The Nature of North America's Indigenous Tribes and the Continent's Destiny

Key Insight

Upon discovery, South America and the West Indies presented an enchanting, fabled landscape of sparkling tropical seas, perfumed islands, nutritious fruits, and vibrant, iridescent birds, fostering an enervating influence that made inhabitants careless of the future. North America, conversely, appeared grave and solemn, seemingly designed for intelligence rather than senses. Its storm-tossed shores were lined with granite and sand, while its dark, melancholy forests were dominated by pines, larches, and oaks. Within these central forests, colossal trees like sycamore and sugar maple thrived amidst a cycle of death and renewal, where fallen timber accumulated but also facilitated new growth, creating a profound obscurity and moist air, disturbed only by natural sounds like falling trees or buffalo bellows. To the east, vast prairies stretched, their origin unknown.

North America was inhabited by roaming tribes from the Saint Lawrence to the Mississippi delta, sharing a common origin but distinct from other races with their reddish complexion, long shiny hair, thin lips, and pronounced cheekbones. Their languages, though varied in vocabulary, shared unique grammatical rules. These tribes lived in 'savage independence', untouched by other civilizations, thus lacking the 'dubious and incoherent notions of good and evil' or 'profound corruption' seen in nations that had reverted to barbarism. Unlike the coarse common people of civilized societies, who are humbled by contact with wealth and power, these ignorant and poor Indians were equal and free. They held no notion of wealth, displayed habitual reserve and an 'aristocratic politeness', were hospitable in peace, yet merciless in war, demonstrating unwavering courage, proud spirit, and love of independence. They worshipped God, the creator, under various names, holding simple, philosophical intellectual truths.

Despite their primitive appearance, evidence suggests a more civilized, advanced people previously inhabited these regions. An obscure tradition indicates Atlantic coast tribes once lived west of the Mississippi, while human-built mounds along the Ohio and central valley frequently yield human bones, strange instruments, weapons, and metal utensils unknown to current tribes. This vanished civilization left no recorded history, languages, or glory, only their tombs. The native tribes, living by hunting rather than agriculture, occupied but did not truly 'possess' the land. Their 'implacable prejudices', 'unbridled passions', 'vices', and 'savage virtues' ultimately sealed their fate. Their destruction began with European arrival and continues, as Providence intended their enjoyment of the New World's riches to be brief. This continent, with its advantageous coasts, deep rivers, and fertile Mississippi valley, appeared as an 'empty cradle' awaiting a great nation where civilized men would build society on new, unprecedented foundations.