272

PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

from principle, holding theft in contempt; so that they are rarely guilty of it, though tempted byarticles of much value. Neither do the strong attempt to seize the prey of the weak; and I mustdo them the justice to say that, unless heated by liquor, or inflamed by revenge, their ideas ofright and wrong and their practices in consequence of them, would, if more known, do them muchhonour. It is true, that having been often deceived by us in the purchase of lands, in trade, andother transactions, many of them begin now to act the same part. But this reflects most on thosewho set them the example.

As to your remark on their apparent repugnance to civilization, I must observe, that this is notowing to any viciousness of their nature, or want of capacity; as they have a strong genius forarts, and uncommon patience. I believe they are put to the English schools too late, and sentback too soon to their people, whose political maxim, Spartan like, is to discountenance all pursuitsbut war, holding all other knowledge as umvorthy the dignity of man, and tending to enervateand divert them from that warfare on which they conceive their liberty and happiness depend.These sentiments constantly instilled into the minds of youth, and illustrated by examples drawnfrom the contemptible state of the domesticated tribes, leave lasting impressions: and can hardlybe defeated by an ordinary school education.

I wish my present leisure w’ould allow me to give you as many specimens of their lanuage as wouldshew that, though not very wordy, it is extremely emphatical; and their style adorned with nobleimages, strong metaphors, and equal in allegory to many of the Eastern nations. The article iscontained in the noun by varying the termination ; and the adjective is combined into one word.Thus of Echin, a man, and Goto ana, great, is formed Echingowana, a great man. Caghyungkaw is acreek; Caghyungha , a river. Caghyunghaowana , a great river, Caghyungheeo , a fine river. Hagathe inhabitants of any place, and tierham, the morning; so, if they speak of eastern people, they sayTierhans-aga or people of the morning. Eso is expressive of a great quantity, and Esogee is thesuperlative. The words Goronta and Golota which you mention are not of the Six nations, but of aSouthern language. It is curious to observe, that they have various modes of speech and phrazespeculiar to each age and sex, which they strictly observe. For instance, a man says, w r hen he ishungry, Cadagcariax , which is expressive both of his want and of the animal food he requires tosupply it; whilst a child says, in the same circumstances, Cauisore , that is, I require spoon meat.]

There is so remarkable a difference in the Language of the Five nations, from all the rest asaffords some grounds for enquiring into their distinct Origin, for the Indians north of the S l Lawrencethose West of the Great Lakes with the few who inhabit the Sea Coasts of New England , & thoseagain who live about the Ohio notwithstanding the respective distances between them Speak a lan-guage Radically the same & can In gen 1 communicate their Wants to each other; Whilst theNations who live in the midst of them, are Incapable of Conveys a Single Idea to their neighbours,neither can they pronounce a Word of their langs e with correctness. There is indeed some differ-ence of Dialect amongst the 5 nations themselves, but this is little more than may be found in theProvinces of large States in Europe .

In particular the letters M and P which Occurs so frequently in the Languages of the rest,cannot be pronounced by the 5 nations without the utmost difficulty, & are not in their language.

But to proceed to what I have before proposed. The Indians taken Collectively did Certainly afew Centurys ago live under some more Order & Gov 1 than they do at present—this may seem odd,but it is the Truth for their Intercourse in gen 1 being with the Lower Class of our Traders theylearn little from us but Vices, & Their long Wars together with the Immoderate use of SpirituousLiquors have so reduced them as to render that ord r wch was first instituted unnecessary & imprac-ticable. Add to this that since the reduction of Canada , their System of politicks is changed, Their