Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (1774-1781), 97
Item
Title
Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (1774-1781), 97
Includes music itself or text of song
no
Identity of singers; solo/group
native american
group
Voice/instrument
instruments
drum, voices
Space/room
outside
activity
welcoming an Ottawa chief
Ornamentation / improvisation
n/a
Geographical location
Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania
Excerpt
About noon the Shawnee & Dellaware Indians with one of the Ottawa Chiefs crossed the River in two Canoos about thirty in number. They was met at the River side by the Delegates and Garrison under arms who saluted them with a Volley, which the Indian Warriours returned then proceeded to the Council house. Danceing, Beating the Drum, and Singing the Peace Song, all the way.
Context
In this section Cresswell is traveling through the midwest, the "Indian Country." He describes many customs of the different indigenous towns.
Bias of author
Cresswell was an English man visiting America with the goal of acquiring land to live in the future, as stated in the first entry of his journal. His text is often concerned with agriculture and the possibilities of improving the land and farming methods in the US. His writing is usually condescending, pointing out what he sees as the "immorality" or "backwardness" of the territories he visits. This is particularly true in descriptions of enslaved African Americans or Native American people.