by the unhappy divifions that have been foment*
ed between Great Britain and the Colonies by their mu-
tual enemies. Should peace once more be reflored, I
doubl not but that the countries I have defcribed will
prove a more abundant fource of riches to this nation*
than either its Eaft or Weil-Indian fettlements ; and I
fhall not only pride jmyfelf, but fmcerely rejoice in beinc*
the means of pointing out to it fo valuable anacquiftV
tion.
I cannot conclude the account of my extenilve travels ,
without exprefiing my gratitude to that beneficent Being
who invifibly prote&ed me through thofe perils which
unavoidably attend fo long a tour among fierce and un- ■-
tutored lavages.
At the fame time let me not be accufed of vanity or
preemption, if I declare that the motives alkdged in
the introduction of this work, were not the only ones
that induced me to engage in this arduous undertakings
My views were not folely confined to the advantages that
might, accrue either to myfelf; or the -community ■ to
I-'2'" which-
90 CARVEll's TRAVELS.
which I belonged ; but nobler purpofes contributed prin-.
cipally to urge me on.
The confined ftate, both with regard to civil and re-
ligious improvements, in which fo many of my fellow
creatures remained, aroufed within my bofom an irreiifti-
ble^ inclination to explore the almoft unknown regions
which they inhabited ; and as a preparatory ftep towards
the introduction of more polifhed manners, and more hu-
mane fentiments, to gain a knowledge of their language,
cuHoms, and principles.
^ I confefs that the little benefit too many of the In-
dian nations have hitherto received from their intercourfe
with thofe who denominate themfelves Chriftians, did
not tend to encourage my charitable purpofes ; yet as ma-
ny, though not the generality, might receive fome benefit
from. the introduction among them of the polity and re-
ligion of the Europeans, without retaining only the er-
rors or vices that from the depravity and perverfion of
their profeffors are unhappily attendant on thefe, I de-,
termined to perfevere.
Nor could I flatter myfelf that I fhould be able to ac-
complifti alone this great defign ; however, I was willing
to contribute as much as lay in my power towards it.
In all public undertakings would every one do this, and,
furnifn with alacrity his particular mare towards it, what
ftupendous works might not be completed.
It is true that the Indians are not without fome fenfe.
of religion, and\ fuch as .proves that they worfhip the
Great Creator, with a degree of purity unknown to na-
tions who have greater opportunities of improvement ;
but their religious principles are far from being fo fault-
lefs as defcri bed by a learned writer, or unmixed with
opinions and ceremonies that greatly, leffen their excel-
lency in this point. So that could the doctrines of ge-
nuine and vital Chriflianity be introduced among them,
pure and untainted, as it flowed from the lips of its Di-
vine Inftitutor, it would certainly tend to clear away
that luperftitious or idolatrous drofs by which the ration-
ality of their religious tenets are obfcured. Its mild
and benificent precepts would likewife conduce to ibften
their
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
9*-
their implacable difpofitions, and to refine their favage
manners ; an event moft defirable ; and happy fhall I
efteem myfelf if this publication (hall prove the means
of pointing out the path by which falutary inilrucliions
may be conveyed to them, and the conyerfion, though
but of a, few, be the confequence.
eondufiow of the JOU RKAL^Bfe-
OP
I
£s^~=
OF THE
ORIGIN, MANNERS, CUSTOMS,
RELIGION, and LANGUAGE ,
OF THE
I N D I A N ■ VS.,
C H A P T E R L
Of their Origin.
THE means by which America received its fml in» '
habitants, have, fince the time of its difcovery by
the Europeans, been the fubjefl of numberlefs dif- *
quifitions. Was I to endeavor to collet the different;
opinions and reafonings on the various writers that have j
taken up the pen in defence of their conje&ures, the e'.nu- *
meration would much exceed the bounds I have prefcrib-
ed myfelf, and oblige me to be lefs explicit on points of;
greater moment.
\ From the obfcurity in which this debate is enveloped,
through the total difufe of letters among every nation of
Indians on this extenfive continent, and the uncertainty'
of oral tradition at the diftance of fo many ages, I fear,
that even after the moll minute inveftigation, we fhali
not be able to fettle it with any great degree of certainty.
And this apprehenfion will receive additional force, when .
it is confidered that the diverfity of language, whi«h itr
apparently
94 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
apparently diftincl: between moil of the Indians, tends to
afcertam that this population was not effe&ed from one
particular country, but from federal neighboring ones,
and completed at different periods.
Moil of the hiilorians or travellers that have treated oir
the American Aborigines, difagree in their fentiments
relative to them. Many of the ancients are fuppofed to
have known that this quarter of the globe not only ex-
tiled, but alfo that it was inhabited. Plato in his Ti-
rnxrn has averted, that beyond the iiland which he calls
Atalantis, and which according to his defcription was 3
tuated m the Weflern Ocean, there were a great number
of other iflands, and behind thofe a vail continent.
Oviedo, a celebrated Spanifh author of a much later
date, has made no femple to affirm that the Antilles
are the famous Hefperides fo often mentioned by the po-
ets; which are at length reared to the kings of Spain,
the defendants of king Hefperus, who lived upwards of
three thoufand years ago, and from whom thefe iflands
received their, name.
* Tw<L°ther Spaniards, the one, Father Gregorio Gar-
cia, a Dominican, the other, Father Jofeph De Acoila,
a Jefuit,^hav.e written on the origin of the Americans.
Ihe former, who had been employed in the miffions-
©f Mexico and Peru, endeavored to prove from the tra-
ditions of the Mexicans, Peruvians, and others, which
lie received on the fpot, and from the variety of charac-
ters, cuitoms, languages, and religion obfervable in the
different countries of the New World, that different na-
tions had contributed to the peopling of it.
The latter, Father De Acofta, in his examination of
the means by which the firfl Indians of America might
have found a paffage to that continent, difcredits the
the conclufions o£ thofe who have fuppofed it to be by
lea, becaufe no ancient author has made mention of the
compafs : and concludes, that it mull be either by the
north of Alia and Europe, which adjoin to each other,,
or by thofe regions that lie to the fouthward of the
btraits of Magellan. He alfo rejeds the afTertions of
inch as have advanced that it. was peopled by the He-
Sjrew8e> ■■]' r '■
John,
CARVE R's TRAVELS.
95
John De Lact, a Flemifh writer, has controverted the
>inions of thefe Spanifh fathers, and of many others
10 have written on the fame fubjecl:. The hypothecs
endeavors to eftablifh, is, that America was certainly
opled by the Scythians or Tartars : and that the tranf-
igration of thefe people happened foon after the dif-
rfion of Noah's grandfons. He undertakes to mow,
at the moil: northern Americans have a greater refem-
tnce, not only in the features of their countenances,
t alfo in their complexion and manner of living, to
s Scythians, Tartars, and Samceides, than to any other
tions.
In anfwer to Grotius, who had aflerted that fome of
i Norwegians pafTed into America by way of Green-
id, and over a vaft continent, he fays, that it is well
own that Greenland was not difcovered till the year
4; and both Gomera and Herrera inform us that the
lichimeques were fettled on the Lake of Mexico in
1. He adds, that thefe favages, according to the uni-
m tradition of the Mexicans who difpoffeiTed them,
ne from the country fince called New Mexico, and
»m the-nelghborhood of California ; confequently North-
nerica mufl have been inhabited many ages before it
ild receive any inhabitants from Norway by way of
eenland.
It is no lefs certain, he obferves, that the real Mexi-
is founded their empire in 902, after having fubdued
: Chichimeques, the Otomias, and other barbarous na-
ns, who had taken pofieffion of the country round the
ke of Mexico, and each of whom fpoke a language
:uliar to themfelves. The real Mexicans are likewise
>pofed to come from fome of the countries that lie near
lifornia, and that they performed their journey for the
ft part by land ; of courfe they could not come from
rway.
De Laet further adds, that though fome of the in-
stants of North America may have entered it from
s north-wefl, yet, as it is related>by Pliny, and fome
ier writers, that on many of the iflands near the weft-
eoaft. of Africa, particularly on the Canaries, fome
:ient edifices were feen, it is highly probable from
their
CAR?ER?s TRAVELS.
their being now deferted, that the inhabitants may hav<
paired over to America ; the pafTage being neither lonj
nor difficult. This migration, according to the calcu
lation of thofe authors, muft have happened more thai
two thoufand years ago, at a time when the Spaniard
were much troubled by the Carthaginians ; from whon
having obtained a knowledge of navigation, and the con
Uruction of mips, they might have retired to the Antilles
by the way of the weilern ifles, which were exactly hal
way on their voyage.
He thinks alfo that Great Britain, Ireland, and th
Orcades were extremely proper to admit of a fimila
- conjecture. As a proof, he inferts the following paflag
from the hiilory of Wales, written by Dr. David Powe]
in the year 1170.
This hiilorian fays, that Madoc, one of the foils o
Prince Owen Gwynnith, being difgufted at the civil war
which broke out between his brothers, after the dead
of their father, fitted out feveral veffels, and having pro
vided them with every thing neceffkry for a long voyage
went in quell of new lands to the weflward of Ireland
there he difeovered very fertile countries, "but deflitufc
of inhabitants ; when landing part of his people, he re
turned to Britain, where he raifed new levies, and af
terwards tranfported them to his colony.
, The Flemifh author then returns to the Scythians
between whom and the Americans he draws a parallel
He obferves that feveral nations of them to the north o
the Cafpian Sea, led a wandering life ; which, as wel
as many other of their cufloms, and way of living
agrees in many circumflances with the Indians of Ame
rica. And though the refemblances are not abfoluteb
perfect, yet the emigrants, even before they left thei:
own country, differed from each other, and went not b]
the fame name. Their change of abode effected whai
remained.
He further fays, that a fimilar likenefs exifls betweei
feveral American nations, and the Samceides who an
fettled, according to the Ruffian accounts, on the greai
River Oby. And it is more natural, continues he, tc
fuppofe that Colonies of thefe nations paffed over tc
America
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 97
America by crofling the icy fea on their fledges, than
for the Norwegians to travel all the way Oratius has
marked out for them.
This writer makes many other remarks that are equal-
ly fenfible, and which appear to be juft ; but he inter-
mixes with thefe, fome that are not fo well founded.
Emanuel de Moraez, a Portuguefe, in his hiftory of
Brazil, afTerts, that America has been wholly peopled
by the Carthaginians and Ifraelites. He brings as a
proof of this aiTertion, the difcoveries the former are
known to have made at a great diftance beyond the
coaft of Africa. The progrefs of which being put a
Hop to by the fenate of Carthage, thofe who happened
to be then in the newly difcovered countries, being cut
off from all communication with their countrymen, and
deftitute of many neceffaries of life, fell into a ftate o£
barbarifm. As to the Ifraelites, this author thinks that
nothing but circumciiion is wanted in order to conftitute
a perfect refemblance between them and the Brazilians.
George De Hornn, a learned Dutchman, has likewife
written on this fubje&. He fets out with declaring,
that he does not believe it pohTble America could have
been peopled before the flood,, confidering the fhort fpace
of time which elapfed between the creation of the world
and that memorable event. In the next place he lays it
down as a principle, that after the deluge, men and other
terreflrial animals penetrated into that country both by
fea and by land ; fome through accident, and *f ome from, a
formed defign. That birds got thither by flight ; which.
they were enabled to do by refling on the rocks and
ifiands that are fcattered about i-ii the Ocean.
He further obferves, that wild beafls may have found
a free paffage by land ; and that if we do not meet with
horfes or cattle (to which he might have added elephants,
camels, rhinoceros, and beafts of many other kinds) it
is becaufe thofe nations that paffed thither, were either
not acquainted with their ufe, or had no convenience to
"fupport them.
Having totally excluded many nations that others have
'admitted as tire probable firft' fettlers of America, for
"which he gives fubitantial reafons, he fuppofes that it be-
K gan
9$ CARVER's TRAVELS.
gan to-be peopled by the north ; and maintains, that the
primitive colonies fpread themfelves by the means of the
ifthmus of Panama through the whole extent of the
continent.
He believes that the iril founders of the Indian Co-
lonies were Scythians. That the Phoenicians and Car-
thaginians afterwards got footing in America acrofs the
Atlantic Ocean, and the Chinefe by way of the Pacific,
And that other nations might from time to time have
landed there by one or other of thefe ways, or might
poflibly have been thrown on the coaft by tempefts 2
iince, through -the whole extent of that Continent, both
in its northern and fouthern parts, we meet with un-
doubted maris of a mixture of the northern nations
with thofe who have come from other places. And laft-
ly, that fome Jews and Chriflians might have been car-i
-Tied there by fuch like events, but that this rnufl have
happened at a time when the whole of the New World
was already peopled.
t After all, he acknowledges that great difficulties at-
tend the determination of the queflion. Thefe, he fays,
are occalioned in the firft place by the imperfect know-
ledge we have of the extremities of the globe, towards
the north and fouth pole ; and in the next place to the
havoc which the Spaniards, the firfl difcoverers of the
New- World, made among its moft ancient monuments;
as witnefs the great double road betwixt Quito and
Cuzco, an undertaking fo itupendous, that even the moil
magnificent of thofe executed by the Romans, cannot be
compared to it.
He fuppofes alfo another migration of the Phoenicians,
than thofe already mentioned, to have taken place ; and
this was during a three years voyage made by the Tyn-
an fleet in the fervice of King Solomon. He afTerts on
the authority of Jofephus, that the port at which this
embarkation was made, lay in the Mediterranean. The
fleet, he adds, went in queft of elephants' teeth and
peacocks, to the weflern coafl of Africa, which is Tar-
fhim ; then to Ophir for gold, which is Haite, or the
iftand of Hifpaniola; and in the latter opinion he is
fupported
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 9?
"imported by Columbus, who, when he discovered that
.(land, thought he could trace the furnaces in which the
rold was refined.
To thefe migrations which preceded the Chriftian aeray>
ic adds many others of a later date, from different tli-
:ions, but thefe I have not time to enumerate. For
;he fame reafon I am obliged to pafs over numberleis-
writers on this fubjed ; and (hall content myfelf with on-
y giving the fentiments of two or three more.
The firft of thefe is Pierre De Charlevoix, a French-
Man, who, in his journal of a voyage to North- Amen -
;a, made fo lately as the year 1720, has recapitulated
>he opinions of a variety of authors on this head, to
which he has fubjoined his own conjectures* But the
latter cannot without fome difficulty be extracted, as they
ire fo interwoven with the paffages he has quoted, that
p requires much attention to< difcriminatc them.
He feems to allow that America might have received
its firft inhabitants from Tartary and Hyrcania. This
lie confirms, by obferving that the lions aod tigers whicfr
are found in the former, mud have come from thefe
:ountries, and whofe paffage ferves for a proof that toe
two hemifpheres join to the northward of Alia. He
then draws a corroboration of this argument, from a
ftory he fays he has often heard related by Father
Grollon, a French Jefuit, as an undoubted matter o£
fe6L
This father after having laboured fome time in the
millions of New France, paifed over to thofe of China,
One day as he was travelling in Tartary, he met a Hu-
ron woman whom he had formerly known in Canada*--,.
He afked her by what adventure me had been carried in-
to a country io diftant from her own. She made an-
swer, that having been taken in war, (he had been con-.
dueled from nation to nation, till me had reached the-
place at which (he then was,
Monfieur Charlevoix fays further, that he^ had been
affured another Jefuit, palling through Nantz, in his;
Return from China, had related much fuch another af»
fair of a Spanifh woman from Florida. She alio had
been taken by. certain Indians, and given to thofe . of a-
in Die,:.
ioo CARYER's TRAVELS.
more diftant country; and by thefe again to another
nation, till having thus been fucceffively paffed from
country to country, and travelled through regions ex-
tremely cold, fhe at-laft found herfelf in Tartary. Here
ilie had ^ married a Tartar, who had attended the con-
querors in China, where fhe was then fettled.
He acknowledges as an allay to the probability oi
thefe liories, that thofe who had failed fartheft to the
eaftward of Alia, by purfuing the Coaft of Jcffo or
Kamchatka, have pretended that they had perceived
the extremity of this continent ; and from thence have
concluded that there could not poihbly be any communi-
cation by land. Bathe adds that Francis Guella, a
Spaniard, is laid to have afferted, that this reparation is
no more than a ftrait, about one hundred miles over,
and that fome late voyages of the Japanefe give grounds
to think that this ftrait is only a bay, above which there
is palTage over land.
He goes on to obferve, that though there are few
wild hearts to be met with in North- America, except a
hind of tigers without fpots, which are found in the
. country of the Iroquoife, yet towards the tropics there
are lions and real tigers, which, notwithltanding, might
ha ve^ come from Hyrcania and Tartary; for as by ad-
vancing gradually fouthward they met with climates
more agreeable to their natures, they have in time aban-
doned the northern countries.
He^ quotes both Solinus and Pliny to prove that the
Scythian Anthropophagi once depopulated a great ex-?
tent of country, as far as the promontory Tabin ; and
alio an author of later date, Mark Pol, a Venetian, who,
he fays, tells us, that to the north-eaft of China and
Tartary there are vail uninhabited countries, which
might be fufficient to confirm any conjectures con*.
cerning the retreat of a great number of Scythians into
America.
To this he adds, that we find in the ancients the
names of fome of thefe nations. Pliny fpeaks of the
Tabians; Solinus mentions the Apuleans, who had for
neighbors the Maffagetes, whom Pliny iince affures us to:
have entirely difappeared, Ammianus Marcellinus ex-:
prefsly
-
I ox
CARVE RV TRAVELS,
prefsly tells us, that the fear of the Anthropophagi
obliged feveral of the inhabitants of thofe countries to
take refuge elfewhere. From all thefe authorities Mon-
fieur Charlevoix concludes, that there is at leaft room to
conjecture that more than one nation in America had a
Scythian or Tartarian original.
He finifhes his remarks on the authors he has quoted,,'
by the following obfervations : It appears to me that
this controverfy may be reduced to the two following
articles; firft, how the new world might have been peo-
pled; and fecondly, by whom, and by what means it -
has been peopled.
Nothing, he afferts, may be more eafily anfwered than
the firft. America might have been peopled as the three
other parts of the world have' been. Many difficulties -
have been formed on this fubjecl, which have been deem-
ed infolvable, but which are far from being fa. The
inhabitants of both hemifpheres are certainly the defcend- -
ants of the fame father; the common parent of man-
kind received an exprefs command from Heaven to peo-
ple the whole world, and accordingly it has been peo-
pled.
To bring this about it was neeeilary to overcome all
difficulties that lay in the way, and they have been got-
over. Were thefe difficulties greater with refpedt to- .
"peopling the extremities of Aria, Africa, and Europe, ,
or the tranfporting men into the iflands which lie at a -
confiderable diftance from thofe continents, than to pafs
over into America b certainly not.
Navigation, which has arrived at To great perfe&ion -■
within thefe three or four centuries, might polFibly have
been more perfect in thofe early ages than at t his day.
Who can believe that Noah and his immediate descend-
ants knew lefs of this art than we do? That the builder
and pilot of thejargeil (hip that ever was, a fhip that
was formed to traverfe an unbounded ocean, and had
fo many fhoals and quick-fands to gaurd againil, fhould
be ignorant of? or fhould not have communicated to thofe
of his defcendants who furvived him, and. by whofe
means he was to execute the order of the Great Crea-
tor j I fay, who can believe he fhould not have commu-.
Kz, mcatedU
■
102 CARVER's TRAVELS,
aicated to them the art of failing upon an ocean, whicli
was not only more calm and pacific, but at the fame
time confined within its ancient limits ?
Admitting this, how eafy is it to pafs, exclufive of the
paffage already defcribed, by land from the coaft of Afri-
ca to Brazil, from the Canaries to the Weflern Iflands,
and from them to the Antilles? From the Britifh Ifles,
or the coaft of France, to Newfoundland, the paffage is
neither long nor difficult; I might fay as much of that
from China to Japan; from Japan, or the Philippines,
to the Ifles Mariannes; and from thence to Mexico.
There are iflands at a confiderable diftance from the
continent of Afia, where we have not been furprifed to
find inhabitants, why then mould we wonder to meet
with people in America? Nor can it be imagined that
the grandfons of Noah, when they were obliged to fe-
parate, and fpread themfelves in conformity to the de-
signs of God, over the whole earth, mould find it ab-
folutely impoflible to people almoft one half of it,
I have been more copious in my extracts from this
author than I intended, as his reafons. appear to be folid^
and many of his obfervations juft. From this encomi-
um, however, I muft exclude the flories he has intro-
duced of ^ the Huron and Floridan women, which I
think I might venture to pronounce fabulous.
I mail only add, to give my readers a more com-
prehenfive view of Monfieur Charlevoix's differtation, the
method he propofes to come at the truth of what we
are in fearch of.
The only means by which this can be done, he fays,
k by comparing the languages of the Americans with the
different nations, from whence we might fuppofe they
have peregrinated. If we compare the former with thofe
words that are confidered as primitives, it might poffibly
fet us upon fame happy difcovery. And this way of
afcending to the original of nations, which is by far the
leafl equivocal, is not fo difficult as might be imagined.
We have had, and ft ill have, travellers and miffionaries
who have attained the languages that are fpoken in all
. the provinces of the new world; it would only be necef-
iary to make a collection of their grammars and vocabu-
laries,
GARVER's TRAVELS. 103 :
aries, and to collate them with the dead and living
ancuages of the old world, that pafs for originals, and
:he fimilarity might eafily be traced. Even the dif*
ierent dialects, in fpite of the. alterations they have un*
iergone, ftill retain enough of the. mother tongue to
furnifh conhderable lights.,
Any enquiry into the manners, cuftoms, religion,, or
traditions of the Americans, in order to difcover by that
means their origin, he thinks would prove fallacious.
A diiquintion of that kind, he.obferves, is only capa-
ble of producing a falfe light, more likely to dazzle,
and to make us wander from the right path, than to lead .
us with certainty to the point propofed.
Ancient traditions are effaced from the minds of fuch ;
as either have not, or for feveral ages have been without
thofe helps that are neceffary topreferye theim And in
this fituation is full one half of the world. New events,
and a new arrangement of things, give rife to new tra-
ditions, which efface the former, and are themfelves
effaced in turn. After one or two centuries have paffed,
there no longer remain any traces of the firii traditi- ..
ons; and thus we are involved in a itate of uncertainty.
He concludes with the following remarks, among
many others. Unforefeen accidents, tempefts> and fhip-
wrecks, have certainly contributed to people every habit-
able part of the world: and ought we to wonder after
this, at perceiving certain refemblances, both of per-
fons and manners between nations that are moil remote
from each other, when we find fuch a difference between
thofe that border on one another? As we are. deftitute
of hiftorical monuments, there is nothing, I repeat it,
but a knowledge of the primitive languages that is ca-
pable of throwing any light upon thefe clouds of impene-
trable darknefs.
By this enquiry we mould at ieail be fatisfied, among
that prodigious number of various nations inhabiting
America, and differing fa much in languages from
each other, which are thofe who make ufe of words
totally and entirely different from thofe of the old world,
and who confequently muff be reckoned to have paffed
over to America in the earlieft ages, and.thofe^ who,
from-
104 CARVERS TRAVELS.
from the analogy of their language with fuch as are at
prefent ufed in the three other parts of the globe, leave
room to judge that their migration has been more re-
cent, and which ought to be attributed to fhipwrecks,
or to fome^ accident iimilar to thofe which have been
fpoken of in the courie of this treatife.
I mall only add the opinion of one author more, be-
fore I give my own fentiments on the fubjea, and that
is of James Adair, Efq. who refided forty years among
the Indians, and publiihed the hiftory of them in the
year 1772. In his learned and fyftematical hiftory of
thofe nations,, inhabiting- the weftern parts of the molt
fouthern of the American colonies; this gentleman
without hefitation pronounces that the American Abori-
gines <ire deicended from the Ifraelites, either whilfl they
were a maritime power, or foon after their general
captivity.
This defcent he endeavors to prove from their religi-
ous rites, their civil and martial cuftoms, their marria-
ges, their funeral ceremonies, their manners, language,
traditions, and from a variety of other particulars. And
fo complete is his conviction on this head, that he fan-
cies he finds a perfeft and indifputable limilitude in each.
Through all thefe I have not time to follow him, and
fhall therefore only give a few extracts to fhow on what
foundation he builds his conjectures, and what degree
of credit he is entitled to on this point.
He begins with obferving, that though fome have
fuppofed the Americans to be defcended from the Chi- I
nefe, yet neither their religion, laws, or cuiloms agree
in the leaft with thofe of the Chinefe; which fufficient-
ly proves that they are not of this line. Befides, as our
bell .(hips are now almoft half a year in failing for China
(our author does not here recoiled that this is from a
high northern latitude, acrofs the Line, and then back
again greatly to the northward of it, and not diredly
athwart the Pacific Ocean, for only one hundred and
eleven degrees) or from thence to 'Europe, it is very
unlikely they fhould attempt fuch dangerous difcoveries, ..'
with their fuppofed fmall veffels, againft rapid currents,
.and in dark and iickly Monfoons;
He
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 105
He further remarks, that this is moi e particularly
siprobable, as there is reafon to believe that this na-
ion was unacquainted with the ufe of the loadflone to
lirecl: their courfe.
China, he fays, is about eight thoufand miles diftant
rom the American continent, which is twice as far as
crofs the Atlantic Ocean. And we are not informed
>y any ancient writer of their maritime fkili, or fo much
,6 any inclination that way, befides fmall coafting^ voy-
ges. The winds blow likewife, with little variation
rom call to well within the latitudes thirty and odd,
lorth and fouth, and therefore thefe could not drive them
m the American coaft^it lying dire&ly contrary to fuch
l courfe.
Neither could perfons, according to this writer's ac-
count, fail to America from the north by the way of
rartary or Ancient Scythia; that, from its fituation,
>ever having been or can be a maritime power; and it is
ltterly impracticable, he fays, for any to come to America:
>y fea from that quarter. Befides, the ^remaining traces
>f their religious ceremonies, and civil and martial cuf-
x>ms, are quite oppofite to the like veftiges of the Old
Scythians.
Even in the moderate northern climates there is not
:o be feen the leaft trace of any ancient {lately build-
ngs, or of any thick fettlements, as are faid^ to remain:
n the lefs healthy regions of Peru and Mexico. And.
Several of the Indian nations aiTure us, that they crofled:
:he Mifliffippi before they nade their prefent northern
cttlements; which, connected * with the former argu-
ments, he concludes will fufficiently explode that weak
opinion of the American Aborigines being lineally de-
fended from the Tartars or ancient Scythians*
Mr. Adair's reafons for fuppofmg that the Americans
derive their origin from the Jews are,
Firft, becaufe they are divided into tribes, and have
chiefs over them as the Ifraelites had.
Secondly, becaufe, as by a drift, permanent, divine
precept, the Hebrew nation were ordered to worfhip, at
Jerufalem, Jehovah the true and living God, fo do the
Indians, Ming him Yohewah. The ancient Heathens,
he
Ai.
1 06
CARVERS TRAVELS
■
he adds, it is well known worshipped a plurality of gods
but the Indians pay their religious devoirs to. the Great!
beneficent, fupreme, holy Spirit of Fire, who'refidea
as they think, above the clouds, and or, earth alfo witli
unpolluted people. They pay no- adoration to images,
or to dead perfons, neither to the celeftial luminaries, to
evil^fpints, nor to any created beings whatever.
m Thirdly, becaufe, agreeable- to the theocracy or di-
vine government of Ifarel, the Indians think the Deity
to be the immediate head of their Rate.
Fourthly, becaufe, as the Jews believe in the mini-
stration of angels, the Indians alfo believe that the high-
er regions are inhabited by good fpirits.
Fifthly, becaufe the Indian language and dialeds ap-
pear to have the very idiom and genius of the Hebrew.
Their words and fentences being expreffive, concife,
emphatical, fonorous, and bold; and often, both in let-
ters, and figniiication, are fynonimous with the Hebrew
language.
Sixthly, becaufe they count their time after the man-
ner of the Hebrews.
Seventhly, becaufe in conformity to,, or after the
manner of the Jews^ they have their prophets, high-
pnefls, and other religious orders.
-, Eighthly, becaufe their feftivals, falls, and religious
rites have a great refemblance to thofe of the Hebrews.
Ninthly, becaufe the Indians, before they go to war,
have many preparatory ceremonies of purification and
fatting, like what is recorded of the Israelites.
■ Tenthly, becaufe the fame tafte for ornaments, and:
the fame kind, are made ufe of by the Indians, as by
the Hebrews. .,
Thefe and many other arguments of a fimilar nature,
Mr. Adair brings in fupport of his favourite fyftem ;
but I fhould imagine, that if the Indians are really de-
rived from the Hebrews, among their religious ceremo-
nies, on which he chiefly feems to build his hypothefis,
the principal, that of circumcifxon, would never have
been laid afide, and its very remembrance obliterated.
Thus numerous and diverfe are the opinions of thofe
who., have hitherto written an this fubjed! I mail not,
however^ j
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 107
owever, either endeavor to reconcile them, or to point
ut the errors of each, but proceed to give my own
*ntiments on the origin of the Americans; which are
funded on conclufions drawn from the moil rational ar-
uments of the writers I have mentioned, and from my
wn obfervations; the confiftency of thefe I mall leave
0 the judgment of my Readers.
The better to introduce my conjectures on this head,
t is neceffary firft to afcertain the diftances between
America and thofe parts of the habitable globe that ap-
roach nearefb to it.
The Continent of America, as far as we can judge
rom all the researches that have been made near the
ides, appears to be entirely Separated from the other
tuarters of the world. That part of Europe wbich
pproaches neareft to it, is the coail of Greenland, lying
11 about feventy degrees of north latitude ; and which
eaches within twelve degrees of the coaft of Labrador,
ituated on the north-eaft borders of this continent.
Phe coaft of Guinea is the neareft part of Africa;
vhich lies about eighteen rumdred and fixty miles north-
:aft from the Brazils. The moft eaftern coaft of Aiia,
vhich extends to the Korean Sea on the north of China,
>rojecrs north-eaft through eaftern Tartary and Kam-
chatka to Siberia, in about fixty degrees of north la-
itude. Towards which the weftern coafts of America,
rom California to the Straits of Annian, extend
»early north- weft, and lie in about forty-iix degrees of
:he fame latitude.
Whether the Continent of America flretches any far-
:her north than thefe ftraits, and joins to the eaftern
parts of Afia, agreeable to what has been afferted by
Come of the writers I have quoted, or whether the
lands that have been difcovered in the intermediate parts
are only an archipelago of iftancis, verging towards the
oppofite continent, is not yet ascertained.
It being, however, certain that there are many con-
siderable iflands which lie between the extremities of
Afia and America, viz. Japan, Jq{q or Jedfo, Gama's
Land, Behring's Ifle9 with many others difcovered by
Tfchirikow, and befides thefe, from fifty degrees north
there
io8
CARYER's TRAVELS.
there appearing to be a clufter of iflands that reach a
far as Siberia, it is probable from their proximity t
America, that it received its firft inhabitants fror
them.
This conclufion is the moil rational I am aoie t
draw,# fuppofmg that fmce the Aborigines got footing
on this continent, no extraordinary or fudden change 1
the pofition or furfaee of it has taken place, from in
undations, earthquakes, or any revolutions of the eartl
that we are at prefent unacquainted with.
To me it appears highly improbable that it fhoulc
have been peopled from different quarters, acrofs th«
Ocean, as others have afferted. From the fize of th<
mips made ufe of in thofe early ages, and the want o
the compafs, it cannot be fuppofed that any maritirm
nation would by choice venture over the omfathomabL
ocean, in fearch of diftant continents. Had this how
ever been attempted, or had America been firft acci
dentally peopled from mips freighted with pafTengen
.of both fexes, which were driven by ftrong eafterly windi
acrofs the Atlantic, thefe fettlers mud have retained form
traces of the language of the country from whence the}
migrated; and this fince the difcovery of it by th<
Europeans muft have been made out. It alfo appear;
extraordinary that feveral of thefe accidental migrations
as allowed by fome, and. thefe from different parts, mould
have taken place.
Upon the whole, after the moft critical enquiries,
and the maturefl deliberation, I am of opinion, that
America received its firfl inhabitants from the north-
eaft, by way of the great archipelago juft mentioned,
and from thefe alone. But this might have been ef-
fecled at different times, and from various parts: from
Tartary, China, Japan, or Kamfchatka, the inhabitants
of thefe places refembling each other in color, features,
and mape; and who, before fome of them acquired a
knowledge of the arts and fciences, might have like-
wife refembled each other in their manners, cuftoms, re-
ligion, and language.
The only difference between the Chinefe nation and
the Tartars lies in the cultivated itate of the one, and
the
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 109
he unpolifhed lituation of the others. The former have
jecome a commercial people, and dwell in houfes formed
nto regular towns and cities; the latter live chiefly in
ents, and rove about in different hords, without any
ixed abode. Nor can the long and bloody wars thefe
two nations have been engaged in, exterminate their
hereditary iimilitude. The prefent family of the
Chinefe emperors is of Tartarian extradion ; and if they
were not fenfible of fome claim befide that of conquelt,
fo numerous a people would fcarcely fit quiet under the
dominion of ilrangers.
It is very evident that fome of the manners and cui-
toms of the American Indians referable thole of the
Tartars; and I make no doubt but that in fome future
asra, and this is not a very diftant one, it will be reduced
to a certainty, that during fome of the wars between
the Tartars and the Chinefe, a part of the inhabitants
of the northern provinces were driven from their native
country, and took refuge in fome of -the ifles before -
mentioned, and from thence found .their way into Ame-
rica. At different periods each nation might prove
victorious, and the conquered by turns fly before^ their
conquerors; and from hence might arife the iimilit-ude
of the Indians to all thefe people, and that animofity
which exifts between fo many of their tribes.
It appears plainly to me that a great Similarity be-
tween the Indians and Chinefe is confpicuous in that
particular cuilom of (having or plucking off the hair,
and leaving only a fmall tuft on the crown of the head.
This mode is faid to have been enjoined by the Tar-
tarian emperors on their accefhon to the throne of Chi-
tea, and confequently is a further proof that this cuilom
was in ufe among the Tartars; to whom as well as the
Chinefe, the Americans might be indebted for it.
Many words alfo are ufed both by the Chinefe and
Indians, which have a refcmblance to each other^ not
only in their found, but their Signification. The Chinefe
-call a Have, fhungo; and the Naudowefiie Indians, whole
language from their little irrtercourfe with the Europeans
is the leaft corrupted, term a dog, jhungufh. The
former denominate one fpecies of their tea, fhoufong;
L the
no CARVER'S TRAVELS,
pfcj latter call their tobacco, fhoufaffau. Many othe:
of the words tifed by the Indians contain the fylla
h,es che, -chaw, and chu, after the dialed of the Chi
aiefe.
There probably might be found a .fimilar eonne&iot
between the language of the Tartars and the Americar
Aoongines, were we as well acquainted with it I
"we are, from a commercial intercourfe, with that of th<
Cmnefe.
.1 am confirmed in thefe conje&ures, by the accounts
ot Kamfchatka, publiihed a few years ago by order I
the Ernprefs of Ruffia. The author of which fays,
that the fea which divides that peninfula from America
is full .of_ifkrods; and that the diitance between Tfchu-
kotikoi-Nois, a promontory which lies at the eaftern
extremity of that country, and the coaft of America, is
iiot more than two degrees and a half of a great circle.
He further fays, that there is the greateil reafon to fup-
pofe that Afia and America once joined at this place, as
the coails of both continents appear to have been bro-
ken into capes and bays, which anfwer each other; more
efpecially as the inhabitants of this part of both refera-
ble each other in their perfons, habits, cuftoms, and:
food. Their language, indeed, he obferves, does not
appear to be the fame, but then the inhabitants of each
sUftrict in Kamfchatka fpeak a language as different from
each other, as from that fpoken on the oppofite coaft,<
Thefe obfervations, to which he adds, the fimilarity of
the boats of the inhabitants of each coaft, and a remark
that the natives of this part of America are wholly
Grangers to wine and tobacco, which he looks upon
as^ a proof that they have as yet had no communication
with the natives of Europe, he fays, amount to little lefs
than a demonflration that America was peopled from
this part of Afia.
The limits of my prefent undertaking will not per-
mit me to dwell any longer on this fubje6l, or to enume-
rate any other proofs in favor of my hypothefis. I am
however, fo thoroughly convinced of the certainty of it,
and fo defirous have I been to obtain every teftimony
which can be procured in its fupport, that I once made
CARVER'S TRAVELS. m.
i offer to a private fociety of gentlemen, who were
Lrious in fuch refearches, and to whom I had com-
unicated my fentiments on this point, that I would mi-
stake a journey, on receiving fuch . fupplies as were
:edful, through the north-eall parts of Europe and
fia to the interior parts of America, and from thence
England; making, as I proceeded, fuch obiervations-
>th on the languages and manners of the people with
horn I mould be converfant, as might tend to illuitrate
e doctrine I have here laid down, and to fatisfy the
iriolity of the learned or inquihtive ; but as this pro-
)fal was judged rather to require a national than a pn-
te fupport, it was not carried into execution.
I am happy to. find, fince I formed the foregoing
on clufions, that they correfpond with the fentiments-
I that great and learned hiitorian, Doctor Robertfon ;
id though with him, I acknowledge that the inveiliga-
on, from its nature^ is fo obfcure and intricate, that
le conjectures I have made can only be coniidered as
>njeciures, and not indifputable conclunons, yet they
irry with them a greater degree of probability than the
ippofitions of thcie who affert that this continent was
copied from another quarter.
One of the D of tor's quotations from the Journals ox
ehring and Tfchirikow, who failed from Kamfchatka,
>out the year 1 741, in queft of the New World, ap-
;ars to carry great weight with it, and* to afford our
mclufions firm fupport : " Thefe commanders having
fhaped their courfe towards the eaft, difcovered land,:
which to them appeared to be part of the American
continent ; and according to their chfervations, it
feems to be fituated wi£bin a few degrees of the
north- weft coaft of California. They had there fome-
intercourfe with the inhabitants, who feemed to them
to referable the North-Americans; as they prefented to .
the Ruffians the Calumet or Pipe of Peace, which.
is a fymbol of friendfhip universal among the people
of North-America, and an ufage of arbitrary inftitu-.
tion peculiar to them."
One of this incomparable writer's own arguments in*
ipport of his hypothefis, is alfo urged with great
judgment.^
ii2 CARVER's TRAVELS.
judgment, and appears to be nearly conclufive. He fays,
" We may lay it down as a certain principle in this en-
** quiry, that America was not peopled by any nation of the
** ancient continent, which had made confiderable progrefs
" in civilization. The inhabitants of the New World
M were in a ftate of fociety fo extremely rude, as to
<e be unacquainted with thofe arts which are the firfl;
** effays of human ingenuity in its advance towards fm-
"' provement. Even the moll cultivated nations of
*< America were Grangers to many of thofe fimple inven^
** tions, which were almofl coeval with fociety in other
'* parts of the world, and were known in the earlieft
4i periods of civil life. From this it is manifefl that
u the tribes which originally migrated to America,
** came off from nations which muit have been no lefs
** barbarous than their poflerity, at the time when they
** were firfl difcovered by the Europeans. If ever the
i( ufe of iron had been known to the favages of Ame-
*s rica, or to their progenitors, if ever they had employ-
&i ed a plough, a loom, or- a forge, the utility of thefe
** inventions would have preferved them, and it is im-
6* poffible that they mould have been abandoned or for«
^ gotten/*
CHAPTER II.
Of their Perfons? Drefs, &c*
ROM the firfl fettlement of the French in Cana-
da, to the conquefl of it by the Englifh in 1760,
feveral of that nation, who had travelled into the interior
parts of North-America, either to trade with the Indi«
ans, or to endeavor to make converts of them, have
publimed accounts of their cufloms, manners, &c.
The principal of thefe are Father Louis Hennipin,
Monf. Charlevoix, and the Baron Le Hontan. The
firfl, many years ago, publifhed ibme very judicious re*
marks,
C A R VER's T R A VI IS. n £
narks, which he was the better enabled to do by the
ifiiilance he received from the maps and diaries of the
unfortunate M. De la Salle, who was affaffinated whilflr "-
tie was on his travels, by fome of his own party. That
xentleman's journals falling into Father Hennipin's hands,
ie was enabled by them to publidr many intereiling,
particulars relative to the Indians. But in fome refpefts
be fell very ftiort of that knowledge which it was in his
power to have attained from his long refidence among
them. Nor was he. always (as has been already ob-
ferved) exact in his calculations, or juft in the intelligence
he has given us.
The accounts publifhed by the other two, particular- - -
ly thofe of Charlevoix, are very erroneous in the geo-
graphical .iparts, and many of the ftoriea told by the
Baron are mere deluiions*-
Some of the Jefuits, who heretofore travelled into »
thefe parts, have alio written on this f abject; but as
few, if any, of "their works have been tranilated into
the Englifh language, the generality of Readers are
not benefited by them; and, indeed, had this been done,
they would have reaped but few advantages from them, .
as they have chiefly confined their obfervations to the
religious principles of the favages, and the ileps taken
for their conversion.
Since the co.nq.ueft of Canada, fome of our own
countrymen, who have lived among the Indians, and
learned their language, have publifhed their obfervati-
ons; however as their travels have not extended to any
of the interior parts I treat of, but have only been
made among the nations that border on our fettlements,
a knowledge of the genuine and uncontaminated cuf-
toms and manners of the Indians could not have been «
acquired by them.
The fouthern -tribes, and thofe that have held a con-
ftant intercourse with the. French or Englifh, cannot
have preferved their manners or their cuftoms in- their
original purity. . They could not avoid acquiring the
vices with the language of thofe they converfed with;
and the frequent intoxications they experienced through
the baneful juices introduced among them, by the
L Z European^
ii4 CARVER'S TRAVEL S.
Europeans, have completed a total alteration in their
characters.
In fuch as thefe, a confufed medley of principles or
ufages are only to be obferved ; their real and unpolluted
cuitoms could be i^n among thofe nations alone that
n-w t r but llUle commui"cations with the provinces.
Iheiel found m the north- well parts, and therefore
Hatter myfelf that I am able to give a more juft ac-
count of the cuftoms and manners of the- Indians, 1
their ancient purity, than any that has been hitherto,
published. I have made observations on thirty nations^
and though moft of thefe have differed in their languages*
there has appeared a great flmilarity In their manners,
and from thefe have I endeavored to extra£ the follow.
mg remarks.
■As I do not propofe to give a regular and conne&ed
iyltem of Indian concerns, but only to. relate fuch par-
ticulars of their manners, cufloms, &c. as- 1 thought
moil worthy of notice, and which interfere as little as
poflible with the accounts given by other writers, I muft
beg my Readers to excufe their not being arranged5
fyitematically, or treated of in a more copious man-
ner.
The Indian, nations do not appear to me to differ M
widely in their make, color, or constitution from each-
other,, asreprefented by fome writers. They are in
geBeral flight made, raisher tall and llraight, and you-
ieldom fee any among them deformed; their ikin is of
a reddifh or copper color; their eyes are large and black,
and their hair of the fame hue, but very rarely is it
curled; they have good teeth, and their breath is as
fweet as- the air they draw in; their cheek-bones
rather raifed, but more fo in the women than the men;
the former are not quite fo tall as the European women-
however yoa frequently meet with good faces and
agreeable perfons among them, although they are more
inclined to be fat than the other fex.
I (hall not enter into a particular enquiry whether the
Indians are indebted- to nature, art, or the temperature
of the climate for the color of their fkin, nor fliall I
quote any of the contradictory accounts I have read
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 115
m this fubje&$ I (hall only fay, that it appears to me to.
>e the tin&ure they received originally from the hands
>f their Creator; but at what period the variation which.
s at prefent viiible, both in the complexion and features
g§ many nations took place, at what time the European
yhitenefs, the jetty hue of the African, or the copper,
>ail of the American were given them ; which was the ori-
ginal color of the firlt inhabitants of the earth, or which:
night be eileemed the moft perfect, I. will not preteacL.
:o determine*
Many writers-have, afferted, that the Indians, even at.
:he matured period of their exiftence, are only furnifhedi
kvith hair on their heads; and that notwithilanding the
profufion with which that part is covered, thofe parts;
which among the inhabitants of other climates are ufu*-
illy the feat of this, excrefcence, remain, entirely free,
from it. Even Doctor Rohertfon, through their • mif*
reprefentations, has contributed to propagate the errors
and fuppofing the remark juitly founded, has drawn
Ceverai conclufions from it relative to the habit and tem-
perature of their bodies, which are consequently invalid.-
But from minute enquiries., and a curious infpe&ion, I
am able to declare (however refpeclable I may hold the
authority, of thefe hiilorians in other points) that their>
alTertions are erroneous, and proceeding from the want*
of a thorough knowledge of the cuftoms of the Indi-
ans.
After the age of puberty, their bodies, in their natu**
ral irate, are covered in the fame manner as thofe o£
the Europeans., The men, indeed, efteem a beard very;
unbecoming, and take great pains to get rid of it, nor?
is there any ever to be perceived, on their faces, except
when they grow old, and become inattentive to their
appearance.. Every crinofe eiflorefcence on the otheis
parts of the body is, held unfeemly by them, and both,
fexes employ much time in their extirpation.
The Naudoweflies, . and the remote nations, pluck
them out with, bent pieces of hard wood, formed into
a kind of nippers; whilfl thofe who have communicati-
on with Europeans procure from them wire, which
they twift into a fcrew or warm; applying this to the
s*6 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
part, they prefs the rings together, and with a fuddea
twitch draw out all the hairs that are inclofed between
them.
The men of every nation differ in their drefs very lit-
tle from each other, except thofe who trade with the
Europeans; thefe exchange their furs for blankets, fhirts,
and other apparel, which they wear as much for orna-
ment as neceffity. The latter fatten by a girdle around
their waitts about half a yard of broadcloth, which co-
vers the middle parts of their bodies. Thofe who wear
fhirts never make them fail: either at the writt or collar;
this would be a moil infufferable confinement to them.
They throw their blanket loofe upon their moulders,
and holding the upper fide of it by the two corners,
with a knife in one hand, and a tobacco pouch, pipe,
&c. in the other; thus accoutred they walk about in
their villages or camps: but in their dances they feldom
wear this covering.
Thofe among the men who wifh to appear gayer than
the reft, pluck from their heads all the hair, except
from a fpot on the top of it, about the fize of a crown -
piece, where it is permitted to grow to a confiderable
length: on this are fattened plumes of feathers of vari-
ous colors, with iilver or ivory quills. The manner of
cutting and ornamenting this part of the head diftin-
guitties different nations .from each other.
They paint their faces red and black, which they
efteem as greatly ornamental, They alfo paint them-
felves when they go to war; but the method they make
ufe of on this occafion differs from that wherein they
life it merely as a decoration.
The young Indians, who are defirous of excelling
their companions in finery, flit the outward rim of both
their ears ; at the fame time they take care not to fepa-
rate them entirely, but leave the flefh thus cut, ftill un-
touched at both extremities: around this fpongy fub-
itance, from the upper to the lower part, they twitt
brafs wire, till the weight draws the amputated rim
into a bow of five or fix inches diameter, and drags
it almoft down to the moulder. This decoration is
etteemed to be excefiively gay and becoming.
It
CARVER'S TRAVELS. u?
It is alfo a common cuftom among them to bore
their nofes, and wear in them pendants of offerer, fort-
I obferved that fea mells were much worn by thofe of
the interior parts, and reckoned very ornamental; but
tow they procure them I could not learn ; probably
hv their traffic with other nations nearer the iea. .
Vheygo without any covering for the thigh except
that before fpoken of, round the middle, which .reaches
Sown half way the thighs; but they make for the. leg
afort of flocking, either of flans or cloth: hefe are
fewed as near to the fhape of the leg as pofiible, fo as
to admit of being drawn on and off. The edges of the
ftuff of which they are compofed are left ann xed to
the feam, and hang loofe for about the breadth .of a
hand; and this part which is placed on^the outfide of
the leg, is generally ornamented by thofe who have
any communication with Europeans, if of cloth with
ribands or lace, if of leather, with embro.dery and por-
cupine quills curioufly colored. Strangers v,ho hunt
among the Indians, in the parts where there is a great
deal of fnow, find thefe ftockings much more convenient
^Thehlho'es'are made of the flcin of the deer, elk.or buf-
falo: thefe, after being fometimes drefied according to the
European manner, It others with the hair remaining
on them, are cut into (hoes, and faftnoned fo as to be
eafy to the feet, and convenient for walking. 1 he
edges round the ancle are decorated with pieces of brafs
or tin fixed around leather ftrings, about an inch long,
which being placed very thick, make a cheerful tink-
ling noife either when they walk or dance.
The women wear a covering of fome kind or other
from the neck to the knees. Thofe who trade with
the Europeans wear a linen garment, the fame as that
ufed by the men; the flaps of which hang over the
petticoat. Such as drefs after their ancient manner,
make a kind of fliift with leather, which covers the
body but not the arms. Their petticoats are made ei-
therof leather or cloth, and reach from tne waift to
the knee. On their legs they wear ftockings and (hoes,
made and ornamented as thofe of tfae men.
■I
■»S CARVER'S TRAVELS.
They differ from each other in the mode of drehW
their heads, each following the cuftom of the nation,
or band to which they belong, and adhering to the
iorm made ufe of by their anceftors from time im-
memorial.
: I remarked that moft of the females, who dwelt on
the eaft fide of the Miffiflipp^ decorate their heads by
inclofmg their hair either in ribands, or in plates of
filver; the latter is only made ufe of by the higher ranks,
as it is a co% ornament. The filver they ufe on
thisoccafion is formed into thin plates of about four
inches broad, in feveral of which they confine their
hair. That plate which is nearefl the head is of a con-
siderable width ; the next narrower* and made fo as to
pafs z little way under the other, and in this manner
they fallen into each other, and gradually tapering, de-
fend to the .waift. The hair of the Indian women be-
mg in general very long* this proves an expenfive
method. r
\ But the women that live to the well of the Mihiflip-
pi, viz. the Naudoweffies, the Affinipoils, &c. divide
their hair in the middle of the head, and form it into
two rolls, oneagainfl each ear. Thefe rolls are about
three inches long, and as large as their wrifts. 'They
hang in a perpendicular attitude at the front of <Jach
ear, and defcend as far as the lower part of it.
The women of every nation generally place a fpot of
paint, about the fize of a crown-piece, againft each
ear; fome of them put paint on their hair, and fome-
times a fmall fpot in the middle of the forehead.
The Indians, in general, pay a greater attention to
their drefs, and to the ornaments with which they de-
corate their perfons, than to the accommodation of their
huts or tents. They conftruft the latter in the Mow-
ing fimple and expeditious manner.
Being provided with poles of a proper length, they
Men two of them acrofs, near their ends, with bands
made of bark. Having done this, they raife them up,
and extend the bottom of each as wide as they propofe
to make the area of the tent: they then ereft others of
an equal height, and fix them fo as to fuppprt the two
principal
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 119
principal ones. On the whole they lay fkins of the
elk or deer, fewed together, in quantity iufficient to co-
yer the poles, and by lapping over to form the door. A
great number of Ikins are fometimes required for this
purpofe, as fome of their tents are very capacious.
That of the chief warrior of the Naudoweffies was
at leaft forty feet in circumference, and very com-
modious.
They obferve no regularity in fixing their tents when
they encamp, but place them juft as it fuits their con-
veniency.
The huts alfo, which thofe who ufe not tents, ere&
when they travel, for very few tribes have fixed abodes,
or regular towns, or villages, are equally fimple, and
almoft as foon conftructed.
They fix fmall pliable poles in the ground, and bend-
ing them till they meet at the top and form a femi* cir-
cle, then lafh them together. Thefe they cover with
mats made of rufhes platted, or with birch bark,
which they carry with them in their canoes for this
purpofe.
Thefe cabins have neither chimnies nor windows;
there is only a fmall aperture left in the middle of the
roofs through which the fmoke is difcharged, but as
this is obliged to be Hopped up when it rains or fnows
violently, the fmoke then proves exceedingly trouble-
fome.
They lie on /kins, generally thofe of the bear, which
are placed in rows on the ground; and if the floor is
not large enough to contain beds fufficient for the ac-
commodation of the whole family, a frame is erected
about four or five feet from the ground, in which the
younger part of it Deep.
As the habitations of the Indians are thus rude, their
domeflic utenfils are few in number, and plain in their
formation. The tools wherewith they fafhion them
are fo aukward and defective, that it is not only im-
poffible to form them with any degree of neatnefs or
elegance, but the time required in the execution is fo
considerable, as to deter them from engaging in the
manufacture of fuch as are not abfolutely necefiary.
The
i2o CARVER'S TRAVELS.
The Naudoweflies make the pots in which they boi]
their victuals of the black clay or {tone mentioned in
my journal; which refifts the effects of fire, nearly as
well as iron. When they roafl, if it is a large joint,
or a whole animal, fuch as a beaver, they fix it a?
Europeans do, on a fpit made of a hard wood, and
placing the ends on two forked props, now and thee
turn it. If the piece is fmaller they fpit it as before,
and fixing the fpit in an erect but flanting pofition, witt
the meat inclining towards the fire, frequently change
the fides, till every part is fufficiently roafted.
They make their difhes in which they ferve up then
meat, and their bowls and pans, out of the knotty ex«
■crefcences of the maple tree, or any other, wood. They
fafhion their fpoons with a tolerable degree of neat-
nefs (as thefe require much lefs trouble than large uten-
ills) from a wood that is termed in America Spoor
Wood, and which greatly refembles box wood.
Every tribe are now poffeiTed of knives, and fieels
to llrike fire with. Thefe t>eing fa efTentially needful
for the common ufes of life, thofe who have not aa
immediate communication with the European traders,
purchaie them of fuch their neighbors as are fituated
nearer the fettlements, and generally give in exchange
for them (laves.
CHAPTER III.
-Of their Manners, Qualifications, £sV.
WH EN the Indian women fit down, they place
themfelves in a decent attitude, with their
Icnees clofe together; but from being accuftomed to this
pofture, they walk badly, and appear to be lame.
They have no midwives among them, their climate,
or fome peculiar happinefs in their constitutions, ren-
dering .any afSflance at. that time unnecefiary. On thefe
occafioa$
CARVER'S TRAVELS, 12*
occafions they are confined but a few hours from their
ufual employments, which are commonly very laborious,
as the men, who are remarkably indolent, leave to them
every kind of drudgery; even in their hunting parties
the former will not deign to bring home the game, but
fend their wives for it, though it lies at a very confider-
able diilance.
■ The women place their children foon after they are
born on boards fluffed with foft mors, fuch as is found
in moraffes or meadows. The child is laid on its back
in one of this kind of cradles, and, being wrapped in
fkins or cloth to keep it warm, is fecured in it by fmail
bent pieces of timber.
To thefe machines they fallen firings, by which they
hang them to branches of trees ; or if they find not trees
at hand, faflen them to a Hump or Hone, whilft they
tranfad any needful bufineis. In this pofition are the
children kept for fome months, when they are taken
out, the boys are fuffered to go naked, and the girls are
covered from the neck to the knees with a fhift and a
ihort petticoat.
The Indian women are remarkably decent during
their menllrual illnefs. Thofe nations that are moil re-
mote from the European fettlements, as the Naudo-
weffies ,&c. are more particularly attentive to this point;
though they all without exception adhere in fome degree
to the fame cuftom.
In every camp or town there is an apartment ap-
propriated for their retirement at this time, to which
both fingle and married retreat, and feclude themfelves
with the utmoft ftri&nefs during this period from all fo-
ciety. Afterwards they purify themfelves in run-
ning flreams, and return to their different employ-
ments.
The men on thefe occafions mofi carefully avoid hold-
ing any communication with them; and the Naudoweffies
are fo rigid in this obfervance, that they will not fuffer
any belonging to them toietch fuch things as are necef-
fary, even fire, from thefe female lunar retreats, though
the want of them is attended with the greateil inconve-
nience. They are alfo fo fuperftitious as to think, if a
M pipe
lit CARVER'S TRAVELS.
pipe flem cracks, which among them is made of wood,
that the poffefTor has either lighted it at one of thefe
polluted fires, or held fome converfe with a woman during
ker retirement, which is efteemed by them moil difgrace-
ful and wicked.
, ■ The Indians are extremely circumfpecl: and deliberate
in every word and action; there is nothing that hurries
them into any intemperate warmth, but that inveteracy
to their^ enemies, which is rooted in every Indian heart,
and never can be eradicated. In all other inflances they
are cool, and remarkably cautious, taking care not to
betray on any account whatever their emotions. If an
Indian has difcovered that a friend is in danger of being
intercepted and cut off by one to whom he has render-
ed himfelf obnoxious ; he does not inform him in .plain
and explicit terms of the danger he runs by purfuing
the track near which his enemy lies in wait for him,
but he firft coolly aiks him which way he is going that
day; and having received his anfwer, with the fame in-
difference tells him that he has been informed that a dog
lies near the fpot, which might probably do him a mif-
chief. This hint proves fufficient ; and his friend avoids
the danger with as much caution as if every defign and
motion of his enemy had been pointed out to him.
This apathy often fhews itfelf on occafions that would
call forth all the fervor of a fufceptible heart. If an
Indian has been abfent from his family and friends many
months, either on a war or hunting party, when his wife
and children meet him at fome diftance from his habita-
tion, inftead of the affectionate fenfations that would
naturally arife in the breaft of more refined beings,
and be productive of mutual congratulations, he conti-
nues his courfe without paying the leaft attention to
thofe who furround him, till he arrives at his home.
He there fits down, and with the fame unconcern as if
he had not been abfent a day, fmokes his pipe ; thofe of
his acquaintance who have followed him, do the fame;
and perhaps it is feveral hours before he relates to them
the incidents which have befallen him during his abfence,
though perhaps he has left a father, brother, or fori
on the field, whofe lofs he ought to have lamented, or
has
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 123
bas been unfuccefsful in the undertaking that called
him from his home.
Has an Indian been engaged for feveral days in the
;hace, or on any other laborious expedition, and by ac*
cident continued thus long without food, when he ar-
rives at the hut or tent of a friend where he knows his
wants may be immediately fupplied, he takes care not
to (hew the leaf* fymptoms of impatience, or to betray.
the extreme hunger by which he is tortured ; but on
being invited in, fits contentedly down, and fmokes his
pipe with as much compofure as if every appetite was
allayed, and he was perfe£ly at eafe; he does the fame
if among Grangers. This cuftom is ilriftly adhered to
by every* tribe, as they efleem it a proof of fortitude,
and think the reverfe would intitle mm to the appella-
tion of old women.
If you tell an Indian that his children have greatly
6.gnalized themfelves againft an enemy, have taken ma-
ny fcalps, and brought home many prifoners, he does
not appear to feel any extraordinary pleafure on the 00
cafion; his anfwer generally is, " It is well," and he
makes very little further enquiry about it. On the
contrary, if you inform him that his children are flair*
or taken prifoners, he makes no complaints, he only
replies, " It does not fignify;" and probably, for ibme
time at leaft, alks not how it happened.
This feeming indifTerence, however, does not proceed
from an entire fuppremon of the natural afFeftions; for
notwithstanding they are efteemed favages, I never faw
among any other people greater proofs of parental or
filial tendernefs; and although they meet their wives af-
ter a long ahfence with the Hoical indifference jufl.
mentioned, they are not, in general, void, of conjugal
affedtion.
Another peculiarity is obfervable in their manner of
paying their vifits. If an Indian goes tovifit a parti-
cular perfon in a family, he mentions to whom his vifit
is intended, and the reft of the family immediately re-
tiring to the other end of the hut or tent, are careful
not to come near enough to interrupt them during the
whole of the converiation. The fame method is purfued
■ ..' . if'
Wi
124 CARTER'S TRAVELS.
if a man goes to pay his refpecls to one of the other
fex; but then he mull be careful not to let love be the
fttbje& of his difcourfe, whilft the day light remains,
The Indians difcovejpan amazing fagacity, and acquire
with the greateft re^ofnefs any thing that depends upon
the attention of the mind. By experience and an acute
observation, they attain many perfections to which Eu-
ropeans are iinmgers. For inxlance, they will crofs a
foreft or a plain which is two hundred miles in breadth,
and reach with great exa&neils the point at which they
intended to arrive, keeping during the whole of that
space in a direct line, without any material deviations ;
and this they will do with the fame eafe, whether the
weather be fair or cloudy.
^ With equal acutenefs will they point to that part of
the heavens the fun is in, though it be intercepted by
clouds or fogs. Befides this, they are able to purfue with
incredible facility the traces of man or beaft, either on
leaves or grafs; and on this account it is with great dif-
ficulty a flying enemy efcapes difcovery.
They are indebted for thefe talents not only to nature,
but to an extraordinary command of the intellectual
faculties, which can only be acquired by an unremitted
attention, and by long experience.
They are in general very happy in a retentive memo-
ry ; they can recapitulate every particular that has been
treated of in council, and remember the exact time
when thefe were held. Their belts of wampum pre-
ferve the fubftance of the treaties they have concluded
with the neighboring tribes for ages back, to which
they will "appeal, and refer with as much perfpicuity
and readinefs as Europeans can to their written re-
cords.
Every nation pays great refpe&.to old age. The
advice of a father will feldom meet with any extraordi-
nary attention from the young Indians, probably they
receive it with only a bare aflent; but they will tremble
before a grandfather, and fubmit to his injunction with
the utmoft alacrity. The words of the ancient part of
their community are efteemed by the young as oracles.
If they take during their hunting parties any game that
CARVER'S TRAVELS. *m
reckoned by them uncommonly delicious, it is mime-
lately prefented to the eldeft of their relations.
They never fuffer themfelves to be overburdened with
are, but live in a Hate of perfeft tranquillity and con~-
mtment. Being naturally indolent, if provifion jufc
ifficient for their fubfiftence can be procured with little
rouble, and near at hand, they will not go far, or take
ny extraordinary pains for it, though by fo doing they
light acquire greater plenty, and of a more eitimable
ind.
Having much leifure time they indulge this indolence
o which they are fo prone,, by eating, drinking, or
leeping, . and rambling about, in their towns or camps,-
3ut when necefiity obliges them to take the field, either
o oppofe an enemy, or to procure themfelves food^
hey are alert, and indefatigable. Many inftanc.es of
heir a&ivity, on thefe oceailons, will. be given when I
;reat of their wars..
The infatuating fpirit of gaming is not confined to-
Europe'; the Indians alfo feel the bewtiching impulfe, .
md often lofe their arms,, their apparel, and every thing
:hey are pofTeffed of* In this cafe, however, they do
lot follow the example of: more refined gameilers, for
:hey neither murmur nor repine; not a fretful word-
efcapes them, but they bear the frowns of fortune with*
i philofophic compofure.
The greateft blemifh in their character is that favage '■
difpofitiou which impels them to treat their enemies with *
a feverity. every other nation (hudders at. But if they
are thus barbarous to thofe with whom they are at war, ,
they are friendly, hofpitable, and humane in peace. It
may with- truth be faid of them, that they are the
worft enemies, and the beft friends, of any people in
the whole world.-
The Indians in generalare Grangers to the paifion
of jealoufy; and brand a man with folly that is diliruu>
ful of his wife. Among fome bands the very idea is
not known ; as the moil • abandoned, of their young men
very rarely attempt the virtue of married women, nor
"do thefe often put themfelves in the way of felicitation*
Yet the Indiaa women in general are of an amorous >
M-2-- temperature^-,
125 CARVER's TRAVELS.
temperature, and before they are married are not the
lefs erleemed for the indulgence of their paffions.
,.,Jhe.Ind*ans 'm theIr common ftate are Grangers to all
diiim&ion of property, except in the articles of do-
mestic ufe, which every one confiders as his own, and
mcreafes as circumftances admit. They are extremely
liberal to each other, and fupply the deficiency of their
friends with any Superfluity of their own.
In dangers they readily givt affiitance to thofe of
their band, who Hand in need of it, without any ex-
pedation of return, except of thofe juft rewards that are
always conferred by the Indians on merit. Governed
fey the plain and equitable laws of nature, every one
is rewarded folely according to his deferts; and their
equality of condition, manners, and privileges, with that
cooftant and fociable familiarity which prevails through-
out every Indian nation, animates them with a pure
and truly patriotic fpirfc, that tends to the general good
of the fociety to which they belong.
If any of their neighbors are bereaved by death, or
by an enemy of their children, thofe who are poffeffed
of the greateft number of Haves, fupply the deficiency;
and thefe are adopted by them, and treated m every
refpeft as if they really were the children of the per-
fon to whom they are prefented.
The Indians, except thofe who live adjoining to the
European colonies, can form to themfelves no^idea of
the value of money; they confider it, when they are
made acquainted with the ufes to which it is applied
by other nations, as the fource of innumerable evils.
To it they attribute all the mifehiefs that are prevalent
among Europeans, fueh as treachery, plundering, de-
variations, and murder.
They efteem it irrational that one man mould be pof-
feffed of a greater quantity than another, and are amazed
that any honor mould be annexed to the poffeffion of it.
But that the want of this ufelefs metal mould be the
caufe of depriving perfons of their liberty, and that on
account of this partial diftribution of it, great numbers
Should be immured within the dreary walls of a prifon,
cut off from that fceiety of which they constitute a
part,
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 127
part, exceeds their belief. Nor do they fail, on hearing
this part of the European fyftem of government related,
to charge the inftitutors- of it with a total want of
humanity, and to brand them with the names of favages.
and brutes.
They mew ahnoft an equal degree of indifference for
the productions of art. When any of thefe are ihewn
them, they fay, " It is pretty, I like to look at it,"
but are not inquifitive about the conitruftion of it^
neither can they form proper conceptions- of its ufe*..
But if you tell them of a perfon who is able to run
with great agility, that is well (killed in hunting, can.
direct with unerring aim a gun, or bend with eafe a
bow, that can dextroufly work a canoe, underllands
the art of war, is acquainted with the fituation of a,
country, and can make his way^ without a guide,
through an immenfe foreft, fuhfifting during this on
a fmall quantity of provifions, they are in raptures 5
they liflen with great attention to the pleafmg tale,
and bellow the highefl commendations on\ the hera
a£ iu
CHAPTER IV..
Their Method of reckoning Time, hfc..
CONSIDERING their ignorance of aftrono-
my, time is very rationally divided by the Indians.
Thofe in the interior parts (and of thofe I would gene-
rally be understood to fpeak) count their years by
winters; -or, as they exprefs themfelves, by fnows.
Some nations among them reckon their years by
moons, and make them confifl of twelve fynodical or
lunar months, obferving, when thirty moons have waned?
to add a fupernumerary one, which they term the lofl
moon ; and then begin to count as before. They pay
a great regard to the firfi appearance of every moon,
an<f
I2&
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
and on the occafion always repeat fome joyful founds,
iiretching at the fame time their hands towards it.
Every month has with them a name exprefiive of its
feafon; for inflance, they call the month of March (in
which their year generally begins at the firft New- Moon,
after the vernal Equinox) the Worm Month or Moon;
becaufe at this time the worms quit their retreats in the
bark of the trees,^ wood, &c. where they have (heltered
themfelves during the winter.
The month of April is termed by them the month
of Plants. May, the Month of Flowers. June, the.
Hot Moon. July^ the Buck Moon. Their reafon for
thus denominating thefe is obvious.
Auguft, the Sturgeon Moon; becaufe in this month
they catch great numbers of that fifh.
September, the Corn Moon; becaufe in that month
they gather in their Indian corn.
October, the Travelling Moon; as they leave at this
time their villages, and travel towards the places where
they intend to hunt during the winter.
November, the Beaver Moon; for in this month the
beavers begin to take flicker in their houfes, having
laid up a fufficient flore of provifions for the winter
feafon.
December, the Hunting Moon, becaufe they employ
this month in purfuit of their game.
January, the Cold Moon, as it generally freezes harder,
and the cold, is more intenfe in this than in any other
month.
February, they call the Snow Moon, becaufe more
fnow commonly falls during this month, than any other
in the winter..
When the Moon does not mine they fay the Moon
is dead; and fome call the three lafl days of it the naked
days. The Moon's firft appearance they term its coming
to life again.
They make no drvifion of weeks ; but days they
count by ileeps ; half days by pointing to the fun at
noon ; and quarters by the rifing and the fetting of the
fun : to exprefs which in their traditions they make ufe
of very fignificant hieroglyphics*
The
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 129
The Indians are totally unfkilkd in geography as
well as all the other fciences, and yet, as I have beiore
hinted, they draw on their birch bark very exaft charts
or maps of the countries with which they are acquaint-
ed. The latitude and longitude is only wanting to make
them tolerably complete.
Their fole knowledge in aftronomy ccmfifts in being
able to point out the pole-ftar; by which they regulate
their courfe when they travel in the night.
Thev reckon the diftance of places, r.ot by miles or
leagues', but by a day's journey, which, according to
the beft calculations I could make, appears to be about
twenty Englilh miles. Thefe they alfo divide into halves
and quarters, and will demonftrate them in their maps
with great e«anefs, by the hieroglyphics juft mentioned,
when they regulate in council their war parties, or their
moft diftant hunting excurfions. -
They have no idea of arithmetic; and though they
are able to count to any number, figures as well as
letters appear myfterious to them, and above their com-
F During' my abode with the Naudoweffies, fome of
the chief? obferving one day a draft of an eclipfe of the
moon, in a book of aftronomy which I held in my hand,
they defired I would permit them to look at it. Hap-
pening to give them the book fiiut, they began to count
The leaves till they came to the place in which the plate
was. After they had viewed it, and alked many quel-
tions relative to it, I told them they need not to have
taken fo much pains to find the leaf on which it was
drawn, for I could not only tell in an mftaot the place,
without counting the leaves, but alfo how many pre,
ceded it. _ . ,
They feemed greatly amazed at my anertion, and
begged that I would demonftrate to them the pofljbihty
of doing it. To this purpofe I defired the chief that
held the book, to open it at any particular place, and
juft (hewing me the page carefully to, conceal the
edges of the leaves, fo that I might not be able to count,
them- This.
130 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
This he did with- the greateft caution; notwithftand
ing which, by looking at the folio, I told him, to hi
great furprife, the number of leaves. He counted ther
regularly over, and difcovered that I was exad. An.
when, after repeated trials, the Indians found I coul
do it with great readinefs, and without ever erring i:
my calculation, they all feemed as much aftoniihed a
if I had raifed the dead. -The only way they coul<
account for my knowledge, was by concluding that th.
book was a fpirit, and whiiptred me anfwers to whateve
I demanded cf it.
T*iio circumftance, trifling as it might appear to thof
who are lefs illiterate, contributed to increafe my con
fequence, and to augment the favorable opinion the]
already entertained of me.
CHAP T E R V.
Of their Government, SsV.
EVERY Separate body of Indians is divided into
bands or tribes ; which band or tribe forms a lit-
tle community with the nation to which it belongs.
As the nation has fome particular fymbol by which it is
diitinguiiried from others, fo each tribe has a badge
from which it is denominated; as that of the Eagle, the
Panther, the Tiger, the Buffalo, &c. &c. One band
of the Naudoweffies is reprefented by a Snake, another
a Tortoife, a third a Squirrel, a fourth a Wolf, and a
fifth a Buffalo. Throughout every nation they parti-
cularize themfelves in the fame manner, and the mean-
eft perfon among them will remember his lineal defcent,
and diilinguilh himfelf by his refpedtive family.
Did not many circumiiances tend to confute the fup-
pofition, I mould be almoft induced to conclude from
this diftin.&ion of tribes, and the particular attachment
of
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 131
' the Indians to them, that they derive their origin,
fome have averted, from the Ifraelites.
Beiides this, every nation diftinguifli themfelves by
e manner of conftru&ing t* eir tents or huts. And fo
ell veri'ed are all the Indie s in this diftinclion, that
ough theie appears to be no difference on the niceil
>fervation made by an European, yet they will im-
ediately diicover, from the pofition of a pole left in
e ground, what nation has encamped on the fpot
any months before.
Every band has a chief who is termed the Great Chief
the chief Warrior; and who is chofen in confiderati-
1 of his experience in war, and of his approved valor,
direct their military operations, and to regulate all
►ncerns belonging to that department. But this chief
not confidered as the head of the Hate; befides the
•eat warrior who is elected for his war -like qualifi-
toons, there is another who enjoys a pre-eminence as
s hereditary right, and has the more immediate ma-
igement of their civil affairs. This chief might with
•eater propriety be denominated the Sachem; whofe
rent is neceffary in all conveyances and treaties, to
hich he affixes the mark of the tribe or nation.
Though thefe two are confidered as the heads of the
md, and the latter is ufually denominated their king,
it the Indians are fenfible of neither civil or military
bordination. As* every one of them entertains a high
>imon of his confequence, and is extremely tenacious
7 his liberty, all injunctions that carry with them the
>pearance of a pofitive command, are inftantly rejected
ith fcorn.
On this account, it is feldom that their leaders are
► indifcreet as to give out any of their orders in a
eremptory ftile ; a bare hint from a chief that he thinks
ich a thing neceffary to be done, inftantly aroufes an
nulation among the inferior ranks, and it is immedi-
:ely executed with great alacrity. By this method
le difguftful part of the command is evaded, and an
ithority that falls little fhort of abfolute fway inflituted
1 its room.
Among
i3« CARVERS TRAVELS.
Among the Indians no vifible form of government is
eflablifhed; they allow of no fuch diilin&ion as magi-
Urate and fubjec*l, every one appearing to enjoy an in«
dependence that cannot be controlled. The object oi
government among them is rather foreign than domeflic,
for their attention feems more to be employed in pre-
ferving fuch an union among the members of their tribe
as will enable them to watch the motions of their ene«
mies, and to act againil them with concert and vigor,
than to maintain interior order by any public regulations.
If a fcheme that appears to be of fervice to the commu-
nity is propofed by the chief, every one is at liberty tc
choofe whether he will affill in carrying it on ; for the}
have no compulfory laws that lay them under any re-
flric"lions. If violence is committed, or blood is fhed
the right of revenging thefe mifdemeanors is left tc
the family of the injured: the chiefs aflume neithei
the power of inflicting or moderating the punifhment
Some nations, where the dignity is hereditary, limil
the fucceffion to the female line. On the death of j
chief, his filler's fon fometimes fucceeds him in prefer-
ence to his own fon; and if he happens to have nc
filler, the nearefl female relation aflumes the dignity
This accounts for a woman being at the head of the
Winnebago nation, which, before I was acquainted witli
their laws, appeared ilrange to me.
Each family has a right to appoint one of its chiefj
to be art affiftant to the principal chief, who watches
over the intereft of his family, and without whofe con-
fent nothing of a public nature can be carried into ex-
ecution. Thefe are generally chofen for their ability w
fpeaking; and fuch only are permitted to make oration*
in their councils and general afTemblies.
In this body, with the hereditary chief at its headj
the fupreme authority appears to be lodged; as by its
determination every tranfa£tion relative to their huntingj
to their making war or peace, and to all their public
concerns are regulated. Next to thefe, the 'body oi
warriors, which comprehends all that are able to bear arms,
hold their rank. This divifion has fometimes at its head
the chief of the nation, if he has fignalized himfelf by
any
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 133
my renowned adion, if not, fame chief that has ren-
lered himielf famous.
In their councils, which are held by the foregoing
nembers, every affair of conference is debated; and nd>
>nterprife of the leaft moment undertaken, unlefs it
here meets with the general approbation of the chiefs,
rhey commonly affemble in a hut or tent appropriated
o this purpofe, and being feated in a circle on the
rround, the eldeft chief rifes and makes a fpeech; when
le has concluded, another gets up; and thus they ail
peak, if neceffary by turns. :
On this occafion their language is nervous, and their
nanner of expreffion emphatical. Their ftile is adorn-
:d with images, comparifons, and ftrong metaphors, and
s equal in allegories to that of any of the eaftern na-
ions. In all their fet fpeeches they exprefs themfelves
vith much vehemence, but in common difcourfe accord-
ng to our ufual method of fpeech.
The young men are furTered to be prefent at the
:ouncils, though they are not allowed to make a fpeech
ill they are regularly admitted: they however liftea
vith great attention, and to (hew that they both un-
lerltand, and approve of the refolutions taken by the
.{Tembled chiefs, they frequently exclaim, " That is
ight." " That is good."
The cuftomary mode among all the ranks of expreflmg
heir affent, and which they repeat at the end of al-
noft everv period, is by uttering a kind of forcible
fpiration,' which founds like an union of the letters
DAH.
CHAPTER VI.
Of their Feafts.
MA N Y of the Indian nations neither make ufe
of bread, fait, or fpiccs; and fome of them have
Jever feen or tailed of either. The ' Naudoweffies in
]S[ particular
T34
CARVE R's TRAVEL S.
I.
particular have no bread, nor any fubftitute for it. The)
eat the wild rice which grows in great quantities ii
different parts of their territories; but they boil it anc
eat it alone. They alfo eat the flefh of the beafls the)
till, without having recourfe to any farinaceous fub-
iiance to ahforb the groffer particles of it. And ever
wrhen they confume the fugar which they have extracted
from the maple tree, they ufe it not to render fome
other food palatable, but generally eat it by itfelf*
Neither have they any idea of the ufe of milk, al-
though they might collect great quantities from the buf-
falo or the elk; they only confider it as proper foi
the nutriment of the young of thefe beafts during theii
tender ilate. I could not perceive that any inconveni-
ency attended the total difufe of articles' efleemed fo
necefiary and nutritious by other nations, on the con-
trary, they are in general healthy and vigorous.
One dim however, which anfwers nearly the fame
purpofe as bread, is in ufe among the Ottagaumies, the
Saukies, <and the more eaflern nations, where Indian
corn grows, which is not only much efleemed by them,
but it is reckoned extremely palatable by all the Euro-
peans who enter their dominions. This is compofed of
their unripe corn as before defcribed, and beans in the
fame ilate, boiled together with bear's flefh, the fat
of which moiftens the pulfe, and renders it beyond
comparifon delicious. They call this food Succatofh.
The Indians are far from being cannibals, as they are
faid to be. All their victuals are either roafled or boil-
ed; and this in the extreme. Their drink is generally
the broth in which it has been boiled.
Their food confifts of the flefh of the bear, the buf-
falo, the elk, the deer, the beaver, and the racoon;
which they prepare in the manner juft mentioned.
They ufually eat the flefh of the deer which is naturally
dry, with that of the bear which is fat and juicy; and
though the latter is extremely rich and lufcious, it is
never known to cloy.
In the fpring of the year the Naudoweflies eat the
infide bark of a fhrub, that they gather in fome part of
their country j but I could neither learn the name of it,
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 13$
• difcover from whence they got it. It was of a brit-
j nature and eafily mafticated. The tafte of it was-
ry agreeable, and they faid it was extremely nounm-
g. In flavor it was not unlike the turnip, and when
ceived into the mouth refembled that root both in its
llpous and frangible nature.
The lower ranks of the Indians are exceedingly nafty
dreffing their viduals, but foine of the chiefs are
ry neat and cleanly in their apparel, tents, and food*
They commonly eat in large parties, fo that their
eals may properly be termed feafts ; and this they
> without being reftriaed to any fixed or regular
)urs, but juft as their appetites require* and conveni-
ice fuits.
They ufually dance either before or after every meal;
id by this cheerfulnefs probably render the Great
pirit, to whom they confider themfelves .-as indebted
r every good, a more acceptable facrifice than a formal
id unanimated thankfgiving. The men and women,
aft apart : and each fex invite by turns their compam-
is, to partake with them of the food they happen to
ive; but in their domeftic way of living the men and
omen eat together.
No people are more hofpitable, kind, and free than
ie Indians. They will readily mare with any of their
vn tribe the laft part of their provifions, and even with
lofe of a different nation, if they chance to come in
hen they are eating. Though they do not keep one
>mmon flock, yet that community of goods which is
I prevalent among them, and their generous difpohtion, ..,
:nder it nearly of the fame effect.
When the chiefs are convened on any public bulinefs,
ley always conclude with- a feaft, at which their feiti-
ty and cheerfulnefs know no limits.
CHAT--
136
CARVE R's TRAVELS,
CHAPTER VII.
Of their Dances.
ANCING is a favorite exercife among the
Indians; they never meet on any public cccafion,
but this makes a part of th« entertainment. And when
they are not engaged in war or hunting, the youth
of both fexes amufe themfelves in this manner every
evening.
They always dance, as I havejuft obferved,at theirfeafts.
In thefe as well as all their other dances, every man rifes in
his turn, and moves about with great freedom and bold-
nefs ; finging as he does fo, the exploits of his ancef-
tors. During this the company, who are feated on
the ground in a circle, around the dancer, join with
him in marking the cadence, by an odd tone, which they
utter all together, and which founds, " Heh, heh, hen."
Thefe notes, if they might be fo termed, are articulat-
ed with a harm accent, and firained out with the utmort
force of their lungs: fo that one would imagine their
ilrength mull be foon exhauiled by it ; inftead of which,
they repeat it with the fame violence during the whole of
their entertainment.
The women, particularly thofe of the weflern nations,
dance very gracefully. They carry themfelves erect,
and with their arms hanging down clofe to their fides,
move firft a few yards to the right, and then back again
to the left. This movement they perform without tak-
ing any fteps as an European would do, but with their
feet conjoined, moving by turns their toes and heels.
In this manner they glide with great agility to a cer-
tain diftance, and then return; and let thofe who join
in the dance be ever fo numerous, they keep time fo ex-
actly with each other that no interruption enfues. During
this, at ftated periods, they jningle their fhrill voices,
with
CARVER'S TRAVELS, 137
ith the hoarfer ones of the men, who fit around (for
is to be obferved that the fexes never intermix in the
me dance) which, with the mufic of the drums and
aichicoes, make an agreeable harmony.
The Indians have feveral kinds of dances, which they
*e on different occafions, as the Pipe or Calumet
>ance, the War Dance, the Marriage Dance, and the
lance of the Sacrifice. The movements in every one
: thefe are diffimilar ; but it is almoft impoffible to con-
:y any idea of the points in which they are unlike.
Different nations likewife vary in their manner of
mcing. The Chipeways throw themfelves into a greater
iriety of attitudes than any other people ; fometimes
ley hold their heads erect, at others they bend them
mofl to the ground; then recline on one fide, and imm-
ediately after on the other. The Naudoweflies carry
temfelves more upright, flep firmer, and move more
racefully. But they all accompany their dances with
le difagreeable noife jufl mentioned.
The Pipe Dance is the principal, and the mofl pleafing
> a fpectator of any of them, being the leaft frantic,
id the movement of it mofl graceful. It is but on
irticular occafions that it is ufed; as when ambaffadors
om an enemy arrive to treat of peace, or when flrangers
F eminence pafs through their territories.
The War Dance, which they ufe both before they
t out on their war parties, and on their return from
lem, flrikes terror into flrangers. It is performed, as
le others, amidil a circle of the warriors; a chief ge-
eraHy begins it, who moves from the right to the
ft, finging at the fame time both his own exploits, and
lofe of his anceflors. When he has concluded his ac-
3unt of any memorable action, he gives a violent
low with his war-club, againil a poll that is fixed in
le ground, near the centre of the affembly, for this
urpofe.
Every one dances in his turn, and recapitulates the
ondrous deeds of his family, till they all at Iafl jojm in
le dance. Then it becomes truly alarming to any
ranger that happens to be among them, as they throw
lemfelves into every horrible and terrifying poflure that
N 2 can
i38
CARVER's TRAVELS.
can be imagined, rehearfing at the fame time the parts
they expect to act againft their enemies in the field.
During this they hold their fharp knives in their hands,
with which, as they whirl about, they are every mo-
ment in danger of cutting each '-Others throats; and
did they not fhun the threatened mifchief with incon-
ceivable dexterity, it could not be avoided. By thefe
motions they intend to reprefent the manner in which
they kill, fealp, and take their prifoners. To heighten
the fcene, they fet up the fame hideous yells, cries, and
war-whoops they ufe in time of action : fo that it is im-
poihble to confider them in any other light than as an
afiembly of demons.
I have frequently joined in this dance with them,
but it foon ceafed to be an amufement to me, as I could
not lay afide my appreheniions of receiving fome dread-
ful wound, that from the violence of their geilures muft
have proved mortal.
I found that the nations to the weHward of the
MiffiiFippi, and on the borders of Lake Superior, ftili
continue to make ufe of the Pawwaw or Black Dance.
The people of the colonies tell a thoufand ridiculous
{lories of the Devil being raifed in this dance by the
Indians. But they allow that this was in former times, and
is now nearly extinct among thofe who live adjacent tc
the European fettlements. However I difcovered that
it was itill ufed in the interior parts; and though I did
apt actually fee the Devil raifed by it, I was witnefs
to fome feenes that could only be performed by fuch
as dealt with him, or were very expert and dextrous
jugglers,
Wlnlil I was among the Naudcwefiies, a dance, whicl]
they thus termed, was performed. Before the dance
began, one of the Indians was admitted into a fcciery
which they denominated Wakon-Kitchewah, that is, the
Friendly Society of the Spirit. This fociety is compofec
of perfons of both fexes, but fuch only can be admitted
into it as are of unexceptionable character, and who re-
ceive the approbation of the whole body. To this ad-
million fucceeced the Fawwaw Dance (in which I fa\s
nptliing thru could give rife to the reports I had heard)
and
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 139
and the whole, according to their ufual cuftom, conclud-
ed with a grand feaft.
The initiation being attended with fome very Angu-
lar circumftances, which, as I have before obferved, muft
be either the effect of magic, or of amazing dexterity,
I mail give a particular account of the whole procedure.
It was performed at the time of the new moon, in a
place appropriated to the purpofe, near the centre
of their camp, that would contain about two hundred
people. Being a ftranger, and on all occafions treated
by them with great civility, I was invited to fee the
ceremony, and placed clofe to the rails of the inclofure.
About twelve o'clock they began to affemble; when
the fun (hone bright, which they confidered as^ a good
omen, for they never by choice hold any of their public
meetings unlefs the fky be clear and unclouded. A
great number of chiefs firit appeared, who were drefTed
in their belt apparel; and after them came the head-war-
rior, clad in a long robe of rich furs, that trailed on the
ground, attended by a retinue of fifteen or twenty per-
fons, painted and drefTed in the gayeil manner. Next
followed the wives of fuch as had been already admitted
into the fociety; and in the rear a confufed heap of the
lower ranks, all contributing as mach as lay in their
power to make the appearance grand and fhowy.
When the affembly was feated, and filence proclaim-
ed, one of the principal chiefs arofe, and in a fhort but
mafterly fpeech informed his audience of the occafion of
their meeting. He acquainted them that one of their
young men wifhed to be admitted into their fociety ; and
taking him by the hand prefented him to their view,
afking them, at the fame time, whether they had any
objection to his becoming one of their community.
No objection being made, the young candidate was
placed in the centre, and four of the chiefs took their
ftations clofe to him ; after exhorting him, by turns, not
to faint under the operation he was about to go through,
but to behave like an Indian and a man, two of thern
took hold of his arms, and caufed him to kneel; another
placed himfelf behind him, fo as to receive him when he
h fell,
140 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
fell, and the laft of the four retired to the diflance of
about twelve feet from him exactly in front.
This difpofition being completed, the chief that
flood before the kneeling candidate, began to fpeak to
him with an audible voice. He told him that he himfdf
was now agitated by the fame fpirit which he mould in
a few moments communicate to him; that it would
ilrike him dead, but that he would inflantly be reflored
again to life; to this he added, that the communicati-
on, however terrifying, was a neceffary introduction to
the advantages enjoyed by the community into which
he was on the point of being admitted.
As he fpoke this, he appeared to be greatly agitated ;
till at laft his emotions became fo violent, that his coun-
tenance was diftorted, and his whole frame convulfed.
At this juncture he threw fomething that appeared both
in fhape and color like a fmall bean, at the young man,
which feemed to enter his mouth, and he inflantly fell
as motionlefs as if he had been mot. The chief that
was placed behind him received him in his arms, and,
by the afliflance of the other two, laid him on the ground
to all appearance bereft of life.
Having done this, they immediately began to rub
his limbs, and to flrike him on the back, giving him
fuch blows, as feemed more calculated to Hill the quick,
than to rajfe the dead." During thefe extragrdinary
applications, the fpeaker continued his harangue, de-
firing the fpeclators not to be furprifed, or to defpair
of the young man's recovery, as his prefent inanimate
fituation proceeded only from the forcible operation of
the fpirit, on faculties that had hitherto been unufed:
to infpirations of this kind.
The candidate lay feveral minutes without fenfe or
motion; but at length, after receiving many violent
blows, he began to difcover fome fymptoms of returning
life. Thefe, however, were attended with lirong con-
vulsions, and an apparent obflru&ion in his throat. But
they were foon at an end; for having difcharged from
his mouth the bean, or whatever it was that the chief
had thrown at him3 but which on the clofeft infpeclion
I
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 141
[ had not perceived to enter it, he foon after appeared
:o be tolerably recovered.
This part of the ceremony being happily effected,
;he officiating chiefs difrobed him of the clothes he
lad ufually worn, and put on him a fet of apparel en-
:irely new. When he was dreffed, the fpeaker once
more took him by the hand, and prefented him to the
fociety as a regular and thoroughly initiated member,
exhorting them, at the fame time, to give him fuch ne-
:effary affiflance, as being a young member, he might*
[land in need of. He then alfo charged the newly deft-
Ed brother to receive with humility, and to follow with
punctuality the advice of his elder brethren.
All thofe who had been admitted within the rails, now
Formed a circle around their new brother, and the rnufic
ftriking up, the great chief fung a fong, celebrating as
ufual their martial exploits. ■ t
The only mufic they make ufe of is a drum, which
Is compofed of a piece of a hollow tree cuiioufly wrought,
and over one end of which is flrained a fkin, this they
beat with a fingle flick, and it gives a found that is
far from harmonious, but it juft ferves to beat time with,
To this they fometimes add the chichicoe, and in their
war dances they likewife ufe a kind of fife, formed of
a reed, which makes a (hrill harm noife.
The whole affembly were by this time united, and
the dance began; feveral fingers affifled the mufic with
their voices, and the women joining in the chorus at
certain intervals, they produced together a not unpleafmg
but favage harmony. This was one of the mod agree-
able entertainments I faw whilit I was among them.
I could not help laughing at a finguktf childifh cuf-
tom I obferved they introduced into this dance, and
which was the only one that had the leafl appearance
of conjuration. Moft of the members carried in their
hands an otter or marten's flan,, which being taken whole
from the body, and filled with wind, on being com-
preffed made a fqueaking noife through a fmall piece of
wood organically formed and fixed in its mouth. When
this inftrument was prefented to the face of any of the
company, and the found emitted, the perfon receiving it
inftantly
142 CARVER's TRAVELS.
inftantly fell down to appearance dead. Sometimes two
or three, both men and women, were on the ground
together ; but immediately recovering, they rofe up and
joined again in the dance. This feemed to afford, even
the chiefs themfelves, infinite diverfion. I afterwards
learned that thefe were their Dii Penates or Houfehold
Gods.
After fome hours fpent in this manner the feafl began;
the difhes being brought near me, I perceived that they
confifted of dog's flefh; and I was informed that at all
their public grand feaits they never made ufe of any
other kind of food. For this purpofe, at the feaft I am
now fpeaking of, the new candidate provides fat dogs*
if they can be procured, at any price.
In this cuftom of eating dog's flefh on particular oc-
cafions, they refemble the inhabitants of fome of the
countries that lie on the north-eaft borders of Afia.
The author of the account of Kamfchatka, publifhed
by order of the Emprefs of Ruffia (before referred to)
informs us, that the people inhabiting Koreka, a coun-
try north of Kamfchatka, who wander about in hords
like the Arabs, when they pay their worfhip to the evil be-
ings, kill a rein, deer or a dog, the flefh of which they
eat, and leave the head and tongue flicking on a pole
with the front towards the eaft. Alfo that when they
are afraid of any infectious diftemper, they kill a dog,
and winding the guts about two poles, pafs between
them. Thefe cufloms, in which they are nearly imitated
by the Indians, feem to add flrength to my fuppofiti-
©n, that America was firft peopled from this quarter.
I know not under what clafs of dances to rank that
performed by the Indians who came to my tent when
I landed near Lake Pepin, on the banks of the MirTifTippi,
as related in my Journal. When I looked out, as I
there mentioned, I faw about twenty naked young In-
dians, the molt perfect in their fhape, and by far the
handfomeft of any I had ever feen, coming towards me,
and dancing as they approached, to the mufic of their
drums. At every ten or twelve yards they halted, and
fet up their yells and cries,
When
CARVER'S TRAVELS. i43
When they reached my tent, I afked them to come
In ; which, without deigning to make me any anfwer,
they did. As I obfervedthat they were painted red and
black, as they ufually are when they go againft an ene-
my, and perceived that fome parts of the war-dance
were intermixed with their other movements, I doubted
not but they were fet on by the inimical chief who had
refufed my falutation: I therefore determined to fell my
life as dear as poflible. To this purpofe, I received
them fitting on my cheft, with my gun and piftols befide
me, and ordered my men to keep a watchful eye on
them, and to be alfo upon their guard.
. The Indians being entered, they continued their dance
ilternately, ringing at the fame time of their heroic ex-
ploits, and the fuperiority of their race over every other
people. To enforce their language, though it was uncom-
nonly nervous and exprefiive, and fuch as would of it-
"elf have carried terror to the iirmefl heart, at the end
)f every period they ftruck their war-clubs againft the
poles of my tent, with fuch violence, that I expected
;very moment it would have tumbled upon us. As each
:>f them, in dancing round, paffed by me, they placed
:heir right hands over their eyes, and coming clofe to
ne, looked me fteadily in the face, which I could not
;onftrue into a token of friendfhip. My men gave them-
*elves up for loft, and I acknowledge, for my own part,
:hat I never found my apprehenfions more tumultuous
>n any occafion.
When they had nearly ended their dance, I prefented
:o them the pipe of peace, but they would not receive
t. I then, as my laft refource, thought I would try
cvhat prefents would do ; accordingly I took from my
:heft fome ribands and trinkets, which I laid before them,
rhefe feemed to ftagger their refolutions, and to avert
ia fome degree their anger; for after holding a con-
sultation together, they fat down on the ground, which
[ confidered as a favorable omen.
Thus it proved, as in a ftiort time they received the
pipe of peace, and lighting it, firft prefented it to me,
and then fmoked with it themfelves. Soon after they
:ook up the prefents, which had hitherto lain neglected,
and
i44 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
and appearing to be greatly pleafed with them, depart
ed in a friendly manner. And never did I receive great
er pleaiure than at getting rid of fuch formidable guefts,
It was not ever in my power to gain a thorough know
ledge of the defigns of my vifitors. I had fufficient reafoi
to conclude that they were hoftile, and that their vifit, a
fo late an hour, was made through the mitigation o
the Grand Sautor; but I was afterwards informed tha
it might be intended as a compliment which they ufual
ly pay to the chiefs of every other nation who happei
to fall in with them, and that the circumftances in thei
conduft, which had appeared fo fufpicious to me, wer
merely the effeas of their vanity, and defigned to im
prefs on the minds of thofe whom they thus vifited ai
elevated opinion of their valor and prowefs. In th
morning before I continued my route, feveral of thei
wives brought me a prefent of fome fugar, for whon
I found a few more ribands.
The dance of the facrifice is not fo denominated fron
their offering up at the fame time a facrifice to any goo<
or evil fpirit, but is a dance to which the Naudoweffie
give that title from being ufed when any public fortu
nate circumftance befals them. Whilft I refided amonj
them, a fine large deer accidentally ftrayed into th
middle of their encampment, which they foon deilroy
ed. As this happened juft at, the new moon, the
efteemed it a lucky omen; and having roafted it whole
every one in the camp paitook of it. After their feafl
they all joined in a dance, which they termed, fron
its being fomewhat of a religious nature, a dance o
the facrifice.
CHAF
CARVER'S TRAVEL
CHAPTER VIIL
Of their Hunting.
HUNTING is the principal occupation of the In*
dians; they are trained to it from their earlieft
youth., and it is an exercife which is eiteemed no lefs
honorable than necefTary towards their fubiiftence. A
dextrous and refolute hunter is held nearly in as great
eftimation by them as a diilinguifhed warrior. Scarcely
my device which the ingenuity of man has difcovered
For enfnaring or deitroying thofe animals that fupply
:hem with food, or whofe fkins are valuable to Europe-
ins, is unknown to them.
Whilil they are engaged in this exercife, they (hake
iff the indolence peculiar to their nature, and become
iftive, perfevering, and indefatigable. They are equai-
y fagacious in finding their prey, and in the means they
lfe to deftroy it. They difcern the footfleps of tlie
jeafts they are in purfuit of, although they are imper-
reptible to every other eye, and can follow them with
:ertainty through the pathlefs foreit.
The beafts that the Indians hunt, both for their flem
>n which they fubfift, and for their ikins, of which they
iither make their apparel, or barter with the Europe-
ms for neceffaries, are the buffalo, the elk, the deer,
he moofe, carribboo, the bear, the beaver, the otter,
he marten, &c. I defer giving a description of thefe
xeatures here, and mall only at prefent treat of thtir
nanner of hunting them.
The route they fhall take for this purpofe, and the
>arties that mail go on the different expeditions are fix-
id in their general councils which are held fome time
n the fummer, when all the operations for the enfuing
vinter are concluded on. The chief- warrior, whofe
province it is to regulate their proceedings on this oc-
O cafion,
:i46 CARVER's TRAVELS,
cafion, with great folemnity iiTues out an invitation tc
thofe who choofe to attend him ; for the Indians, as he-
fore obferved, acknowledge no fuperiority, nor have the)
any idea of compulfion ; and every -one that accepts ii
prepares himfelf by falling during feveral days.
The Indians do not fall as fome other nations do, or
the richefl and moil luxurious food, but they totally ah
flam from every kind either of victuals or drink; anc
fuch is their patience and refolution, that the moil ex
.treme third could not oblige them to taile a" drop o:
water ; yet amidil this fevere abilinence they appear
cheerful and happy.
The reafons they give for thus failing, are, that i
enables them freely to dream, in which dreams they ar<
informed where they (hall find the greateil plenty a
game ; and alfo that it averts the difpleafure -of the evi
fpirits, and induces them to be propitious. They alf(
-on thefe occafions blacken thofe parts of their bodie
that are uncovered.
The fall being ended, and the place of hunting madi
known, the -chief who is to conduct: them, gives a gram
feail to thofe who are to form the different parties; o
•which none of them dare to partake till they have bathe<
themfelves. At this feail, notwithilairding they hav*
failed fo long, they eat with great moderation ; and th
chief that prefides' employs himfelf in rehearfmg th
feats of thofe who have been moil fuccefsful in th
bufinefs they are about to enter upon. They foon afte
let out on the march towards the place appointed, paint
ed or rather bedawbed with black, amidfl the acclamati
on 3 of all the people.
It is impoffible to defcribe their agility or perfeve
ranee, whilft they are in purfnit of their prey ; neithe
thickets, ditches, torrents, pools, or rivers Hop them
they always go ilraight forward in the moil direel lin
they poiTibly can, and there are few of the favage.in
habitants of the woods that they cannot overtake.
Whea they hunt for bears, they jendeavor to find ou
their retreats; for, during the winter, thefe animal
-conceal themfelves in the hollow trunks of trees, o
jnak
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 147
like themfelves holes in the ground, where they con-
in ue without food, whilft the ievere weather lafts.
When the Indians think they have arrived at a place
jlere thefe creatures ufually haunt, they form them-
elves into a circle according to their number, and mqv-
ng onward, endeavor, as they advance towards the cen-
re, to difcover the retreats of their prey. By this
cleans, if any lie in the intermediate fpace, they are
are of aroufmg them, and bringing them down either
;ith their bows, or their guns. The bears will take tor
light at fight of a man or a dog,, and will only make
efiiiance when they are extremely hungry,. or alter they
re wounded.
The Indian method of hunting the buffalo is by form -
ag a circle or a fquare, nearly in the fame manner as
/hen they fearch for the bear. Having taken their
ifferent itations, they fet the grafs, which at this time
5 rank and dry, on fire, and thefe animals, who are ex-
remely fearful of that element, flying' with precipitati-
n before it.. £reat numbers are hemmed: in a fmall com—
p3, and fcarcely, afingle one efcapes.
They have different .ways of hunting the elk, the
eer, and the carribboo. Sometimes they feek them
It in the woods, to which they retire during the feve- ■
ity of the cold, where they are eafily (liot from behind
tie trees. In the more northern climates they take
be advantage of the weather to deitroy the elk ; when
lie fun has juff iirength enough to melt the fnow, and
he froft in the night forms a kind of craft on the fur-
ace, this creature being heavy, breaks it with his fork-
d hoofs, and with difficulty extricates himfelf from .
t: at this time therefore he is. foon overtaken and de-
troy edi
Some nations have a method of hunting thefe animals
vKich is more eafily executed, and free from danger.
Hie hunting party divide themfelves into two bands*
.nd choofing a fpot near the borders of feme river, one
>arty embarks on board their canoes, whilft the other
brming themfelves into a Semi-circle on the land, the
lanks of which reach the more, let loofe their dogs,
md by this means' roufe all the game that lies within
thefe
j4S CARVER'S TRAVELS.
thefe bounds; they then drive them towards the river,
into which they no fooner enter, than the greater!: part
of them, are immediately difpatehed by thofe who re-
main in the canoes.
Beth the elk and the buffalo are very furious when
they are wounded, and will return fiercely on their pur-
suers, and trample them under their feet, if the hunter finds
no means, to complete their deitruclicn, or does not feek
for fecurity in flight to fome adjacent tree ; by this me-
thod are frequently avoided,, and fo tired with the pur-
fuit, that they voluntarily give it over.
But the hunting in which the Indians, particularly
thofe who inhabit the northern parts, chiefly employ
themfelves, and from which they reap the greater! ad-
vantage, is the beaver hunting. The feafon for this is
throughout the whole of the winter, from November to
April; during which time the fur of thefe creatures is
in the greateit perfection. A defcription of this ex-
traordinary animal, the conilrudtion of their huts, and
the regulations of their almoft rational community ? I.
fcan give In another place.
The hunters make ufe of ieveral methods to deftroy
till rr:. Thofe generally praftifed, are either that of
taking them in inares, cutting through the ice, or open-
ing their cauieways.
As the eyes of thefe animals^ are very quick, and their
hearing exceedingly acute, great precaution is neceffary
in approaching their abodes; for as they feldom go far
from the wTater, and their houfes are always built clofe
to the fide of fome large river or lake, or dams of their
own conftruc/ting, upon the lean: alarm they haften to
the deeper! part of the water, and dive immediately to
the bottom; as they do this they make a great noife
by beating the water with their tails, on purpofe to put
the whole fraternity on their guard.
They take them with fnares in the following man-
ner: though the beavers ufually lay up a fufficient ilore
of proviilon to ferve for their fubfiflence during the
winter, they make from time to time excurfions to the
neghbering w7oods to procure further fupplies of food.
The hunters having found out their haunts, place a trap
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 149
In their way, baited with fmail pieces of bark, or young
[hoots of trees, which the beaver has no (boner laid hold
3f, than a large log of wood falls upon him, and breaks
lis back; his enemies, who are upon the watch, foon
ippear, and inflantly difpatch the helplefs animal.
At oiher times, when the ice on the rivers and lakes
i about half a foot thick, they make an opening through
I with their hatchets, to which the beavers will foon
iaften, on being difturbed at their houfes, for a fupply
)f frefh air. As their breath occafions a considerable
notion in the water, the hunter has fumcient notice of
;heir approach, and methods are eahly taken for knock-
ng them on the head, the moment they appear above
:he furface.
When the houfes of the beavers happen to be near a
rivulet, they are more eafily deftroyed : the hunters then
:ut the ice, and fpreading a net under it, break down
the cabins of the beavers, who never fail to. make to-
wards the deepefc part, where they are entangled and
taken. But they muft not be fuffered to remain there
long, as they would foon extricate themfelves with their
teeth, which are well known to be, exceillvely {harp and .
[Irong.
The Indians take great care, to hinder their dogs from
touching the bones of the beavers. The reafons they
give for thefe precautions, are, firfl, that the bones are
fo exceffively hard, that they fpoil the teeth of the dogs;
and, fecondly, that they are apprehenfive they fhall fo
-xafperate the fpirits of the beavers by this permifiion,
is to render the next hunting feafon unfuccefsful.
The {kins of thefe animals the hunters exchange with
the Europeans for necefTaries, and as they are more valued
by the latter than any other kind of furs, they pay
the greatefl attention to this fpecies of hunting.
When the Indians deftroy buffalos, elks, deer, &c.
they generally divide the flefli of fuch as they have
taken among the tribe to which they belong. But in
bunting the beaver a few families ufually unite and di-
vide the fpoil between them. Indeed, in the firit in-
ftance they generally pay fome attention in the divi-
don to their own families; but no jealosies, or murmur-
O Z itigs
iSo CARVERS TRAVELS.
ings are ever known to arife on account of any appa-
rent partiality.
Among the Naudoweffies., if a perfon fhoots a deer,
buffalo, &c. and it runs to a considerable diftance be-
fore it drops, where a perfon belonging to another tribe,
being nearer, firft {ticks a knife into it, the game is
confidered as the property of the latter, notwithftand-
ing it had been mortally wounded by the former.
Though this cuftom appears to be arbitrary- and uniuft,
yet that people cheerfully fubmit to it. This decifion
is, however, very different from that pracldfed by the
Indians on the back of the colonies, where the iirft
perfon that hits it is entitled to the beft mare.
CHAPTER IX.
Of their Manner of making War, &c*
H E Indians begin to bear arms at the age of
fifteen, and lay them afide when they arrive at
the age of fixty. Some nations to the fouthward, I
have been informed, "do not continue their military
exercifes after they are fifty.
In every band or nation there is a felect number who
are ftiled the warriors, and who are always ready to a&
either offenfively or defenfively, as occafion requires.
Thefe are well armed, bearing the weapons commonly
in ufe among them, which vary according to the fitua-
tion of their countries. Such as have an intercourfe
with the Europeans make ufe of tomahawks, knives,
and fire-arms; but thofe whofe dwellings are fituated to
the weilward of the Mifuffippi, and who have not an
opportunity of purchafmg thefe kinds of weapons,
ufe bows and arrows, and alfo the Caffe Tete or War-
Club.
The Indians that inhabit Hill further to the weft/ward,
a countrv which extends to the South Sea, ufe in fight
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 151
1 warlike inftrument that is very uncommon. ^ Having
great plenty of horfes, they always attack their enemies
m horfcback, and encumber themfelves^ with no other
weapon, than a flone of a middling fize,curioufly wrought*,
which they fallen by a firing, about a yard and a half
long, to their right arms, a little above the elbow.
Thefe flones they conveniently carry in their hands, till
they reach their enemies, and then fwinging- them With
great dexterity, as they ride full fpeed, never fail of
doing execution. The country which thefe tribes pof-
fefs, abounding with large extenfive plains, thofe who
attack them feldom return; as the fwiftnefs of the
horfes, on which they are mounted, enables them to
overtake even the fleetefl of their invaders.
The Naudoweffies, who had been at war with this-
people, informed me, that unlefs they found moraffes or
thickets to which they could retire, they were fure of
being cut off: to prevent this they always took care
whenever they made an onfet, to do it near fuch re-
treats as were impaffable for cavalry, they then having
n great advantage over their enemies, whofe weapons
would not there reach them.
Some nations make ufe of a javelin, pointed with
bone, worked into different forms ; but their Indian
weapons in general are bows and arrows, and the fhort
club already mentioned. The latter is made of a very
hard wood, and the head of it fafhioned round ^ like a
ball, about three inches and a half diameter ; in this
rotend part is fixed an edge refembling that of a toma-
hawk, either of fleel or flint, whichfoever they can pro-
cure.
The dagger is peculiar to the Naudoweffie nation,
and of ancient conftruaion, but they can give no ac-
count how long it has been in ufe among them. It
was originally made of flint or bone, but fince they
have had communication with the European traders,
they have formed it of Heel. The length of it is about
ten inches, and that part clofe to the handle nearly
three inches broad. Its edges are keen, and it gradual-
ly tapers towards a point. They wear it in a (heath.
made of deed's leather; neatly ornan^nted with porcu-
pine
*ji CARVER'S TRAVELS.
pine quills; and it is ufually hung by a firing, decorated
in the fame manner, which reaches as low only as the
breafc. This curious weapon is worn by a few of the
principal chiefs alone, and confidered both as an ufeful
inflrument, and an ornamental badge of fuperiority.
I obferved among the Naudo wellies a few targets or
fhields made o£ raw buffalo hides, and in the form of
thofe ufed by the ancients. But as the number of thefe
was fmall, and I could gain no intelligence of the sera
in which they firfl were introduced among them, I fup-
pofe thofe I faw had defcended from father to fon for
many generations.
The reafons the Indians givt for making war againft
one another, are much the fame as thofe urged by more
civilized nations for diflurbing the tranquillity of their
neighbors. The pleas of the former are however in
general more rational and juil, than fuch as are brought
by Europeans in vindication of their proceedings.
The extenfion of empire is feldom a motive with thefe
people to invade, and to commit depredations on the
territories of thofe who happen to - dwell near them.
To fecure the rights' of hunting within particular limits,
to maintain the liberty of parting through their accuf-
tomed tracks, and to guard thofe lands which they
confider from a long tenure as their own, againft any
infringement, are the general caufes of thofe difienfions
that fo often break out between the Indian nations, and
which are carried on with fo much animofity.
Though ftrangers to the idea of feparate property,
yet the moil uncultivated among them are well acquaint-
ed with the rights of their community to the domains
they pofTefs, and oppofe with vigor every encroachment
on them.
Notwithflanding it is generally fuppofed that from
their territories being fo extenh>e, the boundaries of
them cannot be afcertained, yet I am well allured that
the limits of each nation in the interior parts are laid
down in their rude plans with great precifion. By
theirs, as I have before obferved, was I enabled to
regulate my own; and after the moil exa& obiervati-
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 15$
ms and inquiries found very few inftances in which
hey erred.
But intereft is not either the moft frequent or mod pow-
:rful incentive to their making war on each other.
rhe paffion of revenge, which is the diftinguifhing
:harac\eri{tic of thefe people, is the moil general motive,
injuries are felt by them with exquifite fenfibility, and
rengeance purfued with unremitted ardor. To this
nay be added, that natural excitation which every In-
lian becomes fenfible of as foon as he approaches the
ige of manhood to give proofs of his valor and prow-
:fs.
As they are early pofTelfed with a notion that war
>ught to be the chief bufmefs of their lives, that there
s nothing more defirous than the reputation of being a
»reat warrior, and that the fcalps of their enemies, or
1 number of prifoners are alone to be efteemed valuable,
t is not to be wondered at that the younger Indians
ire continually reillefs and uneafy if their ardor is repref-
fd; ?wd thev are k^-t ill a ftate of inactivity. Either
I thefe pf 6p€nf::ies, the denre ox revenge, or the gra-
iflcation of an impulfe, that by degrees becomes habitual
:o them, is fufEcient, frequently, to induce them to com-
nit hoftilities on fome of the neighboring nations.
When the chiefs find any occafion for making war,
:hey endeavor to aroufe thefe habitudes, and by that
neans foon excite their warriors to take arms. To this
Durpofe they make ufe of their martial eloquence, nearly
1 the following words, which never fails of proving
Pe&ualj " The bones of our deceafed countrymen lie
;< uncovered, they call out to us to revenge their wrongs,
I and we muft fatisfy their requeft. Their fpirits cry
:i out againft us. They mull be appeafed. The genii,
'x who are the guardians of our honor, infpire us with
;< a refolution to feek the enemies of our murdered
u brothers. Let us go and devour thofe by whom they
:< were llain. Sit therefore no longer inaclive, give
li way to the impulfe of your natural valor, anoint
" your hair, paint your faces, fill your quivers, caufe
" the forefls to refound with your fongs, confolethe
" fpiriu
154 CARVER's TRAVELS.
" fpirits of the dead, and tell them they fhall be re-
" veiiged."
Animated by thefe exhortations the warriors fnatch
their arms in a tranfport of fury, fing the fong of war,
and burn with impatience to imbrue their hands in
the blood of their enemies.
Sometimes private chiefs afTemble fmall parties, and
make excurfions againfl thofe with whom they are at
war, or fuch as have injured them. A fmgle warrior,
prompted by revenge or a defire to (how his prowefs,
will march, unattended for feveral hundred miles, to fur-
prife and cut off a flraggling party.
Thefe irregular failles, however, are not always ap-
proved of by the elder chiefs, though they are often
obliged to connive at them; as in the inflance
before given of the Naudoweflie and Chipeway na-
tions.
But when a war is national and undertaken by the
community, their deliberations are formal and flow. The
elders afTemble in council, to which all the head warriors
and young men are admitted, where they deliver their-
opinions in folemn fpeeches, weighing with maturity the
nature of the enterprise they are about to engage in, and
balancing with great fagacity the advantages or incon-
veniences that will arife from it.
Their priefts are alfo confulted , on the fubje6t, and
even, fometimes, the advice of the moil intelligent of
their women is afked.
■ If the determination be for war, they prepare for it
with much ceremony.
The chief warrior of a nation does not on' all occafi-
ons head the war party himfelf, he frequently deputes a>
warrior of whofe valor and prudence he has a good opi-
nion. The perfon thus fixed on being firffc bedawbed
with black, obferves a fail of feveral days, during which
he invokes the Great Spirit, or deprecates the anger
of the evil ones, holding whilfl it lails no converfe with
any of his tribe.
He is particularly careful at the fame time to obferve
his dreams, for on thefe do they fuppofe their fuccefs will
in a great meafure depend; and from the firm perfuafion
every
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 155
every Indian actuated by his own prefumptuous thoughts
is impreffed with, that he (hall march forth to certain
victory, thefe are generally favorable to his wiflies.
After he has failed as long as cuftom prefcribes, he
affembles the warriors, and holding a belt of wampum
in his hand, thus addreffes them :
" Brothers! by the infpiration of the Great Spirit I
IS now fpeak unto you, and by him am I prompted to
1 carry into execution the intentions which I am about
|S to difclofe to you. The blood of our deceafed bro-
1 thers is not yet wiped away ; their bodies are not yet
1 covered, and I am going to perform this duty to
" them."
Having then made known to them all the motives
that induce him to take up arms againfl the nation with
whom they are to engage, he thus proceeds : " I have
i therefore refolved to march through the war-path to
jg furprife them. We will eat their flefh, and drink
" their blood ; we will take fcalps, and make prifoners ;
jg -and mould we perifh in this glorious enterprife, we
■ mall not be for ever hid in the daft, for this belt fhall
I be a recbmpenfe to him who buries the dead."
Having faid this, he lays the belt on the ground, and
he who takes it up declares himfelf his lieutenant, and
is confidered as the fecond in command; this, however,
is only done by fome diftinguifhed warrior who has a
right by the number of his fcalps, to the poft.
Though the Indians thus ajfert that they will eat the
flefh and drink the blood of their enemies, the threat is
only to be confidered as a figurative exprefiion. Notwith-
standing they fometimes devour the hearts of thofe they
ilay, and drink their blood, by way of bravado, or to
gratify in a more complete manner their revenge, yet
they are not naturally anthropophagi, nor ever feed on
the flefh of men.
The chief is now warned from his fable covering,
anointed with bear's fat, and painted with their red
paint, in fuch figures as will make him appear moll ter-
rible to his enemies. He then fings the war fong, and
enumerates his warlike actions. Having done this he
fixes his eyes on the fun? and pays his adorations to the
Great
iS6 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
Great Spirit, in which he is accompanied by all the
warriors.
This ceremony is followed with dances, fuch as I have
before defciibed; and the whole concludes with a feaft,
which ufually confifts of dogs' flefh.
This feaft is held in the hut or tent of the chief war-
rior, to which all thofe who intend to accompany him
in his expedition fend their dimes to be filled; and dur-
ing the feaft, notwithstanding he has fafted fo long, he
fits compofedly with his pipe in his mouth, and recounts
the valorous deeds of his family.
As the hopes of having their wounds, fhould they
receive any, properly treated, and expeditiously cured,
mull be fome additional inducement to the warriors to
expofe themfelves more freely to danger, the priefts, who
are alfo their doctors, prepare fuch medecines as will
prove efficacious. With great ceremony they carry va-
rious roots and plants, and pretend that they impart to
them the power of healing.
Notwithftanding this fuperftitious method of proceed-
ing, it is very certain that they have acquired a know-
ledge of many plants and herbs that are of a medicinal
quality, and which they know how-toufe with great
/kill.
From the time the refolution of engaging in a war is
taken, to the departure of the warriors, the nights are
fpent in fefcivity, and their days in making the needful
preparations.
If it is thought neceiTary by the nation going to war,
to folicit the alliance of any neighboring tribe, they fix
upon one of their chiefs who fpeaks the language of
that people well, and who is a good orator, and fend
to them by him a belt of wampum, on which is fpeci-
fied the purport of the embaffy in figures that every
nation is well acquainted with. At the fame time he
carries with him a hatchet painted red.
As foon as he reaches the camp or village to which
he is deftined, lie acquaints the chief of the tribe with
the general tenor of his commiiTion, who immediately
arfembles a council, to which the ambalTador is invited.
There having laid the hatchet on the ground he holds
the
CARVER'S TRAVELS. iS1
the belt in his hand, and enters more minutely into the
occafion of his embafly. In his fpeech he invites them
to take up the hatchet, and as loon as he has finilhed
fpeaking delivers the belt.
If his hearers are inclined to become auxiliaries to his
nation, a chief Heps forward and takes up the hatchet,
and they immediately efpoufe with fpirit the caufe they
have thus engaged to fupport. But if on this applica-
tion neither the belt or hatchet are accepted, the emif-
fary concludes that the people whofe affiftance he foli-
cist have already entered into an alliance with the foes
of his nation, and returns writh fpeed to inform his
countrymen of his ill fuccefs.
The manner in which the Indians declare war a^ainft
each other, is by fending a flave with a hatchet, the
handle of which is painted red, to the nation which
they intend to break with; and the meffenger, notwith-
ftanding the danger to which he is expofed from the
Hidden fury of thofe whom he thus fets at defiance,
executes his commiflion with great fidelity.
Sometimes this token of defiance has fuch an inftan-
taneous effect on thofe to whom it is preiented, that id
the firft tranfports of their fury a fmali party will iilue
Forth, without waiting for the permiffion of the elder
:hiefs, and Haying the firft of the offending nation they
neet, cut open the body and Hick a hatchet of the fame
kind as that they have juft received, into the heart of
:heir Slaughtered foe. Among the more remote tribes
:his is done with an arrow or fpear, the end of which
| painted red. And the more to exafperate, they dif-
nember the body, to mow that they eftccm them not as
nen but as old women.
The Indians feldom take the field in large bodies, as •
lich numbers would require a greater decree of induftry
:o provide for their fubfiiience^ curing their tedious
narches through dreary Forefts, or long voyages over
akes and rivers, than they would care to bellow.
Their armies are never encumbered with baggage or
military ftores. Each warrior, belides his weapons, car-
ies with him only a mat, and whiifl at a dill a nee from
P the
25*3 CARVER's TRAVELS.
the Frontiers of the enemy fupports himfelf with th
game. he. kills or the fifli he catches.
When they pafs through a country where they hav
no apprehensions of meeting with an enemy, they uf
very little precaution: fometimes there are fcarcely
dozen warriors left together, the reft being difperfed i
purfuit of their game; but though they ihould hav
roved to a very confiderable diftance from the war-patr
they are fure to arrive at the place of rendezvous by th
hour appointed.
They always pitch their tents long before fun-fet ; an
•being naturally prefumptuous, take very little care t
guard againft a furprife. They place great confidenc
In their Manitous, or houfehold gods, which they alway
carry with them ; and being perfuaded that they tak
upon them the office of centinels, they fleep very f(
curely under their protection.
Thefe Manitous, as they are called by fome nation
:but which are termed Wakons, that is, fpirits, by th
Naudowcffies, are nothing more than the otter and mai
ten fkins I have already defcribed, for which, howeve]
they have a great veneration.
After they have entered the enemies country, no pec
pie can be more cautious and circumfpecl; ; fires are n
longer lighted, no more fhouting is heard, nor the gam
any longer purfued. They are not even permitted t
fpeak; but mull convey whatever they have to impai
to each other by iigns and motions.
They now proceed wholly by flratagem and ambu
cade. Having difcovered their enemies, they fend t
reconnoitre them; and a council is immediately hel<
during which they fpeak only in whifpers, to confider (
■the intelligence imparted by thofe who were fent ou
The attack is generally made juft before, day-break, <
which period they fuppofe the foes to be in their founc
.ell fleep. Throughout the whole of the preceding nigl
they will lie flat upon their faces, without flirring ; an
make <\heir approaches in the fame pofture, creepin
upon their hands and feet till they are got within bov
fhot of thofe they have deilined to deftru&ion. On
iig-nal riven bv the chief warrior, to which the who
^ ° bod
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
159
sody makes anfwer by the mofl hideous yells, they ail
lart up, and difcharging their arrows in the fame in~
tant, without giving their adverfaries time to recover.
:rom the confufion into which they are thrown, pour
n upon them with their war-clubs or tomahawks.
The Indians think there is little glory to be acquired
Tom attacking their enemies, openly in the field; their
p-eatefl pride is to furprife and deftroy. They feldom en-
gage without a manifefl appearance of advantage. If
hey iind the enemy on their guard, too ilrongly en-
renched, or fuperior in numbers, they retire, provided
here is an opportunity of doing fo. And they efteem
t the greatefl qualification of a chief warrior, to be
:ble to manage an attack, fo as to deftroy as many of
:he enemy as poflible, at the expence of a few men.
Sometimes they fecure themfelves behind treesjhillocks*
>r flones, and having given one or two rounds retire be-
ore they are difcovered. Europeans, who are unac-
[uainted with this method of fighting too often find to
heir coft the deftruttive efficacy of it.
General B-raddock was one of this unhappy number*.
Marching in the year 1755, to attack Fort Du Quefne,
ie was intercepted by a party of French and confederate
ndians in their intereft, who by this iniidious method
f engaging found means to defeat his army, which
onfifted of about two thoufand brave and well difciplin-
d troops. So fecurely were the Indians pofted, that the
£nglifh fcarcely knew from whence or by whom they were
hus annoyed. During the whole of the engagement
he latter had fcarcely a fight of an enemy ; and were
►bliged to retreat without the fatisfaftion of being able.
o take the leaft degree of revenge for the havpc made
mong them. The General paid for his temerity with
lis life, and was accompanied in his fall by a great num-
>er of brave fellows; whilft his invifible enemies had
►nly two or three of their number wounded.
When the Indians fucceed in their filent approaches,
md are able to force the camp which they attack, a
cene of horror that exceeds description, enfues. The
avage fiercenefs of the conquerors, and the defperation
tf the conquered, who well know what they have to-
egpect
160 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
expecl mould they fall alive into the hands of their af
failants, occafion the moll extraordinary exertions 01
both fides. The figure of the combatants all befmear
ed with black and red paint, and covered with the blooc
of the ilain, their horrid yells, and ungovernable fury
are not to be conceived by thofe who have never crofTec
the Atlantic.
I have frequently been a fpeclator of them, and once
bore a part in a fimilar fcene. But what added to th<
horror of it was, that I had not the confolation of be
ing able to oppofe their favage attacks. Every circunv
fiance of the adventure ilill dwells on my remembrance
and enables me to defcribe with greater perfpicuit)
the brutal fiercenefs of the Indians when they have fur
prifed or overpowered an enemy.
As a detail of the maflacre at Fort William Henrj
in the year 1757, the fcene to which I refer, cannot
appear foreign to the defign of this publication, but
will ferve to give my readers a juft idea of the ferocit)
of this people, I mall take the liberty to infert it, apo-
ino-iVng zi the feme time for the length of the digrdll
on, and thofe egotifms which the relation renders un-
avoidable.
General Webb, who commanded the Englifh arm)
in North-America, which was then encamped at Fori
Edward, having intelligence that the French troops un-
der Monf. Montcalm were making forne movements to-
wards Fort William Henry, he detached a corps of aboui
fifteen hundred men, confining of Englifh and Pro
vincials, to flrengthen the garrifon. In this party J
went as a volunteer among the latter.
The apprehenfions of the Englifh General were no1
without foundation; for the day after our arrival we fav
Lake George (formerly Lake Sacrament) to which 11
lies contiguous, covered with an immenfe number o:
boats; and in a few hours we found our lines attackec
by the French General, who had juft landed with elever
thoufand Regulars and Canadians, and two thoufand In-
dians. Colonel Monro, a brave officer, commanded u
the Fort, and had no more than two thoufand three
hundred men with him, our detachment included.
Will
CARVER'S TRAVELS. i6t
With thefe he made a gallant defence, and probably
would have been able at lall to preferve the Fort, had
he been properly fupported, and permitted to continue
his efforts. On every fummons to furrender lent by the
French General, who offered the molt honorable terms,
his anfwer repeatedly was, That he yet found himfelf in
a condition to repel the moil vigorous attacks his be-
fiegers were able to make; and if he thought his prefent
force infufficient, he could foon be fupplied with a great-
er number from the adjacent army.
But the Colonel having acquainted General Webb
with his fituation, and deiired he would fend him fome
frefh troops, the General difpatched a meuenger to him.
with a letter, wherein he informed him that it was not
in his power to affiil him, and therefore gave him or-
ders to furrender up the Fort on the belt terms he could
procure. This packet fell into the hands of the French
General, who immediately fent a flag of truce, defiring
a conference with the governor.
• They accordingly met, attended only by a fmall guard,
in the centre between the lines; when Monf. Montcalm -
told the Colonel, that he was come in perfon to demand
poffemon of the Fore, as it belonged to the King his
mailer. The Colonel replied, that he knew not how
that could be, nor mould he furrender it up whilil it was .
in his power to defend it.
The French General rejoined, at the fame time de-
livering the packet into the Colonel's hand, " By this
1 authority do I make the requilition." The brave Go-
vernor had no fooner read the contents of it, and was
.convinced that fuch were the orders of the commander
i.n chief, and not to be difobeyed, than he hung his
head in filence, and reluctantly entered into a negoti- -
ation.
In confederation of the gallant defence the garrifon :.
.had made, they were to be permitted to march out with.
all the honors of war, to be allowed covered, waggons
to tranfport their baggage to Fort Edward, and a guard
to protect them from the fury of the favages.
The morning after the capitulation was figned, as
-loon as day broke, the whole garrifon, now copjiftrng"
P 2 Of i
iff CARVETs TRAVELS.
of about two thoufand men, befides women and children
were drawn up within the lines, and on the point o:
marching off, when great numbers of the Indians ga
thered about, and began to plunder. We were at firfl
in hopes that this was their only view, and fuffered then
to proceed without oppofition. Indeed it was not ir
our power to make any, had we been fo inclined; fo]
though we were permitted to carry off our arms, yei
we were not allowed a fmgle round of ammunition. Ii;
thefe hopes however we were difappointed : for prefentl)
fame of them began to attack the fick and wounded
when fuch as were not able to crawl into the ranks
notwithstanding they endeavored to avert the fury o:
their enemies by their fhrieks or groans, were foon dif
patched.
Here we were fully in expectation that the diflurb
ance would have concluded ; and our little army begar
to move ; but in a fhort time we faw the front divifior
driven back, and discovered that we were entirely en-
circled by the favages. We expected every momeni
that the guard, which the French, by the articles o:
capitulation, had agreed to allow us, would have arrived
and put an end to our apprehenfions; but none appear
ed. The Indians now began to flrip every one withou*
exception of their arms and clothes, and thofe whc
made the leaft refinance felt the weight of their toma
hawks.
I happened to be in the rear divifion, but it was no*
long before I fhared the fate of my companions. j^Thret
or four of the favages laid hold of rne, and wKUft fom<
held their weapons over my head, the others foon di£
robed me of my coat, waiftcoat, hat, and buckles, omit
ting not to take from me what money I had in mv
pocket. As this was tranfacted clofe by the paffage thai
led from the lines on to the plain, near which a Frencl
centinel was polled, I ran to him and claimed his pro-
tection; but he only called me an Englifh dog, am
thruft me with violence back again into the midtt of th<
Indians.
I now endeavored to join a body of our troops tha
were crowded together at feme dillance; but innumera-
ble
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 163.
ble were the blows that were made at me with different
weapons as I puffed on ; luckily however the favages
were fo clofe together, that they could not ftrike at me
without endangering each other. Notwithstanding which
one of them found means to make a thruft at me with
a fpear, which grazed my fide, and from another I received
a wound, with the fame kind of weapon, in my ankle*
At length I gained the fpot where my countrymen
Hood, and forced myfelf into the midft of them. But
before I got thus far out of the hands of the Indians,
the collar and wriftbands of my fhirt were all that re-
mained of it, and my flem was fcratched and torn in
many places by their favage gripes.
By this time the war- whoop was given, and the In-
dians began to murder thofe that were neareft to. them
without diftincliion. It is not in the power of words to
give any tolerable idea of the horrid {bene that now en-
fued; men, women, and children were difpatehed in the
molt wanton and cruel manner, and immediately fcalped.
Many of thefe favages drank the blood of their vi&imsj
as it flowed warm from the fatal wound.
We now perceived, though too late to avail us, that
we were to expect no relief from the French;, and that,
contrary to the agreement they had fo lately iigned to
■allow us a fufficient force to protect us from thefe in-
fults, they tacitly permitted them; for I could plainly
perceive the French officers walking about at fome dif-
tance, diicourling together with apparent unconcern,
For the honor of human nature I would hope that this
flagrant breach of every facred law, proceeded rather
from the favage difpofition of the Indians, which I ac-
knowledge it is fome times almoft impoffible to control,
and which might now unexpectedly have arrived to a
pitch not eafily to be retrained, than to any premeditated
defign in the French commander. An unprejudiced
©bierver would, however, be apt to conclude, that a
body of ten thoufand chriftian troops, moll chriftian
troops, had it in their power to prevent the maffacre
from becoming fo general. But whatever was the caufe
.from which it arofe, the confequences of it were dread-
ful, and not to be parallelled in modern hiftory.
A*
164
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
As the circle in which I flood inclofed by this time
was much thinned, and death feemed to be approaching
with haity flrides, it was propofed by fome of the moil
refolute to make one vigorous effort, and endeavor to
force our way through the favages, the only probable
method of preferving our lives that now remained. This,-
however defperate, was refolved on, and about twenty
of us fprung at once into the midfl of them.
In a moment we were all feparated, and what was the
fate of my companions I could not learn till fome months-
after, when I found that only fix or feven of them ef-
fected their deiign. Intent only on my own hazardous
fituation, I endeavored to make my way through my
favage enemies in the beft manner pofnble. And I have
often been aftonifhed fince, when I have recollected with
what compofure I took, as I did, every neceffary Hep
for my prefer vation. Some I overturned, being at that
time young and athletic, and others I pafTed by, dex-
troufly avoiding their weapons ; till at lafl two very flout
chiefs, of the mofl favage tribes, as I could diftinguifh
by their drefs, whofe ilrength I could not refill, laid
hold of me by each arm, and began to force me through
the crowd.
I now refigned myfelf to my fate, not doubting but
that they intended to difpatch me, and then to fatiate
their vengeance with my b!ood> as I found they were
hurrying me towards a retired fwamp that lay at fome
diflance. But before we had got many yards, an Englifh
gentleman of fome diilinction, as I could difcover Gy-
rus'breeches, the only covering he had on, which were
of fine fcarlet velvet, ruihed clofe by us. One of the
Indians inftantly relinquished his hold, and fpringing on
tins new object, endeavored to feize him as his prey;
but the gentleman being ftrong, threw him on the
ground, and would probably have got away, had not he::
who held my other arm, quitted me to affifl his brother.
I feized the opportunity, and haflened away to join ano-
ther party of Engliih troops jihat were yet unbroken,
and flood in a body at fome diftance. But before I
had taken many fleps, I hailily caft my eye towards the
gentleman, and law the Indian's tomahawk gafh into
his
CARVER'S TRAVELS. i6j
ts back, and heard him utter his lafl groan; this added
Dth to my fpeed and defperation.
I had left this mocking fcene but a few yards, when
fine boy about twelve years of age, that had hitherto
leaped, came up to me, and begged that I would let
im lay hold of me, fo that he might fland fome chance
f getting out of the hands of the favages. I told him
lat I would give him every affiftance in my power,
id to this purpofe bid him lay hold ; but in a few mo-
lents he was torn from my fide, and by his fhneks I
idge was foon demolifhed. I could not help forget-
ng my own cares for a minute, to lament the fate of
) young a fufferer; but it was utterly impoffible for me
> take any methods to prevent it.
I now got once more into the midfl of friends, but
m were unable to afford each other any fuccor. As this
ras fife divifion that had advanced the furtheft^ from
tie fort, I thought there might be a poffibility (though
ut a bare one) of my forcing my way through the
uter ranks of the Indians, and getting to a neighbor-
ig wood, which I perceived at fome diftance. I was
:iTl encouraged to hope by the almoft miraculous prefer--
ation I had already experienced.
Nor were iny hopes in vain, or the efforts I made
leffe&ual. Suffice it to fay, that I reached the wood;
iut by the time I had penetrated a little way into it,
ay breath was fo exhauiled that I threw myfelf into a
•rake, and lay for fome minutes apparently at the lail
;afp. At length I recovered the power of refpiration;
kit my apprehenllons returned with all their former force,
vhen I faw feveral favages pafs by, probably in purfuit
>f me, at no very great diftance. In this fituation I
:new not whether it was better to proceed, or endeavor
o conceal myfelf where I lay, till night came on; fearing,
lowever, that they would return the fame way, I
hought it moil prudent to get further from the dread-
ill fcene of my pail diftreffes. Accordingly, linking
nto another part of the wood, I haflened on as fail as
:he briars and the lofs of one of my fhoes would per-
mit me; and after a flow progrefs of fome hours, gain-
ed a hill that overlooked the plain which I had jufl
left,
i66
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
left, from whence I could difcern that the bloody florm
Mil raged with unabated fury.
But not to tire my readers, I mail only add, that after
parling three days without fubfiftence, and enduring the
feverity of the cold dews for three nights, I at length
reached Fort Edward; where with proper care my body
foon recovered its wonted ftrength, and my mind, as
far as the recollection of the late melancholy events
would permit, its nfual compofure.
i It was computed that fifteen hundred perfons were
killed or made prifoners by thefe favages during this
fatal day. Many of the lattter were carried off by them
and never returned. A few, through favorable, ^acci-
dents, found their way back to their native country,
after having experienced a long and fevere captivity.
The brave Colonel Monro had haftened away, foon ,
after the confufion began, to the French camp to en-
deavor to ^ procure the guard agreed by the ftipulati-
on; but his application proving ineffectual, he remain-
ed there till General Webb fent a party of troops to
demand and protect him back to Fort Edward. But
thefe unhappy occurrences, which would probably have
been prevented, had he been left to purfue his own
plans, together with the lofs of fo many brave fellows,
murdered in cold blood, .to whofe valor he had been fo
lately a witnefs, made fuch an impreffion on his mind,
that he did not long furvive. He died in about three
rnonths of a broken heart, and with truth might it be
faid, that he was an honor to his country.
I mean not to point out the following circumftance
as the immediate judgment of heaven, and intended as
an atonement for this ilaughter; but I cannot omit that
very few of thofe different tribes of Indians that fhared
in it ever lived to return home. The fmall-pox, by
means of their communication with the Europeans,
found its way among them, and made an equal havoc
to what they themfelves had done. The methods they
purfued on the firft attack of that malignant diforder,
to abate the fever attending it, rendered it fatal.. Whilfl.
their blood was in a ftate of fermentation, and nature
v/as flriving to throw out the peccant matter, thejr
checked
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
167
checked her operations by plunging into the water: the
tonfequence was that they died by hundreds. The few
hat furvived were transformed by it into hideous objects,
md bore with them to the grave deep-indented marks
>f this much- dreaded difeafe.
Monfieur Montcalm fell foon after on the plains of
Quebec.
That the unprovoked cruelty of this commander ivas
lot approved of by the generality of his countrymen,
'. have fince been convinced of by many proofs. One
>nly, however, which I received from a perfon who
who was witnefs to it, fhall I at prefent give. A Canadian
nerchant, of fome confi deration, having heard of the
iirrender of the En glim fort, celebrated the fortunate
:vent with great rejoicings and hofpitality, according
o the cuftom of that country; but no fooner did the
lews of the maflacre which enfued reach his ears, than
le put an immediate flop to the feflivity, and exclaimed
n the fevereft terms againft the inhuman permiflion;
leclaring at the fame time that thofe who had con-
lived at it, had thereby drawn down, on that part of
heir king's dominions the vengeance of Heaven. To
his he added, that he much feared the total lofs of
hem would defervedly be the confequence. How truly
his prediction has been verified we all know.
But to return — Though the Indians are negligent in
guarding againft furprifes, they are alert and dextrous
n furprifing their enemies. To their caution and per-
severance in dealing on the party they defign to attack,
:hey add that admirable talent, or rather injunctive
qualification I have already defcribed, of tracing out
:hofe they are in purfuit of. On the fmootheil grafs,
m the hardefl earth, and even on the very Hones, will
:hey difcover the traces of an enemy, and by the fhape
:>f the foot fteps, and the diftanee between the prints,
liftinguifh not only whether it is a manor woman who
has paffed that way, but even the nation to which they
belong. However incredible this might appear, yet,
from the many proofs I received whilft among them of
their amazing fagacity in this point, I fee no reafon to
difcredit even thefe extraordinary exertions of it.
When
1 68
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
When they have overcome an enemy, and victory ii
no longer doubtful, the conquerors firfl difpatch all fuel
as they think they (hall not be able to carry off with
out great trouble, and then endeavor to take as man]
prifoners as poffible ; after this they return to fcalp thof<
who are either dead, or too much wounded to be taker
with them.
At this buflnefs they are exceedingly expert. The)
feize the head of the difabled or dead enemy, anc
placing one of their feet on the neck, twill: their lefi
hand in the hair ; by this means, having extended th<
fkin that covers the top of the head, they draw oui
their fcalping knives, which are always kept in gooc
order for this cruel purpofe, and with a few dextrou
ftrokes take off the part that is termed the fcalp. They an
fo expeditious in doing this, that the whole time requir
ed fcarcely exceeds a minute. Thefe they preferve a
monuments of their prowefs, and at the fame time a:
proofs of the vengeance they have inflicted on their ene<
mies.
If two Indians feize in the fame inflant a prifoner
and feem to have an equal claim, the conteft betweer
them is foon decided ; for to put a fpeedy end to an}
difpute that might ariie, the perfon that is apprehen-
five he (hall lofe his expected reward, immediately hai
recourfe to his tomahawk or war-club, and knocks or
the head the unhappy caufe of their contention.
Having completed their purpofes, and made as mud
havoc as poffible, they immediately retire towards theii
own country, with the fpoil they have acquired, foi
fear of being purfued.
Should this be the cafe, they make ufe of many
flratagems to elude the fearches of their purfuers. They
fometimes fcatter leaves, fand, or duft over the prints
of their feet ; fometimes tread in each others footiteps j
and fometimes lift their feet fo high, and tread fo light-
ly, as not to make any impreffion on the ground. But
if they find all thefe precautions unavailing, and that
they are near being overtaken, they firft difpatch and
fcalp their prifoners, and then dividing, each endeavors
to regain his native country by a different route. This
prevents
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 169
•re vents all further purfuit ; for their purfuers now de-
pairing, either of gratifying their revenge, or of releaf-
ng thofe of their friends who were made captives, re-
urn home.
If the fuccefsful party is fo lucky as to make good
heir retreat unmolefted, they haften with the greateft
ixpedition to reach a country where they may be per-
ectly fecure; and that their wounded companions may
iot retard their flight, they carry them by turns in litters,
ir if it is in the winter feafon draw them on Hedges.
Their litters are made in a rude manner of the branch-
s of trees. Their fledges confift of two fmall thin
boards, about a foot wide when joined, and near fix feet
mg. The fore-part is turned up, and the fides are
ordered with fmall bands. The Indians draw thefe car-
iages with great cafe, be they ever fo much loaded, by
leans of a ftring which pafifes round the breaft. This
ollar is called a Metump, and is in ufe throughout
^merica, both in the fettlements and the internal parts,
"hofe ufed in the latter are made of leather, and very
uriouily wrought.
The prifoners during their march are guarded with
le greateft care. During the day, if the journey is
ver land, they are always held by fome of the vidori-
us party; if by water, they are fattened to the canoe.
B the night-time they are ftretched along the ground
mtQ naked, with their legs, arms, and neck fattened
> hooks fixed in the ground. Befides this, cords are
ed to them arms or legs, which are held by an In-
an, who inftantly awakes at the leaft motion of
iem.
Notwithstanding fuch precautions are ufually taken
f the Indians, it is recorded in the annals of New-
ngland, that one of the weaker fex, almoit alone, and
laflifted, found means to elude the vigilance of a party
warriors, and not only to make her efcape from them,
it to revenge the caufe of her countrymen..
Some years ago, a fmall band of Canadian Indians,
nfifting of ten warriors attended by two of their wives'
ade an irruption into the back fettlements of New-
ngland. They lurked for fome time in the vicinity
Q^ of
I
CAR V E R' s TRAVELS.
of one of tl e moil exterior towns, and at length, af-
ter having killed and fcalped feveral people, found means
to take prifoner a woman who had with her a fon of
about twelve years of age. Being fatisfied with the
execution they had done, thry retreated towards their
native country, which lay at three hundred miles dif-
tance, and carried off with them their two captives.
The fecond night of their retreat, the woman, whofe
name, if I miilake not, was Rowe, formed a refolution
"worthy of the moll intrepid heroe. She thought flie
fiiould be able to get fiom her hands the manacles by
which they were confined, and determined if me did fo
to make a defperate effort for the recovery of her free-
dom. To this purpofe, when me concluded that her
conquerors were in their foundefl fleep, hSe ftrove to
flip the cords from her hands. In this fhe fucceeded ;
and cautioning her fon, whom they had fuffered to go
unbound, in a whifper, againfl being furprifed at what
flie was about to do, fhe removed to a diflance with
great warinefs the defenfive weapons of the Indians,
which lay by thei^ fides.
Having done tliis, fhe put one of the tomahawks in-
to the hands of ihe boy, bidding him to follow her
* e; and taking another herfelf, fell upon the
Sleeping Indians, feveral of whom fhe inftantly difpatch-
ed. But her attempt was nearly fruftrated by the im-
becility of her fon, who wanting both flrength and
refolution, made a feeble flroke at one of them, which
only ferved to awaken him ; fhe however fprung at the
rifmg warrior, and before he could recover his arms,
made him fink under the weight of her tomahawk ; and
this flie alternately did to all the reft, except one of the
women, who awoke in time, and made her efcape.
The heroine then tookx>ff the fcalps of her vanquish-
ed enemies, and feizing alfo thofe they were carrying
away with them as proofs of their fuccefs, fhe returned
in triumph to the town from whence fhe had fo lately
been dragged, to the great aftonifhment of her neigh-
bors, who could fcarcely credit their fenfes, or the tef-
timonies fhe bore of her amazonian intrepidity.
During
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 171
' During their march they oblige their prifoners to fmg
their death-fong, which generally coniiiis of thefe or
fimilar fentences: " I am going to die, I am about to
u fuffer; but I will bear the fevered tortures my ene-
l* mies can inflict, with becoming fortitude, I will die
f like a brave man, and I mall then go to join the chiefs
K that have fuffered on the fame account." Thefe fongs
ire continued with neceffary intervals, until they reach
:he village or camp to w^iich they are going.
When the warriors are arrived within hearing, they
fet up different cries, which communicates to their friends
1 general hillory of the fuccefs of the expedition. The
lumber of the death-cries they give, declares how many
:>f their ownjparty are loll; the number of war-whoops,
:he number of prifoners they have taken.
It is difficult to defcribe thefe cries, but the bed idea
[ can convey of them is, that the former confiits of the
*ound Whoo, Whoo, Whoop, which is continued in a
ong fhrill tone, nearly till the breath is exhaufted, and
:hen broken off with a fudden elevation of the voice.
Hie latter of a loud cry, of much the fame kind, which
& modulated into notes by the hand being placed before
:he mouth. Both of them might be heard to a very
xmfiderable diflance.
Whilil thefe are uttering, the perfons to whom they
ire defigned to convey the intelligence, continue moti-
mlefs and all attention. When this ceremony is per-
ormed, the whole village ifTu'e out to learn the particu-
ars of the relation they have juft heard in general terms,,
md according as the news prove mournful or the con-
:rary, they anfwer by fo many acclamations or cries of
lamentation.
Being by this time arrived at the village or camp, the
,vomen and children arm themfelves with iiicks and'
bludgeons, and form themfelves into two rar>ks, through
rvhich the prifoners ate obliged to pafs. The treatment
:hey undergo before they reach the extremity of the
ine, is very fevere. Sometimes they are fo beaten over
:he head and face, as to have fcarcely any remains of
ife; and happy would it be for them if %y this ufage
tn end was put to their, wretched beings. But their*
tormentors
*~
172 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
tormentors take care that none of the blows they give
prove mortal, as they wi/h to referve the miferable fuf-
ferers for more fevere inflictions.
After having undergone this introductory difcipline,
they are bound hand and foot, whilft the chiefs hold a
council in which their fate is determined. Thofe who
are decreed to be put to death by the ufual torments,
are delivered to the chief of the warriors ; fuch as are to
be Spared, are given into the ha«ds of the chief of the
nation : fo that in a fhort time all the prifoners may be
allured of their fate, as the fentence now pronounced is
irrevocable. The former they term being configned
to the houfe of death, the latter to the houfe of grace.
"Such captives as are pretty far advanced in life, and
have acquired great honor by their war-like deeds, ai-
rways atone for the blood they have fpilt, by the tor-
tures of fire. Their fuccefs in war is readily known by
the blue marks upon their breafls and arms, which are
as legible to the Indians as letters are to Europeans.
The manner in which thefe hieroglyphics are made,
is by breaking the fkin with the teeth of fifh, or fharp-
ei^ed Hints, dipped in a kind of ink made of the foot
of pitch pine. Like thofe of the ancient Picts of Bri-
tain thefe are efteemed ornamental; and at the fame
time they ferve as regift.ers of the heroic actions of the
warrior, who thus bears about him indelible marks of
his valor.
The prifoners deflined to death are foon led to the
place of execution, which is generally in the centre o£
the camp or village; where, being ftript, and every part
of their bodies blackened, the fldn of a crow or raven
-h fixed on their heads. They are then bound to a
flake, with faggots heaped around them, and obliged,
for the laft time, to fing their death-fong.
The warriors, for fuch it is only who commonly fuf-
fer this pimifliment, now perform in a more prolix man-
ner this fad folemnity. They recount with an audible
voice all the brave actions they have performed, and
pride themfelves in the number of enemies they have
killed. In this rehearfal they fpare not even their tor-
mentors, but flrive by every provoking tale they can in-
vent,
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 173
ent, to irritate and infult them. Sometimes this has
he defired effeft, and the-fufferers are difpatched fooner
lian they othervvife would have been.
There are many other methods which the Indians
lake ufe of to put their prifoi>ers to death, but thefe
re only occaiional; that of burning is moil generally
fed.
Whilft I was at the chief town of the Ottagaumies,
n Illinois Indian was brought in, who had been made
rifoner by one of their war-parties. I had then an
pportunity of feeing the cuftomary cruelties inflicted
y thefe people on their captives, through the minuterl
.art of their procefs. After the previous iteps necef-
iry to his condemnation, he was carried, early in trie
lorning, to a little diftance from the town, where, he.
iras bound to a tree.
This being done, all the boys, who amounted to a -
;reat number, as the place was populous, were permit-
ed to amufe themfelves with mooting their arrows at.
he unhappy vi&im. As they were none of them more
ban twelve years old, and were placed at a confiderabie
liftance, they had not. ftrength to penetrate to the vi-
al parts, fo that the poor wretch flood pierced with
rrows, and fufFering the confequent agonies, for more
han two days.
During this time he fung his warlike exploits. He
ecapitulated every ftratagem he had made ufe of to
urprife his enemies: he boafted of. the quantity of fcalps
e poffeifed, and enumerated the prifoners he had taken*.
ie then defcribed the different barbarous methods by
iduch he had put the latter to death, and feemed even
hen to receive inconceivable pleafure from the recital of
he horrid tale. .
But he dwelt more particularly on the cruelties he
tad prac~lifed on fuch of the kindred of his prefent tor-
mentors, as had fallen into his hands; endeavoring by
hefe aggravated infults to induce them to increafe his
ortures, that he might be able to give greater proofs of
ortitude. Even in the laft ftruggles of life, when he was
tq longer able to vent in words the indignant provoca-
Q^2 j * tion ,;,
i74 CARVER's TRAVELS.
titin his tongue would have uttered, a fmile of mingled
fcorn and triumph fat on his countenance.
This method of tormenting their enemies is confider-
ed by the Indians as productive of more than one be-
neficial confequence. It fatiates, in a greater degree*
that diabolical lull of revenge, which is the predomi-
nant paffion in the bread of every individual of every
tribe, and it gives the growing warriors an early propen-
fity to that cruelty and thirft for blood, which is fo ne-
ceffary a qualification for fuch as would be thoroughly-
skilled in their favage art of war.
I have been informed, that an Indian who was under
the hands of his tormentors, had the audacity to tell
them, that they were ignorant old women, and did not
know how to put brave prifoners to death. He acquaint-
ed them that he had heretofore taken fome of their
warriors, and inftead of the trivial punifhments they in-
fti&ed on him, he had devifed for them the moll ex-
cruciating torments; that having bound them to a ftake,
he had ftuck their bodies full of fharp fplinters of tur-
pentine wood, to which he then fet fire, and dancing
around them enjoyed the agonizing pangs of the flaming
viclim.
This bravado, which carried with it a degree of in-
fult, that even the accuftomed ear of an Indian could
not liften to unmoved, threw his tormentors off their
cruard, and fhortened the duration of his torments; for
one of the chiefs ran to him, and ripping out his heart,
Hopped with it the mouth from which had iffued fuch
provoking language.
■Innumerable are the ftories that may be told of the
courage and refolution of the Indians, who happen to
be made prifoners by their adverfaries. Many that I
have heard are. fo aftoniming, that they feem to exceed
the utmoft limits of credibility^ it is, however, certain
that thefe favages are pofTefTecl with many heroic quali-
ties, and bear every fpecies of misfortune with a degree
of fortitude which has not been outdone by any of the
ancient heroes either of Greece or of Rome.
Notwithstanding thefe a&s of feverity exercifed by the
Indians towards thofe of their own fpecies, who fall into
their
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 175-
their hands, fome tribes of them have been remarked
for their moderation to fuch female prifoners, belonging
to the Englifh colonies as have happened to be taken
by them. Women of great beauty have frequently been:
carried off by them, and during a march of three or
fqur hundred miles, through their retired forefts, have
lain by their fides without receiving any infult, and their
chaftity has remained inviolate. Inflances have happen-
ed where female captives, who have been pregnant at
the time of their being taken, have found the pangs o£
child-birth come upon them in the midli of folitary
woods, and favages their only companions; yet from
thefe, favages as they were, have they received every
afliftance their fituation would admit of, and been treat-
ed with a degree of delicacy and humanity they little
expected.
This forbearance, it mult be acknowledged, does not
proceed altogether from their difpofitions, but is only
inherent in thofe who have held fome communication
with the French milTionaries. Without intending that
their natural enemies, the Englifh, mould enjoy the be-
nefit of their labours, thefe fathers have taken great
pains to inculcate on the minds of the Indians the gene-
ral principles of humanity, which has diffufed itfelf
through their manners, and has proved of public utility.
Thofe prifoners that are conllgned to the houfe of
grace, and thefe are commonly the young men, women,
and children, await the difpofal of the chiefs, who, af-
ter the execution of fuch as are condemned to die, hold
a council for this purpofe.
A herald is fent rGund the village or camp, to give
notice that fuch as have loll: any relation in the late ex-
pedition, are defired to attend the diftribution which is
about to take place. Thofe women who have loil their
fbns or hu (bands, are generally fatisfied in the firft
place ; after thefe, fuch as have been deprived of friends
of a more remote degree of confanguinity, or who
choofe to adopt fome of the youth.
The divifion being made, which is dbnef as in other
cafes, without the lead difpute, thofe who have receiv-
ed any mare, lead them to their tents or huts ; and hav-
if6
CARVERS TRAVELS.
in
ing unbound them, wafh and drefs their wounds if they
happen to have received any ; they then clothe them, and
give them the molt comfortable and refrefhing food their
flore will afford.
Whilft their new domeftics are feeding, they endea-
vor to adminifter confolation to them ; they tell them
that as they are redeemed from death, they mull now be
cheerful and happy ; and if they ferve them well, with-
out murmuring or repining, nothing mall be wanting to
make them fuch atonement for the lofs of their country
and friends as circumftances will allow of.
If any men are fpared* they are commonly given to
the widows that have loft their hufbands by the hand
of the enemy, Ihould there be any fuch, to whom, if
they happen to prove agreeable, they are foon married.
But Ihould the dame be otherwife engaged, the life of
him whtfialls to her lot is in great danger ; efpecially if
me fancies that her late hulband wants a Have in the
country of fpirits, to which he is gone.
When this is the cafe, a number of young men take
the devoted captive to fome dillance, and difpatch him
without any ceremony : after he has been fpared by the
council, they conlider him of too little confequence to
be entitled to the torments allotted to thofe who have
been judged worthy of them.
The women are ufually diftributed to the mer^ from
whom they do not fail of meeting with a favorable re-
ception. The boys and girls are taken into the families
of fuch as have need of them, and are confidered as
flaves ; and it is not uncommon that they are fold in
the fame capacity to the European traders who come j
among them.
The.- Indians have no idea of moderating the ravages
of war, by fparing their prifoners, and entering. into a
negotiation with the band from whom they have been
taken, for an exchange. AH that are captivated by
both parties, are either put; to death, adopted, or made'
(laves of. And 10 particular are every nation in this^
refpeft, that if. any of their tribe, even a warrior,
ihould be taken prifoner, and by chance be received in-
to the houfe of grace* either as an adopted perfon or
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 177
1 flave, and mould afterwards make his efcape, they will
>y no means receive him, or acknowledge him as one
)f their band.
The condition of fuch as are adopted differs not in
tny one inftance from the children of the nation to
vhich they now belong. They affume all the rights of
hofe whole places they fupply, and frequently make no
lifficulty of going in the war-parties againft their own
:ountrymen. Should, however, any of thefe by chance
nake their efcape, and be afterwards retaken, they are
:fteemed as unnatural children and ungrateful perfons,
vho have deferted and made war upon their parents and
>enefa6lors, and are treated with uncommon feverity.
That part of the prifoners which are confidered as
laves, are generally diftributed among the chiefs ; who
frequently make prefents of fome of them to the Euro-
>ean governors of the out-pofts, or to the fuperintend-
mts or commifTaries of Indian affairs. I have been in-
formed that it was the Jefuits and French miffionaries
hat firft occafioned the introduction of thefe unhappy
:aptives into the fettiements, and who by fo doing
;anght the Indians that they were valuable.
Their views indeed were laudable, as they imagined
:hat by this method they mould not only prevent much
barbarity and bloodfhed, but find the opportunities of
Spreading their religion among them increafed. To
:his purpofe they encouraged the traders to purchafe
iuch flaves as they met with.
The good effects of this mode of proceeding was not
tiowever equal to the expectations of thefe pious fethers.
[nftead of being the means of preventing cruelty and
bloodfhed, it only caufed the diffenfions between the In-
dian nations to be carried on with a greater degree of
violence, and with unremitted ardor. The prize they
fought for being no longer revenge or fame, but the ac-
quirement of fpirituous liquors, for which their captives
were to be exchanged, and of which almoft every nati-
on is immoderately fond, they fought for their enemies
with " unwonted alacrity, and were conftantly on the
watch to furprife and carry them off.
It,
178 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
It might Hill be faid that fewer of the captives ar€
tormented and put to death, frnce thefe expectations oi
receiving fo valuable a confideration for them have been
excited than there ufually had been ; but it does not
appear that their accuilomed cruelty to the warriors they
take, is in the leaft abated ; their natural defire of ven-
geance rnuil be gratified; they now only become more
affiduous in Securing a greater number of young prison-
ers, whilit thofe who are made captive in their defence,
are tormented and put to death as before*
The miilionaries finding, that contrary to their wifh-
es, their zeal had only ferved to increafe the fale of the
noxious juices, applied to the governor of Canada, in
the year 1693, for a prohibition of this baneful trade.
An order was iiTued accordingly, but it could not put
a total ilop to it ; the French Couriers de Bois were
hardy enough to carry it on clandeitinely, notwithstand-
ing the penalty annexed to a breach of the prohibition
was a confiderable fine and imprifonment.
Some who were detected in the profecution of it,
withdrew into the Indian countries, where they inter-
married with the natives, and underwent a voluntary ba-
nifhment. Tbefe however, being an abandoned and de-
bauched fet, their conduct contributed very little either
towards reforming the. manners of their new relations,
or engaging them to entertain a favorable opinion of the
religion they profefied. Thus did thefe indefatigable,
religious men, fee their defigns in fome meafure once
more fruftrated.
However, the emigration was productive of an efFec"l
which turned out to be beneficial to their nation. By
the connection of thefe refugees with the Iroquois,
Miffiffuages, Hurons, Miamies, Powtowottomies, Pu-
ants, Menomonies, Algonkins, &c. and the conftant
reprefentations thefe various nations received from them
of the power and grandeur of the French, to the ag-
grandifement of whofe monarch, notwithftanding their
baniihment, they Hill retained their habitual inclination,
the Indians became infenfibly prejudiced in favor of that
people, and I am perfuaded will take every opportuni-
ty of fhewing their attachment to them.
And
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
179
And this even in defpite of the difgraceful eftimation
hey muft be held by them, fince they have been driven
>ut of Canada ; for the Indians confider every conquer-
d people as in a ftate of vaffalage to their conquerors.
\fter one nation has finally fubdued another, and a
onditional fubmiffion is agreed on, it is cuftomary for
he chiefs of the conquered, when they fit in council
pith their fubduers, to wear petticoats, as an acknow-
'dgement that they are in a ftate of fubje&ion, and
ught to be ranked among the women. Their partiali-
y to the French has however taken too deep Toot for
ime itfelf to eradicate it.
CHAPTER X.
Of their Manner of making Peace, fffc.
rHE wars that are carried on between the Indian
nations are in general hereditary, and continue
om age to age with a few interruptions. If a peace
ecomes necefTary, the principal care of both parties is to
?oid the appearance of making the firft advances.
When they treat with an enemy, relative to a fuf-
snfion of hoftilities, the chief who is commiffioned to
ndertake the negotiation, if it is not brought about by
le mediation of fome neighboring band, abates nothing
F his natural haughtinefs : even when the affairs of his
>untry are in the worft fituation, he makes no conceffi-
is, but endeavors to perfuade his adverfaries that it
their intereft to put an end to the war.
Accidents fometimes contribute to bring about a
sace between nations that otherwife could not be pre-
liled on to liften to terms of accomodation. An in-
ance of this, which I heard of in almoft every nation
paned through, I (hall relate.
About eighty years ago, the Iroquois and Chipe-
ays, two powerful nations, were at war with the Otta-
gaumies
i8o CARVER'S TRAVELS.
gaumies and Saukies, who were much inferior to their
adverfaties both in numbers and ftrength. One wintei
near a thoufand of the former made an excurfion from
Lake Ontario, by way of Toronto, towards the terri-
tories of their enemies. They coalled Lake Huron or
its eafl and northern borders, till they arrived at the
ifland of St. jofeph, which is fituated in the Straits oi
St. Marie. There they croiTed thefe Straits upon the ice.
about fifteen miles below the falls, and continued theii
route flill weilward. As the ground was covered with
fnow, to prevent a difcovery of their numbers, they
marched in a lingle file, treading in each others foot-
Heps.
Four Chipeway Indians, paiTing that way, obfervec1
this army, and readily guelTed from the direction oi
their march, and the precautions they took, both the
country to which they were haflening, and their de-
figns.
Notwithstanding the nation to which they belonged
was at war with the Ottagaumies, and in alliance with
their invaders, yet from a principle which cannot be ac-
counted for, they took an inflant refolution to apprife
the former of their danger. To this purpofe they haf-
tened away with their ufual celerity, and, taking a cir-
cuit to avoid difcovery, arrived at the hunting grounds
of the Ottagaumies, before fo large a body, moving in
fo cautious a manner, could do. There they found a
party of about four hundred warriors, fome of which
were Saukies, whom they informed of the approach of
their enemies.
The chiefs immediately colle&ed their whole force,
and held a council on the Heps that were to be taken
for their defence. As they were encumbered with their
families, it was impoffible that they could retreat in
time ; they therefore determined to choofe the moll: ad-
vantageous fpot, and to give the Iroquois the bell re-
ception in their power.
Not far from the place where they then happened to
be, flood two fmall lakes, between which ran a narrow
neck of land about a mile in length, and only from
twenty to forty yards in breadth. Concluding that the
Iroquois
CARVER's TRAVELS.
1S1
Iroquois intended to pafs through this defile, the united
bands divided their little party into two bodies of two
hundred each. One of thefe tool^ poft at the extremi-
ty of the pafs that lay neareft to their hunting grounds,
which they immediately fortified with a bread-work
formed of palifades ; whilfl the other body took a com-
pafs round one of the lakes, with a defrgn to hem their
enemies in when they had entered the defile.
Their ftratagem fucceeded ; for no fooner had the whole
of the Iroquois entered the pafs, than, being provided
with wood for the purpofe, they formed a fimiiar breaft-
work on the other extremity, and thus enclofed their
enemies.
The Iroquois foon perceived their fituation, and im-
mediately held a council on the meafures that were
neceffary to be purfued to extricate themfelves. Un-
luckily for them a thaw had jufl taken place, which had.
fo far diffolved the ice as to render it impaffible, and
yet there ilili remained fufHcient to prevent them from
either palling over the lakes on rafts, or from fwimming
aerofs. In this dilemma it was agreed that they mould
endeavor to force one of the breafl works ; but they
foon found them too well defended to effe& their pur-
pofe.
Notwithstanding this difappointment, with the ufual
compofure and unapprehenfivenefs of Indians, they
amufed themfelves three or four days in fulling. By
this time the ice being quite diffolved, they made them-
felves rafts, which they were enabled to do by fonie
trees that fortunately grew on the fpot, and attempt-
ed to crofs one of the lakes.
They accordingly fet off before day-break ; but the
Ottagaumies, who had been watchful of their motions,
perceiving their defign, detatched one hundred and fif-
ty men from each of their parties, to oppofe their land-
ing. Thefe three hundred marched fo expeditiously to
the other fide of the lake, that they reached it before
their opponents had gained the more, they being re-
tarded by their poles flicking in the mud.
As foon as the confederates arrived, thev poured in
& very heavy fire, both from their bows and mufquetry,
R on
l82
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
on the Iroquois, which greatly difconcerted them ; til]
the latter finding their htuation defperate, leaped into
the water, and fought their way through their enemies.
This however they could not do without loiing more
than half their men.
After the Iroquois had landed, they made good their
retreat, but were obliged to leave their enemies matters
of the field, and in pofTeffion of all the furs they had
taken during their winter's hunt. Thus dearly did they
pay for an unprovoked excurlion to fuch a diflance from
the route they ought to have purfued, and to which
they were only impelled by a fudden defire of cutting
off feme of their ancient enemies.
But had they known their ftrength, they might have
deftroyed every man of the party that oppofed them ;
which even at the firft onfet was only inconfiderable,
and, when diminimed by the action, totally unable to
make any Hand againft them.
The victorious- bands rewarded the Chipeways, who
had been the means of their fuccefs, with a fhare of
the fpoils. They preiTed them to take any quantity
they chofe of the richer! of the furs, and fent them un-
der an efcort of fifty men, to their own country. The
diiinterefted Chipeways, as the Indians in general are
feldom actuated by mercenary motives, for a confidera-
ble time refufed thefe prefents, but were at length per-
fuaded to accept of them.
The brave and well-concerted refiftance here made by
the Ottagaumies and Saukies, aided by the mediation of
the Chipeways, who laying afide on this occafion the
aniraofity they had fo long borne thofe people, approved
of the generous conduct of their four chiefs, were to-
gether the means of effecting a reconciliation between
thefe nations ; and in procefs of time united them all
in the bands of amity.
And I believe that all the Indians inhabiting that ex-
tenfive country which lies between Quebec, the banks
of the Miffiffippi north of the Ouifconfm, and the let-
tiements belonging to the Hudfon's Bay Company, are
at prefent in a ftate of profound peace. When their
reftlefs difpolitions will not fuffer them to remain inac-
tive.
CARVER'S TRAVELS. i%$
ive, thefe northern Indians feldom commit liabilities on ■
■ach other, but make excurfions to the fouthward, againit
he Cherokees, Cho&ahs, Chickfaws, or Illinois.
Sometimes the Indians grow tired of a war which
hey have carried on agalnft fome neighboring nation
or many years without much fuccefs, and in this caie-
hey feek for mediators to begin a negotiation.. Theie
•eing obtained, the treaty is thus conducted :
A number of their own chiefs, joined by thofe who
rave accepted the friendly office, fct out together for
he country of their enemies ;. fuch as are choien for
his purpofe, are chiefs of the moll exteniive abilities^.
nd of the greatefl integrity. They bear before them the
5ipe of Peace, which I need not inform my readers is
f the fame nature as a Flag of Truce among the Eu-
?peans, and is treated with the greatefl refpecl and
eneration, even by the moil barbarous nations. I ne-
er heard of an inflance wherein the bearers of this Hi-
red badge of friendship were ever treated difrefpectful-
% or its rights violated. The Indians believe that the
Jreat Spirit never fuffers. an infraction of this kind to
o unpunifhed.
The Pipe of, Peace, which is termed by the French
be Calumet, for what reafon I could never learn, is about
mr feet long. The bowl of it is made of red marble,
ad the ftem of it of a light wood, curioufly painted
*ith hieroglyphics in various colors, and adorned with
gathers of the moil beautiful birds j but it is not in my
ower to convey an idea of the various tints and pleaiing.
rnaments of this much elleemed Indian implement.
Every nation has a different method of decoratingr
hefe pipes, and they can tell at firft light to what band
| belongs. It is ufed as an introduction to all treaties,
nd great ceremony attends the ufe of it on thefe occa-
tons.
The afliflant or aid-du-camp of the great warrior,
tmen the chiefs are affembled and feated, fills it with
obacco mixed with the herbs before mentioned, taking
;are at the fame time that no part of it touches the
pound. When it is filled, he takes a. coal that is tho-
roughly
.. r*4 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
roughly kindled, from a fire which is generally kept
burning in the midft of the affcmbly, and places it on
the tobacco.
1 As foonasit is fufficiently lighted, he throws off the coal.
He then turns the Hem of it towards the heavens, after this
towards the earthy and now holding it horizontally, moves
himfelf round till he has completed a circle : by the firft
action he is fuppofed to prefent it to the Great Spirit,
whofe aid is thereby fupplicated ; by the fecond, to avert
any malicious interpofition of the evil fpirits ; and by
the third to gain the prote&ion of the fpirits inhabiting
the air, the earth, and the waters. Having thus fecured
the favor of thofe invifible agents, in whofe power they
fuppofe it is either to forward or obftrucl; the iffue of
their prefent deliberations, he prefents it to the heredit-
ary chief, who having taken two or three whirls, blows
the fmoke from his mouth firft towards heaven, and then
around him upon the ground.
It is afterwards pat in the fame manner into the
mouths of the ambafTadors or ftrangers, who obferve
the fame ceremony, then to the chief of the warriors,
and to all the other chiefs in turn, according to their
gradation. During this time the perfon who executes
this honorable office holds the pipe (lightly in his hand,
as if lie feared to prefs the facred inilrtiment ; nor does
any one prefume to touch it but with his lips.
When the chiefs who are intrufted with the commiffi*
•cm for making peace, approach the town or camp to
which they are going, they begin to fmg and dance the
fongs and dances appropriated to this occafion. By this
time the adverfe party are apprifed of their arrival, and,
ut the light of the Pipe of Peace, diverting themfelves4
of their wonted enmity invite them to the habitation of
the Great Chief, and furnim them with every convent
ency during the negotiation.
A council is then held ; and when the fpeeches and
debates are ended, if no obfrruc"tions arife to put a ftop-
to the treaty, the painted hatchet is buried in the
ground, as a memorial that all animofities between the
contending nations have ceafed, and a peace taken
place. Among the ruder bands, fuch as have no com*.
municatioa
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
iSi
raunication with the Europeans, a war-club, painted red,
is buried, inflead of the hatchet.
A belt of wampum is alfo given on this occaficm,
which, ferves as a ratification, of the peace, and records
to the lateft pofterity, by the hieroglyphics mto which,
the beads are formed, every flipulated article in the
treaty.
Thefe belts are made of (hells found on the coails of
New England and Virginia, which are fawed out into
beads of an oblong form, about a quarter of an inch
long, and round like other beads. Being fining on lea-
ther firings,, and feveral of them fewed neatly together
with fine finewy threads, they then compofe what is
termed a belt of Wampum.
The fhells are generally of two colors, iome white
a-nd others violet 5 but the latter are more highly, efleem-
ed than the former. They are held in as much eflima-
tion by the Indians,, as- gold,, filver, or precious {tones,
are by the Europeans.
The belts are compofed of ten-,, twelve, or a greater
number of firings, according to the importance of the
affair in agitation, or the dignity of the perfon to whonv
it is prefented. O ti more trifling oc.cafions,. firings. of.
thefe beads are prefented by the chiefs, to each other,
and frequently worn by them about their necks, as -a va^
luable ornament.
CHAPTER XL
Of their Games*,
AS I have before obferved, the Indians are greatly
addicted to gaming,, and will even flake, and lofe
with compofure, all the valuables- they are pofTefTed of.
They amufe themfelves at feveral forts of games, bat the
principal and moit efleemed among them is that of , the
bail, which is notunlikethe European game of -tennis.
R z The"
186 CARVER'S TRAVELS/
_The balls they ufe are rather larger than thofe made
uie of at tennis, and are formed of a piece of deer-fkin •
which being moiftened to render it fupple, is fluffed hard
with the hair of the fame creature, and fewed with its
fmews. ' The ball-flicks are about three feet long, at
the end of which there is fixed a kind of racket, refem-
bung the palm of the hand, and fafhioned of thongs cut
from a ^ deer-fkin. In thefe they catch the ball, and
throw it to a great diftance, if they are not prevented
by fome of the oppofite party, who fly to intercept it.
This game is generally played by large companies,
that fometimes confiil of more than three hundred ; and
it is not uncommon for different bands to play againfl
each other. ,
They begin by fixing two poles in the ground at about
fix hundred yards apart, and one of thefe goals belonor
to each party of the combatants. The ball is thrown up
high in the centre- of the ground, and in a direct line be-
tween the goals ; towards which each party endeavors.
to ftrike it, and whichfoever fide irft caufes it to reach
their own goal, reckons towards the game.
They are fo exceeding dextrous in this manly exercife,
that the ball is ufualiy kept flying in different direftions
by the force of the rackets,, without touching the ground
during the whole contention ; for they are not allowed
to catch h with their hands. They run with amazing
velocity in purfuit of each other, and when one is on *
the point of hurling it to a great diftance, an antago-
nifi overtakes him, and by a fudden flroke dames down
the ball
They play with fo much vehemence that they fre-
quently wound each other, and fometimes a. bone is bio-
ken ; but notwithstanding thefe accidents there never
appears to be any fpite or wanton exertions of flrength
to effect them, nor do any diiputes ever happen between
the parties.
There is another game alfo in ufe among them wor-
thy of remark, and this is the game of the Bowl or
Platter. This game is played between two perfons only.
Each plrfon- has fix or eight little bones not unlike a
peach-itcne either in fizc or fhape, except that they are
quadrangular ,
C A RVE R's TRAVELS.
187
quadrangular ; two of the fides of which are colored
black, and the others white. Thefe they throw up into
:he air, from whence they fall into a bowl or platter
placed underneath, and made to fpin round.
According as thefe bones prefent the white or black
fide upwards they reckon the game ; he that happens
:o have the greateit number turn up of a iimiiar color,
:ounts five points ; and forty is the game.
The winning party keeps his place, and the lofer,
yields his to another who is appointed by one of the
empires ; for a whole village is fometimes concerned ia
the party, and at times one band plays againfl another.
During this play the Indians appear to be greatly agi-
tated, and at every decifive throw fet up a hideous fhout.
They make a thoufand contortions, addreffing themfelves
at the fame time to the bones, and loading with impreca-
tions the evil fpirits that affift their fuccefsful antagonifts*
At this game fome will lofe their apparel, all the
moveables of their cabins, and fometimes even their li-
berty, notwithftanding there are no people in the uni-
verfe more jealous of the latter than the Indians are.
CHAPTER XII.
Of their Marriage Ceremonies, &c>
TH E Indians allow of polygamy, and perfons of
every rank indulge themfelves in this point. The
chiefs in particular have a feraglio, which confifts of an
uncertain number, ufually from fix. to twelve or fourteen*
The lower ranks are permitted to take as many as there
is a probability of their being able, with the children
they may bear to maintain. It is not uncommon for an
Indian to marry two lifters ; fometimes, if there happen
to be more, the whole number ; and notwithftanding this
(as it appears to civilized nations) unnatural union, they
all live in the greateit harmony.
The
1 88
CARVE R/s TRAVELS.
The younger wives are fubmiffive- to- the elder; and
thofe who have no children, do fuch menial offices for
thofe who are fertile, as caufes their fituation to differ
but little from a ftate of fervitude. However they per-
form every injunction with the greateft cheerfulnefs, in
hopes of gaining thereby the affection of their hufoand,.
that they in their turns may have the happinefs of be-
coming mothers, and be entitled to the refpect attendant,
on that ftate.
It is not uncommon for an Indian, although he takes
to himfelf fo many wives, to live in a ftate of continence
with many of them for feveral years. Such as are not
fo fortunate as to gain the favor of their huiband, by
their fubmiffive and prudent behavior, and by that means
to {hare in his embraces, continue in their virgin ftate
during the whole of their lives, except they happen to
be prefented by him to fome ftranger chief, whole abode
among them will not admit of his entering into a more
lafting connection. In this cafe they fubmit to the in-
junction of their hufband without murmuring, and are
not difpleafed at the temporary union. But if at any-
time it is known that they take this liberty without
firft receiving his confent, they are punifhed in the fame
manner as i£ they had been guilty of adultery.
This cuftom is more prevalent among the nations which
He in the interior parts, than among thofe that are
nearer the fettlements, as the manners of the latter are
rendered more conformable in fome points to thofe
of the Europeans, by the intercourfe they hold with
them.
The Indian nations differ but little from each other
in their marriage ceremonies, and lefs in the manner of
their divorces. The tribes that inhabit the borders of
Canada, make ufe of the following cuftom.
When a young Indian has fixed his inclinations on
one of the other fex, he endeavor's to gain her confent,,
and if he fucceeds, it is never known that her parents
ever obftruct their union. When every preliminary is.
agreed on, and the day^appointed, the friends and ac-
quaintance of both parties afiemble at the houfe or tent
.CARVER'S TRAVELS. 189
r>f the oldeft relation of the bridegroom, where a feafl is
prepared on the occaiion.
The company who meet to aflift at the feftival are
fometimes very numerous; they dance, they fing* and
enter into every other diverfion ufually made ufe of on
any of their public rejoicings.
When thefe are nnifhed, all thofe who attended mere-
ly out of ceremony depart, and the bridegroom and
bride are left alone with three or four of the nearer! and
oldeft relations of either fide | thofe of the bridegroom
being men, and thofe of the bride, women.
Prefently the bride, attended by thefe few friends,
having withdrawn herfelf for the purpofe, appears at one
of the doors of the "l.oufe, and is led to the bridegroom,
who flands ready to receive her. Having now taken
their ftation, on a mat placed in the centre of the room,
they lay hold of the extremities of a wand, about four
feet long, by which they continue feparated, whilft the
old men pronounce fome fhort harangues fuitable to the'
occafion.
The married couple after this make a public declara-
tion of the love and regard they entertain for each other,
and ftiil holding the rod between tV^m, dance and fmg.
When they have iinifhed this part of the ceremony, they
break the rod into as many pieces as there are witneffes
prefent, who each take a piece, and preferve it with great
care.
The bride is then reconducted out of the door at which
fhe entered, where her young companions wait to at-
tend her to her father's houfe; there the bridegroom is
obliged to feek her, and the marriage is confumrnated.
Very often the wife remains at her father's houfe till
me has a child, when fhe packs up her apparel, which is
all the fortune me is generally poiMed of, and ac-
companies her hufband to his habitation.
When from any diflike a feparation takes place,, for
they are feldom known to quarrel, they^ generally give
their friends a few. days notice of their intentions, and
fometimes offer reafona to juilify their conduct. The
witneiTes who were prefent at the marriage, meet on
the day requeued, at the houfe of the couple that, are
about
190
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
about to feparate, and bringing with them the pieces
of rod ivhich they had received at their nuptials,
throw them into the fire, in the prefence of all the
parties.
This is the whole of the ceremony required, and the
feparation is carried on without any murmurings ,or ill- .
will between the couple or their relations; and after a
few months they are at liberty to marry again.
When a marriage is thus diffolved, the children which
have been produced from it, are equally divided between
them; and as children are efteemed a treafure by the In-
dians, if the number happens to be odd, the woman is
allowed to take the better half.
Though this cuftom feems to encourage ficklenefs and
frequent feparations, yet there are many of the Indians
who have but one wife, and enjoy with her a ftate of
connubial happinefs not to be exceeded in more refined
focieties. There are alfo not a few inftances of women
preferving an inviolable attachment to their hufbands*
except in the cafes beforementioned, which are act
confidered as either a violation of their chaftity or
fidelity.
Although I have faid that the Indian nations differ
very little from each other in their marriage ceremonies,
there are fome exceptions; The Naudoweffies have a
fingular method of celebrating their marriages, which
feems to bear no refemblance to thofe made ufe of by .
any other nation I pafTed through. When one of their
young men has fixed on a young woman he approves
of, he dif covers his paffion to her parents, who give
him an invitation to come and live with them in their
tent.
He accordingly accepts the offer, and by fo doing en-
gages to refide in it for a whole year, in the chara£ter
of a menial fervant. During. this time he hunts, and
brings all the game he kills to the family; by which
means the father has an opportunity of feeing whether
he is able to provide for the fupport of his daughter
and the children that might be the confequence of their
uniojk This however is only done whilil they are young
men,,
CARVER'S TRAVELS, 191
men, and for their firft wife, and not repeated like Ja-
cob's fervitudes.
When this period is expired, the marriage is folem-
nized after the cuftom of the country, in the following
manner: Three or four of the oldeft male relations of
the bridegroom, and as many of the bride's, accompany
the young couple from their refpeclive tents, to an open
part in the centre of the camp.
The chiefs and warriors being here afiembled to re-
ceive them, a party of the latter are drawn up in two
ranks on each fide of the bride and bridegroom immedi-
ately on their arrival. Their principal chief then ac-
quaints the whole affembly with the defign of their
meeting, and tells them that the couple before them,
mentioning at the fame time their names, are come to
avow publicly their intentions of living together as man
and wife. He then alks the two young people alternately,
whether they deiire that the union might take place.
Having declared with an audible voice that they do fo,
the warriors fix their arrows, and difcharge them over
the heads of the married pair ; this done, the chief pro-
nounces them man and wife.
The bridegroom then turns round, and bending his
body, takes his wife on his back, in which manner he
carries her amidft the acclamations of the fpectators to
to his tent. This -ceremony is fucceeded by the moil
plentiful feaft the new married man can afford, and fongs-
and dances, according to the ufual cuftom, conclude the
feftival.
Divorces happen fo feldom among the Naudoweflies,
that I had not an opportunity of learning how they are
accomplished.
Adultery is efteemed by them a heinous crime, and
puniihed with the greateft rigor. The hufband in thefe
cafes bites off the wife's nofe, and afeparation inftantly
eniues. I faw an inftance wherein this mode of punifh-
ment was inflicted, whilft I remained among them. The
children, when this happens, are diftributed according
to the ufual cuftom obferved by other nations, that is,
they are equally divided.
Among
■■*■
i92 CARVERS' s TRAVELS.
Among the Indian as well as European nations, there
are many aiat devote themfelves to pleafure, and not-
withftanding the accounts given by fome modern writen
of the frigidity of an Indian conftitution, become the
zealous votaries of Venus. The young warriors thai
are thus difpofed, feldom want opportunities for gratify-
ing their pailion ; and as the mode ufually followec
on thefe occafions is rather lingular, I fhall defcribc
it.
When one of thefe young debauchees imagines froir
the behavior of the perfon he has chofen for his miftrefs
that he fhall not meet with any great obftruction to hh
fuit from her, he purfues the following plan.
It has been already obferved, that the Indians ac
knowledge no fuperiority, nor have they any ideas o:
fubordination, except in the neceffary regulations of then
war or hunting parties ; they confequently live nearly ir
a ftate of equality, purfuant to the firil principles o:
nature. The lover therefore is not apprehenfive of any
check or control in the accomplifhment of his purpofes
if he can find a convenient opportunity for completing
them.
As the Indians are alfo under no apprehenfion oi
robbers, or fecret enemies, they leave the doors of then
tents or huts unfaftened during the night, as well as ir
the day. Two or three hours after funfet, the flavef
or old people cover over the fire, that is generally burning
in the rnidft of their apartment, with a/hes, and retire tc
their repofe.
Whilft darknefs thus prevails, and all is quiet, on<
of thefe fons of pleafure, wrapped up clofely in his blan-
ket, to prevent his being known, will fometimes entei
the apartment of his intended miftrefs. Having firfl
lighted at the fmothered fire a fmall fplinter of wood,
which anfwers the purpofe of a match, he approaches
the place where (he repofes, and gently pulling away
the covering from the head, jogs her till (he awakes. If
fhe then rifes up, and blows out the light, he needs no
further confirmation that his -company is not difagreea-
ble ; but if, after he has difcovered himfelf, flie hides her
head, and takes no notice of him, he might reft aifured
that
CARVE RS's TRAVELS. 193
iiat any further felicitations will prove vain, and that
t is neceffary immediately for him to retire.
During his flay he conceals the light as much as
joffible in the hollow of his hands, and as the tents or
:00ms of the Indians are ufually large and capacious, he
Scapes without detection. It is laid that the young
rvomen who admit their lovers on thefe occaiions, take
£reat care, by an immediate application to herbs, with
:he potent efficacy of which they are well acquainted,
;o prevent the effects of thefe illicit amors from becom-
ing vifible; for mould the natural conferences enfue,
:hey mud forever remain unmarried.
The children of the Indians are always diflinguifhed.
Dy the name of the mother: and if a woman marries
feveral hufbands, and has iffue by each of them, they
ire all called after her. The reafon they give for this
is, that as their offspring are indebted to the father
For their fouls, the invilible part of their effence, and
:o the mother for their corporeal and apparent part, it
is more rational that they mould be diflinguifhed by the
name of the latter, from whom they indubitably derive
:heir being, than by that of the father, to which
i doubt might fometimes arife whether they are juilly
entitled.
There are fome ceremonies made ufe p£ by the Indi-
ans at the impofition of the name, and it is considered
3y them as a matter of great importance; but what thefe
ire I could never learn, through the fecrecy obferved-
Dn the occafion. I only know that it is ufually piveit
when the children have paffed the flate of infancy'.
Nothing can exceed the tendernefs mown by them
0 their offspring; and a perfon cannot recommend him-"
felf to their favor by any method more certain, than
by paying fome attention to the younger branches of
:heir families. 1 can impute, in fome meafure, to the
prefents I made to the children of the chiefs of the
NTaudoweflies, the hofpitatle reception I met with when
among them.
There is fome difficulty attends an explanation of the
manner in which tke Indians difKnguim themfelves from
each other. Befides the; name of the animal by which
S every
j 94
CARVERS's TRAVELS.
every nation and tribe is denominated, there are others
that are perfonal, and which the children receive from
their mother.
The chiefs are alfo diftinguifhed by a name that has
either fome reference to their abilities, or to the hiero-
glyphic of their families; and thefe are acquired after
they arrive at the age of manhood. Such as have fig-
nalized themfelves either in their war or hunting parties,
or are poflerTed of fome eminent qualification, receive a
name that ferves to perpetuate the fame of thefe actions,
cr to make their abilities confpicuous.
Thus the great warrior of the Naudoweffies was named
Ottahtongoomlifhcah, that is, the Great Father of
Snakes ; ottah being in Engliih father, tongoom great,
and limcah a fnake. Another chief was called Honah-
pawjatin, which means a fwift runner over the moun-
tains. And when they adopted me a chief among them,
they named me Shebaygo, which fignifies a writer, or
a perfon that is curious in making hieroglyphics, as they
law me often writing.
CHAPTER XIII;
Of their Religion.
■H
mm
T T is very difficult to attain a perfect knowledge of
JL the religious principles of the Indians. Their cere-
monies and dodlrines have been fo often ridiculed by
the Europeans, that they endeavor to conceal them;
and if, after the greateft intimacy, you defire any of
them to explain to you their fyftem of religion, to
prevent your ridicule, they intermix with it many of
the tenets they have received from the French milTiona-
ries, 10 that it is at laft rendered an unintelligible jargon,
and not to be depended upon.
Such as I could difcover among the Naudowefiies (for
they \alfo were very referred in this point) I mall give
my
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 195
*ny readers, without paying any attention to the accounts
of others. As the religion of that people from their
frtuation appears to be totally unadulterated with the
fuperftitions of the church of Rome, we (hall be able
to gain from their religio us cuftoms a more perfect idea
of the original tenets and ceremonies of the Indians in
general, than from thofe of any nations that approach
nearer to the fettlements. p -
It is certain they acknowledge one Supreme Being,
or Giver of Life, who prefides over all things. The
Chipeways call this Being Manitou, or Kitchi-Manitou ;
the Naudoweffies, Wakon or Tongo-Wakon, that is,
the Great Spirit; and they look up to him as the fource
of good, from whom no evil can proceed. They alfo
believe in a bad fpirit, to whom they afcribe great pow-
er, and fuppofe that through his means all the evils which
befal mankind are infli&ed. To him therefore do they
pray in their diftreffes, begging that he would either
avert their troubles, or moderate them when they are no
longer avoidable.
They fay that the Great Spirit, who is infinitely good*
neither wifhes or is able to do any mifchief to mankind;
but on the contrary, that he mowers down on them all
the bleffings they deferve; whereas the evil fpirit h con-
tinually employed in contriving how he may punifh the
human race ; and to do which he is not only poiieiied oi
the will, but of the power.
They hold alfo that there are good fpirits of a leiler
degree, who have their particular departments, in which
they are conitantly contributing to the happinefs of mor-
tals. Thefe they fuppofe to prefide over all the extraor-
dinary productions of nature, fuch as thofe lakes, rivers*
or mountains that are of an uncommon magnitude; and
likCtoifethe beaits, birds, nines, and even vegetables, or
Hones that exceed the reft of their fpecies in fize or
Angularity. To all of thefe they pay fome kind of ado-
ration. Thus when they arrive on the borders of Lake
Superior, on the banks of the Miffil'iippi, or any other
great body of water, they prefent to the Spirit who.
refides there fome kind of offering, as the prince of the
Winnebagoes
*
io6 CARVERS TRAVELS.
Winnebagoes did when he attended me to the Falls of
fit; Anthony.
But at the fame time I fancy that the ideas they an-
nex to the word fpirit; are very different from the con-
ceptions more enlightened nations entertain of it. They
appear to fafhion to themfelves corporeal reprefentations
of their gods, and believe them to be of a human form,
tnough of a nature more excellent than man.
Of the fame kind are their fentiments relative' to
a futurity. They doubt not but they (hall exiitin fome
future Hate; they however fancy that their employments
there wiH be fimilar to thofe they are engaged in here,
without the labor and- difficulties annexed to them in this
period of their exifience.
t They confequently expect to be tranflated to a de-
lightful country, where they fhall always have a clear
unclouded fky, and enjoy a perpetual fpring; where
the forefts will abound with game, and the lakes with
fiih, which might be taken without requiring a painful
exeition of Mil, or a laborious purfuit; in fhort, that
they {hail live for ever in regions of plenty, and enjoy
every gratification they delight in here, in a greater
degree.
To intellectual pleafures they are Grangers; nor are
thefe included in their fclieme of happinefs. But they
exped that even thefe animal pleafures will be pro-
portioned and diflributed according to their merit; the
fkilful hunter, the bold and fuccefsful warrior, will be
entitled to a greater (hare than thofe who through in-
dolence or want of /kill cannot boaft of any fuperiority
over the common herd.
The priefts of the Indians are at the fame time their
phyficians, and their conjurors; whilft they heal their
wounds, or cure their difeafes, they interpret their dreams,
give them prote&ive charms, and fatisfy that defire
which is fo prevalent among them, of fearching into
futurity.
How well they execute the latter part of their pro-
feihonal engagements, and the methods they make ufe
of on fome of thefe occafions, I have already fhewn in
the exertions of the prieft of the Killiliinoes, who was
fortunate
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 197
fortunate enough to fucceed in his extraordinary at-
tempt near Lake Superior. They frequently are fuc-
cefsful iikewife in adminiflering the falubrious herbs they
have acquired a knowledge bf ; but that the ceremonies
they make ufe of during the adminiilration of them
contributes to their fuccefs, I mall not take upon me to
affert. . .
When any of the people are ill, the perfon who is m-
vefted with this triple character of dodor, prieft, and
magician, fits by the patient day and night, rattling m
his ears a gourd-mell filled with dry beans, ..-called a Chi-
chicoue, and making a difagreeable noife that cannot be.
well defcribed.
This uncouth harmony one would imagine mould "dif-
turb the fick perfon, and prevent the good effe&s of the-
doctor's prefcription ; but' on the contrary they believe
that the method made ufe of contributes to his recovery, ,
by diverting from his malignant purpofes the evil fpirit
who has innided the diforder; or at lead that it will'
take off his attention, fo that he mall not increafe the
malady. This they are credulous enough to imagine
he is conft^ntly on the watch to do, and would carry
his inveteracy to a fatal length if they did not thus «
charm him.
I could not difcover that' they make ufe of any other
religious ceremonies than thofe I have defcribed; in-
deed, on the appearance of the new-moon they dance
and hng; but it is not evident that they pay that planet
any adoration ; they only feem to rejoice at the return
of a luminary that makes the night cheerful, and which
ferves to light them on their way when they travel dur- -
ing the abfence of the fun..,
Notwithstanding Mr. Adair has allerted that the nati-
ons among whom he refided, obferve with very little
variation all the rites appointed by the Mofaic Law, I
own I could never difcover among thofe tribes that lie
but a few degrees to the north-weft, the lead traces of
the Jewifh religion, except it be admitted that one par-
ticular female cuftom and their divifion into tribes, car-
ry with them proofs fufficient to eftablifh this afferti-
011. -
S 2 , Tke -
i98 CARVE R's TRAVEL S.
The Jefuits and French miffionaries have alfo preten fl-
ed that the Indians had, when they firft travelled into
America, fome notions, though thefe were dark and
confufed, of the chriftian militution ; that they have been
greatly agitated at the fight of a crofs, and given proofs,
by the impreffions made on them, that they were not
entirely unacquainted with the facred myfleries of Chrif-'.
tianity. I need not fay that thefe are too glaring ab-
surdities to be credited, and could only receive their ex-
igence from the zeal_of thofe fathers, who endeavored
at once to give the prlblic a better opinion of the fuc-
cefs of their millions, and to add fupport to the caufe they
were engaged in.
The Indians appear to be in their religious principles,
rude and uninftrucled. The do&rines they" hold are
few and fimple, and fuch as have been generally impref-
fedvon the human mind, by fome means or other, in the
molt ignorant ages. ^ They however have not deviated,
as many other uncivilized nations, and too many civilized
ones have done, into idolatrous modes of worthip; they
Tenerate indeed, and make offerings to the wonderful
parts of the creation, as I have before obferved ; but
but whether thefe rites are performed on account of the
impreffion fuch extraordinary appearances make on them,
or whether they confider -them as the peculiar charge,
or the ufual places of refidence of ,the invifible (pints
they acknowledge, I cannot pofitively determine. .
The human mind in its uncultivated ftate is apt to
afcribe the extraordinary occurrences of nature, fuch as
earthquakes, thunder, or hurricanes, to the interpofiti-
on of unfeen being?;; the troubles and difafters alfo that
are annexed to a favage life, the apprehenfions attend-
ant on a precarious fubfritence and thofe numberlefs in-
conveniences which man in his improved ftate has found
means to remedy, are fuppofed to proceed from the
interpofition of evil fpirits ; the favage confequently lives
in continual apprehenfions of their unkind attacks, and
to avert them has recourfe to charms, to the fantaftic
ceremonies of his prieft, or the powerful influence of
his Manitous. Fear has of courfe a greater mare in his
devotions than gratitude, and he pays more attention
to
-
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 199
to deprecating the wrath of the evil than to fecuring
the favor of the good beings.
The Indians, however, entertain thefe ahfurdities in
common with thofe of every part of the globe who have
lot been illumined by that religion which only can
iifperfe the clouds of fuperftition and ignorance, and
:hey are as free from error as a people can be that has
not been favored with its initruclive doctrines.
CHAPTER XIV.
Of their Difeafes, &c.
THE Indians in general are healthy, and fubje£l
but to few difeafes, many of thofe that afHicl: ci-
vilized nations, and are the immediate confequences of
luxury or floth, being not known among them ; how-
ever} the hardfhips and fatigues which they endure in
hunting or war, the inclemency of the feafons to which
they are continually expoied, bat above all the extremes
of hunger, and that voracioufnefs their long excurfions
consequently fubjecl them to, cannot fail of impairing
the conftitution, and bringing on diforders.
Pains and weaknefles in the flomach and breaft are
fometimes the refult of their long failing, and confump-
tions of the exceffive fatigue and violent exercifes they
expofe themfelves to from their infancy, before they
have fufficient ftrength to fupport them. *But the diforder
to which they are moil fubjecl:, is the pleurify 5 for the
removal of which, they apply their grand remedy and
prefervative againil the generality of their complaints,
fweating.
The manner in which they conftrudfc their floves for
this purpofe is as follows ; They fix feveral fmall poles
in the ground, the tops of which they twift together,
fo as to form a rotunda : this frame they cover with
fkins or blankets j and they lay them on with fo much
nicety
SCO
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
i
nicety, that the air is kept from entering through any
crevice ; a fmall fpace being only left, juft fufficient to
creep in at, which is immediately after clofed. In the
middle of this confined building they place red hot
flones, on which they pour water till a fleam arifes that
produces a great degree of heat.
This caufes an inftantaneous perfpiration, which they
increafe as they pleafe. Having continued in it for fome
time, they immediately haflen to the nearefl ftream, and
plunge into the water-; and, after bathing therein for.
about half a minute, they put on their clothes, fit down
and fmoke with great compofure, thoroughly perfuaded
tnat the remedy will prove efficacious. They often make
ufe of this fudoriferous method to refreih themfelves, or
to prepare their minds for the management of any bufi-
nefs that requires uncommon deliberation and fagacity.
They are likewife afflicted with the dropfy and pa-
ralytic complaints, which, however, are but very feldom
known among them. As a remedy for thefe as well as
for fevers they make ufe of lotions and decoctions, com-
pofed of herbs, which the phyficians know perfectly
well how to compound and apply. But they never,
trull to medicines alone ; they always have recourfe like-
wife to fome fuperflitious ceremonies, without which
their patients would not think the phyfical preparations,
fufficiently powerful.
With equal judgment they make ufe of limples for*
the cure of wounds, fractures, or bruifes ; and are able
to extract by thefe, without incifion, fplinters, iron, or
any other fort of matter by which the wound is caufed.
In cures of this kind they are extremely dextrous, and
complete them in much lefs time than might be expect-
ed from their mode of proceeding.
With the Hun of a fnake, which thofe reptiles annu-
ally fhed, they will alfo extract fplinters. It is amazing
to fee the fudden efficacy of this application, notwith-.
Handing there does not appear to be the leafl moitlure
remaining in it.
It has long been a fubject of difpute, on what conti-
nent the venereal difeale firft received its deftrucHve
power. This dreadful malady is fuppofed to have ori-
ginated
— '
C A RVE R's T RAVELS.
201
jdnated in America, but the literary conteft ft ill remains
undecided ; to give fome elucidation to it I fliall remark,
that as I could not difcover the leaft traces among the
Naudoweffies, with whom I refided fo long, and was alfo
informed that it was yet unknown among the more weft-
em nations, I think I may venture to pronounce that
it had not its origin in North-America. Thofe nations
that have any communication with the Europeans, or
the fouthern tribes, are greatly affli&ed with it ; but
they have all of them acquired a knowledge of fiich
certain and expeditious remedies, that the communicati-
on is not attended with any dangerous confequences.
Soon after I fet out on my travels, one of the tra-
ders whom. I accompanied, complained of a violent go-
norrhoea, with all its alarming fymptoms : this increafed
to fuch a degree, that by the time we had reached
the town of the Winnebagoes, he was unable to travel.
Having made his complaint known to one of the chiefs
of that tribe, he told him not to be uneafy, for he
would engage that by following his advice, he ftiould be
able in a few days to purfue his journey, and in a lit-
tle longer time be entirely free from his diforder.
The chief had no fooner faid this than he prepared
for him a decoction of the bark of the roots of the
prickly afh, a tree fcarcely known in England, but which
grows in great plenty throughout North-America ; by
the ufe of which, in a few days he was greatly recover-
ed, and having received directions how to prepare it,
in a fortnight after his departure from this place per-
ceived that he was radically cured.
If from exceffive exercife, or the extremes of heat or
cold, they -are affected with pains in their limbs or
joints, they fcarify the parts affeclied. Thofe nations
who have no commerce with Europeans do this with a
fharp flint ; and it is furpriling to fee to how fine a point
they have the dexterity to bring them ; a lancet can
fcarcely exceed in fharpnefs the inftruments they make
of this unmalleable fubftance.
They never can be convinced a perfon is ill, whilft he
has an appetite ; but when he rejects all kind or nou-
rifhmentj they confider the difeafe as dangerous, and pay
great
202 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
great attention to it ; and during the continuance of th*
diforder, the phyfician refufes his patient no fort of
food that he is defirous of.
Their doctors are not only fuppofed to be /killed in the
phyfical treatment of difeafes ; but the common people
believe that by the ceremony of the Chichicoue ufually
made ufe of, as before defcribed, they are able to gain
intelligence from the fpirits, of the caufe of the com-
plaints with which they are afHi&ed, and are thereby
the better enabled to find remedies for them. They dif-
cover fomething Supernatural in all their difeafes, and
the phyfic adminiftered muft invariably be aided by
thefe fuperflitions, ,
Sometimes a fick perfon fancies that his diforder arifes
from witchcraft ; in this cafe the phyfician or juggler is
confulted, who, after the ufual preparations, gives his
opinion on the ftate of the difeafe, and frequently finds
feme means for his cure. But not with/landing the In-
dian phyficians always annex thefe fuperftitious ceremo-
nies to their prefcriptions, it is very certain, as I have
already obferved, that they exercife their art by prin-
ciples which are founded on the knowledge of fimples,
and on experience, which they acquire by an indefati-
gable attention to their operations.
The following ftory, which I received from a perfon
of undoubted credit, proves that the Indians are not
only able to reafon with great acutencfs on the caufes
and fymptoms of many <of the diforders which are at-
tendant on human nature, but to apply with equal judg-
ment proper remedies.
In Penobfcot, a fettlement in the province of Main,
in the north-eafl parts of New-England, the wife of a
foldier was taken in labor, and notwithftanding every
neceflary afMance was given her, could not be deliver-
ed. In this fituation me remained for two or three
days, the perfons around her expecting that the next
pang would put an end to her exigence.
An Indian woman, who accidentally paffed by, heard
the groans of the unhappy fufferer, and enquired from
whence they proceeded. Being made acquainted with
the defperate circumltances attending the cafe, me told
the
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 203
he informant, that if ihe might be permitted to fee the
»erfon, (lie did not doubt but that me could be of great
ervice to her.
The furgeon that had attended, and the midwife who
ras then prefent, having given up every hope of preferv-
ng their patient, the Indian woman was allowed to
[lake ufe of any methods me thought proper. She ac-
:ordingly took a handkerchief, and bound it tight over
he nofe and mouth of the woman : this immediately
wrought on a fufFocation ; and from the ftruggles that
:onfequently enfued, fhe was in a few feconds delivered.
Hie moment this was atchieved, and time enough to
>revent any fatal effect, the handkerchief was taken off.
fhe long-fufFering patient thus happily relieved from her
>ains, foon after perfectly recovered, to the aftonifhment
)f all thofe who had been witnefs to her defperate fi-
uation.
The reafon given by the Indian for this hazardous
nethod of proceeding was, that defperate diforders re-
quire defperate remedies ; that as (he obferved the exer-
ions of nature were not fufficiently forcible to effect the
lefired confequence, fhe thought it neceffary to aug-
nent their force, which could only be done by fome
node that was violent in the extreme.
CHAPTER XV.
Of the Manner in which they treat their
Dead.
AN Indian meets death when it approaches him in
his hut, wTith the fame refolution he has often
faced him in the field. His indifference relative to this
important article, which is the fource of fa many ap-
prehenfions to almoft every .other nation, is truly admi-
rable., When his fate is pronounced by the phyfician,
and
204 CARVERS TRAVELS.
and it remains no longer uncertain,, he harangues thofe
about him with the greateit compofure.
If he is a chief and has a family, he makes a kind- of
funeral oration, which he concludes by giving to his
children fuch advice for the regulation of their conduct
as he -thinks necefTary. He then takes leave of his
friends, and limes out orders for the preparation of a
feaft, which is defigned to regale thofe of his tribe that
come to pronounce his eulogium.
After the breath is departed, the body is dreiTed in
the fame attire it ufually wore whilit living, his face is
painted, and he feated in an erect poilure on a mat or
fkin, placed in the middle of the hut, with his weapons
- by his fide. His relations being feated round, each ha-
rangues in turn the deceafed ; and if he has been a great
warrior, recounts his heroic actions nearly to the follow-
ing purport, which in the Indian language is extreme-
ly poetical and pleafing :
" You frill fit among us, Brother, your peifon retains
" its ufual refemblance, and continues fimilar to ours,
" without any vifible deficiency, except that it has loft
" the power of action. But whither is that breath
" flown, which a few hours ago fent up fmoke to the
" Great Spirit ? Why are thofe lips filent, that late-
" ly delivered to us expreflive and pleafing language ?
"- why are thofe feci motionlefs, that a fhort time ago
" were fleeter than the deer on yonder mountains ? why
" ufelefs hang thofe arms that could climb the talleit
" tree, or draw the toughen: bow ? Alas ! every part of
" that frame which we lately beheld with admiration
" and wonder, is now become as inanimate as it was
" three hundred winters ago. We will not, however,
" bemoan thee as if thou wall for ever loft to us, or that
" thy name would be buried in oblivion ; thy foul yet
" lives in the great Country of Spirits, with thofe of
" thy nation that are gone before thee ; and though we
" are left behind to perpetuate thy fame, we mail one
« day join thee. Actuated by the refpect we bore thee
" whilit living, we now come to tender to thee the
" laft act of kindnefs it is in our power to beftow :.
" that thy body might not lie neglected on the plain,
" and
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 205
m and become a prey to the bealls of the field, or the
*< fowls of the air, we will take care to lay it with thofe
" of thy predecefTors who are gone before thee ; hoping
%i at the fame time, that thy fpirit will feed with their
f fpirits, and be ready to receive ours, when we alfo
" mall arrive at the great Country of Souls."
In fhort fpeeches fomewhat fimilar to this does every
chief fpeak the praifes of his departed friend. When
they have fo done, if they happen to be at a great dif-
tance from the place of interment, appropriated to their
tribe, and the perfon dies during the winter feafon, they
.wrap the body in fkins, and lay it on a high flage built
for this purpofe, or on the branches of a large tree, till the
fpring arrives. They then, after the manner defcribed
in my journal, carry it, together with all thofe belong-
ing to the fame nation, to the general burial-place, where
it is interred with fome other ceremonies that I could
not difcover.
When the Naudoweffies brought their dead for inter-
ment to the great cave, I attempted to get an infight
into the remaining burial rites ; but whether it was on
account of the flench which arofe from fo many bodies,
the weather being then hot, or whether they chofe to
keep this part of their ctviioms fecret from me, I could
not difcover ; I found, however, that they confidered
my curioiity as ill-timed, and therefore I withdrew.
After the interment, the band to which the perfon
belongs, take care to fix near the place fuch hierogly-
phics as mail (hew to future ages his merit and accom-
pliihments. If any of thefe people die in the fummer,
at a diftance from the burying-ground, and they find it
impoffible to remove the body before it putrefies,, they
burn the flefh from the bones, and preferring the latter,
bury thern in the manner defcribed.
As the Indians believe that the fouls of the deceafed
employ themfelves in the fame manner in the country of
fpirits, as they did on -earth, that they acquire their food
by hunting, and have there, alfo, enemies to contend
with, they take care that they do not enter thofe regions
defenceless and unprovided : they consequently bury with
them their bows, their arrows, and all the other wea-
T pons
2o5
CARVE R's" TRAVELS.
pons ufed either in hunting or war. As they doubt not
but they will likewife have occafion both for the necef-
faries of life, and thofe things they efteem as ornaments,
they ufually depofit in their tombs fuch ikins or Huff's as
they commonly made their garments of, domeflic uten-
fils, and paint for ornamenting their perfons.
The near relations of the deceafed lament his lofs
with an appearance of great forrow and anguifh ; they
-weep and howl, and make ufe of many contortions* as
they fit in the hut or tent around the body, when the
intervals between the praifes of the chiefs will permit.
One formality in mourning for the dead among the
Naudoweffies is very different from any mode I obferved
In the other nations through which I paffed. . The men,
to mew how great their forrow is, pierce the flefh of
their arms, above the elbows, with arrows ; the fears of
which I could perceive on thofe of every rank, in a
greater or lefs degree ; and the women cut and gafh
their legs with fharp broken flints, till the blood flows
very plentifully.
Whilfl I remained among them, a couple whofe tent
was adjacent to mine, loft a fon of about four years of
age. The parents were fo much affected at the death
of their favorite child, that they purfued the ufual tefti-
monies of grief with fuch uncommon rigor, as through
the weight of forrow and lofs of blood, to occalion the
death of the father. The woman, who had hitherto
been inconfolable, no fooner faw her hufband expire,
that fhe dried up her tears, and appeared cheerful and
refigned.
As I knew not how to account for fo extraordinary
a tranfition, I took an opportunity to afk her the rea*
fon of it ; telling her at the fame time, that I fhould
have imagined the lofs of her hufband would rather have
occafioned an increafe of grief, than fuch a fudden di-
minution of it.
She informed me, that as the ckild was fo young
when it died, and unable to fupport itfelf in the country of
fpirits,both me and her hufband had been apprehenfivethat
its fituation would be far from happy ; but no fooner did
fhe behold its father depart for the fame place, who not
only
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 207
3nly loved the child with the tendereft affe&ion, but
ivas a good hunter, and would be able to provide plen-
tifully for its fupport, than (lie ceafed to mourn. Sue
added, that me now faw no reafon to continue her tears,
is the child on whom me doted, was happy under the
:are and protedion of a fond father, and (he had only
>ne wifh that remained ungratihed, which was that of
being herfelf with them.
Expreffions fo replete with unaffected tenderneis, and
fentiments that would have done honor to a Roman ma-
tron, made an impreflion- on my mind greatly in favor
of the people to whom me belonged, and tended not a
little to counteract the prejudices I had' hitherto ;$»tei>
tained, in common with every other traveller, of Indian
infenfibility and want of parental tenderneis.
Her fubfequent condudl confirmed the favorable opi-
nion I had ju-ft imbibed ; and convinced me, ifiat, notwith-
ftanding this apparent fufpenfion of her grief, fome par-
ticles of that reluctance, to be feparated from a beloved re-
lation, which is implanted either by nature or cuftom 111
every human heart, ilili lurked in hers. I obferved that
Pne went almofl every evening to the foot of the tree,
on a branch of which the bodies of her hufband and
child were laid, aad after cutting off a lock of her hair,
and throwing it on the ground, in a plaintive, melan-
choly fong bemoaned its fate. A recapitulation of the
actions he might have performed, had his life been fpar-
ed, appeared to be her favorite theme; and whilil me
foretold the fame that would have attended an imitati-
on of his father's virtues, her grief feemed to be fu£~
pended:-
" If thou hadft continued with us, my dear Son,"
would flie cry, " how well would the bow have become
" thy hand, and how fatal would thy arrows have prov-
" ed to the enemies of our bands. Thou wouldft of-
" ten have drank their blood, and eaten their flefh, and
u numerous flaves would have rewarded thy toils. With
" a nervous arm wouldfl thou have feized the wounded
* buffaloe, or have combated the fury of the enraged
" bear. Thou wouldft have overtaken the flying elk,
ft. and have kept pace on the. mountain's brow with the
" Heetefi
2o8 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
" fleeteft deer. What feats mighteft thou not have per-
" formed, hadll thou ftaid among us till age had given
" thee flrength, and thy father had inftru&ed thee in
"^ every Indian accomplimment ! " In terms like thefe
did this untutored favage bewail the lofs of her fon, and';
frequently would (he pafs the greateit part of the night
in the affectionate employ.
The Indians in general are very flriCt in the obferv-
ance of their laws relative to mourning for their dead.
In feme nations they cut off their hair, blacken their
faces, and fit in an erect poll are, with their heads clofe-
3y covered, and depriving themielves of every pleafure.
This feverity is continued for feveral months, and with
fome relaxations the appearance is fometimes kept up
for feveral years. I was told that when the Naudo-
weilies receipted any incidents of the lives of their de-
ceafed relations, even after an interval of ten years, they
would howl fo as to be heard at a great diflance. They
would fometimes continue this proof of refpeCt and af-
fection for feveral hours ; and i( it happened that the
thought occurred, and the noife was begun towards the
evening, thofe of their tribe, who are at hand would
join with them.
CHAPTER XVI.
A concife Chara&er of the Indians.
THE character of the Indians, like that of other
uncivilized nations, is compofed of a mixture of
ferocity and gentlenefs. They are at once guided by
pafiions and appetites, which they hold in common with
the fierceft beaits that inhabit their woods, and are pof-
feiTed of virtues which do honor to human nature.
In the following eftimate I mall endeavor to forget on
the one hand the prejudices of Europeans, who ufually
annex to the word Indian, epithets that are difgraceful
to
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 209
to human nature, and who view them in no other light
than as favages and cannibals ; whilft with equal care I
avoid any partiality towards them,- as forne muft natural-
ly arife from the favorable reception I met with during
my ilay among them.
At the fame time I mall confine my remarks to the
nations inhabiting only the weftern regions, fuch as the
Naudoweffies, the Ottagaumies, the Chipeways, the
Winnebagoes, and the Saukies ; for as throughout that
diverfity of climates, the extenfive continent of Ameri-
ca is compofed of, there are people of different difpo*
fitions and various characters, it would be incompatible
with my prefent undertaking to treat of all thefe, and to
give a general view of them as a conjunctive body. ■
That the Indians are of a cruel, revengeful, inexora-
ble difpolition, that they will watch whole days unmind-
ful of the calls of nature, and make their way through
pathlefs, and aim oft unbounded woods, fubfifting only
on the fcanty produce of them, to purfue and revenge
themfelves of an enemy ; that they hear unmoved the
piercing cries of fuch as unhappily fall into their hands,
and receive a diabolical pleafure from the tortures they in-
flict on their prifoners, I readily grant ; but let us look .
on the reverfe of this terrifying picture, and we mall find
them temperate both in their diet and potations (it muft
be remembered that I fpeak of thofe tribes who have
little communication with Europeans) that they with- •
ftand, with unexampled patience, the attacks of hunger, ;
or the inclemency of the feafons, and eiteem the grati-
fication of their appetites but as a . fecondary confide-
ration.
We fhall like wife fee them focial and humane to thofe
whom they confider as their friends, and even to their
adopted enemies ; and ready to partake with them of the
laft morfel, or to rifle their lives in their defence*
In contradiction to the report of many other travel-
lers, all of which have been tinctured with prejudice, I
can affert, that notwithstanding, the. apparent indiffer-
ence with which an Indian meets his -wife and children
after a long abfence, an indifference proceeding rather
from cuftom than infenfibllity, he is not unmindful of
T 2.. the
2io Cx^RVER's travels.
the claims either of connubial or parental tendernefs ;
the little ftory I have introduced in the preceding chap-
ter, of the Naudoweffie woman lamenting her child,
and the immature death of the father, will elucidate
this point, and enforce the aflertion much better than
the moil ftudied arguments I can make ufe of.
Accuflomed from their youth to innumerable hard- '
mips, they foon become fuperior to a fenfe of danger,
or. the dread of death ; and their fortitude, implanted
by nature, and nurtured by example, by precept and ac-
cident, never experiences a moment's allay.
Though flothful and ina&ive whilft 'their {tore of
provifion remains unexhaufted, and their foes are at a
diitance, they are indefatigable and perfevering in pur-
fuit of their game, or in circumventing their enemies.
If they aie artful and defigning, and ready to take
every advantage, if they are cool and deliberate in their
councils, and cautious in the extreme either of difcover-
ing their fentiments, or of revealing a fecret, they might
at the fame time boaii of pofTeffing qualifications of a
more animated nature, of the facacity of a hound, the
penetrating fight of a lynx, the cunning of the fox, the
agility of a bounding roe, and the unconquerable fierce-
nefs of the tiger.
In their public characters, as forming part of a com-
munity, they pofTefs an attachment for that band to
which they belongs unknown to the inhabitants of. any
, other country. They combine, as if they were actu-
ated only by one foul, againft the enemies' of their na-
tion, and banifh from their minds every confideration
oppofed to this.
They confult without unnecefTary oppofition, or with-
out giving way to the excitements of envy or ambition,
on the meafures necefTary to be purfued for the deilruc-
tion of thofe who have drawn on themfelves their dif-
pleafure. No felfifh views ever influence their advice,
or obftrucl: their confutations. Nor is it in the power
of bribes or threats to diminifh the love they bear their
country.
The honor of their tribe, and the welfare of their na-
tion is the firft a#d moil predominant emotion of their
hearts :
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 211
hearts ; and from hence proceed in a great meafure all
their virtues and their vices. Actuated by this, they
brave every danger, endure the molt exquiiite torments,
and expire triumphing in their fortitude, not as a per-
fonal qualification, but as a national chara&eriflic.
From thefe alfo flow that infatiable revenge towards
thofe with whom they are at war, and all the confequent
horrors that difgrace their name. Their uncultivated
mind being incapable of judging of the propriety of an
a&ion, in oppofition to their pamons, which are totally
infenfible to the controls of reafon or humanity, they
know not how .to keep their fury within any bounds,
and confequently that couiage and refolution, which
would otherwife do them honor, degenerates into a fa-
vage ferocity.
But this fhort differtation mult fuffice : the limits of
my work will not permit me to treat the fubjecl: more
copioufly, or to purfue it with a logical regularity. The
obfervations already made by my readers on the preced-
ing pages, will, I truft, render it unneceffary ; as by
them they will be enabled to form a tolerably juil idea
of the people I have been defcribing. Experience teach-
es, that anecdotes, and relations of particular events,
however trifling they might appear, enable us to form a
truer judgment of the manners and cuilorns of a peo-
ple, and are much more declaratory of their real ftate,
than the moft ftudied and elaborate difquifition, with-
out thefe aids.
CHAPTER XVII.
Of their Language, Hieroglyphics, &V.
TH E principal languages of the natives of North-
America may be divided into four claffes, as they
confift of fuch as are made ufe of by the nations of the
Iroquois towards the eaflern parts of it, the Chipeways
or
2i2 CARVER'S TRAVELS,
or Algonkins to the north-well, the Naudoweffies to the
weft, and the Cherokees, Chickafaws, . &c. to the fouth.
One or other of thefe four are ufed by all the Indians
who inhabit the parte, that lie between the coaft of La-
bradoire north, the Florida fouth, the Atlantic Ocean eaft,
and, as far as we can judge from the difcoveries hitherto
made, the Pacific Ocean on the weft.
But of all thefe, the Chipeway tongue appears to be j
the moil prevailing; it being held in fuch efteem, that
the chiefs of every tribe, dwelling about the great lakes,,
or to the weftward of thefe on the banks of the Miffiffip-
pi, with thofe as far fouth as the Ohio, and as far north,
as Hudfon's Bay, confiding of more than thirty dif-
ferent tribes, fpeak this language alone in their coun-
cils, notwithstanding each has a peculiar one of their
own.
It will probably in time become univerfal among all the
Indian nations, as none of them attempt to make ex-
curfions to any great diftance, or are confidered as quali-
fied to carry on any negotiation with, a diilant band,
unlefs they have acquired the Chipeway tongue.
At prefent, befides the Chipeways, to whom it is na-
tural, the Ottawaws, the Saukies, the Ottagaumies, the
Killiftinoes, the Nipegons, the bands about Lake Le
Pieuve, and the remains of the Algonkins, or Gens de
Terre, all converfe in it, with fome little variation of
dialect ; but whether it be natural to thofe nations, or
acquired, I was not able to difcover. I am however of
opinion that the barbarous and uncouth dialect of the
Winnebagoes, the Menomonies, and many other tribes,
will become in time totally extinct, and this be adopted
in its Head.
The Chipeway tongue is not encumbered with any
unneceilary tones or accents, neither are there any words
in it that are faperfluous ; it is alfo eafy to pro-
nounce, and much more copious than any other Indian
language.
As the Indians are unacquainted with the polite arts,
or with the fciences, and as they are alfo ftrangers to
ceremony, or compliment, they neither have nor need
an infinity of words where with to embellifh their dif-
ceurfe,
-
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 213
courfe. Plain and unpolifhed in their manners, they
only make life of fuch as ferve to denominate the necef-
faries or conveniences of life, and to exprefs their wants,
which in a Hate of nature can be but few.
I have annexed hereto a fhort vocabulary of the
Chipeway language, and another of that of the Naudo-
weffies, but am not able to reduce them to the rules
of grammar.
The latter is fpoken in a foft accent, without^ any
guttural founds, fo that it may be learnt with facility,
and is not difficult either to be pronounced or written.
It is nearly as copious and expreffive as the Chipeway
tongue, and is the moft prevailing language of any on
the weftern banks of the Miffiffippi; being in ufe, ac-
cording to their account, among all the nations that he
to the north of the Meflbrie, and extend as far weft as
the (bores of the Pacific Ocean.
As the Indians are not acquainted with letters, it is
very difficult to convey with precifion the exact found
of their words; I have however endeavored to write
them as near to the manner in which they expreifed, as
fuch an uncertain mode will admit of.
Although the Indians cannot communicate their ideas
by writing, yet they form certain hieroglyphics, which,
in fome meafure, ferve to perpetuate any extraordinary
tranfa&ion, or uncommon event. Thus when they are
on their excurfions, and either intend to proceed, or
have been on any remarkable enterprife, they peel the
bark from the trees which lie in their way, to give
intelligence to thofe parties that happen to be at a
diftance, of the path they rauft purfue to overtake
them.
The following inftance will convey a more perfect idea
of the methods they make ufe of on this occafion, than
any expreffions I can frame.
When I left the Miffiffippi, and proceeded up the
Chipeway River, in my way to Lake Superior, as relat-
ed in my Journal, my guide, who was a chief of the
Chipeway s that dwell on the Ottawaw Lake, near the
heads of the river we had juft entered, fearing that fome
partirs of the Naudoweffies, with whom his nation are
perpetually
Hi
214 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
perpetually at war, might accidentally fall in with us,
and before they were apprifed of my being in company,
do us fome mifchief, he took the following fteps:
He peeled the bark from a large tree, near the en-
trance of a river, and with wood-coal, mixed with bear's
greafe, their ufual fubftitute for ink, made in an un-
couth, but expreffive manner, the figure of the town of
the Ottagaumies. He then formed to the left a mar*
dreffed in fkins, by which he intended to reprefent a
Naudoweffie, with a line drawn from his mouth to that
of a deer, the fymbol of the Chipeways. After this
he depi&ured Hill further to the left a canoe as proceed-
ing up the river, in which he placed a man fitting with
a hat on; this figure was deiigned to reprefent an
Enghfhman, or myfelf, and my Frenchman was drawn
with a handkerchief tied round his head, and rowing
the canoe ; to thefe he added feveral other fignificant
emblems, among which the Pipe of Peace appeared
painted on the prow of the canoe.
The meaning he intended to convey to the Naudo-
weffies, and which I doubt not appeared perfectly intel-.
ligible to^ them, was, that one of the Chipeway chiefs
had received a fpeech from fome Naudoweffie chiefs,
at the town of the Ottagaumies, defiring him to con-
duel: the Englifnman, who had lately been among them,
up the Chipeway river; and that they thereby required,,
that the Chipeway, notwithstanding he was an avowed
enemy, mould not be malefled by them on his paffage,
as he had the care of a perfon whom they efteemed as;
one of their nation.
Some authors have pretended that the Indians have
armorial bearings, which they blazon with great exacl>.
nefs, and which diftinguiih one nation from another ;-.
but I never could obferve any other arms among them,
than the fymbols already defcribed*
A fhort
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
215
A fhort Vocabulary of the Chipeway
Language.
JV. B. This people do not make ufe either of
the confonants F. or V.
A BOVE
Sptmtnh
Jr\. Abandon
Packiton
Admirable
Pilawah
Afterwards
Mipidach
All
Kokinum
Always
Kokali
Amifs
Napitch
Arrive
Takouchln
Axe
Agacwet
Allies
Pingoe
Affiil
Ma whew ah
B.
Ball
Alewin
Bag, or tobacco-pouch
Cafpetawgan
Barrel
Owentoivgan
Beat
Pahhiie
Bear
Mackwah
Bear, a young one
Makon
Beaver
Amih
Beaver's lkin
Apimznique
Be, or to be
Tapate
Beard
Mifchtton
Becaufe
Mewinch .
Believe
Tilerlmala
Belly
2i6 CARVER3
s TRAVELS.
Belly
Mifloemout
Black
Markaute
Blood
Mifkow
Body
Toe
Bottle
Sht/hego
Brother
ISfeconnis
Brandy or
Rum
Scuttawaivbah
Bread
Paboujloigan
Breech
Mifcoufab
Breeches
Kipokitie Koufah
Buck
C
Wq/ketch
Canoe
Cheman
Call
Tefloenekavj
Chief, a
Okemaiu
Carry
Petou
Child or Children
Bohelojhln
Coat
Capoteivian
Cold, I am
Kekalch
Come on
Moppa
Come to
Pemotcha
Comrade
Neechee
Concerned
'Tallemijji
Corn
M^ehmin
Covering, or a Blanket
Wawbewlon
Country
Endavjlawkeen
Courage
Tagwawmlffii
Cup
D
Olawgan
Dance
Nen}eh
Dart
Shejhikivee
Die, to
Nip
Diih
Machoan
Dog
Alim
Dead
Neepoo
Devil or evil Spirit
Matchc-Manitw ,$.
Ahmoti
Dog, a little one
Done,
CARVER'* TRAVELS.
21?
Done, it is done
Sliah
Do
Tqflnton
Doubtlefs
Ontclatoubah
Drefs the kettle
Poutnvah
Drink
Minihwah
Drunken
Ouifquiba
Duck
Chick hip
E
Earth
Auhivin
Eat
Otvi/fine
Each
Papegik
Englifh
Sagaiinojh
Enough
Mimilic
Equal, or alike
Taivbifcouch
Efteem
Nawpetelim anv
Eyes
Wifkinkhie
F
Pail
Waliebic
Fall
Ponhifm
Far off
Watfaiv
Fat
Pimmitee
Friend
Ni conn is
Father
Noofah
Few, or little
Maungis
Fatigued
Tauhivijfi
Field fown
Kittegaumic
Fire
Scutta
Fire, to ftrike-
Scutecke
Find
Nantounawaiv
Fifh
Kichon
Fork
Najjaivohivot
Formerly
Pirnvego
Fort
Wakaigon
Forward
Nopawhik
French
Necht gjjfh
Freeze, to
mgh
Freezes hard
K'tjjm Magat
u
Full
18 CARVER'S
T R A VEI
Full
Moujkinet
Fufee or Gun
Pq/keffigan
G
God, or the Great Spirit
Kltchi Manitou
Go by water
Pimmifcaiv
Girl
jfeck*w a/Jin
Give
Millaw
Glafs, a mirror
Wanvbemo
Good
Caivlatch
Good for nothing
Malatal
Govern
Tibarimaw
General, or Comman- ~)
der in Chief y
K'ttchi Okimaw
Smauganifh
Grapes
Shoamin
Great
Manatou
Greedy-
Sawfawkiffz
Guts
Olaiubi/h
H
Hare '
Watupoos
Heart
Ivlichetvah
Hate
Shingaurimanx)
Half
Nawbal
Hair, human
Lifts
Hair of beafts
Peyual
Handfome
Canoginne
Have
Tandaulaw
Head
Oitftecouan
Heaven
Sperninkakivin
Herb
Mejajh
Here
Aconda
Hidden
Kemouch
Home
Entayent
Honor
Machanvalaiv
Hot
Ahejhofta
How
Taivne
How many
Yawnemilik
Hunt
iCetvaffa
Hut, or Houfe
Wig'Waum
CARVER'S
TRAVELS.
I
Indians
Ijlyinanvhah
Iron
Pewawbick
Ifland
Minis
Immediately
Welaich
Indian Corn
Mittawmin
Intirely
Nawpitch
Impoftor
Matvlawtiffie
It might be fo
Tatvneendo
K
Kettle
Achhons
King, or Chie-
Ohemanv
Keep
Gantverimaiv
Knife
Mockoman
Knife that is crooked
Cootaivgon
Know
Tkicheremaw
L
*
Lake
Kitchigaiiumhik
Laugh
Pawpi
Lazy
Kittimi
Lame
Kikekaie /
Leave
Pockitcn
Letter
Mawfignaugon
Life
Noucbimotvin
Love
Saukie
Long fince
- Shawjhia
Land Carriage
Gappatwwgon
Lofe
Packilaugue
Lie down
Weepemato
Little
Waitbe/heen
M
Meat
Weas
Much
Nibhilaw
219.
Man
220 CARVER'S
TRAVELS.
Man
AU'tffinape
March, to go
Pimmoiijfie
Marry
Weewin
Medicine
Majkikk
Merchandife
Alokochigon
Moon
Dsbicot
Mortar to pound ia
Poutwwgon
Male
Nape
Miftrefs
Neremotifn
N
Needle
Shawbonkm
Near
Pewltch
Nation
Irinee
Never
Caivikkaw
Night
Debicot
No
Kaix)
Nofe
Toch
Nothing
Kakego ,
Not yet
Kwwmifchi
Kagutch
Not at all
Nought, good for nothing
Malatat
0
Old
KauwefJjine
Otter
Nikkik
Other
Coutack
P
Pipe
Poagan
Part, what part
Tatunapee
Play
Packeigo
Powder, gun, or dull
Pingo
Peace, to make
Pecacotiche
Pray
Taivlahnia
Proper
Sawfega
Presently
Webatch
Peninfula
1
M'mn'tffm
Quick
CARVER'S TRAVELS'.
Q.
Quick
Kegotsk
R
Regard
Waivbemo
Red
Mi/cow
Refolve
Tibellndon
Relation
Toivwemazu
Refpeft
Taivbaavmica
Rain
Kimmewan
Robe
Ockolaw
River
Sippim
Run, to
S-
Sad
Pitchebot
Talimljjie
Sail
Pemifcaw
Sack, or Bag
Mqjhlmot
Sea, or large Lake
Agunkitchiga'wrmnh
Shoes
Mauki/fm
Ship, or large Canoe
Kitchi Cheman
Sorry-
Nifcottl/Jta
Spirit
Manitou
Spoon
Mickwon
Star
Alanh
Steal
Kemautln
Stockings :
Mittaus
Strong
Majhkauwah
Sturgeon
JLaivmack
Sun
Kiffis
Sword
Simaugan
Surprifing
Etivah, Eiwah
See
Wawbemo
Since
Mapedoh
Shirt
Papawkwean
Slave
Wachan
Sleep
Nippee
Sit down
Mintzpin '
U 2
Tafcs
F-
£22
CARVERS TRAVELS.
■ !
Take
Emaundah
Teeth
Tibbit
That
Mawbah
There
Watfaudehl
This
Maundah
Truly-
Kihit
Together
Mawmaivwee
Tobacco
Semau
Tongue
Outon
Tired
Tavukon/ie
Too little
Ofaummangls
Too much
OJfaune
Thank you
Meg watch
To-morrow
Waivbunk
To-morrow the day after
Oufwawbunk
W
Warriors
Semauganaufh
Water
Nebbi
War
Nantaubaulaw
Way
Mickon
Well then!
Tauneendah!
What is that?
Wawweiuin f
What now?
^uagonie?
)•
Whence
Taunippi
Where
rah
White
Waube
Who is there ?
. ^uagonle Mauhah?
'Wind
Loutin
Winter )
Pepoun
Woman
Ickwee
WTood
Mittic
Wolf
JMawhingon
Y
Yefterday
Petchilawgo
Yet
Minnewatch
Young
WifcGtiek'iJJi
fellow
Wazzo.
The;
CARVER
>s TRAVELS. 223
The Numerical Terms of the Chipeways,
One
Pajhik
Two
Ninch
Three
Niffbu
Four
Neau
Five
Naran
Six
Ningoutwaffbu
! :
Seven
Ninchowaf/bu
"A
Eight
Niffonvajfou
Nine
Shongaffou
'if'l
Ten
Mittaujfou
Eleven
Mittaujfou Pajhik
Twenty-
Ninchtawnaw
Thirty
N'Jfou Mittawnanv
Forty
Neau Mittatvnaw
Fifty
Naran Mittawnaw
Sixty
Ningoutivajfou Mittawnaw
Seventy
Ninchowajfou Mittawnaw
Eighty
Niffowqffbu Mittatvnaw
Ninety
Shongajfou Mittawnaw
Hundred
Mittaujfou Mktawnaw
Thoufand
C Mittaujfou Mittaujfou
\ Mittawnaw
A fhort Vocabulary of the Naudoweffie
Language.
A
Axe
Ajhpahv
B
Beaver
Chawbah
Buffalo
Tawtongo
Bad
Shejah
Broach
Mwzahootoo
Bear, a
Wahkonfhejah
-Canoe
M
tm CARV El's; TRAVELS.
C
Canoe
Gold
Child, a Male
Child, a Female
Come here
Dead
Deer
Dog
B
Waahtoh
Mechuetah
Wechoakfeh
Whacheekfeh
Accooyouiyare
Negufh
Tohinjoh
Shungufh
Eat
Ears
Eyes
Evil
Echawmenaw:'
Noohah
EJhtifa
Shejah
Fire
Father
Frenchman
Falls of Water
Friend
Paahtah
Otah
Neehteegujh
Qwah Menab
Kitchiwah
Good
Give
Go away
' C*od? or the Great Spirit
Gun
Great
Gold
Wojhtah
Accooyeh
Accoowah
Wakon
Muzah Wahou
Tonga
Muzaham ,
Heaa*
CARyER's TRAVELS.
H
22£
Hear
Horfe
Home, or
Houfe
Heaven
domeftic
I
Noohijhon
Shuetongo
Shuah
Teebee
Wojhtah ¥eehe&
Iron
I, or me
Mu%ah
Meoh
K
King, or
Kill
Chief
L
Otah
Negujhtauga<w
Little
Long
Lake
Love
M
Win
Tongoom
Tongo Meneh
Ehwahmeah
Much
More
Moon
Mouth
Medal
Mine
Milk
N
Otah
Otena<w
Oaueeh
Eeh
Mu%ah Otah
Mewah
Etfawboh
No
Near
Heyafa
yeefiinaw
.'.
Oh!
Zl6
CARVE R>s
O
Oh!
TRAVELS.
Hopiniyahie I
Pipe
Shanuapaiv
Pipe of Peace
Shanuapaw Wahon
R
Ram
Owah Meneh
• Ring
Muzamcbupab
Round
S
Chupah
Smoke
Shawah
Salt Watei
Menu Queah
See, to
EJhtatJb '
Sleep
EJhteemo
Snake
Omli/hcaw
Sun
Paahtah
Spirit
Wakon
Spirituous
Liquors
Meneh Wahon
Snow
Sinnee
Surpriiing
Hopiniayare
Silver
T
Muzaham
Tobacco
Shawfajfaw
Owehch'm
Talk
Tree
Ocbaitx
There
W
Dache
Woman
Winnokejah
Wonderful
Hopiniyare
Water
CARVE R'<
Water
What
Who is there ?
Wicked
TRAVELS.
Meneh
Taivgo
Taivgodache P
Heyahatchta
227
You
Young
You are good
You are a Spirit
You are my good Friend
No Good
Chee
Haivpawnaw
Wcjhtah Chee
IVakon Chee
Wajhtah Kitchiwah Chee
Heyah Wajhtah
The Numerical Terms of the Naudoweflies.
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
Hundred
Thoufand
Woncha-w
IVoompaiu
Tatvmonee
Toboh
Saivbuttee
Shawco
Shawcopee
Shahinahhin
Nebochunganong
Wegochunganong
Wegochunganong Wonchaw
Wegochunganong ^Noompaiv
Wegochunganong Tawmonee
Wegochunganong Toboh
Wegochunganong Saivbuttee
Wegochunganong Shaivco
Wegochunganong Shaiucopee
C Wegochunganong Shahin-
£ dohin
C Wegochunganong Neho-
£ chunganong
Opohng
Wegochunganong Opohng
To
228 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
To this fhort vocabulary of the Naudoweffie language*
I fhall adjoin a fpecimen of the manner in which they
unite their words. I have chofen for this purpofe a fhort
fong, which they fmg, with fome kind of melody, though
not with any appearance of poetical meafure, when they
fet out on their hunting expeditions : and have given as
near a tranflation as the difference of the idioms will
permit.
Meoh accoowah efhtaw paatah negujhtawgaw Jhejah me-
nah. Tongo Wakon meoh wojhta, paatah accooivah. Ho-
pmiyahle ozueeh accooyee meoh, wofhta patah otoh tohinjoh
meoh teebee.
I will rife before the fun, and afcend yonder hill, to
fee the new light chafe away the vapors, and difperfe
the clouds. Great Spirit, give me fuccefs. And when
the fun is gone, lend me, oh moon, light fufficient to
guide me with fafety back to my tent loaden with deeri
CHAPTER XVIII.
Of the Beafts, Birds, Fifties, Reptiles, and
Infefts, which are found in the interior
Parts of North- A,merica.
OF thefe I fhall, in the firft place, give a catalogue,
and afterwards a defcription of fuch only as are
either peculiar to this country, or which differ in fome
material point from thofe that are to be met with in
other realms.
OF THE BEASTS.
The Tiger, the Bear, Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, the Cat
of the Mountain, the Wild Cat, the Buffalo, the Deer,
the
CARVER'S TRAVEL S. 2 29
the Elk, the Moofe, the Carraboo, the Carcajou, the
Skunk, the Porcupine, the Heclge-hog, the Wood-
chuck, the Racoon, the Marten, the Fifher, the Muik-
quafh, Squirrels, Hares, Rabbits, the Mole, the Wea-
fel, the Moufe, the Dormoufe, the Beaver, the Otter,
the Mink, and Bats. «).-,'/ :.
The TIGE R. The Tiger of America refemoles
in fhape thofe of Africa and Ana, but is considerably
fmaller. Nor does it appear to be fo fierce and ravenous
as they are. The color of it is a darkifn fallow, and
it is entirely free from fpots. I faw one on an ifland in
the Chipeway River, of which I had a very good view,
as it was at no great diftance from me. It fat up on
its hinder parts like a dog ; and did not feem either to
be apprehenfive of our approach, or to difcover any ra-
venous inclinations. It is however very feldom to be
met with in this part of the world.
The BEAR. Bears are very numerous on this con-
tinent, but more particularly fo in the northern parts of
it, and contribute to furniih both food and beds for al-
moft every Indian nation. Thofe of America differ in
many refpeSs from thofe either of Greenland or Ruffia,
they being not 'only fomewhat fmaller, but timorous
and inoiTenfive, unlefs they are pinched by hunger, or
fmarting from a wound. The fight of a man terrifies
them ; and a dog will put feveral to flight. They are
extremely fond of grapes, and will climb to the top of
the hlghefl trees in queft of them. This kind of food
renders their fieih exceffively rich, and finely flavored ;
and it is confequently preferred by the Indians and tra-
ders to that of any other animal. The fat is very
-white, and befides being fweet and wliolefome^ is pof-
feffed of one valuable quality, which is, that it never
cloys. The inhabitants of thefe parts conftantly anoint
themfelves with it, and to its efficacy they in a great
meafure owe their agility. The feafon for hunting the
bear is during the winter; when they take up their
abode in hollow trees, or make themfelves dens in the
roots of thofe that are blown down, the entrance of
which they Hop up with branches of fir that lie fcattered
about. From thefe retreats it is faid they itir not whilft
. X the
230 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
tlie weather continues fevere, and as it is well known
that they do not provide themfelves with food, they
are fuppofed to be enabled by nature to fubfift for fome
months without, and during this time to continue of
the fame bulk.
The W O L F. The wolves of North-America are
much lefs than thofe which are met with in other parts
of the world. They have, however, in common with
the reft of their fpecies, a wildnefs in their looks, and
a fiercenefs in their eyes ; notwithftanding which, they
are far from being fo ravenous as the European wolves,
nor will they ever attack a man, except they have ac-
cidentally fed on the flefh of thofe flam in battle. When
they herd together, as they often do in the winter,
they make a hideous and terrible noife. In thefe parts
there are two kinds ; one of which is of a fallow co-
lor, the other of a dun, inclining to a black.
The FOX. There are two forts of foxes in North-
America, which differ only in their color, one being of
a reddifh brown, the other of a grey ; thofe of the
latter kind that are found near the river Miffiffippi, are
f xtremely beautiful, their hair being of a fine filver
gre)r-
DOGS. The dogs employed by the Indians in
hunting appear to be all of the fame fpecies; they car-
ry their ears ereft, and greatly refemble a wolf about
the head. They are exceedingly ufeful to them in their
hunting excurfions, and will attack the flerceft of the
game they are in purfuit of. They are alfo remarkable
for their fidelity to their malters ; but being ill fed by
them, are very troublefome in their huts or tents.
The CAT of the Mountain. This creature is in
fhape like a cat, only much larger. The hair or fur re-
fembles alfo the fkin of that domeflic animal ; the color
however differs, for the former is of a reddifh or orange
call, but grows lighter near the belly. The whole fldn
is beautified with black fpots of different figures, of
which thofe on the back are long, and thofe on the
lower parts round. On the ears there are black ftripes. This
creature is nearly as fierce as a leopard, but will feldom
attack, a man.
The
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 231
The BUFFALO. This bead, of which there
are amazing numbers in thefe parts, is larger than an
ox, has inert black horns, with a large beard under his
chin, and his head is fo full of hair, that it falls over
his eyes, and gives him a frightful look. There is a
bunch on his back which begins at the haunches, and
increafing gradually to the moulders, reaches on to the
neck. Both this excrefcence and its whole body arc co-
vered with long hair, or rather wool, of a dun or moufe
color, which is exceedingly valuable, efpecially that on
the fore part of the body. Its head is larger than a
bull's, with a very ftiort neck ; the bread is broad, and
the body decreafes towards the buttocks. Thefe crea-
tures will run away at the fight of a man, and a whole
herd will make off when they perceive a hngle dog.
The fldh of the buffalo is excellent food, its hide ex-
tremely ufeful, and the hair very proper for the manu-
fa&ure of various articles.
The DEER. There is but one fpecies of deer m
North-America, and thefe are higher and of a dimmer
make than thofe in Europe. Their fhape is nearly the
fame as the European, their color of a deep fallow, and
their horns very large and branching. This bead is the
fwifteft on the American plains, and they herd together
as they do in other countries.
The ELK greatly exceeds the deer in fize, being
in bulk equal to a horfe. Its body is fhaped like that
of a deer, only its tail is remarkably lhort, being not
more than three inches long. The color of its hair,
which is grey, and not unlike that of a camel, but of a
more reddifh cad:, is nearly three inches in length, and
as coaife as that of a horfe. The horns of this creature
grow to a prodigious fize, extending fo wide that two
or three perfons might fit between them at the fame
time. They are not forked like thofe of a deer, but
have all their teeth or branches on the outer edge. Nor
does the form of thofe of the elk refemble a deer's, the
former being fiat, and eight or ten inches broad, where-
as the latter are round and considerably narrower.
They (lied their horns every year in the month of Fe-
bruary, and bv Augufl the new ones are nearly arrived
at
232 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
at their full ^growth. Notwithstanding their fize, and
the means of defence nature has furnifhed them with,
they are as timorous as a deer. Their fkin is very ufeful,
and will drefs as well as that of a buck. They feed on
grafs in the fummer, and on mols or buds in the win-
ter.
The MOOSE is nearly about the fize of the elk,
and the horns of it are almoft as enormous 'as that ani-
mal's ; the flem of them, however, is not quite fo
wide, and they branch on both fides like th.ofe of a
deen This creature alfo fheds them every year. Though
its hinder parts are very broad, its tail h not above an
inch long. It has feet and legs like a camel ; its head
is about two feet long, its upper lip much larger than
the under, and the nollrils of it are fo wide that a man
might thrufl his hand into them a confiderable way.
The hair of the moofe is light grey, mixed with a bl'ack-
ifh red. It is very elaflic, for though- it be beaten ever
£o long, it will retain its original fhape. The nefh is
exceeding good food, eafy of digeftion, and very nou-
nming. The nofe, or upper lip, which is large and loofe
irom the gums, is efteemed a great delicacy, being of
<i firm confidence, between marrow and griftle, and when
p^o^rly dreffed, affords a rich and lufcious dim. Its
IndeTs very proper for leather, being thick and ffrong,
yet foft and pliable. The pace of this creature is always
a trot, which is fo expeditious, that it is exceeded in
fwiftnefs but by few of its fellow inhabitants of thefe
woods. It is generally found in the foreih, where it
feeds on mofs and buds. Though this creature is of
the deer kind, it never herds as thofe do. Moil authors
confound it with the elk, deer, or carraboo, but it is a
fpecies totally different, as might be discovered by at-
tending to the defcription I have given of each.
The C A R R A B O O. This beaft is not near fo
tall as the moofe, however it is fomething like it in
fhape, only rather more heavy, and inclining to the
form of the afs. The horns of it are not flat as thofe
of the elk are, but round like thofe of the deer ; they
alio meet nearer together at the extremities, and bend
more over theface th^fn either thofe of the elk or moofe.
It
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 233
It partakes of the fwiftnefs of the deer, and^is with
difficulty overtaken by its purfuers. The flefh of it like-
wife is equally as good, the tongue particularly is m
high efteem. The fkin being fmooth and free irowi
veins, is as valuable as fhamoy. #
i The CARCAJOU. This creature, wnich is ot
the cat kind, is a terrible enemy to the preceding four
fpecies of hearts. He either comes upon them from
fome concealment unperceived, or climbs up into a tree,
and taking his flation on fome of the branches, waits
till one of them, driven by an extreme of heat or cold,
takes melter under it ; when he fattens upon his neck,
and opening the jugular vein, foon brings his prey to
the around. This he is enabled to do by his long tail,,
with* which he encircles the body of his adverfary ; and.
the only means they have to fhun their fate, is by fly-.-
ino- immediately to the water; by this method, as the*
carcajou has a great diflike to that element, he is fome-;
times got rid of before he can efted his purpofe,
The SKUNK. This is the raoft extraordinary
animal that the American woods produce. It is rather lefs *
than a pole-cat, and of the fame fpecies ; it is therer
fore often miftaken for that creature, but it is very du~
ferent from it in many points. Its hair is long and Aim-
ing, variegated with large black and white fpots,.the
former moilly on the moulders and rump ; its tail is
very bufhy, like that of the. fox, part black, and part
white like its body ; it lives chiefly in the woods and
hedges ; but its extraordinary powers are only _ (hewn
when it is purfued. . As foon as he finds himfelf in dan-
ger, he eje&s, to a great diflance from behind, a fmall
ilream of water, of fo fubtile a nature, and at the
fame time of fo .powerful a.fmell, that the air is tainted
with it for half a mile in circumference; and his purfu-
ers, whether men or dogs, being almoil fuffocated with
the ftench, are obliged to give over thepmfuit. On
this account he is called by the French, Enfant du Di-
able, the Child of the Devil ; or Bete Puante, the Stink-
ing Beau-. It is almoifc irnpoffible to defcribe the noi~
fome effeds of the liquid with which this creature is
fupplied by nature for its defence. If a drop of it falls.
X 2.. °**
HI
234 CARVERS TRAVELS.
W jour clothes, they are rendered fo difagreeable that
it is impofhble ever after to wear them ; or l£ any of it
enters # your eyelids, the pain becomes intolerable for a
long time, and perhaps at lafi you lofe your fight. The
imell oi thefkunk, though thus to be dreaded, is not
like that or a< putrid carcafe, but a ftrong foetid effluvia
or mufk which difpleafes rather from its penetrating;
power than from its naufeoufnefs. It is notwithftandin?
considered as conducive to clear the head, and to raile
the fpirits. This water is fuppofed by naturalifts to be
. its urine ; but I have difle&ed many of them that I
have mot,, and have found within their bodies, near the
urinal veffel, a fmall receptacle of water, totally diftin&
from tne bladder which contained the urine, .and from
which alone I am fatisfied the horrid ftench proceeds.
After having taken out with great care the bag wherein
this water is lodged, I have frequently fed on them,
and have found them very fweet and good ; but one drop
emitted, taints not only the carcafe, but the whole
xioufe, and renders every kind of provifions, that are in
*t, unfit for ufe. With great juftice therefore do the
.French give it fuch a diabolical name.
The> PORCUPINE. The body of an American
porcupine is in bulk about the fize of a fmall dog, but
it is both fhorter in length, and not fo high from the
ground. It varies very much from thofe of other coun-
tries both in its fhape and the length of its quills. The
former is like that of a fox, except the head, which is
not fo marp and long, but refembles more that of a rab-
bit. Its body is covered with hair of a dark brown,
about four inches long, great part of which are the thick-
hefs of a ftraw, and are termed its quills. Thefe are
white, with black points, hollow and very ftrong, efpe-
cially thofe that grow on the back. The quills ferve this
creature for offenfive" and defenfive weapons, which he
darts at his enemies, and if they pierce the flem in the
leaft degree, they will fink quite into it, and are not to
be extrafted without inciiion. The Indians ufe them
for boring their ears and nofes, to infert their pendants,
and alfo by way of ornament to their ftockings, hair,
&c. befldes which they greatly efteem the flem.°
The
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 235
The WOOD-CHUCK is a ground animal of
the fur kind, about the fize of a marten, being nearly
fifteen inches long ; its body however is rounder, and
his legs ihorter; the fore-paws of it are broad, and
conftru&ed for the purpofe of digging ; holes m the
ground, where it burrows like a rabbit ; its fur is of a
Irey color, on the reddifh caft, and its nefh tolerable food.
The RACOON is fomewhat lefs in fize than a
beaver, and its feet and legs are like thofe of that
creature, but fhort in proportion to its body, which re-
fembles that of a badger. The fhape of its head is
much like a fox's, only the ears are ihorter, more round
and naked ; and its hair is alfo fimilar to that animal's,
being thick, long, foft, and black at the ends. On its
face°there is a broad ftripe that runs acrofs it,^ and in-
cludes the eyes, which are large. Its muzzle is black,
and at the end roundifh like that of a dog ; the teeth
are alfo fimilar to thofe of a dog in number and fhape ;
the tail is long and round, with annular ftripes on it like
thofe of a cat ; the feet have five long (lender toes, arm-
ed with (harp claws, by which it is enabled to climb up
trees like a monkey, and to run to the very extremities
of the boughs. It makes ufe of its fore-feet, in the
manner of hands, and feeds itfelf with them. The nefh
of this creature is very good in the months of Septem-
ber and Oftober, when fruit and nuts, on which it likes
to feed, are plenty. .
The MARTEN is rather larger than a fquirrel,
and fomewhat of the fame make ; its legs and claws,
however, are confiderably fhorter. Its ears are fhort,
broad, and roundifh, and its eyes fhine in the night like
thofe of a cat. The whole body is covered with fur of
a brownifh fallow color, and there are fome in the more
northern parts which are black ; the fkins of the latter
are of much greater value than the others. The tail is
covered with long featr, which makes it appear thicker
than it really is. Its nefh isfometimes eaten, but is not
in any great efteem. . ■'
The MUSQUASH, or MUSK-RAT, is fa
termed for the exquifite mufk which it affords. It ap-
pears to be a diminutive of the beaver, being endowed
r with
236 CARVER's TRAVELS.
with all the properties of that fagacious animal, and
wants nothing but fize and itrength, being not much
bigger than a large rat of the Norway breed, to rival
the creature it fo much refembJes. Was it not for its
tail, which is exactly the fame as that of an European
rat, the ftru&ure of their bodies is fo much alike, efpe-
cially the head, that it might be taken for a fmall bea-
ver.^ Like that creature it builds itfelf a cabin, but of
a lefs perfect conilrudtion, and takes up its abode near
the fide of fome piece of water. In the fpring they
leave their retreats, and in pairs fubfift on leaves and
roots till the fummer comes on, when they feed on llraw-
berries, rafberries, and fuch other fruits as they can reach.
At the approach of winter they feparate, when each takes
up its lodging apart by itfelf in fome hollow of a tree,
where they remain quite unprovided with food, and there
is the greater! reafon to believe, fubfiil without any till
the return of fpring.
S QU IRRELS. There are five forts of fquir-
rels in America ; the red, the grey, the black, the va-
riegated, and the flying. The two former are exactly
the fame as thofe of Europe ; the black are fomewhat
larger, and differ from them only in color ; the varie-
gated alfo referable them in ihape and figure, but are
very beautiful, being finely flriped with white or grey,
and fometimes with red and black. • The American fly-
ing fquirrel is much lefs than the European, being not
above five inches long, and of a rufTet grey or am -color
on the back, and white on the under parts. It has
black prominent eyes, like thofe of the moufe, with a
long, fiat, broad tail. By a membrane on each fide*
which reaches from its fore to its hind legs, this crea-
ture is enabled to leap from one tree to another, even if
they fland a considerable diftance apart ; this loofe fkin,
which it is enabled to ftretch out like a fail, and by
which it, is buoyed up, is about two inches broad, and
is covered with a fine hair or down. It feeds upon
the fame provifions as the others, and is eafily tamed.
The BEAVER. This creature has been fo often
treated of, and his uncommon abilities fo minutely de-
fcribed, that any further account of it will appear un-
neceffary ;
CARVER' 8 TRAVELS. 237
ncceffary ; however for the benefit of thofe of my readers
who are not fo well acquainted with the form and pro-
perties of this fagacious and ufeful animal, I (hall give
I concife defcription of it. The beaver is an amphibious
quadruped, which cannot live for any long time in the
water, and it is faid is even able to exifl entirely without it,,
provided it has the convenience of fometimes bathingitleli.
The largeft beavers are nearly four feet in length, and
about fourteen or fifteen inches in breadth over the
haunches; they weigh about fixty pounds. Its head
is like that of the otter, but larger; its fnout is pretty
loner, the eyes fmall, the ears fhort, round, hairy on
the outfide, and fmooth within, and its teeth very
long; the under teeth Hand out of their mouths about
the°breadth of three fingers, amd the upper half a lin-
ger, all of which are broad, crooked, ftrong, and (harp;
befides thofi* teeth called the incifors, which grow double,
are fet very ^eep in their jaws, and bend like the edge
of an axe, they have iixteen grinders, eight on each
fide, four- above and four below, diredly oppoiite to
each other. With the former they are able to cut down
trees of a confiderable fize, with the latter to break the
hardell fubftances. Its legs are ftiort># particularly the
fore-legs, which are only four or five inches long, and
not unlike thofe of a badger; the toes of the fore-feet
are feparate, the nails placed obliquely, and are hollow
like quills; but the hind feet are quite different, and
furnifhed with membranes between the toes. By this
means it can walk though but fiowly, and is able to fwim
with as much eafe as any other aquatic animal. The tail has
fomewhat in it that refembles a fifh, and feems to have
no manner of relation to the reft of the body, except
the hind feet, all the other parts being fimilar to thofe
of land animals. The tail is covered with a fkin torn li-
ed with fcales, that are joined together by a pellicle;
th^fe fcales are about the thicknefs of parchment, nearly
a line and a half in length, and generally of a hexagom-
cal figure, having fix corners ; it is about eleven or twelve
inches in length, and broader w the middle, where it is
four inches over, than either at the root or the extremi-
ty. It is about two inches thick near the body, where
1 it
-
z3$
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
it is annoft round, and grows gradually thinner and
flatter to the end. The color of the beaver is different
according to the different climates in which it is found. In
the moil northern parts they are generally quite black ; in
more temperate, brown ; their color becoming lighter and
lighter as they approach towards the fouth. The fur is of
two forts ail over the body, except at the feet, where it is
very ftiort; that which is the longeft is generally in length
about an inch, but on the back it fometimes extends to two
inches, gradually diminifliing towards the head and tail.
This part of the fur is harm, coarfe, and mining, and of lit-
tie ufe; the other part confifts of a very thick and fine
down, lo foft that it feels almofl like filk, about three
quarters of an inch in length, and is what is commonly
manufaaured. Caftor, which is ufeful in medicine, is
produced from the body of this creature; it was former-
ly believed to be its tefticles, but later difcoveries have
ihown that it is contained in four bags, fituated in the
lower belly. Two of which, that are called the fuperior,
from their being more elevated than the others, are
filled with a foft refmous, adhefive matter, mixed with
irnall fibres, greyifh without, and yellow within, of a
itrong, difagreeable, and penetrating fcent, and very
inflammable. This is the true cafloreum; it hardens in
the air, and becomes brown, brittle, and friable. The
inferior bags contain an un&uous liquor like honey; the
color of which is a pale yellow, and its odor fomewhat
different from the other, being rather weaker and more
difagreeable; it however thickens as it grows older, and
at length becomes about the confiflence of tallow. This
has alfo its particular ufe in medicine; but it is not fo
valuable as the true cafloreum.
The ingenuity of thefe creatures in building their
cabins, and in providing for their fubfiflence, is truly
wonderful. When they are about to choofe themfelves
a habitation, they affemble in companies fometimes of
two or three hundred, and after mature deliberation fix
on a place where plenty of provifions, and all neceffaries
are to be found. Their houfes are always fituated in
the water, and when they can find neither lake nor pond
adjacent, they endeavor to fupply the defed by flop-
ping
CAJlVER's TRAVELS. 239
ping the current of fome brook or fmall river, by means
of a caufeway or dam. For this purpofe they fet about
felling of trees, and they take care to choofe out thofe
that grow above the place where they intend to build,
that 'they may fwim down with the current. Having
fixed on thofe that are proper, three or four beavers
placing themfelves round a large one, find means with
their ftrong teeth to bring it down. They alfo prudent-
ly contrive°that it mall fall towards the water, that they
may have the lefs way to carry it. After they have by
a continuance of the fame labor and induftry, cut it in-
to proper lengths, they roll thefe into the water, and
navigate them towards the place where they are to be
employed. Without entering more minutely into the
meafures they purfue in the conftruaion of their dams,
1 fhall only remark, that having prepared a kind of
mortar with their feet, and laid it on with their tails,
which they had before made ufe of to tranfport it to
the place where it is requifite, they conftrud them with
as much folidity and regularity as the moll experienced
workman could do. The formation of their cabins is
no lefs amazing. Thefe are either built on piles in the
middle of the fmall lakes they have thus formed, on the
bank of a river, or at the extremity of fpme point of
land that advances into a lake. The figure of them is
round or oval, and they are fafhioned with an ingenuity
equal to their dams. Two thirds of the edifice ftands
above the water, and this part is fufnciently capacious
to contain eight or ten inhabitants. Each beaver has
his place aligned him, the floor of which he curioufly
itrews with leaves, or fmall branches of the pine-tree,
10 as to render it clean and comfortable ; and their ca-
bins are all fituated fo contiguous to each other, as to
allow of an eafy communication. The winter never
furprifes thefe animals before their bufinefs is completed;
for by the latter end of September their houfes are finish-
ed, and their flock of pro vinous are generally laid in.
Thefe confift of fmall pieces of wood whofe texture^ is
foft, fuch as the poplar, the afpin, or willow, &c. which
they lay up in piles, and difpofe of in fuch manner as
to preferve their moifture. Was I to enumerate every
inflance
r4o CARVER's TRAVELS.
inftance of fagacity that is to be difcovered in thefe ani-
mals, they would fill a volume, and prove not only en-
tertaining but inftru&ive.
The OTTER. This creature alfo is amphibious,
and greatly refembles a beaver, but is very diffeYent from
it in many refpe&s. Its body is nearly as long as a beaver's,
but confiderably lefs in all its parts. The muzzle, eyes,
and the form of the head are nearly the fame, but the
teeth are ,yery unlike, for the otter wants the large in-
cifors or nippers that a beaver has; inftead of thefe, all
his teeth, without any diftin&ion, are fhaped like thofe
of a dog or wolf. The hair alfo of the former is not
half fo long as that belonging to the latter, nor is the
color of it exadly the fame, for the hair of an otter
under the neck, flomach, and belly, is more greyim
than that of a beaver, and in many other refpecls it
likewife varies. This animal, which is met with in
znoft parts of the world, but in much greater num-
ber^ in North-America, is very mifchievous, and when
he is clofely purfued, will not only attack dogs but
men.
It generally feeds upon fifh, efpecially in the fummer,
but in the winter is contented with the bark of trees, or
the produce of the fields. Its flefh both taftes and fmells
of fifh, and is not wholefome food, though it is fome-
iiines eaten through neceffity.
The M I N K is of the otter kind, and fubfifls in the
fame manner. In fhape and fize it refembles a pole-cat,
being equally long and flender. Its fkin ^ blacker than
that of an otter, or almoft any other creature; " as
" black as a mink," being a proverbial expreflion in
America; it is not however fo valuable, though this great-
ly depends on the feafon in which it is taken. Its tail
is round like that of a fnake, but growing nattifh to-
wards the end, and is entirely without hair. An agree-
able mufky fcent exhales from its body; and it is met
with near the fources of rivers, on whofe banks it chiefly
lives.
O F
-
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
241
OF THE BIRDS.
The Eagle, the Hawk, the Night Hawk, the Fifli
Hawk, the Whipperwill, the Raven, the Crow, the
Owl, Parrots, the Pelican, the Crane, the Stork, the
Cormorant, the Heron, the Swan, the Goofe, Ducks,
Teal, the Loon, the Water-Hen, the Turkey, the
Heath Cock, the Partridge, the Quail, Pigeons, the
Snipe, Larks, the Woodpecker, the Cuckoo, the Blue
Jay, the Swallow, the Wakon Bird, the Black Bird,
the Red Bird, the Thrufh, the Whetfaw, the Nightin-
gale, the King Bird, the Robin, the Wren, and the
Humming Bird.
The EAGLE. There are only two forts of eagles
in thefe parts, the bald and the grey, which are much
the fame in fize, and fimilar to the fhape of thofe of
other countries.
The NIGHT HAWK. This bird is of the
hawk fpecies, its bill being crooked, its wings formed
for fwiftnefs, and its fhape nearly like that of the com-
mon hawk; but in lize it is confiderably lefs, and in
color rather darker. It is fcarcely ever feen bxt in the
evening, when, at the approach- of twilight, it flies about,
and darts itfelf in wanton gambols at the head of the
belated traveller. Before a thunder-fhower thefe birds
are feen at an amazing height in the air affembled to-
gether in great numbers, as fwallows are obferved to do
on the fame occafion.
The W H I P P E R W I L L, or, as it is termed by
the Indians, the Muckawifs. This extraordinary bird is
fomewhat like the laft-mentioned in its fhape and color,
only it has fome whitifh ftripes acrofs the wings, and
like that is feldom ever feen till after fun-fet. It alfo is
never met with but daring the fprjng and fummer months*.
As foon as the Indians are informed by its notes of its
return, they conclude that the troll is entirely gone, in
which they are feldom deceived; and on receiving this
allur£nce of milder weather, begin to fow their corn.
Y It
I
24-2 CARVER'S TRAVELS.'
It acquires its name by the noife it makes, which to
the people of the colonies founds like the name they
give it, Whipper-will; to an Indian ear Muck-a-wifs.
The words, it is true, are not alike, but in this manner
-they Ilrike the imagination of each ; and the circum-
iiance is a proof that the fame founds, if they are not
rendered certain by being reduced to the rules of ortho-
graphy, might convey different ideas to different peo-
ple. As foon as night comes on, thefe birds will place
themfelves on the fences, flumps, or ftones that lie near
fome houfe, and repeat their melancholy notes without
any variation till midnight. The Indians, and fome
of the inhabitants of the back fettlements, think if tin's
bird perches upon any houfe, that it betokens fame mif-
liap to the inhabitants of it.
The FISH HAWK greatly refembles the lat-
ter in its fhape, and receives his name from his food,
which is generally fifn; it fkims over the lakes and rivers,
and fometimes feems to lie expanded on the water, as he
hovers fo clofe to it, and having by fome attractive
power drawn the fifh within its reach, darts fuddenly
upon them. The charm it makes ufe of is fuppofed to
be an oil contained in a fmall bag in the body, and
which nature has by fome means or other fupplied him
with the power of ufmg for this purpofe; it is how-
ever very certain that any bait touched with a drop
of the oil collected from this bird is an irrefiftible lure
for all forts of fifh, and infures the angler great fuc-
cefs.
The O W L. The only fort of owls that is found
on the banks of the MiffifTnopi is extremely beautiful in
its plumage, being of a fine deep yellow or gold color,
pleafingly fhaded and fpotted.
The CRANE. There is a kind of crane in thefe
parts, which is called by Father Hennipin, a pelican,
that is about the fize of the European crane, of a greyifh
color, and with long legs ; but this fpecies differs from
all others in its bill, which is about twelve inches long,
and one inch and an half broad, of which breadth it con-
tinues to the end, where it is blunted, and round like a
paddle 5 its tongue is of the fame length.
DUCKS.
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 245
DUCKS. Among a variety of wild ducks, the
different fpecies of which amount to upwards of twenty,
I (hall confine my defcription to one fort, that is, the
wood duck, or, as the French tennit. Canard Branchus.
This fowl receives its name from its frequenting the
woods, and perching on the branches oi trees, wruch no
other kind of water fowl (a charadenftic that this ftill
preferves) is known to do. It is nearly oi: a nze wim
other ducks; its plumage is beautifully variegated, ^and
very brilliant. The flefh of it alio, as it teeds but ik-
tie ou fifh, is finely flavored, and much fupenor to any
other fort. . , .
The TEAL. I have already remarked m my
Journal, that the teal found on the Fox River, and the
head branches of the Miffiffippi, are pernaps not to be
equalled for the fatnefs and delicacy of their flefti by any
other in the world. In color, fhape^ and fize tucy
are very little different from thofe iound m otaer
countries. . r ,
The L O O N is a water fowl, fomewhat leis than a
teal, and is a fpecies of the dcbchick. Its; wings are:
{hort, and its legs and feet large in proportion, to the
body; the color of it is a dark brown, nearly approacn-
ina to black; and as it feeds only -on f% the flefh of it
is very ill-flavored. Thefe birds are exceedingly nimble
and expert at diving, fo that it is almoft impomble for
one perfon to fhoot them, as they will dextroufly avoid
the foot by diving before they reach them; fo that it
requires three perfons to kill one of them, and this can
only be done the moment it raiies its head out of the
water as it returns to the furface after diving. # It how-
ever only repays the trouble taken to obtain it, by the
excellent fport it affords. -
The PARTRIDGE. There are three forts of
partridges here, the brown, the red, and the black, the
firfl of which is moil edeemed. They are all much
larger than the European partridges, being nearly the
fize of a hen pheafant; their head and eyes are alfo
like that bird, and they have all long tails, which they
fpread like a fan, but not ere&; but contrary to the
cuftom of thofe in other countries, they will perch on
the
244 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
of which they feed early In the morning and in the
The WOOD PIGEON is nearly the fame as
M ^^/".ch prodigious quantities of them on
dafet tne°f / T^''- that ^ w01 f°*»*^
darken the fun for feveral minutes.
fid ltd \° °D P ErC K E R- ThIs k a *«* beauti-
M bird; there is one fort whofe feathers are a mixture
at various colors ; and another that is brown all over the
body, except tne head and neck, which are of a fine
ed. As this bird is fuppofed to make a greater noife
than ordinary at particular times, it is conjedured his
cries then denote rain.
yjhl \LUE JAY- ™ bird is maped nearly
like the European jay, only that its tail is longer. On
tue top of .ts head is a creft of blue feathers, which is
railed or let down at pleafure. The lower part of the
neck behind, and the back, are of a purplilb color, and
the upper fides of the wings and tail, as well as the
lower part of the back and rump, are of a fine blue:
tae extremities of the wings are blackilh, faintly tindur-
eu wita Sark blue on the edges, whilft the other parts
at the wing are barred acrofs with black in an eleo-ant
manner. Upon the whole this bird can fcarcely be ex-
ceeded in beauty by any of the winged inhabitants of
tms or other climates. It has the fame jetting moti-
on that jays generally have, and its cry is far more
pleafing.
The WAKON BIRD, as it is termed by the
Indians, appears to be of the fame fpecies as the birds
of paradife. The name they have given it is expreflive
of its fuperior excellence, and the veneration they have
font; the wakon bird being in their language the bird
of the Great Spirit. It is nearly the fize of a fwallow,
of a brown color, fhaded about the neck with a bright
green; the wings are of a darker brown than the body;
its tail is -compofed of four or live feathers, which are
three times as long as its body, and which are beautiful-
ly maded with green and purple. It carries this fine
length
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 245
length of plumage in the fame manner as a peacock does,
but it is not known whether it ever raifes it into the
erea pofition that bird fometimes does. I never faw
any of thefe birds in the colonies, but the Naudoweffie
Indians caught feveral of them when I was 111 their
country, and feemed to treat them as if they were ot
a fuperior rank to any tether of the feathered race.
The BLACK JTLRD. There are three fort£
of birds in North-America that bear this name; the firft
is the common, or as it is there termed, the crow black
bird, which is quite black, and of the fame fize and
fhape of thofe in Europe, but it has not that melody
in its notes which they have. In the montii of Sep-
tember this fort fly in large flights, and do great mii-
chief to the Indian corn, which is at that time jutt
ripe. The fecond fort is the red-wing, which is rather
fmaller than the firft. fpecies, but like it is black all over
its body, except on the lower rim of the wings, where
it is of a fine, bright, full fcarlet. It builds its neft, and
•chiefly reforts among the fmali bufhes that grow m mea-
dows and low, fwampy places. It whiftles a few notes,
but is not equal in its fong to the European black bird.
The third fort is of the fame fize as the latter, and is
jet black like that, but all the upper part of the wing, juft
below the back, is of a fine, clear white ; as if nature in-
tended to diverfify the fpecies, and to atone for the want
of a melodious pipe by the beauty of its plumage; for
this alfo is deficient in its mufical powers. The beaks
of every fort are of a full yellow, and the females of each
of a rufly black like the European.
The RE D B I RD . is about the fize of a fparrow, but
with a long tail, and is. all over of a bright vermilion colon ,
I faw many of them about the Ottawaw Lakes, but I
could not learn that they fang. I alfo obferved in fome
other parts, a bird of much the fame make, that was
entirely of a fine yellow.
The W HETS A W is of the cuckoo kind, being
like that, a folkary bird, and fcarcely ever feen. ^ In the
fummer months it is heard in the groves, where it makes
a noife like the filing of a faw; from which it receives
its name. _;,
Y z. r&eH
246 CARVER's TRAVELS.
The KING BIRD is like a fwallow, and feems
to be of the fame fpecies as the black marten or fwift.
It is called the King Bird becaufe it is able to mailer
almoft every bird that flies. I have often feen it brino-
down a hawk*
The H U M M I N G BIRD. This beautiful bird,
winch is the fmalle.fl of the feathered inhabitants of the
air, is about the third part the iize of a wren, and is
fhaped extremely like it. Its legs, which are about
an inch long, appear like two fmall needles, and its
body is proportionable to them. But its plumage ex-
ceeds defcription. On its head it has a fmall tuft of
a jetty, mining black; the breafl of it is red, the belly
white, the back, wings, and tail of the fin eft pale green ;
and fmall fpecks of gold are fcattered with inexpremble
grace over the whole : befides this, an almoft impercepti-
ble down foftens the colors, and produces the moft
pleafing fhades. With its bill, which is of the fame
diminutive fize as the other parts of its body, it ex-
tracts from the flowers a moifture which is its nourifh-
meat ; over thefe It hovers like a bee, but never lights
on them, moving at the fame time its wings with fuch
velocity that the motion of them is imperceptible; not-
withstanding which they make a humming noife, from
whence it receives its name.
Of the FISHES which are found in the
Waters of the Miffiffippi.
I have already given a defcription of thofe that are
taken in the great lakes.
The Sturgeon, the Pout or Cat Fifh, the Pike, the
Carp, and the Chub.
The STURGEO N. The frefli water fturgeon
is fhaped in no other refpect like thofe taken near the
feat,
CARVER's TRAVELS. 247
fea, except in the formation of its head and tail ; which
are faihioned in the fame manner, bat the body is not
fo angulated, nor are there fo many borny fcales about
it as on the latter. Its length is. generally about two
feet and a half or three feet long, but in circumference
not proportionable, being a fiender fifh. The flefh is
exceedingly delicate and finely flavored ; I caught fome
in the head waters of the river St. Croix that far ex-
ceeded trout. The manner of taking them is by watch-
ing them as they lie under the banks in a clear ftream,
and darting at them with a fim-fpear; for they will
not take a bait. There is alfo in the Miffiffippi, and
there only, another fort than the ipecies I have defcrib-
ed, which is fimilar to it in every refpect, except that
the upper jaw extends fourteen or fifteen inches beyond
the under; this extenfive jaw, which is of. a griftiy iub-
ftance, is three inches and a half broad, and continues
of that breadth, fome what in the ihape of an oar, to
the end, which is flat. The flefh of this fifh, however*
is not to be compared with, the other fort, and is not fo
much efteemed even by the Indians.
The CAT F I S H. This fifh is about eighteen
inches long; of a brownifh color, and without fcales. It
has a large round head, from whence it receives its
name, on different parts of which grow three or four
ftrong, fharp horns about two inches^long. Its fins are
alfo very bony and ftrong, and without great care will
pierce the hands of thofe who take them. It weighs
commonly about five or fix pounds; the fie 111 of it is
excefTively fat and lufcious* and greatly refembles that
of an eel in its flavor.
The CARP and CHUB are much the fame as
thofe in England, and nearly about the fame in fize.
OF SERPENTS.
The Rattle Snake, the Long Black Snake, the Wall
or Houfe Adder, the Striped or Garter Snake, the Wa-
ter Snake, the Hiffing Snake, the Green Snake, the
Thorn-tail
m*
24S
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
Thorn-tail Snake, the Speckled Snake, the Ring Snake,
the Two-headed Snake.
The RATTLE SNAKE. There appears to be
two fpecies of this reptile ; one of which is commonly
termed the Black, and the other the Yellow ; and of
thefe the latter is generally confidered as the largefh
At their full giowth they are upwards of five feet long,
and the middle part of the body, at which it is of the
greateft bulk, meafures about nine inches round. From
that part it gradually decreafes both towards the head
and the tail. The neck is proportion ably very fmall, and
the head broad and depreffed. Thefe are of a light
brown color, the iris of the eye red, and all the upper
part of the body brown, mixed with a ruddy yello.w,
and chequered with many regular lines of a deep black,
gradually mading towards a gold color. In Ihort the
whole ^ of this dangerous reptile is very beautiful, and
could it be viewed with lefs terror, fuch a variegated ar-
rangement of colors would be extremely, pleafing. But
thefe are only to be feen in their higheft perfe&ion at
the time this creature is animated by refentment ; then
every tint rufhes from its fubcutaneous recefs, and gives
the furface of the fkin a deeper llain. The belly is of
a pahih blue, which grows fuller as it approaches the
fides, and is at length intermixed with the color of the
upper part. The rattle at its tail, from which it receives
its name, is eompofed of a firm, dry, callous, or horny
fubftance of a light brown, and confiUs of a number of
cells which articulate one within another, like joints ; and i
which increafe every year, and make known the age of
the creature. Thefe articulations being very loofe, the
included points flrike againft the inner furface of the
concave parts or rings into which they are admitted,
and as the fnake vibrates, or (hakes its tail, make a
rattling npHe. This alarm it always gives when it is
apprehenfive of danger ; and in an inftant after forms
itfelt into a fpiral wreath, in the centre of which appears
the head erect, and breathing forth vengeance againft ei-
ther mau or beall that fhall dare to come near it. In
this attitude he awaits the approach of his enemies, rat-
tling
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 249
tling his tail as he fees or hears them coming on. By
this timely intimation, which heaven feems to have
provided as a means to counteract the mifchief this ve-
nomous reptile would otherwife be the perpetrator of, the
unwary traveller is apprized of his danger, and has an,
opportunity of avoiding it. It is however to be obferv-
ed, that it never acls ofFenfively ; it neither purfues or
flies from any thing that approaches it, but lies in the
pofition defcribed, rattling his tail, as if recant to-
hurt. The teeth with which this ferpent efTefts his poi-
fonous purpofes are not thofe he makes ufe of on ordina-
ry occafions, they are only two in number, very fmall
and fharp pointed, and fixed in a fmewy fubftance that
lies near the extremity of the upper jaw, refembling the
claws of a cat ; at the root of each of thefe, which
might be extended, contraded, or entirely hidden, as
need requires, are two fmall bladders which nature has
fo conftru&ed, that at the fame inftant an incifion js
made by the teeth, a drop of a greenifh, poifonous liquid
enters the wound, and taints with its deftru&ive quality
the whole mafs of blood. In a moment the unfortunate
victim of its wrath feels a chilly tremor run through
all his frame; a fwelling immediately begins on the,
fpot where the teeth had entered, which fpreads by de-
grees over the whole body, and produces on every part
of the Ikin the variegated hue of the fnake. The bite
of this reptile is more or lefs venomous, according to
the feafon of the year in which it is given. In the dog-
days it often proves inftantly mortal, and efpecially if
the wound is made among the linews fituated in the
back part of the leg, above the heel ; but in the fprxng,
in autumn, or during a cool day which might happen
in the fummer, its bad effects are to be prevented by the
immediate application of proper remedies ; and thefe
Providence has bounteoufly fupplied, by caufmg the
Rattle Snake Plantain, an approved antidote to the poi-.
fbn of this creature, to grow in great profuflon where--
ever they are to be met with. There are likewife fe-
veral other remedies befides this, for the venom, of its
bite. A decoction made of the buds or bark of the
white afh? taken internally, prevents its pernicious .ef-
fe.cts^
2JO
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
feds. Salt is a newly difcovered remedy, and if applied
immediately to the part, or the wound be warned with
brine, aTcure might be affured. The fat of the reptile
alfo rubbed on it is frequently found to be very efficaci-
ous. But though the lives of the perfons who have
been bitten might be preferved by thefe, and their health
in fome degree reilored, yet they annually experience a
flight return of the dreadful fymptoms about the time
they received the inflillation. However remarkable it
may appear, it is certain, that though the venom of this
creature affe&s, m a greater or lefs degree, all animated
nature, the hog is an exception to the rule, as that ani-
mal will readily deftroy them without dreading their
poifonous fangs,- and fatten on their nefh. Itiias been
often obferved, and I can confirm the obfervation, that
the Rattte Snake is charmed with any harmonious
founds, whether vocal or innxumental ; I have many
times feen them, even when they have been enraged,
place themfelves in a liilening pofture, and continue
immovably attentive and fufceptible of delight all the
time the mufic has lafled. I mould have remarked, that
when the Rattle Snake bites, it drops its under jaw,
and holding the upper jaw erect, throws itfelf in a curve
line, with great force, and as quick as lightning, on the
object of its refentment. In a moment after, it returns
again to its defenilve pofture, having difengaged its
teeth from the wound with great celerity, by means cf
the pofition in which it had placed its head when it
made the attack. It never extends itfelf to a greater
diftance than half its length will reach, and though it
fometimes repeats the blow two or three times, it as of-
ten returns with a fudden rebound to its former ilate.
The Black Rattle Snake differs in no other refpect from
the Yellow, than in being rather fmaller, and in the
variegation of its colors, which are exactly reverfed : one
is black where the other is yellow, and vice verfa.
They are equally venomous. It is not known how thefe
creatures engender ; I have often found the eggs of fe-
veral other fpecies of the fnake, but notwithilaoding
no one has taken more pains to acquire a perfect know-
ledge of every property of thefe reptiles than myfelf,
I
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 251
I never could difcover the manner in which they bring
forth their young. I once killed a female that had
feventy young ones in its belly, but thefe were perfect-
ly formed, and I faw them juft before retire to the
mouth of their mother, as a place of fecunty, on my
approach. The galls of this ferpent, mixed with chalk,
are formed into little balls, and exported from America,
for medicinal purpofes. They are of the nature of Gal-
coign's powders, and are an excellent remedy for com-
plamts incident to children. The flefh of the fnake al-
io dried, and made into broth, is much more nutritive
than that of vipers, and very efficacious againft con-
fumptions. , ^;f« ,-
The LONG BLACK SNAKE. Thefe are alfo
of two forts, both of which are exa&ly fimilar in fhape
and fize, only the belly of one is a light red, the other
a faint blue ; all the upper parts of their bodies . are
black and fcaly. They are in general from fix to eight
feet in length, and carry their heads, as they crawl
along, about a foot and an half from the ground. They
eafily climb the higher! trees in purfuit of birds and
fquirrels, which are their chief food ; and thefe, it is faid,
they charm by their looks, and render incapable of ef-
caping from them. Their appearance carries terror with
it to thofe who are unacquainted with their inability to
hurt, but they are perfectly inoffenfive and free from ve-
n°The STRIPED or GARTER SNAKE is ex-
a&ly the fame as that fpecies found in other climates.
The WATER SNAKE is much like the Rattle
Snake in fhape and fize, but is not endowed with the
fame venomous powers, being quite harmlefs.
The HISSING SNAKE I have already particu-
larly defcribed, when I treated, in my Journal, of Lake
Erie.
The GREEN SNAKE is about a foot and an half
long, and in color fo near to grafs and herbs, that it
cannot be difcovered as it lies on the ground ; happily,
however, it is free from venom, otherwife it would do an
infinite deal of mifchief, as thofe who pafs through the
meadows^
.1
252 CARVER'S TRAVELS.
meadows, not being able to perceive it, are deprived of
the power of avoiding it.
The THORN-TAIL SNAKE. This reptile is
found in many parts of America, but is very feldom to
be feen. It is of a middle fize, and receives its name
from a thorn-like dart in its tail, with which it is faid
to inm& a mortal wound.
The SPECKLED SNAKE is an aqueous rep-
tile about two feet and an half in length, but without
venom. Its flan, which is brown and white, with fome
fpots of yellow In it, is ufed by the Americans as a
covei for the handles of whips, and it renders them ve-
ry pleafing to the fight.
The RING SNAKE is about twelve inches long;
the^ body of it is entirely black, except a yellow iing
which it has about its neck, and which appears like
a narrow piece of riband tied around it. This odd
reptile is frequently found in the bark of trees, and
among old logs.
The TWO-HEADED SNAKE. The only fnake
of this kind that was ever feen in America, was found
about the year 1762, near Lake Champlain, by Mr.
Park, a gentleman of New England, and made a pre-
sent to Lord Amherft. It was about a foot long, and
in^ fhape like the common- fnake, but it was furnifhed
with two heads exa&ly fimilar, which united at the
neck. Whether this was a diftincl fpecies of fnakes,
and was able to propagate its likenefs, or whether it
was an accidental formation, I know not.
The TORTOISE or LAND TURTLE. The
fhape of this creature is fo well known that it is unne-
cessary to defcribe it. There are feven or eight forts of
them in America, fome of which are beautifully varie-
gated, even beyond description. The (hells of many have
ipots of fed, green, and yellow in them,* and the che-
quer work is compofed of fmall fquares curioufly dif-
pofed. The moil beautiful fort of thefe creatures are
the fmalleft/and the bite of them is faid to be venom-
ous.
LIZARDS,
-
CARVER's TRAVELS.
253
LIZARDS,
EsV.
Though there are numerous kinds of this elafs of the
animal creation, in the country I treat of, I mall only
take notice of two of them ; which are termed the
Swift and the Slow Lizard.
The SWIFT LIZARD is . about fix inches long,
and has four legs and a tail. Its body, which is blue, is
prettily ftriped with dark lines fnaded with yellow ; but
the end of the tail is totally blue. It is fo remarkably
agile, that in an inftant it is out of fight, nor can its
movement be perceived by the quickeil eye : {o that it
might more juftly be faid to vanifh, than to run
away. This fpecies are fuppofed to poifon thofe they
bite, but are not dangerous, as they never attack per-
sons that approach them, choofing rather to get fudden-
ly out of their reach.
The SLOW LIZARD is of the fame fhape as
the Swift, but its color is brown ; it is moreover of an
oppofite difpofition, being altogether as flow in its move-
ments as the other is fwift. It is remarkable that- thefe
lizards are extremely brittle, and will break off near the
tail as eafily as an icicle.
Among the reptiles of North-America, there is a fpe-
cies of the toad, termed the TREE TOAD, which
is nearly of the fame fhape as the common fort, but
f mailer and with longer claws. It is. ufually found on
trees, (ticking- clofe to the bark, or lying in the crevices
of it ; and fo nearly does it refemble the color of the
tree to which it cleaves, that it is with difficulty diitin-
giiifhed from it. Thefe creatures are only heard during
the twilight of the morning and evening, or jufl before
and after a fhower of rain, when they make a croaking
noife fomewhat fhriller than that of a frog, which might
be heard to a great diilance. They krfeit the woods in
fuch numbers, that their refponfive notes at thefe times
make the air refound. It is only a fummer animal, and
never to be found during the winter.
INSECTS.
Z
^54
CARVERS TRAVELS.
INSECTS.
The interior parts of North-America abound with
nearly the fame infe&s as are met with in the fame pa-
rallels of latitude ; and the fpecies of them are fo nu-
merous and diverfified that even a fuccinct defcription
of the whole of them would rill a volume ; I fhall there-
fore confine myferf to a few, which I believe are al-
moll peculiar to this country ; the Silk Worm, the To-
bacco Worm, the Bee, the Lightning Bug, the Water
jBug, and the Horned Bug.
The SILK WORM is nearly the fame as thofe of
France and Italy, but will not produce the fame quan-
tity of filk.
The TOBACCO WO RM is a catterpillar of the
fize and figure of a filk. worm, it is of a fine fea-green
color, on its rump it has a fling or horn near a quarter
,of an inch long.
The BEES in America principally lodge their ho-
ney in the earth to fecure it from the ravages of the
bears, who are remarkably fond of it.
The LIGHTNING BUG or FIRE FLY is
about the fize of a bee, but it is of the beetle kind, having
like that infecl: two pair of wings, the upper of which
are of a firm texture, to defend it from danger. When
it flies, and the wings are expanded, there is under thefe
a kind of coat, conflru6f.ed alio like wings, which is lu-
minous ; and as the infect paffes on, caufes all the
hinder part of its body to appear like a bright fiery
coal. Having placed one of them on your hand, the
under part only mines, and throws the light on the
fpace beneath ; but as foon as it fpreads its upper wings
to fly away, the whole body which lies behind them ap-
pears illuminated all around. The light it gives is not
conftantly of the fame magnitude, even when it flies ;
but feems to depend on the expanfion or contraction of
the luminous coat or wings, and is very different from
that emitted in a dark night by dry wood or fome kinds
of fim, it having much more the appearance of real fire.
They
CARVER'S TRAVELS. *#s
They feem to be fenfible of the power they are poffeffed
of, and to know the moil fuitable time for exerting it,
as in a very dark night they are much more numerous
than at any other time. They are only feen during the
fummer months of June, July, and Auguft, and then
at no other time but in the night. Whether from their
color, which is a dufky brown, they are not then difcerm-
ble, or from their retiring to. holes and crevices, I know
not, but they are never to be difcovered in the day.
They chiefly are feen in low, fwampy land, and appear like
innumerable tranfient gleams of light. In dark nights when?
there is much lightning without mis* they feeriL as if
they wifhed either to imitate or afilfl the flames ; for
during the intervals, they are uncommonly agile, and
endeavor to throw out every ray they can collect. Not-
withftanding this effulgent appearance, thefe infects are-
perfe&ly harmlefs, you may permit them to crawl upon
your hand, when five or fix, if they freely exhibit their
glow together, will enable you to read almoft the fmall-
eft print.
The WATER BUG is of a brown color,- about
the fize of a pea, and in (hape nearly oval ; it has many
legs, by means of which it paiTes over the furface of the
water with fuch incredible fwiftnefs, that it feems to
Aide or dart itfelf along.
The HORNED BUG, or as it is fometimes term-
ed the STAG BEETLE, is of a duiky brown color
nearly approaching to black, about an inch and an half
long, and half an inch broad. It has two large horns, •
which grow on each iide of the head, and meet hori-
zontally, and with thefe it pinches very hard ; they are
branched like thofe of a flag, from whence it receives
its name. They fly about in the evening, and prove
very troublefome to thofe who are in the fields at that
time.
I mull not omit that the LOCUST is a feptennial
infed, as they are only feen, a fmall number of ftrag-
glers excepted, every feven years, when they infeffc
thefe parts and the interior colonies in large (warms,,
and do a great deal of mifchief. The years when they
thus arrive are denominated the iocuil years.
e h a p9
2j6
CARVER's TRAVELS.
CHAPTER XIX.
Of the Trees, Shrubs, Roots, Herbs, Flow-
ers, SsV.
SHALL here obferve the fame method that I have
purfued in the preceding chapter, and having given
a lift of the trees, &c. which are natives of the interior
parts of North- America, particularize fuch only as differ
from the produce of other countries, or, being little
known, have not been defcribed.
OF TREES.
The Oak, the Pine Tree, the Maple, The Am, the
Hemlock, the Bafs or White Wood, the Cedar, the
Elm, the Birch, the Fir, the Locuil Tree, the Poplar,
the Wickopick or Suckwick, the Spruce, the Horn-
beam, and the Button Wood Tree.
The OAK. There are feveral fprts of oaks in thefe
parts ; the black, the white, the red, the yellow, the
grey, the fwamp oak, and the chefnut oak : the five
Tormer vary but little in their external appearance, the
fnapc of the leaves, and the color of the bark being fo
much alike, that they are fcarcely diftinguifhable ; but
the body of the tree when fawed difcovers the variation,
which chiefly confifts in the color of the wood, they be-
ing all very hard, and proper for building. The fwamp
oak differs materially from the others both in the ihape
of the leaf, whicry s fmaller, and in the bark, which is
fmoother ; and likewife as it grows only in a moift, gra-
velly foil. It is eileemed the toughen: of all woods,
being fo flrong yet pliable> that it is often made ufe of
inftead of whalebone, and is equally ferviceable. The
chefnut oak alfo is greatly different from the others, parti-
cularly
CARVER'S TRAVELS, 257
cularly in the fhape of the leaf, which much refembles
that of the chefnut-tree, and for this reafon it is fo denomi-
nated. It is neither fo ftrong as the former fpecies, or
fo tough as the latter", but is of a nature proper to be
fplit into rails for fences, in which Hate it will endure
a confiderable time.
The PINE TREE. That fpecies of the pine tree
peculiar to this part of the continent is the white, the
quality of which I need not defcribe, as the timber of
it is fo well known under the name of deals. It grows,
here in great plenty, to an amazing height and fize, and'
yields an excellent turpentine, though not in fuch quan-
tities as thofe in the northern parts of Europe.
The MAPLE. Of this tree there are two forts,
the hard and the foft, both of which yield a lufcious juice,
from which the Indians, by boiling, make very good fu-
gar. The fap of the former is much richer and fweeter
than the latter, but the foft produces a greater quanti-
ty. The wood of the hard maple is very beautifully
veined and curled, and when wrought into cabinets, ta-
bles, gunllocks, &c. is greatly valued. That of the
foft fort differs in its texture, wanting the variegated grain
of the hard ; it aifo grows more ftraight and free from
branches, and is more eafily fplit. It likewife may be
diftinguifhed from the hard*, as this grows in meadows
and low-lands, that on the hills and up-lands. The leaves
are fhaped alike, but thofe of the foft maple are much
the largefl, and of a deeper green.
The ASH. There are feveral forts of this tree iiv
thefe parts, but that to which I mail confine my de-
fcription, is the yellow am, which is only found near
the head branches of the MifTifTippi. This tree grows -
to an amazing height, and the body of it is fo firm and
found, that the French traders who go into that coun-
try from Louifiana, to purchafe furs, make of them pe-
riaguays ; this they do by excavating them by fire, and
when they are completed, convey in them the produce
of their trade to New Orleans, where they find a good
market both for their veffels and cargoes. The wood of
this tree greatly relembles that of the common afh ;
but it might be diftinguifhed from any other tree by its.
Z 2 bark l,:
2j8
CARVE R's TRAVELS.
bark ; the rpfs or outfide bark being near eight inches
thick, and indented with ,furrows more than fix inches
deep, which make thofe that are arrived to a great bulk
appear uncommonly rough ; and by this peculiarity they
may be readily known. The rind or infide bark is of
the fame thicknefs as that of other trees, but its color
is a fine bright yellow, infomuch that if it is but flight-
ly handled, it will leave a ftain on the fingers, which
cannot eafily be warned away ; and if in the fpring you
peel off the bark, and touch the fap, which then rifes
betweenthat and the body of the tree, it will leave fo
deep a tinaure that it will require three or four days to
wear it off. Many ufeful qualities belonging to this
tree I doubt not will be difcovered in time, belides its
proving a valuable acquisition to the dyer.
The HEMLOCK TREE grows in every part of
America, in a greater or lefs degree. It is an ever-
green of a very large growth, and has leaves fomewhat
like that of the yew ; it is however quite ufelefs, and
only an incumbrance to the ground, the wood being of
a very coarfe grain, and full of wind-makes or cracks.
The BASS or WHITE WOOD is a tree of a
middling fize, and the whiten: and fofteft wood that
grows; when quite dry it fwims on the water like a
cork ; in the fettlements the turners make of it bowls,
trenchers, and dimes, which wear fmooth, and will laft
a long time ; but when applied to any other purpofe it
is far from durable.
The WICKOPICK or SUCKWICK appears to
be a fpecies of the white wood, and is diftinguifhed
from it by a peculiar quality in the bark, which when
pounded, and moiilened with a little water, inftantly be-
comes a matter of the confiftence and nature of fize.
With this the Indians pay their canoes, and it greatly ex-
ceeds pitch, or any other material ufually appropriated
to that purpofe ; for befides its adhefive quality, it is of
fo oily a nature, that the water cannot penetrate thro'
it, and its repelling pow'er abates not for a confiderable
time.
The BUTTON WOOD is a tree of the largeft
fize, and might be diftinguifhed by -'its bark, which is
quite
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 259
quite fmooth and prettily mottled, The wood is very
proper for the ufe of cabinet-makers. It is covered
with fmail hard burs, which fpring from the branches,
that appear not unlike buttons, and from thefe I believe
it receives its name.
NUT TREES,
The Butter or Oil Nut, the Walnut, the Hazel Nut,
the Beech Nut, the Pecan Nut, the Chefnut, the Hic-
kory.
The B U T T E R or O I L NUT. As no men-
tion has been made by any authors of this nut, I mall
be the more particular in my account of it. The tree
grows in meadows where the foil is rich and warm. 1 he
body of it feldom exceeds a yard in circumference, is
full of branches, the twigs of which are fhort and blunt,
and its leaves refemble thofe of the walnut.^ The nut
has a fhell like that fruit, which when ripe is more fur-
rowed, and more eafily cracked; it is alfo much longer
and larger than a walnut, and contains a greater quantity
of kernel, which is very oily, and of a rich, agreeable
flavor. I am perfuaded that a much purer oil than that
of olives might be extra&ed from this nut. ^ Theiniide
bark of this tree dyes a good purple; and it is faid, va-
ries in its (hade, being either darker or lighter, accord-
ing to the month in which it is gathered.
The BEECH 1NKUT. Though this tree grows
exa&ly like that of the fame name in Europe, yet it
produces nuts equally as good as chefnuts ; on which
bears, martens, fquirrels, partridges, turkies, and many
other heads and birds feed. The nut is contained, whilft
growing, in an outnde cafe, like that of a chefnut, but
not fo prickly ; and the coat of the infide fhell is alf?
fmooth like that; only its form is nearly triangular. Vaft
quantities of them lie fcattered about in the woods, and
fupply with food great numbers of the creatures juft
mentioned.
26o
CARVE R>s TRAVELS.
mentioned. The leaves, which are white, continue on
the trees during the whole winter. A decoction made
of them is a certain and expeditious cure for wounds which
arife from burning or fcalding, as well as a reftorative
for thofe members that are nipped by the froft.
The PECAN NUT is fomewhat of the walnut
kind, but rather fmaller than a walnut, being about
the fize of a middling acorn, and of an oval form; the
fhell is eafily cracked, and the kernel fhaped like that
of a walnut. This tree grows chiefly near the Illinois
River.
The H I C K O R Y is alfo of the walnut kind, and
bears a fruit nearly like that tree. There are feveral
forts of them, which vary only in the color of the wood.
Being of a very tough nature, the wood is generally
ufed for the handles of axes, &c. It is alfo very good
b fire-wood, and as it burns, an excellent fugar diftils from
it.
FRUIT TREES.
I need not to obferve that theie are all the fponta-
neous productions of nature, which have never received
the advantages of ingrafting, tranfplanting, or manur-
ing.
The Vine, the Mulberry Tree, the Crab Apple
Tree, the Plum Tree, the Cherry Tree, and- the Sweet
Gum Tree.
The VINE is very common here, and of three kinds;
the firfl fort hardly deferves the name of a grape; the
fecond much refembles the Burgundy grape, and if ex-
pofed to the fun a good wine might be made from
them. The third fort refembles Zant currants, which
are fo frequently ufed in cakes, &c. in England, and if
proper care was taken of them, would be equal, if not
fuperior, to thofe of that country.
The
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
261
The MULBERRY TREE is of two kinds,
red and white, and nearly of the fame fize of thofe of
France and Italy, and grow in fuch plenty, as to feed
any quantity of filk worms. #
The CRAB APPLE TREE bears a fruit
that is much larger and better flavored than thofe of
Europe.
The PLUM TREE-. There are two forts of
plums in this country, one a large fort of a purple caft
on one fide, and red on the reverfe, the fecond totally-
green, and much fmaller. Both thefe are of a good
flavor, and are greatly efleemed by the Indians, whofe
tafte is not rerined, but who are fatisfied with the pro-
ductions of nature in their unimproved flate.
The CHERRY TREE. There are three forts
of cherries in this country ; the black, the red, and the
fand cherry; the two latter may with more propriety be
ranked among the fhrubs, as the bum that bears the fand
cherries almoft creeps along the ground, and the other
rifes not above eight or ten feet in height; however I
fhall give an account of them all in this place. The black
cherries are about the fize of a currant, and hang^ in
cluflers like grapes ; the trees which bear them being
very fruitful, they are generally loaded, but the fruit is
not good to eat, however they give an agreeable flavor
to brandy, and turn it to the color of claret. The red
cherries grow in the greateft profufion, and hang in
bunches, like the black fort juft defcribed; fo that the
bufhes which bear them appear at a diftance like folid
bodies of red matter. Some people admire this fruit,
but they partake of the nature and tafte of alum, leav-
ing a difagreeable roughnefs in the throat, and being
very aftriagent. As I have already defcribed the fand
cherries, which greatly exceed the two other forts, both
in flavor and fize, I fhall give no further defcription of
them. The wood of the black cherry tree is very ufe-
ful, "and works well into cabinet ware.
The SWEET GUM TREE or LIQUID AMBER
(Copalm) is not only extremely common, but it affords
a balm, the virtues of which are infinite. Its bark is
black and hard, and its wood fo tender and fupple, that
when
26z CARVER'S TRAVELS.
when the tree is felled, you may draw from the middle of it
rods of five or fix feet in length. It cannot be employ-
ed in building or furniture, as it warps continually. Its
leaf is indented with five points, like a ftar. This balm
is reckoned by the Indians to be an excellent febrifuge*
and it cures wounds in two or three days.
SHRUBS.
The Willow, Shin Wood, Shumack, SafTafras, the
Prickly Afh, Moofe Wood, Spoon Wood, Large Elder,
.Dwarf Elder, Poifonous Elder, Juniper, Shrub Oak,
™ eet Jern> the L*urel, the Witch Hazle, the Myrtle
Wax Tree, Winter Green, the Fever Bufh, the Cran-
berry Bum, the Goofberry Bufh, the Currant Bufh, the
Whortle Berry, the Rafberry, the Black Berry, and the
Ciioak Berry.
The WILLOW. There are feveral fpecfes of
the willow, the moft remarkable of which is a fmall fort
that grows on the banks of the Miffiffippi, and fomc
other places adjacent. The bark of this fhrub fupplies
the beaver with its winter food , and where the water
has warned the foil from its roots, they appear to confift-
°f fibres interwoven together like thread, the color of
which is of an inexprefiibly fine fcarlet; with this the-
Indians tinge many of the ornamental parts of their
drefs.
^ SH I N W O Q D. This extraordinary fhrub grows,
in the forefls, and rifing like a vine, runs near the ground
for fix or eight feet, and then takes root again; in the
fame manner taking root, and fpringing up fucceflively,
Qne flalk covers a large fpace; this proves very trouble-
fome to the hafty traveller, by flriking againft his .fliins,.
and entangling his legs; from which it has acquired its
name.
The SASSAFRAS is a wood well known for its
medicinal qualities. It might with equal propriety be
termed
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 263
termed a tree as a fhrub, as it fometimes grows thirty
feet hi^li; but in general it does not reach higher than
thofe of the fhrub kind. The leaves, which yield an
agreeable fragrance, are large, and nearly feparated in-
to three divifions. It bears a reddifh brown berry, of
the fize and fhape of Pimento, and which is fometimes
•ufed in the colonies as a fubfiitute for that fpice. The
bark or roots of this tree is infinitely fuperior to the
wood for its ufe in medicine, and I am furprifed it is
fo feldom to be met with, as its efficacy is fo much
greater.
The PRICKLY ASH is a fhrub that fome-
times grows to the height of ten or fifteen feet, and
has a leaf exactly refembling that of an afh, but it re-
ceives the epithet to its name from the abundance of
fhort thorns with which every branch is covered, and
which renders it very troublefome to thofe who pafs
throHgh the fpot where they grow thick. It alfo bears
a fcarlet berry, which when ripe, has a fiery tafle, like
pepper. The bark of this tree, particularly the bark of
the roots, is highly efleemed by the natives for its medi-
cinal qualities. I have already mentioned one inflance
of its efficacy, and there is no doubt but that the de-
coction of it will expeditioufly and radically remove all
impurities of the blood.
The MOOSE WOOD grows about four feet
high, and is very full of branches; but what renders it
worth notice is its bark, which is of fo ftrong and pliable
a texture, that being peeled off at any feafon, and
twifted, makes equally as good cordage as hemp.
The SPOON WOOD is a fpecies of the lau-
rel, and the wood when fawed refembles box wood.
The ELDER, commonly termed the poifonous el-
der, nearly refembles the other forts in its leaves and
branches, but it grows much flraighter, and is only found
in fwamps and moift foils. This fhrub is endowed with
a very extraordinary quality, that renders it poifonous
to fome conftitutions, which it effects if the perfon on-
ly approaches withm a few yards of it, whilft others may
even chew the leaves or the rind without receiving the
leaft detriment from them: the poifon however is not
mortaj,
».
264
CARVE R's TRAVELS*
mortal, though It operates very violently on the infected
perfon, whofe body and head fwell to an amazing fize,
and are covered with eruptions, that at their height re-
ferable the confluent fmall-pox. As it grows alfo in
many of the provinces, the inhabitants cure its venom
by drinking faffron tea, and anointing the external parts
with a mixture compofed of cream and marm mallows.
The SHRUB O A K is exadly fimilar to the oak
tree, both in its wood and leaves, and like that it bears
an acorn, but it never rifes from the ground above four
or five feet, growing crooked and knotty. It is found
chiefly on a dry, gravelly foil.
The WITCH HAZLE grows very bufhy,
about ten feet high, and is covered early in May with
numerous white bloffoms. When this fhrub is in bloom,
the Indians efteem it a further indication that the froft
is entirely gone, and that they might fow their corn. It
has been laid, that it is poffefled of the power of attract-
ing gold and filver, and that twigs of it are made ufe of
to difcover where the veins of thefe metals lie hid; but
I am apprehenfive that this is only a fallacious ftory,
and not to be depended on; however that fuppofition
has given it the name of Witch Hazle.
The MYRTLE WAX TREE is a mrub
about four or five feet high, the leaves of which are larger
than thofe of the common myrtle, but they fmell exactly
alike. It bears its fruit in bunches, like a nofegay,
rifing from the fame place in various ftalks, about two
inches long : at the end of each of thefe is a little nut
containing a kernel, which is wholly covered with a
gluey fubftance, which being boiled in water, fwims on
the furface of it, and becomes a kind of green wax;
this is more valuable than bees-wax, being of a more
brittle nature, but mixed with it makes a good candle,
which, as it burns, fends forth an agreeable fcent.
WINTER GREEN. This is an ever-green,
of the fpecies of the myrtle, and is found on dry heaths;
the flowers of it are white,, and in the form of a rofe,
but not larger than a filver penny ; in the winter it is
full of red berries, about the fize of a floe, which are
fmooth and round; thefe are preferred during the fevere
feafon
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
265
feafon by the fnow, and are at that time in the higheft
perfection. The Indians eat thefe berries, efteeming
them very balfamic, and invigorating to the flomach.
The people inhabiting the interior colonies fteep both the
fprigs and berries in beer, and ufe it as a diet drink for
cleanilng the blood from fcorbutic diforders.
The FEVER BUSH grows about five or fix
feet high; its leaf is like that of a lilach, and it bears
a reddifh berry of a fpicy flavor. The Italics of it are
exceffively brittle. A decoction of the buds or wood is
an excellent febrifuge, and from this valuable property-
it receives its name. It is an ancient Indian remedy for
all inflammatory complaints, and likewife much efteemed
on the fame account, by the inhabitants of the interior
parts of the colonies.
The CRANBERRY BUSH. Though the
fruit of this bum greatly refembles in fize and appear-
ance that of the common fort, which grows on a fmall
vine, in moraffes and bogs, yet the bum runs to the
height of ten or twelve feet; but it is very rarely to be
met with. As the meadow cranberry, being of a local
growth, and flourishing only in moraffes, cannot be trans-
planted or cultivated, the former, if removed at a pros-
per feafon, would be a valuable acquifition to the garden,
and with proper nurture prove equally as good, if not
better.
TheCHOAK BERRY. The flirub thus term-
ed by the natives grows about five or fix feet high, and
bears a berry about the . fize of a floe, of a jet black,
which contains feveral fmall feeds within the pulp.
The juice of this fruit, though not of a difagreeable
flavor, is extremely tart, and leaves a roughnefs in the
mouth and throat when eaten, that has gained it the
name of choak berry.
ROOTS and PLANTS.
Elecampagne, Spikenard, Angelica, Sarfaparilla, Gin-
fang, Ground Nuts, Wild Potatoes, Liquorice, Snake
Root, Gold Thread, Solomon's Seal, Devil's Bit, Blood
A a Root,
266
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
Root, Onions, Garlick, Wild Parfnips, Mandrakes*
Hellebore White and Black.
SPIKENARB, vulgarly called in the colonies
Petty-Morrel. This plant appears to be exactly the
fame as the Afiatic fpikenard, fo much valued by the
ancients. It grows near the fides of brooks, in rocky
places, and its Hem, which is about the lize of a goofe
quill, fprings up like that pf angelica, reaching about a
foot and an half from the ground. It bears bunches
of berries in all refpecls like thofe of the elder, only
rather larger. Thefe are of fuch a balfamic nature, that
when infufed in fpirits, they make a moll palatable and
reviving cordial.
SARSAPARILLA. The root of this plant,
which is the moil: cftimable part of it, is about the lize
of a goofe quill, and runs in different directions, twined
and crooked to a great length in the ground ; from the
principal flcai of it fpring many fmaller fibres, all of
which are tough and flexible. From the root immedi-
ately fhoots a italk about a foot and an half long, which
at the top branches into three ftems ; each of thefe has
three leaves, much of the fhape and fize of a walnut leaf;
and from the fork of each of the three Items grows a
bunch of bluim white flowers, refembling thofe of the
fpikenard. The bark of the roots, which alone fhould
be ufed in medicine, is of a bitterifh flavor, but aromatic.
It is defervedly efteemed for its medicinal virtues, being
a gentle fudoriflc, and very powerful in attenuating the
blood when impeded by grofs humors.
GINSANGisa root that was once fuppofed to
grow only in Korea, from whence it was ufually exported
to Japan, and by that means found its way to Europe:
but it has been lately discovered to be alfo a native of
North- America, where it grows to as great perfection,
and is equally valuable. Its root is like a fmall carrot,
but not fo taper at the end; it is fometimes divided
into two or more branches, in all other refpec~ts it re-
fembles iarfaparilla in. its growth. The tafte of the root
is bitterifh. In the eaitern parts of Afia it bears a great
price, being there confidered as a panacea, and is the laft
refuse
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
207
refuge of the inhabitants in all diforders. When chew"
ed it certainly is a great ftrengthener of the ilomach.
GOLD THREAD. This is a plant of the
fmall vine kind, which grows in fwampy places, and lies
on the ground. The roots fpread themfelves juft under
the furface of the morafs, and are eafily drawn up by
handfuls. They refemble a large entangled fkein of
thread, of a fine, bright gold color; and I am perfuad-
ed would yield a beautiful and permanent yellow dye...
It is alio greatly efteemed both by the Indians and coio-
nifts as^a remedy for any forenefs in the mouth, but the
tafte of it is exquifitely bitter.
SOLOMON'S SEAL is a plant that grows on.
the fides of rivers, and in rich meadow land. It rifes
in the whole to about three feet high, the fta-lks being
two feet, when the leaves begin to fpread themfelves and
reach a foot further. A part in every root has an im-
preffion upon it about the fize of a fixpence, which
appears as if it was made by a feal, and from thefe it
receives its name. It is greatly valued on account of its
being a fine purifier of the blood.
DEVIL's BIT is another wild plant, which.
grows in the fields, and receives its name from a print
that feems to be made by teeth in the roots. The.
Indians fay that this was once an univerfal remedy for
every diforder that human nature is incident to; but.
fome of the evil fpirits envying mankind the poffef-
fion of fo efficacious a medicine, gave the root a bite,,,
which deprived it of a great part of its virtue.
BLOOD ROOT. A fort of plantain that fprings
out of the ground in fix or feven long, rough leaves, the.
veins of which are red; the root of it is like a fmall car-
rot, both in color and appearance; when broken, the
infide of it is of a deeper color than the outfide, and
diftils feveral drops of juice that look like blood. This
is a flrong emetic, but a very dangerous one.
HERBS*
-
26$ CARVER'S TRAVEL
HERBS.
Balm, Nettles, Cinque Foil, Eyebright, Sanicie,
Plantain, Rattle Snake Plantain, Poor Robin's Plantain,
Toad Plantain, Maiden Hair, Wild Dock, Rock Liver-
wort, Noble Liverwort, Bloodwort, Wild Beans, Ground
Ivy, Water Creffes, Yarrow, May Weed, Gargit, Skunk
Cabbage or Poke, Wake Robin, Betony, Scabious, Mul-
len, Wild Peafe, Moufe Ear, Wild Indigo, Tobacco,
and Cat Mint.
S A N I C L E has a root which is thick towards the
upper part, and full of fmall fibres below; the leaves of
it are broad, rcundifh, hard, fmooth, and of a fine
iliining green ; a ftalk rifes from thefe to the height of
a foot, which is quite fmooth and free from knots, and
on the top of it are feveral fmall flowers of a reddifh
white, fhaped like a wild rofe. A tea made of the root
is vulnerary and balfamic.
RATTLE SNAKE PLANTAIN. This
ufeful herb is of the plantain kind, and its leaves, which
fpread themfelyes on the" ground, are about one inch
and an half wide, and five inches long; from the centre
of thefe arifes a fmall flalk, nearly fix inches long, which
bears a little white flower: the root is about the fize of
a goofe quill, and much bent and divided into feveral
branches. The leaves of this herb are more efficacious
than any other part of it for the bite of the reptile
from which it receives its name; and being chewed and
applied immediately to the wound, and fome of the juice
fwallowed, feldom fails of averting every dangerous
fymptom. So convinced are the Indians of the power
of this infallible antidote, that for a trifling bribe of
fpirituous liquor, they will at any time permit a rattle
fnake to drive his fangs into their flefh. It is to be re-
marked that during thofe mouths in which the bite of
thefe creatures is moil venomous, this remedy for
it
CARVER'S TRAVELS. 269
it is in its greater! perfedion, and moft luxuriant in its
growth. . r .
POOR ROBIN's PLANTAIN is of the
fame fpecies as the laft, but more diminutive in every re-
fpe&; it receives its name from its fize, and the poor
land on which it grows. It is a good medicinal herb, ,
and often adminiftered with fuccefs in fevers and internal
weaknelfes.
TOAD PLANTAIN refembles the common-
plantain, only it grows much ranker, and is thus denomi-
nated becaufe toads love to harbor under it.
ROCK LIVER W O R' T is a fort of Liver-
wort that grows on rocks, and is of the nature of kelp
or mofs. It is efteemed as an excellent remedy againft
declines.
GARGIT or SKOKE is a large kind of
weed, the leaves of which are about fix inches long, and
two inches and an half broad; they refemble tiiofe of
fpinage in their color and texture, but not in fhape.
The root is very large, from which fpring different italks
that run eight or ten feet high, and are full of red berries ;
thefe hang in chillers in the month of September, and
are generally called pigeon berries, as thofe birds then.
feed on them. When the leaves firft fpring from the
ground, after being boiled, they are a nutritious and wholes
fome vegetable, but when they are grown nearly to their
full fize, they acquire a poifonous quality. ^ The roots
applied to the hands or feet. of a perfon afflicted with a
fever, prove a very powerful abforbent.
SKUNK CABBAGE cr POKE is an herb
that grows in moift and fwampy places. The leaves of
it are about a foot long, and fix inches broad, nearly oval,
but rather pointed. The roots are compofed of great
numbers of fibres, a lotion of which is made ufe of by
the people in the colonies for the cure of the itch.
There rfTues a flrong mufky fmell from this herb, fome-
thing like the animal of the fame name before defcrib-
ed, and on that account it is fo termed.
WAKE R O B I N is an herb that grows in fwam-
py lands; its root refembles ft fmall turnip, and if tailed
will greatly inflame the tongue, and immediately convert:
- A a 2 . it
270 CARVER's TRAVELS.
it fiom its natural fhape into a round hard fubftance;
in which ftate it will continue for fome time, and during
this no other part of the mouth will be affe&ed. But
when dried, it lofes its aftringent quality, and becomes
beneficial to mankind, for if grated into cold water, and
taken internally, it is very good for all complaints of the
bowels.
WILD INDIGO is an herb of the fame fpecies
as that from whence indigo is made in the fouthern colo-
nies. It grows in one ftalk to the height of five or fix
inches from the ground, when it divides into many
branches, from which iffue a great number of fmall hard
bluifh leaves that fpread to a great breadth, and among
thefe it bears a yellow flower; the juice of it has a very
difagreeable fcent.
CAT M I N T has a woody root, divided into fe-
yeral branches, and 'it fends forth a ftalk about three feet
high ; the leaves are like thofe of the nettle or betony,
and they have a Jtrong fmell of mint, with a biting
acrid tafle ; the flowers grow on the tops of the branches,
and are of a faint purple or whitifh color. It is called
cat mint, becaufe it is laid that cats have an antipathy
to it, and will not let it grow. It has nearly the virtues
of common mint. *
FLOWERS.
Heart's Eafe, Lilies red and yellow, Pond Lilies,
Cowilips, May Flowers, Jeffamine, Honeyfuckles, Rock
Honey fuckles, Rofes red and white, Wild Hollyhock,
Wild Pinks, Golden Rod.
I {hall not enter into a minute defcription of the flow-
ers above recited, but only juil obferve, that they much
referable thofe of the fame name which grow in Europe,
and are as beautiful in cojor, and as perfect in odor, as
they can be fuppofed to be in their wild, uncultivated ftate.
FARINA-
* For an account of Tobaceo, fee a treatife I have published on
the culture of that plant.
CARVER's TRAVELS. 271
FARINACEOUS and LEGUMINOUS
ROOTS, &c.
Maize or Indian Corn, Wild Rice, Beans, the
Squaih, &c.
MAIZE or^ INDIAN CORN grows from fix to
ten feet high, on a ftalk full of joints, which is ftiff
and folid, and when green, abounding with a fweet
juice. The leaves are like thofe of the reed, about two
feet in Jength, and three or four inches broad. The
flowers which are produced at fome diftance from the
fruit on the fame plant, grow like the ears of oats, and
are fometimes white, yellow, or of a purple color. The
feeds are as large as peafe, and like them quite naked and
fmooth, but of a roundifh furface, rather comprefiedi
One fpike generally confifts of about fix hundred grains,
which are placed clofely together in rows to the num-
ber of eight or ten, and fometimes twelve. This corn
is very wholefome, eafy of digeflion, and yields as good
nourishment as any other fort. After the Indians have
reduced it into meal by pounding it, they make cakes
of it, and bake them before the fire. I have already
mentioned that fome nations eat it in cakes before it
is ripe, in which ftate it is very agreeable to the palate,
and extremely nutritive.
WILD RICE. This grain, which grows in the
greateil plenty throughout the interior parts of North-
America, is the molt valuable of all the Spontaneous pro-
ductions of that country. Exclufive of its utility as a
fupply of food for thofe of the human fpecies, who in-
habit this part of the continent, and obtained without
any other trouble than that of gathering it in, the fweet-
nefs and nutritious quality of it attracts an infinite num-
ber of wild fowl of every kind, which flock from dif-
tant climes, to enjoy this rare repaft ; and by it become
rnexpreffibly fat and delicious. In future periods it wiH
be of great fervice to the infant colonies, as it will af-
ford them a prefent fupport, until, in the courfe of cul-
tivation.
272 CARVER's TRAVELS,
tivation, other fupplies may be produced ; whereas in
thofe realms which are not furnifhed with this bounte-
ous gift of nature, even if the climate is temperate and
the foil good, the firft fettlers are often expofed to
great hardfhips from the want of an immediate refource
for neceffary food, This ufeful grain grows in the wa-
ter where it is about two feet deep, and where it finds
a rich, muddy foil. The ftalks of it, and the branches
or ears that bear the feed, refemble oats both in their
appearance and. manner of growing. The ftalks are full
of joints, and rife more than eight feet above the water,
The natives gather the gra'n in the fcHowisifr manner:
Nearly about the time that it begins to turn from its
milky Hate and to ripen, they run their canoes into the
midft of it, and tying Bunches of ft together, -jail be-
low the ears, with bark, le ve it m this f tuation three
or four weeks longer, till it is perfe&l^ ripe. About
the latter end of September thsj leturn- to the river,
when each family having it.s feparate allotment, and be-
ing able to diilingiiifh their own property by the man-
ner of fattening the lheaves, gather in the portion that
belongs to them. This they do by placing their canoes
clofe to the bunches of rice, in fuch pofition as to re-
ceive th? grain when it falls, and then beat it out, with
pieces of wuod formed for that purpofe. Having done
this, they dry it with fmoke, and afterwards tread or
rub oft the outfide. h-ufk ; when it is fit for ufe they put
it into the fidns of fawns, or young buflalos, taken off-
nearly whole for this purpofe, and fewed into a fort of
fack, wherein they preferve it till the return of their har-
veft. It has been, the fubjectof much fpeculation, why
this fpontaneous grain is not found in any other regions
of America, or in thofe countries fituated in the fame
parallels of latitude, where the waters are as apparently
adapted for its growth as in the climate I treat of. As.
for inftan.ce, none of the countries that lie to the fouth
and eaft of the great lakes, even from the provinces
north of the Carolinas, to the extremities of Labradore,
produce any of this grain. It is true I found great
quantities of it in the watered lands near Detroit, be-
tween Lake Huron and Lake Erie, but on inquiry I
learned
CARVER'S TRAVELS.
273
learned that it never arrived nearer to maturity than
juft to bloffom ; after which it appeared blighted, and
died away. This convinces me that the north-weft wind,
as I have before hinted, is much more powerful in thefe
than in the interior parts ; and that it is more inimical to
the fruits of the earth, after it has pafFed over the lakes,
and become united with the wind which joins it from
the frozen regions of the north, than it is further to
the weft ward.
BEANS. Thefe are nearly of the fame mape as
the European beans, but are not much larger than the
fmalleft fize of them. They are boiled by the Indians,
and eaten chiefly with bear's flefh.
The SQJJASH. They have alfo feveral fpecies of
the MELON or PUMPKIN, which by fome are
called fquafhes, and which ferve many nations partly
as a fubftitute for bread. Of thefe there is the round,
the crane -neck, the fmall flat, and the large oblong
fquafh. The fmaller forts being boiled, are eaten during
the fummer as vegetables ; and are all of a pleafmg fla-
vor. The crane-neck, which greatly excels all the
others, are ufually hung up for a winter's ftore, and in
this manner might be preferved for feveral months*
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
THE countries that lie between the great lakes and
River Miffiffippi, and from thence fouthward to
Weft Florida, although in the midft of a large conti-
nent, and at a great diftance from the fea, are fo fituat-
ed, that ^ a communication between them and other
realms might conveniently be opened ; by which means
thofe empires or colonies that may hereafter be founded
or planted therein, will be rendered commercial ones.
The great River Miffiffippi, which runs through the
whole of them, will enable their inhabitants to eftablifh
an intercourfe with foreign climes, equally as well as the
Euphrates, the Nile, the Danube, or the Wolga do
thofe people which dwell on their banks, and who have
no other convenience for exporting the produce of their
own country, or for importing thofe of others, than
boats and veffels of light burden : notwithstanding, which*
they have become powerful and opulent ftates.
The Miffiffippi, as I have before obferved, runs from
north to fouth, and paries through' the moll fertile and
temperate part of North- America, excluding only the
extremities of it, which verge both on the torrid and
frigid zones. Thus favorably fituated, when once its
banks are covered with inhabitants, they need not long
be at a lofs for means to eftablilh an extenfive and pro-
fitable commerce. They will find the country towards
the fouth almoft fpontaneoufly producing filk, cotton,
indigo, and tobacco ; and the more northern parts,
wine, oil, beef, tallow, ikins, buffalo wool, and furs;
with lead, copper, iron, coals, lumber, corn, rice, and
fruits, befides earth and barks for dying.
Thefe articles, with which it abounds even to profti-
fion, may be tranfported to the ocean through this river
without greater difficulty than that which attends the
conveyance of merchandise down fome of thofe I have
juft
APPENDIX.
275
juft mentioned. It is true that the Mifliflippi being
the boundary between the Englifh and Spanifh fettle-
ments, and the Spaniards in pofleflion of the mouth of
it, they may obftruct the paiTage of it, and greatly dif-
hearten thofe who make the firft attempts ; yet when
the advantages that will certainly arife to fettlers, are
known, multitudes of adventurers, allured by the prof-
peel: of fuch abundant riches, will flock to it, and efta-
blifh themfelves, though at the expence of rivers of
blood.
But flaould the nation that happens to be in pofleffi-
on of New Orleans prove unfriendly to the internal
fettlers, they may find a way into the Gulf of Mexico,
by the river Iberville, which empties itfelf from the
MifliiTippi, after pafling through Lake Maurepas, into
JLake Ponchartrain, which has a communication with
the fea within the borders of Weft Florida. The Ri-
ver Iberville branches off from the Mifliflippi about
eighty miles above New Orleans, and though it is at pre-
fent choked up in fome parts, it might at an inconfider-
able expence be made navigable, fo as to anfwer all the
purpofes propofed.
Although the Engliih have acquired fince the. laft
peace a more extenfive knowledge of the interior parts
than were ever obtained before, even by the French, yet
many of their productions ftill remain unknown. And
though I was not deficient either in afliduity or attention
during the {hort time I remained in them, yet I muft
acknowledge that the intelligence I gained was not fo
perfect as I could wifh, and that it requires further re-
searches to make the world thoroughly acquainted with
the real value of thefe long hidden realms.
The parts of the Mifliflippi of which no furvey has
hitherto been taken, amount to upwards of eight hun-
dred miles, following the courfe of the ftream, that is,
from the Illinois to the Ouifconfin Rivers. Plans of
fuch as reach from the former to the Gulph of Mexi-
co, have been delineated by feveral hands, and I have
the pleafure to find that an actual furvey of the inter-
mediate parts of the Mifliflippi, between the Illinois
River and the fea, with the Ohio, Cherokee, and Oua-
bache
2-6
APPENDIX.
bache Rivers, taken on the fpot by a very ingenious
Gentleman,* is now publifhed. I flatter myfclf that
the obfervations therein contained, which have been made
by one whofe knowledge of the parts therein defcribed
was acquired b>y a perfonal inveftigation, aided by a folid
judgment, will confirm the remarks I have made, and
promote the plan I am here recommending.
I (hall alfo here give a concife defcription of each,
beginning, according to the rule of geographers, with
that which lies moft to the north.
It is however neceflary to obferve, that before thefe
fettlements can be eftabliflied, grants muft be procured
in the manaer cuftomary on fuch occafions, and the
lands be purchafed of thofe who have acquired a right
to them by a long poffeffion ; but no greater difficulty
will attend the completion of this point, than the original
founders of every colony on the continent met with to
obftruft their intentions ; and the number of Indians who
inhabit thefe tra&s being greatly inadequate to their ex-
tent, it is not to be doubted, but they will readily give
up for a reafonable confi deration, territories that are of
little life to them; or remove for the accommodation
of their new neighbors, to lands at a greater difiance from
the Mifliffippi, the navigation of which is not effential to
the welfare of their communities.
^ No. I. The country within thefe lines, from its fixa-
tion, is colder than any of the others ; yet I am con-
vinced that the air is much more temperate than in thofe
provinces that lie in the fame degree of latitude to the
call of it. The foil is excellent^ and there is a great
deal of land that is free from woods in the parts adjoin-
ing to the Mifliffippi; whilfl on the contrary the north-
eaftern borders of it are well wooded. Towards the
heads of the River Saint Croix, rice grows in great
plenty, and there is abundance of copper. Though
the falls of Saint Anthony are fituated at the fouth-eafl
corner of this divifion, yet that impediment will not to-
tally cbflrucl the navigation, as the River Saint Croix,
which
* Thomas Hutchins, Efq. Captain in his Majefty's 6oth, or
Hoyal American Regiment of Foot.
APPENDIX.
277
which runs through a great part of the fouthern fide of
it, enters the , Miffiinppi j 11ft below the Falls, and flows
with fo gentle a current, that it affords a convenient
navigation for boats. This tract is about one hundred
miles from north-weft to fouth-eaft, and one hundred
and twenty miles from north-eaft to fouth-weft.
No. II. This tract, as I have already defcribed it ia
my Journal, exceeds the higheft encomiums I can give
it; notwithftanding which it is entirely uninhabited, and
the profufion of bleffings that nature has fhowered on
this heavenly fpot, return unenjoyed to the lap from
whence they fprung. Lake Pepin, as I have termed
it after the French, lies within thefe bounds ; but. the
lake to which that name properly belongs is a little above
the River St. Croix;, however, as all the traders call
the lower lake by that name, I have.fo denominated it?
contrary to the. information I received from the Indians*.
This colony lying in unequal angles, theldimenfions.of
it cannot be exactly given, but it appears to be on <an^
average about one hundred and ten miles long, and eighty
broad.
No. III. The great eft part of this divifion is fituat-
ed on the River Ouifconfm, which is navigable for boats
.about one hundred and eighty miles, till "it reaches the
carrying place that divides it from the Fox River. The
land which^js contained within its limits, is in fome
parts mountainous, and in others confifts of fertile mea-
dows and fine pafturage. It is furnifhed alio with a
great deal of good timber, and, as is generally the "cafe
on the banks of the Miffiflippi and its branches, has
much line, open, clear land, proper for cultivation.'
To thefe are added an inexhauftible fund of riches, in
a number of lead mines which lie at a little distance from
the Ouifconfin towards the fouth, and appear to be un-
commonly full of ore. Although the'Saukies and Ot-
tagaumies inhabit a part of this tract., the whole of
the lands under their cultivation does not exceed three
hundred acres. It is in length from eaft to weft about
one hundred and fifty miles, and about eighty from north
to fouthl
B h ■• No.
278 APPENDIX,
No. IV. This colony confifts of lands of various
denominations, fome of which are very good, and others-
very bad. The beft is fituated on the borders of the
Green Bay and the Fox River, where there are innu-
merable acres covered with fine grafs, moft part of which
grows to an ailonifhing height. This river will afford
a good navigation for boats throughout the whole of its
courfe, which is about one hundred and eighty miles,
except between the Winnebago Lake, and the Green
Bay ; where there are feveral carrying-places in the fpace
of thirty miles. The Fox River is rendered remarkahle
-by the abundance of rice that grows on its mores, and
the almoft infinite numbers of wild fowl that frequent its
banks. The land which lies near it appears to be very
fettile, and promifes to produce a fufficient fupply of all
the neceffaries of life for any number of inhabitants.
A communication might be opened by thofe who mall
fettle here, either through the Green Bay, Lake Mi-
chigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario
with Canada, or by way of the Ouifconfin into the
Miffifiippi. This diviiion is about one hundred and
fixty miles long from north to fouth, and one hundred
and forty broad.
No. V. ■ This is an excellent tra& of land, and, con-
fidering its interior fituation/ has greater advantages than
could be expe&ed; for having the Miffiffippi on its
weftern borders, and the Illinois in its fouth-eaft, it has
as free a navigation as moft of the others. The northern
parts of it are fomewhat mountainous, but it contains a
great deal of clear land, the foil of which is excellent,
with many fine fertile meadows, and not a few rich mines.
It is upwards of two hundred miles from north to fouth,
and one hundred and fifty from eaft to weft.
No. VI. This colony being fituated upon the heads
of the Rivers Illinois and Ouabache, the former of
which empties itfelf immediately into the Miffiffippi, and
the latter into the fame river by means of the Ohio,
will readily find a communication with the fea through
thefe. Having alfo the River Miamis palling through
it, which runs into Lake Erie, an intercourfe might. be
dkbjifhed with Cajiad^ alfo by way of the lakes, as be-
1 fore
APPEND! X,
279
fore pointed out. It contains, a great deal of rich fer-
tile land, and though more inland than, any of the others,
will be as valuable an acquifition as the bell of them.
From north to fouth it is about one hundred and fixty
miles, from eaft to weft one hundred and eighty.
No. VII. This divifion is not inferior to any of the
foregoing. Its northern borders lying adjacent to the
Illinois river, and its weftern to the Mimflippi, the
fituation of it for eftabliihing a> commercial intercourfe
with foreign nations is very commodious. It abounds
with all the necefTaries of life, and is about one hundred
and fifty miles from north to fouth, and fixty miles from
call to weft ; but the confines of it being more irregular
than the others, I cannot, exa&ly afcertain the dimen-
sions of it. ^
No. VIII. This colony having the River Ouabache
running through the centre of it, and the Ohio for its
fouthern boundary, will enjoy the advantages of a free
navigation. It extends about one hundred and forty
miles from north 'to fouth, and one hundred and thirty
from eaft to weft.
No. IX. X. and XI. being fimilar in fituation, and
furnifhed with nearly the fame conveniencies as all the
others, I mall only give their dimenfions. No. IX. is
about eighty miles each way, but not exaclly fquare.
No. X. is nearly in the fame form, and about the fame
Extent. No. XI. is much larger, being at leaft one
hundred and fifty miles from north to fouth, and one
hundred and forty from eaft to weft, as nearly as from its
irregularity it is poflible to calculate.
After the defcription of this delightful country I have
already given, I need not ° repeat that all the fpots I
have thus pointed out as proper for colonization, abound
not only with the necefTaries of life, being well ftored
with rice, deer, buffalos, bears, &c. but produce in
equal abundance fuch as may be termed luxuries, oz
at leaft thofe articles of commerce before recited,
which the inhabitants of it will have an opportunity
of exchanging for the needful productions of other
countries.
The
2So A P P E N D I X.
^ The difcovery of a north-weft pafTage to India hsk
been the fubjed of innumerable difquifitions. Many ef-
forts hkewife have been made by way of Hudfon's Bay,
to penetrate into the Pacific Ocean, though without
iuccefs. I (hah not therefore trouble myfelf to enumerate
the advantages that would refult from this much wifiVd-
for dncovery, its utility being already too well known
to toe commercial world to need any elucidation; I mall
oniy confine myfelf to the methods that appear moft
probable to enfure fuccefs to future adventurers.
The many attempts that have hitherto been made for
this purpofe, but which hav* all been rendered abortive,
leem tohave turned the fpirit- of making ufeful refearch-
es- into another, channel, and this moft interefdng one
Las almoft been given up as irnpra&icable ; but, in my
opinion, their failure rather proceeds from their being
begun at an improper place, than from their imprac-
ticability. " \
All- navigators that have hitherto gone in fearch of
tluspaffage, have flrft entered Hudfon's Bay; the con-
fequence of which has been, that having fpent the fea-
fbh during which only thofe feas are navigable, in
exploring many of the numerous, inlets lying therein,
and this without difcovering any opening, terrified at
the approach of winter, they have haflened _back for
fear of being frozen up, and consequently "of being
obliged to continue till the return of fummer in thofe
bleak and dreary realms. Even fuch as have perceived
the coafts to enfold themfelves, and who have of courfe
entertained hopes of fucceeding, ... have been deterred
from profecuting their voyage, left the winter mould
fet in before they could reach a more temperate cli-
mate.
Thefe apprehensions have difcouraged the boldeft
adventurers from completing the expeditions in which
they have engaged, and fruftrated every attempt. But
as it has been difcovered by fuch as have failed into the
northern parts of the Pacific Ocean, that there are
many inlets which verge towards Hudfon's Bay, it is
not to be doubted but that a pafTage might be made
out
APPENDIX. 281
out from that quarter, if it be fought for at a proper
feafon. And mould thefe expectations be difappointed,
the explorers would dot be in the fame hazardous fituati-
on with thofe who fet out from Hudfon's Bay, for they
will always be fure of a fafe retreat, through an open
fea, to warmer regions, even after repeated difappoint-
ments. And this confidence will enable them to pro-
ceed with greater refolution, and probably be the means
of effecting what too much circumfpedtion or timidity
has prevented.
Thefe reafons for altering the plan of inquiry after
this convenient paffage, Carry with them fuch convic-
tion, that in the year 1774, Richard Whit worth, Efq.
member of parliament for Stafford, a gentleman of
an extenfive knowledge in geography, of an active,
enterprifmg difpofition, and whofe benevolent mind is
ever ready to promote the happinefs of individuals, or the
welfare of the public, from the reprefentations made
to him of the expediency of it by myfelf and others,
intended to travel acrofs the continent of America, that
that he might attempt to carry a fcheme of this kind
into execution. >
He defigned to have purfued nearly the fame route
that I did ; and after having built a fort at Lake Pepin,
to have proceeded up the River St. Pierre, and from
thence up a branch of the River MefTorie, till having
difcovered the fource of the Oregan or River of the
Weft, on the other fide the fummit of the lands that di-
vide the waters which run into the Gulf of Mexico from
thofe that fall into the Pacific Ocean, he would have failed
down that river to the place where it is faid to empty
itfelf near the Straits of Annian.
Having there eflablifhed another fettlement on fome
fpot that appeared beil calculated for the fupport of his
people, in the neighborhood of fome of the inlets which
tend towards the north-eaft, he would from thence have
begun his refearches. This gentleman was to have
been attended in the expedition by Colonel Rogers,
myfelf, and others, and to have taken out with him a
fufficient number of artificers and mariners for building
the forts and veffels neceffary on the occafion, and for
navigating
2%Z
APPENDIX.
navigating the latter ; in all not lefs than fifty or fixty
men. , The grants and other requifites for this purpofe
were even nearly completed, when the prefent troubles
in America began, which put a flop to an enterprife
that promifed to be of inconceivable advantage to the
Britifh dominions.
FINIS,
,
ft
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