Travels in North America. 323 



at the Audience make them the fame Compliment ; then they 

 condu6l them to the Cabin that is appointed for them, and 

 where they give him a great Feaft. The Evening of the fame 

 Day the Great Chief makes them a Vifit ; but when they know 

 he is ready to do them this Honour, they go to feek him, and 

 carry him on their Shoulders to their Lodging, and make him 

 fit on a great Skin. One of them places himfelf behind him, 

 leans his Hands on his Shoulders, and ftiakes him a pretty 

 long Time, whilft the reft, fitting round on the Earth, fing 

 their great Allions in the Wars. 



Thefe Vifits are renewed every Morning and Evening ; but 

 in the laft the Ceremonial varies. The AmbafTadors fet up a 

 Foft in the midft of their Cabin, and fit all round it : The 

 Warriors who accompany the Great Chief, or as they call him, 

 the Sun, dreffed in their fineft Robes, dance, and one by one 

 Urike the Poft, and relate their braveft Feats of Arms ; aft|f 

 which they make Prefents to the AmbafTadors. The next Dây 

 they are permitted for the lirft Time to walk about the "fi- 

 lage, and every Night they make them Entertainments, which 

 confift only in Dances. Wher^ they are on their Departure, the 

 Mafter of the Ceremonies fupplies them with all the Provifi- 

 ons they may want for their Journey, and this is always at 

 the Expence of private Perfons. 



The greateft Part of the Nations of Louifiana had formerly 

 Reli ion of Fire ^^^^^ Temples, as well as the Natchez, and in 

 in Flonda thefe Temples there was a perpetual Fire. 



It feems alfo probable, that the Maubiliens 

 had over all the People of this Part of Florida, a Kind of Pri- 

 macy of Religion ; for it was at their Fire they were obliged to 

 kindle that, which by Negligence or Accident had been fufFer- 

 ed to go out. But at prefent the Temple of the Natchez is the 

 only one that fublifts, and it is held in great Veneration among 

 all the Savages which inhabit this vaft Continent, the Decreafe 

 of which Nation is as confiderable, and has been ftill more fud- 

 den, than that of the Savages of Canada, without its being 

 pofTible to difcover the true Caufe of it. Whole Nations have 

 entirely difappeared within forty Years at moft. Thofe which 

 are ftill fubftfting, are but the Shadow of what they were when 

 M. de la Sale difcovered this Country. I take my Leave of you. 

 Madam, for Reafons which I ftiall have the Honour to explain 

 to you foon. 



/ am, &c. 



T t 2 



LETTER 



