him, they said _Ho Ho Ho_; but as we are well assured, they express _Yo
He a Ah_, in the time of their festivals and other rejoicings, we have
reason to conclude he made a very material mistake in setting down the
Indian solemn blessing, or invocation. He likewise tells us, that the
Indian women will not marry on the graves of their husbands, i. e. “soon
after their decease,”—but wait a long time before they even think of a
second husband. That, if the husband was killed, they would neither
enter into a second marriage, nor eat flesh, till his blood had been
revenged: and that after child-bearing, they observe the Mosaic law of
purification, shutting up themselves from their husbands, for the space
of forty days.
Peter Martyr writes, that that Indian widow married the brother of her
deceased husband, according to the Mosaic law: and he says, the Indians
worship that God who created the sun, moon, and all invisible things,
and who gives them every thing that is good. He affirms the Indian
priests had chambers in the temple, according to the custom of the
Israelites, by divine appointment, as 1 Chron. ix. 26, 27. And that
there were certain places in it, which none but their priests could
enter, i. e. “the holiest.” And Key says also, they have in some parts
of America, an exact form of king, priest, and prophet, as was formerly
in Canaan.
Robert Williams, the first Englishman in New-England, who is said to
have learned the Indian language, in order to convert the natives,
believed them to be Jews: and he assures us, that their tradition
records that their ancestors came from the south-west, and that they
return there at death; that their women separate themselves from the
rest of the people at certain periods; and that their language bore some
affinity to the Hebrew.[98]
Baron Lahontan writes, that the Indian women of Canada purify themselves
after travail; thirty days for a male child—and forty for a female: that
during the said time, they live apart from their husband—that the
unmarried brother of the deceased husband marries the widow, six months
{215} after his decease; and that the outstanding parties for war,
address the great spirit every day till they set off, with sacrifices,
songs, and feasting.
We are also told, that the men in Mexico sat down, and the women stood,
when they made water, which is an universal custom among our
North-American Indians. Their primitive modesty, and indulgence to their
women, seem to have introduced this singular custom, after the manner of
the ancient Mauritanians, on account of their scantiness of clothing, as
I formerly observed.
Lerius tells us, that the Indians of Brasil wash themselves ten times a
day; and that the husbands have no matrimonial intercourse with their
wives, till their children are either weaned, or grown pretty hardy;
which is similar to the custom of these northern Indians, and that of
the Israelites, as Hos. i. 8. He says, if a Peruvian child was weaned
before its time, it was called _Ainsco_, “a bastard.” And that if a
Brasilian wounds another, he is wounded in the same part of the body,
with equal punishment; limb for limb, or life for life, according to the
Mosaic law;—which, within our own memory, these Indian nations observed
so eagerly, that if a boy shooting at birds, accidentally wounded
another, though out of sight, with his arrow ever so slightly, he, or
any of his family, wounded him after the very same manner; which is a
very striking analogy with the Jewish retaliation. He likewise tells us,
that their Sachems, or Emperors, were the heads of their church: and
according to Laet. Descrip. America, the Peruvians had one temple
consecrated to the creator of the world; besides four other religious
places, in resemblance of the Jewish synagogues. And Malvenda says, the
American idols were mitred, as Aaron was. He likewise affirms, as doth
Acosta, that the natives observed a year of jubilee, according to the
usage of the Israelites.
Benzo[99] says, that the men and women incline very much to dancing; and
the women often by themselves, according to the manner of the Hebrew
nation; as in 1 Sam. xxi. 11. especially after gaining a victory over
the enemy, as in Judg. xi. 34.-xxi. 21, 23, and 1 Sam. xviii. 6, 7.
Acosta tells us, that though adultery is deemed by them a capital crime,
yet they at the same time set little value by virginity, and it seems to
have been a bewailable condition, in Judea. He likewise says, they wash
their {216} new born infants, in resemblance of the Mosaic law; as Ezek.
xvi. 9. And the Spaniards say, that the priests of Mexico, were anointed
from head to foot; that they constantly wore their hair, till they were
superannuated; and that the husband did not lie with his wife, for two
years after she was delivered. Our northern Indians imitate the first
custom; though in the second, they resemble that of the heathen by
polling or trimming their hair; and with regard to the third, they
always sleep apart from their wives, for the greater part of a year,
after delivery.[100]
By the Spanish authorities, the Peruvians and Mexicans were Polygamists,
but they had one principal wife to whom they were married with certain
solemnities; and murder, adultery, theft, and incest, were punished with
death.—But there was an exception in some places, with regard to
incestuous intercourses: which is entirely consonant to the usage of the
northern Indians. For as to incest, the Cheerake marry both mother and
daughter, or two sisters; but they all observe the prohibited laws of
consanguinity, in the strictest manner. They tell us, that when the
priests offered sacrifice, they abstained from women and strong drink,
and fasted several days, before any great festival; that all of them
buried their dead in their houses, or in high places; that when they
were forced to bury in any of the Spanish churchyards, they frequently
stole the corpse, and interred it either in one of their own houses, or
in the mountains; and that Juan de la Torre took five hundred thousand
Pezoes out of one tomb. Here is a long train of Israelitish customs:
and, if we include the whole, they exhibit a very strong analogy between
all the essential traditions, rites, customs, &c. of the South and North
American Indians; though the Spaniards mix an innumerable heap of absurd
chimeras, and romantic dreams, with the plain material truths I have
extracted.
I lately perused the first volume of the History of North America, from
the discovery thereof by Sylvanus Americanus, printed in New Jersey,
Anno 1761, from, I believe, the Philadelphia monthly paper—and was not a
little surprised to find in such a useful collection, the conjectural,
though perhaps well-intended accounts of the first adventurers, and
settlers, in North America, concerning the natives: and which are laid
as the only basis for inquisitive writers to trace their origin, instead
of later and more substantial observations. Though several of those
early writers were undoubtedly {217} sagacious, learned, and candid; yet
under the circumstances in which they wrote, it was impossible for them
to convey to us any true knowledge of the Indians, more than what they
gained by their senses, which must be superficial, and liable to many
errors. Their conjectural accounts ought to have been long since
examined, by some of that learned body, or they should not have given a
sanction to them. However, they are less faulty than the Spanish
accounts.
I presume, enough hath been said to point out the similarity between the
rites and customs of the native American Indians, and those of the
Israelites.—And that the Indian system is derived from the moral,
ceremonial, and judicial laws of the Hebrews, though now but a faint
copy of the divine original.—Their religious rites, martial customs,
dress, music, dances, and domestic forms of life, seem clearly to evince
also, that they came to America in early times, before sects had sprung
up among the Jews, which was soon after their prophets ceased, and
before arts and sciences had arrived to any perfection; otherwise, it is
likely they would have retained some knowledge of them, at least where
they first settled, it being in a favourable climate, and consequently,
they were in a more compact body, than on this northern part of the
American continent.
The South-American natives wanted nothing that could render life easy
and agreeable: and they had nothing superfluous, except gold and silver.
When we consider the simplicity of the people, and the skill they had in
collecting a prodigious quantity of treasures, it seems as if they
gained that skill from their countrymen, and the Tyrians; who in the
reign of Solomon exceedingly enriched themselves, in a few voyages. The
conjecture that the aborigines wandered here from captivity, by the
north east parts of Asia, over Kamschatska, to have their liberty and
religion; is not so improbable, as that of their being driven by stress
of weather into the bay of Mexico, from the east.[101]
Though a single argument of the general subject, may prove but little,
disjoined from the rest; yet, according to the true laws of history, and
the best rules for tracing antiquities, the conclusion is to be drawn
from clear corresponding circumstances united: the force of one branch
of the subject ought to be connected with the others, and then judge by
the whole. Such {218} readers as may dissent from my opinion of the
Indian American origin and descent, ought to inform us how the natives
came here, and by what means they formed the long chain of rites,
customs, &c. so similar to the usage of the Hebrew nation, and in
general dissimilar to the modes, &c. of the Pagan world.
Ancient writers do not agree upon any certain place, where the Ophir of
Solomon lay; it must certainly be a great distance from Joppa, for it
was a three years voyage. After the death of Solomon, both the
Israelites and Tyrians seem to have utterly discontinued their trading
voyages to that part of the world. Eusebius and Eupolemus say, that
David sent to Urphe, an island in the red sea, and brought much gold
into Judea; and Ortelius reckons this to have been Ophir: though,
agreeably to the opinion of the greater part of the modern literati, he
also conjectures Cephala, or Sophala, to have been the Ophir of Solomon.
Junius imagines it was in Aurea Chersonesus; Tremellius and Niger are of
the same opinion. But Vatablus reckons it was Hispaniola, discovered,
and named so by Columbus: yet Postellus, Phil. Mornay, Arias Montanus,
and Goropius, are of opinion that Peru is the ancient Ophir; so widely
different are their conjectures. Ancient history is quite silent,
concerning America; which indicates that it has been time immemorial
rent asunder from the African continent, according to Plato’s Timeus.
The north-east parts of Asia also were undiscovered, till of late. Many
geographers have stretched Asia and America so far, as to join them
together: and others have divided those two quarters of the globe, at a
great distance from each other. But the Russians, after several
dangerous attempts, have clearly convinced the world, that they are now
divided, and yet have a near communication together, by a narrow strait,
in which several islands are situated; through which there is an easy
passage from the north-east of Asia to the north-west of America by the
way of Kamschatska; which probably joined to the north-west point of
America. By this passage, supposing the main continents were separated,
it was very practicable for the inhabitants to go to this extensive new
world; and afterwards, to have proceeded in quest of suitable
climates,—according to the law of nature, that directs every creature to
such climes as are most convenient and agreeable. {219}
Having endeavoured to ascertain the origin and descent of the
North-American Indians—and produced a variety of arguments that incline
my own opinion in favour of their being of Jewish extraction—which at
the same time furnish the public with a more complete INDIAN SYSTEM of
religious rites, civil and martial customs, languages, &c. &c. than hath
ever been exhibited, neither disfigured by fable, nor prejudice—I shall
proceed to give a general historical description of those Indian nations
among whom I have chiefly resided.[102] {220}
AN
ACCOUNT
OF THE
KATAHBA, CHEERAKE,
MUSKOHGE, CHOKTAH, AND
CHIKKASAH NATIONS:
WITH OCCASIONAL OBSERVATIONS
ON
Their LAWS, and the Conduct of our GOVERNORS,
SUPERINTENDANTS, MISSIONARIES,
&c. towards them.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE KATAHBA NATION, &c.
I begin with the KATAHBA,[103] because their country is the most
contiguous to Charles-Town in South-Carolina. It is placed in our modern
maps, in 34 degrees north latitude, but proper care hath not yet been
taken to ascertain the limits and site of any of the Indian nations. It
is bounded on the north and north-east, by North-Carolina—on the east
and south, by South-Carolina—and about west-south-west by the Cheerake
nation. Their chief settlement is at the distance of one hundred and
forty-five miles from the Cheerake, as near as I can compute it by
frequent journies, and about 200 miles distant from Charles-Town.
Their soil is extremely good; the climate open and healthy; the water
very clear, and well-tasted. The chief part of the Katahba country, I
observed during my residence with them, was settled close on the east
side of a broad purling river, that heads in the great blue ridge of
mountains, and empties itself into Santee-river, at Amelia township;
then running eastward of Charles-town, disgorges itself into the
Atlantic. The land would produce any sort of Indian provisions, but, by
the continual passing and repassing of the English, between the northern
and southern colonies,[104] the Katahba live perhaps the meanest of any
Indians belonging to the British American empire. They are also so
corrupted by an immoderate use of our spirituous liquors, and of course,
indolent, that they scarcely plant any thing fit for the support of
human life. South-Carolina has supplied their wants, either {223}
through a political, or charitable view; which kindness, several
respectable inhabitants in their neighbourhood say, they abuse in a very
high degree; for they often destroy the white people’s live stock, and
even kill their horses for mischief sake.[105]
It was bad policy of a prime magistrate of South-Carolina, who a little
more than twenty years ago, desired me to endeavour to decoy the
Chikkasah nation to settle near New-Windsor, or Savanna town.[106] For
the Indians will not live peaceable with a mixed society of people. It
is too recent to need enlarging on, that the English inhabitants were at
sundry times forced by necessity, to take shelter in New-Windsor and
Augusta garrisons, at the alarm of the cannon, to save themselves from
about an hundred of the Chikkasah, who formerly settled there, by the
inticement of our traders:[107] the two colonies of South-Carolina and
Georgia were obliged on this occasion to send up a number of troops,
either to drive them off, or check their insolence. By some fatality,
they are much addicted to excessive drinking, and spirituous liquors
distract them so exceedingly, that they will even eat live coals of
fire. Harsh usage alone, will never subdue an Indian: and too much
indulgence is as bad; for then they would think, what was an effect of
politic friendship, proceeded from a tribute of fear. We may observe of
them as of the fire, “it is safe and useful, cherished at proper
distance; but if too near us, it becomes dangerous, and will scorch if
not consume us.”
We are not acquainted with any savages of so warlike a disposition, as
the Katahba and the Chikkasah. The six united northern nations have been
time immemorial engaged in a bitter war with the former,[108] and the
Katahba are now reduced to very few above one hundred fighting men—the
small pox, and intemperate drinking, have contributed however more than
their wars to their great decay. When South-Carolina was in its infant
state, they mustered fifteen hundred fighting men: and they always
behaved as faithful and friendly to the English as could be reasonably
expected, from cunning, suspicious, and free savages. About the year
1743, their nation consisted of almost 400 warriors, of above twenty
different dialects. I shall mention a few of the national names of
those, who make up this mixed language;—the _Kátahba_, is the standard,
or court-dialect—the _Wataree_, who make up a large town; _Eenó_, {224}
_Chewah_, now _Chowan_, _Canggaree_, _Nachee_, _Yamasee_, _Coosah_, &c.
Their country had an old waste field of seven miles extent, and several
others of smaller dimensions; which shews that they were formerly a
numerous people, to cultivate so much land with their dull stone-axes,
before they had an opportunity of trading with the English, or allowed
others to incorporate with them.[109] {225}
ACCOUNT
OF THE
CHEERAKE NATION, &c.
We shall now treat of the Cheerake nation, as the next neighbour to
South-Carolina.
Their national name is derived from _Chee-ra_, “fire,”[110] which is
their reputed lower heaven, and hence they call their magi,
_Cheerà-tahge_, “men possessed of the divine fire.”[111] The country
lies in about 34 degrees north latitude, at the distance of 340 computed
miles to the north-west of Charles-town,—140 miles west-south-west from
the Katahba nation,—and almost 200 miles to the north of the Muskohge or
Creek country.
They are settled, nearly in an east and west course, about 140 miles in
length from the lower towns where Fort-Prince-George stands, to the late
unfortunate Fort-Loudon. The natives make two divisions of their
country, which they term _Ayrate_, and _Ottare_, signifying “low,” and
“mountainous.”[112] The former division is on the head branches of the
beautiful Savanah river, and the latter on those of the easternmost
river of the great Missisippi. Their towns are always close to some
river, or creek; as there the land is commonly very level and fertile,
on account of the frequent washings off the mountains, and the moisture
it receives from the waters, that run through their fields. And such a
situation enables them to perform the ablutions, connected with their
religious worship.
The eastern, or lower parts of this country, are sharp and cold to a
Carolinian in winter, and yet agreeable: but those towns that lie among
the {226} Apalahche mountains, are very pinching to such who are
unaccustomed to a savage life. The ice and snow continue on the
north-side, till late in the spring of the year: however, the natives
are well provided for it, by their bathing and anointing themselves.
This regimen shuts up the pores of the body, and by that means prevents
too great a perspiration; and an accustomed exercise of hunting, joined
with the former, puts them far above their climate: they are almost as
impenetrable to cold, as a bar of steel, and the severest cold is no
detriment to their hunting.
Formerly, the Cheerake were a very numerous and potent nation. Not above
forty years ago, they had 64 towns and villages, populous, and full of
women and children. According to the computations of the most
intelligent old traders of that time,[113] they amounted to upwards of
six-thousand fighting men; a prodigious number to have so close on our
settlements,[114] defended by blue-topped ledges of inaccessible
mountains: where, but three of them can make a successful campaign, even
against their own watchful red-colour enemies. But they were then
simple, and peaceable, to what they are now.
As their western, or upper towns, which are situated among the
Apalahche-mountains, on the eastern branches of the Missisippi, were
always engaged in hot war with the more northern Indians; and the middle
and lower towns in constant hostility with the Muskohge, till reconciled
by a governor of South-Carolina for the sake of trade,—several of their
best towns, on the southern branch of Savanah-river, are now forsaken
and destroyed: as _Ishtatohe_, _Echia_, _Toogalo_, &c., and they are
brought into a narrower compass. At the conclusion of our last war with
them,[115] the traders calculated the number of their warriors to
consist of about two thousand three-hundred, which is a great diminution
for so short a space of time: and if we may conjecture for futurity,
from the circumstances already past, there will be few of them alive,
after the like revolution of time. Their towns are still scattered wide
of each other, because the land will not admit any other settlement: it
is a rare thing to see a level tract of four hundred acres. They are
also strongly attached to rivers,—all retaining the opinion of the
ancients, that rivers are necessary to constitute a paradise. Nor is it
only ornamental, but likewise beneficial to them, on account of
purifying themselves, and also for the services of common life,—such as
fishing, {227} fowling, and killing of deer, which come in the warm
season, to eat the saltish moss and grass, which grow on the rocks, and
under the surface of the waters. Their rivers are generally very
shallow, and pleasant to the eye; for the land being high, the waters
have a quick descent; they seldom overflow their banks, unless when a
heavy rain falls on a deep snow.—Then, it is frightful to see the huge
pieces of ice, mixed with a prodigious torrent of water, rolling down
the high mountains, and over the steep craggy rocks, so impetuous, that
nothing can resist their force. Two old traders saw an instance of this
kind, which swept away great plantations of oaks and pines, that had
their foundation as in the center of the earth.—It overset several of
the higher rocks, where the huge rafts of trees and ice had stopped up
the main channel, and forced itself across through the smaller hills.
From the historical descriptions of the Alps, and a personal view of the
Cheerake mountains—I conclude the Alps of Italy are much inferior to
several of the Cheerake mountains, both in height and rockiness: the
last are also of a prodigious extent, and frequently impassable by an
enemy. The _Allegeny_, or “great blue ridge,” commonly called the
_Apalahche_-mountains, are here above a hundred miles broad; and by the
best accounts we can get from the Missisippi Indians, run along between
Peru and Mexico, unless where the large rivers occasion a break. They
stretch also all the way from the west of the northern great lakes, near
Hudson’s Bay, and across the Missisippi, about 250 leagues above
New-Orleans. In the lower and middle parts of this mountainous ragged
country, the Indians have a convenient passable path, by the foot of the
mountains: but farther in, they are of such a prodigious height, that
they are forced to wind from north to south, along the rivers and large
creeks, to get a safe passage: and the paths are so steep in many
places, that the horses often pitch, and rear an end, to scramble up.
Several of the mountains are some miles from bottom to top, according to
the ascent of the paths: and there are other mountains I have seen from
these, when out with the Indians in clear weather, that the eye can but
faintly discern, which therefore must be at a surprising distance.