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Psalm ii. ?• Open thf Mouth for the Dumb, in the Catifc of all fuch as are a'ppointed to DcJirutUon. Pro v. xxxi. 8. VUILADELFHIA: rjllNTKD AKD SOLD wv JOSEPH CRUKSHANK, n? MAS. kT- ST REFT. ^ —^zMk If k'k i to IK ^ ov ' jui i '^' fyl I th: I mi ( ' V I "tSE PREFACE. I TH E writer of the following fliccts has thrown together a few fafts, to obviate fome miftakes which have been embraced, refpeftingthc Natives of this land ; he neither wifhes Ml flatter thofe of his own colour by acknowledging that they are fuperior to the tawney Indian ; otherwife than as they excel him in afts of beneficence and of an imitation of the the great Author of the Chriftian Religi- on; whofe name they haveaflumed; nor to exalt the charafter of the poor untu- tored Indian, at the expenfe of truth, by over-rating their cjiaftity, their love of juftice, and hofpitality ; particularly in their afFeftionate reception of our An- ceftors on their firfl fettlement of Penn- fylvania; nor to fay more in their favour than is fupported by the concurrent tefli- monies of hiflorians of various religious ^^ rofefTions and different nations. Neither is it intended to juftify thefe people in any of their aQs of cruelty : >^ The lit *■ J I I ( K^ C iv ] The motives, which have induced the wri- ter to engage in this pubhcation are fupe- rlor to party views; an apprehenfion of duty, and univevfal good-will to mankind. And if the Indian is reprefented to have been opprefled and injured, it is not to provoke a fpirit of retaliation, nor to ex- cite a difcontent, but to flate to the view of the pubhc, wherein they have been aggrieved ; and wherein they have been culpable, that the people of thefe dates may fee ihe^ h'we not been free from blame, in hopes that a more candid and indulgent confideration of their fitua- tion may excite in us humanity and ten- dernefs. Be not offended therefore if the Indian is reprefented as a rational being as well as ourfelves, if liaving an immortal foul/^ capable of receiving the refining influ- ence of our holy religion, it is that he may be allowed to dwell in fafety, and re- joice in the opportunity, which a return^, of peace, may afford to inllruct him in^' the knowledge of the true God. If doubts Ihould remain, whether the Indians are, indeed fufceptible of thoft religious impreffions as here mentioncd.-j the reader is referred to the feveral aC'4 counts of the fuccefsful labours of the pi-^i ou4 01 01 til ni N ▼c (e a N C V ] ^ ^^f^^'e- ^^^ Thomas Mayew, John Elliott, and ^^f ^c others in New- England, publiflied by 1 *nd themielves ; and alio a pubUcation ot a ^^^^ h ve ^^^^^ '*^^^ date, by David Brainard, of New-Jerfey who refided among them fe- ^ ^^ veral years, entitled, Mirabila Dei in- ^ - fpr IrKlw'nc • Or tht> Miff nnH Prnorrpfc nf "V ree indid and Leir fitua- and ten* :hc Indian ng as well.^ ortal foul, 4 ling influ- : is that he /^ ty, and re- h a return ucl him in .d. /hether the le of ihoft nentioncdi : feveral aC' rs of the pi- ou m s o hi z A 2 f x^ ,r^^ ■«ir«MaB*i Hsmm&mmmt i SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE INDIAN NATIVES ^ OF THIS [ ^ f t CONTINENT. t f 4^1 SITUATE as we are on this Cor *^i tinent with very extenfivc front'ien bordering upon a vaft wildernefs, inha bited by the native Indians, it becomes ; fubjeft worthy the mod ferious attentic ;%] of every friend of mankind, every iov( ^^i of his country, to be truly informe what IS the fituation and difpofition of tli people, fo far as it may haveaninfluen upon our duty as Chriftians, and o peace and fafety as members of Civil S ciety : And that wc may not make a ra ellims DNS VES r. )n this Cor ^^e frontiers rnefs, inha it becomes (US attcntic ^ every lov( ly informc >fition of th janinfluen IS, and o i of Civil S t make a ra ellima ( 7 ) eflimate of rm own importance, or of the incapacity of thofe people ior religi- ous improvement, the following obferva- tions and quotations are recommended to the ferious pcrufal of every reader, as they give a view of the opinions of fomc of the early fettlers, of different deno- minations, in this continent. The firit fettlers of Pennfylvania, who had full opportunities of being acquaint- ed with the nature and difpofition of the Natives, and who made it a principal . point to obferve ffcrift juftice in all their tranfaftions with them, have left us very- favourable memorials of the long conti- ^nucd kindnefs they experienced from uhefe people : the great difadvantages to t which their ignorance and roving temper 'ffubjeftcd them, our forefathers thought ' it their duty to endeavour to draw them from, by exemplary afts of benevolence and inftruftion ; which pious pradlice gnhas fince been fuccefsfully purfued, by "' feveral well difpofed perfons in New-Eng- land, New-Jerfey, and elfewhere : feve- ral of whom have tranfmitted fatisfaftory accounts of their labours. From thefe publications as well as from the remembrance of fome yet living, it ^13 evident, that the natural difpofition of ^ Va%- the ;Ji ►ft**^""*""! : ( 8 ) the Indians has generally been to fliew kindnefs to the Europeans, in their early fettleinents ; and that their mental pow- ers are equally with our own capable of improvement ; that the apparent differ- ence in them, as well as in the Black Peo- ple and us, arifes principally from the advantages of our education, and man- ner of life. Some writers have reprefented Indians as naturally ferocious, treacherous, and ungrateful, and endeavoured to eftablifli this charafter of them, from fome parti- cular tranfaftion which hath happened on fpdcial occafions : but no conclufion of their original character (liould be drawn from inftances in which they have been provoked, to a degree of fury and ven- geance, by unjuft and cruel treatment from European Aggreffors; of which moft hiftories of the firft fettlements on this continent furnifli inftances, and which writers have endeavoured to co- lour and vindicate, by reprobating the charafter of thofe poor people. It is a matter of faft, proved by moPi Hiftorical Accounts of the trade carried on with the Indians at our firft acquairir- ance with them, as well as in the tlrf' |!:ttlemeats made on this continent, th^t thc) ^u' ui d ( ) to ftiew ir early [al pow- >able of differ- ick Peo- •om the id man- Indians )us, and eftablHh ne part'u pened on lufion of )e drawn ave been and ven- :reatmcnt jf which ments on ces, and d to co- ating the i by men le earricc' acquairn the firH lent, thii^ thcy tliey generally manifeded themfclve« to be kind, hofpitable and generous to the Europeans, fo long as they were treated with juftice and humanity; but when the adventurers from a third of gain, over reached the Natives, and they faw Tome of their friends and relations treacheroufly entrapped and carried away to be fold for flaves, * themfclves injuri- oufly treated and driven from their na- tive pofieiFions, what could be expefted but that fucli a fordid ccnduft in the Eu- ropeans, would produce a change of dif- pofition in the Indians. The early fet- tlers of New-Jerfey have always confirm- ed the tcftimony of the Pennfylvanians, with refped: to the good ufage they met with % •X * Amongft the many inftances of this kind which might be given, that are recorded by dif- ^/erent authors, the following is moft ftriking, viz, One Hunt, an early trader with the Indians of New-England, after a profperous trade with the Natives, enticed between 20 cr 30 on board his vc/Fel, and contrary to the public faith, clapped ^them under hatches, and T^ld them to the Spa-| niards at Malaga; but the Indians refented it, and revenged thenifelves on the next Englifli that came on the coaft. Ncal^ llillory of NewEng- ,]ar.d, p:i^e 21, ■■ f* '■ ^. % " ( lo ) with from th^ Indians. The writer of the Hiftory of that Province informs us, page 440, " That, for almoft a centu- ** ry, the Natives had all along maintain- *' ed an intercourfe of great cordiality ** and friendihip with the inhabitants." It is well known that the Indians* de- portment to each other is peaceable and inotfenfive ; efteeming fudden anger un- becoming and ignominious ; they feldom differ with their neighbour, or do them any harm or injury, except when intoxi- cated by flrong liquor, of which they are fond, to an enormous degree : this is the general character given of Indians, by all impartial writers. The noted French author Charlevoix, who appears to have been deep in his in- quiries into their manners and difpofiti- on, in his long travels from Queb j, thro* the lakes and down the MiiTillipi to Flo- rida, informs, " That with a mein and " appearance altogether favage ; and ** with manners and cuftoms which fa- " vour the greateft barbarity, the Indi- '* ans enjoy all the advantaj.;^ s ot fociety. *' At firft view, fays he, one would ima- " gine them without form ot govcrn- " ment, law or fubordinatioM, and fub- ject to the wildeft caprice j neverthe* '- IciV^ 1 it ii ^1 iter of ais us, centu- Lintain- rdiality nts." ns* de- ble and ger un- 'feldom io them i intoxi- they are lis is the s, by all blevoix, 1 his in- difpofiti- j, thro' i to Flo- lein and ; and vhich fa- he Indi" t fociety^ )uld ini'a- •-^ovcrn- and fub- ae\erthe" ( II ) •* lefs, they rarely deviate from certain ** maxims and ufages founded on good " fenfe alone, which holds the place of *' law, and fuppUes in fome fort, the ** want of legal authority. * Reafon ** alone is capable of retaining them in a *' kind of fubordination ; not the lefs •^ effedual, towards the end propofed, •* for being entirely voluntary. They ** manifeft much (lability in the engage- ments they have folemnly entered up- on ; patient in affliftion, as well as in ** their fubmifiion to what they apprc- ** hend to be the appointment of Provi- •* dence ; in all which they manifeft a •• noblenefs of foul, and conftancy of ^ mind, at which we rarely arrive with ^ all our Philofophy and Religion. As ^* they ar^ neither flaves to ambition, nor ** intereftj f * Human Nature, even in its rudeft ftate, it polTefled of a ftreng fetife of right and wrong ; a pure piiucipic which i^ not confined to any name or form, but dlffufes ^tfelf as univerfallv as the Sin; !t is ** fhat Ityht fwhich entightens every man «• comtttg tms thi ijorU^** John i. 9. Al' thofe who yield 10 its imprc'rions are brethren in the full extent ot the ecprc^Tion, however differing in other r£ip('>'>s, # mut^mm ■*"p* "x-"^ ►vii ( Tl ) ( ii cc (( €€ C( cc cc cc «c '^ '■" "^" Yh'Sfy ik the kind " ments of »"'^^""l' eneraven in the " ^tn\l^ SkSdleithofeof co- :: iSnSwWch - as jet generally .. unknown amongft th^m- Is it not notorious that they a g^^^ rally kinder to us f "'J^J'J.curs, but " which IS not we *:aic ir ^^^^ « Their modeft condutt to^ .^ .. , ^^\1; aUo acknovvl*^^^ ^■"VPf Ss'tha^Ih^y "av , with Indians, that tn y . aianifefted a faithfulnef o tn S b^^ the „,ents they have ^" f^f^if^nSertaken tcf ty of any perfon t^^y V.ave un j^ ^"^°,r^^n tL^S ornan^ of thofe cove^^ as alfo in tne pcnui" „„c.med bv gi« nants which they have confirmed Dy g „ ing belts of wampum. cbarlevo" * « ■.5-' 1 ( t3 ) ch have fe fenti- he kind -n in the fe of co- generally re gene- to them ? curs, but nan, who refpeft ; o them. 3men who s certainly ch exceed- 1, in like longft our. all impar- converfant t generally :he engage- •or the fafe ^dertaken tc to be fouPi lite people ' thole cove cned by giv Charlevoix . Charlevoix farther obferve^, " That " whoever infinuates himfelf in their ** efteem, will find them fufficiently do- " cile to do any thing he defires ; but that this is not eafily gained, as they generally give it to merit only, of which they are as good judges as moft amongft us. He adds, that thefc good difpofitions are very much eclipfed by the cruelty they foi.ietimes cxercife upon fuch of their enemies, whom they have devoted to death ; as well as the right they almoft univerfally claim to private revenge. They confider it as a point of honour to avenge inju- ries done to their friends, particular- |ly the death of a relation; blood for •S blood, death for death, can only fa* *^ tisfy the furviving friends of the inju- " red party." Something of the fame law of retaliation was ufual amongft the ancient Jews and Romans. From this principle, as well as from the high notions they have of military glory, the young Indians fometimes fud« dcnly purfue violent meafures, contrary to the mind of their elders. "^" It is, fays the fame Author, a feeU ** ing experience of the Chriftian Re- ** ligion, which alone is able to perfcft B " their cc (( it ti cc cc cc «c «c cc cc i \ i ' a. ( 14 ) CC cc their good qualities, and correfk that " ** which is vrong in them ; this is com- «« (C CC men to them with other men ; but «< CC CC CC CC what is peculiar to them is, that they <« bring fewer obftacles to this improve- «* ment, after, thro' the operation o: « grace, they have once began to behevt <* in the great truths of the gofpel." « The good difpofition of the more foutb « crn Indians is fenfibly fet forth by De h ** Cafasj Bifhop of Chapia, who fpent mud " time and labour in endeavouring to pre ** ferve the Indians of New-Spain, from th ** grievous oppreffion they laboured under ** in his reprefentation to the King an(" i Council of Spain, which, with little va*^ riation, may well be applied to the na^ tives of mod parts of the continent*^. He fays, " I was one of the firft wh(**- went to America, neither curiofity nc** intereft prompted me to undertake f** long and dangerous a voyage ; th** faving the fouls of the Heathens wa my fole objeft. Why was I not per mitted, even at the expenfe of ni|" blood, to ranfom fo many thoufan(i^' of fouls who fell unhappy vi6lims if CC CC CC avarice or luft." •It is faid, th .u< barbarous executions were neceffar" to punilh or check the rebellion of tl: Amei CC cc reft that " s is com. «* en ; but « that they « improve- ** ration o: ** to believt " •pel." ore fouth- " by De la; ** pent mucl " ing to pre " 1, fromth" ired under" King an(" Lh little V2^% i to the na^ continent*^ e firft wh(" luriofity no** . ndertake f** oyagc; tb** :athens wa" LS I not per" »nfe of m;" y thoufand" T viftiins tf* is faid, tb/*' re ncceffar" >eUion of tl; '* Amci ( >s ) Americans ; but to whom was this owing ? did not thoie people receive tlie Spaniards who firft came amongft them, with gentlenels and humanity ? did they not fhew more joy, in pro- portion, in lavifliing treafure upon them, than the Spaniards did greedi- nefs in receiving it ? but our ava- rice was not yet fatisfied tho' they gave up to us their land and their riches, we would take from them their wives, their children, and their liber- ty. To blacken thefe unhappy people, their enemies aiTert, that they are fcarce human creatures but it is we ought toblufli for having been Icfs men, and more barbarous than they. They arc reprefented as a ftupid people, addifted to vice;— — — but have they not contracted moft ot their vices frjm the examples of Chri- ftians ? And as to thofe vices peculiar to themfelves, have not the Chriftians quickly exceeded them therein ? Ne- verthelefs it muft be granted, that the Indians ftill remain untainted with ma- ny vices, ufiial amongft the Europe- ans ; fiich as ambition, biafphemy, treachery, and many like monfters, which have not yet took place with " them J •*"v.. ■ .iiff^ H .' ^J I 'l 'I ( »6 ) * them ; they have fcarce an idea of * them, fo that, in efFed, all the advan. ' tage we can claim, is to have more * elevated notions of things, and cur * faculties more unfolded, and more * cultivated than theirs. Don't Ic: ' us flatter our corruptions, nor volunta * rily blind ourfclves ; ail nations art * e ;ually free : one nation has no righ: * to infringe upon the freedom of ano- * ther : let us do towards thofe people, * as we would have them to have done * to us, if they had landed upon our * ihore, with the fame fuperiority o; ' ftrength. And, indeed, why Aoulii * not things be equal on both fides. * How long has the right of the ftrong. * eft been allowed to be the balance of < juftice. What part of the Gofpi^l * gives a fanftion to fuch a doftrine. * In what part of the whole earth did the < Apoftles and firft promulgators of * the Gofpel, ever claim a right over the ' lives, the freedom, or the fubftance oi * the Gentiles. What a (Irange me- ' thod this of propagating the Gofpel, « that holy law of grace, which from being flaves to fatan, initiates us into the freedom of the children of God." T b t d b t( V( n: fc V( ei m «C Cf ti M ci n €i €i « e ( idea ot he advan. ave more and our md more -Don't le: )r volunta ations ar^ s no righ. m of ano- jfe people, have done upon our eriority o; irhy AouW both fides, the ftrong. balance of :he Gofp^l a doftrine. arth did the ulgators o( Tht over the fubftance oi range roe- the Gofpcl, which from ates us into :n of God." ( 17 ) To this pious Bifliop's teftiniony, may be added that of Page Dupart, in his Hiftory of Louifiana, who during a refi- dence of fixteen years, appears to have been careful in his enquiries, relating to the nature and difpofuion of thofe fe- veral nations feated in a fpace of 1500 miles on both (ides the Miffillipi, with fome of whom he was intimately con- verfant, whom he reprcfents as generally endowed with good ienfe, kindnefs and moderation. He tells us, " That upon ** an acquaintance with the Indians, he was convinced that it is wrong to de- nominate them Savages, as they are ca- pable of making, a good ufe of their j^i reafon, and their fentiments are jufl: j m that they have a degree of prudence, ^ faithfulnefs and generofity, exceeding " that of nations who would be offended " at being compared with them. No people, he fays, are more ho- fpitable and free than the Indians j hence they might be efteemed an hap- py people, if that happinefs was not impeded by their pallionate fondnefs for fpirituous liquors, and the foolifh notion they hold in common, with many profeiling Chriftians, of gaining reputation and eftecm, by their prow- B 2 *< efs it •€ «C (( -"S-'-"-' I: m H i I I y* til U I ' appear but b^^^^SteW refufe to take a- avc others who abfoluteiyr ^^^ ^^^ 'part therein, but patieiUlj^^^^^^^ ^ W^-^^-^^^7o of wbkh good > Moravian 1^^ Author fpeaking of the Natives, fays, •« The * nearer the Indians of Canada are viewed, the , • more good qualities arc difcovered in them ; Xi the WHO, ^Qj. jj^pj^ Qf the principles which ferve to regu- prudence a» late their condoft ; the general maxims bf » the Indians^ which they govern themfelves ^ and the effen- ^\ ^^ ^«,=fpr. lial parts of their charafter, difcovcr nathinr nd to P^^\%f the barbarian.- ^ Ut interrupu 0f ^^^ Five Nation Indians, M. Delapoteric. a ifely affirm tip^Bch Author, (wherein he very much agrees* * had With theitii Cadwalader Golden^ hte prefident of New- to US thai^O'*^) in hk account of thofe Indians, fays^ ^^n 1 -^ Yhey are thought by a common miftake^ to be are treat nitre barbarians, always thirfting for human they have no y^p^j , l3m j^eir true charader is very difFer- than others, cnt: they are indeed the fierceft and mod for* to live am(inid.4ble people in North *\raerica ; and at the . ., Q^ fame time, as politic and judicious, as well can be ntinien j> conceived, which appears from the management leet in tneni ^^^^ ^l^^ j^ffjirslhey tranfa«a, not only with the French and EngliHi, but like wife with almoft ^laU the Indiaa Nations of this vaft continent. I* Speaking -SPf- su IK I ( ^o ) H CC r ^ accounts left us b; larly appears from ^ccou ^^^ ^^^^ Jonathan Carver, :^f /.i^fi^e, vifitc ^765, totheyear 76'J,>^; j^iff,ffip„ feVeral Nations Nvell of ther^^^.^^ ^^ ^^^^ and the upper lakes. v ^^^^^^^ ,^^ aeneral temper ol the in ^ ^^^ ^ ?hole V-f',^l;f:':c^. other/and f.,. « tremely ^^^erai to ^ ^^^^^^^j » o\v the deficiencies oi ^^ « Sh any fuperfluuy of ^^J^^T^t; M ■ .. SpeaWing of tbe Ch-lcee. and o^^er^J« .. anslook upon the end o ^^^^^ ^^^ ,. happily ; »nd f°; ,uted to^prevent avar. .. cuftom. are .<=f^«^* .f-.^ ufe; and noth.n, .. ^hich they thm'' .-^^teisl*^ , ^^^^ ^^^ .. I more fcvere r^A;^ 7.;,"°. ^ To prevent .< fay, Th^* ' """" ^L of fnch a vice, tjpon .. rtfe and propagatton of f«=h ^^^ ^^ .. death of any l^-^'^"'. '^^^i there may b' o longs to the deceafed. «»„t ^^^^^^ „p , .. te,npt«'^ ^ ^11 anTdomeftic convenu .. perfkxity of arms, and ^^,„ th. .. for his ch'ldren- V^'^^hat i^^u agreeab' •• ft"™' W^ne afed. toburnaUthey J .. the fou\ °f 1,^^.^ fo low thofe who ufe a> ,. and that f •«'°^J°jTuhivate no more •' ^^'■"•^::«ffaryfo their plentiful fubaU /i c 21 ) . r « V •* — That governed by the plain and left u^ Dl , • . I 1 ° ■ -wT ^ h veai equitable laws oi Nature, every one is ^ ^ Titc'** remarked lolely according to his de- M'^'ffip" ^^^^^ ^ ^"^ ^^^^^ equality, condition, ^er w ii Vig manners and privileges, with that con- f* •" ftant lociablc familiarity which prevails lhs iuu 4j thro' every Indian Nation, animates lUey ^^, r >< them with a pure and truly patriotic ^^\^ T' nd'* 0^^"^» ^^^^ ^^"^s ^o ^^^ general good their ri ^^ ^£ ^j^^ Society to which they belong. " ^ ^^^ .Th* '^^^ Indians, he fays, are not without * fome fenfe of Religion, fuch as proves ] that they worfhip the great Creator, with a degree of purity unknown to ther Sou' nations who have greater opportuni- r^^s Theie In ties of improvement. Y\hl to be liv' «« That the pleas of Indians for mak- pofe, their wli Jug ^^r, are in general more rational prevent avan ^^^ • n ^^^^ ^^^y^ ^^ ^^^ brought by ft hem, than Europeans, m vmdication ot their pro- ^^^^ .J.Q prevent ccedings. To fecure the rights of :h a vice, tjpon hunting to maintain the liberty r burn ail that ^f paflj^g thro' their accuftomed trafts, 11 there may ^^^ ^^ guard thofe lands which they t to hoar^^^^.^^^^^^ j^^^ £^^^ ^ j^^^ tenure, as their ^ftrcngthcn thisown, againft any infringment, are the tiat It is agreeablgcneral caufes of thofe diflcnfions to burn all they le^yjji^h ^^ ^f^^j^ break out between the thofe who ue^^^jjjjjj^^ Nations^. He agrees with (""i^niiful fubfUl^^arlevoix, that the Indians feel in- *rs" '^ " juries i' ■-^W'jir'S' •^' '■lCfc-» <■' r I 1. r\ ■■.■;, \,s c 12 ) ^^9 « ardour." ,. Country, ^^e was ^j, Whiia in the InJ'*".; ^be Chipevvav= ^^ inftrumcntalm prevjjl^^ ofccutm; „ .0 \ears, f"K'*^ »„u him, they l^ad Ion; 5^ Jbe old Indians told hi^ j ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ tithed to put an end « ^^^ ^ ^^ endeavours ?'«f .^^f ^'U, v,bo coul ^j warriors, of ^*^^"ir when they >ne ^^ They faid they in .^^ d.tpoatio"^ ti( chief of the »«*^„Pfl-„ffed an equal d hiinfelf, ^^^ :'^:^°jfScoo\r^^i^^ ^0. eree of vefolution ana ^^^ tions -, for by '"^'^ ^odation, which, b perfon, =^^^"r"Sy defied might,, ?heir part, they fi»<=;j;Jbis circumto„ brought about, t ro ^^bers obke as^eUaswh^Tj>ugVition of fomeh of the P^^<^^^7^^J«ell conclude, > to acquaint them with the na- ntemittit^g ^^^^ ^^^ precepts of the Gofpel; to niake them fenfible of that univerfal brotherhood ry* ^^^ ^^[ that loving, meek, forgiving fpirit, which Chipewa\5 ^j^^ precepts and example of our Saviour prolecuui^f call for, it would have been a matter of a courle c ^j^^ grtateft joy both to them and us ; leni. Y^^^ but the reverfe has happened, except in ey had \o^: ^ fc^ particular inftances ; the different It that tne denominations of Chriftians have rather )y the your ^j^g^ fj.^^j^ ^^^^ j^ jjj|3 f^H'g ^'j^g^ ^y jjj. who coui ^jf'i^g ti^g pQQj. Natives, when it has fuit- tien they inc ^^ their political purpofe, to violence appy» ^v^^-amongft themfelves, and to become par- difpofition jjgg y^ ^Yic, wars they have waged one an equs-^ °againft another. )olnefe, wou ^ difpofition to mifreprefent and black- en the two Jgiii the Indians, in order to juftify, or »nce of f^c'^'paHiate the praftice of unjuft and cruel )n, wh'^^^' bcafures towards them, has particularly [efired might|ppeared in the afFedling cafe of thofe Ls circumftanjjjjans, denominated Moravian Indians, d others obie'ettled on the Muikingum, a branch of ion of fomehe Ohio ; who have, of late, deeply fuf- \ conclude, ^'ercd on account of what they thought ored people ^hc peaceable fpirit of the Gofpel requir- if the profeij ^f them. A true reprefentation of a proper uf^e ftate and difpofition of thofe Indians, te they "wercj well as an account of this deplorable laboured, ^ anfadion, drawn from the account giv- 131 '4 en H \\ : \ I c 24 ) ftol *<= <"'■"' Vi,'Jo prevent to ) ] >vc\fave or uu order, ^^'^ 4.ht m. namea *■ **Vof nm^i f nne 01 tu^^M -. i^^^p at that tmi" The place of tbcir ^eW^^^^^sufqueto^^ *,a about aoo ".'^^;' i,ad with foi l^'the convc^^^^fa vlfit to that cj« Jerious people, m a ^^^ ^^^^^n tfy «lolut\on to lajc "» P^^j.^,^ to the O Bemg>/;- r^^^^^ io fejlr^^ ^- .^ 44 Did not 1^'' (Tjifach other* ^j "' t«Mo '<'-V'lf S ^^^^ cover beW » conference >* 11-* ( 25 ) ccffary, a« in which they informed him, " That t {utferen *^ they remembered the old friendfliip ecn fo un«*' which fubfiftcd between their Forefa- 'ventftran*^ thers and ours; that they were great ■ us fron/^ lovers of peace, and had not taken of the Na" any part in the war." •e upon tb( They delivered three white prifoners the Wbittwhich they had recovered from the other Indians. They defired that no ftrong Indians indrink fliould be given them, nor be fent d reliffiou^^ their town. The fpeaker, Papun- bv meati^i^^'^5 appeared ferious, as under a fenfe p'anunhanpf the Divine Prefence, and concluded that t\m ^^^^ leave their corn behind them, -, ^ dine tl:*'* '^^^ ^^^y ^"^ ^^^^^ children fhould pe- vf rpceive**'^'^^'^ ^^^^^ hunger in the wildernefs." flbes pa'I'^ this, the Chief of the Wyondats, at ^ ^Ved'thi ' feemed to attend j but being iufti- ^ ^ „^ frnKatcd by fome white men in their com- tO our iroo / r/i j • l • r i • nes diffuadW' tl^^y Pei-ftfted in their refolut.on ; ^A t^rana after kilhnff many oi the cattle and ms, and V\ . . ^ i • u j )• i n- or wai^^' /W»ng ^P their bciamg, and T ' dan2^^"^"^^^^^^S ^^^^y other outrages, on the ^^^^ J g^28th of Auguft, and Septmber, forced 5^^^ \. them from their three towns, in ail be- procee I ^ .^^^p ^ ^^^ ^^^ perfons ; who, after a u fF /^^^^us journey in the wildernefs, arrived ft ' 17^^ ^ branch of Sandufky creek, where f^ f bv '^^ body of them were ordered to re- ^V rr^pfi^**^' ^ome of their principal men were 1 ' ff ti"^°^ ^^ ^^^j^^ ^''^^^ Schuyler De Pey- 5, lettmg J ^j^^ Enpliih Commander at fort De- K afrj**^^^' ^ commended them, asapeace- ^ r r ri'blc people, and exhorted them to re- in a tew c . ' A ', 111 rri !i Vi n c^^^^ ' added, ihat many com- "^ Tth tl'^^'^"^^ ^^'^^ ^^^"^ made of them; that men 01 jhey had given intelligence to his ene- acquamtea u^j^g^ S:c. he had fent for them ; but hemaw^y ' ^^^ j^j^ inftrudlions had been exceeded, • That ^}^^y^^x the ill-treatment they had receivect ; great oDini j^^^^^y^j, j^^ vvould provide for the path." J-"^' m. Tlius f I f :/ 4 9 •! . ■ ^ ( 28 ) Thus the matter refted till the fpr}ng, 1782, when thcle Moravian Indians find. ing corn fcarce and dear at Sanduiky, dcfired liberty to return to their fettle ments, to fetch fome of their corn, ^ which they had left above 200 acrei^ Handing 5 which when granted, man] * of them went, among whom were fevc J ral widows with their children, fome c ^ whom had been fubjecled 10 fuch a ^ tremcwam, as to eat the careafcs of tl^. dead cattle and horfes. ? When the people at and about the Mc^ nongahela, underftood a number of Ind ans wereat the Moravian towns, they gai^f out, that the intention of thofe peop^j^' was, to fall upon the back inhabitant^ which ought to be prevented. Wher*^ ab in upon about 16c men got together, fwimming their horfes over the Ohi came fuddenly upon the chief Moravk, town. The firft perfon who appeare' they Ihot at and wounded, when comif/ up to him, they found he was an h Indian, fon to John Bull, one of t Moravians, by an Indian woman, whom he is regularly married ; il. killed and fcalped him, and proceed to' the town. The Moravian Indiale who were moftly in the fields pullia cc ( ^9 ) • • cdrn, did not run ofF, as many of them X V d ™'8^^^' ^^ ^^^y ^^^ ^^^^ confcious of any c ^!l ri ' offence 5 but came of their own accord, h • f^ttk '^^^ *^^ ^^^"' ^^ ^^^ ^^'^ ^^ ^^^ ^^*^^ their e p^^pje^ who at firft, expreffed friendfhip :ir corn, ^ them ; but foon after, violently feized '^T ^^an! ^^^ ^^^"^ ^^^^' ^^^" ^^^ Helpers, * ^^^ ' r of whom there were five of the moft re- ^ ^^^^ ^ftable, in the company, and others ^"' f h exhorted the younger, to fubmiffion and ^^- r!vP^6ence; telling them, they thought realcs 01 ^^^ troubles in this world, would foon , TUT be at an end, and they would be with bout tne ij^^jj. Saviour. They then fung and pray- Liiber ot ^^ ^^dt together, till they were led out, one ns, they g ^^^ the other, and inhumanly llaughter- ^^ W ^ V^'* ^^^ men, and then the women. f" ^^ ^^^ wh^ made their eicape, relat- ed, ^"^'^•dthefe particulars. One of them lay together, aijj^ the heap of the dead, in a houfe, and srer the U 1^^^^^ fcalped ; but recovering his fenfes, hief Moravu.f^p^j . ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ j^^j ^jj ^imfelf ^ho appe^^finijcr the floor, was an eye-witnefs of when comiijj^ tragic fcene, and faw the blood of e was an n q ^ ^^^ I, one ot t ^n woman, — , □oar tied; ^^^ . and proceeu t Xhcfe are Indians who afllft the mifliona- ravian IndbtM m keeping good order amongft their people, fields pull^^ ^^^ occafton, give public c^hortatioas, cc '' ' . ^ 1 '.}". I ;»{ i f ( 0« ) the flain running in a dream. Thefelndl. < ans before being bound, were fo little ap« t prehenfive of being charged with guilt, « that they informed the White People, tba: c more of their brethren were at another j town to which they accompanied them who in like manner fell a facrifice witl f them, to the barbarity of the whites a The dead bodies were afterwards burneio with the houfes. Before their death •• they were alfo obliged to (hew in wb" part of the woods they had conceale" their efFcfts, when the other Indians (a •* before mentioned) took them away. " Thofe at the third town having fom** intelligence of what paffed, made the,** cfcape* One of the Helpers, who efcaj** ed relates. That in a conference they h** with the other Helpers, when they co:** fidered what they Ihould do in cafe of 2** attack, either from the Americans, ** the Indians, who had taken part with t^* Englifli, fome of whom charged them" having, thro* the intelligence they ga" to the Virginians, been the occali** of the flaughtcr of their brethren,'* Gofchaching ; the refult of their conf(* encc was, " Not to go away, never thel'* •* to leave each one to aft according toi* " feeling of bis own heart. He addC* ...,, C 31 ) Thefelndi. a That there was fo much love amongft fo little ap- «« them, that he had never felt the like with guilt, ««. before." This is a fummary of this People, that dreadful tranfadion, as it is given by the * at another principle leader of thofe that remain, mied them The Account, as it (lands in the Penn- crifice witt fylvania Gazette, of April 17th, 1782, the whites after giving an account of the incurfions ards burneiof the Indians, adds, " That the peo- their deatli •* pic being greatly alarmed, and having icw in wb** received intelligence that the Indian td conceale" towns, on the Muflkinr>im, had not jr Indians (a •* moved as they had been told a n away. ** number of men properly provided, col- having fom** Icfted and rendevoufed on the Ohio, made the" oppofite the Mingo Bottom, with a s whoefcaj** dcfign to furprife the above towns encethey b** •*— 160 men fwam the river, and len they co:** proceeded to the towns on the Muf- ) in cafe of f* kingum, where the Indians had col- ^mericans, " k^ed a large quantity of provifions n part with t^' to fupply their war-parties. They ar- larged them" rived at the town in the night, undif- nce they ga'* covered, attacked the Indians in their the occali" cabbins, and fo completely furprifed brethren/* them, that they killed and fcalped £ their conff* upwards of 90, but a few making neverthel'* their efcape, about 40 of which were ccordinetof* warriors, the reft old women and chil- ?* He addf* ^^cn. About 80 horfcs fell into their ^^' *^^^V ^ 1^ hands. i i n \ri \ t i ■\v I: U •I «» ikms} ^V^^, r„ ^f one roan." i U is alledged, in^J"''"^ of thofcln>° deliberate roaffacrc, that 40 o* ^^^^^^at ^^"Srbrthnffertln contn-^ •?' ^r°?Vf !';or bad it been the cafe, ^ ^'^' " vl;w thcY ^^ould have brougl . is not bkely they .^^^j, and 3^ their «^^«V 7" ere flain v^itb them, c. ' *=^''^'"4red ArroVuh thcmfelves to^^; havefuffcredthem ^^^. hela,„, thus murdered, Jtn ^^.derers. ,efi lance, or "•«" ^" c ^^idc Indian Soon after the de^hot mj about SO°«^<="'n.P ffSledattheoldMii- thiseafyconqueftaffemb^g^^^^^ g°«?"^^'''cSfl^rfcback, fet on for S; *'^'';PP vhS the remaining part of t!**; du(ky,.v^here the .^ ^^^ ^ Moravian 1«'^"^ A,, -nd other Indk j dellroy that ff ^^^"^^J^," he Wyand. , towns in thofe parts , Dm ^^^^ r.' tf'hlf :;proS^-^ ^f; ' led?,e ot tneir aHF cement cnfi , Sandufey, ^^^"/Sie aifailants vvere k,e in wnich fome of the a"a ed and feveral taken pri loners, ;^hom .»as the Cowmaader Col. t^, ?k. ^\ ■ -**. 1 • tk C 33 ) f rs and '^^^> ^^^ ^'^^ fon-inJaw. The Col. the Vi Ohio '"^^^"s put to a cruel death, and killed ' the other, with other prilbners. f this Doubtlefs the cruelty exercifed on the ^?^\ fe In ^^'* ^"^ ^^ death of the prifoners taken le to attacl''^S*"^"*y' was, in a great mcafurc, • .owing to the murder of the peaceable ^^9^ r Moravian Indians, at which they expreff- K ,Ucd much difpleafure. ive brougt This grievous tranfaftion appears m •^^'vf^ r y^^ more affliftive point of view, wheii itb them, • . confidered, that tho' many threats nfclves, to ^^ ^^^^ thrown out againft thofe Indi- kmg the \ti^^^^ j^^^j^ ^^ ^^^ Englifh and Amerl- murderers. ^ ^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^j^^.^ ^^^ thefe Indian .» > > ^ ^^^j incouragedt ^ at the old Mr- — . ^ lhio,andbcii fet on for Sa * As the Wyondat King in his Speech told nart of t^*™» ** ^y coufins, you Chriftian Indians, ia ^S .r , * Gnadenhutten, Shoenbrun and Salem, I am J, in ^^^ y concerned on your account, as I lee yvou live id other Incii in a dangerous fituation. Two mighty and the WyandC angry Gods ftand oppofite to each other, with fome k^O their mouths wide open, and you ftand be- , .V tween them, and are in danger of being cruLV met tnein cd by the one or the other of them, or both, gement enlU ^nd crumbled with their teeth." To which lilantS were W Chriftian Indians anfwered, Uncle, &c. &c. Inners anior>tt Shawanees our Nephews We have hi- C \ C;}^^^ ^^^ ^^^"^ ^^^ fituation fo dangerous as not 4er v*^*' j'l ftay here. We live in peace with all mankind, t' a^i I 5t* i" V !-« F, "*^. ( 3^^ ) cunty, tmftmg -m tje -re of Heav.^ ''"'!l ^'' fr&ad ived^nany. ye.« g! under which they nau ^^ ^j^, Vuh due fubr^iffion. But .^ ^^^ ^ en up to obduracy, C4 j peop. - on, ^^^.^^ZJon^cor^ccrr^cA in tl^j will be heavy upon au »- ^^ fhcdding of «• . Indian cruelty j t-i^.; ^'"In^S Indians have dou^j is any ^^^'^^S J,,, confidcred) more 4^ (all circumftanccs com ^ ^^^ ^ confiftent with juftice, re ^^^^^^^ « tnanity, ;han the murde o , d Vian Indians ; ^ P^J^^'^^^^ ^hcn ut>i^, pie, whole condua, even ^^ ^ ^^^^^^^ *^^ ''Sivin^H'lpforfupport,asm^„ ance on ^'vine n_. P ^^ fuffeta. 1 ,„aha.enof Heaven. ^^^ ^^^j^ fidelity to the government b^d )vernmcm ^y^f^^^ manifeftcd them to be our fpecial nany yea^i friends. uch vs i jj^ vindication of this barbarous tranf- at It gra ^ j^£^Jqj^^ endeavours have been ufed, to feariul e juj^j^^^ us believe, that the whole race of ireiy a tm ludj^ns are a people prone to every vice, ' '^^A M ^^^ deftitute of e^ery virtue ; and with- their deluii ^^^ ^ capacity for improvement. What Dcent peoij h this but blafphcmoufly to arraign the •rned in ^^^ifdom of our Creator, and infmuate, , thajj^the exiftencc He has given them, is 1 cruelty; "'ifi^nipatible with his moral government J have aotjojf^hc world. But this muft be admitted ed) more i^^ make way for the propofal of endea- ifon, and "^ v0uring the univerfal extirpation of In- )f thofe Moi^jj^jjjg f^Qj^ ^j^g f^^Q Qf ^l^g earth. Such, , innocent pcj^jj^g 1 is the manner in which too many when ^i^^of the pretended followers, of the meek iced a deperg^uij fuffering Saviour of the world, would Lpport, as ni^fulfil the prophecy concerning him, their fufferiru gr^^/ /j^ jhall have the Heathen for his ious principle* inheritance^ and the uttertnoji Parts of ^* the earth for his p'offe/fwnJ** And who limfelf declared, *^ Tljat he cams not to —. — — — < de/^roy mens* lives^ but to fave ihem\** md when fainting in his lad agony, un- the war. ^Mer mockery and derifion, conceived at in that ^^J^^fiQc, a prayer, and an apology for his '^'^ fidM theta-fl^tt^^^crers : *« Father^ forgive ibem^ th?y ^ *« know wer ( 36 ) ^^' kndw not what they doJ** Now fo far as we know the prevailance of this fpirit of love and forgivenefs, over the pride and wrath of our hearts, fo far are we the difciples and followers of Chrift ; and fo far only, can we truly pray for, and witnefs the coming of His kingdom : and on the other hand, fo far as we arc fubjeft to a vindictive and unforgiving fpirit, fo far wc arc in a ftate of alie- nation from God, and reprobate con* ccrning a true faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift^ which works only by love, to the purifying of the heart from every difpo- fition of a contrary nature. Was this diftinclion always obferved in our re'*<5i« ous difcriminations of mankind, we Ihould get thro' abundance of frivolous and fuperficial prejudices which divide the Chriftian World, and be convinced, that it is not the colour of our Ikins, outward circumftances or profeffion, but the ftate and temper of the mind and will, which makes us Jews or Gentiles ; Chriftians or Heathens ; Eleft or Repro- bate, in the figlit of God, That this change of heart is the fure effeft of the coming of Chrift's kingdom, was evi- denced in many of thofe Indians, whofe cafe is here reprefented \ who, by yield- iii{ th( tiall X \ 'C? fo fat s fpirit » pride are we Chrift •, ray for, igdom : we arc 'hat this la of the I was evi- by yield- ( 37 ) iiig to the operations of Divine Grace, were brought to an entire reformation of mind and manners. That favage feroci- ty, with allthofc dazzUng notions of ho- nour, to be gained from the deftrud:ion of mankind, fo natural to the fallen fons of Adam, have gradually melted away in thefe Indians, into a frame of meek- nefs, humihty and love, which fup- ported them in that lamb-like fubniiffion, under that remarkable fucceflion of trials and afflidlions which was permitted to at- tend them ; whereby many of them are at length put beyond the reach of enmi- We are told by a late Author, who appears zealous for the extirpation of all Indians, " That for a keg of w hi/key j " you ?night induce any Indian fo murder " his *wife^ children and bejl friend.*^ That this is not a jufl charafter of Indi- ans, all, who are ac 'uainted with that people, can teftify : yei there are, doubt- jlcfs, ill-difpofed people amougft them, as well as amongft us, who under the dread- ful power of (trong drink, (which has an Uncommon bad effc£l on them) may be led into the greatefl: enormities. Never- thelcfs, as has been mentioned, impar- jtial men, who from good views, have I) vifited ■■■yr ^»- fl '•') ( 38 ) vifited or refided with them, reprcfent them in a very difl'erent light : as Char- levoix, and other French and Spanifh Authors : John ElHott, Ihomas Mayew; John Sergeant, in New-England ; David Brainard and others in the Jerfeys ; and more lately the Moravians in difl'erent parts. Thefe have fpent much time and labour for the civil and religious improve- ment of the Natives, in which they all exprefled fatisfadion and comfort. And it is wonhy of peculiar notice, that in the wars the Indians have waged upon our frontiers, there has fcarce been an inftance of any of thofe Indians, who had made a ferious profeffion of the Chriftian Religion, having been concern- ed in the barbarous eruptions againft us.* Thefe ' i ♦Neal, p. 3o,2cl. vol. fays, **There isnne thing *« which deferi^es to be taken notice of; that is, «* the unfhaken fidelity of the fndian Converts, «« during the whole coHrfe of the war. whomnei-| •* thcr perfuafion nor threatnings of their coun- *« trymen, could draw from their allegiance to I «« the Engiifh. The government had a watchful «* eye upon them at firll, and the mob being in- «< cenfed againft Indians, could hardly be re* '< flraincjd from facrificing the Converts to theirl y fury." Thcl tht ilfl,. lout eprefent IS Char- Spanifti Mayew, ; David ys ; and different inie and improve- they all arce been ans, who 1 of the concern- ainft us."^' Thefe ( 39 ) Thefc have generally put theiTifelves un- dcjrthe protection of their feveral govern- ments ; as former iniiances in New-Eng- land, and the inftance of the Moravian Indians, both in the former, and late war, will undoubtedly evince. The people of Pennfylvania, and New- Jerfeys, as has been already noted, have had full opportunity to experience the good difpolition and kindneis of the In- dians, fo long as they were treated with juftice and humanity, as particularly ap- pears from the many ftrikinj^inftances of probity, gratitude and beneficence, on record, at a time when the difparity of their numbers was fo great, that they might have eafily deftroyed the fettlers, had is nne thing of; that is, I Converts, whomnei- their coun- llegiance to a watchful] ,b being in- dly be re- Irts to their The The fame Author obferves, That the govern- ment was fo well fatisfi'id with the fidelity cf the |IiKitans, that inflead of difarming them, as was defired. rhe Indians fvi Martha's Vineyard, who were twenty to Dne in number to rhe White People, continued fo fciiihfiil to their engnire- infnts, that chcy were fiippiied with all forts of ammunition, and ine defence of the Illmd com- mitted to their care ; and fo faithful were they to their truft, that ail people thnl landed upon the Iflmd. during the cnnrfe of the war, were, with" I out diftiaflion, brought before the GcvernoFr "1 ^ 1 ( Ao ) had they been ib minded. But io far were they from molefting thcni, that they were rather as nurfmg fathers to tliem ; granting them ample room for fettlc- ments ; freely allilling them with the means of Hvlng, at eafy races ; rnanifcil- ing, thro' a long courfe of years, a ftrict care and tidelltv in obiervino; their trea- ties, and fulfilling their other engage- ments ; which there is the greateft reafon to conclude would iliil be the cafe, in every part of the continent, if the fam,e equitable and kind meafures wxre purfu- ed. Upon the whole, it is a matter of un- doubted perfuafion, with impartial peo- ple, who have been converfant with Indi- ans, that if their dipofitions and natural powers are duly confidered, they will be found to be equally with our own, capa- ble of improvement in knowledge and virtue, and that the apparent difference between us and them, is chiefly owing to our different ways of life, and different ideas of what is neceffary and defirable, and the advantage oi education, which puts it in our povi^er to glofs over our own conduft, however evil j and to fet theirs, however dcfcnfible, in the moil odious point Oc' li^ht. Much ( 41 ) Much of their blaniable condiid, now complained of, is certainly imputable to a long continued train of fraudulent and corrupt practices, in our intercourfe with ihem, efpecially, the fatal introdudioa of ftrong drink, of which they have of- ten complained, * and defired it might not * At the treaty at Carlifle, in 17^, the Indi- ans fay, ** The Rum ruins us. We beg yon *• would prevent its coming in fuch quantities. ** We defire it may be forbidden, and none fold ** in the Indian country; but that if the Indians " will have any, they nny go amonijft the In- ** habitants, and deal with them. When thefe *• Whiiliey traders come, they bring 30 or 40 " Kegs, and put them before us, and make us «* drink, and get all the fkins ihnt fiiould go to •• pay the debts we have contra(fled, for goods *• bought of the fair trader ; and by this means, *' we n ^t only ruin ourfelves, but them too. *« The wicked whitl^ey leilers, when they have '* once got the Indians in liquor, make them fell *• their very clothes from their back^. In ihort, f-* if this practice b: continued, we muft be inc- ** vitably ruined. We mod earneftly, therefore, «' befeech you to remedy it." Wc find an early record, in the HiRory of Ncvv- Jerfey. to the credit ol the people of that d.iy, That at a conference they held with the Indians, where 8 Kings or Chiefs were prcfent, the fpcakcr cxprefled -r^ 1 1 i5 not be brought amongfl them, by which inllead of allaying the ferment of cor* rupt nature, by a good example, and the good inftruftion, which our fuperior knowledge would enable us to give them, too many have been inftrumental in work- ing them up to a ftate of dlftradion, which when it has burd forth in vengeance upon ourfelves, is made a pretence for deftroying them, as tho' they were whol- ly the aggrelibrs. That Indians may be tempted or pro- voked to the perpetration of great evils, by the intemperate love and ufe of ftrOng liquors, '■.1 . *1 'I cxprefT d himfelf to the following cfFciSl : ** Strong «* liquf rs were fold to us by the Sweeds and by *♦ the Dutch ^ thefe people had no eyes, they «« did not fee it was hurtful to us ; that it made *' us n^ad. We know it is hurtful to us. Nc- •« verthelefs, if people will fell it to us, we are '* fo in love with it, that we cannot forbear ; but •' Dt w there is a people conne to live amongU us, •< that have eyes ; they fee it to be for our hurt ; '* they are willing to deny thcmfelves the profit, «* for our goad. Thefe people have eyes, we are «« glad fuch a people are come, we muft put it «* down by mutual confent. We give thefe 4 •» belts of wampum to be a witnefs of this «' agreement we make with you ; and would *« Ixave you tell it to your children." which f cor- nel the peri or them, work- idion, yeance ice for ; whoU )r pro- t cvils^ fir On g iquors, 1 ( 43 ) jafily conceived Strong and by ?s, they it made Nc- we are ar; but Jgl^ us, [r hurt ; profit, we are put it thefe 4 of this would L)ut whether they, who, togratity the cravings of for- did avarice, furnilh them with the intox- icating potion, and then take advantage of their fituation, to iinpofe upon them, and tempt them to evil, are not princi- pally accountable, for the crimes they commit, and their confequences, is not a query worthy of their mod awful confideratton. Had the views of the inhabitants of the colonies, been more juft and wife, and their conduft towards the Natives regulated by a benevolence worthy of the Chriftian Name, every reafonable pur- pofe of fettling in their country, might have been fully accompliflied, and they at the fame time become, generally, as well civilized, as thofe few who were under the care of the Moravians, at the Mufkingum. The accounts of the wicked policy and cruelties exercifed by the Spaniards upon their Indians, we read with horror, without confidering how far ourfelves are in a degree guihy of fomethlug of the fame. • , How many peaceable Indians, refiding amongft us, have formerly as well as lately, been niurdered, witli impunity, to .*«*■*■ (■ !1 ( 44 ) to fatisfy the rage of angry men, tho' under the proteftion of the law, with- out any attonement being made. * What dcftruclion both of Indians and others, thro' a violent infringement on what they apprehended to be their rights. What dreadful havock has the defire of gain made amongft them, by the fale of fpirituous liquors, &c. &c. Surely this muft be accounted for, when an inqui- fition for blood takes place. Indeed in- tereft, as well as duty, Ihould induce the people, in general, to endeavour the bringing the Indians off* from thofc falfe habits and prejudices, which are as ob- ftrudive to their own happinefs, as they are dangerous to ours. To what degree of diflrefs, a few In- dlans can reduce a country, let the An- nals of New-England teftify, particular- ly by the long and diftrefling wars with the Eaftern Tribes, f who upon the mak- ing * At the Coneflogo Manor, Lancafter town, and feveral otherjinftances. \ D. Neal, fpeaking of the cccafion of this war with the Eaflern Incli^ins, 2d. vo). page 24, iays, " That the Europeans cheated the '■ smrr^ h I 1 ■h lA ( 48 ) C£ 1 I:? rH V hi .^?! ! .'.' 1 ( 50 ) to dejiroy ivojnen and children^ for the barbarity of their Aujbands, cannot be cafdy jujiijied. Many of the captives were Jent to Bermudas, and fold for Jlavesr * This account of the deftrudlion of the Pequot Indians, is by no means intended as a refleftion on the people of New- England ; fenfible, that it is now long fince many amongft them, have been foremoft in furniftiing inftances of the blefling attendant on the extenfion of friendly meafures, and a commendable care for the civil ^nd religious welfare of the Indians ; as >. M as they have of late years, fhewn an examplary and praife- worthy concern for doing juftice to the opprefled Africans : but only for this neceffary purpofe, that the dreadful ex- perience of former times, may be, as inftruftive cautions in our future tranf. adions * Neal^ page 23, obfervcs, relating to thofe Pequot Indians, '* That they made a noble (land againft the united force of New-England,^ and v^ould certainly have defended their ':ountry againft the encroachment of the EngliOi^ if the Narraganfets, their inveterate enemies^ had not afiii^ed the EpgU(b to deAroy them./^ ( 51 ) afllons with our Indian neighbours, in the feveral fettlements now hkely to be made on lands belonging to them, or claimed by them. Indeed we cannot be tOO weighty in confidering how we lay our foundation for future happinefs or mifery ; as our Saviour's declaration will be verified often, in time, and cer- tainly in eternity : 'That as we fow we fhali reap ; and with thai mcafure we meet 9 it Jhall be meafured to us again * And altho' the children are not accounta- ble for the iniquity of their fathers ; yet where the children are bafking and re- joicing in the eafe and plenty they enjoy thro' the fins of their fathers, as i« pe- culiarly the cafe of thofe, who are pof- feffed of eftates procured by hard mea- fures towards Indians, or thro' the op- preffion of the Negroes ; thefe as they rejoice in thofe poifeflions, which the SIN has produced, cannot expect otherwife than, to be partakers in the PLAGUE. Upon the whole, if the peace and fafety of the inhabitants of our wide ex- tended frontiers ; the hves and welfare of lb many innocent and helplefs people, depends on the maintenance of a friend- ly intercourfe with our Indian neigh- bours. ; I ( 5^ ) bours, what greater inftances of patrlot- ifm, of love to God and mankind, can be fliewn, than to promote, to the utmoft of our power, not only the civilization of thefe uncultivated people, whom Pro- vidence has, as it were, caft under our care ; but alfo their eftablifhment, in a pious and virtuous life. On the other hand, what greater injury can be done to our country, than to diffufe, amongftthc thoughtlefs part of the people, a difpofi* tion, and promote a conduft, tending not only to deprive us of the advantage, which a friendly intercourfe with them may produce j * but by raifmg their en. mity * As it is erpe^ed that meafures are now tak- ing to procure a free communication with the la* dianCountry, whereby an exten five trade with the Natives will probably take place, and which, under proper regulation, may prove very beneficial, of the contrary, if left to the management of the Traders, who have generally no oiher view but gain. Is it not an objeft worthy the peculiar no- tice of the different Legiflaturcs, that a fpecial guard be had againd the evil confequences which will certainly attend, it an eiFe(5lual rcftraint is| not laid on the introduction of fpirituous liquors, j and other abufe, ai;()ong(l the Indians. f patrlot- cind, can he utmoft ivilization hom Pro- nder our lent, in a the other le done to longft the a difpofi. , tending dvantage, /ith them their en. ( 53 ) niity and wrath, expofe the country to thofe grievous calamities, which an In- dian war often has, and will again, un. doubtedly produce. A ^? E N D I X. re now tak- Dvitli the Iq- ide wrichthe rhich, under ineficial, or ment of the er view but peculiar no- at a rpecial enccs which reftraint is I lous liquors, E 2 /r f «.«;♦' ^ 1 1 - '1 ■i 'l> V.'\: x F ^xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:x>;;sx>;xxxxa:S>5 APPENDIX. I^"^>-®*"^^ 5!SN an hiftorical account of Ge- f - I neral Boquet's expedition I X againft the Ohio Indians, jj^^^<®>.<>-^ publifhed under his infpefti- on, in 1765, we meet with a Uft of the fighting men of the different Indian na- tions of the northern and fouthern di- ftrifts of North-America, amounting^ to fifty-fix thoufand, five hundred and eigh- ty, confifting, chiefly, of fuch Indians as the French were connected with in Canada and Loulfiana. This account we are there told may be depended upon, fo far as matters of this kind can be brought near the truth, be- ing given by a French trader of confide. rable note, who had refided many years amongft the Indians. The publiflier of that account, a per- fon of reputation, now in this city, who has for many years made matters relating to i I ^\,^ t.' ? ^/ • I ll ( 56 ) to Indians his particular ftudy, tells usJfe " That fo large a number of fightinglin men may ftartle us at firft fight; but thellK account leems no where exaggerated,lfri excepting only that the Calawba nation! (mentioned in the lift to be 150 gun-men)| is now almoft extinft. In fome nations which we are acquaint, cd with, the account falls, even ftiort ofl their numbers ; and fome others do notf appear to be mentioned at all, or at lead not by any name known to us : Such for inftance, are the lower Creeks, of whom we have a lift, according to their town?. In this lift their warriors or gun-men arc 1 1 80, and their inhabitants about 6000. Thus a comparative judgment may be formed of the nations above-mentioned; the number of whofe inhabitants will (m this proportion to the warriors, viz. five] to one) be about 283000.'* From the above account of the num-j ber of Indians known to us, befides thofc we are unacquainted with, how important muft it appear, to every fenfible feeling] mind, that a friendly intcrcourfc be main- tained with them, as well from our duty! sis Chriftians, as the great advantage which would arifc from a well regulatcdj trade j and the dreadful diftrefs and fuf-| feringSj tells t; but the Lggerated, ( 57 ) Ifenngs, which a difagreement with them might bring upon fo vaft a number of helplefs people, on our long extended Ifrontiers. * In : acquaint- m Ihort ofl ers do not| or at leaft ; Such for of whomj eir town?.! n-men arej out 6000. t may be lentioned; ts will fin , viz. five the num- fidcs thofc important )le feeling 2 be main-j our duty advantagej regulated s and fuf- ferings, * To thofe who profefs that peaceable principle, Iwhich implies a full reliance upon the Divine pro- tedion, the number, or apparent po'ver of any adverfaries Is of little weight. But it is t6 be obferved, thefe are quotations from authors, not of the fame peaceable profeili- on, and are therefore coDfidered as proper to in- form thofe readers, v»ho, not grounded in this peaceable uniting principle are of contrary jenti- mentt, of the neceflitv they are under, even as prudent men, upou their ovjn prir.dpleit to conci- liate he friendfh'p of the natives The common afTertion, that if friendly and pacific meafures wereMlone purfued, the proper- ty of thofe fo dijpofed, would become a prey to every invader, But this aflertion cannot be al- lowed as validv except we believe that ** the Lord has forfaken the earth;" Ezek. ix 19. but, «« if the Lord reigneth," Pf. Ixliii. i. and *' we fear his name, h^ will be a wail of fire round about us " Zach. ii. 5, And whatever fuffering is permitted to come upon any, on account of their fidehty to what they may think their duty requires, in the iupport of that peaceable government of Chrift, the e tier ea ft of vihkh, we are told by the prophet Uaiuh, there is to be no e*jd; as in the cafe of the Moravian In- dians, it will be but as a deliverance trora their troubles in this world, and of a more exceeding Weight of glory, ia that which is to come. ( 58 ) In thchiftory of the Britifh dominioru • in North-America, already mentioned.! c 2d, vol. page 68, we meet with the fol- lowing inftrudive obfervations : " Th^ ' perpetual increafmg generations of Eu* q. ropeans, in America, may fupply i^u"^Vckinl bers that muft in the end wear out theft ,^ poor Indian inhabitants from their Court- • n try ; but we (hall pay dear, both in blodir i and treafure, in the mean while, for oijir . t • ^"J^^^^^- . Iways Our frontiers, from the nature of acS z' vancing fettlements difperfed along tWS^ i • branchings of the upper parts of our ri»j^^ ^^ vers, and fcattered in the difunited vat leys, amidft the mountains, muft be al- ^ ways unguarded and defencelefs againft the incurfions of Indians. Thie farmer driven from his little cultured lotj in the woods, is loft : The Indian in the woods, is every where at home ; every bufhv every thicket, is a camp to the In- dian; from whence, at the very moment when he is fure of his blow, he can rufli upon his prey. In ftiort, our frontier fetr tlcments muft ever lie at the mercy of the favages ; and a fettler is the natural prey to an Indian, whofe fole occupation is war and hunting. Tp ( 59 ) To countries circumftanced as our co- inies are, an Indian is the mod dread- iiniom tioned/""*^ "*^' he fol. il of enemies. For in a war with Indi- u Th^™^' ^^ force whatever, can defend our r ,-,^ontiers from being a conftant wretched ^ %ne of conflagrations, and of the moft ' , locking murders. Whereas on the p )ntrary, our temporary expeditions , ^^^ainft the Indians, even if fuccefsful, 1 blooi^j^ j^ ^^^^ jj^^j^ harm. Every article ^^ °^5 their property is port able, which they r Jways carry with them ; and it is no ^^jeat matter of diftrefs to an Indian, to ng th^, "a • V driven from his dwelling ground, " J ^ ^{'ho finds a home in the firft place he fits ed val- j'i u t'^wn upon. '. be ai« again ft — Tht ed lot, in the every the la- oment n ruffli |ier fetr of the 1 prey ion is t J N I S. Tp i /^