The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-24
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
The Old New York Frontier.


Frontier" Mr.. Francis Whiting Halsey has
made a real contribution to American his
tory and in doing il has written most &c
lightfully entertaining book. The story OF
the Susquehanna Valley has long waited
for consecutive and full narration. Chroni-
clers have written of the border wars. of
the life of Brant, and the stories OF Herki-
mer and Clinton. but never has a con
tinuous historical record been written
covering the period from our day back to
the years when the feet of white men first
followed the Indian trails OF the Susque-
hanna" Native of this beautiful region,
Mr.. Halsey shows in every page his love
for the valley and brings to his subject the
keenest syn Dathy and appreciation. Years
supplemented by delightful literary
style. and the reader must go back to
Parkman for adequate comparison.
Whoever holds the belief that the only
good Indian is the dead Indian should read
what Mr.. Halsey says of the Iroquois,
tho noblest and most interesting OF all
Indians who have lived on this continent
north of Mexico" He makes clear their
love of liberty. their generous wisdom.
their valor in war and their progress in
peace. The formation of the Iroquois
League dates back almost to the landing OF
Columbus. Five nations composed ii then;
later the Tuscaroras were admitted and
thereafter these Indians were known as
the Six Nations. They founded independ-
ence: effected union of states; carried
their arms beyond their own borders; made
their conquests permanent, conquered peo-
pies becoming tributary states much after
the manner of those which Rome con-
quered two thousand years ago, or those
which England subdues in our day. In
diplomacy they matched the white man
from Europe. They had sef-control, knowl-
edge of human nature, tact and sagacity,
and they often became the arbiters in dis
putes between other peoples. Universal
testimony has been borne TO their Oratory,
OF which the merit was its naturalness, and
which bears the supreme test of transla-
ton. Convinced that they were born free,
they bore themselves with the pride which
sprang from that consciousness. Sover-
elgns they were, and the only account
ability they acknowledged was an account
ability to the great spirit"
Above all the Indians of all the tribes. in
TACT above all the men, either red or white,
that made history in that historical region
the majestic figure of Joseph Brant stands
out clear and strong. He was a hero i'm
heroic times, warrior, a statesman. an
orator and a great leader of men. His
likeness fittingly serves as a ntispiece
TO Mr.. HalSeys admirable volume; and 10
know of him. if for no other reason. 1.-The
Old New York Frontier should be read by
everyone that has pride in his country 5
history.
The first chapter is devoted to the Sus-
quehann9 river and the Indians before the
coming of the white men. The actual his
tory begins with the year 1914, when a
Dutchman went TO Albany. set up trad
ing post and erected a fort, and from this
on through the coming of the Jesuits of
the missionaries, of Gideon Hawley, Will
liam Penn and Sir William Johnson, to-
gether with the accounts of land titles and
ground patents, down to the border wars
Mr.. Halsey has given us much that is new
and all that is worth while.
Following this section of the book are the
border wars. the real origin and motives
of which. especially on the side of Brani
and his indian followers the author has
set forth more clearly and more fully than
nave any OF his predecessors. Brant, OF
course. is the great figure in these wars
but Generals Herkimer and Stark and
Gates play conspicuous parts, though the
tragedies at Cherry Valley, Springfield
and Cobbleskill rather dimmed their glory
and discouraged the settlers so that Gems
sullivan and Clinton were sent by the
Continental Congress to replace them anC
TO make national campaign.
Sullivan overturned he Iroquois civiliza
ton and his ruthless warfare in western
and central New York has been likened &c
Sherman's march to the sea. Little re-
manned to be destroyed on the upper Sus
quehanna. That region had become "A lanc
of silence and desolation. Its houses
were in ruins; its people fed: its soil haC
been given up TO natures wild growths-
and new and deeper bitterness was in
fused into the heart and soul of the In
diam. Sullivan committed his devastation
and returned to the seaboard, but the trou
bic was not ended. Brant and Sir Johr
Johnson returned to make a last stand
They found Colonel Wilt waiting fol
them. He was great fighter and the peo
pie or the valley took heart at his arrival
His campaign was successful. Capt. Wal
ter Butler was killed and the Indian ans
Tory forces completely routed. Brant es
capped TO Canada, from whence he saile6
for London. The last section of the bool
is devoted to the return of the former set
tiers and the restoration of the frontier.
Mr.. Halsey has handled his material Will
great skill. He has made a full and con
secutive narrative of this tragic time II
the Empire States history. He has done /
with taste and a fine literary experiences
THE Old New York Frontier is valuabl,
and Informative and entertaining !
photography, a clear map and a full indie.
are features that add to the volumes com
pleteness. The publishers are Charles
Scribner's Sons. H. H. II.