Date published: 1922-01-01
Source: Early History of the Creek Indians and Their Neighbors (ID121)
Author: Swanton, John (ID85)
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Race described: Indian
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Content id: 1324
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1671-08-01 - 1671-08-31

English settlers found Carolina natives poor and Spanishedit

In a letter written to Lord Ashley on August 30, 1671, Maurice Mathews says: The Indians all About vs are bur friends: all y1 we haue knowledge of by theyre Appearance and traid with vs are as followeth: St Helena ye Southermost; Ishpow, Wimbee, Edista, Stono, Keyawah, where we now Hue, Kussoo to ye westward of vs, Sampa, wando Ituan, Gt Pa;5 Sewee, San tee, Wanniah, Elasie, Isaw, Cotachicach, some of these haue 4 or 5 Cassikaes more. or Less Truly to define the power of these Cassukaes I must say thus; it is noe more (scarce as much) as we owne to ye Topakin in England, or A grauer person then our selues; I finde noe tributaries among them, butt intermariages & pouerty causeth them to visitt one Another; neuer quarrelling who is ye better man; they are generally poore & Spanish; Affraid of ye very foot step of a Westoe [Westo]; A sort of people y' Hue vp to the westward [which these say eat people and are great warriors]." Elsewhere in the same letter Mathews mentions an expedition inland in which "About 30 miles or more vpwards wee came Among the Cussoo Indians our friends; with whome I had been twice before." This was on Ashley River. (Swanton)

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