y termed Alligewi. In this migration and contest,
which endured for a series of years, the Mengwe, or Iroquois, kept pace
with them, moving in a parallel but more northerly line, and finally
settling on the banks of the St. Lawrence, and the great lakes from
whence it flows. The Lenape, being more numerous, peopled not only the
greater part of the country at present occupied by the United States,
but also sent detachments to the northward as far as the banks of the
River Mississippi{16} and the shores of Hudson's Bay. The principal of
their northern tribes are now known under the names of Saulteurs or
Chippeways, and Crees; the former inhabiting the country betwixt Lakes
Winipeg and Superior, the latter frequenting the shores of Hudson's Bay,
from Moose to Churchill, and the country from thence as far to the
westward as the plains which lie betwixt the forks of the Saskatchawan.

These Crees, formerly known by the French Canadian traders under the
appellation of Knisteneaux, generally designate themselves as
Eithinyoowuc (_men_), or, when they wish to discriminate themselves from
the other Indian nations, as Nathehwy-withinyoowuc (_Southern-men_)[5].

[5] Much confusion has arisen from the great variety of names, applied
without discrimination to the various tribes of Saulteurs and
Crees. Heckewelder considers the Crees of Moose Factory to be a
branch of that tribe of the Lenape, which is named Minsi, or Wolf
Tribe. He has been led to form this opinion, from the similarity
of the name given to these people by Monsieur Jeremie, namely,
Monsonies; but the truth is, that their real name is
Mongsoa-eythinyoowuc, or Moose-deer Indians; hence the name of the
factory and river on which it is built. The name Knisteneaux,
Kristeneaux, or Killisteneaux, was anciently applied to a tribe of
Crees, now termed Maskegons, who inhabit the river Winipeg. This
small tribe still retains the peculiarities of customs and dress,
for which it was remarkable many years ago, as mentioned by Mr.
Henry, in the interesting account of his journeys in these
countries. They are said to be great rascals. The great body of
the Crees were at that time named Opimmitish Ininiwuc, or Men of
the Woods. It would, however, be an endless task to attempt to
determine the precise people designated by the early French
writers. Every small band, naming its