USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. II > Part 39
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He observes of clothing, that the males until twelve or thirteen run nearly naked in summer, the girls somewhat covered. Men in summer wear a piece of duffles, if they can purchase it, half an ell wide and nine quarters long, which they gird around their waists, and draw up a fold to cover their nakedness, with a flap of each end hanging down in front and rear. This is called the breech- cloth. Before they knew Europeans, they wore a skin for the purpose. The women wear a cloth suspended from a girdle and hanging below their knees, and under it a deer-skin coat girt around the waist, ornamented with great art, and tastefully deco- rated with wampum worth one hundred or three hundred guilders. Both sexes wear occasionally a plaid of duffles cloth, full breadth, three ells long, worn over the right shoulder, drawn in the form of a knot round the body with the ends extending below the knees ; this serves as a covering by day and blanket by night. The leg- gins and mockasins, with or without wampum, complete the dress : these are of deer or buffalo skin. Even the husks of corn or maize sometimes are formed into mockasins. " The men usually go bare- headed ; the women with their hair bound behind in a club of about a hand long, in the form of a beaver's tail, over which they draw a square cap, which is frequently ornamented with wampum." . As a particular decoration, they wear a band bound around the head, enriched with wampum ; this confines the hair, keeping it smootlı, , and is tied in a knot to fall over the club or braid behind. These bands have been likened to the head dresses of the Grecian women of old : round their necks they wear strings of wampum, or other orna- mental necklaces, and bracelets of wampum adorn their arms. "Their persons appear about half covered with an elegantly wrought dress ; they wear beautiful girdles ornamented with their favourite wampum;" (the Doctor of Laws is evidently describing the belles of
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the forest)-" and costly ornaments in their ears." He says in ad- dition to all this, when particularly desirous to please, they paint their faces " with a few black stripes," as we may presume the beauties among us formerly put black patches on their cheeks and foreheads, to give by contrast greater brilliancy to their complex- ions. The Doctor says that these Indian beauties " usually appear sedate," but he says this is merely to disguise what he gives us to understand is a very opposite disposition.
" The men uniformly paint themselves, particularly their faces, with various colours." We see by this description of the Indians of Manhattoes in 1660, that they resembled in dress and manners, those who are yet free and live in abundance, where game abounds ; except in that ferocity and warlike equipment, which the latter have borrowed from European neighbours or visiters. In their friendly disposition, they resemble the kind, hospitable, and amiable peo- ple, beyond the Rocky Mountains, as described by Mr. Irving, in the words of Captain Bonneville : those people who were mur- dered for sport, by the civilized hunters and trappers, sent by Christain traders into their country, to destoy the game on which they subsist .*
Vanderdonck describes the men of the country, as disguising both their faces by painting, and their emotions by an assumed indiffe- rence : " they scarcely turn their heads to notice an object." This was not so when Verazzanno first had intercourse with them, or even when Hudson explored our bay and great river. Describing their dress, the Doctor says, "Some of them wear a band about their heads ;" this he describes, as manufactured from the hair of deer, stained of scarlet colour, and interwoven with soft shining hair of another tint of red, and says, that this brilliant crown, is like the rays of glory, with which painters represent saints and apostles for the Romish Churches. When thus arrayed, a young Indian is too stately to speak to ordinary persons, or on a vulgar subject. But this is only a gala or a courting dress. In general, he says, they are filthy and negligent in their appearance. In winter, the women and children do not go abroad much : when they do, they are covered " with duffles and other articles." The men grease themselves with bear and rackoon fat, and wrap them- selves in the skins of the wild animals ; and thus easily withstand the cold. The Doctor, sums up his chapter of the dress of the wild men, by saying, that when dressed they are very great fops : and that now, " many of them begin to wear shirts, which they buy from our people," and this article of finery, is worn without washing, as long as it will hang together.
* See Irving's Bonneville.
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The Indian houses (wigwams or weekwams) of this period, were built, by placing two rows of slender saplins, with the bark peeled off, opposite each other, at about twenty feet distance, to any length they desire : the tops of these poles are bent and joined, so as to form an arch. Split saplins like lath, are then interwoven with the first, leaving an aperture above. This frame work, is covered with oak and chestnut, or other bark, in pieces as broad as they can procure it, laying the smooth side inwards, and preserving the opening above to let out the smoke. The bark is lapped over to anticipate its shrinking, and secured by withes to the frame-work. 'Thus the building is tolerably proof against wind and rain. One door in the centre serves for every house, and the interiour is in common. Be the house ever so long, the fires are made in the centre that the smoke may issue at the hole above, and thus seve- ral families live in one wigwam, each having its own place, and all sleeping by the side of the fires by night, or assembled about the kettle by day. A hundred or more live in one building, and such is the picture of Indian life, except when out on fishing or hunting excursions, when they erect slighter wigwams, or live in the open air.
The Doctor describes their castles, or palisadoed strong-holds, as placed on the side of a steep and high hill, near a river, and dif- ficult of access, except from the water. The hill so chosen, has on its summit a level plain, which they enclose with a strong stockade, made thus : First they lay along, on the ground, large logs of wood, piling others on them ; on each side of this foundation, they drive in the ground strong oak palisades, the upper ends of which, cross each other, and are joined together : in the upper cross of the pal- isades, they then place the bodies of trees, which make the work strong and firm. These they consider secure, but he remarks, "in a war with Christians, those afford them no security ; on the contrary, they do them more injury than good." He says, within their cas- tles, they have twenty or thirty houses, some of which he measured, and found one hundred and eighty yards long, and only twenty feet wide. In such a place great numbers are crowded together. Be- sides their strong-holds, they have villages and towns which are enclosed, those usually have woodland on one side, and cornland on the other sides. Villages are likewise frequent at the fishing places, where they cultivate a few vegetables, and leave the place on the approach of winter. Then the woods afford shelter and venison, and in the spring they come in multitudes to the sea shore and bays, to take oysters, clams, and every kind of shell fish, which they know how to dry and preserve good, a long time.
I am particular in noting and transcribing from Vanderdonck, as a writer of observation, and of the early times : he is evidently a man of veracity, and when he speaks from another's information, he
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tells us so. I shall continue to follow him. He speaks of poly- gamy as confined to the chiefs, who had in his time, some three or four wives, and expresses his astonishment at the harmony existing among them ; all esteeming and obeying their husbands. He ad- mires the simplicity of their marriage ceremony, and the choice which is usually made according to fitness and condition, some- times with, often without, the advice of relatives. The men, ac- . cording to their condition, must always. present to the betrothed some gift, as a pledge of his affection or token of their agreement. It appears, however, that marriages were dissolved with very little ceremony, sometimes by mutual agreement, and often by the caprice of the man : the woman being " turned out of doors."
The Doctor testifies, that the dissolution of marriages was ge- nerally to be imputed to the fault of the husband, but he does not give us an exalted notion of the chastity of their partners. The ab- sence of danger and disease at the period of gestation, has always been remarked as a privilege enjoyed by the Wilden, and although Vanderdonck gives several theories to account for it, we continue to think it a blessing that attends uncontrolled natural shape, un- confined bodies, and limbs accustomed to exercise. The male child is immersed on its birth in the coldest water, even in winter, and then treated with care, and in the manner well known to us : every mother giving nature's nourishment to her child, with a holy attention to its welfare. There are civilized people, whose females are not so scrupulous. Many of the customs appertaining to women, are similar to those prescribed to the Jews. Most of the customs among the Indians, are such as are still found, where they are un- contaminated.
Of the manner of burying the dead, the Doctor speaks at length, and makes the ceremony attendant on burials more universal and more attended to by relatives, than those writers who describe the customs of this people at a later day. The attention to the corpse of course varies according to station and character in life. He says, the nearest relatives, " extend the limbs and close the eyes" of the dead. After several days of watching and weeping, the corpse is deposited in the earth, in a sitting posture, "upon a stone or a block of wood."
I have been informed by a person conversant with the subject, that when a death occurred in a family, the women commenced a kind of howling monotonous lamentation, which called the neighbouring females to the wigwam, who joined in the mournful song. This continued until the body was buried ; and sometimes for days after. The corpse is carried to the grave by men ; others following, with- out apparent distinction or order. The women remain in the wig- wam continuing their lament. The body of the deceased is depo- sited by the side of the last of the tribe who had been buried, and
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some ornaments are usually thrown in the grave. The relations of the deceased do not follow the corpse to its place of intended rest. In the township of Pompey is a very extensive cemetery where the bones of the aborigines lie in rows, side by side, for acres. The present owners of the soil frequently, when ploughing. turn up parts of the human skeleton, and occasionally some arti- cles of dress, or instrument of war. The head that guided the council, and the arm that wielded the tomahawk, are scratched up- on the surface with as little ceremony, as is used in our city when levelling a graveyard to make way for a street, or an exca- vation for the cellar of a storchouse. It is observed that the wan- dering Indians assiduously avoid this township. They feel that not only their land has passed from them, but the resting place of their ancestors.
Articles are placed in the grave as for use in hunting, war, and other occupations. " They then place as much wood around the body as will keep the earth from it; above the grave they place a large pile of wood, stone or earth," and surround it with palisades. Their cemeteries, our author says, were secluded and held sacred. The women are the mourners. Their expres- sions of grief are violent : those of a mother for her child, amount- ing to wailings, and " expressions of grief, exceeding all bounds." To mention the name of the deceased in presence of relatives, is considered an insult. As a token of mourning, black paint is used. " When a woman loses her husband she shaves her hair, and paints her whole countenance black."
Our author says, that their festivals are held on special occasions, as peace, war, or devotion ; " or to consult the devil," as to future events. On matters of policy they deliberate long, " and all the chiefs, and persons of any distinction of the nation, assemble in their councils." Each expresses his opinion freely, and at as great a length as he pleases, without interruption. " If the speaker even digresses from the matter in hand, or opposes others, he is heard with attention. If they approve of what has been said, at the conclusion they shout." He says, their councils are only held in the afternoon. But for consulting the devil, the afternoon and evening are chosen, when ceremonies take place, which he thus des- cribes. " They begin with jumping, crying, grinning, and howl- ing, as if they were possessed and mad. They kindle large fires, and dance around and over the same, length-wise and across ; they roll and tumble over head, and beat themselves, and continue their violent exercise and gestures, until their sweat pours out and streams down to their feet." The Doctor says, they appear at such times like devils. The " devil-drivers," conjurers, or me- dicine men, take the lead in all this extravagance, until, as they say, " the devil appears to them, in the form of a beast," which if
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ravenous, is a bad omen, if harmless, a good omen. The animal is consulted and answers their queries, but in the old oracular man- ner, capable of any interpretation. If any " Christains be present on these occasions," the devil will not appear.
The conjurers " bewitch some of the common people :" when the victim appears as if possessed, throws himself into the fire, " without feeling it," but if the medicine-man whispers in his ear, the charm is dissolved, and the bewitched " becomes as gentle as a lamb." On occasions of rejoicing, Vanderdonck says, they " meet at mid-day." The orator explains the cause of the assem- bling. They then eat, and voraciously, as if in honour of the oc- casion : this done, the aged smoke, and the young sing and dance. " When we speak to the natives of creation," the Doctor says, " we can never satisfy them on the subject, or receive from them any affirmation that they believe in the doctrine." He appears to have heard of the voyages of the Northmen, and speaks of a " certain chief named Sachema, and that they had never been heard from after they sailed ; and as the native chiefs of the New Netherlands, who reside along the rivers and sea shore, are called Sachems, they conclude that the country was peopled by these adventurers." ' Our author, however, leans to the opinion that men, as well as lions and bears, came from Asia, and says, that " memorials of Chinese . origin, are found in the Brazils."
I shall say little of Vanderdonck's remarks on the variation of tribes and language. We have better authority in more recent authors. He makes four distinct languages, beside dialects, viz : that of the Manhattoes, the Minquas, the Savanoo, and the Wap- panoo : by the first, meaning " those who live in the neighbouring places along the North River on Long Island and at the Neversink. With the Minquas, we include the Senecas, the Maquas, and other inland tribes. The Savanoos are the southern nations ; and the Wappanoos are the north-eastern nations."
At this time, very little gold or silver was used as a medium of trade in New Netherlands, but generally the Indian money, wam- pum (or " zecwant" or seawant) of which some particulars are men- tioned by the Doctor worth noting. It is made by any one who bas the will and the skill. It is either white or black, the latter being the most valuable, and is made from the conch-shells, which are cast ashore twice a year. The thin parts are broken off, and from the pillars or standards the wampum is made by grinding them smooth and even, and reducing them to the thickness required ; a hole is then drilled through each piece, and they are strung for use. How this was performed by the Indians with their imperfect tools, he does not tell us.
Of manners and morals he observes, that the natives are delibe- rate of speech, " despise lying ; but since they have resorted among
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us, they have become cunning and deceitful." They beg without hesitation, (or ask for that which they desire,) but are not offended by refusal. " They are all free by nature, and will not bear any insult, unless they have done wrong, and then they will bear chas- tisement without resentment." Revenge was then, as now, a prin- ciple of action. To swim, they are accustomed from infancy. 'T'hey lounge, sleep, smoke, or " play a game with pieces of reeds resembling our drafts, and also our card playing." The old men knit netts and make wooden bowls and ladles. The women work.
The general remedy for disease was fasting or sweating. For the latter, they erected a small clay hut, into which the patient crept, after it was prepared by heated stones : here he remains as long as possible, and then issues to be plunged in cold water. All this is long known. I remark it as being then known as one of their customs. Other people have practised it. Roots and herbs are used to cure wounds, and their efficacy is known, as well as the sagacity with which the Indians use them. The magical powois of the medicine-men are mentioned. The general health, and ease with which wounds or sickness are removed, are justly attributed to simple diet and the exercise of the chase. Fish they take in " seines, set-netts, small fikes, wears, and by laying hooks :" these snares were attended to by the old men, women and children, when the young men were out on hunting expeditions. Our author says they sometimes hunted in companies-sometimes made " fikes with palisades," into which they drove the hunted animals. He remarks that the beavers are far inland and distant from the settle- ments, and are principally taken by the black Minquas-so called because they wear a black " badge on their breasts."
" For beaver-hunting the Indians go in large parties and remain out from one to two months, during which time they subsist by hunting, and on a little corn meal, which they carry out with them ; and they frequently return home with forty to eighty beaver-skins per man," besides skins of others, etc. It is estimated that S00,000 beavers are killed annually in this quarter of the country, and many buffaloes, bears, etc, which causes apprehension that the wild ani- mals will be destroyed : however, the Doctor thinks not, seeing the extent of the country "even to the great south sea," and the many districts in which " the animals will remain unmolested."
Vanderdonck says the Indians " remark that they do not know why one man should be so much higher than another, as we repre- sent them to be." He might have answered, that we can give no good reason for it, and that it is the disgrace of the European na- tions, because it is a bar to the progress of all that is good or esti- mable among men-placing as the highest grade in society (not the most virtuous or most wise, but,) those whose fathers have attained wealth, power, distinction, by whatever means achieved; and this
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although the sons may be stupid, ignorant, vicious, and despicably vile. It is a bar to the progress of good, because nations of men (the great mass of community,) are accustomed to look up with awe and reverence to the hereditary possession of wealth or titular distinction, as being above them, and to be imitated-instead of feeling their own dignity and responsibility as rational creatures. It is a hindrance to moral improvement, because men become accustomed to pay that deference to a factitious class whose influ- ence is baneful to society-as promoting and continuing the degra- dation of man-which is due to virtue alone.
The American Indian in 1656 knew no superiour but as supe- riour in merit. The chief was only such, because by valour and wisdom he had proved himself worthy of his station. The influ- ence of his virtues gave his son a preference over others, his ack- nowledged equals ; but only as the son inherited the talents of his father or followed in his footsteps : otherwise he sank to the level of those whose faculties were of the common order, or still lower.
To Vanderdonck and his companions it appeared that there were nobles among the Indians of New Netherland ; and the chiefs were called kings by the Europeans. They saw that the child of the chief, if competent to lead in war or persuade in council, was pre- ferred to any other leader, and in the case of his being a minor, a kind of regent ruled until his manhood could evince the talents necessary for a chief.
Among all barbarians, bodily strength, activity and courage must be highly esteemed. The Indians of New Netherland paid. great deference to the chief whose warlike exploits proved him a brave in battle, and a sagacious contriver of schemes by which to circum- vent and destroy. " They are," says our author, "artful in their measures, furious in their attacks, and unmerciful victors." It was already evident to their visiters that they were not soldiers in open fight. To destroy without endangering themselves was their glory ; to fly from an enemy was no disgrace. If placed in a situ- ation of danger from which there is no escape, then they resist to the last manfully ; death was preferable to a captivity from which there was no ransom, and to the certainty of torture, unless adopted by some parent who had lost a son or some near relative. Unless at the moment of furious assault, they spared women and children ; and our author says the women are treated " as they treat their own, and the children they bring up as they do their own, to strengthen their nation." He hints that the Netherlanders gained notice of the designs of the Indians from their women, who might be induced to betray the confidence of their husbands or lovers. He describes their weapons of offence and defence (before the introduction of fire-arms) as being "bows and arrows, with a war-club hung to the arm, and a square shield which covered the body up to the shoulders."
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To the club succeeded the tomahawk, (a hatchet bought from the Europeans) and to the bow and arrow, the gun, powder, and lead, which they immediately became dexterous in using. The shield was dismissed. Every tree is a shield to the Indian. It is proba- bly the Iroquois our author has in mind when he speaks of the wars of the natives ; for they were above all as to the arts of de- struction.
" We Netherlanders," says Vanderdonck, " are astonished to find that such societies can remain united where there is no regard paid to the administration of justice." He testifies to the unfre- quency of crimes among them ; and says that crimes were more frequent among the Dutch, although they "supported a watchful police," than among the natives who had none, and who, if detected in a thievery, were only obliged by their chief to return the article and receive his reprimand for the delinquency-a punishment which they appeared to dread. If the Netherlander detected an Indian in stealing a knife, an axe, or such like tempting article, he chas- tised him "freely," and the culprit received it unresistingly. In nine years' residence in the country, he says he had not heard "of any capital offences." An instance of infanticide committed by an unmarried prostitute, went unpunished, as did several assaults com- mitted by a man upon women whom he found in solitary places.
In cases of murder, the chiefs only interfere to prevent the feud extending further, by reconciling the avenger, one near of kindred, with gifts from the murderer as an atonement. If not thus recon-
ciled, the relations pursue the murderer to death. If the murderer is slain before twenty-four hours have elapsed from the time in which the crime is committed, Vanderdonck says, the avenger is not liable , to the vengeance of the relatives of the man he has slain ; but if longer time elapses, he in his turn is liable to pursuit and death. He says "a murderer seldom is killed after the first twenty-four hours are past ; but he must flee and remain concealed, when the friends endeavour to reconcile the parties, which is frequently agreed to on condition that the nearest relatives of the murderer, be they men or women or children, on meeting the relatives of the person murdered, must give the way to them." This (as the Doctor has previously said that during his nine years' residence he had not heard of a capital offence) must be taken as hearsay infor- mation. In Tanner's Narrative we have positive testimony on this and many other subjects.
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