The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Part I, Part II   By: Cadwallader Colden

N.B. The Tuscaroras are now reckon'd a sixth Nation, & live between the Onondagues & Oneidas; & the Necariages of Misilimakinac were received to be the seventh Nation at Albany, May 30.th 1723; at their own desire, 80 Men of that Nation being present besides Women & children. The chief Trade with the far Indians is at the Onondagues rivers mouth where they must all pass to go towards Canada. ]

THE

H I S T O R Y

OF THE

FIVE Indian NATIONS

OF

C A N A D A ,

Which are dependent

On the Province of NEW YORK in AMERICA,

AND

Are the Barrier between the ENGLISH and FRENCH in that Part of the World.

WITH

Accounts of their Religion, Manners, Customs, Laws, and Forms of Government; their several Battles and Treaties with the European Nations; particular Relations of their several Wars with the other Indians ; and a true Account of the present State of our Trade with them.

In which are shewn

The great Advantage of their Trade and Alliance to the British Nation, and the Intrigues and Attempts of the French to engage them from us; a Subject nearly concerning all our American Plantations, and highly meriting the Consideration of the British Nation at this Juncture.

By the Honourable C a d w a l l a d e r C o l d e n, Esq ; One of his Majesty's Counsel, and Surveyor General of New York.

To which are added,

Accounts of the several other Nations of Indians in North America , their Numbers, Strength, &c. and the Treaties which have been lately made with them. A Work highly entertaining to all, and particularly useful to the Persons who have any Trade or Concern in that Part of the World.

L O N D O N:

Printed for T. Osborne, in Gray's Inn . MDCCXLVII.

TO THE HONOURABLE

G E N E R A L

O G L E T H O R P E.

SIR,

The Indian Affairs have ever appeared to your judgment of such Importance to the Welfare of our own People, that you have ever carefully applied your Thoughts to them; and that with such Success, that not only the present Generation will enjoy the Benefit of your Care, but our latest Posterity bless your Memory for that Happiness the Foundation of which was laid under your Care, provided that the People here, whose Duty and Interest is chiefly concerned, do on their own Parts second your Endeavours, towards securing the Peace, and advancing the Prosperity of their Country.

The following Account of the Five Indian Nations will shew what dangerous Neighbours the Indians have once been; what Pains a neighbouring Colony (whose Interest is opposite to ours) has taken to withdraw their Affections from us; and how much we ought to be on our Guard. If we only consider the Riches which our Enemies receive from the Indian Trade (though we were under no Apprehensions from the Indians themselves) it would be highly imprudent in us to suffer such People to grow Rich and Powerful, while it is in our Power to prevent it, with much less Charge and Trouble, than it is in theirs to accomplish their Designs.

These Considerations alone are sufficient to make the Indian Affairs deserve the most serious Thoughts of every Governor in America . But I well know, besides; that your Excellency's views are not confined to the Interest of one Country only.