338 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



sent belts to the Ohio, an instance having just come to light. 

 Some of these belts might still remain, though most were dis- 

 regarded. If any secret hatchet remained still with the Ohio 

 Indians, they desired to take it away and bury it forever. 



Chapter 22 



Indian customs and language. Mohawk missions and books. Shawnees at 

 Scioto. Death of Thomas King. Second Scioto council. Bad belts. Three 

 notices before war. Trouble with pioneers. Guy Johnson to be Sir 

 William's successor. Council at Johnson's. Logan's family killed. Seneca 

 prisoners released. Death of Sir William. Condolence. Council with Guy 

 Johnson. Bunt's successor. Kayashuta. Union belt. Iroquois emigrants. 

 Religious troubles. 



In that year Johnson gave Arthur Lee an interesting account 

 of the customs and language of the Indians. The nearer tribes 

 had lost many of their old customs, blending some English with 

 others, so that it was difficult to trace them back or account for 

 them. Some farther off had been affected by intercourse with 

 traders, but retained many customs whose origin was forgotten. 

 The most remote had most of their primitive usages, but could 

 give only fabulous accounts of them. These also confounded 

 ideas and ceremonies introduced by the Jesuits with their own 

 ancient rites. 



The Mohawks were still considered the head of the Six Nations, 

 though greatly reduced. At present they had more to do with 

 the English than with their own brethren. They were members 

 of the Church of England, most of them read and some could 

 write very well. Sometimes they made a cross in signing a 

 deed ; but, if it were of importance, they made a steel, used in 

 striking fire from a flint. This symbol of their nation they called 

 Canniahy and themselves Canniungaes. 



The Oneidas came next, also much reduced. Attempts had 

 been made to civilize and convert them, but most were in a 

 primitive state, with ancient customs much decayed. One of 

 their symbols was a tree expressing stability, but their true 

 emblem was a stone, called Onoya.whencQ they called themselves 

 Onoyuts. The Onondagas, 40 miles farther, well versed in 

 ancient customs, called themselves People of the Great Mountain. 



