14 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



"A cultivated language usually denotes great civilization. But our 

 aborigines seem to have confined their eftbrts to the improvement of their 

 !<peech. This was a consequence naturally flowing from their form of 

 ijovernment and political institutions, in Avhich the most absolute liberty 

 prevailed. The public welfare was conlided to the aged and experienced 

 chiefs, whose resolutions were obeyed in full conviction of their wisdom. 

 They have no law but public opinion, and the redress of injuries belongs 

 to the injured. Among such a people, particularly, eloquence is the 

 handmaid of ambition, and all power must depend upon the talent of 

 persuasion. To this cause we may ascribe the cultivation, and the many 

 beauties, which are said to mark the Indian tongues of North America. 



"In other respects, these tribes had advanced little beyond the rudest 

 state of nature. They had no written language, unless rude draAvings 

 may be thus considered. Their intercourse with each other was regu- 

 lated by a few simple rules of justice and courtesy. Their passions 

 generally preserved an even and moderate tenor; but, occasionally, 

 becoming intense, they produced enormous crimes, or deeds of heroism. 

 In the commerce of the sexes, l<3ve, as a sentiment, was almost unknown. 

 Marriage was a physical convenience, continued by the will of the parties, 

 either sex having the power to dissolve it at pleasure. The treatment of 

 the women, however, if not marked by tenderness, was not cruel. A 

 full proportion of labor, it is true, Avas imposed upon them, but it was of 

 that kind which necessarily falls to their lot, where the men are absent 

 from their homes in search of sustenance for their families : it consisted 

 of domestic and agricultural services. Children were educated with care 

 in the knowledge of the duties and employments of their future life. 

 Their lessons were taught in a kind and familiar manner, their attention 

 awakened by tlie hope of distinction, and their eftbrts rewarded bv 

 general [praise. Threats nor stripes were ever used. Lands and agri- 

 cultural returns were common property; peltries and tlie other acquivsi- 

 tious of the chase, belonged to individuals." 



"^ It is well known they Avere very much averse to Eihropean religioL 

 arid customs, unless in such things as they could comprehend and clearlv 

 imderstand Avere for their real benefit ; yet, in this, sometimes, their passions 

 prevailed oA^er their better understanding; instance, their drunkenness, &;c. 

 But though the hoped and desired success did not so fally attend the la- 

 bours bestoAved on them, and the means used, both by William Pena 

 himself, in person, and by divers others of the more pious and early 

 settlers, whose good example Avas very remarkable, with the later endea- 

 vors since continued, to inform the judgment of the Indians^ in these 

 provinces, in religious afiairs, to acquaint them Avith the principles and 

 and advantage of Christianity, to restrain them from some things, ac- 

 iProud's Hist, of Pennsylvania, I, p. 310-s<i. 



