STONE FORT AND OTHER ABORIGINAL REMAINS. 105 



the former rendered it necessary to locate themselves within certain limits of terri- 

 tory, which they built upon and divided into extensive fields, while the latter, who 

 supported themselves by fishing and the chase, were forced to lead a nomadic life, 

 which allowed no time for improvement of any kind. Hence amongst the Southern 

 Indians were found villages and towns, well built, and guarded around with walls. 

 The inhabitants were somewhat experienced in the arts, and in the notions of 

 government, law, and morality, and were somewhat advanced in civilization. 



Narvaez, who attempted the conquest of Florida in 1528 with a well appointed 

 army of four hundred foot and twenty horse, after gaining and sacking several 

 fortified towns surrounded witli extensive fields of corn, and well supplied with 

 provisions, was so harassed by the savages, who continually lurked about the 

 camp and killed many of the men and horses during the night, that he was 

 compelled to abandon the enterprise. 



It Avould be foreign to our present purpose to follow the army of De Soto, 

 which, for four years, astonished and vanquished the natives in many bloody and 

 desperate battles, through its wanderings in the present States of Florida, Georgia, 

 Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas ; but we sliall confine our attention 

 to those results of the expedition which throw light vipon the condition and customs 

 of the ancient inhabitants of the valley of the Mississippi. The tribes of Indians 

 inhabiting the immense territory called by the Spaniards Florida, were worshippers 

 of the sun, were governed by despotic princes, cultivated the soil, had made some 

 advances in the arts ; and their manners, customs, and religion pointed to an origin 

 in common with those of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico. The population was 

 much greater at the time of the invasion of De Soto than it has been at any subse- 

 quent period. Large armies were frequently arrayed against him. In Potosa, 

 Florida, he was furnished with seven hundred burden bearers. 



In Ocute, Georgia, he was supplied with two hundred of these Indian servants, 

 and at Cafeque, in the same State, four thousand men are said to have transported 

 the effects of his army. A numerous population was found in tlie province of 

 Coosa, and large forces opposed him at Mubilia, Chickasa, and Alibamo. 



The invasion of De Soto resulted in the destruction of a large Indian population 

 in all the territory through which he passed; they were not only destroyed by 

 thousands in the bloody battles, but they were worn out by heavy burdens, and 

 hunted down by blood-hounds. The European diseases, such as smallpox, which 

 the natives caught from the Spaniards, served also to thin out their ranks. Again, 

 the constant bloody wars in which they were afterwards engaged amongst them- 

 selves, and which to a great extent grew out of the invasion, still further reduced 

 their numbers. 



At the time of the invasion of De Soto, the towns were surrounded with walls 

 of earth, and had towers of defence ; entrenchments and ditches were also found in 

 various parts of the country. The most remarkable of the latter was at Pascha, 

 west of the Mississippi. Here a ditch, " wide enough for two canoes to pass 

 abreast without the paddles touching, surrounded a walled town. It was cut nine 

 miles long, communicated with the Mississippi, supplied the natives with fish, and 

 afforded them the privileges of navigation." 



14 May, 1876. 



