Page:The History of the American Indians.djvu/280

 26$ An Account of the Mufkohge Nation.

gles in defence of liberty, fettled their prefent abode : but the Mofkohge record themfelves to be terra; rtlii, and believe their original predeceffbrs came from the weft, and refided under ground, which feems to be a faint image of the original formation of mankind out of the earth, perverted by time, and the ufual arts of prieft-craft.

It will be fortunate, if the late peace between the Mufkohge and Choktah, through the mediation of a fuperintendant, doth not foon affect the fecurity of Georgia, and Eaft and Weft-Florida, efpecially mould it continue long, and Britain and Spain engage in a war againft each other : for Spain will fuppljr them with warlike ftores, and in concert, may without much oppofition, re take the Floridas ; which they feem to have much at heart. A Cuba veflel,. in the year 1767, which feemed to be coafting on purpofe to meet fome of the Mulkohge, found a camp of them almoft oppofite to the Apalachc old fields, and propofed purchafing thofe lands from them ; in order to fecure- their liberties, and, at the fame time, gratify the inherent, ardent defire they always had to oppofe the Englifh nation. After many artful flourifhes* well adapted to foothe the natives into a compliance on account of the reciprocal advantages they propofed, fome of the Mufkohge confented to go in the vefFel to the Havannah, and there finilh the friendly bargain. They went, and at the time propofed, were fent back to the fame place, but, as they are very clofe in their fecrets, the traders know not the re- fult of that affair^ but when things in Europe require, time will difclofe it.

As the Mufkohge were well known to be very mifchievous to our bar rier-inhabitants, and to be an over-match for the numerous and fickle Chok- tah, the few warlike Chikkafkh, by being put in the fcale with thefe, would in a few years, have made the Mufkohge kick the beam. Thus our fouthern colonifts might have fat in pleafure r and fecurity, under their fig- trees, and in their charming arbours of fruitful grape-vines. But now, they are uncertain whether they plant for themfelves, or for the red favages r who frequently take away by force or ftealth, their hories and other effects. The Mufkohge chieftain, called the " Great Mortar," abetted the Cheerake againft us, as hath been already noticed, and frequently, with his warriors and relations, carried them as good a fupply of ammunition, as the French of the Alebahmah-garrifon could well fpare : for by order of their govern.- meat, they were bound to referve a certain quantity, for any imforefeen occa-

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