41 chapters
17 hour read
Selected Chapters
41 chapters
PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The Author does not propose an elaborate explanation, nor an apology of any kind, for the benefit of the following work. If it absolutely requires either, he must even be content to have written it in vain, as no statement or argument can give it any degree of vitality or popularity in the one case or in the other. He has regarded it, historically, as an act of mere Justice to the fame and the memories of many wise, brilliant, brave and generous men,—patriots, orators, warriors and statesmen,—wh
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER 1.
CHAPTER 1.
The Indian tribes of Virginia at the date of the Jamestown settlement; their names, numbers and power—The Powhatan confederacy—The Indian Village of that name— Powhatan —The circumstances of the first interview between him and the English— Opechancanough, his brother—Opitchipan—Reception of Captain Smith by Powhatan—Interposition of Pocahontas in his favor—Second visit of the colonists—Third visit, and coronation—Entertainment of Smith by Pocahontas—Contest of ingenuity between Powhatan and Smit
47 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Conduct of Powhatan after Smith's departure for England, and causes of it—Hostilities resumed—Peace finally effected by the capture of Pocahontas—Manner of gaining this point—Marriage of Pocahontas with John Rolfe—Death and character of Powhatan—His person, manner of living, talents, influence. His method and means of warfare—The discipline of his warriors—The manner in which he availed himself of the English arms and science—Causes of his hostility towards the colonists—His dignity—Shrewdness—I
40 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
The family of Powhatan—His successor—Sequel of the history of Pocahontas—Her acts of kindness to the colonists at various times, and especially to Smith—His gratitude—Her civilisation, and instruction in Christianity—Her visit to England in 1616—Reception at Court—Interview with Smith—His memorial respecting her to Queen Anne—Her death and character—Her descendants. The family of Powhatan was numerous and influential. Two sons and two daughters have already been mentioned. There were also three
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Sequel of the history of Opechancanough—Renewal, by him and Opitchipan, of the treaty of peace—Finesse by which he extended his dominion over the Chickahominies—Preparations for War—Causes of it—Profound dissimulation under which his hostility was concealed—Indian custom of making Conjurers—Manœuvres against the English interest—The great massacre of 1622; circumstances and consequences of it—Particular occasion which led to it—Character and death of Nemattanow —Details of the war subsequent to
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Biography of other Virginian chieftains— Opitchipan —Some particulars respecting Tomocomo —His visit to England, interview with Captain Smith, and return to America— Japazaws, chief sachem of the Patowomekes—His friendship for the English—Ill treatment which he received from them— Totopotomoi, successor of Opechancanough—His services—His death in 1656—Notices of several native chiefs of North Carolina— Granganimo, who dies in 1585— Menatenon, king of the Chowanocks— Ensenore, father of Granganim
30 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI. [FN]
CHAPTER VI. [FN]
[FN] Not to subject ourselves to the charge of plagiarism, it may be proper to remark here, that several passages in the following notices of the Pokanoket Sachems have been taken almost unaltered from an article on Indian Biography, published heretofore in the North American Review, and written by the author of this work. The same is true of a part of the subsequent notice of Tecumseh and his brother. Synopsis of the New England Indians at the date of the Plymouth Settlement—The Pokanoket confe
41 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Massasoit succeeded by his son Alexander —The occasion of that name being given by the English—History of Alexander previous to his father's death—Covenant made with Plymouth in 1639—Measures taken in pursuance of it, in 1661—Anecdote illustrating the character of Alexander—Notice of the charges made against him—Examination of the transaction which led to his death—Accession of Philip —Renewal of the treaty by him—Interruption of harmony—Supposed causes of it—Measures taken in consequence—Philip
27 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Preparations for war between Philip and the Colonies—Great excitement of the times—Deposition of Hugh Cole—Immediate occasion of hostilities—Commencement of them, June 24th, 1675—Summary sketch of the war—Consequences to the parties engaged—Exertions, adventures and escapes of King Philip—His death—Anecdotes respecting him—Observations on his character—His courage, dignity, kindness, independence, shrewdness, and self-command—Fate of his family—Defence of his conduct. Whatever had previously bee
27 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
The Narraghansett tribe; territory and power—Chief Sachems at the date of the English settlements in New England— Canonicus associates with himself Miantonomo, his nephew—Their treatment of Roger Williams in 1634—Hostility to the Plymouth Colony—Invited by the Pequots to fight the English—Treaty negotiated at Boston, in 1636, by Miantonomo—War with the Pequots and result of it—Subsequent hostility between Miantonomo and Uncas—Sequassen —Battle of the Sachem's-Plain—Capture of Miantonomo—Sentence
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Consideration of the justice of the Commissioners' sentence upon Miantonomo—Their reasons, as alleged—The charge against him of ambitious designs—Of employing the Mohawks—Of breaking the league of 1638—"Concerning the Pequot squaws"—Of hostility to the English—Of peculation—Proofs of his fidelity and friendship—Causes of complaint by him and Canonicus against the English—Character of both Sachems—Their treatment of Roger Williams—Letters of that gentleman—Anecdotes—Death of Canonicus. It is not
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Canonicus succeeded by Pessacus—Mexham—Ninigret, Sachem of the Nianticks—Proposals made by them to the English, and by the English in return—They commence hostilities against Uncas—The English resolve to make war upon them—They make concessions—Their visits to Boston—Subsequent movements against Uncas. An armed party sent against Ninigret and Pessacus—They are accused of a league with the Dutch against the English. Strictly speaking, there was no successor to Canonicus in the government of the N
31 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Sequel of the lives of Ninigret and Pessacus, from 1653—Various accusations, deputations, and hostile movements between them and the English—Controversy between Ninigret and Harmon Garrett—Application for justice in 1675—Conduct of Ninigret in Philip's War—Consequences of it—His death—Death of Pessacus—Some of the charges against the former considered—His hostility to Uncas, and the Long Islanders, and "League with the Dutch"—Remarks on his character. In September, 1653, new complaints were made
28 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Pequot tribe—Their first chief-sachem known to the English, Pekoath —succeeded by Sassacus —An embassy sent to Boston in 1631—Residence and strong-holds of Sassacus—His earliest intercourse with the English—Murder of Captain Stone—Justification of it by Sassacus—He proposes a treaty of peace in 1684—Sends deputies to Boston twice—Treaty concluded—Anecdotes—His wars with the Narraghansetts—Fresh controversy with the English—They send an armed party to demand damages—Conduct of the party, and
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Pequot territory claimed by Uncas —His tribe, family, and early history—Services in the Pequot expedition rewarded by the English—Effect of their favor—His contest with Miantonomo, and result—Subsequent wars and quarrels with various tribes and chiefs—Assistance rendered him by the English—Complaints brought against him to them—His Christianity considered—His morality—Evidence of his fraud, falsehood, violence, tyranny, ambition—His services, and those of his tribe to the English—Manner in w
43 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Indians who submitted to Massachusetts—The Gortonists— Pomham, Sachem of Shaomet, and Saconoco complain of them—Submit to the Government—Their examination and entertainment—Policy of Massachusetts in the case of Pomham—He and Saconoco much harassed by their neighbors—Subsequent history—Pomham takes part in Philip's war and is killed— Canonchet, son of Miantonomo—His agreement of October, 1675— Weetamore, Squaw-Sachem of Pocasset—Canonchet's career during Philip's war—Particulars of his surprisal
29 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Account of the Pawtucket confederacy in New Hampshire— Passaconaway, their Chief Sachem—He is disarmed by order of the Massachusetts Government. His residence, age and authority—He maintains a good understanding with the English—Visits Boston—The Apostle Elliot's acquaintance with, and notice of him—His views of Christianity—Festival, and Farewell speech to his tribe in 1660—Death and character—His son and successor, Wonolanset. —Anecdotes of the family—Legend of Passaconaway's feats as a Powah.
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NEW-YORK:
NEW-YORK:
NO. 82 CLIFF-STREET, AND FOR SALE BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOK SELLERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1831, by J. & J. Harper, in the office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New York....
30 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Notices of Indians who submitted to Massachusetts, continued—The Squaw-Sachem of Medford—Her history, family, &c.—Her sons, Sagamore John and Sagamore James —Their intercourse with the English—Anecdotes of them—Complaints, services, death and character— Chickatabot, Sachem of Neponset—His war with the Squaw-Sachem—Visits Boston several times—Appears in court against Plastowe—Anecdotes of his Government—Indian policy of Massachusetts compared with that of Plymouth—Anecdotes of Chickatabot
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Farther account of Master Weston's settlement, and the movements of the Indians against him— Aspinet, the Nauset, supposed to be engaged in that affair—His tribe and power—Provocations from the English—Magnanimous revenge of the Sachem—His hospitality and kindness—Friendly intercourse with Plymouth—Is visited by governor Bradford—By captain Standish—Is suspected of hostility by Plymouth, and pursued by Standish—His death—Career and character of Iranough, the "Courteous Sachem of Cummaquid"—Is su
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Summary account of the Five Nations —Their early history—Government—Conquests—Population—Territory—Intercourse with European Colonies—Their war with the Adirondacks—Adventures of Piskaret —Their negotiations with the French, in 1684—Anecdotes of the Onondaga Chief, Garangula —His speech at the Council, and effects of it—Remarks on his character—History of the Five Nations continued to the time of Adario —His exploits—Their object and results—War between the confederates and the French—Adventures
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Five Nations continued. Remarks on their oratory—Circumstances favorable to it—Account of a council of the Confederates at Onondaga, in 1690—Anecdotes of various persons who attended it—Speeches of Sadekanatie and other orators— Adarahta —The history and character of Decanesora —His speeches at the Albany council of 1694—Style of his eloquence—His personal and political character—Other speeches and negotiations—Anecdotes of Sadekanatie. Enough perhaps has already appeared respecting the Five Nat
31 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Account of the Ottawas—Their first Chief-Sachem known to the English, Pontiac —His interview with Major Rogers—Protects that officer and his troops—Saves Detroit from an army of Indians—Hostility of the northern tribes to the English, after the conquest of Canada—Adventures of Henry —Anecdotes of Minavavana —Supposed feelings of Pontiac towards the English—His great project of combination. Having arrived regularly, according to the order observed in this work, at the commencement of the eighteen
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Pontiac's plan of campaign—He commences active preparations—Council of the Ottawas—Grand Council of the Northern tribes—Dream of the Delaware—Maxims promulgated by Pontiac—Estimate of the number and force of his allies—Commencement of the war—Surprisal of nine English posts—Mode of surprisal—Artifice adopted at Michilimackinac, and result—Reduction of Detroit undertaken by Pontiac in person—His interview with the commandant—His plan discovered, and the surprise prevented—Letter from Detroit. The
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Siege of Detroit maintained by Pontiac—The Commandant meditates a retreat—The French propose a conference with Pontiac, which takes place—The latter demands the surrender of the fort, which the Commandant refuses—Vigorous renewal of hostilities—Advantages gained by the Indian army—Arrival of succor to the English—Battle of Bloody Bridge—Pontiac at length raises the siege,—Causes of it—The Indians make peace—His subsequent career until his death—Anecdotes illustrating his influence, energy, magna
33 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Account of the Delawares—Their ancient great men, including Tamenend —History daring the Revolutionary War—Two Parties among them— White-Eyes, leader of one, and Captain Pipe, of the other—Manœuvres, speeches, plots and counter-plots of these men, their parties, and foreigners connected with both—Anecdotes—Death of White-Eyes in 1780—Tribute of respect paid to his memory. The most formidable antagonist the Five Nations ever had to contend with, were the Delawares, as the English have named them
24 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Observations on the character of White-Eyes—Pipe's comment on his death—The latter gains and sustains an ascendancy in the Delaware nation—Glickkican, Netawatwees and Wingemund—Subsequent career of Pipe—Joins the British and fights against the Americans—Grand Indian council at Detroit—Pipe's spirited speech on that occasion—Makes charges against the Missionaries, but fails to prove them—Remarks on his habits, principles and talents. The feet that Captain Pipe and his associates began to gain the
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
State of several Southern tribes during the last century—The English send deputies to the Cherokees, in 1756—Their lives threatened, and saved by Attakullakulla —Account of that Chieftain and his principles—The party opposed to him headed by Occonostota—War with the Colonies in 1759 and two years following—Anecdotes of both these Chiefs— Saloueh, Fiftoe, and others—Several battles—Peace concluded—Attakullakulla visits Charleston—His subsequent Career, and that of Occonostota—Remarks on their cha
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
The Cayuga Chief, Logan —Some account of his father, Shikellimus —Residence of Logan—His friendship for the whites interrupted by their provocations—His family misfortunes—The Shawanee Silver-Heels —Logan joins in a war of revenge against the "Long-Knives"—Battle of the Kenhawa—Treaty of Peace with Governor Dunmore—Logan's celebrated speech—His history completed— Buckongahelas, the Delaware head War-Chief—His intercourse with the Christian Indians—Part which he takes in the Revolution—Defeated b
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Some account of the Shawanees, the tribe of Tecumseh —Anecdotes illustrative of their character—Early history and lineage of Tecumseh—His first adventures as a warrior—His habits and principles—His brothers Kumshaka and Elskwatawa —The first open movements of the latter, in 1806—He assumes the character of Prophet—His doctrines—His mode of operation upon his countrymen—Other Indian Pretenders—Anecdote of a Shawanee Chief, at Fort Wayne—Tanner's account of the ministry of the Elskwatawa's Agents—
32 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
History of Tecumseh and the Prophet continued—The latter encamps at Tippecanoe—-Sends a message to Governor Harrison—Visits him at Vincennes—Increase of his forces—Attention of the General Government aroused—Tecumseh visits the Governor—His speech, and journey southward—Battle of Tippecanoe, November, 1811—Consequences of it—Indian Council at Mississiniway—Council at Malden—Speeches and Anecdotes of the Crane, Walk-in-the-Water, Round-Head, and other Chiefs—Sequel of the history of the two broth
36 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Remarks on the character of Tecumseh and the Prophet—Their facilities for cooperation—Difficulties the latter had to overcome—His perseverance and ingenuity—Means by which he protected his person—Anecdotes of the Battle of Tippecanoe—Frankness of Tecumseh in disclosing his schemes—Causes of his hostility to the Americans—Trespasses of the whites, and other abuses—Object of the belligerent combination—Anecdotes of Tecumseh's first visit to Vincennes, in 1810—His dignity, independence and courage—
26 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Michikinaqwa, or the Little Turtle —Early History—Engages in a combination of the Indians against the United States— Blue-Jacket —The Turtle defeats two detachments of American troops—Some account of the North-Western war from 1791 to 1795—The Turtle defeated by General Wayne—He becomes unpopular after the peace—Some or the charges against him examined—Anecdotes of his intercourse with distinguished Americans—His letter to Gen. Harrison—His death in 1812—His character. In the Life of Buckongahel
41 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Seneca Chief, Red-Jacket —Circumstances under which he succeeded Corn-Planter in his influence—Anecdotes of the latter—Red-Jacket's earliest oratorical triumph—His speech at the Treaty of Canandaigua—Account of Farmer's-Brother, and Brandt —Red-Jacket's political and religious principles—Speech to Mr. Alexander, in 1811—Speech to Mr. Richardson—Remarks on the causes of his heathenism in the conduct of the whites—His military career—Speech in favor of declaring war against the British, in 181
52 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. I.
NO. I.
Uncas. —The author is indebted to the Committee of the Historical Society of Massachusetts for an opportunity to examine a valuable document recently forwarded to them by Mr. Williams, of Lebanon, Connecticut, and originally, we believe, a part of the Trumbull collection. According to this account, which purports to have been "made by Uncas" himself, that Chieftain was wholly of the royal blood of the Pequots. Tatobam was another name for Sassacus, and Uncas married the daughter of that Sachem (
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. II.
NO. II.
Correspondence between General Wayne and Major Campbell. (I) Miamis River, Aug. 21, 1794. Sir, An army of the United States of America, said to be under your command, having taken post on the banks of the Miamis, for upwards of the last twenty-four hours, almost within the reach of the guns of this fort, being a post belonging to His Majesty the King of Great Britain, occupied by His Majesty's troops, and which I have the honor to command, it becomes me to inform myself, as speedily as possible,
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. III.
NO. III.
Corn-Planter's Letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, dated "Allegheny river, 2d mo. 2d, 1822," and probably written by his interpreter. From Buchanan's Sketches. "I feel it my duty to send a speech to the governor of Pennsylvania at this time, and inform him the place where I was from—which was Conewaugus, on the Genesee river. "When I was a child, I played with the butterfly, the grasshopper and the frogs. As I grew up, I began to pay some attention and play with the Indian boys in the neighb
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. IV.
NO. IV.
Corn-Planter's Speech at the Court-House at Warren, (N. Y.) June 4th, 1822, after an explanation, by two state Commissioners, of a law exonerating him from the payment of certain taxes. From the Venango Herald. "Brothers!—Yesterday was appointed for us all to meet here. The talk which the Governor sent us pleased us very much. I think that the Great Spirit is very much pleased that the white people have been induced so to assist the Indians as they have done, and that he is pleased also to see t
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. V.
NO. V.
Mr. Brandt, whose death has been recently announced, was the son of the celebrated Indian chief of that name, and distinguished himself as a lieutenant in our service during the late war. Some years ago he visited England, and under the patronage of the Duke of Northumberland, was introduced to the Duke of Wellington, Lord Teignmouth, and other influential personages, and from his peculiar urbanity of manners and highly cultivated acquirements, speedily became known and esteemed. His exertions,
48 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. VI.
NO. VI.
Letter of Farmer's-Brother, and others, to the Hon. W. Eustis, Secretary of War. Niles' Register, Vol. II. "Brother!—The sachems and chief warriors of the Seneca nation of Indians, understanding you are the person appointed by the great council of your nation to manage and conduct the affairs of the several nations of Indians with whom you are at peace and on terms of friendship, come at this time, as children to a father, to lay before you the trouble which we have on our minds. "Brother!—We do
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
NO. VII.
NO. VII.
Extracted from the American Remembrancer (an impartial and authentic collection of facts, published in London during the Revolutionary War) for the year 1782, vol. 14, p. 185. Boston, March 12. Extract of a letter from Captain Gerrish, of the New-England Militia, dated Albany, March 7. "The peltry taken in the expedition, will, you see, amount to a good deal of money. The possession of this booty at first gave us pleasure; but we were struck with horror to find among the packages, eight large on
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter