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teous manner; but, if they happen to be in a state of war, or, if there has been no previous intercourse between them, all who are not friends are deemed enemies, and they fight with the most savage-fury.

War, hunting, and fishing, are the principal employments of the men; almost every other concern is consigned to the

:women.

The most prevailing motive with the Indians for entering into a war, if it does not arise from an accidental rencounter, is either to revenge themselves for the death of some lost friends, or to acquire prisoners, who may assist them in their hunting, and whom they adopt into their society. These wars are either undertaken by some private adventurers, or by the whole community. In the latter case, all the young men who desire to go out to battle (for no one is compelled contrary to his inclination) give a piece of wood to the chief, as a token of their design to accompany him. The chief who is to conduct the enterprize, fasts several days, and carefully observes his dreams during that time; which the presumption natural to savages mostly renders as favourable as he could desire. A variety of other superstitious ceremonies are observed.

The war kettle is set on the fire, as an emblem that they are going out to devour their enemies; which among these nations, it is probable, was formerly the case; since they still continue to express it in clear terms, and use an emblem significant of the anci ent usage. Then they despatch a cup or large shell to their al lies; inviting them to join in the destruction of their enemies, and drink their blood; for like the ancient Greeks, they think that those in their alliance, must not only adopt their quarrels, but that they must also have their resentments wound up to the same high pitch with themselves.

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There are no people who carry their friendships or resentments so far as they do; this naturally results from their peculiar circumstances. The Americans live in small societies, accustomed to see but few objects and few persons: to be deprived of these objects to which they are so closely attached, renders them miserable. Their ideas are too confined to enable them to entertain just sentiments of humanity, or universal benevolence. But this very circumstance, while it makes them cruel and savage to an incredible degree, towards those with whom they are at war, adds a new force to their particular friendships, and to the common tie which unites the members of the same tribe, or those in alliance with them.

Without attending to this reflection, some facts which immedi ately follow would excite our wonder, without informing our reason; and we would be bewildered in a number of particulars, seemingly opposite to one another, without being sensible of the general cause from which they proceed.

Having finished all the ceremonies previous to the war, and the ap pointed day for setting out on their expedition has arrived, they take leave of their friends, and exchange their clothes, or whatever

moveables they have, in token of mutual friendship; after which they proceed from the town, their wives and female relations walking before, and attending them to some distance. The warriors march dressed in all their finery, and most showy apparel, without any order. The chief walks slowly before them, singing the war song while the rest observe the most profound silence. When they come up to their women, they deliver to them all their ornaments, and putting on their worst clothes, proceed on their expedition.

Every nation has its peculiar ensign or standard, which is generally a representation of some beast, bird, or fish. Those among the Five Nations, are the bear, otter, wolf, tortoise, and eagle, and by those names the tribes are usually distinguished. They have the figures of those animals pricked and painted on several parts of their bodies: and when they march through the woods, they commonly, at every encampment, cut the representation of their ensign on trees, especially after a successful campaign marking at the same time, the number of scalps and prisoners they have taken.

Their military dress is very singular: they cut off, or pull out, all their hair, except a spot about the breadth of two crownpieces, near the top of their heads, and entirely destroy their eye brows; the lock left upon their heads, they divide into several parcels: each of which is stiffened and adorned with wampum, beads, and feathers of various kinds; the whole twisted into a form resembling the modern pompoon. Their heads are painted red down to the eyes, and sprinkled over with white down. The gristles of their ears are split almost around, and distended with wires or splinters, so as to meet and tie together at the nape of the neck; these are also hung with some ornaments, and generally bear the representation of some bird or beast. Their noses are likewise bored, and hung with trinkets of beads, and their faces painted with various colours, so as to make an awful appearance. Their breasts are adorned with a gorget, or medal of brass, copper, or some other metal; and the scalping knife hangs by a string from the neck.

The most approved qualities among Indians in war are vigilance and attention, to execute and avoid surprise; and indeed, in these arts they are superior to all other nations in the world. Accustomed to a continual wandering in the forests, their conceptions sharpened by keen necessity, and living in every respect according to nature, their external senses have a degree of acuteness which at first view appears incredible. They can trace out their enemies at an immense distance, by the smoke of their fires, which they smell, and by the tracks of their feet upon the ground, imperceptible to an European eye, but which they can count with facility. It is said they can even distinguish the different nations to which they belong, and determine the precise time in which they passed; when an European with the aid of glasses could not discover the least trace of a foot-step. These

teous manner; but, if they happen to be in a state of war, or, if there has been no previous intercourse between them, all who are not friends are deemed enemies, and they fight with the most savage-fury,

War, hunting, and fishing, are the principal employments of the men; almost every other concern is consigned to the

:women.^^!

The most prevailing motive with the Indians for entering into a war, if it does not arise from an accidental rencounter, is either to revenge themselves for the death of some lost friends, or to acquire prisoners, who may assist them in their hunting, and whom they adopt into their society. These wars are either undertaken by some private adventurers, or by the whole community. In the latter case, all the young men who desire to go out to battle (for no one is compelled contrary to his inclination) give a piece of wood to the chief, as a token of their design to accompany him. The chief who is to conduct the enterprize, fasts several days, and carefully observes his dreams during that time; which the presumption natural to savages mostly renders as favourable as he could desire. A variety of other superstitious ceremonies are observed.

The war kettle is set on the fire, as an emblem that they are going out to devour their enemies; which among these nations, it is probable, was formerly the case; since they still continue to express it in clear terms, and use an emblem significant of the ancient usage. Then they despatch a cup or large shell to their allies; inviting them to join in the destruction of their enemies, and drink their blood; for like the ancient Greeks, they think, that those in their alliance, must not only adopt their quarrels, but that they must also have their resentments wound up to the same high pitch with themselves.

There are no people who carry their friendships or resentments so far as they do; this naturally results from their peculiar circumstances. The Americans live in small societies, accustomed to see but few objects and few persons: to be deprived of these objects to which they are so closely attached, renders them miserable. Their ideas are too confined to enable them to entertain just sentiments of humanity, or universal benevolence. But this very circumstance, while it makes them cruel and savage to an incredible degree, towards those with whom they are at war, adds a new force to their particular friendships, and to the common tie which unites the members of the same tribe, or those in alliance with them.

Without attending to this reflection, some facts which immediately follow would excite our wonder, without informing our reason; and we would be bewildered in a number of particulars, seemingly opposite to one another, without being sensible of the general cause from which they proceed.

Having finished all the ceremonies previous to the war, and the appointed day for setting out on their expedition has arrived, they take leave of their friends, and exchange their clothes, or whatever

moveables they have, in token of mutual friendship; after which they proceed from the town, their wives and female relations walking before, and attending them to some distance. The warriors march dressed in all their finery, and most showy apparel, without any order. The chief walks slowly before them, singing the war song: while the rest observe the most profound silence. When they come up to their women, they deliver to them all their ornaments, and putting on their worst clothes, proceed on their expedition.

Every nation has its peculiar ensign or standard, which is generally a representation of some beast, bird, or fish. Those among the Five Nations, are the bear, otter, wolf, tortoise, and eagle, and by those names the tribes are usually distinguished. They have the figures of those animals pricked and painted on several parts of their bodies: and when they march through the woods, they commonly, at every encampment, cut the representation of their ensign on trees, especially after a successful campaign marking at the same time, the number of scalps and prisoners they have taken.

Their military dress is very singular: they cut off, or pull out, all their hair, except a spot about the breadth of two crownpieces, near the top of their heads, and entirely destroy their eye brows: the lock left upon their heads, they divide into several parcels: each of which is stiffened and adorned with wampum, beads, and feathers of various kinds; the whole twisted into a form resembling the modern pompoon. Their heads are painted red down to the eyes, and sprinkled over with white down. The gristles of their ears are split almost around, and distended with wires or splinters, so as to meet and tie together at the nape of the neck; these are also hung with some ornaments, and generally bear the representation of some bird or beast. Their noses are likewise bored, and hung with trinkets of beads, and their faces painted with various colours, so as to make an awful appearance. Their breasts are adorned with a gorget, or medal of brass, copper, or some other metal; and the scalping knife hangs by a string from the neck.

The most approved qualities among Indians in war are vigilance and attention, to execute and avoid surprise; and indeed, in these arts they are superior to all other nations in the world. Accustomed to a continual wandering in the forests, their conceptions sharpened by keen necessity, and living in every respect according to nature, their external senses have a degree of acuteness which at first view appears incredible. They can trace out their enemies at an immense distance, by the smoke of their fires, which they smell, and by the tracks of their feet upon the ground, imperceptible to an European eye, but which they can count with facility. It is said they can even distinguish the different nations to which they belong, and determine the precise time in which they passed; when an European with the aid of glasses could not discover the least trace of a foot-step. These

teous manner; but, if they happen to be in a state of war, or, if there has been no previous intercourse between them, all who are not friends are deemed enemies, and they fight with the most savage-fury,

War, hunting, and fishing, are the principal employments of the men; almost every other concern is consigned to the :women.*;

The most prevailing motive with the Indians for entering into a war, if it does not arise from an accidental rencounter, is either to revenge themselves for the death of some lost friends, or to acquire prisoners, who may assist them in their hunting, and whom they adopt into their society. These wars are either undertaken by some private adventurers, or by the whole community. In the latter case, all the young men who desire to go out to battle (for no one is compelled contrary to his inclination) give a piece of wood to the chief, as a token of their design to accompany him. The chief who is to conduct the enterprize, fasts several days, and carefully observes his dreams during that time; which the presumption natural to savages mostly renders as favourable as he could desire. A variety of other superstitious ceremonies are observed.

The war kettle is set on the fire, as an emblem that they are going out to devour their enemies; which among these nations, it is probable, was formerly the case; since they still continue to express it in clear terms, and use an emblem significant of the ancient usage. Then they despatch a cup or large shell to their allies; inviting them to join in the destruction of their enemies, and drink their blood; for like the ancient Greeks, they think, that those in their alliance, must not only adopt their quarrels, but that they must also have their resentments wound up to the same high pitch with themselves.

There are no people who carry their friendships or resentments so far as they do; this naturally results from their peculiar circumstances. The Americans live in small societies, accustomed to see but few objects and few persons: to be deprived of these objects to which they are so closely attached, renders them miserable. Their ideas are too confined to enable them to entertain just sentiments of humanity, or universal benevolence. But this very circumstance, while it makes them cruel and savage to an incredible degree, towards those with whom they are at war, adds a new force to their particular friendships, and to the common tie which unites the members of the same tribe, or those in alliance with them.

Without attending to this reflection, some facts which immedi ately follow would excite our wonder, without informing our reason; and we would be bewildered in a number of particulars, seemingly opposite to one another, without being sensible of the general cause from which they proceed.

Having finished all the ceremonies previous to the war, and the ap pointed day for setting out on their expedition has arrived, they take leave of their friends, and exchange their clothes, or whatever

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