WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS
LIBRARY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIVERSITYOF MICHIGAN







THE
SPEECH
OF A
CREEK-INDIAN,
AGAINST THE
IMMODERATE USE
OF
SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS.
DELIVERED
In a National Aſſembly of the Creeks, upon
the breaking out of the late WAR.
To which are added,
I. A LETTER from YARIZA, an Indian
Maid of the Royal Line of the Mohawks, to
the principal Ladies of Nerey York. 2. INDIAN
Songs of Peace. 3. An AMERICAN Fable.
Together with
Some REMARKS upon the Characters and
Genius of the Indians, and upon their Cuſtoms
and Ceremonies at making War and Peace.
Viri Ninivitæ, & REGINA Auftri, exfurgent in judicie
cum viris hujus gentis, & condemnabunt eos.
Nec longum tempus, et ingens
Exiit ad cælum, ramis felicibus, arbos.
LONDON:
Printed for R. GRIFFITHS, Bookfeller, in St. Paul's
Church-Tard, M.DCC.LIV.

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30
ADVERTISEMENT.
ima
F the following Pieces, it
may be proper to obſerve,
that the Indian Speech was
done into Engliſh, with the Af-
fiftance of a perſon of ſome Learn-
ing, that was accuſtomed to Compo-
ſition.
sigo
Yariza's Letter, together with
the Songs and Fable, are the Work
of another Hand, ſaid to be a plain
Countryman, in the Colony of New
York, that has maintained a long
Commerce with the Indians, and
A 2
un-

iv ADVERTISEMENT.
underſtands their Language. In an
Advertiſement prefixed to them, he
tells us, that he does not pretend
to give any Thing more than a faith-
ful unornamented Tranſlation of
them, as being ſenſible that none but
thoſe who are Critics in our Lan.
guage, and have a natural Genius
for Compoſition and Works of Imi-
tation, can preſerve the Spirit,
Imagery, and fine Poetry that are
obvious in the Originals.
The Pieces are taken (with no Al-
teration but the poliſhing ſome of
the Verſes) from Copies printed at
New York, which being a Place of
the greateſt Commerce with the In-
dian Nations, we cannot doubt of
their Authenticity ni
se
ols bonisinint and seda
bhoot dow stemno
IN-

INTRODUCTION;
By the TRANSLATOR.
F all the Vices which pre-
vail in the World, none
more degrades human Na-
ture, and diſhonours the glorious
Image of the Deity, than immode-
rate Drinking; and there is none
againſt which more has been ſaid,
both from the Preſs and Pulpit:
Yet ftill this Vice rears its ſhame-
leſs Front, and reels from Street to
Street
A 3

vi INTRODUCTION.
Street in broad Day. Hence it was
thought that the following Tranſla-
tion of the Speech of a Creek-In-
dian on this Subje&t, might, at leaſt,
be acceptable to the Curious; and
ſhould it have no good Effect, it will
be but one Patriot-remonftrance more
thrown away.
Charity bids us fuppofe, that our
Laws, our Religion, and civil Ac-
compliſhments, elevate the People of
this Country, far above the Enormi-
ties that gave riſe to this Oration
among a People we eſteem Barba-
rians; yet fo frail is the Texture
both of public and private Virtue,
and ſo mutable the State of human
Affairs, that tho' we could think fuch
a Remonftrance unneceſſary at pre-
fent, it may be preferved as a Beacon
in

INTRODUCTION. vii
in Time to come.
The Wife and
Good it cannot diſpleaſe; and if there
is one that wears the human Form in
theſe Chriſtian Realms, a Slave
to this enormous Vice, let him be
rouſed when he hears the Senti-
ments of a Heathen, and, trembling,
reflect
upon
the Condemnation in the
Motto inſerted in the foregoing Title
Page.d collat si obosluitloq mi
muro otrl non last
The Creek-Indians are fettled be-
tween the Rivers Halbana and Lo-
cuſhatche, about 5 or 600 Miles
Weſtward from Charleſtown in South-
Carolina. They are found to be a
brave, poliſhed, and wife People.
Upon the Breaking out of the late
War, the Engliſh, French, and Spa-
niards made Application to them
for their Alliance. They were then
тоброя bibri A3 10 побено
A
at

viii INTRODUCTION.
at War with ſome other Indians ;
and finding themſelves in a very
critical Situation, a national Coun-
cil was aſſembled, in which the
following Harangue was delivered.
If we are not miſtaken, it will
be found, on a critical Examination,
to contain all the parts or Members
of the moſt perfect Oration. It is
impoſſible to do it Juftice by a lite-
ral Tranſlation into our Language,
which is very different from the In-
dian Phraſeology. The Indian Orators
have a certain Loftineſs of Expreſſion,
Boldneſs of Figures, and Pomp of
Imagery, which we want Abili-
ties to naturalize. We have not,
however, been wanting in our En-
deavours to ſupport the Spirit of the
Original; and we hope the Matter,
rather than the Form, will employ
the Attention of the candid Reader.
A

LEITD
A
S P E E CH,
BY A
CREE K-INDIAN,
ON THE
Breaking out of the late W A R.
Fathers, Brethren and Countrymen,
N this folemn and important Coun-
cil, riſing up before the Wiſdom
and Experience of ſo many venea
rable Sachems, and having the Eyes
of ſo many heroic Chieftains upon me, I
feel myſelf ftruck, with that awful Diffidence,
which

[ 10 ]
which I believe would be felt by any one of my
Years, who had not relinquiſhed all the Mo-
defty of his Nature,
Nothing, Oye Creeks! could enable me to
bear the fixed Attention of this illuſtrious Af.
ſembly, or give to my Youth the Power of an
unembaraſſed Utterance, but the animating Con-
viction that there is not one Heart among us,
that does not glow for the Dignity, the Glory,
the Happineſs of his Country. And in thoſe
Principles, how inferior foever my Abilities may
otherwiſe be, I cannot, without violating my
own Conſciouſneſs, yield to any one the Supe-
riority.
Fathers, Friends and Countrymen,
We are
het to deliberate pa upon what?
Upon no leſs a Subject, Than whether we mall,
or ſhall not, be a People ? On the one Hand,
we are at War with a Nation of our own Colour,
brave, active, and fagacious. They bear us
unquenchable Hatred, and threaten us with all
that Prudence ought to fear, and Valour be ex-
cited to repel. On the other Hand, we are
ſurrounded and courted by three powerful Na-
sions, of Colour, Laws, and Manners, different
from

[11]]
from our own. Courted, I fay; for though
each is Rival to the other, yet it is to be feared
none of them mean our Proſperity.
bonis
I do not ſtand up, O Countrymen! to pro-
poſe the Plans of War, or to direct the fage Ex-
perience of this Aſſembly in the Regulation of
our Alliances : Your Wiſdom renders this unne-
ceffary from me.
1979
My Intention is to open to your View a Sub-
ject not leſs worthy your deliberate Notice; and
though equally glaring, though equally involv-
ing your Exiſtence and Happineſs, yet, from the
bewitching Tyranny of Cuſtom, and the Delu-
fion of Self-love, if it has not efcaped general
Obfervation, it has eluded public Cenfure, and
been ſcreened from the Animadverfions of our
national Council.
etto 10. b bruod
boubor
I perceive the Eye of this augujt Aſſembly
dwells upon me. Oh! may every Heart be
unveiled from its Prejudices, and receive, with
Patriot-candour, the diſintereſted, the pious,
the filial Obedience I owe to my Country, when
I ſtep forth to be the Accuſer of my Brethren,
not of Treachery, not of Cowardice, not of
De

[ 12 ]
Deficiency in the nobleſt of all, Paſſions, the
Love of the Public. Theſe, I glory in boaſting,
are incompatible with the Character of a
Creek !
O equal con ob
The Traitor, or rather the Tyrant, I arraign
before you, O Creeks! is no Native of our Soil;
but rather a lurking Miſcreant, an Emiſſary of
the evil Principle of Darkneſs. 'Tis that per-
nicious Liquid, which our pretended white
Friends artfully introduced, and ſo plentifully
pour in among us.
Ob Countrymen!
I will ſpare myſelf the ungrateful Taſk of
repeating, and you the Pain of recollecting,
choſe ſhameful Broils, thoſe unmanly Riots,
and thoſe brutal Extravagances, which the un-
bounded Uſe of this Liquor has fo frequent-
ly produced among us. I muſt, however, beg
Leave to aſſert, and ſubmit to your Impar-
tiality my Arguments to ſupport this Al-
ſertion, that our prevailing Love, our intempe-
rate Uſe, of this Liquid, will be productive of
Confequences the moſt deſtructive to the Wel-
fare and Glory of the Public, and the Felicity
of every individual Offender. It perverts the
Ends

[ 13 ]
Ends of Society, and unfits us for all thoſe di-
ftinguiſhing and exquiſite Feelings, which are the
Cordials of Life, and the nobleſt Privileges of
Humanity.
I have already declined the Mortification
which a' Detail of Facts would raife in every
Breaſt, when unpoffeffed by this Demon. Per-
mit me then, in general, only to appeal to pub-
lic Experience, for the many Violations of ci-
vil Order, the indecent, the irrational Perver-
fions of Character, which theſe inflammatory
Draughts have introduced amongſt us. 'Tis
true, theſe are part, and may they never be re-
peated. But tremble, Oye Creeks! when I
thunder in your Ears this Denunciation; that if
the Cup of Perdition continues to rule among
us with Sway ſo intemperate, Ye will ceaſe to be
a Nation! Ye will have neither Heads to direct,
nor Hands to protect you.
While this diabolical Juice undermines all the
Powers of your Bodies and Minds, with in-
offenſive Zeal the Warrior's enfeebled Arm will
draw the Bow, or launch the Spear in the Day
of Battle. In the Day of Council, when national
Safety flands ſuſpended on the Lips of the hoary
Sachem,

[ 14 ]
Sachem, he will ſhake his Head with uncollected
Spirits, and drivel the Babblings of a ſecond
Childhood.
DO
Think not, O ye Creeks! that I preſume to
amuſe or affright you with an imaginary Picture.
Is it not evident,– (alas, it is too fatally fo!) that
we find the Vigour of our Youth abating; our
Numbers decreaſing ; our ripened Manhood a
premature Victim to Diſeaſe, to Sickneſs, to
Death ; and our venerable Sachems a folitary
ſcanty Number?
1 Does not that Defertion of all our reaſonable
Powers, which we feel when under the Domi-
nion of that deformed Monſter, that barbarian
Madneſs, wherewith this Liquid inſpires us,
prove beyond Doubt that it impairs all our in-
tellectual Faculties, pulls down Reaſon from her
Throne, diſſipates every Ray of the Divinity
within us, and finks us below the Brutes ?
I hope I need not make it a Queſtion to any
in this Aſſembly, whether he would prefer the in-
temperate Uſe of this Liquor, to clear Percep-
tions, Sound Judgment, and a Mind exulting in
its own Reflections. However great may be the
Force

[ 15 ]
Force of Habit, how inſinuating ſoever the In-
fluence of Example, and howſoever unequal we
may
fometimes find ourſelves to this inſidious
Enemy; I perſuade myſelf, and I perceive by
your Countenances, O Creeks! there is none be-
fore whom I ſtand, fo ſhameleſs, ſo loſt to the
weakeſt Impulſes of Humanity, and the very
Whiſperings of Reaſon, as not to acknowledge
the Baſeneſs of ſuch a Choice.
Fathers and Brethren,
I muſt yet crave your Patience, while I ſuge
geſt to you, that this Intoxication of ourſelves
diſqualifies us from acting up to our proper Cha-
racters in ſocial Life, and debars us from all the
ſoothing, ſoftening, endearing Joys of domeſtic
Bliſs.
There is not within the whole Compaſs of
Nature, ſo prevailing, ſo laſting a Propenſity,
as that of affociating and communicating our
Sentiments to each other. And there is not a
more inconteſtable Truth than this, that Benig-
nity of Heart, the calm Poſſeſſion of ourſelves,
and the undiſturbed Exerciſe of our thinking Fa-
culties, are abſolutely neceſſary to conſtitute the
eligible

[ 16 ]
eligible and worthy Companion. How oppoſite
to theſe Characters Intoxication renders us, is ſo
manifeſt to our own Experience, ſo obvious to the
Jeaft Reflection, that it would be both Imperti-
nence and Inſolence to enlarge farther upon it,
before the Candour and Wiſdom of this Aſſembly.
Tinson
And now, Oye Creeks! if the Cries of
your
Country, if the Pulſe of Glory, if all that forms
the Hero, and exalts the Man, has not ſwelled
your Breaſts with a Patriot Indignation againſt
the immoderate Uſe of this Liquor ;- if theſe
Motives are inſufficient to produce ſuch Refolu-
tions as may be effectual —there are yet other
Ties .of Humanity, tender, dear, and perſuad-
ing Think on what we owe to our Children,
and to the gentler Sex.
With Regard to our Children, beſides affecting
their Health, enervating all their Powers, and
endangering the very Exiſtence of our Nation,
by the unbounded Uſe of theſe pernicious
2
Draughts, think how it muſt affect their Ten-
derneſs, to ſee the Man that gave them Being,
thus funk into the moſt brutal State, in Danger
of being fuffocated by his own Intemperance,
and ſtanding in Need of their infant Arm to ſup-
port

[ 17 ]
port his ſtaggering Steps, or raiſe his feeble
Head, while he vomits forth the foul Debauch?
O Warriors! O Countrymen!
How deſpicable muſt ſuch a Practice render
us even in the Eyes of our own Children!
Will it not gradually deprive us of all Authori-
ty in the Families which we ought to govern and
protect? What a Waſte of Time does it create,
which might otherwiſe be ſpent round the blaz-
ing Hearth, in the moſt tender Offices? It per:
verts the great Deſigns of Nature, and murders
all thoſe precious Moments, in which the War-
rior ſhould recount, to his wondering Offspring,
his own great Actions and thoſe of his Anceſtors.
By theſe Means the tender Boſom has often
caught the Patriot-flame, and an illuſtrious
Succeffion of Sachems and Warriors were formed
among us from Generation to Generation, be-
fore our Glory was eclipſed by the Introduction
of this deſtructive Liquid.
ca
2.0 Creeks!
You all remember the great Garangula, who
is now gone to our Fathers, and from whoſe
Loins I immediately ſprang. You know how
often he has led forth our Warriors to Con-
B
queſt,

[ 18 ]
queft, while his Name founded like Thun-
der, and flaſhed Terror upon our Foes.
You will then pardon the neceſſary Vani-
ty, if I preſume to remind you how piouſly
he adhered to our original Simplicity of Life.
Oft has he ſaid, that if he did not fly from this
Cup of Perdition, his Name would never be
founded from Hill to Hill by the Tongue of
Poſterity; and I can affirm that, if he had waſted
his Time in ſuch Practices, my Boſom would
never have been fired to Glory by the oft-re-
peated Story of our Family-Virtues and At-
chievments ; nor ſhould I have dared, on this Oc-
cafion, fondly to emulate them, by raiſing my
unpractiſed Voice, in the Cauſe of my Country,
before ſuch a venerable Aſſembly of Chiefs and
Warriors.
But farther, befides what we owe to our Chil-
dren, let us think on that delicate Regulation of
Conduct, that Soul enobling Love, which it is
at once the Happineſs and Honour of Manhood
to manifeſt towards the gentler Sex. By the
Love of this Sex I do not mean meer Deſire
of them. Thoſe amiable Creatures are de-
figned not only to gratify our Paffions, but
to excite and fix all the kind and ſociable Affec-
tions. They were not meant to be the Slaves of our

[ 19 ]
arbitrary Wills in our brutal Moments, but the
ſweet Companions of our moſt reaſonable Hours,
and exalted Enjoyments. Heaven has endowed
them with that peculiar Warmth of Affection,
that diſintereſted Friendſhip of Heart, that melt-
ing Sympathy of Soul, that entertaining Spright-
lineſs of Imagination, joined with all the ſenti-
mential Abilities of Mind, that tend to humanize
the rough Nature, open the reſerved Heart, and
poliſh the rugged Temper, which would other-
wiſe make Men the Dread and Abhorrence of
each other.
Thus were Women formed to allay the Fa-
tigues of Life, and reward the Dangers we en-
counter for them. Theſe are their Endowments;
theſe their Charms. Hither, Nature, Reaſon,
Virtue call--- And ſhall they call in vain? Shall
an unnatural, an unreaſonable, a vicious Perver-
ſity of Taſte be preferred to thoſe heaven-born
Joys of Life? Will
Will you treat the Sovereign
Principle of Good with a thankleſs Inſenſibility,
and offer Libations to the Spirit of all Evil?
Will any Creek henceforth dare to approach
thoſe lovely Creatures with unhallowed Lips,
breathing the noiſome Sınell of this diabolical
SH
ONI CHOD
Juice, or roll into their downy Embrace in a
State inferior to the Brutes, lofing all that rap-
turous
che
GO
B 2

[ 20 ]
iurous Intercourſe of Love and Friendſhip, all
thoſe moſt exalted of human Pleaſures, which
they, they only are formed capable of commu-
nicating to us?
- Oh no!-- Fathers, Warriors and Countrymen!
Let me conjure you by all theſe ſofter Ties,
and inexpreſſible Endearments ;— let me con-
jure you too, as you yet hope to behold the Tree
of Peace raiſe its far-feen Top to the Sun, and
fpread its odorous Branches, watered by the Dew
of Heaven, over all your Abodes, while you
rejoice unmoleſted under its Shade; and as you
yet wiſh to behold the Nations round about you,
bound with the facred CHAIN of CONCORD,
every Hand maintaining a Link :- By all theſe
Ties, by all theſe Hopes, I conjure you, O
Creeks! hence-forward let the Cup of Modera-
tion be the Crown of your Feſtivities. Save
your
Country; mantain and elevate her Glory. Tranſ-
mit to your Pofterity Health, Freedom, and Ho-
Break not the great Chain of Nature;
but let an honeſt, rational, and delicate Inter-
courſe of the Sexes be the Plan of Social Joy.
Let each domeſtic Bliſs wreathe the Garland of
connubial Life. Let Truth and Friendſhip
gro
fanctify
nour.

121
fanctify the Lover's Wiſh, and ſecure to che
brave, the wiſe, and the temperate Man, a
Felicity worthy his Choice, and worthy his Pro-
tection.
But, perhaps, my unpractiſed Youth has
gone
too far. If ſo, O Fathers and Brethren, impute it
to an honeſt Zeal and Love, for the Commonweal
and Honour of the illuſtrious and ancient Na-
tion of Creeks.
Onughkallydawwy Garangula Copac.
பயம்
duy
B 3
PRE

Mo Lap
aid how be boldo dilo
De and Du vet des
GROTE
TO
.
kan

IND
PREFACE
TO
Yariza's L E T T E R
AND THE
S O N G G S.
3Ь
N the foregoing Speech we had a
Specimen of the Indian Oratory;
and, by the following Letter and
Songs, notwithſtanding the Dif-
advantages of their prefent Dreſs,
we may form fome Idea of their Genius for other
Sorts of Compoſition.
But
B4

[ 24 ]
But in order to underſtand the Pieces aright,
as well as to illuſtrate ſome Expreſſions in what
has gone before, it may be neceſſary to premiſe
ſome Characteriſtics of the Indians, with Regard
to their Conduct both in Time of Peace and
War.
It is a very great Miftake to think thoſe Peo-
ple (commonly called the five Nations) are Bar-
barians, always thirſting after human Blood.
Very different is their Character. They are the
greateſt Peace-lovers, at the fame Time that they
are, perhaps, the fierceſt and boldeſt Warriors,
on the Face of the Earth. Their Bravery in the
Day of Battle, and their Conftancy in enduring
Hardſhips, have never been excelled by the moſt
renowned Romans; nor, in Time of Peace, have
the moſt generous Britons ever outfhone them,
in Acts of Humanity, Hoſpitality, Juſtice, and
Sincerity.
Numerous are the Proofs which might be
brought in Support of this Character of them.
Whenever their Country and Liberty lie at Stake,
this heroic Ardour and Contempt of Death, juſt
mentioned, has often been carried ſo far, that
they have been known to continue ſinging their
Ex

[ 25 ]
Exploits, and triumphing in their glorious Fate,
even in the Midſt of Torments and the agoniz-
ing Throws of Death. On the other Hand,
whenever their Country and Liberty are out of
Danger, their paſſionate Deſire of Peace as far
exceeds vulgar Bounds, as their Ardour in War.
They eſteem Peace the greateſt Bleſſing under
Heaven; and it is no Wonder their
young
Men
and Maids, of fine natural Parts, with their
Bards, or Druids, ſhould frame Songs of PeACE,
when their venerable Sachems mention it with
ſuch Complacency and triumphant Rapture, that
their Speech ſeems a poetical Language, or ra-
ther a Sort of Divine Enthuſiaſm.
PEACE they always expreſs by the Emblem of
a fair Tree, whoſe Top reaches to the Sun, and
whoſe Roots are extended through all the Na-
tions that are leagued in the fame Chain with
themſelves. Such Nations they repreſent as re-
pofing unmolefted under the ſacred Shade of this
Tree, cheer'd with the ambroſial Dews of Hap-
pineſs, dropping from its ever-verdant Leaves.
Upon the whole, then, this is the general
Character of theſe reputed Barbarians, that they
will cheerfully forego the Allurements of Eaſe,
and,

[ 26 ]
and, undaunted, confront the blackeſt Hora
rors of War, whenever Liberty and their Coun-
try point the Way; and, when theſe are no more
at Stake, they will as cheerfully relinquiſh the
Charms of Conqueſt, and fly to feaſt upon the
private ſocial Joys, under the Shade of their
loved Tree of Peace: And herein, perhaps, they
may be thought worthy the Imitation of politer
Nations. They think their whole Happineſs
and Reputation, as a People, depends upon fup-
porting this Character ; and their whole Polity
and public Ceremonies, both at making War
and Peace, are calculated to ſupport it.
The Night before they go forth to War, it is
their Cuſtom to aſſemble ; and, having their
Faces painted in the moſt frightful Manner, as
they always have in the Day of Battle, every
Warrior, riſing up in his Turn, ſings the great
Exploits of his Anceſtors, together with his own.
This is accompanied with violent Geſticulations,
worked up to ſuch a Pitch, as would make any
Spectator, that is unacquainted with their Cu-
ſtoms, uneaſy. This is what is called the War-
dance; and, by theſe Geſticulations, they repreſent
the Manner in which thofe great Actions were
performed, which are the Subject of their Song.
In

1 27 )
In the mean while, all preſent join, from Time
to Time, in the Chorus, and applaud every
notable Act. Perhaps, as Mr. Colden, their Hi-
ſtory-writer, judiciouſly obſerves, rude Solem-
nities of this Kind might have given the firſt
Rife to Tragedy. 1
But further, to avoid Digreſſions, it is alſo
their Cuſtom to repreſent their chief Actions on
Trees, near their great Caſtles, which, together
with theſe War-ſongs, tranſmits the Hiſtory of
their illuſtrious Atchievments from Generation to
Generation. All this, joined to that ſolemn Re-
ception and thoſe Acclamations of Applauſe (not
inferior to the Honours of a Roman Triumph)
which they have on their Return from War,
ſerve to keep alive that Love of Liberty, and
Spirit of Heroiſm, which conſtitute their pecu-
liar Character. They are at as much Pains, on
the other Hand, to propagate the Love of ho-
nourable Peace, as to keep alive a noble Ardour
in honourable War. They promulgate Peace
with the greateſt Solemnities, particularly the
burying of the Hatchet, or Axe of War ; the
planting of the Tree of Peace, together with
dancing and finging of Peace-songs. Upon a late
Occaſion of this Kind, the following Songs
were

[ 28 3
were compoſed ; and, for the Illuſtration of
them, as well as to make the Reader better ac-
quainted with their Cuftoms, and give him the
moſt convincing Proofs of the Indian Genius,
Sprightlineſs of Imagination, and
many
other
ſhining Qualities, we ſhall ſubjoin fome Extracts
from their Speeches.
CADIA NNE, A Mohawk Indian, in a
Speech to the Governor of Virginia, whom the
five Nations always call Affarigoa, ſpeaks
thus;
66 The Covenant-chain had very near ſlipt, by
your not holding it faft. Hold it faſt now,
66 and let the Ax, with all paft Evils, be bu-
66 ried in the Pit. Let the Earth be trod hard
over them ; or, rather, let a ſtrong Stream
run under the Pit, to waſh the Evils away
« from Sight and Remembrance, that they
may never be digged up again.
" ASSARIGOA! You are a Man of Know-
56 ledge and Underſtanding, thus to keep the
" Covenant-chain bright as Silver, and now
again to renew it, and make it ſtronger.---Let
of it be kept clean and bright, and held faſt on
66 all

[ 29 ]
61 all Sides. Let none pull his Arm from it;
« bur may the Sun continually ſhine in Peace
over all our Heads that are comprehended
46 in it. We give two * Belts, one for the
65 Sun, the other for his Beams. The Fire of
" the Love of Virginia and Maryland burns
JING
" in this place as well as ours, and this Houſe
TOVO
ce of Peace muſt be kept clean,
( Thoſe our Brother Indian Nations are
“5 Chain-breakers ; but I lay down theſe two
66 Beavers and a Racoon) as a Token that we
« Mohawks have preſerved the Chain entire on
* our Parts.
Ort 2
- We deſire this Country may be a Branch
“ of the great Tree that grows here, the Top
« whereof reaches the Sun, and its Branches
cfhelter us from the French and all other
6 Nations.-Our Fire burns in your Houſes,
66 and your Fire in ours. We deſire it may be
always fo.
tron
“ We now plant a Tree, whoſe Top will
66 reach the Sun, and its Branches ſpread wide
* It is the Cuſtom of the Indians, at every Propofition or
Promiſe, to give ſome Preſent, as a Pledge of their Sin-
cerity,
abroad,
ܓܪܐ

[ 30 ]
*6 abroad, ſo that it ſhall be ſeen afar off;
66 and we fhall ſhelter ourſelves tinder it, and
66 live in Peace without Moleſtation."
And again, in another Speech, they ſay ;
We ſhall dance to the * Calumet of Peace
66 under its Leaves.-- We ſhall remain quiet
on our Matts. We aſſure
We aſſure you we ſhall ne-
« ver dig up the Hatchet, till
fhall, either jointly or ſeparately, endeavour to
« attack the Country which the great Spirit
gave to our Anceſtors.
your Brethren
66 We make faſt the Roots of the Tree of
66 Peace and Tranquility, which is planted in
" this Place, Its Roots extend as far as the
the Indians
* The Calumet, ſays their Hiſtory-writer, is a large
Tobacco-pipe, of very nice Workmanſhip, made of Mar-
ble, commonly of dark Red, well poliſhed, ſhaped in the
form of a Hatchet, and adorned with Feathers of various
Colours. It is uſed in all the Indian Treaties with
Strangers, and as a Flag of Truce between contending
Parties, which all Indians think it a very great Crime to
violate. As theſe Pipes were in ufe long before the
knew us, or had the Uſe of Iron, we are at a Loſs to con-
ceive by what means they perforated and ſhaped them ſo
finely.
Smoaking, the Calumet of Peace with any one, is the
greateſt Sign of Love and Friendſhip, and is often practiſed
by their great Men at the Concluſion of a Treaty, as we
would drink a Glafs together, as a Pledge of mutual
Forgiveneſs.
utmoſt

[ 31 ]
« utmoſt of your Colonies ; and, if the French
46 ſhould come to ſhake this Tree, we ſhould
cs feel it by the Motion of its Roots, which
extend into our Country and throʻ yours :
66 But we truſt it will not be in their power to
« fhake a Tree, ſo long and ſo firmly planted
66
among us.
sh bovina
« Before the Chriſtians arrived, our general
66 Council was held at Onandago, where, from
" the Beginnings a continual Fire was kept
* burning, which is made of two great Logs,
« whofe Flame is never extinguiſhed. But
65 when theſe * Hatchet-makers arrived, this
sgeneral Council of Onandago planted a Tree of
« Peace at Albany, whoſe Roots and Branches
“ have ſince ſpread from North to South ;
ss and, under its Shade, all the Engliſh Colonies
66 have often found Shelter.
This much with regard to the Tree of Peace,
We ſhall only add a Quotation or two more
from their Speeches, as the moſt undeniable
Proof of the Indian Humanity, Integrity and
Fidelity towards their Allies.
* Hatchet-makers is their general Name for Chriſtians.

[ 32 ]
In the Beginning of the Year 1690, a Body
of French-Indians, ſent out by the Count de
Frontenac, and led on by Monſieur de Herville,
ſurprized the Village of Schenectady, on the
Frontiers of New York, and maſſacred all the
White Inhabitants, unleſs a very few that
eſcaped naked into the Woods.
The ever
faithful Mohawks, as ſoon as they received the
News of this barbarous Enterprize, fent out a
Hundred of their briſkeft young Men, who
purſued the French, fell upon their Rear, kil-
led a great many of them and took ſeveral
Priſoners. In the mean Time, the old Men,
or Sacheras, haftened to Albany to condole with
the Engliſh on this melancholy Occaſion. Part
of their Speech was as follows.
5o cont svari
Brethren,
(6 We came from our Caſtles with Tears
66 in our Eyes, to bemoan the Bloodſhed
« at Schenectady. The French, on this Occa-
" fion, have not acted like brave Men, but
" like Thieves and Robbers. What they
“ have done cannot be called a Victory, but
only a farther Proof that Perfidy is in their
“ Hearts. Be not therefore diſcouraged. We
cs give you this Belt to wipe away your Tears.
66 Brethren,
8.939
bre

[ 33 ]
< Brethren,
66. While we bury our Dead, baſely mur-
cs dered in cold Blood at Schenectady, we
“ know not what may have befallen our own
" People who are gone in purſuit of the Ene-
"my: The ſame Thing that has happened to
you, may, perhaps, have happened to us ;
and alas! they may be dead alſo !--
66
" Great and ſudden is the Miſchief that has
3
O no
“ fallen upon you, as if it had fallen from
“ Heaven upon ourſelves. Our Forefathers
taught us to go, with all Speed, to lament
" with our Brethren, when any Diſaſter or Mif-
e fortune happens to any of thoſe who are
leagued in the fame Chain with us. Take
as this Bill of Vigilance, Brethren, from us, that
you may be more on your Guard for the
e future. We alſo give you Eye-water, that
WO
you may be more ſharp-lighted.
66
60
3
66 We are now come to the Houſe where we
were wont to renew the Covenant-chain
but, alas! we find it polluted polluted
156 with Blood. All the five Nations have heard
46 of the horrid Deed, and we come to wipe
into
away the Blood, and make clean the Houſe.
66 So long as a Man of us remains, we will
с
not
65

( 34 )
to not deſiſt till we have drank deep of Re-
venge.-
- We are of the Race of the Bear;
66 and a Bear, you know, never yields while
one Drop of Blood is left.
CC
" Take Heart, then, Brethren. This is an
« Affliction which has fallen from Heaven,
«: and we muft bear it in common. The Sun
66 has been cloudy, and, with malign Aſpect,
66 bas ſhed this Diſaſter upon our Heads; but
65 he will again ſhine forth with pleaſing
6. Beams.- Courage, then, left we give heart
« to a daftardly Enemy : Courage, Brethren,
6 Courage! Courage !
Again, when a Peace had been propoſed to
them, without including their Allies the Engliſh,
one of the Sachems rejects the Propoſal with the
utmoſt Indignation, and ſpeaks in the following
animated Strain,
Strain, that might become the
Mouth of a Cato.
“ Hearken, * Onondio! what I am now about
65 to ſpeak, is by Inſpiration from the mighty
Spirit of the Univerſe! You ſay you will
have nothing to do with our Brethren of
* The Governor of Canada.
66 * Cayen-

[ 35 ]
* * Cayenguir ago ; -
but I muſt tell you that
we are alike inſeparable in Hearts, as in In-
"6 tereſts. We can never know Peace with you,
"s while you are at War with them. We will
“ ſtand or fall together, as if informed with
one Soul, animated with one Blood, and di-
“ rected by one Head, as well as linked in
s one Chain. This I folemnly confirm by giv-
6 ing this Belt, eleven Rows deep."
66
Nor is their Sagacity and artful Addreſs leſs
remarkable, than their Bravery, Fidelity and
Friendſhip. This will appear from their Trea-
ties, and all their Dealings with us, and parti-
cularly from the following Paragraphs of ano-
ther Speech
66 We received fome Goods in conſidera-
C6 tion of our Releaſe of the Lands on the Weſt
56 Side of Saſquehannah. It is true, we have the
« full Quantity according to Agreement ; but if
" the Goods were only to be divided among
“ us preſent, a fingle Perſon would have but a
66 ſmall Portion; and then, if you conſider
66 what Numbers of us are left at Home,
* So they call the Engliſh Governor, and the People
they commonly call by his Name.
C a
equally

[ 36
co
equally entitled to a Share, there will be ex-
tremely little indeed.
We therefore de-
“ fire, if you have the Keys of our Brother
66 * ON AS's Cheſt, you will open it, and take
out a little more for us.-
66
66
" We know our Lands are always becom-
ing more valuable t. The white People
65 think we do not know this; but we are very
s ſenſible that the Land is everlaſting, like the
66 Heavens, while the few Goods we receive in
• Exchange are periſhable, and ſoon gone.'
Their Humanity and Hoſpitality are as re-
markable as their other Virtues. It is known,
by long Experience, that, when once they have
ſecured their Priſoners, they never uſe them
200
ill; and, in Times of greateſt Want, they
will rather ſuffer themſelves, their Wives and
Children, to ſtarve, than ſee their Priſoners
deftitute of their Allowance. Nor is there one
* The Name they give to the Governor of Penſylvania.
DOO
+ The Speaker here ſeems on purpoſe to bave for-
got, that the Reaſon why theſe Lands become more valu-
able, is the Improvements made by the Whites; and that,
if we had never fettled there, theſe Lands would have
continued of as little Value as at first, les Timon
Inſtance

[ 37 ]
Inſtance known, of their having ever offered
the leaſt Violence to any Female Captive.
Strangers, that take Sanctuary among them,
of whatever Nation or Colour, they protect
with the moſt ſcrupulous Sanctity of Honour.
Sooner than deliver up any Refugee, or violate
what they think the Laws of Hoſpitality, they
will
pay his Debts for him, or give the Value
of him in Skins to his Maſter. Nor do they
reft here, or think they have done enough for
the Happineſs of the Perſon that thus throws
himſelf upon their Protection, till they have
given him Lands for a Maintenance, and natu-
ralized him among their Nations. What is
there, in the primitive Ages of Virtue and Sim-
plicity, more worthy of Admiration, than theſe
well atteſted Facts!
When any Body of People from other Na-
tions comes among them, they offer them Set-
tlements, and incorporate them with themſelves;
by which means they ſtrengthen their little
States, and give Specimens of the beſt Policy.
With regard to fome Vices and ſavage Cuſtoms
that prevail among them, we ought not to be ſur-
prized at them, when we put their many ſhining
Virtues
C 3

[ 38 ]
Virtues in the Ballance, and reflect upon the
Force of Cuſtom and Education, which, in the
politeſt Nations, has frequently foftened and
familiarized the moſt barbarous Actions ; fuch
as burning Children alive in Sacrifice, and
per-
ſecuting one another to Death, for God's Sake.
Whatever Vices they have, it may be juſtly
ſaid, that we have taught them one, more
pernicious than them all, to the Intereſts of
Humanity and ſocial Happineſs, namely, the
immoderate Uſe of ſtrong Liquors. Againſt
this we have juſt heard the Declamation of one
of their wiſer and ſoberer young Men ; and
that none may doubt of the Authenticity of
this Declamation, or think the Sentiments in it
any other than ſuch as are entertained by
their wiſer Sachems, we ſhall add one Quota-
tion more from a Speech made,
few
lakely Months ages at Carliſle in Penſylvania, by a
Twightwee Chief.
66 Brother O NAS,
« Your Traders now bring ſcarce any Thing
s but Rum and Flour. They bring little Pow-
66 der and Lead, or other Goods. The Run
" ruinsus. We beg you would prevent its
* On the 3d of October, 1753, at a Treaty between
the Ohio-Indians, and the Commiſſioners of Penſylvania.
cs coming
by
the
Governor of Pennsylvania),
a

[ 39 ]
" coming in ſuch Quantities, by regulating the
* Traders. We never underſtood the Trade
6c was to be for Whiſky and Flour. We de-
“ fire it may be forbid, and none ſold in the
Indian Country ; but that, if the Indians
" will have any, they may go among the Inha-
“ bitants, and deal with them for it. When
" theſe Whiſky-traders come, they bring
thirty or forty Kegs, and put them down
66 before us, and make us drink, and get all
" the Skins, that ſhould go to pay the Debts
we have contracted for Goods bought of the
56 fair Traders. By this means, we not only
66 ruin ourſelves but them too. Theſe wicked
66 Whiſky-ſellers, when they have once got the
Indians in Liquor, make them fell their very
56 Cloaths from their Backs.- In ſhort, if this
**6* Practice is continued, we muſt be inevitably
es ruined. We, therefore, moſt earneſtly be-
“ ſeech you to remedy it ;" giving a treble
String.
c
Theſe Strictures of the Indian Phraſeology,
Sentiments and Genius, may teach us to have
more favourable Notions of them, and conſider
them as a People who ſcarce deſerve the Name
of Barbarians, but whoſe Friendſhip might add
Honour
C 4

[ 40 ]
Honour to the Britiſh Nation, if we were more
careful to retain them in our Intereſt, and cul-
tivate their fine natural Parts.
That there ſhould be fo
many
Orators among
them, is by no means ſtrange. Speech-making
is the certain Effect of a Republican Government.
Theſe Indians have ſuch high Notions of Liberty,
that there is not one Slave among them, nor
can any one claim the leaſt Preheminence, but
what his Age and Wiſdom give him among
his Fellow.citizens. The only Way to ſhew
this Wiſdom is by ſhining in Councils, and
public Affemblies,
They ſhew a very great Vivacity and Spright-
lineſs of Imagination in their haranguing.
Their Action ſeems to us fomething vehe-
ment, but we can ſee that it correſponds ex-
actly to the ſeveral Paſſions. Tho' their Lan-
guage has but few Roots, yet they render it copi-
ous, and extremely fit for Oratory, by varying,
compounding and decompounding their Words,
and by having conſtant Recourſe to Meta-
phors, &c. after the Eaſtern Manner. By the
frequent

( 41 )
frequent Uſe of Guturrals, their Language is alſo
very
ſonorous and maſculine. Nevertheleſs, they
are extremely nice in their Turns of Expreſſion,
and few, even of their beſt Orators, are ſo far
Maſters of their Language, as never to offend
the Ears of an Indian Audience. Such a fine
Ear the People of Athens once had, when
Demoſthenes and Æſchines melted them with
rival Periods.
To conclude then: Is it not worthy of us
Britons, and worthy of Chriſtians, to take every
Method in our Power, ſtill further to civilize
theſe our Pagan Friends and Neighbours,
whoſe original Habitations we poſſeſs ;-to adorn
and dignify the Natures of thoſe, whoſe elevated
Sentiments and untaught Eloquence we ad-
mire; - - to reſcue their Souls from Death, and
propagate Saving Knowlege among them ;-
and, above all, to keep back the Cup of Perdi-
tion from them, that poiſonous Liquor, which
muſt otherwiſe, by Piece-meal, extirpate ſuch a
valuable Part of our Species ? Surely, it is glori-
ous for us to vie with thoſe illuſtrious Heroes
of Antiquity, that purchaſed immortal Re-
nown, by reſcuing Nations from Barbarity, and
propagating Knowledge and uſeful Arts among
them.

[ 42 ]
ABOUT
them. It appears from what we have ſeen of
theſe Indians, that none ever had a nobler Sub-
ject to work upon, or nobler Motives than are
offered to us, in the Cultivation of thoſe Indian
Nations.
ter
A LET.

A
L E T T E R
TO THE
Principal LADIES of New York.
BY
YARIZA, an Indian Maid of the Royal
Line of the Mohawks.
PARDON Yariza, while, prefuming to
Fair and lovely Siſters,
ARI
addreſs you, ſhe ſpeaks not only for her.
ſelf, but for many Thouſands of young
Indian
Maids, now ſet in bright Circle round her, who
deſire to offer their Services to you, and congra-
tulate you on planting the Tree of Peacr.
May you walk delightfully under its Shade;
for, ſurely, Corlaer has ſet up one among you
alſo, as our Sacheins have done here.
May

[ 44 ]
May it ſpread its Branches over all your
Abodes, and over the whole Country; and may
no wild Beaſt of War come forth from the
Foreſt to root it up. May the Inand of Man-
hatan, with the neighbouring Ines, and the
large Land, all become as one Garden of Peace
and Pleaſure. May your Children grow up
round you, like fair Plants that are cheriſhed by
the benign Heat of the bright Luminary, and
nurſed by the refreſhing Dews of Heaven.
May each of you have, in your Habitations, ,
a Fair Shrub, or little Tree, as a Family Tree of
Peace, to bleſs your Dwellings. May the Exha-
lations from it be as the ſweet Odours of Incenſe
to gladden your Apartments, or as the Leaves
of the ſweeteſt Trees in the Foreſt, when the
vernal Morn lifts her gliſtering Forehead from
the great Lake, and darts the Splendors of her
Eyes aflaunt the dewy Earth. Let no rude
Sounds of Diſcord or Diſquiet be as a blighting
Wind to wither the Leaves of this Family-
Tree ; no Diſtreſs or Diſtruſt, like a thick Fog,
caſt an unkindly Mildew to taint them; but
may the Huſband's Eyes, like the Sun-beams,
chear its Roots, and the Woman's Voice, as a
gentle Breeze, fan its Branches, and expand its
ſwelling

[ 45 )
07
on your
ſwelling Buds. Let her draw deep into her
Breaſt the Balſam of its Efluence, and her Lips
breathe forth and improve the Fragrance. Thus,
with pureſt Flame, the Fire of Concord ſhall
glow unextinguiſhed upon your Hearths, and
domeſtic Bliſs ſhall every Day add freſh Fuel to
encreaſe its Strength.
5001
ാന നിമി
How gladly, O lovely Siſters! would the In-
dian Maids attend on you in your high * Wig-
viams, to learn ſomething of your Gracefulneſs
and Goodneſs; to watch the Bidding of
radiant Eyes, and wait on the Beckoning of
your fair Hands ! --But we are not worthy, till
better faſhioned. Send then ſome of your ſkilful
Females, who
inay teach us thoſe Sounds, where-
in you utter your Commands and Meaning, that
we may perfectly underſtand, and be the more
fit to attend to them. Send us ſome who may
teach our Hands to conduct the ſlender Needle,
that we too may deck ourſelves with the Per-
formances of our own Fingers, and fee ourſelves
admired as you are t. Let us alſo be taught in
10 Home
thoſe
Icgibs I eldsins o Ole sw. 5016
* The Indian Name for a Houſe.
+ Perhaps, were ſome Schools encouraged for the Indian
Maids, it might be the beſt Means of poliſhing the Men.
The
5
O DO

[ 46 ]
thoſe Operations for the Loom, in which even
thoſe white Maids, who wait at your Feet,
excel.
The Indian Virgins, O amiable Ladies! caſt
themſelves upon your Protection, and hope,
from your Generoſity, to acquire theſe Accom-
pliſhments. Think to what you are called -
to be as pure living Springs that water a dry and
ſandy Deſart; as a bright Light to illumine dark
Regions ; as a divine Voice founding in the
Foreſt, to raiſe the ſweeteſt Conſort, and chear
the lone-deſpairing Wcodman. You are called
upon to be the Praiſe of future Ages, as well as
of the preſent, and to have the Bleflings of Na-
tions upon you, as well as the Bleſſings of
Heaven. Your Names, in Times far remote,
fhall be founded from Hill to Hill, through the
five Nations ; and the Virgin yet unborn ſhall
fing of you, while ſhe guides the Needle through
the fine Veſture, or mingles in the Dance,
adorned by thofe Arts which you have taught
her to practiſe.
May you long taſte the Happineſs of the Tree
of Peace; and may we alſo, O amiable Ladies!
The Example of the Women has great Influence on the
Men, and ſtill greater on the Children which are under
them in their tender Years.
by

[ 47 )
by your Means be aſſiſted in Knowledge, and
in thoſe Works which will yield the fineſt Gar-
lands to bind to its Branches.
Live happy, and look favourably on the
Daughters of the five Nations, in whoſe Behalf,
this Gratulation on planting the fair Tree, this
Offer of their Service, this Requeſt for their
Inſtruction, and theſe good Wiſhes for your
Welfare, are offered with Reſpect to you, and
Admiration of
your
Virtues, by your
Siſter and Couſing his
foran
YARIZA.
THE

nidos aban
orts to viso THE
gue
TREE of PEACE.
PAR T I.
The ARGUMENT. DA
Introduktion to the Song of Maratho. The Tree
of Peace planted and bleſt. The Chain of Con-
cord magnified. The Ax of War buried in the
Pit. A Commendation of Peace and ſocial
Virtue. An Exhortation by Peace, introduced
as a Speaker. An Acknowledgment for the Bleſ-
ſings of Peace to the Divine Being, whom theſe
Indians call the Great Spirit. The King com-
mended as a Friend to Peace. Addreſs to the
King, and to Britain. A Benedition. Yariza
called upon to ſing ber Part.

OTSSOC
Ts. ON
O G
By
Μ Α R Α Τ Η Ο.
I.
O W the joyous Morning ſhone,
And led her gayeft Splendors on ;
When the Indian Nations met
The facred Tree of Peace to fet.
2.
As the various Tribes appear'd,
And the ſolemn Rites regard ;
From amidſt th' attentive Throng,
Maratho began the Song.
3.
3
Plant and bleſs the lovely Tree,
Proſprous may its Shadow be
Faſt lay hold of Earth its Roots,
Be the Fruits of Peace its Fruits !
D
4. Lofty

[ 50 ]
4.
Lofty let its Top ariſe,
And be favour'd by the Skies !
Heavenly Spirits from above,
Nurſe it with the Dew of Love!
5.
Now lay hold of Concord's Chain,
Every Hand a Link maintain ;
Let each Heart the Band confeſs,
And united Voices bleſs!
6.
Bind it graceful round your Arms,
Gird yourſelf with all its Charms;
Fair and ſplendid let it ſhine,
For it is, the Chain divine.
7.
But the Grave of War - the Pit -
Deep thou Ax be hid in it;
Never more thine Edge uprear,
Keep it Earth, o keep it there !
8. Yet,

[51]
1
8.
Yet, if it muſt riſe again,
If faithleſs Men ſhould break the Chain,
Then, O Earth, thy Charge deliver,
With a keener Edge than ever.
9.
Rather, hence, let Men be wiſe,
Learning Works of Peace to prize;
Man to Man, no more a Foe,
Ceaſe deviſing mutual Woe.
10.
While the prowling Wolf and Bear,
Range our Woods, and mock the Spear ;
Why ſhould wrong-taught Weapons dare
On the Life of Man to War?
II.
Dove-ey'd Peace from Heaven was ſent
To bid favage Rage relent,
And of better Life be fond,
Strength’ning ſtill the ſocial Bond.
D 2
12. "Turn,

[ 52 )
12.
66 Turn, ſhe ſaid, the Iron War
« To a fitter Uſe by far ?
6. That which Mankind did deſtroy
66 To improve the Glebe employ.
13
u From the River, from the Wood,
“ Let your Youth provide you Food
" For the fair Support of Life,
" Knowing hence no other Strife.
14.
Let them vie to bid the Field,
66 Its exhauflleſs Treaſures yield ;
* And, where now the Woodlands nod,
Sing beneath its golden Load,
15.
* Chiefly, let, o let them learn,
66 Virtue's Beauties to diſcern;
« To diſcern what's good and true,
" What the Wife ſhould moſt purſue."
Soft-

[53]
16.
+ Soft-breathing Balfam, ſacred Peace
To Mankind ſpeaks in Words like theſe :
Her Words your late Remembrance claim,
Heaven's Will ſhe ſpeaks, -- from Heaven ſhe
came.
17.
The mighty Spirit of the whole,
Who bids the volley'd Thunders roll,
Who ſpoke the genial Sun to Birth,
And ſheds his balmy Dews on Earth ;
18.
This everlaſting ruling Mind,
Still to his various Creatures kind,
The troubled World for us ſeren'd;
Reign Peace, he ſaid, -and ſtraight ſhe reign'd.
19.
The mighty Sachem at the Helm
Of the thrice-powerful Britiſh Realm ;
George, mighty both by Land and Seas,
Hear, Indians hear, - delights in Peace.
† As the Originals are not always confined to a fixt Num-
ber of Syllables in every Stanza, but ſeem to vary at plea-
ſure, the Tranſlator alſo has taken the Liberty ſometimes
to alter his Meaſure.
D 3
20. Fell

[54]
20.
Fell Deed's of War, that pompous
ſeem
To brainleſs Pride, in his Efteem,
Are nought, but as they tend to bind
In Concord's Chain, the Human Kind.
21.
Great George has ſet a Tree of Peace,
The Earth and ſpacious Lake to grace ;
May all the Nations love its Shade;
Its graceful Verdure never fade!
22.
And
may
this Tree, which we erect,
Be ever guarded, ever deck’d,
And flouriſh through his royal Care,
Beneath the Hand of great Corlaer.
23
YO
Tho' given in Charge, yet ſtill retain'd ;-
Reign Sachem, long as thou haſt reign'd;
May various Realms confeſs thy Sway,
Far as the Sun unfolds the Day.
24. Guar-

[ 55 ]
24.
Guardian Britain, tho' remote,
Yet of mighty Name and Note,
Let thy Peace our Peace complete ;
And thy Greatneſs make us great.
25
All theſe Realms, with thee, great Ille!
Balk in Heaven's continual Smile !
Still a Sovereign happy Land,
And the Seat of Empire, ftand!
26.
Swell the Chorus, and repeat --
“ Heaven * preſerve the Britiſh State,
" Its facred Chief and Royal Race;
« Bleſs theſe Lands, and bleſs this Peace.”
27
Where's Yariza's blooming Train,
Let them now adorn the Scene;
Let the Virgin-band advance,
And her Song direct their Dance.
* Theſe three Lines are ſung in Chorus. After a Pauſe
Marathe fings the laſt Stanza addreſſed to Yariza.
D 4
THE

THE
TREE of PEACE.
PART II.
The ARGUMEN T.
The Introduction. The Tree of Peace invoked
and celebrated. An Image of Wor, and of
Peace. The Indian Maids exhorted and en-
couraged to Induſtry. A fine Web propoſed to
be made and carried to Court; but not agreed
to, when the Queen's Death is refleEted upon,
who was the Encourager of Arts.

S O N G
II.
By
Υ Α R ΙΖ Α.
01
,
Maraths, I hear thy Call,
And come to join the Feſtival !
Attend
ye Maids, in bright Array,
To celebrate the folemn Day!
2.
And now the Indian Maids prepare,
ba
The folemn Rites to grace and ſhare ; MOT
They form around the Tree a Ring,
2
And trip it to the Notes I ſing.
3.
Ide
O lovely Tree of heavenly Growth,
Ordain'd for Shade and Shelter both
From Realms above, thou firſt waft given,
From ſome fair Nurſery in Heaven.
4. Re-

( 58 )
4.
Remembring thy celeſtial Birth,
Say, wilt thou flouriſh here on Earth;
Nor by the Summer-droughts annoy’d,
Nor by the Winter-frofts deſtroy'd?
5.
Shall no bleak Whirlwind's ſweeping Breath
Thy branching Honours rudely ſkaith?
Still fhall thy fragrant Leaves regale
Theſe Lands and bloom, and charm, and heal?
6.
Say, ſhall thy Fruits rejoice the Senſe,
And never cloy us ; but, from hence,
To Mankind ever pleaſing be
As Light, or ſacred Liberty ?
7.
O Tree of Paradiſe! ſhoot high!
Thy Top, ambitious, climb the Sky;
Thy vernant Boughs ſtill onward ſpread,
Till all the happy Globe they ſhade!
8. May

[ 59 ]
8.
May ev'ry Bird of ſweeteſt Note,
Frequent thy Shade, and pour its Throat;
Rejoice the Song of Peace to join,
And tune its warbling Voice to mine.
9.
Come, too, ye Deers and tender Fawns,
Ye Younglings ſporting o'er the Lawns,
And bounding as you come along,
As ſharing in the Dance and Song !
10.
But hence, far hence each favage Beaſt,
Whoſe fell Delight is Prey and Waſte;
Monſters of War! No Wolf come here;
Nor
yet the Panther, nor the Bear.
O ſavage War! well may we fee
That Rage and Death belong to thee;
Like ſome fell Tyger, bath'd in Gore,
Eternal Fury thou haſt ſwore.
12. But

[ 60 ]
12.
But thou, O Peace! of heavenly Mind,
Art ever gentle, ever kind,
As is the ſoft-ey'd Turtle-dove,
That cooes in Muſic, breathes in Love.
13
By thee our Hearts are eas'd from Strife;
And now we'll footh and poliſh Life:
For why ſhou'd others us excel,
In ſofter Arts and living well?
14.
What tho' the Olive Hue be ours?
All virtuous Souls boaft equal Pow'rs:
So Birds of diff'rent Dye rejoice
The lift'ning Groves, with rival Voice.
15.
Hence, Wool and Flax ſhall, by our Care
Adorn our Limbs with Veſture fair.
Like others we might turn the Wheel,
Or guide the ſlender-pointed Steel *.
* The Needle.
16. Ye

[ 6 ]
16.
Ye Maids that grace + Manhatan's Groves,
As you would hope ſucceſsful Loves,
O aid us in our honeft Views;
Send us Machines, and teach their Uſe.
17.
Thus ſhall your Influence adorn,
Ten thouſand Virgins yet unborn,
And, with the Produce of the Loom,
Teach them t'improve their rip'ning Bloom.
18.
In Ages hence, to you they'll throng,
In ſprightly Dance, and grateful Song;
And while their Tongues your Praiſe repeat,
Their Tribute-web ſhall kiſs
your Feet.
19.
Perhaps Yariza's willing Hand,
In future Years, by high Command,
May bear ſome Web of finer Make,
Beyond the Moon and ſpacious Lake*
+ The Iſland where the City of New York now ftands.
* The Atlantic Ocean they call the great Lake.
20. There

[ 62 ]
20.
There I may lay it at the Throne,
Veiling my Eyes, and bending down-
But ah! how can I?-She's not there
Who ſhone amidſt a thouſand Fair!
21.
Ceaſe then the Dance, ye Virgin Band !
In folemn penſive Silence ſtand-
Great Caroline t adorns the Skies
'Tis thither all the Virtues riſe.
22.
From thence they come, and thither go;
They have no fix'd Abode below ;-
Ah! When ſhall ſuch a gracious Queen
To bleſs theſe various Lands be ſeen?
23
Yet dry theſe tender-guſhing Tears
Lo! a new Light from Heaven appears!
Auguſta lives -
her Virtues ſhine
She moves another Caroline !
+ The Tranſlator has put the Engliſh Names, as it is
impoſſible to bring the Indian Names for the Queen and
Princeſs into Rhime.
24. The

[ 63 ]
24
The Royal Youth, her high firft-born,
Springs ſmiling up like gladſome Morn,
And, like a Plant of Peace, ſhall riſe,
Another George, to bleſs our Eyes,
25.
The blooming Maid, the faithful Swain,
Secure from Danger in his Reign,
Shall find their Bliſs increaſe with Years,
And give the flying Winds their Cares.
26.
Come then, once more in lightſome Round,
And tread the conſecated Ground!
I'll charm the Earth, and charm the Air,
The all-protecting Tree to rear.
27.
Hear, hear, O Earth! O Air! and ſtrive
Which moſt ſhall bid its Honours thrive;
May ev'ry Root and ev'ry Bough,
Nurs'd by your kindly Influence grow.
28. And

[ 64 ]
28.
And hear but now the Dance refrain,
It ſuits not this more folemn Strain
;
All Voices rather join with me
6 Hear then, O Heaven! and bleſs the Tree!
29.
66 Preſerve the Chain, O Power ſupreme !
" That links us to the Britiſh Name.
" May Truth, and Love, and Peace divine,
66 Bind all Mankind for all are thine.
30.
66 At laſt ſend forth thy * ſaving Light
"To guide our wand'ring Steps aright,
« Till thoſe reſplendent Realms we ſee,
65 Where ever blooms the Parent-Treet.
* The Critic muſt not object to this as a Scripture Phraſe,
fince we have Miſſionaries to preach the Goſpel among
the
Indians.
+ The Indians think the great original Tree of Peace
flouriſhes in ſome far diſtant Country, before the great
Spirit of the Univerſe, to which Country they hope fome-
time to reach. They call all other Trees of Peace, however
great, but Slips or Suckers of this Tree.
THE

THE
MOCK-BIRD and RED-BIRD;
An AMERICAN FABLE.
Sº
ME Birds (it is no News to tell)
Can ſing, and in their Songs excel ;
Then, ſhould we ſometimes hear them fpeak,
What need we any Wonder make ?
The Mock-bird on a Time, 'cis ſaid,
Thus the ſweet Red-bird did upbraid,
" Ah! hapleſs Bird ! with one poor Note ;
66 One, and no more, to ſwell thy Throat;
« One, and no more, canſt thou repeat,
" To charm the Woods, or cheer thy Mate!
“ One, and no more, poor Bird! whilft I
56 Abound in ſweet Variety.
E
66 Nor

[ 66 ]
66 Nor is't thy Voice, thy Voice alone,
" Thou Simpleton ! that I bemoan.
« Methinks your Colour looks as mean;
66 All of one Hue! all red in Grain.
" Your Topping's ſomething gay, 'tis true;
< But that, ev'n that, is red, poor you!"
The Red-bird heard the taunting Strain,
And anſwer'd without Pride or Pain.
“ Poor me! fay'ſt thou, proud gaudy Bird !
Thyſelf may better claim that Word.
“ They're poor who never are content,
66 But ſtill to ſteal from others bent.
" If all are poor that wear one Hue,
(Your pretty Taunting to purſue)
Then, poor's the Lilly, tho' ſo fair,
66 Or red Roſe that embalms the Air!
" I wiſh not to grow proud or vain,
By picking Plumes of various Grain ;
« Nor would * feign'd Song, by Rapine, raiſe,
s6 Content with my own native Lays.
* The Mock-bird has no Song of its own, but can imi-
tate every other Bird it hears.
6. My

( 67 )
My Voice, thou Mocker, 'tis well known,
66 Such as it is
it is my own;
" And, if decided by fair Votes,
66 As ſweet as all your mimic Notes.
« But
your ſmall Eyes can only ſee
" The Beauties in yourſelf that be ;
6 And theſe, as little as they are,
6. You magnify -- and ſo prefer."
99
The Mock- bird cry'd “Ha!
" my
ſmall
Eyes
" But Eyes are not to win the Prize.
“ The Queſtion is of Voice and Colour,
5. And not, whoſe goggle Eyes are fuller.
56 Hark! have you Ears?" - Each Strain it
try'd,
And ſwell’d with Muſic, and with Pride ;
Then would have ſpoke again, but (choak'd
With Spite and Spleen) it rather croak’d.
« My Throat is hoarſe,”-it ſcarce could utter, ,
And ſeem'd ſomething more to mutter ;
Then, taking Flight, its Weakneſs found,
And, Auttering, fell upon the Ground.
yet
The Red-bird, not inſulting ſtood,
But wing'd and warbled thro' the Wood.
The

[68]
The MORAL, to be learn'd from hence,
Is pretty plain. - Let's have the Senſe,
Simplicity of Life and Heart
To love,--and ſcorn deluſive Art;
Never, thro' Pride or Spite, in vain
Our Breaſts to vex, or Throats to ſtrain ;
But fhun all fooliſh Oftentation,
And be contented with our Station.
FI NI S.





ca
1754
Sp
Creck-Indier
Speech of a