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Sabin's Reprints.
No. V.
THE PRESENT STATE OF VIRGINIA.
BY
HUGH JONES, A. M.
NEW YORK:
REPRINTED FOR JOSEPH SABIN.
1865.
TWO HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED.
No. 175 JS
ALVORD, PRINTER.
THE PRESENT STATE OF VIRGINIA.
GIVING
A particular and short Account of the
_Indian_, _English_, and _Negroe_ Inhabitants of that
Colony.
Shewing their Religion, Manners, Government,
Trade, Way of Living, &c. with a Description of
the Country.
From whence is inferred a short VIEW of
MARYLAND _and_ NORTH CAROLINA.
To which are added,
Schemes and Propositions for the better Promotion of
Learning, Religion, Inventions, Manufactures, and Trade in
_Virginia_, and the other _Plantations_.
For the Information of the _Curious_, and for the Service of such
as are engaged in the _Propagation of the Gospel_ and _Advancement
of Learning_, and for the Use of all Persons concerned in the
Virginia _Trade and Plantation_.
GEN. ix. 27.
_God shall enlarge_ JAPHETH, _and he shall dwell in the Tents of_ SHEM,
_and_ CANAAN _shall be his Servant_.
By _HUGH JONES_, A. M.
Chaplain to the Honourable Assembly, and lately Minister of
_James-Town_, &c. in _Virginia_.
_LONDON_:
Printed for J. CLARKE, at the _Bible_ under the _Royal-Exchange_.
M DCC XXIV.
THE CONTENTS.
THE INTRODUCTION Page i
PART I.
CHAP. I.
_Of the Original of the_ Indians, Europeans, _and_
Negroes. 1
CHAP. II.
_Of the Government, Religion, Habits, Wars,
Lives, Customs_, &c. _of the_ Indians _of_ North
America 7
_Of the_ French _Settlements and_ Apelachian _Mountains_ 13
_Of the_ Tramontane _Order and Expedition, and of_
Christanna 14
_Of_ Indian _Worship and Principles_ 15
_Of the Conversion of the_ Indians 19
PART II.
CHAP. I.
_Of the_ English _Settlements in_ Virginia _and_ Maryland 21
CHAP. II.
_Of the Metropolis_ Williamsburgh, _the College Capitol,
Governor's House, and the Church_, &c. 25
CHAP. III.
_Of the Situation and Nature of the Country of_
Virginia, _and its Coasts_, &c. 33
CHAP. IV.
_Of the_ Negroes, _with the Planting and Management
of_ Indian _Corn and Tobacco, and of their
Timber, Stock, Fruits, Provision, Habitations_,
&c. 36
CHAP. V.
_Of the Habits, Customs, Parts, Employments, Trade
of the_ Virginians; _and of the Weather, Coin,
Sickness, Liquors, Servants, Poor, Pitch, Tar,
Oar_, &c. 43
CHAP. VI.
_Of_ Germanna, _the_ Palatines, _Wine, Hemp, Flax,
Silk, Sumack, Trees, Fruits, Coals, Tracts of Land,
Health, Militia, the_ Mannacan Town, _Titles, Levies,
Burgesses, Laws, and general Assembly_ 59
PART III.
_Of the State of the Church and Clergy in_ Virginia 65
PART IV.
_Of Authors concerning_ Virginia, _and its publick
Officers, Guard-Ships, and the State of_ Maryland
_and_ North Carolina, &c. 75
APPENDIX.
1. _Scheme. Of Education in_ Virginia 83
2. _Scheme. Of Religion in_ Virginia 95
3. _Scheme. Of Arts, Projects, Inventions, and
Manufactures in_ Virginia 112
4. _Scheme. Of Trade in_ Virginia, _and the other
Plantations_ 138
INTRODUCTION.
Dedications and Prefaces, which are prefix'd to most Books, being
regarded by few Readers, I think it best for my present Purpose briefly
to mention in an Introduction, what I would have known concerning the
Occasion, Nature, and Use of this Treatise, before I enter upon the main
Work it self.
When I considered the great Benefit that arises to the Publick, from the
large Colony of _Virginia_, I observed, that tho' it be thus
advantageous, yet it is capable of great Improvements still, and
requires several Alterations, both with Regard to its own Welfare, and
the Interest of _Great Britain_. Observing moreover, that few People in
_England_ (even many concerned in publick Affairs of this kind) have
correct Notions of the true State of the Plantations; and having been
eagerly applied to frequently, by Persons of the greatest Figure,
Experience, and Judgment in political and national Concerns, for
Information concerning all the Circumstances of _Virginia_, I was
requested to digest methodically, and publish, what I knew and thought
of these Matters; and being in a great Measure injoined to it by a
_noble Patron_, I have here complied with his Commands, with the best of
my Knowledge and Judgment.
* * * * *
For want of better Information, many that are most willing, capable, or
obliged to promote Religion, Learning, Arts and Trade in _Virginia_, are
either at a Loss how to set about it rightly, or else having engaged
themselves therein, have in a great Measure miscarried in their
Attempts, because true and particular Accounts of it are very difficult
to be obtained; and this Country is altered wonderfully, and far more
advanced and improved in all Respects of late Years, since the beginning
of Colonel _Spotswood's_ Lieutenancy, than in the whole Century before
his Government, which he may be esteemed to have discharged with a
commendable, just, and prudent Administration; a prosperous
Administration, glorious for himself, and advantageous both for the
Crown and the Plantation; whilst he was Lieutenant Governor of that
Colony; whilst that Colony was honoured with such an excellent Governor;
whilst that Governor was happy in such a flourishing, large, and fertile
Colony.
* * * * *
And as this Country has made such a considerable Progress, under the
Management of the late Governor _Spotswood_; so have we all imaginable
Prospect that it will in the same regular course proceed towards its
greatest Perfection, under the Care and Conduct of the present Governor
Colonel _Drysdale_.
* * * * *
The Scales of Justice are now fix'd there upon their true Balance, and
the Course of Trade is nearly confined to its right Channel.
* * * * *
Arts, Sciences, Trades, and useful Inventions are now planted there in
some Measure, and with due Cultivation may thrive wonderfully.
* * * * *
Providence has furnish'd this Province with all Necessaries of Life, and
Industry may supply it with all Conveniences and Advantages, for Profit,
Ease, and Pleasure.
* * * * *
The best Measures have been concerted and proposed, and Schemes have
been nicely drawn for the Encouragement of useful Discoveries and
laudable Undertakings, both for the Security and Benefit of the Publick.
* * * * *
And as in Blessings temporal, so in spiritual Concernments, might the
_Virginians_ abound, were the Attempts that have been, or may be, made
for the due Regulation of the Church, as well as State, brought to
Maturity: Were the Laws more plain and particular in Relation to
Livings; so that the Labours of the Clergy might be rewarded with less
Trouble and Ill-Will in their Preferment to Parishes, and collecting
their Dues and Salaries; and were the Principles and Practice of
Religion more firmly establish'd, which might easily be done without
interfering with the Interest of the People, or Constitution of the
Government; with but few Corrections and Alterations, and but little
additional Expence.
* * * * *
More especially at this eminent Juncture of his _Majesty_'s most
Christian Goodness, in converting his Palace at _Whitehall_ into a
College of Preachers; and founding in the Universities Courts of
Statesmen perfectly instructed in modern Languages and History.
* * * * *
For if at _Home_ he has in this Respect, as well as others, excelled his
Royal Predecessors, why may we not hope that his charitable Benefactions
may likewise be extended _Abroad_ to the Church and College of the most
antient and loyal Colony of _Virginia_? Through the Means of such great
and good Governors in Church, as his Grace the _Archbishop of
Canterbury_, and his Lordship the _Bishop of London_; the first of
which eminent Patrons of Religion and Learning is Chancellor of the
College of _William and Mary_ at _Williamsburgh_ in _Virginia_; and to
the other belongs the weighty Care and Charge of the Church and Clergy
of all that and the other _English_ Plantations.
* * * * *
Why may we not hope that the College founded and endowed there by King
_William_ and Queen _Mary_ of ever blessed Memory, may _partake of the
royal_ Favours of our present _most gracious Sovereign_? Why may we not
hope that the Church confirmed there in each Reign since Queen
_Elizabeth's_, may be duly regulated by the pious Directions of his
present _Majesty_?
* * * * *
_These are Actions_ suitable to the _Genius_ of our _mighty Monarch_:
These are Undertakings worthy of the Negotiation of such pious and
learned Bishops; to whose Consideration the following Sheets are in the
most submissive Manner offered, humbly requesting their Lordship's
Excuse for this presumptive Freedom; occasioned by the zealous Affection
which I have for the Colony, which principally induced me to this Work,
in order to vindicate the Place and People from undeserved Calumny, to
make publick true Informations of them, to proclaim to the World their
just Praises, and to prove as instrumental as possible in the Service
of Religion, Learning, Arts, advantageous Undertakings, and the Trade of
that Plantation; to do which, I think my self strictly obliged by
Gratitude and Conscience.
* * * * *
There are several Books upon this Subject, but none descends to the
present State and Circumstances of this Colony, nor proposes what
Methods may seem most conducive to the Promotion of its best Interest in
all Respects; but without particular Knowledge of these Things no useful
Designs can be carried to the best Advantage, neither by the Government,
Societies, Companies, nor by private Persons.
* * * * *
Wherefore I composed this as a Supplement to those other Books; treating
herein for the most Part of such Heads, as are altogether omitted, or
but slightly accounted for, or described by others.
* * * * *
For though some may have perfect Information and true Notions of these
Things; yet the generality of Mankind are utter Strangers to what I here
specify, and entertain commonly very erroneous and monstrous Thoughts
concerning the Country, Lives, Religion and Government of the
_Virginians_; so that there seemed a great Necessity for a Book of this
kind; which I have made as plain and intelligible as I possibly could,
and composed in the best Method that I could devise for the Service of
the Plantations, more particularly _Virginia_, _Maryland_, and _North
Carolina_, where I have been.
* * * * *
I have industriously avoided the ornamental Dress of Rhetorical
Flourishes, esteeming them unfit for the naked Truth of historical
Relations, and improper for the Purpose of general Propositions.
* * * * *
Besides its Truth and my real Design of publick Service, this mean Piece
has little to recommend it to the Approbation of Mankind, and to
introduce it to a candid Reception in the World. Nevertheless I venture
to present it with the greatest Submission to the Candour of the Reader,
with Hopes that it may meet with a kind Acceptance; humbly requesting
the following Favours of the Readers, _viz._
* * * * *
That they would be pleased to excuse and correct the Errors of the
Press.
* * * * *
That if any material Alterations have happened to be made that I know
not of, since I left _Virginia_ (which is above two Years) they will
give favourable Allowances for my Accounts of such Things, and not
censure me as if I endeavoured to impose Falshoods upon the World; and
I hope the same will be granted for any trivial Mistakes which I may
have made through Forgetfulness, or for want of Opportunity of
Consultation and Advice in any small circumstantial Point, or in any
_proper Name_.
* * * * *
And lastly, since Improvement might be made for the joint Advantage of
_Virginia_ and _Great Britain_ in so many particular Respects; therefore
I hope what I have instanced in the following _State_ and _Schemes_ will
be look'd upon as sufficient for my Purpose, without making Mention of
several other beneficial Things of the Nature and Use of which I have
but little Knowledge; such as Cotton, Pepper, with the large thick Husks
of Acorns for the Diers Use, with the like.
THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
PART I.
CHAP. I.
_Of the Original of the_ Indians, Europeans, _and_ Negroes.
One main Cause, why the _Gospel_ is not propagated with better Success
among the _Infidels_, and why it is not more strictly followed by such
_Europeans_ as inhabit the _American Plantations_, is the little right
Knowledge that _Superintendants_ of the _Church_ have of them, from
imperfect Accounts and false Information; for before we can entertain
any tolerable Idea of the Tenents, and Inclinations of any People; it is
requisite we should know something of their Original, Temper, and
Government; for want of which much Cost and Labour have been in vain
expended, and many pious Designs and Projects frustrated.
And as the Progress of Religion, so for the same Causes, and in the same
Manner, is the Improvement of Arts, Sciences, and Trade, much retarded.
I shall therefore exhibit a short View of the present Inhabitants of
_Virginia_; which are _Indians_, _English_, and _Negroes_, with a
Description of the Country: After which their Morals and Manners may
more plainly and briefly be described; from whence may easily be
inferred an Account of _Maryland_ and _North Carolina_, nearly agreeing
with _Virginia_ in many Respects.
The _Indians_ may be term'd _Aborigines_; for to pretend to determine
their Pedigree exactly, with the Time and Manner of seating this unknown
World, to me seems as morally impossible, as it is naturally to account
for the Complexion of their Bodies, and the Temper of their Minds.
So that the best History of them till late Years is but meer Guess-work,
of which my Sentiments are these:
We know that all Nations of the World are the Descendants of _Noah_'s
three Sons, _Shem_, _Ham_, and _Japheth_: From the youngest (from some
promised Blessings) may we suppose the _Europeans_ and _Western
Asiaticks_ to be descended. From _Canaan_ the Son of the middlemost
issued the _Canaanites_, and from some of his Sons might spring the
_Egyptians_, _Moors_, _Negroes_, and other Inhabitants of _Africa_.
From _Shem_ sprung _Eber_, and from _Eber_'s eldest Son _Peleg_ sprung
the _Hebrews_, and from _Eber_'s younger Son _Joktan_ are derived the
_East_, and (I suppose) their Cousins the _West-Indians_ of _America_.
For in _Peleg_'s _Days the Earth was divided_, Gen. x. 25. and his
Brother _Jocktan's Dwelling was from_ Mesha, _as thou goest unto_
Sephar, _a Mount of the_ East, v. 30. _By these were the Nations divided
in the Earth after the Flood_, v. 32.
To me the _Indians_ of _America_ seem to be some of the Posterity of
_Shem_, driven thither by _Providence_, for Causes unknown to us, which
might easily be done (in large Boats or Canoes and Periaguas) from the
Eastern Parts of _Asia_, their Grandfather _Jocktan_'s Country; which is
not improbable: Since a Storm might drive them off from the Shore, and
the trade Winds, which blow constantly one Way half the Year, might
carry them directly to _America_, over the vast _South Sea_ Ocean; in
which Passage their greatest Danger of Death might be Hunger and Thirst;
but they, that know the _Indians_, know also, that they can bear Want a
prodigious while; and what might they not bear, when the Divine Power
was miraculously concerned in it, for Purposes known to the Almighty
only?
Indeed for what we have yet discovered, we don't know, but the Continent
of _America_ may be join'd to _Tartary_; from whence (if so) they might
have an easy, though tedious Conveyance. Be it how it will, I am of
Opinion, that they are descended from _Asia_, and not _Africa_; because
in their copper Colour, long black Hair, strait proper Shape, and
haughty Carriage, they are somewhat like the _East-Indians_; whereas
they seem to be of a different Breed from the _Negroes_, who are
blacker, have uglier Faces and Bodies, and are of a more servile
Carriage, and slavish Temper: Besides, the _Africans_ circumcise, which
with other _Jewish_ Customs, I imagine, they may derive from _Egypt_;
whereas the _Indians_ use no such Practices: Moreover they hate, and
despise the very Sight of a _Negroe_; but they seem to like an
_East-Indian_, and fear and revere the _Whites_.
What some may object in Contradiction to the Universality of the Deluge;
that the Communication between _Asia_ and _America_ was washed away by
it; thence inferring that the _Americans_ are of _Antidiluvian_
Families, may (I presume) be exploded, when we remark, that in most
Places, at a great Depth, and far distant from the Sea, are many great
Beds of strange Shells, and Bones, and Teeth of Fish and Beasts vastly
different from any Land or Water-Animals now found in those, or any
other Parts of the World; so that notwithstanding all the curious
Speculations of Philosophers to reconcile this with Reason, and ascribe
for it natural Causes; yet to me it appears evidently to be a Token, and
Relict of the general Flood of _Noah_. For these Shells and Bones might
be easily preserved from Corruption, and mouldering so long a Time,
whilst covered with a great Thickness of dry Earth, and kept from Air;
to which when they are exposed they soon decay.
The best true Account that we have of the Primitive wild Inhabitants of
the Earth, not civilized by Government, nor assisted by Learning, Arts
and Communication with Strangers, is of the _Canaanites_; whose State of
Nature the _Indians_ still retain, resembling them in most Respects, who
may be their Cousins descended from _Joktan_, and may be some cursed
Generations, for Reasons hidden from us. For which Causes they might be
separated from the rest of Mankind, and be debarred the Light of
_Grace_, and kept in their barbarous Ignorance, for their obstinate
Rebellion against _God_; till of his gracious Goodness and Mercy he be
pleased in his appointed Time to compleat their Conversion, and be more
favourable to them.
I have a much truer and clearer Notion of the _Canaanites_, _Hebrews_,
&c. since I have seen the _Indians_, than I could have before, who
afford living Examples of the primitive _Savages_, and _Idolaters_.
To confirm this, observe; that as the Inhabitants of the Land of
_Canaan_, who were vanquished by the _Israelites_, and were principally
descended from _Canaan_ the fourth Son of accursed _Ham_, being a
Mixture of several remarkable Nations that were great and idolatrous,
and in an especial Manner hateful to God, with frequent Wars and
Barbarities among themselves; in like Manner are the _American Indians_,
as savage, idolatrous, unbelieving, numerous, monstrous, idle and
delighting in War and Cruelty as their antient Relations the Inhabitants
of the Land of _Canaan_; and have as many different Nations, Languages,
and strange Names and Customs as the _Canaanites_, the _Jebusites_, the
_Hittites_, the _Hivites_, the _Perizites_, and the _Gergisites_. The
_Indians_ being subdivided into as many Branches and Sovereignties as
they, intermixt with as hideous Neighbours, as the Gigantick
_Philistines_ of the Race of _Misraim_; with the _Moabites_ and
_Amorites_, Descendants of _Lot_ by his own Daughters; with the
_Midianites_ and _Edomites_, the Posterity of _Midian_ and _Esau_.
The _Senecaa Indians_ in their War Dress may appear as terrible as any
of the Sons of _Anak_. The _Usherees_, _Shuterees_, and _Cherackees_ are
full as formidable as the _Hittites_, _Jebusites_, and _Amalakites_; and
a _Tuskaroodau_ is as savage and strange as any _Canaanite_, that dwelt
by the Sea; and a _Pomunkee_, _Sapony_, or _Sugarr_ is as fierce and
frightful as any _Amorite_ that dwelt upon or beyond the Mountains; and
_Powhatan_, _Oppechancanough_ and _Wickmaunatauchee_ have fought many
Battles not unlike _Og_, _Sihon_, and _Chederlaomer_.
In my mean Judgment it seems not improbable that when _Noah_ had cursed
the Posterity of _Ham_, and reserved different blessings for _Shem_ and
_Japheth_, God set a distinguishing Colour upon their Bodies, and
ingrafted in their Nature various Tempers, and endowed them with
separate Talents. From whence their Posterity are of three different
Complexions and Countenances, as is apparent in _White_, _Black_, and
_Brown_ People, which by Mixtures, or from Climates or otherwise are
subdivided: Particularly the _brown_ Children of _Shem_ have two
peculiar Aspects different from each other, and distinct from all the
rest; one proper to the _Jews_, the Sons of _Peleg_, and the other
belonging to the _East_ and _West-Indies_, the Sons of _Joktan_,
_Peleg_'s younger Brother.
To the _white_ Posterity of _Japheth_, viz. to the _Europeans_ in
particular are _Noah_'s Words (_Gen._ ix. 27.) very applicable, where he
said, _that God should enlarge_ Japheth, _and he should dwell in the
Tents of_ Shem, _and_ Canaan _shall be his Servant_; which seems
fulfilled in our Possession of Lands in the _East_ and _West-Indies_,
the Tents of the Sons of _Shem_, where _Canaan_ or the _Negroe_ is our
Servant and Slave; and as it is said of him in the 25{th} Verse, _a
Servant of Servants is_ Canaan _unto his Brethren_.
For the _Negroes_ seem evidently to be Descendants from some of the Sons
of _Canaan_. For it is not to be supposed that the _Jews_ destroyed them
all, for the _Families of the_ Canaanites _were spread abroad_, Gen. x.
18. so that probably in process of Time they possessed _Africa_. As for
the _Blessing upon_ Shem in the 26{th} Verse, and _Canaan being his
Servant_; this appears to be fulfilled in the _Jews_ in Part, descended
from _Peleg_, _Heber_'s eldest Son; from whom sprung _Abraham_ the
Father of the Faithful, in whose Seed the Lord God of _Shem_ may be said
to be blessed according to _Noah_'s Prophecy, who made Part of _Canaan_
Slaves, and took them Captive. And as for the other Branches of _Shem_'s
Posterity by _Joktan_ (which Sound is not quite lost in either of the
_Indies_) I take them to be the _East_ and _West-Indians_, _Chinese_,
and _Tartars_; and it may be the _Persians_, for whom with their Cousins
the _Jews_, none but God knows what Blessings may still be reserved in
Store, it being to be hoped that they and all the Ends of the World may
be converted, and see and partake of the Salvation of our God; so that
by all may the Lord God of _Shem_ at length be blessed.
_Thus far_, as to my Notions of the Original of the _Indians_, whom I
imagine to be descended from some of the Sons of _Joktan_, second Son of
_Eber_, sprung from _Shem_, _Noah_'s eldest Son: With a Derivation of
the _Whites_ from _Japheth_ the youngest, and the _Negroes_ from some of
the Sons of _Canaan_, Descendant of _Ham_, _Noah's_ second Son.
CHAP. II.
_Of the Government, Religion, Habit, Wars, Lives, Customs, &c. of the_
Indians of North America, _and_ of Christanna.
As to the Government and Life of the _Indians_, they live in a kind of
patriarchal Manner, variously diversify'd, not unlike the Tribes and
Families mentioned in the _Old Testament_. Every small Town is a petty
Kingdom govern'd by an absolute _Monarch_, assisted and advised by his
_great Men_, selected out of the gravest, oldest, bravest, and richest;
if I may allow their Dear-Skins, _Peak_ and _Roenoak_ (black and white
Shells with Holes, which they wear on Strings about their Arms and
Necks) to be Wealth.
Sometimes there are general _Emperors_, who have several petty Kingdoms
in some Measure under their Protection and Power.
They dwell in Towns some twenty, some a hundred Miles, and some farther
from one another, each Town having a particular _Jargon_ and peculiar
Customs; though for the most Part they agree in certain Signs,
Expressions, and Manners.
They are frequently at War with all their Neighbours, or most of them,
and treat their Captive Prisoners very barbarously; either by scalping
them (which I have seen) by ripping off the Crown of the Head, which
they wear on a Thong by their Side as a signal Trophee and Token of
Victory and Bravery. Or sometimes they tie their Prisoners, and lead
them bound to their Town, where with the most joyful Solemnity they kill
them, often by thrusting in several Parts of their Bodies scewers of
Light-wood which burn like Torches. The poor Victim all the while (which
is sometimes two or three Days) not shewing the least Symptom of Grief,
nor Sign of Pain, but bearing it with a scornful Sullenness.
In their Rejoicings and Wardances they with the most antick Gestures, in
the most frightful Dress, with a hideous Noise, enumerate the Enemies,
that they have murder'd, and such like Exploits.
They attack always by Surprize, and will never stand their Ground when
discovered; but fly to Ambush, whither the Enemy may pursue with Peril
of his Life.
They are made for running very swiftly, and are nicely dextrous at
fishing, hunting, and fowling; whereby they support themselves and
Families with Venison, Fish, wild Turkies, _&c._
The Women do all the hard Labour, such as cutting down the Trees,
planting Corn, _&c._ carrying Burthens and all their other Work; the Men
only hunting, fishing and fowling, eating, drinking, dancing and
sleeping.
The Boys still use Bows and Arrows for Exercise, with which they are
very dextrous; but the Men always use Fire-Arms, which with Ammunition
they buy of us with their Dear-Skins, going rarely out unarmed.
They are so wonderfully quick-sighted, that they will swiftly pursue by
_Eye_ the Track of any Thing among the Trees, in the Leaves and Grass,
as an Hound does by the Scent, where _we_ can't perceive the least Mark
or Footstep.
They cohabit in some hundreds of Families, and fix upon the richest
Ground to build their wooden Houses, which they place in a circular
Form, meanly defended with Pales, and covered with Bark; the middle Area
(or _Forum_) being for common Uses and publick Occasions. The Women in
order to plant their _Indian Corn_ and _Tobacco_ (to clear the Ground of
Trees) cut the Bark round; so that they die and don't shade the Ground,
and decay in Time.
Wherever we meet with an old _Indian Field_, or Place where they have
lived, we are sure of the best Ground. They all remove their Habitation
for fear of their Enemies, or for the Sake of Game and Provision.
They have small Sweating Houses like Ovens; out of which when they are
almost smothered with Heat, they run into a River, which they always
contrive to build their Towns near.
This Practice in all Distempers often kills vast Numbers in Sicknesses,
which are new to them.
They have no Notion of providing for Futurity; for they eat Night and
Day whilst their Provision lasts, falling to as soon as they awake, and
falling asleep again as soon as they are well crammed.
Their Fish, Flesh, and Fowl, they either barbacue on an high Gridiron,
or broil on sharp Sticks before a Fire, which they always keep in the
Middle of their Cabbin; and they lie upon Boards and Skins raised like
Benches round about their Room.
Their Drink is Water, unless they can get _Rum_; with which they make
themselves the greatest Beasts, never ceasing as long as they have
Liquor to drink, and can keep awake.
I have known, when Cows have been given them, that they let them go dry
for Laziness in neglecting to milk them, and die in the Winter for want
of Fodder.
They commonly wear a Dear-Skin, putting their Arms thro' the Holes of
the Shoulder, with a Flap ty'd before and behind to cover their
Nakedness; though they buy often _Matchcoats_ or Blankets now, to defend
them from the Wet and Cold, and think themselves very fine in such Coats
as our common Soldiers wear, or of any taudry Colours: Besides this,
some pin Pieces of red or blue Cloth about their Legs, and make
_Moccasons_ or leather Purses for their Feet, with which they can travel
in the Woods, without Danger of Thorns or Stumps. For all the Country is
but one continued Forest, with Patches of some hundred Acres here and
there cleared; either being formerly seated by _Indians_, or the Trees
being burnt in Fire-Hunting, or cut down for Plantations.
Their Children almost as soon as born, are ty'd flat on their Backs to a
Board; and so may be flung on the Ground, or put to lean against any
Thing, or be flung over their Neck in Travelling, or hung upon a Bough,
as Occasion requires.
This occasions them to be exactly strait; so that it is a Miracle to see
a crooked or deformed _Indian_.
Their Hair is very black, coarse and long; and they are all over daubed
frequently with Bear's Oil.
Each Nation has some distinguishing Mark, especially in the Cut or Tie
of their Hair, in which they are very whimsical and comical.
They often wear Shells hanging upon their Breasts, with Feathers or a
Deer's Tail in their bored Ears or Hair, with a Wolf or Fox-Skin for a
Snapsack; with other odd Accoutrements.
In their Opinion, they are finest when dressed most ridiculously or
terribly. Thus some have their Skins all over curiously wrought with
blewish Lines and Figures, as if done with Gun-Powder and Needles, and
all of them delight in being painted; so that when they are very fine,
you may see some of them with their Hair cut off on one Side, and a long
Lock on the other. The Crown being crested and bedaubed with red Lead
and Oil; their Forehead being painted white, and it may be their Nose
black, and a Circle of Blue round one Eye, with the Cheek red, and all
the other Side of the Face yellow, or in some such fantastical Manner.
These Colours they buy of us, being persuaded to despise their own,
which are common and finer.
They are treacherous, suspicious and jealous, difficult to be persuaded
or imposed upon, and very sharp, hard in Dealing, and ingenious in their
Way, and in Things that they naturally know, or have been taught; though
at first they are very obstinate, and unwilling to apprehend or learn
Novelties, and seem stupid and silly to Strangers.
An Instance of their resolute Stupidity and Obstinacy in receiving a new
Custom, I have seen in the prodigious Trouble of bringing them to sell
their Skins, and buy Gunpowder by Weight; for they could not apprehend
the Power and Justice of the Stilliard; but with the Scales at Length
they apprehended it tolerably well; though at first they insisted upon
as much Gunpowder as the Skin weighed, which was much more than their
Demand in Measure. They have Geographical Notions, as to the Situation
of their own Country, and will find the Way to very remote Places in a
surprizing Manner; steering by the Course of the Rivers, _&c._ or by the
Trees, whose _North_ Side is easily known by the Moss.
Thus I know, that _Wickmannatauchee_ (a great King among the _Southern
Indians_) whom I saw just before, and since, when he made his Escape
from his Enemy _Indians_ at _Christanna_, where his _Queen_ and
abundance of his People were slain, and he ty'd in order to be carried
away Prisoner; yet broke loose, and ran directly Home several hundred
Miles stark-naked, without Arms or Provision, in the Month of _March_,
when the Trees afforded no Fruit; neither did he go near any other
Nation, till he got to his own; therefore I suppose Roots were his
Provision, and Water his Liquor, unless by some cunning Method (with
which they abound) he caught Fish, Fowl, or Venison; and as for Fire I
know they can kindle that by rubbing of certain Sticks together.
They count their Time by Days, or by the Return of the Moon, and
_Cohonks_, a sort of wild Geese. They walk one after another in a Line,
are very serious in Debates, speak but one at a Time; and in
Negotiations all agree to what either proposes or approves of, and are
not easily imposed upon; and when affronted, they highly resent
Injuries, and being treacherous are no more to be trusted than tame
_Lions_, who can't wholly lose their savage Hearts.
They have tolerable good Notions of natural Justice, Equity, Honour and
Honesty, to the Rules whereof the great Men strictly adhere; but their
common People will lye, cheat, and steal.
They seldom commit Violence upon the _English_, but when provoked, or
put on by others.
The _French_, that are seated upon the River of St. _Laurence_ and the
_Messisippi_, and the Lakes between them in _Canada_ and _Lovisiana_,
which extend behind all the _English Plantations_ along the Heart of
_North America_ a vast Way, from the most Northern Parts of the _French_
Settlements, which are contiguous quite to the Gulf of _Mexico_, are
numerous, and through the Policy of their late _King_ intermarry with
the _Indians_; by which means being united with them, they often set
them on to destroy the _English_, which may prove dangerous in Case of a
War with _France_.
But to prevent more Mischiefs of this kind, Providence has secured us
from them by a continued Ridge of vast high Hills, called the
_Apelachian Mountains_, running nearly under the _Meridian_, as being
passable but in very few Places; which Mountains through the Care and
Conduct of the _Honourable Colonel Spotswood_ are secured for his
Majesty, tho' not guarded as yet; which might easily be done to the
great Safety and Encouragement of back Settlements in a vast rich
Country Westward of the Settlements of _Virginia_, some hundred of Miles
from the Sea quite to the Mountains, which might prove a Terror to the
_French Indians_ and _Planters_, in Case of Inroads and Irruptions, and
become a Safeguard to the Trade of those Places.
_Governor Spotswood_, when he undertook the great Discovery of the
_Passage_ over the _Mountains_, attended with a sufficient Guard and
Pioneers and Gentlemen, with a sufficient Stock of Provision, with
abundant Fatigue _passed_ these _Mountains_, and cut _his Majesty's
Name_ in a _Rock_ upon the _Highest_ of them, naming it MOUNT GEORGE;
and in Complaisance the Gentlemen from the Governor's Name, called the
Mountain next in Height, _Mount Alexander_.
For this Expedition they were obliged to provide a great Quantity of
Horse-Shoes; (Things seldom used in the lower Parts of the Country,
where there are few Stones:) Upon which Account the Governor upon their
Return presented each of his Companions with a Golden Horse-Shoe, (some
of which I have seen studded with valuable Stones resembling the Heads
of Nails) with this Inscription on the one Side: _Sic juvat transcendere
montes_: And on the other is written the tramontane Order.
This he instituted to encourage Gentlemen to venture backwards, and make
Discoveries and new Settlements; any Gentleman being entitled to wear
this Golden Shoe that can prove his having drank _His Majesty's Health_,
upon MOUNT GEORGE.
He built a Fort called _Christanna_, which tho' not so far back, yet
proved of great Service and Use; where at his sole Expence (I think) I
have seen Seventy Seven _Indian Children_ at a Time at School, under the
careful Management of the worthy Mr. _Charles Griffin_, who lived there
some Years for that Purpose; from whom I have been informed of most of
the _Indian_ Customs and Principles, that I here mention, except such as
I have seen and known my self.
These Children could all read, say their Catechisms and Prayers
tolerably well; but this pious Design being laid aside thro' the
Opposition of Trade and Interest, Mr. _Griffin_ was removed to the
College to teach the _Indians_, instructed there by the Benefaction of
the _Honourable Mr. Boyle_.
The _Indians_ so loved and adored him, that I have seen them hug him and
lift him up in their Arms, and fain would have chosen him for a _King_
of the _Sapony_ Nation.
The _Southern Indians_, that came several hundred Miles to meet the
_Governor_, there to treat of War, and Peace, and Trade, though they had
several murthered by their own _Northern_ Enemies, (even under the
Mouths of our great Guns, and whilst we were there) which made them
somewhat jealous that we had betray'd them; yet left several Children
under his Care, and engaged themselves to send more, though they
themselves would not relinquish their Barbarity; for they in reasoning
with us by Interpreters, asked Leave to be excused from becoming as we
are; for they thought it hard, that we should desire them to change
their Manners and Customs, since they did not desire us to turn
_Indians_: However, they permitted their Children to be brought up in
our Way; and when they were able to judge for themselves, they were to
live as the ENGLISH, or as the INDIANS, according to their best liking.
The _Indians_ have a blind Worship and Sacrifice, Priests, and
Physicians, and Expiation, with howling Lamentations and Purgation at
their Burials: All which I have seen at the Funeral of their Slain at
_Christanna_, whom they buried thus; having made Holes like Saw-Pits,
and lined them with Bark and Sticks, they wrapped the Bodies in the best
Cloth they could buy with the Skins of the Deceased, and laid them in
the Graves, with all the Cloths, Skins and Nicknacks of the Dead: Then
they covered the Body hollow with Sticks, and flung in the Earth with
mournful Noise; so the Bodies lay as in Coffins.
The Priest or Physician in curing the Wounded, made an hideous Noise,
singing certain Charms, with particular Actions and Forms of
Incantation, to which he ascribed the Cure, tho' I believe this is done
only to blind the common _Indians_; for I observed he did not begin his
Operation, till he had been in the Woods. Then he shut us all out for an
Hour, and when we were readmitted, I perceived he had been using certain
Roots and Herbs that I knew not.
Upon Enquiry, we have from them these their Notions of the State of the
Dead.
They believe that they go to _Mohomny_ that lives beyond the Sun, if
they have not been Wicked, nor like Dogs nor Wolves, that is, not
unchast, then they believe that _Mohomny_ sends them to a plentiful
Country abounding with Fish, Flesh and Fowls, the best of their Kind,
and easy to be caught; but if they have been naughty, then he sends them
to a poor barren Country, where be many Wolves and Bears, with a few
nimble Deer, swift Fish and Fowls, difficult to be taken; and when
killed, being scarce any thing but Skin and Bones.
They allow Polygamy, if the Man can maintain his Family, as I have been
informed.
They punish Adultery in a Woman by cutting off her Hair, which they fix
upon a long Pole without the Town; which is such a Disgrace that the
Party is obliged to fly, and becomes a Victim to some Enemy, a Slave to
some Rover, or perishes in the Woods.
They have certain _Hieroglyphical_ Methods of characterizing Things; an
Instance of which I have seen upon the Side of a Tree where the Bark was
taken off.
There was drawn something like a Deer and a River, with certain Strokes
and Dashes; the Deer looking down the River, which we interpreted to be
left for Information to some of their stragling Company, that certain of
them were gone down that River a Hunting, and others were gone different
Ways.
I know by the Boys at the College, that they have an excellent _Genius_
for Drawing; and I fancy by Art they might be made some of the best
Masters of Painting and Limning, to which they seem naturally inclined.
They hate Injury and Oppression; and I have been told they have some
capital Punishments.
Besides the _French_, the _Traders_ of some Companies and Countries
often set the _Indians_ on to injure the _English_ on the Frontiers, out
of a barbarous inhuman Design; and often private Injuries done by some
of our ordinary or vile People (who esteem and use the _Indians_ as
Dogs) are repaid with publick Barbarity.
An Instance of their Resolutions for Satisfaction, we have in the Death
of _Major Wynne_, who was shot by an _Indian_, because one of our
Servants had killed one of their _great Men_; and upon the Trial of the
_Indian_, they pleaded that we were the Aggressors, and that they never
rest without Revenge and Reprisals; and that now they said we and they
were equal, having each lost a _great Man_: Wherefore to avoid more
Bloodshed, there was a Necessity to pardon the _Indian_.
They report that the _Northern Indians_ send out Bodies of young Fellows
yearly, who dare not return without a certain Number of Scalps or
Prisoners, in order to train them up, and qualify them for great and
fighting Men.
Now these, and such as are set on by others, do some Mischief (tho' but
very seldom) in the Frontier Plantations, tho' they be guarded with
Rangers; and these with such as think themselves injured are the
_Indians_ that make Wars, and such Disturbance in the _Northern_ and
_Southern_ Colonies: But the tributary _Indians_, of which there are but
four very small Nations in _Virginia_ on this Side the Mountains, keep
to the Bounds allowed them, and seldom do any Hurt, being sure to be
punished for Offences in a great Measure by our Laws, since we protect
and shelter them, by permitting them to live among us; tho' sometimes
they will pretend to claim their prior Right to all our Lands, as _Blunt
King of the Tuskaroodaus_ did, when he told _Colonel Spotswood_ that the
Country belonged to them before we _English_ came thither; so that he
thought they had a better Title than we, and ought not to be confined to
such narrow Limits for Hunting.
To retort this Argument, the Governor told him that _Mohomny_ took the
Ground from _them_ and gave it _us_, because _we_ did as he bid us, but
_they_ would not.
_Blunt_ answered, that _they_ could not tell what _Mohomny_ would have
them do; and asked how we knew.
The _Governor_ then told him that _Mohomny_ sent his _Son_ to us, who
lived a long time with us, and told us and taught us what we should do;
and then he went back again to his _Father_.
With this _King Blunt_ seemed satisfied and surprized; and after a
Pause, he said, he had talked with several Governors and other
_English_, but he really never before heard that _Mohomny_ had a Son.
I relate this, to shew how by Degrees, after proper Methods, they may be
humoured, and brought to have some Notions of the true Religion, when
their Capacity and Temper is rightly studied and managed; for we must
_give Milk to_ such _Babes_ in Faith.
Some indeed, after seeming Conversion have apostatized and returned to
their own Ways, chiefly because they can live with less Labour, and more
Pleasure and Plenty, as _Indians_, than they can with us; but this might
easily be remedied by making a plentiful Provision for them, especially
those at the _College_, by sending some to Sea, and putting out others
to Trades, and not letting them idle away their Time, nor return to
their Towns so soon, before they be perfect in the Understanding and
Approbation of our Customs and Religion, and have seen some more of the
World, and be handsomly provided for; for then if they returned, they
might do Good to themselves and others.
This might by Degrees convert all the tributary and neighbouring
_Indians_; and the _Northern_ and _Southern Nations_ might be managed by
_Missionaries_ from the Society, and the _College Indians_.
These inland People are vastly numerous, as I have been told by the
Traders, who are sent out amongst them seven or eight hundred Miles,
with about a hundred Horses, and stay there sometimes for Years
together.
The Missionaries that are now sent, generally keep among the _English_,
and rarely see an _Indian_; or when they do, know but little how to
manage them; for you may as well talk Reason, Philosophy, or Divinity to
a _Block_, as to _them_, unless you perfectly understand their Temper,
and know how to humour them.
I believe indeed, Mr. _Andrews_, Missionary to the _Northern Indians_,
in the _late Queen_'s Time, did great Good among them in seven Years: In
which Time, he found out something of their Nature, and translated Part
of our Prayers and Psalms into their Language: Which Book when he gave
me, he told me that it had not the desired Effect, neither did his
Preaching avail as much as could be wished, because Policy and Interest
intervening often superseded the Promotion of the Gospel, and the
debauched Lives and vile Practices of our ordinary People give Examples
very pernicious to Religion; for the _Indians_ think, that _they_ may
surely be allowed the same Liberty as _we_; and if our Folks don't act,
as they say, they should, the _Indians_ may think the _Christian
Profession_ to be a Cheat, when our pretended Principles are
contradicted by our Actions.
I have here specified some general Customs and Notions of the _Indians_,
without a superficial Knowledge of which Things the Government and
Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, may be at great
Trouble and Expence, and yet make but small Progress in the Propagation
of Learning, Religion and good Manners among the _Heathen Indians of
America_; who in Gross may all be said to be such, as I have here given
an Account of.