SOURCE OF ST. PETER's RIVER. 101 



If in the intercourse of the Potavvatomi with men of 

 his own tribe, we observe many of the virtues and finer 

 feelings which adorn mankind in all situations, we have, 

 unfortunately, cause to regret that in his conduct towards 

 other nations he appears under very disadvantageous co- 

 lours. To a stranger, if he be not an enemy, it is true that 

 he will extend the most unrestricted hospitality ; his prin- 

 ciples as well as his habits of life prevent his greeting him, 

 or joining him in conversation ; but all that the most libe- 

 ral spirit can do, to secure to him a friendly and fraternal 

 reception, is cordially done. In all his actions, words, and 

 motions, the stranger must however take heed lest he re- 

 veal himself to be an enemy ; for in that case, not the bread 

 that they have been breaking together, nor the tobacco of 

 which they have both smoked, nor the sacred laws of 

 hospitality, could protect the guest from the sacrifice which 

 the Potawatomi considers as enjoined upon him by the 

 paramount obligation of destroying his enemy, or that of 

 his nation, wherever he may meet with him. Their feel- 

 ing of hatred and resentment against all nations with which 

 they are at war, has led them to deeds, from the recital of 

 which we shrink in disgust. Among these there is 

 none more horrible, and on the subject of which so much 

 difference of opinion has existed, as that of cannibalism, as- 

 cribed to them by numerous travellers. We find it as- 

 serted, in plain terms, by some of the oldest writers upon 

 America ;* but it has been brought into question by many, 



• The fact which we advance here of the cannibalism of the Pota- 

 watomis, is not new as regards the North American Indians, though 

 some travellers may have asserted it not to exist among them. 



" I think," says Hennepin, " that the Neros and Maximians of old 

 never invented greater cruelties to test the patience of martyrs, than 

 the torments to which the Iroquois expose their enemies. And 



