thefe Infidels, by our Converfation and Neighbourhood, are become worse than they were before they knew us. Inftead of Virtues we have only taught them Vices, that they were intirely free from before that Time. The narrow Views of private Interest have occafioned this, and will occafion greater, even publick Mischiefs, if the Governors of the People do not, like true Patriots, exert themselves, and put a Stop to thefe growing Evils. If these Practices be winked at, inftead of faithful Friends, that have manfully fought our Battles for us, the Five Nations will become faithless Thieves and Robbers, and join with every Enemy that can give them any Hopes of Plunder.

If Care were taken to plant and cultivate in them that general Benevolence to Mankind, which is the true first Principle of Virtue, it would effectually eradicate those horrid Vices, occafioned by their unbounded Revenge ;

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venge; and then they would no longer deserve the Name of Barbarians, but would become a People, whose Friendship might add Honour to the British Nation.

The Greeks and Romans, Sir, once as much Barbarians as our Indians now are, deified the Heroes that first taught them those Virtues, from whence the Grandeur of thofe renowned Nations wholly proceeded; a good Man, however, will feel more real Satisfaction and Pleasure, from the Senfe of having any Way forwarded the Civilizing of a barbarous Nation, or of having multiplied the Number of good Men, than from the fondeft Hopes of fuch extravagant Honours.

Thefe Confiderations, I believe, will induce you, Sir, to think a History of the Five Nations not unworthy of your Patronage; and on these only it is that I prefume to of

for

fer my best Endeavours in this, who am, with the greatest Respect,

SIR,

Your most obedient,

and moft bumble Servant,

Cadwallader Colden.

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(xi)

THE

PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST

THO

PART.

HOUGH every one that is in the leaft acquainted with the Affairs of North-America, knows of what Confequence the Indians, commonly known to the People of New-York by the Name of the Five Nations, are, both in Peace and War; I know of no Accounts of them, published in English, but what are very imperfect, and indeed meer Tranflations of French Authors, who themselves know little of the Truth. This seems to throw fome Reflections on the Inhabitants of our Province, as if we wanted Curiofity to enquire into our own Affairs, and were willing to reft fatisfied with the Accounts the French give us of our own Indians, notwithstanding that the French in Canada are always in a different Intereft, and fometimes in open Hoftility with us. This Confideration, I hope, will justify my attempting to write an Hiftory of the Five Nations at this Time; and having had the Perufal of the Minutes of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, I have been enabled to collect many Materials for this Hiftory, which are not to be found any where

elfe;