BIRCH BARK LEGENDS OF NIAGARA

FOUNDED ON TRADITIONS AMONG THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS

A STORY OF THE LUNAR-BOW;
(Which Brilliantly Adorns Niagara Falls by Moonlight),

OR,

ORIGIN OF THE TOTEM OF THE WOLF

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF JOINSTAGA, FROM WHOM MANY LEGENDS OF THEALMOST FORGOTTEN PAST WERE OBTAINED BY THE AUTHOR OWAHYAH

PREFACE

My preface will be a few citations from reliable authorities tointroduce to my readers the people of whom I write:

GOV. CLINTON, in a discourse delivered before the New York HistoricalSociety, says: "Previous to the occupation of this country by theprogenitors of the present race of Indians, it was inhabited by a raceof men much more populous and much farther advanced in civilization;that the confederacy of the Iroquois is a remarkable and peculiar pieceof legislation; that the more we study the Indian history the more wewill be impressed with the injustice done them. While writers havetruthfully described their deeds of cruelties, why not also quote theirdeeds of kindness, their integrity, hospitality, love of truth, and,above all, unbroken fidelity?"

WASHINGTON IRVING says: "The current opinion of Indian character is tooapt to be formed from the degenerate beings, corrupted and enfeebled bythe vice of society, without being benefitted by its civilization. Thatthere are those, and a large class of them that have with moral firmnessresisted the temptations, with which they have been surrounded, andcommand our highest esteem."

VOLNEY, the French Historian, pronounces the Iroquois "The Romans of the
West."

W. H. C. HOSMER, "The Warriors of Genesee."

ORSEMUS TURNER, in his History of the Holland Purchase, says. "Theexistence of the IROQUOIS upon the soil now constituting Western andMiddle New York, is distinctly traced back to the Period of thediscovery of America.

"Their traditions go beyond that period. They fix upon no definiteperiod in reference to the origin of their confederacy. Their Councilswere held along the southern shores of Lake Ontario, and upon theNiagara River, before the first adventurers, the Dutch, and FrenchJesuits appeared in the valley of the Mohawk; and there are evidences ofa long precedent existence that corresponds with their traditions."

And their Council Fires are still kindled though they burn not asbrightly as of yore. Nor do the young braves listen to the wisdom, orever now in their Councils witness the allegorical or figurativelanguage so beautifully illustrating the discourses of Red Jacket, CornPlanter, Farmers Brother and other Chiefs, thus eulogized by PRES.DWIGHT: "In strength and sublimity of their eloquence they may be fairlycompared with the Greeks."

The INDIANS say: "We listen to your stories, why do you not listen toours? Although civilized, you use not the rules of common civility."

OWAHYAH