INI INDIAN BIOGRAPHY: OR, AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN DISTINGUISHED AMONG PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. & J. HARPER, AND FOR SALE BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS THROUGHOUT Dup, Room Source Unknown [Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1832, by J. & J Harper, in the office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. THE Author does not propose an elaborate explanation, nor an apology of any kind, for the benefit of the following work. If it absolutely requires either, he must even be content to have written it in vain, as no statement or argument can give it any degree of vitality or popularity in the one case or in the other. He has regarded it, historically, as an act of mere justice to the fame and the memories of many wise, brilliant, brave and generous men, patriots, orators, warriors and statesmen,-who ruled over barbarian communities, and were indeed themselves barba rians, but whose influence, eloquence and success of every description were therefore but the nobler objects of admiration and the worthier subjects for record. Nor can Philosophy look upon them without predilection. Comparatively unopinionated and unaffected as they were,-governed by impulse and guided by native sense,-owing little to circumstances, and struggling much amidst and against them,-their situation was the best possible for developing both genius and principle, and their education at the same time the best for disclosing them. Their Lives, then, should illustrate the true constitution of man. They should have, above all other history, the praise and the interest of 'philosophy teaching by example.' The strictly moral inducements which have operated on the Author's mind, must be too obvious to require dissertation. We owe, and our Fathers owed, too much to the Indians,-too much from man to man,-too much from race to race,-to deny them the poor restitution of historical justice at least, however the issue may have been or may be with themselves. Nor need it be suggested, that selfishness alone might dictate the policy of a collection such as the Author has endeavored to make this, were it only for the collateral light which it constantly throws on the history and biography of our own nation. Nothing of the same character is before the public. What may be called an Indian Biographical Dictionary has indeed recently appeared, and to that the Author has gladly referred in the course of his researches ; but the extreme difficulty of doing justice to any individuals of the race, and at the same time to all, may be inferred from the fact that the writer alluded to has noticed such men as Uncas in some six or eight lines, while he has wholly omitted characters so important as Buckongahelas, White-eyes, Pipe, and Occonostota. On these, and on all their more eminent countrymen, the Author has intended to bestow the notice they deserve, by passing over the vast multitude distinguished only by detached anecdote, or described only in general terms. In fine, conscious of many imperfections, but also conscious of a strenuous exertion to render them as few and small as might be, the Author submits the Biography to the public, and especially to the candor of those whose own labors, if not the results of them, have shown them the essential fallibility of every composition like this. He will have reason to be satisfied if it do good, as he will assuredly be gratified if it give pleasure. Boston, Sept. 10, 1832. CHAP. I.-The Indian tribes of Virginia at the date of the James- town settlement: their names, numbers and power-The Pow- hatan confederacy-The Indian Village of that name-PoWHAT- AN-The circumstances of the first interview between him and the English-OPECHANCANOUGH, his brother-Opitchipan-Re- ception of Captain Smith by Powhatan-Interposition of Poca- HONTAS in his favor-Second visit of the colonists-Third visit, and coronation-Entertainment of Smith by Pocahontas-Con- test of ingenuity between Powhatan and Smith: and between the latter and Opechancanough-Smith saved again by Pocahon- tas-Political manœuvres of Powhatan and Opechancanough— CHAP. II. Conduct of Powhatan after Smith's departure for England, and causes of it-Hostilities resumed-Peace finally effected by the capture of Pocahontas-Manner of gaining this point-Marriage of Pocahontas with John Rolfe-Death and character of Powhatan-His person, manner of living, talents, influence. His method and means of warfare-The discipline of his warriors-The manner in which he availed himself of the English arms and science-Causes of his hostility towards the colonists-His dignity-Shrewdness-Independence-Courtesy -Liberality-Simplicity-Affection for his relatives-A review of various opinions entertained of him by various historians. 40 CHAP. III. The family of Powhatan-His successor-Sequel of the history of Pocahontas-Her acts of kindness to the colonists at various times, and especially to Smith-His gratitude-Her civilisation, and instruction in Christianity-Her visit to Eng- land in 1616-Reception at Court-Interview with Smith-His memorial respecting her to Queen Anne-Her death and charac- CHAP. IV. Sequel of the history of Opechancanough-Renewal, by him and Opitchipan, of the treaty of peace-Finesse by which he extended his dominion over the Chickahominies-Prepara- tions for War-Causes of it-Profound dissimulation under which his hostility was concealed-Indian custom of making Conjurers -Manoeuvres against the English interest-The great massacre of 1622; circumstances and consequences of it-Particular occa- sion which led to it-Character and death of NEMATTANOW- Details of the war subsequent to the massacre-Truce broken by the English-New exertions of Opechancanough-Battle of Pa- munkey-Peace of 1632-Massacre of 1641-Capture of Opechan- canough by the English-His death and character. CHAP. V.-Biography of other Virginian chieftains-OPITCHIPAN -Some particulars respecting TOмOCOMO-His visit to England, interview with Captain Smith, and return to America-JAPA- ZAWS, chief sachem of the Patowomekes-His friendship for the English-Ill treatment which he received from them-TOTOPO- TOMOI, Successor of Opechancanough-His services-His death in 1656-Notices of several native chiefs of North Carolina -GRANGANIMO, who dies in 1585-MENATENON, king of the Chowanocks-ÉNSENORE, father of Granganimo; and WINGINA, his brother-Plot of the latter against the Hatteras colony-His 95 |