Names applied by the Indians to the white men, especially to the Virginians.
1784. The savages now learned the superiority of the Long Knife, as they call the Virginians, by experience; being out-generalled in almost every battle…. Finding the great king beyond the water disappointed in his expectations, and conscious of the importance of the Long Knife, and their own wretchedness, some of the nations immediately desired peace.—John Filson, ‘Kentucke,’ pp. 62, 80.
1786. General Clarke of Virginia, whom the Indians dread, and stile the Big Knife.—Mass. Gazette, Oct. 17.
1788. The squaws [i.e. the white women] have taken the breech-clout, and fight worse than the long knives: [said the wounded Indian].—Letter from Ohio, Mass. Spy, June 19.
1817. The Americans are called “the Big Knives” by the Indians of the Missouri.—John Bradbury, ‘Travels,’ p. 75 n.
1821. [The Indians used] a few ill-boding words … such as Virginian, long-knife, no-good.—T. Dwight, ‘Travels,’ i. 314.
1835. Sometimes the name of the Long Knife was conferred by the Indians, in a complimentary sense, upon the English, in due acknowledgment of the importance of their gift.—W. G. Simms, ‘The Yemassee,’ i. 27 (N.Y.).
