Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-12-05
The Indian Country in Canada.

correspondent of the Rochester American,
from Brantford, Canada West, gives the follow
ing picture oflife amoung the Mohawks in Can
ada AIM Baptist.
A few leisure momeots enable me to send
you a word of greetings from the Indian coun-
try upon Grand River. We came here to spend
few days among the Mohawks, away from the
perplexities Of civilized life. At the commence
nlent OF the Revolution, it is well known that
this nation abandoned their establishments upon
the Mohawk, and re.ired to Canada. The Brit
sh Government eventually assigned them large
and beautiful tract upon Grand River, where
they have since resided, and from appearances
have enjoyed large degree Of PROSPERITY Ats
present they number about seven hundred
Soon after their establishment upon this river,
they we're Joined by bands from Onondaga and
Cayuga, and also by large numbers of Tuscaro-
ras, Senacas, and Oneidas The settlement Of
Western New York pushed tide Of population
upon the Indian Districts which the lroquois
Nations were unable to resist, and the largest
part of each nation, except the Seneca, emigrat-
ed to this country and to the West. There is
now upon the Grand River miniature repre-
sentation of the Six Nations, still divided by
boundary lines. preserving their national names
, and affinities, and many Of their ancient Gus
toms, The Mohawks are upon the upper part
of the Grand River, near Brantiord. Next be-
low the n are the Tuscaroras. nubering abeut
three hundred; and next to them are the Onon
dagas, numbering about four hundred Descen
DING the river, you next enter the reserve of the
Cayugas, who number about seven hundred -
= About two hundred Oneidas, Senecas, and Chip
pewas are settled among then thus making the
q total Indian population upon the banks OF this
. river about twenty three hundred. The OneidaI
removed to the river Thames, and to Greer
Bay.
The river, called Swargeh by the Troquois, il
beutifuI stream little larger than The Gene
= see. The soil is extremely fertile, yielding
= bundanty with careful tlage, and very re
'' specially under Indian husbandry; and he gen
" era appearance of the country is very attractive
The indians have 10 villages, but their habita
tions, which are principally upon the west side
of the river, are scattered along the stream with
. in six miles of the river and from Bradford down
I for about twenty miles below. The Mohawks
r are mostly Chnstianzed, as also are the Tusca,
roras but the larger part of tho Cayugas and On
ondagas still adhere to their ancient faith This
portion of the Troquois family are rapidly advan.
cling in their social condition, ifexternql appear
, ances are to be trusted, and something highly
credtable may be expected of them hereafter as
people. shonld not omit to mention that o
steamer plies up Grand River as far as Brant-
ford.
: We have had the pleasure Of several conversa-
, tions with Catherine Brandt, the youngest daugh
, ter Of the celebrated Joseph Brandt.
: -1heyandaneg'a. She is the last surviving child
of this distinguished chief, and is herself quite
advanced in years. Having been familiar with
: English Society from childhood, and received al
early education, the results of both are quite ap
=. parent in her graceful and dignifed department
d and general intelligence upon great variety o
8 subjects.