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rationally conclude, that those nations were de scended from an Asiatic stock, radically different from that of the great body of Indians, who were spread over North America; and that the superior qualities of the Iroquois may be ascribed, as well to the superiority of their origin, as to the advantages of position, the maxims of policy, and the principles of education, which distinguished them from the other red inhabitants of this western world. And they were, indeed, at all times ready and willing to cherish the sentiment of exaltation which they felt; and believing that they excelled the rest of mankind, they called themselves Ongue-Honwe ; that is, men surpassing all others.*

It is extremely difficult to speak, with any precision, of the ancient population of the Indian nations. The Powhatan confederacy, or empire, as it was called, contained one inhabitant for every square mile; and the proportion of warriors to the whole number of inhabitants was as three to ten.† If this is to afford a just rule for estimating the Confederates, it would be easy to ascertain their number, and to adjust the relative proportion of their fighting men. Supposing their patrimonial or dwelling country to be three hundred miles in length, and one hundred in breadth, the whole number of square miles would be thirty thousand; and the number of souls the same. Some writers · state the number of their warriors, at the first Eu

*Colden, vol. 1, p. 2.

+Jefferson's Notes, p. 141, &c.

On this subject see Trumbull's History of the United States, vol. 1. p. 30, &c. Williams' Vermont, vol. 1. p. 215, &c. Douglass' Summary, vol. 1. p. 185. Mass. Historical Society, vol. 5. p. 13. 16. 23, &c. Mass. Historical Society, vol. 10. p. 122, &c. Morse's Gazetteer of the Six Nations. La Hontan, vol. 1. p. 23, &c. Jefferson's Notes, p. 151. Holmes' American Annals, vol. 1. p. 45. Holmes' American Anuals, vol. 2. p. 137.

ropean settlement, to be fifteen thousand, which would make a population of fifty thousand. La Hontan says, that each village, or canton, contained about fourteen thousand souls; that is, one thousand five hundred that bear arms, two thousand superannuated men, four thousand women, two thousand maids, and four thousand children; though, indeed, some say, that each village has not above ten or eleven thousand souls. On the first state ment they would have seven thousand five hundred, and on the last about five thousand three hundred and sixty fighting men.

Col. Coursey, an agent of Virginia, had in 1677, a conference with the Five Nations at Albany. The number of warriors was estimated, at that time and place, as follows:

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Mohawks,
Oneidas,
Onondagas,
Cayugas,
Senecas,

300

200

350

300

1,000

Total, 2,150

which would make the whole population near se ven thousand two hundred.*

* Vide Chalmer's Political Annals, p. 606. which contains the journey of Wentworth and Greenshulp, from Albany to the Five Nations, begun 28th May, 1677, and ended 14th July following. The Mohawks had four towns and one village, containing only one hundred houses. The Oneidas had one town, containing one hundred houses. The Onondagas, one town, one hundred and forty houses, and one village, twenty-four houses. The Cayugas, three towns of about one hundred houses in all. The Senecas, four towns, containing three hundred and twenty-four houses. The warriors the same precisely as in Col. Coursey's statements (Cours. p. 21.) In the whole, seven hundred and eighty-four houses; which would make nearly three warriors and ten inhabitants for each house.

Smith says, that in 1756, the whole number of fighting men was about one thousand two hundred. Douglass says, that in 1760, it was one thousand five hundred. In the first case, the whole population would be four thousand; and in the last, five thousand.

In 1764, Col. Bouquet, from the information of a French trader, stated the whole number of inhabitants to be one thousand five hundred and fifty. Captain Hutchins, who visited most of the Indian nations for the express purpose of learning their number, represents them to be two thousand one hundred and twenty in 1768; and Dodge, an Indian trader, says, that in 1779 they were one thousand six hundred. These three estimates are taken from Jefferson's Notes on Virginia; and, although they apparently relate to the whole population, yet I am persuaded, that the statements were only intended to embrace the number of warriors.

During the revolutionary war, the British had in their service, according to the calculation of a British agent,

Mohawks,

Oneidas,

Tuscaroras,

Onondagas,

Cayugas,

300

150

200

300

230

400

Senecas,

Total, 1,580

If to these we add two hundred and twenty warriors who adhered to the United States, the whole number of fighting men would be one thousand eight hundred.

In 1783, Mr. Kirkland, the missionary, estimated the number of warriors in the Seneca nation, at six hundred. This would make the whole population two thousand; and as the Senecas then com

posed nearly one half of the whole Confederacy, the fighting men would be about one thousand two hundred, and the total number of inhabitants, upward of four thousand. In 1790, he calculated the whole population of the Confederacy, including those who reside on Grand River in Canada, and the Stockbridge and Brothertown Indians, to be six thousand three hundred and thirty. This would make the number of warriors near one thousand nine hundred. :

In 1794, on the division of an annuity of four thousand five hundred dollars, given to them by the United States, their number was ascertained with considerable precision; each individual in the Confederacy (except those residing in the British dominions) receiving an equal share.

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The Stockbridge and Brothertown Indians, are not included. This would make the number of fighting men, one thousand three hundred and fifty

two.

These various estimates evince the great uncertainty prevailing on this subject. While La Hontan exaggerates the population of the Confederacy, Smith evidently underrates it. We know that in their wars they often sent out considerable armies. They attacked the Island of Montreal with one

thousand two hundred men ; and in 1683, one thousand marched, at one time, against the Ottagamies. The first was in 1689, twelve years after Col. Coursey's estimate. Supposing that one thousand two hundred warriors were at that time at home, and otherwise employed, the whole number would then be about two thousand four hundred; which show á considerable coincidence between the two statements. On one point there is, however, no uncertainty. Ever since the men of Europe landed on the shores of America, there has been a diminution of the number of Aborigines; sometimes rapid, at other times gradual. The present condition of the Confederates furnishes an admonitory lesson to human pride; and adds another proof to the many on record, that nations, like individuals, are destined by Providence to dissolution. Their patrimonial estates, their ancient dwelling lands, are now crowded with a white population, excepting some reservations in the Oneida, Onondaga and Seneca countries. The Mohawks abandoned their country during the war; and the Cayugas have since the peace. A remnant of the Tuscaroras reside on three miles square, near the Niagara River, on lands given to them by the Senecas and the Holland land company. The Oneida reservation does not contain more than ten thousand acres; and the Onondaga is still smaller. The Senecas have their principal settlement at Buffaloe Creek. Their reservations are extensive and valuable, containing more than one hundred and sixty thousand acres: and they possess upward of one hundred thousand dollars in the stock of the late bank of the United States.

The Six Nations have lost their high character and elevated standing. They are, in general, addicted to idleness and drunkenness; the remnant of their eloquence and military spirit, as well as na

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