SWANTON] INDIANS OP THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 231 



while another part was no doubt attributable to white contact itself. 

 It is only fair, therefore, to balance the above judgments by the 

 somewhat too laudatory opinions of Bartram : 



The Cherokees in their dispositions and manners are grave and steady; dig- 

 nified and circumspect in their deportment : rather slow and reserved in conver- 

 sation; yet frank, cheerful, and humane; tenacious of the liberties and natural 

 rights of man; secret, deliberate and determined in their councils; honest, just 

 and liberal, and ready always to sacrifice every pleasure and gratification, even 

 their blood, and life itself, to defend their territory and maintain their 

 rights. . . . 



The national character of the Muscogulges, when considered in a political 

 view, exhibits a portraiture of a great or illustrious heroe. A proud, haughty 

 and arrogant race of men; they are brave and valiant in war, ambitious of 

 conquest, restless and perpetually exercising their arms, yet magnanimous and 

 merciful to a vanquished enemy, when he submits and seeks their friendship and 

 protection; always uniting the vanquished tribes in confederacy with them; 

 when they immediately enjoy, unexceptionably, every right of free citizens, and 

 are from that moment united in one common band of brotherhood. They were 

 never known to exterminate a tribe, except the Yamasees.® . . . 



If we consider them with respect to their private character or in a moral 

 view, they must, I think, claim our approbation, if we divest ourselves of 

 prejudice and think freely. As moral men they certainly stand in no need of 

 European civilization. 



They are just, honest, liberal, and hospitable to strangers ; considerate, loving 

 and affectionate to their wives and relations ; fond of their children ; industrious, 

 frugal, temperate, and persevering; charitable and forbearing. I have been 

 weeks and months among them and in their towns, and never observed the 

 least sign of contention and wrangling : never saw an instance of an Indian beat- 

 ing his wife, or even reproving her in anger. In this case they stand as ex- 

 amples of reproof to the most civilized nations, as not being defective in justice, 

 gratitude and a good understanding; for indeed their wives merit their esteem 

 and the most gentle treatment, they being industrious, frugal, careful, loving, 

 and affectionate. 



The Muscogulges are more volatile, sprightly and talkative than their Northern 

 neighbours, the Cherokees ; and, though far more distant from the white settle- 

 ments than any nation east of the Mississippi or Ohio, appear evidently to have 

 made greater advances towards the refinements of true civilization, which can- 

 not, in the least degree, be attributed to the good examples of the white people. 

 (Bartram, 1792, pp. 483, 487-488.) 



Adair, whose experience of the Indians was earlier than that of 

 Stiggins and longer in duration than the experiences of either Swan 

 or Bartram, was fitted to weigh them more justly : 



They are ingenious, witty, cunning, and deceitful ; very faithful indeed to their 

 own tribes, but privately dishonest, and mischievous to the Europeans and 

 christians. Their being honest and harmless to each other, may be through 

 fear of resentment and reprisal — which is unavoidable in case of an injury. 

 They are very close and retentive of their secrets; never forget injuries; re- 

 vengeful of blood, to a degree of distraction. They are timorous, and, conse- 



•As I have pointed out elsewhere, no such wholesale destruction of Yamasee Indians 

 actually took place. 



