Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-09-05
To the Editor of the Buffalo Com. Adv.
INDIAN TRADITION.

ces Of the war between the Five afterwards
the Sky Nations, and the powerful nation
of' Erics,' who inhabited the region of coun-
try, before its subjugalion by the combined
forces of the 'Iroquois,' and of the string
scenes which have been enacted on the spot
where Buffalo now stands, k,.Eu-wA.NAH.l
The Fries were the most powerful and
warlke Of all the Indian tribes. They re-
sided at the foot of the great lake, Erie, }
where now stands the city Of Buffalo, the
Indian name for which was " In-Shu-
,0ay."
When the Erics heard of the confedera-
ton which was formed between the Mohawks
| who resided in the valley of that name, the
Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas and
Senecas, who resided for the most part upon
the shores and the outlets of the lakes bear
ing their names respectively, (caled by the
French and Iroquis naton) they imagined it
must be for some mischievous purpose. Al
though confident of their superiority over a ny
other of the tribes inhabitng the countries
within the bounds of their knowledge, they
dreaded the power OF the combined forces.
In order to satisfy themselves in regard to
the character, disposition, and power of those
| they considered their natural enemies, the
Fries resorled TO the following means:
They sent freddy message to the Sem
ecas who were their nearest ncighbors, invit-
ing them TO select one hundred of their most
active and athletic young men, TO play a
game of ball against the same number TO be
selected by the Fries, for wager which
should be considered worthy of the occasion
and the character of the great nation IN whose
behalf the offer was made.
The message was received and entertain
ed in the most respectful manner. A coun-
Gil of the Five Nations was called, and the
proposition fully discussed, and messenger
in due time despatched with the decision of
the council, respectfully declining the chal-
lenge. This emboldened the Fries, and The
next year the offer was renewed, and after
being again considered was again formally de.
clined. This was far from satisfying the
proud lords Of the "Great Lake" and the
challenge was renewed the third year. The
blood of the young Iroquois could no longer
be restrained. They importuned the old
men TO allow them to accept the challenge
and tho wise councils which had hitherto pre-
vailed, at last gavy way and the challenge
was accepted.
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with
which each tribe sent forth its chosen cham.
pions for the conlest.-The only difficult,
seemed to be, TO make selection, where al
were so worthy. After much DELAY, one
hundred of the flower of all the tribes wa.
designated, and the day for their departure
was fixed. An experienced chief was cho.
sen as the leader Of the party, whose order.
the young men were strictly enjoined TO obey
A grand council was called, the party wa.
charged, in the most solemn manner, 10 OBJ
serve pacific course of conduct towards
their competitors, and the nation whose
guests they were 10 become, and to allow NJ
provocation, however great to be resented b,
an act OF aggression on their part, but in al
respects 10 acquit themselves worthy of tht
representatives of great and powerful PEG
pie, anxious to cultivate peace and friendship
with their neighbors.
Under these solemn inunctions the part,
took up its line of march for 'Tu- shu- way.
When the chosen band had arrived in the vi
cinity of the point of their destination, mes
senger was sent forward to notify the Erie
of their arrival, and the next day was Sc
apart for their entree.
The elegant and athletic forms, the taste
full, yet not cumbrous dress, the dignilied
noble bearing Of their chief, and more than
all the modest demeanor of the Young Iro
quois party, won the admiration of all be-
holders. They bro'l no arms. Each on,
bore bat, used to throw or strike ball
las'eiully ornanented, being hickory stlci
about five feet long, bent over at the enc
and thong netting wove into the bow. AT
Ter a day OF repose aud reireslment, all thing
we're arranged for the contest. The chief o
] the lroquos brought forward and deposited
, upon the ground large pile of elegantly
! wrought wampum, costly jewels, silver bands
beautifully ornamented moccasins, and 9th
err articles of great value in tho eyes of tn
sons OF the forest, as the stake, or wager, o
| the part Of his people. These were care
fully matched by the Eries w;,l, articles Z
equal value-article by article, tied togethe
} and again deposited on the pile.
, The game began, and although conteste
with desperation and great skill by the Erie:
was won by the Iroquois, land they bore Off tn
/ prize in trlumph-lhus ended the first day.
The lroquos having now accomplishe
J the object of their visit, proposed TO tax
, their leave, but tho chief of the Erics, ad
dressing himself to their leader, said the
young men, though fairly beaten in the gam
of ball, would not be satisfied unless the
t could have foot race, and proposed t
match ten of their number against an equa
number of the lroquois party, which was as
scented to, and the lroquois were again vic
torious. The kaukwans,' who resided o
the Eighteen Mile Creek, being present a
friends and allies of the Fries, now invite
the lroquois party to visit them before the
returned home, and ihilher the whole part
, repaired. The chief Of the Fries as a la,
trial OF the courage and proves OF his guests
proposed TO select ten men TO be matche
, by the same number from the Iroquois part
to wres,e-and that the victor should de.
patch his adversary on the spot by brainin
him with a tomahawk and bearing of iii
, scalp as trophy.
This sangulnary proposition was not at a
pleasing to the lroquois; they however cor
cluded TO accept the challenge, with delel
minalion should they be victorious, not
execute the bloody part of the propositions
The champions were accordingly chosen
Seneca was the first to step into the rim,