170 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



all the members of the tribe. In respect t© 

 rights and privileges, the savage knew no supe- 

 rior. Of abasement, humiliation, dependence, 

 or servitude, he had no idea. Depending on 

 Lis own exertions for food and raiment, he had 

 never looked to another for assistance, promo- 

 4io?i, or wealth. When the interest of tlie tribe 

 was in question, or in danger, the v/isdom and 

 experience of years was consulted, to advise and 

 determine : And their counsels became matters 

 of great respect. But constraint, compulsion, 

 and force, was the object of the highest deteslci- 

 tion and hoiTor. E'\"ery measure of the gov- 

 ernment tended to confirm and increase the 

 spirit of freedom, equality, and independence, 

 and to render It strong, fierce, and permanent, 

 tlirou^h the Vvhole tribe. 



System of \\''ar amckg the Indians. 

 The civil regulations of the savages were all 

 designed to qualify and prepare them for war. 

 Among the causes that lead to this, an opposi- 

 tion of interests, was the most common and 

 powerful. No people ever had more clear, or 

 more just ideas of their own rights and proper- 

 ty, than the Indians. They not only understood 

 their o'w.n personal rights, but they were per- 

 fectly well acquainted with the rights and pro- 

 perty, that were vested in the tribe. Each tribe 

 claimed the soil in their own dom.alns. This 

 right was viewed as complete, perfect, and ex- 

 clusive : Such as entitled them to the full and 

 entire possession ; and to oppose by force and 

 violence, all encroachments upon the soil, or 

 game, in any part of their territories. The 

 bounds of diese territories wxre extensive^ and. 



