HOltTH AMERICA# 
CHAP# I Y# 
Concerning PROPERTY, AGRICULTURE, ARTS and 
MANUFACTURES. 
IT has been faid by hiftorians, who have writ- 
ten concerning the cuftoms and ufages of the 
aborigines of America, that they have every 
thing in common, and no private property ; 
which are terms in my opinion too vague and 
general, when applied to thefe people. From 
my own frequent opportunities of obfervation, 
and the information of refpe&able characters,, 
who have fpent many years amongft them, I ven- 
ture to fet this matter in a juft view before my 
readers. 
I fhall begin with the produce of their agri- 
cultural labours. 
An Indian town is generally fo fituated, as to 
be convenient for procuring game, fecure from 
Hidden invalion, having a large diftri<5t of excel- 
lent arable land adjoining, or in its vicinity, if 
poftible on an ifthmus betwixt two waters, or 
where the doubling of a river forms a peninfula. 
Such a fituation generally comprifes a fufficient 
body of excellent land for planting Corn, Pota- 
toes, Beans, Squafh, Pumpkins, Citruls, Melons, 
&c., and is taken in with a fmall expence and 
trouble of fencing, to fecure the crops from the 
invafion of predatory animals. At other times 
however they choofe fuch a convenient fertile 
fpot at fome diftance from their town, when 
circumftances will not admit of having both to- 
gether. 
This 
