Chapter III: Book D: , pp. 358, 379, S. C. Archives, and S. C. Gazette of Aug. 2,

1760. The Chickasaws, under Brown and Adair, were by no means pleased
by the inactivity of Montgomery at Fort Prince George and less so by
his decision to beat a further retreat to Charles Town. For mention of
their own activities, see _S. C. Gazette_ of Aug. 2, 1760, based upon
communication from that fort of July 14th. “We hear that the
Chickasaws who arrived at Fort Prince George the 5th instant have left
that fort with disgust after scouting three or four days about it, and
that they got a few scalps which they carried with them.” _Ibid._, of
July 26th.

Footnote i20:

“The Virginia troops likewise kept far off in flourishing parade,
without coming to our assistance.” See notes 139-41 to text, _infra_.

Footnote i21:

_S. C. Gazette_, Aug. 9, 1760.

Footnote i22:

Canadian Archives, Pub. Rec. Off. Papers, C.O., V, 67.

Footnote i23:

_Infra_, pp. 289, 365.

Footnote i24:

About the time of Adair’s reputed death-date the Cherokees in large
numbers were influenced by British agents to move southward from their
Little Tennessee River towards and into Upper Georgia.

Footnote i25:

For sketch of Gen. Martin see Williams, _Lost State of Franklin_, 212,
323, and _Early Travels in the Tennessee Country_, 251, 465; also
Weeks, _General Joseph Martin_, _passim_. He was among the Overhill
Cherokees nearly ten years (1777-1787). Judge Samuel Martin Young, of
Dixon Springs, Tennessee, a descendant of Col. Wm. Martin, son of
General Martin, and who has in possession papers of both, writes the
editor: “I do not doubt that Gen. Martin and James Adair were
personally acquainted, for I think they were in the same section of
country for some time, several years, perhaps; but that they were ever
in any joint work or enterprise, I could not say.” (Jan. 25, 1930.)

Footnote i26:

Williams, _Early Travels in the Tennessee Country_, 490.

Footnote i27:

For the views of a Jew who was acquainted with the Southern tribes,
particularly with the Creeks, see n. 22, _infra_.

A MAP
of the
AMERICAN INDIAN NATIONS
_adjoining to the_
MISSISIPPI,
WEST & EAST FLORIDA,
GEORGIA,
S. & N. CAROLINA,
VIRGINIA, &C.
]

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

AMERICAN INDIANS,

PARTICULARLY

THOSE NATIONS ADJOINING TO THE MISSISSIPPI, EAST AND WEST FLORIDA,
GEORGIA, SOUTH AND NORTH CAROLINA, AND VIRGINIA.

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR ORIGIN, LANGUAGE, MANNERS, RELIGIOUS AND
CIVIL CUSTOMS, LAWS, FORM OF GOVERNMENT, PUNISHMENTS,
CONDUCT IN WAR AND DOMESTIC LIFE, THEIR HABITS,
DIET, AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, DISEASES
AND METHOD OF CURE, AND
OTHER PARTICULARS, SUFFICIENT
TO RENDER IT

A COMPLETE INDIAN SYSTEM,

WITH

OBSERVATIONS ON FORMER HISTORIANS, THE CONDUCT OF OUR COLONY
GOVERNORS, SUPERINTENDENTS, MISSIONARIES, &C.

ALSO

AN APPENDIX

CONTAINING

A DESCRIPTION OF THE FLORIDAS AND THE MISSISSIPPI LANDS, WITH
THEIR PRODUCTIONS; THE BENEFITS OF COLONIZING GEORGIANA
AND CIVILIZING THE INDIANS; AND THE WAY TO MAKE
ALL THE COLONIES MORE VALUABLE TO THE
MOTHER COUNTRY.

WITH A NEW MAP OF THE COUNTRY REFERRED TO IN THE HISTORY.

BY JAMES ADAIR, ESQUIRE.
A TRADER WITH THE INDIANS, AND RESIDENT IN THEIR COUNTRY FOR FORTY
YEARS.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR EDWARD AND CHARLES DILLY, IN THE POULTRY.
MDCCLXXV.

To

Hon. Colonel George Craghan, George Galphin and Lachlan McGilwray, _Esquires_.[I]

Gentlemen,

To you, with the greatest propriety the following sheets are addressed. Your distinguished abilities—your thorough acquaintance with the North American Indian languages, rites, and customs—your long application and services in the dangerous sphere of an Indian life, and your successful management of the savage natives, all well known over all the continent of America.

You often complained how the public had been imposed upon either by fictitious and fabulous, or very superficial and conjectural accounts of the Indian natives—and as often wished me to devote my leisure hours to drawing up an Indian system. You can witness, that what I now send into the world, was composed more from a regard to your request, than any forward desire of my own. The prospect of your patronage inspired me to write, and it is no small pleasure and honor to me, that such competent judges of the several particulars now presented to public view, expressed themselves with so much approbation of the contents.

You well know the uprightness of my intentions as to the information here given, and that truth hath been my grand standard. I may have erred in the application of the rites and ceremonies of the Indians to their origin and descent—and may have drawn some conclusions exceeding the given evidence—but candor will excuse the language of integrity: and when the genuine principles, customs, etc., of the Indians are known, it will be easier afterwards for persons of solid learning, and free from secular cares, to trace their origin, clear up the remaining difficulties, and produce a more perfect history.

Footnote I:

The late Sir Wm. Johnson, Baronet, was another of the author’s
friends, and stood at the head of the MS Dedication. (A) For sketches
of Galphin and McGilwray, see n. 155 p. 288 _post_. Galphin’s copy of
Adair’s book with his name and the year “1775” on the fly leaf was
lodged in the Charleston Library. (W)

Should my performance be in the least degree instrumental to produce an accurate investigation and knowledge of the American Indians—their civilization—and the happy settlement of the fertile lands around them, I shall rejoice; and the public will be greatly obliged to you, as your request incited to it; and to you I am also indebted for many interesting particulars, and valuable observations.

I embrace this opportunity, of paying a public testimony of my gratitude, for your many favours to me. Permit me also to celebrate your public spirit—your zealous and faithful service of your country—your social and domestic virtues, etc., which have endeared you to your acquaintances, and to all who have heard your names, and make you more illustrious, than can any high sounding titles. All who know you, will readily acquit me of servility and flattery, in this address. Dedications founded on these motives, are the disgrace of literature, and an insult to common sense. There are too many instances of this prostitution in Great Britain for it to be suffered in America. Numbers of high seated patrons are praised for their divine wisdom and godlike virtues, and yet the whole empire is discontented, and America in strong convulsions.

May you long enjoy your usual calm and prosperity! that so the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger may always joyfully return (as in past years) from your hospitable houses—while this Dedication stands as a small proof of that sincere attachment with which I am,

GENTLEMEN
Your most obedient,
Humble Servant,
James Adair.