to the annoyance [41] of the first settlers on the Ohio, and its
tributaries.

There were likewise the Munsies, dwelling on the north branch of the
Susquehanna, and on the Allegheny river--The Senecas, on the waters of
the Susquehanna, Ontario and the heads of the Allegheny--The Cayugas,
on Cayuga lake, and the Sapoonies, who resided in the neighborhood of
the Munsies. In these tribes was an aggregate population of 1,380
souls, and they likewise aided in committing depredations on our
frontiers.

Those who ventured to explore and occupy the south western portion
of Virginia, found also in its vicinity some powerful and warlike
tribes. The Cherokees possessed what was then, the western part of
North Carolina and numbered 2,500--The Chicasaws, residing south of
the Cherokees, had a population of 750--and the Catawbas, on the
Catawba river in South Carolina with only 150 persons. These latter
were remarkably adventurous, enterprising and courageous; and
notwithstanding their remote situation, and the paucity of their
numbers, frequently traversed the valley of Virginia, and even
penetrated the country on the north branch of the Susquehanna, and
between the Ohio river and lake Erie, to wage war upon the Delawares.
Their success in many of these expeditions, is preserved in the
traditions of the Delawares, who continue to regard them as having
used in these wars, a degree of cunning and stratagem, to which
other tribes have never approached.[3]

Such were the numbers and positions of many of the proximate Indians
about the time settlements were begun to be [42] made on the
Monongahela river and its branches. Anterior to this period,
adventurers had explored, and established themselves, in various
parts of the valley between the Blue ridge and the Alleghany mountain.
That section of it, which was included within the limits of the
Northern-Neck, was the first to become occupied by the whites. The
facilities afforded by the proprietor for obtaining land within his
grant, the greater salubrity of climate and fertility of soil near
to the Blue ridge, caused the tide of emigration to flow rapidly
towards the upper country, and roll even to the base of that
mountain. Settlements were soon after extended westwardly across
the Shenandoah, and early in the eighteenth century Winchester
became a trading post, with sparse improvements in its vicinity.

About this time Thomas Morlin, a pedlar trading from Williamsburg to
Winchester