NORTH AMERICA. ^89 
town, having been repeatedly warned by apparitions 
and dreams to leave it. 
At the time of their leaving this old town, like 
the ruin or difperfion of the ancient Babel, the in- 
habitants feparated from each other, forming fe- 
yeral bands under the conduct or aufpices of the 
chief of each family or tribe. The greatefi number, 
however, chofe to fit down and build the prefent 
new Apalachucla town, upon a high bank of the 
river above the inundations. The other bands 
purfued different routs, as their inclinations led 
them, fettling villages lower down the river ; fome 
continued their migration towards the fea coait, 
feeking their kindred and countrymen amongft the 
Lower Creeks in Eaft Florida, where they fettled 
themfelves. My intelligent friend, the trader of 
Apalachucla, having from a long refidence amongit 
rhefe Indians acquired an extenfive knowledge of 
their cufloms and affairs, I inquired cf him what 
were his fentiments with refpecl to their wander- 
ing, unfettled difpofition ; their fo frequently break- 
ing up their old towns and fettling new ones, &c. 
His anlwers and opinions were the neceility they 
were under of having frem or new ftrong land for 
their plantations, and new, convenient and exten- 
five range or hunting ground, which unavoidably 
forces them ir'o contentions and wars with their 
confederates and neighbouring tribes ; to avoid 
which they had rather move and feek a plentiful 
and peaceable retreat, even at a diftance, than con- 
tend with friends and relatives or embroil themfelves 
by their temporary wives. They all met together in one hcufe, under the 
ivvowed protection of the chiefs of the town, waiting the event ; but whilffe 
,«he chiefs were affembled in council, deliberating rn ways and mea: s to 
protect them, the Indians in multitudes furrounded the houfe and fet fire 
to it : they all, to the number of eighteen or twenty, periihed with the 
houfe in the flames. The trader fhowed me the ruins of the houfe where 
they were burnt. 
in 
