The Iroquois Trail, or Foot-Prints of the Six Nations, in customs, traditions, and history ... in which are included David Cusack's Sketches of Ancient History of the Six Nations

Preface

. The sour hundredth year of European-American history will be marked by many publications recalling early days, and among these the present volume may find a proper place. Cusick's history has been largely quoted in recent years, with too much deference to its authority, but has become so scarce that a re issue seemed desirable. At the same time it seemed well to add a few explanatory notes, out of a vast number collected. The work has been done under some difficulties of arrangement and proof reading, but Ihe important errors have been noted in the list of errata. The author may add that he has long been en gaged in antiquarian work renting to the Iroquois and other early inhabitants of New York, and has enjoyed the advantage of long personal acquaintance with the Onondagas. His ex tended field work, and collation of authorities, has led him to differ from some conclusions of others.

W. M. B. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAG V. . David Cusick's Preface, - - i Foundation of the Great Island, - i Real Account* of the Settlement of North America, 5 Origin of the Five Nations, - 11 Notes on Cusick's Sketches, ----- 39 General Notes on the Iroquois, - 104 Indian Fashions, - - - - - 117 Dreams, - - - - - -118 Dream Feast, - - - - - 119 Houses, - - - - - - 123 Names, -- ------125 Women, _--_. - -126 Iroquois Stories, ------ 127 OkWENCHA, - - - - - - - !£2 Hiawatha. - • - - - 137 Condolence, - - - - 143 Caches, --------- DAVID CUSICK'S SKETCHES of ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE SIX NATIONS, COMPRISING FIRST— A TALE OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE GREAT ISLAND, (NOW NORTH AMERICA,) the TWO INFANTS BOf^N- AND THE CREATION OK THE UNIVERSE. SECOND— A REAL ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF NORTH AMERICA, AND THEIR DISSENSIONS. THIRD-ORIGIN OF THE KINGDOM OF THE FIVE NA- TIONS. WHICH WAS CALLED A LONG HOUSE: THE WANS, FIERCE ANIMALS, &c. RECORnER PRINT, EAYETTEVILI.E, N. Y.

PREFACE.

. I have been long waiting in hopes that some of my people, who have received an English education, would have undertaken the work as to give a sketch of the Ancient History of the Six Nations; but found no one seemed to concur in the matter, after some hesitation I determined to commence the work; but found the history involved with fables; and besides, examining myself, finding so small educated that it was impossible for me to com pose the work without much difficulty. After various reasons I abandoned the idea; I however, took a resolution to continue the work, which I have taken much pains procuring the ma terials, and translating it into English language. I have endea vored to throw some light on the history of the original popula tion of the country, which I believe never have been recorded. I hope this little work will be acceptable to the public. Tuscarora Village, June ioth, 1825. David Cusick.

Part I

A Tale of the Foundation of the Great Island, now North America: — The two Infants born, and the Creation 0/ the Uni verse. Among the ancients there were two worlds in existence. The lower world was in a great darkness; the possession of the great monster; but the upper world was inhabited by man kind; and there was a woman conceived and would have the twin born. When her travail drew near, and her situation seemed to produce a great distress on her mind, and she was in duced by some of her relatives to lay herself on a mattress which was prepared, so as to gain refreshments to her wearied body; but while she was asleep the very place sunk down towards the dark world. The monsters of the great water were alarmed at her appearance of descending to the lower world; in consequence, all the species of the creatures were immediately collected into where it was expected she would fall.

When the monsters were assembled, and they made consultation, one of them was appointed in haste to search the great deep, in order to procure some earth, if it could be obtained; accordingly the monster descends, which succeeds, and returns to the place. Another requisition was presented, who would be capable to se cure the woman from the terrors of the great water, but none was able to comply except a large turtle came forward and made proposal to them to endure her lasting weight, which was accepted. The woman was yet descending from a great distance. The turtle executes upon the spot, and a small quantity of earth was varnished on the back part of the turtle. The woman alights on the seat prepared, and she receives a satisfaction. While holding her, the turtle increased every moment, and be come a considerable island of earth, and apparently covered with small bushes.

The woman remained in a state of unlimited darkness, and she was overtaken by her travail to which she was subject. While she was in the limits of distress one of the in fants was moved by an evil opinion, and he was determined to pass out under the side of the parent's arm, and the other infant in vain endeavored to prevent his design. The woman was in a painful condition during the time of their disputes, and the in fants entered the dark world by compulsion, and their parent ex pired in a few moments. They had the power of sustenance without a nurse, and remained in the dark regions. After a time the turtle increased to a great Island, and the infants were grown up, and one of them possessed with a gentle disposition and named Enigorio, i. e., the good mind. The other youth possessed ai insolence of character, and was named Enigonhahetgea, i. e., the bad mind.

The good mind was not contented to remain in a dark situation, and he was anxious to create a great light in the dark world; but the bad mind wa, desirous that the world should remain in a natural state. The good mind determined to prosecute his designs, and therefore commences the work of creation. At first he took the parent's head, (the deceased) of which he created an orb, and established it in the center of the firmament, and it became of a very superior nature to bestow light to the new world, (now the sun) and again he took the remnant of the body, and formed another orb, which was inferior to the light, (now the moon.) In the orb a cloud of legs ap peared to prove it was the body of the good mind, (parent.) The former was to give light to the day, and the latter to the night; and he also created numerous spots of light, (now stars;) these were to regulate the days, nights, seasons, years, etc.

Whenever the light extended to the dark world the monsters were displeased and immediately concealed themselves in the deep places, lest they should be discovered by some human beings. The good mind continued the works of creation, and he formed numerous creeks and rivers on the Great Island, and then created numerous species of animals of the smallest and greatest, to inhabit the forests, and fish of all kinds to inhabit the waters. When he had made the universe he was in doubt respecting some being to possess the Great Island; and he formed two images of the dust of the ground in his own likeness, male and female, and by his breathing into their nostrils he gave them the living souls, and named them Ea-gwe-howe, i. e., a real people; and he gave the Great Island, all the animals of game for their maintenance; and he appointed thunder to water the earth by frequent rains, agreeable to the nature of the system; after this the Island became fruitful, and vegetation afforded the animals subsistence.

The bad mind, while his brother was making the universe, went throughout the Island and made numerous high mountains and falls of water, and great steeps, and also creates various reptiles which would be injurious to man kind; but the good mind restored the Island to its former con dition. The bad mind proceeded further in his motives, and he made two images of clay in the form of mankind: but while he was giving them existence they became apes; and when he had not the power to create mankind he was envious against his brother; and again he made two of clay. The good mind discovered his brother's contrivances, and aided in giving them living souls, * (It is said these had the most knowledge of good and evil.) The good mind now accomplishes the works of creation, notwithstanding the imaginations of the bad mind were continually evil; and he attempted to enclose all the animals of game in the earth, so as to deprive them from mankind; but the good mind released them from confinement, (the animals were dispersed, and traces of them were made on the rocks near the cave where it was closed.)

The good mind experiences that his brother was at variance with the works of creation, and feels not disposed to favor any of his proceedings, but gives admonitions of his future state. Afterwards the good mind requested his brother to accompany him, as he was proposed to inspect the game, etc., but when a short distance from their nominal resi dence, the bad mind became so unmanly that he could not con duct his brother any more. The bad mind offered a challenge to his brother and resolved that who gains the victory should govern the universe; and appointed a day to meet the contest. The good mind was willing to submit to the offer, and he enters the reconciliation with his brother; which he falsely mentions that by whipping with flags would destroy his temporal life; and he earnestly solicits his brother also to notice the instrument of death, which he manifestly relates by the use of deer horns, beating his body he would expire.

On the day appointed the en gagement commenced, which lasted for two days; after pulling up the trees and mountains as the track of a terrible whirlwind, at last the good mind gains the victory by using the horns, as mentioned the instrument of death, which he succeeded in de- * It appears by the fictitious accounts that the said beings become civilized people, and made their residence in the southern pxrts of the Island; but after wards they were destroyed by the barbarous nations, and their fortifications were ruined unto this day. ceiving his brother, and he crushed him in the earth: and the last words uttered from the bad mind were, that he would have equal power over the souls of mankind after death; and he sinks down to eternal doom, and became the Evil Spirit. After this tumult the good mind repaired to the battle ground, and then visited the people and retires from the earth.

Part II

A real account of the settlement of North America and their dissensions. In the ancient days the Great Island appeared upon the big waters, the earth brought forth trees, herbs, vegetables, etc the creation of the land animals; the Eagwehoewe people were too created, and resided in the north regions, and after a time some of the people become giants and committed outrages upon the inhabitants, etc. After many years a body of Eagwehoewe people encamped on the bank of a majestic stream, and was named Kanawage, now St. Lawrence. After a long time a number of foreign people sailed from a port unknown; but unfortunately before reached their destination the winds drove them contrary; at length their ship wrecked somewhere on the southern part of the Great Island, and many of the crews perished; a few active persons were saved; they obtained some implements and each of them was covered with a leather bag, the big hawks carried them on the summit of a mountain and remained there but a short time the hawks seemed to threaten them, and were compelled to leave the mountain.

They immediately selected a place for residence and built a small fortification in order to provide against the attacks of furious beasts; if there should be any made. After many years the foreign people became numerous, and extended their settlements; but afterwards they were destroyed by the monsters that overrun the country. About this time the Eagwehoewe people inhabited on the river Kana waga or St. Lawrence; but they could not enjoy tranquility, as they were invaded by the giants called Ronnongwetowanea, who came from the north and inhabited considerably; but their mode of attack was slily, and never dared to precipitate themselves upon the enemy without prospect of success; especially they took advantage when the warriors were absent from the town- After plundering the people's houses and making captives those who were found, and hastily retreat to their residence in the north.

An instance — a family of prince: lived near the river St. Lawrence, of whom, containing six brothers and a sister and their father, was a noble chieftain, who fell at the contest of the en emy. One time the brothers went out a day's hunt and leaving their sister alone in the camp; unfortunately while they were gone the giant makes vigorous attacks and the woman soon be came a prey to the invaders. On the eve the brothers returned and were much grieved that their sister was found missing; they immediately made a search, but the night was getting too late, and the darkness prevented them. On the morning the eldest brother determined to pursue the enemy until he could discover something about their sister, and promised to return in seven days if nothing should happen, accordingly the prince set out and pursued the traces of the enemy; after journeyed three days he reached the giant's residence about sundown; at first sight he discovered his sister was gathering some sticks for fuel near the house; but a; he approached the sister retired; the prin cess soon proved by her conduct that she had fell in love with the giant, and that it was impossible to gain her confidence.

The prince was now brought to a point of view about the dread of the enemy; but however he was willing to risk the dangers he was about to meet; he remained until about dusk and then entered the house; happily he was received with most favorable terms, and his fears were soon dissipated, the giant offered his pipe as a tribute of respect, which the prince accepted. After receiving the evening diet they talked a good while without a least ap pearance of hostility; as the night was getting late the prince was invited to a bed; but the giant was now acting to deceive the prince; he commenced to amuse him part of the night in singing songs; the giant had determined to assassinate the visiter the first opportunity as the prince was so fatigued that he was now fast asleep; he killed him on the bed and the body was deposited in a cave near the house where he had stored the car casses.

The giant was much pleased of his conquest over the prince, he advised his wife to watch daily in order to impose on another enemy. The seven days elapsed, as the brother did not return the youngest brother Donhtonha was much excited about his brother and resolved to pursue him; the Donhtonha was the most stoutest and ferocious looking fellow, after arming himself commenced the journey, and also arrived at the place and time as mentioned, and found his sister; but before he had time to re concile her she returned to the house as she had formerly done, and informed the giant that some person was coming: the Donhtonha entered the house with appearances of hostile dispo sition, and enquired for his brother; this produced alarm; the giant was promptly to pacify the prince; he replied that he had made peace with the brother, who had gone to visit some people in the neighborhood, and it was expected he would return every moment.

Upon this assurance the Donhtonha became some abated; the sister provided some food and he soon enjoyed the domestic felicity; but, alas, the giant was far from being friendly and was only forming a plan to deceive the visiter. The even ing was late, the Donhtonha was out of patience waiting for his brother to come home, and renewed his enquiries; the visitor was invited to bed; the giant was in hopes to exterminate the visiter; he rose from his seat and commenced his usual custom in singing. The Donhtonha perceived that some evil design was performing against him and resolved to abandon the bed for awhile; he begged leave for a few moments and went out after various considerations from being imposed; he procured some pieces of wood which produced a faint light in the night and put it above his eyelids and again went to bed; the giant was now deceived; while the visiter was asleep his eyes appeared as though he was awake continually.

As soon as day light the vis iter hurried from the bed, and was about to make a search for the deceased brother, but the giant protested which soon excited suspicions of the act; after a long debate the Donhtonha attacked the giant; a severe conflict ensued, at last the giant was killed; and burnt him in the ruins of his house, but his spirit fled to heaven and changed into one of the eastern stars. During the engagement his sister was grieved and fled to the wilderness, and lamented for her deceased husband, and she died in despair, and her spirit also became one of the northern stars. After the conquest the search was prosecuted, he discoved the remains of his brother and weeps over it and burnt it to ashes. At a time another Ronnongwetowanea attacked a small town located on the bank of the Kanawage.

(St. Lawrence.)

This occurred in a season when the people were out to hunt, and there was no person in the town except an old chief and an at tendant named Yatatonwatea; while they were enjoying repose in their houses were suddenly attacked by the Ronnongwe towanea; but the Yatatonwatea escaped, went out the back door and deserted the aged chief to the fate; however the enemy spared no time, the chase was soon prosecuted which caused the Yatatonatea to retreat as fast as possible; he at tempted to make resistance in various places, but was compelled to retire at the appearance of the enemy: in vain he endeavored to gain retreat by traversing various creeks and hills; he under took a new method of giving little effect upon the progress of the enemy; after running some distance he discovered which would promptly cherish the imposition, he drove a flock of pig eons in the way to amuse the (giant) until he could hide himself under the bank of the river, unfortunately the flattering hope seemed to fail: after remaining there but a short time before he saw the enemy was coming in full speed, and was soon obliged to abandon the position and continue the flight; again he tried to conceal himself among the rocks of the mountains, but in a mean time the enemy advanced at the moment, of which he became dismayed, finding that nothing could resist the impetuosity of the pursuer, but determined not to surrender as long as he was capable to keep out of the reach; he immediately took the path which leads to the hunting grounds in search of some people fortunately at a short distance met two warriors and he was in stantly supported and made vigorous resistance; after terrible combat the Ronnongwetowanea was exterminated; during the time the warriors conducted themselves as heroes, which gain ed the triumph, notwithstanding one of them received a severe wound by the club.

The Yatatonwatea with alarm whoop hasten ed to the encampment and advised the people of the substance and the dangers which the enemy might commit upon the va cant towns. As soon as the people received the intelligence immediately returned to their settlements, and a convention were held by the chieftains in order to take some measures to defend their country. As the Ronnongwetowanea tribe were not num erous and deemed it inexpedient to raise a large force and therefore a few hundred warriors were sent to subdue them: after decisive contests the warriors gained the victory; and it was sup posed that tiie Ronnongwetowanea tribe has ever since ceased to exist. (This fate happened probably about two thousand five hundred winters before Columbus discovered the Amer ca.) Tne depredations of the enemy which so often exer cised upon the inhabitants were now terminated; and the country enjoyed without disturbance many winters.

About this time a mischievous person named iShotyerronsgwea. while visiting the people at first distinguished himself of a good character and in mean time gained the confidence of the people; by doing this he was fairly concealed from being discovered of his real designs, and in a short lime began to injure the people; he assassinated two war riors secretly, and then violated six virgins, etc. And the next he ventured to break the harmony of the nation and created dis sensions among the people. At this the chiefs were so offended that the Shotyeronsgwea was banished from the village; when he received this treatment he deemed proper to desist from go ing back to any of the towns; he immediately crossed the river St. Lawrence and move toward the mid-day sun. and he came to a town situated south of the great lake (Ontario) and he was re ceived with kindness; but his entertainment could not appease his evil designs; though he appeared reconciled, one night while at the dancing house he killed several warriors; this offence he discovered should prove fatal to his person, and was compelled to leave the town and went some other place to do mischief.

The Siiotyeronagwea was the greatest mischievous person that ever existed on the continent. He was considered an agent from bad spirit. About this time Big Quisquiss (perhaps the Mammoth) invaded the settleme- *s south of Ontario lake; the furious animal push down the houses and made a great disturb ance; the people was compelled to flee from the terrible monster; the warriors made opposition but failed; at length a certain chief warrior collected the men from several towns — a severe" engagement took place, at last the monster retired, but the people could not remain long without being disturbed; Big Elk invaded the towns; the animal was furious and destroyed many persons; how ever the men were soon collected — a severe contest ensued and the monster was killed. About this time the northern nations formed a confederacy and seated a great council fire on river St. Lawrence; the north ern nations possessed the bank of the great lakes; the countries in the north were plenty of beavers, but the hunters were often opposed by the big snakes.

The people live on the south side of the Big Lakes make bread of roots and obtain a kind of pota toes and beans found on the rich soil. Perhaps about two thousand two hundred years before the Columbus discovered the America, and northern nations ap pointed a prince, and immediately repaired to the south and visited the great Emperor who resided at the Golden City, a capital of the vast empire. After a time the Emperor built many forts throughout his dominions and almost penetrated the lake Erie; this produced an excitement, the people of the north felt that they would soon be deprived of the country on the south side of the Great Lakes they determined to defend their country against any infringement of foreign people: long bloody wars en sued which perhaps lasted about one hundred years; the people of the north were too skillful in the use of bows and arrows and could endure hardships which proved fatal to a foreign people; at last the northern nations gained the conquest and all the towns and forts were totally destroyed and left them in the heap of ruins.

About this time a great horned serpent appeared on lake Ontario, the serpent produced diseases and many of the people died, but by the aid of thun^r bolts the monster was compelled to retire. A blazing star- Yell into a fort situated on the St. Law rence and destroyed the people; this event was considered as a warning of their destruction. After a time a war broke out among the northern nations which continued until they had utterly destroyed each other, the island again become in posses sion of fierce animals.