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| 1540 Desoto |
HERNANDO de SOTO
"Saturday, the fifth of June, was the day that they entered in Chiaha; and since from Xuala [Tryon, North Carolina] all their travel had been through a mountain range and the horses were tired and thin, and the Christians likewise fatigued, it was advisable to halt and rest there; and they [the Cherokee] gave them an abundance of good corn, of which there is much... and considerable oil of walnuts and acorns which they knew how to extract very well, and it was very good and helped them very much for their sustenance, although some are wont to say that the oil of walnuts causes flatulence; notwithstanding, it is very delicious..." DeSoto, Hernando. Rodrigo Ranjel, and The King's Agent with De Soto, Luys Hernández de Biedma. Bourne, Edward Gaylord (editor) and Buckingham Smith (translator). Narratives of the Career of Hernando de Soto in the Conquest of Florida as Told by a Knight of Elvas and in a Relation by Luys Hernandez de Beidma, Factor of the Expedition. Together with an Account of de Soto's Expedition Based on the Diary of Rodrigo Ranjel, His Private Secretary Translated from Oviedo's Historia General y Natural de las Indias. (New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1904). Volume 2, pages 41-157.Online facsimile edition at http://www.americanjourneys.org/aj-023/summary/index.asp . Accessed December 16, 2007. |
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| Lawson 1714 |
JOHN LAWSON HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA (1714) |
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| John Lawson (1674-1711) an explorer and surveyor was commissioned by James Petiver, a London apothecary and botanist to collect specimens of floras in the New World. Lawson completed this work and continued his stay in the Colonies and recorded many of his adventures in a series of diaries. One particular adventure which began in December of 1700, took Lawson to "the Ledges of Mountains" in what is now the beginning of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This journey of 57 days covered some 550 miles. Lawson settled in the area of North Carolina now known as New Bern. |
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Preface "Having spent most of my Time, during my eight Years Abode in Carolina, in travelling; I not only survey'd the Sea-Coast and those Parts which are already inhabited by the Christians, but likewise view'd a spatious Tract of Land, lying betwixt the Inhabitants and the Ledges of Mountains, from whence our noblest Rivers have their Rise, running towards the Ocean, where they water as pleasant a Country as any in Europe; the Discovery of which being never yet made Publick, I have, in the following Sheets, given you a faithful Account thereof, wherein I have laid down every thing with Impartiality, and Truth, which is indeed, the Duty of every Author, and preferable to a smooth Stile, accompany'd with Falsities and Hyperboles. Great part of this pleasant and healthful Country is inhabited by none but Savages, who covet a Christian Neighbourhood, for the Advantage of Trade, and enjoy all the Comforts of Life, free from Care and Want." Sunday 15 Miles. This Day all of us had a Mind to have rested, but the Indian was much against it, alleging, That the Place we lay at, was not good to hunt in; telling us, if we would go on, by Noon, he would bring us to a more convenient Place; so we mov'd forwards, and about twelve a Clock came to the most amazing Prospect I had seen since I had been in Carolina; we travell'd by a Swamp-Side, which Swamp I believe to be no less than twenty Miles over, the other Side being as far as I could well discern, there appearing great Ridges of Mountains, bearing from us W. N. W. One Alp with a Top like a Sugar-loaf, advanc'd its Head above all the rest very considerably; the Day was very serene, which gave us the Advantage of seeing a long Way; these Mountains were cloth'd all over with Trees, which seem'd to us to be very large Timbers. [p.25] "Five Miles from this River, to the N. W. stands the Keyauwees Town. They are fortify'd in, with wooden Puncheons, like Sapona, being a People much of the same Number. Nature hath so fortify'd this Town, with Mountains, that were it a Seat of War, it might easily be made impregnable; having large Corn-Fields joining to their Cabins, and a Savanna near the Town, at the Foot of these Mountains, that is capable of keeping some hundred Heads of Cattle. And all this environ'd round with very high Mountains, so that no hard Wind ever troubles these Inhabitants. Those high [p.50] Clifts have no Grass growing on them, and very few Trees, which are very short, and stand at a great Distance one from another. The Earth is of a red Colour, and seems to me to be wholly design'd by Nature for the 'Production of Minerals, being of too hot a Quality, to suffer any Verdure upon its Surface. These Indians make use of Lead-Ore, to paint their Faces withal, which they get in the neighbouring Mountains. As for the refining of Metals, the Indians are wholly ignorant of it, being content with the Realgar. But if it be my Chance, once more to visit these Hilly Parts, I shall make a longer Stay amongst them: For were a good Vein of Lead found out, and work'd by an ingenious Hand, it might be of no small Advantage to the Undertaker, there being great Convenience for smelting, either by Bellows or Reverberation; and the Working of these Mines might discover some that are much richer. At the Top of one of these Mountains, is a Cave that 100 Men may fit very conveniently to dine in; whether natural, or artificial, I could not learn. There is a fine Bole between this Place, and the Saps. These Valleys thus hemm'd in with Mountains, would (doubtless) prove a good place for propagating some sort of Fruits, that our Easterly Winds commonly blast. The Vine could not miss of thriving well here; but we of the Northern Climate are neither Artists, nor curious, in propagating that pleasant and Vegetable. Near the Town, is such another Current, as Heighwaree. We being fix in Company, divided ourselves into Two Parties; and it was my Lot to be at the House of Keyauwees Jack, who is King of that People. He is a Congeree-Indian, and ran away when he was a Boy. He got this Government by Marriage with the Queen; the Female Issue carrying the Heritage, for fear of Impostors; the Savages well knowing, how much Frailty possesses the Indian Women, betwixt the Garters and the Girdle. [p.51] "... I believe, no Man that is in his Wits, and understands the Situation and Affairs of America, but will allow, nothing can be of more Security and Advantage to the Crown and Subjects of Great-Britain, than to have our Frontiers secured by a warlike People, and our Friends, as the Switzers are; especially when we have more Indians than we can civilize, and so many Christian Enemies lying on the back of us, that we do not know how long or short a time it may be, before they visit us. Add to these, the Effects and Product that may be expected from those Mountains; which may hereafter prove of great Advantage to the British Monarchy, and none more fit than an industrious People, bred in a mountainous Country, and inur'd to all the Fatigues of War and Travel, to improve a Country. Thus we have no room to doubt, but as soon as any of those Parts are seated by the Switzers, a great many Britains will strive to live amongst them, for the Benefit of the sweet Air and healthful Climate, which that Country affords, were it only for the Cultivating of Hemp, Flax, Wine, and other valuable Staples, which those People are fully acquainted withal: Not to mention the Advantages already discover'd by that worthy Gentleman I just now spoke of, who is highly deserving of the Conduct and Management of such an Affair, as that wife Canton has entrusted him withal." [Note: First entitled A New Voyage to Carolina; Containing the Exact Description and Natural History of that Country: Together with the Present State therof. And A Journal of a Thousand miles travel'd thro' several Nations of Indians. Giving a particular Account of their Customs, Manners, &c. and published in 1711 in the two-volume compilation of Stevens's New Collection of Voyages and Travels,. the title was changed in 1714 and 1718 to The History of Carolina and published as a single volume. German editions were also printed in 1709 and in 1722.] See DocSouth electronic FULL TEXT. Lawson, John (1674-1711). History of North Carolina. London: W. Taylor and F. Baker, 1714 ; 1718. |
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| Catesby 1683-1749 |
MARK CATESBY
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CAROLINA, FLORIDA ... Catesby, Mark. The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and Bahama Islands, 1683-1749 - Vol. I and II, particularly section on North Carolina. browse especially - A Map of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands with Adjacent Parts |
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| Longe 1725 |
ALEXANDER LONGE A SMALL POSTSCRIPT ... Alexander Longe was an early trader with the Cherokee Indians and because of his knowledge of the Cherokee, he was called upon to interpret for the tribe as early as 1710. With Eleazer Wiggen, Longe operated a trading post near the Euchee [Yuchi] town of Chestowe, in the corner of what is today northeastern Georgia, in the heart of Cherokee territory. Longe apparently instigated a battle between the Yuchi and the Cherokee in order to promote his trade, which resulted in the death of many Euchee [Yuchi] and the so-called Yamasee War. Longe's actions were called into question by the Board of Commissioners of Indian Trade and his trial is recorded and his graphic and often astute observations of the Cherokee were preserved as part of the trial and provide one of the earliest and most comprehensive account of Cherokee Indian life in the first part of the eighteenth century. Long[e], Alexander. "A Small Postscript of the Ways and Manners of the Indians Called Charikees, 1725." Southern Indian Studies 21 (1969): 3-49. See also: Ramsey William L. The Yamasee War: a study of culture, economy, and conflict in the Colonial South, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2008. |
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| Byrd 1728-33 |
WILLIAM BYRD The Westover Manuscripts: Containing the History of the Dividing Line Betwixt
Virginia and North Carolina; A Journey to the Land of Eden, A. D. 1733;
and A Progress to the Mines. Written from 1728 to 1736, and Now First
Published "All these delays retard their progress intolerably; whereas, if they had only a few asses, they would abide close to the camp, and find sufficient food every where, and in all seasons of the year. Men would then be able to travel safely over hills and dales, nor would the steepest mountains obstruct their progress. They might also search more narrowly for mines and other productions of nature, without being confined to level grounds, in compliment to the jades they ride on. And one may foretell, without the spirit of divination, that so long as woodsmen continue to range on horse-back, we shall be strangers to our own country, and few or no valuable discoveries will ever be made! The French couriers de bois, who have run from one end of the continent to the other, have performed it all on foot, or else in all probability must have continued full as ignorant as we are. Our country has now been inhabited more than one hundred and thirty years by the English, and still we hardly know any thing of the Appallachian mountains, that are no where above two hundred and fifty miles from the sea. Whereas the French, who are later comers, have ranged from Quebec southward as far as the mouth of Mississippi, in the bay of Mexico, and to the west almost as far as California, which is either way above two thousand miles." p.72 "Whereupon we humbly propose, that the lords proprietors be acquainted with the foregoing complaint of the trifling delays of their commissioners, which delays it is reasonable to believe have proceeded from the self-interest of those commissioners, and that therefore your majesty's pleasure be signified to the said lords proprietors, that by the first opportunity they send orders to their governor or commander in chief of Carolina for the time being, to issue forth a new commission, to the purport of that lately issued, thereby constituting two other persons, not having any personal interest in, or claim to, any of the land lying within the boundary, in the room of Edward [p. 96]Moseley and John Lawson. The Carolina commissioners to be appointed being strictly required to finish their survey, and to make a return thereof in conjunction with the Virginia commissioners, within six months, to be computed from the time, that due notice shall be given by your majesty's lieutenant governor of Virginia to the governor or commander in chief of Carolina, of the time and place, which your majesty's said lieutenant governor shall appoint for the first meeting of the commissioners on one part and the other. In order whereunto we humbly offer, that directions be sent to the said lieutenant governor, to give such notice accordingly; and if after notice so given, the Carolina commissioners shall refuse or neglect to join with those on the part of Virginia, in making such survey, as likewise a return thereof within the time before mentioned; that then and in such case the commissioners on the part of Virginia be directed to draw up an account of the proper observations and survey which they shall have made for ascertaining the bounds between Virginia and Carolina, and to deliver the same in writing under their hands and seals to the lieutenant governor and council of Virginia, to the end the same may be laid before your majesty, for your majesty's final determination therein, within, with regard to the settling of those boundaries; the lords proprietors having, by an instrument under their hands, submitted the same to your majesty's royal determination, which instrument, dated in March, 1708, is lying in this office. And lastly, we humbly propose, that your majesty's further pleasure be signified to the said lords proprietors, and in like manner to the lieutenant governor of Virginia, that no grants be passed by either of those governments of any of the lands lying within the controverted bounds, until such bounds shall be ascertained and settled as aforesaid, whereby it may appear whether those lands do of right belong to your majesty, or to the lords proprietors of Carolina." [p.97] Byrd, William. The Westover Manuscripts: Containing the History of
the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina; A Journey to the
Land of Eden, A. D. 1733; and A Progress to the Mines. Written from 1728
to 1736, and Now First Published . William Byrd, of Westover Edmund
Ruffin. iv, 143 [1] p., ill.PETERSBURG: |
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| Bartram 1739-1823 |
WILLIAM BARTRAM TRAVELS ... "The mountainous wilderness which I had lately traversed appeared regularly undulated as the great ocean after a tempest; the undulations gradually depressing, yet perfectly regular, as the squama of fish, or imbrications of tile on a roof: the nearest ground to me of a perfect full green; next more glaucous; and lastly almost blue as the ether with which the most distant curve of the horizon seemed to be blended. My imagination thus wholly engaged in the contemplation of this magnificent landscape, infinitely varied, and without bound, I was almost insensible or regardless of the charming objects more within my reach." [Quoted by Charles Frazier in Cold Mountain, p. 276.] "AFTER leaving Broad River, the land rises very sensibly, and the country being mountainous, our progress became daily more difficult and slow; yet the varied scenes of pyramidal hills, high forests, rich vales, serpentine rivers, and cataracts, fully compensated for our difficulties and delays. I observed the great Aconitum napellus, Delphinium perigrinum, the carminative Angelica lucida,* [ White Root.] and cerulean Malva." ..... KEOWE is a most charming situation, and the adjacent heights are naturally so formed and disposed, as with little expensive of military architecture to be rendered almost impregnable; in a fertile vale, at this season, enameled with the incarnate fragrant strawberries and blooming plants, through which the beautiful river meanders, sometimes gently flowing, but more frequently agitated, gliding swiftly between the fruitful strawberry banks, environed at various distances, by high hills and mountains, some rising boldly almost upright upon the verge of the expansive lawn, so as to overlook and shadow it, whilst others more lofty, superb, misty and blue, majestically mount far above. .... THE evening still and calm, all silent and peaceable, a vivifying gentle breeze continually wafted from the fragrant strawberry fields, and aromatic Calycanthean groves on the surrounding heights, the wary moor fowl thundering in the distant echoing hills, how the groves and hills ring with the shrill perpetual voice of the whip-poor-will! ABANDONED as my situation now was, yet thank heaven many objects met together at this time, and conspired to conciliate, and in some degree compose my mind, heretofore somewhat dejected and unharmonized: all alone in a wild Indian country, a thousand miles from my native land, and a vast distance from any settlements of white people. It is true, here were some of my own colour, yet they were strangers, and though friendly and hospitable, their manners and customs of living so different from what I had been accustomed to, administered but little to my consolation: some hundred miles yet to travel, the savage vindictive inhabitants lately ill-treated by the frontier Virginians, blood being spilt between them and the injury not yet wiped away by formal treaty; the Cherokees extremely jealous of white people travelling [sic] about their mountains, especially if they should be seen peeping in amongst the rocks or digging up their earth." 'Having gained the summit, we enjoyed a most enchanting view; a vast expanse of green meadows and strawberry fields; a a meandering river gliding through, saluting in its various turning the swelling, green, turfy knolls, embellished with parterres of flowers and fruitful strawberry beds; flocks of turkies strolling about them; herds of deer prancing in the meads or bounding over the hills; companies of young, innocent Cherokee virgins, some busy gathering the rich fragrant fruit, others having already filled their baskets, lay reclined under the shade of floriferous and fragrant native bowers of Magnolia, Azalea, Philadelphus, perfumed Calycanthus, sweet Yellow Jessamine and cerulean Glycine frutescens, disclosing their beauties to the fluttering breeze, and bathing their limbs in the cool fleeting streams; whilst other parties, more gay and libertine, were yet collecting strawberries, or wantonly chasing their companions, tantalizing them, staining their lips and cheeks with the rich fruit." [Quoted by Charles Frazier in Cold Mountain, p. 330.] Bartram, William. Travels Through North & South Carolina, Georgia, East & West Florida, the Cherokee Country, the Extensive Territories of the Muscogulges, or Creek Confederacy, and the Country of the Chactaws; Containing An Account of the Soil and Natural Productions of Those Regions, Together with Observations on the Manners of the Indians. Embellished with Copper-Plates. 1739-1823 [online facsimile edition edition at http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bartram/bartram.html. Accessed December 16, 2007.] |
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| Morse 1793 |
JEDIDIAH MORSE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY Morse, Jedidiah, 1761-1826, American Geography .Printed at Boston, : by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold at their bookstore, Faust's Statue, no. 45, Newbury Street; by said Thomas, in Worcester; by Berry, Rogers and Berry, in New York; by H. and P. Rice, in Philadelphia; and by W.P. Young, in Charleston., MDCCXCIII. [1793] 2 v. : ill., maps ; 23 cm. (8vo) [MICROFILM ONLY] |
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| Brown 1795 |
JOHN BROWN JOURNAL OF TRAVEL IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, 1795 " I received a letter from Mr. Williams of Buncombe and Wrote an answer. On the st day of May I staid in Town and went to the Singing School. In the afternoon I Darnk some Toddy in Company with Col. McDowell and on the 2nd I started and wrode 1 mile to Cuttaby River and Continued 15 miles to Linvil River and crossed and Rode 9 miles to the North Cove and fed my hoarse and continued 9 miles across the Blew Ridge or Mountain to the Toe River and Stoped at Mr. Devinports when I arrived I inquired for Mr. McCoy who was Surveying for me his hands was waiting for me and he had gone home to get some Clothes it is Saturday Evening. On Sunday the 3rd I staid for his return. This Mr. Davenport was a Methodist. About ten or Elevin O'Clock there was seats Prepared. I found that we were to have a Sermon. I seated myself near one of the doars and looked for our Orator. After a Considerable spell of Grunting there was a man rose up Dressed in a very indifferent apparel. He had a midling good Pair of old mocasons his leggons that was wonce linen But what they were is more than I can describe. He Prayed they got up and sung their hyms. I sot still all the Time he told them a grate many little things & made a Shoart Sermon. In the afternoon I wal,k out and Red some my letters to divert myself. ..." See Vance Brown Collection, UNCA Special Collections, and "John Brown's Journal of Travel in Western North Carolina in 1795." Edited by A.R. Newsome. North Carolina Historical Review, 11 (1934). |
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