360

OPEKANKANOUGH.-NEMATTANOW'S DEATH.

[BOOK IV. of Opekankanough, with 15 men, where he tried to trade with him for corn; but, not succeeding, he, in a desperate manner, seized upon the chief by his nair, in the midst of his men, "with his pistoll readie bent against his breast. Thus he led the trembling king, neare dead with fear, amongst all his people." Smith told him that he had attempted to murder him, which was the cause of his treating him thus. No one can doubt, on reading the history of those affairs, that the Indians all wished Smith dead, but whether they all wanted to kill him, is not quite so plain.

One great end of Smith's design was now answered; for Opekankanough's people came in loaded with presents to ransom their chief, until his boats were completely filled. News being brought of a disaster at Jamestown, he was set at liberty.

NEMATTANOW, a renowned warrior, we have to introduce here, as well on account of his supposed agency in bringing about the great massacre of 1622, as for the object of exhibiting a trait of character equally to be admired and lamented. We are not certain that he belonged to the people of Opekankanough, but it is storied that a jealousy existed between them, and that the chief had informed Sir George Yeardley that he wished Nemattanow's throat were cut, some time before the massacre took place, to which we have alluded. However, Opekankanough denied it afterwards, and affected great indignation at his murder, and the Indians said the massacre was begun by him, to revenge Nemattanow's death. But our present object is to portray the character of Nemattanow, who was both eccentric and vain, and "who was wont, out of bravery and parade, to dress himself up, in a strange, antic, and barbarie fashion, with feathers, which, therefore, obtained him the name of Jack-of-thefeather." He was even more popular among his countrymen than Opekankanough, which, doubtless, was the ground of that chief's jealousy; especially as he was one of the greatest war-captains of his times. He had been in many fights and encounters with the English, always exposing himself to the greatest danger, and yet was never wounded in any of them. This circumstance caused the Indians to believe in his invulnerability, and hence he was by them considered superhuman. Only about 14 days before the massacre, Jack-of-the-feather went to the house of one Morgan, where he saw many such articles exhibited as were calculated to excite admiration in such people. Jack, perhaps, had not the means to purchase, but, it seems, he was resolved, some how or other, to possess them. He, therefore, told Morgan, that if he would take his commodities to Pamunkey, the Indians would give him a great price for them. Not in the least mistrusting the design of Nemattanow, the simple Englishman set out for Pamunkey, in company with this Indian. This was the last the English heard of Morgan. However, strange as it may seem, Jack's ill-directing fate sent him to the same place again, and, what was still more strange, he had the cap of the murdered Morgan upon his head. Morgan's servants asked him where their master was, who very deliberately answered, that he was dead. This satisfied them that he had murdered him. They, therefore, seized him, in order to take him before a magistrate at Berkeley; but he made a good deal of resistance, which caused one of his captors to shoot him down. The singular part of the tragedy is yet to be related. Though mortally wounded, Nemattanow was not killed outright, and his captors, which were two stout young men, got him into a boat to proceed to Mr. Thorp's, the magistrate. As they were going, the warrior became satisfied that he must die, and, with the most extraordinary earnestness, besought that two things might be granted him. One was, that it should never be told to his countrymen that he was killed by a bullet; and the other, that he should be buried among the English, so that it should never be discovered that he had died, or was subject to death like other men. Such was the pride and vanity exhibited by an Indian at his death. The following inference, therefore, is naturally to be drawn; that a desire to be renowned, and held in veneration by posterity, is not confined to the civilized and learned of any age or nation.

"Perhaps the New Englanders followed Smith's example, afterwards, in the case of Alexander, Ninigret, and others.

Meanwhile, Opekankanough, the better to increase the rage of his warriors, affected great grief at Nemattanow's death, which had the effect he intended; owing, especially, to the favor in which that warrior had stood among the Indians. But the English were satisfied that this was only pretence, as we have before observed; because they were informed of his trying to engage some of his neighbors against them, and otherwise acted suspiciously, some time before Nemattanow's death; of the justice of which, however, the English tried arguments at first, and threats afterwards, to convince them. By his dissimulation, Opekankanough completely deceived them, and, just before the massacre, treated a messenger that was sent to him with mach kindness and civility; and assured him that the peace, which had been some time before concluded, was held so firm by him that the sky should fall sooner than it should be violated on his part. And such was the concert and secrecy among all the Indians, that, only two days before the fatal 22 March, some kindly conducted the English through the woods, and sent one of their youth to live with the English, and learn their language. Moreover, on the morning of that very day, they came unarmed among them, and traded as usual, and even sat down to breakfast with their victims, in several instances. Never, perhaps, was a massacre so well contrived and conducted, to ensure success, as was this of Opekankanough. The English were lulled into a fatal security, and even unknowingly assisted the Indians in their design; lending them their boats to communicate with distant tribes, and furnishing them with various utensils, which were converted at once into weapons of death.

The 22 March, 1622, having come, and the appointed hour of that memorable day arrived, with a simultaneousness unparalleled on any former occasion, the Indians rose from their ambushes, and, with the swiftness of the tiger, appeared, in a moment, amidst the English settlements. Age, sex, nor condition, shielded no one; their greatest benefactors were among their first victims. Thus, in the space of about one hour, fell three hundred and fortyseven men, women, and children. By this horrid calamity, out of 80 plantations, six only were left uninjured. And these were saved by the timely information of a Christian Indian called Chanco.

The ensuing summer was spent, by the surviving English, in strengthening themselves against further attacks, and preparations for taking vengeance on the Indians; wholly neglecting all improvements, works of utility, and even their planting. Every thing was lost sight of in their beloved project of revenge; and the English, in their turn, showed themselves more treacherous, if not more barbarous, than their enemy. For, under pretence of making peace again with them, they fell upon them at unawares, and murdered many without mercy. This crime was vastly aggravated, in that, to induce the Indians to come forward and make peace, the English had not only solemnly assured them forgiveness, but likewise security and safety in their persons.

It was, for some time, supposed that Opekankanough was among the slain, but, if Mr. Beverly was not misinformed, the same sachem, 22 years afterwards, executed a still greater massacre upon the English, as, in the next place, we shall relate.

How long Opekankanough had been secretly plotting to cut off the intruders of his soil cannot be known; but, in 1644, all the Indians, over a space of country of 600 miles in extent, were leagued in the enterprise. The old chief at this time, was supposed to be near 100 years of age, and, though unable to walk, would be present in the execution of his beloved project. It was upon the 18 April, when Opekankanough, borne in a litter, leď his warriors forward, and commenced the bloody work. They began at the frontiers, with a determination to slay all before them, to the sea. After continuing the massacre two days, in which time about 500 persons were murdered, Sir William Berkeley, at the head of an armed force, checked their progress. The destruction of the inhabitants was the greatest upon York and Pamunkey Rivers, where Opekankanough commanded in person. The Indians now, in their turn, were driven to great extremity, and their old chief was taken prisoner,

This is the number generally set down in the histories, but the probably just scrutiny of Mr. Bancroft, Hist. U. S. i. 224, caused him to fix upon the number 300.

362

DEATH OF OPEKANKANOUGH.-TOTOPOTOMOI.

[BOOK IV, and carried in triumph to Jamestown. How long after the massacre this happened, we are not informed; but it is said that the fatigues he had previously undergone had wasted away his flesh, and destroyed the elasticity of his muscles to that degree, that he was no longer able to raise the eyelids from his eyes; and it was in this forlorn condition, that he fell into the hands of his enemies. A soldier, who had been appointed to guard him, barbarously fired upon him, and inflicted a mortal wound. He was supposed to have been prompted to the bloody deed, from a recollection of the old chief's agency in the massacre. Just before he expired, hearing a great bustle and crowd about him, he ordered an attendant to lift up his eyelids; when he discovered a multitude pressing around, to gratify the untimely curiosity of beholding a dying sachem. Undaunted in death, and roused, as it were, from sleep, at the conduct of the confused multitude, he deigned not to observe them; but, raising himself from the ground, with the expiring breath of authority, commanded that the governor should be called to him. When the governor came, Opekankanough said, with indignation, "Had it been my for tune to have taken Sir WM. BERKELEY prisoner, I would not meanly have exposed him as a show to my people; " and soon after expired.

It is said, and we have no reason to doubt the fact, that it was owing to the encroachments upon his lands, that caused Opekankanough to determine upon a massacre of the whites. These intrusions were, nevertheless, conformable to the grants of the proprietors. He could hardly have expected entire conquest, as his people had already begun to waste away, and English villages were springing up over an extent of country of more than 500 miles, with a populousness beyond any preceding example; still, he was determined upon the vast undertaking, and sacrificed himself with as much honor, it will, perhaps, be acknowledged, as did Leonidas at Thermopyla.

Sir William Berkeley intended to have sent him, as a present, to the king of England; but assassination deprived him of the wretched satisfaction, and saved the chief from the mortification. †

None of the Virginia historians seem to have been informed of the true date of this last war of Opekankanough; the ancient records of Virginia, says Mr. Burk, are silent even upon the events of it, (an extraordinary omission.) Mr. Beverly thinks it began in 1639, and, although Mr. Burk is satisfied that it took place after 1641, yet he relates it under the date 1640. And we are not certain that the real date would ever have been fixed, but for the inestimable treasury of New England history, Winthrop's Journal.

That it took place subsequent to 1641, Mr. Burk assures us, upon the evidence of the MS. records; for they relate that, in 1640, one John Burton had been convicted of the murder of an Indian, and that his punishment was remitted, "at the intercession of Opekankanough, and his great men." And that, in the end of the year 1641, Thomas Rolfe, the son of Pocahontas, petitioned the governor for permission to visit his kinsman, Opekankanough, and Cleopatre, the sister of his mother. That, therefore, these events happened previous to the war, and death of Opekankanough. §

NICKOTAWANCE Succeeded Opekankanough, as a tributary to the English. In 1648, he came to Jamestown, with five other chiefs, and brought 20 beaver skins to be sent to King Charles. He made a long oration, which he concluded with the protestation, "that the sun and moon should first loose their glorious lights, and shining, before he, or his people, should ever inore hereafter wrong the English."

TOTOPOTOMOI probably succeeded Nickotawance, as he was king of Pamunkey in 1656. In that year, a large body of strange Indians, called Rechahecrians, came down from the inland mountainous country, and forcibly

Beverly, Hist. Virg. 51.

+ See British Empire in America, i. 240, 1.

Whether it be preserved in Hening's Statutes, I have not learned, but presumed it, from the inference of Bancroft.

Like most of the early writers, the author of A New Description of Virginia, (2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. ix. 111.) speaks of the Indians in terms dictated by indignation. "Their great king," he says, "Opechankenow, that bloody monster upon a hundred years old, was taken by Sir William Berkely." This tract was published in 1659, but no date is given to

the massacre.

1|

CHAP. III.] THE CREEK NATION.-ORIGIN OF THE NAME.

*

363

possessed themselves of the country about the falls of James River. The legislature of Virginia was in session, when the news of their coming was received. What cause the English had to send out an army against them, our scanty records do not satisfactorily show; but, at all events, they determined at once to dispossess them. To that end, an army of about 100 men was raised, and put under the direction of Colonel Edward Hill, who was joined by Totopotomoi, with 100 of his warriors. They did not find the Rechahecrians unprepared, but of the particulars of the meeting of the adverse parties we are not informed. The event, however, was, to the allies, most disastrous. Totopotomoi, with the most of his men, was slain, and the English suffered a total defeat, owing, it is said, to the criminal management of Colonel Hill. This officer lost his commission, and his property was taken to defray the losses sustained by the country. A peace seems to have been concluded with the Indians soon after.

-0000

CHAPTER III.

Of the Creek Indians-Muskogees-Prohibit the use of ardent spirits—Their rise and importance-Their origin-Catawbas-Chikasans-Cherokees-A mode of flattening their heads-Complexion lighter than other Indians-Seminoles-Ruins at Oakmulgee Fields-Expedition of Soto-Kills 2000 Indians-Laudonniere-Gourges' expedition-Grijalva-Morror made emperor of the Cherokees-Sir Alexander Cumming-His travels among the Cherokees-Seven chiefs accompany him to England-Allakullakulla-SKIJAGUSTAH-His speech to the king-His death.

In the preceding chapters of this book, much has been narrated of the southern nations in general; and, in particular, of many prominent indiIt is designed, in the present chapter, to speak more viduals and events. particularly upon the events of the great nation of Creek Indians.

It will be proper, in the first place, to give some general account of the nation, whose men of eminence have been, and are to be, noticed; for there are some facts that will not necessarily fall in otherwise; but, in such digression, if so it should be termed, our chief axiom is not overturned, which is, that to write the history of the men of a country, is to write the history of such country. The reader, however, should be reminded, that a general history of a people at one period, will not exactly apply to them at another. This observation is not only true with regard to their political and civil history, but also in regard to the manners and customs of the same nations: these facts are true, both as they regard people called civilized, as well as those called savage. Hence, descriptions of tribes or nations by one observer, at one time, differ from those of another at a different period; and yet both Students, therefore, not aware of this may be true in the main particulars. fact, may be disposed to discredit writers for such disagreements, which, in fact, are altogether imaginary. But it is time to commence upon the immediate business of the present chapter.

The Creek Indians take their name from that of the country in which they live; that is, the English gave them the name of Creeks, because their country is full of creeks.

By the following preamble and resolve of the legislature, all we possess, touching this matter, is to be gathered:-"Whereas information hath been received, that many western or inland Indians are drawn from the mountains, and lately set down near the falls of James River, to the number of 6 or 700, whereby, upon many several considerations being had, it is conceived great danger might ensue to this colony. This assembly, therefore, do think fit and resolve, that these new come Indians be in no sort suffered to seat themselves there, or any place near us, it having cost so much blood to expel and extirpate those perfidious and treacherous Indians, which were there formerly. I being so apt a place to invade us, and within the limits, which, in a just war, were formerly conquered by us, and by us reserved, at the conclusion of peace, with the Indians." Burk, Hist. Virginia, ii. 105.

364

CREEK LANGUAGE.-CHEROKEE INVENTION.

[Book IV

The nation of most importance among the Creeks was, in 1775, the Muskogees. That community, or nation, like the Iroquois, was more politic than their neighbors, and vastly increased their strength and importance by encouraging small declining tribes to incorporate themselves with them. At one time, another most wise resolution was adopted among them, which, above all others, should be mentioned; that was a prohibition of the importation of all kinds of ardent spirits into their country. How long this resolution was inaintained, or at what period, cannot, at this time, be stated. It was very probab at the period of their greatest prosperity, which was just before the breaking out of the revolutionary war. The Muskogees had another excellent regulation, namely, the men assisted their women in their planting before setting out on their warlike and other expeditions. This was called the Creek nation, which, in what was called its best days, about 1786, contained 17,000 souls;* but they were reckoned, in 1829, at 20,000.

Some have, latterly, given the name of Creeks only to a part of the nations of which we have begun to treat; but it is here intended to include under that head all the tribes between the Savannah on the east, the Mississippi on the west, and the country bordering on the Ohio on the north.

The following is a specimen of their language, which will answer tolerably well as a specimen of all the southern languages, from Carolina to the Mississippi:

Isti tsukhvlhpi laksakat Tshihofv inhomitsi tomis; momais fvtsv opunahoyan im afvlski tomis. In English, Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight.

The following is Choktau reckoning: Achvfa, 1, Tuklo, 2, Tuchina, 3, Ushta, 4, Tahlapi, 5, Hanali, 6, Untuklo, 7, Untuchina, 8, Chakali, 9, Pokoli, 10. By prefixing auh to the names of the digits, they arrive at 20; then, by prefixing Pokoli (10) to the series of digits, they arrive at 30, and so on. ‡

The Cherokees have now a written language, and, before the late troubles with Georgia, were making good advancement in all the useful arts. One of the most remarkable discoveries of modern times has been made by a Cherokee Indian, named GEORGE GUESS. His invention was that of a syllabic alphabet of the language of his nation, which he applied to writing with unparalleled success. Young Cherokees learned by it to write letters to their friends in three days' time; and although the inventor used a part of the English alphabet in making up his own, yet he was acquainted with no other language but the Cherokee. This invention was brought to maturity in 1826. Two years after, a newspaper, called the CHEROKEE PHENIX, was established in the Cherokee nation, printed chiefly in Cherokee, with an English translation. Being considered an independent nation, they instituted a form of government similar to that of the United States.

It was some time after the Natchez massacred the French, that the principal nation of Creeks, the Muskogees, began to rise into importance. For a time after that memorable event, the country of the Natchez was desolate; but when some years had elapsed, a tribe seated themselves there, and it became the seat of a powerful nation; and this was the Muskogees. That nation, like the ancient Romans, had, in about 30 years, extended their dominions over a fertile country near 200 miles square; had 3500 bow-men, and 50 considerable towns. They had dominion also over one town of the Shawanese. Their chief places were upon the branches of the Alabama and the Apalachicola rivers; the people upon the latter being called the lower Creeks. This, as well as the other nations whom we call Creeks, are generally supposed to have originally come from the south or south-west; but the Indians themselves believe, or pretend to believe, that they came from the east, or place of the sun's rising; concerning which opinion we may observe once for all, that it most probably had the same origin among all ignorant people, which arose from no other than a desire that others should think them descended from the

It is common to reckon a third warriors.

This specimen I take from a little volume, called the "Muskogee (Creek) Assistant," published in Boston, 1935, by the Am. Board of Com. for Foreign Missions.

Choktau Arithmetic, printed as above.

Hist. Missions, ii, 354.—Missionary Herald.