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diff --git a/75593-0.txt b/75593-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ee5702 --- /dev/null +++ b/75593-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9875 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75593 *** + + + + + + Early Western Travels + 1748–1846 + + Volume II + + + + + Early Western Travels + 1748–1846 + A Series of Annotated Reprints of some of the best and rarest +contemporary Volumes of Travel, descriptive of the Aborigines and Social +and Economic Conditions in the Middle and Far West, during the Period of + Early American Settlement + + Edited with Notes, Introductions, Index, etc., by + Reuben Gold Thwaites + + Editor of “The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents,” “Wisconsin + Historical Collections,” “Chronicles of Border Warfare,” “Hennepin’s New + Discovery,” etc. + + Volume II + John Long’s Journal, 1768–1782 + +[Illustration: [Logo]] + + Cleveland, Ohio + The Arthur H. Clark Company + 1904 + + + + + COPYRIGHT 1904, BY + THE ARTHUR H. CLARK COMPANY + + ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + =The Lakeside Press= + R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY + CHICAGO + + + + + CONTENTS OF VOLUME II + + + PREFACE. _The Editor_ 9 + VOYAGES AND TRAVELS OF AN INDIAN INTERPRETER AND TRADER, describing + the Manners and Customs of the North American Indians; with an + Account of the Posts situated on the River Saint Laurence, Lake + Ontario, &c. April 10, 1768–Spring, 1782. _John Long_ + Author’s Dedication 22 + List of Subscribers 23 + Author’s Preface 27 + Voyages and Travels 33 + Vocabulary + English-Esquimeaux 223 + English-Iroquois, Algonkin, Chippeway 224 + English-Algonkin, Chippeway 238 + English-Mohegan, Shawanee 250 + English-Mohegan, Algonkin, Chippeway 252 + English-Iroquois 254 + English-French 257 + English-Chippeway 259 + Chippeway-English 289 + Familiar Phrases: English-Chippeway 317 + + + + + ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOLUME II + + + Facsimile (reduced) of original title-page 21 + Map: “Sketch of the Western Countries of Canada, 1791.” _Facsimile + of original_ 32 + + + + + PREFACE + + +The second volume of our series of Early Western Travels is devoted to +the reprint of John Long’s _Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter +and Trader_, originally published in London in 1791. + +Concerning Long, but little is known further than what he himself +relates in his book. Coming from England to North America in 1768, he +passed nearly twenty years upon this continent, chiefly consorting with +the Indians—learning their languages, wearing their garb, living their +life. An expert woodsman, fur-trader, and explorer, he penetrated into +regions north and west of Canada, that are still practically unexplored. + +At first an articled clerk in Canada, he later was apprenticed to a +Montreal fur merchant. Having displayed an adaptability for Indian +philology, Long was sent to the neighboring mission colony at +Caughnawaga, where he remained seven years, becoming an adept in the +arts and occupations of savage life. His term of service having expired, +the excitements of army life attracted him. The American Revolution had +just broken out, and volunteering for service with the British he was +detailed to lead Indian parties to hang upon the flanks of the invading +American army—one of these expeditions captured the famous Ethan Allen. +After a year and a half of this service, in which—dressed as an Indian, +and scalping his prisoners in their fashion—he could scarcely be +distinguished from a brave, Governor Guy Carleton appointed Long a +midshipman in the navy. But when his vessel sailed for England, he left +the sea in order to enter upon the more lucrative business of +fur-trading. + +In May, 1777, Long left Montreal for Mackinac, engaged as a bourgeois to +lead a party of voyageurs into the far Northwest, and trade with the +Indians on their own hunting grounds. The independent Canadian merchants +of this period were endeavoring to maintain the old French connections +with the Indians of the “upper country,” and at the same time to +undermine the trade of the Hudson’s Bay Company, by intercepting the +natives before they reached the posts of the latter. Long was assigned +to the Nipigon district north and northeast of Lake Superior—a region +early occupied by the French, and the scene of their hardy and audacious +enterprises against the Hudson Bay trade. + +Cameron[1] defines the limits of this region as follows: “Bounded on the +south by Lake Superior, on the southwest and west, by the northwest road +from Lake Superior to the lower end of Lake Ouinipique (Winnipeg); on +the northwest and north by Hayes river and part of Hudson Bay; and on +the northeast by Hudson Bay. Its greatest length from Pierre Rouge (Red +Rock), at the entrance of Nipigon River, to the Lake of the Islands, on +the Hayes river, is about three hundred and fifty leagues and its +greatest breadth, from Trout Lake to Eagle Lake, is about one hundred +and eighty leagues, but in most parts not over eighty leagues. The +two-thirds at least of this country are nothing but rivers and lakes, +some fifty leagues long; properly speaking, the whole country is nothing +but water and islands.” Into this watery wilderness Long and his +voyageurs pushed their way, literally subsisting on the country. The +bourgeois’s chief qualification for the enterprise was his familiarity +with the Indian life and language, and the fact that he had undergone +the ceremony of adoption by one of the most noted chiefs of the Chippewa +nation. + +During the French régime, this country was noted for producing the +largest number and best quality of furs in the Northwest;[2] but after +the English occupation the district had been nearly abandoned, the +difficulties of existence proving too great. Four out of eight traders +starved to death in the region in one year, and it was avoided in favor +of the better-provisioned Western districts. Cameron says that in 1785 +the whole district produced but fifty-six packs of furs. We may judge +from this of Long’s success as a trader; in the first year, he not only +subsisted himself and a party of eight Canadians, during the “hardest +winter ever remembered,” but rescued a brother trader from destruction +by a murderous band of Indians, and brought out a cargo of a hundred and +forty packs of furs all in good condition, valued between $25,000 and +$30,000. For these services he received from his chiefs the salary of +$750 a year, and a supply of Indian corn and “hard grease,” or tallow, +as provision.[3] + +At the end of his first year’s engagement, Long returned only to Pays +Plat, a trading station on Lake Superior. Being there relieved of his +furs, and supplied with fresh provisions, he set out August 15, 1778, +for another winter in the “inlands,” whither, after many hardships and +experiences with murderous Indians, he returned to Mackinac, and spent +the following winter with the Chippewas near that fort. + +In June, 1780, he joined a party of Canadians and Indians who were sent +from Mackinac to Prairie du Chien to secure the deposits of furs at the +latter place, and prevent them from falling into the hands of the +emissaries of George Rogers Clark from the Illinois, and the Spaniards +from St. Louis. After a march through Wisconsin, this undertaking was +successfully accomplished—the furs that could not be saved being burned +to keep them from the enemy.[4] + +The following autumn, Long returned to Quebec never again to come to the +“upper country.” He made one more successful trading expedition to +unknown lands, by way of the Saguenay River and Lake St. John, +penetrating the country east of Hudson Bay, and bringing back a rich +cargo—in the very year that the Hudson’s Bay Company was pillaged by the +French expedition of La Pérouse. + +Long returned for a year to England, his mother-land being entirely +strange to him after fifteen years’ absence. He was, therefore, glad to +fit out a cargo for another venture in the Indian trade of Canada. But +his good fortune seems now to have deserted him—debt, lack of +employment, and other difficulties drove him from one place to another. +In the spring of 1785 he was in New York, where he pushed the claim of a +Huron Indian through Congress. A fur-trading expedition among the +Iroquois failed, and the British commandant at Oswego confiscated his +goods. Taking refuge among his Loyalist friends near Kingston, he +received a grant of land for his services, but debt drove him from that; +and after securing some assistance from the authorities, he returned to +England in the fall of 1788,[5] there to write and publish the volume of +his adventures. + +He appears to have secured some patronage for this work, as is evidenced +by the list of subscribers, and the dedication to Sir Joseph Banks. He +also consulted the best available authorities on Indian traditions and +Canadian history, and seems to have taken pains to verify his own +experiences and observations, without slavishly following his +authorities.[6] In his defense of the Hudson’s Bay Company, there is to +be noted either a desire to secure its favor for future services, or +pique in relation to the new North West Company, under some one of whose +partners he had undoubtedly served. The book, which was published in +1791, attained considerable popularity. It was favorably reviewed in the +_Monthly Review_ (June, 1792), and translated into both French and +German. The French translation, made by J. B. L. J. Billecocq, with +notes by the translator (but without the vocabularies, a fact deplored +by French philologists),[7] appeared in 1794, and again in 1810. Two +German translations were made, the first by B. Gottlob Hoffmann, issued +in 1791; the second by G. Forster, published in Berlin the following +year. + +The interest of the work, aside from incidental historical references to +expeditions in Canada and Wisconsin during the Revolution, the Loyalist +settlements, and the retention of the Northern posts, lies in the +author’s intimate knowledge of Indian life and customs, especially those +of the more primitive and savage tribes of the North; and in the light +he incidentally throws on the history of the fur-trade.[8] + +It is anything but an engaging picture which Long paints of his Indian +friends and companions—they are in the stage of downright savagery, +debauched by contact with the dregs of civilization, learning its vices, +appropriating its weapons, and dominating the whites by sheer force of +numbers, and knowledge of the weakness and greed of the latter. A +pleasant contrast is his account of the Canadian mission Indians; but +even these proved their savagery during the American Revolution. Of +their aboriginal customs, Long’s notices of totemism, religious rites +and beliefs, courtship and marriage, social customs—games, dances, food, +dwellings—habits of hunting, and physical and mental characteristics, +are valuable because original and the result of immediate observation. + +Scarcely less dark is the picture presented by Long, of the fur-trade +and the traders. This was the period of unlicensed and almost ruinous +competition between the great company at the North, and the independent +merchants from Canada—the latter acting each for himself, with slight +regard for the interest of the trade, the Indians, or the lesser +employees. + +The fur-trade under the French régime had been under strict +surveillance. All traders were required to purchase a government +license, and the products of their traffic were closely inspected. By +the close of the French rule, even the lawless _coureurs de +bois_—trading through the forest at will, and carrying their peltries to +the English at Albany and Hudson Bay—had been quite largely suppressed, +and brought into the service of the licensed traders. + +After the conquest of New France, a period of cutthroat competition +began. The English traders did not at first dare venture into the +wilderness peopled with Indians faithful to the French; those who did, +nearly paid the penalty with their lives (as witness Alexander Henry, at +Mackinac). But after Pontiac’s War, and the gradual subsidence of Indian +hostility, British traders from Montreal and Quebec began reaching out +for this lucrative traffic, and a class of enterprising _entrepreneurs_ +was developed, recruited chiefly from the ranks of Scotchmen. By them +the fur-trade was pushed to its highest development, and the rivers, +lakes, and fastnesses of the great Northwest discovered and explored in +rapid succession. This work was done by such men as the Henrys, Ponds, +Frobishers, Finlays, Camerons, McDonalds—and, greatest of all, Sir +Alexander Mackenzie. + +By 1780, they began to unite their fortunes, and a sixteen-share stock +corporation was formed of the principal traders.[9] A conspiracy of the +Indians in the same year, to massacre all the whites and pillage the +posts, was discovered and averted; but by the following season a still +more terrible scourge had begun. Smallpox appeared among the tribes in +the Northwest, and spread so rapidly that hunting was but languidly +carried on, and profits fell to the zero mark. To avert the chaos into +which the trade seemed falling, the North West Company was established +in 1783, for a term of five years. In 1787 its organization was +perfected, and the corporate period of the Canadian fur-trade began; +competitors were gradually bought out—union with the X Y Company +occurring in 1805, and with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1821. + +Long’s narrative, therefore, portrays conditions during the period of +the free trader, responsible to no authority, exploiting the country and +the natives for the largest immediate returns, without reference to the +preservation of the hunting grounds or the protection of the hunters. +The frightful debauchery of the Indians by means of traders’ rum, and +the necessity for the use of laudanum to control their drunken excesses, +are shown in full by Long in his simple narrative of events. The +dangers, also, to which this system exposed the trader, are only too +evident from his relation of the case of Mr. Shaw. As for the +competition with the Hudson’s Bay Company, it is plain from Long’s +narrative that the Canadian traders were encroaching on the hunting +grounds of this great monopoly. The case of M. Jacques Santeron shows +the possibility of dishonest men passing from one employ to the other. + +As for the rest of the picture, Long presents the usual traits of the +trader and interpreter—a certain rude honesty, taking the form of +loyalty to his employer, a disregard of dangers, and small concern for +hardships. His knowledge of wilderness life was intimate, but to this +fact he alludes only in an incidental way. In acquaintance with Indian +character, and power of influencing them in a crisis, he seems to have +been superior to the ordinary trader. His vices were those of his +class—slight regard for laws, either moral or military (witness the +incident at Fort Mackinac), improvidence and wastefulness, restlessness, +and dissatisfaction with the routine life of towns. His literary style, +while discursive, is simple, and as clear as running water. What he +wishes to say, he says plainly, leaving the reader as a rule to draw his +own conclusions. There is an unvarnished, unflinching directness in his +statements, conveying to the reader the impression that he is concealing +nothing, doing nought for effect, but telling a straightforward story of +travels and adventures. The book forms a contribution of note to this +important class of literature, and will always be readable. + +In the preparation of the notes, the Editor has had, as in the first +volume of the series, the assistance of Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg, of +the Wisconsin Historical Library. He has also had helpful suggestions +from Dr. James Bain, Jr., of the Toronto Public Library. + + R. G. T. + + MADISON, WIS., February, 1904. + + + + + LONG’S VOYAGES AND TRAVELS—1768–1782 + + + Reprint of the original edition: London, 1791 + + +[Illustration: + + _VOYAGES AND TRAVELS_ + OF AN + INDIAN INTERPRETER AND TRADER, + DESCRIBING + _The Manners and Customs_ + OF THE + NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS; + WITH + _AN ACCOUNT OF THE POSTS_ + SITUATED ON + THE RIVER SAINT LAURENCE, LAKE ONTARIO, &c. + TO WHICH IS ADDED, + + A VOCABULARY + OF + The Chippeway Language. + _Names of Furs and Skins, in English and French._ + + A LIST OF WORDS + IN THE + IROQUOIS, MOHEGAN, SHAWANEE, AND ESQUIMEAUX TONGUES, + AND A TABLE, SHEWING + _The Analogy between the Algonkin and Chippeway Languages_. + + BY J. LONG. + + + LONDON: + + PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND SOLD BY ROBSON, BOND-STREET; DEBRETT, + PICCADILLY; T. AND J. EGERTON, CHARING-CROSS; WHITE AND SON, + FLEET-STREET; SEWELL, CORNHILL; EDWARDS, PALL-MALL; AND MESSRS. + TAYLORS, HOLBORN, LONDON; FLETCHER, OXFORD; AND BULL, BATH. + + M,DCC,XCI. + +] + + + + +TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BAR^T. PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY,[10] &c. &c. + &c. + + + SIR, + +I feel the highest satisfaction in being permitted to dedicate this work +to one whose pursuits have ever been more peculiarly directed to objects +of originality, and whose scientific researches have contributed so +largely to the information and benefit of society. + +The public are too well acquainted with your general knowledge in every +branch of literature, to suspect that I hold the language of adulation. +Should I attempt to do justice to a character so eminently +distinguished, my feeble efforts could only be regarded as the grateful +effusions of a mind proud of a patronage that can ensure an especial +share of public notice and protection. + +I have the honour to be, very respectfully, + + SIR, + Your most obedient servant, + J. LONG. + + _London, + February, 1791._ + + + + + LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS + + + Addis, Mr. George. + Annereau, Mr. + + Banks, Sir Joseph, Bart. + Beaufoy, Henry, Esq. M. P. + Berens, Hermanus, Esq. + Berens, Joseph, Esq. + Boddam, Thomas, Esq. + Bettesworth, Thomas, Esq. + Baker, John, Esq. + Baker, William, Esq. + Baker, Miss. + Batson, Robert, Esq. + Baynes, Burdon, Esq. + Blache, J. F. Esq. + Belfour, John, Esq. + Belfour, Mr. Okey. 3 copies. + Belfour, Mr. J. D. + Bird, William, Esq. + Bird, Thomas, Esq. + Bird, Michael, Esq. + Barbe, St. Samuel, Esq. + Barbe, St. John, Esq. + Bingley, ——, jun. Esq. + Bates, Mr. John. + Birkley, Mr. John. + Bowden, John, Esq. + Brandon, Mr. + Bull, Mr. J. Bath. + Beilby, Mr. 6 copies. + + Croft, the Rev. Herbert. + Cornthwaite, the Rev. Mr. + Chalmers, George, Esq. + Culverden, William, Esq. + Corsellis, Nicholas Cæsar, Esq. + Coussmaker, John, Esq. + Croix, N. D. St., Esq. + Cleaver, Miss. + Cotton, Thomas, Esq. + Cotton, Bayes, Esq. + Chandler, George, Esq. + Coningham, William, Esq. + Cope, Thomas, Esq. + Cleugh, John, Esq. + Clay, Felix, Esq. + Clay, James, Esq. + Clay, William, Esq. + {iv} Clay, George, Esq. + Cooper, Mr. + Cooper, Mr. James. + Corbet, ——, Esq. 2 copies. + + Dawson, William, Esq. + + Dalrymple, Alexander, Esq. + Dicken, John, Esq. + + Earle, James, Esq. + Emes, William, Esq. + Edwards, Charles, Esq. + Etches, R. C., Esq. + Eldridge, Thomas, Esq. + + Fraser, Major. + Finch, Thomas, Esq. + Forbes, Thomas, Esq. + Fayle, Benjamin, Esq. + Faden, Mr. William. 6 copies. + Fawler, Mrs. + Forsteen, ——, Esq. + Finch, Mr. John. + Fletcher, Mr. James, Oxford. + + Grote, George, Esq. + Gould, Thomas, Esq. + George, C. G., Esq. + Goldthwaite, Thomas, Esq. + George, Mr. Edward. + Graft, Mr. James. + + Hollingsworth, John, Esq. + Hulse, Richard, Esq. + Hulse, Edward, Esq. + Howison, John, Esq. Lisbon. + Hayward, Francis, Esq. 2 copies. + Holden, Joseph, Esq. + Haffey, John, Esq. + Hill, Edward, Esq. + Hussey, William Wheatley, Esq. + Harper, Mrs. + Hillier, Mr. + Hale, Mr. Harry. 2 copies. + Hill, Mr. John. + + Jones, Edward, Esq. + Jeudwine, Thomas, Esq. + Justice, Mr. Richard. + Jacks, Mr. + + Knill, John, Esq. + Kensington, Charles, Esq. + + Long, Sir James Tylney, Bart. M.P. 7 copies. + {v} Lake, Sir J. Winter, Bart. 4 cop. + Langmore, William, Esq. + Legg, Leaver, Esq. + Long, Mrs. + Locke, Miss. + Locke, John, Esq. + Lion, Thomas, Esq. + Lane, Benjamin, Esq. + Lang, Charles, Esq. + Lightfoot, John, Esq. + + Lonsdale, Mr. + + Mulgrave, the Right Hon. Lord. + Monsel, Lieutenant Colonel. + Marsden, William, Esq. + Morris, John, Esq. + Martin, Captain. + Man, Henry, Esq. 6 copies. + Mukins, Francis, Esq. + Malleson, John, Esq. + Murray, Mr. J. 2 copies. + + Nesbitt, Lieutenant Colonel. + Nesbitt, Arnold, Esq. + Nasmyth, Maxwell, Esq. + Neave, Richard, Esq. + + Prescott, George William, Esq. + Pott, Rev. J. H. Archdeacon of St. Albans. + Pott, Percival, Esq. + Pott, E. H. Esq. + Pott, Mrs. + Powell, Baden, Esq. + Powell, James, Esq. + Powell, Thomas, Esq. + Peck, Jasper, Esq. + Pooley, John, Esq. + Perry, John, Esq. + Palmer, Peregrine, Esq. + Pickwoad, Robert, Esq. + Pickering, Thomas, Esq. + Popplewell, Mr. + + Roberts, John, Esq. + Rennell, Major. + Robertson, Captain. + Ruspini, J. B., Esq. + Rouse, Benjamin, Esq. + Ross, G. W., Esq. 2 copies. + Rutter, Miss. + Row, William, Esq. + Regail, Alexander, Esq. + Reading Society, Hackney. + + Scott, Thomas, Esq. M. P. + {vi} Sneyd, Samuel, Esq. + Symons, the Rev. Mr. + Sheldon, John, Esq. Professor of Anatomy in the Royal Academy of Arts, + London, and F. R. S. + Shamier, ——, Esq. + Stoe, Harry, Esq. + Sedgwick, Harry, Esq. + Stone, John Hurford, Esq. + Surman, William, Esq. + Smith, Haskett, Esq. + Scafe, Mr. Richard. + Scargill, Mr. James. + Stable, Mr. William. + Smith, Mr. Thomas. + + Smith, Mr. J. Thomas. + + Turner, Miss. + Turner, Miss Jane. + Tanner, N. Esq. + Toulmin, William, Esq. + Taylors, Messrs. 6 copies. + + Vaston, Mrs. + Vandriel, Mr. J. C. + + Wegg, Samuel, Esq. + Winter, John, Esq. + Walker, John, Esq. + Wilson, Stephen, Esq. + Wilson, William, Esq. + Wilcox, William, Esq. + Wilcox, Edward, Esq. + Wilcox, Mrs. Anne. + Wickham, Lieut. + Woolhead, Major, Esq. + Wright, Mr. Thomas. + Watson, Mr. William. + White, Messrs. and Son. 6 copies. + + Young, Mrs. + + + + + PREFACE + + +The reader will naturally expect some account of this work. + +With regard to the historical part, I have endeavoured to explain the +situation of the Posts, which, by Mr. Oswald’s Treaty, were stipulated +to be surrendered to the Americans; and pointed out their convenience to +Great Britain in a political and commercial point of view:[11] I have +also given a description of the Five and Six Nation Indians; and +endeavoured to shew the usefulness, as well as necessity, of a strict +alliance with them as long as we retain any possessions in Canada. + +With respect to the descriptions of lakes, rivers, &c. which lie beyond +Lake Superior, from Lake Nipegon to Lake Arbitibis, I have given them as +accurately as possible, either from my own knowledge, or the most +authentic Indian accounts; and when it is considered that interpreters +in the commercial line seldom have occasion for any geographical +knowledge, the want of better information will be excused. + +The Vocabulary which is subjoined, and on which I have bestowed some +pains, it is hoped will not only afford information to such as may be +desirous of attaining a knowledge of the Chippeway language, but prove +useful to those who are already engaged in traffic with the Indians. + +{viii} As the mode of spelling a language which has never been reduced +to a grammatical system, must be arbitrary, and principally depend on +the ear, I have endeavoured to use such letters as best agree with the +English pronunciation; avoiding a multiplicity of consonants, which only +perplex: and to enable the reader to speak so as to be understood by the +natives, it is necessary to observe that _a_ is generally sounded broad; +and _e_ final never pronounced but in monosyllables. + +The following are the motives which induced me to make the Vocabulary in +the Chippeway language so copious. + +In the first place it is, strictly speaking, one of the mother tongues +of North America, and universally spoken in council by the chiefs who +reside about the great lakes, to the westward of the banks of the +Mississippi, as far south as the Ohio, and as far north as Hudson’s Bay; +notwithstanding many of the tribes, within the space of territory I have +described, speak in common a different language.—This observation is +confirmed by authors of established repute, and further proved by the +concurrent testimony of the Indian interpreters. + +Baron de Lahontan[12] asserts that the Algonkin is a mother tongue, and +that it is in as much estimation in North America, as Greek and Latin in +Europe: this being admitted, I am persuaded the Chippeway language +possesses as much, if not greater merit, as it is in every respect +better understood by the northwest Indians. But as the knowledge of both +{ix} may not only be useful, but necessary, I have given a comparative +table of about two hundred and sixty words in both tongues, that the +reader may use either as he shall find it best understood by the tribes +with whom he may have occasion to trade; though he will find, in a +variety of instances, a perfect accordance. + +The table of words in the Muhhekaneew, or Mohegan, and Shawanee tongues, +are extracted from the Rev. Mr. Edwards’s publication, and are inserted +to shew their analogy with the Chippeway language;[13] and, as he +observes that the language of the Delawares in Pennsylvania, of the +Penobscots on the borders of Nova Scotia, of the Indians of St. Francis, +in Canada, of the Shawanees on the Ohio, and many other tribes of +Savages radically agree, I judged the tables of analogy would not be +unacceptable. + +In the course of the historical part, several speeches in the Chippeway +language are introduced: and at the end of the Vocabulary, a number of +familiar phrases, which not only serve to shew the mode of speech, but +give a better idea of the language than single words. + +The numeral _payshik_, or one, is frequently used to express the +articles _a_ and _the_; and _woke_ is the general word for the plural +number, though not always used. + +Mr. Carver’s Vocabulary will, in many instances, be found to differ from +the Chippeway;[14] but when it is considered that though he calls it the +Chippeway Vocabulary, in p. 414 of his work, he says “The Chippeway, or +Algonkin,” which {x} evidently proves that he believes them the same +language:—but with regard to the usefulness of the tongue, there is a +perfect corroboration of sentiment; for he remarks that the Chippeway +tongue appears to be the most prevailing of all the Indian languages. + +It may not be amiss to observe, that the Chippeway tongue, as spoken by +the servants of the Hudson’s Bay Company, is somewhat different, though +not essentially so, and is called by them the _Home-Guard_ Language. + +With regard to the Iroquois, or Mohawk tongue, which is peculiar to the +Five and Six Nation Indians, it is not necessary in the fur-trade beyond +Michillimakinac; and if it were, there are not wanting printed +authorities sufficient to instruct:—this consideration has induced me to +give only the numerals, and a few words in the language. + +I have not any thing further to add, but a sincere wish that my labours +may prove useful to the world; and that whatever defects may be found in +the following work, the Public will look on them with candour; and will +recollect that they are perusing, not the pages of a professed +_Tourist_, but such observations as a commercial man flatters himself +may be found acceptable to the merchant and the philosopher. + +[Illustration: _SKETCH of the_ WESTERN COUNTRIES of CANADA 1791] + + + + + VOYAGES AND TRAVELS + + +Having engaged myself, at an early period of life, to go to North +America, in the quality of an articled clerk, I left Gravesend on the +10th of April, 1768, on board the “Canada,” captain Smith, bound to +Quebec and Montreal. We had a pleasant voyage, till we reached the coast +of America, when the weather proving unfavourable, we were obliged to +put into Newfoundland, where we stayed fourteen days. Nothing remarkable +occurred here, except that a party went on shore to hunt, and one of +them, Mr. Jordan, who was a passenger, bound to Montreal, finding +himself much fatigued, remained in the woods; the rest returned on board +in the evening, anxiously expecting their companion; but after four days +painful solicitude, not being able to obtain any intelligence of him, we +gave up all hopes of seeing him again; and as the snow was deep on the +ground, and the wild animals numerous, we supposed him to be either +frozen to death, or devoured by the beasts. Just as the captain proposed +setting sail, an Indian came on board, to whom we endeavoured to +communicate our distress. On this occasion, he seemed to understand us, +and made signs of his intention to go in search of him; and being +furnished with some rum by way of encouragement, he got into his canoe +and paddled {2} ashore. The captain, with great humanity, deferred +prosecuting the voyage for some time: but the Indian not returning, we +left Newfoundland, and after a tedious passage of near eleven weeks, +arrived at Quebec, the capital of Canada. + +When the Spaniards (who first discovered this northern clime) sailed +past Cape Rosiers at the entrance of the River St. Laurence, the +mountains, now called the Mountains of Nôtre Dame, were covered with +snow. Such a prospect, in the summer season, gave them a very +unfavourable opinion of the country, and they were deterred from going +up the river, supposing the land to be too barren to recompence their +labours at present, or afford any future advantages; and the same +impressions induced them to call it Capo di Nada, or Cape Nothing, by +which name it is described in their charts, and from whence, by +corruption of language, it has derived its present name of Canada.[15] + +The River St. Laurence takes its rise from Lake Nipissin, northeast of +Lake Superior, about the distance of 2000 miles from Quebec.[16] The +breadth of it is 90 miles at the entrance, and it is navigable near 500 +miles from the sea. + +The Isle of Orleans, which is but a small distance from the city, is a +beautiful spot of ground, about 20 miles in length, and six in breadth. +The fertility of the soil makes it a useful and valuable garden, +insomuch that it supplies the capital with vegetables and grain in great +abundance. The opposite village of Beauport also charms the eye, and +very much heightens the scene, which is rich, romantic, and magnificent. + +{3} The Fall of Montmorenci particularly attracted my notice, as it is +perhaps the most pleasing natural cascade in the world; and though its +height and width are not to be compared in point of awful grandeur with +the stupendous cataract of Niagara, it is sufficiently wonderful to shew +the power of the great Architect of the Universe; and its effects are +more pleasing than the latter; for while it produces wonder and pleasure +in the highest degree, it does not strike the beholder with such +tremendous ideas. + +As our ship was bound to Montreal, as well as Quebec, and I was under +the captain’s care and direction, he did not allow me to go on shore at +the latter place; but in a few days, to my great joy, we arrived safe at +Montreal, the place of our last destination. + +Montreal, formerly called Ville Marie, has nothing remarkable in it at +present; it was formerly famous for a great fair, which lasted near +three months, and was resorted to by the Indians, who came from the +distance of many hundreds of miles, to barter their peltry for English +goods. It will give pleasure to the reader to be informed, that we +received here the agreeable intelligence that Mr. Jordan was found in +the woods, two days after our departure from Newfoundland, though with +the loss of his feet, occasioned by the severity of the weather: he went +afterwards in a vessel to Trois Riviéres, where he settled in an iron +foundry. + +Trois Riviéres,[17] is so called from the junction of three currents +which empty themselves into the River St. Laurence. About a league from +the town there is an iron foundry, which was erected by private {4} +persons in the year 1737, and afterwards ceded to the King. At first +cannon and mortars were cast there, but it is now principally used in +the manufacture of stoves and kettles. The ore is taken at a small +distance from the works. A river runs down from the foundry into the +River St. Laurence, which enables the proprietors to send their +manufactures round the country in boats upon very moderate terms. + +This town, which is half way between Quebec and Montreal, had formerly a +very considerable trade in peltry, and was the second mart in Canada; +but in process of time the inhabitants of Montreal contrived to draw +almost all the fur-trade to themselves; and though the residents in +Trois Riviéres live by their commerce with the savages, and the +manufacturing of birch canoes, yet the town has lost that rank and +consequence which it formerly maintained; nevertheless, the advantage of +the iron foundry makes them some amends, and they live, upon the whole, +as happy as any people in Canada. The inhabitants of Trois Riviéres were +formerly very much incommoded with fleas, which swarmed in great +quantities, and which, Baron de Lahontan humorously observes, occasioned +an inconvenient quickness in conversation. + +On my arrival at Montreal, I was placed under the care of a very +respectable merchant to learn the Indian trade, which is the chief +support of the town. I soon acquired the names of every article of +commerce in the Iroquois and French languages, and being at once +prepossessed in favour of the savages, improved daily in their tongue, +to the satisfaction of my employer, who approving my assiduity, and +wishing me to be completely qualified in the Mohawk language to enable +me to traffic with the Indians in his absence, sent me to a village +called {5} Cahnuaga, or Cocknawaga, situated about nine miles from +Montreal, on the south side of the River St. Laurence,[18] where I lived +with a chief whose name was _Assenegethter_, until I was sufficiently +instructed in the language, and then returned to my master’s store, to +improve myself in French, which is not only universally spoken in +Canada, but is absolutely necessary in the commercial intercourse with +the natives, and without which it would be impossible to enjoy the +society of the most respectable families, who are in general ignorant of +the English language. + + + {6} _A Description of the Village and Inhabitants of_ CAHNUAGA, _or_ + COCKNAWAGA, _who some years since separated from the_ MOHAWKS. + +The Savages of this nation, who are called the praying Indians, from the +circumstance of their chiefs wearing crucifixes, and going through the +streets of Montreal with their beads, begging alms, separated long since +from the Mohawk and River Indians, and for a considerable time after +their separation, carried on an illicit trade between Albany and +Montreal. The village contains about two hundred houses, which, though +they are chiefly built of stone, have a mean and dirty appearance. The +inhabitants amount to about eight hundred, and (what is contrary to the +general observation on the population of the Indians) are continually +increasing. It is considered as the most respectable of all the Indian +villages, and the people are in a great degree civilized and +industrious. They sow corn, and do not depend like other nations solely +upon hunting for support; but at the same time, they are not fond of +laborious work, conceiving it only suited to those who are less free, +and retaining so much of their primeval valour and independence as to +annex the idea of slavery to every domestic employment. Their hunting +grounds are within the United States, at a considerable distance from +the village, round Fort George, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, where they +kill beaver and deer, but not in such great abundance at present as they +did formerly, the country being better inhabited, and the wild animals, +from the present state of population, being obliged to seek a more +distant {7} and secure retreat. The skins they obtain are generally +brought down to Montreal, and either sold for money, or bartered for +goods. It is not improbable, that in a few years there will not be many +good hunters among them, as they are extravagantly fond of dress, and +that too of the most expensive kind. Their fondness for this luxury, +which the profits arising from the lands they let out to the Canadians +enables them to indulge, contributes to make them more idle; and in +proportion as their vanity increases, ease and indolence are the more +eagerly courted and gratified, insomuch that hunting is in danger of +being totally abandoned. Their religion is Catholic, and they have a +French priest, or, as the Chippeway Indians term it, “_The Master of +Life’s Man_,” who instructs them, and performs divine service in the +Iroquois tongue. Their devotion impressed my mind too powerfully to +suffer it to pass unnoticed, and induces me to observe that great praise +is due to their pastors, who by unwearied assiduity, and their own +exemplary lives and conversation, have converted a savage race of beings +from Heathenism to Christianity, and by uniformity of conduct, continue +to preserve both their religion and themselves in the esteem of their +converts: An example worthy of imitation, and amounting to an +incontrovertible proof that nature, in her most degenerate state, may be +reclaimed by those who are sincere in their endeavours, gentle in their +manners, and consistent in the general tenor of their behaviour. And it +is to be expected, and certainly most ardently to be wished, that the +savage temper among them may in time be more effectually subdued, their +natural impetuosity softened and restrained, and their minds weaned from +their unhappy attachment to the use of strong liquors; their indulgence +in which is frequently attended with the most melancholy and fatal +consequences. + + + {8} _Of the_ INDIANS _of the Five and Six Nations_. + +I shall now give a particular account of the Indians of the Five and Six +Nations, and the reasons why they are so called, in order to enable the +reader to form an idea of their consequence in a political point of +view, as well as their importance on account of the fur-trade; because +the vicinity of the American territories from Georgia to New England, +gives the United States a great command and influence from their +situation, and renders them more to be dreaded than even the French were +in the zenith of their American power, when it was universally known +they had such an interest among the savages, as induced them to call the +French their fathers, and of which so much yet remains, as to prompt +them to retain a predilection in favour of the traders of the Gallic +race who are settled among them. + +In 1603, when the French settled in Canada, part of the Five Nations +resided on the island of Montreal, and were at war with the +Adirondacks (who lived on the Uttawa, or grand river leading to +Michillimakinac);[19] these, considered the Five Nations as very +insignificant opponents, and incapable of serious revenge, and they +were held in as much derision as the Delawares, who were usually +called old women, or the Shawanees (who lived on the Wabach River), +who were obliged to wear petticoats for a considerable time, in +contempt of their want of courage, and as a badge of their +pusillanimity and degradation. But as no people can bear the +imputation of cowardice or effeminacy as a {9} national character, the +chiefs determined to rouse their young men, and stimulate them to +retrieve, or establish, a reputation; and inspiring them with heroic +notions, led them to war against the Satanas, or Shaounons, whom they +subdued with great ease. This success revived their drooping spirits, +and forgetting how often they had been defeated by the Adirondacks, +[they] commenced hostilities against them; and availing themselves of +the mean opinion their enemies entertained of their valour, gained the +victory in several actions: and at last carried on a successful war +against them even in their own country, obliging their former +conquerors to abandon their native land, and seek refuge on the spot +where Quebec is now situated. + +Soon after the French arrived and had settled at Quebec, they formed an +alliance with the Adirondacks against the Five Nations. The first +engagement proved decisive in favour of the Adirondacks, owing entirely +to the use of fire arms having been introduced among them by their new +allies, which the Indians of the Five Nations had never before seen. +This alliance, and the consequent defeat was far from subduing or +disheartening the Five Nations, but rather seemed to inspire them with +additional ardour, and what they were deficient in military skill and +suitable weapons, they supplied by stratagem and courage. Although the +French gained several advantages over them in the course of more than +fifteen years, they at length were glad to bring the contest to a +conclusion, by making a peace with them. + +This shews that the Savages of the Five Nations are not easily to be +conquered, and proves the necessity of preserving them in our interest, +{10} as long as we shall deem it expedient, from policy, to keep +possession of Canada. This being admitted, it is certain that no method +will more effectually conduce to that end, than retaining such barriers +in our hands as will enable us to afford them protection, and supply +them with arms and ammunition, and other necessaries, in time of danger. + +The Indians who lie to the north of Philadelphia, between the provinces +of Pennsylvania and the Lakes, consist of three distinct leagues, of +which the Senekas, Mohawks, and Onondagoes, who are called the fathers, +compose the first; the Oneidoes, Cayugas, Tuscororas, Conoys and +Nanticokes, which are one tribe, compose the second, and these two +leagues constitute what is called the Six Nations. The third league is +formed of the Wanamis, Chihokockis, or Delawares, the Mawhiccons, +Munseys, and Wapingers, to which may be added the Mingoes. The Cowetas, +or Creek Indians, are also united in friendship with them.[20] + +Mr. Colden says, the nations who are joined together by a league or +confederacy, like the United Provinces of Holland, are known by the +names of Mohawks, Oneydoes, Onondagoes, Cayugas, and Senekas; that each +of these nations is again divided into three tribes or families, who are +distinguished by the names of the Tortoise, Bear, and Wolf; and that the +Tuscororas, after the war they had with the people of Carolina, fled to +the Five Nations, and incorporated with them, so that in fact they now +consist of six, although they still retain the name of the Five +Nations.[21] This union is of such long duration as to leave little or +no traces of its origin. + +{11} Baron Lahontan observes, that the Iroquois are in reality but one +nation, divided into five districts; and which he distinguishes in the +following manner:—The Tsonontouans, the Goyogans, the Onontagues, the +Oneyouts, and the Agnies, who were all settled about thirty leagues from +each other, near the great Lake Frontenac, now called Ontario. + +The Mohawks, or Maquas, are the most warlike among the Five Nations, and +consist of near seven hundred warriors. They are called by the French, +Agnies, or Annies, and were originally settled on the French or grand +River, leading to Michillimakinac, from whence they afterwards removed +to the Mohawk River, near Schenectady, about sixteen miles from Albany, +in the state of New York. Since the war in 1757 they have separated, and +part of the nation is settled on the grand river, near Niagara, and the +rest at the back of the bay of Quenty, or Kenty, about forty-eight miles +above Cataraqui, the capital of the Loyalist settlements on the River +St. Laurence.[22] + +Cataraqui, or Fort Frontenac, is built near to the place where Lake +Ontario discharges itself into the River St. Laurence. It was erected by +Le Comte de Frontenac, governor general of Canada, to stop the +incursions of the Iroquois, and divert the channel of the commerce in +peltry, which that people carried on with the inhabitants of New York, +and which they bartered for with the Savages by merchandize, at a +cheaper rate than the French could supply them. + +This fort was at first built of wood and turf, and surrounded with high +pickets, but during the mission of Father Hennepin, it was faced {12} +with stone, by the direction of the Sieur Cavelier de la Salle, and +enlarged to a circuit of more than seven hundred yards. The bason in +which it stands is capable of holding a number of vessels of +considerable burthen. There is a small garrison at present, and a +commanding officer, to examine all boats which pass either to the new +settlements or the upper posts.[23] + +The Oneidoes, or Oneyouts, the Onondagoes, Cayugas, Senekas, or +Tsonontouans, and the Tuscororas, who live with the Oneidoes and +Onondagoes, are settled about thirty leagues distant from each other, +and none of them exceeding two hundred and fifty miles from the Mohawk +River. All these nations express peace by the metaphor of a tree, whose +top they say will reach the sun, and whose branches extend far abroad, +not only that they may be seen at a great distance, but to afford them +shelter and repose. + +The Five Nations claim all the country south of the River St. Laurence +to the Ohio, and down the Ohio to the Wabache, which lies to the +westward of the state of Pennsylvania, near to the borders of Virginia; +westerly, to the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and the River Miamis, and the +eastern boundaries of Lake Champlain, and the United States. + +The firmness of this league, the great extent of land it claims, the +number of great warriors it produces, and the undaunted courage and +skill which distinguish the members of it in their contests both with +the Savages and European nations, all conspire to prove the good policy +of an alliance with them; as it is an undoubted fact, that in case of a +dispute with the Americans, the posts would make but a feeble resistance +{13} without their exertions; and deprived of the forts, the fur-trade +would soon be lost to this country. + +I shall next consider the situation and utility of these barriers, in a +commercial point of view, and endeavour to shew the propriety of keeping +possession of the posts, notwithstanding by the treaty of peace with the +United States, they were expressly stipulated to be given up; although +it is not probable indeed that the Americans will be able to fulfil the +treaty on their part, so as to entitle them to make a reasonable +demand—I mean such a claim as government must absolutely admit. + +The first post I shall notice is Oswegatche, on the River St. Laurence, +about one hundred and fifty miles above Montreal, at the mouth of the +Black River, where there are about an hundred Savages, who occasionally +frequent it, and are called Oswegatche Indians, although they belong to +the tribes of the Five Nations.[24] To this fort the inhabitants of New +England may with ease transport goods, to supply the Mohawks, Cahnuagas, +Connecedagas, St. Regis, and some straggling Messesawger Indians, who +live near the Détroit,[25] at a smaller expence than they can possibly +be obtained from the merchants at Quebec or Montreal, but particularly +Rum, which is now become an essential requisite in every transaction +with the Savages; for though they used formerly often to complain of the +introduction of strong water by the traders (as appears by the language +of their chiefs in council) to the prejudice of their young men, yet +they have not now the resolution to refrain from the use of it;—on the +contrary, it is become so familiar, and even necessary to them, that a +drunken frolic is {14} looked upon as an indispensible requisite in a +barter, and anticipated with extreme delight. + +Carlton Island is higher up the river, and has greater conveniences +annexed to it than Oswegatche, having an excellent harbour, with a +strong fortification well garrisoned.[26] It affords excellent +accommodation for shipping, and may be considered as the naval +storehouse for supplying Niagara and the other posts. There are vessels +of considerable bulk continually sailing from thence to Niagara, Oswego, +&c.—There is also a commodore of the Lakes, whose residence is on the +island. + +Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario, formerly called Lake Frontenac, is a good +fortification, and capable of containing six hundred men. This post is +particularly important, as it is the key to the United States, and +commands the opening to the North, or Hudson’s River, protecting the +trade with the Indians who live on the banks of the River St. Laurence, +and the whole extent of the great sheet of water near which it stands, +reckoned about eighty leagues in length, and in some places from +twenty-five to thirty broad.[27] + +When the English were in possession of the Colonies, Albany commanded +the trade with the Indians; and it is well known that no place in +America furnished such a quantity of furs and skins, not even the +Hudson’s Bay settlements, whose utmost extent of trade is far inferior +to the produce collected here. These furs and skins were procured from +Canada, and brought to Fort Oswego by the Indians, who disposed of them +to the agents sent there by the merchants of Albany. {15} Besides, +Indian goods may be conveyed from Albany to Fort Oswego at a cheaper +rate than from Montreal to the new settlements at Cataraqui and the head +of the Bay of Kenty, and at less risk, because the stream of the Mohawk +River is not so strong as that of the Cataraqui River, between the Lake +and Montreal, and there are not so many falls of water. + +Fort Niagara is on the same lake, where there is also a good +garrison.[28] This lake takes its rise from Lake Erie, and after a +course of fifteen leagues, empties itself into Lake Ontario. About four +leagues before it enters the lake, it is intercepted by the great fall +which is mentioned by various authors, who do not agree in opinion +respecting its height; but from the most authentic accounts, joined to +my own observations, I am inclined to coincide with the judgment of +captain Pierie, who made an actual survey, and describes the height to +be one hundred and forty-six feet, and the width one thousand and forty, +which proves that the accounts of Father Hennepin and La Salle were +erroneous, who both agree in calling the perpendicular height six +hundred feet. The distance from Fort Niagara to Fort Stanwix[29] is +about two hundred and eighty miles, through the Jenesee country, which I +travelled with great ease in about eight days. This post therefore is of +the most essential importance to protect the Indians who are in alliance +with Great Britain, and to secure the valuable and undivided advantage +of their trade. + +The Détroit is so called from being a strait between Lake Erie, and Lake +Huron, and commands the trade from the Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, and +the Upper Lakes, which post is resorted to by the Uttawas, {16} Hurons, +Miamis, Ohio, Mississippi, Delaware, and Tuscorora Indians, besides the +Messesawgas.[30] + +These five posts are situated at the back of the three states of New +England, New York, and Pennsylvania, and at a very small distance from +the Loyalist settlements. + +The last post is Michillimakinac, which is situated between Lake Huron +and Lake Michigan, upon an isthmus, about one hundred and thirty leagues +long, and twenty-two wide, and is the last fortress towards the +northwest. This point of land is on the north of the straits through +which the Lake of the Ilinois, or Michigan, three hundred leagues in +circumference, empties into Lake Huron, which is of equal extent. The +strait is about three leagues long, and one broad, and half a league +distant from the mouth of the Ilinois.[31] + +This is perhaps the most material of all the barriers, and of the +greatest importance to the commercial interest of this country, as it +intercepts all the trade of the Indians of the upper country from +Hudson’s Bay to Lake Superior, and affords protection to various tribes +of Savages, who constantly resort to it to receive presents from the +commanding officer, and from whence the traders, who go to the +northwest, take their departure for the grand portage, or grand carrying +place, which is nine miles in length, before they enter on the waters +communicating with the northwest.[32] + +Were the English to remain in possession of every part of Canada, except +the posts, numberless doors would be left open for the Americans {17} to +smuggle in their goods, and in process of time the illicit trade would +supersede the necessity of the exportation of British goods from England +to Canada, and the commercial benefits arising from the consumption of +our manufactures would be entirely lost.—In that case, Canada would be +of little service to England in a commercial point of view: How far it +is worth the expence of retaining, politically considered, is not for me +to discuss.[33] + + + {18} _Indian Scouts, and Manner of Scalping._ + +Having endeavoured to explain the nature and importance of the Five and +Six Nation Indians, and described the situation of the posts, and the +probable consequences of complying with the treaty, I shall return to my +situation at Montreal. + +Having stayed with my employer seven years, and not being willing to +enter into a new agreement, I determined to pursue the bent of my +inclinations; and being naturally of a roving disposition, which was +increased by my frequent associations with the Savages, I entered a +volunteer at the head of a party of Indians, thinking that my country +might at some future period derive advantage from my more intimate +knowledge of the country and its language. + +My _entrée_ was in 1775, when a party of about thirty of the Americans, +commanded by the famous Ethan Allen, appeared at Long Point, about two +miles from Montreal, intending to plunder the town; they were however +disappointed in their expectations by the good conduct of captain +Crawford of the twenty-sixth regiment, who with about forty regulars and +some volunteers sallied out and made the enemy retreat to a barn, where +an engagement took place, in which major Carden, Mr. Paterson, a +volunteer, and three privates were killed, and I was wounded in the +foot; but on the arrival of a field piece, the enemy surrendered.[34] + +{19} Being beloved by the Indians, and preferring active service with +them to any other mode of life, I accompanied lieutenant Peter Johnson +and lieutenant Walter Butler, with a few Mohawks, to attack the +Americans at Isle au Noix, whom we defeated, taking a great many +prisoners. During the engagement we lost two volunteers and three +privates. In this action I received a wound in the head from the +butt-end of a musket.[35] + +I then joined the eighth regiment of foot, commanded by captain Foster, +to attack the Americans at the Cedars, whom we also defeated. The +prisoners were left at Fort St. Vielle, or Prison Island, at the foot of +the Falls, under a proper guard; and the remains of our small army, +consisting of about one hundred and fifty men, went down to La Chine to +engage another body of Americans; but finding them too strongly +entrenched, we retreated to Point Clair, where we stayed till we +received intelligence that general Arnold, with four thousand men were +at Isle au Noix, and that major Gordon was killed in his way to St. +John’s, about two miles from the fort.[36] On this occasion it may not +be amiss to observe, that the custom adopted by the Americans, and with +so much success, of levelling their pieces at the officers, originated +with the Indians, who are possessed with an idea that the men will +naturally be thrown into confusion when their leaders are dead. This +however is not without exceptions: the Mattaugwessawacks, whose country +lies westward of Lake Superior, hold the persons of officers sacred; and +Josepsis, one of their tribe, who was taken prisoner, and sold to the +Penobscot Indians, says that the Savages they were at war with have +adopted the same method. + +{20} I was immediately ordered on a scout, at the head of ten +Connecedaga or Rondaxe Indians, with captain La Motte, a Canadian +gentleman,[37] in search of the person who had killed major Gordon, and +to reconnoitre the woods, in hopes of gaining information of the real +force of the Americans at Isle au Noix. To avoid suspicion, we were all +dressed like Savages; and as captain La Motte and myself were well +acquainted with the Iroquois language, it was impossible to distinguish +us from the natives. We were out six days and nights, with very little +provision, living chiefly on the scrapings of the inner bark of trees +and wild roots, particularly onions, which grow in great abundance, and +are not disagreeable to the palate. Hunger reconciles us to every thing +that will support nature, and makes the most indifferent food +acceptable. From my own woful experience I can assert, that what at any +other time would have been unpleasant and even nauseous, under the +pressure of hunger is not only greedily eaten, but relished as a luxury. +Those who are acquainted with the nature of roving in the woods in time +of war, know the necessity of travelling light, and particularly on an +Indian scout, as the Savages seldom take any thing but a small quantity +of Indian corn and Maple sugar, which, after beating the corn between +two stones, they mix with water, and on this they subsist. During this +expedition, as the business was urgent, and the enemy near at hand, we +depended on adventitious food. + +On the last day’s march, returning without being able to obtain any +intelligence, one of the Indians heard a noise resembling the breaking +of a stick; the chief of the band sent out a scout, who soon returned +with a prisoner. The man appeared much frightened, imagining himself in +the hands of Savages only. Having bound him to a tree, I {21} being the +only one of the party who understood English, questioned him very +closely respecting the situation and force of the enemy, and interpreted +the conversation. When he heard me talk his own language he was +agreeably surprised, and his fears in some degree giving way to hope, he +begged me to save him from the fury of the Indians, whose general +conduct in war had filled his mind with the most dreadful apprehensions. +I assured him, that if he would faithfully satisfy all my inquiries, his +life should be spared. He cheerfully complied with the requisition, and +directed me to a place from whence we might have a clear view of the +Americans, who were encamped on the opposite shore. + +Having left him bound, we proceeded about two miles through swamps, till +we came in sight of the enemy. The Indians immediately panted for +action, but captain La Motte thought it prudent to restrain their +ardour, and ordered them to retreat into the woods, still keeping our +object in view. Soon after, a boat full of men crossed the river, and +landed without perceiving us. The Indians instantly kindled a fire, and +each man filled his blanket with rotten wood and leaves, till it was +extended to the size of a man; then placing them near the fire, to +appear like Indians asleep, they retired to a small distance, to give +the Americans an opportunity of coming up unmolested, not doubting but +they would immediately fire at the blankets. The manœuvre succeeded to +our expectation; for the Americans discovering the smoke advanced +towards the fire, and perceiving the blankets, discharged their muskets. +The Savages immediately rushed from their ambush, and setting up the +war-hoop, fell upon the enemy, scalped seven of them, and took five +prisoners, whom we painted like ourselves. We then returned, released +the prisoner from the tree, and conducted them all to St. John’s, {22} +where they were examined by colonel England, who ordered me to take them +to Sir Guy Carleton without delay. + +Having executed this commission to the satisfaction of the commander in +chief, I remained some time with my old friends, till I received a +message from Sir Guy Carleton to attend him; when he ordered me to join +brigadier general Nesbit, with the twenty-ninth and forty-seventh +regiments; in the latter of which I served as a volunteer a considerable +time; but finding no vacancy, and having no allowance for my services, +to enable me to live and appear as I wished, I quitted the regiment to +enjoy my favourite Indian life; and as I knew their manner of living, +and could accommodate myself to their diet, I thought I might probably +continue serviceable to my country in scouting parties, and accordingly +accompanied a party of Savages to the Lake of the two Mountains, fifteen +leagues above Montreal, a village belonging to the Connecedagas, +carrying a scalp as a trophy of my services.[38] + +Scalping is a mode of torture peculiar to the Indians. If a blow is +given with the tomahawk previous to the scalp being taken off, it is +followed by instant death; but where scalping only is inflicted, it puts +the person to excruciating pain, though death does not always ensue. +There are instances of persons of both sexes, now living in America, and +no doubt in other countries, who, after having been scalped, by wearing +a plate of silver or tin on the crown of the head, to keep it from cold, +enjoy a good state of health, and are seldom afflicted with pains. + +When an Indian strikes a person on the temple with a tomahawk, the +victim instantly drops; he then seizes his hair with one hand, {23} +twisting it very tight together, to separate the skin from the head, and +placing his knee on the breast, with the other he draws the scalping +knife from the sheath, and cuts the skin round the forehead, pulling it +off with his teeth. As he is very dexterous, the operation is generally +performed in two minutes. The scalp is then extended on three hoops, +dried in the sun, and rubbed over with vermilion. Some of the Indians in +time of war, when scalps are well paid for, divide one into five or six +parts, and carry them to the nearest post, in hopes of receiving a +reward proportionate to the number. + +When the scalp is taken from the head of one of their own people, they +frequently make the dead body of advantage to them, by dressing it up +and painting it with vermilion; they then place it against a tree, with +weapons in its hand, to induce the Indians to suppose it an enemy on the +watch; and round the body they set spears in the ground, so as scarcely +to be discernible. The Indians, on seeing the person against the tree, +and anxious to make him a prisoner, in the eagerness of running fall on +the points of the spears, and being disabled from proceeding, are easily +made prisoners. + +Before I close this subject I shall relate an anecdote of two Savages of +different nations, in the time of Sir William Johnson. + +A Mohawk, of the name of Scunnionsa, or The Elk, and a Chippeway Indian +of the name of Cark Cark, or the crow, having met at a council of war +near Crown Point, in the year 1757, were extolling their own merits, and +boasting of their superiority in taking scalps. The Mohawk contended +that he could take a larger scalp than the Chippeway warrior; {24} who +was very highly offended, and desired that the experiment might be made. +They parted, each pursuing a different route, after having first agreed +to meet at a certain place, on a particular day, when a council was to +be held. At the time appointed they returned, and appeared at the +council. The Mohawk laid down his scalp, which was the skin of the head +and neck of a man stuffed with fine moss, and sewed up with deers’ +sinews, and the eyes fastened in. The chiefs expressed their +approbation, and pronounced him to be a great and brave warrior. The +Chippeway then rose, and looking earnestly at the Mohawk, desired the +interpreter to tell him that it was an old woman’s scalp, which is +considered as a term of great reproach, and called to one of his sons to +bring forward his scalp; when instantly he exhibited to their view the +complete skin of a man, stuffed with down feathers, and sewed very close +with deers’ sinews. The chiefs loaded him with praise, and unanimously +acknowledged his superiority. The Mohawk warrior, fired with resentment, +withdrew from the council meditating revenge; and as soon as he saw the +Chippeway come forth, he followed him, and watching a convenient +opportunity, dispatched him with his tomahawk, rejoicing that he had, +even in this dastardly manner, got rid of a victorious rival. + + + {25} _Some Account of the Character and Disposition of the_ CONNECEDAGA, + _or_ RONDAXE INDIANS; _with Remarks on the_ IROQUOIS _and_ CHEROKEE + _Nations_. + +The Savages of this nation are of the Chippeway tribe, and speak a +mixture of the Iroquois and Chippeway tongues: they were driven from the +upper country at the time of the great Indian war, about the year 1720, +and settled on the Lake of the two Mountains. There are about two +hundred inhabitants, who are very industrious, and cultivate the land in +the manner of the Cahnuagas; they also breed cattle, and live in a +degree of civilization unknown to most of the Chippeway tribes. There is +also a town near Lake Erie, in the limits of the United States, which is +inhabited by about fifteen hundred of this nation, of whom the Reverend +Mr. Charles Beattie gives a very favourable account. + +Since the settlement of the Connecedagas they have intermarried with the +Cahnuaga, St. Regis, and Mohawk Indians, which is the reason why their +language is less pure, though some of them speak the original tongue, +which in my frequent communications with the Chippeways beyond +Michillimakinac, I found in every respect perfectly understood. It was +among these Indians that I first acquired the rudiments of a language +which, from long habit, is become more familiar to me than my own; and I +hope I shall not be accused of vanity, in asserting that the vocabulary +and familiar phrases, subjoined to this {26} work, are more copious than +will be found in any former publication. In spelling them I have been +particularly careful in using such letters and accents as best express +the Indian words, according to our pronunciation. To lay down general +rules for the orthography of a language which has never been reduced to +a system, I do not pretend: my endeavours may perhaps assist those who +are better informed in the principles of universal grammar. + +The Connecedagas are esteemed brave warriors; and my opinion, founded on +long experience of their conduct and bravery, coincides with that which +the English, from report only, entertain of them. No nation of Savages +were ever more true to the British interest, not even the Mohawks, whose +fidelity is become almost proverbial. During the continuance of the +American war, they neglected their families and domestic concerns to +fight for the English, which the Cahnuagas (though descendants of the +Mohawks and Munseys, or Mawhiccon Indians, commonly called River +Indians) did not with so much cheerfulness; perhaps the relationship of +the latter to the Delawares before their defection, whom the Indians by +way of derision used to call old women, might occasion this temporary +reluctance; but if that was the cause, it was but of very short +duration; for to do them justice, when they took up the tomahawk they +behaved with great intrepidity, and proved that the blood of the ancient +Mohawks still ran in their veins. Some have, though I think without much +candour, imputed their services to the fear of our government, and the +resentment of the Savages in our interest on the one hand, and the hopes +of considerable rewards on the other; but as such reflections may be far +from the truth, it cannot answer any purpose to comment severely on +their conduct: {27} it is sufficient to know they were our allies, and +in all probability will continue friendly to the British nation. Great +praise is due on this account to major Carlton, a brave and experienced +officer, whom they loved with a Roman friendship; they flew to his +standard with alacrity, obeyed him with cheerfulness, and never deserted +him: no instance of friendship or attachment, either ancient or modern, +could surpass it. + +It requires good natural sense, and a thorough knowledge of the +dispositions of the Indians, to persuade them to place unlimited +confidence in their European or American leaders; to which must always +be added, a seeming approbation of their advice, and an endeavour to +conform to their wishes, never obstinately pursuing a design either +offensive or defensive, contrary to their opinion. How fatal a different +line of conduct may prove, the destruction of general Braddock is a +melancholy instance: by his haughty demeanour, and strict adherence to +his own plan, in direct opposition to the counsel of experienced chiefs, +he lost their friendship, and died unlamented, confirming them in an +opinion they had before often hinted, “that he wanted both skill and +prudence in war.” Even the great Washington incurred their censure by +his conduct, and gave occasion to an Indian chief, of the name of +Thanachrishon, of the Seneka tribes, judging him by their own rules, to +say, “that he was a good natured man, but had no experience.” + +An impartial mind will require but little to be persuaded that the +Indians are superior to us in the woods: it is their natural element (if +I may be allowed the expression), and a tree or river, of which their +{28} recollection never fails, guide them to the secret recesses of a +deep wood, either for safety, or the purpose of ambush. As they pay +little attention to the rising or setting sun, it at first surprised me, +by what method they traveled from place to place, without any material +aberration; but this they soon explained, by assuring me, that they had +not the least difficulty in going from one spot to another, being +governed by the moss on the trees, which always remains on the north +side, but on the south it wastes and decays: they remark also, that the +branches are larger, and the leaves more luxuriant on the south than on +the north side of the tree. The most enlightened part of mankind, I am +persuaded, cannot be more exact in their mode of judging, nor more +attentive to the works of nature. + +To prove further, if there are any who doubt it, that the Indians +possess strong natural abilities, and are even capable of receiving +improvement from the pursuits of learning, I shall relate a story from +Kalm’s Travels.[39] + +“An old American Savage being at an inn at New York, met with a +gentleman who gave him some liquor, and being rather lively, boasted he +could read and write English. The gentleman, willing to indulge him in +displaying his knowledge, begged leave to propose a question, to which +the old man consented. He was then asked, who was the first circumcised? +the Indian immediately replied, father Abraham:—and directly asked the +gentleman, who was the first quaker? He said it was very uncertain, that +people differed in their sentiments exceedingly. The Indian perceiving +the gentleman unable to resolve the question, put his fingers into his +mouth, to express his surprize, and looking {29} stedfastly, told him, +that Mordecai was the first quaker, for he would not pull off his hat to +Haman.” + +Mr. Adair[40] says, the Cherokees are very apt at giving people +nicknames. A dull stalking fellow, they call a turkey buzzard; an ill +tempered man, a wasp; a talkative person, a grasshopper; a hoarse voice, +they say resembles a bull; and an interpreter whose manners and +conversation are obscene, they call a smock interpreter. + +The disposition of the Indians is naturally proud and self-sufficient: +they think themselves the wisest of the sons of men, and are extremely +offended when their advice is rejected. The feats of valour of their +ancestors, continually repeated and impressed upon their minds, inspire +them with the most exalted notions of their own prowess and bravery; +hence arises the firmest reliance on their own courage and power; and +though but a handful of men, comparatively speaking, they are vain +enough to think they can overthrow both French and English whenever they +please. They say, the latter are fools, for they hold their guns half +man high, and let them snap; but that they themselves take sight, and +seldom fail of doing execution, which, they add, is the true intention +of going to war. + +These exalted notions of self-consequence are more peculiar to the Five +Nations, and for which they are more eminently distinguished than other +tribes of Savages, although none of them are deficient in this respect. +Such sentiments as these have made the Iroquois dreaded and revered by +others, for their superior understanding and valour, and likewise has a +tendency to increase their fame. Although they {30} decrease in numbers +daily, the thirst of glory will never be extinguished among them, whilst +there is a breast to nourish it: they will never shrink from danger when +honour is at stake. + +The Iroquois laugh when you talk to them of obedience to kings; for they +cannot reconcile the idea of submission with the dignity of man. Each +individual is a sovereign in his own mind; and as he conceives he +derives his freedom from the great Spirit alone, he cannot be induced to +acknowledge any other power. + +They are extremely jealous, and easily offended, and when they have been +once induced to suspect, it is very difficult to remove the impression. +They carry their resentments with them to the grave, and bequeath them +to the rising generation. + +Those who have associated with them, though they may admire their +heroism in war, their resolution in supporting the most excruciating +tortures, and the stability of their friendships, cannot but lament the +dreadful effects of their displeasure, which has no bounds. It is this +violence of temper, which is generally in the extreme, that makes them +so difficult to subdue, and so dangerous to encourage; too much +indulgence they attribute to fear, and too much severity brings on +resentment. + +To remove these strong prejudices (which, however prone human nature may +be to encourage them, would never prove so prejudicial to society, +unless continually promoted by the advice and example of the aged), has +been the constant endeavour of those nations who have been {31} in +alliance with them, and some attempts have been made to soften their +manners by the introduction of the Christian religion, whose precepts +are so wonderfully calculated to destroy every blood-thirsty sentiment, +and make mankind happier in themselves, and better members of the +community. In this laudable pursuit our neighbours the French have been +most successful, at least so far as an alteration in external behaviour +may be considered as an indication of the amendment of the heart. The +good conduct of the inhabitants of several Indian villages in Canada +bears testimony to this observation. Nevertheless, in contradiction to +this remark, Mr. James Adair observes, that the French Canadians are +highly censurable for debauching our peaceable Northern Indians with +their “infernal catechism.” + +Though I am not an advocate for creeds inimical to the peace of society, +I believe the censure is too severe, for however formerly they might +have been influenced by bigotted priests instilling into their minds +sentiments unfavourable to the subjects of Great Britain, I am clearly +of opinion, that they have for many years used their best endeavours to +inculcate the principles of the Gospel: indeed, it is always to be +lamented when either politics or religion are made subservient to each +other: this being properly considered, perhaps the French are not more +blameable than other nations. We are too apt to involve others in our +disputes, and religion is too frequently introduced by bigots to assist +the cause they wish to support. + +With regard to those Indians who have been accustomed to the society of +English traders, and even preachers (sorry am I to observe it), their +sentiments, manners, and practices are very different. The {32} +alteration is manifestly for the worse; they have become more +degenerate, and added to the turbulence of passions unsubdued by reason +the vices of lying and swearing, which unfortunately they have learned +from us. + +The testimony of Mr. Sargeant, a gentleman of New England, supports this +assertion; who relates, that in a journey to the Shawanese Indians (the +allies and dependants of the Six Nations),[41] and some other tribes, +when he offered to instruct them in the Christian religion, they +rejected it with disdain; they even reproached Christianity, told him +the traders would lie, cheat, and debauch their young women, and even +their wives, when the husbands were from home. They further added, that +the Senekas had given them their country, but charged them never to +receive Christianity from the English. + +I shall subjoin one more proof to this. Governor Hunter, by order of +Queen Anne, presented the Indians with cloaths, and other things of +which they were extremely fond; and addressing them at a council, which +was held at Albany, told them that their good mother the Queen had not +only generously provided them with fine cloaths for their bodies, but +likewise intended to adorn their souls by the preaching of the Gospel, +and that some ministers should be sent to instruct them. When the +governor had finished his speech, the oldest chief rose up and said, +that, in the name of all the Indians, he thanked their good mother the +Queen for the fine cloaths she had sent them; but that in regard to the +ministers, they had already some of them, who, instead of preaching the +Gospel to them, taught them to drink to excess, to cheat and quarrel +among themselves, and entreated the governor {33} to take from them the +preachers, and a number of Europeans who came among them; for before +their arrival, the Indians were honest, sober and innocent people; but +now most of them were rogues; that they formerly had the fear of God: +but that now they hardly believed his existence. + +To extenuate as much as possible this charge against the English, let it +be observed, that the vice and immorality complained of, is to be +attributed in a great measure to the traders, who used to purchase +convicts, and hire men of infamous character to carry up their goods +among the Indians, many of whom ran away from their masters to join the +Savages: the iniquitous conduct of those people essentially injured the +English in the opinion of the Indians and fixed an odium which will not +be soon or easily removed. + + + {34} _Description of the_ INDIAN _Dances, &c._ + +Having finished this long digression, I shall continue my history from +the time of going to the village of the Connecedagas, where I stayed +some months, making several excursions in scouting parties, and +frequently bringing in prisoners, which did not escape the notice of Sir +Guy Carleton, who at the next interview approved my conduct, and wished +me to serve again in his regiment. I told him I was extremely happy I +had rendered myself useful to my country, and considered myself highly +honoured by so flattering a mark of his approbation; but that the life +of a volunteer, though very honourable, would not entitle me to pay, and +there was not a vacancy in any of the British regiments: he then +appointed me a midshipman on board the ship Fell, commanded by captain +Barnsfer, lying in the river St. Laurence, in which service I continued +till she was ordered for England. + +As soon as I quitted the navy, I returned to the Lake of the Two +Mountains, and continued doing my utmost, in the line of an interpreter, +and at intervals perfecting myself in the Indian languages, particularly +in the Chippeway tongue, as I purposed engaging in the service of a +merchant, to go to the north west the first convenient opportunity. I +also applied myself sedulously to obtain a complete knowledge of their +manners and customs, and with that view partook of their amusements, and +was soon noticed as a good dancer. To this {35} qualification I also +added the perfect notes of the different war whoops, as naturally as a +Savage; and by conforming to their ways, and taking pleasure in their +diversions, I was soon endeared to them, and left them with regret. + +The dances among the Indians are many and various, and to each of them +there is a particular hoop.[42] + + 1. The calumet dance. + + 2. The war dance. + + 3. The chief’s dance. + + 4. The set out dance. + + 5. The scalp dance. + + 6. The dead dance. + + 7. The prisoner’s dance. + + 8. The return dance. + + 9. The spear dance. + + 10. The marriage dance. + + 11. The sacrifice dance. + +All these I was perfect master of, frequently leading the sett. If +accidentally a stranger came among us, (unless I chose to be noticed) no +one could distinguish me from the Indians. + +Presuming on my appearing exactly like a Savage, I occasionally went +down in a canoe to Montreal, and frequently passed the posts as an +Indian. Sometimes I would distinguish myself at a charivari, which is a +custom that prevails in different parts of Canada, of assembling with +old pots, kettles, &c. and beating them at the doors of new married +people; but generally, either when the man is older than the woman, or +the parties have been twice married: in those cases they beat a +charivari, hallooing out very vociferously, until the man is obliged to +obtain their silence by pecuniary contribution, or submit to be {36} +abused with the vilest language. Charivari, in French, means a paltry +kind of music, which I suppose is the origin of the custom. + +Not content with being a proficient in their sports, I learnt to make a +canoe, bark a tree for the purpose, and perform the whole business as +regular as the natives. I also made makissins, or Indian shoes, of deer +skins, drest and smoked to make the leather soft and pliable, and worked +with porcupine quills and small beads, to which are sometimes suspended +hawk bells. Those made by the Mohawks, at the Grand River near Niagara, +are preferred for their superior workmanship and taste, and are +sometimes sold so high as four dollars a pair, but in general they may +be purchased, without ornaments, for one dollar: they are more pleasant +to wear than English shoes: in summer they are cooler to the feet, and +in winter, from being made roomy, they will admit a thick sock, to +prevent the excessive cold from penetrating. The Indians, in their war +dances, sew hawk bells and small pieces of tin on them to make a +jingling noise, and at a dance where I was present, these, with the +addition of a large horse bell, which I gave the chief who led the +dance, made a noise not much unlike a Dutch concert. + +The Savages are esteemed very active and nimble footed, but admitting +this general opinion to prevail, it is well known the Europeans are more +swift in running a small distance: their chief merit, I am of opinion, +consists in their being able to continue a long time in one steady pace, +which makes them useful in going express through the woods; and as they +require little sleep, and can subsist on roots and water, which they +take _en volant_, they do not waste much time in refreshment. {37} They +are also admirable swimmers, and are not afraid of the strongest +current. With these qualifications they are certainly a very useful race +of men; and as long as the English retain any possessions in Canada, +should be considered as the most valuable acquisition; indeed, as +indispensibly necessary; and every endeavour should be exerted to retain +them in our interest. + +With regard to bodily strength, they are excelled by many; and even in +hunting, the Virginians equal them in every part of the chace, though +all the world allow them the merit of being good marksmen. I remember +seeing some Americans shooting at a loon, a bird nearly the size of an +English goose. This bird is remarkable for diving, and generally rises +some yards from the place where it dips. They fired at the distance of +one hundred and fifty yards with a rifle, several times without success: +an Indian standing by, laughed at them, and told them they were old +women: they desired him to try his skill, which he instantly did: taking +his gun, and resting it against a tree, he fired, and shot the loon +through the neck. I confess I never saw a better shot in my life, and +was highly pleased, as it gratified my pride, in giving the Americans a +favourable opinion of the Savages, for whom I always entertained a +predilection. + +The loon is a very remarkable bird, from the formation of its feet: but +having no anatomical knowledge, I cannot describe it technically. They +are so made, that it can scarcely walk; it is therefore seldom seen on +land. In calm weather it rises from the water with great difficulty, and +flies as impelled by the wind, on which it seems to depend. The method +usually adopted by the Indians to kill these birds, is by fixing {38} a +large bough at the head of the canoe, to conceal themselves till they +paddle near the place where they are; when at a convenient distance, +they fire, though not always with success. In the Chippeway language it +is called a maunk, which agrees with the French word manquer, to fail; +it being, from its shyness, very difficult to kill. The skin, which is +very tough and thick, is dried and made use of as cases to cover their +guns, to prevent the wet from spoiling them. + +Having grown tired of living entirely with the Savages, I made an +excursion to Montreal, where I met with an offer to go as interpreter to +the north, which, at first, I did not care to accept; but as the salary +proposed was handsome, upon mature deliberation, I embraced the +opportunity of entering into that way of life, from which I fully +expected profit at least, if not pleasure; but alas! I had often +abundant reason to repent the pursuing the bent of my inclinations. + +On the fourth of May, 1777, I left Montreal, with two large birch +canoes, called by the French, maître canots, having ten Canadians in +each, as the number of portages require many hands to transport the +goods across the landings, which can only be done on men’s shoulders. As +their voyage is so essentially different from the English manner of +travelling, I shall relate it particularly. + +The canoes are made at Trois Riviéres; they are, in general, eight +fathoms long, and one and a half wide, covered with the bark of the +birch tree, and sewed very close with fibrous roots; and of this size +they will carry four tons weight each. As early in the spring as the ice +will permit, they are brought up to La Chine, a village nine miles above +Montreal. + +{39} La Chine takes its name from the following story. Le Sieur La +Salle, who was afterwards murdered by two of his own party, in Canada, +in the year 1686, was very intent on discovering a shorter road to China +than was then known, but his project failing by an accident which +happened to him at this place, he was obliged to postpone his journey to +the east, which induced the Canadians, by way of derision, to call it La +Chine, or China; and by that name it has ever since been known.[43] + +At this place the Indian goods are put on board very carefully; the dry +merchandise in bales about eighty pounds weight, the rum, powder, and +shot, in small kegs. The voyage from Trois Riviéres to La Chine is +tedious and troublesome, as there is a strong current to combat; and +without a fair wind, and occasionally a brisk gale to assist or relieve +the constant use of the paddles, it would be impossible to make any way. +Where the water is shallow, the canoes must be forced forward with long +setting poles, while the men wade knee deep, and pull against the +current with ropes; this is a labour and fatigue beyond what will be +easily imagined. Custom has however made the Canadians very expert, and +I must do them the justice to say they encounter these difficulties with +uncommon chearfulness, though they sometimes exclaim, “C’est la misere, +mon bourgeois.”[44] + +From La Chine to Michillimakinac, there are thirty six portages; the +distance by land and water is about nine hundred miles: in favourable +weather the journey is frequently performed in about a month. Great care +is necessary to steer the canoes up the strong rapids; to labour and +care must also be added experience to keep them upright, and prevent +their striking or rubbing against the stones, as they are very slight, +and {40} easily damaged. Whenever by accident they receive an injury, as +they frequently do, the hole is stopped with gum, melted with a piece of +charcoal; the gum by wetting immediately becomes hard, and is capable of +resisting the impression of the water. When the hole is too large to be +stopped by gum only, the inner bark of the birch tree, pounded and +tempered like mortar, is put on the aperture, this is covered by a linen +rag, and the edges firmly cemented with gum. + +We continued our voyage to La Barriére, at the head of the Long Saut, or +long water fall, a very dangerous current from the extreme rapidity of +the fall. At the top of this fall there are some traders settled, but +they are not of any consequence either for the extent of their commerce, +or the profits arising from the peltry they collect, the Savages in +those parts being too well acquainted with the value of furs and skins +to be imposed upon, unless when they are intoxicated, an advantage I +must confess too frequently taken. + +From this fall we proceeded to the Lake of the two Mountains, where +there is a village belonging to the Connecedaga Indians, already +described. At this place I stayed a day among my old friends, which was +all the time my engagements would allow, as it is of the most material +consequence in this branch of trade to be early at the wintering ground. + +We proceeded to the Uttawa, or Grand River, coasting all the way till we +came to Lake Nipissin, from whence the River St. Laurence takes its +rise. We then entered the French River, leading to Lake Huron, and +proceeded with very favourable weather to Michillimakinac, where we +arrived on the 17th of June.[45] + +{41} The country every where abounds with wild animals, particularly +bears, moose and other deer, beavers, beaver eaters, lynx, foxes, +squirrels, fishers, otters, martins, minx, wood cats, racoons, wolves, +musquashes, &c.——There are scarce any but savage inhabitants to be +found, who rove from place to place for subsistance, feeding on the +animals they kill, except the skunk, or pole cat, which they never eat, +unless pressed by the most extreme hunger. + +Monsieur La Salle relates, that in his voyage on the banks of the +Mississippi, among the nation of the Oumas, who live on a river of the +same name, he saw a most extraordinary animal between the wolf and the +lion; the head and shape resembling the former, and the tail and claws +like those of the latter: he asserts it would attack all other animals, +but was never known to hurt a man; that sometimes it would carry its +prey on its back, and when it had eaten till satisfied, it concealed the +rest under the leaves, or other cover; that every animal dreaded it to +such a degree, that they would not touch any part of the prey it had +left; and that the Indians called it Michibichi, which is an animal of +the species of the tiger, but smaller and less speckled, and is now +known to be the panther. + +The beaver is a curious animal, but it has been described by so many +authors, that I shall only observe what I believe they have not yet +mentioned.—It is seldom seen in the day time: After sun set it leaves +its habitation, and ventures abroad either to work, or procure food. It +also takes this opportunity to wash itself. But the most remarkable +singularity of this animal, is, that it lies with its tail constantly in +the water, to prevent its getting stiff. The flesh of it is very good, +either {42} boiled or roasted, but the tail is the best part.[46] While +I am upon the subject of dainties, I may add, that the snout of the +moose is also highly esteemed. Not any of the animals in North America +are to be dreaded, except the grizzled bear, which generally keeps in as +warm a climate as possible: wherever it comes it makes dreadful havock, +destroying men, and even frequently whole families. + +During the time I stayed at Michillimakinac, a remarkable circumstance +of bravery and generosity was communicated to me, which may not be +unentertaining to the reader. + +An Indian boy, about fifteen years of age, was standing at some distance +from the fort, when a Savage fired his gun, and accidentally killed an +Englishman. As he was advancing, he discovered the boy leaning against a +tree, and not being of the same nation, he formed the resolution of +taking him prisoner: having no suspicion of the boy’s intention, he went +up to him, and took him by the arm; the boy very artfully drew back, and +shot the Indian through the chin: this so incensed him, that he was +raising his hand to tomahawk him, when another Indian instantly coming +up, asked his companion who had wounded him? he replied, the boy, +adding, that he would immediately take his scalp: the other prevented +his bloody purpose, and told him he would protect the lad, for he was +too brave to die. He carried him to the fort, where he was purchased by +the commanding officer, to prevent the Indian whom he had wounded from +killing him. + + + {43} _Description of_ LAKE SUPERIOR, _with the Ceremony of Indian + Adoption_. + +Having taken in Indian corn, and hard grease, (the food all traders +carry to the upper country) and exchanged my large canoes, or maître +canots, for smaller ones, the latter being more convenient to transport +across the carrying places, and better calculated to run into small +creeks, we proceeded to the Falls of St. Mary, (a strait so called) +which is formed by two branches that separate from each other at the +furthest point of the lake. Here is a small picketted fort built by the +Indians, and about ten log houses for the residence of English and +French traders. The nation of the Sauteurs formerly were settled at the +foot of the Falls, and the Jesuits had a house near them.[47] At this +place there is abundance of fine fish, particularly pickerill, trout, +and white fish of an uncommon size. From this place we continued our +voyage to Lake Superior, formerly called Lake Tracy, in honour of Mons. +de Tracy, who was appointed viceroy of America by the French king in +June, 1665. It is reckoned six hundred leagues in circumference, and on +it are a great number of large and small islands. At the entrance of +this lake is a high rock, somewhat in the shape of a man, which the +Chippeway Indians call “Kitchee Manitoo,” or the Master of Life. Here +they all stop to make their offerings, which they do by throwing +tobacco, and other things, into the water: by this they intend to make +an acknowledgment to the rock, as the representative of the Supreme +Being, for the blessings they enjoy, cheerfully sacrificing to {44} him +their ornaments, and those things which they hold most dear.[48] An +example worthy of imitation, so far as respects the good intention of +the creature to the Creator, exhibiting an evident proof that man in his +natural state, without any of the refinements of civilization, is +sensible of his dependance on an invisible power, however ignorantly, or +unworthily, he may express his belief. God alone knoweth the heart, and +will judge every man by the knowledge he hath. + +Superstition is a noxious plant, but it hath flourished in every climate +from the torrid to the frigid zone. If its effects have proved so +pernicious among civilized nations, as we know they have, is it to be +wondered that barbarians have suffered by it? The poor untutored Indian +will not incur a great degree of censure for obeying the dictates of his +uninformed nature, and following implicitly the custom of his ancestors. +Revealed religion has not been given to all, and it is a melancholy +reflection that those who have been enlightened by it, are not so +superior to the Savages as one should naturally expect to find them. + +In this rock there are several cavities near a mile in length, and about +twenty feet in width, arched at the top. The lake freezes only close to +the shore, the water being constantly in a swell, and the waves +frequently mountains high, which is easily accounted for, when we +consider its immense extent. On a calm day, a little distance from +shore, sturgeon may be seen in very deep water. The surrounding land is +high and rocky, and the woods extremely thick. The palm, birch, ash, +spruce, and cedar, grow large, and in great abundance. The Northwest +Company, established at Montreal, keep a vessel on {45} the lake to +transport their goods from Michillimakinac to the grand portage on the +northwest side, and return with the peltry collected in the inlands.[49] + +On the 4th of July we arrived at Pays Plat,[50] on the north east side +of the Lake, where we unpacked our goods, and made the bales smaller, +having, by the Indian accounts, one hundred and eighty carrying places +to the part where I intended to winter. On our landing we discovered at +some distance a number of Indians, which induced us to accelerate the +arrangement of the cargo, in case of barter, and be prepared to embark +when the business was finished. Every thing being properly secured, I +made up to the Savages, and calculated their number at one hundred and +fifty: most of them were of the Chippeway tribes; the rest were of the +nation of the Wasses. They gave me fish, dried meat, and skins, which I +returned with trifling presents. The chief, whose name was Matchee +Quewish,[51] held a council, and finding I understood their language, +proposed to adopt me as a brother warrior. Though I had not undergone +this ceremony, I was not entirely ignorant of the nature of it, having +been informed by other traders of the pain they endured in their +adoption, though they declared they were favoured exceedingly; I +determined however to submit to it, lest my refusal of the honour +intended me should be attributed to fear, and so render me unworthy of +the esteem of those from whom I expected to derive great advantages, and +with whom I had engaged to continue for a considerable time. + +The ceremony of adoption is as follows.——A feast is prepared of dog’s +flesh boiled in bear’s grease, with huckle berries, of which it is {46} +expected every one should heartily partake. When the repast is over, the +war song is sung in the following words. + +“Master of Life, view us well; we receive a brother warrior who appears +to have sense, shews strength in his arm, and does not refuse his body +to the enemy.” + +After the war song, if the person does not discover any signs of fear, +he is regarded with reverence and esteem; courage, in the opinion of the +Savages, being considered not only as indispensible, but as the greatest +recommendation. He is then seated on a beaver robe, and presented with a +pipe of war to Smoke, which is put round to every warrior, and a wampum +belt is thrown over his neck. + +The calumet, or Indian pipe, which is much larger than that the Indians +usually smoke, is made of marble, stone, or clay, either red, white, or +black, according to the custom of the nation, but the red is mostly +esteemed; the length of the handle is about four feet and a half, and +made of strong cane, or wood, decorated with feathers of various +colours, with a number of twists of female hair interwoven in different +forms; the head is finely polished; two wings are fixed to it, which +make it in appearance not unlike to Mercury’s wand. This calumet is the +symbol of peace, and the Savages hold it in such estimation, that a +violation of any treaty where it has been introduced, would in their +opinion be attended with the greatest misfortunes.[52] + +Wampum is of several colours, but the white and black are chiefly used; +the former is made of the inside of the conque, or clam shell; {47} the +latter of the muscle: both are worked in the form of a long bead, and +perforated in order to their being strung on leather, and made up in +belts. + +These belts are for various purposes: When a council is held, they are +given out with the speeches, and always proportioned in their size, and +the number of the rows of wampum which they contain, to the idea the +Indians entertain of the importance of the meeting; they frequently +consist of both colours. Those given to Sir William Johnson, of immortal +Indian memory, were in several rows, black on each side, and white in +the middle: the white being placed in the centre, was to express peace, +and that the path between them was fair and open. In the centre of the +belt was the figure of a diamond, made of white wampum, which the +Indians call the council fire. + +When Sir William Johnson held a treaty with the Savages, he took the +belt by one end, while the Indian chief held the other: if the chief had +any thing to say, he moved his finger along the white streak; if Sir +William had any thing to communicate, he touched the diamond in the +middle. + +These belts are also the records of former transactions, and being +worked in particular forms, are easily deciphered by the Indians, and +referred to in every treaty with the white people. When a string or belt +of wampum is returned, it is a proof that the proposed treaty is not +accepted, and the negotiation is at an end. + +But to return from this digression. When the pipe has gone round, a +sweating house is prepared with six long poles fixed in the ground, {48} +and pointed at the top; it is then covered with skins and blankets to +exclude the air, and the area of the house will contain only three +persons. The person to be adopted is then stripped naked, and enters the +hut with two chiefs; two large stones made red hot are brought in, and +thrown on the ground; water is then brought in a bark dish, and +sprinkled on the stones with cedar branches, the steam arising from +which puts the person into a most profuse perspiration, and opens the +pores to receive the other part of the ceremony. + +When the perspiration is at the height, he quits the house, and jumps +into the water; immediately on coming out a blanket is thrown over him, +and he is led to the chief’s hut, where he undergoes the following +operation. Being extended on his back, the chief draws the figure he +intends to make with a pointed stick, dipped in water in which gunpowder +has been dissolved; after which, with ten needles dipped in vermilion, +and fixed in a small wooden frame, he pricks the delineated parts, and +where the bolder outlines occur, he incises the flesh with a gun flint; +the vacant spaces, or those not marked with vermilion, are rubbed in +with gunpowder, which produces the variety of red and blue; the wounds +are then seared with punk wood, to prevent them from festering. + +This operation, which is performed at intervals, lasts two or three +days. Every morning the parts are washed with cold water, in which is +infused an herb called Pockqueesegan, which resembles English box, and +is mixed by the Indians with the tobacco they smoke, to take off the +strength. During the process, the war songs are sung, accompanied by a +rattle hung round with hawk bells, called chessaquoy, {49} which is kept +shaking, to stifle the groans such pains must naturally occasion.[53] +Upon the ceremony being completed, they give the party a name; that +which they allotted to me, was _Amik_, or Beaver. + +In return for the presents given me by Matchee Quewish, which I had only +acknowledged by some trinkets, and to shew how much I was pleased with +the honour they had conferred on me, I resolved to add to my former +gifts; I accordingly took the chiefs to a spot where I had directed my +men to place the goods intended for them, and gave them scalping knives, +tomahawks, vermilion, tobacco, beads, &c. and lastly rum, the _unum +necessarium_, without which (whatever else had been bestowed on them) I +should have incurred their serious displeasure. Our canoes being turned +up, and the goods properly secured, I told the Canadians to keep a +constant watch, night and day, while we were encamped. This precaution +is absolutely necessary, as the Indians generally do mischief when they +are intoxicated. On this occasion our care was of infinite service, for +with the rum we gave them, they continued in a state of inebriety three +days and nights, during which frolic they killed four of their own +party; one of whom was a great chief, and was burnt by his son: having +been a famous warrior, he was buried with the usual honours peculiar to +the Savages, viz. a scalping knife, tomahawk, beads, paint, &c. some +pieces of wood to make a fire, and a bark cup to drink out of in his +journey to the other country. + +On the 21st we embarked, leaving the band extremely well satisfied with +our conduct, which they acknowledged in the most expressive language; +but as it was customary to take conductors from one Lake to another, I +engaged twenty of the Chippeways to accompany me in passing {50} by land +the Grande Côte de la Roche, which is the rout that all the traders are +obliged to take, on account of the great cataract, which is reckoned six +hundred feet in height near the entrance of the Nipegon River. This +journey is extremely fatiguing to the men, who are obliged to ascend a +steep hill with considerable burdens, and for this reason it is +customary to rest two or three days to recruit their strength. + +We left la Grande Côte de la Roche in good spirits, and continued our +voyage to Lake Alemipigon, where we met another band of Savages of the +same nation. A council was held, and mutual presents exchanged. We +stayed here ten days, encamped by the side of the Lake; during which +time a skirmish happened among the Indians, in which three men were +killed, and two wounded, after a dreadful scene of riot and confusion, +occasioned by the baneful effects of rum. + +Lake Alemipigon, or Nipegon,[54] is about one hundred miles in length, +and supplies the Savages with great quantities of fish. The land affords +abundance of wild roots, and the animals are very numerous. The Indians +who hunt here are in number about three hundred, and are remarkably wild +and superstitious. + +On the first of August we departed with fifteen Indians, not only to +serve as guides, but to assist us across the portages. We lived on +animal food and roots, reserving our corn and hard grease for the +winter. Every evening at sun set we encamped, and got into our canoes at +break of day. We continued our march to Lac Eturgeon, or Sturgeon Lake, +but did not stay there a sufficient time to enable me to give a +particular account of it; I have, however, described it in the narrative +{51} of my journey to Lake Manontoye, where I encamped for three days on +account of the badness of the weather. + +On the twenty fifth of September we arrived at Lac la Mort, or Dead +Lake, situate to the northeast of Lake Alemipigon. This Lake is about +sixty miles in circumference, the land low and swampy, and the water +very unpleasant to the palate: it has been much frequented by the +Indians, for, during the time I wintered there, I discovered no less +than thirty-five different roads, about three feet wide, leading from +the woods to the Lake side: it abounds with fish, and is frozen over in +the winter, the ice not breaking away till April. The Indians who resort +to it are good hunters, but very wild. The Chippeways are not so fond of +dress as the other Savages, particularly those tribes who live very +remote from Michillimakinac; this is easily accounted for; as the ice +remains almost to the last spring month in England, and the winter +season begins early in the month of October, the intermediate time is +employed in making and repairing canoes, taking short excursions for +food, amusing themselves in swimming, and other pastimes peculiar to the +Savages. The luxury of dress can be little regarded by those whose +constant necessities require the utmost exertions for their daily +supply, and who are not provident enough to lay up a store of provisions +for winter. Indians in general are extremely indolent, from the wildest +to the most civilized, and value themselves upon being so; conceiving it +beneath the dignity of a warrior to labour, and that all domestic cares +and concerns are the province of women alone. This aversion for labour +does not arise from dread, or dislike of fatigue; on the contrary, no +people encounter or endure it with more chearfulness, particularly in +their amusements, which are of various kinds, and many of them {52} +violent and laborious. They are calculated to make them athletic, and at +the same time by the profuse perspiration which they occasion, they +render the joints supple, and enable them to hunt with more facility. + +_Playing at ball_, which is a favourite game, is very fatiguing. The +ball is about the size of a cricket ball, made of deer skin, and stuffed +with hair; this is driven forwards and backwards with short sticks, +about two feet long, and broad at the end like a bat, worked like a +racket, but with larger interstices: by this the ball is impelled, and +from the elasticity of the racket, which is composed of deers’ sinews, +is thrown to a great distance: the game is played by two parties, and +the contest lies in intercepting each other, and striking the ball into +a goal, at the distance of about four hundred yards, at the extremity of +which are placed two high poles, about the width of a wicket from each +other; the victory consists in driving the ball between the poles. The +Indians play with great good humour, and even when one of them happens, +in the heat of the game, to strike another with his stick, it is not +resented. But these accidents are cautiously avoided, as the violence +with which they strike has been known to break an arm or a leg.[55] + +_Athtergain_, or miss none but catch all, is also a favourite amusement +with them, in which the women frequently take a part. It is played with +a number of hard beans, black and white, one of which has small spots, +and is called the king: they are put into a shallow wooden bowl, and +shaken alternately by each party, who sit on the ground opposite to one +another; whoever is dexterous enough to make the spotted bean jump out +of the bowl, receives of the adverse party {53} as many beans as there +are spots: the rest of the beans do not count for any thing.[56] + +The boys are very expert at _trundling a hoop_, particularly the +Cahnuaga Indians, whom I have frequently seen excel at this amusement. +The game is played by any number of boys who may accidentally assemble +together, some driving the hoop, while others with bows and arrows shoot +at it. At this exercise they are surprisingly expert, and will stop the +progress of the hoop when going with great velocity, by driving the +pointed arrow into its edge; this they will do at a considerable +distance, and on horseback as well as on foot. They will also kill small +birds at fifty yards distance, and strike a halfpenny off a stick at +fifteen yards. Spears and tomahawks they manage with equal dexterity. + + + {54} _Settlement at Lac la Mort, with the Proceedings of a Trading + Party._ + +The fatigue my Canadians had undergone rendered it necessary to prepare +for wintering, and induced me to settle at Lac la Mort. The weather was +also setting in cold, and threatened to be very severe, which was an +additional motive. Having refreshed ourselves, and secured the canoes, I +took two Indians to shew me a spot proper for building upon. We fixed +close to the lake side, where we erected a loghouse, thirty feet long, +and twenty feet wide, divided into two apartments, into which we +deposited our goods. The next concern was to conceal our canoes in the +woods, and to hide the rum under ground, except a small quantity for +immediate use, knowing by experience the necessity of keeping it from +the Indians, as our safety so essentially depended on it. + +Having arranged every domestic concern, and spread our table in the +wilderness, we prepared our winter firing, as wood is very difficult to +bring home in severe weather. At leisure times we hunted, to increase +our stock of provisions, which would not have been sufficient to support +our household, and not choosing to risk the uncertainty of the arrival +of Savages, who sometimes bring animal food to the traders. As the snow +began to fall very heavy, we were prevented from making {55} long +excursions, without using snow shoes. For the space of a fortnight we +hunted with great success, and caught a number of small animals, on +which we feasted daily; these proved a seasonable relief, and saved the +corn and grease. We had been settled about three weeks, when a large +band of Savages arrived; having only eight Canadians with me, I desired +them to act with the utmost precaution, as our number was comparatively +small, and in case of a drunken frolic, the property might be pillaged, +and our lives sacrificed: fortunately for me I had very steady men, who +were well accustomed to the Northwest Indians. We were mutually pleased +with each other, as no trader had wintered there before. The great +chief, whose name was _Kesconeek_, made me a present of skins, dried +meat, fish, and wild oats; a civility which I returned without delay, +and in a manner with which he seemed highly gratified. The rest of the +Savages then came into my house, one by one, which is called Indian +file, singing war songs, and dancing. All of them, except the chief, +placed themselves on the ground; he, standing upright with great dignity +in the centre of the tribe, delivered the following speech. + +“_Angaymer Nocey, wa haguamissey kaygo arwayyor kee zargetoone oway +barthtyage Nishinnorbay nogome cawwickca kitchee Artawway winnin, +kitchee morgussey cargoneek neennerwind zargetoone artawway neennerwind +debwoye Nocey barthtyage meekintargan omar appeemeenequy, mackquah, +amik, warbeshance menoach kegonce._”—— + +“It is true, Father, I and my young men are happy to see you:—as the +great Master of Life has sent a trader to take pity on us Savages, we +shall use our best endeavours to hunt and bring you wherewithal to +satisfy you in furs, skins, and animal food.” + +{56} This speech was in fact intended to induce me to make them further +presents; I indulged them in their expectations, by giving them two kegs +of rum of eight gallons each, lowered with a small proportion of water, +according to the usual custom adopted by all traders, five carrots of +tobacco, fifty scalping knives, gun-flints, powder, shot, ball, &c. To +the women I gave beads, trinkets, &c. and to eight chiefs who were in +the band, each a Northwest gun, a callico shirt, a scalping knife of the +best sort, and an additional quantity of ammunition. These were received +with a full yo-hah, or demonstration of joy. + +The women, who are on all occasions slaves to their husbands, were +ordered to make up bark huts, which they completed in about an hour, and +every thing was got in order for merriment. The rum being taken from my +house, was carried to their wigwaum, and they began to drink. The frolic +lasted four days and nights; and notwithstanding all our precaution +(securing their guns, knives, and tomahawks) two boys were killed, and +six men wounded by three Indian women; one of the chiefs was also +murdered, which reduced me to the necessity of giving several articles +to bury with him, to complete the usual ceremony of their interment. +These frolics are very prejudicial to all parties, and put the trader to +a considerable expence, which nevertheless he cannot with safety refuse. +On the fifth day they were all sober, and expressed great sorrow for +their conduct, lamenting bitterly the loss of their friends. + +On the 26th of October they departed for the hunt, which gave us great +satisfaction, as we had scarcely rested during their abode with {57} us. +When they got into their canoes, they sung the dead war +song.—“_Wabindam, Kitchee Mannitoo, haguarmissey hapitch +neatissum_:”—or, “Master of Life, view me well, you have given me +courage to open my veins.” + +Having piled the winter’s firing at a convenient distance from the house +to prevent accidents, we prepared the nets for fishing. The ice was +three feet thick, and the snow very deep; this we were obliged to clear +away, before we could cut holes in which to put our nets. For the space +of two months we had uncommon success, having caught about eighteen +thousand weight of fish, which we hung up by the tails across sticks to +freeze, and then laid them up for store. This was to us an important +acquisition, as fishing in the middle of winter is precarious, and the +return of the Indians to supply the wants of the traders very uncertain. + +In summer the fishers go up the lakes, as well as rivers, and are +generally most successful at the foot of a deep stream, or the mouth of +a creek. In the beginning of winter they cut a large opening, and set +nets. In the depth of winter they make a small hole, in which they +angle; and sometimes they cut two holes in a right line through the ice, +and pass a line at the end of a stick from hole to hole, by which they +haul the net under the ice, frequently with good success. In winter, +fishing is the daily employ of half the men, though in very severe +weather it is a fatiguing service. + +In the beginning of January, 1778, our provisions run short, having +nothing left but some spawn of fish, which we beat up with {58} warm +water and lived upon. The intense severity of the weather would not +allow us to look after the nets; and although thus distressed for want +of better food, we were obliged to stay at home, keeping a large fire, +and lying almost continually on our blankets, which weakened us +exceedingly. Having remained in this inactive state for some time, and +hunger pressing hard, I roused myself, and proposed to my men to make +marten traps, which they went about with the utmost cheerfulness. When +they had finished a sufficient number, they set them in the woods, at +the distance of about two miles from the house. While they were employed +in this service, I was left alone, it being necessary for some one to +remain, in case of the arrival of Savages. The first day my men were +successful, and returned with two racoons, three hares, and four +musquashes; on these we feasted the next day; and though we were not +satisfied, they proved a seasonable relief, and enabled us to pursue the +business we were engaged in with greater spirits, fondly expecting more +prosperous days. + +In a little time we were again destitute, and the men became +disheartened; this induced me to propose a journey to Lake Manontoye, +where we knew Mr. Shaw,[57] a brother trader, had wintered, to endeavour +to procure some wild rice, which the Indians told me grew in the swamps +at that place. The Canadians approved of the plan, and said they hoped +they should be able to provide for their subsistence till my return. +Previous to my departure, we were compelled to kill a favourite dog, +belonging to Joseph Boneau, one of my people, which most sensibly +affected us, because, independent of the attachment we had towards him, +he was a very useful animal. The next morning I put on my snow shoes, +and persuaded an Indian and his wife, who were with {59} me +occasionally, and had accidentally come in from the hunt with six hares, +to accompany me, promising them payment in rum at my return: they agreed +to go, and it was very fortunate they did, as I could not have found the +way without a guide. + +We set off with the six hares, and travelled four days without killing +any thing; this was a disappointment, but with the little stock we +carried with us, we subsisted tolerably well. About an hour before +sunset on the fourth day, we stopped at a small creek, which was too +deep to be forded, and whilst the Indian was assisting me in making a +raft to cross over, rather than swim through in such cold weather, +against a strong current, I looked round, and missed his wife: I was +rather displeased, as the sun was near setting, and I was anxious to +gain the opposite shore, to encamp before dark. I asked the Indian where +she was gone; he smiled, and told me, he supposed into the woods to set +a collar for a partridge. In about an hour she returned with a newborn +infant in her arms, and coming up to me, said in Chippeway, “_Oway +Saggonash Payshik Shomagonish_,” or, “Here, Englishman, is a young +warrior.” It is said that the Indian women bring forth children with +very little pain, but I believe it is merely an opinion. It is true they +are strong and hardy, and will support fatigue to the moment of their +delivery; but this does not prove they are exempt from the common +feelings of the sex on such trying occasions. A young woman of the Rat +Nation has been known to be in labour a day and a night, without a +groan. The force of example acting upon their pride, will not allow +these poor creatures to betray a weakness, or express the pain they +feel, probably lest the husband should think her unworthy of his future +attention, and despise both mother and child: at any rate, he would tell +her the infant, {60} if a boy, would never be a warrior; and if a girl, +would have a dastardly spirit, and of course neither of them be fit for +a Savage life. + +I believe it will not be disputed that the Indian women love their +children with as much affection as parents in the most civilized states +can boast; many proofs might be adduced to support this assertion. A +mother suckles her child till it attains the age of four or five years, +and sometimes till it is six or seven. From their infant state they +endeavour to promote an independent spirit; they are never known either +to beat or scold them, lest the martial disposition which is to adorn +their future life and character, should be weakened: on all occasions +they avoid every thing compulsive, that the freedom with which they wish +them to think and act may not be controuled. If they die, they lament +their death with unfeigned tears, and even for months after their +decease will weep at the graves of their departed children. The nation +of Savages called Biscatonges, or by the French, Pleureurs, are said to +weep more bitterly at the birth of a child, than at its decease; because +they look upon death only as a journey from whence he will return, but +with regard to his birth, they consider it as an entrance into a life of +perils and misfortunes.[58] + +As soon as a child is born, if in summer, the mother goes into the +water, and immerses the infant; as soon as this is done, it is wrapped +up in a small blanket, and tied to a flat board, covered with dry moss, +in the form of the bottom of a coffin, with a hoop over the top, where +the head lies, to preserve it from injury. In winter it is clad in skins +as well as blankets. In the heat of summer gauze is thrown over the +young Savage, to keep off the musquitoes, which are very troublesome +{61} in the woods. The board, on which the child is placed, is slung to +the mother’s forehead with a broad worsted belt, and rests against her +back. + +When the French took possession of Canada, the women had neither linen, +nor swaddling cloaths; all their childbed furniture consisted of a kind +of trough, filled with dry rotten wood dust, which is as soft as the +finest down, and well calculated to imbibe the moisture of the infant; +on this the child was placed, covered with rich furs, and tied down with +strong leather strings. The dust was changed as often as necessary, till +the child was weaned.[59] + +Among the Indians who are in any degree civilized, the women feed their +children with pap made of Indian corn and milk, if it can be obtained; +but in the parts more northern, and remote from Europeans, wild rice and +oats are substituted, which being cleansed from the husk, and pounded +between two stones, are boiled in water with maple sugar: this food is +reckoned very nourishing, and with broth made from the flesh of animals +and fish, which they are frequently able to procure, cannot fail of +supporting and strengthening the infant. Among several of the tribes of +Indians, pap is made of sagavite, from a root they call toquo, of the +bramble kind; this is washed and dried, afterwards ground, or pounded, +and made into a paste, which being baked is pleasant to the taste, but +of a very astringent quality. It is their common bread. + +On our arrival at Lac Eturgeon, as the weather was bad, we encamped +three days, which gave me an opportunity of making some observations +{62} on this Lake, which I could not do when I passed it in my way to +Lac la Mort. + +This Lake, by the Indian accounts, is about five days journey by water: +the width in some parts is about thirty miles. There are a number of +small islands on it which abound with hares, partridges, and wild fowl. +The Indians who frequent it are the Hawoyzask or Musquash, who speak the +Chippeway language. They are usually more stationary than the generality +of the Chippeways; they seldom leave the inlands, and are excellent +hunters. Mr. Carver, in his chart, points out a village leading to +Riviére St. Croix, which he says belongs to the roving Chippeways; but I +believe all the nation, with very few exceptions, may be called rovers +in the strictest sense of the word.[60] + +The first day of our encampment we killed a hare, made fish-hooks of the +thigh bones, and baited them with the flesh. The lines were made of the +bark of the willow tree cut into slips, and twisted hard together. +Success crowned our endeavours, for we not only caught sufficient for +present use, but enough for the remainder of the journey to Lake +Manontoye. + +The day before our arrival we killed two otters, which I intended as a +present to Mr. Shaw, not doubting but any animal food would be +acceptable from the severity of the season, concluding that his +situation was as bad as our own, except in the article of wild oats. +When arrived within about six miles of the lake, we met a small party of +Indians, who alarmed us by an account of a dreadful confusion among +their tribe, occasioned by the Hudson’s Bay Savages having killed three +of their {63} band; and they said they believed Mr. Shaw had fallen a +sacrifice to their fury, as they had heard them consult together to +plunder the trader. They lamented exceedingly their inability to assist +him, not being even strong enough to resent their own personal injury; +however, they promised to accompany me on the way, as near to Mr. Shaw’s +house as their safety would admit. + +Having taken refreshment, we pursued our journey till within two miles +of the house, when they thought it prudent to leave me, and wishing me +success, retired into the woods, out of the track, to avoid being seen, +where they promised to stay till my return. My Indian and his wife did +not choose to proceed any farther, being also afraid of the Hudson’s Bay +Savages. I confess my situation was very unpleasant, and I debated in my +mind what steps to take to attempt the relief of a brother trader, and +at the same time avoid injury myself. Relying on my usual success in +suppressing these kind of tumults occasioned by intoxication, and +conscious that I knew as well as any man the nature of the Indians when +under its pernicious influence, I did not doubt, however unsuccessful my +endeavours might prove as to rescuing Mr. Shaw from his perilous +situation, but that I should certainly be able to effect an escape +myself in case of an attack; and as one favourable suggestion frequently +gives birth to another, and establishes by degrees a confidence in the +mind, I anticipated Mr. Shaw’s delivery to my entire satisfaction. +Fortified by these flattering hopes, I determined to exert my best and +speediest endeavours in his behalf, and pursued my journey without +delay. When I arrived within a quarter of a mile of the scene of +discord, I heard the war-hoop in a manner very loud and clamorous; and +though I had been accustomed {64} to such sounds, I was very much +alarmed, and felt my resolution rather staggered; sensible that the rage +of drunken Indians, when it has risen to a certain pitch, knows no +bounds, and of the extreme difficulty of reconciling them to any person +to whom they had unfortunately taken a dislike. Animated, however, with +the idea of behaving like a warrior, and recurring to the time when I +was adopted at Pays Plat, I conceived it unmanly to shrink from danger, +and pushing through the woods, had soon a full view of the infernal +spirits, for I could give them no better name. + +I lay some minutes in ambush, listening with great attention, till I +heard one of them cry out in the Chippeway language, “_Haguarmissey +mornooch gunnisar Cushecance_;” or, “I do not mean to kill the _Cat_;” +which was a name given to Mr. Shaw by the Indians, from his speaking in +a feeble voice. This convinced me he was alive, though in imminent +danger. I made all possible haste up to the house, and found the +Savages, both men and women, completely drunk. The huts had been knocked +down, the canoes adrift, and the whole formed the most dreadful scene of +confusion I had ever beheld. There were also an old Indian and a woman, +who I afterwards learned was his mother, lying dead upon the snow by the +lake side. I made several efforts to get into the house, but was +prevented by the Savages, who kept me back, kissing me, and telling me +they loved me, but that I must not attempt to relieve the _Cat_. At +last, with inconceivable difficulty, I persuaded them to attend to me, +and felt the most extreme satisfaction in having succeeded, at least so +far, in an attempt which would have been dangerous to any one to have +undertaken who was not fully master of the language and character of the +Savages, and {65} at the same time cool and dispassionate enough to hear +their nonsense with patience and temper. + +I then addressed myself to the most sober of the chiefs, and inquired of +him the cause of the dispute; he told me Mr. Shaw was a _dog_ instead of +a _cat_, for that he had refused them rum; and that though he and the +rest of the tribe were happy to see me, because they had heard I always +had a good heart towards the Savages, I should not go in to assist the +trader, for they were the masters of the wigwaum, and not he, and that +they were resolved to have all the rum in his possession before break of +day. + +Mr. Shaw’s house might very properly be styled a fort, being secured by +high pickets, which made it difficult for the Indians to approach it, +and he had taken the precaution to fasten the outer gate as well as the +door. I told the chief it was not my intention to interfere, that I +passed accidentally in my way to Lac le Rouge, and should only stay to +refresh myself. This information pleased him exceedingly, as he knew Mr. +Shaw had only one man in the house, the rest, with the interpreter, +being out in search of provisions, so that at my departure there would +not remain force sufficient to obstruct their proceedings. I perceived +them so fully bent on accomplishing their purpose, that had I betrayed +the least intention or inclination to relieve the unhappy man, I should +most probably have been dispatched without much ceremony. The effects of +the rum they had already drank, had so elevated their spirits, that +nothing less than the full possession of the whole stock would satisfy +them; and I am persuaded that if half of them had perished, the rest +would without hesitation have risked their lives in the attempt. To +avoid all suspicion, {66} which would probably have been fatal both to +Mr. Shaw and myself, I left the chief, and watched an opportunity of +returning undiscovered. Fortunately the Indians had not drank all the +rum Mr. Shaw had given them, and the chief as soon as I had left him +went back to his hut to increase his intoxication, and communicate the +conversation which passed between us, the rest of the band having +retired soon after the conference began. + +Observing the coast clear, I walked unobserved to the fort, and spoke +loud both in French and English: Mr. Shaw and his man heard me, and +recollecting my voice, were transported beyond measure. The man, who was +a Canadian, was most delighted, as his fears were very strong, it being +the first year he had wintered among the Savages. On my approach, I +heard him cry out with the greatest vehemence, “_Mon Dieu! que je suis +content! Nôtre ami est arrivé, autrement nous serions foutu. Je conte +assurément, que nous serons bientôt libre, mon cher bourgeois._” He +instantly opened the gate; I entered precipitately, and congratulated +him on the prospect of counteracting the designs of the Indians, being +resolved to exert my best endeavours, and to live or die with them. Mr. +Shaw thanked me for my professions of friendship, and immediately gave +me a concise account of the disturbance. He said the Hudson’s Bay +Indians had come to him with very little peltry, and after trading for +it, he had given them more rum than they had any right to expect; that +instead of being content with this, they insisted on more; that in a fit +of intoxication they had killed an Indian and his mother; and had +attempted to set fire to his house with punk wood, which they shot at it +lighted, fixed to the points of arrows. Having heard his story, I +encouraged him to keep up his spirits, and advised {67} him, when the +Indians returned to execute their purpose, to appear indifferent to +their menaces. + +Whilst we were in deep discourse, I discovered three chiefs at a small +distance from the house, in very earnest conversation, and was convinced +they were devising some scheme to effect their design. As they +approached, I called to them, and desired them to come into the house: +they immediately advanced, and walked in one by one, with looks of +treachery, which the earnestness of the business to be executed would +not allow them to conceal. I talked to them without the least reserve, +and in apparent good temper: I asked them if they were sober; but before +they could give me an answer, the rest of the band came to the door, but +did not enter; the head chief then told me they were very sober, and +expressed great concern for their conduct, but that now the strong water +had lost its influence, they saw their folly, and were sure the bad +spirit had left their hearts. + +I told them the Master of Life was angry with them, and that they did +not deserve success in hunting, for their bad behaviour to the trader, +who had been a kind father to them, and supplied all their wants. I then +presented them with some tobacco to smoke in council, which was well +received, and looking earnestly at the chief, addressed the band to the +following effect. + +“_Keennerwind Ojemar woke, kee wabindan indenendum kee kee noneydone +Kitchee Mannitoo, ojey candan opin weene aighter ojey petoone nowwetting +guyack debarchemon kaygait nin oathty hapadgey nee woke keennerwind +equoy kee janis goyer metach nogome gudderbarchemon_ {68} _hunjyta O, +nishshishshin artawway winnin kaygait nee zargetoone artawway winnin +metach kakaygo arwayyor Matchee Mannitoo, guyyack neennerwind oathty +mornooch kee appay omar neegee_.” + +“You chiefs, and others of the tribe whose eyes are open, I hope you +will give ear to the words of my mouth. The Master of Life has opened my +brain, and made my breath blow good words. My heart feels for you, your +wives, and children; and what I now speak proceeds from the root of my +friend’s sentiments, who owns this house, and who has told me that his +heart was opened to you on your arrival; but notwithstanding his +kindness, the bad spirit got possession of you, which made him very +unhappy, though he hoped the Master of Life would change your +dispositions, and make you good Indians, as you used to be.” To this +speech one of the chiefs made answer: + +“_Kaygait Amik, kee aighter annaboycassey omar hapadgey; O, +nishshishshin kee debarchemon nogome neennerwind ojey stootewar +cockinnor nee doskeennerwaymug kee debwoye neecarnis hapadgey sannegat +neennerwind ha nishinnorbay kaygwotch annaboycassey ozome Scuttaywabo +ojey minniquy neennerwind angaymer Amik, shashyyea suggermarsh cockinnor +nogome mornooch toworch payshik muccuk Scuttaywabo ojey bockettynan +Cushshecance warbunk keejayp neennerwind ojey boossin;—haw, haw, haw._” + +“It is true, Beaver, you have strong sense, it sweetens your words to +us, and we all understand you. We know, friend, your lips open with +truth. It is very hard for us Indians, who have not the sense of the +white people to know when we have had enough of the strong {69} fiery +water; but we hope the _Cat_ will throw off the film from his heart, as +ours are clear: we also hope he will open his heart once more, and give +us a small keg of the strong water, to drink to the health of our +brother and sister, whom we have sent to the far country, and to-morrow +at break of day we will depart.” + +Mr. Shaw, by my advice, promised to comply with their request, on +condition of their being true to their engagements, and that they should +forbear even tasting the rum while they remained on the ground. This +determination I acquainted them with, and they retired to their huts, +leaving us in quiet possession of the fort. + +The Indians remained quiet all night, which induced me to hope that my +promise of rum to them, on their departure, had accomplished the desired +effect: but I flattered myself too much, as the storm was not yet even +at the height. At break of day they assembled, and asked for the rum, +which was immediately given them; and they got into their canoes, and +went off without burying their dead. This being very uncustomary, +alarmed me, as no people are more particular in paying the greatest +respect to the remains of the deceased. Suspecting the bad spirit was +still in them, and that they were only gone a short distance to drink +the rum, we prepared for an attack, loading twenty eight northwest guns, +and a brace of pistols, and sat down by the fire expecting their return +to compleat the design my fortunate arrival had hitherto prevented. In +about an hour they returned very much intoxicated, singing their dead +war songs, and every warrior naked, painted black from head to foot: as +they approached the house in Indian file, each one repeated the +following words; “_Mornooch toworch gunnesar_ {70} _cushshecance +neennerwind ojey dependan O wakaygan_:” or, “Nevertheless we do not mean +to kill the Cat, we only own this fort, and all that is in it.” + +Whilst they were singing, we were preparing our guns, and placing them +so as to be ready for immediate use, if necessary; being determined to +make a vigorous resistance, although there remained only Mr. Shaw and +myself, the Canadian having fled to the woods. + +I assumed the character of commander in chief, and desired Mr. Shaw to +obey my orders implicitly, and by no means to fire till I gave the +signal; well knowing that the death of one of the Savages, even in our +own defence, would so exasperate the rest that there would not be a +possibility of escaping their fury. As our situation was truly critical, +we acted with as much coolness as men devoted to destruction could. A +fortunate thought came into my head, which I instantly put in practice: +I went into the store, and rolling a barrel of gunpowder into the outer +room, knocked out the head. I had scarcely finished it, before the +Savages arrived, and advancing to the door, armed with spears and +tomahawks, said to each other, “_keen etam_,” or, “you go first.” We +stood ready to receive them, and gave them to understand we were not +afraid of them. One of the band entered the house, and I said to him +sternly, “_Ha wa neyoe shemagonish equoy kee tertennin marmo?_” or, “Who +now among you old women is a brave soldier?” and immediately pointing my +pistol cocked to the barrel of gunpowder, cried out with great emphasis, +“_Cockinnor marmo neepoo no gome_;” or, “We will all die this day.” On +hearing these words they ran from the door, crying, “_Kitchee Mannitoo +ojey petoone Amik O mushkowar haguarmissey yang_:” {71} or, “The Master +of Life has given the Beaver great strength and courage.” The women fled +with the utmost precipitation, pushed their canoes into the water, and +got off as fast as they could: the men, who before were intoxicated, +became sober, and making as much haste as possible, paddled to an island +opposite the house. Soon after a canoe came on shore with six women, to +endeavour to make up the breach; but I refused all reconciliation, +telling them that they might have known me before; that my name was +Beaver; that all the Indians knew me to be a warrior; and that my heart +was not easily melted. The women immediately returned, carrying with +them the dead, which satisfied me they did not intend to trouble us +again. + +Thus, by an happy presence of mind, we were saved from almost inevitable +destruction, and probably from ending our lives under the most +excruciating torture. + +It may not be improper to observe the necessity there is for a trader to +be cool, firm, and, in case of emergency, brave, but not rash or hasty. +The Indians are just observers of the human mind, and easily discover +true from affected courage, by that apparent tranquillity which clearly +distinguishes the former from the latter. It is well known that no +people in the world put courage to so severe a trial, and watch at the +executions of their enemies with such savage curiosity, the effects of +the tortures they inflict; even the women exult in proportion to the +agony betrayed by the unhappy sufferer; though it frequently happens +thro’ the same spirit operating on both parties, that the most +excruciating torments cannot extort a sigh. An example or two from Mr. +Adair’s History of the American Indians, will shew the firmness of an +Indian {72} mind, and prove beyond a doubt that such anecdotes are not +exaggerated. Truth should be the standard of history, and guide the pen +of every author who values his reputation. + +Some years ago the Shawano Indians being obliged to remove from their +habitations, in their way took a Muskohge warrior, known by the name of +old _Scrany_, prisoner; they bastinadoed him severely, and condemned him +to the fiery torture. He underwent a great deal without shewing any +concern; his countenance and behaviour were as if he suffered not the +least pain. He told his persecutors with a bold voice, that he was a +warrior; that he had gained most of his martial reputation at the +expence of their nation, and was desirous of shewing them, in the act of +dying, that he was still as much their superior, as when he headed his +gallant countrymen against them: that although he had fallen into their +hands, and forfeited the protection of the divine power by some impurity +or other, when carrying the holy ark of war against his devoted enemies, +yet he had so much remaining virtue as would enable him to punish +himself more exquisitely than all their despicable ignorant crowd +possibly could; and that he would do so, if they gave him liberty by +untying him, and handing him one of the red hot gun-barrels out of the +fire. The proposal, and his method of address, appeared so exceedingly +bold and uncommon, that his request was granted. Then suddenly seizing +one end of the red hot barrel, and brandishing it from side to side, he +forced his way through the armed and surprised multitude, leaped down a +prodigious steep and high bank into a branch of the river, dived through +it, ran over a small island, and passed the other branch, amidst a +shower of bullets; and though numbers of his enemies were in close +pursuit of him, he got into a bramble swamp, {73} through which, though +naked and in a mangled condition, he reached his own country. + +The Shawano Indians also captured a warrior of the Anantoocah nation, +and put him to the stake, according to their usual cruel solemnities: +having unconcernedly suffered much torture, he told them, with scorn, +they did not know how to punish a noted enemy; therefore he was willing +to teach them, and would confirm the truth of his assertion if they +allowed him the opportunity. Accordingly he requested of them a pipe and +some tobacco, which was given him; as soon as he had lighted it, he sat +down, naked as he was, on the women’s burning torches, that were within +his circle, and continued smoking his pipe without the least +discomposure: on this a head warrior leaped up, and said, they saw plain +enough that he was a warrior, and not afraid of dying, nor should he +have died, only that he was both spoiled by the fire, and devoted to it +by their laws; however, though he was a very dangerous enemy, and his +nation a treacherous people, it should be seen that they paid a regard +to bravery, even in one who was marked with war streaks at the cost of +many of the lives of their beloved kindred; and then, by way of favour, +he with his friendly tomahawk instantly put an end to all his pains. +Though the merciful but bloody instrument was ready some minutes before +it gave the blow, yet I was assured, the spectators could not perceive +the sufferer to change either his posture or his steadiness of +countenance in the least. + +Death, among the Indians, in many situations is rather courted than +dreaded, and particularly at an advanced period of life, when they {74} +have not strength or activity to hunt: the father then solicits to +change his climate, and the son cheerfully acts the part of an +executioner, putting a period to his parent’s existence. + +Among the northern Chippeways, when the father of a family seems +reluctant to comply with the usual custom, and his life becomes +burdensome to himself and friends, and his children are obliged to +maintain him with the labour of their hands, they propose to him the +alternative, either to be put on shore on some island, with a small +canoe and paddles, bows and arrows, and a bowl to drink out of, and +there run the risk of starving; or to suffer death according to the laws +of the nation, manfully. As there are few instances where the latter is +not preferred, I shall relate the ceremony practised on such an +occasion. + +A sweating house is prepared in the same form as at the ceremony of +adoption, and whilst the person is under this preparatory trial, the +family are rejoicing that the Master of Life has communicated to them +the knowledge of disposing of the aged and infirm, and sending them to a +better country, where they will be renovated, and hunt again with all +the vigour of youth. They then smoke the pipe of peace, and have their +dog feast: they also sing the grand medicine song, as follows. + +“_Wa haguarmissey Kitchee Mannitoo kaygait cockinnor nishinnorbay ojey +kee candan hapadgey kee zargetoone nishinnorbay mornooch kee tarpenan +nocey keen aighter, O, dependan nishinnorbay, mornooch towwarch weene +ojey mishcoot pockcan tunnockay._—The Master of Life gives courage. It +is true, all Indians know that he loves us, and {75} we now give our +father to him, that he may find himself young in another country, and be +able to hunt.” + +The songs and dances are renewed, and the eldest son gives his father +the death-stroke with a tomahawk: they then take the body, which they +paint in the best manner, and bury it with the war weapons, making a +bark hut to cover the grave, to prevent the wild animals from disturbing +it. + +Thus do the unenlightened part of mankind assume a privilege of +depriving each other of life, when it can no longer be supported by the +labour of their own hands, and think it a duty to put a period to the +existence of those to whom they are indebted for their own, and employ +those arms to give the fatal stroke, which, in more civilized countries, +would have been exerted for their support. + +I remained with Mr. Shaw until the return of his men, and took an Indian +slay, loaded with wild rice and dried meat, and two of his Canadians to +assist me. In my way I called at the place where I left the Indians who +communicated to me the first account of the tumult at Mr. Shaw’s but +they were gone. My Indian and his wife waited for me, and were rejoiced +to see me again. On my return to Lac la Mort, I found all my men in good +health and spirits, having been well supplied with provisions by the +Savages, during my absence, and had increased my stock of peltry by +barter. Mr. Shaw’s men rested at my house one night, and the next +morning set off for Manontoye. + + + {76} _Indian Manner of going to War, &c._ + +Lake Manontoye, where Mr. Shaw wintered, is not so large as Lac +Eturgeon: it abounds with excellent fish and wild fowl; and oats, rice, +and cranberries, grow spontaneously in the swamps. There are very few +islands on it. There are about three hundred of the Chippeway nation who +resort to it; they are very wild, and delight in war, which they +sometimes wage against the Sioux, on the Mississippi; and they are +frequently absent from their families fifteen months, scarce ever +returning without a prisoner or a scalp.[61] + +It is very strange that the thirst of blood should stimulate the human +mind to traverse such an amazing extent of country, suffering +inexpressible hardships, and uncertain of success, to gratify a passion, +which none but an infernal spirit could suggest; and when success has +crowned his labours, that he should return with inconceivable +satisfaction, and relate the transactions of his journey, with the +greatest exultation, smiling at the relation of agonies which he alone +occasioned. The most dreadful acts of a maniac cannot exceed such +cruelty: happy those, who enjoy the benefits of society, whose +civilization, and whose laws protect them from such detestable outrages. + +Previous to their going to war, the head chief calls a council, and each +chief has a belt of wampum, and a war pipe: the belt to remind {77} them +of former transactions relative to the nation they intend to commence +hostilities against, and the pipe to smoke at the council fire. When +they have determined to make war, they send the belts and pipes to their +enemies; and if a similar compliment is returned, they instantly prepare +for blood, with the most steady and determined resolution. + +The novel of Emily Montague affords a striking example of this strong +propensity for blood, which I shall relate in the author’s own words. + +“A Jesuit missionary told me a story on this subject, which one cannot +hear without horror. An Indian woman with whom he lived on his mission, +was feeding her children, when her husband brought in an English +prisoner; she immediately cut off his arm, and gave her children the +streaming blood to drink. The Jesuit remonstrated on the cruelty of the +action; on which, looking sternly at him—I would have them warriors, +said she, and therefore feed them with the food of men.” + +When I was at Cataraqui, the capital of the Loyalist settlements in +Canada, a party of Mohawks and Messesawgers accidentally met, and having +bartered their skins and peltry with the traders, sat themselves down to +drink the rum their merchandize had produced. As the liquor began to +operate, their imaginations suggested to them that they were of +different nations, and as the Mohawks always claimed a superiority, +intoxication made them proud: at last a dispute arose, and a Messesawger +Indian was killed, and his heart taken out, which the {78} Mohawks +intended to have broiled, but they were prevented by a gentleman who +accidentally passed by their hut, and prevailed upon them to give it up. + +It seems to be the constant attention both of the male and female part +of the Indians to instil ideas of heroism into the minds of the rising +generation, and these impressions they carry far beyond the line of +reason or of justice. Is it then surprising that every action of their +lives should tend to satisfy their thirst for revenging offences +committed against them, and that these sentiments should operate so +powerfully in directing their future conduct? There is, nevertheless, +one exception to these observations—their conduct to traders, who are +obliged on some occasions, when intoxication runs high, to beat them +very soundly;—to their credit, in these instances, I must confess I +never knew them to resent this severity when sober. The only remark they +have made has been—“Friend, you beat me very severely last night—but I +do not mind, I suppose I deserved it—it was the liquor made me offend.” +Or if they betray any dissatisfaction, one glass of rum will reconcile +all differences. With regard to severity when they are perfectly sober, +I am convinced it would be highly dangerous, and should be cautiously +avoided. + +But although they often express these blood-thirsty sentiments, and too +frequently put them in execution, yet there are occasions when they +exercise both temper and reason. + +When I was at Pimistiscotyan Landing, on Lake Ontario, I had a large +dog, to protect myself and property; an Indian came in rather {79} in +liquor to ask for rum, and probably might strike the animal; the dog +instantly seized him by the calf of the leg, and wounded him dreadfully. +He returned to his hut, and made no complaint till the next morning, +when he desired to speak with me: I went to him, and he told me how the +dog had used him, saying, he hoped I would give him a pair of leggons, +to supply those which the dog had torn; but that with regard to his leg, +he did not trouble himself much about that, as he knew it would soon be +well. I immediately granted his request, and added a bottle of rum, with +which he seemed well pleased, and I heard no more of it. + +But to return to the subject of going to war. The women and children +sometimes go forward in their canoes singing the war songs, and encamp +every evening at sunset, having a great dislike to travelling in the +dark. Forty-eight young warriors are placed, in four divisions, to keep +guard at night, armed with guns, bows and arrows, and some scotté +wigwas, or fire bark, to light in case of sudden surprise. + +This bark is taken from the birch tree, and being properly dried, is +used by the Indians to light them to spear fish: it is fixed on a stick +about seven feet long, and either put at the head of the canoe, or +carried by the person who attends upon the man that spears, and whose +business it is also to steer the canoe. + +At day break the Indians depart, and pursue their journey regardless of +the weather, till they arrive in the enemy’s country, when the utmost +precaution is adopted that it is possible for human invention to +suggest. + +{80} When war is made against the Mississippi Indians, they endeavour to +kill the men and women, and bring away the children to dispose of to the +traders, who send them down to Montreal for servants. The boys are not +so much to be depended upon as the girls, being more stubborn, and +naturally disdaining the idea of slavery; they are also full of pride +and resentment, and will not hesitate to kill their masters in order to +gratify their revenge for a supposed injury. The girls are more docile, +and assimilate much sooner with the manners of civilization. Being +unaccustomed to domestic life, they are at first sick and unhealthy; but +the change soon becomes familiar to them, and they then prefer it to the +uncultivated manner of living in which they were brought up.[62] + +A few days after my return to Lac la Mort, a band of Savages arrived +from the Red Lake, called by the Indians, _Misqui Sakiegan_, and some +from Lake Shabeechevan, or the Weed Lake, about five days march beyond +Lake Manontoye. Red Lake is so called on account of a remarkable +circumstance which happened to two famous warriors of the Chippeway +nation, who were hunting by the lake side, and as they were looking out +for game, perceived at some distance an enormous beast, that appeared +much larger than any animal they had ever seen; his pace was slow and +heavy, and he kept constantly by the water side. They followed him as +close as they thought prudent, determined at all hazards to use their +best endeavours to kill him. As they approached, they had a clearer +view, and discovered that his body was covered with something like moss; +this increased their surprise, and after consulting together, they +continued advancing towards the beast, and fired large shot, without +appearing to make any impression. They {81} fired again with as little +effect as before; then retreated some distance, sat down and sung their +war songs, addressing themselves to the Master of Life, and desiring his +assistance to enable them to conquer it, as they believed it to be the +_Matchee Mannitoo_, or bad spirit, in the shape of this monster. They +then got up and pursued him, both firing at the same time: the shot +proved successful, and caused the animal to turn round, which induced +them to keep up their fire till the beast jumped into the water, and +they lost sight of him. From the circumstance of his blood dyeing the +water red, this lake has ever since been called the Red Lake. + +Fish is caught here in great abundance, and wild rice grows in very +great plenty in the swamps. The country likewise abounds with all sorts +of animals for hunting. There are several rivers and falls of water on +the northwest part. The Indians are very fond of fishing and hunting +here during the winter season, as they are generally very successful +even in the most severe weather. From Red Lake to Lake le Sel, or Salt +Lake, by the Indian accounts, there are fourteen short portages, and +twenty-two creeks. Lake le Sel is very small, and the water shallow and +muddy. It does not exceed three miles in length. There are few fish +except eels, cat fish, and pike; but it abounds with musquashes and wild +fowl. From this lake to Lake Caribou, or Rein deer Lake, is eight days +march across five creeks and three portages. + +Lake Caribou, or, in the Indian language, _Ateeque_, is about thirty +miles long, with several small islands, resembling the Mille Isles, in +the River St. Laurence, above Montreal. The water is deep and clear, +{82} and the bottom hard. It abounds with large trout, white fish, +pickerill, pike, and sturgeon. It is surrounded by a chain of high +mountains. Some years ago a French trader settled here, but of late it +has been deserted. The Indians reckon it ten days march to Lake +Schabeechevan, across thirteen portages, and as many creeks; but as I +wintered here the following year, though I went to it by a different +track, I shall not describe it till I give an account of the occurrences +of that time. From Lake Schabeechevan to Lake Arbitibis are three small +lakes, eight creeks, and five portages. Lake Arbitibis is very large, +and the surrounding land rocky and mountainous. This Lake furnishes the +Indians with fish and wild fowl. The aquatic race abound in this part of +the world, doubtless so appointed for the support of the numerous tribes +of Savages, who are obliged to resort to the lakes for food. At the +northern extremity of this Lake is a large fall of water, which flows +from a river whose current is rapid for about twenty miles. On this +river there are also dangerous rapids; the land upon its banks is low, +and the beach sandy. From Lake Arbitibis to Crow’s Nest Lake, called by +the Indians, _Cark Cark Sakiegan_, is a short distance. The utmost +circumference of Crow’s Nest Lake scarcely exceeds two leagues, and is +only remarkable for a small island in the middle, with about forty high +palm trees, where the crows build their nests, which is called _Cark +Cark Minnesey_. The fish in this Lake are very indifferent, being mostly +of the sword-fish kind, which the Indians seldom eat. From this Lake is +a long portage, and about half way a high mountain. At the end of the +carrying place is a river called _Cark Cark Seepi_, or Crows’ River, +which runs with a strong current for about thirty miles, from +_Neeshshemaince Sakiegan_, or the Lake of the Two Sisters; so called +from the meeting of two currents, which form one grand discharge into +{83} the lake. The Hudson’s Bay Indians hunt here with great success. At +the end is a carrying place about a quarter of a mile long, that leads +to a remarkably narrow river, which runs with a strong current for about +fifty leagues: the land on each side being very high, makes the +navigation dark. The Indians in going up this river travel as light as +possible, to enable them to combat the strong current. The Hudson’s Bay +Company are supplied with a considerable quantity of peltry from this +river. + +As the description of this country, hitherto so little explored, is a +principal part of what I intended in this publication, I have described +it either from my own knowledge, or the most authentic information I was +able to procure from the Savages. In this respect I have followed +Carver, who on his arrival at the grand portage, met a large party of +Killistinoe and Assinipoil Indians, from whom he received accounts of +several lakes and rivers, which he describes agreeable to the +information he obtained. + +It is necessary to observe, that though the Indians are very expert in +delineating countries upon bark, with wood coal mixed with bears’ +grease, and which even the women do with great precision, the length of +a day’s march is very uncertain, and consequently cannot afford any +geographical information. This remark, I trust, will be found to want no +farther proof than the consideration that their drafts consist +principally of lakes and rivers, as they seldom travel much by land; and +when their track over land is described, it is perhaps only a short +portage which they cross, in order again to pursue their journey on +their favourite element. But as few persons will probably read this +account {84} with a view of going into this country, the description I +have been able to give will be sufficient for the generality of my +readers. I lament exceedingly my inability to make this work more +perfect, but trust that it will be found highly useful to those whose +avocations may induce them to have recourse to it for information and +guidance in commercial pursuits. If an Indian goes with the stream, or +against it, from sunrise to sunset, it is called a day’s march. This +uncertainty makes it very difficult for any one who travels as a trader +to ascertain any thing more than the Indian distance from one lake to +another. As Mr. Carver, in his map, says that the branches which run +from Riviére St. Louis, at the end of West Bay, in Lake Superior, are +but little known, I can with equal propriety observe that those from +Lake Alemipigon, or Nipegon, both east and west, are very difficult to +describe geographically. The known candour of my countrymen, will, I am +persuaded, pardon any errors of this sort, as I can assure them I have +exerted my best endeavours to render the description of places, with +respect to distances and situation, as clear as possible, which the +chart I hope will more fully explain.[63] + + + {85} _Further Transactions with the Indians; their Superstition, + Jealousy, &c._ + +Having given an account of the different lakes, rivers, &c. from Lac la +Mort, I shall continue the narrative from my return from Lake Manontoye, +where I relieved Mr. Shaw. + +A few days after, another band of Savages arrived with skins, furs, and +some provisions; they stayed with me two days, making merry with what +rum I could spare them, without doing any mischief, and departed at last +very peaceably. On the twenty-third of February another band came in, +consisting of about eighty, men, women, and children, who brought dried +meats, oats, bears’ grease, and eight packs of beaver, which I +purchased, giving them rum, as usual, with which they got intoxicated. +In this frolic one woman was killed, and a boy terribly burnt. On the +third day they departed, well pleased with their reception, leaving us +plenty of provisions. The weather being more moderate, I sent my men to +the lake to look after the nets, which had been under the ice a +considerable time, the severity of the season not having allowed us to +examine them for near a month, when, to our great mortification they +were found almost rotten, and not a single fish; but as one of the +Canadians could make nets as well as myself, we repaired the damage; and +caught plenty of fish to support us till April. + +The severity of the season was sensibly felt by Mr. James Clark, +belonging to the same company, who had five men starved at Lake Savan, +{86} a bad lake for fish, about three hundred and fifty miles from my +wintering ground;[64] the Indians being obliged to hunt so far back in +the woods that they could not give him any assistance; and from the +concurrent accounts of the traders in the northwest, as well as from the +Savages who resorted to my house, it was the hardest winter they ever +remembered. + +About this time a large band of Chippeways arrived, traded with me for +their hunt, and finished their frolic in a peaceable manner. While this +band was with me, a curious circumstance occurred, which I shall relate. + +One part of the religious superstition of the Savages, consists in each +of them having his _totam_, or favorite spirit, which he believes +watches over him. This _totam_ they conceive assumes the shape of some +beast or other, and therefore they never kill, hunt, or eat the animal +whose form they think this _totam_ bears. + +The evening previous to the departure of the band, one of them, whose +_totam_ was a bear, dreamed that if he would go to a piece of swampy +ground, at the foot of a high mountain, about five days march from my +wigwaum, he would see a large herd of elks, moose, and other animals; +but that he must be accompanied by at least ten good hunters. When he +awoke he acquainted the band with his dream, and desired them to go with +him: they all refused, saying it was out of their way, and that their +hunting grounds were nearer. The Indian having a superstitious reverence +for his dream (which ignorance, and the prevalence of example among the +Savages, carries to a great height), thinking himself {87} obliged to do +so, as his companions had refused to go with him, went alone, and coming +near the spot, saw the animals he dreamed of; he instantly fired, and +killed a bear. Shocked at the transaction, and dreading the displeasure +of the Master of Life, whom he conceived he had highly offended, he fell +down, and lay senseless for some time: recovering from his state of +insensibility, he got up, and was making the best of his way to my +house, when he was met in the road by another large bear, who pulled him +down, and scratched his face. The Indian relating this event at his +return, added, in the simplicity of his nature, that the bear asked him +what could induce him to kill his _totam_; to which he replied, that he +did not know he was among the animals when he fired at the herd; that he +was very sorry for the misfortune, and hoped he would have pity on him: +that the bear suffered him to depart, told him to be more cautious in +future, and acquaint all the Indians with the circumstance, that their +_totams_ might be safe, and the Master of Life not angry with them. As +he entered my house, he looked at me very earnestly, and pronounced +these words; “_Amik, hunjey ta Kitchee Annascartissey nin, O Totam, +cawwicka nee wee geossay sannegat debwoye_:”—or, “Beaver, my faith is +lost, my _totam_ is angry, I shall never be able to hunt any more.” + +This idea of destiny, or, if I may be allowed the phrase, +“_totamism_,”[65] however strange, is not confined to the Savages; many +instances might be adduced from history, to prove how strong these +impressions have been on minds above the vulgar and unlearned. To +instance one, in the history of the private life of Louis the XV. +translated by Justamond, among some particulars of the life of the +famous Samuel Bernard, the Jew banker, of the court of France, he says, +that he was superstitious {88} as the people of his nation are, and had +a black hen, to which he thought his destiny was attached; he had the +greatest care taken of her, and the loss of this fowl was, in fact, the +period of his own existence, in January, 1739. + +Dreams are particularly attended to by the Indians, and sometimes they +make an artful use of the veneration that is paid to them, by which they +carry a point they have in view: I shall relate an instance for the +satisfaction of the reader. + +Sir William Johnson, sitting in council with a party of Mohawks, the +head chief told him, he had dreamed last night, that he had given him a +fine laced coat, and he believed it was the same he then wore; Sir +William smiled, and asked the chief if he really dreamed it; the Indian +immediately answered in the affirmative: Well then, says Sir William, +you must have it; and instantly pulled it off, and desiring the chief to +strip himself, put on him the fine coat. The Indian was highly +delighted, and when the council broke up, departed in great good humour, +crying out, _who-ah!_ which is an expression of great satisfaction among +them. + +The next council which was held, Sir William told the chief that he was +not accustomed to dream, but that since he met him at the council, he +had dreamed a very surprising dream; the Indian wished to know it; Sir +William, with some hesitation, told him he had dreamed that he had given +him a tract of land on the Mohawk River to build a house on, and make a +settlement, extending about nine miles in length along the banks: the +chief smiled, and looking very cheerfully at Sir William, {89} told him, +if he really dreamed it he should have it; but that he would never dream +again with him, for he had only got a laced coat, whereas Sir William +was now entitled to a large bed, on which his ancestors had frequently +slept. Sir William took possession of the land by virtue of an Indian +deed signed by the chiefs, and gave them some rum to finish the +business.[66] It is now a considerable estate, but since the war the +Americans have deprived him of it, with all the buildings, &c. which are +very valuable. It lies on the opposite shore to the German Flats, but +the land is by no means equal in goodness with the soil there. Perhaps +no part of America produces land better calculated for cultivation than +the German Flats. + +During the American war, the best Loyalist troops were collected from +the Mohawk River, and it was agreed on all hands that for steadiness, +bravery and allegiance, they were not to be excelled. Government has +done its utmost to reward many of them for their services, by giving +them land in Canada and Nova Scotia; and to those whom poverty obliged +to solicit them, implements of husbandry. They are now in a very +flourishing state, and there is no doubt but they will prove valuable +friends and supporters of Great Britain on any future emergency. + +During the severe weather, I had a narrow escape from a contrivance of +the Indian who was occasionally with me, and whom I employed in hunting, +and making marten traps: this was occasioned by jealousy, on account of +his wife, who was a pretty young _Squaw_, of the Rat nation, and whom he +suspected of infidelity. + +{90} Being short of provisions, and having only one faithful Canadian in +the house, except the Indian and his wife, I desired him to make a +number of marten traps, and set them in two different roads, called a +fork. Having finished about two hundred, and set them in the woods, +baited with fish heads, which these animals are very fond of, he +returned, and I gave him some rum for his trouble. Every day, for a +considerable time, he went regularly to examine them, and when +successful, was always rewarded to his satisfaction. Having been +unfortunate several days, I charged him with doing other business, +instead of examining the traps, to which he made no reply. I +communicated my suspicions to my man, and desired him to watch the +Savage. The next day the Canadian discovered him in the woods dressing +some partridges:[67] when he returned home in the evening he asked for +rum, which I refused, telling him he did not deserve any. This answer +displeased him; and looking earnestly at me, he replied, that I did not +use him well; for though he had been unsuccessful with his traps, his +trouble was the same; and that he generally found them out of order, +which obliged him to set them right, and employed him the whole day. +This excuse did not make any alteration in my conduct, and I told him +the weather was too bad to get at any rum. He then began to imagine that +I suspected him, and knew of his laziness, and immediately opened his +mind, telling me very frankly that he was jealous of me; and that his +reason for not going to examine the marten traps, was to prevent any +communication between me and his wife, which, had he been far distant +from home, might have been easily effected; and for this reason he kept +near the house to watch her, knowing that she was fond of me; but that +if I would give him some rum, to drive away the bad spirit from his +heart, he would endeavour to forget the injury I had done him. + +{91} Judging it prudent to remove his suspicions, I gave him two gallons +of rum, a carrot of tobacco, a shirt, a pair of leggons, a scalping +knife, &c. and several articles to his wife. Having received the +presents, he called her to drink with him, and thank the trader with a +cheerful heart for his great kindness. When they were a little merry he +began to sing, and I heard him repeat these words: “_Mornooch Amik kee +zargetoone mentimoyamish_;” or, “I do not care though the Beaver loves +my wife.” This did not please me, as I knew his jealousy would increase +in proportion to the quantity of liquor he drank. However, I used the +utmost precaution, securing his weapons to prevent his doing me any +injury. His wife hearing him repeat the words so frequently, began to be +angry, and pulled his hair and scratched his face. I thought this a +favourable opportunity to express my dislike, and told him he was a fool +to be jealous; that I gave him the rum to drive away the bad spirit, but +it had a contrary effect; that I never wanted any thing of his wife but +to make or mend snow shoes, and always paid her for her trouble. Yes, +cries the wife, he is a fool, Beaver, and I will beat him; which she +instantly did, and cut his head with a glass bottle. I then interfered, +and parted them. + +The moment I was gone, he began the old song, and continued singing till +he was sober; when getting up, he came to me and said, “Beaver, I have +seen the bad spirit in my dream, who told me that the trader had robbed +me.” Irritated at the expression, I told him his lips never spoke truth, +and that he had no sense; and thinking it right to suppress this humour, +beat him very severely. When he had recovered his reason, he said to me, +“Beaver, you have sense, though you have spotted my carcase.” I then +remonstrated with him on the great {92} folly of being jealous; but he +was sullen, and made no reply. He then called his wife, but she being +asleep did not hear him; he called a second time, and asked for his gun, +tomahawk, and scalping knife; but not receiving any answer, he was very +angry, and said to me, “Beaver, I will throw away my body;” to which I +did not think it prudent to make any reply. He then laid himself down on +the ground, and called his wife a third time. She came to him, and +observing displeasure in his countenance, told him not to be angry with +the Beaver, for he was a great warrior, and always opened his heart to +them. He ordered her to bring him a bark bowl full of water, and set it +down carefully between the Beaver’s legs. Whilst she was gone for the +water, he said to me, “Come here, Beaver, and I will shew you that I +have nothing sweet on my lips, but will speak the truth.” The wife +returned and placed the bowl of water as her husband directed; when it +had stood some time he said, “Beaver, put your finger in the water, and +let it remain till I tell you to take it out.” I obeyed him with the +utmost cheerfulness, and in a few minutes, by his desire, withdrew it. +He then said, “Beaver, you know that a husband is so called because he +is the master of weakness, and for that reason he should protect his +wife; and at the same time, you, as a trader, should not injure me: but +that I may not accuse you unjustly, I will try you by my own thoughts. +Beaver, look at my wife, and look at the water, and tell me where you +put your finger; if you cannot tell, you have certainly robbed me.” I +then put in my finger again, and pointed out the place. “No;” said he, +looking earnestly at me and his wife, “as you cannot be certain that it +is the exact place where you first put in your finger, neither can I be +certain that you have robbed me; though I as much believe it, as you do +that the place you pointed out was the exact spot.” I {93} confessed +myself surprised at his disbelief; but not willing to incense him, I +told him I was sorry he should imagine me capable of such wickedness as +to be guilty of injuring him, for my mind was as calm as the water in an +undisturbed state; and after giving him a few presents, sent them away, +injoining him to use his wife well, as she was perfectly innocent. As +they departed, he said to me smiling, “Beaver, you must get somebody +else to look after your marten traps.” + +Adultery among the northern Savages is generally punished in a summary +way by the husband, who either beats his wife very severely, or bites +off her nose. It is extremely dangerous for a trader to be suspected, +for when the husband is intoxicated, his jealousy rises into madness; +and revenge, whether the party suspected be innocent or guilty, is +continually to be expected. When the mind of an Indian is once affected, +his passion increases in proportion to the quantity of rum which he +drinks, though he has the art to conceal it when he is sober. It is the +baneful effects of rum which puts every jealous thought in motion, and +then it knows no bounds, till intoxication completely overpowers him, or +returning sobriety restores his lost reason. + +Early in the month of April, I received a letter from Monsieur Jaques +Santeron at Lake Schabeechevan, in the same employ as myself, to inform +me that he was tired of being a servant, and thinking his labours not +sufficiently rewarded, had determined to make a grand _coup_, having a +number of fine packs which he purposed selling to the Hudson’s Bay +Company: that he should leave his wintering ground next morning with +four birch canoes, and would write further particulars on bark, which he +should nail against one of the crooked trees at the foot of {94} the +Grand Rapid, in case I should be disposed to come that way, and +concluded with great _gaieté de cœur_, wishing me and all my friends +very well. + +I was greatly surprised on receiving this unpleasant intelligence, and +particularly as I had never heard of his integrity being impeached in +the smallest degree; and I was disappointed, as I expected him to pass +my wintering ground on his return to Pays Plat. + +Conceiving it my duty to exert my best endeavours to prevent the loss of +so much property to my employers, I engaged _Kesconeek_ the chief, and +twenty Savages, under promise of being satisfied for their trouble, to +conduct me to the crooked trees. We went off with the utmost expedition, +and in a few days arrived at the spot, where I saw the piece of bark, as +he described, and the following words written with charcoal, “_Adieu, +mon cher ami, je prends mon départ avec courage, et j’attends une bonne +vente pour ma pelleterie. De bon cœur je vous souhaite la prosperité; +faites mes complimens à tous mes amis—au revoir mon cher companion._” + +Having perused it, and explained it to the chief; he said he was a bad +spirit, and that as he had been gone six days before our arrival, it +would be impossible to overtake him, as he could not be far from the +entrance of the North River, leading to Hudson’s Bay, and if I pursued +him, I should not get back in time to trade with the Indians for their +great hunt. We therefore returned, after a fruitless expedition, +extremely mortified at the disappointment, as I was very sensible he +would never return to Canada, to make satisfaction to his employers. + +{95} Soon after my return the grand band came in with all their winter’s +hunt, which they call _Kitchee Artawway_. They consisted of about thirty +families, of twenty in each. He who has most wives is considered the +best hunter, being obliged to provide for their maintenance by his own +industry. The Indians laugh at the Europeans for having only one wife, +and that for life, as they conceive the good spirit formed them to be +happy, and not to continue together unless their tempers and +dispositions were congenial. + +Having bartered for their skins and furs, they asked for rum; I told +them I had only one small keg left, which I would give them at their +departure, which satisfied them: and when they were ready to embark, I +ordered a Canadian to put it into the chief’s canoe. + +Having disposed of all my merchandise except a few articles, and a small +quantity of rum, to barter with any Indians I might happen to meet with +in my return to Pays Plat, we baled up our peltry, and on the 23d of May +left Lac la Mort, with four small birch canoes richly laden with the +skins of beavers, otters, martens, minx, loup serviers, beaver eaters, +foxes, bears, &c.[68] + +Before I proceed to relate the particulars of my voyage, I shall mention +the Indian manner of killing the white bear and the buffalo. The large +white bear, commonly called the grisly bear,[69] is a very dangerous +animal; when the Indians hunt it they generally go six or eight in a +band; the instant they see one, they endeavour to surround it, by +forming a large circle: if it is on the march they fire at it;—but it is +most frequently discovered in the winter season sucking its paws; in +{96} that case they approach nearer, and form a double row for the +animal to run between. One of the party is then sent out, who fires at +the bear and generally wounds it: this rouzes it to pursue the Indian, +who runs between the ranks, and the rest of the band fire and soon +dispatch it. + +The buffalo I need not describe; it is well known to be a remarkably +strong animal; the Indians say its head is bullet proof, and therefore +they always fire at the body, endeavouring to hit the heart. When they +are in pursuit of this animal they make up small huts of snow in +different places, for near a mile in length on each side of the road; in +each of these huts an Indian stands with a bow and arrow, to shoot at it +as it passes, preferring that mode to powder and ball, as it does not +alarm the rest of the herd. The snow prevents the buffalo from smelling +the Indians, though their scent is very strong and quick. The instant +the animal drops they tomahawk it. + +On the 2d of July we arrived at Portage Plain, so called on account of +its being a barren rock, near a mile long, joining to Lake Alemipigon: +it was sunset when we encamped. Besides the sixteen Canadians, our party +was increased considerably by about twenty of the Sturgeon and Nipegon +Indians, who accompanied us according to the usual custom of following +the trader to assist at the carrying places. The day previous to our +departure some traders overtook us, and encamped also. They informed us +of a band of Indians who were enemies to the Nipegons being near at +hand, and desired me to acquaint the Savages with it. Before their +arrival the Sturgeon Indians left us, and the other band would fain have +quitted the ground; but upon telling them I wanted {97} their assistance +on my journey, they agreed to stay, though I thought very reluctantly. + +We soon discovered several canoes, and in about half an hour the Indians +landed. They were of the nation of the Wasses, and always at war with +our Savages.[70] Being a select people, they seldom associate with other +tribes, and are continually on the hunt, only making their appearance in +spring and autumn. We received them very cordially, and after the usual +forms of salutation, made mutual presents to each other: they told me +they had heard of me by some Indians at Lac la Mort, and were desirous +of seeing me before my return to Michillimakinac, or in their language +_Tecodondoraghie_. + +I soon perceived the uneasiness of my Indians, and was careful to keep +them at some distance from each other; but all my precaution was +ineffectual, and before my departure a most dreadful catastrophe was the +consequence of their mutual hatred. + +Our Indians having made up huts, began to sing their medicine songs to +induce the Wasses to partake of a feast which they said they intended to +make, with a view of preventing any dispute with them; but knowing that +the Nipegons had no provisions but what I found them, I suspected their +intentions were not so pacific as they pretended: this induced me to ask +a boy belonging to the band, why they pretended to make a feast, without +having any provision to do it; he replied, that the Wasses had made them +a present of dried meat, and with this and some huckle berries they had +saved, they intended to make their visitants merry. This answer +confirmed my suspicions, as no feast is {98} ever made, where friendship +is intended, without inviting the trader; and as no notice was sent me, +I dreaded the evil consequence of their meeting. + +Deliberating with myself on the unpleasant prospect, and considering how +to act to prevent mischief, I was interrupted in my meditations by a +Savage (_Ayarbee_, or the big man), who came to give me intelligence of +an intended plan to destroy the Nipegon Indians, and which was +communicated to him by an old woman who belonged to the band of Wasses. + +In about an hour the Nipegon huts were in order to receive their +intended guests, who were encamped in a hollow, surrounded with cedar +trees and bushes, close to the lake side. The Nipegons being determined +to counteract the designs of their deceitful visitors, and punish their +intended perfidy, made holes in the bark of their huts, in which they +placed their guns, loaded with swan shot. Each man taking his station; +the Wasses, to the number of eighteen, ascended the hill, and were +coming prepared to partake of the feast, with knives and wooden bowls, +intending to overpower the Nipegons on a given signal; but they were +fatally disappointed, for when they got within thirty yards of the +Nipegon huts, they were fired at, and all the band, except a girl about +fourteen years of age, killed on the spot; she was dangerously wounded, +but advanced with a gun, which she snatched from an Indian who was +preparing to dispatch her, and shot _Ayarbee_ through the head, and was +herself soon after tomahawked and scalped by a Nipegon boy about the +same age, who at such an early period of life displayed all that +ferocity which marks the most determined chief. + +{99} Thus was treachery rewarded: and though in my heart I could not but +approve of the conduct of the Nipegon Indians, I was afraid of trusting +to them, and had resolved on taking my leave of them, when the chief +came up and informed me, he was very sorry that his band could not +accompany me any farther, for being afraid of the resentment of the +nation of the Wasses, when they came to hear of the transaction, +notwithstanding they had done it in their own defence, they had +determined to depart; and soon after pushed off their canoes, and left +me, a circumstance which pleased me exceedingly. The next day a party of +Indians met us, to whom I related the disaster. They were very much +shocked, and said the Nipegon Savages might repent their rash conduct, +though at the same time they acknowledged them right in guarding against +the designs of the Wasses. They asked me if I had got their packs, as +they assured me they had made a good hunt, and had rich peltry. This +information vexed me exceedingly, as I should certainly have increased +my cargo had not the affair happened, and likewise have given more +satisfaction to my employers, though I had already a large quantity of +goods, and had every reason to be pleased with my success. The Nipegons +made up fourteen bales of dried meat, which they took with them; but the +furs and skins were hidden in the woods, and never afterwards found that +I heard of. + +We continued our journey to Lac Eturgeon, where soon after our landing, +we killed a great many wild fowl, and caught plenty of fish. Here we met +about fifty of the Hawoyzask or Rat Nation Indians,[71] with whom I made +a small barter, chiefly with rum, having disposed of all my Indian +goods. + +{100} Our journey was retarded for some time in order to gratify my +curiosity. A young Indian girl fell sick, and the chief desired me to +stay to see the wonderful effects of their medicines, as she was very +bad, and without immediate assistance, he said, must soon change her +climate. The physician who attended her said, that the _Matchee +Mannitoo_, or bad spirit, had put the bear’s claws into her, and his +medicines would remove them. A hut was prepared, and the girl stripped +to her _matcheecoaty_ or under petticoat; she was then painted with +vermilion, and daubed over with soot and bears’ grease, and profusely +sweated, which soon relieved her pain. During the operation, the +physician addressed himself to the Master of Life, begging his +assistance, and thanking him for giving knowledge to restore health: +then giving her a decoction of roots, he made a perfect cure. I could +not help admiring his skill and manner of proceeding, though I +attributed her recovery solely to the plentiful perspiration she +underwent.[72] + +Previous to our departure, one of their women was delivered of a fine +boy, and I was highly delighted with the mother’s tenderness, as the +infant sucked the milk, which in their language is called +_tootooshonarbo_, or the sap of the human breast, an expression which +struck me forcibly. The husband was also very attentive, and performed +the part of an affectionate parent, which induced me to give him some +rum to cheer his heart, and drink my health. He seemed pleased with the +present, and addressing himself to the Great Spirit, thanked him for the +safe delivery of his _mentimoye_:—then looking very earnestly at me, +told me how much he was indebted to me for the comfort that I had +afforded him, and that he was sure that I was a brave warrior, for my +generosity to him and his wife, when they so much wanted assistance. +When the young {101} warrior cried, he observed, that he wished to be +grateful to me for my attention to his parents, and that it was only the +echo of his breath, (meaning his voice) to praise the goodness of the +_Saggonash_, or Englishman. As I got into my canoe, he said, “Beaver, be +strong, you will always have a public road among the Nipegon Indians, +therefore return as soon as you can; in the mean time, I shall take care +to acquaint all the Indians with your goodness, and I hope when we see +you again, we shall have had a good hunt, and be able to give you furs +and skins to repay your kindness.” I told him I always loved the +Indians, that I was adopted by the Chippeways, and considered myself as +one of their tribe; that I would return as soon as possible with plenty +of goods for their families; that my heart was melted by his regard for +me, and giving him and his wife each a parting glass of the strong +water, took my leave, and pursued my journey. + +We arrived at Pays Plat on the 10th of August, where I met some brother +traders, who had been in different parts of the inlands, particularly +the Northwest. Here we waited for fresh goods from our employers, and +enjoyed ourselves with the remains of our different provisions, which we +threw into a common stock, and made ourselves merry with the scanty +pittance, recounting our several adventures: but none of them had +suffered the difficulties I had experienced, except Mr. Shaw, whom I +happily relieved at Lake Manontoye; the rest of the traders having +wintered very remote from me, by the way of the Grand Portage. + +Soon after our arrival, our employers sent their agents with a fresh +assortment of merchandize and provisions, which rejoiced us exceedingly, +{102} having been a considerable time without corn or grease, and absent +from Michillimakinac about fourteen months. I delivered my cargo of +furs, consisting of about one hundred and forty packs, in good +condition,[73] and loaded the canoes with the fresh goods; then taking +leave of my companions, prepared for my departure for the Inlands, to +winter another year among the Nipegon Savages. But before I begin to +relate my second adventure, I cannot forbear making some observations on +the hardships attending an Indian life, particularly as an interpreter +and trader. + +My salary was about one hundred and fifty pounds per annum, which I +certainly deserved, considering the knowledge I had of the Chippeway +language. + +I was sent into the Inlands with only corn and hard grease, without any +other provisions I could rely on; for as to fish and other animal food, +the former in a great measure depends on the season, the latter on the +arrival of Savages; and though in general I was successful in aquatic +pursuits, and received frequent supplies from the Indians, it was a +precarious mode of subsistence, and at Lac la Mort I suffered great +hardships. + +I had sixteen men, and an Indian and his wife occasionally with me, to +feed and govern, and on the continuance of their health my existence in +a great measure depended. As it was my constant duty to be in the way, +in case of the arrival of Savages, being the only one who could talk +their language, I had few opportunities of hunting, neither could I go +far abroad to examine whether the Canadians did their duty or not: I +{103} was therefore always full of anxiety, and rejoiced when the spring +returned to set me free. + +The constant attention necessary in taking care of the goods to prevent +depredations, the continual fears and apprehensions of being plundered +by a set of intoxicated beings; always liable to insults, without daring +to resent them; and when I had bartered all my merchandize, and made a +successful trip—feeling a painful solicitude till the fruits of my +labours were safely delivered to my employers. Upon the whole, perhaps +no situation can be more distressing, and it has often filled my mind +with surprise when I reflected on the engagement I entered into, which +consumed the prime of my days in a traffic, the dangers and fatigues of +which scarce any salary could compensate. I believe nothing but the +flattering idea of thinking myself superior to others as an interpreter, +prompted me to continue in a station so fatiguing to support, and so +difficult to execute; and I cannot but conclude with this +observation:—That however censurable a man may be for indulging even +this degree of pride, the liberal mind will easily pardon the +presumption, as they know he alone is the sufferer; and as self-opinion +governs the pursuits of mankind, the individual who is most influenced +by it, must stand or fall by the consequences. + + + SECOND EXPEDITION + + {104} _Proceed to winter again among the Nipegon Indians;—Design of an + Indian to plunder us;—unfortunate Accident happens to an Indian + Chief;—narrowly escape being assassinated by an Indian Straggler; + Murder of Joseph la Forme, a Trader._ + +On the 15th of August I left Pays Plat, with four birch canoes, and the +same men who wintered with me at Lac la Mort, and arrived at Riviére la +Pique, which runs into Lake Superior: this river is very crooked for +about seven miles, and extremely deep; it abounds with fish, +particularly pike, from which it takes its name.[74] On our landing, we +found a large band of Chippeways, and some of the Rat nation, who +immediately prepared a feast for us of dried meat, fish, &c. Among them +was an Indian named _Ogashy_, or the horse; he was reckoned, even by his +own tribe, a bad Indian, which put me on my guard during my encampment +there. I traded for their skins and furs, and gave them some rum, with +which they had a frolic, which lasted for three days and nights; on this +occasion five men were killed, and one woman dreadfully burnt. When the +fumes of the liquor had evaporated, they began, as usual, to reflect on +the folly of their conduct, and all except _Ogashy_ expressed great +concern; he seemed rather to be pleased at the mischief which had +happened, and before my departure, I was informed that he intended to +destroy me, and plunder the property. To frustrate his villainous +intention, I kept him in good humour, and made {105} him sleep in my +hut, a compliment he seemed highly pleased with, and which I believe for +the time diverted him from his purpose; and though by no means fond of +his company, I judged it most prudent to have my enemy in sight. In the +morning I gave him a glass of rum, and promised him a two-gallon keg to +carry off the ground, which, as the Indians express themselves, drove +the bad spirit from his heart. When my men had prepared every thing for +embarkation, I gave the chief of the band the liquor, and a single +bottle of rum more than I promised to _Ogashy_, unknown to the rest, in +which I had infused a considerable quantity of laudanum. Unsuspicious of +what I had done, he put the bottle to his mouth, and shaking me by the +hand, said to me, “_Kee talinimanco negee_,” or, “your health, friend,” +and immediately took a hearty draught which soon stupified and lulled +him into a profound sleep, in which, I was afterwards informed, he +remained twelve hours, depriving him of the power of doing harm, and +that soon after, an Indian who had an antipathy against him, and only +sought an opportunity of gratifying his resentment, tomahawked him. His +eldest son burnt him, and fixed his bones on a high pole, as he was the +head chief of the tribe. + +We proceeded on our voyage, and arrived at a short carrying place, +called Portage la Rame, where we encamped for nine days, being wind +bound; here we found a number of Indians in the same situation. + +As soon as Lake Superior was passable with safety, we continued our +journey through strong and dangerous rapids, which kept us continually +in the water, and very sensibly affected our limbs; on these occasions, +{106} where great exertion is necessary, all distinction is laid aside, +and it is _tel maitre, tel valet_, the bourgeois must work as hard as +the engagés, to encourage them to do their duty with more alacrity, and +avoid all cause of complaint. + +The wind proving favourable, we proceeded to Cranberry Lake, so called +from the great quantity of cranberries growing in the swamps. We stopped +here two days to refresh ourselves after the great fatigue we had +undergone in struggling against the rapids. Being sufficiently +recovered, and having nothing to detain us, we proceeded to a short +carrying place called _La grande Côte de la Roche_, near the entrance of +the Nipegon River, which is a high ridge of rocks that must be passed to +avoid the great cataract which I mentioned in my former voyage. At this +time we had very little animal food, but fortunately killed three large +bears in the middle of the portage, which supported us several days, +besides which, we reserved some of the meat we had smoked and dried to +carry with us.[75] + +From _La grande Côte de la Roche_ we proceeded to _Lac le Nid au +Corbeau_, or Crow’s Nest Lake, which is about two hundred miles in +circumference, and supplied by a number of small rivers; there are also +several islands on it which furnish the Indians with great plenty of +wild fowl: bears are also found here in abundance, and a surprising +number of beaver dams, running in a crooked direction about ten miles. +The Chippeways hunt here, and find a great deal of game. + +The reader will observe that in the first voyage I gave an account of +another Crow’s Nest Lake, which is very small, with an island in the +{107} middle with high palm trees: in such an extent of country it is +not surprising that there should be two places of the same name.[76] + +During our stay a band of Indians arrived from Lake Arbitibis, who +probably were dissatisfied with the trader they dealt with, and intended +to go to Michillimakinac, but finding that I understood their language, +they bartered with me, and made me a present of meat and fish. An +accident happened here which had nearly proved fatal, and which was of +infinite service to me ever after, by putting me more on my guard in all +transactions with the Savages. + +Some of the chiefs being desirous of seeing my Northwest guns, I was +obliged to open a case for their inspection; this I did unwillingly, as +the weather was fine, and I was extremely anxious to get to the +wintering ground before a heavy fall of snow: having shewn them the +guns, they loaded four, and laid them down by the cases, intending to +try them; during the time they were thus employed I was busy in +arranging the goods that had been displaced in getting at them; but as +soon as I was at leisure, I took up one of the guns in a careless +manner, not knowing it was charged, and snapped the lock, which most +unfortunately shot off the ear of one of the chiefs, and I also received +some injury by the powder flying in my face, and almost depriving me of +sight. The discharge was so instantaneous, and appeared so premeditated +that the chief reproached me in very severe terms for the injury I had +done him, and threatened revenge; however, I soon convinced him it was +an accident, and giving him some presents, he consoled himself for the +loss of his ear, which was very large and handsome, and without a single +break, which made it very valuable in his estimation. It was fortunate +{108} I did not kill him, as in all probability we should have been +sacrificed to the resentment of the band. + +The Indians pride themselves in having large ears, and extended as wide +as possible, which renders them liable to be pulled off. It is very +common in drunken frolics to lose them; but when they are only torn, +they cut them smooth with a knife, and sew the parts together with a +needle and deers’ sinews, and after sweating in a stove, resume their +usual cheerfulness. + +The next day we took our leave, and pursued our journey to _Shecarke +Sakiegan_, or the Skunk’s Lake, which runs with a strong current. In the +fall it abounds with geese and ducks: here we hunted one day, and with +good success. The next morning at break of day we embarked, and had +favourable weather till we arrived at Lake Schabeechevan, or the Weed +Lake. This lake is about one hundred and eighty miles in circumference, +and full of small islands; it abounds with fish, and the swamps are full +of wild rice and cranberries; it is about six days march from Lac la +Mort. + +This lake was an unfortunate situation to my employers last year, when +one of their servants, Jaques Santeron, went off with a valuable cargo. +On my arrival, I looked out for the house he had erected, but could not +discern the least trace of it; probably he was so elated that he made a +_feu de joye_ on the prospect of being his own master. At the extremity +of this lake is a fall of water, which runs from a river of the same +name, and has a direct communication with the waters leading from Fort +Albany, within the boundaries of the Hudson’s Bay territories: {109} it +is about thirty days march across nineteen portages and creeks, besides +fourteen rapids, which are a great hindrance to the journey. The Indians +run down the strong currents without the least fear, and seldom meet +with any accident, performing the voyage in one third part of the time +they take in ascending, and without any damage to their canoes, which in +going against the stream are frequently rendered useless, and they are +obliged to make new ones, before they can pursue their voyage; but it is +a most convenient circumstance that they are no where at a loss for +birch bark, and being also very expert, they will make a canoe in three +days sufficiently large to carry three people with necessaries for their +support, and room to stow their furs and skins.[77] On this lake there +are about one hundred and fifty good hunters, who make a great many +packs of beaver, &c. and this was one inducement for settling here, +which was increased by the prospect of a plentiful supply of fish, rice, +and cranberries, which are winter comforts of too great consequence to +be slighted. + +Having secured the canoes, and refreshed my men with good soup, I left +them in charge of the goods, and took two Indians to shew me a +convenient place to build a house, which having fixed on, a building was +erected, fifty feet long, and twenty feet wide, divided into two +separate apartments, one for merchandise, and the other for common use. +The rum being concealed in the woods, and every thing properly arranged, +we put the fishing tackle in order; and as the lakes began to freeze +very fast, I divided my men into two parties, one half to be employed in +fishing, the remainder (except one man whom I always kept in the house) +in providing fuel for winter. In about three weeks a sufficient quantity +of wood was piled near the house, and the wood {110} cutters joined the +fishing party: they proved very successful, so that our minds were more +at ease than in the preceding year, not having the dread of famine. + +In about ten days a numerous band of Indians arrived with their fall +hunt, none of whom I had ever seen, not having wintered so far inland +before. They seemed well pleased to find a trader settled among them, +and particularly as I spoke the language; but when I informed them that +I was a brother warrior, and shewed the marks of adoption in my flesh, +they were highly delighted. The women were immediately ordered to make +up huts, and prepare a feast; whilst this was doing the Indians came +into my house, one by one, and seating themselves on the floor, began to +smoke, and looked very cheerful. When I had given them tobacco and other +Indian goods, the old chief, whose name was _Mattoyash_, or the Earth, +took me round the neck, and kissed my cheek, then addressed me in the +following words. + +“_Meegwoitch kitchee mannitoo, kaygait kee zargetoone an Nishinnorbay +nogome, shashyyar payshik artawway winnin tercushenan, cawween kitchee +morgussey, an Nishinnorbay nogome cawwickar indenendum. Kaygait kitchee +mushkowway geosay haguarmissey waybenan matchee oathty nee zargetoone +Saggonash artawway; winnin kaygait hapadgey kitchee morgussey an +Nishinnorbay; kaygwotch annaboycassey neennerwind mornooch towwarch nee +zargey debwoye kee appay omar, cuppar bebone nepewar appiminiqui +omar._”—“I thank the Master of Life for loving us Indians, and sending +us this day an English trader, who will open his heart to me and my +young men. Take courage, young men, suffer not your hearts to be bound +{111} up, and throw away the bad spirit from you: we all love the +English traders, for we have heard of their pity to Savages; we believe +that they have an open heart, that their veins run clear like the sun. +It is true we Indians have but little sense when drunk, but we hope you +will not think of this, and if you will stay with us, we will hunt with +spirit for you.” + +When he had finished his speech they all got up, and taking me by the +right hand, conducted me to their hut; immediately on entering, one of +the warriors placed me on a large beaver robe which was prepared for me, +and put a wampum belt round my neck, singing all the time to the Master +of Life, while myself and the chief were eating. When the feast was +over, I took two of the Indians to my house, and gave them two kegs of +rum, and ten carrots of tobacco, with other articles, for which they +gave me all their peltry. They then began to frolic, which continued +three days and nights: the only accident which happened was to a little +child, whose back was broke by the mother. When they had rested a day +after intoxication, I supplied them with plenty of ammunition for their +winter’s hunt, and they departed perfectly satisfied with their +reception. I cannot help relating the method I was obliged to adopt to +quiet an old Indian woman, who was more troublesome than the rest, and +continually importuned me for liquor. + +I infused forty drops of the tincture of cantharides, and the same +quantity of laudanum, into a glass of rum, and when she came to me +soliciting very earnestly for the strong water, I gave her the dose +which was prepared for her: she drank it without hesitation, and being +already much intoxicated, it made her stagger. But this did not satisfy +her, and {112} she still asked for more; I then repeated the dose, which +she also drank, and then fell on the floor. I ordered my Canadian to +carry her out of the house, and lay her carefully near her own wigwaum, +where she remained twelve hours in a deep sleep, to my entire +satisfaction. I have always found laudanum extremely useful; in general +it may be considered an essential article in the commerce with the +Indians, as it proves the only method of overcoming their intoxicated +senses, and making the life of a trader more tolerable, by putting a +stop to their impertinence. + +On the 19th of November a band of about forty Indians came in with a few +skins and a great quantity of dried meat, with some bears’ grease, which +I purchased for a little rum, and advised them to carry it along with +them off the ground; they complied with my wishes and embarked perfectly +sober. + +It was always my custom to endeavour to persuade them to take away the +rum, though I seldom succeeded. The fatigue of watching them when the +liquor begins to operate is inconceivable, besides the risk of our lives +and property. + +After their departure I was left for near a month with only one man, the +rest being employed in fishing and watching the marten traps: in both +pursuits they were successful, but particularly in the former, having +brought home near eight thousand, trout, pike, pickerill, and white +fish, which we hung up as usual to freeze. When the severe weather sets +in every man has his allowance served out twice a day, and this rule is +constantly adhered to even though the stock be very considerable. + +{113} In the beginning of December a new married couple arrived, and +having given them a little rum, they got very merry; and perceiving the +woman was in great good humour, I desired her to sing a love-song, which +she consented to with cheerfulness. + +THE SONG + + + “_Debwoye, nee zargay ween aighter, payshik oathty, seizeebockquoit + shenargussey me tarbiscoach nepeech cassawicka nepoo, moszack + pemartus, seizeebockquoit meteek._” + + +“It is true I love him only whose heart is like the sweet sap that runs +from the sugar-tree, and is brother to the aspin leaf, that always lives +and shivers.” + +I thanked her for her song, and giving the husband a bottle of +_scuttaywabo_,[78] left them together to enjoy their hearts’ delight; +and as there was not sufficient to intoxicate them, I was not afraid of +a jealous fit. I always bore in mind the circumstance at Lac la Mort, +and my fortunate escape. In the morning they departed, paying me well +for my presents with some beaver, bear, and otter skins. + +A few days after an Indian arrived, with his two wives and three +children; they immediately came into my house, and sat down by the fire. +I thought I discovered deceit in his countenance, and watched him very +narrowly. I asked him what success he had met with in his hunt? He told +me he believed the Master of Life was angry with him, for he had fired +at several animals, and expended all his ammunition, without doing +execution. This was a figurative mode of expression, {114} and convinced +me that he was lazy, and could not get credit for what he wanted: he +added, that his family had been without provisions some days, and hoped +I would cheer their hearts, and be a friend to them. I then ordered a +large kettle to be put on the fire, and boiled some fish, which they ate +of very heartily, particularly the women and children. + +I questioned him concerning his hunting grounds: he told me he was from +Hudson’s Bay, and had come so far, hearing some traders were settled at +Skunk’s Lake, and as he knew there were plenty of animals, he expected +to get a great many skins. This I was convinced was false, and I +immediately considered him as a straggler, or he certainly would not +have travelled so far, unless he had done something to displease the +servants at the Company’s forts, and could not obtain credit. Looking at +me very earnestly, he asked me to trust him a gun, blanket, and +ammunition; but I refused him: this displeased him; and going out of the +house, one of them called him, the other followed him out, and said +something to him in a low tone of voice: this appeared to me like a +confederacy, and put me on my guard. In a few minutes he returned, and +renewed his solicitations; saying, “Are you afraid to trust me forty +skins? I will pay you in the spring.”—I told him I never gave credit to +any but good hunters, and I was sure he was an idle straggler, who lived +without industry, and advised him to return to his own tribe, and +solicit their assistance who knew him better than I did. So severe a +check to his application (and which I was afterwards sorry for) seemed +to rouze the bad spirit in his heart, and he left me under the influence +of the _Matchee Mannitoo_, and went down to his canoe, seeming to be in +deep discourse with his wives. + +{115} My man observing them, watched them very narrowly, and saw the +Indian endeavouring to file off the end of his gun, to make it +convenient to conceal under his blanket; having shortened and loaded it, +he returned with it hid under his dress. This transaction being a +convincing proof of his diabolical intention, I directed my man to stand +on one side of the door, and I took my post on the other, waiting his +entrance into the house. Just as he passed the threshold, I knocked him +down with a billet of wood, and taking his short gun from him, beat him +so much that we were obliged to carry him down to his canoe, where his +family were waiting for him, and ordered them all off the ground, +threatening that in case of refusal his canoe should be instantly broken +to pieces, and his family turned adrift. The squaws and children +appeared very much distressed, and with great reluctance obeyed my +orders. Thus I got rid of an unprincipled set; and, as will soon appear, +escaped a danger which was certainly intended to involve me and my men +in utter ruin. + +A few days after their departure, an Indian arrived and informed me that +Mr. Joseph la Forme, a brother trader who was settled at Lac le Sel, was +killed by a Savage, and described his person. I had no doubt but he was +the same man who attempted to destroy me. I communicated every +circumstance of his conduct, and the revenge I took on the occasion. The +Indian congratulated me on my happy escape, as he was known to be a bad +man by all the tribe, having killed his brother and one of his wives +last fall, which was the reason that the band he belonged to would not +suffer him to stay among them. As I was anxious to know the particulars, +I desired him to relate them. He told me that he was informed by a +Savage whom he accidentally met, and {116} to whom the murderer had +revealed the particulars, that the Indian being disappointed in his +design against me, pursued his journey with the bad spirit in his heart, +and arrived at Joseph La Forme’s house, which he entered, and asked for +rum and tobacco, which was given him; but observing he had not any thing +to trade with, La Forme was suspicious of him: whilst he was smoking he +asked for credit, but was refused, and told that he was not only a bad +hunter, but that he had a heart of lead. This imprudent reproach +incensed him, and observing no one in the house but the trader, (the men +being fishing) he watched a convenient opportunity, and when La Forme +stooped to light his pipe, shot him through the head, plundered the +house of a few things, and went off. + +On this information I dispatched six Indians, with a trusty Canadian, to +endeavour to secure the property, in which they fortunately succeeded, +and brought away all the peltry, merchandise, &c. and the deceased +trader’s men, whom I engaged in my service. About six weeks after, one +of the tribe whom he had formerly offended, and who had heard of this +recent act of villainy, after repeated reproaches for his baseness, +tomahawked him, cut off his head, and brought it to my house to shew my +Indians. + +The unhappy fate of Joseph La Forme affords a melancholy example of the +precarious situation of all Indian traders; and furnishes a useful +lesson of instruction to those who may in future be engaged in commerce +with the Savages—that it is frequently more prudent to conceal +resentment than to gratify it. + + + {117} _We are reduced to great Hardships for want of + Provisions;—relieved by the fortunate Arrival of some Indians.—Narrative + of a most shocking Transaction perpetrated by one Janvier, belonging to + a Mr. Fulton, a Trader—Mr. Fulton takes Means to induce a Confession, + and punishes him accordingly.—Visit from a Trader belonging to the + Hudson’s Bay Company—some Observations concerning that Trade, and the + Conduct of the Company towards their Servants._ + +The latter end of January, 1779, a band of the Rat Nation arrived, +belonging to _Shekarkistergoan_, or the Skunk’s-head Lake, which is +between Lake Nipegon and Lake Manontoye. They brought me provisions and +furs, which I bartered for; giving them rum, as usual, of which they +drank freely without doing any mischief. After their departure we were +short of provisions, having a larger household to provide for, by taking +La Forme’s men into my service. We were reduced to a few fish and some +wild rice, or _menomon_ (which are kept in _muccucks_, or bark boxes), +to support myself and seventeen men; the allowance to each being only a +handful of rice and a small fish, about 2lb. weight, which is boiled +together and makes pleasant soup. I have often been surprised that +fish-broth is not more generally used, as it is certainly very +palatable; but I am not sufficiently informed in medical knowledge to +speak either of its wholesomeness or nutritive qualities. Sturgeon broth +is delicious, and leaves a pleasing taste on the tongue; but as it +rather increases the appetite for food, {118} as I have experienced, it +should not be taken but when there is plenty of meat to be got. This +fish is very common in Albany, and is sold at 1d. per lb. York currency. +The flesh is called Albany beef. + +The frost continuing very severe, and no appearance of Indians to supply +our wants, we were obliged to take off the hair from the bear skins, and +roast the hide, which tastes like pork. This, with some _tripe de roche_ +boiled, was all our nourishment.[79] + +_Tripe de roche_, or _hawercoon_, is a weed that grows to the rocks, of +a spongy nature, and very unwholesome, causing violent pains in the +bowels, and frequently occasions a flux. I am informed the traders in +the Northwest, have often experienced this disorder; and some of them, +in very severe weather, have been compelled to eat it for fourteen days +successively, which weakened them exceedingly. When the disorder does +not terminate in a flux, it occasions a violent vomiting, and sometimes +spitting of blood, with acute spasms in the bowels. + +After suffering great hardships, I advised my men to make marten traps, +and set them in the woods as they did last winter at Lac la Mort, which +supplied us occasionally, but very short of our real wants. At last a +band of Indians arrived with ten slay load of meat and furs, which +relieved us, and gave us fresh spirits. My men discovered them at a +distance, and, though much enfeebled by severe hunger, put on their snow +shoes to meet them. + +It is surprising what efforts nature makes to support distress, and how +cheerfully she struggles when the prospect of relief is near at {119} +hand; every painful recollection of past sufferings quickly vanishes, +and new life seems to breathe through every vein. Those who live in +constant luxury, and are ignorant of the meaning of the bread of +carefulness, are strangers to the joy arising from an unexpected supply, +and sitting down to a table in the wilderness. Hunger needs not the +borrowed aid of sauce; and, in the language of Pope, “To enjoy, is to +obey.”—How delightful is such obedience! + +The Indians seeing our distress by our looks, which were very meagre, +gave us all their provisions, consisting of bear, racoon, and moose. The +kettle was soon put on the fire, and we made a comfortable repast, with +cheerful hearts; the Indians during the time enjoying the happiness of +relieving our wants. + +Notwithstanding the cruelty of Savages, they possess virtues which do +honour to human nature, and exhibit instances of generosity and kindness +which the most philanthropic soul cannot exceed. They are ignorant of +those mean sordid sentiments which disgrace many more enlightened, and +more wealthy; and from the knowledge I have of their disposition, I am +sure they would blush at the parsimonious conduct of those whom +Providence hath blessed with affluence. + +After the repast, the chief (not willing to disturb us before) asked for +some tobacco, and having smoked some time, said he had bad news to tell +me, which some Indians had informed him of, concerning Mr. Fulton, then +at _Shekarkistergoan_, and which he was sorry to relate, as it affected +him exceedingly. I desired him to finish his pipe, and drink a glass of +rum before he began the story; and at the same {120} time mentioned my +surprise at not hearing of any remarkable circumstance, having traded +with a band of the Rat nation within a few days, who came from that +Lake. He told me he had met the band, and related the affair to them, +who were much astonished; but as Mr. Fulton’s men were not returned from +fishing when they left the place, the transaction was not known till +after their departure. + +Mr. Fulton being obliged to divide his men into two parties, which is +called the _cawway_, or casting lots, which party shall hunt and fish, +and which shall stay with the master, did so accordingly. The fishing +party consisted of Charles Janvier, François St. Ange, and Lewis +Dufresne, all natives of Canada, who, being provided with axes, +ice-cutters, and fishing materials, set off, and at the expiration of +eight days arrived at a convenient place, where they built a hut, in +which they lived for some time tolerably well; but fish failing them, +and having no success in hunting, they were almost starved. In this +situation, said the chief, the bad spirit had entered into the heart of +Janvier, and he being the strongest man, supported hunger better than +his companions, by which he was enabled soon after to effect a +diabolical purpose he had formed, of killing the first Indian who should +come in his way, and which he had declared he would do. In the height of +their distress Janvier perceived a Savage at some distance, with a load +at his back, and instantly returning to the hut, told his poor +dispirited partners of their approaching relief. They instantly got up, +though very weak, and came out of the hut as fast as their feeble limbs +would allow them. The Indian arrived, took off his load, which was only +two otters, and two hares, and gave them to Janvier, who received them +with great satisfaction; and when he had skinned them, boiled {121} them +in the kettle without cleansing them, so extreme was their hunger. This +seasonable relief was soon devoured, and from the eagerness with which +Janvier eat, and the satisfaction which appeared in his countenance when +he looked at the Savage, the men were in hopes he had forgot the rash +determination he had formed, and flattered themselves his mind was not +so depraved as to entertain a thought of doing an injury to the man +whose timely assistance had saved their lives. The next morning the +Indian told them he was sorry he could not assist them further, having +no ammunition, but that he was going to Mr. Fulton for a supply. + +Janvier’s heart being inexorable even to the kindness he had received, +desired the Savage to assist him in placing a large log of wood on the +fire, as his companions were unable to do it. The Indian cheerfully +complied, and stooping to take it up, Janvier knocked him down with an +axe and dragged him to the door of the hut, cut him up, and with the +most unfeeling barbarity put as much of the flesh of his deliverer into +the kettle as he thought sufficient for a meal. When it was dressed, he +compelled François St. Ange, and Louis Dufresne, to partake of it, and +obliged them to kiss the cross which hung at his breast, and swear by +all the saints never to reveal the transaction; threatening, at the same +time, that if they did they should share the same fate. Intimidated by +his threats, and the certainty that he would fulfil them, they solemnly +promised perfect compliance with his injunctions. Having overcome their +first aversion, which extreme hunger had occasioned, they ate +immoderately of the horrid meal, and soon after fell sick, with violent +reachings. During their indisposition they complained to each other +softly, that it was eating the Indian’s flesh {122} which had occasioned +their sickness: Janvier overhearing them, called them fools and rascals, +and asked them if they were afraid the Savage would come to life again; +and with an insolent sneer desired them to tell him which they thought +the best part of a man? The poor fellows only replied they were very +sick and could not tell the cause. In a few days (having no other +provision) the Indian was eaten up, and Janvier determined to have human +flesh if no other could be obtained. To this end he sought an +opportunity to quarrel with St. Ange—Dufresne not daring to interfere in +the dispute. Janvier willing, however, to appear as plausible in the +eyes of Dufresne as possible, widened the breach very artfully, till +pretending he was no longer able to contain his anger, asked Dufresne if +he did not think St. Ange deserved the Indian’s fate, for daring to say +he would reveal the circumstance he had so solemnly sworn to conceal. +Dufresne dreading the consequences of differing with him in sentiment, +said he thought St. Ange was to blame; upon which reply, Janvier +immediately struck him with an axe, and killed him: he then cut him up, +and boiled a part, of which he obliged Dufresne to partake, he not +daring to shew any reluctance. Fortunately for Dufresne the weather +became more moderate, and having caught plenty of fish, they proposed to +return to their master. Janvier, intoxicated with ideas of his +superiority, obliged Dufresne to drag him in an Indian slay to Mr. +Fulton’s house—a cruel imposition upon him, and a dreadful service to a +weak emaciated man! but knowing he was unable to resist, he made a +virtue of necessity, and obeyed the tyrant with seeming cheerfulness. On +the journey he was frequently reminded of his oath, and the fatal +consequences that would attend him if he should ever divulge the secret, +which Janvier assured him would produce instant death. + +{123} Mr. Fulton was much rejoiced at their return, being in want of his +men, as the Indians were daily coming in with their winter hunt. Soon +after their arrival he made enquiry after St. Ange—but no answer was +given. He then addressed Janvier directly upon the subject, who said he +was gone on the hunt with a chief of the name of _Onnemay_, or the +Sturgeon, whom Mr. Fulton knew, and that he would soon return. One of +the Canadians contradicted him by saying that could not be true, as +_Onnemay_ left Mr. Fulton’s house the day before their return. Janvier +then said he might be mistaken in the chief’s name, as he was not well +acquainted with the Indian language, and Dufresne, for fear of a +discovery at that time, changed the conversation in hopes of pleasing +Janvier. + +Several days elapsed, and St. Ange not returning, Janvier was again +questioned, who told them as before, and appealed to Dufresne for the +truth of his assertions, which he was obliged to confirm. + +Mr. Fulton not being perfectly satisfied, examined them apart; from +Janvier he could not get any information, but Dufresne hesitated, and at +last said he had sworn not to reveal—but that St. Ange would never +return.—Mr. Fulton endeavoured to convince him that the breach of an +oath, so imposed, was no crime; and in the end he convinced the Canadian +that it was so far from being obligatory in the sight of God, that it +would be a sin of the most heinous nature in him to conceal the truth; +artfully adding, as an additional argument to induce him to reveal the +transaction, that if he had no doubt he was himself perfectly innocent, +he could not have any honest motive for secrecy, and that he had no +occasion to dread the resentment of Janvier, as he would engage to {124} +protect him from all hazard by the discovery. Thus persuaded and +encouraged, Dufresne disclosed the whole affair, but requested Mr. +Fulton’s secrecy, which he promised until the conversation should be +renewed, when it was agreed that he should relate every particular in +Janvier’s presence. Janvier was repeatedly urged by the rest of the men +to give them some information respecting the absence of St. Ange, but he +remained obstinately silent: some of them went so far as to accuse him +in pretty plain terms of knowing too much about him, but he treated +their insinuations with indifference. + +Mr. Fulton having disposed of all his goods, prepared to leave his +wintering ground, and every thing being properly arranged they departed. +The first night after their departure Mr. Fulton loaded a brace of +pistols, and having previously acquainted his men with the discovery +Dufresne had made, and the punishment he intended for the villain, came +out of his tent and stood by the fire round which the Canadians were +seated. The conversation about St. Ange being purposely renewed, Mr. +Fulton remarked it was cruel to leave him in the woods with the Indians, +and blamed Janvier particularly, as he was the foreman of the party, and +therefore the more responsible. Janvier nettled at the repetition of the +subject, (for guilt is soon angry) replied that St. Ange was able to +take care of himself, and that he had not any controul over him. +Dufresne was then censured; upon which, agreeably to the plan settled +with Mr. Fulton, he divulged the whole transaction, and gave a full +account of every particular of Janvier’s conduct. Janvier attempted to +take instant revenge for the aspersion, as he called it, and denied the +charge with the most hardened effrontery and solemn asseverations. Mr. +Fulton then thought it a proper time {125} to interfere; and to cover +him if possible with confusion, asked him “which was the best part of a +man?” Janvier replied, with ready insolence, that those who had eaten +human flesh could easily tell: but being repeatedly urged, and at length +thrown off his guard, he replied in great wrath, the feet. The party +encouraged by this confession, pressed the charge, till at last he +confessed the facts he was accused of, and declared that in a similar +situation he would kill his brother. + +Mr. Fulton could no longer suppress his resentment, and going up to +Janvier, told him he was an abandoned villain, first for killing a +harmless Indian who had generously relieved his wants, and afterwards +eating him like a cannibal; that not content with these atrocious acts, +he had encreased his guilt by another deliberate murder on a defenceless +man, his companion, his fellow-labourer, and friend; that he was a +disgrace to human nature, and ought not to be suffered to live a moment +longer; and without allowing him time to reply, shot him through the +head. The men were ordered to bury him, and in the morning Mr. Fulton +continued his journey to _Michillimakinac_, where on his arrival he +surrendered himself to the commanding officer, who on a close +examination of the men, honourably acquitted him; but recommended him +not to venture again into those parts, where the Indian was killed, lest +the Savages should hear of the transaction, and resent the death of one +of their tribe, whereby the innocent might suffer for the acts of the +guilty.[80] + +In the month of February I had a visit from a trader, dressed in a +smoked leather shirt; who was accompanied by three Indians, and had been +absent five days from Fort Albany.[81] He said he was induced to come +{126} from a motive of curiosity to see me, not having heard of any +person wintering so far inland before, except the servants belonging to +the Hudson’s Bay Company. At that time I had very little provisions, and +eight men to maintain, besides Mr. Joseph La Forme’s Canadians; our +chief food was _tripe de roche_; on his arrival the kettle was on the +fire with the leaves: he asked what food I had; I ordered some to be +taken out of the pot, and put into a bark dish, which he tasted, but +could not swallow. I informed him that it had been a principal part of +our diet for many days, and in the best of times we had nothing but wild +animal food, and seldom any flour, as the quantity of Indian corn we +were able to bring along with us from Pays Plat was not sufficient to +last the winter. When I had given him a description of my mode of +living, which he confessed was very different from the comforts he +enjoyed, I took him into my store, and shewed him the packs of beaver I +had collected: this increased his surprise, as he could not conceive how +it was possible to transport a sufficient quantity of goods to barter +for the value I seemed to be in possession of. He asked me to return +with him, and promised to supply me with provisions; but I told him I +was engaged in an employ, and had supported the same disagreeable +situation the preceding winter at Lac la Mort; and as I could not expect +to pass my life among the Indians with so much ease as in England, my +duty obliged me to remain till the season was over, when I should return +and endeavour to make myself some amends for the hardships I had +endured, by giving a good account of the merchandise intrusted to my +care, and receiving a reward for my labours. In the morning he took his +leave, wishing me the speedy arrival of some Indians who might be able +to relieve me from such pressing necessity by supplying me with plenty +of more nourishing and palatable food. + +{127} This civility from one of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s servants +leads me to make some few observations in vindication of that +respectable body, whose character has been so severely, and I think so +unjustly, censured. + +Mr. Joseph Robson, one of the company’s servants, who resided in their +factory six years as surveyor and supervisor of the buildings, in a work +published by him some years since,[82] animadverts in very strong terms +on the mode in which the governors of forts exert what he calls their +uncontroulable authority, and asserts that their extreme tyranny is a +perpetual source of personal disgust. He also says, that “the overplus +trade is big with iniquity, and no less inconsistent with the company’s +true interest, than it is injurious to the natives, who by means of it +are become more and more alienated, and are either discouraged from +hunting at all, or induced to carry all their furs to the French.” It +may be necessary here to observe, that the overplus trade arises from +the peltry which the company’s servants obtain in barter with the +natives beyond the ratio stipulated by the company, and which belongs to +themselves. + +This is a heavy charge, and, if true, a very proper cause of complaint; +but it should seem there is not sufficient ground for the accusation, +for Mr. Robson afterwards says that this overplus trade is of little +advantage to them, for “that part of it, they always add to the +company’s stock, for the sake of enhancing the merit of their services, +and apply the remainder to their own use, which is often expended in +bribes to skreen their faults, and continue them in their command.” What +a strange degree of folly, as well as of guilt! that the governors are +so {128} weak and so wicked as to commit enormities only to make a +temporary advantage, and are obliged to distribute the wages of iniquity +in order to skreen themselves from its consequences among the company, +and their confederates in vice; whereas by a contrary conduct they would +be equally rich, more respected, and also feel an inward satisfaction of +mind from the consciousness of having discharged their trust with +integrity; ideas too absurd to be admitted. With regard to the company, +it cannot be supposed they are ignorant of this “overplus trade,” or the +means by which their servants obtain the advantages arising from it; if +they are not, and no impartial person will suppose they are, they not +only allow but approve of the conduct of their governors, from a +conviction of its being beneficial to the interests of the company; a +proper reward for the labours of their servants, or from some other +motive, which because it is adopted by men so respectable, and so much +above reproach, must be allowed to be wise and prudent. + +In the next place, I believe it will be very difficult to prove that the +conduct of the governors has “alienated the natives from the company’s +interest, and discouraged them from hunting.” The former is at present +by no means clear, as I am credibly informed the New Northwest +Company,[83] whose trade extends to the boundaries of the settlements of +the Hudson’s Bay Company, find very little encouragement from the +Indians; if therefore the natives were disgusted, they would embrace the +first opportunity of shewing their dislike, by carrying their peltry to +the new traders; nothing can be more natural than to expect that this +would be the consequence; but as they have not done so, the inference is +fair that they are not disgusted. + +{129} Another observation is, “that the cruel and oppressive behaviour +of the governors and captains towards the inferior servants, not only +deters useful people from engaging in the company’s service (a +circumstance they should attend to for their own interest), but +furnishes one pretext for the bad character that is given of the +company.” + +Though in the particular department in which I have been many years +engaged as an Indian interpreter and trader, I have had few +opportunities of a personal and intimate acquaintance with many of the +company’s servants (having been in a commerce in direct opposition to +their interest), yet I can speak with confidence in regard to some of +them whom I have conversed with; that in every point of view I believe +them to be useful servants, and well skilled in the language of the +natives.—So far in answer to the assertion “that useful people are +deterred from entering into the service.” And by way of refuting the +charge of “cruelty and oppression,” I need only add, what none I think +will deny, that they have been so well satisfied with the conduct of +their superiors, that many of them have continued in the service more +than twenty years. + +I believe, upon the whole, it will appear that the conduct of the +governors at home and abroad, is perfectly consistent with the true +interests of the company, and that any other mode of behaviour would +tend to anarchy and confusion; and I must declare for my own part that I +never heard of that personal disgust which Mr. Robson so much complains +of, but have rather found an anxious solicitude to be employed in their +service. + +{130} Mr. Carver, in his history of North America, observes, “that on +the waters which fall into Lake Winnepeek, the neighbouring nations take +a great many furs, some of them they carry to the Hudson’s Bay Company’s +factories, situated at the entrance of the Bourbon River, but this they +do with reluctance on several accounts; for some of the _Assinipoils_ +and _Killistinoe_ Indians,[84] who usually traded with the company’s +servants, told him that if they could be sure of a constant supply of +goods from _Michillimakinac_, they would not trade any where else; that +they shewed him some cloth, and other articles purchased at Hudson’s +Bay, with which they were much dissatisfied, thinking they had been +greatly imposed on in the barter.” + +To this Mr. Carver adds, “that allowing their accounts true, he could +not help joining in their opinion; but afterwards he admits that this +dissatisfaction might probably proceed, in a great measure, from the +intrigues of the Canadian traders; and that the method they took to +withdraw the Indians from their attachment to the Hudson’s Bay Company, +and to engage their good opinion in behalf of their new employers, was +by depreciating, on all occasions, the company’s goods, and magnifying +the advantages that would arise to them from trafficking entirely with +the Canadian traders: in this they too well succeeded; and from this, +doubtless, did the dissatisfaction which the _Assinipoils_ and +_Killistinoes_ proceed.” But, says he, further, “another reason +augmented it, the length of the journey to the Hudson’s Bay Factories, +which they informed him took up three months during the summer heats to +go and return, and from the smallness of their canoes they could not +carry more than one third of the beaver they {131} killed, so that it is +not to be wondered at that the Indians should wish to have traders come +to reside among them.” As Mr. Carver did not travel in the interior +parts as a trader, he could not have any interested commercial motives; +on that account he is certainly entitled to credit as an impartial +observer: the public will judge of his remarks, and how far they tend to +censure, or approve, the conduct of the Hudson’s Bay Company. + +I am induced to indulge this digression in consequence of a new +publication on the present state of Hudson’s Bay by Mr. Umfreville.[85] + +It has unfortunately happened that the company’s enemies have been +frequently of their own household, persons in whom they placed +confidence and to whom they entrusted the mysteries of their commerce. +Differences will naturally arise, and doubtless have arisen between the +governors and their servants, in which case no man is, or ought to be, +obliged to stay in a service that is disagreeable to him; but then it is +certainly sufficient to leave the employ, and highly improper to +endeavour to prejudice the interest he once thought and felt it his duty +to promote; and I am of opinion that not a single transaction, or +circumstance, should be revealed that has not an immediate reference to +the cause of the disagreement, or is necessary to support or vindicate a +reputation. The present governors are men of great probity, and probably +may not condescend to take notice of these heavy charges against them; +but as the most exalted virtue may be injured by groundless assertions, +I trust the public will not be displeased with any endeavours, however +feeble, to vindicate the character of so respectable a body. As I do not +intend to enter on the subject more fully, I shall only entreat the +reader, if {132} he wishes further satisfaction on this head, to peruse +the publication of Mr. Robson, who was one of the company’s servants, +and who, Mr. Umfreville acknowledges to be a true and impartial writer. +From his account the reader will judge of the propriety of Mr. +Umfreville’s censures on the conduct of the governors of the Hudson’s +Bay Company. A more copious examination of Mr. Umfreville’s publication +would exceed the limits I have prescribed to myself; and I cannot but +think that those who peruse it will readily perceive how much injustice +he has done to the governors and the company. + + + {133} _Arrival of more Indians.—Rum gets short; adopt the usual Mode to + encrease the Stock, which enables us to conclude our Traffic for the + Season.—Take leave of the Indians, and proceed on our Journey + homewards.—Account of an Indian Courtship.—Servile State of the Women + after Marriage.—Observations on the Confidence which the Indians put in + the Master of Life,—&c.—Arrive safe at Pays Plat._ + +Soon after the departure of the trader, a large band, consisting of +about 100, came in; my stock of rum was very small, which was a +misfortune, as rum is too important in treaties with the Indians to be +easily dispensed with. On their arrival they wished to drink, but I +continued to barter for all their furs before I gave them any rum: +having finished the business, they grew clamorous, when I gave them as +much rum as I could spare, upon receipt of which they embarked in +tolerable good humour. + +In the month of April the last band came in, and I was extremely +perplexed how to act, having a very small portion of rum, and no +prospect of encreasing my stock; I was therefore obliged to dilute it so +as to make it about one-fifth part weaker than usual, which made twenty +gallons of very passable Indian rum. Having supplied them {134} with +wearing apparel, &c. and received their peltry, I gave them a taste of +the _scuttaywabo_, and just before my embarkation made the following +speech: + +“_Haguarmissey cockinnor an Nishinnorbay kee wabindan cawwickcar nin +serpargussey nee zargetoone, keennerwind kaygo kee cushkendum webatch +neennerwind tercushenan nepewar annacotchigon nin ojey petoone. Wa +haguarmissey cockinnor meenwendesay bazam Ebeckcheck megoyyack debwoye +neegee kaygo arwayyor matchee oathty, kee cannawendan cockinnor, +mokoman, baskeyzegan goyer becka, kee minniquy kaygo arwayyor +annascartissey woke, mornooch kee permartissyan cockinnor an +Nishinnorbay nogome debwoye negee nepewar artawway winnin ojey +zargetoone an Nishinnorbay, keshpin suggermarch wennewar metach nin ojey +debarchemon kitchee ojemaw awassa woity kitchee wakaygan Michillimakinac +metach kaygoshish ween ojey bockettywaun keennerwind._ + +“Now, my friends, take courage, I have always shewn you a good heart, +and you all know I am full of pity for you, your wives, and children; +therefore do not be uneasy, or think the time long I shall be absent +from you. I hope the Master of Life will give me courage and strength to +return to you, and bring you goods. Now, as you know I have no sugar on +my lips, nor any spear at my tongue, and that my ears are not stopt, nor +my heart bound up, I hope you will deliver up your knives, guns, and +tomahawks, and have no bad heart before you begin to drink, so that on +my return I may find you all well. I shall speak with {135} courage to +the great English chief, at _Michillimakinac_, and he will open his +heart to you.” + +Having finished my speech, the weapons were collected and delivered to +me. I then gave them a considerable quantity of rum, after which I +returned their knives, &c. to convince them of the good opinion I +entertained of them, and that I had no doubt but they would attend to +the advice I had given them. I then got into my canoe, and waving my +hand, was saluted by a discharge of 200 guns, which I returned by one +volley, and pursued my journey in good spirits, heartily pleased at +leaving my winter quarters. + +We continued our voyage without meeting with any occurrence worth +relating till we arrived at the Skunk’s River, where I had unfortunately +shot off a chief’s ear, as I have before related. Here I met with the +new married couple, and some of the same band to whom I was so much +obliged in the preceding December for singing the love-songs; and being +desirous of obtaining a perfect knowledge of their manners and customs, +I made many inquiries, and among other knowledge gained information of +the Chippeway form of courtship, which I presume will be acceptable to +those who have as much curiosity as myself.[86] + + + INDIAN COURTSHIP + +When an Indian wishes to take a wife, and sees one to his mind, he +applies to the father of the girl, and asks his consent in the following +words: + +{136} “_Nocey, cunner kee darmissey kee darniss nee zargayyar kakaygo O +waterwarwardoossin cawween peccan weettey gammat ottertassey memarjis +mee mor._” + +“Father, I love your daughter, will you give her to me, that the small +roots of her heart may entangle with mine, so that the strongest wind +that blows shall never separate them.” + +If the father approves, an interview is appointed, for which the lover +prepares by a perspiration; he then comes into her presence, sits down +on the ground, and smokes his pipe: during the time of smoking, he keeps +throwing small pieces of wood, of about an inch in length at her one by +one to the number of one hundred. As many as she can catch in a bark +bowl, so many presents her lover must make to her father, which he +considers as payment for his daughter. The young warrior then gives a +feast, to which he invites all the family—when the feast is done, they +dance and sing their war songs.—The merriment being over, and mutual +presents exchanged between the lover and her relations, the father +covers them with a beaver robe, and gives them likewise a new gun and a +birch canoe, with which the ceremony ends. + +When the French became masters of Canada, the ceremony of marriage +between the Savages was very fantastical. + +When a lover wished his mistress to be informed of his affection, he +procured an interview with her, which was always at night, and in {137} +the presence of some of her friends; this was conducted in the following +manner: + +He entered the _wigwam_, the door of which was commonly a skin, and went +up to the hearth on which some hot coals were burning; he then lighted a +stick of wood, and approaching his mistress, pulled her _three_ times by +the nose, to awaken her; this was done with decency, and being the +custom, the squaw did not feel alarmed at the liberty. This ceremony, +ridiculous as it may appear, was continued occasionally for _two_ +months, both parties behaving during the time in all other respects, +with the greatest circumspection. + +The moment she becomes a wife, she loses her liberty, and is an +obsequious slave to her husband, who never loses sight of his +prerogative. Wherever he goes she must follow, and durst not venture to +incense him by a refusal, knowing that if she neglects him, extreme +punishment, if not death, ensues. The chief liberty he allows her is to +dance and sing in his company, and is seldom known to take any more +notice of her than of the most indifferent person: while she is obliged +to perform the drudgery of life, which custom or insensibility enables +her to do with the utmost cheerfulness. + +A circumstance of this kind I recollect reading which happened at Beaver +Creek, about twenty-five miles from Fort Pitt. An Indian woman observing +some white men to carry fire-wood on their shoulders, took up her +hatchet, and brought them in a short time a great burden on her back; +and throwing it down by the fire, said, she not only pitied {138} them, +but thought it was a great scandal to see men doing that which was +properly the work of women. + +The men consider women as of no other use but to produce them children, +and to perform the drudgeries of life; as to the offspring, he prefers +the sons to the daughter, because he expects they will all prove +warriors. The daughters they do not value for the same reason that they +subjugate their wives, deeming them worthy only to wait on warriors and +do those things which would disgrace the male sex. + +We pursued our journey to Lac le Nid au Corbeau, where we killed some +wild geese and ducks, which at this season of the year have a fishy +taste. Here we rested two days to enable us to pursue the remainder of +our voyage with greater vigour. The third morning, at daybreak, we +embarked, and arrived at La grande Côte de la Roche, where we were +fortunate enough to kill two bears, which eat remarkably fine, and +having some leisure time to spare in the cookery, we enjoyed them with +as high a relish as in better situations we had done more luxuriant +meals. + +We proceeded to Cranberry Lake, where we caught some fish, and picked as +many cranberries as we could conveniently carry; from thence we +continued our route to Portage la Rame, where we were again wind-bound +for some days; but during our stay we had not a single visitor to +disturb us. At length the wind proving favourable, we proceeded to +Riviére la Pique; on my arrival I was immediately struck with the +remembrance of the escape I had from Payshik Ogashey {139} last year; +but my mind was almost as instantly relieved by the recollection of his +being killed, and no longer a terror to traders. + +This was one among many instances in which I found that when the heart +is oppressed with unpleasant recollections, or forebodings, the Author +of our Being conveys relief to the mind very unexpectedly. This sudden +transition we are too apt to impute to our own wisdom, and to attribute +the escape from dangers we have experienced, or the hopes of deliverance +which we form, entirely to our own sagacity and foresight. The Indians, +on the contrary, think more properly; they say it is the Master of Life +from whom we derive that presence of mind which has extricated or +procured us relief. To the Master of Life the Indian addresses himself +even for his daily support.—To him he imputes his victories and his +success; and when subdued, and fastened to the stake, he thanks him for +giving him courage to open his veins.—It is this confidence which +enables him to bear the severest tortures with composure, and in the +height of anguish, to defy the utmost malice of his enemies. + +Notwithstanding the Chippeways, as well as the greater part of the +Indian nations, of North America, think so justly, it is to be lamented +that it is not universally so. The _Mattaugwessawauks_, it is said, do +not worship a Supreme Being, and that when success attends them in war, +they attribute the merit of the victory to their own valour and skill. +But notwithstanding their disbelief of a Master of Life, in some +respects, they are not less superstitious than other Savages, for they +think that certain places are haunted by evil spirits, whose power they +dread, and impressed with these ideas cautiously avoid them. Another +proof {140} of their superstition is, if one of their people is killed +by accident, they preserve a hand or a foot, which they salt, and dry, +and keep as a charm to avert calamities; by which it appears, that +although they do not acknowledge a dependance on a good spirit, they +entertain fears and apprehensions of a bad one; which induces one to +hope that such a deviation from the common belief of mankind may never +be confirmed, as it would stamp human nature with an odium too horrid to +think of. But to conclude this digression—we continued our voyage to +Pays Plat, where we stayed some days in the society of traders, who had +also wintered in the inlands, and others who arrived with goods to +supply those who were engaged to return; but as my time was expired, I +returned to _Michillimakinac_. After waiting on the commanding officer, +and giving an account of my stewardship to my employers, I retired to +Chippeway Point, a spot of ground out of the Fort, where I lived with an +Indian family, who occasionally made me _mackissins_, and other parts of +Indian dress.[87] + + + THIRD EXPEDITION + + {141} _Remain some Time at Chippeway Point.—Account of a whimsical + Circumstance, whereby I had nearly incurred the Displeasure of the + Commanding Officer.—Narrative of the fortunate Escape of a Mr. + Ramsay, a Trader.—Undertake to escort a Quantity of Merchandise from + the Mississippi to Michillimakinac, which I perform with + Success.—Return to Montreal; from thence to Quebec, where I engage + with a new Employer._ + +During the time I remained at Chippeway Point, I had frequent offers +from the officers to sleep at their quarters within the fort; but being +accustomed to lie in the woods, I generally preferred that situation. A +circumstance happened soon after my arrival, which I shall relate. + +In consequence of Indian treachery in the year 1764, (when the Savages, +commanded by _Pontiac_ the chief, under the pretence of a game at ball, +formed a plan to destroy the inhabitants, and take possession of the +fort, and in which they unfortunately succeeded, to the extreme +mortification of the English), there was a standing order that no Indian +should be permitted to enter the fort with fire arms; nor any squaw, or +Indian woman, allowed to sleep within the walls of the garrison on any +pretence whatever; and for the better security of the inhabitants, when +a council is held with the chiefs, double sentries are always +placed.[88] + +{142} Having a strong desire to introduce a great chief’s daughter and +her sister, (notwithstanding the governor’s orders) I communicated my +intentions to an officer, and desired his assistance to complete the +plan. He very politely told me that he could not appear to countenance +my scheme, but would give me every possible assistance consistent with +his station. I assured him that they were a great chief’s daughters, and +that I would be answerable for their conduct. + +With his consent I applied to two soldiers, and asked them if they could +spare time to roll a large hogshead of bottled porter from Chippeway +Point to the Fort; they told me whenever it suited me they would be +ready to assist. Having purchased the hogshead, and got it rolled down +the hill whilst the officers were at dinner, I told the squaws of my +plan, and having knocked out the head and bung, and bored several holes +to admit as much air as possible, desired them to get in, which with +some difficulty I persuaded them to do. I then replaced the head, and +ran immediately to the soldiers to acquaint them that the porter was +ready, and desired their assistance without delay, as I was afraid some +of the bottles were broken, and it would be proper to examine them as +soon as possible. + +The soldiers immediately returned with me, and applying their shoulders +to the cask, rolled it up the hill with great labour and fatigue, +continually observing that it was very heavy. Just as they arrived at +the gate, the commanding officer and the commissary were coming through, +and seeing the hogshead, asked the soldiers what they had got there? +they replied it was bottled porter for a trader, who had desired them to +roll it from the Point. As a vessel had just then arrived from the +Détroit, {143} the commanding officer was so satisfied with the account +the soldiers gave, that he observed it was very fortunate, for they now +should have plenty of good beer to drink. The soldiers had scarcely +rolled another turn, when unluckily one of them kicked his foot against +a stone, who with the extreme pain he suffered, fell down. The other, +not being able to sustain the whole weight, let go his hold, and the +hogshead rolled down the hill with great velocity. Just as it came to +the bottom the head fell out, and the squaws exhibited the deception. +Unfortunately the commanding officer was near at hand when the accident +happened, and though it was a manifest breach of his orders, he could +not help smiling at the conceit; and looking at the imprisoned females, +said to them, “pretty bottled porter indeed!” The squaws were so +confused that they ran with the utmost precipitation into the woods, and +did not make their appearance for several days. + +On the commanding officer’s return to the fort, enquiry was made for me, +and I was under the necessity of obeying his summons, although I confess +my situation was very unpleasant. As soon as I came into his presence, +assuming a look of displeasure, he asked me how I could dare to disobey +the orders of the garrison, which I knew were issued to prevent the most +serious consequences; that I was more culpable than another person, +knowing the nature and disposition of the Indian women, and the +impropriety and danger of confiding in them, adding that for the sake of +example, and to prevent others from acting so inprudently, he believed +he should send me down to Montreal in irons. + +Alarmed at my situation, I made the best apology in my power, and +assured him I was extremely sorry for my conduct, but hoped he would +{144} pardon it. This acknowledgment of the offence induced him to +forgive me, and as he said he considered it a frolic of youth, he would +pass it over, but cautioned me against playing such tricks again. I felt +myself extremely obliged by his lenity, and promised to conduct myself +with more propriety in future, which promise I faithfully kept: for +though the experiment to admit the squaws would not have been attended +with any bad consequences, I did not chuse again to risk the commanding +officer’s displeasure. + +On the 11th of August, the traders arrived from the _Mississippi_, and +brought an account of an extraordinary escape which a Mr. Ramsay and his +brother had from a tribe of the nation of the Poes, in their way to St. +Joseph. + +The Poes are a very wild savage people, have an aversion to Englishmen, +and generally give them as much trouble as possible in passing or +repassing the Fort of St. Joseph’s, where some French traders are +settled by their permission.[89] + +It seems the Canadians were invited by the Savages to land, and Mr. +Ramsay supposing they had some furs to dispose of, ordered his men to go +on shore; when standing up in his canoe just before his debarkation, +three of the warriors waded through the water neck-high, dragged him out +of his canoe, and carried him on shore. Mr. Ramsay’s men immediately +landed, and were preparing to follow their master, but observing eleven +Indians near at hand, and perceiving the bad intention of the chiefs, +got again into their canoes, leaving the one in which Mr. Ramsay and his +son were, on the beach, and paddled to an adjacent {145} island, waiting +the event of a circumstance which threatened death to their masters. + +Mr. Ramsay being tied to the stump of a tree, and his son narrowly +watched, the Indians rummaged the canoe, and brought up as much rum as +they thought they could drink; they then began to sing their war songs; +and making a large fire near the stump to which Mr. Ramsay was tied, +they sat down on the ground, and began to insult him, telling him he was +an old woman, and obliged his brother to join in the derision. + +The usual mode of execution among the Savages, is as follows: + +When a warrior is taken, he is brought into a hut, and tied with small +cords made of the bark of trees, about the size of a cod-line: he is +then fastened to a stump, and a small rattle put into his hand, called +_chessaquoy_, which he shakes while he sings the dead war song: + +“_Wabindan payshik shemagonish kitchee mannitoo; nee wee waybenan nee +yoe Matchee Mannitoo._” + +“Master of Life, view me well as a warrior; I have thrown away my body +against the bad spirit.” + +When the song is finished, the prisoner is untied, and made to run the +gauntlet through two ranks of women, who are provided with small sticks +to beat him. After this punishment a dog-feast is prepared with bear’s +grease and huckleberries, of which he is obliged to eat. He {146} is +then brought again to the stake, when wood is placed round him. He now +sings his war song, and the women set fire to the pile, the prisoner +singing as it burns. The bones are then collected and fixed to the +war-standard, which is a high pole painted with vermillion. + +It is said that the nation of the _Followens_, or Wild Oats,[90] kill +their wives and children before they go to battle, that in case of a +defeat the enemy shall not have any prisoners of their nation. + +The Poes, beginning to feel the effects of the rum, examined the cords, +which were made of the bark of the willow tree, and ordered some wood to +be put round the stump, to be ready when they should find themselves +disposed to burn him. Soon after they untied him, and brought him to the +war-kettle to make his death-feast; which consisted of dog, tyger-cat, +and bear’s grease, mixed with wild oats, of which he was compelled to +eat. Mr. Ramsay, knowing the nature of Indians, complied with seeming +cheerfulness, and said he was satisfied. He was taken back to the +intended place of execution, and tied again to the stump, from which, +with great composure, he desired permission to make his speech before he +changed his climate, which being granted, he immediately spoke to them +to the following effect: + +“It is true the Master of Life has sent me here to those Indians whose +hearts are full of poisoned blood, and as they mean me to change my +climate, I shall go with courage to a better trading ground, where I +shall find good Indians. They have always known me to have had pity on +them, their wives, and children, since I have been a trader, and to have +opened my heart to them on all occasions; but now the {147} bad spirit +has joined his heart with theirs, to make me change my climate, which I +am glad of, for I am better known in the country I am going to, and by +greater warriors than ever these were. I now look on all the chiefs as +old women; and as I am the _Peshshekey_ (or buffalo), I shall drink my +last with them, and carry the news to the warriors in the other +climate.” + +Having attentively heard his speech, they prepared for his death; which +he perceiving, immediately told his brother not to be disheartened, as +he had hopes of overcoming their fury, and desired him to ply them with +rum, and keep their kettles constantly filled. His brother followed the +instructions he gave him, and distributed the rum among them very +plentifully. When Mr. Ramsay discovered that they were sufficiently +intoxicated to be incapable of doing mischief, he desired his brother to +cut his cords; and being released, assisted in pouring rum down their +throats till they were quite insensible. Fired with resentment at their +intended barbarity, he and his brother cut all their throats, loaded his +canoe with the articles they had taken out, and paddled from shore as +fast as they could. The men hailed him at some distance, and were +rejoiced to see him safe; and after arranging their cargo, pursued their +journey into the Indian country, by a different course. + +I was informed Mr. Ramsay returned afterwards to _Michillimakinac_, +where he was congratulated by the commanding officer on his fortunate +escape; but he never thought it prudent to go that route again. + +About this time the Indian traders formed a company of militia, which I +joined with the rank of adjutant and lieutenant, under Captain {148} +John Macnamara. In the month of June 1780, news was brought from the +_Mississippi_, that the Indian traders had deposited their furs at _La +Prairie des Chiens_, or Dogs’ Field, (where there is a town of +considerable note, built after the Indian manner) under the care of +Mons. Longlad, the king’s interpreter;[91] and that the Americans were +in great force at the _Illinois_, a town inhabited by different nations, +at the back of the Kentuckey State, under the Spanish government, who +have a fort on the opposite shore, commanded by an officer and about +twelve men, to prevent illicit trade.[92] + +The commanding officer at _Michillimakinac_[93] asked me to accompany a +party of Indians and Canadians to the _Mississippi_, which I consented +to with the utmost cheerfulness. We left the post with thirty-six +Southern Indians, of the _Ottigaumies_ and _Sioux_ nations, and +twenty[94] Canadians, in nine large birch canoes, laden with Indian +presents. After a march of three days I was taken ill, which I +attributed to hard living in the Nipegon Country; considering, however, +the urgency of the business, and that there was not any one of the party +capable of acting as interpreter, I struggled with my indisposition; +apprehending, also, that if I could not pursue the journey, I should be +exposed to great inconveniences; and therefore I encreased my +endeavours, determined to risk my life at all hazards. + +The fourth day we encamped at Lac les Puans, so called, I apprehend, +from the Indians who reside on the banks being naturally filthy[95]—here +we got plenty of deer and bears, Indian corn, melons and other fruit. +The Southern Indians have more villages, and are better civilized than +the Northern, the climate being warm, and nature more prolific, which +{149} enables them to raise the fruits of the earth without much labour. +Their houses are covered with birch bark, and decorated with bows and +arrows, and weapons of war. Their beds are bark and matts made of +rushes. + +We pursued our voyage to _Ouisconsin_, a fine River, with a strong +current for about sixty leagues, which our canoes ran down in a day and +a half; and upon which we saw an immense quantity of ducks, geese, and +other fowl. On this river we were obliged to unload our canoes, in order +to transport our goods across the portage, about two miles in length. We +encamped on the banks, and intended setting off at break of day, but one +of the Indians was bitten by a rattlesnake, which Mr. Adair calls the +bright inhabitant of the woods, and which had fourteen rattles. + +Mr. Beatty relates that as he was preaching to the Indians and others, +at a small house near Juniata River, a rattlesnake crept into the room, +but was happily discovered and killed; and before the people could well +recover themselves, a snake of another kind was discovered among the +assembly, which was also killed without any other detriment than +disturbing the congregation, which surprised him very much, as it was a +matter of astonishment how these reptiles could crawl into the house +without being offended by some one, and which also excites them to bite. + +The Indians say that when a woman is in labour, holding the tail of a +rattlesnake in her hand, and shaking the rattles, assists her delivery. +It is always observable that the Indians take out the bag which contains +{150} the poison of this venomous reptile, and carry it alive in their +medicine box when they go to war. + +This unfortunate accident retarded our journey till the unhappy sufferer +relieved himself by cutting out the wounded part from the calf of his +leg, and applying salt and gunpowder, and binding it up with the leaves +of the red willow tree; he was soon able to proceed, bearing the pain +with that fortitude for which the Savages are so eminently +distinguished. + +At the close of the next day we encamped near the river, and it rained +very hard: the Indians made some bark huts. One of them walking some +distance in the woods, discovered a small loghouse, in which he found a +white man, with his arms cut off, lying on his back. We conjectured he +had been settled at the spot, and killed by a bad Indian, which must +have happened very recently, as he was not putrid. Before our departure +we buried him. + +The next day we arrived at the Forks of the Mississippi, where were two +hundred Indians of the nation of the Renards, or Foxes, on horseback, +armed with spears, bows and arrows. They did not seem pleased with our +appearance, which _Warbishar_, the chief of our band, told me.[96] Just +before we landed they dismounted, and surveyed us. The Sioux asked me if +I was afraid; I told them I had seen a greater number of Savages before, +and more wild than any of the Southern Indians. _Warbishar_ gave orders +to strike ashore. As soon as we landed, the Renards took our Indians by +the hand, and invited them into their camp. In the space of an hour they +prepared a feast, which consisted of five {151} Indian dogs, bear, +beaver, deer, mountain cat, and racoon, boiled in bear’s grease, and +mixed with huckleberries. After the repast, the Indians danced and sung. +A council was then held, when the chief of the Renards addressed +_Warbishar_ to this effect. + +“Brothers, we are happy to see you; we have no bad heart against you; +although we are not the same nation by language, our hearts are the +same: we are all Indians, and are happy to hear our great Father has +pity on us, and sends us wherewithal to cover us, and enable us to +hunt.” + +To which _Warbishar_ made answer.—“It is true, my children, our great +Father has sent me this way to take the skins and furs that are in the +Dog’s Field, under captain Longlad’s charge, least the Great Knives +(meaning the Americans)[97] should plunder them. I am come with the +white man (meaning me) to give you wherewithal to cover you, and +ammunition to hunt.” + +When the speech was finished, we immediately distributed the presents, +got our canoes into the water, and left the Renards in the most friendly +manner. + +After seven days journey we arrived at _La Prairie des Chiens_,[98] +where we found the merchants’ peltry, in packs, in a loghouse guarded by +captain Longlad and some Indians, who were rejoiced to see us. After +resting some time, we took out about three hundred packs of the best +skins, and filled the canoes. Sixty more which remained, we burnt, to +prevent the enemy from taking them, having ourselves no {152} room to +stow any more, and proceeded on our journey back to Michillimakinac. +About five days after our departure, we were informed that the Americans +came to attack us, but to their extreme mortification we were out of +their reach. Seventeen days after leaving _La Prairie des Chiens_, we +arrived at _Lac les Puans_, where we found a party of Indians encamped. +The next day we embarked, and arrived at Michillimakinac, after an +absence of eighty days. Soon after my return, I waited on the commanding +officer, expecting payment for my services; but was referred for +satisfaction to the Indian traders, from whom I never received any +compensation. + +By this means I was left destitute even of the necessaries of life; but +I did not remain long in this uncomfortable situation, for I soon found +protection and support among the Indians; but as their assistance would +not afford the means to appear in civil society, I was under the +necessity of soliciting friendship from the merchants, to enable me to +return to Montreal, which I fortunately obtained. I left Michillimakinac +in the beginning of September, and arrived at Montreal on the 27th of +the same month. + +I embraced the first opportunity to call on my old master, expecting to +find him in good health, but alas! he had paid the debt of nature, and +was succeeded by his nephew, who had been cotemporary clerk with me. He +permitted me to lodge at his house for a fortnight, but a few days after +my abode with him, my situation being different from what I had +experienced during the life of my old master, I asked him to fit me out +with an assortment of goods for the Indian trade, and promised to remit +him payment in furs. He told me I was welcome to any {153} goods he had +in his store that would suit me, but on examining the stock, all the +merchandise proper for the Savages was disposed of, and nothing left +that would answer any profitable purpose. + +I then left his house, returning him thanks for his civility; and having +procured pecuniary assistance from a friend, took lodgings in the town, +where I stayed some time. I then went to Quebec, where a gentleman +accidentally hearing that I was out of employ, and knowing that I could +speak the Indian languages, sent for me and engaged me in his service, +to go among the Indians at Lake Temiscaming,[99] or any other situation +I might think most eligible for commerce. + + {154} _Leave Quebec—Description of the Loretto Indians; some Remarks + relative to an Assertion, that the American Indians have no + Beards.—Mistake the Mercury Packet of Quebec for an American + Privateer.—Proceed on our Journey, and arrive at our Winter + Residence.—Description of several Sorts of Snakes.—Meet with great + Success, and soon complete our Traffic.—Return to Quebec._ + +Being furnished with a proper assortment of merchandise, I left Quebec, +and proceeded to Tadousac,[100] which is at the end of the Saguenay +River, near the River St. Laurence. About nine miles from Quebec there +is a village inhabited by the Loretto Indians, who are properly of the +nation of the Hurons.[101] They embraced Christianity, through the means +of the Jesuits, and follow the Catholic religion. The women have +remarkable good voices, and sing hymns in their own language most +charmingly. They cultivate the ground, and bring the produce to market; +and in their manners they are the most innocent and harmless of all the +Savages in North America. Their houses are decent, and built after the +Canadian fashion; they are an exception to the generality of Indians, +seldom drinking any spirituous liquors; they are for the most part tall, +robust people, and well shaped; have short black hair, which is shaved +off the forehead from ear to ear, and wear neither caps nor hats. With +regard to their beards, though they are scarcely visible, they have them +in common with all the tribes of Savages; but having an aversion to +excrescences, they carefully pluck {155} out every hair from the upper +jaw and chin with brass wire, which they twist together in the form of +pincers; and it is well known that all traders carry out that article of +commerce for this express purpose. + +Baron de la Hontan seems to have been much mistaken when, in speaking of +the Savages, he says that they have no beards. Lord Kaims was also in +the same error, when he asserted there is not a single hair on an +Indian’s body, excepting the eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair of the head, +and that there is no appearance of a beard. + +This observation Mr. James Adair remarks is utterly void of foundation, +as can be attested by all who have had any communication with them; and +major Robert Rogers,[102] who certainly knew the Indians as well as any +man, says that they _totally destroy_ their beards; which proves beyond +a doubt that they are not naturally _imbarbes_. + +I have been led into these observations from the perusal of Lord Kaims’s +Sketches of the History of Man,[103] who not only insists that the +Indians have no beards, but builds on the hypothesis to prove a local +creation. + +Tadousac is on the sea side, north of the River St. Laurence, and +inhabited by a few Indians called mountaineers, who live chiefly on +fish;[104] and one trader, clerk to the gentleman in whose service I was +engaged. + +There is a French clergyman and a church for the Indians, who are all +Catholics. At this village I remained a fortnight, during which {156} +time the American privateers were continually cruizing about. One +morning there was a great fog, but we could just discern at a small +distance a vessel: this alarmed the priest and the Indians. My brother +Englishman (the trader who was settled here) joined with me in +soliciting the Indians to stand their ground, which the priest strongly +opposed, though paid by the British government. This incensed me, and I +insisted on taking some of his flock with me to reconnoitre, and +endeavour to discover what vessel she was, though I had strong +suspicions she was an American privateer. We went towards the shore, but +could not discover the number of guns she mounted; we returned to our +camp, and all the Indians at my request accompanied me to attack her. We +embarked in canoes, dressed alike, and as we approached perceived she +lay at anchor, and was a vessel of inconsiderable force, mounting only +eight small swivels. I immediately went on one side of her, and directed +the Indians to the other, to inclose her as much as we could. Having +reached the vessel, I took hold of a rope and went on board; the captain +was alarmed, and his fears were increased when he saw himself surrounded +with canoes, filled with Savages armed with guns and tomahawks; however, +he advanced towards me, and clapping me on the shoulder, asked what I +wanted? I was too politic to make any reply at that time. He then asked +me, if I would have some biscuit? I replied, _caween_, or no. He shook +his head, as much as to say, I wish I could know what you want. The +Indians then came on board, and the captain having only seven men; and +our number being upwards of forty, well armed, did not know how to act, +but, probably willing to please me, ordered his men to get some biscuit +and rum. Whilst the sailors were gone, I perceived she was an English +vessel, and then asked the captain in English to whom she belonged; he +was very agreeably surprised, {157} told me his name was Allcrow, and +that he commanded the Mercury Packet of Quebec. This information gave me +occasion to rejoice we did not take rough means; and when I communicated +the intelligence to the Indians they were highly pleased, and shook +hands with the captain. + +The captain then accompanied us to shore in our canoes, and we landed at +our encampment. We afterwards went to the priest’s house, where we +dined. Mr. Martin, the priest, and myself were invited on board the next +day, when we had an excellent repast, with plenty of wine and other +liquors. Unfortunately we drank too freely, and returning in the +evening, the priest began to be very angry with me for encouraging the +Savages; this reprehension, with his former conduct, incensed me +exceedingly, and in the heat of passion I threw him overboard, but by +the assistance of the sailors he was saved. On our landing, our contest +led us to blows, but we were soon parted. When we were recovered from +intoxication, we shook hands, and afterwards remained good friends. + +The next day the Indians were seized with an epidemic fever, which +deprived them of the use of their limbs, and occasioned a delirium. The +disorder attacked me very severely, but by the friendly assistance of +Mr. Martin, who had a medicine chest, in about three weeks I recovered. + +The winter now advancing very rapidly, and the unavoidable delay at this +post, obliged me to proceed on my journey on snow shoes, carrying all my +goods on Indian slays, through the woods, and over {158} high mountains. + +We travelled twenty-one days, on a deep snow, about one hundred leagues +through the Saguenay country, which was very fatiguing, till we arrived +at a place called Checootimy;[105] about half way up the river on which +it stands the salt water ebbs and flows. Only a few Indians reside here, +and one Indian trader, with whom I wintered, and hunted, killing a great +many animals. Early in the spring I took my leave of him, and being +furnished with canoes, pursued my journey to St. John’s Lake; from +thence to Panebacash River, to Lake Shaboomoochoine, which lies +northeast of Lake Arbitibis about the distance of seven days Indian +march.[106] + +Near the Falls of Panebacash River I landed, and ascended a high +mountain, to survey a large cave, about two hundred yards deep, and +three yards wide at the mouth. Here I picked up a piece of ore, about +three inches square; the exterior crust was black and very thin, and +when broke, appeared yellow. I brought it to Quebec, but by some +accident lost it, which I lamented exceedingly, as some of my friends to +whom I shewed it were of opinion that it was very valuable. + +This journey was farther inland, by near eighty leagues, than any trader +had ever been, the only settlement in that part of Canada being at St. +Peter’s Lake, where a French house was formerly established, and where +an English trader, who was employed by the merchants in whose service I +was engaged, resided. + +I arrived at Lake Shaboomoochoine on the 26th of May, 1781, where I +intended only to stay a few days; but some Indians arrived who assured +me that it would answer my purpose to winter, and promised {159} to +supply me with fish, furs, and skins. This induced me to remain here; +and I built a house suitable for my business, and kept two Indians with +their wives to hunt for me. + +On the 29th we set our nets, and in about four hours caught abundance of +large trout, pike, maskenonjey, pickerill, and white fish, and as the +country abounded with wild fowl, we were never without two courses at +table, with roots for garden stuff. + +On the 17th of June a band of Indians arrived, who were agreeably +surprised to see a trader at a place where no one had settled before, +and they were particularly delighted when they heard me speak their own +language. + +During my residence here I saw a great many snakes; and one day in +particular as I was walking in the woods, I discovered one of those +reptiles in the grass; the instant I perceived it, I cut a long stick +and dropt it gently on the snake’s head; it immediately moved, and I +could hear the rattles very distinctly. Whilst I was surveying the +brightness of its colours, which were inexpressibly beautiful, it was +coiling itself round like a rope to dart at me; this warned me of my +danger, and I took the taper end of the stick, and let the heavy end +fall on its head; the weight of the blow stunned it, and seizing this +opportunity, I struck it again, which killed it. I measured it, and +judged the length to be at least five feet and an half, and the thickest +part about four inches in circumference, with nine rattles on the tail, +which agreeable to the general observation, made his age nine years; but +I believe this is not an established fact, as it is uncertain at what +time the rattle begins to appear. + +{160} The flesh of this reptile is delicious, and I have frequently +eaten of it with great goût. I have seen the Indians poison it with the +juice of tobacco. + +Whilst I am on the subject, though not quite connected with it, I shall +make some observations on the turkey and black water snake. + +The turkey snake is longer than the rattle snake, with stripes on the +back, and a spear at the end of its tail like an anchor, and a double +row of teeth in each jaw. It takes its name from its voice, which +resembles the note of a wild turkey. In the Mississippi it feeds on wild +rice, which grows among long grass, bearing its head frequently erect, +and makes a noise like a turkey to decoy it; as the bird approaches, the +snake darts its tail into it, and makes it an easy prey. + +The black water snake is used by the Indians when they go to war; they +pull out the teeth, tie the head and tail together, and fasten it round +their bodies, which soon kills it. They take it off every night, and put +it on every morning. + +In travelling from Toniata Creek, on the River St. Laurence to +Pimetiscotyan Landing, on Lake Ontario, I saw one of these snakes +swimming with a flat fish in its mouth, which I had the good fortune to +shoot, and released the prisoner from the jaws of death.[107] + +I kept a flag constantly flying at my little fort, which the Indians +paid respect to by a salute from their guns. The band who were at this +time with me held a council, and made me a present of two very large +{161} beaver robes, and several valuable skins, with plenty of +provisions, for which I supplied them with tobacco, rum, trinkets, and +ammunition. Two days after they left me, and desired me to wait their +return, which I promised, provided they would bring me furs and skins to +load the canoes, and they should be repaid with Indian goods. As I +depended on their punctuality, I remained perfectly satisfied. + +I was then left with two white men, and two Indians and their wives. We +passed our time in hunting and fishing; and as there were a great many +small islands near us, we made frequent trips to shoot wild fowl, which +enabled us to keep a good table. On one of the islands we discovered two +Indian huts, but from their appearance no person had visited them for a +length of time. About half a mile from the place we saw a high pole, +daubed over with vermilion paint; on the top were placed three human +skulls, and the bones hung round: the Indians supposed it had been +erected many years. About an hour before sun set we returned to our +wigwam. The next morning, in the absence of the Indians, the Canadians +assisted me in mixing the rum, and assorting the goods, to be prepared +against the arrival of the Savages, and to fill up the time, which hung +heavy on our hands. + +On the 24th of June, a band of Indians arrived from Lake Arbitibis, who +brought a considerable quantity of excellent furs and skins, with dried +meat, which I bartered for. When the bargain was made, I gave them some +rum, as usual upon such occasions, which, after their long march, highly +delighted them. They drank very plentifully, as I had exceeded the +common donation, but their cargo deserved it; and I always found it my +interest to be generous to them upon a barter. + +{162} On their departure, taking an Indian for my guide, I made a visit +to a brother trader, one hundred and fifty miles from my settlement. I +stayed with him about a fortnight, and was on the point of returning, +when two Indians came to inform me, by the desire of my Canadians, that +a band of Savages waited for me. In about five days we returned, and I +bartered for all their furs. + +On the 16th of July, about fifty Savages came with their spring hunt, +which I also bartered for, though the peltry was very inferior to what +is collected in winter; but as I was determined to make as good a season +as possible, I was eager to avail myself of every opportunity to +increase my stock. + +The latter end of the month, the band who had promised to return came +in, and fulfilled their promise, bringing a large quantity of furs, +which, with the stock I had collected during their absence, was as much +as my canoes would hold. They also brought intelligence that the +Hudson’s Bay Company had been pillaged of their furs by the French.[108] + +Early in the month of August I made up my packs, and embarked for +Quebec, where I arrived in about six weeks, to the great joy of my +employers, who, from my long absence, were very uneasy; however, the +cargo fully satisfied them, and convinced them of my industry and +integrity in their service. Being persuaded I had undergone great +fatigue, they made me a handsome present above my salary, and I quitted +their service, and the Indian life, with a resolution to endeavour to +procure an employ less hazardous, and where I could partake {163} of the +pleasures of society with less fatigue both of body and mind. + +I remained some time at Quebec, and intended to pass my winter there, +but my money being nearly exhausted, and my mind not reconciled to +another Indian voyage, I returned to Montreal, where I found friends to +supply my wants till the spring following. + + {164} _Visit Fort George.—Remarkable Instance of Courage in a Mohawk + Indian.—Return to England.—Enter into a new Engagement, and return + to Canada, with Merchandise for the Indian Commerce._ + +In May I took a trip to Fort George, situated on a lake of the same +name, called by the French, _Saint Sacrement_, where I stayed with some +of the Mohawks, who were encamped there.[109] In the beginning of the +French and Indian war in 1757, there was a remarkable instance of +resolution and cool deliberate courage in one of these Savages, +occasioned by a sentence being passed upon a soldier to receive five +hundred lashes for intoxication. + +An Indian known by the name of _Silver Heels_, from his superior +agility, as well as his admirable finesse in the art of war, and who had +killed more of the enemy than any one of the tribes in alliance with +Great Britain, accidentally came into the fort just before the soldier +was to receive his punishment, and expressed his displeasure that a man +should be so shamefully disgraced. He went up to the commanding officer, +and asked him what crime the soldier had committed: the officer not +chusing to be questioned, ordered one of his men to send Silver Heels +away, and to inform him that the company of Indians was not agreeable on +such occasions; _Wa! wa!_ or, Oh! oh! replied the Savage, but what is +the warrior tied up for? For getting drunk, answered {165} the +soldier:—Is that all? said Silver Heels, then provide another set of +halberts, and tie up your chief, for he gets drunk twice a day. Having +said so, he instantly left the fort, telling the soldier he should +quickly return, to endeavour to prevent the punishment being inflicted. +Soon after the delinquent was tied up, and the drummers in waiting to +obey orders, Silver Heels returned; and going up to the officer, with a +tomahawk and scalping knife, said to him, Father, are you a warrior, or +do you only think yourself so? If you are brave, you will not suffer +your men to strike this soldier whilst I am in this fort. Let me advise +you not to spill the good English blood which to-morrow may be wanted to +oppose an enemy.—The officer, turning upon his heel, answered with an +indignant look, that the soldier had transgressed, and must be +flogged.—Well! replied Silver Heels, then flog him, and we shall soon +see whether you are as brave a warrior as an Indian. + +About two days after the officer was riding some distance from the fort, +and Silver Heels was lying flat on his stomach, according to his usual +custom when he watched to surprize an enemy. The officer passed without +perceiving him, when he instantly sprung up, and laying hold of the +horse’s bridle, told the officer to dismount and fight him. The officer +judging it improper to risk his life against a Savage, refused to +dismount, and endeavoured to spur his horse. Silver Heels perceiving his +intention, tomahawked the horse, who fell down suddenly, and the officer +rolled on the ground without being hurt. Now, says Silver Heels, we are +on equal terms, and, as you have a brace of pistols and a sword, you +cannot have any objection to fight me. The officer still refusing, +Silver Heels told him, that he thought himself a warrior when he ordered +one of his white slaves to be flogged for a {166} breach of martial law, +but that he had now forgot the character he then assumed, or he +certainly would have fought him: and looking very sternly, added, that +he had a great mind to make him change his climate; but as that mode of +proceeding would not answer his purpose, and sufficiently expose him +among his brother warriors, he might walk home as soon as he pleased; +and that to-morrow morning he would come to the fort with the horse’s +scalp, and relate the circumstance. The officer was rejoiced to escape +so well, though he was obliged to walk a distance of three miles. + +The next morning Silver Heels arrived, and asked to see the officer, but +was denied admission into his presence. Some of his brother officers +came out, and enquired his business; he related to them the circumstance +between the officer and himself, and exhibited the trophy; adding, that +to-morrow he intended going to war, and should make a point of taking an +old woman prisoner, whom he should send to take the command of the fort, +as the great chief was only fit to fight with his dog, or cat, when he +was eating, lest they should have more than him. Then asking for some +rum (which was given him), he left the fort to fulfil his promise, but +was soon after killed in an engagement, fighting manfully at the head of +a party of Mohawks, near the Bloody Pond, joining to Lord Loudon’s road, +in the way to Albany. + +Just before the frost set in, I returned to Montreal, and visited my old +Cahnuaga friends, where I amused myself in the Indian way, as I always +preferred their society to the Canadians; notwithstanding, I +occasionally mixed in more civilized amusements, and as I danced +tolerably well, my company was generally sought after. + +{167} The Canadians are particularly fond of dancing, from the +_seigneur_ to the _habitant_; and though the meaner sort of people do +not excel in it, there is a peculiar ease, and careless indifference, +which, though it appears too rustic, is far from being disagreeable. The +beverage on these occasions is sour Spanish red wine, called black +strap; and this, homely as it would be thought in more refined +assemblies, is there considered as a very handsome manner of treating +their friends. + +The winter being passed, I determined to go to Quebec, and endeavour to +get a passage to England, not having any prospect of a permanent +settlement in Canada. On my arrival I put up at a tavern, and lived as +moderately as possible, from necessity more than inclination; for every +one knows that Indian traders, like sailors, are seldom sufficiently +prudent to save much money. Fortunately for me, I met with an old +school-fellow at Quebec, a captain of a ship, whom I had not seen for +sixteen years. To him I communicated my distressed situation, and by him +was generously relieved. In addition to this act of kindness, he +promised me a free passage to England on board his vessel, which offer I +accepted with pleasure and gratitude. + +Having fixed the time of his departure, I took the post, and went to +Montreal to settle my affairs: I then returned to Quebec, from whence we +sailed the 11th day of October, 1783, and put into Newfoundland. When we +came in sight of harbour, several of us requested permission to take the +long boat, and row on shore, which was granted; but it being a dead +calm, we made very little way. We had not left the ship more than a +league, when a southwest wind sprang up, and retarded us considerably. +In the evening the wind abated, and with hard rowing {168} we reached +the shore about midnight, both fatigued and hungry. Early in the morning +the ship came into harbour, and had suffered some damage by beating +about in the night, which induced the captain to dispose of the cargo. +On the 9th of November we left Newfoundland, on board another vessel: +our passage was favourable, without any remarkable occurrence, and we +arrived in London the 30th of the same month. + +My native city, upon my arrival, appeared like a new world to me, having +been absent from England fifteen years; and it was with difficulty I +found any of my old friends, the greatest part of them in such a length +of time being dead. + +In February, 1784, I entered into an engagement with a relation to +return to Canada; and being furnished with a cargo, left London on the +15th of April following. On the 20th we got under weigh, and put into +Portsmouth, to take in wines. After a bad and tedious passage of eleven +weeks, we arrived safe at Quebec, from whence my goods were sent to +Montreal in small craft. Unfortunately the season was too far advanced +to suffer me to attempt going to Michillimakinac, and wintering in the +inlands, as I had no prospect of providing suitable canoes; nor were my +goods properly assorted, and there was not time sufficient to arrange +them, so as to make the intended voyage. This induced me to consult a +friend upon the occasion, who advised me to dispose of my goods at +public vendue, which I did, at very great loss, so that I could only +remit my friend in London a very small sum in part of payment. In this +adventure nothing succeeded to my wishes, for by my credulity, and being +willing to retrieve, if possible, the loss I had sustained, I soon {169} +increased my difficulties, so that in a few months after my arrival, all +my schemes failing, I was left totally destitute. + +In February, 1785, I quitted Montreal, and walked from La Prairie to St. +John’s,[110] where I accidentally found a friend who supplied me with +money to go to New York. I proceeded to Stony Point, where I stayed two +days with some loyalist officers, some of whom accompanied me to Crown +Point, where we also stayed three days.[111] We then parted company, and +I hired a slay, which carried me safely to New York, where I took a +lodging, and lived as moderately as I could. + +During my residence there, I met a Loretto Savage, called Indian John, +who had been in the American service all the war, and who waited to +receive a reward for his fidelity, as the Congress were then sitting. He +told me he had been at war for them nine years, had killed a great many +of their enemies, and had only received a gun, two blankets, three +pieces of Indian gartering, and one hundred dollars in paper money, +which he could not make use of; and as I understood his language he +desired me to render him service by interpreting for him to the +governor. I desired him to call at my lodgings, and in the mean time I +wrote down the circumstances he had related to me, that I might be +prepared, in case I was sent for at a short notice. + +A few days after he explained to me more fully the nature of his claim, +and how he had been trifled with by Congress. I asked him his reasons +for engaging in the American service; he told me that at the +commencement of the war, the Big Knives (meaning the Americans), had +advised him to turn his heart from the English, and promised to supply +all his {170} wants; and, as an additional inducement, that they would +pay a better price for a scalp than had been usually given, and at the +close of the war he should have land and stock sufficient to maintain +himself and family: but he was now convinced they only meant to serve +themselves, as he had frequently applied for a performance of their +promises without success; and that he was determined to get satisfaction +some way or other. + +I told him I was not sorry for his disappointments; that he was a bad +Indian for deserting his good father, who lived on the other side the +great water, and who was universally beloved by all who knew him, +particularly by the Loretto nation; and as the subjects of this great +and good father lived near his village, and gave every proof of their +love and friendship to his nation, which he could not be ignorant of, I +was surprized that he should suffer his heart to be moved by the +changeable winds, and was sorry to add, that I believed he was the only +Loretto Indian with two minds, and therefore I was unwilling to say any +thing in his behalf before Congress. + +These remarks on his conduct seemed to affect him, and he replied, that +he hoped, notwithstanding he had deserted the cause of his great father, +he should find me his friend to attend him when his affair should be +taken under consideration by Congress, as he had not any one in New York +who could serve him so essentially. I told him, that in spite of my just +displeasure, his situation had melted my heart, and I would not refuse +his request. + +In about four days he came to acquaint me that Congress were then +sitting, and he believed they would pay his demand if I would go {171} +with him, and interpret to the governor; but having taken an active part +against the Americans during the war, I would willingly have been +excused. On his urging my promise to him, I could not resist, and +immediately accompanied him to the council, where Governor Franklin was +president, who asked me if I knew Indian John; I told him, only by +seeing him at New York, and that I came at his particular request to +speak in his behalf. He desired me to assure the Indian that he might +depend on having his demand satisfied in a few days, and to make his +mind easy: this I communicated to him, with which he seemed perfectly +satisfied. + +Soon after he was sent for, and he received an order on a merchant for +one hundred dollars, which being presented for payment, was not +honoured: this incensed John, and he desired me to tell the merchant, +that the Congress and their agents were all thieves. The merchant +excused himself by saying that the treasury was very poor, and could not +immediately satisfy every demand. + +The next day John went again to the governor, and having acquainted him +with the refusal of the draft, received an order on another merchant, +which was duly honoured.[112] John’s heart was quite elated, and in less +than ten days he had disposed of all the money, like a true Indian, +principally in drink. + +My interference in favour of the Indian made me well known, and procured +me an introduction to a respectable mercantile house, from which I got +credit for the Indian trade. Having arranged my cargo, I proceeded in a +vessel to Albany, where I arrived on the 18th of June. {172} At this +place I unloaded my goods, and got them conveyed in a waggon to +Schenectady, where I purchased two boats. On the 6th of July I proceeded +up the Mohawk River, to the German Flats, where I stayed three days; +during which time a band of Oneida Indians came and solicited me to +winter at their village, which was about ten days march from Fort +Stanwix. I complied with their request, and set off with twenty-eight +horses to carry my baggage, being obliged to travel through the woods, +and sold my boats to satisfy those from whom I hired the horses. I +arrived safe at the village with all my goods, but finding the plan was +not likely to turn out advantageous, after a residence with them three +weeks, I bartered for the few skins they had, and having re-purchased my +boats, I left my Indian friends, proceeding immediately to the Jenesee +Lake, where I arrived on the 14th of September. + +Having landed and secured my goods, I ordered my men to prepare a house. +The chiefs, on hearing of my arrival, assembled, and came up to me, +accompanied by their young men, expecting presents, which I was obliged +to make; and I asked permission to stay on their ground. Some consented, +and others disapproved; at the last, after consulting each other, they +told me I might go on with the building. The men immediately proceeded +with cheerfulness and dispatch, in hopes of finishing the business +before their return; but how transitory are all human events! whilst the +men were at work, some Indians came in great haste to desire my +attendance at the council fire, which was at a small distance from my +intended place of residence. I obeyed the summons, and sat down by the +chiefs, when one of them rose up, and addressed me to the following +effect. + +{173} “You are the Sugar, for so you are called in our tongue, but you +must not have too much sweetness on your lips. All the Oneida Indians +say they have heard that you are only come under a pretence to get our +lands from us; but this must not be, my young warriors will not suffer +any Englishman to settle here. You are like the great chief, General +Johnson, who asked for a spot of ground, or large bed, to lie on; and +when Hendrick, the chief of the Mohawks, had granted his request, he got +possession of a great quantity of our hunting grounds; and we have +reason to think that you intend to dream us out of our natural +rights.[113] We loved Sir William, and therefore consented to all his +requests; but you are a stranger, and must not take these liberties: +therefore, my advice is, that you depart to-morrow at break of day, or +you will be plundered by the young warriors, and it will not be in our +power to redress you.” + +As I have mentioned a council, I shall describe the form of a house +erected for that purpose near Fort Pitt. + +The building is long, with two fires in it at a proper distance from +each other, without any chimney or partition: the entry into the house +is by two doors, one at each end: over the door the figure of a turtle +was drawn, which is the ensign of the particular tribe: on each doorpost +was cut out the face of an old man, an emblem of that gravity and wisdom +that every senator ought to be possessed of. On each side, the whole +length of the house within, is a platform, or bed, five feet wide, +raised above the floor one foot and a half, made of broad pieces of wood +split, which serves equally for a bed to sleep on, and a place to sit +down. It is covered with a handsome mat made of rushes, and at the upper +end of the building the king, or great chief sat. + +{174} To return from this digression,—We baled up our goods, and +proceeded to Fort Oswego, which I attempted to pass, but was prevented +by a centinel, who informed me that no batteau with goods could pass +without the commanding officer’s permission. I told him I was not an +American, and would wait on him to know if he had issued such orders. I +travelled in my Indian dress, and left my men at the landing, about a +mile and a half from the garrison. I paid my respects to him, and +acquainted him with my situation: he told me he should be very happy to +oblige me, but that it was impossible to pass the fort without proper +credentials; and as I had them not, he desired me to return to the +United States, to prevent my goods being seized. Notwithstanding this +friendly advice, I was determined to run the risk, and, to my extreme +mortification, they all were seized by the customhouse officers, by them +deposited in the king’s warehouse, and afterwards condemned. + +In this distressed situation, and very ill in health, I went down in a +king’s boat to Cataraqui, where I arrived on the 8th of November, and +took up my abode at Mr. Howell’s tavern. My indisposition increasing, I +was obliged to keep to my blankets, and had only one faithful squaw to +attend me. In this miserable state I lay some time, expecting every hour +to change my climate, though determined to use every endeavour to effect +a recovery. At this interesting period my correspondent arrived from +England, and notwithstanding the losses he had sustained by my +imprudence, performed the part of a good Samaritan, pouring oil and wine +into my wounds; and finding my disorder required medical assistance, +desired a surgeon to attend me, and I was soon sufficiently recovered to +pursue my journey to La Chine, where I remained some months in preparing +the goods which he brought from England {175} for a Northwest journey +among the Indians, intending to go next spring to Michillimakinac; _mais +la mauvaise fortune qui nous poursuivit toûjours_, frustrated all our +schemes, and obliged us to leave La Chine on the 26th of May, 1786, from +whence we proceeded in a large Schenectady boat[114] to Oswegatche, +where we stopped a few hours, and landed at a place called Toniata +Creek, where I determined to apply for five hundred acres of land as a +loyalist settler;[115] which being granted me by government, I +immediately felled timber to build a house for the accommodation of +Indians, in hopes of deriving considerable advantages by barter. + +In a few days the Indians came to trade with us, which gave us +encouragement, and at the same time flattered us with the pleasing ideas +of succeeding in commerce: but some affairs requiring my friend’s +attendance at Montreal, trade suffered a temporary suspense, and at his +return he told me that we must leave our quarters, for he was +apprehensive of a seizure for an English debt. + +In this cruel dilemma, flight was our only security, and we embarked all +our goods on board a large batteau, and proceeded to Pimitiscotyan +landing upon Lake Ontario, where we entered a creek, and found +accommodation at a trader’s house. The next morning we prepared a house +for trade, and for some days went on successfully; but our happiness was +of short duration, for an officer pursued us, and took possession of all +the effects he could find, even to the tent which sheltered us from the +weather, and carried them down to Montreal, where they were sold for +less than one fourth part of their original cost and charges.—Thus +circumstanced, without any property to trade with, we came down {176} to +the Bay of Kenty, and resided there ten months among the loyalist +settlers, whose hospitality tended to soften the rigour of distress, and +alleviate my sorrows. Early in spring, 1786, we crossed over to Carlton +Island, and from thence to Fort Oswego, intending to go into the United +States by that post; but not having any pass, we were not allowed to +pursue our journey. In this mortifying situation I advised my friend to +adopt another plan, and procured a conveyance to Salmon Creek, about +twenty miles from the Fort. Here we rested one day, and with five pounds +of pork, and two loaves of bread, we set off on foot, escorted by a +squaw, expecting to reach Fort Stanwix in about four days; but the old +path was entirely obliterated, and we were obliged to return in the +evening to the creek, disappointed in the attempt. Unwilling to make +another effort, we agreed to return to Fort Oswego, and though the +distance was not more than twenty miles, we were six days before we +reached the garrison. + +In this expedition my friend suffered great hardships, not being +accustomed to sleep in the woods; and having also a knapsack with about +thirty pounds weight to carry, grieved him exceedingly: the shortness of +provisions increased the distress, for it cannot be supposed that five +pounds of pork, and two loaves of bread, would last three persons any +length of time. + +Previous to our journey’s end, we were twelve hours without any +sustenance, except wild onions; but fortunately we found on the sand +about one hundred and forty birds eggs, which we boiled, and eagerly +devoured, notwithstanding the greatest part had young birds in them, +with small down on their bodies. + +{177} On our arrival at the fort, the commanding officer rallied us on +our attempt; and taking my friend aside, advised him either to return to +Montreal, or go up to Niagara, as he was sure he was not equal to the +fatigue of an Indian life. He followed the officer’s advice, and left me +at the fort, which I soon afterwards quitted, and went down to Montreal; +from thence I got a conveyance to Quebec; and being greatly distressed, +applied to Lord Dorchester for relief, who generously directed his aid +de camp to accompany me to Lieut. General Hope,[116] and strongly +recommended me to his notice, to be employed in an Indian capacity. +Being in some measure relieved, and supplied with a few dollars and +other necessaries, I was sent up to Cataraqui. + +I left Quebec, and arrived at Montreal on the 14th of July: the next day +I pursued my journey on foot, but seeing two Indians of my acquaintance +in a canoe, and having some money in my pocket to buy rum, I hired them +to convey me to Cataraqui, and in our way we killed plenty of game. + +On the 19th of August I delivered my credentials to the proper officer, +but he could not render me any service; however, he recommended me, by +letter, to his friend at Carlton Island, where Sir John Johnson[117] was +waiting for a vessel to convey him to Niagara, to hold a council with +the Indians: fortunately I procured an interview with him, and +communicating to him my situation, he ordered me to be in readiness to +assist as interpreter at his return. On the 18th of September, Sir John +Johnson met us at the head of the bay of Kenty; the instant the Indians +heard of his arrival, they saluted him with a discharge of small arms, +and having received some rum, they danced and sung all night {178} their +war songs; one of them I particularly noticed, which was to the +following effect:— + +“At last our good father is arrived, he has broken the small branches, +and cleared his way to meet us. He has given us presents in abundance, +and only demands this large bed (meaning a considerable tract of land +which was described on a map).” + +At twelve o’clock the next day a council was held, and Sir John laid his +map before them, desiring a tract of land from Toronto to Lake Huron. +This the Indians agreed to grant him, and the deed of gift being shewn +them, it was signed by the chiefs’ affixing the emblem, or figure of +their respective totams, as their signatures. + +Sir John Johnson then left them, and embarked for Cataraqui, the capital +of the loyalist settlements. + +Previous to his departure, I made him more fully acquainted with my +distressed situation and procured from him a temporary supply, which +enabled me to go down to the third Township in the Bay of Kenty,[118] +where I stayed with my loyalist friends till the spring of 1787; during +which time I had frequent opportunities of making observations on the +flourishing state of the new settlements. + +The settlements of loyalists in Canada, bid fair to be a valuable +acquisition to Great Britain; and in case of a war with the United +States, will be able to furnish not only some thousands of veteran +troops, but a rising generation of a hardy race of men, whose principles +during {179} the last war stimulated them to every exertion, even at the +expence of their property, families, and friends, in support of the +cause they so warmly espoused. There was, however, when I resided in the +country, one cause of complaint, which, though it may not immediately +affect the welfare and prosperity of the present inhabitants, or prevent +an encrease of population, in proportion to the unlocated lands, is big +with impending danger, and which, for the satisfaction of the public, I +shall endeavour to explain. + +All the land from Point au Baudet (the beginning of the loyalist +settlements on the River St. Laurence), to the head of the bay of Kenty, +which at this period I am informed, contains at least ten thousand +souls, is said to be liable to the old feudal system of the French +seigneuries; the lords of which claim title to receive some rent, or +exercise some paramount right, which, though it may be at present very +insignificant, and which perhaps may never be insisted on, renders every +man dependent on the lord of the manor, and, in process of time, as land +becomes more valuable, the raising these rents, or the exercise of these +rights, may occasion frequent disputes: I think therefore, with +submission to our government, that as many hundreds of Americans are now +settled there, and doubtless many more may occasionally migrate from the +United States, either from being disgusted with the polity of the +country, or from an idea of reaping greater benefits as subjects of +Great Britain, it behoves us to remove every obstacle of subserviency, +and either by purchase, or any other mode Administration shall think fit +to adopt, render all the lands in Canada, granted to loyalist subjects, +or others who have, or may voluntarily take the oaths of allegiance, as +free as those in Nova Scotia.[119] + +{180} Men who have been engaged in their country’s cause from the best +of principles, should have every possible indulgence; and in proportion +as they have been deprived of comforts by the desolation of war, they +should be recompensed without any partial restrictions, and the +remainder of their days rendered as happy as the government they live +under can make them. + +The population of these new settlements, and their parallel situation +with Fort Oswegatche, Carleton Island, Oswego, and Niagara, evince, +perhaps, more forcibly than ever, the propriety of retaining these +barriers in our possession, which, in the former part of this work, I +have fully explained; and as the third Township alone (which is nine +miles square) contained, in the year 1787, about seventeen hundred +inhabitants, it is difficult to say what number of valuable subjects +that country may hereafter produce; certain it is, that it is capable of +supporting multitudes, as the land is in general fertile, and on an +average produces about thirty bushels of wheat per acre, even in the +imperfect manner in which it is cleared, leaving all the stumps about +three feet high, and from five to ten trees on an acre. This mode of +clearing is in fact absolutely necessary, because new cultivated lands +in hot climates require shelter, to prevent the scorching heat of the +sun, which, in its full power, would burn up the seed. It has also been +found expedient in stony ground to let the stones remain, as they retain +a moisture favorable to vegetation. + +In the month of May I left the new settlements, and went down to +Montreal, and from thence to Quebec, where I waited on Lord Dorchester, +but could not gain admittance. I was afterwards informed {181} that his +lordship was indisposed. I then went to Lieut General Hope’s, but he had +embarked for England. + +So many mortifying disappointments affected me very sensibly, but as +discouragements generally encreased my exertions, I was more assiduous +in my endeavours to live, and whilst I was contriving schemes for future +support, I received a supply from a friend: so seasonable a relief +braced up all my nerves, and I felt a pleasure that can scarce be +conceived by any but such as have experienced hardships and difficulties +similar to mine. + +My heart being cheered, and every gloomy thought dispersed, I determined +to leave the country whilst I had money in my pocket. Having found +another friend to sign a pass, I went on board a ship then lying in the +River St. Laurence, on the 25th of October, and arrived in London the +beginning of December following, rejoiced at again setting foot on my +native shore. + +Having finished the historical part of my work, I have only to solicit +the candid indulgence of the public for any literary errors I may have +been guilty of; and with great respect to convey to them an humble hope +that the Voyages and Travels, together with the Vocabulary subjoined, +may not be found totally unworthy their attention. + + + + + VOCABULARY + + + _English_ _Esquimeaux_ + Arrow Kátso + Bow Petíksick + Boat Kágak + Dog Mické, or Tímitok + Eye Killick, or Shik + Egg Manneguk + Ear Tehiu + Four (number) Missílagat + Foot Itikak + Hair Nutshad + Heaven Taktuck, or Nabugákshe + Head Níakock + Knife Shavié + Moon Tákock + Oar Pácotick + One (number) Kombuc + Sun Shíkonac, or Sakáknuc + Two (number) Tigal + Three (number) Ké + Rain Kíllaluck + Tooth Ukak + Water Sillakákto + + N. B. _Esquimeau, in the singular Number, means an Eater of raw + Flesh._ + + {184} _English_ _Iroquois_ + One Uskat + Two Tekkeny + Three Aghsey + Four Kayeery + Five Wisk + Six Yàyak + Seven Tsyàdak + Eight Sadégo + Nine Tyoughtow + + Ten Oyéry + Eleven Oyéry uskat yawàrey + Twelve Oyéry tekkeny yawàrey + Thirteen Oyéry aghsey yawàrey + Fourteen Oyéry kayeery yawàrey + Fifteen Oyéry wisk yawàrey + Sixteen Oyéry yàyak yawàrey + + Seventeen Oyéry tsyàdak yawàrey + + Eighteen Oyéry sadégo yawàrey + Nineteen Oyéry tyoughtow yawàrey + + Twenty Towwaghsey + Twenty one Towwaghsey uskat yawàrey + Twenty two Towwaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Twenty three Towwaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Twenty four Towwaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Twenty five Towwaghsey wisk yawàrey + + {185} _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + Payjik Payshik + Ninch Neesh + Nissoo Neesswoy + Neoo Neon + Naran Narnan + Ningootwassoo Negutwosswoy + Ninchowassoo Neeshswosswoy + Nissowassoo Swosswoy + Shongassoo Shangosswoy + + Metassoo Metosswoy + Metassoo ashy payjik Metosswoy asshea payshik + Metassoo ashy ninch Metosswoy asshea neesh + Metassoo ashy nissoo Metosswoy asshea neesswoy + Metassoo ashy neoo Metosswoy asshea neon + Metassoo ashy naran Metosswoy asshea narnan + Metassoo ashy ningootwassoo Metosswoy asshea negutwosswoy + Metassoo ashy ninchowassoo Metosswoy asshea neeshswosswoy + Metassoo ashy nissowassoo Metosswoy asshea swosswoy + Metassoo ashy shongassoo Metosswoy asshea shangosswoy + + Ninchtànà Neesh tanner + Ninchtànà ashy payjik Neesh tanner asshea payshik + Ninchtànà ashy ninch Neesh tanner asshea neesh + + Ninchtànà ashy nissoo Neesh tanner asshea neesswoy + Ninchtànà ashy neoo Neesh tanner asshea neon + + Ninchtànà ashy naran Neesh tanner asshea narnan + + {186} _English_ _Iroquois_ + Twenty six Towwaghsey yàyak yawàrey + + Twenty seven Towwaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Twenty eight Towwaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Twenty nine Towwaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Thirty Aghsey newaghsey + Thirty one Aghsey newaghsey uskat yawàrey + Thirty two Aghsey newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Thirty three Aghsey newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Thirty four Aghsey newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Thirty five Aghsey newaghsey wisk yawàrey + Thirty six Aghsey newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + Thirty seven Aghsey newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Thirty eight Aghsey newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Thirty nine Aghsey newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Forty Kayeery newaghsey + Forty one Kayeery newaghsey uskat yawàrey + + {187} _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + Ninchtànà ashy ningootwassoo Neesh tanner asshea negutwosswoy + Ninchtànà ashy ninchowassoo Neesh tanner asshea neeshswosswoy + Ninchtànà ashy nissowassoo Neesh tanner asshea swosswoy + Ninchtànà ashy shongassoo Neesh tanner asshea shangosswoy + + Nisso metànà Neess semmettenner + Nissoo metànà ashy payjik Neess semmettenner asshea payshik + Nissoo metànà ashy ninch Neess semmettenner asshea neesh + Nissoo metànà ashy nissoo Neess semmettenner asshea neesswoy + Nissoo metànà ashy neoo Neess semmettenner asshea neon + Nissoo metànà ashy naran Neess semmettenner asshea narnan + Nissoo metànà ashy ningootwassoo Neess semmettenner asshea + negutwosswoy + Nissoo metànà ashy ninchowassoo Neess semmettenner asshea + neeshswosswoy + Nissoo metànà ashy nissowassoo Neess semmettenner asshea swosswoy + Nissoo metànà ashy shongassoo Neess semmettenner asshea + shangosswoy + + Neoo metànà Neon mettenner + Neoo metànà ashy payjik Neon mettenner asshea payshik + + + _English_ _Iroquois_ + + Forty two Kayeery newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Forty three Kayeery newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Forty four Kayeery newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Forty five Kayeery newaghsey wisk yawàrey + Forty six Kayeery newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + {188} + Forty seven Kayeery newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Forty eight Kayeery newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Forty nine Kayeery newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Fifty Wisk newaghsey + Fifty one Wisk newaghsey uskat yawàrey + Fifty two Wisk newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Fifty three Wisk newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Fifty four Wisk newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Fifty five Wisk newaghsey wisk yawàrey + Fifty six Wisk newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + + + _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Neoo metànà ashy ninch Neon mettenner asshea neesh + Neoo metànà ashy nissoo Neon mettenner asshea neesswoy + Neoo metànà ashy neoo Neon mettenner asshea neon + Neoo metànà ashy naran Neon mettenner asshea narnan + Neoo metànà ashy ningootwassoo Neon mettenner asshea negutwosswoy + {189} + Neoo metànà ashy ninchowassoo Neon mettenner asshea neeshswosswoy + Neoo metànà ashy nissowassoo Neon mettenner asshea swosswoy + Neoo metànà ashy shongassoo Neon mettenner asshea shangosswoy + + Naran metànà Nar mettenner + Naran metànà ashy payjik Nar mettenner asshea payshik + Naran metànà ashy ninch Nar mettenner asshea neesh + Naran metànà ashy nissoo Nar mettenner asshea neesswoy + Naran metànà ashy neoo Nar mettenner asshea neon + Naran metànà ashy naran Nar mettenner asshea narnan + Naran metànà ashy ningootwassoo Nar mettenner asshea negutwosswoy + + + _English_ _Iroquois_ + + Fifty seven Wisk newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Fifty eight Wisk newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Fifty nine Wisk newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Sixty Yàyak newaghsey + Sixty one Yàyak newaghsey uskat yawàrey + Sixty two Yàyak newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Sixty three Yàyak newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Sixty four Yàyak newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Sixty five Yàyak newaghsey wisk yawàrey + {190} + Sixty six Yàyak newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + Sixty seven Yàyak newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Sixty eight Yàyak newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Sixty nine Yàyak newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Seventy Tsyàdak newaghsey + Seventy one Tsyàdak newaghsey uskat yawàrey + + + _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Naran metànà ashy ninchowassoo Nar mettenner asshea neeshswosswoy + Naran metànà ashy nissowassoo Nar mettenner asshea swosswoy + Naran metànà ashy shongassoo Nar mettenner asshea shangosswoy + + Ningootwassoo metànà Negutwoss semmettenner + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy payjik Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + payshik + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy ninch Negutwoss semmettenner asshea neesh + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy nissoo Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + neesswoy + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy neoo Negutwoss semmettenner asshea neon + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy naran Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + narnan + {191} + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + ningootwassoo negutwosswoy + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + ninchowassoo neeshswosswoy + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + nissowassoo swosswoy + Ningootwassoo metànà ashy Negutwoss semmettenner asshea + shongassoo shangosswoy + + Ninchowassoo metànà Neeshswoss semmettenner + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy payjik Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + payshik + + + _English_ _Iroquois_ + + Seventy two Tsyàdak newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Seventy three Tsyàdak newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Seventy four Tsyàdak newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Seventy five Tsyàdak newag[h]sey wisk yawàrey + Seventy six Tsyàdak newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + Seventy seven Tsyàdak newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Seventy eight Tsyàdak newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Seventy nine Tsyàdak newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + {192} + Eighty Sadégo newaghsey + Eighty one Sadégo newaghsey uskat yawàrey + Eighty two Sadégo newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Eighty three Sadégo newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Eighty four Sadégo newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Eighty five Sadégo newaghsey wisk yawàrey + Eighty six Sadégo newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + + + _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy ninch Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + neesh + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy nissoo Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + neesswoy + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy neoo Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea neon + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy naran Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + narnan + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + ningootwassoo negutwosswoy + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + ninchowassoo neeshswosswoy + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + nissowassoo swosswoy + Ninchowassoo metànà ashy shongassoo Neeshswoss semmettenner asshea + shangosswoy + + {193} + Nissowassoo metànà Swoss semmettenner + Nissowassoo metànà ashy payjik Swoss semmettenner asshea payshik + Nissowassoo metànà ashy ninch Swoss semmettenner asshea neesh + Nissowassoo metànà ashy nissoo Swoss semmettenner asshea neesswoy + Nissowassoo metànà ashy neoo Swoss semmettenner as[s]hea neon + Nissowassoo metànà ashy naran Swoss semmettenner asshea narnan + Nissowassoo metànà ashy Swoss semmettenner asshea + ningootwassoo negatwosswoy + + + _English_ _Iroquois_ + + Eighty seven Sadégo newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Eighty eight Sadégo newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Eighty nine Sadégo newaghsey tyoughtow yawàrey + + Ninety Tyoughtow newaghsey + Ninety one Tyoughtow newaghsey uskat yawàrey + Ninety two Tyoughtow newaghsey tekkeny yawàrey + Ninety three Tyoughtow newaghsey aghsey yawàrey + Ninety four Tyoughtow newaghsey kayeery yawàrey + Ninety five Tyoughtow newaghsey wisk yawàrey + Ninety six Tyoughtow newaghsey yàyak yawàrey + {194} + Ninety seven Tyoughtow newaghsey tsyàdak yawàrey + Ninety eight Tyoughtow newaghsey sadégo yawàrey + Ninety nine Tyoughtow newaghsey tyoughtow + yawàrey + + One hundred Uskat towaneyow + Two hundred Tekkeny towaneyow + Three hundred Aghsey towaneyow + Four hundred Kayeery towaneyow + + + _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Nissowassoo metànà ashy Swoss semmettenner asshea + ninchowassoo neeshswosswoy + Nissowassoo metànà ashy nissowassoo Swoss semmettenner asshea swosswoy + Nissowassoo metànà ashy shongassoo Swoss semmettenner asshea + shangosswoy + + Shongassoo metànà Shangoss semmettenner + Shongassoo metànà ashy payjik Shangoss semmettenner asshea + payshik + Shongassoo metànà ashy ninch Shangoss semmettenner asshea neesh + Shongassoo metànà ashy nissoo Shangoss semmettenner asshea + neesswoy + Shongassoo metànà ashy neoo Shangoss semmettenner asshea neon + Shongassoo metànà ashy naran Shangoss semmettenner asshea narnan + Shongassoo metànà ashy Shangoss semmettenner asshea + ningootwassoo negutwosswoy + {195} + Shongassoo metànà ashy ninchowassoo Shangoss semmettenner asshea + neeshswosswoy + Shongassoo metànà ashy nissowassoo Shangoss semmettenner asshea + swosswoy + Shongassoo metànà ashy shongassoo Shangoss semmettenner asshea + shangosswoy + + Metassoo metànà Negut wauk + Metassoo ninchtànà metànà Neesh wauk + Metassoo nissoo metànà Neesswoy wauk + Metassoo neoo metànà Neon wauk + + + _English_ _Iroquois_ + + Five hundred Wisk towaneyow + Six hundred Yàyak towaneyow + + Seven hundred Tsyàdak towaneyow + + Eight hundred Sadégo towaneyow + + Nine hundred Tyoughtow towaneyow + + One thousand Oyéry towaneyow + + + _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Metassoo naran metànà Nar wauk + Metassoo ningootwassoo metànà Negutwoss wauk + Metassoo ninchowasso metànà Neeshswoss wauk + Metassoo nissowassoo metànà Swoss wauk + Metassoo shongassoo metànà Shangoss wauk + Metassoo metassoo metànà Metosswoy kitchee wauk + + + A TABLE OF WORDS + + {196} _Shewing, in a variety of Instances, the Difference as well as + Analogy between the Algonkin and Chippeway Languages, with the + English Explanation._ + + _English_ _Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + To abandon, or forsake Packiton Packitan + To arrive at a place Takouchin Takooshin + To assist Mawinewah Mawinewah + To alter, or change Miscoush Mishcoot + To amuse, or play Packeguay Athtergain + + To beat, or bruise Packité Packettywaun + To believe Tilerimah, or tikerimah Indenendum gwoyack + To be willing Wisch Cannar, or cunner + + To call Tychintkaw Nandootum + To carry Petou, or peta Keemarjemet + + To dance Nemeh Nemeh + To do, or make Toshiton Ojeytoon, or Tojeytoon + {197} + To dwell, or stay Tapia Appay + To drink Minikwah Minniquah + + To eat Wissin Wissinnin + + To freeze Kissim Mushcowwartin + To fall Ponkisin Ponkissin + To find Nantounewaw Warbermeco + + To go by water Pimmiscaw Pamiskian, or pemiskar + + To go by land Teja Papamôtay + To give Millaw Darmissey + To govern Tibarimaw Tibarimaw + + To have Tindala Arwayyor + To hunt Keoussey Geosay + To hate Shinguerimaw Nesharquish + + To keep Ganawerimaw Gannewainnemar + To kill Nesa Gunnesar + To know Kekerindan Keecannawendan + + To love, or love Sakiar Zargay, or zargeytoon + + To lose Packilague Winnetoon + To laugh Kapy Pawpy + To lie down Weepemaw Neperhan + + To meet Nantoonewar Neewatch + {198} + To marry Weewin Tuckunnumkewish + To make water Minsy Meesesay + To make fire, & cook Pootawee Pooterway chebockwoy + + To pay Tipaham Guddyparhan + To please Mirowerrindan Mirrowerrindan + To perspire Matootoo Matootoo + + To run Pitcheba Squamich + To row Pimisca Pemishkar + + To sit down Mantippy Mantetappy + To seek Nantawerima Warcharch + To sing Sheshin Najemoon + To steal Kemootin Keemôtyan + To sleep Nepa Nepan + To smoke a pipe Saggasoy Suggersoy + To speak Galoola Debarchim, or + debarchemon + To see Wabemo Wabemat, or wabemor + + To take Takoonan Tarpenan + To think Tilelindan Indenendum, or indenind + + To tell Teta Gudjey + To throw away, or Webenan Waybenan + repudiate + {199} + To understand Nistotawa Neesstootewar + + To vex Iskatissey Annascartissey, or + nishcartissey + To walk, or go Pemousse Pamôsay + To win Packitan Warmatt + + Axe Ajackwet Ajackquoit + Above, or high Spimink Ishpemeg + After, or afterwards Mipidach Ningoot + And Gaye, or mipigaye Ashea + Another Coutak Ningootch + Again, or yet Menawatch Meenewatch + All Kakina Cockinnor + Always, wherever Kakeli Cargoneek, or memarmo + + Breech clout Kepokitty kousah Oncean + Beard Mischiton Opeewyesky + Barrel Ayoentagun Owentagun + Ball, or large shot Alwin Kitchee anwin + Bottle Sheshegouay Môtay + Beaver Amik Amik + Beaver skin Appiminiquy Appiminiquy + Body Yao Yoe + {200} + Blankets Wabiwyan Waperwoyan + Breech Miskousah Peckqueen dorsow + Bear Mackquah Mackquah + Bear cub Makons Mackconce, or + Mackquaconce + Bread, or flour Paboushikan Pockquoisigan + Broth, or soup Wabou Shoanarboop + Bag Maskimout Muchcomat + Blood Miskoo Misquy + Bark bowl, or cup Oulagan Onagun + Belly Mishemout Ishquamach + Brother Necanish Shemayn + Bowels Olakick Onuggesh + Birds, or fowl Pilé Pinneyshis + Because Mewinch Mewinch + Black Negao Mackcutty + Big Mentitoo Menditoo + + Coats Capotewian Piskawagan + Canoe Cheeman Cheeman + Companion, or friend Neechee Neejee, or Neecarnis + Captain, or chief Okemaw Okemaw, or Ojemaw + Captain, or head Kitchee okemaw Kitchee Okemaw + warrior semauganish + Child, or children Bobeloshin Queebesince + Courage Taquamissi Taguamissy, or + Haguamissy + {201} + Covetous Sasakissy Sazargesay + Cold Kekatch Geessennar + + Duck, wild Sheeship Sheeshib + Dust Pingway Pingo + Deer Awaskesh Awaskesh + Dog Alim Anim + Dog, puppy Alimons Animonce + Day, or days Okonogat Ogunnegat + Dart Sheshikwee Aysquish + Dish Mackoan Mackoan + Dead Neepoo Neepoo + Devil, or Bad Spirit Matchee Mannitoo Matchee Mannitoo + Dance of Savages Sheshequoy Shessaquoy + Drunk Ousquibby Squibby, or Osquibby + Done, it is done, or Sheyar Shyyar + past + + Elk Mons Moouse + Eye Ouskinshik Wiskinky + English Outsakamink dachereni Saggonash + Equal Tabiscooch Tabiscoach + Each Paypayjik Papayjit + Enough Mimilic Mee, or mimilic + + Fire steel Scoutykan Squittycan, or + Scotaycan + Fire Scoute Scotay or squitty + {202} + Fort Wackaygan Wakaygan + French Mittigoush Waymistergoash + Fish Kickons Kegonce + Fish, white Attikamek Artikkameg + Fox Outagamy Assinbo + Flesh of animals Weass Weass + Fork or prong stick Nassawokwot Cawmeek meteek + Father Nooskay Nocey + Fat, or he is fat Pimete Pimmethy + Female, or woman Ickwer Equoy + Full Mooshquenay Mooshquenay + Free, generous Walatissy Ajackquoy + Formerly Peraweego Maywisher + Far off Watso Awassa, or Awassa woyta + + Girl Ickwessens Equoysince + Gun Paskeysegan Baskeyzegan + Grass Myask Nepish, or mejask + Grapes Shoamin Minneshish + God, or Great Spirit Kitchee Mannitoo Kitchee Mannitoo + Gunpowder Pingo Mackate Mackcutty, or Pingo + Mackcutty + Good Quelatch Nishshishshin + + House, or hut Wikiwam Wigwaum + Hair, human Lissy Lissy + {203} + Hair, of beasts Pewall Opeeway + Heaven, or the other Spiminkaquin Pockcan worrockey, or + world pockan tunnockey + Hare Wapoos Wapoos + Husband, or master of Napema Nabaim + weakness + Head Ousteooan Eshtergoan + Heart Mishewah Oathty + Half Nabal Arbittar + Handsome Sasayga Sasayga + Home, or dwelling Entayank Ashemich + Hot Akeeshattay Geeshartay + Hungry Packatay Bocketty + Here Akonda, or akomanda Ashemich + How Tany Tawny + How much, or how many? Tantasou, or Tawnymilik? + taxnimilik? + + Indian corn Metamin Medarmin + Iron Pewaby Pewabick + Island Minis Minnesey + Indians Ishinawbah Nishinnorbay + Immediately Webatch Webatch + Idle, or lazy Kittimy Kittim + + Knife Mockoman Mokoman + Knife, crooked Coutagan Wakeckuman + {204} + Kettle, or pot Akikkons Akeek + + Land Oustikan Onjee + Looking glasses Wabemo Warbemoon + Lake Kitchee Gammink Sakiegan + Letter Marseynaygan Marseynaygan + Leggons, or stockings Metass Mittasse + Light (clear) Vendao Meesharquoit + Long since Shashayay Sharshyyar + Little, small, few Wabeloosheins Pongay, or hagushenonce + + Man Alisinape Ninnee + Moon, or night light Debikat Ikisy Geezus + Mistress, or wife Neremoossin Mentimoye + Merchandise Alokatchigan Huncushigon, or + Annacotchigon + Medicine Maskikik Maskikkee + Male Nape Ayarbey + Male deer, or stag Mecheway Ayarbey awaskesh + Much Nebela Nepewar, or gwotch + + Needle to sew with Shabounekan Shaboonegun + Nose Yatch Yotch + News Taypatchimoo, kan Mergummegat + Night Debbikat Debbikat + Near, or nigh Pechoowetch Payshew + {205} + Now Nongom Nogome + Never Kawicka Cawwickca, or + cassawickca + No Ka Cawween, or ka + Nothing Kakaygoo Kakaygo + Not yet Kamasshy Kamarchy + + Otter Nekeek Nekeek + Old, he was old Kewesheins Keewaency + + Portage, or carrying Cappatagan Onuggemeg + place + People, or nation Irenee Nondajewot + Paddle, or small oar Apway Abboy + Pike (a fish) Kenonjay Kenonjay + Peninsula Minnissin Minnissin + Peace Pekah Meecho + Partridge Pilesiwee Peenay + Pipe Poygan Opoygan + + Quick Welibik Annacook + + Ring, for the finger Debelincheebeson Zenzeebisson + Rice, wild Malomin Menomon + Road Meekan Meekan + Rum, or brandy Scoutiwaboy Squittywabo, or + scotaywabo + {206} + Rain Kemewan Kimmeevan + River Sepim Seepee + Roots of trees Oustikwees Watappy + Robe of peltry Ockola Woygan, or oakonus + Red Misquy Misquoy, or misquitty + + Shirt Papakewean Parbockerwoyan + Spoon Mickwan Tamickquoin + Sword, or great knife Semagan Kitchee mokoman + Sense, to have sense Nebwacka Annaboycassey + Star Alan Annunk + Sturgeon Lamek Onnemay + Sea, or unbounded lake Agankitchee gammink Kitchee gammink + Stone Assin Assin + Spirit Mannitoo Mannitoo + Sun, or great light Keesis Geesessey + Shoes (Indian) Mackisin Maukissin + Ship, or great canoe Kitchee cheeman Kitchee Naberquoin + Soldier, or warrior Semaganis Shemagonish + Smoke, or fire fog Pentakoe Keenarbittay + Summer, or spring Merockamink Menokemeg + Sick Outineous Aquoisee + Sad Talissimy Cushkendummerman + Strong Mashkawa Mushcowar + {207} + Teeth Tebit Weebit + To-morrow Wabank Warbunk + Tomahawk Agackwetons Warcockquoite + Tongue, human Ooton Ooton + Tobacco Sayma Assaymer + Tobacco pouch Kaspetagun Kispetawgun + Trees Meteek Meteek + There Mandadiby Woity, or awoity + Too much Ozam Ozome + Too little Ozame mangis Ozome pangay + Thank you Meegwatch Meegwotch + Truly Keket Kaygait + That Manda Maunder + Together Mamawee Marmo + + Vermillion Oulamar Ozonnemon + Village Oudenank Narpoon + + Water Nepee Nippee + Winter Pepoon Bebone + Wolf Mahingan Mahingan + Wine, or blood red Shoemin aboo Mishquoy shoanarboop + broth + Wind Loutin Noetting + Woods Nopemenk Menopemeg + War Nontobâly Mecartay + Weary, or tired Takoosy Nowwendayshon + {208} + Why Tanientien Cannatoo + Where Ta Aunday + Where is he? or where Tanepy appy Tannepy Appay + does he dwell? + What is that? what? or Waneweenay? Wàygonin? + what now? + Who is that? Waneweenay mabo? Hawaneeyau? + Whence Tannepy Tannepy + White Waby Warbishcar + + Yellow Wazzo Jônia + Yes Mi, or Minkooty Angaymer, or Nangaymer + + Yesterday Pitchylago Pitchynargo + + + {209} _English_ _Mohegan_ _Shawanee_ + + A bear Mquoh Mauquah + A beaver Amisque Amaquah + Eye Hkeesque Skesacoo + Ear Towohque Towacah + Fetch Pautoh Peatoloo + My grandfather Nemoghhome Nemasompethau + My grandmother Nohhum Nocumthau + My grandchild Naughees Noosthethau + He goes Pumissoo Pomthalo + A girl Peesquausoo Sqauthauthau + House Weekumuhm Weecuah + He (that man) Uwoh Welah + His head Weensis Weenseh + His heart Utoh Otaheh + Hair Weghaukun Welathoh + Her husband Waughecheh Wasecheh + His teeth Wepeeton Wepeetalee + I thank you Wneeweh Neauweh + My uncle Nsees Neeseethau + I Neah Nelah + Thou Keah Kelah + We Neaunuh Nelauweh + Ye Keauwuh Kelauweh + Water Nbey Nippee + Elder sister Nmees Nemeethau + River Sepoo Thepee + + {210} _English_ _Mohegan_ + Bear Mquoh + Beaver Amisque + Dead, he is dead Nboo, or Neepoo + Devil, or Bad Spirit Mtandou + Dress the kettle, (make a fire) Pootouwah + Eyes Ukeesquan + Fire Stauw + Give it him Meenuh + How Tuneh + House Weekumuhm + Go, or walk Pumisseh + Marry Weeween + River Sepoo + Shoes Mkissin + The sun Keesogh + Sit down Mattipeh + Water Nbey + Where Tehah + Winter Hpoon + Wood Metooque + + N. B. The e final is not sounded except in monosyllables. + + + {211}_Algonkin_ _Chippeway_ + + Mackquah Mackquah + Amik Amik + Nepoo Neepoo + Matchee Mannitoo Matchee Mannitoo + + Poutwah Pooterway Chebockwoy + Ouskinshik Wiskinky + Scoute Scotay or Squitty + Millaw Darmissey + Tany Tawny + Wikiwam Wigwaum + Pemousse Pamosây + Wewin Tuckunnumkewish + Sepim Seepee + Mackisin Maukissin + Keesis Geessessey + Mantippy Mantetappy + Nepee Nippee + Ta Aunday + Pepoon Bebone + Meteek Meteek + + {212}_English_ _Iroquois_ + Above Aynegun + Absent Yáckta ohárlogh + Abuse, to Henryotaxa + Accept, to Iáyner + Account, to Sastáyricey + Accuse, to Cúttergun + Add to Cayéntuck + Admire, to Sannagatcácktone + Advice Sattayéntack + Adultery Sáchequar + Afraid Sáquoy + Afternoon Nowwátone + Again Ségo + Agree, to Curywyyárley + Alike Sadáyyouth + All Aguágo + Ally Lanóha + Alone Yáckta oya + Always Chetko + Amuse, to Susqueeselon + Another Oya + Answer, to Sattróly + And Noke + A, an, or the Ne, ne + + Bread Kanádaro + Black Agohoonsay + {213} + Dear Carnolelow + + English Cherrihunságat + + Father Luggoney + + Gunpowder Ogánra + Give me Cassar + + How much, or how many Toneego + + Jacob Yárwek + + King, or great chief Sachem + + Money Wisstar + Montreal Chocktyhargo + + Or Neteas + + Partridge Oquesses + Peter Gwider + Plenty Cúshcowait + Perhaps Togatt + + Rose (a flower) Easel + Rum Skarat + {214} + Shot Onáya + Sugar Chekayter + Silver works Wisstar noolone + + Thank you Yaown + There is Honerer + + Understand, to Cockharonckar + + Wise Satoákha + Wind Yowwetty + Win, to Rowwennéhoo + Willing Senooncy + Wild Yáckta satoákha + Wife Sannatella + White Carárger + War Satterleyhone + Who Unghka + Was Ne + Water Oghnéga + Wine, or blood red soup Onéahháradáschhoúhtserákeri + Who was Ungka ne + What was Oghnihayadòtea + Where Caha + + Virgin Hanághgwáyenden + {215} + Young Agúntelo + You Ecee + Yesterday Tyoúcktárlow + Yes Etho + Yellow Ajeenegwar + Year Atoori + Your health Honoroquennyee + + + {216} _Names of Furs and Skins in English and French_ + + + _English_ _French_ + + Fat winter beaver Castor gras d´hiver + Fat summer beaver Castor gras d´été + Dry winter beaver Castor secs d´hiver + Dry summer beaver Castor secs d´été + Old winter beaver Castor vieux d´hiver + Old summer beaver Castor vieux d´été + Raw stag skins Cerfs verts + Prepared stag skins Cerfs passés + Rein deer skins Caribous + Raw hind skins Biches vertes + Prepared hind skins Biches passées + Mush rats Rats musques + Prepared roebuck skins Chevreuils passés + Unprepared roebuck skins Chevreuils verts + Tanned roebuck skins Chevreuils tanés + Southern, or Virginia foxes Renards du sud ou Virginie + White, from Tadousac, foxes Renards blancs de Tadousac + Wolves Loups de bois + Beaver eaters Carcajous + Martens Martres + Squirrels, black Ecureuils, noirs + Squirrels, grey Ecureuils, argentés + {217} + Fishers Peccans + Bears Ours + Bears, Cub Oursons + Otters Loutres + Cats Chats + Lynx Loups cerviers + Foxes, red Renards, rouges + Foxes, cross Renards croisés + Foxes, black Renards noirs + Foxes, grey Renards argentés + Minks Visons, ou Fourtreaux + North Case Cat Pichoux du nord + South Case Cat Pichoux du sud + + + {218} _Parts of the Human Body_ + + + _English_ _Chippeway_ + + Ankle Warwích + Arm Aník + Arm, broken Késconeek + Back Oníckquick + Beard Opeewyésky + Belly Is´quamach + Blood Misqúy + Body Yoe + Bones Oakcan + Bowels Onúggesh + Brain Opin + Breath Nowwetting, or nowwettywich + Breech Peckqueen dorsow + Breast Wheyóe + Cheeks Warbím + Chin Utchwar + Eye Wiskínky + Eye that squints Annooch + Ear Nóndawar + {219} + Eyelid Péwyar + Eyebrow Gwátso + Face Meechaw + Fundament Meedséywort + Fingers Argátso + Foot, or feet Ozett + Gall Marchéw + Hand Armóche + Heart Oathty + Hair Lissy + Head Eshtergóan + Hips Tarbatch + Head, bald Wematishtergóan + Knee Puttwar + Lips Meemoáche + Lungs Seegwa + Leg Ocárt + Liver Quinch + Mouth Meessey + Nails of fingers and toes Narb + Neck Shemmor + {220} + Nostrils Pecktópe + Nose Yotch + Navel Pinneck + Ribs Ashíngo + Skull Eshteroáthcan + Sinews Atteese + Skin Pokkikkin + Teeth Weebitt + Thighs Oquarme + Thumbs Mitchea + Throat Squissow + Toes Tarwárchewort + Tongue Ooton + Veins Weebórso, or neatissum + Wrist Annánk + + + {221} _Names of Animals, &c._ + + Animal between a dog and a wolf Wabátch + Ants, and all small insects Mannetónce + + Buck, or male deer Ayarbéy awashkésh + Beaver robe Amik woygán, or amik oakónus + Bear Mackquáh + Bear, cub Mackquacónce or mackónce + Beaver Amik + Beaver skin Appiminiquy + Beaver eater Quickwahay + Birds, all small Pennyshance + Buffalo Péshshekey + + Cat, wild Peshshéw + Cat, tame Cúshecance + Crow Cark cark + Carp Narmáybin + Crane Kitchee cárbo + + Duck, wild Sheshíb + Dog Anim + {222} + Dog, puppy Animónce + Deer Awashkésh + + Elk Moouse + Eggs Wark + Eagle Meegeezes + + Flesh of animals Weass + Fur of animals Oyan + Feathers of birds Pequim + Fox Assínbo + Frog Muckkikkée + Fish Kegónce + Fisher Ochíck + Fowl, or birds Pénnyshis + Fish, white Artíkkameg + + Goose, wild Neecárk + + Hog Coocóoche + Hair of animals Opeeway + Hide of animals Weeyan + Hare Wapóos + Horse Ogashy + + Loon Maunk + + Marten Warbeshánce + {223} + Mink Shángwoitch + Musquash, or mush rat Háwoyzask + + Otter Nekeek + + Partridge Peenay + Pickeril Ogánce + Peltry, or robe made of fur Woygan + Pike Keenonjey + Plover Guéveshew + + Racoon Asseeban + + Skunk, or pole cat Sheecark + Sturgeon Onnemay + Snakes Keenaypíckneeshey + Skin of animals Nink + Squirrel Opickquoy + Swan Kitchee meework + + Tongue of animals Sawwétch + Tail of animals Warmeech + Turkey Weenecobbo + Trout Narmáyguiss + + Wing of birds Gwimbítch + Wolf Mawhíngon + + + {224} _Merchandise_ + + Arm bands Kitchee wáybesun + Axe Ajáckquoit + + Ball, or large shot Kitchee ánwin + Brass wire Pewarbickcónce + Beads Mannetoo menánce + Broaches Paunéa + Breech clout Oncean + Blanket Waperwóyan + + Comb Penárquan + Coat Piskawágan + Canoe awl Meecóose + + Fire steel Squíttycan + Finger ring Zenzéebisson + + Gun flint Powwabickcóon + Gum Pickkéw + Gun Baskéyzegan + {225} + Gartering Arcoquóshergan + Gunpowder, or black dust Mackcutty, or mackcutty pingo + Gun worms Teakíagun + + Hair plates Saggobánwan + Hawk bells Pewarbeneech + Horn Pendycutty + Hats Oweoathcoan + + Kettle, or pot Akeek + Knife, or knives Mókoman + Knife, crooked Wakéckuman + + Lines for a net Shenowantágan + Leggons, or stockings Mittasse + Looking glasses Warbermoone + + Needles Shaboonegun + Net for fishing Assubbub + + Ribbons, or silk Sénnebar + Rum, or brandy Scótaywábo, or Squittaywábo + + Spear Eshcan + Shot Sheesheebanwín + Stroud, blue Mannetoo woygán + {226} + Stroud, red Míshwoygán + Shirt Parbóckerwoyán + + Tomahawk Warcóckquoite, or Warcóckquoite + Opoygan + Tobacco Assáymer + Thread Assúb + + Vermilion Ozonnemon + + Wristbands Annán + + Army, or number of people assembled Barthtiárje + together + Adultery Keemótegun + Air Shaquoit + Ashes Pamótay wáybegun + Arch (part of a circle) Nondárgay + Aunt Ergúshemin + Absent Cáwween áppay + All Cockinnór + Abuse, to abuse Mecártay + All together Cockinnór marmó + Alive Pemártus + Ashamed, to be ashamed Newemo + Any Apáckcan, or han + Alike, or equal Tabiscoach + Again, or yet Méenewatch + Alone, at, or only Aighter or unter + Always, or wherever Cargonéek, or memármo + After, or afterwards Ningoot + And Ashea + {228} + A and The Páyshik + Another Ningootch + Alone, or I myself Nin aighter + Above, or high I´shpemeg + Also, too Guyyea + + Book, letter, paper Marseynáygan + Bread, or flour Pockquoísigan + Broth, or soup Shoanárboop + Branches of a tree Meetecónce + Brother Shemayn + Bark of a tree Wigwass + Bark, fire bark Scótay wigwass + Boy Oskenáygay + Battle Shamishcart + Bag Múshcomat + Barrel Owentágun + Bridge Warmeek + Basket, or hand bowl Wapátch + Bed Péshshemo + Bottle Môtay + Bay, or road for vessels Assénjey + Box of wood, or bark, or run keg Meteek múshcomat, or muccuck + Blue Talónjay + Bald Parmín + Bad, or wicked Matchee + {229} + Bitter Matooch + Bright, or light Meeshárquoit + Barren, not bearing fruit Matchee wáybegun + Big, or great Menditoo + Black Mackcútty + Blind Warbermenéech + Broad Hamatchey + Bottom Haundwatchey + Busy U´ngwoitch + Because Mewinch + But Moszáck + By and by Panimár + Below Opármey + Beyond, or far of Awassa, or awassa woy´ta + Before Awáshshemon + Behind Ningôochum + Between Icktum guichum + Besides Metách, or menoche + + Canoe Cheeman + Country Tunnockáy + Chief, or captain Ojémaw, or O´kemaw + Cup, or bark bowl Onágun + Cloud, or grand cover Kenárbo + Cable, or big rope Kitchee assubbub + Copper, iron, or brass Pewárbick + Crowd Nepewárnoondájewort + {230} + Cabin, hut, or house Wigwaum + Current of water Sedgwin + Companion, or friend Neejee, or Neecarnis + Courage Haguámissey or Taguámissey + Child, or children Queebesince + Corn, Indian Medármin + Covetous, or greedy Sazárgesay + Calm Annywattin + Cunning Matchee weebézesay + Coarse (not fine) Matchee arpeech + Cold Geessennar + Come here Ondass + Can it, is it, was it Nar + Carrying place, or portage Onúggemeg + + Devil, or Bad Spirit Matchee Mannitoo + Daughter Indongway, or Darniss + Dust, or powder Pingo + Day, fine Meeno geesshegat + Day, bad Matchee geesshegat + Day, or days Ogúnnegat + Day, dawn of Thurénsera + Dart Aysquish + Dew Misquoitch + Debt, or trust Marsennahatch, or Marsennáygan + Door, shut the door Squendum + Dish Mackcóan + {231} + Down (on the ground) Doutch + Dear, or too much Ozóme + Done, gone, or past Shyyár, or shárshyyar + Dark Onárgushey + Drunk Squibby, or Osquibby + Dressed, or ripe Keejetty + Drowsy, (I am drowsy) Nepârhar + Dry, or thirsty Sparchtay + Deaf Chartch + Dead Nepoo + Deep Anneycheewoatch + + Edge Gatsotes + Enemy, or bad heart Matchee Oathty + English Saggonash + Earth Mattoyash + Easy Meenwéndesay + Enough Mee + Empty Cawween mooshkenay + Equal, or alike Tabiscoach + Each Papay´jit + + Flour, or bread Pockquoísigan + Fat, oil, or grease Pimmethy + Food Mejimmim + Fever Mishquoishártay + Fear, to fear, he is afraid Keezáycus + {232} + Fruit Pinneesh + Feast Wisseneet + Friend, or companion Neejee, or Necárnis + Fool, he is a fool Keepártesee + Flood of water Chingwim + Family Nepewoajánis + Father Nócey + French, or builders of vessels Waymístergoash + Fathom (a measure) Euníck + Female, or woman E´quoy + Fork, or prong stick Cáwmeek meeteek + Fire Scótay, or squitty + Flint stone Pewarmickcoon + Fort, or tower Wakáygon + Fond, I am fond Nezárgea + Free, or generous Ajáckquoy + Fine (not coarse) Arpeech + Few Memárjis + Fresh (not stale) Meecheeweass + Full Mooshquenay + Formerly, long time ago Maywísher + + Grease, fat, or oil Pimmethy + Grapes Minnishish + Girl E´quoysince + God, or Great Spirit Kitchee Mannitoo + Gold, or fine yellow metal Kitchee jónia + {233} + Great, good Kitchee, or nishshishshín + Green Achíb + Great, or big Menditoo + Globe, the earth Warbegún + Gone, past, or done Shyyar, or sharshyyar + + Harbour Pejárcan + Health Pemártus + Herb, or grass Nepísh, or mejásk + Hell, or place of bad spirits Kitchee squíttyung + Half, or part Arbittár + Home, or dwelling A´shemich + Hill Anneech + Husband, or master of weakness Nabaim + Hole March + Huckleberries Shóamin + Hard, cruel; it is hard or cruel Sánnegat + Handsome Sasay´ga + Heavy Pestérquan + Hot, or warm Geeshártay + Hungry, thin, lean Bócketty + He, him, she, or her Ween + Here Omár, or owáy + How, or how do you do? Waygush, or way way + How many, or how much Tawnimilik + Here and there Pay payshik + {234} + Have, had Arthty + High, or above I´shpemeg + + Island Min´nesey + Ice Mequárme + Indians Nishinnorbay + Journey, to go a journey Marchián + Justice, or truth Gwoyack + Idle, or lazy Kíttim + Jealous Pejármoach + I, me, or my Nin, nee, or nee, nee + I, myself, or alone Nin aighter + If Késhpin + Indeed Hapádgey + Immediately, or very soon Weebátch + In Pendeek + It is true, or right, or very well Kaygait, kay, or meegwoyack + + I have Kaygo + I have not Ka, kaygo + Is it, was it, can it Nar + + Knot of wood Mushqueewórmeteek + King, or great chief Gósenan + + Lake Sakíegan + Lightning, or quick fire Squitty annacook + {235} + Loss, to lose Winnetoon + Leaves Nepeech + Life Noochimmoin + Love, to love Zárgay, or zargeytoon + Land Onjee + Lean, hungry, or thin Bócketty + Little, small Pongay + Light (not heavy) Cáwween pestérquan + Light, or bright Meeshárquoit + Lazy, or idle Kíttim + Last Ingwitch, or awass + Long Keenónje + Lame Armooch + Low Appywick + Long since Sharshyyar + Lately, or now Nogóme + Lewd, or unwise Cáwween annobóycassey + + Male Ayarbéy + Middle Amáng + Music Agummeweech + Merchandize Huncúshigon, or annacótchigon + Milk, or the sap of the breast Tootooshonárbo + Medicine Maskikkee + Mistress, or wife Mentimóyey + My wife, or mistress Mentimóyamish + Mouth Warbun + {236} + Moon Geezus + Mat made of rushes Woyzáskquish + Mother Ningay + Man Ninnee + Montreal (a town in Canada) Monyny´yank + Morning Keejay´p + Mountain Espeo´ckay + Mud Onjeech + Many Márnay + Much, or a great deal Népewar, or gwotch + Mine, belonging to me Weechópe + Make haste Weebittán, or ha weebittán + Me, my, or I Nin, nee, or nee, nee + + News, or intelligence Mergummegat + Name Shenecazeau + Night Debbikat + Nest, bird´s nest Wesshepátchta + Noise Tonbíngesay + Nothing, no, or not Cáwween, or Ka + New, or strange Nobeetch, or pockcan + Narrow Agússin + Near, or nigh Payshéw + Not yet Kámarchey + Now, or lately Nogóme + Never Cáwwickcá, or cássawickcá + {237} + Oil, fat, or grease; or to be fat Pímmethy + Old, he is old Keewáency + Out, or without Accochink + Of An + Oh! oh! Taw! waw! + Only, at, or alone Aighter, or unter + Our, us, or we Neennerwind + One, the, a, or an Páyshik + + Pity, or sorrow Cushkéndum + Part, or half Arbittár + Pain Daggow´wemeech + Plenty Cúshcowait + Paint Zawnúm + Peace Meecho + Pipe Opóygan + Portage, or carrying place Onúggemeg + Peninsula Minnesin + Poison, or the taste of the bad Matchee pattso + swelling + Paddle, or small oar A´bboy + Priest, or Master of Life´s man Kitchee Mannitoo Ninnee + Pack, or bundle of skins Meekintárgan + Present, or gift Achímmey + Pledge Assinjégo + Price, what price, how many, or how Andersoy + much + {238} + Pleasure Armeetso + People, or nation Nondájewot + Permission Gar + Patient Ardátch + Proof Chárno + Poor Kitchee Mórgussey + Proud Ish´pemeech + Pregnant Mooshkey + Past, gone, done Shyyár, or sháshyyár + Perhaps Cánnebatch + Plural Woke + + Quiet, all is quiet Súggermarsh + Quick Annacook + + Rock weed, or tripe derôche Haw´wercoon + Rice, Indian Menómon + River Seepee + Robe made of peltry Woygán, or oakónus + Road Meekan + Raft of wood Nepewameteek + Rain Kimmeewan + Rocks Essíngo + Rushes Woyzásk + Roots of trees Watáppy + Roots, a figurative expression for Waterwawaddoossin + the affections of the heart which + entwine about each other + {239} + Rapid, or strong current of water Pówwetink + Ready Guy´oxim + Rotten Dadge + Round Omích + Red Misquitty, or mísquy + Rough Guachootch + Raw, or unripe Kakeejetty + Ripe, or dressed Keejetty + + Stone Assín + Soup, or broth Shoanárboop + Sense, or understanding Annabóycassey + Sap of the breast, or milk Tootooshomarbo + Star Annúnk + Shame Acheek + Stranger Péwithay + Shade Angwoitch + Shell Atch + Sky Esh´pea + Sleep Nepán + Sugar, or sweet Seezeebóckquoit, or seezequar + Salt Sheotágan + Soldier, warrior, or brave man Shemágonish + Sister Shemay´nce + Strong, or strength Múshkowar + Summer, or spring Menókemeg + Stumps of trees Mátwort + {240} + Storm Matchee geeshegar + Slay, an Indian carriage Tarbinnáck + Spoon Támmickquoin + Son Jánis + Sand Dárjey + Ship, or great canoe Kitchee náberquoin + Shoes (Indian) Maukissin + Sword, or great knife Kitchee mókoman + Sea, or great unbounded lake Kitchee gammink + Smoke, or fire fog Keenárbittay + Sail of a ship Kitchee náberquoin parbóckerwoyan + Snow Going + Sun, or great light Geessessey + Soft Charbeech + Sad Cushkendummerman + Sorrow, or pity Cushkendum + Savage, or wild Matcheewa + Small, or little Hagúshenonce, or pongay + Sharp Weemátch + Smooth Narnín + Sour Nebítch + Sudden I´shmick + Slow Kíttermish + Surprising Towwácktowar + Short Dáckquoy + Strange, or new Nobeetch, or pockan + {241} + Such Shenárgussey + Sick Aquoisee + She, her, he, or him Ween + + Tower or fort Wakaygon + Truth, or justice Gwoyack + Trade Artawway + Trader Artawway winnin + Thunder Tarbishár + Tobacco pouch Kispetawgan + Thief; he is a thief Keemôtay + Trees, or wood Meteek + Thoughts Waybissay, or waybeezezay + Thing, or things Kaygoshish + To-morrow Warbunk + Tame Jimmenin + Thin, hungry, or lean Bocketty + True; to be true Deb´woy + This, or that Mor, or morndar + They, them, or ye Weenewar + There, at that place Woity, or awoity + The, a, an, or one Páyshik + To Ojey + Thou, or you Keen, kee, or kee kee + Too little Ozóme pongay + Too, or also Guyyea + Too much Ozóme + {242} + Together Marmo + Thank you Meegwoitch + + Urine Meessay + Valley Amarcheep + Virgin Quéwescence + Voice, or the echo of the breath Tarpoach + Village Narpoon + Unripe, or raw Kakeejetty + Unwise, or lewd Cáwween annaboycassey + Unlucky, or unfortunate Basqueenewar + Unjust, or wrong Cáwween gwoyack + Under Otárpeet + Unto Un´towarch + Upon Ish´carmooch + Very well, or it is true, or right Meegwoyyack, kay, or kaygait + Very soon, or immediately Weebatch + Us, we, our, all of us Neennerwind + + Wife, or mistress Mentimoy´ey + Water Nippee + Wind Noetting + Wound Aquish + War, to go to war, to fight, or Mecártay + quarrel + Woods Menópemeg + Wine, or blood red broth Misquoyshoanarboop + {243} + Whore, or bad woman Matchee móyamee + Winter, or year Bebóne + Well of water Sagoyb + Word Cáza + Wing Gwimbitch + Witness, you are a witness Ken´dersay + World, the other world Pockcan worroc´kay, or pockcan + tunnoc´kay + Wide Packquoím + Weary, or tired Nowwenday´shon + Wild, or savage Matcheewa + Warm, or hot Geeshar´tay + Wet Neepeeweenoon + Willing, to be willing Can´nar, or cun´ner + White Warbishcár + Weak Cáwween mush´kowar + Wild Carnaboycus + We, us, or our Neennerwind + Who, or who is that? Way´nin + What, or what now? Hawwaneeyaw, tar´nin, tar´neyau, or + way´gonin + Where Aúnday + When, or whence Tan´nepy + Why Cannatoo + Wherever, or always Cargoneek, or memar´mo + Was it, is it, can it Nar + {244} + Young (offspring) Wiskon´kissey + Yesterday Pitchynar´go + Young man, or men Doskeennerway´mug + Ye, they, or them Weennewar + Ye, your Kéennerwind + Yes Angay´mer, or Nan´gaymer + Yellow Jonia + Yet, or again Meenewatch + + To amuse, or play Athtergain + To account Metashwárbermy + To approve; I approve Mornooch nezar´gay + To assist Mawwinnewah + To alter, or change Mishcoot + To affront Nishcar´teyan + To answer, or attend to Noneydone + To ask, I ask Nindooton, or nindootimond + To ascend Negádeja + To abandon, or forsake Pack´itan + To arrive at a place Takooshin + To arrive by land Keekeepejar´can + To arrive by water Sharshyyar´ new´ebens + To avoid Yaquoy + To attack Jimmim + + To be vexed; I am vexed Nischcárteseyyan + {245} + To believe Indenéndum gwoyack + To bawl Tonbíngus + To be told Ecárto + To begin Ethetum war´march + To bend Marchím + To be willing Can´nar, or cun´ner + To betray all Matchee arpeech chickwar´woke + To beat, or bruise Packettywaum + To bring, or fetch Nartín, or Petoon + To bind, or tie Tackan´nin + To break, or tear Bowwískar + To bite Quoyjím + To build Gowweájetoon + To barter Gudgymárdat + To boil Zepeeooch + To borrow Carmatch´ey + To burn Squitty árbach + To beg (you beg) Keenandóton + To bathe Nepewoy´awat + To be unconcerned, or indifferent Mornooch towwárch + about a thing + + To cut Kiskejune + To call Nandootum + To choose Tucku´nnin + To cure Zársquoy + {246} + To catch Keeásquin + To clean Warbermeech + To chew Wis´semeg + To come on Ondash´in + To carry Keemárjemet + To close Dusquin + To converse Debárchim, or debárchemon + To conquer Ninnowátchim + + To dance Neméh + To drown Nepewooch + To divide Arbitórch + To dig Achím + To dwell, or stay Appay + To defend Mushkáwesay + To dream Charmeech + To drop Char´quoy + To depart Gamar´char + To drink Mínniquah + To dip Marchtooch + + To elect Keetárpeech + To embark Boossin + To experience Candan + To expect Indenéndumsee + To eat Wíssinnin + {247} + To freeze Mushcow´wartin + To find Warbermecó + To fast Bockettyneech + To fish Bockettywaun + To feel Tarpín, or peach + To fall Pónkissin + To float Arnooch + To follow Weegewach´in + To forget; I forgot Newinnemeecoossay + To foretell; I foretell Newárbemoach + To fetch, or bring Nartín, or petoon + To fly Zeewítch + + To grow Ameechet + To grind Ojít + To give Dármissey + To go, I will go Es´zar, or Gúddeszar + To go by water Pamískian, or pemískar + To go by land Papamôtay + To get up, or rise Goníshcar + To govern Tibárimaw + + To hide Cannawéndan + To hold Jingwím + To hate Neshárquish + To hear Stootewar, or nondágaitch + To hurt Naw´wameetch + {248} + To hang Peechúganub + To hunt Géosay + To hit Mátwoit + To have Arwayyor + + To interpret Kitchee ungwoitch undárjewort + + To jump Abooch + To join, I join Neewo + + To keep Gannewaínnemar + To kill Gúnnesar + To know, you know Keecannawéndan + To kick Achíp + + To lend Mishcow´womeech + To love; love Zárgay, or zárgeytoon + To long to see, or wish Badásh + To lose; loss Wínnetoon + To lift Es´termeech + To learn E´shpermeech + To lead Acheech + To lie down Neparhan + To lie, a falsity Cáwween deb´woy + To laugh Pawpy´ + + To meet Neewatch + To make fire and cook Pooterway chebóckwoy + {249} + To make, or do Ojeytoon, or tojeytoon + To measure Apín + To melt Acheemeech + To mend Packquoy mowachin + To mix Packquoítso + To marry Tuckunnu´mkewish + To make water Meesesay + + To neglect Wínnemawatch + + To own Guddypen´dan, or dépendan + To open Pameech, or hapitch + + To place, or put Acktone, or neech + To pull Ajárme + To pay Guddypa´rhan + To please Mirrowerrindan + To push Meetso + To pass Pisquitch + To pierce Chagworm + To pinch Chímmeney + To promise Nebebeewoy + To perspire Matootoo + + To return Tercus´henan, or guabeecheway + To raise Ishpin + To receive Ajímmoach + {250} + To row Pemíshkar + To rejoice Papyan + To run Squamích + To read Daguoítso + To revolt Etummecártey + To ride Annyscoop + To release Pejárkemet + To rise or get up Goníshcar + To repudiate, to throw away Waybenán + + To shake Písquemeetch + To stand up Pásserquoin + To sail Pemíshcarmooch + To spit Warmar´ch + To seek Warchar´ch + To stand Andátch + To seize Ajímmenin + To stab Batcheypehone + To split Chippauk + To shew Serpárgussey + To shut Cupperharne + To sing Nájemoon + To sink Nondágat + To satisfy Neminwaíndesee + To sit down, or sit you down Mantetáppy + To send Marchetoon + To smoke a pipe Suggersoy + {251} + To swim Squabeech + To see Wabemát, or wabemór + To speak Debárchim, or debárchemon + To smell Iaquítch + To say; what did you say? when Ickeetóyan + spoke angrily + To stink; you stink, or your Keeméchawich + sentiments are offensive + To strike Keebárcham + To steal Keemótyan + To sleep Nepán + + To tie, or bind Tackannin + To touch Chewwar + To tell Gudjey + To think In´denind, or indenéndum + To throw away; to repudiate Waybenán + To take Tarpenán + + To understand Neesstootewar + To view, or examine well my mind Wabindán + To vex Annascar´tissey, or níshcar´tissey + + To win Warmatt + To watch Warbennís, or warbennét + To wash Zaquébenan + {252} + To work Tojeytoon, or gúsketoon + To want Guy´yossey + To weep Marmy´ + To walk, or go Pamósay + To weigh Quois´ciquen + To wish, or long to see Badásh + + + {253} _Chippeway_ _English_ + + Abboy Paddle, or small oar + Ajack´quoit Axe + Annaboy´cassey Sense, or understanding + Aník Arm + Appimíniquy Beaver skin + Ayarbéy awashkésh Buck, or male deer + Amík Beaver + Assénjey Bay, (harbour for canoes) + Aním Dog + Animónce Dog, puppy + Aysquish Dart + Awashkésh Deer + Annooch Eye that squints + Argátso Fingers + Assínbo Fox + Artik´kameg White fish + Arcoquosh´ergan Gartering + Armoche Hand + Arbittár Half, or part + Anneech Hill + A´shemich Home, or dwelling + Akeek Kettle, or pot + {254} + Ayarbéy Male + Annacótchigon, or huncúshigon Merchandise + Amáng Middle + Agúmmeweech Music + Assúbúb Net for fishing + Assúb Thread + Achimmey Present, or gift + Assinjégo Pledge + An´dersoy, or tawnymilik Price; what price? how many? how + much? + Armeetso Pleasure + Ashin´go Ribs + Asseeban Racoon + Amik woygán, or amik oakónus Beaver robe + Aquísh Wound + Attees Sinews + Annúnk Star + Assín Stone + Acheek Shame + Angwoitch Shade + Atch Shell + Artawway Trade + Artawway winnin Trader + Assay´mer Tobacco + Amarcheep Valley + Annánk Wrist + Annán Wristbands + {255} + Annywattin Calm + Anneycheewoatch Deep + Achíb Green + Armooch Lame + Ajack´quoy Free, or generous + Appywick Low + Agússin Narrow + Ardátch Patient + Arpeech Fine, not coarse + Annacook Quick + Ac´quoisee Sick + Apackhan, or han Any + Awoíty, or woíty There; at a place + Aighter, or unter Only, at, alone + Aúnday Where + Angáymer, or nángaymer Yes + Awashemon Before + An Of + Awa´ss, or ingwitch Last + Awa´ssa, or awa´ssa woy´ta Beyond, or far off + Accochink Out, or without + Arthty Have, had + Ashea And + Athtergain To amuse, or play + Arbitórch To divide + Arwayyor To have + Achím To dig + An´yscoop To ride + {256} + Appay To dwell, or stay + Amooch To float + Acheech To lead + Ameechet To grow + Achíp To kick + Abooch To jump + Apín To measure + Ajárme To pull + Ajímmoach To receive + Ajímmenin To seize + Andátch To stand + Ac´ktone, or neech To place, or put + Annascar´tissey, or níshcartissey To vex + Acheemeech To melt + + Baskey´zegan Gun + Bebo´ne Winter, or year + Barthtiar´je Army, or number of people assembled + together + Bócketty Hungry, thin, lean + Basqueenewar Unlucky, or unfortunate + Bowwis´kar To break, or tear + Bóckettyneech To fast + Batcheypehone To stab + Badásh To long to see, or wish + Bóckettywaun To fish + Boossin To embark + {257} + Cushkéndum Sorrow, or pity + Cheeman Canoe + Cúshecance Tame cat + Cark cark Crow + Chingwím Flood of water + Cáwmeek meteek Fork, or prong stick + Coocooshe Hog + Cúshcowait Plenty + Cáwween, or ka Nothing, no, not + Cáza Word + Cáwween áppay Absent + Cockinnór All + Cockinnór marmó All together + Chartch Deaf + Cáwween mooshkenay Empty + Cwween pestérquan Light (not heavy) + Cáwween annaboy´cassey Lewd, or unwise + Charbeech Soft + Cushkendúmmerman Sad + Cáwween gwoyack Unjust, or wrong + Cáwween mush´kowar Weak + Carnayboy´cus Wild + Cargoneek, or memármo Always, wherever + Cáwwická, or cássawickcá Never + Cannatoo Why + Can´nebatch Perhaps + Chárno Proof + {258} + Can´ner, or cun´ner Willing, to be willing + Candan To experience + Charmeech To dream + Char´quoy To drop + Cannawéndan To hide + Cáwween deb´woy To lie (a falsity) + Chagworm To pierce + Chímmeney To pinch + Chíppauk To split + Cupperharne To shut + Chewwar To touch + Carmátchey To borrow + + Deb´bikat Night + Doskeennerway´mug Young man, or men + Daggow´wemeech Pain + Dar´jey Sand + Dar´niss, or indong´way Daughter + Dadge Rotten + Dáckquoy Short + Doutch Down, on the ground + Deb´woy True, to be true + Dus´quin To close + Debar´chim, or debar´chemon To converse + Daguoit´so To read + Depen´dan, or gúddypendan To own + Dar´missey To give + {259} + Euníck Fathom (a measure) + Ergush´shemin Aunt + E´quoy Woman, or female + E´quoysince Girl + Eshtergóan Head + Espeoc´kay Mountain + Essíngo Rocks + Eshteroath´can Skull + E´shcan Spears + Esh´pea Sky + Es´zar, or gúddeszar To go; I will go + Ethetum war´march To begin + Es´termeech To lift + Esh´permeech To learn + Etummecar´tey To revolt + Ecar´to To be told + + Gósenan King, or great chief + Gwat´so Eyebrow + Gatsoates Edge + Gwoyack Justice, or truth + Geezus Moon + Guéveshew Plover + Going Snow + Geessessey Sun, or great light + Gwimbítch Wing, of birds + Geessennar Cold + {260} + Geeshar´tay Hot, or warm; to make hot or warm + Guy´oxim Ready + Guachootch Rough + Gar Permission + Guyyea Also, too + Gwotch, or népewar Much, or a great deal + Gudggymárdat To barter + Guabeecheway, or tercúshenan To return + Gowweájetoon To build + Gamar´char To depart + Guy´yossey To want + Géosay To hunt + Gannewain´nemar To keep + Gun´nesar To kill + Guddypar´han To pay + Guddypen´dan, or dépendan To own + Gudjey To tell + Gonish´kar To rise, or get up + Gúsketoon, or tójeytoon To work + Gúddeszar, or Es´zar To go, I will go + + Huncush´igon, or annacotch´igon Merchandise + Hagua´missey, or táguámissey Courage + Háwoyzask Musquash, or musk rat + Haw´wercoon Tripe de rôche, or rock weed + Hamátchey Broad + {261} + Haundwátchey Bottom + Hagúshenonce Small + Hawwaneeyaw, tarnin, tarneyau, or What, or what now? + way´gonin + Han, or apackcan Any + Hapadjey Indeed + Hapitch, or pameech To open + Ha weebittan, or weebittan Make haste + + Indong´way, or dar´niss Daughter + Jánis Son + Jónia Yellow + Ish´pemeg High, or above + Ingwítch, or awáss Last + Ish´pemeech Proud + I´shmick Sudden + Jimmenin Tame + Is´quamach Belly + Icktum guichum Between + I´shcarmooch Upon + In´denind, or indenen´dum To think + Indenen´dumsee To expect + Jímmim To attack + Jingwím To hold + Ishpin To raise + Jaquítch To smell + Indenen´dum gwoyack To believe a thing true + {262} + Ickkeetoyan To say; what did you say? when + spoken angrily + + Kes´coneek Broken arm + Keemótegun Adultery + Kitchee anwin Ball, or large shot + Kitchee carbo Crane (a bird) + Keenar´bo Cloud, or grand cover + Kitchee assubbub Cable, or big rope + Keegónce Fish + Keepartesee Fool; he is a fool + Kitchee mannitoo God, or Great Spirit + Kitchee jónia Gold, or fine yellow metal + Kitchee squittyung Hell, or place of bad spirits + Keejayp Morning + Keenonjey Pike, a fish + Kitchee mannitoo ninnee Priest, or Master of Life´s man + Kimmeewan Rain + Keenaypick´neeshey Snakes + Kitchee meework Swan + Kitchee mókoman Sword, or great knife + Kitchee gammink Sea, or great unbounded lake + Keenárbittay Smoke, or fire fog + Kitchee náberquoin parbock´erwoyan Sail of a ship + Kitchee náberquoin Ship, or great canoe + Keemôtay Thief; he is a thief + Kispetaw´gan Tobacco pouch + Keezay´cus Fear; to fear; he is afraid + Ken´dersay Witness; you are a witness + Kitchee, or nishshishshin Great, or good + Kitchee way´besun Armbands + Kittim Idle, or lazy + Keenónge Long + Keewáency Old, he is old + Kitchee mor´gussey Poor + Kakeejetty Raw, or unripe + Keejetty Ripe, or dressed + Kíttermish Slow + Keen, kee, or kee kee Thou, or you + Ka, or ca´wween No, not; nothing + Késhpin If + Kaygoshish Thing, or things + Kaygait, kay, or meegwoyack It is true, or truly + Kamar´chey Not yet + Keennerwind Ye, your + Kaygo I have + Kakaygo I have not + Keenandóton To beg; you beg + Keeas´quin To catch + Keekeepejar´can To arrive by land + Kískejune To cut + Keemar´jemet To carry + Keetar´peech To elect + {264} + Kitchee ungwoitch, undar´jewort To interpret + Keemótyan To steal + Keemeechawich To stink; you stink, or your + sentiments are offensive + Keebar´cham To strike + Keecannawen´dan To know; you know + + Lissy Human hair + + Mejásk, or nepísh Herb, or grass + Marchián Journey; to go a journey + Mushqueewor´meteek Knot of wood + Mannetónce Ants, and all small insects + Misquy´ Blood + Mannetoo menan´ce Beads + Mackquáh Bear + Mackquacon´ce, or mackon´ce Cub bear + Meetecónse Branches of a tree + Marseynay´gan Book, letter, or paper + Meteek múshcomat, or muccuck Box of wood, or bark, or rum keg + Môtay Bottle + Múshcomat Bag + Meecoose Canoe awls + Medar´min Indian corn + Menómon Indian rice + Matchee Mannitoo Devil, or bad spirit + Misquoitch Dew + {265} + Mackcóan Dish + Meekintar´gan Pack, or bundle of skins + Marsennahatch, or marsennay´gan Debt, or trust + Meeno geesshegat Fine day + Matchee geeshegat Bad day + Moouse Elk + Meegeezes Eagle + Matchee oathty Enemy, or bad heart + Mattoyash Earth + Meechaw Face + Meedséywort Fundament + Muckkikee Frog + Mejimmim Food + Mishquoishártay Fever + Marchew´ Gall + Min´nishish Grapes + March Hole + Min´nesey Island + Min´nesin Peninsula + Meequorm Ice + Mókoman Knife, or knives + Meemoche Lips + Mittasse Leggons, or stockings + Maunk Loon, (a bird) + Maskikkee Medicine + Mentimoy´ey Wife, or mistress + Mentimoy´amish My wife, or mistress + {266} + Meesey Mouth + Mergummegat News + Mackcutty, or mackcutty pingo Gunpowder, or black dust + Meecho Peace + Matchee pattso Poison, or the taste of the bad + swelling + Meekan Road + Mannetoo woygan´ Blue stroud + Mishwoygan´ Red stroud + Menókemeg Summer, or spring + Mat´wort Stumps of trees + Múshkowar Strength, or strong + Matchee geesshegar Storm + Monyny´yank Montreal, a town in Canada + Maukissin Indian shoes + Meteek Trees, or wood + Mitchea Thumbs + Meessay Urine + Mawhin´gon Wolf + Mecar´tay War; to go to war; to fight, or + quarrel + Menópemeg Woods + Misquoyshoanar´boop Wine, or blood red broth + Matchee móyamee Whore, or bad woman + Matchee Bad, or wicked + Matooch Bitter + Matchee way´begun Barren, or not bearing fruit + {267} + Menditoo Big, or great + Matchee arpeech Coarse, not fine + Matchee weebeezesay Cunning + Meenwen´desay Easy + Mee Enough + Meermárjis Few + Meecheweass Fresh, not stale + Mooshquenay Full + Mackcutty Black + Meeshar´quoit Light, or bright + Marnay Many + Mooshkey Pregnant + Misquy, or misquitty Red + Matcheewa Savage, or wild + Marmo Together + Maunder, or mor This, or that + Metách, or menoch Besides + Mewinch Because + Meenewatch Again, or yet + Memar´mo, or cargoneek Always, wherever + Maywísher Long time ago, formerly, or is it + long since? + Moszack But + Meegwoyack, kay, or kaygait It is true, or right, or very well + Meewgotch Thank you + Mishcoot To alter, or change + Marchetoon To send + {268} + Mantetappy To sit down, or sit you down + Meetso To push + Mirrowerrindan To please + Metashwar´bermy To account + Mornooch nezar´gay To approve; I approve + Mawwinnewah To assist + Marchím To bend + Matchee arpeech chickwar To betray + Matchee arpeech chickwar´woke To betray a number of people + Marmy´ To weep + Mornooch towwárch To be unconcerned, or indifferent + about a thing + Mushkáwesay To defend + Mat´woit To hit + Min´niquah To drink + Mishcow´womeech To lend + Marchtooch To dip + Mushcow´wartin To freeze + Matootoo To perspire + + Nondar´gay Arch, part of a circle + Nowettywich, or nowwetting Breath + Narmay´bin Carp, a fish + Nepewarnoondájewort Crowd + Non´dawar Ear + Neejee, or neecarnis Friend, or companion + Nepewoajánis Family + Nócey Father + {269} + Nepísh, or mejásk Herb, or grass + Nabaim´ Husband, or master of weakness + Nishinnorbay Indians + Noochimmoin Life + Nin´gay Mother + Ninnee Man + Narb Nails of fingers and toes + Neecárk Wild goose + Nepeech Leaves + Nekeek Otter + Neatissum, or weebor´so Veins of the body + Nondájewot People, or nation + Nepewámeteek Raft of wood + Nink Skin of animals + Nepan´ Sleep + Narmay´guiss Trout + Narpoon Village + Nippee Water + Noetting Wind + Newemo Ashamed; to be ashamed + Ningootch Another + Nezar´gea Fond, I am fond + Nepewár, or gwotch Much, or a great deal + Nishshishshin´, or kitchee Good, or great + Nobeetch, or pockcan New, or strange + Narnín Smooth + Nebítch Sour + {270} + Nepeeweenoon Wet + Nowwenday´shon Weary, or tired + Neepoo Dead + Nepárhar Drowsy; I am drowsy + Nin, nee, or nee nee I, me, my + Nin aighter I myself, or alone + Neennerwind We, us, or our; all of us + Nangay´mer, or angay´mer Yes + Nogom Now, or lately + Ningoot Afterwards, or after + Ningoochum Behind + Ningootch Another + Nar Is it, was it, can it + Nishcar´teyan To affront + Neeshar´quish To hate + Nishcarteseyan To be vexed; I am vexed + Nishcartissay, or annascartissey To vex + Nóneydone To answer, or attend to + Nindooton, or nindootimond To ask; I ask + Negádeja To ascend + Nepewoy´awat To bathe + Neesstootewar To understand + Ninnowatchim To conquer + Neméh To dance + Nepewooch To drown + Nartín, or petoon To fetch, or bring + Naw´wameetch To hurt + {271} + Neewo To join + Neparhan To lie down + Newinnemecoossay To forget; I forget + Newárbemoach To foretell; I foretell + Nondágaitch, or stootewar To hear + Neewatch To meet + Neech, or acktone To put, or place + Nebebeewoy To promise + Nájemoon To sing + Nondágat To sink + Neminwain´desee To satisfy + Nepa´n To sleep + Nandootum To call + + Onágun Bark bowl, or cup + Oakónus, or amik woygan´ Beaver robe + Opeewyesky Beard + Onick´quick Back + Oakcan Bones + Opin Brain + Oncean Breech clout + Oskenay´gay Boy + Owentágun Barrel + Ojémaw, or O´kemaw Chief + Ogunnegat Day, or days + Ozett Foot, or feet + Oyan Fur of animals + {272} + Ochick´ Fisher, an animal + Onuggesh Bowels + Oathty Heart + Opeeway Hair of animals + Oweoathcoan Hats + Onúggemeg Portage, or carrying place + Ogashy Horse + Ocárt Leg + Onjee Land + Onjeech Mud + Opoy´gan Pipe + Ogánce Pickerill, a fish + Onnemay Sturgeon, a fish + Opickquoy Squirrel + Oquarme Thighs + Outon Tongue + Ozonnemon Vermillion + Ozóme Too much, or dear + Ozóme pongay Too little + Onar´gushey Dark + Omích Round + Opar´mey Below + Omár, or owáy Here + Otárpeet Under + Ojey To + Ondass Come here + Osquibby, or squibby Drunk + {273} + Ojit To grind + Ojeytoon, or ogúbbetoon To make, or do + Ondashin´ To come on + + Pennyshance All small birds + Pamótay way´begun Ashes + Peckqueen dorsow Breech + Pewarbickcónce Brass wire + Paunéa Broaches + Peshshekey Buffalo + Pesh´shemo Bed + Penar´quan Combs + Piskawágan Coats + Peshshew Wood cat + Pewar´bick Copper, iron, or brass + Pingo Dust, or powder + Pewyar Eyelid + Pennyshis Fowl, or birds + Pockquoísigan Flour, or bread + Pinneesh Fruit + Pequim Feathers of birds + Pewarmickcoon Flint stone + Powwabickcoon Gun flints + Pickkew Gum + Powwetink Rapid or strong current of water + Péwithay Stranger + Pewarbeneech Hawk bells + Peja´rcan Harbour + Pemartus Health + Pendycutty Horn + Puttwar Knee + Pecktópe Nostrills + Pinneck Navel + Pimmethy Oil, fat, or grease; or to be fat + Peenay Partridge + Pockkikkin Skin (human) + Parbock´erwoyan´ Shirts + Pockcan worrockay, or pockcan The other world, or country + tunnockay + Pitchynar´go Yesterday + Pester´quan Heavy + Parmín Bald + Pejar´moach Jealous + Pongay, or hagush´enonce Little, small + Páyshik One, the, a, or an + Pockcan, or nobeetch Strange, or new + Packquoim Wide + Payshéw Near, or nigh + Papay´jit Each + Panímár By and by + Pendeek In + Pay, páyshik Here, and there + Pack´itan To abandon, or forsake + Peach, or tarpín To feel + {275} + Pon´kissin To fall + Pamískian, or pemískar To go by water + Papamôtay To go by land + Peechúganub To hang + Packettywaun To beat + Pawpy´ To laugh + Packquoy mowachin To mend + Packquoítso To mix + Petoon, or nartín To fetch, or bring + Pameech, or hapítch To open + Pisquitch To pass + Pemíshkar To row + Papyan To rejoice + Pejar´kemet To release + Pas´serquoin To stand up + Pemíshcarmooch To sail + Pis quemeetch To shake + Pamósay To walk + Pooterway chebock´woy To make a fire and cook + + Quickwahay Beaver eater + Queebesince Child, or children + Quinch Liver + Quéwescence Virgin + Quoyjím To bite + Quois´ciquen To weigh + {276} + Shaquoit Air + Shemayn Brother + Shoanar´boop Broth, or soup + Shemay´nce Sister + Shamíshcart Battle + Sedgwin Current of water + Squendum Door; shut the door + Sheshíb Wild duck + Saggonash English + Squittycan Fire steels + Squitty, or scotay Fire + Scotay wigwass Fire bark + Saggoban´wan Hair plates + Shóamin Huckleberries + Seegwa Lungs + Squitty annacook Lightning, or quick fire + Sakíegan Lake + Shenowantágan Lines for a net + Shan´gwoitch Mink + Shem´mor Neck + Shaboonegun Needles + Shenecázeau Name + Sen´nebar Ribbands, or silk + Scótaywa´bo, or squittywa´bo Rum, or brandy + Seepee River + Sheesheebanwín Shot + Sheecark Skunk, or pole cat + {277} + Seezeebockquoit, or seezequar Sugar, or sweet + Sagoyb Well of water + Sheotágan Salt + Shemágonish Soldier, warrior, or brave man + Squissow Throat + Sawwétch Tongue of animals + Sazárgesay Greedy, or covetous + Sannegat Hard, cruel; it is hard, or cruel + Sasay´ga Handsome + Shenargussey Such + Sug´germarsh Quiet; all is quiet + Shyyár, or shar´shyyár Past, or gone, or done + Squibby, or Osquibby Drunk + Sparchtay Thirsty, or dry + Sharshyar´ newebens To arrive by water + Squittyar´bach To burn + Sug´gersoy To smoke a pipe + Squabeech To swim + Serpar´gussey To shew + Stootewar, or nondágaitch To hear + Squamích To run + Sharshyyár Long since + + Taguámissey, or haguámissey Courage + Tonbin´gesay Noise + Tunnoc´kay Country + Teakíagun Gun worms + {278} + Tarbátch Hips + Tootooshonarbo Milk, or sap of the breast + Tam´mikquoin Spoon + Tarbinnáck Indian slay + Tarbishár Thunder + Talon´jay Blue + Tarwar´chewort Toes + Thurensera Dawn of day + Tarpoach Voice, or the echo of the breath + Tabiscoach Equal, or alike + Towwacktowar Surprising + Tannepy When, or whence + Tar´nin, tar´neyau, way´go nin, or What, or what now? + hawwaneeyaw + Tawnimilik, or andersoy How many, what price, how much? + Taw! waw! Oh! oh! + Tarpenán To take + Takooshin To arrive at a place + Tackannin To bind, or tie + Tuckunnin To choose + Tibárimaw To govern + Tuckunnum´kewish To marry + Tonbin´gus To bawl + Tercush´enan, or guabeecheway To return + Tarpin, or peach To feel + Tójeytoon, or gúsketoon To work + + Utchwar Chin + {279} + Un´gwoitch Busy + Unter, or aighter Only, at, or alone + Untowarch Unto + + Way´bissay, or waybeezesay Thoughts + Warbunk To-morrow + Warwích Ankle + Warcockquoit, or warcockquoit Tomahawk + opoygan + Wabatch An animal between a dog and a wolf + Wheeyóe Breast + Waperwoyan´ Blankets + Wapátch Basket, or hand bowl + Warmeek Bridge + Wigwass Bark of a tree + Warbim´ Cheeks + Wiskin´ky Eyes + Wark Eggs + Warbegum´ Globe, the earth + Weass Flesh of animals + Wisseneet Feast + Waymístergoash French, or builders of vessels + Wakay´gon Fort, or tower + Wematishtergóan Bald head + Woygán, or oakónus Robe made of peltry + Wapoos Hare + {280} + Weeyan Hide of animals + Wigwaum House, cabin, or hut + Wakeck´uman Crooked knife + Warbermoon Looking glasses + Winnetoon Loss + Warbun´ Month + Woyzáskquish Rush mat + Warbeshan´ce Marten, an animal + Wesshepátchta Bird´s nest + Woyzásk Rushes + Watappy Roots of trees + Warmeech Tail of animals + Weenecobbo Turkey + Weebitt Teeth + Weebor´so, or neatissum Veins + Wiscon´kissey Young, offspring + Warbermeneech Blind + Weematch Sharp + Warbishcár White + Waterwawadoossin Roots; a figurative expression for + the affections of the heart, + which entwine about each other + Ween He, him, she or her + Weennewar Ye, they, or them + Way´nin Who, or who is that? + ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── + Way´gonin, hawwaneeyaw } What, or what now? + —— tar´nin } „ + —— Tar´neyau } „ + ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── + {281} + Waygush, or way way How, or how do you do? + Woity, or awoity There, at that place + Weebátch Immediately, or very soon + Weechópe Mine, belonging to me + Woke Plural number + Weebittan´, or ha, weebittan´ Make haste + Warbermeech To clean + Wíssemeg To chew + Wissinnin To eat + Weegewach´in To follow + Warbermecó To find + Wínnemawatch To neglect + Warmarch To spit + Wabindán To view, or examine well my mind + Wabemát, or wabemór To see + Warcharch To seek + Warmatt To win + Warbennís, or warbennét To watch + Waybenán To throw away, to repudiate + + Yoe Body + Yotch Nose + Yaquoy To avoid + + Zenzeebisson Finger rings + Zárgay, or zargéytoon Love; to love + {282} + Zawnum´ Paint; to paint + Zeepeeooch To boil + Zar´squoy To cure + Zeewitc´h To fly + Zayquébenan To wash + + + + + FAMILIAR PHRASES + IN THE + ENGLISH AND CHIPPEWAY LANGUAGES + + + {284} _English_ + + How do you do, friend? + In good health, I thank you. + What news? + I have none. + Have you had a good hunt this winter? + Yes, a very good hunt. + What lake did you hunt at last winter? + At the Skunk Lake. + What is there at that lake? + Beaver, but not much. + How long were you there? + Only one month. + They say there are no fish in that lake; + That is hard. + There has been a great deal of snow lately; + We have all found it hard this winter. + Did you see any strange Indians on the way? + Yes, I met five going to Lake Sturgeon. + + Had they any thing with them? + No, I did not see any thing but slays. + I long to see spring, that we may go a fishing. + What lake will you fish at? + The Red Lake. + {286} + Our canoes are broken; + We must make new in the spring. + There is great quantity of birch bark at the Red Lake; + Yes, but the trees are small. + + + + {285} _Chippeway_ + + Way, way, nee neejee? + Meegwotch nóbum pemártus. + Ta´rnin mergúmmegat? + Caw´ween a´rwayyor. + Níshshishshín géosay nógone bebóme? + Anga´ymer, O, níshshishshín. + Hawwaneeyaw sakíegan kee géosay awa´ss bebóne? + Sheecark Sakíegan. + Way´gonin woíty ha sakíegan? + Amík, cawween gwotch. + Maywísher kee appay? + Páyshik geezus aíghter. + Eca´rto ca´wween ka´ygo keegónce woity sakíegan; + Sannegat. + Nepewár going nogóme; + Cockinnór marmó ojey candan sannegat nogóme bebóne. + Póckcan níshinnorbay kee warbema´t nar? + Anga´ymer, na´rnan nee warbemór onnemay sakíegan ojey eszar. + Ka´ygoshish arthty wéenewar nar? + Ca´wween, nin ojey warberma´t a´rwayyor tarbinna´ck. + Ba´dash menókemeg bóckettywaun neennerwind. + Ta´rneyau sakíegan keen bóckettywaun? + Misquíttyyang sakíegan. + {287} + Cóckinnor neennerwind, O, chema´n ojey bowwískar; + Póckcan in gar ojeytoon menókemeg. + Nepewár wigwass woity Misquíttyyang Sakíegan; + Anga´ymer, hagúshenonce meteek. + + + + _English_ + + How many fathom long will you make your canoe? + Perhaps three fathom. + There are many rapids at the Red Lake; + Are they hard rapids? + Here and there. + How long are you going up them? + Fifteen days. + That is long. + Bring me some tobacco; + Here is some for you. + This is English; + Yes, it is. + Sit down. + I want to smoke a pipe. + I am tired. + I will lie down. + I will get up. + I want to eat. + I want to drink. + We will make fire and cook our kettle; + It is ready; + Let us eat; + It is very good. + {288} + I will go. + Are you going, friend? + Yes, but I shall return soon. + Have you any good guns? + Yes. + Let us see them? + This is broke. + Here is another; + + + + _Chippeway_ + + Ta´wnimilík eu níck kee ojeytóon chema´n? + Ca´nnebatch neesswoy euník. + Nepewár powwetink Misquíttyyang Sakíegan; + Sannegat nar powwetink? + Pay, pa´yshik. + Maywísher nar shy´yar cockinnór? + Metósswoy ogúnnegat asshea na´rnan. + Débwoy maywísher. + Assa´ymer petoon; + Oway. + Maúnder Sa´ggonash; + Anga´ymer dédwoy. + Manteta´ppy. + Nee, wee, súggersoy. + Nowwenda´yshon nin. + Nepa´rhan, nin. + Goyey nin goníshcar. + Nee, nee, wissínnin. + Nee, nee, mínniquah. + Pooterway chebóckwoy neennerwind; + Shashy´yar keejetty; + Haw wíssinnin; + Húnjeyta O, níshshishshin. + {289} + Nin gamárcha. + Shashy´yar kee bóossin nar négee? + Angáymer, pánimar tercúshin nin. + O, níshshishshin baskéyzegan árthty nar? + Angáymer. + Gar warbemór? + Maunder bowwískar. + Oway póckcan páyshik; + + + + _English_ + + This, I think, is a good one. + I want a paddle; + Here is one for you. + Thank you, friend. + Where is your wife? + She is dead. + Is it long since? + Last winter. + Have you any children alive? + Only one boy. + Can he hunt? + Not yet. + Where is your brother? + I saw him last winter at the Skunk´s Lake; + He was killed there by an Indian when he was drunk. + He was a bad Indian, and they should have killed him too; + An Indian just now told me he is killed. + + That´s right. + {290} + Was he old? + No. + He had three packs of beaver skins, and ten bags of dried meat, besides + fish, when he was killed: + + Oh! that was hard. + Who is that coming? + A strange Indian: + I will go and see him. + Are you come from far, friend? + No, a little way from hence. + + + + _Chippeway_ + + Maúnder páyshik O, níshshishshin indenéndum. + Ab´boy nee gúyyossay; + Oway páyshik. + Meegwotch, neecárnis. + Aúnday keen O, mentimóyey? + Sharshy´yar nepoo. + Maywísher nar? + Pa´yshik bebóne shy´yar. + Ar´thty O, jánis nogóme pemártus? + Páyshik oskenáygay áighter: + Géosay ween nar? + Kamarchy. + Aúnday chemayn? + Nee warbemór awáss bebóne woity Sheecark Sakíegan; + Páyshik níshinnorbay ojey gúnnissar ween osquíbby. + Ween O, mátchee níshinnórbay, meégwoyack O, gúnniesar ween gúyyea; + Shashy´yar ojey gúnnesar, ween nogóme me ecárto níshinnorbay; + Meegwoyack. + {291} + Keewáency nar? + Cáwween. + Ween arthty neésswoy meekintárgan appimíniquy metósswoy múshcomat wéass + spárchtay metách keegónce gúyyea: + Taw! waw! sannegat. + Hawwaneeyaw tercúshin? + Póckan Níshinno´rbay: + Nin eszar gar warbem´or + Awássa nar kee tercúshin, neegee? + Cáwween, páyshew omar. + + + + _English_ + + What have you brought? + A small pack of beaver. + What will you want? + Blankets. + I have none but small for your children. + + What is your trader´s name at the Red Lake? + + The Good Heart. + Has he many goods there? + Five large canoes full. + Have you any bears´ grease? + One box only. + I will trade with you for it; + Very well, friend. + How many beaver skins did you give for that blanket? + + Eleven. + I want to buy such; + {292} + You will get such at the English trader´s. + How many beaver skins will you take for this? + Twenty: + Take them, friend. + Will you trade for those otter skins? + No, not now; I must pay my credit to the Good Heart. + + What did you take from him? + Some small things. + Fetch me some water. + Make haste. + Do you hear me? + + + + _Chippeway_ + + Wa´ygonin kee ogúbbetoon? + Hagúshenonce meekinta´rgan appimíniquy. + Wa´ygonin kee gúyyossay? + Wa´perwoyan. + Ca´wween kaygo wa´rpewoyan hagúshenonce kee janis shena´rgussey. + Ta´rnin sheneca´zeau keennerwind arta´wwaywinnin Misquíttyyang Sakíegan? + Níshshishshin oa´thty. + Nepewar huncúshigon a´rthty nar? + Na´rnan kítchee cheeman mo´oshquenay. + Mackqua´h pímmethy a´rthty nar? + Pa´yshik muccuck a´ighter. + Nee wee arta´wway; + Meégwoyack, négee. + An´dersoy appimíniquy kee, kee, arta´wway, wa´per woyan? + Meto´sswoy asshea pa´yshik. + Nee wee arta´wway shenargussey; + {293} + Sa´ggonash a´rthty shena´rgussey. + An´dersoy appimíniquy keetarpena´n mor? + Neesh tanner: + Tarpena´n neeca´rnis. + Cúnner kee wee arta´wway maúnder nekeék woygan? + Cáwween, nogóme; nee wee gudderpa´rhan nee marseyna´ygan níshshishshin + o´athty. + Wa´ygonin kee tarpena´n? + Póngay ka´ygoshish. + Nippee nartin. + Ha, webitta´n. + Cunner kee sto´otewar? + + + + _English_ + + I hear you. + Come here; + I am coming. + What kind of a hunt had the _Fox_ last winter? + The winter was bad indeed. + What did he hunt for? + Bear. + I wish this was spring, and all the Indians would come and trade their + winter´s hunt; + They will come soon: + I think they will have a great many packs. + What will you ask to take me by water from Montreal to Michillimakinac? + One large keg of rum, one gun, one blanket, one kettle, and one knife; + that is all I want: + + {294} + That is too much, as you will eat and drink the same as us, and will not + work, but only shew the way. + + Will you go directly? + No, I shall stay till to-morrow, and then embark. + I left my wife and children at a place four days march from hence. + I want to see them. + To-morrow, at the dawn of day, we will embark. + Take courage; farewell, friend. + Very well, I will be true to my word. + All is quiet. + I will go to bed. + Get up, friend. + I am lazy. + + + + _Chippeway_ + + Kee, kee, no´neydone. + Onda´ss; + Nin tercúshin. + Ta´rnin shena´rgussey géosay _Assinbo_ awa´ss bebo´ne? + Hapadgey maítchee bebo´ne. + Wa´ygonin ween géosay? + Mackqua´h. + Ba´dash meno´kemeg ha cockinno´r marmo níshinnorbay tercúshin ojey + arta´wway awass bebo´ne O, wo´ygan; + Weeba´tch tercushin weénnewar: + Nepewar meekinta´rgan indenéndum weénnewar. + Wa´ygonin kee nindootymond monyny´yank woíty Michillima´kinac + pamis´kian? + Pa´yshik kitchee muckcúck scotaywa´bo, pa´yshik baskéyzegan, payshik + wa´perwoyan, pa´yshik akeek, pa´yshik mo´koman; me cockinno´r: + {295} + Ozo´me kee tabisco´ach wíssinnin neénnerwind mínniquy ca´wween a´rwayyor + kee gúsketoon meekan mee áighter unter wabindan´. + Weebatch gúddeszar keen? + Ca´wween, omar ojey appay; warbunk boossin. + Mee woity ojey appay, mentimóyamish, ja´nis woke, guyyea neon ogúnnegat. + Nee, nee, warbema´t weennewar. + Warbunk thurensera boossin. + Hagua´rmissey, way, way, negee. + Meegwoyack, nee gar débwoy. + Súggermarch. + Péshshemo nin gama´rchar. + Goníshcar, neegee. + Kittim nin. + + + + _English_ + + I am sick. + I am vexed. + I am cold. + I am hot. + I am hungry. + I am dry. + I am well. + I love you. + Your health, friend. + I do not understand you. + + + + _Chippeway_ + + Acquoisee nin. + Nishcar’teseyan. + Geessénnar nin. + Geesha’rtay nin. + Bócketty nin. + Spa’rchtay nin. + Pema’rtissey nin. + Neeza’rgay keen. + Kee talleneman’co, or, keetan’nemecó neejee. + Cawween nee stoticee. + + + THE END + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + Masson, _Bourgeois de la Compagnie du Nord-Ouest_ (Quebec, 1890), ii, + pp. 139, 140. + +Footnote 2: + + Alexander Henry, _Travels and Adventures in Canada_ (Bain’s ed., + Boston, 1901), p. 233. + +Footnote 3: + + For the wages of voyageurs, see Turner, “Fur Trade in Wisconsin,” + Wisconsin Historical Society _Proceedings_, 1889. + +Footnote 4: + + See _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, ix, pp. 290, 291. + +Footnote 5: + + The chronology of Long’s later years in Canada is confusing. On page + 175 of his book, he gives the date of 1786, and after describing ten + months’ occupations says on the next page, “the spring of 1786.” That + this should be 1787, is proved by the fact that when he applied to + General Hope for assistance the next year, the latter had gone to + England. As Hope’s departure occurred in June, 1788, Long’s mistake of + a year in his dates is thus manifest. + +Footnote 6: + + The following are those to whom he definitely refers: Lahontan, + Hennepin, La Salle, Colden, Adair, Carver, Jonathan Edwards, Kalm, + Beatty, Rev. John Sargent, Robson, Umfreville, Kames, Robert Rogers, + Pope’s poems, a novel by Lady Emily Montague, and Justamond’s Life of + Louis XV. + +Footnote 7: + + Field, _Essay toward an Indian Bibliography_ (New York, 1873). + +Footnote 8: + + Long’s book is of slight topographic value to the historical student, + because of the apparently uninhabitable nature of the countries + through which he passed; they are nearly as undeveloped now as they + were then. + +Footnote 9: + + For list of partners, see _Canadian Archives_, 1888, p. 61. + +Footnote 10: + + Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society from 1778 until his + death in 1820, was the patron of discoverers, having himself voyaged + around the world with Captain Cook (1768–71). He was especially + interested in Northwest exploration, and the customs and habits of + primitive people, and to him Alexander Henry dedicated his _Travels + and Adventures in Canada_.—ED. + +Footnote 11: + + The Treaty of Paris, drawn up between the envoys of the United States + and those of Great Britain (1783), was called “Oswald’s Treaty,” + because Richard Oswald was chief negotiator for the British ministry. + The Northwest posts were not surrendered _de facto_, until after Jay’s + Treaty in 1794.—ED. + +Footnote 12: + + Louis Armand de Lom d’Arce, Baron de Lahontan, was a French officer + who served in Canada, in 1683–93. While commanding a small fort on + Detroit River, he started on a journey to the Western country. Going + by way of Mackinac, he ascended the Mississippi from the mouth of the + Wisconsin, and explored part of Minnesota. In 1703 he published an + account of his travels, which was largely fabulous, although of some + value. The work had, however, great vogue in the eighteenth century, + was translated into several languages, and much studied. He also + published a French-Algonquian dictionary, to which Long here + refers.—ED. + +Footnote 13: + + Rev. Jonathan Edwards was much interested in Indian missions; and + having been brought up among the Stockbridges, published (1788) + _Observations on the Language of the Mukhekaneew Indians_. In a + republication with notes by John Pickering, in the _Massachusetts + Historical Collections_, 2nd series, x, pp. 81 ff., the added Chippewa + vocabulary is that of Long.—ED. + +Footnote 14: + + Jonathan Carver, one of the earliest American explorers of the + Northwest, was born in 1732, and served in the French and Indian War, + barely escaping from the massacre of Fort William Henry. In 1766, he + went to Mackinac, and thence through Wisconsin and Minnesota, and + later explored Lake Superior. His _Travels_ were first published in + London in 1778, and two years later he died there in destitute + circumstances. For further details see _Wisconsin Historical + Collections_, vi, pp. 220–237. Carver gives an account of Indian + manners and customs; chapter 17, devoted to language, includes a + Chippewa vocabulary.—ED. + +Footnote 15: + + Long is here following the authority of Father Hennepin, who gives + this origin of the name “Canada” in his _New Discovery_ (London, + 1698). The real origin of the word is disputed, some deriving it from + an Iroquois term meaning “village;” others from Indian terms + signifying “at the mouth of the river;” still others, from a term for + “lakes,” _i. e._, a country full of lakes.—ED. + +Footnote 16: + + The author assumes that Lake Huron is the source of the St. Lawrence, + and that Lake Nipissing, which empties into Georgian Bay through the + French River, is the source of Lake Huron.—ED. + +Footnote 17: + + Trois Rivières, at the mouth of St. Maurice River, where it empties + into the St. Lawrence by three channels separated by islands, was + ceded (1634) to the Jesuits, who built a fort here. See Sulte, “La + Rivière des Trois Rivières,” in Royal Society of Canada _Proceedings_, + 1901, sec. i, pp. 97–116.—ED. + +Footnote 18: + + A Jesuit mission entitled St. François Xavier was founded for Iroquois + converts in 1669. Later it was removed to this village (near + Montreal), which was named for an Indian town in the Mohawk Valley, + also the seat of a Jesuit mission. The usual orthography is + Caughnawaga.—ED. + +Footnote 19: + + Long uses as his historical authority the work of Cadwallader Colden + (whom he later cites directly), _History of the Five Indian Nations_ + (New York, 1727). Colden appears to have taken much of his material + from Bacqueville de la Potherie’s _Histoire de l’Amérique + Septentrionale_ (Paris, 1722). But Long does not blindly follow + Colden, and adds other material.—ED. + +Footnote 20: + + The Conoys and Nanticokes were fragments of Indian tribes which had + removed from the South—driven forth by the pressure of English + population—and with the consent of the Six Nations had settled on the + upper waters of the Susquehanna. + + In the third league the author probably intends to include the + so-called “Ohio Indians”—the Miamis (Wanamis), Delawares, Mohicans, + Munseys (a sub-tribe of the Delawares), the Wapingers (unidentified), + and the Mingoes—who were all subordinate to the Six Nations. The + Creeks were a powerful confederacy in Alabama, of which Coweta was the + principal war-town on the Chattahoochee River.—ED. + +Footnote 21: + + The Tuscaroras joined the Five Nations between 1712 and 1715. See + _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvi, p. 321, for a letter from the + governor of New France, mentioning this fact.—ED. + +Footnote 22: + + After the Revolutionary War, nearly thirty thousand Loyalists left the + United States to settle in the Canadian provinces. Of these, about ten + thousand went from the back settlements by way of Lake Ontario, and + founded Upper Canada. General Haldimand was largely instrumental in + this movement, and 1784 was the year of its culmination. The Mohawks, + also, under the leadership of Brant, removed about the same time to + the two reservations mentioned by Long. Descendants of this tribe + still live in these two localities, although most of the land has been + alienated.—ED. + +Footnote 23: + + This is a good résumé of the history of Fort Frontenac, which was + built in 1673, abandoned during the Iroquois War in 1689, but restored + in 1695. La Salle was for several years proprietor of the fort, the + revenues from which passed afterwards to the royal treasury. In 1758, + Fort Frontenac was captured and destroyed by a British expedition, + after which it fell into disuse, until the Loyalists re-garrisoned it + about 1784.—ED. + +Footnote 24: + + This was the site of Father Picquet’s mission and fortified post, La + Présentation. This Sulpitian missionary came to Canada in 1734, and + after several years’ service in the colonies founded this + establishment in 1749, where the city of Ogdensburg, New York, now + stands. He was successful in attracting the Iroquois thither, and had + in his settlement nearly three thousand Indians, who espoused the + French cause in the French and Indian War. In 1760, Picquet retired to + New Orleans, and thence to France. The English, on taking possession, + changed the name of the post to Fort Oswegatchie. It was garrisoned + and maintained until after Jay’s Treaty in 1794. + + In 1792, the site had been purchased by Ogden, and the settlement of + the modern city was begun four years later.—ED. + +Footnote 25: + + The Mississagua Indians were first met by the French on the north + shore of Lake Huron, and formed part of the Sault Ste. Marie mission + (1670–73). Later, they removed to the lower Michigan peninsula, and + some settled at Detroit. They now have a reservation in Eastern + Ontario, and number about eight hundred. + + The other Indians mentioned are those of the Jesuit mission villages. + See _Jesuit Relations_ (Thwaites’s ed., Cleveland, 1896–1901), + index.—ED. + +Footnote 26: + + Haldimand fortified Carleton Island at the mouth of Lake Ontario, by + sending thither (1778) three companies of the 47th regiment to erect a + post.—ED. + +Footnote 27: + + The mouth of the Oswego River was early noted as an important station + in relation to the Iroquois country and the fur-trade. Champlain + passed here in 1615, and Frontenac in 1692. In 1721, Governor Burnet + of New York secured permission from the Iroquois to erect a trading + post at this spot, and despite the protests of the French built a fort + in 1726–27. This post of Choueguen (so called by the French) was + especially obnoxious to the French fur-traders; all the more so, when + (1743) Sir William Johnson built his trading post beneath its walls. + Montcalm organized an expedition, and captured it in 1756; but was + compelled to retreat when Forbes penetrated Pennsylvania. It was also + the rendezvous for the successful British attack on Fort Frontenac in + 1758. After the fall of New France, the British garrisoned and + repaired the fort, and it was from here that St. Leger started on his + expedition up the Mohawk Valley in 1777. It was headquarters for the + Indian and Tory scalping parties—Butler, Brant, and Johnson started + thence on their raids. It was in British hands at the close of the + Revolution, and not delivered to the Americans until 1796. Traces of + the British fort were to be seen in 1839.—ED. + +Footnote 28: + + Fort Niagara, one of the chain of posts established by the French, and + later maintained by the British to protect Canada, has had a long and + interesting history. Hennepin and La Salle were there in 1679, when a + small blockhouse was constructed, which was later burned by the + Senecas. Denonville erected a fort here in 1687, which was abandoned + September 15, 1688. No permanent establishment was made on the spot + until 1726, when Governor Beauharnais ordered a fort built to + counteract that of the English at Oswego. This was garrisoned and + maintained by the French, until Sir William Johnson captured it in + 1759. At Niagara, in 1764, Johnson met the Indian nations in a general + treaty of peace. During the Revolution, the post was steadily + maintained by the British, and proved an important base of supplies + for the Western forts. After the Revolution, it remained in British + hands until 1796. In the War of 1812–15, it was captured by the + British, and restored to the Americans at the close of the conflict. + For further details see Severance, _Old Trails on the Niagara + Frontier_ (Buffalo, 1899).—ED. + +Footnote 29: + + Fort Stanwix was built by the British at the head of navigation on the + Mohawk River (where the city of Rome, New York, now stands), in 1758, + at a cost of $266,000. Here was held the treaty of 1768, by which a + general purchase of Indian lands was made, and the Iroquois boundaries + settled. Early in the Revolution it fell into American hands, and was + re-christened Fort Schuyler, which withstood the siege of St. Leger + and his Indian braves in 1777. It is claimed that the present national + flag, as adopted by Congress in 1777, was first raised over the + battlements of Fort Schuyler. After the Revolution, the fort was + rebuilt, and reverted to its original name. Here were held important + treaties with the Iroquois in 1784 and 1788, in the latter of which + much land in the Mohawk Valley was ceded to the whites. The settlement + about the fort was made in 1785, by Connecticut emigrants.—ED. + +Footnote 30: + + For history of Detroit see vol. i of the present series, p. 55, note + 18.—ED. + +Footnote 31: + + For the history of Mackinac, see “Story of Mackinac,” in Thwaites’s + _How George Rogers Clark won the Northwest, and Other Essays in + Western History_ (Chicago, 1903). By the “isthmus” the author means + the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the “point of land” must signify the + island of Mackinac. The “mouth of the Illinois” is the outlet of Lake + Michigan.—ED. + +Footnote 32: + + Grand Portage was the route by the Pigeon River (the present boundary + between Minnesota and Ontario) to the lakes and streams of the + Northwest. The term was first applied to the carrying place, nine + miles long, and later to a landing place somewhat south of the mouth + of the river. This route was first explored by La Vérendrye in + 1731—(see _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvii, for a map of this + region drawn by an Indian for La Vérendrye). It became the established + fur-trade route to the Northwest, and a place of great importance as a + rendezvous for voyageurs. For a description of the route and the + traders gathered here in the latter part of the eighteenth century, + see Mackenzie, _Voyages through North America_ (London, 1801).—ED. + +Footnote 33: + + For the British determination to retain the Northern and Western + posts, and arguments in regard to their legal right, see “Calendar of + Haldimand Papers,” _Canadian Archives_, 1885–89, also McLaughlin, + “Western Posts and the British Debts,” in American Historical + Association _Report_, 1894.—ED. + +Footnote 34: + + This action took place September 24, 1775, and was the occasion of the + capture and imprisonment of Ethan Allen. For his own narrative of this + event, see Hall, _Ethan Allen_ (New York, 1892), pp. 110–119.—ED. + +Footnote 35: + + General Richard Montgomery, the commander of the American forces at + Isle aux Noix—an island in Richelieu River about ten miles from the + head of Lake Champlain—wrote September 12, 1775, concerning the + skirmish here mentioned: “I went down the river the other day with + 800 or 900 men, in order to cut off the communication between St. + Johns and Montreal. The detachment marched off from the boats at + night, and in less than half an hour, returned in the utmost + confusion.”—_Biographical notes concerning General Richard + Montgomery_ (Poughkeepsie, 1876), p. 11. + + Lieutenant Walter Butler was a New York Tory, son of Colonel John + Butler, who led the Indians to the Wyoming Valley massacre. Walter + Butler was with St. Leger in 1777, and was captured soon after the + siege of Fort Schuyler. Escaping from prison at Albany, he led the + Iroquois to the Cherry Valley massacre (1778). He seems to have been + despised for his cruelty, even by his own associates. Brant said he + was “more savage than the savages themselves.” He was killed and + scalped at Butler’s Ford, in the retreat from Johnstown in 1781, by an + Oneida, who called out as he fell, “Cherry Valley!”—ED. + +Footnote 36: + + Long was a member of the party of forty regulars detached from the 8th + regiment under command of Captain Foster, with a large body of Indian + auxiliaries led by Brant, which descended upon the American detachment + at the Cedars, forty-three miles above Montreal, and captured the + whole number (April 19, 1776). For further details of this, and the + following movements, see Jones, _Campaign for the Conquest of Canada_ + (Philadelphia, 1882), pp. 54–65. + + Major Gordon, who had recently been made brigadier-general, was shot + from ambuscade, July 24, 1776, while returning to his headquarters + well within British lines. His fellow officers were exceedingly + indignant over it, and Washington appeared to deprecate the matter; + although General Gates promoted the American officer involved. See + Sparks, _Life and Writings of Washington_ (Boston, 1855), iv, pp. + 56–59.—ED. + +Footnote 37: + + This was probably Captain Guillaume Lamothe, who during this period + led so many Indian scalping parties from Detroit while Hamilton + commanded at that place. Lamothe accompanied Hamilton on the latter’s + expedition to Vincennes, and was captured there by George Rogers Clark + (February, 1779). After the surprise of Vincennes he was sent in irons + to Virginia, and kept in close confinement. In April, 1780, he + accepted a parole, and returned to Canada.—ED. + +Footnote 38: + + The Lake of Two Mountains is an enlargement of the Ottawa River, near + its mouth, above Montreal. On this lake is situated the Sulpitian + mission town of Oka. This is a union of two early missions—one, + founded about 1677 on Montreal Island for Iroquois converts, weakened + during the Iroquois War, and removed in 1704 to the Sault au Récollet, + being finally located on the Lake of Two Mountains about 1720; the + second, or Algonkin mission, was first called La Présentation and + situated on Montreal Island near Lachine; the site was abandoned in + 1685, and the remnants of the mission Indians gathered at Bout de + l’Isle (the other end of the same island), where the mission was + called St. Louis. Again removed (1706–07) to the Isle aux Tourtres, it + was permanently located on the Lake of Two Mountains between 1721 and + 1726. There are still about four hundred Indians located on the + reserve at the lake. See Canadian Department of Indian Affairs + _Report_, 1901, p. 49. The account given by Long in the following + pages, of the Chippewa division of this mission, is the best + known—their intermarriage with the Indians of the other mission + villages at Caughnawaga and St. Regis, their cultivation of the soil, + and their semi-civilized habits.—ED. + +Footnote 39: + + Peter Kalm, Swedish naturalist and botanist, was sent to America to + study its flora, and travelled extensively between 1748 and 1751. The + English edition of his travels was published in London in 1772.—ED. + +Footnote 40: + + James Adair, a trader among the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians, + 1735–75. He published a _History of the American Indians_ (London, + 1775), which attempts to prove their relationship to the Jews. It + contains, notwithstanding, much valuable information, particularly in + regard to the Southern tribes.—ED. + +Footnote 41: + + This was Rev. John Sargent, missionary to the Stockbridge Indians, in + Western Massachusetts.—ED. + +Footnote 42: + + On the subject of Indian dances see _Jesuit Relations_, index. Also + Grant, in Masson, _Bourgeois de la Compagnie du Nord-Ouest_, ii, pp. + 335–337.—ED. + +Footnote 43: + + This origin of the name La Chine is generally accepted by historians. + See Girouard, _Lake St. Louis and La Salle_ (Montreal, 1893), pp. 32, + 33.—ED. + +Footnote 44: + + The “bourgeois” was the chief trader, to whom the voyageurs were bound + by engagements for service. The term was also often applied to the + trader’s agent or clerk, when the latter was in command of the + expedition. See Turner, “Fur Trade in Wisconsin,” Wisconsin Historical + Society _Proceedings_, 1889, pp. 77–82.—ED. + +Footnote 45: + + For a description of the trade route by way of Ottawa River, Lake + Nipissing, Georgian Bay, and Lake Huron to Mackinac, see H. H. + Bancroft, _History of the Northwest Coast_ (San Francisco, 1886), i, + pp. 561–564. Also, for a personal narrative, see that of Captain + Thomas G. Anderson, in _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, ix, pp. + 138–143.—ED. + +Footnote 46: + + On the habits and uses of the beaver (_castor Canadensis_), see + Martin, _Castorologia_ (Montreal and London, 1892).—ED. + +Footnote 47: + + The normal food of those who wintered in the woods was Indian corn and + tallow. See Turner, “Fur Trade in Wisconsin,” pp. 78, 79. + + The Falls of St. Mary, or Sault Ste. Marie, were visited by traders as + early as 1616. The _Jesuit Relation_ of 1640 gives a partial + description of this place. Radisson and Groseilliers were here between + 1658 and 1660; and here (1669) a Jesuit mission was established by + Allouez and Dablon. After 1689, the mission and trading post were + abandoned in favor of Mackinac; but Sault Ste. Marie continued to be a + station on the Northwestern fur-trade route; and in 1750 the land + thereabout was granted to De Repentigny on condition that he erect a + fort at that place. After the English occupation, a French Canadian, + J. B. Cadot, had a trading post here, which was probably the one + mentioned by Long. Later, the North West Company occupied the spot; + but in 1814 its post was burned by a detachment of American troops, + commanded by Major Holmes, who afterwards fell at the unsuccessful + attack on Mackinac. The first military post and Indian agency of the + United States at Sault Ste. Marie was established in 1822. + + The Saulteurs were a Chippewa tribe, so called by the French from + having been first encountered at the Sault. The name afterwards was + employed to designate all the Chippewa nation. A pretty Indian legend + of the origin of these falls, is found in _Jesuit Relations_, liv, p. + 201.—ED. + +Footnote 48: + + On the offering of tobacco to “Manitous,” see _Jesuits Relation_, x, + p. 324. See, also, caption “Manitou,” in index thereto.—ED. + +Footnote 49: + + Probably the “Athabasca,” one of the first schooners of the North West + Company on Lake Superior. See Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, p. 149. The + French had a sailing vessel on Lake Superior as early as 1735. See + _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvii.—ED. + +Footnote 50: + + Pays Plat was the fur-trade station near the Nipigon River, about one + hundred miles east of Grand Portage. It was situated on one of the + islands of Nipigon Bay, and so named because of the low land and shoal + water in the vicinity. See Bigsby, _Shoe and Canoe_ (London, 1850), p. + 223.—ED. + +Footnote 51: + + For a history of the Chippewa Indians, see _Minnesota Historical + Collections_, v. + + This noted chief, Matchekewis, was the captor of Mackinac during + Pontiac’s War. For a sketch of him, see _Wisconsin Historical + Collections_, vii, pp. 188–194.—ED. + +Footnote 52: + + For a description of Indian pipes and smoking habits, see U. S. + National Museum _Report_, 1897, pp. 351 ff. The material for the red + calumets is called “catlinite,” from George Catlin, who described it + in 1836. It is found in the pipestone quarries of Pipestone County, in + Southwestern Minnesota. See _Jesuit Relations_, lix, p. 310.—ED. + +Footnote 53: + + For a description of the rattle called “sysyquoy,” see _Wisconsin + Historical Collections_, xvi, p. 367; and Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, p. + 333.—ED. + +Footnote 54: + + The Nipigon River is the largest and most northerly tributary of Lake + Superior, and the outlet for Lake Nipigon. Its region, until the + building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, was almost as wild and + unknown as when visited by the French explorers in the seventeenth + century. Perrot mentions this river and lake in his _Mémoire_ (1658); + and Duluth (1684) wrote to De la Barre of the “fort which I have + constructed near the River à la Maune, at the bottom [the north end of + Lake Alemipigon,” as a barrier to the English trade from Hudson Bay. + In 1687, Duluth’s brother traded with fifteen hundred Indians in the + Lake Nipigon region. The furs from this district were especially rich + and valuable, and the trading post on the lake appears to have been + maintained throughout the French occupation. La Vérendrye was + commandant here in 1728, when he became fired by the reports of the + savage Ochagach, with zeal for Western exploration. See _Northern and + Western Boundaries of Ontario_ (Toronto, 1878), pp. 68–80. + + In 1757, Bougainville describes this post as follows: “Les Népigons, a + post established to the north of Lake Superior; the commandant is its + farmer and pays for that privilege about 4,000 francs; it includes the + Lake à la Carpe.... The post produces generally every year from eighty + to one hundred bundles of fur.” After the British occupation the + productiveness of the region declined. Duncan Cameron says that when + he first went to this country (1785), the whole district produced but + fifty-six packs of fur, although it had no opposition from Hudson Bay, + and part of the Lake Winnipeg department was included in the Nipigon + district. See Cameron, “The Nipigon Country,” in Masson, _Bourgeois_, + ii, pp. 231–300. The North West Company considered this to be its + territory, but later the Hudson’s Bay Company built a post at Red + Rock, near the mouth of the river—now a station on the Canadian + Pacific Railway. The Hudson’s Bay Company still maintains a wintering + post, known as Poplar Lodge, on the east shore of Lake Nipigon. See + Canadian Bureau of Mines _Report_, 1901, p. 212. The Nipigon River is + now noted as a fisherman’s paradise. For a description of the route + from the mouth of the river to the lake, see Canadian Geological + Survey _Report_, 1867–69, p. 336.—ED. + +Footnote 55: + + This is the game of lacrosse, a modification of which has become the + Canadian national game. For an historical account of this game, see + _Jesuit Relations_, x, pp. 326–328; Henry’s _Travels_ (Bain’s ed.), p. + 77; Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, pp. 337, 338.—ED. + +Footnote 56: + + For a similar game with slight modifications, see Masson, _Bourgeois_, + ii, p. 340.—ED. + +Footnote 57: + + Mr. Shaw was an independent trader, father of Angus Shaw, partner and + agent of the North West Company.—ED. + +Footnote 58: + + This is a citation from the _New Discovery_ of Hennepin, who gives the + first account of the tribe, apparently a branch of the Sioux, whose + custom of weeping he so fully describes in connection with his + captivity among the Issati Indians.—ED. + +Footnote 59: + + The early cradles of the Chippewa Indians are described in more detail + by Grant, “The Sauteux Indians,” in Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, pp. 322, + 323.—ED. + +Footnote 60: + + This is true not only of the St. Croix River (Wisconsin) Chippewas, + but of nearly all the tribe up to the present time. The “woods Indian” + north of Lake Superior is usually a Chippewa (Ojibwa), and a large + portion of those under the care of the Canadian government are still + hunters. The Canadian Department of Indian Affairs, in its _Report_ + for 1900, represents the modern Ojibwa as little changed, except from + general inability to obtain liquor as freely as in the olden days of + the fur-trade.—ED. + +Footnote 61: + + For the hereditary enmity between the Chippewas and the Sioux, and the + particularly fierce encounters of this period, see Warren, “History of + the Ojibways,” in _Minnesota Historical Collections_, v, pp. 72, 95, + 222–241.—ED. + +Footnote 62: + + Indian slavery among the French was first practiced in the Illinois + country, and (1709) was authorized by edict for Canada. Slavery was + abolished for Upper Canada in 1793; and by 1800 had ceased in Lower + Canada. See Lafontaine, “L’ésclavage en Canada,” Montreal Historical + Society _Proceedings_, 1858; Canadian Institute _Transactions_, + 1889–90 (Toronto, 1891); and _Proceedings_, 1897, p. 19.—ED. + +Footnote 63: + + In the language of James Bain, Jr., librarian of the Toronto Public + Library, “Long is the most indefinite of travellers, and English names + of lakes and rivers unstable.” It seems an almost hopeless task to + localize several of his geographical names by the aid of modern maps. + As a matter of fact this part of Northwestern Ontario from Lake + Nipigon to Lake Abittibi is still almost _terra incognita_. For the + best current maps and descriptions, see Canadian Department of the + Interior _Report_, 1890, part v; also Ontario Bureau of Mines + _Report_, 1900.—ED. + +Footnote 64: + + Lake Savanne lies northwest of Lake Nipigon, on a tributary of the + Albany River. A brief account of a voyage thither is given by Duncan + Cameron, in Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, p. 271. Cameron also says that + four out of eight traders starved there in one year (_ibid._, p. + 242).—ED. + +Footnote 65: + + Long was the first to apply the word “totamism” to that system of + beliefs and family relationships, now recognized as the basis of + primitive society. The theory of clan relationships, as expressed by + totems, was first developed by M’Lennan in a series of articles + published in the _Fortnightly Review_, 1869–71. On the general theory, + see Lang, _Myth, Ritual, and Religion_ (London, 1887), i, pp. 58–81. + On the totemism of the American Indian there is a large literature. + The following are useful: Schoolcraft, _Indian Tribes of the United + States_ (Philadelphia, 1851–57); Brinton, _Myths of New World_ + (Philadelphia, 3d ed., 1896).—ED. + +Footnote 66: + + This was the grant made to Sir William Johnson in 1760, of sixty-six + thousand acres, now within Little Falls Township on the Mohawk River. + The grant was confirmed by the crown in 1769, and Johnson Hall, a + large portion of which is still standing, was built thereupon. See + vol. i of this series, p. 88, note 48.—ED. + +Footnote 67: + + Henry says, “In North America there is no _partridge_; but the name is + given to more than one species of grouse.” This was probably the + _Canace_ or _Dendragapus Canadensis_, black or spotted grouse.—ED. + +Footnote 68: + + The loup-cervier is the Canadian lynx; the beaver eater, the wolverine + (_gulo luscus_), or “carcajou.” For a description of the latter, see + Martin, _Castorologia_, pp. 147–151.—ED. + +Footnote 69: + + The grizzly bear (_ursus ferox_), was first adequately identified and + described by Lewis and Clark. See Thwaites’s ed. of _Original Journals + of Lewis and Clark_ (New York, Dodd, Mead & Co., 1904).—ED. + +Footnote 70: + + Dobbs, _Account of the Countries adjoining Hudson’s Bay_ (London, + 1744), gives a map of these regions “as described by Joseph La France, + a French Canadese Indian, who Traveled thro those Countries and Lakes + for 3 years from 1739 to 1742,” on which he places “Ouassi Indians” + between the Michipicoten and Nipigon rivers on the north shore of Lake + Superior. He also says (p. 32), “There are two Indian Nations upon + this North Coast, the Epinette ... and the Ouassi, both tribes of the + Sauteurs.” The tribe designated by this term seems to have disappeared + in the nineteenth century.—ED. + +Footnote 71: + + The Rat Indians are those of Rat Portage, on the Lake of the Woods, + apparently a branch of the Chippewas. Their name is taken from the + muskrat (_ondatra zibethicus_). See Coues, _Henry-Thompson Journals_ + (New York, 1897), i, p. 26.—ED. + +Footnote 72: + + On Indian medicine-men and their skill as physicians, see Brinton, + _Myths of the New World_, pp. 304–328; and _Jesuit Relations_, index, + caption “Medicine-men.” See also Hoffman, “The Midewinin of the + Ojibwa,” United States Bureau of Ethnology _Report_, 1885–86.—ED. + +Footnote 73: + + According to Count Andrani of Milan, who was at Grand Portage in 1791, + each pack was valued at £40 sterling, making the total value of Long’s + first season nearly $28,000. On the expenses of such an outfit, see + _Canadian Archives_, 1888, p. 69.—ED. + +Footnote 74: + + This is not the river now known as Pic River, which is east of Pays + Plat, but one of the shorter streams between this and Nipigon River, + probably the one now called Gravel River.—ED. + +Footnote 75: + + For the difficulties of this passage from Pays Plat to Nipigon, see + the account of the building of this section of the Canadian Pacific + Railroad, in Ingersoll, _Canadian Guide-Book_ (New York, 1892), ii, + pp. 29, 30.—ED. + +Footnote 76: + + For this lake, see Cameron, “Nipigon Country,” Masson, _Bourgeois_, + ii, pp. 242, 244.—ED. + +Footnote 77: + + For a brief description of the process of making a birch bark canoe, + see McKinney, _Tour of the Lakes_ (Baltimore, 1827), p. 319.—ED. + +Footnote 78: + + Scuttaywabo is rum or brandy. See Long’s Chippewa vocabulary, at the + end of the present volume.—ED. + +Footnote 79: + + Tripe de roche is a lichen, which Henry calls _waac_ in Chippewa. See + Henry, _Travels_ (Bain ed.), pp. 214, 215.—ED. + +Footnote 80: + + On the subject of justice in the forest, as exercised by the British + companies, see Bancroft, _Northwest Coast_, i, pp. 538–542.—ED. + +Footnote 81: + + Fort Albany was built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the seventeenth + century. It was in a sheltered inlet, forty yards from the borders of + James Bay on the south side of Albany River. In 1686 it was attacked + and captured by Troyes’s expedition; and Iberville re-christened the + post, Fort Ste. Anne. It remained in French hands until 1693, when + retaken by the English, who never again lost it, although besieged by + the French in 1704. The later fort was built on Factory Island, in the + mouth of the river, about two and one-half miles from the old fort on + the mainland.—ED. + +Footnote 82: + + Joseph Robson went out to Hudson Bay in 1733, as a stone-mason, and + was employed in the construction of Fort Churchill. He appears to have + had disagreements with the governor, and returned to England in 1736. + In 1744, he was again sent out as surveyor and superintendent of + buildings at York factory, and explored the Nelson River. Returning to + England in 1747, he testified on behalf of the Company in 1749, before + the House of Commons committee; but some years later published a work, + _An Account of Six Years’ Residence in Hudson’s Bay_ (London, 1752), + in which he animadverts against the treatment of servants and Indians + by the Company’s governors. Long attempts to controvert him in this + paragraph; but on p. 170 he uses his testimony in favor of the + management of the Company.—ED. + +Footnote 83: + + For the history of the formation of the North West Company, see + preface, _ante_, p. 16.—ED. + +Footnote 84: + + The Cristinaux (Kiristinou, Killistinoe) Indians, now known as Crees, + are Algonquian tribes who have always been associated with the + Assiniboins (Assinipoils), a Siouan tribe derived early from the + Yankton Dakotas. Their habitat has been the wilderness between Lake + Superior and Hudson Bay, and the land to the west as far as the + Assiniboin and Saskatchewan rivers. They were well known to the early + French explorers (see _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvi), and + were the chief Indians with whom the Hudson’s Bay Company traded. They + still number over twelve thousand. See Henry, _Travels_ (Bain ed.), p. + 249.—ED. + +Footnote 85: + + This was the work of Edward Umfreville, _Present State of Hudson’s + Bay_ (London, 1790), written with a view of opposing the continuance + of the Company’s charter, and exposing the practices of the officers. + Umfreville had been in the service of the Company from 1771 to + 1782.—ED. + +Footnote 86: + + On this subject of courtship and marriage, see also Grant, “Sauteux + Indians,” in Masson, _Bourgeois_, ii, pp. 319–321.—ED. + +Footnote 87: + + The British fort at Mackinac was still upon the south shore of the + strait, where Mackinaw City now stands; but the governor, Patrick + Sinclair, had already begun the erection of a new fort on the island, + to which the establishment moved in the spring of 1781. See “Story of + Mackinac,” in Thwaites’s _How George Rogers Clark won the + Northwest_.—ED. + +Footnote 88: + + For a contemporary account of this well-known incident, see Henry, + _Travels_, chaps. 8, 9, and 10.—ED. + +Footnote 89: + + The “Poes” were the Potawatomi Indians (called Poux by the French). + For their history and that of Fort St. Joseph, see vol. i of this + series, pp. 115, 117.—ED. + +Footnote 90: + + The Menominee Indians were called Folles-Avoines by the French, a name + by which the latter designated both the grain (_zizania aquatica_), + and this tribe of Indians whom they first found using it. They are + Algonquian in language, and were originally encountered by Nicolet + (1634) on the shores of Green Bay. This remained their habitat until + they were removed to their present reservation in Shawano County, + Wisconsin. For history of this tribe, see _Wisconsin Historical + Collections_ (especially vols. xvi and xvii); Hoffman, “Menomini + Indians,” U. S. Bureau of Ethnology _Report_, 1892–93; Jenks, “Wild + Rice Gatherers of the Upper Lakes,” _ibid._, 1897–98. + + No mention of such a barbarous custom as this is made by other + writers. Long may have been misinformed.—ED. + +Footnote 91: + + On the cause of this action of the Indian traders, alarmed at the + reprisals being made by Spanish and Americans for the unsuccessful + attack on St. Louis by the British party from Mackinac, see _Wisconsin + Historical Collections_, vii, p. 176, _note_. + + For biography of Charles Langlade, first Wisconsin settler, see + Tassé’s “Memoir,” _ibid._, pp. 123–185.—ED. + +Footnote 92: + + This is a somewhat confused reference to George Rogers Clark’s + occupation of the Illinois country, and alliance with the Spaniards + who controlled Louisiana. The fort here mentioned is St. Louis, for + whose early history see vol. iii of this series, André Michaux’s + _Journal_, note 138. Spaniards were incensed at the British traders’ + methods in Upper Louisiana during this period.—ED. + +Footnote 93: + + The commandant at Mackinac was Patrick Sinclair, for whose biography + see _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xi, p. 141, _note_. For + documents dealing with the Revolution in this region, see _ibid._, xi, + pp. 97–212; and xii, pp. 49–55.—ED. + +Footnote 94: + + The Outagamies, or Fox Indians (French, Renards), were first + encountered by the French on Fox River, Wisconsin. A proud and warlike + nation, they refused to yield to the French yoke. The long series of + wars waged by them with the French was a great source of weakness to + the colony of Canada, and prepared the way for its downfall. For the + documents on these wars, see _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvi + and xvii. Driven from their habitat in Eastern Wisconsin, about 1740, + the Foxes joined with their kindred, the Sauks, and settled on the + Mississippi, siding alternately with the British and Americans during + the wars of the Revolution and of 1812–15. One band of the Sauks + participated in the Black Hawk War (1832). At present the combined + population of the Sauks and Foxes is about four hundred, located on a + reservation in Iowa. + + The Sioux were the Minnesota branch of this nation, under their chief + Wabasha, _q. v._, _post_, note 87.—ED. + +Footnote 95: + + Lac les Puans (Stinking Lake) was a name used by the French for Green + Bay. The origin of this term was long supposed to be either in the + ill-smelling shores or the filthy character of the native Puants (_i. + e._, Winnebagoes). In _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, xvi, p. 360, + however, an early writer testifies to the cleanliness of the Puants. + + It appears that the original Algonquian name for these people, who are + an offshoot from the Sioux, was Ouinepeg, a word which has come down + to us in two forms—Winnipeg and Winnebago. The meaning of _Ouinepeg_ + was, “men of (or from) the fetid (or bad-smelling) water.” It is + probable that these people may at one time have lived near a sulphur + spring or on the shore of a salt lake. The earliest French inferred + that the allusion was to the ocean; hence Nicolet’s appearance among + the Winnebagoes on Green Bay (1634) attired as a mandarin, under the + apprehension that these “Men of the Sea”—as they were called in some + of the earlier French accounts—were Chinamen. Herein we have an + illustration of the tenacity of the old theory that America was but an + outlying portion of Asia. La Salle’s post at La Chine, near Montreal, + which was so nicknamed because some thought it to be on the road to + China, is another case in point. When the “Men of the Sea” were + discovered to be ordinary Indians, their Algonquian appellation + _Ouinepeg_ was translated by the French into a less complimentary + term, “Puants” (Stinkards). Given the name, the reputation of + uncleanliness soon followed. The _Jesuit Relations_ frequently + mentioned the matter; but by the time of the missionaries the old term + of “Men of the Sea” appears to have been forgotten. See _Wisconsin + Historical Collections_, xvi, p. 3, _note_, for citations; also + Thwaites, _Stories of the Badger State_ (New York, 1900), p. 30, for + brief recital of the case—ED. + +Footnote 96: + + The Foxes had been largely won to the American interest by the efforts + of Godefroy Linctot, Sr., their trader at Prairie du Chien, and the + emissaries of George Rogers Clark from the Illinois country. + + Wabasha was a famous Sioux chief, first mentioned by the French + commandant in 1740. Being devoted to the British side, he was + dignified with the title of “general,” and was received with honors of + war at Mackinac. He also visited Quebec several times, and was + decorated by the British officials. His village was near the present + site of Winona, Minnesota. A son of the same name participated in the + War of 1812–15. The French called both these chiefs, “La Feuille.”—ED. + +Footnote 97: + + On the origin of this term for Americans (Great Knives, Long Knives, + or Big Knives, indifferently) see Thwaites, _Daniel Boone_ (New York, + 1902), p. 111, _note_.—ED. + +Footnote 98: + + This must mean seven days’ journey either from Mackinac or Green Bay, + for Prairie du Chien is situated at the confluence of the Wisconsin + with the Mississippi. On the early settlement of Prairie du Chien, + which was named for a chief of the Fox tribe called “Chien,” see + _Wisconsin Historical Collections_, ix, pp. 282–302.—ED. + +Footnote 99: + + Lake Temiscaming lies near the source of the Ottawa River, on the + boundary between Quebec and Ontario. The savages near here were + wandering tribes of rude Algonkins, who traded indifferently with + Canada or Hudson Bay.—ED. + +Footnote 100: + + Tadoussac, at the entrance of the Saguenay River, is one of the oldest + trading stations on the St. Lawrence, having been founded before + Quebec. It was the site of an early Jesuit mission begun before 1642. + A church built for the mission (1747–50), is still standing.—ED. + +Footnote 101: + + The mission colony of the Hurons at Lorette was established by the + Jesuits on their seigniory in 1673. There is still a settlement of + these Indians near this place.—ED. + +Footnote 102: + + For biographical sketch of Robert Rogers, see vol. i, Croghan’s + _Journals_, note 61. Long here refers to his work, _Concise Account of + North America_ (London, 1765).—ED. + +Footnote 103: + + Henry Home, Lord Kames, a famous Scotch jurist, published _Sketches of + History of Man_ (Edinburgh, 1774).—ED. + +Footnote 104: + + The Montagnais Indians—so called from their habitat, the mountainous + country north and east of Quebec—were an Algonquian tribe, much in + contact with the French colonists. They still roam through their + ancient territory, hunting and fishing, and acting as guides to + scientific and sporting parties. They have a reservation on Lake St. + John.—ED. + +Footnote 105: + + Chicoutimi, at the head of navigation of Saguenay River, was early + settled, a mission church being built there in 1726. It has but + recently become a place of importance, being not only the chief + trading station for the entire Saguenay region, where settlement has + commenced to be permanent, but the seat of large salmon fisheries and + of extensive wood-pulp mills; small ocean vessels are now laden with + pulp at Chicoutimi docks, carrying the product to English, French, and + American ports.—ED. + +Footnote 106: + + After leaving Lake St. John, Long followed its sources westward, and + portaged over the Height of Land into the present Northeast + Territory—a region now nearly as unknown and unexplored as it was + then. Modern maps are not helpful regarding Long’s route.—ED. + +Footnote 107: + + The true rattlesnake (_crotatus horridus_) is not found in Canada. The + one here alluded to is the _caudisona tergemina_. The age is not + indicated by the number of the rattles. The black water snake was + probably the _tropidonatus sipedon_, which feeds on fish, and is an + expert swimmer, although not a true water snake. The “turkey snake” + cannot be identified.—ED. + +Footnote 108: + + This was the expedition of La Pérouse, who in the summer of 1782 + captured Fort Prince of Wales and York factory. See Wilson, _The Great + Company_ (Toronto, 1899), pp. 320–326.—ED. + +Footnote 109: + + Lake George was originally named Lac du St. Sacrement, by the Jesuit + missionary and martyr Isaac Jogues, who was there in 1646. On his + expedition of 1755, Sir William Johnson changed the name in honor of + his king. Lakes George and Champlain were of strategic importance in + all the French wars, and that of the Revolution. Fort George was a + small post on an eminence a half mile southeast of Fort William Henry, + built in 1759 after the destruction of the latter. Abandoned + temporarily during Burgoyne’s invasion, the garrison were surprised + and captured by Carleton (October, 1780), and the fortification + destroyed. New York State has appropriated the land around the ruins + of this fort for Fort George Battle Park.—ED. + +Footnote 110: + + For a description of the road from St. Johns on the Richelieu River, + at the outlet of Lake Champlain—where the French built a fort in + 1748—to La Prairie on the St. Lawrence, see Kalm, _Travels in North + America_ (London, 2nd ed., 1772), ii, pp. 219–223.—ED. + +Footnote 111: + + Crown Point, called by the French Pointe au Chevalure (scalp point), + was fortified by the latter nation in 1731, as their advanced post + (Fort St. Frédéric) on the northern frontier. During the French and + Indian War it was twice attacked by the English; but the French + retained possession until Amherst’s expedition (1759), when Fort St. + Frédéric was abandoned and destroyed. Amherst began here extensive + fortifications, the ruins of which still exist. Crown Point was + captured by the Americans in 1775, and restored to the British in + 1776. After 1780 it was dismantled and fell into decay, so that Long + could have found but deserted quarters at this place.—ED. + +Footnote 112: + + This incident indicates the low state of the credit of the United + States. Congress passed the act for the relief of this Indian, April + 8, 1785, as follows: “On report of a committee, consisting of Mr. + Howell, Mr. Long, and Mr. Holton, to whom was referred a petition of + John Vincent, an Indian of the Huron tribe, _Resolved_, That in + consideration of the faithful services of John Vincent, an Indian of + the Huron tribe, in the course of the late war, he be allowed and paid + by the commissioners of the treasury, the sum 100 dollars.—_Journals + of Congress_ (Philadelphia, 1801), x, p. 82.—ED. + +Footnote 113: + + Hendrick was the well-known Mohawk chief, born about 1680, whose + friendship for the English and especially for Sir William Johnson kept + his tribe firm in the English alliance during the French wars. + Hendrick lived at Canajoharie in the Mohawk Valley. At the Albany + Conference (1754), he was one of the most prominent negotiators; but + was killed in the battle of Lake George the following year.—ED. + +Footnote 114: + + Schenectady boats were long, narrow, flat-bottoms, propelled by small + and ungainly sails, or by iron-shod poles. They were so named from + being first built at Schenectady, and were much used in the shallow + water navigation of Western New York and the Upper St. Lawrence.—ED. + +Footnote 115: + + The Canadian government was at this period granting large areas of + land north of the St. Lawrence, and of Lake Ontario, to the Loyalists + of the United States, who were removing thither. Two hundred acres + were given to each settler; and higher amounts, according to rank, to + those who had served in the British army. See Canniff, _History of the + Settlement of Upper Canada_ (Toronto, 1869).—ED. + +Footnote 116: + + Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester, served with Amherst at Louisburg, in + 1758. The next year he was wounded at the siege of Quebec. In 1766 he + was made governor of Quebec, and was governor of Canada, 1767–70. In + 1775, he was again made governor of Quebec, and defended Canada + against the American forces until relieved by Haldimand in 1778. In + 1782, he succeeded Clinton as commander in chief of the forces in + America, and having evacuated New York in 1783, returned with the + troops to England. He was created Baron Dorchester in 1786, and + appointed governor general of Canada, whither he arrived in October, + serving as the ruler of this province until 1796, when he retired to + England, where he died in 1808. + + Henry Hope, lieutenant colonel of the 44th regiment, came to America + in 1776, and served throughout the war. In November, 1785, he was made + lieutenant-governor of Canada, and served as acting governor until the + arrival of Dorchester, under whom he continued as lieutenant-governor + until his death at Quebec, April 13, 1789.—ED. + +Footnote 117: + + Sir John Johnson was the son and heir of Sir William Johnson, the New + York Indian agent. Born in the Mohawk Valley in 1742, he received part + of his education in England, and was knighted there in 1765. He + succeeded to his father’s position and estates in 1774; and on the + outbreak of the Revolution escaped to Canada, where he was made + colonel in the British army. His services during the war, leading + Iroquois against the border settlements in the Mohawk and Cherry + Valley, are well known. His estates were confiscated by the State of + New York, and he retired to Canada, where he was made superintendent + general of Indian affairs in British North America. His death occurred + at Montreal in 1830.—ED. + +Footnote 118: + + In the surveys made in 1783–84, preliminary to the Loyalists’ + settlement, ten townships were set off in Quinté Bay, which were long + known by their respective numbers. The third township was that now + called Fredericksburgh, and was chiefly settled by Johnson’s disbanded + soldiers.—ED. + +Footnote 119: + + On the land system of Canada, see Canniff, _History of Settlement of + Upper Canada_; and Kingsford, _History of Canada_ (London and Toronto, + 1894), vii, pp. 300–313. The feudal tenure was not abolished in Quebec + until 1854; but the Act of 1791, separating Upper from Lower Canada, + decreed a modern system for the Loyalist settlements.—ED. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + Important + Historical Publications + OF + The Arthur H. Clark Company + + + Full descriptive circulars will be mailed on application + + + + + “The bare title hardly conveys an idea of the interesting lore + embraced in this admirably carried out study of the roads and their + part in the development of the country.”—_Boston Globe._ + + + The Historic Highways of America + + by ARCHER BUTLER HULBERT + + + A series of monographs on the History of America as portrayed in the + evolution of its highways of War, Commerce, and Social Expansion. + +Comprising the following volumes: + + I— Paths of the Mound-Building Indians and Great Game + Animals. + + II— Indian Thoroughfares. + + III— Washington’s Road: The First Chapter of the Old French + War. + + IV— Braddock’s Road. + + V— The Old Glade (Forbes’s) Road. + + VI— Boone’s Wilderness Road. + + VII— Portage Paths: The Keys of the Continent + + VIII— Military Roads of the Mississippi Basin. + + IX— Waterways of Westward Expansion. + + X— The Cumberland Road. + + XI, XII— Pioneer Roads of America, two volumes. + + XIII, XIV— The Great American Canals, two volumes. + + XV— The Future of Road-Making in America. + + XVI— Index. + +Sixteen volumes, crown 8vo, cloth, uncut, gilt tops. A LIMITED EDITION +only printed direct from type, and the type distributed. Each volume +handsomely printed in large type on Dickinson’s hand-made paper, and +illustrated with maps, plates, and facsimiles. + +Published a volume each two months, beginning September, 1902. + +PRICE, volumes 1 and 2, $2.00 net each; volumes 3 to 16, $2.50 net each. + +FIFTY SETS PRINTED ON LARGE PAPER, each numbered and _signed by the +author_. Bound in cloth, with paper label, uncut, gilt tops. Price, +$5.00 net per volume. + + + “The history of American trails and carries in colonial times; of + paths, roads, and highways in our national beginnings; and of our + great lake, river, and railroad traffic in later times is and has been + of the first importance in our social and political history. Mr. + Hulbert has shown himself abundantly able to investigate the subject + and put in good form the results of his labors.”—Professor WILLIAM M. + SLOANE, _Princeton University_. + + “Mr. Hulbert has evidently mastered his subject, and has treated it + very ably and enthusiastically. History is too frequently a mere + collection of dry bones, but here we have a book which, when once + begun, will be read eagerly to the end, so vividly does the author + bring scenes and personages before us.”—_Current Literature._ + + “As in the prior volumes, the general effect is that of a most + entertaining series. The charm of the style is evident.”—_American + Historical Review._ + + “His style is effective ... an invaluable contribution to the makings + of American History.”—_New York Evening Post._ + + “Should fill an important and unoccupied place in American historical + literature.”—_The Dial._ + + + + + “The most important project ever undertaken in the line of Philippine + history in any language, above all the English.”—_New York Evening + Post._ + + + _The_ Philippine Islands + 1493–1898 + + Being the history of the Philippines from their discovery to the present + time + + +Explorations by early Navigators, descriptions of the Islands and their +Peoples, their History, and records of the Catholic Missions, as related +in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, +economic, commercial, and religious conditions of those Islands from +their earliest relations with European Nations to the end of the +nineteenth century. + +_Translated, and edited and annotated by_ E. H. BLAIR _and_ J. A. +ROBERTSON, _with introduction and additional notes by_ E. G. BOURNE. + +With Analytical Index and Illustrations. Limited edition, 55 volumes, +large 8vo, cloth, uncut, gilt top. Price $4.00 net per volume. + + + “The work is second in importance only to the original documents; to + the student it is even of greater value, since it places before him + translations of these historical data which would otherwise be totally + inaccessible, and without which no work on the Philippines could be + definitive.”—_American Anthropologist._ + + “At the present time few subjects are discussed so widely and so + ignorantly as matters relating to the Philippines.”—_Chicago + Chronicle._ + + “In addition to its value as accurate history, the work is full of + interest and of suggestions of thrilling mediæval romance and + adventure among strange scenes and wild people.”—_Philadelphia + Telegraph._ + + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES + + + Page Changed from Changed to + + 70 added the perfect notes of the added the perfect notes of the + different war hoops, as different war whoops, as + + 206 cargo. On the 9th of November we cargo. On the 9th of November we + felt Newfoundland, left Newfoundland, + + ● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. + ● Placed footnotes all at the end of the last chapter. + ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. + ● Enclosed blackletter font in =equals=. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75593 *** |