USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 20
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With such heroic magnanimity and fortitude, the sufferer perse- vered under every method of torment and torture. Wearied with cruelty, and tired with tormenting a man whose fortitude they could not move, one of the chiefs in a rage, concluded the scene by knocking the prisoner on the head, or stabbing him to the heart. See Charlevoix' History of New France.
The following account of the death of a Narragansett prisoner, is found in Mr. Hubbard's narrative of the Indian wars in New England. We have thought proper to give it, because it differs in some respects.
Among the prisoners taken by the Mohegans, the allies of the
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colonists, there was an active young man whom they singled out, and doomed to torture and death. A large circle was formed, so that the eyes of all the spectators might feast on the tortures of this young man. 1 Every thing being ready, the prisoner was introduced and marched to the centre, where he was fastened to a stake. This being done ; they first cut one of his fingers round in the joint, at the trunk of his hand, with a sharp knife, and then broke it off. They then cut and broke off another, and so on, till they dis- membered one hand of all its fingers, the blood sometimes spirting out in streams a yard ; the wretched and unhappy sufferer not dis- covering any signs of anguish. In the second place, they dis- membered the other hand of all its fingers in the same way ; when they severed the toes off one foot, one by one, and afterwards those of the other. All the time the dismemberment lasted, he continued to dance round the stake, and joined with the company in singing his death song. At length, being exhausted, and his tormentors wearied with the horrid spectacle, they broke his legs, and by and by knocked out his brains.
The Aganuschioni, when taken by their enemies and doomed to die at the stakes, uffered with the same invincible courage. The custom of burning prisoners at the stake, was practised by all the American nations of Tartar origin. It was not however common. It seemed to have been a kind of honor, reserved almost exclusively for the warriors, and was designed as a test of their courage and constancy.
When the prisoners were adopted, they were treated with great kindness and affection. They held the same rank as the deceased person whose place they filled, and were treated with all the tender- ness due to the husband, brother or friend.
. As the Aganuschioni were fond of war, every art was contrived to diffuse a military spirit through the whole body of the people. They had their war dances. At these, the warriors recounted and sang their own exploits, and those of their ancestors, and thereby kindled and roused a military ardor and enthusiasm in the whole company. They also, had sham fights. In these, they were painted armed and marshalled, as if they had been going against an enemy. They were divided into two companies. On some occasions, there
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were two hundred on a side. The one party was called Aganu- schioni, and the other Lenni Lenape, Adirondacks, or some other name. Each party had its chiefs. All the evolutions and tactics pecu- liar to the American nations, were brought into requisition. They discharged arrows, and then rushed from their coverts with horrible shouts, and engaged in single combat. The one party would fall back, and the other would advance. This in its turn would retire, and the other would follow. As they obtained. advantages, they seized their enemies by the hair of their head, and threw them on the ground, where, with their clubs or stone axes, they seemed to beat out their brains. In this manner, they continued the fight for an hour, or longer, fighting, retreating, and advancing, till at length the Lenni Lenape, or Adirondacks began a retreat, feigning to be beat, when the Aganuschioni charged them and put them to flight. All their actions, voices, and gestures, both in charging, combating, and retiring, were so natural, that a stranger imagined them real. : When the Aganuschioni inclined to peace, a messenger was sent
to the enemy with a pipe, the bowl of which, was made of red sandstone, and a long reed beautifully painted and adorned with the gay plumage of birds, formed the stem .. This pipe or calumet, as the French called it, was an infallible protection from any assault on the way. The messenger, on his arrival made his proposals to the enemy, who, if they approved them, ratified the preliminaries to the peace, by smoking through the pipe. A cessation of arms en- sued, and a peace followed. All the surrounding nations had the same kind of pipes. The rights of the calumet were always re- spected and esteemed sacred.
The Agoneaseah, and many of the other hunting nations of North America, had rude fortifications constructed sometimes in the woods, and sometimes in their clearings. These were designed to secure the women, children, and old men, and their property, while the warriors were out on hostile expeditions, or as places of refuge when invaded. Hubbard, in his narrative of the Indian wars of New England, informs us, that the Pequods and Narragansetts had places of defence constructed-he calls them forts. Cotton Mather in his magnalia, also 'speaks of them. The Pequoids, when sur- prised by the forces of the United colonies under Captain Mason,
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had assembled to the number of six hundred, and were encamped in an enclosure made of pickets and brush. In the voyages and discoveries of Captain John Smith, we find that he visited several places that were fortified in a similar manner. He speaks in parti- cular about one near the coast of Chesapeake bay, and not far from the mouth of the Susquehanna. This he visited in 1606, and ,. about the time that the Agonenseah opened a way to Chesapeake bay. The inhabitants in the vicinity were collected in it, and had just repulsed a band of the Masawomeeks (Agoneaseah,) who had attempted to storw it. The Lenni Lenape had fortified enclosures. In the Agoneasean commonwealth, there were considerable numbers of these enclosures. The English called them castles. There were in 1690, three or four of these castles between Schenectady and Icanderago. The French, not long afterwards, in a winter's expedition, surprised them and captured three hundred Mohawks, whom they carried to Canada. There was one at Icanderago, (Fort Hunter,) which was taken by the French in 1665, and destroyed. Similar works of defence were at Caughnewaga, Os- wegatchie, Canajoharie, Nowadaga, Kow-o-go-con-nugh-ha-rie- gugh-ha-rie, Oncida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Genesee, and Tonnawanta. In speaking of castles now, we say, the Indian castle, the Oneida castle, the Onondaga castle, &c.
,The Aganuschioni, owing to their union, numbers, and bravery, vanquished and conquered most of their neighbors. Nearly all the tribes acknowledged their supremacy, and paid them an annual tribute in skins, toys, and baubles. Few or no innovations were made in the laws, or internal government. The subjugated, had their own rulers, and managed and attended to their own concerns. In general, they were deprived the right of making peace or war. In cases of sudden invasion, they were, however, allowed to take . up arms to defend their persons, their wives, their children, and possessions, and repel the invaders. .
The Chihohocki, the Unami, the Munsies, the Wabingas, or Mohickanders, and the Mohiccons, the tribes which constituted the confederacy of the Lenni Lenape, had the right of the soil in the countries where they lived. The Dutch, and after them the Eng- lish purchased lands of them, and entered into compacts. The
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lands in the southeastern parts of the state, with some small excep- tions, were purchased of the Mohiccons and Wabingas; : those around Albany and on the Mohawk of the Mohawks. Each of the members of the Aganuschionian confederacy owned a tract of coun- try, which was held and occupied by all the individuals in common, except a few small spots where houses were erected, and clearings made. These were possessed and owned by the different indivi- duals who occupied them.
After the conquests, the Aganuschioni sent out several war colo- nies, who settled in the countries of the conquered. The Augh- quaghas who resided at Oquago, and other places along Susque- hanna river, were a colony of this description. The Mingoes on the Ohio below Pittsburg were another. The Cohunnewagoes, near Sandusky in Ohio, were a third. These served to overawe and keep the vanquished in subjection. There were other colonies, but from the scanty materials left us by the early settlers, it is diffi- cult to designate their respective locations. In 1678, there were several villages of the Agoneaseah near Cadaraqui (Kingston) in Upper Canada, in the country of the Hurons.
., Education .- This consisted in training the youth to hunting, war, and oratory. To possess address and dexterity in hunting ; to be patient, firm, and persevering, in hardships and sufferings ; to have fierceness, inveteracy, and intrepidity in war ; and to be able to make a speech, seemed to be their chief desires. . These they cultivated with the utmost attention. In oratory they attained the greatest eminence. Public speaking was much studied, and in very high estimation. They were extremely fond of method and sim- plicity, because the audience could easliy understand and remem- ber. ' Their speeches were short and laconic ; and the sense con- veyed in strong and bold metaphors. Their words were few, but their style was highly figurative, and very expressive and vigorous. Their delivery was grave, animated, and decisive. The fierceness of their countenances, the flowing mantle, naked arm, erect posture, and elevated tone, conveyed to the spectator a lively image of the orators of ancient Greece and Rome. In saying this much, we cannot after all agree with certain speculative writers, who have compared their eloquence with that of the best orators of Greece
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and Rome, and that of the moderns, because it would be adinining , that man without letters is equalin knowledge to him that possesses them ; an admission which every day's experience contradicts. We have read Indian speeches embellished by the learned, but we ne- ver read one that would compare with those of Demosthenes, Ci- cero, Burke, Grattan, and Curran. We are aware it may be sant that Logan's is equal. We have no evidence that Logan delivered the one attributed to him. Besides, if we had, it is limited to live or six sentences, being a message sent to the governor of Virginia, and will hot compare with the most ordinary speeches of Burke and Curran. Any man of good sense, circumstanced as Logan was, would have expressed himself in a similar manner. It was the language of nature. His wife, his children, and relations, had been inhumanly butchered by the whites, and without any cause, he al- ways having been very friendly to them.
. The Agoneaseah had, and still have, a method of assisting their memories, which is this : The chief who presides has a bundle of - sticks prepared for the purpose, and at the close of every principal article delivered, gives a stick to another, charging him with the remembrance of it. By this means the speaker, after a previous harrangue, is prepared to repeat every part, and give it its proper reply. They formerly pursued this custom in all their public trea- ties .- See Smith's Hist. of N. Y.
Medicine .- The Agoneaseah had some acquaintance with medi- cine. They had discovered the use and application of certain roots and herbs abounding in their country. These they prepared and administered, in certain cases, with skill and success. The medical knowledge which they possessed, was the result of such observations as experience and time had dictated to them. Every thing appertaining to the art was kept a secret. Neither flattery: threats, or money, could induce them to make a disclosure. They had their regular physicians. These were merely quacks, and very much like those found among civilized nations, only they pos- sessed more skill. In certain instances they steamed their pa- tients. They had buildings erected in all their considerable towns for this purpose. These erections were small and close. The steam patient was taken to the steam house and put into it. Bowls
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of water were placed about him, into which red hot stones were thrown. A powerful steam was raised. A sudden and profuse perspiration was excited. The quack doctors during the steaming ·and perspiration, and after these were over, made use of rattles, drums, and incantations, or charms. The Lenni Lenape, accord- ing to Colonel Smith, had steam or sweat houses. The priests, or magicians of this people, used to prepare themselves, on particular occasions, for devotional exercises, by entering these dormitories and taking profuse sweats. See Hist. of New Jersey, by Colonel Smith. The sick were taken to these domicils.
The most common diseases among the Agoneaseah were con- sumption, pleurisy, bilious and intermittent fevers, colds, and rheu- matism. Unacquainted with the manners, customs, and luxuries of sedentary nations, they had few maladies.
In wounds 'and sores they often exhibited considerable skill. They readily cured the bite of the rattlesnake, copper-head, and adder. But after all 'their knowledge was very limited, and not much greater than that of our old wornen.
In this article we may possibly give umbrage to our Indian doc- tors, and their credulous patients, and those who have' unbounded faith in their skill ; but we declare this is not our intention. Be- sides, every man is at full liberty to employ whom he pleases. In every country there are impostures, and dupes. These may for a time injure science, and one of the noblest of all professions ; but sooner or later the former will be detected and discarded, and the latter get their eyes open. Experience, according to the proverb, is much better than bought wit.
Music .- Like other savage nations the Agoneaseah had their bards, who rehearsed and sang the heroic deeds of their ancestors. Their songs were solemn, grave, and martial, and usually connect- ed with the serious and important affairs of life. They had no written music ; it was altogether oral. They had their war songs, their songs of victory, love, and death. These, like their speeches, were short, coucise, striking, and energetic. Unrestrained enthu- siasm is the prime characteristic of all the poetry of savages. The poems of the Celtic, Gothic, and Scandinavian bards, abound in
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striking objects, and natural flights of the imagination. Those of Ossian, or those attributed to him, furnish examples.
The Agonesseah had made less advances in instrumental than in vocal music. The only instruments in use among them were drums, rattles, and pipes, or canes. The drum was not unlike a deep platter covered. It consisted of wood, and the skin of some animal. The skin was bound over the top with cords, which could be tightened or slackened at pleasure. . Two drumsticks were used in playing. The rattles were made of gourd shells, or of wood. The pipe or cane was hollow, and consisted of wood. The dissonant sounds of these rude instruments, added to their vocal music, tended rather to terrify than to delight. In battles they used drums, rattles, and pipes, to excite the warriors to engage more re- solutely in combat. -
Dancing .- Among the Agoneaseah, as well as among the other American nations, dancing was a pleasing recreation, and a favo- rite amusement. All their dances were descriptive, and exhibited some action, or series of actions. The imitation was usually so happily executed, that the spectator supposed it real. Their dan- ces were generally carried on by the men ; and it was but seldom that the women were allowed to join in them. All the steps, mo- tions, gestures, and figures, were expressive, and significant of the business or transaction it was intended to denote. If war was to be proclaimed, the dance was expressive of the resentment and rage they bore to their enemies, and of the hostile manner in which they intended to treat them. The war dance was very affecting and emblematic. It was the exact representation or image of a cam- paign. The performers entered with enthusiastic ardor. They appeared as if departing from their country and entering that of the enemy, surprising, and conquering their foes, seizing their prison- ers, scalping the slain, and returning in triumph to their country. And so rapid, precise, and dreadful was the representation, that the uninformed spectator was struck with horror, and looked to see the ground covered with mangled bodies. The peace dance was dif- ferent. It was significant that the hatchet was buried, and that they would live in friendship with their enemies.
The following are the names of their dances : The war dance ;
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the peace dance ; the calumet dance; the chiefs' dance ; the set out dance ; the scalp dance ; the prisoner's dance; the dead dance ; the return dance; the marriage dance ; the sacrifice dance ; the spear dance ; the misfortune dance ; the sickness dance, &c.
" Hospitality .- The Agoneaseah were kind, liberal, and humane, to strangers. They gratuitously shared with them their coarse food, shelter, and lodging. Their hospitality and friendship were sincere and ardent. Hospitality prevailed among them to a very high de- gree. It was like that among the ancients. They considered it as a virtue, and as such cultivated and cherished it with the utinost assiduity. To have turned a stranger away would have been deem- ed unkind, disrespectful, and inhuman, and would have brought in- delible disgrace on him who did it. Nor was this noble virtue limited to strangers ; they were affectionate, kind, generous, and humane to one another. There were no paupers and beggars among them. Hospitality and generosity were acts of the head, not of parade and ostentation, as are but two frequently the case with civilized nations. Hardships and adversity soften the hearts of men. In humble life man is most benevolent, kind, and hos- pitable. Property and prosperity elevate our minds, harden our feelings, and estrange our sensibilities. The hospitality of the an- cients grew out of their poverty and peculiar condition. The ino- dern Arab, who would rob you in the desert, will share his last morsel with the stranger who comes under his teut. Charlevoix, the historian of New France, (Canada,) in speaking of the Indians, says, "they rarely deviate froin certain maxims and usages, found- ed on good sense alone, which hold the place of laws. They man- ifest much stability in the engagements they have entered upon." Mr. Cushman, in a sermon which he delivered to the colonists of Plymouth, observes, " the Indians have been kind, obliging, gene- rous, humane, and hospitable, to us. When there were not six able or well persons among us, they came daily by hundreds to see us, with their sachems, and administered to our wants. They never offered us the least injury in word or deed." Governor Hutchin- son remarks, " that the natives showed courtesy to the English at their first arrival; were hospitable, and made such as would eat their food welcome to it; and readily instructed them in planting
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and cultivating corn. Some of the English who lost themselves in the woods, they relieved and conducted home." The celebrated William Penn, the founder of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, " speaks in the highest terms of their hospitality, kindness, and be- nevolence." Colonel Smith, in his history of New Jersey, makes similar remarks. Du Pratz, in speaking of the Indians of Florida, and Louisiana, and the adjoining parts, informs us, that "no people are more hospitable and generous." Bartram has observations of the same import. Hospitality and generosity were virtues common to all the hunting nations of North America.
Marriage, &c .- The Agoneasean marriages had little or no for- mality, and consisted in little else than carrying off the bride by stealth, or pretended violence. A plurality of wives was not allow- ed. Every man had his own wife, whom he took and left at plea- sure. Repudiation was incorporated into their laws. A man might put away his wife whenever he became dissatisfied with her, or whenever he saw one whom he liked better; and the woman put . away might marry whenever she chose. In these repudiations there were no forms, ceremonies, or delays. The husband might dissolve the matrimonial contract whenever he chose. In these ' dissolutions the husband, upon signifying his pleasure, turned his wife out of doors. Repudiation was a privilege on the part of the men, not of the women. The women, it is said, were chaste. "An adulterous woman at present among the Agoneaseah, is puu- ished by shaving her head, and banishment from the town."-See Cusick's Sketches of the Six Nations, published in 1827.
The condition of the women among the Agoneaseah, was the sarne as it is among other savage nations. They imposed on them the care of the children, working in the fields, and every kind of drudgery. In their hunting excursions, and wanderings abroad, the women had to carry the luggage. The degradation of the fe- males was extreme. With the unlettered Agoneaseah marriage was not a tender attachment, or a union of delicate and refined af- fections ; but rather an animal inclination. Without tenderness, without delicacy, and without refinement, the Agoneaseah did not look for pleasure in the beauty, modesty, affection, attachment, and conversation of his wife ; but to his brutal inclination, and to the
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menial services she was able to render. M. de la Salle tells us that conjugal union among the Indians was founded upon animal in- clination, not upon love. The women had to till the ground, ga- ther fruits, and herbs, and do every kind of labor.
Idleness and Drankenness .- When engaged in hunting and war, the Agoneaseah were active, enterprising, and indefatigable ; but when these were ended they were inactive and indolent. With them every thing, save hunting and war, was considered ignoble, and beneath their attention, and fit and becoming only for women and boys. Among thein labor was esteemed disgraceful. Hence they never engaged in manual labor, unless driven to it by the most urgent necessity. To see the early Dutch settlers clear the land, and cultivate it, excited them with wonder. They could not ima- gine how men could degrade themselves so much.
Like all other savage nations, the Agoneaseah were prone to drunkenness. Before they became acquainted with, and had in- tercourse with our ancestors, they had discovered the method of making an inebriating liquor from corn ; but the quantity which they made was so inconsiderable, that general intemperance was ako- gether unknown among them. The Europeans upon their arrival soon discovered their fondness for ardent liquor, and encouraged them in using it. Liquor was distributed gratuitously to them at all the treaties and public entertainments. The traders not only sold but gave them liquor, whenever they found it promoted their inter- est. Hence, intemperance soon became general among them. The predominating vices at this day among the Agoncaseah, are indo- lence and intemperauce. In justice, however, we must allow that some of them are industrious, frugal, and temperate. Hitherto the Agoneaseah have been treated by us as aliens and minors. The laws of this state do not allow them to sell their lands, unless to the state. The laws do not consider them an integral part of the state. Little or nothing has been done to ameliorate their condition. It is not, therefore, to be wondered that they have become more and. more debased, as we have encroached upon them. Place us in a similar condition. Suppose us to be strangers and minors in our our country, and not to be allowed to sell or buy lands, and see what a change it would induce. Dejection and despair would be VOL. II. 30
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manifest in every countenance. The sources of industry, activity, and enterprise, would be dried up, and our degradation would soon be complete. Man is only active and enterprising where scope is given to his genius and inclination. The Agoneaseah, and other . nations of America, would have made advances in civilization, had they been treated as equals and brethren.
The Agoneaseah had very little acquaintance with astronomy. The year they divided into four seasons-Spring, Summer, Au- tumn, and Winter. To these they gave appropriate names. Spring they called Cong-que-ta, the putting out of the leaves ; Summer, Cun-ha-na, hot weather, the earing of corn ; Fall, Cun-na-naugh- ga-na, the ripening of the corn, and the falling of the leaves ; and Winter, Coogh-sil-haugh-ga, cold weather. Thirteen moons con- stituted a year, or period of time in which the seasons returned. The year they called Jugh-sha-lot. They had not noted the equi- noxes and solstices. They knew nothing about the eclipses of the sun and moon. These they supposed were occasioned by the Bad Spirit. The sun they called cau-raugh-qua, light of day ; and the moon, chow-go-ras-cau-raugh-qua, light of niglit. Chow-go-ras, in the Agoneasean language, signifies darkness. Heaven was called Cau-roun-ky-aw-ga, that is, the firmnament in which the sun, moon, and stars have their courses. The earth they supposed was a plain, surrounded by the ocean. They believed that the sun, moon, and stars rose from the ocean, and set in it twice every twenty-four hours. The earth, according to their ideas, was fixed immovably in the middle of the universe.
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