{Trading Girls.} As For The Trading Girls,
Which Are Those Design'd To Get Money By Their Natural Parts,
These Are
Discernable, by the Cut of their Hair; their Tonsure differing
from all others, of that Nation, who are not of
Their Profession;
which Method is intended to prevent Mistakes; for the Savages of America
are desirous (if possible) to keep their Wives to themselves,
as well as those in other Parts of the World. When any Addresses are made
to one of these Girls, she immediately acquaints her Parents therewith,
and they tell the King of it, (provided he that courts her be a Stranger)
his Majesty commonly being the principal Bawd of the Nation he rules over,
and there seldom being any of these Winchester-Weddings agreed on,
without his Royal Consent. He likewise advises her what Bargain to make,
and if it happens to be an Indian Trader that wants a Bed-fellow,
and has got Rum to sell, be sure, the King must have a large Dram for a Fee,
to confirm the Match. These Indians, that are of the elder sort,
when any such Question is put to them, will debate the Matter
amongst themselves with all the Sobriety and Seriousness imaginable,
every one of the Girl's Relations arguing the Advantage or Detriment
that may ensue such a Night's Encounter; all which is done
with as much Steadiness and Reality, as if it was the greatest Concern
in the World, and not so much as one Person shall be seen to smile,
so long as the Debate holds, making no Difference betwixt
an Agreement of this Nature, and a Bargain of any other. If they comply
with the Men's Desire, then a particular Bed is provided for them,
either in a Cabin by themselves, or else all the young people turn out,
to another Lodging, that they may not spoil Sport; and if the old People
are in the same Cabin along with them all Night, they lie as unconcern'd,
as if they were so many Logs of Wood. If it be an Indian of their own
Town or Neighbourhood, that wants a Mistress, he comes to none but the Girl,
who receives what she thinks fit to ask him, and so lies all Night with him,
without the Consent of her Parents.
{Indian Traders what.}
The Indian Traders are those which travel and abide amongst the Indians
for a long space of time; sometimes for a Year, two, or three.
{Indian Wives.} These Men have commonly their Indian Wives,
whereby they soon learn the Indian Tongue, keep a Friendship
with the Savages; and, besides the Satisfaction of a She-Bed-Fellow,
they find these Indian Girls very serviceable to them,
on Account of dressing their Victuals, and instructing 'em
in the Affairs and Customs of the Country. Moreover, such a Man gets
a great Trade with the Savages; for when a Person that lives amongst them,
is reserv'd from the Conversation of their Women, 'tis impossible for him
ever to accomplish his Designs amongst that People.
But one great Misfortune which oftentimes attends those that converse
with these Savage Women, is, that they get Children by them,
which are seldom educated any otherwise than in a State of Infidelity;
for it is a certain Rule and Custom, amongst all the Savages of America,
that I was ever acquainted withal, to let the Children always fall
to the Woman's Lot; {Children go with the Women.} for it often happens,
that two Indians that have liv'd together, as Man and Wife,
in which Time they have had several Children; if they part,
and another Man possesses her, all the Children go along with the Mother,
and none with the Father. And therefore, on this Score,
it ever seems impossible for the Christians to get their Children
(which they have by these Indian Women) away from them;
whereby they might bring them up in the Knowledge of the Christian Principles.
Nevertheless, we often find, that English Men, and other Europeans
that have been accustom'd to the Conversation of these savage Women,
and their Way of Living, have been so allur'd with that careless sort of Life,
as to be constant to their Indian Wife, and her Relations,
so long as they liv'd, without ever desiring to return again
amongst the English, although they had very fair Opportunities of Advantages
amongst their Countrymen; of which sort I have known several.
As for the Indian Marriages, I have read and heard of a great deal
of Form and Ceremony used, which I never saw, nor yet could learn
in the Time I have been amongst them, any otherwise than I shall here
give you an Account of; which is as follows.
{Indian Marriage.}
When any young Indian has a Mind for such a Girl to his Wife,
he, or some one for him, goes to the young Woman's Parents, if living;
if not, to her nearest Relations; where they make Offers of the Match
betwixt the Couple. The Relations reply, they will consider of it,
which serves for a sufficient Answer, till there be a second Meeting
about the Marriage, which is generally brought into Debate
before all the Relations (that are old People) on both Sides;
and sometimes the King, with all his great Men, give their Opinions therein.
If it be agreed on, and the young Woman approve thereof, (for these Savages
never give their Children in Marriage, without their own Consent)
{Indians buy their Wives.} the Man pays so much for his Wife;
and the handsomer she is, the greater Price she bears. Now, it often happens,
that the Man has not so much of their Money ready, as he is to pay
for his Wife; but if they know him to be a good Hunter, and that he can raise
the Sum agreed for, in some few Moons, or any little time, they agree,
she shall go along with him, as betroth'd, but he is not to have
any Knowledge of her, till the utmost Payment is discharg'd;
all which is punctually observ'd. Thus, they lie together under one Covering
for several Months, and the Woman remains the same as she was
when she first came to him.
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