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ANNALS
OF
LUZERNE COUNTY;
A RECORD OF
+
INTERESTING EVENTS, TRADITIONS, AND ANECDOTES.
FROM THE
FIRST SETTLEMENT IN WYOMING VALLEY TO 1866.
BY STEWART PEARCE.
Illustrated by a Map and Engravings.
SECOND EDITION.
WITH NOTES, CORRECTIONS, AND VALUABLE ADDITIONS.
PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1866.
'56
-
TO
The Colyoming Historical and Geological Society,
THIS WORK
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
THE AUTHOR.
-
PREFACE.
THEY, who have read the Histories of Wyoming, by Isaac A. Chapman, Esq., Colonel Stone, Charles Miner, Esq., and the Rev. George Peck, D. D., together with the History of Lackawanna Valley, by H. Hollister, M. D .. may conclude, the 'Annals of Luzerne County is a super- fluous work. It should be remembered, however, that the valuable works of Messrs. Chapman, Stone, and Miner have been out of print for upwards of fifteen years, and are now to be found chiefly only in public libraries, and in those of private citizens of wealth; that Dr. Peck's work treats principally of incidents of the Revolutionary, and Pennamite and Yankee, wars, culled. in part, from the recollections of men and women who received the narratives from the lips of their forefathers ; that Dr. Hollister's history embraces only the settlement and improvement of the Lackawanna Valley and a few adjoining townships, and that Wyoming and Lacka- wanna valleys are but a portion of the great county
1 (1)
ii
PREFACE.
of Luzerne. With this view of the subject I commenced my Annals, not claiming the dignity of History, but being a brief and impartial record of events, in the order, as near as possible, in which they occurred, beginning with the days when the Indians occupied these lands, and closing with the year 1859. If I have succeeded in placing in the hands of the reader an instructive and reliable work, a book containing useful data and sta- tisties, or if I have added any good thing to the store- house of knowledge, I am content.
It has been my object to treat each subject under its appropriate head, avoiding, as far as possible, frequent repetition, and to connect with local affairs as much information of a general character as is necessary to a correct comprehension of the whole subject. An account of the origin of steamboats, locomotives, railroads, plank- roads, printing, banks and paper money, and religious denominations, with descriptions of the great lakes and mountains of North America, together with various other facts connected with general history, may be found in this work. Consequently, it is not exclusively of a local character.
In addition to the works already enumerated, I ac- knowledge my indebtedness for much valuable informa- tion to the Pennsylvania Colonial Records and Archives, Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, Drake's
iii
PREFACE.
History of the North American Indians, Rev. John Heckewelder's Narrative, Watson's Annals of Philadel- phia, Campbell's Annals of Tryon County, Taylor's Statistics of Coal, and to newspaper files furnished me by Hon. C. Miner, Hon. C. T. Barnum, Steuben Butler, S. D. Lewis, and W. P. Miner, Esqs .; also, to printed speeches and addresses delivered by the Hon. B. A. Bid- lack, Hon. Andrew Beaumont, Hon. John N. Conyng- ham, and V. L. Maxwell, Esq.
I also own my obligations to the county officers and their clerks, to numerous gentlemen throughout the county, and, particularly, to Mr. R. Sharp of Eckley, Mr. D. Yarington of Carbondale, Colonel W. Lee of Nanticoke, and Mr. Lord Butler and Major A. H. Bowman of Wilkesbarre ; Chester A. Colt, Esq., of Washington City, and Charles Conner, Esq., of Harris- burg.
I am happy, also, to tender my acknowledgments to Captain E. L. Dana, for pencil sketches of Indian stone instruments, of Forty Fort, of the Fell House, of Stew- art's Blockhouse, of Sutton's Mill, of Durham boat, and of the Wyoming Valley ; to Mr. W. H. Sturdevant for a pencil sketch of the Slocum House; to Miss E. J. Alex- ander for one of the first Academy; to Rev. R. Nelson for the use of the plate of the Wyoming Seminary; to L. Hancock for an ambrotype view of the Scranton
iv
PREFACE.
Graded School building; to Mr. W. H. Ward, of Wilkes- barre, for photographs of the jail, and the new court- house ; to Mr. H. P. Messenger, of Pittston, for photo- graph of Gouldsborough Tannery; and to William P. Miner, Esq., of Wilkesbarre, for plate of the old church in the public square.
To William Henry Beaumont, Esq., of Wilkesbarre, I am indebted for an account of the expedition of the Wyoming Artillerists to the city of Mexico, during the war.
STEWART PEARCE.
WILKESBARRE, 1860.
NOTE. - The figures 1, 2, 3, &c., in the text of body of the work, refer to " Notes " in the Appendix following page 562.
1
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE INDIANS.
Man's origin-Confusion of color and tongues-Migrations-Discovery of America-Indian traditions-Ancient fortifications-Indian relics-Iro- quois, or Five Nations-Shawanese-Delawares-Treaty with William Penn-Walking purchase-Council at Philadelphia-Canassatego's speech -Shikellimus-Mohicans-Nanticokes-Indian villages and paths -- Mo- ravian missionaries-Rev. George Whitfield -- Count Zinzendorf-Conrad Weiser-Gnadenhutten-French War-Sir William Johnson-Shingas- Logan-Neglect of the Provincial Assembly to protect the frontiers-Dis- pute between the Governor and Assembly-Teedyuscung -Indian council at Wyoming-Destruction of white settlements on the Delaware-Madame Montour-Paxinos-Capture of Peter Hess and others-Logan's celebrated speech not true-Forts Augusta and Allen built-Rewards offered for Indian scalps by Governor Morris and council-Day of fasting and prayer- Councils at Easton-Speeches of Teedyuscung-His reasons for declaring war-Council at Lancaster-Third council at Easton-Teedyuscung de- mands a secretary-Charles Thompson-Peace with the Susquehanna Indians-Houses erected at Wyoming for Teedyuscung-Grasshopper war -Christian Frederick Post-His mission to the western Indians-Meets King Beaver-Fourth council at Easton-Peace with the western Indians -The French surrender Canada to the English-Second Indian war- Death of Teedyuscung-Rewards offered for Indian scalps by Governor John Penn-Peace-Christian Indians at Wyalusing-First bell on the Susquehanna-Departure of the Indians Page 13
CHAPTER II. THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR.
Charters of Connecticut and Pennsylvania-Purchase of Indian title-Sus- quehanna Land Company-First settlement at Wyoming-Massacre of settlers-Trenton decree-The Forty, or first settlers of Kingston-Forty Fort-Captain Ogden-First arrest of Yankees-Second arrest-Fort Dur- lee built-Its surrender-Flight and suffering of the Yankees-Captain
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vi
CONTENTS.
Lazarus Stewart and Colonel Durkee-First blood shed-Fort Ogden sur- rendered by the Pennamites and burnt by the Yankees-Return of Ogden- Renewed conflict-Capture of Captain Zebulon Butler and others-Fort Wyoming built-Death of Nathan Ogden-Butler and Stewart besiege Ogden-Ogden's tact and escape-Returns with reinforcements-Surrender of the Pennamites-Proposals by Connecticut to negotiate rejected by Pennsylvania-Town of Westmoreland formed and organized-Charleston and Judea destroyed by Colonel Plunket-Plunket marches against Wyo- ming-Is defeated by the Yankees at Nanticoke-Pennamites and Yankees united during the Revolutionary War-Civil strife resumed by Pennsylva- nia-Petition of Yankee settlers to the Pennsylvania Assembly-Compro- mise commissioners appointed-John Jenkins and others appointed a com- mittee to meet the commissioners-Alexander Patterson-His infamous acts-Flight of five hundred Yankees, and their sufferings in the wilderness -Their return-Fort Defence-Battle on Ross Hill-Captain John Frank- lin dispossesses the Pennamites-Wilkesbarre burnt-Battle at Locust Hill -Colonel John Armstrong-His treachery-Arrest of Yankees-Their escape from the Easton jail-The Pennamites besieged-Captains Swift and Franklin wounded-Council of Censors-Battle of the Diamond- Franklin's oath-Susquehanna Company reaffirms its rights-New state proposed-Timothy Pickering-Yankees divided-Confirming Law-Mass meeting at Forty Fort-Club fight-General Ethan Allen-Arrest of Franklin-Meeting of Pennsylvania claimants-Land-jobbing priests- Repeal of the Confirming Law-Capture of Piekering-Compromise Law- Certified townships-Final settlement of the question . 58
CHAPTER III. CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART.
Birth and education-Joins General Braddock-Returns to Paxton-Ilis intended bride murdered by savages-The funeral-Stewart's oath- Marches to Wyoming with his rangers-Burial of the massaered settlers- Conestoga Indiaus-Reward offered for Stewart's arrest-IIis declaration- Joins the Yankees-Captures Fort Durkee-Joined by Colonel John Dur- kec-Capture of Fort Ogden-Reward offered for the arrest of Stewart and Captain Zebulon Butler-Arrest of Stewart-Ilis escape-Second capture of Fort Durkee-Plunket's invasion and repulse-Stewart commands the Hanover Company-Council of war at Forty Fort-Is in favor of meeting the enemy in the open field-His death 100
CHAPTER IV. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Patriotic resolution-Tories-Fort Wintermoot-Independent companies-
-
VII
CONTENTS.
Captain Weisner's company-Captain Strong's company-Companies join Washington-Battle of Millstone-First prisoners from Wyoming-Scalps taken-Widows and wives of soldiers supplied with provisions by the town -- Captain Hewitt's company-First American killed by the enemy-Indiar spies-Return of Colonel Zebulon Butler and Captains Ransom and Durkee -Approach of the enemy-The Hardings-Colonel John Butler-Fort Wintermoot surrendered-Fort Jenkins-Pittston Stockade-Forty Fort- Numbers of the Americans-Council of war-Reasons for engaging the enemy -¿ Battle of Wyoming-Death of Colonel Dorrance-Massacre- Elijah Shoemaker-The fratricide-The Bloody Rock-Burnt alive- Samuel Carey -- Flight of the inhabitants-Captain Spaulding meets the fugitives-Colonel Nathan Denison-Surrender of Forty Fort -- Wilkesbarre burnt-Queen Esther and her scalps-Departure of the enemy from Wyo- ming-Report of Colonel John Butler-Colonel Thomas Hartley-Forts Jenkins, Muncy, and Freedley erected-Return of Colonel Zebulon Butler and Captain Spaulding to Wyoming-Fort Wilkesbarre built-Address of Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania-Unkind sentiments of the council-Williams and Abbott shot-Capture of Tripp, Hocksey, Swetland, and Blanchard-Colonel Hartley's expedition-William Jameson killed- Burial of the dead-Capture of Frances Slocum-Numerous murders by the Indians-Capture of Bidlack-Fort Wilkesbarre attacked-Death of Williams, Pettebone, and others-Washington sends Generals Sullivan and Clinton against the Indians-Death of Captain Davis-Sullivan's army at Wyoming-Marches into the Indian territory-Battle near Elmira-The country of the Six Nations laid waste-Death of Lieutenant Thomas Boyd- Bennett and Hammond-Rogers, Pike, and Van Campen-Skirmish in Sugarloaf Valley-Capture of Harvey and Ransom-Capture of the Frank- lin family-Death of John Jameson and Asa Chapman-Revolutionary pen- sioners-The Monument-List of killed in the battle of July 3d, 1778 120
CHAPTER V.
LUZERNE COUNTY.
Original counties in Pennsylvania-Northampton formed-Northumberland -Luzerne-Chevalier De la Luzerne-Divisions of Luzerne Connty-Its valleys-Wyoming-Lackawanna-Huntington and Sugarloaf -- Mountains -Highest in the United States-Mountains in Luzerne-Their height- Dial Rock-Pulpit Rock-Honey Pot-Prospect Rock-Prospect House- Rivers and creeks-The Duke of Orleans on the Susquehanna-Bridges- Gaseous vapor from the Lackawanna-Lakes and ponds-Great lakes of North America-Harvey's Lake the largest in Pennsylvania-Lake House- Population of Luzerne county-Whites-Colored-Deaths-Marriages- Deaf-Dumb-Blind-Foreigners-Slaves-Comparative increase of popu- lation in agricultural and mining districts 156
wiii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI. BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.
Certified townships-Townships of 1790-List of townships and boroughs- Description of each in alphabetical order, embracing an account of first settlements-Saw-mills-Churches-Grist-mills-Population, &c. . 182 -
CHAPTER VII. THE JUDICIARY.
No law in Wyoming-Code established by Susquehanna Land Company- Westmoreland county formed-First court, judges, and lawyers under Connecticut-No lawyers in 1781-Price of grain regulated by the court- Divorcements-Blue Laws-First Luzerne County Court-Judges-Law- yers-First grand jurors-Justices of the peace-Dueling-Log court- house-Hog in the garret-Second court-house-Supreme Judges-Court ceremonies-Balls-The contrast-President Judges-Imprisonment for whispering in court-Sheriffs-Additional lawyers-Jail and fire-proof buildings-Third court-house-Laying of corner-stone-Execution of crimi- nals-Deeds-Mortgages-Judgments-Courts in Carbondale-County ex- penditures-Value of taxable property-Criminals sentenced to the peni- tentiary 234
CHAPTER VIII.
EDUCATION.
Land appropriated by Susquehanna Company-Indian school-Free school- Schoolmasters-School lands sold-Pennsylvania free school system-Ac- cepted in Luzerne county-Adults who cannot read and write-Number of schools and pupils in the several townships-Wilkesbarre Academy- Teachers and students-Kingston Academy-Plymouth Academy-Madi- son Academy-Wyoming Conference Seminary-Wyoming Institute- Wilkesbarre Female Institute-Graded schools . 262
CHAPTER IX. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
First minister in Wyoming-Presbyterian Church -- Rev. David Brainerd- Support of ministers by the Susquehanna Company-First church in Han- over-First in Wilkesbarre-Lottery-The old sexton-The 9 o'clock bell- Religious war-New School Presbyterians-Methodist Episcopal Church- Rev. Anning Owen-Class and quarterly meetings-Bishop Asbury visits Wyoming-Forty Fort Church-First camp mecting-French infidelity- Baptist Church-Early ministers-Abington Baptist Association-W yo-
ix
CONTENTS.
ming Association-Lutheran and German Reformed Churches-First min- isters-Protestant Episcopal Church-Early ministers-Roman Catholic Church-Minor churches- Jews-Colored churches-The Mormons-Re- capitulation . . 275
CHAPTER X. THE MILITARY.
Whiskey Insurrection-Luzerne volunteers-John Adams's war-Second company of Luzerne volunteers-War of 1812-Wyoming Blues-Letter of Captain Slocum and others-Reply of Mr. Jefferson-Wyoming Matross- Cannonading-Battle of Lake Erie-Silver medal-James Bird-Ballad- Matross at Malden and Detroit-Battle of the Thames-The Bloody 16th- Recruiting stations-Militia march for Baltimore-Soldier beaten to death- Return of volunteers-Rejoicing-Mexican War-Wyoming Artillerists- Lobos Island-Siege of Vera Cruz-First fire of the Mexicans-Battle of Cerro Gordo-Castle of Perote-Burial of the dead-The Black Pass-Siege of Puebla-City of Mexico-Columbia Guards-Lieut. Le Clerc-Return of the volunteers-Reception at home-County volunteer organization 316
CHAPTER XI. AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.
Agriculture the true source of prosperity-Recommended by eminent men- False system of education-Our grandfathers and grandmothers-Rivalry among farmers and spinsters-Agricultural societies-First in Luzerne- Markets-Transportation of grain-Conestoga wagon-Price of grain- Spirit of speculation-Decline of agriculture-Second agricultural society- Abington Society-Fourth society-County fair-Specimens of vegetables and fruits-Statistical table-Manufactures-Spinning-wheels-Looms- Carding and fulling mills-Wool-growing-Paper-mill-Forges-Nail fac- tory-Furnaces and rolling-mills-Foundries and steam-engines-Powder- mills-Tanneries-Lehigh lumber trade-Men and capital employed in manufactures in Luzerne county . . 337
CHAPTER XII. MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE.
Coal first used in England-Indian mines in Wyoming-Anthracite first used in smithshops-Silver, lead, and copper mines-Discovery of coal at Mauch Chunk-Progress and difficulties of the trade-Judge Fell-His experiment -Efforts of Messrs. Miner, Cist, Smith and others to introduce anthracite into use-Public incredulity-Discovery of coal at Hazelton-Eastern Middle coal-field-Bituminous coal-Wyoming coal-field-Its development-The miner-Baltimore Coal Company-Individual operators-Pennsylvania
X
CONTENTS.
Coal Company-Dundee shaft-Lackawanna coal-field-Maurice and Wil- liam Wurts-Delaware and Hudson Canal and Coal Company-Progress of improvements and trade-Area of coal-fields-Quantity and value of anthracite-Increase of consumption-Fossil remains-Iron ore-Lime- stone-Cost of manufacturing iron 364
C
CHAPTER XIII.
NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS, POETRY, LITERARY AND BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES.
Discovery of the art of printing-First newspapers-Town sign-post-News- papers in Wilkesbarre, Kingston, Carbondale, Providence, Pittston, Scran- ton, Plymouth, and Conyngham-Value of printing establishments-Books printed and published in Luzerne county-Poetry : "Jackson and his Comrades ;" " Columbia ;" " Lines on visiting the Wyoming Monument ;" "Ode ;" "The Sons of Wyoming ;" "Shawanee's Farewell ;" "To the Susquehanna ;" " Poor Man and the Doctor ;" "Death of Lieutenant Bowman ;" "Christmas ;" "Upon my life it's true ;" " Mush and Milk ;" " Address to a Land Tortoise"-Debating societies-Libraries-Bible So- ciety-Sunday School Union-Temperance societies-Free Masonry-Odd Fellows and other beneficial societies-Wyoming Historical and Geological Society 389
CHAPTER XIV. ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES.
First wagon road-Vehicles-Turnpikes-Plank-roads-Railroads-First lo- comotive in the United States-First train of passenger cars in Wyoming -- Aggregate length and cost of railroads in Luzerne-First mails and post- offices-Stages, &c. 439
CHAPTER XV. NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA.
Durham boats-Teamboat-Steamboats-Explosion of the " Susquehanna" --- Ship-building-The launch-Lumber rafts and arks-Canals-Breaking ground-First canal boat-First packet boat-First canal boats sent north- ward -- Sale of state canals . 455
CHAPTER XVI. CLIMATE.
Temperature-Extraordinary drought-Fasting and prayer-Ice flood of 1784 -Pumpkin flood-Subsequent floods-Hurricanes-Destruction of the Wilkesbarre bridge-Providence destroyed-Men and women carried away by the wind-Discases-Deaths-Physicians . . 476
xi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
WILD ANIMALS .- HUNTING .- FISHING.
Panthers-Early hunters-Ishmael Bennett-Wheaton and the panther-Sox and the panthers-Arnold and the panther-Wolves-George A. Crockett- Scott and the bear-John McHenry, the hunter king-Great circle hunt- The beaver and other animals-Shad-fishing-The first seine-The widow's haul-Connecticut salmon introduced into the Susquehanna-Rock fish- Bass-Trout-fishing-Extraordinary stories-A large pike 488
CHAPTER XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS.
Banks and bankers-Continental money-Shinplasters-Wyoming and Pitts- ton banks-Banking capital-Rates of discount-Insurance companies- Distilleries-Value of whiskey and other articles ninety years ago-Witches -Politics-Alien and sedition law-Election of Jefferson-Ox roasted- Candidates for office recommended by the grand jury-Elections-Presi- dents-Governors-Congressmen-Members of the legislature-Gershom Prince-Mineral springs-Interesting items-Hominy block-Table of dis- tances 504
APPENDIX.
A. Names of settlers in 1763-B. Names of subsequent settlers-C. Names of prisoners sent to Easton jail-D. Muster-rolls of independent companies -E. List of killed at Wyoming massacre, 1778-F. Muster-roll, 1794- G. Muster-roll, 1799-H. Muster-roll, 1813-I. Names of militiamen who marched to Danville-J. Muster-roll of Wyoming Artillerists-K. Tax- ables of Exeter township-L. Taxables of Hanover-M. Taxables of Hunt- ington-N. Taxables of Kingston-O. Taxables of Nescopeck-P. Taxables of Newport-Q. Taxables of Pittston-R. Taxables of Plymouth-S. Tax- ables of Providence-T. Taxables of Salem-U. Taxables of Wilkesbarre- V. Postmasters and offices-W. Statistical coal tables-Coal companies. and operators-Railroads-Salt and Iron and Petroleum companies --- X. Population in 1860-Y. Floods-Z. The great rebellion . . 535-562
NOTES . 563, 564
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
INDIAN RELICS
19
TEEDYUSCUNG
39
CAPTURE OF JOHN FRANKLIN .
93
OLD CHURCH, WILKESBARRE
282
OLD CHURCH, FORTY FORT
293
FORTY FORT
126
CONESTOGA WAGON
344
FRANCES SLOCUM .
139
TANNERY, AT GOULDSBOROUGH
361
THE WYOMING MONUMENT
150
VIEW OF WYOMING VALLEY
159
FIRST HOUSE BUILT IN CARBONDALE
191
THE SLOCUM HOUSE
222
SUTTON'S MILL
228
ING
.
379
MAIL COACH
450
DURHAM BOAT
456
STERN WHEEL BOAT
457
LUZERNE COUNTY JAIL
.
251
SHIP
465
NEW COURT-HOUSE, WILKESBARRE
252
DEER
498
HOMINY-BLOCK
532
COURT-HOUSE, CARBONDALE
259
OLD ACADEMY, WILKESBARRE
.
267
WYOMING SEMINARY
271
SCRANTON GRADED SCHOOL
274
STEWART'S BLOCK-HOUSE
115
FELL HOUSE
369
A MINER .
378
COAL BREAKER
378
BALTIMORE COMPANY'S COAL OPEN-
RED HOUSE
229
WYOMING VALLEY HOTEL
232
OLD COURT-HOUSE, WILKESBARRE
244
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ANNALS
OF
LUZERNE COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
THE INDIANS.
Alas ! for them their day is o'er, Their fires are out from shore to shore.
No more for them the wild deer bounds,
The plough is on their hunting grounds ; The pale man's axe rings through their woods, The pale man's sail skims o'er their floods ;
Their children-look, by power oppressed, Beyond the mountains of the West -- Their children go-to die !- Sprague.
REJECTING the theories that the human race advanced to its present development, by slow gradations, from infe- rior organizations, such as snails, oysters, and monkeys, or from separate and distinct acts of creation, and that climate and food have produced the various colors of the human family, we express our belief in the account of man's origin as recorded in Holy Writ, and entertain the opinion that the confusion of colors was a miraculous work simultaneous with the confusion of tongues. The word Babel signifies confusion, and is as applicable to color as to language. It was the object of the Almighty to scatter
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14
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
the people abroad on the face of the whole earthnd to prevent their reunion ; and it is apparent no surgeans could have been adopted by Divine wisdom to eff this end than to confuse their color as well as their lange. Nations of the same color, but speaking differenan- guages, may unite by marriage or otherwise, but vre language and color are both different, a union isx- tremely improbable; and between the extremes of cos there exists, in the superior race at least, an utter _ horrence of the mingling of blood. It is said the nativ in the wilds of Africa instinctively shrink from a marriag relation between themselves and the whites. The gres Apostle Paul, in his speech to the Athenians, "in the midst of Mars' Hill," said, among other things, that God " hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habita- tion." Again, we read in Deuteronomy, xxxii. 8: " When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," &c. From these passages we understand that the Creator had fixed, or de- creed, in his eternal mind, the time when each nation, or race, should migrate, and also the continent or territory that should be occupied by each. If this be the true con- struction, it is probable that He who made the skin of the negro black, and that of the Indian red, guided the former to Africa, and the latter to the continent of America. The Aleutian Islands are near the coast of Asia, and extend almost to the peninsula of Alaska, a short distance beyond which the north-west coast of America begins. Behring's Straits, separating Asia from America, are only thirty-two miles in width. A canoe, or craft adrift, from the Polynesian islands, will be borne by the currents to the northern extreme of California. Hence, we conclude
15
THE INDIANS.
it would not be impossible, or even very difficult, for the ancestors or predecessors of the North American Indians to find their way from the Old to the New World.
Within three hundred and fifty years after the confu- sion at Babel, Abraham found Egypt inhabited by a people measurably civilized. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had been built and destroyed, and a large portion of Asia was settled. It would be no great strain on one's cre- dulity to believe that in three hundred and fifty years more some colony of adventurers had pushed their explora- tions northward across Behring's Straits, and had made a settlement on the fertile lands of the Western World. Less than three hundred and seventy years ago Columbus had not sailed from Palos on his voyage of discovery; and yet see what millions are now located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and are pushing their settlements to- wards every point of the compass.
It is well authenticated that the Northmen discovered Greenland in the tenth century, and that in the year 1002, Leif, a Norwegian, sailed south-west from Green- land and discovered the coast of New England. Thor- warld afterwards made a voyage in the same ship to the same coast, and was murdered by the Indians, whose enmity he had incurred. This continent, then, was peo- pled to its farthest eastern extremity long before Columbus discovered it. Whether the Indians he found here were the original people has been made a question. Or, whe- ther the Indians, as the Europeans found them, were not degenerated from a higher condition of civilization, than that then existing, has also been made a subject of dis- cussion.
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