The following history, and observations, are the productions of one who hath been chiefly engaged in an Indian life ever since the year 1735: and most of the pages were written among our old friendly Chikkasah, with whom I first traded in the year 1744. The subjects are interesting, as well as amusing; but never was a literary work begun and carried on with greater disadvantages. The author was separated by his situation, from the conversation of the learned, and from any libraries—Frequently interrupted also by business, and obliged to conceal his papers, through the natural jealousy of the natives; the traders letters of correspondence always excited their suspicions, and often gave offence.—Another difficulty I had to encounter, was the secrecy and closeness of the Indians as to their own affairs, and their prying disposition into those of others—so that there is no possibility of retirement among them.

A view of the disadvantages of my situation, made me reluctant to comply with the earnest and repeated solicitation of many worthy friends, to give the public an account of the Indian nations with whom I had long resided, was so intimately connected, and of whom scarcely anything had yet been published but romance and a mass of fiction. My friends at last prevailed, and on perusing the sheets, they were pleased to approve the contents, as conveying true information, and general entertainment. Having no ambition to appear in the world as an author, and knowing that my history differed essentially from all former publications of the kind, I first resolved to suppress my name; but my friends advised me to own the work, and thus it is tendered to the public in the present form.

The performance, hath doubtless imperfection, humanum est errate. Some readers may think, there is too much of what relates to myself, and to the adventures of small parties among the Indians and traders. But minute circumstances are often of great consequence, especially in discovering the descent and genius of a people—describing their manners and customs—and giving proper information to rulers at a distance. I thought it better to be esteemed prolix, than to omit any thing that might be useful on these points. Some repetitions, which occur, were necessary—The history of the several Indian nations being so much intermixed with each other, and their customs so nearly alike.

One great advantage my readers will here have; I sat down to draw the Indians on the spot—had them many years standing before me,—and lived with them as a friend and brother. My intentions were pure when I wrote, truth hath been my standard, and I have no sinister or mercenary views in publishing. With inexpressible concern I read the several imperfect and fabulous accounts of the Indians, already given to the world—Fiction and conjecture have no place in the following pages. The public may depend on the fidelity of the author, and that his descriptions are genuine, though perhaps not so polished and romantic as other Indian histories and accounts, they may have seen.

My grand objects, were to give the Literati proper and good materials tracing the origin of the American Indians—and to incite the higher powers zealously to promote the best interests of the British colonies, and the mother country. For whose greatness and happiness, I have the most ardent desire.

The whole work is respectfully submitted to the candor and judgment of the impartial Public.

CONTENTS

PAGE
A History of the North Americans, Their Customs, etc. Observations on Their Colour, Shape, Temper and Dress[1]
Observations on the Origin and Descent of the Indians[11]
Observations, and Arguments, in Proof of the American Indians’ Being Descended from the Jews[16]
ArgumentI.Their Division into Tribes[16]
”II.Their Worship of Jehovah[20]
”III.Their Notions of Theocracy[34]
”IV.The Belief in the Ministration of Angels[38]
”V.Their Language and Dialects[40]
”VI.Their Manner of Counting Time[77]
”VII.Their Prophets and High Priests[83]
”VIII.Their Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Rites[99]
”IX.Their Daily Sacrifice[121]
”X.Their Ablutions and Anointings[126]
”XI.Their Laws of Uncleanness[129]
”XII.Their Abstinence from Unclean Things[136]
”XIII.Their Marriage, Divorce, and Punishment for Adultery[145]
”XIV.Their Several Punishments[153]
”XV.Their Cities of Refuge[165]
”XVI.Their Purification, and Ceremonies Preparatory for War[167]
”XVII.Their Ornaments[178]
”XVIII.Their Manner of Curing the Sick[180]
”XIX.Their Burial of the Dead[186]
”XX.Their Mourning for the Dead[195]
”XXI.Their Raising Seed to a Deceased Brother[198]
”XXII.Their Choice of Names Adapted to their Circumstances and the Times[199]
”XXIII.Their Own Traditions, the Accounts of English Writers, and the Testimony Which the Spanish and Other Authors Have Given, Concerning the Primitive inhabitants of Peru and Mexico[202]
An Account of the Katahba, Cheerake, Muskoghe or Creeks, Choktah, and Chikkasah Nations: with Occasional Remarks on Their Laws, and the Conduct of Our Governors, Superintendents, Missionaries, etc.
Account of the Katahba Nations, etc.[231]
Account of the Cheerakee Nation, etc.[237]
Account of the Muskoge Nation, etc.[274]
Account of the Choktah Nation, etc.[302]
Account of the Chikkasah Nation, etc.[377]
General Observations on the North American Indians.
Displaying their Love to their Country—Their Martial Spirit—Their Caution in War—Method of Fighting—Barbarity to their Captives—Instances of their Fortitude and Magnanimity in the View of Death—Their Reward of Public Services—The Manner of Crowning their Warriors After Victory—Their Games—Method of Fishing, and of Building—Their Utensils and Manufactures—Conduct of Domestic Life—Their Laws, Form of Government, etc., etc.[405]
APPENDIX
Containing a Description of the Floridas, the Mississippi Lands, with Their Productions—The Benefits of Colonizing Georgiana, and Civilizing the Indians—And the Way to Make All the Colonies More Valuable to the Mother Country[481]

A
HISTORY
OF THE
NORTH-AMERICAN INDIANS,
THEIR CUSTOMS, &c.

Observations on the colour, shape, temper, and dress of the Indians of America.