siOBX; - Smithsonian Institution

114 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bdll.103
convinced that none was so fit to baffle them in those low attempts without
giving offence, as their own country-men. One, in my presence, expatiated
on his late disappointment and losses, with the several unexpected causes, and
pressiiigly solicited his auditor as a benevolent kinsman, to assist him in
his distress: but the other kept his ear deaf to his importunity, and entirely
evaded the artful aim of the petitioner, by carrying on a discourse he had
begun, before his relation accosted him as a suppliant. Each alternately
began where the other left off, the one to inforce the compliance of his
prayer, and the other, like the deaf adder, to elude the power of its charming
him. Nature has in a very surprising manner, indued the Indian Americans,
with a strong comprehensive memory, and great flow of language. I listened
with close attention to their speeches, for a considerable time ; at last the petitioner
despairing of impressing the other with sentiments in his favour, was
forced to drop his false and tragical tale, and become seemingly, a patient
hearer of the conclusion of the other's long narrative, which was given him
with a great deal of outward composure, and cool good-nature.
In the years 1746 and 1747, I was frequently perplexed by the Choktah
mendicants ; which policy directed me to bear, and conceal as well as I could,
because I was then transacting public business with them. In 1747, one of
their warriors and a Chokchooma came to me for presents ; which according
to my usual custom in those times, I gave, though much less than they presumed
to expect. The former, strongly declaimed against the penurious spirit
of the French, and then highly applauded the open generous tempers of the
English traders : for a considerable time, he contrasted them with each other,
not forgetting, in every point of comparison, to give us the preference in a high
degree. He was endued with so much eloquence and skill as to move the
passions, and obtain his point. A considerable number of Chikkasah war-
riors who were present, told me soon after that his skilful method of address-
ing me for a bottle of spirituous liquors, seemed to them astonishing: an old
beloved man replied, that the worst sort of snakes were endued with the
greatest skill to insnare and suck their prey, whereas, the harmless have no
such power."
But Romans remarks
I believe thej' are a nation whose word may be depended on when they give
in to the interest of any person, and that their faith is to be better i-elied on
than that of the Chicasaws or Creeks, which two last are really versed in all
the gallic tricks of deceit.^
And he adds farther on
I have a great opinion of a Chactaw's faithfully performing his promises.
I have seen several little instances thereof; they detest a liar, and shew gratitude
to a man that keeps his word; my guide whose name was Pooskoos
Mingo gave me an instance of this; when I left him he said I had satisfied
him for every thing like a true man, but if I would give him a speaking paper
to the great white man at Mobile (meaning John Stuart Esq.) then he would
still better know it; I gave him a note recommending him to that gentleman,
and because he had been of extraordinary service on the journey, begged he
would allow him something more than common; it had the desired effect, he
got a good many things extraordinary; when I was afterwards missing, and
it was thought the Creeks had destroyed us in coming from the Chicasaw
nation, this savage armed to avenge my death, and was actually taking the
^ Adair, Hist. Am. Inds., p. 305.
'^ Romans, Nat. Hist, of E. and W. Fla., pp. 73-74.