Adair's History of the American Indians

Adair's History of the American Indians

The following history, and observations, are the productions of one who hath been chiefly engaged in an Indian life ever since the year 1735: and most of the pages were written among our old friendly Chikkasah, with whom I first traded in the year 1744. The subjects are interesting, as well as amusing; but never was a literary work begun and carried on with greater disadvantages. The author was separated by his situation, from the conversation of the learned, and from any librariesFrequently interrupted also by business, and obliged to conceal his papers, through the natural jealousy of the natives; the traders letters of correspondence always excited their suspicions, and often gave offence.Another difficulty I had to encounter, was the secrecy and closeness of the Indians as to their own affairs, and their prying disposition into those of othersso that there is no possibility of retirement among them. A view of the disadvantages of my situation, made me reluctant to comply with the earnest and repeated solicitation of many worthy friends, to give the public an account of the Indian nations with whom I had long resided, was so intimately connected, and of whom scarcely anything had yet been published but romance and a mass of fiction. My friends at last prevailed, and on perusing the sheets, they were pleased to approve the contents, as conveying true information, and general entertainment. Having no ambition to appear in the world as an author, and knowing that my history differed essentially from all former publications of the kind, I first resolved to suppress my name; but my friends advised me to own the work, and thus it is tendered to the public in the present form. The performance, hath doubtless imperfection, humanum est errate. Some readers may think, there is too much of what relates to myself, and to the adventures of small parties among the Indians and traders. But minute circumstances are often of great consequence, especially in discovering the descent and genius of a peopledescribing their manners and customsand giving proper information to rulers at a distance. I thought it xxxvibetter to be esteemed prolix, than to omit any thing that might be useful on these points. Some repetitions, which occur, were necessaryThe history of the several Indian nations being so much intermixed with each other, and their customs so nearly alike. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 67699
Author: Adair, James
Release Date: Mar 24, 2022
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: The Watauga Press
Publication Date: 1930
Publisher Country: United States

Contributors

Editor: Williams, Samuel Cole, 1864-1947