PAGE 15
CHAPTER
II.
THE INDIANS: League of the Iroquois - Their Extent and Power - Formation of the
Confederacy - Peculiarities of their Government - Tribal Relations and
Character.
THE Indians who inhabited this locality prior to the advent of the
white man were the debris of once-powerful tribes, broken and scattered by long
series of revolutions. Like the modern remnants of some of the old wealthy and
powerful Eastern nations, sitting in squalid poverty amidst the old scenes of
luxury and magnificence, these broken tribes dwelt amidst the symbols and tokens
of a former Indian empire, whose glory had departed and whose strength had been
wasted in desolating wars.
The immediate territory of this county was included in the domain of the
Senecas, the most western nation of that once-powerful Confederacy known as the
League of the Iroquois, or Five
Nations.
At one time the domain of
these Confederated Nations extended from the Sorrel River south, by the Great
Lakes to the Mississippi on the west, thence east to the Santee, and coast-wise
back to the Hudson.
The territory
of the Iroquois embraced more fertile land, combined with a temperate and
healthy climate, than any other tract of equal extent on the globe. And their
power and dominion extended far beyond these geographical boundaries. Although
they occupied, as their proper home, what they metaphorically termed the "Long
House," - that is, the territory of New York extending from the Hudson to Lake
Erie, - yet they extended their power and influence far beyond these limits, and
held the tribes both of the East and the West in
subjecation.
Says Smith, in his
history of New York, "When the Dutch began the settlement of this country, all
the Indians on Long Island and the northern shore of the Sound, on the banks of
the Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehanna Rivers, were in subjection to
the Five Nations, and acknowledged it by paying them tribute." The French
historians of Canada, both ancient and modern, agree that the more northern
Indians were driven far back to the West and Northwest by the martial prowess of
the confederates. "The Ho-de-no-sau-nee occupied our precise territory, and
their council-fires burned continually from the Hudson to the Niagara. Our old
forests have rung with their war-shouts, and been enlivened with their festivals
of peace. In their progressive course they had stretched round half the
republic, and rendered their names a terror nearly from ocean to ocean, when the
advent of the Saxon race arrested their career, and prepared the way for the
final extinguishment of the fires of the
Confederacy."+
The Five Nations
have been called by some the "Romans of the Western World." Their warriors, in
the prime of the Confederacy, were noted for their valor and their far-extended
conquests. "At one period," says Schoolcraft, "We hear the sound of their
war-cry along the Straits of St. Mary's and at the foot of Lake Superior; at
another,
+Letters on the Iroquois, - North
American Review.
PAGE 16
under the walls of Quebec,
where they finally defeat the Hurons under the eyes of the French. They put out
the fires of the Gahkas and Eries. They eradicated the Susquehannocks. They
placed the Lanappes, the Nanticokes, and Muncees under the yoke of subjection.
They put the Metoacs and Manhattans under tribute. They spread the terror of
their name all over New England. They traversed the whole length of the
Appalachian chain, and descended like the enraged yagisho and megalonyx on the
the Cherokees and Catawbas. Smith encountered their warriors in the settlement
of Virginia and La Salle on th ediscovery of the
Illinois."*
Such had become the
Iroquois - the conquerors and teror of all the surrounding tribes - by the force
of their energy and by the principle of confederation. The French computed the
number of their warriors, in 1660, at between two and three thousand, and a
later census, taken by an English agent, confirmed the statement. Their
geographical position made the the umpires in the contest of the French for
dominion in the West. Their political importance was enhanced by their
conquests. "Not only did they claim some supremacy in northern New England, as
far as the Kennabeck, and in the south, as far as New Haven, and were
acknowledged as absolute lords over their hunting-ground by right of war; they
had exterminated the Eries and Andasties, both tribes of their own family, one
dwelling on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie, the other on the head-waters of
the Ohio; they had triumphantly invaded the tribes of the West as far as
Illinois; their warriors had reached the soil of Kentucky and Western Virginia;
and England, to whose alliance they steadily inclined, availed herself of their
treaties to encroach on the empire of France in
America."+
Precisely at what
period the confederacy between the tribes was formed is not known. Schoolcraft
thinks it was at a comparatively recent date, probably early in the fifteenth
century. Mr. Webster, the Onondaga interpreter, says this great league of
confederation was arrived at about two generations before the whites became
traders with the Indians. Mr. Clark has a different opinion. From the permanency
of their institutions, the intricacy of their civil affairs, the stability of
their religious beliefs, and the uniformity of their pagan ceremonies, differing
from other Indians in important particulars, he is inclined to belief that their
federative existence must have had a much longer duration. All their traditions
agree that the union was effected on the banks of Onondaga Lake, where the
village of Liverpool is now
situated.
It is well known that
these tribes attributed the origin of their confederacy, as well as most of
their chief national blessings, to the supernatural interpositon of
Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the deity who presided over streams and fisheries. A long time
ago this deity came down from his place in the clouds to teach them how to
cultivate the soil, and to be united, happy, and prosperous. While he was living
among them - having thrown aside his divine character and assumed the name of
Hi-a-wat-ha, a very wise man - there was an alarm caused by the sudden approach
of a ferocious band of warriors from north of the great lakes. Many had been
slain, and ultimate destruction seemed to be the consequence either of bold
resistance or of quiet submission to the enemy. At this trying moment
Hi-a-wat-ha was sought for advice, and no statesman of to-day could have given
better counsel in as few words. "Become a united people and you will conquer
your enemies. Dispatch runners in all directions and notify chiefs of a
grand council to be held on the banks of the Oh-nen-ta-ha (Onondaga Lake). I
shall sit in council with you." The council-fires had been kindled three days,
but the venerable Hi-a-wat-ha had not made his appearance. On approacing his
cabin, he was found in a melancholy state of mind. The old man told them he had
evil forebodings, and that he had concluded not to attend the Great Council. But
the chiefs had determined not to deliberate in council without the presence of
Hi-a-wat-ha, and he was finally prevailed upon to go, accompanied by his darling
child, an only daughter, twelve years of age. On the approach of the venerable
wise man, a general shout of joy resounded through the assembled host, and every
demonstration of respect was paid to his
presence.
As he landed and was
passing up the steep bank towards the council ground, a loud sound was heard
like a rushing, mighty wind. All eyes were instantly turned upwards, and a dark
spot was seen rapidly descending from on high among the clouds. It grew larger
and larger as it neared the earth, and was descending with fearful velocity into
their midst. The utmost confusion prevailed throughout the assembled multitude,
and all but the venerable Hi-a-wat-ha sought safety by flight. He gravely
uncovered his silvered head, and besought his daughter to await the appraching
danger with becoming resignation, at the same time reminding her of the great
folly and impropriety of attempting to prevent or obstruct the designs or wishes
of the Great Spirit. No sooner had his resolution become fixed and his last
words uttered, than an immense bird, with a long and pointed beak and widespread
wings, came down with a mighty swoop and cushed the beautiful girl to the earth.
His darling daughter has been killed before his eyes in a marvelous manner, and
her destroyer has perished with her. It was found on examination that the
creature in its descent had completely buried its beak and neck up to its body
in the ground. It was covered with a beautiful plumage of snow white, and every
warrior as he advanced plucked a plume from this singular bird, with which to
adorn his crown, and from this incident the braves of the Confederate Nation
forever after made choice of the plumes of the white heron as their most
appropriae military ornament while on the
war-path.
In despair and dejection
Hi-a-wat-ha remained three days and nights prostrated on his face on the ground,
and while every one participated in his afflictions, no one seemed inclined to
approach or distract his entranced state, and the Indians, almost despairing of
a council, were about to depart; but a few of the leading chiefs consulted
together, and resolved that nothing should be attempted without the voice of the
wise man, and a suitable person was thereupon
*Schoolcraft's
Notes.
+Bancroft, History United States.
PAGE
17
dispatched to
see if he breathed. Finding that he lived, Ho-see-noke was directed to arouse
him by his merry heart, to whisper kind words in his ear, and call him from his
reverie. After much ceremony and persuasion, he recovered so far as to converse,
and after several messages had passed between the assembled chiefs and himself,
he arose and desired food. He was afterwards conducted to the presence of the
council, when all eyes were turned towards the only man who could with precision
foretell their future destiny. Various schemes were proposed to repel the enemy.
Hi-a-wat-ha listened in silence till the speeches of all were concluded. He then
spoke. After briefly alluding to his own calamity, he referred to the threatened
invasion, and proposed that they should reflect for a day on the speeches that
had been made. After expiration of the time, they again met, when the wise man
addressed them:
"Friends and
Brothers: You have come, many of you, a great distance from your homes; you have
convened for one common purpose, to promote one common interest, and that is to
provide for our common safety. To oppose these hordes of northern foes by
tribes, singly and alone, would prove our certain destruction. We can make no
progress in that way; we must unite ourselves into one common band of
brothers. Our warriors united would surely repel these rude invaders, and drive
them from our borders. Let this be done and we are
safe.
"You, the Mohawks, sitting
under the shadow of the 'Great Tree,' whose roots sink deep into the earth, and
whose branches spread over a vast country, shall be the first nation, because
you are warlike and mighty.
"You,
Oneidas, a people who recline your bodies against the 'Everlasting Stone,' that
cannot be moved, shall be the second nation, because you give wise
counsel.
"You, Onondagas, who have
your habitation at the 'Great Mountain,' and are overshadowed by its crags,
shall be the third nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech and mighty
in war.
"You, Cayugas, a people
whose habitation is the 'Dark Forest,' and whose home is everywhere, shall be
the fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in
hunting.
"And you, Senecas, a
people who live in the open country, and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth
nation, because you understand better the art of raising corn and beans, and
making cabins.
"You five great and
powerful nations must unite and have but one common interest, and no foe shall
be able to desturb or subdue you."
Immediately upon this was formed the celebrated league of the Five Nations. Such
was the name given them by the English. The French called them the Iroquois, the
Dutch name for them was Maquas, while they called themselves Mingoes; all
meaning "united people." They were known to the English as the Five Nations till
the adoption of the Tuscaroras, in 1712, after which they were called the Six
Nations.
The Onondagas occupied
the central position in the "Long House," - a term by which they denoted their
possessions from the Hudson to the Lakes. They kept the sacred council-fires at
Onondaga, and the key of the council-house, where all the chief councils of the
Five Nations were held. The Mohawks held the east door, and the Senecas the west
door. The confederacy was governed by hereditary chiefs, whose claims were
subjected to the decisions of a national council. Thus the aristocratic
principle was brought into subjection to the democratic. When the hereditary
chief demanded office, if found unworthy, he must give place to the next in
order. In council they were a pure republic, the veto of one chief being
sufficient to defeat a measure.* Each canton or tribe was independent; its quota
of men were freely voted in war, or refused, without complaint from other
cantons. Thus was guaranteed to each tribe its independence and security, and to
each warrior his equal rights, while general power was conceded to the
confederacy in all national matters. Canassatego, one of the chiefs, said to the
Commissioners of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland: "Our wise forefathers
established union and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us
formidable. This has given us great weight and authority with our neighboring
nations. We are a powerful confederacy, and by observing the same methods our
forefathers have taken you will acquire fresh strength and power; therefore I
counsel you, whatever befalls you, never fall out with one
another."
At the formation of the
confederacy, the famous A-TO-TAR-HO presided: unequaled in war and arts, his
fame had spread abroad and exalted the Onondaga tribe to a pre-eminent position.
His name was, "like that of King Arthur of the Round Table, or those of the
Paladins of Charlemagne, used as an exemplar of glory and honor,"* and became
the title of office of the presiding chief. The right of the Onondagas to
furnish a presiding officer for the league was conceded, and is still possessed
by them. To the Mohawks was awarded the Te-ka-ra-ho-ga, or chief war-captain.
The great council has always consisted of six members, each nation having one
except the Senecas, who were allowed tow, in consideration of their great
numerical strength. Its powers were merely advisory, aiming to arrive at
harmonious results by interchange of opinion without formal vote. No penalties
could be inflicted or power exerted beyond that of opinion. A unanimous decision
was first required. This once obtained, its authority was absolute; each tribe
acting through its representative, who was first informed as to its views. These
decisions were, in fact, clothed with all the power of the most popular
expression of the whole
confedracy.
"A government like
this gave to the orator, who by his eloquence could sway his people, a vast
influence; and we find that many men of note have appeared among them, since
they came in contact with more learned races of men, who were abundantly
qualified to conduct their negotiations, and have reflected as much renown on
their nation as their bravest warriors."+ De Witt Clinton says of the speech of
Garangula to the French general, De la Barre, "I believe it impossible to find
in all the effusions of ancient or modern oratory a speech more appropriate or
convincing. Under the veil of respectful profession it conveys the most biting
irony, and while it abounds which rich and splendid imagery, it contains the
most solid reasoning. I place it in the same rank with the celebrates speech of
Logan."
*Schoolcraft. +Hon.
George Geddes.
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