No. 89.] 61 



known in Cattaraugus county, have also been too much obliterated to admit now 

 of being satisfactorily traced; while undoubtedly other works of aboriginal origin 

 are situated within the dense forests, and are yet unknown. Thus some estimate 

 may be given of the number of these ancient works originally occupying this 

 territorial area. 



The annals of the past, if indeed they once existed, like the lost arts of the old 

 world, have now become a blank, which no roll of time can ever restore. The hi- 

 story of these mountain ranges of the earth, through the long elapsing geological 

 epochs, and even of the flora and fauna of the dim palaeozoic period, is more legibly 

 written than that of the successive races of men which we may suppose have held 

 sway upon this continent. Another great cycle in human history, in the progress 

 of civilization from the east to the west, is nearly fulfilled. The hunter race, in 

 possession of this hemisphere at the Columbian period, will soon have passed away 

 forever. The orb of their destiny is paling its light in the western heavens; slowly, 

 but without delay, sinking from view : 



" Wie das Gestirn, ohne Hast, 

 Ahzr ohne Rast.'* 



The question has now been reached : By whom and when were these earthworks 

 erected .'* I will preface any answer, by giving the information upon this point 

 obtained in an interview with the distinguished sachem of the Senecas, Governor 

 Blacksnake. He related, as the tradition which had been transmitted by their 

 fathers, that "Many hundred years ago, a long war occurred between the Iroquois 

 and other powerful nations, during which, numerous fortifications, often stockaded 

 and inclosing villages, were erected throughout all this region; but their enemies 

 were finally repulsed, and passed far to the southwest," — while the aged chief 

 waved his hand towards the descending October sun. His eye had grown dim ia 

 the light of a hundred and seventeen summers, and his spirit, in its feeble hold on 

 life, seemed floating out upon the boundaries of the invisible world; but as these 

 reminiscences of their former power and glory again came thronging through his 

 memory, his voice swelled in exultation, as in the hour when he led his braves to 

 battle, and the war shout rang along these vallies. The aged chief, indeed, could 

 only recal with uncertainty the events of their history, over whose dim legends 

 had gathered an oblivious haze; groping in the dark amid the ruins of a long lost 

 empire, the vestiges of the labor of forgotten nations. He had occupied a distin- 

 guished position in Iroquois history; had formed a treaty with Washington, 

 during his second presidency. 



Conclusions as to the phase which these works occupy in American Archaeology 

 have been reached during this exploration, entirely unanticipated at its commence- 

 ment. 



The first question presented is : Do these works belong to the system occupying 

 other portions of the State, or are they connected with the series extending through 

 the Mississippi region .'* It is mentioned in Gov. Clinton's Memoir, and again referred 

 to in jlrchcRologia Americana, that a chain of works commences at Cattaraugus 

 creek, extending to the south; and this survey, with numerous works which are 

 said to exist further down the Allegany valley, appears to sustain the assertion. 

 It had, indeed, been supposed that the race of the mounds of the Mississippi val- 

 ley did not extend beyond the Allegany mountains ; but the tumuli form nearly 

 half of the works embraced in the exploration of this section. From all the exa- 

 minations which I have been able to institute, these earth- works appear to corre- 

 spond nearly with those of the Mississippi valley; forming, with the exception of 

 the intrenchment upon the north bank of Cattaraugus creek, geometrical lines of 



