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“ J confidence in tho most of Itte d^lnils.
gun uutil it became
which they burned him
on the
legs, thighs/neck, cheeks, and belly.
They then commenced culling the
flesh from the nails, which they pull
ed out, and next separated \hn fingers
from the hand joint by joint. Du*
ling the periormance of these cruel
lies the wretched captive neypr win
ked, an t instead of suing for mercy,
he added fresh stimulants to their
barbarous ingenuity by the most ir
ritating reproaches, p$rt of which
onr interpreter translated as follows:-
“Mv heart is strong. You do not
hurt me. You can’t hurt me. You
are fools. You do not know how to
torture. Try it again. 1 doe t feel
any pain yet. We torture .your re
lations a great deal better, because
we make them cry out loud, like lit
tle children. You are not brave:
you have small hearts, and you are
always afraid to fight.” Then ad
dressing ono in particular, he said,
“It was by my nrrrow yeu lost you<
eye;” upon which the Flathead dart
ed at him, and with a knife in a mo
ment scooped out one o< hi? eyes; at
the Sometime cutting the bridge of
his nose nearly in two. This did not
stop him; with the remaining eye he
.looked sternly at another, and said,
‘•I killed your brother, and I scalped
your old fool of n father.”- T -e war-
' rior to whom this was addressed in
stantly sprung at him, and separated
the scalp from Jiiis
heart, until he was told by the chief
to desist. The raw skull, bloody
socket, and mutilated nose now pre
sented a hnrrib’e appearance, but
by no means changed his tone of de
fiance. *-It was I,” said he to the
chief, ,‘that made your wife n pris*
oner last fall; -we put out her eyes;-
vrt loro eutrber tongue;-ive treated
her like a dog. Gor{j of-
Th« chieftain became incensed the
moment his wife’s name was men
tioned: he seized his gun, and, before
the last sentence, was ended, a ball
from it passed through the brave fel
low’s heart and terminated his fright
ful sufferings.
The religious belief of the western
tribes generally is confinnd to a few
vaguo notions of the Divinity, mixed
» up among' some of them with gloomy
superstitions about an evil demon and
spirits of hate ever on the alert to
invade their quiet, and blast their
happiness in the world. All, how
ever, believe in a stale o r future re
wards and punishments, though they
differ widely as to what acts ment
the one or the other. Wo gire Mr.
Cox’s account of the religious tenets,
if so they may bo called, of a tribe
among whom bo dwelt for some time:
The Flat-heads believe in the ex
istence of a good and evil spirit, and
consequently in a future state of re
wards and punishments. They hold,
that after death the good Indian goes
to a country in which there will be
perpetual summer; there will meet
his wife and children; that the rivers
will abonnd with fish and the plains
with the much-loved buffalo; and
he will spend his time in hunting and
fishing, free from the terrors of war,
or the apprehensions of cold or fam
ine. The bad man, they believe,
will go to a place covered with eter
nal snow; that be will always be shiv
ering with cold, and will see fires at
a distance which he cannot enjoy;
water which he cannot procure to
S uench his thirst, and buffalo and
eer which be cannot kill to appease
his hunger. An impenetrable wood,
full of wolves, panthers, and ser
pents, sepatares these “shrinking
slaves of winter.” Their punishment
is not however eternal, and accord
ing to the different shapes of their
crime they are sooner or later eman
cipated, and permitted to join their
friends in the Glysian fields.
Their code of morality, although
short, is comprehensive. They say
that honesty, bravery, love of truth,
attention to parents, obedience to
chiefs, and affection for their wives
and children, are the principal vir
tues which entitle them to the plaoe
of happiness, while the opposite vices
condemn them to that of misery.
Some of-our author’s adventures
among these wild regions, the ac
counts of several of which we have
copied at different times from the
English papers, will seem rather ex
travegaet to many of his readers., and
indeed one ran hardly help thinking
tfcilt he ornaments occasionally: at
the nqn time wo have thf utmost
red hot, with ! having been personally aoquahitervvUU
several of the gentlemen who are
mentioued in the course of his narra
tive as actors upon the scene, and
heard the identical anecdotes he re
lates from theHPlips. One or two of
these we recognise as p|pticular ac
quaintanCes, from having, after throw
ing them into a readable shape, pub
lished them in this paper about eigh
teen months since. It is thereiqge
that in extracting the following high
ly characteristic sketch, we do not
for a moment doub' its entire aufhen-
ticity-
Ono day as we were sitting down
to dinner, one of our mon, followed
by a native, rushed into the dining
room, and requested we would in
stantly repair to the village to pre
vent bloodshed,* as Mr. M’Donald
was about to fight a duel with ono of
tho chiefs. We ran to the scene of
action, and found our friend sur
rounded by a number of Indians, all
of whom kept at a respectful dis
tance. He had his fowling-pi«c«.
which he changed from one hand to
the other, and appeared violently
chafed. The chief stood about twen
ty yirds from him, and the following
colloquy look place between them,
which, for the information of my un
learned readers I shall translate.
M D. “Come on, now, you ras
cal! you toad! you dog! Will you
fight?”
teoVis\l*man. < T A *chiof shoufd not bo
passionate. I always thought the
white chiefs were wise men.”
M’D. “I want none of your jaw:
I say yof&hoated me. You’re a dog!
Will yoljgbt?”
Indian. “You are not wise. You
get angry liko a woman; but I will
fight. Let us go to the woods. Are
you ready?”
M’D. “Why, you d—d rascal,
what do you moan? I’ll fight you
here. Take your distance like a
brave man, face to face, and we’ll
draw lots for the first shot, or fire
together, which ever you please.”
Indian. “You are a greater fool
that I thought you were. W ho ever
heard a wise warrior standing before
hiagpncmie’a gun lo be shot at like a
dog! No one but a fool 01 a white
man do so.”
M D. “What do mean? What
way do you want to fight?”
Indian. “The gyey that all the
red warriors fight!*' Let us take our
guns, and retire to yonder wood;
placo yourself behind one tree, and
l will take my stand behind another,
and then we shall see who will shoot
the other first 1 ”
M’D. “You are afraid, and you’re
a coward.” * '*■
Indian. “I am not afraid, and
you’re a fool.”
M’D. “Come then, d—n my eyes
if I care. Here’s at your own way.
and he was about proceeding to the
the wood, when we interfered, had
the combatants disarmed, and aft^r
much entreaty induced our brave
Gael to re'turn to the fort.
The quarrel originated in a gam
bling transaction, in which M’Donald
imagined he ha<Mij||fen cheated, and
that impression snjro the chief, and
called him a rogue. The latter told
him he took advantage of his size and
strength, and that he would not meet
him on equal terras with his gun.—
This imputation routed all his ire
Ho instantly darted into the field
with his fowling-piece, followed by
the chief, when by our arrival we
prevented an encountejv which in
all probability would bawMproved fa
tal to our friend.
The gigantic figure, long red flow
ing locks, foaming mouth, and violent
gesticulation of M’Donald, presented
a striking and characteristic contrast
to the calm and tauhutable features
of the chieftain. Tfis inflexible coun
lenance was, for a moment, disturbed
by something like a s/nile, when he
told his opponent that no one but a
fool would stand before a gun to be
shot at tikp a dog. In fact M’Don
aid’s proposition appeared to him so
much at variance with his notions ef
wisdom, that die could not eompre
bend how any man in his senses could
make such an offer. On explaining
to him afterwards the civilized mode
of deciding gentlemanly quarrels, he
manifested the utmost incredulity
and declared that he could not con
eeive how people so wise in other re
spects, should be guilty of such fool
ishness. But when we assured him
were stating facts, he shook his head,
and said, “I see plainly there are
fyols every where.”
This scene is worthy of a dramatist,
awLgives a better insight into the Indi-
aivcharacter, than all the '“Braves”
thit the author of “The Prairie” and
“ Vept of the Wisb-ton-wuh” ever
piinted. But we must here take
l^ve of Mr. Cox's book, with the
singly remark, that it is oue of the
most satisfactory sketches as regards
thesuhj*ct it pretendsto describe, that
we have y >t met with. We recom
mend it particularly to those who
wish t.o attain a theoretical knowledge
of the country adjacent to the Ore
gon River, and west ofthe Rocky
Mountains. '
to me, and it may be preper that I
should state, that no such propositio.
has been received nor heard of be
fore.
Yours respectfully,
^ JNO. ROSS.
CHEROKEE PHCEMX.
NEW ECHOTA, May 26,1|82.
: - == +-
Wt stated in our paper oftht 12th inst.
that we hart understood a proposition of a
'I reaty would be sent on to tbb Principal
Chit-fin a few days from the War De
partment. These statements we made
without informing our Traders.from what
source we liad our information. We would
now state, that we danved our inffifaiation
from the fallowing extract of a letffer writ
ten by John Afartir.one of our delegation,
at “'ashiiigton. Se writes a. follows:
“The Secretary of War- sent for
us, a few dty* since,' and stated to
in the most positive manner that we
[i*> ther» »vern p'-'-r —- r - *---V
then making out; fit we if would bear
thorn hime, & start immediately, our
expenses should be paid by the Gov
ernment; if not, thdfl^opositions
would be sent by mail ta the Princi
pal Chief. To which we replied, we*
were not ready to return home.”
In the same paper we ‘published a letter
fr*m General Newnan, a member of Con
gress, from the Slate of Georgia to )he
Editors ofthe Augusta ChronicI', Stating,
that the “Cherokee Delegatior had at last
consented to recommend to their people,
to make a treaty with the General Govern
ment;”—-and that they .would either ob
tain power from home to make a Treaty at
Washington, or retire, and make arrange
ments to treat at New Echota;” in con
sequence of which letter, we ha e reeeiv
ed a communication from JHr. Jfoss"
which will be found below. We also pub!
lisb a letter from William S. Coodey, one
of the Delegation, to the Editors of the
National Intelligencer on the same sub.
ect, •*
IIcxo of Coosa Cher. Na
May 17th. 1832.
To the Edito- of the Cherokee Phoenix.
Sir,--It was with much astonish
ment'! read in the last number of j our
paper, tho remarks contained in tho
letter of General Newnan,—as those
statements are well calculated to
mislead the public mind in regard to
the subject on which they are made;
and with the View of checking any
impression that may flow from them
prejudicial to the character of the
Cherokee delegation, until they shall
themselves be prepared, if necessary,
to make their own vindication before
the people, I feel it a duty I owe
to them as well as to the Nation, to
make this public statement; that,
all tho correspondence which I have
had with them, no intimation whatev
er has been given to me, to believe
or evpn suspect that the letter of Gen.
Newnaucanbe justly applied to them;
and it is well known that there were
other Cherokees at Washington City
besides our delegation—it may be
noisible that the General alludes to
them. No power has been given to
our delegation to treat away this
country during their visit at the seat^
of (he GenoHB Government: nor can
it be reasonable to suppose that they
could so far lose sight of their delega^
ted fractions, as to commit them
selves, by agreeing,(that upon their
return home, they would assume the
garb of an adviser to their nation to
treat on the genera) basis stated. In
the course of your editorial remarks,
you mentioned, “that you understood
a proposition of a treaty will be sent
on to the Principal Chief in a
few days from the War Depart
ment.” This information is also new
From the National Intelligencer.
TO THE EDITORS.
Washington Citv, May 2d, 1832.
Mes*R\ Editors: In your paper'
of this morning is published an ex
tract from a letter written by Gen
Newnan in relation to tho Cherokees,
in which it is stated that the dulega
tion “have at last consented to re
commend to their people to make a
treaty with the Government,” &<:
and will either obtain power from
home or retire to New Echota to en
ter into the arrangements.
The delegation regret extremely
that such a statement has found its
way into the papers, or that such an
impression has been made by any thing
which may have fallen from either of
them in their conversations on the
subject. Gentlemen of high respec
tability have, at various times, urged
upon them the necessity of adjusting
their difficulties by a treat) with the
Government; but at no time have the
delegation openly or by implication,
given their consent to advise their
People to that course; and because
they have listened to the suggestion
of gentlemen on the subject, it is un-
1-• - «• «j'j'vbo iiivij adopt 06
their own sentiments whatever is
said.
Respectfully, &c.
W. S. COODEY,
In bohalf of the Cherokee Dele
gallon.
bud
to
The following is an extract of a letter not
intended for publication, addressed to us,
after publishing an article from the New-
York Journal of Commerce, advising the
Cherokees to accept of a treaty, providing
for a removal. We have heard many
Cherokees express their opinion in a stmi
lar tone. It will show the feelings of the
people of this nation, towards a removal.
“Thu late decision of the Supreme
Court oi the United States which
gave such general satisfaction through
out the nation, is yet fresh in the
hearts of the people; their minds can
not be diverted from their interests
and national rights.—They are not
sufficiently aware ol tin?course which
is peculiar to the public Journals o'
the United States to understand, tli
frequent and sudden somersets which
they take in their political races.—
1 he Cherokees have uothing to do in
those pa<ty strifes, many of our
professing friends may change their
ground, for reasons best known
themselves—but we must hold toprin
ciple, right and justice: and the inter
est, happiness and lives of our peopl
alone must di:ect our steps.—The
question of our rights is no longer
matter lo be debated—it is settled
the General and State Government
can operate against them netv, only,by
power, dictated by expediency &.c
whilst the Che-okees will cling
them by virtue of the Supreme law of
the land,founded on justice-but should
thB President and Georgia regardless
of honor, humanity and justice, exer
else power to remove us by force
and such a removal bring ruin and
destruction upon our natiou, the ac
oountobiliiy must rest upon these
who ought to be our friends, guardians
& protectors-but should we be induced
by persuation to commit the act our
selves, and then suffer by it—the hea
vy judgements must fall opon our
own heads vl have always believed
that a general removal of the whole
Nation would inevitably bring ruin
upon the people—therefore of the
two evils of being destroyed—I would
over choose to be destroyed, than to
destroy myself—then let us stick to
our old principle and hold to the same
tone in the vindication of our rights,
agreeably to the will of the Chero
kee people.
the resistance of Guillivar to
, acks of tho multitude of [
xians, surpassing the nmnbert
xes’ army. It may not be m
ng to furnish you with a
cumstance growing out of t]
sures. On last Monday uf<
were at breakfast near (Hq hi
of my dwellings surrounded
'iltle ones, who are -riow an
intelligence, and hive been i
its of heaving the woful tale,
sufferings of their fellow
: ,rom the hands of the Gem
Gov. Lumpkin’s iavincibli
guard, somatimes the militia
ed at the door, but being
with all mankind I was com
innocence, and their arrival
jnterfere with my engagement
bl« in satisfying the wants of
with my coarse but wholesoi
ducts of ray soil. A file of
peared at the door, who
something bj a nod of the
ed with au axe, long chain,
spear, which was in three (i
dooi drpve into tae ground,
cap was placed and closely
ined by the one who bore it
now were surveyors from Gi
stead of the guard. They
deep into the wall on eachaii
door outside, with the largi
93 and 124. During the oi
the countenances of those
of the State indicated the al
usriee, and itie bittergnawii
science in trespassing in
on the possessions of a ha rail
ekec. The Milledgeville
then raised, and on oach m
beautiful shade tree close
door, and improved with
they chipped through the b
into it, the same figures wsn
inserted. This finished,
was resumed and a western
taken,—they disappeared io
vy Indian forests with their
leggings. The meaning oft
ores was supposes by us to
it would take the Stale of
93 years in acquiring the Cl
countrr; after which, the'
lose 124 men in fighting the
Court.
A CHERO
23d May 1832.
Sul
son,
18*
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-Your
ANEW FRONTIR WA-RTl
ENED,
From the Illinois Ailvooale—E
To the Militia of the Nui'lh I
of Illinois.
Fellow-Citizens:—1
try requires your service,
dians has assumed a hostile iij
and have invaded the State,
tion of the Treaty of last mi
The British band of Sacs a
hostile Indians, headed by the
Hawk, are in possession of I
River country, to the great ten
the frontier inhabitants. I c«
the settlers on the frontier in
ent danger.
I am in possession ofthe abv
formation, from gentlemen ofr
taole standing, and from Gen.
son, whose character stands i
in all classes.
For th« Cherokee Phoenix-
Mr. Editor,-—As the measures of
Georgia over the Cherokees is be
coming pecaliarly interesting, at this
time, when she has discovered
herself possessed of sovereignty not
confined to the constitutional limits
of that state, but capable of its exer
cise over the Cherokee nation of In-
dians, and also the exercise of a new
arm of power against the Supreme
Court of the beautiful republic, the
resistance to which is believed by
the authorities to be as efficacious, as
Extract of, a leiter, dalti
Fort Abiistbohc
April 13, 1832.
Dear Sir: Tho band of StG
der Black Hawk, joined by abo
hundred Kickapoos, and a fen !
watamiesfcmouating in all to ab«
hundred men, h?ve assumed •
attitude. They crossed the
sippi at the Yellow Banks,
5th inst. and are now moving
the East side ef Rock River, to
the Prophet’s Village.
Tol
i to!
Tho regular force under my
mand is toe small to justify
pursuing the hostile party,
an unsuccessful attempt to
them, would only irritate them
of hostility on the frontier,
than, they probably conlemplab
Your own knowledge ef the d
ter of these Indians, with the ii
ation herewith submitted, will
you to judge ef the course pr^|
be pursued. I think the fron
in great danger, and I n»Vl ’ jfe
means at ray disposal t^ ^o-ofi
with you in its P'.otr iCtion an l
fence
With great reaped.
Your mqjt obedient servant,
H. ATKINS0I
Brg. Gee U. S. AreJ
His Excellency Gov. Reynold*,
m Belleville, IUM