| Citation |
BG.749.039
24 Oct 1749:13,21 (1546)
Extract of a letter from Charlestown, S.Carolina, dated
Sept. 13.
The country is at present very sickly, owing to some great
rains which had occasioned floods in several places. Three
bodies of Indians, being the chiefs of three different
nations ( Cherokees, Catawbaes, and Creeks ) lately arrived
in town, and made peace with each other, at the same time
renewing their alliance with us. Friday & Saturday they
were shewn the armory, the church, where the organs play'd,
the forts where some shot were fir'd of 24 pound weight, and
whatever else was thought curious to them; and they are now
returning to their respective countries. The manner of
their meeting to make peace with each other was somewhat
singular, which I shall therefore relate. The Cherokees
were arriv'd within a mile of town, and and the Catawbaes
about four miles, when messages were sent on both sides, to
signify their desire of living in friendship, and renewing
their peace. Their messengers being returned to their
respective chiefs, both bodies march'd with the greatest
solemnity, and so slow, that they were three hours going a
mile and a half each. When they were approached pretty near
each other, the principal man of each body, stript himself
as naked as he was born, went forward, and embraced the
other, and after a serious discourse, standing hand-in-hand
each put on the other's cloaths, which was followed by a
great shout from both nations. Then both bodies join'd, and
march'd in great order, the chiefs at their head, down to
the camp of the Cherokees, where they all din'd; the next
day the Cherikees din'd with the Catawbaes at their camp.
|