Washington telegraph., 1845-12-10

ful nation of "Eries," who inhabited this
region OF country. before its sublugation by
the combined forces of the ''lroquois," and
of the stirring scenes which have been
enacted on the spot where Buffalo now
stands. hI-EU-wA-NAH.
INDIAN TRADITION.
The Eries were the most powerful and
warlke of all the Indian tribes. They
resided at the foot of the great Lake,
(Eric,) where now stands the city of
Buffalo, the Indian name for which was
'Tu-s shu- way ..-.
When the Fries heard OF the confedera-
ton which was formed between the Mo-
hawks, who resided in the valley of that
name, the Oneidas, the Onondagos, the
Cayugas, and the Senecas, who resided,
for the most part, upon the shores and the
outlets of the Lakes bearing their names
respectively, (calied by the French the
lroquois naiion,) they imagined it must be
Tor some mischievous purpose. Although
confident of their superiority over any one
Of the tribes inhabiing the countries within
ihe bounds of their knowledge, they dread
ed the power of such combined forces.
in order to satisfy themselves in regard TO
shc character. disposition. and power, of
lhosc they, considered their natural enc
mics, the Eries resorted 10 the following
means.
They sent a friendly message to the
Senecas, who were their nearest neigh
bors, inviting them TO select one hundred
Of their most active, athletic young men,
to play game of bali, against the same
number 10 be selected by the Eries, for a
wager which should be considered worthy
the occasion, and the character of the
great nation in whose behalf the offer was
made.
The message was received and enter
1aincd in the most respectable manner.
A council of the Five Nation" were
called, and the proposition fully discussed.
and a messenger in due t.ms dispatched
with the decision off council, respectfully
declining the challenge. This embroidered
the Fries, and the next year the offer was
renewed, and, after being again considered,
again formally declined. This was far
from satisfying the proud lords of the
"Grcat Lake" and the challenge was re-
newed the third time. The blood of the
young Iroquois could no longer be re-
strained. They importuned the old mcn
to allow them to accept the challenge, and
The wise council which had hitherto pre-
vailed at last gave away, and the challenge
was accepted.
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm
with which each tribe sent forward its
chosen champions for the contest. The
ls,iy difficulty seemed to be. to make a
selection. where all were so worthy. AGer
mIch delay. one hundred OF the flower
ot al! the tribes were finally designated,
and the day for their departure was fixed.
An experienced chief was chosen as the
leader of the psriy..Nvhose orders the Young
III n were strictly cGlniHel 10 obey. /
grand council was called, and in the pres
cuce Of the assembled multitude, the party
was charged. in the most solemn manner.
10 observe a pacific course of cOnduci to-
wards their competitors, and the nation
whose guests they were to become, and To
ail"w n provocation, however great, to
he rescued by any act Of aggression on
their part. but in n! respects to acqli;
themselves worthy The representatives of IA
great and powerful people. anxious to cul-
tiva;e peace and friendship with their
neighbors.
Under these solemn injnnc.ians, the
party took up lis line of march for "Tu-
shu-way." When the chosen band had
arrived in the vicinity of the point of their
destination, messenger was sent forward
to notiiy the Eries Of their arrival, and the
next day was set apart for their grand
entree.
The elegant and athletic firms, the
tasteful, yet not cumbrous dress, the digni-
fed, noble bearing of their chief. and more
than all the modest demeanor OF the young
warriors of the Iroquois party, won the
admiration ofal beholders. They brought
no arms. Each one bore a bat, used to
throw or strike ball, tastefully 0rnamented,
being a hickory stick about five feet long,
bent over at the end and thong netting
wove into the bow. After day of repose
and refreshment, all things were arranged
for the contest. The chief of the Iroquois
brought forward and deposited upon the
ground, large pile of elegantly wrought
belts of wampum, costly Jewels. silver
bands, beautifully ornamen;ed mocasins,
and other articles of great value in the
eyes OF the sons of the forest. as the stake,
or wager, on the part of his people. These
were carefully matched By the Fries with
articles OF equal vaiue-ariicle by article,
tied together aud again deposited on the
pile. .--...... .......
The game began, and although contested
with desperation and great skill by the
Eries, was won by the Iroquois. and thev
bore of the prize in iriumph-ihus ended
the first day. .......