completed
the number to six.
    Of the Lenni Lenape, or, as they were called by the whites, from the
circumstance of their holding their great council-fire on the banks of that
river, the Delaware nation, the principal tribes, besides that which bore the
generic name, were, the Mahicanni, or Mohegans, and the Naticokes, or Néntigoes.
Of these, the latter held the country the waters of the Chesapeake, and the
seashore; while the Mohegans occupied the district between the Hudson and the
ocean, including much of New-England: of course, these two tribes were the first
who were dispossessed of their lands by the Europeans.
    The wars of a portion of the latter, are celebrated among us, as the wars of
King Philip; but the peaceful policy of William Penn, or Miquon, as he was
termed by the natives, effected its object, with less difficulty, though not
with less certainly. As the natives gradually disappeared from the country of
the Mohegans, some scattering families sought a refuge around the council-fire
of the mother tribe, or the Delawares.
    This people had been induced to suffer themselves to be called women, by
their old enemies, the Mingoes, or Iroquois, after the latter, having in vain
tried the effects of hostility, had recourse to artifice, in order to prevail
over their rivals. - According to Delawares were to cultivate the arts of peace,
and to intrust their defence, entirely, to the men, or warlike tribes of the Six
nations.
    This state of things continued until the war of revolution, when the Lenni
Lenape formally asserted their independence, and fearlessly declared, that they
were again men. But, in a government, so peculiarly republican as the Indian
polity, it was not, at all times, an easy task, to restrain its members within
the rules of the nation. Several fierce and renowned warriors, of the Mohegans,
finding the conflict with the whites to be in vain, sought a refuge with their
Grandfather, and brought with them the feelings and principles, that had so long
distinguished them in own tribe. These chieftains kept alive, in some measure,
the martial spirit of the Delawares; and would, at times, lead small parties
against their ancient enemies, or such other foes as incurred their resentment.
    Among these warriors, was one race, particularly famous for their prowess,
and for those qualities that render an Indian hero celebrated. But war, time,
disease, and want, had conspired to thin their number; and the sole
representative of this once renowned family,