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Introduction

Near the west bank of the Coneaught River there are the remains of an ancient fort. As I was walking and forming various conjectures respecting the character, situation, and numbers of those people who far exceeded the present race of Indians in works of art and ingenuity, I happened to tread on a flat stone. This was at a small distance from the fort; and it lay on the top of a small mound of earth exactly horizontal. The face of it had a singular appearance. I discovered a number of characters which appeared to me to be letters, but so much effaced by the ravages of time that I could not read the inscription. With the assistance of a lever I raised the stone. But you may easily conjecture my astonishment when I discovered that its ends and sides rested on stones and that it was designed (( as )) a cover to an artificial cave. I found (( by )) examining that its sides were lined with (( stones )) built in a conical form with (( the point )) down -- and that it was about eight feet deep. Determined to investigate (( the )) design of this extraordinary work of antiquity, I prepared myself with necessary requisites for that purpose and descended to the bottom of the cave. Observing one side to be perpendicular nearly three feet from the bottom, I began to inspect that part with accuracy. Here I noticed a big, flat stone fixed in the form of a door. I immediately tore it down and lo, a cavity within the wall presented itself; it being about three feet in diameter from side to side and about two feet high. Within this cavity I found an earthen box with a cover which shut it perfectly tight. The box was two feet in length one and half in breadth and one and three inches in diameter. My mind filled with awful sensations which crowded fast upon me (( and )) would hardly permit my hands to remove this venerable deposit, but curiosity soon gained the ascendancy (( and )) the box was taken and raised to open (( its cover. )) When I had removed the cover I found that it contained twenty-eight (( rolls )) of parchment; and that when (( examined )) appeared to be manuscripts written in elegant hand with Roman letters and in the Latin Language. They were written on a variety of subjects. But the roll which principally attracted my attention contained a history of the author's life and that part of America which extends along the Great Lakes and the waters of the Mississippi. Extracts of the most interesting and important matters contained in this roll I take the liberty to publish.

Gentle Reader, tread lightly on the ashes of the venerable dead. Thou must know that this country was once inhabited by great and powerful nations, considerably civilized and skilled in the arts of war; and that on ground where thou (( now )) treadest many a bloody battle hath been fought, and heroes by thousands have been made to bite the dust. In the history given of these nations by my author you will find nothing but what will correspond with the natural sentiments we should form on viewing the innumerable remains of antiquity which are scattered over an extensive country. This is an evidence of the author's impartiality and veracity. But if any should pretend that the whole story is fictitious or fabulous...

To publish a translation of every particular circumstance mentioned by our author would produce a volume too expensive for the general class of readers. But should this attempt to throw off the veil which has secluded our view from the transactions of nations who, for ages have been extinct, meet the approbation of the public, I shall then be happy to gratify the more inquisitive and learned part of my readers by a more minute publication. Apprehensive, that skeptical, illiberal, or superstitious minds may censure this performance with great acrimony, I have only to remark that they will be deprived of a great fund of entertainment (( which those )) of a contrary disposition will obtain. My compassion will be excited more than my resentment and there the contest will end. Now, Gentle Reader, the Translator who wishes well to thy present and thy future existence entreats thee to peruse this volume with aclear head, a pure heart, and a candid mind. If thou shalt then find that thy head and thy heart are both improved it will afford him more satisfaction than the approbation of ten thousand who have received no benefit. And now permit me to admonish thee, that if thou shouldst reside in or travel through any part of the country...

Chapter I
An Epitome of Some Part of the Author's Life and of His Arrival in America.

As it is possible that in some future age this part of the Earth will be inhabited by Europeans and a history of its present inhabitants would be a valuable acquisition, I (( proceed )) to write one and deposit it in a box secured so that the ravages of time will have (( no )) effect upon it. Thatyou may know the author I will give a succinct account of his life and of the cause of his arrival, which I have extracted from a manuscript which will be deposited with this history. The family name I sustain is Fabius, being descended from the illustrious general of that name. I was born at Rome and received my education under the tuition of a very learned Master. At the time that Constantine arrived at that city and had overcome his enemies and was firmly seated on the throne of the Roman Empire, I was introduced >to him as a young gentleman of genius and learning and as being worthy of the favorable notice of his Imperial Majesty. He gave me the appointment of one of his secretaries, and such were the gracious intimations which he frequently gave me of his high approbation of my conduct that I was happy in my stations.

One day he says to me, "Fabius, you must go to Britain and carry an important (( letter )) to the general of our army there. Sail in a vessel and return when she returns."

Preparation was made instantly and we sailed. The vessel, laden with provisions for the army, clothing, knives and other implements for their use, had now arrived near the coasts of Britain when a tremendous storm arose and drove us into the midst of the boundless ocean. Soon the whole crew became lost and bewildered. They knew not the direction to the rising sun or polar star; for the heavens were covered with clouds and darkness had spread her sable mantle over the face of the raging deep. Their minds were filled with consternation and despair. What could we do? How (( to )) be extricated from the insatiable jaws of a watery tomb? Then it was that we felt our absolute dependence on that Almighty and Gracious Being who holds the winds and storms in His hands. From Him alone could we expect deliverance. To Him our most fervent desires ascended. Prostrate and on bended knees we poured forth incessant supplication; and even Old Ocean appeared to sympathize in our distress by returning the echo of our vociferous cries and lamentations. After being driven five days with incredible velocity before the furious wind, the storm abated in its violence; but still the wind blew strong in the same direction. Doubtful whether the wind had not changed her point we gave the ship full sail and let her drive. On the sixth day after, the storm wholly subsided, the sun rose clear and the heavens once more appeared to smile. Inexpressible was the consternation of all the crew. They found themselves in the midst of a vast ocean. No prospect of returning. All was lost. The wind blowing westwardly and the presumption was that it had been blowing in that direction during the whole of the storm. No pen can paint the dolorous cries and lamentations of the poor mariners; for the loss of friends; for the loss of every thing they held most (( dear. ))

At length a mariner stept forward (( into )) the midst and proclaimed: "Attend O friends and listen to my words. A voice from on high hath penetrated my soul and the inspiration of The Almighty hath bid me proclaim, 'Let your sails be wide-spread and the gentle winds will soon waft you into a safe harbor. A country where you will find hospitality.'"

Quick as the lightning's flash joy sparkled in every countenance. A hymn of thanksgiving spontaneously burst forth from their lips. In full confidence that the divine prediction would be accomplished, they extolled the loving-kindness and tender mercies of their God and promised, by the assistance of his grace, to make ample return of gratitude.

On the fifth day after this we came in sight of land. We entered a spacious river and continued sailing up the (( river )) many leagues until we came in view of a town. Every heart now palpitated with joy and loud shouts of gladness expressed the enthusiastic transports of our souls. We anchored within a small distance from shore. Immediately the natives ran with apparent signs of surprise and astonishment to the bank of the river. After viewing us for some time, and receiving signs of friendship, they appeared to hold a council for a few minutes. Their king then stept forward to the edge of the bank and proffered us the hand of friendship. And by significant gestures invited us to land, promising us protection and hospitality. We now found ourselves once more on terra firma and were conducted by the King and four chiefs into the town whilst the multitude followed after, shouting and performing many odd gesticulations. The King ordered an entertainment to be prepared for his new friends which consisted of fish, boiled beans and samp. The whole was placed under a wide-spreading oak in wooden dishes. A large clam shell and a stone knife were provided for each one. The King then came forward with about twenty of his principal subjects and seated us -- being twenty in number -- by the side of our repast. He and his company then took seats in front. After waving his hand and bowing all fell to eating, and a more delicious repast we never enjoyed.

The repast being finished, our attention was called to a collection of about one thousand men and women who had formed a ring and invited our company to come forward into the midst. After gazing upon us for some time with surprise, we were permitted to withdraw and to take our stand in the ring. About forty in number then walked into the middle of the ring and began a song with such a discordant and hideous modifications of sounds and such frantic gesticulations of body, that it seemed that Chaos had brought her Furies to set the world in an uproar. And an uproar it was, in a short time. For the whole company fell to shouting, whooping, and screaming; then dancing, jumping, and tumbling with many indescribable distortions in their countenance and indelicate gestures. In fact they appeared more like a company of devils than human beings. This lasted about one hour. They took their places in a circle and, at a signal given, gave three most tremendous whoops; they then instantly dispersed, playing many antic capers and making such a confused medley of sound by screaming, whooping screeching like owls, barking like dogs and wolves, and croaking like bull-frogs, that my brains seemed to be turned topsy-turvy. And for some time I could scarce believe that they belonged to the human species.

Chapter II
An Account of the Settlement of the Ship's Company and Many Particulars Respecting the Natives.

Chapter III
Many Particulars Respecting the Natives

Interest as well as curiosity invited an acquaintance with our new neighbors. They were called in their language Deliwans. They were tall: bodies well proportioned, straight limbs, complexions of a brownish hue, broad cheek bones, black wild rolling eyes, and hair black and coarse. To strangers they were hospitable; true to their engagements; ardent in their friendship. But to enemies, implacable, cruel, and barbarous in the extreme. Innumerable hordes of this description of people were scattered over an extensive country, who gained their living by hunting the elk, the deer, and a great variety of other wild animals; by fishing and fowling, and by raising corn, beans, and squashes. Shooting the arrow, slinging stones, wrestling, jumping, hopping, and running were their principal amusements; and prizes would often be staked as a reward to the conqueror. Their clothing consisted of skins dressed with the hair on; but in warm weather, only the middle part of their bodies were encumbered with any covering. The one half of the head of the men was shaved and painted with red and the one half of the face was painted with black. The head was adorned with feathers of various kinds and their ears and noses were ornamented with rings formed from the sinews of certain animals, on which were suspended smooth stones of different colors. Thus clothed, thus painted, thus ornamented a Deliwan made a most terrific appearance. They held festivals at stated times, which varied in the manner of conducting them, according (( to )) the object they had in view. At one of their annual festivals their ceremonies were peculiarly singular and different from any that were ever practiced by any nation. Here a description would give us some idea of their religion and would gratify the curiosity of an ingenious mind. When the time arrives, which is in September, the whole tribe assemble. They are dressed and ornamented in the highest fashion. The women in particular have their garments and heads so adorned with feathers, shells, and wampum that they make a very brilliant and grotesque appearance. They form a circle; their countenances are solemn. A speaker mounts a stage in the midst. At this moment two black dogs led by two boys, and two white dogs led by two young damsels enter the circle and are tied (( with ropes. ))

The speaker then extended his hands and spoke. "Hail ye favorite children of the Great and Good Spirit, Who resides in the Sun, Who is the Father of all living creatures, and Whose arms encircle us all around, Who defends us from the malicious designs of that Great Malignant Spirit that pours upon us all the evils we endure. He gives us all our meat and our fish, and causes the corn and the fruits to spring up, and makes us to rejoice in His goodness. He hath prepared a delightful country to receive us, if we are valiant in battle or are benevolent and good. There we can pick all kinds of delicious fruit and have game and fish in abundance and our women, being improved in beauty and sprightliness, will cause our hearts to dance with delight. But wo unto you wicked, malicious, mischievous mortals; your lot will be cast in a dark, miry swamp, where the Malignant Spirit will torment you with mosquitoes and serpents and will give you nothing to eat but toads, frogs, and snails.

But O my dear friends, all hail. Here is a custom which is sanctioned by time immemorial. Look steadfastly on the black dogs and let not your eyes be turned away when they are thrown on the sacred pile and the flames are furiously consuming their bodies. Then let your earnest prayers ascend for pardon and your transgressions will flee away like shadows and your sins will be carried by the smoke into the shades of oblivion. When this solemn expiatory sacrifice is ended then prepare your souls to partake of the holy festival. Each one will receive a precious morsel from these immaculate, snow colored dogs in token that your offenses have all evaporated in the smoke of the holy sacrifice, and that you are thankful to the Benevolent Spirit for the abundance of good things that you enjoy, and that you humbly anticipate the continuance of His blessings and that He will defend you against the evil designs of that Malignant Spirit, who gives us gall and wormwood, and fills our bosoms with pain and our eyes with tears."

He then proclaimed, "Let the sacred pile be erected and the solemn sacrifice performed." Instantly about one hundred men came forward with small dry wood and bundles of dry sticks and having thrown them in one pile within the circle they sat the pile on fire. The black dogs were knocked on the head and thrown on the top. In a moment all was in a blaze and the flame ascended in curls to heaven. The whole company assumed the most devout attitude and muttered in sounds almost inarticulate their humble confessions and earnest requests.

When the dogs were consumed and the fire nearly extinguished, the ceremonies of their sacred festival began. The white dogs, which were very plump and fat, were knocked on the head and their throats cut. Their hair was then singed off, having first their entrails taken out, and being suspended by the nose before a hot fire, they were soon roasted, thrown upon a long table, and dissected into as many pieces as there were persons to swallow them. The company immediately formed a procession, one rank of men, the other of women. The men marching to the left and the women to the right of the table, each one took a piece and devoured it with as good a (( relish )) as if it had been the most delicious morsel.

Having completed these sacred ceremonies with great solemnity, the whole company formed themselves into a compact circle 'round the stage. Ten musicians immediately mounted and facing the multitude on every side sang a song. The tune and the musical voices of the singers pleased the ear, whilst the imagination was delighted with the poetic ingenuity of the composition. The multitude all joined in the chorus, with voice so loud and multifarious that the atmosphere quaked with terror and the woods and neighboring hills, by way of mockery, sent back the sound of their voices improved by tenfold confusion. Perhaps, Reader, you have the curiosity to hear the song. I can give you only the last stanza and the chorus.

For us the Sun emits his rays,
The Moon shines forth for our delight.
The stars extol our heroes praise,
And warriors flee before our sight.

Chorus

Deliwan to chahee poloo,
Manegango farwah teloo.
Chanepanh, lawango chapah,
Quinebogan hamboo gowah.

The solemnities are ended and in their opinion their poor souls are completely whitewashed and every stain entirely effaced. A little diversion will now dissipate the solemnity and inspire them with cheerfulness and merriment. The whole tribe repair to the top of an hill. At one place there is a gradual slope a small distance and then it descends about twenty-five feet in an almost perpendicular direction, at the bottom of which is a quagmire, which is about ten feet in length and the soft mud is about three feet deep. At each end the ground is soft but not miry. Down this declivity twenty pair of very supple and sprightly young men and women are to descend. If by their agility and dexterity they escape the quagmire, a piece of wampum will be the reward of each fortunate champion; but if they plunge in, their recompense will be the ridicule and laughter of the multitude. In making this decent, six young women and five young men by a surprising dexterity in whirling their bodies as they descended, cleared themselves from the quagmire. The rest as their turns came plunged in and came out most woefully muddied, to the great diversion of the spectators. The incident which excited the most merriment happened when the last pair descended. By an unlucky spring (( he failed )) to clear himself from the quagmire. He brought his body along side of the declivity and rolled his whole length into the midst of the quagmire where he lay, neither heels up or head up, but horizontally, soft and easy. But alas, when one unlucky event happens another follows close on the heel. The fair, plump, corpulent damsel, his affectionate sweetheart, came instantly, sliding with great velocity. She saw the woeful position of her beloved. She wished him no harm; she raised her feet (( and )) this brought the center of gravity directly over the center of his head. Here she rested a moment. His head sunk; she sunk after him. His heels kicked against the wind like Jeshuran waxed fat, but not a word from his lips. But his ideas came in quick succession. Thought he, "What a disgrace to die here in the mud under the pressure of my sweetheart." However his time for such reflections (( was )) short. The tender-hearted maid, collecting all her agility in one effort, dismounted and found herself on dry land in an instant. Not a moment to be lost; she seized her lover by one leg and dragged him from the mud; a curious figure, extending about six feet six inches, on the ground, all besmeared from head to foot, spitting, puffing, panting, and struggling for breath. Poor man, the whole multitude laughing at thy calamity, shouting, ridiculing. None to give thee consolation but thy loving and sympathetic partner in misfortune.

" Upon my soul!" exclaims Droll Tom. "Stern foremost! That bouncing lass ought to have the highest prize for dragging her ship from the mud." She was cleaning the filth from his face.

Chapter IV
A Journey to the Northwestward and Removal.

Gracious God! How deplorable our situation! Are we doomed to dwell among hoards of savages and be deprived of all social intercourse with friends and the civilized world? And what will be the situation of our offspring? Will they preserve our customs and manners, cultivate the arts and sciences, and maintain our holy religion; or will they not rather degenerate into savages, and by mingling with them become the most awful race of beings in existence? Who can endure such reflections, such heart-rending anticipations? They pour upon my soul like a flood and bear me down with the weight of a millstone. O that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears; then my intolerable burthen should be poured forth in a torrent and my soul set at liberty. But behold, the Light springs up and beams upon my soul. She brings in her train Hope, that celestial goddess; that sure and strong anchor; that dispenser of comfort and pleasing anticipation; and that dispeller of corroding grief and black despair. She bids me review the exploded reasoning of a great philosopher and compare it with my own observations. Perhaps the result will point out a safe road to the land of our nativity. Thus I reasoned respecting the solar system of which the Earth is a part. Provided the Earth is stationary, according to the present system of philosophy, then the Sun, the Moon, and the planets, being at an immense distance from the Earth, must perform their revolutions 'round her with inconceivable velocity. Whereas, if according to the Platonic System, the Earth is a globe and the Sun is stationary, then the Earth by a moderate velocity can perform her revolutions. This scheme will represent the solar system as displaying the transcendent wisdom of its Almighty Architect. For in this, we behold the sun suspended by Omnipotence and all the planets moving 'round him as their common center in exact order and harmony. In this we can easily account for days and nights and the different seasons of the year. When the Earth presents one part of her face to the Sun it is day; when that part is turned from his beams it is night. When she varies to the south, the Sun shines upon us in a more perpendicular direction. The Sun beams become more dense and the heat increases. As she returns back the heat decreases in proportion as this part of Earth loses its perpendicular direction to the Sun and the cold becomes more intense in the same proportion. This accounts for the various seasons of the year; appears correct and consistent; and highly honorable to the divine perfections. But behold the other system. The Earth firmly fixed on a firm foundation; perhaps as some say, on a giant's back who stands on a prodigious rock. Its surface widely extended, nearly horizontal, and its sides cut down straight or perpendicular to the very bottom; below which is a fathomless abyss. Pray, Mr. Philosopher, what man was ever there and looked down? And what prevents the ocean, unless it is dammed with earth and rocks, from pouring down and losing itself in this horrible abyss? But how extensive is this terra-aqueous surface? Indeed I am of opinion, if this system is true, I am nearly at one end of it.

But the hypothesis is too absurd and inconsistent. The earth must be of a spherical form and a westerly course will lead us to the land of our nativity. Perhaps this is a part of the eastern continent, or perhaps only a narrow strip of the ocean intervenes? On no other principle can we account for the emigration of the ancestors of those innumerable hoards of human beings that possess this continent. Their tradition is that their ancestors came from the west; and they agree in their information that at the distance of fifteen days' journey in a westerly direction, there are nations vastly more numerous, powerful and civilized than themselves. The Earth therefore must be of a spherical form, a globe, and a westerly course will lead us to the land of our nativity. On what principle can we account for the emigration of the ancestors of those innumerable hordes of human beings that possess this continent? Their tradition tells them that they emigrated from the westward. From this I draw the conclusion that the sea, if any, which intervenes between the two continents at the westward is not so extensive, but that it may be safely navigated. We are also informed by some of the natives, that at the distance of about fifteen days' journey in a northwesterly course, there is a great river which runs in a westerly direction, they cannot tell how far, and that along the banks of this river there are great towns and mighty kings and a people who live in a state of civilization. From all these considerations I am determined to remove; pursue a westerly course; and seek the delightful country of my ancestors.

I immediately communicated my determination and the reasons on which it was founded to our little society, who joyfully acquiesced. It was thought to be the most prudential to find out the disposition and character of the inhabitants who were settled along the Great River, lest we should fall into the hands of robbers. For this purpose my man Crito, and myself, and a Deliwan for an interpreter, set off. We passed through a country interspersed with villages, inhabited by the same kind of people as the Deliwans, until we came to a great mountain. Having passed over this, we had not traveled far before we came to the confluence of two great rivers, which in conjunction produced a river which was called Ohio, deep enough for the navigation of ships. Here was a large town or city inhabited by a distinct race of people from any we had seen before. We were immediately conducted to the king and were received very graciously. And having asked a number of very pertinent questions and received answers to his satisfaction, I then made known to him our business and had all my requests granted. As we proposed to move into his territory he offered to furnish us, for our convenience, with four mammoons and four men to manage them. These were an animal of prodigious magnitude, even bigger than the elephant, which the natives had tamed and domesticated. They were very sagacious and docile and were employed in carrying burthens, and in drawing timber, and in plowing their land. Their hair at the Spring season was about seven inches in length and was of a fine woolly consistence. And being sheared off at the proper season, was manufactured into coarse cloth. And the milk of the females, which they produced in abundance, afforded a very wholesome nutriment. Having thus succeeded beyond our expectation, we made as much expedition to return as possible. We arrived in safety without any material accidents. The little society I had left were greatly rejoiced on our return and with the account we gave of the country we had visited and at the sight of the extraordinary and prodigious mammoons which we had brought to convey our baggage. No time was lost to make preparation for the journey. The Captain, Mate, and myself went to the King and held a conference with him and the chiefs and obtained leave to depart, though with apparent regret and reluctance. Sacks were provided from coarse cloth to receive the most valuable part of our goods and furniture. These were thrown across three of the mammoons. The other was caparisoned, in a manner too tedious to describe, for the accommodation of our women and children. They were all mounted upon him and rode with great convenience and safety. Being thus prepared and ready; thus having resided among the Deliwans two years; and being prepared to take our departure, the king and his chiefs and many of his principal subjects came forward to take an affectionate farewell. This was done on both sides, with mutual expressions of the most ardent and sincere friendship and the most earnest wishes and prayers for future prosperity and happiness.

Having taken our final adieu, I observed honest Crito shedding tears very plentifully. "You seem to be affected," said I. "God bless Your Honor," said he, "when I think how kind and generous these poor Deliwans have been to us, I cannot help feeling an affection and friendship for them. We were obliged to anchor amongst them. We were strangers and helpless and they were ignorant savages; yet they held out the hand of kindness and treated us as brothers and sisters. Have they not fulfilled the law of Christian charity? O that they were good Christians. May God forgive their ignorance and unbelief and reward them for their kindness and generosity. We passed on. No obstacles impeded our journey until we came to the Great River Suscowah, which runs between the Deliwah River and the Great Mountain. The water being too deep for fording, we built a small boat and with this at times we conveyed the whole of the baggage and company across, except the manager of the mammoons, who mounted them and forded and swam them across. We then proceeded on by slow marches. But in crossing the Great Mountain we had some difficulties to encounter. (( We )) received no material damage, but finally arrived safely at the great city Owhahon on the twenty-fifth day after our departure from Deliwan.

Fatigued with a long and difficult journey, great joy and gladness were visible in every countenance, and all were disposed to establish our residence here until further information could be obtained and further measures concerted to prosecute our journey to Europe. The King and his principal officers proffered us every assistance necessary to make our situation agreeable. They assigned us, in compliance with our request, a number of houses on the bank of the river at a little distance from the city. We made him some valuable presents in return, which he received as a token of friendship but not as a compensation. For such was the high sense of honor which this prince sustained, that when he made a present, he would take it as an insult to offer him anything as a compensation. Having now once more become settled, our little community continued the same regulations which they had established at Deliwan and all things proceeded in peace and our affairs p