went out frbm the people at Onondaga, .and first
dwelt at the head of the Oneida river. After increasing
in numbers, they removed to the outlet of
the Oneida creek, which flows into Oneida lake.
Here they fortified themselves, and farther increased
in numbers and power. Remains of
this fortification are said still to exist. Their
next removal was up the Oneida creek valley,
to the storied locality of the Oneida stone, from
which, by a figure of speech,, they represent
themselves to have sprung. This stone is in the
town-of Stockbridge, Madison county. If lies
on a very commanding eminence, from which
the entire valleys as far as the*Oneida lake,, can
be seen in a clear atmosphere;. The day of my
visit being hazy at a distance, the lake could
not be seen, although the view down the valley
was both magnificent and picturesque^ This
eminence was formerly covered with a butternut
grove; Old and partly decayed trees of this
species still remain in a ibw^plaeesv Thei aneient
town extended in a transverse valley, south' of
this^ridge of land, covered asit waswith nut
wood trees? and was completely sheltered by
it, from the north winds. A copious and clear
spring of water issued at the spot selected for
their wigwams. Here in seclusion from their
enemies, the tribe expanded and grew in numbers.
When iti was necessary to light their
pipes, and assemble to discuss. their national
affairs, they had only to ascend the hill, through
its richly wooded grove, to its extreme summit.
at .the site of the Oneida stone. The following
cut represents the stone,- which became the national
altar.
Standing at. its side, at a probable elevation of
400 oV 500 feet above the Stanwix summit, they
couldr survey the whole valley »of the Oneida;
and a beacon fire lighted- here,- was the signal
for-assembling their warriors from all the surrounding
lateral plains and valleys. Time and
usage rendered the' object sacred, and as* they
expanded into nationality and power, while located
around it, their sages asserted with metaphorical
truth? that they sprang from this rock.
Stone, in this 1 anguage^ is onia. They called
themselves Oniota-aug, people of, or who sprung
from, the stone. There is- some variety in the
pronunciation. The Mohawks call them Oneota.
The French wrote it Aneyoute, and the English
and Dutch, Oneida, which latter has prevailed.
Neither retained the plural inflection in aug,
which carries the idea of people^
* i'With a knowledge of these traditions, I approached,
the spot with deep interest. It occu