NORTH AMERICA. 
m 
CHAP. IV. 
* 
Concerning PROPERTY, AGRICULTURE, ARTS an® 
MANUFACTURES. 
It has been faid by hiftorians, who have written 
concerning the cuftoms and ufages of the aborigines 
or 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 opportuni- 
ties of obfervation, and the information of refpeft- 
able char, afters, who have fpent many years amongft 
them, I venture to fet this matter in a juft view 
before my readers. 
I fhall begin with the produce of their agricul- 
tural labours. 
An Indian town is generally fo fituated, as to be 
convenient for procuring game, fecure from hidden 
invafion, having a large diftrift of excellent arable 
land adjoining, or in its vicinity, if poflible on an 
ifthmus betwixt two waters, or where the doubling 
of a river forms a peninfula. Such a fituation ge- 
nerally comprifes a fufficient body of excellent land 
for planting Corn, Potatoes, Beans, Squafli, Pump- 
kins, Citruls, Melons, &c. and is taken in with a 
frnali 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 
