ALGONQUIN TRIBES.

17

Among these families, the widely extended Esquimaux [es'-ke-mo] (fish-eaters) are not included. They do not lie. within the limits of the United States, but occupy the shores of all the seas, bays, and inlets of America, north of lat. 60°.

17. The Algonquin was the largest of these families. It occupied about half the territory now embraced in the United States east of the Mississippi, and contained as many warriors as the remaining families put together. It even extended north of the St. Lawrence, including, among other tribes, the Knisteneaux [nis'-te-no], scattered throughout the wide tract between Hudson's Bay and the Rocky Mountains. The Algonquin family embraced most of the nations connected with the history of the first settlers: the Nar-ra-gan'-setts, Wampanoags [wom-pa-no'-agz], Pe'-quods, and Paw-tuck'ets, in New England; the Mo-he'-gans, on Long Island and the banks of the Hudson; the Delawares, who owned an extensive tract on the river now called by their name; and the Pow-ha-tans', originally a confederacy of more than twenty tribes on Chesapeake Bay, afterwards exterminated by war and disease. The Ottawas [ot'-ta-wawz], Chip'-pe-ways, Sacs and Foxes, Miamis [me-am'-eez], Shaw-nees, and other western tribes, were also Algonquins.

Though speaking dialects of one great language, and grouped in the same family, many of the smaller Algonquin tribes were constantly at war with each other, their hostility often arising from trifling causes, and being handed down from generation to generation. Their numbers were thus kept reduced, and it was not rare for a tribe to become in this way entirely extinct.

18. Surrounded by the Algonquins, but occupying a large tract and enjoying a high reputation for prowess, the HuronIroquois was the next family in importance. They covered

families. What extensive family is not included among them? What does the word Esquimaux signify? What part of America do they occupy? 17. Which was the largest of these families? How much territory did it occupy? North of the St. Lawrence, what large tribe did it embrace? Mention some of the tribes belonging to the Algonquin family, and their respective locations. What kept many of the Algonquin tribes reduced in number? In what did their hostility often originate? 18. What famfly was next in importance to the Algonquins? Where did they live? Mention the

a great part of the state of New York, as well as the Cana dian peninsula formed by Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron. To this family belonged the Hurons or Wy'-an-dots, the E'-ries, and the formidable confederated tribes generally known as the Five Nations, who were afterwards joined by the Tus-ca-ro'-ras, a kindred tribe from Carolina. The Iroquois proper, or Five Nations, were as distinguished for their intelligence as for their superior skill and courage in war. They displayed great wisdom in the management of their domestic affairs, and advanced further in the arts of Indian life than the rest of their race. Conscious that they owed their strength to union, they maintained their confederacy with the utmost care, and thus were more than a match for enemies that met them singly. Their position, as may be seen from the Map, was highly favorable. Lake Ontario on the north, and an extensive mountain range on the southeast, served as bulwarks against their enemies; while their intercourse with the Dutch settlements kept them well supplied with arms and ammunition.

19. The Dahkotahs, or Sioux, a widely extended family, lived mostly west of the Mississippi. Hence little was known about them by early settlers. One Dahkotah tribe, the Win-ne-bā'-goes, migrated eastward, at what period we are not informed, and settled on the western coast of Lake Michigan [mish-e-gan'] among the Algonquins. The prominent members of the Dahkotah family were the Man'-dans, I'-o-was, Mis-sou'-ries, O-sa'-ges, Arkansas [ahr'-kan-saw], and Kan'-sas.

20. The Ca-taw'-bas, living in the interior of Carolina, south of the original seat of the Tuscaroras, were once a powerful people. Becoming engaged in war with the Iroquois, they were vanquished and nearly destroyed. Hardly a hundred now survive.

21. West of the Catawbas lived the Cherokees. Occupy

principal Huron-Iroquois tribes. For what were the Five Nations distinguished? To what was much of their strength owing? What advantages did their position have? 19. Where did the Dahkotahs live? What tribe of this family migrated eastward! Where did they settle? Mention some prominent Dahkotah tribes. 20. Where did the Catawbas live? By whom were they vanquished? What is their present condition?

UCHEES, NATCHEZ, MOBILIAN TRIBES.

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ing the fastnesses of the Blue Ridge and the Alleghanies, they were the mountaineers of eastern America. In spite of long and bloody wars with their hereditary foes, the Shawnees, and other nations, they now constitute one of the largest, as well as the most civilized and prosperous, Indian tribes within the limits of the United States. They number about 15,000 souls, having, unlike most of their race, become more numerous since exchanging savage for civilized life.

22. The Uchees, a small tribe little known in history, were the sixth of the great families. They were never known to change their location, and boasted that they were the oldest inhabitants of the region in which they were found. This was the northern part of Georgia. Their language was peculiarly harsh and guttural.

23. On the east bank of the Mississippi, in the neighbor hood of the city now called by their name, lived the Natchez; a tribe said to have been connections of the Mexicans, and to have possessed at one time an extended dominion. They probably settled in this locality early in the sixteenth century, as they retained a tradition of having seen, far in the southwest where they formerly lived, "warriors of fire," by which name they no doubt designated the soldiers of Cortez. The Natchez were nearly destroyed by the French in 1730. From a few survivors, who crossed the Mississippi into Louisiana, the Ten'-sas Indians are supposed to have sprung.

24. The Mobilian family, otherwise called the Mus-co'-geeChoc'-taw, remains to be noticed. This group of tribes extended over the region which now forms the southern part of the United States; being bounded on the northeast by the Cape Fear River, and reaching as far north as the mouth of the Tennessee. It included many powerful nations, the most important of which was the Creek, or Muscogee. Though

21. West of the Catawbas, what family was found? What are they called, and why? With whom did they wage protracted wars? What is their present condition? How Inany do they number? 22. What was the sixth great family? What was their boast? Where did they live? Describe their language. 23. Where did the Natchez live? With whom were they connected? When did they probably settle in this region? What tradition did they retain? What happened to the Natchez in 1780? What tribe is thought to have sprung from them? 24. Where did the Mobilian tribes lie? What bounded them on the north and northeast? What was the most important tribe of this

fond of war, they paid considerable attention to agriculture; and in the intervals between their military expeditions their warriors assisted the women in tilling the soil. Like the Iroquois in the north, the Creeks united the neighboring tribes with themselves in a confederacy, which greatly increased their power. Among the nations thus allied to them at a later day, were the Sem'-i-noles, who have long troubled our government in Florida.

The brave Chick'-a-saws, also members of the Mobilian group, dwelt on the banks of the great "Father of Waters" (the Mississippi), north of the Natchez. On the other side of the latter, towards the Tom-big'-bee, lived the Choctaws, in a delightful country, which yielded rich crops almost without cultivation.

25. Besides the tribes mentioned above, there were many others of less importance. Yet at no time, before or after its discovery, was there a dense Indian population in America. Most of the minor tribes were small; and from all that can be gathered, it would seem as if the aborigines south of the St. Lawrence and east of the Mississippi were not, when discovered by Columbus, more than 200,000 in number.

CHAPTER III.

INDIAN LANGUAGES.

26. THE language of a people often sheds light upon its history, tells where it came from, unfolds the relations it has sustained to other nations, and affords a key to its character. Sufficient difference has been found in the various Indian languages spoken in America to enable us to group the tribes that used them into eight families; yet in many respects they bear a general resemblance to each other. They are all com

family? To what did they pay attention? In what did they imitate the Iroquois ? What tribe was a member of the Creek confederacy? Where did the Chickasaws live? Where, the Choctaws? 25. What is said of the Indian population of America? What is it estimated to have been at the time of the discovery?

26. What does the language of a people often do? What is said of the Indian lan

WANT OF ABSTRACT TERMS.

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plete and consistent, all subject to great rules and principles. There is a wild grandeur about them, yet less irregularity than marks more cultivated tongues. Acquainted only with nature, a total stranger to art, science, commerce, and mechanical industry, the Indian needed but few words: yet, as a human being, subject to the same passions as others, he required a language capable of expressing his thoughts and feelings; and this we find him possessing in all parts of the continent.

27. The organs of the Indian were the same as those of the European. In speaking, both used the tongue, palate, lips, and throat; and therefore the sounds produced by both were in a great measure the same. Certain tribes, however, had certain peculiarities. The Algonquins had no f; the Iroquois had no m, b, p, f, or v, and, except the Oneidas, no l. Some of the Algonquin dialects were harsh from the frequent recurrence of consonants; but most of the Indian tongues were remarkable for their softness and music. Particularly was this the case with Cherokee, every syllable of which ended with a vowel.

28. The Indian had a name for whatever he could see, hear, or feel; but he had few words to express abstract ideas. Thus in none of the American dialects was there any single term for justice, temperance, or virtue. The difference between savage and civilized life was so great that a vast number of words necessary in the latter were wholly unknown to the Red Man. When introduced into his language, they had to be expressed by long compounds describing the object or action by means of words already existing. The Indian, for example, never kneels; when, therefore, the missionary Eliot wished to use this term in translating the Bible, he had to form an uncouth word of eleven syllables,-wutappesittukqussunnoowehtunkquoh.

guages? Why did the Indian need but few words? As a human being, to what extent did he require language? 27. How did the Indian's organs compare with the European's? What did both use in speaking? What letter did the Algonquins never use? What letters were wanting in Iroquois? What rendered some Algonquin dialects harsh What was the general character of the Indian tongues? What is said of Cherokee? 28. For what had the Indian names, and for what not? To express many of