The Merrimack River; its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters

Front matter

574.2

^016798

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LHjPAf

Preface

New Hampshire and Massachusetts naturally entertain a commendable and worthy pride in the joint possession of the magnificent Merrimack Eiver, and properly appreciate the wonderful beauty of its scenery, its stupendous hydraulic power, and its incalculable value and importance, not alone to these two States, but to all New England, the nation, and to the world. As a great natural feature the Merrimack, it is believed, surpasses all others in the harmonious blending of the useful and the beautiful, and the facts assembled on these pages are confidently expected to warrant and justify this view. The source of the Merrimack being more than six thousand feet above the level of the sea, — much higher than that of the Connecticut, while it is only half the length of the latter stream, — it is, from its source to its mouth, literally, a vast system of mill-privileges witb excellent water-power, material and conveniences for dams, and an ample and unfailing supply of water. The amount of manufacturing along this stream is not equalled by that of any other river in the world, while even yet many of its best mill-sites are unimproved. Having been for many years familiar with all the territory which supplies the Merrimack and its branches, it has been a matter of surprise that some competent person has not, long since, given the subject the attention it merits. It was not, however, until eminent oculists prescribed open-air exercise for a malady more frightful, inconvenient, and uncomfortable than painful, when the atmospheric purity of this region suggested it as a proper resort, that the idea occurred to collect some facts and place them before the public myself. Accordingly, without experience or pretension, the result is here presented ; and while it is believed some of the matter is new, it is hoped much of it will prove interesting, and aid in extending a more thorough knowledge of this important subject. No literary merit is claimed, and whatever is open to criticism the author trusts may be kindly considered. Accuracy, both in the aggregate and detail, has been sought, and, if not always attained, may be attributed to erroneous but conscientious deductions, or to incorrect information. Tlic hydraulic ca-

V

VI

PREFACE.

pacity of the Merrimack is only^ fully known to the most experienced practical engineers, and though its source is theoretically known to many, very few, through the great wild valley of the upper waters, have penetrated to it and inspected it personally. Indeed, the number is so limited as to be, probably, more than told on the digits. The great aorta and its branches have been traversed, and all its sections of especial interest received personal inspection ; still it is to be regretted that many letters have failed to produce a response, which militates, to some extent, against individuals and interests as well as the completeness of the work.

Historical and geographical sketches have been made (the latter principally from personal observation) of towns on the river and its tributaries, not, however, as complete as could be desired. Biography has been only incidentally and briefly essayed ; in all cases without prejudice, in the light of facts and the spirit of truth.

The design and object of this work have been to give a more particular account and description of the Merrimack River and its branches, together with the territory drained, of its capacity for manufacturing and mechanical uses, the history, geography and topography, with something of its matchless and unequalled natural scenery. It is true the sketch of the route from Lake Winnipesaukee to Mount Washington is not strictly a legitimate portion of the section under consideration, but it is uniformly traversed by all tourists through the valley of the Merrimack, — therefore ignoring it, would be like omitting the principal character of a play.

The different kinds of game which abound in the great forests bordering the upper waters of the Merrimack and its northern afliuents, the varieties of fish worthy the angler's consideration, the various as well as best methods of taking them, have received considerable attention. This feature, it is thought, may be of marked and especial interest to a multitude of gentlemen, experts, amateurs, and tyros, who yearly resort to this region to enjoy the scenery and indulge in field sports.

To those at home or abroad who retain a natural and creditable State pride ; to those who have a present and prospective pecuniary interest ; to that numerous and valuable class who have contributed most to the immense business upon the Merrimack, mechanics, artipans, and operatives ; to all who would know the beauties and the resources of the territory of this marvellous and most resplendent stream, this volume is offered, with the earnest desire that it may be of some value and aid to them in the eflbrt to obtain such information.

CHAPTER I. PitO>

New Hampshire. — Voyage of Columbus. — The Cabots. — Capt. John Smith. — Pierre du Guast. — Do Champlain. — Discovery of the Merrimack. — Mason and Gorges. — Laconia. — The first Settlement of New Hampshire. — Wheelwright. — The Puritans. — Witchcraft. — Rapid Settlement of New Hampshire 9

Chapter II

The Pemigewasset. — Mountains in Summer. — In Winter. — Source of the Merrimack. — Method of taking Salmon and Trout. — Franconia Notch. — Echo Lake. — The Flume. — The " Old Man of the Mountain " 40

Chapter III

Franconia. — Lincoln. — Woodstock. — Thornton. — Game and Gunning. — Campton. — Holderness. — Samuel Livermore. — Plymouth. — Rumney. — Wentworth. — The Moosilaukes. — Bridgewatcr. — Squam Lakes and River. — New Hampton. — Bristol. — Newfound Lake and River. — Hill. — Smith's River. — Orange. — Andover. — Salisbury. — Daniel Webster. — Kearsarge. — Boscawen. — Franklin . . 65

Chapter IV

The Forks. — Winnipesaukee Lake and River. — Pickerel Fishing. — The Wiers. — Laconia. — Capt. Lovewell. — Centre Harbor. — Moultonborough. — Red Hill. — Sandwich 98

Chapter V

Tamworth. — Quakers. — Albany. — Chocorua. — Madison. — Mines. — Conway. — The Notch. — The Willoy Family. — White Mountain Railroad 121

Chapter VI

Oilford. — Alton. — Wolfboro'. — Tuftonborough. — Meredith. — Sanbornton. — Northfield. — Canterbury. — Shakers. — Pembroke, — Suncook River. — (Jilmanton. — Barnstead. — Pittsiiold. — Epsom. — Alieustown. — Contoocook Kivor. — Uillsboro'. — Gov. Pierce. — Heuuiker. — Washington, etc. — Hopkiuton . . . 147

VIII

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Vn.

Concord. — The Pennacooks. — First Settlement. — State Institutions. — Ex-President Pierce. — Isaac Hill. — Ceunt Rumford. — Bow. — Hooksett 161

Chapter VIII

Amoskeag Falls. — Indians. — Fisheries. — Manchester. — History of its Manufactures. — The Starks. — City Institutions; — Samuel Blodgett 185

Chapter IX

Cohas River. — Massabesic. ~ Londonderry. — Scotch-Irish Settlement. — Distinguished Men. — Derry. — Piscataquog River. — Francestown. — Weare. — Goffstown. — Bedford. — Souhegan River and Towns along its Course. — Litchfield. — Reed's Island. — Hudson. — Nashua River and the Towns watered by it. — Dunstable. — The Pequauket War. — Nashua. — Tyngsboro'. — Chelmsford. — Stony Brook. — Dracut. — Beaver River. — John Nesmith 217

Chapter X

Pawtucket Falls. — Indians. — Canada. — Lowell. — History of Manufactures on the Merrimack. — The Concord River. — Its History. — History of its Manufactures . 242

Chapter XI

Pentucket Navigation Company. — Nicholas G. Norcross. — Andover. — Methuen. — The Spicket. — Lawrence. — History of its Manufactures. — Bradford. — Little River. — Haverhill. — The Pow-Pow. — Amesbury. — History of its Manufactures. — Newbury. — Salisbury. — Newburyport. — Plum Island. — Seabrook. — Conclusion 284

The Merrimack River;

ITS SOURCE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.

Chapter I

New Hampshire. — Voyage of Columbus. — The Cabots. — Capt. John Smith. — Pierre du Guast. — De Champlain. — Discovery of the Merrimack. — Mason and Gorges. — Laconia. — The First Settlement of New Hampshire. — Wheelwright. — The Puritans. — Witchcraft. — Rapid Settlement of New Hampshire.

The State of New Hampshire, limited in territorial dimensions to a mere patch or speck on the map of the continent, with a climate rigorous and inhospitable, a rugged, sterile, and comparatively unproductive soil, possesses, notwithstanding, these physical disabilities, and many others, a rare combination of those necessary and peculiar elements which alone secure a nation's greatness, and exhibit a community intelligent, prosperous, and happy.

The history of New Hampshire extends over a period of more than two centuries, and though it embraces a broad and varied record, it is still replete with patriotic works and fearless daring, and noble achievements. Planted in a wilderness, in the very midst of wild and ferocious beasts, and still more intractable, implacable, and. savage men, her colonists had no other alternative but to push or be pushed. With them it was to be a great success or a great failure. With such men as the indomitable pioneers of New Hampshire, — men, who in company with the early navigators, had led the van along the trackless and hitherto unknown seas, or bared their breasts to the pitiless pelting of the lead and iron hail of internecine strife ; or, better still, had wrung from mother earth a sustjenance, and a tribute to their industry and skill with the plough, the spade, and the sickle, — with such men as these there could be 2 9 no such word as fail; the result was inevitable, and with broad ihoulders, strong arms, stout hearts, and masculine intellects, they ^ have left a record to which their State, their country, and their race may point with just and worthy pi;ide.

To err is human ; therefore perfection in any direction may not be claimed : still the bright galaxy of names which adorn and embellish each era of her history most clearly proves that her boast, her pride, or her claim is certainly, to say the least^ well founded.

Although, as it has been observed, the State is one of the smallest in territory, in resources, and in natural advantages, still it is claimed that she is unsurpassed, perhaps unequalled, by any of her sister states, — always excepting the Old Dominion, the mother of states and of statesmen, — in the number and character of her illustrious men. Her statesmen have been conspicuous ; her jurists learned, pure, dignified, and famous ; her soldiers among the bravest and foremost captains of every age; her mechanics displaying a versatility and skill unsurpassed ; the sturdy, undaunted, and persevering tiller of the soil, by his genius, industry, and judgment, wrenching a reputation as enduring as the granite base of the land he cultivates. Even the women have disjdayed in a marked manner those ennobling traits which recognize them as fit companions and educators of such a race of men. The noble-hearted mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, affectionate, unselfish, devoted, and self-sacrificing, softened down the rough angles so indigenous to the isolated pioneers, especially such as the settlers of New Hampshire, who confronted a primeval wilderness filled with wild beasts and untamed savages, and had at the same time a covetous and encroaching neighbor in Massachusetts, constantly putting forward unfounded claims to the territory to impose taxation and entire jurisdiction ; and although these claims, unjust and arrogant, were successfully resisted, still they served to stir up and keep alive an unnecessary and annoying irritation, and bred in the minds of the weak colonists a natural and not unavailing determination to realize, cost what it would, those indescribable emotions that come of independence, which they felt they were entitled to, and were determined to achieve.

Actuated by a spirit and resolution which showed what manner of men they were, they pushed forward ifithout any deflection, encountering and overcoming obstacles of such magnitude as would seem to

ITS SOUnCE AXD ITS TBIBUT ABIES.

appall the stoutest heart, determined, regardless of expense, in trials, privations, and hardships, to provide a sustenance, establish a home, and erect a sovereign State. "What these self-reliant and independent Scotch- Irish, and English, and their descendants have achieved, history and geography fully explain, for they have left their impress on every page of the one and every parallel of the other.

It has been said in contempt or. derision by some thoughtless, envious, or malicious person, that New Hampshire was a good State to emigrate from. This would-be aspersion is rather a credit than otherwise, as it simply signifies that the starving Josephs of other States less j^roductive may confidently journey hither for a generous supply of wholesome intellectual food. When a native of good ability and intelligence, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the State, emigrates, carrying with him and adhering to those sound principles which his State and his education have endowed him with, he will generally, in any sphere of life, ultimately achieve success, and in as far as deserved fame and prosperity attend them, they will, of course, reflect honor and credit on the mother State.

This as a rule is proved and demonstrated by the slur referred to. Taking an observation across the continent, it will be seen that the leading men of many States, men of mark and of note, justly claim New Hampshire as their fatherland. Statesmen, lawgivers, orators, journalists, merchants, conspicuous and successful, are seen on every hand, an ornament and a blessing to the community of their adoption, and a source of pride to those who have furnished a member who is equally as necessary to them as ornamental.

Scarcely a town in the State but boasts of some famous native wlio now occupies an exalted position in another State. Not unfrcquently many of these wandering sons, when the care and labor of the busy outside world will allow, revisit their early homes to renew and refresh their thirsty spirits, and drink in the old familiar scenes of childhood, and live over again for a brief period those old affections of by-gone times ; cooling the heated brain and relaxing the overwrought nerves in the quiet retreat, fanned by the same refreshing breezes, shaded by the same grand old trees ; to take a draught from the same old oaken linckot : and, looking through the wide rooms, stop before the quaint old portraits of departed ancestors ; or walk through the silent aisles of that peaceful and quiet neighborhood where the bones of an honored ancestry repose, to decipher again for the twentieth time perhaps, with humid ejes, the hieroglyphics wrought long years before by the hand of affection, which chronicle the deeds and worth of the deceased ; while the majestic elms afford a calm and grateful shade, and the wild birds flit from branch to branch without fear, or carol plaintive and joyous melodies as if to do homage to the worth of the departed, and the modest little wild flower dots the vernal spread upon their lowly bed, and offers the humble tribute of a grateful fragrance to their memory.

Honored by the land of their adoption often with great and allimportant interests in their keeping, severely taxed to preserve the trust reposed in them, the emigrant from this to other States still finds time for an occasional pilgrimage to his native land.

Of all the countless numbers of those who have emigrated to other States and mingled in other scenes, how few there are who have not conferred honor upon the land of their nativity ! Daniel Webster may be cited as a conspicuous example of the honor reflected upon the State by her absent sons. Nor has emigration depleted the moral and intellectual wealth of the State, as is proved by the long line of great men, past and present, illustrious in every sphere of life and usefulness.

Deservedly great as has been the fame of her public men, her mechanics and artisans are equally celebrated ; her monster brick palaces, which cluster around each available waterfall, exhibit an architectural ability equal to the best ; her endless variety of implements and articles of wood manufacture display an ingenuity and finish unsurpassed ; her locomotive engines roll on every gauge across the continent, bearing a precious freight of human souls to the fertile prairies that stretch away to the Rocky Mountains, returning with their monster trains of that indispensable merchandise which feeds and moves the arm of the thousands of mechanics at the East ; her fire annihilator, the admiration of all, worked by the untiring and enduring muscle of steam and iron, the most efiicient guardian of life and property, has raised its protecting aegis, notonly in all the cities throughout the Union, but has carried the same invaluable quality, as well as the fame of our mechanics, across the Atlantic, and even to those remote lands beyond the great, tranquil sea.

The machinery, of every kind and for every purpose, produced bj

ITS SOUnCE AND ITS TlilBUTAniES.

the industry and skill of her mechanics, is a marvel of perfection ; whether designed for great strength or extreme delicacy, its model, its finish, its intricacy, its adjustment, its adaptation to and its efficiency in the service for which it was intended, cannot be excelled. The manufacture of every variety of cloth is known in the markets of the world, and whatever fabric is required for necessity, convenience, comfort, or ornament is produced.

From east to west, from north to south, the products of her factories are indispensable, and are turned out at prices so reasonable as to be within the reach of all. The successful prosecution of this great interest has not only been a benefit to our own land, but is a substantial blessing to the human race. The enterprise which has produced these wares invades all lands, and barters them to the uttermost ends of the earth, so that the naked and unsightly barbarian, the Hindoo and the Hottentot, as well as the Christian, may make a more presentable appearance in a full and not unbecoming costume of Manchester matchless cotton fabrics.

Thus it will be seen that in intellect, patriotism, the mechanic arts, and agriculture, in all the appliances which tend to human progress, the people of this rock-ribbed commonwealth maintain unimpaired the high character of their glorious ancestry. It may not be disputed, nay, it cannot be denied, that all communities in all time have had their faults and follies, and the State of New Hampshire is certainly no exception ; still it is confidently believed that no community of equal numbers exhibits greater virtues or less vices, greater capacity in the science of government, in the art of war, or in the peaceful pursuits which adorn and dignify a people. Nor are the people alone the only object worthy of reference. Here nature presents herself in one of her most romantic moods. The surface of the State is undulating in all its length and breadth, while at the north many huge mountains rise to a dizzy height and are piled up in inextricable confusion, and lakes, rivers, and mountain torrents diversify the entire surface. This section has often been called the Switzerland of America, from its real or fancied resemblance to that romantic land. However this may be, there is a peculiar grandeur and sublimity about this region, as well as other distinguishing features, such as may be termed wonderful freaks of nature, which destroy the parallel, and leave this territory pre-eminently and in-

THE MEBBIMACK EIVEB ;

comparably sublime. That this is not overdrawn is attested by the thousands who annually visit here ; and even the polished and scholarly Everett has touched it with the magic of his masterly eloquence.

Is it surprising, then, that a people reared amid such magnificent surroundings, and familiar with nature in its noblest aspect, — is it strange that a people thus situated should carve out for themselves a record which commands the attention and respect of mankind?

More than two hundred years ago the State of New Hampshire was settled by several slender colonies ; some by the authority of crown patents, others under the king's grant, — sometimes made as a reward for discovery, — or under a semblance of purchase from the Indians, who, being the occupants, were, consequently, the unquestionable proprietors. The colonies were few and feeble, and, from various causes, this condition remained unchanged for many years. Owing to the severity of the climate and the unmitigated hostility of the Indians, the settlements maintained a sickly existence or dwindled away, and, finally disheartened and discouraged, broke up, and either joined* their more fortunate neighbors, or returned to Europe with some of the many exploring expeditions which were constantly visiting the eastern coast. The progress of the colonies was slow ; less determined people would have succumbed to the almost insurmountable obstacles which they encountered. As it was, it seemed that their holding was very precarious, and it was apparently doubtful if they could maintain a foothold on the soil. But fail, as shown by the result, was not in their vocabulary, and ere long the forest began to melt away before their vigorous blows, and it soon became apparent that it was only a question of time when the Indian and his title should both be extinguished.

While the savages were much the most numerous, equally brave, cunning, sagacious, and active, their training, habits, and implements of warfare were so much more primitive as left an immense disparity between the belligerents. The red man's wants were few and easily supplied, the field, the forest, and the flood afibrding all his necessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life, — the former contributing so little, however, as to be scarcely worth taking into account. His ability to prosecute a successful offensive warfare was limited to an ambuscade, or an unexpected midnight attack, while his defensive power was absolutely nothing ; for, though the bow and ar-

ITS SOUllCE AND ITS TltlBVTAllIES, row and tomahq,\vk were reallj efficient in supplying food, the longer range and more deadly musket, sending forth its lightning and thunder, cutting down the chief, the brave, the squaw, and the pappoose indiscriminately, carried terror and dismay through their decimated and demoralized ranks. His villages being unprotected became an easy prey to the irresistible pale-face, and were plundered and burned without pity, and his only safety was to place a respectful distance between his habitation and his enemy.

Of the many voyagers to the Western or New World, as it was called, Columbus appears to have been the most unfortunate, as well as first and greatest. With a genius towering above all navigators and explorers who had hitherto been renowned and rewarded, and which was almost beyond the comprehension of princes, and an ambition lofty, unconquerable, irrepressible, and commendable, he bent his great mind and untiring energies to the task of securing, organizing, and fitting out an expedition which has, by universal consent, placed his name in the highest niche reserved for the mighty travellers of the sea in the temple of fame. Having prosecuted the most successful experiment ever attempted, and brought the problem of a Western World to a positive solution, and added at the same time its boundless area and fabulous wealth of undeveloped resources to the possessions of his ungrateful sovereign, he was permitted to languish in obscurity, and died broken-hearted in his fifty-ninth year. His patroness and only reliable friend, Isabella, having preceded him to the tomb, his compeers and rivals, actuated by a spirit of unworthy and ungenerous selfishness, which seems to have been connived at, or at least not restrained, by the king, stripped him as far as they could of the merit and the advantages resulting from the most magnificent achievement which human genius had ever devised and brought to successful issue. Thus Columbus proved to be no exception to the general rule, that great discoverers and inventors, the very few who possess originality of mind and genius, fail to realize the benefits of their achievements, which are usually secured by seedy and needy adventurers, — soldiers of fortune, whose shrewdness and enterprise is of that discreditable character which manages to appropriate the products of other greater and better minds.

However, though Columbus was shorn of the immediate fruits of his great enterprise by unbecoming envy, jealousy, malice, treachery, and gross ingratitude, impartial history will render all the justice possible to one of the most intrepid, ambitious, and enterprising navigators.

When the success of Columbus became known at home the Te Deum was sung, — the usual anthem for the most important of Spanish discoveries, — and the news was everywhere received with the wildest demonstrations of joy. The brilliant success of Spain inflamed the ambition and cupidity of England, and before the end of the second year she had fitted out, organized, and equipped a powerful expedition for exploration and discovery in the New World. The command and management of this important expedition was placed in the hands of John Cabot and his son Sebastian, gentlemen reputed to be possessed of great maritime skill. Sailing from Bristol, and pursuing a westward course, they discovered a large island which the sailors called Newfoundland, or Prima Yista ; continuing their course they discovered other smaller islands, which they named, and soon reached the coast of Labrador, being the first Europeans who had ever actually seen the American continent.

Cabot explored the eastern coast as far south as Virginia, laying claim to the continent in the name of his sovereign.

The same spirit of detraction and envy which had been aroused by the success of Columbus, pursued the Cabots, and the consequence of this expedition, successful in all respects, was little else than to make their names historic to the extent of the improvement they had made on the previous voyage of Columbus. From this time forth expeditions were constantly sailing to the West for various purposes, but generally for trade and fishing.

Henry VII., under whose auspices the Cabot expedition was instituted, fitted out several others, for the purpose of finding a shorter route to the East Indies, which proved disastrous, and the attempt was abandoned. But the fisheries were prosecuted extensively by the maritime powers, as well as commerce with the natives of the islands and the coast along the north and east of New Hampshire for furs, and as far south as the Carolinas.

Though it is known that many vessels must have traded along the coast of New Hampshire and Maine, it is a' remarkable fact that for a hundred years after the discovery of America no white man stepped foot upon its shores, or even saw it.

During the long intervening period between the discovery of America by Columbus and the discovery of New Hampshire by Capt. John Smith, the commerce of France, England, and Holland with the New World was considerably increased and the area of their navigation greatly enlarged. Many companies were formed in these countries, composed of gentlemen of wealth, enterprising merchants, and persons of a speculating turn of mind, who had in their employ the most skilful and daring officers to be found in the merchant marine. The ships of these companies visited the islands and explored the entire east coast of North America, bartering with the natives for furs, peltries, fish, sassafras, gums, and a great variety of other articles, for which they generally exacted knives and other weapons and implements made of steel. Though these companies generally failed to realize any remunerative gains for themselves, they opened and established a trade so extensive and varied, that ultimately, very much of the thrift and opulence of those countries grew out of it, and actually depended upon it. At the same time the American fisheries were prosecuted by these countries with great energy and considerable profit, — France alone having employed on the Grand Banks (1575-80), as many as one hundred and fifty sail of fishermen. While these countries were thus laying a firm foundation for a healthy and steady, rather than spasmodic growth, preparing the way to transplant a vigorous and enterprising race to the fertile lands of the New World who should compensate them by a development of its boundless resources, Spain turned her attention to the more genial climes of Mexico and South America. The history of her conquest of these countries is written in cruelty, cupidity, rapacity, and blood. The tracks of Pizarro, Cortcz, and Aluiagro and their compeers exhibited more of desolation to the effeminate and terror-stricken natives than the hurricanes, roaring deluge, or consuming fire. Mad with the passion for gold, they swept like a whirlwind through half-civilized hordes of natives, and gathered their booty amidst the ruins of cities. Their love of riches was onlyequalled by their contempt for industry ; they hurried the Indians in crowds to the mountains and forced them with merciless rigor to the fatal toil of the mines. Inflexible pride, determined valor, and deliberate atrocity marked their whole career of conquest and oppression It was a union of avarice, fanaticism, and chivalry. 3

The native emperors, incas, and people were involved in common destruction ; never were courage, fortitude, and valor devoted to more sordid, unjust, and barbarous ends ; never was genius more powerfully employed to scourge mankind. ' ' The paganism of the natives had allured to the invasion a few of the old bigots of Spain, and it is sadly instructive to mark these champions of the cross, tramplin?.-, in the name of religion, upon the most sacred rights, and giving glory to God amidst the destruction of life and the desolation of empires."

The founding of colonies generally comprehends, or at least involves, the expatriation if not extermination of the native inhabitants, if there be any, and though rapacity and flagrant cruelty may have, and undoubtedly did, mark the conduct of some of the early explorers and colonists of this country, still, unlike the experience of the Spaniard, the human havoc was not entirely one-sided ; the native population found here, by the Europeans, were physically hardy, powerful, active, cunning, and warlike, and by their sagacious forecast, the primitive weapons, which had even come to be fatally efficient in their hands, had measurably given way to those which they had obtained by way of trade with inadvertent speculators, and which were much more convenient and elBfective for their protection, and for general warfare. Hence the North American Indian was under no compulsion to, and did not, remain passive until destroyed or subjugated, but often met his antagonist in deadly conflict under conditions regarded by himself as more than even, or, failing in this, he retired to the inaccessible wilds, where, to say the least, as his property was generally personal and portable, he was perfectly secure in his person and effects.