Characteristics.—Tribal Divisions.—Mode of Government.—Social Harmony.—The Totem.—Classification of Tribes.—The Iroquois.—Their Position and Character.—Their Political Organization.—Traditions of their Confederacy.—Their Myths and Legends.—Their Eloquence and Sagacity.—Arts.—Agriculture.—Their Dwellings, Villages, and Forts.—Their Winter Life.—The War Path.—Festivals and Pastimes.—Pride of the Iroquois.—The Hurons or Wyandots.—Their Customs and Character.—Their Dispersion.—The Neutral Nation. Its Fate.—The Eries and Andastes.—Triumphs of the Confederacy.—The Adoption of Prisoners.—The Tuscaroras.—Superiority of the Iroquois Race.—The Algonquins.—The Lenni Lenape.—Their changing Fortunes.—The Shawanoes.—The Miamis and the Illinois.—The Ojibwas, Pottawattamies, and Ottawas.—The Sacs and Foxes.—The Menomonies and Knisteneaux.—Customs of the Northern Algonquins.—Their Summer and Winter Life.—Legends of the Algonquins.—Religious Faith of the Indians.—The Indian Character.—Its Inconsistencies.—Its Ruling Passions.—Pride.—Hero-worship.—Coldness, Jealousy, Suspicion.—Self-control.—Intellectual Traits.—Inflexibility.—Generous Qualities. 15
CHAPTER II.
1663–1763.
France and England in America.
Contrast of French and English Colonies.—Feudalism in Canada.—Priests and Monks.—Puritanism and Democracy in New England.—French Life in Canada.—Military Strength of Canada.—Religious Zeal.—Missions.—The Jesuits.—Brebeuf and Lallemant.—Martyrdom of Jogues.—Results of the Missions.—French Explorers.—La Salle.—His Plan of Discovery.—His Sufferings.—His Heroism.—He discovers the Mouth of the Mississippi.—Louisiana.—France in the West.—Growth of English Colonies.—Approaching Collision. 46
CHAPTER III.
1608–1763.
The French, the English, and the Indians.
Champlain defeats the Iroquois.—The Iroquois Wars.—Misery of Canada.—Expedition of Frontenac.—Success of the French.—French Influence in the West.—La Verandrye.—The English Fur-trade.—Protestant and Romish Missions.—The English and the Iroquois.—Policy of the French.—The Frenchman in the Wigwam.—Coureurs des Bois.—The White Savage.—The English Fur-trader.—William Penn and his Eulogists.—The Indians and the Quakers.—Injustice of Penn’s Successors.—The Walking Purchase.—Speech of Canassatego.—Removal of the Delawares.—Intrusion of Settlers.—Success of French Intrigues.—Father Picquet.—Sir William Johnson.—Position of Parties. 59
CHAPTER IV.
1700–1755.
Collision of the Rival Colonies.
The Puritan and the Canadian.—Fort Frederic.—Acadia.—The French on the Ohio.—Mission of Washington.—Trent driven from the Ohio.—Death of Jumonville.—Skirmish at the Great Meadows.—Alarm of the Indians.—Congress at Albany.—French and English Diplomacy.—Braddock and Dieskau.—Naval Engagement.—The War in Europe and America.—Braddock in Virginia.—March of his Army.—Beaujeu at Fort du Quesne.—Ambuscade at the Monongahela.—Rout of Braddock.—Its Consequences.—Acadia, Niagara, and Crown Point.—Battle of Lake George.—Prosecution of the War.—Oswego.—Fort William Henry.—Storming of Ticonderoga.—State of Canada.—Plans for its Reduction.—Progress of the English Arms.—Wolfe before Quebec.—Assault at Montmorenci.—Heroism of Wolfe.—The Heights of Abraham.—Battle of Quebec.—Death of Wolfe.—Death of Montcalm.—Surrender of Quebec.—Fall of Canada. 79
CHAPTER V.
1755–1763.
The Wilderness and Its Tenants at the Close Of The French War.
Sufferings of the Frontier.—Treaties with the Western Tribes.—Christian Frederic Post.—The Iroquois.—The remote Tribes.—The Forest.—Indian Population.—Condition of the Tribes.—Onondaga.—The Delawares and neighboring Tribes.—Their Habits and Condition.—The Shawanoes, Miamis, Illinois, and Wyandots.—English Settlements.—Forest Thoroughfares.—Fur-traders.—Their Habits and Character.—The Forest Traveller.—The French at the Illinois.—Military Life in the Forest.—The Savage and the European.—Hunters and Trappers.—Civilization and Barbarism. 111
CHAPTER VI.
1760.
The English take Possession of the Western Posts.
The victorious Armies at Montreal.—Major Robert Rogers.—His Expedition up the Lakes.—His Meeting with Pontiac.—Ambitious Views of Pontiac.—He befriends the English.—The English take Possession of Detroit.—Of other French Posts.—British Power Predominant in the West. 124
CHAPTER VII.
1760–1763.
Anger of the Indians.—The Conspiracy.
Discontent of the Tribes.—Impolitic Course of the English.—Disorders of the Fur-trade.—Military Insolence.—Intrusion of Settlers.—French Intrigue.—The Delaware Prophet.—An abortive Plot.—Pontiac’s Conspiracy.—Character of Pontiac.—Gloomy Prospects of the Indian Race.—Designs of Pontiac.—His War Messengers.—Tribes engaged in the Conspiracy.—Dissimulation of the Indians.—The War-belt among the Miamis. 131
CHAPTER VIII.
1763.
Indian Preparation.
The Indians as a military People.—Their inefficient Organization.—Their insubordinate Spirit.—Their Improvidence.—Policy of the Indian Leaders.—Difficulties of Forest Warfare.—Defenceless Condition of the Colonies.—The Peace of Paris.—Royal Proclamation.—The War-chief. His Fasts and Vigils.—The War-feast.—The War-dance.—Departure of the Warriors.—The Bursting of the Storm. 145
CHAPTER IX.
1763, April.
The Council at the River Ecorces.
Pontiac musters his Warriors.—They assemble at the River Ecorces.—The Council.—Speech of Pontiac.—Allegory of the Delaware.—The Council dissolves.—Calumet Dance at Detroit.—Plan to surprise the Garrison. 151
CHAPTER X.
1763, May.
Detroit.
Strange Phenomenon.—Origin and History of Detroit.—Its Condition in 1763.—Character of its Inhabitants.—French Life at Detroit.—The Fort and Garrison.—Pontiac at Isle à la Pêche.—Suspicious Conduct of the Indians.—Catharine,
