II. Of the mode of 'Failure prevalent among the Indians of .1ml:ilea.
The first principle which is instilled into the breast of an American savage is revenge. This principle ac quires additional strength as he advances in life ; the few objects which his education presents to his eye have all a tendency to cherish it ; both the counsels of the old men, and the example of the warriors of his tribe, con spire in teaching him, that it is dishonourable to relent, and infamous to forgive. To tear off the scalp of an enemy, or to cat his flesh, is the highest gratification which an Indian can receive. Even the women seem to be animated with this destructive and restless princi ple. The following narrative of an Algonquin woman has been given as a proof of their thirst for blood. "The Algonquins being at war with the Iroquois, she hap pened to be made prisoner, and was carried to one of the villages belonging to that nation. Here she was stripped naked ; and her hands and feet were bound with ropes in one of their cabins. In this condition she remained for ten days ; the savages sleeping around her every night. On the eleventh night, when they were asleep, she found means to disengage one of her hands, and freeing herself from the ropes, she went immediate ly to the door of the hut where she was lodged. Though she had now an opportunity of escaping unperceived, her revengeful temper could not let slip so favourable an opportunity of killing one of her enemies. The at tempt was manifestly at the hazard of her own life ; yet seizing a hatchet, she plunged it into the head of a sa vage who lay next her, and fled." The desire of yen geance is so prominent a feature m the character of thy. American Indians, that it often shows itself in indiscri minate against inanimate objects. It one of then: is struck accidentally by a stone, he seizes it in a pa roxysm of anger, and dashes it upon the ground : if he is wounded by an arrow in battle, he will tear it from his body, and break it in pieces with his teeth. The same principle directs his public conduct. Against the enemies of his tribe, his vengeance has no limits. Time cannot efface the remembrance of an injury ; it is cher ished and kept alive with the most studious ( are ; and it even goes down from one generation to another with all its associated feelings, and w ith these feelings in all their exercise. The blood of the offender alone can expiate the transgression. If the domain appropriated to hunting be invaded, or if an individual 01 a tribe be cut off, the desire of vengeance swells in eN cry breast with instinctive emotion, and instantly kindles into rage.
It sparkles in every eye, and gives activity to every Ihnb. The resentment of the nation becomes implaca ble; determine never to be reconciled, Ile% r to make peace. (Colden. Hist. of the Five i. 108, and ii. 126. Lafitau, i. 4.16.) Months and years roll away, and the purpose of vengeance continues deep in the heart, and rankling in all its malignity ; and it shows itself, in tremendous execution, when it is least expect ed or feared. The Indian fights not to conquer his enemies, but to satiate his revenge ; and that (lest] ac tive passion is not gratified till he has glutted himself with the blood of the hostile tribe, and rejoiced in the extinction of its name.
In a small community, the death of an individual is felt as a loss by the whole ; and all the members of which it is composed regard themselves as bound to avenge it. As they have few objects to exercise their thoughts, the diminution of their number, by the attack or the treachery of an enemy, is continually before their eyes ; and resentment is kept awake by reflecting on the courage and the military virtues of him whom they have lost. His faithful attachment to his tribe, his boldness and address in hunting, with many associated circum stances of endearment, rush into their minds ; their grief is changed into hatred of those who have caused their sorrow, and they rise, to go, " and eat the nation which has injured them." It is to the principle of re venge that the leaders of a tribe apply themselves, when they would rouse the voting men to follow them to the field. The speeches which are made on such oc casions are in a bold and figurative style, and delivered with gestures equally violent and expressive. Some of these specimens of savage eloquence, the most accom plished orators of a cultivated age and people might be proud to own. " The bones of our connu ymen," say the chiefs, " lie uncovered ; their bloody bed has not been washed clean ; their spirits cry against us ; they must be appeased. Let us go and devour the people by whom they have been slain. Sit no longer inactive upon your mats ; lift the hatchet ; console the spirits of the dead, and tell them that they shall be avenged." See Charlevoix Hist. de In X.atvelle Trailer, iii. 216, 217, and Lery Owl de Bry. iii. 204.