The history of Auburn

Front matter

THE

HEl^RY HALL

AUBURN, N. Y.

CHAPTER I. The Cayugas, l

Preliminary Keinarks— Origin of the word Iroquois— Native Names— The Iroquois become Independent— Settle in New York— Their Wars— Origin of the Cayugas— The League— Its Ascendancy— Territory of the Cayugas- Excellence of their Crops— Assistance to other Nations— Customs, etc.— Dissolution of the League— Purchase of the Cayuga Territory— Logan— Port Hill— Fort on the Olmstead Farm.

CHAPTER II. The Settlement of Aubuen 32

Location of Auburn— Causes of Settlement— Award of the Military Lots-^*. Col. Hardenburgh— The Indian ViUage— Arrivals— The Gig-Mill— Koads— Cemeteries— Hardenburgh' 8 Comers— Jehiel Clark— New Settlers— The Militia —Town Government— Comers in 1800— Slaves— School-Houses— Seneca Tumpike— Genesee Street Bridge— Foot Eaces— Frame Buildings— The Game — Farmer's Inn— First National Anniversary— Court House— Auburn Named— Tavem-Keeping Age— Continual Arrivals— County Clerk's Office— Western Federalist— Bams— Clinton's Description— First Congregational Society- Episcopal Society— Auburn Academy— List of Subscribers — Auburn Library Association— War of 1812— The Auburn Companies— The Fright— Cayuga Patriot.

VI (;<)NTKNTS.

CHAPTER III. , Annals op the Village prom 1815 to 1837 119

Roads— The Village in 1815— Incorporation— The Fire Engine— SidewalkB— The Prison— Its Effects- Auburn Bank— Cayuga County Bank— The Churches —Bible Societies- Medical Society— First Sunday School— Agricultural Association—Columbian Garden— Free Press- Cotton Mill— Paper Mill— Others- Auburn Market— La Fayette's Reception — 4th of July, 1823— Medical College —Gospel Messenger— General Union for Promoting Observance of the Sabbath—Bank Coffee House— American Hotel— The 33d Artillery— The Fusiliers —Improvements — The Erie Canal Celebration— Auburn and Owasco Canal — Watson's Letter— Big Dam Celebration— Raihoad Convention at Syracuse- Auburn and Syracuse Railroad — Snow-Storm of 1836 — Auburn College- Town Hall and Market— The Great Excited Year.

CHAPTER IV. Thb Panic, the Revival op Enterprise, etc 20S

Streets First Lit— The Fire — The Panic— Suspension of Specie Payments— Shinplasters— Enterprise Dead— Drowning of the Students— Water Cures- Presbyterian Convention— Auburn and Syracuse Railroad — Excitement about the Prison— Patriot War— Heniy Clay— Martin Van Buren— Taverns- Politics in 1840— The A. L. A.— Second Agricultural Society— The Silk Monomania—Auburn and Rochester Railroad— Temperance Celebration— Martha Washington Society— John Quincy Adams— Dirge of the Elms— Auburn Woolen Company— The Telegraph— Dailies— State Fair— Incorporation of the City— Schools— High School— Female College— Young Ladies' Institute— Fort Hill— Improvement of the Outlet— Auburn Water Works— Gas Company— Raihoad'History— Oswego Starch Factory— Merchants' Union Express Co.

Chapter V

The Old Criminal Code— Newgate— Defects of the New York System— Auburn Prison — Injurious Effects — Solitary Confinement — Classification- Captain Lynds— Severity of Discipline— Contract System— Rachel Welch— Government—Von Eck— Mechanics' Interest— Description of the Prison— System- Insane Asylum.

CONTENTS. Vll

CHAPTER VI. The Theological Seminary STO

Description— Dr. Mason's School— Action of the Synod of Geneva— Meetingat Auburn— The Subscription— Incorporation— Comer-stone Laid— Induction of the Professors — The Course— Gloomy Prospects— Tappan's gift— Suspension—Reopening— Progress to 1868.

CHAPTER VII. The War Record 395

Notes of Preparation— Kennedy's Action— The First Volunteer Company— The President's Call— The 49th— The Furore- Public Meeting— Excited Sunday—Mass Meeting— Recruiting— Presentations— Departure of the Five Com- . panics- Organization of the 19th— Shoddy— Meeting at the American— New Regiment— Recruiting for which Begins— The Barracks— The Pumpkin Pies- Colors of the 75th— Organization of the Regiment— tSth Marches— Kennedy's Battery— Segoine's Cane — Military Committee— The 3d Regiment — Mas» Meeting— The 111th Full— Its Officers— Snyder's Company— Welling' s Regiment—111th goes to the Front — Officers of 138th — Bounties — Beardsley Resigns— His Resignation not Accepted— Last Call of the War Committee- Organization of Dwight's Regiment— Union League— Board of Enrolment- Return of the 19th— The Draft— The Procession— First Call of 1864— Ward Committees— Second Call— 193d New York Volunteers— Bounty Jumpers- Snow Pi-ovost Marshal— Officers of the 193d— Close of the War— Summing Up —The Ladies' Union Aid Society.

CHAPTER VIII. The City op Auburn, 1868 \ 470

\ Location— Altitude — Appearance — Public Buildings — Prison — Seminary- Orphan Asylum— The Churches— Schools— Points of View— Newspapers— Manufactures— The Dams and Mills— The Population— Pursuits— Productions — Climate— Health.

Vlll CONTENTS.

Index

Aurelius, erection of 33

government of 58

Auburn, naming of 88

Clinton's sketch 94

College 203

Academy 101

Agricultural Society 155, 245

Auburn Gazette 157

Journal 158

Hydraulic Association.. 217

Advertiser 270

Literary Association 241

Adams, J. Q., visit of 259

Auburn Tool Company 485

Agricultural Works 488

Aldermen 409

Agents of the prison 514

Amerman, Deacon, Biography of 576

Big Elm 49,70

Bounty Lands 33

Bank of Auburn 139

Cayuga County 142

Baptists 146

Bible Societies. . .■ 147

Bank Coffee House 170

Barber's Woolen Mill 494

Barber, Sheldon & Co 499

Burt, Dr. H., Biography of 537

Beardsley, John, Biography of. . . 566

Counties, division of. 32

Cayuga County formed 59

County Seat, location ol'l 84

Court House 86, 175

Churches, 1st Presbyterian 68, 97, 143, 476.

2d Presbyterian 148

C^entral 477

St. John's 478

Methodist 144, 477

Holy Family 145

St. Mai-y's 477

Baptist 146

Universalist ]4()

Cayuga Patriot 116

Tocsin 118

Democrat 158,483

Columbian Garden 156

Cotton MiU 159, 495

Canal, Erie 178

Auburn and Owasco 189

Chronicles 225

Corrector 225

Clay Henry, visit of 230

Cayuga Chief Manufacturing Co . 491

Climate of Auburn 503

Clerks of Cayuga County 517

Clai-y, Joseph, Biography of 551

Casey, George, " " . 560

Chase, Captain, " " 585

Drowning of students 218

Dirge of the Ehns 261

Dodge & Stevenson M'f 'g Co. . .. 492

District Attorneys 518

Dennis, C. C, Biography of 547

Fusiliers 172

Forts, Indian 25, 30

Fort Hill Cemetery 290

Fire Department 126, 134

Free Press , 157

Female Seminary 177, 287

Fire of '37 209

Farmers' Manufacturing Co 499

Game 73

Genesee Koad, Old 43, 48

New 57

Gospel Messenger , 168

Gas Company 309

Garrow, N., Biography of 540

Hayden, Wm. & Co 497

Hussey Manufacturing Works . . . 499

Hills, Horace, Biography of 553

Hagaman, Johnl." " 568

Hulbert, JohnW." " 572

Inspectors of the prison 513

Indian village of Wasco 44

Judges, County, etc 520

Kennedy's Battery 434

Logan 23

INDEX.

Levaniia Gazette {l"2

La Fayette, visit of 164

Lunatic A«ylum 3t)(>

MailB, first M

Militia lOS, 170

Medical Society 151

College 106

Martha Washington Society 255

Merchants' Union Express 334

Morning News 483

Mayors of Auburn 409

Members of Assembly 523

Congress 538

Muir, Robert, Biography of. 555

Nineteenth Regiment 403

Northern Christian Advocate 48;3

Independent 488

Outlet, improvement of 29*^

death of fish in 154

Oswego Stiirch Factory 337

111th Regiment 428

Officers of the late war 411, 423,

Orphan Asylum 475

Orphans' Friend 483

Osborne, D. M. & Co 488

Paper Mill 160

Presbyterian Convention 220

Patriot War 225

Patent Grinders 498

Postmasters 512

Presidential Electors . '. 520

Railroads, Aub. & Syr.. 190, 220, 318 Port Byron & Aub .... 316

Auburn & Canal 316

Ithaca & Aub .... 217, 319 L. O., A. & N. Y.... 322 Southern Central .330

Richardson, J. L., Biography of..

John, " "..

Settlement, First

Slaves 43,

Settlers, Arrival of .50, 55, 66,

78. 83.

Seneca Turnpike

Stages

Schools, Sunday

Snow storm of '30

Shinplasters

Sherwood, Isaac, Biogi-aphy of. . .

Silk, culture, etc

Seventy-fifth Regiment

State Armory

Steel Tempering Works

Seward, Wm. H. Biography of. . .

Seymour, James S., " "...

Scythe Works

Supervisors 59,

Sheriff

Surrogate

Senators, State

Society for promoting observance

of Sabbath

Town Hall 175,

Temperance

Theological Seminary 370,

Tiittle Manufacturing Company..

Throop, E. T., Biography of

Trastees of Auburn 120,

Telegraph

Union League *.

Union Aid Society

Underwood, Geo., Biography of..

Van Buren, Martin, Visit of

Volunteer Relief Fund 402,

War of 1812

War, Patriot

War for the Union

Western Federalist

Western Luminaiy

Water Cures

Whig Carnivals

Woolen Mill

Water Works Company

Young Ladies' Institute

68,

PEEFAOE.

It is with unfeigned diffidence that I submit thi& volume to the pubhc of Auburn. Gentlemen thoroughly conversant with the history of our city from the beginning * have, at different times, contemplated its publication. The compilation of local reminiscences belongs properly to them. But it has been left to me to break ground in this work. I have undertaken it with no confidence that I sliould make the history perfect, but rather trusting in the indulgence of the public for one who has made an honest attempt to serve them.

It gives me pleasure to anticipate the reader's first query — as to the authenticity of this work — by showing him my som-ces of information. It is presumed he will be satisfied that they are sufficiently numerous and reliable.

The veteran editor, Thomas M. Skinner, Esq., furnished me, in the spring of 1868, with files of the Auhurn Gazette and Republicmi^ for seventeen years, from 1816, from which, with files of the Free Press, lent me by Miss Sarah Oliphant, files of the Cayuga Patriot, by Isaac S. Allen, Esq., and several volumes-

-tm •

'^ * General John S. Clark, James H. Bostwick, and John B. Dill.

Xll PKEFACK.

4" the Auburn Achertuer, I gained a first and general view of the progress of Anl)iirn from 1816 to the present, and the precise dates of all conspicuous events.

I have had the pleasure of con\ersing often with the venerable Deacon Henry Amerman, now residing about six miles nortli of Auburn, near Centreport, whose acquaintance with the operations and incidents of the village, from ISO-l, for nearly twenty years, was perfect and intimate. His clear, retentive memory enabled him to review and correct the part of my work embracing that period.

James H. Bostwick, Esq., now of New York, learning of my inidertaking, generously placed at my command a mass of statistics and legends, which he had himself obtained, during a long and active life, from the pioneers of Auburn. These items of early history were of the greatest value and service, the well-known reliability of Mr. Bostwick, and his great personal fa- 7niliarity with the matters in question, insuring their entire correctness.

For early town history, I am indebted to none, perhaps, so much as to James Tibbies, Esq., who came to Aurelius the year following Colonel Hardenburgh's arrival. Mr. Tibbies took the greatest interest in my work, introduced me to other old settlers, and aided me materially in forming correct impressions of olden times. "^

PRKFAOK.

Hon. Enos T. Throop, whose excellent memory, and acquaintance with the scenes, and government, and great enterprises of Auburn, in the first part of the present century, rendered him one of the most valuable sources of information, furnished me with much curious and useful material.

Many other old settlers have allowed me to avail myself of their recollections of early days here, among whom are the venerable David Parsell, and his wife^ the sister-in-law of Colonel Hardenburgh, Joseph Beach, Eleazer Hunter, Jesse Lounsbury, Dr. Richard Steel, Thomas IST. Skinner, James S. Seymour, Michael S. Myers, John MclSTeal, Peter Sittser, and Judah Eggleston.

The records of Aurelius, beginning in 1T95, the books of the supervisors of the county, going back to*^ 1799, and various old and curious books and papers in the possession of Miss Eliza Horner, and in the county clerk's office, afforded accurate data and interesting statistics.

For the truth of the story of the times of, and since, the speculation fever of '36, and of the great and often colossal entei'prises of later days, I have appealed in every possible instance to those having original knowledge of the circumstances. As usual with historians, I have met the embarrassments of conflicting reports. My most respected and reliable informants have, in some instances, the most singularly

XIV PREFACE.

different impressions of the same event. Their reports of simple things frequently differ in an extraordinary manner. I am in the position of the hoodwinked man, who is led through scenes of unusual interest, without the privilege of looking at them himself, but is constrained to depicture them in his mind from what those that attend him, who entertain different opinions on all subjects, say of them. In this position, I have been liable to form incorrect ideas and impressions. I have therefore striven earnestly for original testimony in every case, though I have sometimes been obliged, in order to reconcile difficulties, to depart from the opinions of esteemed friends on certain points, and take my own view of the case. I trust, however, that in essentials, the sketches of the three hundred or more different subjects embraced in this history are sound and truthful,

I have received assistance in collecting materials for this work from many eminent citizens of Auburn, among whom are Colonel Charles W. Pomeroy, Edward E. Marvine, Hon. Benjamin F. Plall, General John S. Clark, Isaac S, Allen, William C, Beardsley, Colonel Terence J, Kennedy, General Jesse Segoine, Dr, S. Willard, Nelson Beardsley, General C. D. McDougall, Colonel John A. Dodge, Colonel Charles H. Stewart, E. P, Senter, C, P. Williams, John Patty, Lewis Paddock, Michael Kavanagh, John M, Hurd, William Lamey, Morti-

PREFACE. XV mer L, Brown, Richard C. Steel, J. X. Starin, William Gray Wise, A. PI. Goss, Josiali Barber, Lorenzo W. JSTye, William Playden, Dr. B. Fosgate, Stephen G. Hopkins, James Seymour, Jr., John E. Patten, Miss Eliza Horner, Miss Sarah Oliphant, and Miss Amanda Irish.

Notes on the Merchants' Union Express Company were furnished by Charles JS". Eoss, Esq., the accomplished cashier of the First N"ational Bank ; notes on the Southern Central Railroad, by J. Milton Brown, Esq., one of the most efficient engineers in the employ of that road; the Civil List and Biographies,- by my brother, James Hall ; notes on the Oswego Starch Factory, by Dr. S. Willard ; and notes on the silk mania and the Patriot War, by my father, Benjamin F. Hall.

In conclusion I may remark that the defects of the present work are apparent to no one more than to myself. Indeed, I am only too sensible that I have scarcely more than laid the foundation, upon which, at some future day, some one will rear the more perfect structure of a sound and complete history of Auburn. But if I shall have preserv^ed from that oblivion into which many of them must in a few years have sunk, the events of ancient times in Auburn, and the generous, public-spirited acts of citizens of times both early and late, I shall feel that my purpose is accomplished.

I ask only that this History may be regarded by the public with that generous spirit with which we all look upon well-intended and patient toil.

HENRY HALL.

Auburn, May, 1809.

HISTORY OF AUBURN.

Chapter I. The Cayuga S

The relation of the several consecutive steps and events that mark the development, nnder the hand of industry, of the beautiful intervale containing the city of Auburn, from the condition of an original wilderness, to that of a thickly-settled, well-ordered, and prosperous town, does not alone constitute its local history. The history of this locality also embraces facts concerning the aboriginal races of the region, and some delineation of their life and pursuits. The Indians stand in the foreground of all American histories, in those of towns as well as those of States ; not so much indeed because they affected in any great degree the founding or progress of the particular communities— for the different periods of savage and English occupation bear a relation to each other scarcely closer than that between two dramas produced in succession upon the same stage — but they are always introduced in this manner because they add such rich contributions to tlic historical associations, of the district which happens to be under consideration. "Were this not particularly true in the present instance, it is presumed that an apology for the prominence given to the events of aboriginal history in these notes, would not be entirely unnecessary. The uncouth manners of the ancient inhabitants of this valley, however, the valor of their warriors, their strange and interesting notions, their eager search for fame, their fortitude, eloquence, and diplomacy, and the romantic circumstances of their wild sylvan life, still excite undiminished interest ; and the conspicuous position attained by the Cayuga nation, the eminence of its chiefs and orators, and the importance of this part of its territory in relation to the old fort on the hill, the great central Indian trail, and the ancient village, camping grounds, and trails, along the Owasco Creek, are matters so clearly the property of local history as to invite the first attention.

In the days when the red man had undisputed possession of the region, his Avigwams dotted the sides of our hills, the smoke of his camp-fires floated over our valley. His light canoe sped over the bosom of the lake, his hunting parties ranged the forest in every directiou^and his savage superstitions peopled our woods and skies with his own pagan spirits and deities. To him, then, justly belongs the foreground of this sketch.

The Cayuga, or, as they have it in their own tongue,

THE CAYUGAS.

the Gweiigweli nation, was one of the six composing, the celebrated confederacy of the Iroquois, that at the time of the Dutch settlement was seated in the interior of ]^ew York, and about the St. Lawrence. The confederacy was first known in Europe by the appellation of the Iroquois, a name bestowed upon it by the early French explorers.

Cartier, in 1534, appears to have heard of this famous people ; and disregarding the long and barbarous title by which they were known among the natives, gave them a shorter one of French invention. Charlevoix, a French traveler and writer, who visited Canada in 1720 and 1721, refers the origin of the term to the frequent use by these Indians of a word or ejaculation, represented by the syllables " e-oh," or " e-ah." In the councils of the warriors, this word was uttered in response to the speeches of the orators by way of approval or applause. It was also used upon such important occasions as the convention of delegates from the various tribes, and from the English settlements, for the purpose of making a treaty. The sentiments of the Indian spokesman were indorsed by the attendant sachems by an unanimous "e-ah ! " or, as laid down in many of the records of these conventions, by " heeaaw !" The sound is preserved in the term Iroquois, a syllable being added to make it available as a name.

The Cayugas, and the Indians generally, used for a term expressive of their race at large the phrase Ongwe

4 HISTORY OF A.UBCRN,

Howe, wliicli signifies " a people surpassing all otliei'S." The word Howe means simply " a man." Golden says, " By the prefixed term Ongwe, it is qualified, according to various iiitei'pretations, to mean real, as distinguished from sham men, or cowards ; it may also mean strong, wise, or expert men, and, by ellipsis, men excelling all others in manliness,"

The native national name of the Iroquois, who were a confederacy of at first five, and afterwards six nations, all descendants of a common stock, and united as brothers and allies, was expressive of their relationship and intimacy. They called themselves the Konoshioni, or the Ho-de-no-sau-nee, according to difi'erent dialects ; that is, " the People of the Long House." In their imaginary Long House, extending from the Hudson to the Falls of Niagara, lived the kindred nations side by side. The eastern door was guarded by the intrepid Mohawk, the western by the warlike Seneca. The council fire bm-ncd brightly in the center, under the care of the Onondaga; the Cayuga was charged with the safety of the wampum ; while the Oneida and Tuscarora dwelt in security in their allotted territories near by. The parts of this royal house were strongly united. The perfect equality of the nations, and their unbounded hospitality and open confidence prove the great reality, to them, of the edifice of their government, and illustrate the soundness of their conception of the nature of a political compact.

THE CAYUGA8.

The origin of the Iroquois is preserved in tlieir traditions with considerable distinctness ; although the irresistible tendency of the red man's mind to embellish all accounts of his past with fables, and to ascribe all events that he cannot explain to supernatural agencies, renders it difficult to entirely divest his history of the fruits of his imagination. This, however, is not more true of the Iroquois than of many of the ancient nations of the Old World. The early history of the Persians, the Grecians, the Eomans, and the Egyptians, and their colonies, is enveloped in a similar mass of marvelous tales.

Several hundred years before the discovery of the "St. Lawrence by the French, the Iroquois lived upon the northern bank of that river, near Montreal, as a tribe of the Adirondacks, who were part of the great Algonquin group of indigenous nations, that at the time were possessors of nearly the whole of the regions now known as Kew England, New York, and Lower Canada. Thirsting for fame and independence, the Iroquois made an effort to throw off the yoke of the Adirondacks. Beaten in the war that followed, they were forced to fly from the country to avoid the fate of all the vanquished in Indian wars, total extermination. Ascending the St. Lawrence, they bravely put out into Lake Ontario, and after a long and perilous journey arrived at the mouth of the Swa-geh (Oswego) Eiver. This stream they entered, landed near the falls, b llISTOilY OK AUBURN.

and encamped on some liigli gronnd near by. Here they resided for a long time, and eventually became the Onun-da-ga-o-no, or Onondaga nation. Their newname, signifying the " People on the Hill," arose from a tradition that they were actually called forth from the bowels of the earth at the hill where they first lodged after their flight, lla-wen-ne-yu, the holder of the heavens, himself, is said to have released them from their subterranean prison, and conducted them to the upper air. As time elapsed, the people became quite numerous, and large bands separated at different times from the parent colony, and wandered oif into the forest in pursuit of favorite hunting-grounds where they might find themselves a home. One party locating on a beautiful stream became in time a nation called the Mohawks. Another became the Oneidas. The Cayugas and Senecas also w^ere formed in this manner from the Onondagas, who always recognized the youthful nations as their children. The Cayugas, according to their own traditions, were led in their excursions into the wilderness by Ta-oun-ya-w^at-ha, by some known as Hi-a-wat-ha, a being partly human and partly divine. They reached the lake which now bears their name through the Seneca River. The native narrative of this voyage abounds with the most marvelous adventures, which not only exhibit the difficulties thrown in the path of the fathers of the Caynga nation, but illustrate their energy and prowess.

One of these obstructions was met at the marshes at the foot of Cajuga Lake. Then, as now, that spot was the haunt of the wild fowl, and countless numbers of geese, duck, plover, and other aquatic birds, swarmed over the marsh. Thej were not, however, allowed to pass beyond its limits. Two monstrous eagles, of horrid appearance and awful power, repelled every effort of the birds to escape, and feasted upon them at will. The monsters also barred the progress of the little band of Cayugas. They were accordingly attacked with great valor, and after a terrific combat were slain, and the way cleared. The honor acquired by this success was considerably increased by the ^'^iit which it conferred upon all red mankind. It ^^ "v that the birds in the swamp, released from

^^ the death of the eagles, rose into the air

with a grea -, , j- 4.-U ^ -l. j

° 'amor, and, spreadmg themselves abroad,

ever tliereaftei , . i n ^i i i

>ved at pleasure upon all the lakes

and rivers of the , j re j j

wintry, and aiiorded great sustenance to the inhabitai.

Another pestiferous gtx ^ ., , , ,, ,

^ terrible creature, that re-

sided at or near the Cayui. , ,, ,

.J »\marshes, was the huge

mosquito. He was repeatedly., i -, ^ .1

/^ _ r ./ <^cked by the most

valiant warriors of the country, bV n ,

'^ ' ^^vercame all who

came against him with his enormoiV ^. ,.1 .,

^ ^tmg, until it

became necessary to appeal to the Holder. <. , , tt

ens for assistance. In response to this aK, -, -rr

wen-ne-yu one day met the horrid insect, and\ j •^ '' ' \d ertook to slay hiiii. The mosquito lied, and was chased by the divinity all around the great lakes and surrounding country, nntil in the neighborhood of the iSeneca lliver he was overtaken and put to death. The blood flowing from his lifeless body gave birth to ininimerable swarms of the small mosquitoes that still linger about the place of his death.

The little band of red men, overcoming all obstacles, pursued its way into Cayuga Lake. It encamped upon the eastern shore. Soon after, a part of the band went west and settled on the Seneca Lake, where it founded the Seneca nation. Those that remained

multiplied in numbers, and soon became distinguished

^e as the Gwe-u-gweh-o-no, or Cayugas, " the people at "

Mucky Land."

The Iroquois had now expanded from a f'^ _

tive tribe into five independent nations :

to be supposed that this had been e^^ '

, r\ .^ . ■ years had elapsed

or m a day. On the contrary, ma^ -^ ^

,,',., , -, ,, " .a which subsequently since they first entered the rep- ^

T_ ^, ^ -> . 1 • .deracv : and many long

became the seat oi their co^ -^ ' j ^

T , T T .^1 xdent nations had attended

and bloody wars with r'

^, . .1 rn .KC room for themselves, they

their growth, io '^

,. . , .el the Alleghans and Andastes, were lorced to f' '^

then living in ^' ' ^^^^^'^^^ ^^ *^^ ^^^*^' ^''^' ^' *^^^ spread ovrr -'- country, they encountered the resentment of t'^ ^1' liereditary foes, the Adirondacks, as well £ .^j ilinsi, who were settled about the Hudson,

:and the warlike Indians of New England. They also found enemies in the Eries, or Oats, and the Neuter nation, living about Lake Erie and the Niagara River. They, however, pushed back these nations, and gained a strong foothold on the soil. At this point, the Iroquois nations, for some unaccountable reason, fell to lighting among themselves. They were one people, in fact, and brothers ; but for several years they waged war upon one another with the greatest bitterness. Their hunting parties were continually ambushed and broken up. The old people lived in perpetual terror. The tribes were compelled to change their villages often. The numbers of the people wasted away ; and, taking advantage of their weakened condition, the border -nations again took up the hatchet against them, and began to press upon them in the most alarming manner.

It having become evident to the Iroquois that they were in danger of being overwhelmed by their hostile neighbors, the proposal was made by an Onondaga sage that the nations should calm the spirit of war, re-open the paths between the villages, resume the "voice of cheerfulness, and unite in a league for the preservation of peace between themselves, and for defense against common enemies. The project so commended itself to the good sense of the kindred tribes that it was adopted. Upon the northern shore 'of the Onondaga Lake the chiefs met in council, and agreed uj^on the terms and principles of the confederacy. The date of this event is placed, by reliable testimony, about an hundred years before the Dutch discovery. Many traditions give the league a remoter origin ; but they are not supported by competent authorities. The principal sachem from the Cayugas attending this famous council was distinguished for the unusual size and beauty of his calumet. This circumstance led to the adoption, by the Cayugas, of a very large calumet, as the totem, or heraldic device, of their nation.

JSTo sooner bad the five Iroquois nations buried their quarrels, and assumed the title of " the People of the Long Plouse," than they took the war-path together in search of renown, and revenge upon their ancient enemies, A furious war was first made upon the Adirondacks. This haughty race was completely humbled,, and when Jacques Cartier, in 1535, became acquainted with its condition, he found that it had been broken up, and the remnants forced to seek safety among the Algonquins. The Algonquins and Hurons were next attacked, but were too powerful to be easily shaken. They had been furnished witb rifles by the French, for the very purpose of resisting unfriendly neighbors.' This superiority over the Iroquois, however, lasted only till 1615, when a Dutch trading-post being established at Albany, the Iroquois themselves obtained a large number of guns. With this destructive weapon tbey

THE CAYUGAS. U

renewed tlie war in Canada, and overthrew their enemies. The Hurons were scattered in every direction, a large number taking refuge with the Eries. The war then opened in that quarter. A fierce struggle followed. The victorious party w^as the Iroquois, who fairly exterminated both the Eries and the l^euter IN'ation, adopting the remnant of the conquered tribes to supply their losses during the war. The Alleghans incurred the resentment of the Iroquois by an act of treachery, which they expiated by suffering a sudden and bloody extinction.

It is impossible here to follow the haughty and victorious People of the Long House through the particulars of its career of conquest. The task requires a Yolume. It may be said, however, that its aggressions <lid not end until an absolute supremacy had been acquired over all the Indian nations east of the Mississippi, and north of the Alleghany and Tennessee. Several of these were completely blotted out, their camp-fires being extinguished, and their people incorporated into the families of their conquerors. All felt the power of this .people, and acknowledged its authority; and the early white settlers counted its alliance as the most secure barrier against all enemies, domestic or foreign. The Iroquois were the lions of l^orth America.