ble for them to act out of the common high road to virtue.

"We will now take a view of the lower Creeks or Seminoles, and the natural disposition which characterizes this people; whom, from the striking contrast, the philosopher may approve or disapprove, as he thinks proper, from the judgment and opinion given by different men. The Seminoles are but a weak people with respect to numbers, yet they enjoy a superabundance of the necessaries of life, with the security of person and property. The hides of deer, bears, &c. together with honey, wax, and other productions of the country, purchase their clothing, equipage and domestic utensils, from the whites. They seem to be free from want or desires. No cruel enemy to dread; nothing to give them disquietude, but the gradual encroachments of the white people. Thus contented and undisturbed, they appear as blythe and free as the birds of the air, and like them as volatile and active, tuneful and vociferous. The visage, action and deportment of the Seminoles, form the most striking picture of happiness in this life; joy, contentment, love and friendship, seem inherent in them, or predominant in their vital principle, for it leaves them but with the last

breath. It even seems imposing a constraint upon their ancient chiefs and senators, to maintain a necessary decorum and solemnity, in their public councils; not even the debility of extreme old age, is sufficient to erase from their visages, this joyous simplicity; but, like the gray eve of a serene and calm day, a gladdening cheering blush remains on the western horizon after the sun is set. I doubt not but some of my countrymen, who may read these accounts of the Indians, which I have endeavoured to relate according to truth, at least as they appeared to me, will charge me with partiality or prejudice in their favour."

"I will now, (proceeds Bartram,) endeavour to exhibit their vices and immoralities, from my own observations and knowledge, as well as accounts from the white traders who reside amongst them.

"The Indians make war against, kill and destroy their species, and their motives spring from the same erroneous source as they do in all other nations of mankind; that is, the ambition of exhibiting to their fellows a superior character of national and personal valour; and thereby immortalizing themselves, by transmitting their names with honour and lustre to posterity; or

G

revenge of their enemy, for public or personal insults; or lastly to extend the boundaries of their territories. But I cannot find, upon the strictest enquiry, that their bloody contests at this day are marked with deeper stains of inhumanity or savage cruelty, than may be observed amongst the most civilized nations: they do indeed scalp their slain enemy, but they do not kill the females or children of either sex: the most ancient traders, both in the upper and lower Creeks, assured me they never saw an instance of either burning or tormenting their captives; though it is said they used to do it formerly. I saw in every town in the nation of Seminoles, that I visited, more or less male captives, some extremely aged, who were free and in as good circumstances, as their masters; and all slaves have their freedom when they marry, which is, permit couraged; when, they and thei

every way upon an equality v

75

In giving a summary view of the character of a people, the result of the writer's conclusions are frequently at variance with what he has himself previously stated; hence in estimating the qualities of the people described, the only criterion by which we are enabled to form a just judgment, is by attending to transactions which came within the scope of the writer's own observation. The opinion given by our author in reference to the habits and dispositions of the Indians, is abundantly confirmed in the details he has made relative to his reception and entertainment by these natives. The situation of their towns, manner of building, with their agricultural products, afford a most pleasing picture of rural happiness and independence. The

a description of the town of Cuscowilla, and its environs, which may give you an idea of many others, visited by him during this tour.

"After crossing over the point or branch of the marshes, we entered a noble forest, the land level and the soil fertile; the forest consisted of orange groves, overtopped by grand magnolias, palms, &c., with various kinds of shrubs and herbaceous plants. We were cheerfully received in this hospitable shade by various tribes of birds, their sprightly songs seemed a prelude to the vicinity of human habitations, This magnificent grove was a wing of the vast forests lying upon the coast of the great and beautiful lake of Cuscowilla, at no great distance from us. Continuing eight or nine miles through this sublime forest, we entered an open forest of lofty pines and oaks, on gently swelling sand hills, and presently saw the lake, its waters sparkling through the open groves. Near the path was a large artificial mound of earth, on a charming high situation, supposed to be the work of the ancient Floridans or Yamazees, with other traces of an Indian town. Here were three or four Indian habitations; the women and children saluted us with cheerfulness and complai sance. After riding near a mile farther we ar