A HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IRO- 

 QUOIS, NOW COMMONLY CALLED 

 THE SIX NATIONS 



Chapter i 



Iroquois and Algonquins. Distribution, Iroquois legends. Religious 

 belief. Creative myths. Stories of origin and migration. Real migra- 

 tions. Huron-Iroquois family. Language. Opinions on this. 



When Europeans first reached the interior of New York, it 

 was occupied by two Indian families, known as Iroquois and 

 Algonquin. The latter held all the Hudson river valley, the high- 

 lands below the Catskill mountains, and all of Long Island, being 

 closely related to the New England Indians. The former occu- 

 pied the valley of Schoharie creek, and westward to the Genesee 

 river, with vacant territory beyond. On their southwestern line 

 were the Susquehannas, or Andastes, and farther west were the 

 Fries and the Neutral nation, all three kindred to them. For 

 200 years the Iroquois were a great factor in the safety and 

 progress of the European settlements, and another century found 

 them but little diminished in numbers, while many still clung 

 to their early homes. A people so important, so powerful, so 

 permanent, deserves more than mere recognition. 



The Iroquois had a strong, but in some ways very vague reli- 

 gious belief. Unseen deities ruled their lives through mystic 

 dreams, and these dreams must always be observed, however 

 unpleasant this might be. All things to them had a tinge of the 

 supernatural. Trees, rocks and animals had an inner soul. There 

 were viewless spirits, fairies and flying heads. Stone giants and 

 monstrous beasts were frequent. The great Holder of the 

 Heavens was a dwarf in size; for what need had omnipotent 

 power of physical strength? The beasts of the forest were their 

 ancient kindred, necessary for food but reverently treated. 

 Sacrifices were few and simple. In a certain way captives might 

 have been offered to Aireskoi at an early day, or a white dog to 



