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Notes On The Iroquois

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

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NOTES ON THE IROQUOIS: OR, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATISTICS, ABORIGINAL HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES AND GENERAL ETHNOLOGY OF WESTERN NEW-YORK.

NOTES ON THE IROQUOIS: OR, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATISTICS, ABORIGINAL HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES AND GENERAL ETHNOLOGY OF WESTERN NEW-YORK.

By HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Hon. Mem. of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen; Hon. Mem. of the Royal Geographical Society of London; Vice-President of the American Ethnological Society at New-York; Member of the American Philosophical, of the American Antiquarian, and of the American Geological Societies; Hon. Mem. of the New-York Historical, of the Georgia Historical, and of the Rhode-Island Historical Societies, &amp;c., &amp;c., &amp;c. NEW-YORK: BARTLETT &amp;

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SENATE DOCUMENT, TWENTY-FOUR.

SENATE DOCUMENT, TWENTY-FOUR.

In giving a more permanent form to the original edition of this document, a more convenient reference title has been prefixed to it. The aboriginal nation, whose statistics and history, past and present, are brought into discussion in the following report, stand out prominently in the foreground of our own history. They have sustained themselves, for more than three centuries and a half, against the intruding and progressive races of Europe. During the period of the planting of the colonies, the

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COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION

From the Secretary of State, transmitting the report of Mr. Schoolcraft, one of the agents appointed to take the census or enumeration of the Indians, &amp;c. Secretary’s Office ,} Albany, January 17th, 1846 .} Hon. A. Gardiner , President of the Senate : SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 15th instant, I transmit herewith a report of one of the agents appointed to take the census or enumeration of the Indians residing upon several of the reservations in the State, a

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CENSUS OF THE IROQUOIS.

CENSUS OF THE IROQUOIS.

New-York, October 31st, 1845. SIR: In conformity with your instructions of the 25th June last, I proceeded to the several Iroquois reservations therein named, and I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the census returns for each reservation, numbered from I to VIII, and distinguished by the popular name of each tribe, or canton. I. The question of the original generic name, by which these tribes were denoted, the relation they bear to the other aboriginal stocks of America, and the probab

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ANTIQUITIES—HISTORY—ETHNOLOGY.

ANTIQUITIES—HISTORY—ETHNOLOGY.

New-York, January 7th, 1846. Sir :—I have now the honor to submit a supplementary report, embracing minutes and remarks on the aboriginal history, antiquities and general ethnology of Western New-York, made in accordance with an expression permitting the collection of such materials in your general instructions of the 26th of June last. To these details I have prefixed some general considerations on the early period of the Iroquois history, the affinities of the several tribes, and the era and p

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[a.] A Sketch of the Iroquois Groupe of Aboriginal Tribes.

[a.] A Sketch of the Iroquois Groupe of Aboriginal Tribes.

On the discovery of North America, the Iroquois tribes, were found seated chiefly in the wide and fertile territory of western and northern New-York, reaching west to the sources of the Ohio; 10 north, to the banks of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence; and east, to the site of Albany. They had as much nationality of character, then, as any of the populous tribes, who, in the 4th century wandered over central and western Europe. They were, in a high degree, warlike, handling the bow and arrow w

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[b.] Ethnological Suggestions.

[b.] Ethnological Suggestions.

Where we have nothing else to rely upon, we may receive the rudest traditions of an Indian nation, although they be regarded as mere historical phenomena, or materials to be considered. Whether such materials are to be credited or disbelieved wholly, or in part, is quite another thing. Our Indians, like some of the ancient nations of Asia, whom they resemble in many points of character, were prone to refer their origin to myths and legends, under which they doubtless, sometimes meant to represen

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[c.] Indian Cosmogony.

[c.] Indian Cosmogony.

Origin of the Continent, of the Animal Creation, and of the Indian Race: The Introduction of the Two Principles of Good and Evil Into The Government of the World. Iroquois tradition opens with the notion that there were originally two worlds, or regions of space, namely, an upper and lower world. The upper was inhabited by beings similar to the human race; the lower by monsters, moving in the waters. When the human species were transferred below, and the lower sphere was about to be rendered fit

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[d.] Gleams of their General Ancient History.

[d.] Gleams of their General Ancient History.

Items : Indians claim to be the offspring of an independent act of creation. The Iroquois name themselves in proud allusion to their supposed supremacy. Tribes on the St. Lawrence and the lakes live in disputes. War with a race of giants called Ronongweca: the fiend Shotrowea,—contests with the great Kwiss Kwiss, or Mastodon,—the Big Elk,—and the Horned Serpent. A meteor falls in the camp. Northern tribes confederate; send an unfortunate embassage to a great chief south,—war with him,—war with e

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[a.] The Mohawks.

[a.] The Mohawks.

The Mohawks are supposed to be the eldest brother, in the symbolical chain of the Six Nations. Their own tradition assigns them this rank, and it appears to be consonant to other traditions. When Tarenyawagon, their liberator from their subterranean confinement, bid them travel east, he gave them his personal conduct and care until they had entered the Mohawk valley. Some of their western brethren call this stream Tenonanatche, or a river flowing through a mountain. In due time, they went on int

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[b.] Origin and History of the Oneidas.

[b.] Origin and History of the Oneidas.

This canton of the Iroquois nation, deduces its origin in a remote age, from the Onondagas, with the language of which, the Oneida has the closest affinity. According to a tradition which was related to me, and which is believed to be entitled to respect, they are descended from two persons, who, in their obscure ages, and before a confederation had been thought of, went out from the people at Onondaga, and first dwelt at the head of the Oneida river. After increasing in numbers, they removed to

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[c.] Onondagas.

[c.] Onondagas.

Onondaga was, from the remotest times, the seat of the Iroquois government. Granting credence to the account of their own origin, on the high grounds or falls of the Oswego, they had not proceeded far up the course of the widely gathered waters of this stream, when a portion of them planted their wigwams in this fertile region. Whatever was the cause of their migrating from their primary council fire, nothing was more natural than that, by pursuing this stream upward, they should separate into i

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[d.] Cayugas.

[d.] Cayugas.

The history of this canton does not stand out prominently among the Iroquois while it will be found that as one of the inclusive tribes who carried their name and fame so high among the aborigines, they have performed their due part, and produced warriors, sages and speakers of eminence. Were every thing else, indeed, blotted out of their history, the fact of their having produced a Logan 34 would be sufficient to rescue their memory from oblivion. In their early search after a place to hunt, fi

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[e.] History and origin of the Senecas.

[e.] History and origin of the Senecas.

One of the first traits which strikes an observer on entering the territory of this tribe, is the fact that they are called by a name which is not known in their vocabulary, and which they only recognize from having long been thus designated by others. Identical as it is in its present orthography, with the name of the Roman moralist, it is yet wholly improbable that it had any such origin; it must be regarded as an accidental coincidence of sound in some other Indian tongue. That this tongue is

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[f.] Tuscaroras.

[f.] Tuscaroras.

The traditions of this canton affirm, that they are descendants of the original family of Iroquois, who began their existence, or their nationality, at least at or near the falls of the Oswego. After the migration of the parent tribe towards the sea, and their return west and separation into tribes, this band went on west till they reached Lake Erie. From hence they travelled southwest till they reached the Mississippi. Part of them crossed the river, and they were thus divided. Those who went o

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[g.] Necariages.

[g.] Necariages.

The Tuscaroras were probably admitted into the confederacy about 1714. Nine years afterwards the Iroquois received the Nicariages. Under this name the long expatriated Quatoghies, or Hurons, then living at Teiodonderoghie or Michilimackinac, were taken into the confederacy as the Seventh Tribe, or canton. This act was consummated in the reign of George II., at a public council held at Albany on the 30th May, 1723, on their own desire. A delegation of 80 men, who had their families with them, wer

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[h.] St. Regis Colony, or Band.

[h.] St. Regis Colony, or Band.

This community is an off-shoot of the Iroquois stock, but not a member of the confederacy. It originated in the efforts commenced about the middle of the 17th century, by the Roman Catholic church of France, to draw the Iroquois into communion with that church. It was, however, but a part of the public policy, which originated in the reign of Louis XV., to colonize the Iroquois country, and wrest it from the power of the British crown. When this effort failed,—replete as it was with wars, intrig

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[a.] Considerations.

[a.] Considerations.

Something on this head appears desirable, if it be only to mitigate, in some degree, our historical ignorance, and want of accurate or precise information, touching it. The question of the principles of their social and political association, is one of equal interest and obscurity, and would justify a more extended inquiry than is here given....

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[b.] Era of the Confederation.

[b.] Era of the Confederation.

Chronology finds its most difficult tasks in establishing dates among our aboriginal tribes. Pyrlaus, a missionary at the ancient site of Dionderoga or Fort Hunter, writing between 1742 and 1748, states, as the result of the best conjectures he could form, from information derived from the Mohawks, that the alliance took place “one age, or the length of a man’s life, before the white people came into the country.” 44 He gives the following as the names of the sachems of the Five Nations, who met

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[c.] Principles of the Iroquois Government.

[c.] Principles of the Iroquois Government.

No one has attended to the operations of the Iroquois government and polity, as they are developed in their councils and meetings for general consultation and action, without perceiving a degree of intricacy in its workings, which it is difficult to grasp. Or rather, the obscurity may be said to grow out of the little time and the imperfect opportunities which casual observers have to devote to the object. For, maturely considered, there is no inherent difficulty in the way. It seems clear that

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[d.] Ancient Worship. SACRED FIRE.—THE SUN A SYMBOL OF DIVINE INTELLIGENCE.

[d.] Ancient Worship. SACRED FIRE.—THE SUN A SYMBOL OF DIVINE INTELLIGENCE.

It was a striking peculiarity of the ancient religious system of the Iroquois that, once a year, the priesthood supplied the people with sacred fire. For this purpose, a set time was announced for the ruling priest’s visit. The entire village was apprized of this visit, and the master of each lodge was expected to be prepared for this annual rite. Preliminary to the visit, his lodge fire was carefully put out and ashes scattered about it, as a symbolic sign of desolation and want. Deprived of th

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[e.] Witchcraft.

[e.] Witchcraft.

The belief in witchcraft prevailed extensively among the North American tribes. It is known that even in modern times, it was one of the principal means used by the Shawnee prophet to rid himself of his opponents, and that the venerable Shawnee chief Tarhe and others were sacrificed to this diabolical spirit. Among the Iroquois the belief was universal, and its effects upon their prosperity and population, if tradition is to be credited, were at times appalling. The theory of the popular belief,

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[f.] Wife’s Right to Property.

[f.] Wife’s Right to Property.

Marriage, among the Iroquois, appears to be a verbal contract between the parties, which does not affect the rights of property. Goods, personal effects, or valuables of any kind, personal or real, which were the wife’s before, remain so after marriage. Should any of these be used by the husband, he is bound to restore the property or its worth, in the event of separation. It is not uncommon at present to find a husband indebted to a wife for moneys loaned of her, derived from payments or proper

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[a.] Vestiges of an Ancient Fort or Place of Defence in Lenox, Madison county.

[a.] Vestiges of an Ancient Fort or Place of Defence in Lenox, Madison county.

Some years have elapsed since I visited this work, 56 and the plough and spade may have further obliterated the lines, then more or less fully apparent. But in the meantime no notice of it has been published. The following outlines denote its extent and character. 56 1812. A. indicates the lines of a picketed work. B. is an extensive plain, covered with wild grass and some shrubbery, which had once been in cultivation. The northern edge of this plain is traversed by a stream, which has worn its

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[b.] Ancient site of the Onondagas in the valley of the Kasonda, or Butternut creek of Jamesville.

[b.] Ancient site of the Onondagas in the valley of the Kasonda, or Butternut creek of Jamesville.

The fact that the ruins of a square fort, with extensive sub-lines in the nature of an enclosure, had existed on the elevated grounds on the right banks of this stream, a mile or two from Jamesville, at the period of its first settlement, led me to visit it. There was the more interest imparted to this well attested tradition of the present inhabitants, by the accounts of the Onondagas, that this valley, in its extent above and below Jamesville, was one of their earliest points of settlement, pr

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[c.] Antiquities of Pompey and adjacent parts of Onondaga county.

[c.] Antiquities of Pompey and adjacent parts of Onondaga county.

No part of western New-York has furnished a larger number of antiquarian remains, or been more often referred to, than the geographical area which constituted the original town of Pompey. There is, consequently, the less need of devoting elaborate attention to the details of this particular locality. It was first visited and described by De Witt Clinton, in 1810-11, 61 and the plough has since rendered it a task less easy than it then was, to examine the lines of its ancient works and its archæo

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[d.] Ancient fortification of Osco,64 at Auburn, Cayuga County.

[d.] Ancient fortification of Osco,64 at Auburn, Cayuga County.

64 This ancient name for the site of Auburn, was communicated to me by the intelligent Onondaga Taht-kaht-ons, or Abraham Le Fort. It is descriptive of the ford or crossing place, which anciently existed above the falls, near the site of the present turnpike bridge. This was crossed by stepping stones, &amp;c. The barks, which made a part of a rude Indian bridge, were, at the time the name was bestowed, nearly overflowed; the crossing was very dangerous, as it was just above the brink of the

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[e.] Vestiges of an Ancient Elliptical Work at Canandaigua.

[e.] Vestiges of an Ancient Elliptical Work at Canandaigua.

The Senecas deduce their descent from a noted eminence, bearing the title of “Fort Hill” at the head of the sylvan expanse of Canandaigua lake. The term of Fort Hill, is however, not confined to that spot, but is, as in the work under consideration, one of common occurrence, in sundry parts of the ancient and extended area of the Six Nations. The subjoined sketch, denotes the vestiges of an ancient strong-hold of the Senecas, of an elliptical form, on elevated lands about a mile northerly from t

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[c.] Ancient entrenchments on Fort Hill, near Le Roy, Genesee county.

[c.] Ancient entrenchments on Fort Hill, near Le Roy, Genesee county.

The following diagram of this work has been drawn from a pen-sketch, forwarded by the Rev. Mr. Dewey, of Rochester. The work occurs on an elevated point of land formed by the junction of a small stream, called Fordham’s brook, with Allen’s creek, a tributary of the Genesee river. Its position is about three miles north of the village of Le Roy, and some ten or twelve northeast of Batavia. The best view of the hill, as one of the natural features of the country, is obtained a short distance north

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[g.] Antique rock citadel of Kienuka, in Lewiston, Niagara county.

[g.] Antique rock citadel of Kienuka, in Lewiston, Niagara county.

In the preceding sketches, evidences have been presented of the readiness and good judgment of the aboriginal fort builders of western New-York, 67 in availing themselves of steeps, gulfs, defiles, and other marked localities, in establishing works for security or defence. This trait is, however, in no case more strikingly exemplified than in the curious antique work before us, which is called, by the Tuscaroras, Kienuka . The term Kienuka is said to mean the stronghold or fort, from which there

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[h.] Site of an ancient battle-field, with vestiges of an entrenchment and fortification on the banks of the Deoseowa, or Buffalo creek.

[h.] Site of an ancient battle-field, with vestiges of an entrenchment and fortification on the banks of the Deoseowa, or Buffalo creek.

The following sketch conveys an idea of the relative position of the several objects alluded to. Taken together they constitute the distinguishing feature in the archæology of the existing Indian cemetery, mission station, and council-house on the Seneca reservation, five or six miles south of the city of Buffalo. As such, the site is one of much interest, and well worthy of further observation and study. The time and means devoted to it, in the preparation of this outline, were less than would

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NOTE.

NOTE.

The following specimen of Iroquois picture writing should have been placed under the article “Onondagas,” where the omission is supplied, by a head from an ancient pipe, hereafter described under the class of relics named Opoaguna. It represents the first Iroquois ruler, under their confederacy, named Atotarho. It will tend to render the work of antiquarian examination exact, and facilitate comparison, if names descriptive of the general classes and species of each object of archæological inquir

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Class First. NABIKOAGUNA.70

Class First. NABIKOAGUNA.70

70 From the Algic, denoting a medal, a breast-plate or collar. Objects of this kind were worn as marks of honor or rank. So far as known, they were constructed from the most solid and massy parts of the larger sea shells. Few instances of their having been made from other materials, are known, in our latitudes. The ruins and tombs of Central and South America have not been explored, so far as is known, with this view. Nor have any insignia of this character been found of stone. Nabikoáguna Antiq

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Class Second.—MEDÄEKA.

Class Second.—MEDÄEKA.

This class comprises the amulets proper. All the objects of this class are supposed to have been worn on various parts of the person, as a defence against witchcraft, sorcery, or spells, or to propitiate good luck by superstitious means. Medäeka Missouri. See Fig. 1, Plate V , with the illustration of the manner of its being worn on the breast. This article varies moderately in length, breadth and figure. It is generally the frustum of an acute pyramid, perforated in its length, to admit being s

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Class Third.—ATTAJEGUNA.71

Class Third.—ATTAJEGUNA.71

71 From the Algonquin Jeegun , an instrument, an implement, or any artificial contrivance, or invention. Under this class are grouped a great variety of implements and instruments of utility, war, hunting and diversion. The material is chiefly stone. Without plates, however, it is impossible to give that exactitude to the description of this numerous class of antiquarian remains which is desired. But a single figure has been prepared— Attajeguna deoseowa . This relic of Indian art was pointed ou

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Class Fourth.—OPOAGUNA.

Class Fourth.—OPOAGUNA.

The class of antique pipes. Smoking pipes, constitute a branch of Indian art, which called forth their ingenuity by carvings of various forms of steatite, serpentine, indurated clay, limestone, sandstone and other bodies. A very favorite material was the red sedimentary compact deposit, found on the high dividing ridge between the Missouri and Mississippi, called the Coteau du Prairie. Pipes were also made from clay, tempered with some siliceous or felspathique material, similar to that used in

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Class Fifth.—MINACE.72

Class Fifth.—MINACE.72

72 From Meen, a berry; and ace, a diminutive; hence minas or minace, a bead, or an ornament for the neck. Articles of this kind hold the relative character of modern beads or necklace ornaments. They are made of shells, bones, fissile minerals, sometimes pieces of calcareous or fissile crystal. The substitutes of the European period are glass and pastes. Minace Alleghanic. Fig. 6, Plate I . This article was first disclosed on opening the Grave Creek mound, in the Ohio valley, in 1839, and receiv

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Class Sixth.—PEÄGA.73

Class Sixth.—PEÄGA.73

73 From Peag , one of the sea-coast terms of the Algonquins, for wampum. The ancient species of this article are numerous, and not exclusively confined to sea shells. The Indian cemeteries denote it in the form of bone and mineral. Peäga Iowan. Fig. 7, Plate 2. The material in this species is the red pipe stone of the west, so much valued. It is perforated longitudinally, and was evidently worn about the neck and breast like the modern article of wampum....

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Class Seventh.—MUDWÄMINA.

Class Seventh.—MUDWÄMINA.

Ornament alone appears to have been the object of this numerous class of remains. Generally the object was the production of a jingling sound in walking. It was generally used to decorate some part of the dress. It assumed a great variety of shapes, and was made from as many species of material, including native copper. Another object was to inspire fear by the tread. Mudwämina Miskwabic. 74 Fig. 11, Plate I. The article figured is three-fourths of an inch in length, bell shaped, and composed of

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Class Eighth.—OTOAUGUNA.

Class Eighth.—OTOAUGUNA.

The name is derived from Otowug , meaning implements of, or relating to the ear. It is a noun inanimate in a . Under this head all pendants and ornaments for the ear are comprised. Otoauguna Statuesque. Fig. 3, Plate IV. This pendant for the ear is made out of sea shell. It bears eight perpendicular and four transverse dots. Locality, old fort, site near Jamesville. Onondaga. Otoauguna Pyramidal. Fig. 2, Plate I. This article varies in size, in the specimens examined, from nine-tenths to one and

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Class Ninth.—ÆS.76

Class Ninth.—ÆS.76

76 Æs, a generic name for a shell—Algonquin. The number and variety of sea and sometimes fresh water shells worn by the ancient aborigines, has not been ascertained, but is large. They are uniformly found to be univalves. Æs Marginella. Fig. 10, Plate I. This species was first detected in the Grave Creek mound. It is a marginella. The figure is, incidentally, inexact. Onondaga....

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Class Tenth.—OCHALIS.77

Class Tenth.—OCHALIS.77

77 From the Shawanoe word Ochali , a nose. This class of ornaments were worn as pendants from the inner cartilage of the nose. The material of nose-jewels in modern times, when worn, is, generally, silver or some metal. Anciently bone or shell were the chief substances. Ochalis Odä-ä. 78 Plate 1, Fig. 3. The material is a part of some massy species of sea shell. The outer coating is partially decomposed, exhibiting an opaque, limy appearance. Length, eight-tenths of an inch—rounded, heart-shaped

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[a.] Ancient Shipwreck of a vessel from the old world on the coast.

[a.] Ancient Shipwreck of a vessel from the old world on the coast.

Whilst the northern tribes lived under the ancient confederacy before named, on the banks of the St. Lawrence and its waters, and before they had yet known white men, it is affirmed that a foreign ship came on the northern coasts, but being driven by stress of weather, passed southward, and was wrecked in that quarter. Most of the crew perished, but a few of them, dressed in leather, reached the shore, and were saved with some of their implements. They were received by a people called the Falcon

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[b.] Forays into the country of the Cherokees and Catawbas.

[b.] Forays into the country of the Cherokees and Catawbas.

Nothing is more distinct or better settled in the existing traditions of the Iroquois, than their wars with some of the southern tribes, particularly the Cherokees. I found this subject first alluded to among the Oneidas, who were hotly engaged in this southern war; afterwards among the Onondagas, the Senecas of Tonawanda, the Tuscaroras, and with still increasing particularity, among the Senecas of Buffalo, Cattaraugus, and Teonigono. But I was never able to fix the era of its commencement, or

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[c.] Exploit of Hi-a-de-o-ni.

[c.] Exploit of Hi-a-de-o-ni.

The following incident in the verbal annals of Iroquois hardihood and heroism, was related to me by the intelligent Seneca Tetoyoah , (William Jones of Cattaraugus) along with other reminiscences of the ancient Cherokee wars. The Iroquois thought life was well lost, if they could gain glory by it. Hi-a-de-o-ni , said he, was the father of the late chief Young King. He was a Seneca warrior, a man of great prowess, dexterity, and swiftness of foot, and had established his reputation for courage an

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[d.] Embassy of Peace to the Cherokees, and Daring Feat of a Seneca.

[d.] Embassy of Peace to the Cherokees, and Daring Feat of a Seneca.

In the course of the long and fierce war between the Six Nations and the Cherokees, it happened, said Oliver Silverheels, that eight Senecas determined to go on an embassy of peace. Among them was Little Beard , the elder, and Jack Berry. They met some Cherokees on the confines of the Cherokee territories, to whom they imparted their object. Intelligence of this interview was sent forward to their village, where the ambassadors were duly received, and after this preliminary reception, they were

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[e.] The Graveyard Serpent and Corn Giant.

[e.] The Graveyard Serpent and Corn Giant.

Seneca tradition states that they formerly lived on the Chippewa river, near Niagara Falls, Canada. One year, while thus located, they were visited by a calamitous sickness, and their corn was blighted. Their prophet dreamt, one night, that a great serpent laid under the village, with his head to the graveyard, and that it devoured all the bodies buried. This gave a most offensive breath, which was the cause of the sickness. He also dreamt that there was a great giant under the cornfield, who at

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[f.] Allusion to the siege of Fort-Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany.

[f.] Allusion to the siege of Fort-Stanwix and the Battle of Oriskany.

Seneca tradition is rife on this subject. Tetayoah says that they lost thirty-three chiefs in the battle of Oriskany. Jacob Blacksnake adds, that he has seen a book in which it was stated that the Senecas had burned eight officers taken at this battle, in revenge for their losses. This he contradicts, on the authority of his father, Governor Blacksnake, who was there. The officers had been asked for after the battle, by the British; but they were refused, on account of their great losses. They w

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[g.] Defeat of the Kah-Kwahs on Buffalo creek.

[g.] Defeat of the Kah-Kwahs on Buffalo creek.

Some of the Senecas affirm, that it is ninety years since the battle with the Kah-Kwahs, on the site of the grave yard, on the Buffalo creek reservation, was fought. This would place the event in 1755, a date so modern, and so well known, in our colonial history, as to prove what a poor figure they make in attempts to adjust chronology. If 190 years [and, perhaps, such should be the tradition,] be taken, the event (allowing two years for their defence) would assume the precise time [1655] indica

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[h.] Era of the Confederation.

[h.] Era of the Confederation.

There is a tradition among portions of the Senecas, that the present confederation took place four years before Hudson sailed up the river bearing his name. This gives A. D. 1605. This question has been examined in its general bearings in a prior paper. All other authorities indicate an earlier date....

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[i.] Some passages of the traditions of their wars with monsters, giants and supernatural phenomena.

[i.] Some passages of the traditions of their wars with monsters, giants and supernatural phenomena.

It is proposed to narrate a few passages of their early wars with monsters and giants, the two prominent objects in the foreground of their traditions. If it be thought, in perusing them, that mythology and superstition mingle too freely with real events or actions, to which the mind makes no exception, that is a matter upon which we have nothing to offer. Let it rather be considered as a proof of the authenticity of the narrative; for certainly there could be no stronger indication of a contrar

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[a.] Who were the Eries?

[a.] Who were the Eries?

Louis Hennepin, who was a Recollect, remarks in the original Amsterdam edition of his travels of 1698, that Canada was first discovered by the Spanish, alluding doubtless to the voyage of Corte-Real and that it received its first missionaries under the French, from the order of Recollects. These pioneers of the cross, according to this author, made themselves very acceptable to the Hurons or Wyandots, who occupied the banks of the St. Lawrence, and who informed them that the Iroquois pushed thei

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[b.] Building of the first vessel on the upper lakes.

[b.] Building of the first vessel on the upper lakes.

The enterprise of La Salle, in constructing a vessel above the falls of Niagara, in 1679, to facilitate his voyage to the Illinois and the Mississippi, is well known; but while the fact of his having thus been the pioneer of naval architecture on the upper lakes, is familiar to historical readers, the particular place of its construction, has been a matter of various opinions. Gen. Cass in his historical discourse, places it at Erie; Mr. Bancroft in his history, designates the mouth of the Tonaw

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[c.] Who were the Alleghans?

[c.] Who were the Alleghans?

This is an inquiry in our aboriginal archæology, which assumes a deeper interest, the more it is discussed. All the republic is concerned in the antiquarian knowledge and true etymology and history of an ancient race, to whom tradition attaches valor and power, and who have consecrated their name in American geography upon the most important range of mountains between the valley of the Mississippi, and the Atlantic. But the inquiry comes home to us with a local and redoubled interest, from the f

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[d.] War with the Kah Kwahs.

[d.] War with the Kah Kwahs.

Some inquiries have been made in a prior paper, on the strong probabilities of this people, being identical with the Ererions or Eries. While this question is one that appears to be within the grasp of modern inquiry, and may be resumed at leisure, the war itself, with the people whom they call Kah-Kwahs, and we Eries is a matter of popular tradition, and is alluded to with so many details, that its termination may be supposed to have been an event of not the most ancient date. Some of these rem

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[a.] Infant Atotarho of the Onondaga.

[a.] Infant Atotarho of the Onondaga.

While I was engaged in taking the census of the Onondagas, at their council house, at the Castle, where a large number of all ages and both sexes were assembled, the interpreter, who spoke English very well, taking advantage of a pause in the business, said to me, pointing to a fine boy who sat on a bench, near a window, “that is our king!” I had, a short time before, requested that this boy should be sent for. His mother had now, unperceived by me, brought him, dressed out in his best clothes,

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[b.] Red Jacket and the Wyandot claim to supremacy.

[b.] Red Jacket and the Wyandot claim to supremacy.

At a great council of the western tribes, assembled near Detroit, prior to the late war, the celebrated Seneca orator, Red Jacket, was present, when the question of the right of the Wyandots to light the council fire, was brought up. This claim he strenuously resisted, and administered a rebuke to this nation in the following terms: “Have the Quatoghies forgotten themselves? Or do they suppose we have forgotten them? Who gave you the right in the west or east, to light the general council fire?

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[c.] Anecdote of Brant.

[c.] Anecdote of Brant.

When this chief was in London, he received ten pounds sterling, to be given, on his return to America, to any person or persons, among his people, whom he found to be doing most to help themselves. On coming to the Seneca reservation on Buffalo Creek, they had just finished the church, at an expense of seventeen hundred dollars. He gave the money to these Indians to buy stoves to warm it, which are still used for this purpose. He said he had seen no people who were doing so much to help themselv

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[d.] The County Clerk and the wolf-scalp.

[d.] The County Clerk and the wolf-scalp.

A Seneca hunter killed a wolf just within the bounds of Cattaraugus county, close to the Pennsylvania line, and took the scalp to Meadville, Pennsylvania, for the bounty. Being questioned where the animal was killed, he honestly told the officer that he had come across it and shot it, as near as he could tell, within the territory of New-York, very near the state and county lines. On this, the clerk told him that it would be contrary to law to pay him the bounty. “That is a bad law!” replied the

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RETURN

RETURN

Of the Enumeration of the Indians on the several Reservations, with the other statistical information required by law to be obtained in the said Reservations. KEY: A: Total Population. B: Number of male persons in the Reservation. C: Number of female persons in the Reservation. D: Number of married females, under the age of 45 years, in the Reservation. E: Number of unmarried females, between the ages of 16 and 45, in the Reservation. F: Number of unmarried females, under 16 years of age, in the

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AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL STATISTICS.

AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL STATISTICS.

KEY: O: Number of acres of improved land in the Reservation. P: Number of acres of barley under cultivation. Q: Quantity of barley raised therefrom during the preceding year. R: Number of acres of peas under cultivation. S: Number of bushels raised. T: Number of acres of beans. U: Quantity raised. V: Number of acres of buckwheat. W: Quantity raised. KEY: X: Number of acres of turneps. Y: Quantity raised. Z: Number of acres of potatoes. AA: Quantity raised. BB: Number of acres of wheat sown. CC:

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DEAF AND DUMB, IDIOTS, LUNATICS AND BLIND.

DEAF AND DUMB, IDIOTS, LUNATICS AND BLIND.

I could not learn that there ever was a child born blind among the Iroquois. The traditions of the people do not refer to any instance of the kind. They believe none has occurred. It is certain, from inquiries made on the several reservations, that no such person now exists. Yet it is a subject which, from the importance of the fact in aboriginal statistics, deserves to be further investigated. Among the Oneidas, prior to the removal of the principal body of this tribe to Wisconsin, there was on

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[a.] Fifteenth Section of an Act relative to the Census or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the State, passed May 7, 1845.

[a.] Fifteenth Section of an Act relative to the Census or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the State, passed May 7, 1845.

§ 15. It shall be the duty of the secretary of state to appoint suitable persons to take the enumeration of the Indians residing on the several reservations in this state, who shall in respect to such reservations perform all the duties required of marshals by this act; and shall also return the number of acres of land cultivated by such Indians, and such other statistics as it may be in their power to collect, and as the secretary of state in his instructions shall prescribe; for which service

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(B.) Extracts from a Rough Diary of Notes by the way.

(B.) Extracts from a Rough Diary of Notes by the way.

Such parts only of these notes and memorandums are retained, as have been referred to, as original materials, of which there is some particular fact or statement, which has not been exhausted. Sometimes the note itself was chiefly of a mnemonic character, and designed to recall further particulars entrusted to the memory. Localities to be examined, namely: All these vestiges denote long periods of time, and probably different eras of occupation. Who preceded the Iroquois? Who preceded their pred

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Oneida Language.

Oneida Language.

Some of their words are very musical, as Ostia, a bone; ahta, a shoe; kiowilla, an arrow; awiali, a heart; loainil, a supreme ruler. The French priests, who filled the orthography of this language with the letter R, committed one of the greatest blunders. There is no sound of R, in the language; by this letter, they constantly represent the sound of L. Oneida Castle , July . In a conference with Abraham Denne, an aged Oneida, he stated that Brandt was brought up by his (Denne’s) grandfather, at

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Origin of the Oneidas.

Origin of the Oneidas.

Abraham Schuyler, an Oneida, says that the Oneidas originated in two men, who separated themselves from the Onondagas. They first dwelt at the outlet of Oneida lake. Next removed to the outlet of Oneida creek, on the lake, where they fortified. Williams says he was born there, and is well acquainted with the old fort. They then went to the head of the valley at the Oneida stone, from which they were named. Their fourth remove was to the present site of Oneida Castle, called a skull on a pole, wh

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Etymology.

Etymology.

Asked several Oneidas to pronounce the name for the Oneida stone. They gave it as follows: The terminal syllable, aug , seems to be a local particle, but carries also with its antecedent ta , the idea of life or existence, people or inhabitants. Onia is a stone. The meaning clearly is, People of the (or who have sprung from the) Place of the Stone . Adirondack, Jourdain, pronounces Lod-a-lon-dak, putting l’s for r’s and a’s. It means a people who eat trees—an expression ironically used for those

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Antique Corn Hills.

Antique Corn Hills.

Counted one hundred cortical layers in a black walnut—centre broke so as to prevent counting the whole number, but by measuring estimated one hundred and forty more. If so, the field was deserted in 1605. The present proprietor of the farm comprising the Oneida stone, spring, butternut grove, &amp;c. is Job Francis. He first hired the land of Hendrick’s widow; afterwards he and Gregg were confirmed by the State. The white stone at the spring, a carbonate of lime, is not the true Oneida stone

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Onondaga Castle.

Onondaga Castle.

Abraham Le Fort says, that Ondiaka was the great chronicler of his tribe. He had often heard him speak of the traditions of his father. On his last journey to Oneida he accompanied him. As they passed south by Jamesville and Pompey, Ondiaka told him that in ancient times, and before they fixed down at Onondaga, they lived at these spots. That it was before the Five Nations had confederated; but while they kept up a separate existence, and fought with each other. They kept fighting and moving the

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Onondaga. [Jackson’s.]

Onondaga. [Jackson’s.]

Ondiaka told Le Fort that the Onondagas formerly wandered about, without being long fixed at a place, frequently changing their villages from slight causes, such as sickness, &amp;c. They were at war with the other Iroquois bands. They were also at war with other tribes. Hence forts were necessary, but after they confederated, such defensive works fell into disuse. They lived in the present areas of De Witt, Lafayette, Pompey and Manlius, along Butternut creek, &amp;c. Here the French vi

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Kasonda.

Kasonda.

Mr. I. Keeler says that he cut a large oak tree, near the site of the old fort, two and a half feet through. In re-cutting it, at his door, a bullet was found, covered by 143 cortical layers. It was still some distance to the centre. If this tree was cut in 1810, the bullet was fired in 1667. Consult “Paris Documents,” 1666, treaty with the Onondaga Iroquois. The Goulds say that the fort was a square, with bastions, and had streets within it. It was set round with cedar pickets, which had been b

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Tradition.

Tradition.

Pompey and its precincts were regarded by the Indians as the ground of blood, and it brought up to their minds many dark reminiscences, as they passed it. Some twenty years ago, there lived an aged Onondaga, who said that many moons before his father’s days, there came a party of white men from the east in search of silver. From the heights of the Onondaga hills, they descried the white foam of Onondaga lake, and this was all the semblance they ever found of silver. One of the men died, and was

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Tonewanda Res. [Winsor & Richards.] NAME OF SENECAS.

Tonewanda Res. [Winsor & Richards.] NAME OF SENECAS.

The Senecas call themselves Nun-do-waw-gaw , or people of the hill. The term Seneca is taken from the lake, on the banks of which they formerly lived, and had their castle. It is not a name of Indian origin. They are called Nun-do-waw-gaw , from the eminence called Fort-Hill, near Canandaguia lake. [Ho-ho-ee-yuh, or J. A. Sanford.]...

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Cherokees.

Cherokees.

They call the Cherokees O-yau-dah , which means a people who live in caves. Their enmity against this people, the tradition of which is so strong and clear, is stated to have originated from the contact of war and hunting parties, in the plains of the southwest. The Senecas affirm that the Cherokees robbed and plundered a Seneca party and took away their skins. Retaliation ensued. Tragic scenes of treachery and surprise followed. The Five Nations took up the matter in all their strength, and rai

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Tonewanda.

Tonewanda.

The most curious trait, of which we know but little, is that respecting Totems . Asked the chief called Blacksmith, his name in Seneca. He replied, De-o-ne-hoh-gah-wah, that is, a door perforated, or violently broken through, not opened. Says he was born on the Tonewonda reservation, and wishes to die there; will be 60 years old, if he lives till next winter, 1846. Says the Senecas call the Fort Stanwix or Rome summit, De-o-wain-sta, meaning the place where canoes are carried across the land fro

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Osteological Remains.

Osteological Remains.

In the town of Cambria, six miles west of Lockport, (1824,) a Mr. Hammon, who was employed with his boy in hoeing corn, observed some bones of a child, exhumed. No farther thought was bestowed upon the subject for some time, for the plain on the ridge was supposed to have been the site of an Indian village, and this was supposed the remains of some child, who had been buried there. Eli Bruce, hearing of the circumstance, proposed to Mr. H. that they should repair to the spot, with suitable instr

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Present Means of living on the Reservation.

Present Means of living on the Reservation.

1. Rent of land from twelve shillings to three dollars per acre. 2. Sale of timber, fire wood, hemlock bark, staves, saw-logs. 3. Fishing and hunting. Very little now. 4. Raise corn, cattle, horses, hogs, some wheat, &amp;c. &amp;c., cut hay. Young men hire themselves out in harvest time....

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Bones.

Bones.

At Barnegat is an ancient ridge, or narrow raised path, leading from the river some miles, through low grounds; it is an ancient burial ground, on an island, in a swamp. Bones of the human frame, bone needles, and other ancient remains, are ploughed up at an ancient station, fort or line, in Shelby. A human head, petrified, was ploughed up by Carrington, sen., in a field in Alabama, Genesee county, and is now in the possession of Mr. Grant, at Barnegat. Petrified tortoises are said to be ploughe

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Opinion of a Chief of the Word Seneca.

Opinion of a Chief of the Word Seneca.

De-o-ne-ho-ga-wa is the most influential chief of the Tonewandas. He is of the Wolf tribe—born on the forks of the Tonewanda, and is 59 years old. Being interrogated as to the Seneca history, he says, that the tradition of the tribe is clear—that they lived on the banks of the Seneca and Canandaigua lakes. They were called Nun-do-wau-onuh, or People of the Hill, from an eminence now called Fort Hill, at the head of Canandaigua lake. They are now called, or, rather, call themselves, Nun-do-wau-ga

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Lewiston. [Frontier House.]

Lewiston. [Frontier House.]

The Tuscarora clans are the following: The Turtle. The Wolf. The Bear. The Beaver. The Snipe, or Plover. The Eel. This is not an Iroquois totem. The Land Tortoise. They have lost the Falcon, Deer and Crane, perhaps in their disastrous wars of 1713. By this it appears they have lost one clan entirely—probably in their defeat on the Taw river, in N. Carolina. Two others of the clans are changed, namely, the Falcon and Deer, for which they have substituted the Land Tortoise and Eel. Descent is by t

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Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls.

This name is Mohawk. It means, according to Mrs. Kerr, the Neck, the term being first applied to the portage, or neck of land, between lakes Erie and Ontario....

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Buffalo.

Buffalo.

Whence this name? The Indian term is Te-ho-so-ro-ro in Mohawk, and De-o-se-o-wa in Seneca. Ellicott writes it Tu-she-way. Others, in other forms. In all, it is admitted to mean the place of the linden, or bass-wood tree. There is an old story of buffaloes being killed here. Some say a horse was killed by hungry Frenchmen , and palmed off for buffalo meat at the camp. How came a horse here ? A curious bone needle was dug up this year, in some excavations made in Fort Niagara, which is, clearly, o

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Eries.

Eries.

By Father Le Moyne’s letter of 1653, [vide Relacions,] the war with the nation of the Cat or Eries was then newly broke out. He thanks the Onondagas, Senecas, Cayugas and Oneidas, for their union in this war. On the 9th August, 1653, we heard a dismal shout, among the Iroquois, caused by the news, that three of their men had been killed by the Eries. He condoles with the Seneca nation, on the capture of their great chief, Au-ren-cra-os , by the Eries. He exhorts them to strengthen their “defence

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Mission Station, Buffalo Reservation.

Mission Station, Buffalo Reservation.

Seventy-four Seneca chiefs attended the general council held here. Putting their gross population at 2,500, this gives one chief to every thirty-three souls. This makes them “captains of tens.” The Seneca language has been somewhat cultivated. Mr. Wright, the missionary, who has mastered the language, has printed a spelling book of 112 pages, also a periodical tract for reading, called the “Mental Elevator.” Both valuable philological data. The Senecas of this reservation are on the move for Cat

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Kah-Kwahs, Eries, Alleghans,—who were they?

Kah-Kwahs, Eries, Alleghans,—who were they?

Mr. Wright showed me an ancient triturating stone of the Indians, in the circular depressions of which they reduced the siliceous material of their ancient pottery. The Seneca language has a masculine, feminine and neuter gender. It has also an animate and inanimate gender, making five genders. It has a general and dual plural. It abounds in compound descriptive and derivative terms, like the Algonquin. They count by the decimal mode. There are names for the digits to ten. Twenty is a compound o

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Irving, Cattaraugus Creek.

Irving, Cattaraugus Creek.

It is a maxim with the Iroquois, that a chief’s skin should be thicker than that of the thorn locust, that it may not be penetrated by the thorns. Indian speakers never impugn each other’s motives when speaking in public council. In this, they offer an example. Mr. Strong says, Silversmith of Onondaga, has the tradition of the war with the Eries....

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Indians in Canada.

Indians in Canada.

It is observed by a report of the Canadian Parliament, that the number of Indians now in Canada is 12,000. Of these, 3,301 are residing in Lower Canada, and the remainder 8,862, in Canada West. The number of Indians is stated to be on the increase, partly from the access of births over the deaths, and partly from a numerous immigration of tribes from the United States. This report must be taken with allowances. It is, at best, but an estimate, and in this respect, the Canadians, like ourselves,

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Horts’ Corners, Catt.

Horts’ Corners, Catt.

One seems here, as if he had suddenly been pitched into some of the deep gorges of the Alps, surrounded with cliffs and rocks and woods, in all imaginable wildness....

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Cold spring, Allegany river. [Sep. 3.]

Cold spring, Allegany river. [Sep. 3.]

Reached the Indian village on the reservation at this place, at 9 o’clock in the morning. Indians call the place Te-o-ni-gon-o, or De-o-ni-gon-o, which means Cold Spring. Locality of the farmer employed by Quakers, at the mouth of a creek, called Tunasassa; means a clear stream with a pebbly bed. Allegany river they call Oh e o, making no difference between it, and the stream after the inlet of the Monongahela. Gov. Blacksnake absent; other chiefs, with his son Jacob meet in council; business ad

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Napoli Centre.

Napoli Centre.

The counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauque and Allegany, and part of Wyoming and Steuben, constitute a kind of Switzerland. The surface of the country resembles a piece of rumpled calico, full of knobs and ridges and vallies, in all possible shapes and directions. It is on the average elevated. Innkeepers and farmers encountered on two trips over it, say that there is considerably more moisture in the shape of rain and dews and fogs, than in the Genesee country. It is less valuable for wheat, but g

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Lodi.

Lodi.

This bright, busy, thriving place, is a curiosity from the fact, that the Cattaraugus creek, (a river it should be called) splits in exactly, or nearly so, in two parts, the one being in Erie , the other in Cattaraugus . Efforts to get a new county, and a county seat, have heretofore been made. These conflict with similar efforts, to have a county seat located at Irving, at the mouth of the creek....

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Irving, Mouth of Cattaraugus.

Irving, Mouth of Cattaraugus.

This is a fine natural harbor and port of refuge. Its neglect appears strange, but it is to be attributed to the influence of capitalists at Silver-Creek, Dunkirk, Barcelona, &amp;c....

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Eighteen-Mile Creek.

Eighteen-Mile Creek.

Here are vestiges of the Indians old forts, town sites, &amp;c. Time and scrutiny are alone necessary to bring out its antiquities....

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Buffalo.

Buffalo.

The Chief, Capt. Cole. —The noted Onondaga Chief, Capt. Cole , died at his residence, among his people, a few days since, aged about seventy-five years. This Indian was well known here, having, for many years, made his home upon the reservation adjoining the city. He took the field, in defence of the country, during the last war, under the late Gen. Porter , who was often heard to speak of his bravery and usefulness, in the various battles along the Niagara frontier. Cole was of the “old school”

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Batavia.

Batavia.

The Tonewandas at length consent to have their census taken....

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Auburn.

Auburn.

Go with Mr. Goodwin to visit Oswaco lake—Gov. Throop’s place—Old Dutch Church overlooking the lake, &amp;c. Fort-Hill. —Extensive vestiges of an elliptical work—Curious rectangular fissures of the limestone rock on the Owasco outlet—north and south. The Indian name of the place, as told by an Onondaga chief—Osco; first called Hardenburgh’s Corners, finally named after Goldsmith’s “Deserted Village”—so that the poet may be said to have had a hand in supplying names for a land to which he once

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Syracuse.

Syracuse.

Pity a better name could not have been found for so fine, central, capital a site. The associations are now all wrong. What had Dionysius or Archimedes to do here? It was Atotarho Garangula, Dekanifora, Ontiyaka, and their kindred, who made the place famous. Onondaga would have been a far better appellation. The Indians called the lake and its basin of country together Gan-on-do-a. Salt Point, or the Saline, sounded to me as if, abating syllibants, it might be written Ka-ji-ka-do....

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Utica.

Utica.

There was a ford in the Mohawk here. It was the site of Fort Schuyler—a fort named after Major Schuyler, a man of note and military prowess in the olden time, long before the days of General Philip Schuyler. Some philological goose, writing from the Canadas, makes Utica an Indian name!...

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Mouth of the Norman’s Kill, or Tawasentha, Albany.

Mouth of the Norman’s Kill, or Tawasentha, Albany.

Mr. Brayton says, that in digging the turnpike road, in ascending Kiddenhook hill, on the road to Bethlehem, many human bones, supposed to be Indian, were found. They were so numerous that they were put in a box and buried. This ancient burial ground, which I visited, was at a spot where the soil is light and sandy. On the hill, above his house, is a level field, where arrow-heads have been found in large numbers. Mr. B., who has lived here sixteen years, does not know that the isolated high gro

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New-York.

New-York.

Whatever else can be done for the red race, it is yet my opinion, that nothing would be as permanently beneficial, in their exaltation and preservation, as their admission to the rights and immunities of citizens....

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Indian Election.

Indian Election.

At a council of the Six Nations of Indians, held upon the Tonawanda Reservation, on Wednesday, Oct. 1st, there were present the Mohawks, Onondagas and Senecas, confederate brothers on the one part, and the Oneidas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras, brothers on the other part. The Masters of the grand ceremonies were Deatgahdos, Hahsant (Onondagas) and Oahgwashah, (Cayuga.) The speakers were Hahsauthat, (Onondaga,) Shosheowaah, (Seneca,) and Oaghwashah, (Cayuga.) After the grand ceremonies were performed,

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Sketches of an Indian Council.

Sketches of an Indian Council.

A grand council of the confederate Iroquois was held last week, at the Indian Council House on the Tonawanda Reservation, in the county of Genesee. Its proceedings occupied three days—closing on the 3d instant. It embraced representatives from all the Six Nations—the Mohawk, the Onondaga, the Seneca; and the Oneida, the Cayuga and the Tuscarora. It is the only one of the kind which has been held for a number of years, and is, probably, the last which will ever be assembled with a full representa

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(C.) Letter from J. V. H. Clark to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(C.) Letter from J. V. H. Clark to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Manlius, Oct. 6th , 1845. H. R. Schoolcraft, Esq. , 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 dif

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Account of the Settlement of North America.

Account of the Settlement of North America.

In the ancient days the Great Island appeared upon the big waters, the earth brought forth trees, herbs, vegetables, &amp;c. The creation of the land animals: the Eagwehoewe people were too created and resided in the north regions; and after a time some of the people became giants, and committed outrages upon the inhabitants, &amp;c. Ancient Shipwreck. —After many years a body of Eagwehoewe people encamped on the bank of a majestic stream, and was named Kanawage , now St. Lawrence. After

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Origin of the Five Nations.

Origin of the Five Nations.

By some inducement a body of people was concealed in the mountain at the falls named Kuskehsawkich, (now Oswego.) When the people were released from the mountain they were visited by TARENYAWAGON, i. e. the Holder of the Heavens, who had power to change himself into various shapes: he ordered the people to proceed towards the sunrise as he guided them and came to a river and named Yenonanatche, i. e. going round a mountain, (now Mohawk) and went down the bank of the river and came to where it di

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(E.) Letter from S. A. Goodwin to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(E.) Letter from S. A. Goodwin to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Auburn, Oct. 17 , 1845. My Dear Sir —I received yours of the 2d inst. in due course of post, and now send you, at the first practicable moment, a diagram and sketch of the “Old Fort.” My engagements have been such as to prevent my going out to Geneva, and making a trip to the old fortification alluded to. As to the other one here referred to by McAuley, it is just back of my house, and as soon as I have time to make an examination I will drop you a line respecting it. I go to Rochester, to atten

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(F.) Letter from Frederick Follet to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(F.) Letter from Frederick Follet to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Batavia, Oct. 25 , 1845. Dear Sir —My private and public duties together prevented my making a visit to “Fort Hill,” until the 22d inst. and I proceed to give you my ideas of that formation. The ground known as “Fort Hill” is situated about three miles north of the village of Le Roy, and ten or twelve miles northeast from Batavia, the capitol of Genesee county. The better view of “Fort Hill” is had to the north of it, about a quarter of a mile, on the road leading from Bergen to Le Roy. From thi

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(G.) Letter from C. Dewey to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(G.) Letter from C. Dewey to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Fort Hill. This is celebrated as being the remains of some ancient work, and was supposed to have been a fort . Though the name is pronounced as if hill was the name of some individual, yet the place is a fort on a hill, in the loose use of the word. The name designates the place as Fort -hill, to distinguish it from the hills which have no fort on them. Neither is it a hill , except as you rise from the swale on the north, for it is lower than the land to which it naturally belongs. As you pass

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Vocabulary of the Tuscarora, from William Chew, written out and transmitted by the Rev. Gilbert Rockwood.

Vocabulary of the Tuscarora, from William Chew, written out and transmitted by the Rev. Gilbert Rockwood.

Note. —In affixing Indian words, to the following vocabulary, Mr. Chew, who speaks the English very well, has promised to act as your translator and interpreter. The principal thing to be guarded against, however, is inaccuracy in the definitions, both in English and Indian. If there is no infinitive to verbs, as I suppose, insert the simplest existing form, as He loves, &amp;c. Is there any participle to Tuscarora verbs! H. R. S. To Mr. Rockwood....

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TUSCARORA.

TUSCARORA.

112 If there is no infinitive, insert the form, he eats, &amp;c. Note. —As the above is intended to be used merely for comparing one Iroquois dialect with another, I desire that our alphabet may be used with the common English powers. If not, and you use a particular system, please to state what sounds it expresses. H. R. S. There is nothing answering to the infinitive and participle. I have therefore used the present indicative in the translation. I have divided the words into syllables, wh

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Inquiries.

Inquiries.

There are several words in your vocabulary of the Tuscarora, in which the sound of F is used, always, however, as a terminal sound, as in “Eh noo keuh’f,” mankind. Is this to be understood as denoting the ordinary sound of the letter? Does it occur in other positions in words? What is to be understood by the comma, which is invariably put before it? H. R. S. Tuscarora Mission , Dec. 6th , 1845. Dear Sir—Your letter of December 1st is this day received. In reference to the vocabulary of Indian wo

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(I.) Letter from Rev. Asher Bliss to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(I.) Letter from Rev. Asher Bliss to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Cattaraugus Mission, Sept. 4th, 1845. Dear Sir —Agreeably to your request I forward you some facts in regard to the establishment and progress of the gospel among the natives of this reservation. The Cattaraugus Mission Church was organized July 8th, 1827, (which is a little more than 18 years.) It consisted of Mr. Wm. A. Thayer, the teacher, his wife, and 12 native members. There have been additions to it from time to time, until the whole number who have held a connection with this church is o

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(K.) Letter from Rev. William Hall to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(K.) Letter from Rev. William Hall to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Allegany Mission, Sept. 8th, 1845. Dear Sir :—Your inquiries in relation to the state of religion, education, &amp;c., among the Indians of this reservation, if I rightly understand them, are briefly answered as follows: Christianity very much prospered here during the four years next preceding the past. The number of church members during that period, was nearly tripled, and very encouraging additions were made to their knowledge and zeal. But the past year has been one of stupidity and dro

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Mohawk.

Mohawk.

113 If there is no infinitive, insert verbs in their original form, as, He eats, &amp;c....

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Cayuga.

Cayuga.

114 If there is no infinitive, insert verbs in their simplest concrete form, i. e., indicative mood, present tense, first person, singular, as, he thinks, &amp;c. Vernon, October 4th, 1845. Sir : I completed the enumeration of the Oneida Indians some days ago, but delayed sending a return to you to ascertain the Indian names. It doubtless contains all the information you require at this particular time. Several families are included in the marshal’s enumeration of the inhabitants of the town

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Oneida.

Oneida.

The preceding part of this vocabulary, taken by myself, together with the entire vocabularies of the Onondaga and the Seneca, which are necessary to render the comparison complete, are omitted....

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(N.) Letter from Mr. D. E. Walker to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(N.) Letter from Mr. D. E. Walker to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Batavia, July 26th, 1845. Mr. Schoolcraft : I have visited the mound on Dr. Noltan’s farm. Nothing of great importance can be learned from it. I should think it about fifty rods from the creek, and elevated, perhaps, some eight feet above the general level of the ground. A similar one is also found about two miles south of this, and, as is this, it is on high ground, of circular form, and with a radius of about one rod. They were discovered about thirty or thirty-five years since. Nothing has be

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(O.) Letter from H. C. Van Schaack, Esq. to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

(O.) Letter from H. C. Van Schaack, Esq. to Henry R. Schoolcraft.

Manlius, July 18th, 1845. Dear Sir : Yours of yesterday from Jamesville is received. Its enclosure is the first intimation I have of having been chosen a corresponding member of the N. Y. Historical Society. I shall be happy to advance the objects of the Society. I regret that you have not found it convenient to call, I hope you will still conclude to come. In the interim, I am convinced that Mr. C. can advance your objects better than I can; he has read several addresses on these subjects befor

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(P.) Letter from L. T. Morgan, Esq., to H. R. Schoolcraft.

(P.) Letter from L. T. Morgan, Esq., to H. R. Schoolcraft.

Rochester, October 7, 1845. Sir —You have doubtless seen a notice of the great council of the Six Nations, recently held at Tonawanda. We call it great, because we never saw any thing of the kind before, and perhaps never will again. Three of us started in season, and spent the whole of last week in attendance, and were also joined by Mr. Hurd, a delegate from Cayuga. We were there before the council opened, and left after the fire was raked up. Our budget of information is large, and overthrows

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