DEAR SIR—Agreeable to your request I have been upon the
grounds in our vicinity once occupied as forts and places of defence.
So devastating has been the hand of time and the works of civilized
men, that little can now be possibly gleaned by observation. Our
main reliance in these matters must depend almost entirely upon the
recollections of early settlers and traditions. Many of these accounts,
as you are aware, are differently related by different individuals,
and not unfrequently in material points contradictory. From careful
investigation and inquiry I have been enabled to add a little to
what I had previously gathered and referred you to, in the New-York
Spectator. A locality in the town of Cazenovia, Madison co., near the
county line, and on Lot 33, Township of Pompey, Onondaga co., called
the “_Indian Fort_,” was not described in that paper. It is about
four miles southeasterly from Manlius village, situated on a slight
eminence, which is nearly surrounded by a deep ravine, the banks of
which are quite steep and somewhat rocky. The ravine is in shape like
an ox-bow, made by two streams, which pass nearly around it and unite.
Across this bow at the opening, was an earthen wall running southeast
and northwest, and when first noticed by the early settlers, was four
or five feet high, straight, with something of a ditch in front, from
two to three feet deep. Within this enclosure may be about ten or
twelve acres of land. A part of this ground, when first occupied in
these latter times, was called the “_Prairie_,” and is noted now among
the old men as the place where the first battalion training (military)
was held in the county of Onondaga. But that portion near the wall,
and in front of it, has recently, say five years ago, been cleared of
a heavy growth of black oak timber. Many of the trees were large, and
were probably 150 or 200 years old. Some were standing _in_ the ditch
and others _on the top_ of the embankment. There is a considerable
burying place _within_ the enclosure. The plough has already done much
towards leveling the wall and ditch; still they can be easily traced
the whole extent. A few more ploughings and harrowings and no vestige
of it will remain. The specimens of dark brown pottery I send with
this are from this locality. I picked them up at this visit. These
specimens are somewhat numerous upon this ground now. Almost every
variety of Indian relic has been found about here, but so fastidious
are the holders of them, that I have not been able to procure any for
you, and cannot, except _at a price_. However, they can be of little
consequence, as they are described in the article above referred to.
One fact, will, I think, apply to this locality, that does not belong
to any other of the kind in this region, that I know of. Two cannon
balls, of about 3 lbs. each, were found in the vicinity, showing that
light cannon were used, either for defence, or in the reduction of
this fortification. There is a large rock in the ravine on the south,
on which are inscribed the following characters, thus, _IIIIIX_, cut
three-quarters of an inch broad, nine inches long, three-quarters of an
inch deep, perfectly regular, lines straight. Whether it was a work of
fancy, or had significance, I know not. Perhaps you may determine.
On the site of the village of Cazenovia, I am told there was a fort
or embankment; some persons say it was “_roundish_;” others that it
was “_angular, with sides at right angles_.” Recollections respecting
it are very imperfect. Many relics have been found here, indicating
an earlier occupancy than those usually found in this county. This
was on the Oneida’s territory. There is a singular coincidence in the
location of these fortifications which I have never observed until
my recent visit. They are nearly all, if not quite all, situated on
land rather elevated above that which is immediately contiguous,
and surrounded, or partly so, by deep ravines, so that these form a
part of the fortification themselves. At one of these (on the farm
of David Williams, in Pompey,) the banks on either side are found to
contain bullets of lead, as if shot across at opposing forces. The
space between may be about three or four rods, and the natural cutting
twenty or twenty-five feet deep. This only goes to show the care these
architects had in selecting the most favorable situations for defence,
and the fear and expectation they were in of attacks.
I do not believe any of the fortifications in this neighborhood are
more ancient than the period of the French settlement of missionaries
among the Onondagas, during the early part of the 17th century. But the
more I investigate, the more I am convinced that there were many more
of the French established here among the Indians, by far, than has been
generally supposed, and their continuance with them longer.
The nature of the articles found, utensils of farmers and mechanics,
hoes, axes, horseshoes, hammers, &c., go to prove that agriculture
was practised somewhat extensively, as well as the mechanic arts.
The Indian name by which it was anciently called, and is now, by the
natives, I think goes to substantiate this fact: “Ote-que-sah´-ē-ēh,”
an open place with much grass, an opening, or prairie. The timber
has a vigorous growth, and although in many places large, there is a
uniformity in the size and age, which shows that it has all grown up
_since_ the occupancy; because under the trees are not only found the
relics, but among them in many instances, corn hills can be traced in
rows at considerable distances.
The presentation of medals, I believe to have been a very common custom
among the missionaries and traders. Several have been found. A valuable
cross of pure gold, sold for $30, was found on the farm of Mr. David
Hinsdale, west part of Pompey. The significant “IHS” was upon it. Brass
crosses are frequently found, and so are medals of the same metal. One
recently found on the last named farm, about the size of a shilling
piece. The figure of a Roman Pontiff in a standing position, in his
hand a crosier, surrounded with this inscription, “_B. virg. sin. P.
origi. con_,” which I have ventured to write out, “_Beata virgo sine
peccato originali concepta_,” or as we might say in English, “the
blessed virgin conceived without original sin.” On the other side was
a representation of the brazen serpent, and two nearly naked figures,
looking intently upon it. This is by far the most perfect one I have
seen. The letters are as perfect as if struck but yesterday. It was
undoubtedly compressed between dies. It is oval in shape, and bored
that it might be suspended from the neck. A silver medal was found near
Eagle village, two miles east of this, about the size of a dollar, but
a little thinner, with a ring or loop at one edge to admit a cord by
which it might be suspended. On one side appears in relief, a somewhat
rude representation of a fortified town, with several tall steeples
rising above its buildings, and a citadel, from which the British flag
is flying. A river broken by an island or two, occupies the foreground,
and above, along the upper edge of the medal, is the name Montreal.
The initials D. C. F., probably those of the manufacturer, are stamped
below. On the opposite side, which was originally made blank, are
engraved the words Canecya, Onondagoes, which are doubtless the name
and tribe of the red ruler on whose dusky breast, this ornament was
displayed. A valuable token of friendship of some British governor of
New-York, or Canada, to an influential ally among the Six Nations.
There is no date on this, or any of the medals. But this must be at
least older than the revolution, and probably an hundred snows at
least, have fallen on the field where the plough disinterred it, since
the chief whose name it has preserved, was laid to rest with his
fathers.
I have sent with this, such relics and Indian trinkets, as I could
prevail upon our people here to part with. They are less than I
expected to obtain. The gun lock, spear head, axe, piece of gun barrel,
and lead ball, are all of the size and patterns usually found. They are
from the farm of Mr. David Hinsdale, in the town of Pompey, west part.
All the gun barrels, or parts of them, are found flattened similar to
this. Not a perfect one has been found. The two parts of the axe, want
about two inches between the broken portions to make the “_bit_” of
the ordinary length. The stone axes, I thought might interest you. I
have no doubt they were used in flaying animals slain in the chase, as
well as in cleaving wood. I did intend to send you a beautiful gouge
of hornblende, but to my surprise, it is not to be found; the like are
frequently found here. It proves conclusively, that the natives were at
an early day acquainted with the virtues of the maple, and possessed
the art of making sugar. I have sent, as you will see, fragments of
pipes of many varieties. The patterns are as various as the articles
are numerous. The specimens of glass are different from any I have seen
from any other quarter. I think some of the beads may have been used in
rosarys, for the native proselytes. I have lately seen a fragment of
a bell, which, when whole, would have weighed probably 200 lbs., the
metal is very fine, and from appearance, this article must have been of
considerable value; time and exposure has not changed it in the least.
When found, some 20 years since, it was broken up and the pieces found,
enough to make it nearly entire.
I am aware, that I am corresponding with one far more experienced in
these matters, than myself, and therefore, forbear obtruding my views
and opinions further. If you have not a particular desire to place
these things in your own cabinet, they might perhaps, be profitably
disposed of, among the rare things of the New-York Historical Society.
Dispose of them as you think best, I am sorry I could not obtain more.