The History of the American Indians

The History of the American Indians

The History of the American Indians by JAMES ADAIR “A Map of the American Indian Nations. . . .” which accompanied the original edition of Adair’s History (courtesy of Tutwiler Collection of Southern History and Literature, Birmingham Public Library, Birmingham,Alabama). T H E H I S TO RY OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS, PARTICULARLY Those NATIONS adjoining to the MISSISIPPI, EAST AND WEST FLORIDA, GEORGIA, SOUTH AND NORTH CAROLINA,ANDVIRGINIA: CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF their ORIGIN, LANGUAGE, MANNERS, RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL CUSTOMS, LAWS, FORM OF GOVERNMENT, PUNISHMENTS , CONDUCT IN WAR AND DOMESTIC LIFE,THEIR HABITS, DIET,AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, DISEASES AND METHOD OF CURE,AND OTHER PARTICULARS, sufficient to render it A COMPLETE INDIAN SYSTEM. WITH OBSERVATIONS on former HISTORIANS, the Conduct of our Colony GOVERNORS, SUPERINTENDENTS, MISSIONARIES, &C. ALSO AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING A Description of the FLORIDAS, and the MISSISSIPPI LANDS, with their PRODUCTIONS —The Benefits of colonising GEORGIANA, and civilizing the INDIANS— And the way to make all the Colonies more valuable to the Mother Country. With a new MAP of the Country referred to in the History. By JAMES ADAIR, Esquire, A TRADER with the INDIANS, and Resident in their country for FortyYears. LONDON: Printed for EWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry. MDCCLXXV. GENTLEMEN, To you, with the greatest propriety the following sheets are addressed. Your distinguished abilities—your thorough acquaintance with the North American Indians language,rites,and customs—your long application and services in the dangerous sphere of an Indian life,and your successful management of the savage natives, are well known over all the continent of America. You often complained how the public had been imposed upon, either by fictitious and fabulous, or very superficial and conjectural accounts of the Indian nations—and as often wished me to devote my leisure hours to drawing up an Indian system.You can witness,that what I now send into the world,was composed more from a regard to your request, than any forward desire of my own.The prospect of your patronage inspired me to write, and it is no small pleasure and honor to me,that such competent judges of the several particulars now presented to public view,expressed themselves with so much approbation of the contents. You well know the uprightness of my intentions as to the information here given, and that truth hath been my grand standard. I may have erred in the application of the rites and customs of the Indians to their origin and descent —and may have drawn some conclusions,exceeding the given evidence— but candor will excuse the language of integrity: and when the genuine principles , customs, &c. of the Indians are known, it will be easier afterwards for persons of solid learning,and free from secular cares, to trace their origin, clear up the remaining difficulties, and produce a more perfect history. Should my performance be in the least degree instrumental to produce an T O The Hon. Colonel George Craghan, George Galphin, and Lachlan McGilwray 1 , E S QU I R E S. * *The late Sir Wm. Johnson, Baronet, was another of the Author’s friends, and stood at the head of the MS. Dedication. 60 / Dedication accurate investigation and knowledge of the American Indians—their civilization —and the happy settlement of the fertile lands around them,I shall rejoice; and the public will be greatly obliged to you, as your request incited to it; and to you I am also indebted for many interesting particulars, and valuable observations . I embrace this opportunity,of paying a public testimony of my gratitude,for your many favours,to me.Permit me also to celebrate your public spirit—your zealous and faithful service of your country—your social and domestic virtues, &c. which have endeared you to your acquaintance, and to all who have heard your names, and make you more illustrious, than can any high sounding titles. All who know you, will readily acquit me of servility and flattery, in this address . Dedications founded on these motives, are the disgrace of literature, and an insult to common sense.There are too many instances of this prostitution in Great Britain, for it to be suffered in America. Numbers of high seated patrons are praised for their divine wisdom and godlike virtues, and yet the whole empire is discontented, and America in strong convulsions. May you long enjoy your usual calm and prosperity! that so the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger may always joyfully...