(D.)
Letter from Mr. Cusick to Henry R. Schoolcraft.
_August 4th_, 1845.
It appears to me, very great difficulties are in the way of finding
out and becoming acquainted with the discovery of all ancient
traditions, and what original stock we came from. So far as our
recollections extend according to our traditions of many centuries, the
aborigines who inhabited the vast wilderness in this great continent,
now North America, were guided and led by a certain man, who stood
highest in dignity, and next to the Supreme Being, who is called
THARONYAWAGO, that is to say, being interpreted, the Holder
of Heavens. He was the great leader of the Red Men, and he regulated
and taught how to divide the country and rivers, and mode of their
living, and manners of costume and ceremonies, in many centuries.
The Tuscaroras were descended from the Iroquois; they emigrated from
the Five Nations to the Southern Country in North Carolina, and when
the Iroquois used to send expeditions and war parties to go to war
with other Indian tribes in that quarter, these parties went to the
Tuscarora towns in North Carolina, and found a resting place and
refreshment, and they used to be in the habit of intermarriage with
each other, they have never been to war against each other, and they
were always on terms of good friendship and connexion. And therefore
we considered that the Tuscarora nation belonged to the Six Nations
from ancient times. Before the discovery by Columbus the Tuscaroras
consisted of six towns, and they were a most powerful nation,
numbering more than twelve thousand warriors. But many combinations
and causes fell upon the Tuscarora nation, and they became diminished
in their numbers, by wars and pestilence, and were poisoned by ardent
spirits. The Tuscaroras had many years of enjoyment and peaceful
possession on the Roanoke river, until the Colony was planted near the
settlement; something brought up disturbances, and their right was
disputed to their territory. In 1712 the Indians of the Tuscaroras in
North Carolina, with their accustomed secrecy, formed the design of
exterminating in one night, the entire white population; the slaughter
on the Roanoke was great, Capt. Barnwell appointed, and sent troops,
who suddenly attacked the Tuscaroras, he killed 300, and took 100
prisoners, the survivors retreated to Tuscarora town, within a wooden
breast-work, where at last they sued for peace.
The Tuscaroras, soon after abandoned their country, and united
themselves with the Iroquois, and became the Sixth Nation. When we
first came into this country, we lived with the Oneida nation, (now
Oneida county,) and we called the Oneidas the Elder Brother, the second
is the Cayugas, the youngest Brother Tuscaroras.
When the first missionary was sent to the Tuscarora nation, 1807,
Eld. Elkanah Holmes, from the New York Missionary Society, labored
several years with success, among them. This Mr. Holmes belonged to the
Baptist Missionary Society. Afterwards, when Mr. Holmes was removed,
another missionary was sent to the Tuscaroras by the American Foreign
Mission, namely, the Rev. Mr. Grey, who remained until last war. After
his dismissal in 1816, another missionary was sent by the Board of the
New York Missionary Society, the Rev. James C. Crane. I will state
briefly, those missionaries who afterwards came to the Tuscaroras,
Rev. B. Lane, Rev. John Elliot, Rev. Joel Wood, Rev. Mr. Williams, the
last who is now missionary, was the Rev. Gilbert Rockwood. In 1836, a
portion of the Tuscarora nation thought expedient to become Baptists,
according to the dictates of their own conscience, and free enjoyment
of their religion in this republican government. And consequently a
Baptist church was built and organized among the Tuscaroras; and they
were called in council with several Baptist churches in this county.
In 1838, they were admitted into the Niagara Baptist Association at
Shelby. And have now in good standing fifty members of the church. In
a ministerial council, June 14th, 1838, Mr. James Cusick was examined
touching his Christian experience, and called to preach the gospel
by Providence and the council; they decided on that question, and
gave him ordination as a native preacher, deciding that he was well
qualified by a knowledge of theology. And now he has labored with
several tribes among the Six Nations. Under his instrumentality,
three Baptist churches have been formed, numbering 200 members, and
he established a temperance society in 1830 of more than 100 members.
In 1845 he established another temperance society among the Indians,
numbering 50 members. Intemperance is one of the greatest and most
destructive evils, and many more begin to be intemperate, especially
among the young men. Among the females of the Tuscarora nation there is
more virtue and sobriety and good morals than among the males. I hope
the white citizens will try to assist them and promote the melioration
of the Indian condition in order to qualify him for life and lead him
to appreciate its true end, and to encourage intermarriages in their
future generations and to advance in civilization, Christianity, and
industry.
From your respected friend,