GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. I57' 



the principal Indian nations occupying the territories which are now embraced in 

 the States of New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the 

 northern and western portions of Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, northern Tennessee, 

 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and a portion of New England. 



In the continual wars, protracted during long periods, we find an explanation of 

 the existence, at the present day, of a portion, at least, of earth walls surrounding 

 the sites of ancient Indian towns, in the valleys of the Cumberland and otlier 

 southern and western rivers. It is now well established that this mode of protect- 

 ing these towns and villages by earthworks crowned with stockades was understood 

 and extensively practised by the aborigines, at the time when the first voyagers and 

 adventurers reached this continent, more than three centuries and a half ago. 



X. Whilst the preceding facts support the supposition that a portion of the 

 remains of earthworks in Tennessee may have been the work of tlie Chaouanons, 

 they do not warrant the assertion that the pyramidal mounds, stone sculptures, and 

 curiously fashioned idols, were the work of this people. On the contrary, it 

 would appear that the bloody wars in which this nation was engaged for one 

 century, from 1600 to 1700, and the numerous removals which they were compelled 

 to make, covering a tract of country extending from the Sewanee Kiver of Florida 

 to the shores of Lake Erie, were imfavorable to the construction of large earth 

 pyramids, and sacrificial and burial mounds surromrded by earth and stone walls. 



It appears that, Avhen an Indian nation occupied the territory of another whom 

 they had expelled or conquered, they took possession of and occupied the ancient 

 sites of towns. 



Thus it is well established, that the Chaouanons did not lose their nationality or 

 their reputation for intelligence and bravery after their expulsion from the Cum- 

 berland valley; but continued to exert a powerful influence on the counsels of the 

 surrounding nations ; and were renowned alike for their sagacity and bravery. In 

 the war of the Revolution, they inflicted serious damage on the American colonies ; 

 and to this day, they retain their name and tribal organization. 



The Chaouanons (Shawnees) represented the finest type of the North American 

 Indians. They were noble, generous, and faithful friends ; brave, active, and rest- 

 less warriors ; and bitter, dangerous, implacable, and bJoody-thirsty enemies. 

 Their great men were true patriots, brave warriors, great leaders, and renowned 

 orators. No nation on the American continent, within the bounds of the United 

 States, Canada, and Russian America, has produced more illustrious names, amongst 

 which may be mentioned, Logan, Cornstalk, and Tecumseh. 



XI. It is thus rendered evident that the interior of the American continent has 

 been the theatre of numerous bloody wars and migrations of savage, unlettered 

 nations ; and, in the absence of authentic history, it is impossible to assign the 

 monumental remains of Tennessee to any specific date or to any known nation of 

 North American Indians. 



It is reasonable to suppose that the Chaouanons occupied only temporarily the 

 sites of the aboriginal towns. 



XII. The discovery of undoubted marks of syphilis in the bones of the skeletons 

 included in the stone graves is of importance in its bearing on the history of this 



