THE MOUNDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. Hit 
usually given to it by writers on this subject, and it is in this sense that 
it will be hereafter used in the course of this investigation. Substi- 
tuting, then, the more specialized form of expression for the general 
term, and the sentence will read as follows: Among the Indians field- 
work was considered derogatory, and left to the women. In this re- 
stricted shape the statement is not so objectionable; and yet, even in 
this form, it is believed to be altogether too sweeping. That in some 
particular years this work may, from some cause, have been left to the 
women, is of course very probable—the necessities of war or the chase 
might at any time render this unavoidable in any tribe; and it may 
also be true that in the division of labor between the sexes, made nec- 
essary by the duty of providing for the family, this share, among cer- 
tain tribes, fell to her lot; but that it was either onerous,* or compul- 
sory,t or that the custom, if such it can be called, was general, or that 
it was adhered to very strictly, even among the tribes in which it can 
be said to have prevailed, is not for a moment admitted. Take for 
example the Iroquois or Six Nations, the only people among whom, so 
far as I know, it can not be shown that the warriors did take some part 
either in clearing the ground or in cultivating the crop, and we find 
that even among them the work was not left exclusively to the women, 
but that it was shared by the children and the old men, as well as the 
slaves, of whom they seem to have had a goodly number.{ Singularly 
Peet. too, the reason given by the old chronicler why the men took 
*« Tabor i the belas employs women six we Gnes in a elve months, while the labor 
of the husband to maintain his family lasts throughout the year.” Heckewelder, 
Historical Account of the Indian Nations, p. 142. ‘The work of the women is not 
hard ox difficult. - - - The tilling of the ground at home - - - is frequently 
done by female parties, much in the manner of those husking, quilting, and other 
frolics. - - - The labor is thus quickly and easily performed; when it is over, 
and sometimes in intervals, they sit down to enjoy themselves by feasting on some 
good victuals prepared for them by the person or family for whom they work, ete.” 
Ibid., pp. 144, 145. Consult also Williams’s Key to the Indian Language, in Collec- 
tions of the Rhode Island Hist. Soc., p. 92. Sagard, Voyage des Hurons, p. 130: Paris, 
1632. Joutel, Journal in Hist. Coll. of Louisiana, part 1,p. 149. Lafitau, Moeurs 
des Sauvages Ameriquains, vol, 11, p. 77: Paris, 1724. 
t** Elles tranaillent ordinairement plus que les hommes, encore qu'elle sn’y soient 
point forcées n’y contraintes.” Sagard, Voyage des Hurons, p. 130: Paris, 1632. 
“Not only voluntary, but cheerfully performed.” Heckewelder, p. 142. ‘‘In the 
spring the corn field is planted by her and the youngsters in a vein of gaiety and 
frolic. It is done in a few hours, and taken care of in the same spirit. It is per- 
fectly voluntary labor, and she would not be scolded for omitting it; for all labor 
with Indians is voluntary.” Schooleraft, Indian Tribes of the United States, vol. 11, 
p. 64. “Au reste ce travail n’est pas penible.” Charlevoix, Nouvelle France, vol. 
I, p. 25. See also Life of Mary Jemison, a captive among the Iroquois, who says, 
pp. 69, 70, that the “lot of the Indian women is not harder than that of white 
women:” New York, 1856. 
i“ If any of his children be killed or taken by the enemy, he is presently fur- 
nished with as many slaves as he has oceasion for.” La Hontan, vol. 1, p. 7: Lon- 
don, 1703. ‘‘Women slaves are employed to sow and reap the Indian corn; and the 
men slayes have for their business the hunting and shooting when there is any 
