By Jacob Abbott. Part one of an eight part series on the history of America from its earliest times through to the age of George Washington, told by master storyteller Jacob Abbott.
Starting with a physical description of the geography and natural life of North America, Abbott moves on to address the origins, customs, and traditions of the Indian tribes living in North America. His conclusions—once common knowledge, but now suppressed in the name of political correctness—deal with many of the critical issues which surrounded the original settling of America.
CHAPTER I: Types of Life in America.
Subject of the Volume.—Origin of Vegetable and Animal Life in America.—Means of Communication with the Old World.—The Plants and Animals of America.—Generally New.—Man Admitted to be an Exception.—What Is a Species?—The Distinction of Species Very Permanent.—Evidence of Ancient Records.—Evidence of Fossil Remains.—Opinions of Naturalists and Philosophers.—Examples of Diversity.—The General Types the Same.—The Mystery General.—The Two Principal Theories.—Inquiries into This Subject Right and Proper.—The Testimony of Scripture.—Means of Transportation for Animals and Plants.—Glacial Action.—The Glacial Period of North America
CHAPTER II: Face of the Country.
The Map.—The Lake Country.—Fur-Bearing Animals.—The Indian Inhabitants.—Influence of the Moral Instincts.—The Great Central Valley.—The Soil of the Great Valley.—Formation of Islands in the River.—Swamps.—The Old Forsaken Channels.—The Mouth of the Mississippi.—The Prairies.—The Northern Atlantic Slope.—Native Animals.—Man.—The Southern Atlantic Slope.—Character of the Coast.—The Western Slope.—The Great Salt Desert.—The Deposits of Salt.—The Diggers.—Climate of the Country.—Recapitulation
CHAPTER III: Remarkable Plants
Distinction of Indigenous and Exotic.—The Cotton Plant.—Many Species.—The Sea Island Cotton.—Cotton Intended for the Clothing of Men.—Rice.—Maize.—An Indian Tradition.—The Distinction of Exogenous and Endogenous.—The Tobacco Plant.—The Habit of Using Tobacco.—Botanical Name.—The Potato.—The Magnolia.—The Mahogany Tree
CHAPTER IV: Remarkable Animals
The Beaver.—The Beaver’s Teeth.—Fame of the Beaver.—His System of Building .—The Houses.—Working Hours.—Other Fur-Bearing Animals.—Curious Phenomenon.—The Buffalo.—Animal Migration.—Swimming the Streams.—Crossing on the Ice.—Trails.—Use of the Buffalo .—The Turkey.—The Alligator.—The Eagle.—Cochineal.—The Rattlesnake and Hummingbird.—The Rattle.—The Rattlesnake More Sinned Against Than Sinning.—He Acts Always on the Defensive.—The Hummingbird.—Vibrations Producing Sound.—The Hummingbird’s Mode of Life .—Gentleness of Disposition
CHAPTER V: The Indian Races
Question of the Origin of the Different Races of Men.—Distinction of Races.—Causes of the Differences Observed.—Important Conclusion.—The Distinction of Race Fixed and Permanent.—Objection to This View.—The Weak Especially Entitled to Protection from the Strong .—Original Peopling of the Continent.—Crossing the Northern Seas.—Traveling upon the Ice.—The Pacific Islander.—Currents of the Ocean.—Antiquity of the Aboriginal Population of America.—Ancient Nations of North America.—Durability of Earthworks.—Ancient Fields.—The Copper Mines.—The Mounds of Florida.—Unquestionable Antiquity of Many of the Mounds.—Conclusion
CHAPTER VI: The Indian Family
The Institution of Marriage.—General Law of Pairing.—Application to the Case of Man.—Construction of Dwellings.—Coverings.—Interior of the Lodges.—Indian Housekeeping.—Removals.—Canoes.—Log Canoes.—Clearing Land.—Tilling the Land.—Preparing the Corn for Food.—Mode of Boiling.—Varied Occupations of the Women .—Moccasins.—Excursions of the Women.—Education of the Children.—Stories for Children.—The Child That Turned into a Wolf
CHAPTER VII: Mechanic Arts
Native Ingenuity.—Manufacture of Weapons.—Superiority of Firearms.—Curious Modes of Making Handles.—Stone-Headed Mace.—Military Ornaments.—Hunting and Fishing.—Solitary Habits of the Indian.—Summer Hunting.—Night Hunting.—Snow Shoes.—Adventures in the Woods.—Fishing.—Various Manufactures.—Painting the Face.—The Tikkinagon.—Fire.—Wampum.—Wampum Used for Records and Documents.—Treaties and Public Records .—Pictorial Writing
CHAPTER VIII: Indian Legends and Tales
Travelers among the Indians.—Origin of Man.—Old Boreas and Shingebiss.—The Story of Ampata.—Trap Set for Catching the Sun.—Hunting in Heaven.—The Story of Moowis.—Old Red Head.—How Algon Gained His Wife
CHAPTER IX: Constitution and Character of the Indian Mind
Adaptations Observed in the Forms of Animal Life.—Mental Adaptations .—Designs of Divine Providence in Respect to Man.—The Great Divisions in the Human Family.—Constitutional Diversities.—Mental and Physical Constitution of the American Aborigines.—The Taciturnity of the Indians.—Cruelty.—The Father Dying for His Son.—The Practice of Scalping.—Origin of the Practice.—Customs Connected with the Practice of Scalping.—Treatment of Women.—Polygamy.—Intellectual Superiority of the Caucasian Race.—The Two Great Means of Civilization
CHAPTER X: The Coming of the Europeans
Great Changes Produced.—Changes in Respect to Animal Life.—Changes in Respect to Plants.—Changes in the Races of Men.—The Displacement of One Race by Another not Necessarily Attended with Suffering.—Difficulties that Opposed the Amalgamation of the Two Races.—Fixedness of the Indian Tastes and Habits.—Present Condition of the Western Tribes.—The Mandan Lodges.—Different Causes for the Aversion of the Indians to Live Like the Whites.—The Kennebec Indian and His Child.—The Feeling of Repulsion That Exists between the Different Races of Man not Necessarily a Prejudice.—The Universal Brotherhood of Man