A New Voyage to Carolina: Containing the exact description and natural history of that country; together with the present state thereof; and a journal of a thousand miles, travel'd thro' several nations of Indians; giving a particular account of their customs, manners, etc.Lawson, John
History
A New Voyage to Carolina: Containing the exact description and natural history of that country; together with the present state thereof; and a journal of a thousand miles, travel'd thro' several nations of Indians; giving a particular account of their customs, manners, etc.
Lawson, John
Indians of North America -- North Carolina; Indians of North America -- North Carolina -- Early works to 1800; Natural history -- North Carolina -- Early works to 1800; North Carolina -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; South Carolina -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
The Mould here is excessive rich, and a Country very pleasing to the Eye,
had it the Convenience of a navigable River, as all new Colonies
(of Necessity) require. It would make a delightful Settlement.
We went eight Miles farther, and came to the Wateree Chickanee Indians.
The Land holds good, there being not a Spot of bad Land to be seen
in several Days going.
The People of this Nation are likely tall Persons, and great Pilferers,
stealing from us any Thing they could lay their Hands on,
though very respectful in giving us what Victuals we wanted.
We lay in their Cabins all Night, being dark smoaky Holes,
as ever I saw any Indians dwell in. This Nation is much more populous
than the Congerees, and their Neighbours, yet understand not
one anothers Speech. They are very poor in English Effects,
several of them having no Guns, making Use of Bows and Arrows,
being a lazy idle People, a Quality incident to most Indians,
but none to that Degree as these, as I ever met withal.
Their Country is wholly free from Swamps and Quagmires, being high dry Land,
and consequently healthful, producing large Corn-Stalks, and fair Grain.
{Sunday.}
Next Morning, we took off our Beards with a Razor, the Indians looking on
with a great deal of Admiration. They told us, they had never seen
the like before, and that our Knives cut far better than those
that came amongst the Indians. They would fain have borrow'd our Razors,
as they had our Knives, Scissors, and Tobacco-Tongs, the day before,
being as ingenious at picking of Pockets, as any, I believe,
the World affords; for they will steal with their Feet.
Yesterday, one of our Company, not walking so fast as the rest,
was left behind. He being out of Sight before we miss'd him,
and not coming up to us, tho' we staid a considerable time on the Road
for him, we stuck up Sticks in the Ground, and left other Tokens
to direct him which way we were gone: But he came not to us that Night,
which gave us Occasion to fear some of the Heathens had kill'd him,
for his Cloaths, or the savage Beasts had devour'd him in the Wilderness,
he having nothing about him to strike Fire withal. As we were debating
which way we should send to know what was become of him, he overtook us,
having a Waxsaw Indian for his Guide. He told us, he had miss'd the Path,
and got to another Nation of Indians, but 3 Miles off, who at that time
held great Feasting. They had entertain'd him very respectfully,
and sent that Indian to invite us amongst them, wondring that
we would not take up our Quarters with them, but make our Abode
with such a poor Sort of Indians, that were not capable of entertaining us
according to our Deserts: We receiv'd the Messenger with
a great many Ceremonies, acceptable to those sort of Creatures.
Bidding our Waterree King adieu, we set forth towards the Waxsaws,
going along clear'd Ground all the Way. Upon our Arrival, we were led into
a very large and lightsome Cabin, the like I have not met withal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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