Appe?tdixy N° J 



haps not for the better, from their original customs and 

 moral habits. In general the North American Indians re- 

 semble each other in the great outlines and features of 

 character, but intercourse with the Europeans, excessive 

 use of brandy and other spirits, and, which is almost irre- 

 sistible, the depravity and immoral example of our Indian 

 traders and back-settlers, all these have concurred in 

 a most unfortunate degree to corrupt and contaminate 

 their minds. It is not my intention to enter into a dis- 

 cussion of this subject, but the following anecdotes, for 

 the truth of which I can answer, may possibly cast some 

 light upon it, and may occasionally be of use to any 

 future historian, who shall undertake to consider and 

 treat of it more largely. 



Previous to my arrival in Virginia, a war had been upon 

 the point of breaking out between the Nottoway and a tribe 

 of the Tuscarora Indians, on account of a murder that had 

 been committed upon the former by one of the latter nation; 

 they were both of them in alliance with the English, and as 

 the war raged at that time with incredible fury upon the 

 frontiers, it was of great moment to prevent a rupture; and, 

 if possible, to reconcile the differences between them. For 

 this purpose frequent conferences had been held by the 

 Lieutenant Governor of Virginia with the chiefs of the 

 Nottoway nation, and several talks and negotiations had 

 passed between them. The business was not entirely con- 

 cluded when I arrived at Williamsburg; and very soon after 

 a party of Indians arrived from the Nottoway country, 

 which borders upon North Carolina, on the same errand. 

 Amongst those who composed the train was a warrior, 

 named Captain Charles; and as he was the principal per- 



