The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

3M
NOTES.
Note 55. "Then forth the watting pipe was brought." Page 189.
" Wherever the Indian goes, in peace and war, and whatever he does, his pipe
is his constant companion. He draws consolation from it in hunger, want and
misfortune." And when he is prosperous and
" happy, it is the pipe to which
he appeals, as if every puff of the weed were an oblation to the Great Spirit."
Ibid, Vol. II. p. 69.
Note 56. "Still piling high the stake and bet Page 139.
Of blankets, weapons, trinkets all."
" Of all the Indian's social sports the finest and grandest is the ball play. I
might call it a noble game, and I am surprised how these savages attain such
perfection in it. Nowhere in the world, excepting, perhaps, among the English
and some of the Italian races, is the graceful E.nd manly game of ball played so
passionately, and on so large a scale. They often play village against village, or
tribe against tribe. Hundreds of players assemble, and the wares and goods
offered as prizes often reach a value of a thousand dollars, or more."
Kitchi Garni, p. 88.
Note 57. "Flee in trembling terror, -wlxn Page 201.
On the war-path bold they see
Aquan-uschi-oni men."
Colden says.
" I have been told by old men in New England, who remembered
the time when the Mohawks made war on their Indians, that as soon as a single
Indians raised a cry from hill to
Mohawk was discovered in their country, their
'
hill, 'A Mohawk ! a Mohawk !
upon which they fled like sheep before wolves,
without attempting to make the least resistance."
Note 58. "From example wise and good Page 203.
Shall they to all greatness grow,
To a Mighty Brotherhood ;
And all men, be bettered so."
" It is a memorable fact that the Iroquois were so strongly impressed with the
wisdom of their system of confederation, that they publicly recommended a
similar Union to the British Colonies. In the important conferences at Lancaster,
in 1774, Cannas-sa-te-go. a respected sachem, expressed this view to the
commissioners of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland : '
Our wise forefathers
established union and amity between the Five Nations. This has given us great
weight and authority with our neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy,
and by observing the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you
will acquire fresh strength and pow^r. Therefore I counsel you, whatever befalls
you, never to fall out with one another.'
" No sago of the bright days of Qreeco could have more truly apprehended the
secret pf .their own power and success."
II. R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Vol. III. p. 183.