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THE IROQUOIS;

OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO

AMERICAN HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES,

GENERAL ETHNOLOGY.

BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT,

Hon. Memb. of the Royal Soc. of Northern Antiquaries : Hon. Mem. of the Royal Geog. Soc. of

London: Mem. Ordin. of the Ethnological Soc. of Paris: Vice Pie.iident of the Am. Kthn.

Soc. at New York: Cor. Mem of the New Vorii Lyceum i>f Nat. Hiat : Mem. of

the Am. Philos. Soc, and of the Am. .U-ad. of the Nat. Sciences at Philad.:

of the .Ira. Antiq.. and of the Am. fJeoio?. Societies: Hon Mem.

of the New ITork Hut. Soc: Mem. "of the Hist. Soc. of

Peonsylvania, Georgia, Rhode Island, Connect!

cut and Ohio, &c, &c., &c.

ALBANY: ERASTUS H. PEASE & CO., 82 STATE STREET.

1847.

Entered according to act of Congres::, in the year, 1847, BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT,

In the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New York.

.17^ "^

J. MUNSELL, PRINTER, ALBANY.

PREFACE.

The aboriginal nation, whose statistics and history, past and present, are brought into dis- cussion in this treatise, stand out prominently in the foreground of our own history. They have sustained themselves for more than three centuries, against the intruding and progressive races of Europe. During the period of the planting of the colonies, their sachems stood as independent embassadors, before the representa- tives of kings, and the general eloquence, di- plomacy, and military exploits of the several cantons composing their confederacy, gave them a name and reputation coeval with Europe. No nation of the widely spread red race of America, has displayed so high and heroic a love of liberty, united with the true art of government, and personal energy and stamina of character, as the Iroquois. The races of the equinoctial latitudes,

IV PREFACE.

who obeyed respectively the sceptre of the Incas, and of the princes of Anahuac, have indeed enlisted a wider sympathy and risen to higher fame in the world's history, but it has been the fame earned by the labors and arts of subdued multitudes, and the sympathy consequent on overwhelming national misfortune ; this is the difference between the empires of Peru and Mexico, and the high-toned Iroquois republic ; but neither letters, Christianity, nor liberty, have cause to lament the fall of the two former em- pires. The policy and wisdom by which the Iroquois met and resisted the inroads of Euro- pean power, and prevented the overturning of their institutions, furnishes the highest evidence of their superiority as an active, thinking race of men. They watched, as with eagle glance, en- croachments upon their national rights. They kept their central council fire at Onondaga bright, and often met from all the canto'ns, from the east and west, to deliberate on their affairs; and when a war was resolved on against a trespass- ing or impinging foe, of their own race, they concentrated every effort to carry it on, and flew to the contest to root up, and tear out their name and place among men. No leading event, in fine, in the history of the colonies, has been

PREFACE. V

consummated without the power, in peace or war, of the Iroquois. They were present under the British standard, at the siege of Niagara, at the overthrow of Baron Deiskau, at Lake George, and at the fall of Montcalm at Quebec. The colonies of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylva- nia, felt the strong influence of the policy of their confederacy. In any political scheme of the colonies, the course of the Iroquois, in the ques- tion at issue, was ever one of the deepest moment, and he must be a careless reader of history, who does not perceive how vital an element they became in all the interior transactions, between A. D. 1600, at the general period of the settle- ment of the colonies, and the close of the war of American Independence.

The stirring events of their wars are mingled, more or less, with the history of each of the colo- nies, and impart to them much of their interest. To extract them and set them in order, as a branch of American history, would constitute a theme of no ordinary attraction.* But the task I had taken in hand did not contemplate a his-

* It is to be regretted, that Golden, who viewed the subject in this light, drops his excellent outlines, (so essential to all who wish to study the Iroquois history), with the antique date of the peace of Ryswick, A. D. 1697, a period, when, indeed, their republic had hardly culminated.

VI PREFACE.

tory. It seemed desirable that before the modem materials of the Iroquois history could be well employed, we should accumulate something tangible and certain of their general polity^wars, and actual statistics, and also something of the ancient period of their earlier traditions, and lore, which might help the inquirer to clear up the boundaries of historical mystery which shroud the Indian period, prior to 1492. This forms the true epoch of American ethnology.

It was a desideratum in American statistics, that a complete census, of one of the primary stocks, who had lived in our neighborhood all this time, and still preserve their nationality, should betaken. This task New York executed in 1845. It appeared desirable to the agent ap- pointed to carry the act of the legislature into effect, that the opportunity should not be lost of making some notes of the kind here indicated ; and it is in this feature indeed, if any thing in the following notes, that they aspire to the cha- racter of research, though they be intended only to shadow forth outlines, to be filled up hereafter.

In reprinting the original notes, in order to supply a demand of the public for them, which is still unabated, the occasion has been taken to revise them, and to add other j)ortions of the

PREFACE. Vll

original materials, which were suppressed in the publication, together with some further tradi- tions, and biographical and historical notices and researches, which it is thought will tend to impart further interest and value to the work.

ERRATA. Page 1, 6th line, contents of cliap , for congerity read longevity. " 14, 13th line from bottom, tor and read than. " 40, lath line from top, for end read era. ■' 48, 3rd Hue from top. for literary read literally.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary observations, ..... l Obstacles opposed to statistical inquiries among the

North American Indians, - - - - - 5

Progressive state of agriculture, ~ .... 9

Evils of the annuity system, 12

Grain and fruits raised - 14

Ancient and present state of the Iroquois population

compared, 22

General deductions on their longevity and effects of cli- mate, -.-.----- 27 Proportion of deaf and dumb and blind, - - - 28 Remnants of the tribes of Algonquin lineage of southern

New York, 31

Abstract of census returns, ----- 32

CHAPTER II.

HISTORICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL INQUIRIES.

Sketch of the Iroquois group of aboriginal tribes, - 39

Ethnological suggestions, ...... 5Q

Indian cosmogony, - - - - - - - 61

Gleams of their ancient history, .... 64

1*

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER III.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS AS A DISTINCT PEOPLE.

Mohawks, 71

Oneidas and the Oneida Stone, - - . . 75

Onondagas, -.--.---88

Cayugas, - - -92

Senecas and their origin, ------ 96

Tuscaroras and their flight from North Carolina, - 104 Necariages, - - - - - - - -113

St. Regis colony, - 114

CHAPTER IV. EPOCH AND PRINCIPLES OF THE IROQUOIS LEAGUE.

Objects of research, ...... 117

Era of the confederacy, 117

Principles of their government and the totemic bond, - 122

Ancient worship and system of astronomy, - - 137

Witchcraft, and its theory and practical evils, - • 139 Wife's right to property ; limited nature of marriage

contract, -------- 141

Idea of vampyres ; traditions in reference to, - - 142

CHAPTER V.

EARLY WARS AND POLITICAL RELATIONS OF THE IRO- QUOIS WITH THE OTHER NORTH AMERICAN TRIBES.

War with an ancient people called Alleghans, - - 147

Lenno Lenapees, or Delawares, . - - - 148

Mohegans, Munsees, Manhattans, Metoacs, - - 150

Adirondacks, .--.-.-- 152

Algonquins, -------- 153

Ovvegungas, -- 154

Shawnees, 154

Eries, 155

CONTENTS.

XI

Susquehannocks, . - . - Massawomacs, . . - - Catabas, .....

Cherokees, their history and language, Quatoghies, or Hurons, ... Wyandots, ..... Twightwies, or Miamies, ... Mississagies, - . - - . Chippewa or Odjibwa group,

155 155 156 157 161 164 165 16S 168

CHAPTER VI.

ARCHEOLOGY.

Vestiges of an ancient French fort in Lenox, Ancient site of the Onondagas, Antiquities of Pompey, - - - - Ancient fortification of Osco, - - - Ancient elliptical work at Canandaigua, - Ancient entrenchments on Fort Hill, Ancient rock citadel of Kienuka, Ancient battle field on Buffalo creek,

174

177

188 192 196 198 207 213

CHAPTER VII. ANCIENT STATE OF INDIAN ART IN NORTH AMERICA.

Architectural ruins, - 219

Remains, sculpture and inscriptions, .... 220

Effect of European fabrics, ..... 220

Arrow heads and axes, 221

Pottery, 222

Architecture, ----.... 224

Art of design, 225

Amulets, &c., 226

Clothing, &c., 229

XU CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

RELICS FOUND IN THE ANTIQUE GRAVES AND TUMULI OF WESTERN NEW YORK.

Nabikoaguna — medals, ---.-- 231

Medaeka — amulets, 235

Attajeguna — implements, &c., ----- 238

Opoaguna — pipes, ---... 239

Minacea — beads, 242

Peaga — wampums, ------ 424

Mudwamina — jingling dress ornaments, - - - 244

Otoaguna — ear jewels, - ----- 246

Ochalisa — nose jewels, ..-.-- 247

j^sa — shells, coins, ornaments, - - - - 248

CHAPTER IX.

ORAL TRADITIONS OF THE IROQUOIS, HISTORICAL AND IMAGINATIVE.

Ancient shipwreck of a vessel on the North American

coast, --- 251

Forays into the country of the Cherokees and Catabas, 252

Exploit of Haideoni, 253

Seneca embassy of peace to the Cherokees, and heroic

exploit of Awl, 258

Grave yard serpent and corn giant, - - - . 259

Tradition of the siege of Fort Stanwix, - - . 261

Tradition of the defeat of the Kah-kwahs, - - - 261

Epoch of the confederacy, ----- 262

Some passages of their wars with monsters and giants, 262

The Iroquois Quetzalcoatl, . - . . - 270

CONTENTS. Xlll CHAPTER X.

TOPICAL INQUIRIES.

Who were the Eries ? 286

Building of the first vessel on the upper lakes, - - ^89

Who were the AUeghans ? . . - . . 305

"War with the Kah-kwahs, 318

Antique inscribed stone of Manlius, .... 323 Original discovery of the Onondaga country by the

French, 329

Burning of Schenectady, -.--.. 345 Antique currency of the Manhattanese and their neigh- bors, -----.-.- 355 Cherokee tradition of the deluge, - . - . 358 Asiatic origin of the Indian race, .... 360 Lost colony of Kasonda, -•--.. 373

CHAPTER XL

LANGUAGE.

Structure of the class of American languages, - - 382 Comparative vocabulary of the Iroquois and its cognate

the Wyandot, 393

CHAPTER XIL

MORAL AND SOCIAL CONDITION AND PROSPECTS.

Mission of Pyrlaus and Romeyn - - - - 401

The Jesuits, 403

Churches among the Mohawks, &c., ... - 406

Kirkland — Conversion of Skenandoah, - - - 408

Evil effects of the war, .-.-.. 409

Duties of civilized society to the Indians, - - 412

XIV

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII.

MISCELLANEOUS TRAITS, ETC.

Soiengarahta, or King Hendriclc, - . - . 413

Infijnt Atotarho of the Onondagas, .... 421

Red Jacket and the Wyandot claim to supremacy, - 423

Pocahontas, .---.... 425

Anecdote of Brant, 427

Universal suffrage, the Iroquois considered, - - 427

County clerk and the wolf scalp, - . - . 429

Family of the Thunderers, 429

ORIGINAL NOTES.

Letter from Secretary of State, Indian reservations in New York, Memoranda, - - - - - Sketches of an Indian council, - Indian fort at Pompey, ... Mr. Cusick's letter on the Tuscaroras, David Cusick's book, ... Ancient work on Fort Hill, Auburn, - Account of Fort Hill, Le Roy, Moral and religious state of Tuscaroras, Tuscarora vocabulary, ... Senecas of Cattaraugus, - . . Senecas of Alleghany, ... Mohawk and Cayuga vocabularies, Statistics of the Oneidas, Iroquois laws of descent, ... King Hendrick, ....

435 437 438 461 468 473 475 479 480 485 487 489 492 493 493 495 497

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Soiengarahta, . . -	Frontispiece.
Oneida stone, - - - • .	•	77	79,80
Atotarho, -				91
Site of ancient fort in Lenox, - - -				175
Ancient site of the Onondagas, -				178
Ancient fortification of Osco, - - -				193
Ancient elliptical work at Canandaigua,				197
Ancient entrenchments on Fort Hill,				199
Antique rock citadel of Kienuka,				210
Ancient battle field on Buffalo creek,				215
Nabikoaguna antique.				233
do Iroquois, ...				234
do cameo, ...				235
do mnemonic, ...				235
Medaeka Missouric, ...				236
do dental, . - . -				237
do okun, . . . -				238
Attajeguna Deoseowa, - . - .				239
Opoaguna Algonquin,				240
do Aztec, . . . .				241
do Iberic, ....				241
do Etruscan, . . . .				242
Minacea Alleghanic,				243
Peaga lowan, .....				244
Mudwamina Miskwabic,				245
do Ossinic, - . - -				245
do Wassaabic, ...				245
Otoaguna statuesque, ....				246
do pyramydal, - - -				246
do bifurcate, ....				247
do quadralateral, ...				247
Ochalisa Odaa,				248
^sa mariginella, . - - .				248
Manlius stone,				324
Portrait of Pocahontas, to face, -				425

HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

CHAPTEH I.

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Preliminary Observations — Obstacles opposed to Statis- tical Inquiries among the North American Indians — Progressive State of Agriculture — Evils of the An- nuity System — Grains and Fruits Raised — Ancient AND Present State of the Iroquois Population compared n , J

— General Deductions on their GowG«ft*T¥, and Effects / c-'vt^ LV ^ OF Climate — Proportion of Deaf and Dumb Persons, v

Idiots and Blind — Remnants of the Tribes of Algonquin Lineage of* Southern New York — Abstract of the Census Returns of the Oneidas, Onondagas, Senegas- Cayugas and Tuscaroras.

It is by the numbers of the several tribes of our North American stocks of red mpn, com- pared with their means of subsistence, and their capacity of producing the supply, that we are to judge of their advance or declension in the scale of civilization. The facts of their former history, their achievements in arms, or their at- tachment to peculiar modes of life and policy, re- tain an interest, irrespective of their present con-

2 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

dition. But when we perceive a capacity to main- tain themselves in the face of a European popu- lation, and to adopt the arts and agriculture of a higher civilization, the period of their bygone supremacy is invested with new interest. We seek with the more avidity to know by what means they have emerged from their past state, the rate of their increase, if there be any, and the general capacities they manifest for entering into the career of civilized life. Such is the con- dition of progress and change, under which we are led to inquire into the vital and agricultural statistics of the Iroquois.

The question of the original generic name, by which these tribes were denoted, the relation they bear to the other aboriginal stocks of Ameri- ca, and the probable era of their arrival, and location within the present boundaries of this state, is one, which was naturally suggested by the statistical inquiries before me. Difficult and uncertain as any thing brought forward on these subjects must necessarily te, it was yet desira- ble, in giving a view of the present and former condition of the people, that the matter should be glanced at. For, although nothing very satis- factory might be stated, it Avas still conceived to be well to give some answer to the intelligent inquirer, to the end, that it might at least be perceiA^ed the subject had not escaped notice.

A tropical climate, ample means of subsist- ence, and llieir consetjuonce, a concentrated and (ixed i)()pulati<>n, niised the ancient inhabit-

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 3

ants of Mexico, and some other leading nations on the continent, to a state of ease and semi-civil- ization, which have commanded the surprise and admiration of historians. But it may be said, in truth, that, in their fine physical t}^e, and in their energy of character, and love of inde- pendence, no people, among the aboriginal race, have ever exceeded, if any has ever equalled, the Iroquois.

Discoveries made in the settlement of New York, west of the De-o-wain-sta, or Stanwix Summit, have led to the belief, that there has been an ancient period of occupation of that fertile and expanded portion of the state, which terminat- ed prior to the arrival of the Iroquois. Evidences have not been wanting to denote, that a higher degree of civilization than any of these tribes possessed, had, at a remote period, begun to de- velope itself in that quarter. But, hitherto, the notices and examinations of the antiquities re- ferred to, although highly creditable to the ob- servers, and abounding in interest, have served rather to entangle, than reveal, the archaeologi- cal mystery which envelopes them. Some of these antiquarian traits, not appearing to the first settlers to be invested with the importance as industrial or military vestiges, now attached to them, have been nearly or quite obliterated by the plough. The spade of the builder and excavator has overturned others ; and at the rate of increase, which has marked our numbers and industry, since the close of the revolutionary

4 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

war, little or nothing- of this kind will remain, in a perfect state, very long.

To gratify the moral interest belonging to the subject, by full and elaborate plans and descrip- tions, would require time and means, very dif- ferent from any at my command at that time ; but the topic was one which admitted of inci- dental attention, while awaiting decisions and obviating objections, which some of the tribes urged to the general principles and policy of the census. And while the subject of full archseo- logical and ethnological survey of the state is left as the appropriate theme of future research, facts and traditions, bearing on these subjects, were obtained and minuted down, at various points.

In availing myself of the liberty extended to me in this particular, by the instructions of the legislature, I have, in fact, improved every pos- sible means of information. Notes and sketch- es were taken down from the lips of both white and red men, wherever the matter itself and the trust- worthiness of the individual appeared to jus- tify them. Many of the ancient forts, barrows and general places of ancient sepulchre were visit- ed, and of some of them, accurate plans, diagrams or sketches made on the spot, or obtained from other hands. A general interest was manifested in the subject by the citizens of western New York, wherever it was introduced, and a most ready and obliging disposition evinced, on all hands to promote the inquiry.

VITAL AND AGRICULTUEAL STATISTICS. O

The present being the first time* tliat a for- mal and full census of a nation or tribe of In- dians has been called for, with their industrial efforts, by any American or European govern- ment exercising authority on this continent, the principles and policy of the measure presented a novel question to the Iroquois, and led to ex- tended discussions. As these discussions, in which the speakers evinced no little aptitude, bring out some characteristic traits of the peo- ple, it may be pertinent, and not out of place here, briefly to advert to them.

As a general fact, the policy of a censns, and its beneficial bearings on society, were not un- derstood or admitted. f It seemed to these an- cient cantons to be an infringement on that independence of condition which they still claim and ardently cherish. In truth, of all sub- jects upon which these people have been called on to think and act, during our proximity to them of two or three centuries, that of political econo- my is decidedly the most foreign and least known to them, or appreciated by them, and the census movement was, consequently, the

* It forms no contradiction to the precise terms of this re- mark, that the Legislature of Virginia directed the number- ing of the Powhattanic tribes, within its boundaries, in 1788. Vide JeffersoTi's Notes on Virginia.

t To this remark, the Tuscaroras, who met the subject at once, in a frank and confidential manner, and the Onondagas, who appeared to be governed therein by the counsels of a single educated chief, form exceptions.

6 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

theme of no small number of suspicions and ca- vils and objections. Without any certain or generally fixed grounds of objection, it was yet the object of a fixed but changing opposition. If I might judge, from the scope of remarks made both in and out of council, they regarded it as the introduction of a Saxon feature into their institutions, which, like a lever, by some pro- cess not apparent to them, was designed, in its ultimate effects, to uplift and overturn them. And no small degree of pith and irony was put forth against it by the eloquent respondents who stood in the official attitude of their ancient ora- tors. Everywhere, the tribes exalted the ques- tion into one of nationtil moment. Grave and dignified sachems assembled in formal councils, and indulged in long and fluent harangues to their people, as if the very foundations of their ancient confederacy were about to be over- turned by an innovating spirit of political arith- metic and utilitarianism. When their true views were made known, however, after many days and adjourned councils, I found there was less objection to the mere numbering of their tribes and- families, than the (to them) scrutinizing de- mand, which the act called for, into their agri- cultural products, and the results of their indus- try. Pride also had some weight in the matter. "We have but little," said one of the chiefs, in a speech in council, " to exhibit. Those who have yielded their assent, have their barns well stored, and need not blush when you call."

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 7

Another topic mixed itself with the consider- ation of the census, and made some of the chiefs distrustful of it. I allude to the long disturbed state of their land question, and the treaty of compromise which has recently been made with the Ogden Company, by which the reversionary right to the fee simple of two of their reserva- tions has been modified. In this compromise, the Tonewandas, a considerable sub-tribe or de- partmental band of Senecas, did not unite ; yet the reservation which they occupy is one of the tracts to be given up. They opposed the cen- sus, from the mere fear of committing them- selves on this prior question, in some way, not very well understood by them, and certainly not well made out by their speakers. It is known that for many years, the general question of ce- ding their reservations, under the provisions of an early treaty of the state with the Six Na- tions, had divided the Senecas into two parties. A discussion, which has extended through near- ly half a century, in which Red Jacket had ex- hibited all his eloquence, had sharpened the na- tional acumen in negotiation, and produced a peculiar sensitiveness and suspicion of motive, whenever, in latter times, the slightest question of interest or policy has been introduced into their councils. This spirit evinced itself in the very outset of my visit, on announcing to cer- tain bands the requirements.of the census act. Some of them were, moreover, strongly disposed to view it as the preliminary step, on the part

8 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

of the legislature, to taxation. To be taxed, is an idea which the Iroquois regard with horror. They had themselves, in ancient days, put na- tions under tribute, and understood very well the import of a state tax upon their property.

"Why," said the Tonewanda chief, Deone- hogawa, (called John Blacksmith,) " why is this census asked for, at this time, when we are in a straitened position Avith respect to our reserva- vation ? Or if it is important to you or us, why was it not called for before ? If you do not wish to obtain facts about our lands and cattle, to tax us, what is the object of the census? What is to be done with the information after you take it to Governor Wright, at Skenectati I'"^

Hoeyanehqui, or Sky-carrier, a Buffalo chief, in answer to a question as to their views of the abstract right of the state to tax the tribes, evaded a direct issue, but assuming the ground of policy, compared the Iroquois to a sick man, and said, "that he did not believe the state would oppress one thus weak."

Kaweaka, a Tuscarora chief of intelligence, speaking the English language very well, in which he is called William Mount Pleasant,

* The aborifrines are very tenacious of their geographical names. This ancient name of the seat of government 1 found to be used, on every occasion, among the Senecas, when it was necessary to allude to Albany. Its transference on the conquest of the provinte, in 1664, to the banks of the Mo- hawk, in lieu of the aboriginal name of Onigaranmntel, never received, at least, their sanction.

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 9

gave a proof, in yielding to the measure promptly, that he had not failed to profit by the use of let- ters. " AVe know our own rights. Should the legislature attempt to tax us, our protection is in the Constitution of the United States, which for- bids it." This is the first appeal, it is thought, ever made by an Iroquois to this instrument. The clause referred to, relates hoAvever, wholly to representation in congress, [Vide Art. 1, Sec. II, 2d.] from the privileges of which it excludes "Indians not taxed," clearly implying that such persons might be represented in that body if taxed. Civilization and taxation appear to be inseparable.

Having detailed the steps taken in procur- ing the census, it only remains to subjoin a few remarks, which I beg leave to add, on the gene- ral features of the statistics and the results of their agriculture upon their condition and pros- pects.

The printed queries being prepared exclusively for a population in a high state of prosperity and progress, embrace many items for which there was no occasion, among pseudo hunters, herds- men, or incipient agriculturists. Neither privi- leged to vote, nor subject to taxation, nor milita- ry service, or covered by the common school system, or bearing any of the characteristic tests of citizenship, the questions designed to bring out this class of facts remained mere blanks. Others required to institute comparisons between a civilized and quasi savage state, were left by

10 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

the tenor of the instructions, to my own discre- tion. I should have been, I am free to confess, happy to have extended these comparative views much more fully than I have, going further into their vital statistics, their succedaneous modes of employment and subsistence, some parts of their lexicography, besides that affecting the names of places, and a few kindred topics, had not the legislature omitted to make provision for the expenses incidental to such extended labors, and the department to which I applied giving me little encouragement that the over- sight would be remedied. I have, however, proceeded to render the comparative tables effect- ual, and, I trust, satisfactory.

It cannot be said that the Iroquois cantons of New York have as yet any productive commerce, arts and manufactures. They are, to soine ex- tent, producers; furnish a few mechanics, and give employment to, and own a few lumber mills ; but it is believed, while some of the bands, and at least one of the entire cantons, namely, the Tuscaroras, raise more grain and stock, than is sufficient for their own full subsistence, the average of the agricultural products of the whole people is not more, at the most favorable view, than is necessary for their annual subsistence. If so, they add nothing to the productive industry of the state. But it is gratifying to know that they are at least able to live upon their own means; and their condition and improvement is (certainly within the era of the temperance

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 11

movement among them,) decidedly progressive and encouraging. They have reached the point in industrial progress, where it is only necessary to go forward. Numbers of families are emi- nently entitled to the epithet of good practical farmers, and are living, year in and year out, in the midst of agricultural affluence. That the proportion of individuals, thus advanced, is as considerable as the census columns denote it to be, is among the favorable features of the in- quiry. There would appear to be no inaptitude for mechanical ingenuity, but hitherto, the pro- portion of their actual number who have em- braced the arts, is, comparatively, very limited, not exceeding, at most, two or three to a tribe, and the effort has hitherto been confined to sil- versmiths,* blacksmiths, carpenters and coopers. A single instance of a wdieelwright and fancy wagon maker occurs.

Viewed in its extremes, society, in the Iro- quois cantons, still exhibits no unequivocal ves- tiges of the tie which bound them to the hunter state; and even, among the more advanced classes, there is too much depend ance on means of living which mark either the absolute barbaric state, or the first grade of civilization. Hunters they are, indeed, no longer; yet it was desirable

* The Iroquois, in adopting our costume, have transferred their ancient love of silver amulets, frontlets, and other bar- baric ornaments, to their guns and tomahawks, which are fre- quently richly inlaid with the shining metal, worked with great skill into the richest devices. They also fashion beauti- ful ear rings of silver for their women.

12 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

to ascertain how much of their present means of subsistence was derived from the chase. This will be found to be denoted in appropriate co- lumns. It is gratifying to observe, that the amount is so small, nor is it less so, to the cause of Indian civilization, to remark, that the uncer- tain and scanty reward of time and labor which the chase affords, is less and less relied on, in the precise ratio that the bands and neighborhoods advance in agriculture and the arts. In cases where the cultivation of English grains and the raising of stock have thoroughly enlisted atten- tion, the chase has long ceased to attract its an- cient votaries, and in these instances, which embrace some entire bands, or chieftaincies, it has become precisely what it is, in civilized commu- nities, where game yet exists, an amusement, and not a means of reward.

That delusive means of Indian subsistence, which is based on the receipt of money annui- ties from the government, still calls together an- nually, and sometimes oftener, the collective male population of these tribes, at an expense of time, and means, which is wholly dispropor- tioned, both to amount actually received, and the not unimportant incidental risks, moral and physical, incurred by the assemblage. I have denoted both the gross sum of these annuities, and the distributive share to heads of families, obtained from the office of the local government agents. These are believed to be authentic in amount. Estimated at the highest rate which

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 13

can be taken, the sum, per capita, of these an- nuities, will not, on an average of crops and prices, for a series of years, equal the cash value of seven bushels of wheat — a product, which, as a means of actual subsistence to the Indian fa- mily, would be of double or treble value. But this is far from being the worst effect of both the general and per capita cash distribution. Time and health are not only sacrificed to obtain the pittance, but he is fortunate who does not ex- pend the amount in the outward or return jour- ney to, or from the council house, or in the pur- chase of some showy but valueless articles, while attending there.

A still further evil, flowing from these annual gatherings for the payment of Indian annuities, is the stimulus Avhich it produces in assembling at such places, traders and speculating dealers of various kinds, who are versed in this species of traflic, and Avho well know the weak points of the native character, and how best to profit by them. In effect, few of the annuitants reach their homes with a dime. Most of them have expended all, and lost their time in addition. Health is not unfrequently sacrificed by living on articles, or in a manner not customary at home. The intemperate are confirmed in in- temperance; and the idle, foppish and gay, are only more enamored of idleness, foppishness and pleasure. That such a system, introduced at an early day, Avhen it was policy for govern- ments on this continent, foreign and domestic, to

14 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

throw out a boon before wandering, hostile, and savage tribes, to dispky their munificence, and effect temporary interests, should have been continued to the present day, is only to be ac- counted for, from the accumulated duties, per- petually advancing jurisdiction, and still imper- fectly organized state of that sub-department of the government, which exercises its, in some re- spects, anomalous administrative functions, un- der the name of the Indian bureau. So far as the Iroquois are affected by the policy adverted to, their interests demand an immediate considera- tion of the subject on enlarged principles. It behooves them to meditate whether, as a people, now semi-civilized, and exercising, in their in- ternal polity, the powers of an independent go- vernment, some more beneficial appropriation of the fund could not be made. Perhaps nothing f, would better serve to advance and exalt them,

'Vn (X Yi ^^ ^ people, •axi^ the application of these annui- ties to constitute a confederate school fund, un- der some compact or arrangement with the state, by which the latter should stipulate to extend the frame- work of the common school system over their reservations.

Horticulture, to some extent, and in a limited sense, was always an incident to the hunter state among these tribes, so far, at least, as we are acquainted with their history. They brought the zea maize with them, we must concede, on their early migration to the banks of the Mo- hawk, and the Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga and

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 15

Seneca basins ; for this grain is conceded, on all hands, to be a tropical, or at least a southern plant, and if so, it reveals the general course of their migration. It is of indigenous origin, and w^as not known in Europe before the discovery. We learned the mode of cultivation from them, and not they from us. This grain became the basis of their fixity of population, in the 14th or loth centuries, and capacity to undertake mili- tary enterprises. It was certainly cultivated in large fields, in their chief locations, and gave them a title to agriculturists ; and it is equally certain tha,t they had a kind of bean, perhaps the same called frijoles by the early Spaniards, and some species of ciicurbita. These were cul- tivated in gardens.

The tables will show a general and considera- ble advance, or any probable assumed basis of the cultivation of corn. We cannot consider this species of cultivation alone, however, as any characteristic evidence of advance in agricul- ture, while the more general introduction of it, and the harvesting of large fields of it, by sepa- rate families, is undoubtedly to be considered so. Taking the item of corn as the test, another and an important result will be perceived. In pro- portion as the cereals are cultivated, the ave- rage quantity of corn is diminished ; and these are the very cases where, at the same time, the degree of civilization is most apparent in other things.

The condition of herdsmen is deemed by theo-

16 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

rists and historians to be the first step in the progress from the hunter state. But we are in want of all evidence to show that there ever was, in America, a pastoral state. In the first place, the tribes had tamed no quadruped, even in the tropics, but the lama. The bison was never under any subjection, nor a fleece ever gathered, so far as history tells us, from the Big- horn or Rocky-mountain sheep. The horse, the domestic cow, the hog, and the common sheep, were brought over after the discovery; and the Iroquois, like most of their western brethren, have been very slow, all advantages considered, in raising them. They have, in fact, had no pas- toral state, and they have only become herds- men at the time that they took hold of the plough. The number of domestic animals now on their reservations, as shown by the tables, bears a fall proportion to their other industrial field labors. It will be seen, that while horses, neat cattle and hogs are generally raised, sheep come in, at more mature periods of advance, and are found only on the largest and best cultivated farms. Sheep, therefore, like the cereals, be- come a test of their advance. With this stage, we generally find, too, the field esculents, as turneps, peas, &c., and also buckwheat. I have indicated, as a further proof of their advance as herdsmen and graziers, the number of acres of meadow cut. The Iroquois cultivate no flax. They probably raise no rye, from the fact that their lands are better adapted to wheat and corn.

VITAL AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 17

The potato was certainly indigenous. Sir Walter Raleigh, in his eftbrts at colonizations, had it brought from Virginia, under the original name of openawg* But none of the North American tribes are known to have cultivated it. They dug it up, like other indigenous edible roots from the forest. But it has long been in- troduced into their villages and spread over the northern latitudes, far beyond the present limit of the zea maize. Its cultivation is so easy and so similar to that of their favorite corn, and its yield so great, that it is remarkable it should not have received more general attention from all the tribes. With the Iroquois, the lists will de- note that, in most cases, it is a mere item of hor- ticulture, most families not planting over half an acre, often not more than a quarter of an acre, and yet more frequently, none at all.

The apple is the Iroquois banana. From the earliest introduction of this fruit into New York and New France, from the genial plains of Hol- land and Normandy, these tribes appear to have been captivated by its taste, and they lost no time in transferring it, by sowing the seed, to the sites of their ancient castles. No one can read the accounts of the destruction of the ex- tensive orchards of the apple, which were cut down, on Gen. Sullivan's inroad into the Genesee country in 1779, without regretting that the pur-

*By the Algonquins of the present day, this plant is called, in the plural, opineeg. The inflection in eeg denotes the plural.

18 HISTORY OF THE IROQUOIS.

poses of war should have required this barbaric act. The census will show that this taste re- mains as strong- now as it was 68 years ago. *

Adverse to agricultural labor, and always con- founding it