fed from the tribe, as the only way to safety, peace, and rest.

THERE was a fitness and propriety in this government, or rather, it was fully adequate to its end and design, and to the situation and state of the savage. A modern statesman would smile at this idea of Indian government: And because he could find no written constitution, or bill of rights, no mutual checks, and balances, accountability and responsibility, pronounce it weak, foolish, and contemptible. But it was evidently derived from the dictates of nature, and well adapted to the state and situation of the savage. The idea of property was so plain and clear, and the objects to which it related were so few and simple, that there was no need of a code of laws to describe and define it. The rights of the individual, his freedom and liberty, were so strongly felt, and so universally acknowledged, that no person dared to invade them. The crimes of the vicious received a just and a full punishment, in the disgrace, contempt, and danger, they brought upon the guilty. The individual had all the security, in the public sentiment, custom, and habit, that government can any where afford him. All that was to be defended was the territory; the interest, the independence, and sovereignty of the tribe; and every part of the government was adapted and designed to form, to animate, and to inflame, a national spirit of vigour and independence.

AGREEABLY to its nature and design, the tendency and effect of the savage government, was equality, freedom, and independence, among

all the members of the tribe. In respect to rights and privileges, the savage knew no superior. Of abasement, humiliation, dependence, or servitude, he had no idea. Depending on his own exertions for food and raiment, he had never looked to another for assistance, promotion, or wealth. When the interest of the tribe was in question, or in danger, the wisdom and experience of years was consulted, to advise and determine; And their counsels became matters of great respect. But constraint, compulsion, and force, was the object of the highest detestation and horror. Every measure of the government tended to confirm and increase the spirit of freedom, equality, and independence, and to render it strong, fierce, and permanent, through the whole tribe.

SYSTEM OF WAR AMONG THE INDIANS. The civil regulations of the savages were all designed to qualify and prepare them for war. Among the causes that lead to this, an opposition of interests, was the most common and powerful. No people ever had more clear, or more just ideas of their own rights and property, than the Indians. They not only understood their own personal rights, but they were perfectly well acquainted with the rights and property, that were vested in the tribe. Each tribe claimed the soil in their own domains. This right was viewed as complete, perfect, and exclusive Such as entitled them to the full and entire possession; and to oppose by force and violence, all encroachments upon the soil, or game, in any part of their territories. The bounds of these territories were extensive, and

ill defined. Real or supposed encroachments and injuries, were constantly taking place. Hence arose innumerable subjects of dispute and controversy, which easily inflamed the fierceness of the savage temper, and brought on mutual injuries, reproaches, hostilities, and war. In this state, most of the Indian tribes were found. Interest had become a source of discord, among the neighbouring tribes. From this cause, arose most of their inveterate and perpetual wars.

THE manner in which the Indians carry on their wars, is wars, is very different from that of civilized nations. To defend themselves against an enemy, they have no other fortification but an irregular kind of fortress, which they call a castle or fort. It consisted of a square without bastions, surrounded with pallasadoes. This was erected where the most considerable number of the tribe resided, and was designed as an asylum for their old men, their women, and children, while the rest of the tribe were gone out to war. The weapons of the Indian were a club made of hard wood, a bow and arrow. Thus armed, the Indian takes with him a small bag of corn, and is completely equipped for a campaign. When he takes the field, it is with such a number of warriors as the tribe can supply. During their march, they are dispersed in straggling companies, that they may better supply themselves by hunting. When they approach near to the enemies' frontiers, their troops are more collected: All is then caution, stratagem, secrecy, and ambuscade. Their employment as hunters has taught them great

address and vigilance, in following and surpri sing the game. Their mode of war is the same, as that of hunting. With great ingenuity, they will find and follow the track of their enemies: With a surprising patience and perseverance, they will wait for the moment, when they find him the least able to defend himself. And when they can find an enemy unprepared, they make their attack with great fury, and with pretty sure success. In their battles they always endeavour to secure themselves behind the trees or rocks, and never meet their enemy in the open field, or upon equal terms, if they can avoid it. The method of the Europeans, of deciding a battle in the open field, they regard as extreme folly and want of prudence. Their established maxims are to obtain a superiority in situation, numbers, concealment, or some other circumstance before the battle: In this way, to preserve the lives of their own party, and destroy their enemies, with as little loss as possible to themselves. A victory obtained with the loss of many of their own party, is a matter of grief and disgrace, rather than of exultation And it is no honour to fall in the field of battle, but viewed rather as an evidence of want of wisdom, discernment, and circumspection. When the attack is to be made, nothing can exceed the courage and impetuosity of the savage. The onset begins with a general outcry, terminating in a universal yell. Of all the sounds that discord has produced, the Indian warwhoop is the most awful and horrid. It is designed and adapted to increase the ardor of those who make the attack, and to carry terror

and horror into the feelings of those, on whom the attack is made. The Indians immediately come forward, and begin the scene of outrage and death. All is then a scene of fury, impetuosity, and vengeance. So great is the rage of the savage, that he has no regard to discipline, subordination, and order. Revenge, takes an entire possession of his soul: Forgetful of all order, regardless of discipline and danger, he aims only to butcher and destroy. If the Indians remain masters of the field, they always strip and scalp the dead. Leaving the bodies of their enemies, naked, unburied, and often mangled, they carry off the plunder and scalps; and make a very swift and sudden retreat. Upon their approach to their own tribe, a herald is sent forward to announce the event: the tribe is collected, and the conquerors make their entry with their ensigns of triumph the scalps stretched upon a bow, and elevated upon a pole, are carried before them, as the tokens of their valour and success, and monuments of the vengeance they have inflicted upon the enemies of their country.

THE prisoners which they have taken, make an important part of their triumph. The savages are anxious to take as many of these as possible. During their march, they are generally treated with a degree of humanity and kindness; but the greatest care is taken to prevent their escape. When they arrive at the place of their destination, the old men, women, and children of the Indian tribe, form themselves into two lines, through which the prisoners must run the gantlet to the village. If the prisoner is young, VOL. I. X