LOUISIANA. 199 



felves refpeded and beloved. They likewife 

 have the uuisfadion of being regarded by their 

 fubjeuls almod as demi-gods, born for the hap- 

 pinefs of this world ; for they have the tender- 

 nefs of fathers for the people of their tribe ; and 

 that name flatters them much more than all the 

 pompous titles of the Grand Signior or the Great 

 Mogul. Thofe Afiatic emperors are often expo- 

 fed in their extenfive dominions to revolutions, 

 by which their life is endangered ; for often tri- 

 butary kings rebel againfl them, and kill them 

 with their whole family. 



The crime of high treafon is unknown among 

 the Americans ; the chiefs and Caciques go every 

 where without fear. If any one fhould be bold 

 enough to attempt any thing againfl their lives, 

 he would be punifhed as a horrible monfter, and 

 the whole family of the murderer wQuld be ex* 

 terminated without mercy. 



As to the captains or chiefs of war, who com- 

 mand their armies againfl their enemies, this 

 pofl is occupied only by fuch as have given fig- 

 nal proofs of courage in defence of their coun- 

 try in feveral combats ^ and as the generals go 

 naked, as well as the other Indians, the marks 

 pf wounds they bear upon their body are fuffi- 



O 4 cient 



