PART SECOND.

THE INDIAN TRIBES AND EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT OF THE

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. .

CHAPTER I.

THE WILD HUNTERS OF THE VALLEY.

A very different race from the Mound Builders held possession of the Valley when adventurers from Europe became acquainted with it. Almost without arts which deserved the name, depending chiefly on hunting, fishing, and the spontaneous fruits of the soil, for food, they spent much of their time in roaming from place to place, bestowing very little care or labor on dwellings temporarily occupied. The art of war, which, after hunting, they considered almost the only serious occupation worthy of a man, was, with them, equally simple. It consisted in sudden attacks on the enemy, in which success was largely due to surprise, and in the use of all the stratagems and feints which their ingenuity could devise, but never, when it could be avoided, in a fair and open contest.

It was conducted by small bands, rarely numbering more than a few hundred, who, having struck a decisive blow, or failed in the attempt, withdrew as secretly and rapidly as they had come. They, therefore, seldom fortified themselves, or they did so only when expecting the attack of an unusually formidable and persistent foe. They then contented themselves with a hastily-constructed stockade, or rudely strengthened a naturally strong position to defend themselves against a surprise or the first onset of the enemy. Some more warlike tribes, especially the Iroquois at the northeast, and some

of the Mobilians, in the south, bestowed considerable pains on the defenses of the towns where they left their women and children; but, at the best, they were rudely constructed. The Indian warrior detested continuous labor as a restraint, and felt himself degraded by it. Unless immediately associated with his sports or his warlike occupations, he considered it only fitting for women and slaves. Consequently, he acquired little skill in construction when a somewhat more permanent residence, or the necessities of defense, induced him to undertake it.

The size and special structure of the brain has been found to determine the intellectual rank of the different races of men. The brain of the ancient Peruvian, of the temple builder of Mexico, and of the Mound Builders of the Mississippi Valley contains an average space of seventy-five cubic inches; that of the Indian eighty-three, and of the civilized Germanic races of Europe ninety. The mental force of the Indian is, therefore, midway between that of the Mound Builders and other semi-civilized nations of America, and' that of the most progressive and intelligent modern race. But the brain of the Mound Builder was more symmetrical and indicated, by its proportions, less of the vigorous animal passions and propensities specially characteristic of the Indian. Accordingly the Mound Builder, the ancient Peruvian, Central American and Mexican exhibits less force of will, more docility, and, in general, more of the qualities necessary to patient and continuous labor. Thus, the low forms of civilization developed in Egypt, in ancient Asia and in America, sprung up among races inferior to the modern. Indian, but, having a better balance of faculties-less energy of the passions in comparison with the degree of intelligence -better adapted to steady progress. They submitted readily to authority, could be combined in large masses, and all their physical forces concentrated to carry out the purposes of their rulers. Long and steady practice gives skill and develops

THE MENTAL QUALITIES OF THE INDIAN.

157

intelligence whenever the nature of the work involves thought. Hence, their progress in art, manufactures and industry.

The Indian, with a stronger intellectual organ, but with livelier passions and more strength of will, obstinately resisted the control and restraint necessary to lay the foundations of civilization and maintain a steady growth of improvement. Subjection to the will of another and methodical labor were intolerable to him. With the same strength of the animal propensities and a higher development of the mental faculties, the Indians would, like the Goths, the Gauls, and other German tribes who overthrew the Roman empire, and like the Aztecs, who subdued the Toltecans in Mexico, have admired the arts and comforts of the race they conquered, and the Mound Builders civilization would have been the first stage of a more perfect organization of society, of government, of arts and of religion in the great Valley. But they were like children before intelligence and reflection have matured. The wild, free life of the woods and fields, liberty to rove from place to place at will, were irresistibly attractive to them. A structure of society and government that left the individual free from any constraint not imposed with his own consent was necessary to such a people. Their chiefs were clothed with no coercive authority. Their power rested on public opinion, their personal popularity and tact in peace, and their bravery and success in war. An Indian chief without eminence in personal and popular qualities would have no following and no power.

Even in war no coercion was employed and none was possible. Only those who chose joined a chief in a proposed expedition, and, even after having engaged in it, obedience to him was still substantially voluntary. An Indian army was strong only in its enthusiastic love of war, in its confidence in the leader and its assurance of victory. A repulse or other disheartening event showed it to be a rope of sand. Without shame or loss of reputation the Indian braves abandoned the