A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana/Appendix
APPENDIX.
As an historical sketch has been given of the Indian nations, within what is considered the limits of Louisiana, on the western side of the river Mississippi, it is presumed that some account of the natives residing west of the Alleghany mountains, and in the vicinity of the lakes, would be acceptable. The following is given from the best materials the writer was able to procure. To ascertain the numbers of each nation, with any great degree of precision, is impracticable. They are taken principally from former estimates, since which individual nations have doubtless considerably varied in number, Since the close of the American revolutionary war, some of the nations have increased in population, while others have diminished. Mr. Imlay, in his history of Kentucky, estimates the whole number of Indians, from the gulph of Mexico, on both sides the Mississippi, to its head waters, to the gulph of Saint Lawrence; and as far west as the country has been explored, between the Missouri and Saint a Fè; to be only 60,000 souls. This estimation must be much less than their real number. Mr. Purcell, who resided among the Indians, computes only the Creeks, Chacktaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and Catabaws, in the year 1780, to consist of 13,516 warriors, and 42,033 souls. The roving life and frequent migrations of the natives, increase the difficulty of ascertaining the number of particular nations. Tribes and small bands often separate from their nation, and form confederacies with others, or find some new place of residence. After the establishment of peace by General Wayne, at Greenville, in 1795, at which time large tracts of land were ceded to the United States, nearly all the Indians who resided on the lands, to which their claims were extinguished, retread back, and found new places of residence.
The most northern and eastern nations, near the lakes, are the Six Nations. They have been so called by the English and Americans, but the French styled them Irquois. They call themselves Aganuschioni, which in their language, signifies the United People. This confederacy, which consisted at first of only five nations, is of ancient date. The nations who first united were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Senecas, and Cayugas. About eighty years ago they were joined by the Tuscaroras. The Mohawks were formerly at the head of the confederacy, and were a very powerful nation. They inhabited on Mohawk river. The old Mohawk town was at the mouth of Schohary creek, twelve miles west of Schenectady, which was not entirely abandoned until 1780. Here is still the remains of an old church, built in the reign of Queen Ann. They were strongly attached to Sir William Johnson, and the Johnson family. About 300 went with Sir John Johnson, to Canada in 1776, and reside in Upper Canada, on the northern waters of Lake Erie.
At the time of the American revolution, the Six Nations were in alliance with the English, engaged on their side, and made great depredations on the frontiers: In the year 1779, the American troops gained a complete victory over them, and destroyed all their towns. By a treaty at Fort Stanwix, in 1784, a tract of land was assigned them, bordering on Lake Erie and Ontario, and a quantity of goods given them for their use and comfort. And by a subsequent treaty, at Konon-daigua, in 1794, their boundary lines were varied, in conformity to treaties they had made with the State of New York, and the tract confirmed to them by the United States. This tract is called the State Reservation, on which they now reside. In consideration of the extinguishment of their claims to other lands, and to secure perpetuate peace and friendship, the United States delivered to the Six Nations, and to the Indians of other nations, residing among them, and united with them, a quantity of goods to the value of 10,000 dollars, and stipulated an annuity of 4,500 dollars, to be expended yearly, forever, in purchasing clothing, domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and in compensating useful artificers, who shall reside with, or near them, and be employed for their benefit. All the Mohawks and a considerable part of the Cayugas have migrated to Canada. It is thought probable they will all quit the United States, and retire over the Lakes Ontario and Erie, and settle with their former associates. There is an exact census of all these Indians taken annually. The number of souls, in 1796, exclusive of the Mohawks and Gayugas moved into Canada, was 3,298. The Stockbridge and Brotherton Indians, who are united with them and reside among them, are 1,210, making the whole number cf the Six Nations 4,508 souls. They can probably furnish about 1,400 warriors.
The Sachems, chiefs and warriors of the following nations and tribes, having met together at Greenville, on a branch of the Great Miami, General Wayne concluded a treaty of peace, harmony, and friendly intercourse between the United States, and these Indians, on the 3d day of August 1795. The nations and tribes were the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Ottawas, Chippewas, Ottawa from Sandusky lake, Putawatames of the River Saint Joseph, Putawatames of Huron, Miamies, and Eel-river, Eel-river tribe, Miamis, Weeas for themselves and the Piankashow, Kikapoos, Kaskaskias, and Delawares of Sandusky. By the third article of the treaty, a general boundary line between the lands of the United States, and the lands of the said Indian tribes, was established. All the land lying eastwardly and southwardly of the general boundary line. These tribes ceded to the United States, and relinquished all their claims forever. They also made a cession of sixteen pieces of land, of different dimensions, and at different places, within their own line, as an evidence of returning friendship, and to provide for the accommodation, convenient intercourse, and mutual benefit of both parties. In addition to these cessions, the said tribes relinquished all title and claim which they, or any of them, may have to the tract of 150,000 acres, near the rapids of the Ohio river, which has been assigned to General Clark and his warriors; a tract of land adjacent to post Saint Vicennes, on the Wabash, to which the Indian title had been extinguished; the land at all other places in possession of the French people and other white settlers among them, of which the Indian title had been extinguished; and a tract at Fort Massac, towards the mouth of the Ohio.
In consideration of these cessions, and with a view to preserve peace and a friendly intercourse, the United States delivered to these tribes a quantity of goods, of the value of 20,000 dollars, and are hence forwarded every year forever, to deliver them like useful goods, suited to the circumstances of the Indians,to the amount of 9,500 dollars,valued at the place where they are procured. These goods are to be delivered in the following proportions; to the Wyandots, the value of 1,000 dollars; to the Delawares, 1,000 dollars; to the Shawanese, 1,000 dollars; to the Miamis, 1,000 dollars; to the Attawaa, 1,000 dollars; to the Chippewas 1,000 dollars; to the Putawatimes, 1,000 dollars; and to the Kickapoos, Weeas, Eel-river, Piankashaws, and Kaskaskias tribes, 500 dollars each.
The Wyandots inhabit the country near the river Saint Joseph and Fort Detroit, and have their hunting ground about the western end of Lake Erie. Their warriors, some years ago were two hundred and fifty, and the number of souls estimated at about 800. A tribe of the Wyandots, reside near Sandusky, in the neighbourhood of a tribe of the Mohickons and Coghnawagas. The warriors of these three tribes were, a number of years ago, three hundred, and the inhabitants about 1,000.
The Delaware nation emigrated from the northern parts of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, and probably received their name from their residence on the Delaware river. The name by which they called themselves was Linnilenape, which, in their language, signifies Indian Men. They were formerly a very numerous and powerful nation, but are much reduced. Before the settlements commenced in the State of Ohio, their villages were about midway between the Ohio river and Lake Erie, on the Muskingum, and on the branches of Beaver Creek and Guyehago, but they have since retired to the country about Lake Erie. They are naturally ingenious, intelligent and of a peacable disposition, rarely contending with any of the neighbouring Indian tribes. Lately they were hostile to the Americans, and committed depredations. The number of their warriors has been computed to be six hundred, and their number of souls about 2,000.
The Shawanoes resided on the head waters of the Scioto and the northern branches of the Muskingum, but they are now on Stone creek, which empties into the Great Miami, and at the Miami villages. They have been able to raise three hundred warriors. Parts of this nation have emigrated to the southward of the Ohio river, and joined the Creek confederacy. It has been said of the Shawanoes that they are generally handsome featured, of a rather small size, and a very chearful, crafty people: that counselling among the old people, and dancing among their young men and women, occupies a great portion of their time.
The Ottawa nation is divided into several tribes or bands. The largest part of the nation live not far distant from Detroit, and hunt about Lake Erie, and some time past, could raise four hundred warriors. Another part resides on the eastern side of Lake Michigan, about twenty miles southward of Michilimackinack. Their hunting ground is between this lake and Lake Huron. They have been able to furnish about two hundred warriors. One of the tribes live near the Chippewas, on Saguinam bay, who, together had two hundred warriors. Another tribe resides near Fort Saint Joseph, and have about one hundred and fifty warriors. And one other small band live near Sandusky, who are supposed to have not more than about fifty warriors.
The Chippewas are a very numerous nation, divided into a vast number of tribes and bands, which are scattered over a tract country represented by M'Kenzie, to extend two thousand miles. Some of them reside on Lake Huron; others on the borders of Lake Superior, on the Chippeway river, on both sides of Mississippi; and as far to the westward as the Assinniboin river. Very little appears to be known of the numbers which compose this nation. The tribes inhabiting the coasts and islands of Lake Superior, according to Hutchins, can furnish one thousand warriors. Those residing in the country about Saguinam and Puan bays, and on the borders of Huron and Machigan, together with the tribes of Saukees and Mynomanies, who live near them, are estimated at five hundred and fifty warriors. These last mentioned tribes were hostile to the United States, and signed the treaty at Greenville.
The Putanotimes consist of two tribes, one of which resides on the River Saint Joseph, and the other near Detroit. Their warriors are estimated at about five hundred. These tribes were both hostile to the United States, and were parties in the treaty at Greenville.
The Miamies who signed the Greenville treaty, (it is presumed) include those only who inhabit the village of that name near the Miami Fort. Their number of warriors is unknown.
The Miamis nation live on the Miami of the lakes, and on lands southward of Lake Michigan. They can furnish about three hundred warriors.
The Eel-river Indians reside on a river of that name, which is a head branch of the Wabash. Their number of warriors cannot be ascertained.
Kathtippacamunch was an Indian village, situated on the north side of the Wabash river, at the mouth of Tippacanoe Greek, about twenty miles above the lower Weeatowns. In 1791, before it was destroyed by Generals Scott and Wilkinson, it is said to have "contained one hundred and twenty houses, eighty of which were shingle roofed. The best houses belonged to the French traders. The gardens and impronements round were delightful. There was a tavern with cellars, bar, public and private rooms; and the whole marked no small degree of order and civilization."
Not far distant from the mouth of Tippacanoe creek, is the town of the much fumed Indian Prophet, who is said to be a Shawanoes.
The Piankashaws, Kickapoos, Musquitons, and Oulatanos, are tribes on the branches of the Wabash and Illinois rivers. They could raise, according to Hutchins, one thou sand warriors. Other tribes of the Kickapoos reside at the entrance of Lake Superior, and could raise four hundred warriors. Another tribe inhabits with the Otutagamies and Musquateys, between Michigan and the Mississippi, who together had one thousand warriors.
The Naudowesies live between Michigan and Lake Superior, and have five hundred warriors. The Killistinoes on Lake Superior, and have two hundred and fifty warriors. Mingoes on the Scioto, and have fifty warriors Lezars between the Wabash and the mouth of the Ohio. The greater part of these Indians have taken up new places of residence. They had three hundred warriors. Outimaes, between Michigan and Lake Saint Clair. Warriors two hundred. Winnebagoes inhabit about the Lake of the same name, south of Green bay. Their village is situated on an island near the end of the lake, and can raise about three hundred warriors. Illinois tribe inhabit a village near Cahokia river on the Mississippi, and can furnish two hundred and sixty warriors. There are a number of other tribes, towns and villages, north of the River Ohio, within the boundaries of the United States; especially in the extensive country between the Illinois river and the Upper lakes. But the deficiency of information is too great to attempt any description of them.
South of the Ohio, the Cherokee nation inhabit a tract of country lying in the southern parts of Tennessee, and northern parts of Georgia, being separated on the east from North and South Carolina, by the Apalachian or Cherokee mountains, and extending on the west, to Duck river, running into the Tennessee. By a tract concluded between the United States and the Cherokee nation, at Hopewell, in November, 1785, the boundary between the citizens of the United States, and the country allotted to this nation for hunting ground is particularly designated. The Cherokees have been a famous Indian nation, but is now on the decline. Frequent wars with the northern tribes, and with white people, have greatly reduced their numbers. They are said to have had two thousand five hundred warriors, but they are now estimated at one thousand five hundred. They have about forty-five towns in which they reside when they are not engaged in hunting or war excursions. They are a tall, robust, and well formed people, of a lighter complexion than the neighbouring Indian nations. The men are very generally six feet in height. The women are also tall and of an handsome figure, rather slender and delicate. This nation has been much celebrated for their talents and correct morals.
The Chickasaws reside in the Mississippi Territory, on the Yazoo river, and westward of the Tennessee river, as far north as the Ohio, of and down the Ohio and Mississippi, to the Chactaw line of Natchez district. The boundary of the lands allotted to this nation is particularly described in the treaty of Hopewell on the 10th of January, 1786. Their country lies north of the Chactaw nation, and is very much an extended plain with little rising land. It is well watered and the soil generally good. They reside in about seven or eight towns and had formerly five hundred and seventy-five warriors, and seventeen hundred and twenty-five souls.
The Chactaws, a powerful, subtle, hardy, Indian nation, reside between the Tombigby and Mississippi rivers. The limits of the country, within the United States on which this nation is to live and hunt, was particularly stipulated at the treaty of Hopewell, on the 3d of January, 1786. Their country is hilly, with extensive, fertile plains intervening between the high lands. Unlike most of the Indian nations they have paid considerable attention to husbandry. Some of them have large farms, in a good state of culture, and many of them spend much of their time in agricultural improvements. Although they do not possess one quarter part of the quantity of land which the Creek nation occupies, their number of people is more than two thirds as large as the Creek confederacy. Many years ago they had forty-three towns and villages, containing 4,041 warriors, and 12,123 souls. Since that time they are supposed to have considerably increased in population. These people are said to be slovenly and dirty in their dress, but ingenious, sensible and virtuous. Late travellers, however, have represented them as paying little regard to their moral conduct, and that unnatural crimes were too frequently practiced among them. There is an inveterate enmity between the Choctaws and Creek Indians.
The Creek confederacy forms the largest and most powerful nation of Indians south of the Ohio. The nation with whom the confederacy originated, was called Muskogulge. who emigrated from the west, beyond the Mississippi, and established themselves on the ruins of the Natchez. These people made their first settlement on the Oakmulge Fields, in the State of Georgia. They gradually subdued their surrounding enemies, and then strengthened themselves by taking into confederacy the vanquished tribes. The principal nations and tribes composing this union, are the Appalachies, Alabamas, Abecas, Cawillaws, Coosas, Conshaeks, Coosactees, Chacsihoomas, Natchez, Oconies, Oakmulgies, Okohoys, Pakanas, Taensas, Talepoosas, Weetunkas, and others who have since been united with them. This confederation has rendered them formidable to all the nations around them, as well as to the white people, and has rendered them victorious over the Chickasaws. They are divided into Upper Creeks, and Middle and Lower Creeks. The Upper Creeks include all the waters of the Koose, Talepoose and Alabama rivers, and are called Abbaco. Their hunting ground extends to the Tombigby river, which is the dividing line between the Creeks and Chocktaws. The Middle Creeks include all the waters of the Chattahoose and Flint rivers, down to their junction, and although occupied by a great number of different tribes, the whole are called Coweta people, from the Cowetan town and tribe, the most warlike, and one of the most ancient of the Creek nation. The Lower Creeks take in the Appalachicola river, and extend to the point of East Florida. This division is called the Seminoles. They have fifty-five principal towns, besides many villages. The smallest towns have from twenty to thirty, and some of the largest from one hundred and fifty to two hundred houses. The towns are all built compact. The houses stand in clusters of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 together, irregularly arranged up and down the banks of the rivers and small streams. Each cluster contains a clan, or family of relations, who eat and live in common. Each town has a public square, hot-house and yard near the centre, appropriated to various public uses. General M'Gillivra, estimated the number of warriors to be about six thousand exclusive of the Seminoles, who are considered of little account in war. From their roving manner of living it is impossible to ascertain the number of Creek Indians with much precision. They probably may have about 26,000 souls.
The land which thay claim as their country is a common stock; and any individual may remove from one part of it to another, and occupy vacant ground where he can find it. They have considered their boundary northward, to be some where about the forty-second degree of north latitude (as it has been found by surveyers), extending westward to the Tombigby river, and eastward to the atlantic ocean; but they have ceded parts of this tract on the sea coast, long ago, by different treaties to the State of Georgia. Their country is hilly, but not mountainous; the soil fertile; abounding with creeks, from whence they are probably called the Creek Indians. They have been very desirous to agree with the United States on a permanent boundary line, over which the southern States should not trespass. In August 1790, the United States concluded a treaty with the Kings, chiefs and warriors, of the Creek nation, at New-York. By this treaty the boundary line was to begin where the old line strikes the River Savannah; thence up the river to a place called Keowee, where a northeast line to be drawn from the top of the Occunna mountain shall intersect; thence along the said line in a southwest direction, to Tugelo river; thence to the top of the Currahee mountain; thence to the head or source of the main south branch of the Oconee river, called the Appalachee; thence down the said branch and River Oconee, to its confluence with the Oakmulgee, which form the River Altamaha to the old line, and thence along the old line to the River Saint Mary. The United States were, from time to time, to furnish the Creek nation gratuitously with useful domestic animals and implements of husbandry. A subsequent treaty was concluded, at Colerain, in June 1796, confirming the former treaty, providing that the boundary line from the Currahee mountain, should be clearly ascertained and marked, and stipulating to give to the said nation, goods to the value of 6,000 dollars, and to send two black smiths, with strikers and necessary tools, to be employed for the Upper and Lower Creeks.
Considerable improvements have been made by these people in agriculture, but they have been extremely deficient in their implements of husbandry. A very large part of the nation being devoted to hunting in the winter, and to war or idleness in the summer, they cultivate only small tracts of land which are barely sufficient to afford them sustenance. Some, who possess numbers of negroes, have fenced fields; but having no ploughs, they are obliged to break up, and cultivate the ground with hoes. The seed is scattered over the ground promiscuously, and not planted in rows. The articles they cultivate, are tobacco, rice, Indian corn, potatoes, beans, peas, cabbage and melons. Such fruits as peaches, plumbs, grapes, and strawberries, they have in great plenty. They raise great numbers of horses, cattle and hogs, and abound in turkies, ducks and other poultry. They manufacture earthern pots and pans, baskets, horse ropes or halters, smoaked leather, black marble pipes, wooden spoons, and oil from acorns, hickory nuts and chesnuts.
The Creeks are not disposed to have much intercourse with white people, especially foreigners, except with the English. Their prejudice is strong in favour of that nation, and they still believe "the Great King over the water" is able to keep the whole world in subjection. They have a particular fondness for British guns, drums, and other articles manufactured by the English people. It is said the Muskegirtge language, which is soft and musical, is spoken throughout the confederacy, although different tribes retain their native tongues. These people are generally well formed, expert, hardy, sagacious and politic. They are extremely jealous of their rights, and averse to parting with their lands. They are faithful friends, but inveterate enemies; hospitable to strangers; and honest and fair in their dealings. They have a most contemptable opinion of the white man's faith, and yet place great confidence in the justice and integrity of the government of the United States. They have no coercive laws, but support an excellent policy in their civil government. It is said some of their most favourite songs and dances, they have received from their enemies, the Choctaws, who are distinguished for poetry and music. They allow polygamy in the greatest latitude. Any man may take as many wives as he pleases, but the first wife is to be treated as queen, and the rest as only hand-maids and associates. One of the regulations said to have been adopted by the Creek nation, merits the highest commendation. It is the prohibition of the use of spirituous liquors. In their treaties with the white people, it has been said, they have insisted that no kind of spirits should be sold to their people; and when attempts have been made to run kegs of spirits, the Indians, on a discovery, have destroyed them with their tomahawks.
The Catalaw nation is only the remnant of a formidable, brave, generous people, now reduced to a small tribe. They reside on a river of the same name, which forms a boundary line between North and South Carolina. In their present situation, they are entirely surrounded by white inhabitants. A tract of land of 444,000 acres, has been assigned them, on which they have agricultural improvements. They are said to consist of about four hundred and fifty souls, and have about one hundred and fifty warriors.
An account has been given of a particular tribe of Indians residing, on elevated land, in a part of the Eokeefanoke, or Ekanfanoga swamp, between Flint and Oakmulgee rivers, from which the River Saint Mary takes its rise. It is called a lake, or rather a marsh, three hundred miles in circumference. The account given of these Indians, borders too much on romance to deserve much credit. The lake or marsh is called Ouaquaphenoga. " In wet seasons it appears like an inland sea, and has several large islands of rich land; one of which the present generation of Creek Indians represent as the most blissful spot on earth. They say it is inhabited by a peculiar race of Indians, whose women are incomparably beautiful. They tell that this terrestrial paradise has been seen by some enterprising hunters, when in pursuit of their game, who being lost in inextricable swamps and bogs, and on the point of perishing, were unexpectedly relieved by a company of beautiful women, whom they call daughters of the sun, who kindly gave them such provisions as they had with them; consisting of fruit and corn cakes, and then enjoined them to fly for safety to their own country, because their husbands were fierce men, and cruel to strangers. They further say, that these hunters had a view of their settlements, situated on the elevated banks of an island, in a beautiful lake; but in all their endeavours to approach it, they were involved in perpetual labyrinths, and, like enchanted land, still as they imagined they had just gained it, it seemed to fly before them; and having quitted the delusive pursuit, they with much difficulty effected their retreat.
" They tell another story concerning this sequestered country, which seems not improbable, which is, that the inhabitants are the posterity of a fugitive remnant of the ancient Yamases, who escaped massacre, after a bloody and decisive battle between them and the Creeks, (who, it is certain, conquered and nearly exterminated that once powerful people), and here formed an asylum, remote and secure from the fury of their proud conquerors. The River Saint Mary and Sitilla, which fall into the Atlantic, and the beautiful Little Juan, which empties into the bay of Appalachi, at Saint Mark's, are said by Bartram, to flow from this lake."[1] Mr. Purcell, in his account of the population of the Indian nations south of the Ohio, has stated the number of warriors to be 13,516, which is 1,260 more, than is here given.
The number of souls are considerable less, being 42,033, and 2,260 less than the preceding estimation. Although he appears to have taken his numbers from actual enumeration, he makes the proportion of warriors, to the number of souls, only a small fraction more than three souls to one warrior, which is considerably less than the common rule of calculation. It is not improbable, however, that his account is correct. It has been a general opinion that these nations have been increasing in number, for a considerable time past. The greatest enemy to their population has doubtless been the intemperate use of spirituous liquors.
Table of the probable number of warriors and souls of the Indians, residing west of the Allegany mountains and vicinity of the lakes, within the limits of the United States.
| NORTH OF THE OHIO. | ||
| Six Nations, | 1400 | 4508 |
| Wyandots, | 250 | 800 |
| Wyandot tribes, | 300 | 1000 |
| Delawares, | 600 | 2000 |
| Shawanoes, | 300 | 900 |
| Ottawas, | 900 | 3000 |
| Chippewas, | 1550 | 4000 |
| Putawatimes, | 500 | 2000 |
| Miamis, | 300 | 1000 |
| Piankoshaws, | 1000 | 3500 |
| Kickapoos, | ||
| Musquitons, | ||
| Ouiatanos, | ||
| Kickapoos, | 1000 | 3500 |
| Outtagamies, | ||
| Musquakeys, | ||
| Naudowesies, | 500 | 2000 |
| Killistinoes, | 250 | 800 |
| Mingoes, | 50 | 200 |
| Lezars, | 300 | 1000 |
| Outimaes. | 200 | 700 |
| Winnebagoes, | 300 | 1000 |
| Illinois, | 260 | 1000 |
| SOUTH OF THE OHIO. | ||
| Cherokees, | 1500 | 4000 |
| Chicksaws, | 575 | 1725 |
| Chocktaws. | 4041 | 12128 |
| Creeks, | 6000 | 26000 |
| Catabaws, | 150 | 450 |
| 22,226 | 77,101 |
THE END.
- ↑ See Ouaquaphenogaw, American Gazetteer.