s had traditions of a western and
south-western origin. In regard to the Creek Indians, this tradition is
very distinct. They relate, with many details, their journey from the
west, their fight with the Alabamas, etc.<53> In the Natchez tradition,
as given by Du Pratz, they are seen, not only to come from the same
western source, but distinctly preserve recollections of pueblo houses.

The substance of their traditions is that they came from a pleasant
country and mild climate, "under the sun," and in the south-west, where
the nation had lived for many ages, and had spread over an extensive
country of mountains, hills, and plains, in which the houses were built
of stone, and were several stories high. They further relate how, owing
to increase of enemies, the great sun sent some one over to examine and
report on the country to be found to the east. The country being found
extremely pleasant, a large part of their nation removed thither; and,
after many generations, the great sun himself came also. Speaking of the
ancient inhabitants of the country they came from, the tradition states
that "they had a great number of large and small villages, which were
all built of stone, and in which were houses large enough to lodge a
whole tribe."<54> We would offer the same suggestion on these traditions
as on the others. They are of value only so far as supported by other
testimony. The great objection to them is that the pueblo structures of
the west are evidently of recent origin. So these traditions would prove
that the Natchez Indians were quite recently connected with the Pueblo
tribes, which is not at all probable. We have some slight evidence
that does not rest on traditions. Mr. Holmes has given us a plan of an
ancient village he discovered on the La Platte River, San Juan Valley.
It will be seen by reference to the plate that the buildings were
separated from each other. The forms are chiefly rectangles and circles,
and one or two seem to have been elliptical. This description certainly
reminds us of the circles and squares so common among the Mound
Builders. But there is also a truncated mound, fifty by eighty feet, and
nine feet high. "Its flat top and height give it more the appearance
of one of the sacrificial mounds of the Ohio Valley than any others
observed in this part of the West." Mounds are known to exist in
Utah.<55>

Illustration of Ruins near the La Platte Valley of the San Juan.

We need not expect to