Newspaper Page Text
ferily will revise our acts, and pronounce I
them n imparlial sentence of repro
bation or applause, a* their character shall
merit: and 1 venture the prediction, that
the next generation, in renewing the Iran*
actions ol this day, will he astonished to
learn (hat this vefiige of barbarism was so
lot.g suffered to remain a blot upon the on
lightened age in which their lathers lived.
PUf— —gp———*
MISSION A IVY.
From the Missionary Herald for March.
EXPLORING TOUR.
The American Missionary Register for Februa
ry contains port of the journal kept by the I'.ev.
Sainuel Giddinp*, durinif a tour among the Wes
t, rn Indians, performed at the request of the Uni
te.? Foreign Missionary Society. He visited sev
eral tribes, and selected a site for an extensive
missionary establishment in the vicinity of Council
Bluffs. We have room for little more than a few
of the principal and more interesting facts.
Mr. G. commenced Id* journey on the 22d of
April. 1822. The following notice develop** the
probable cause of the extensive “prairie?,” found
itt the western conntrv.
Ahij 17-—We crowed Grand River,
which i* 175 yards wide, and which rmp
lie* into the Missouri flout the north west.
We rode about leu mile* through the rich
bottom of the Missouri and Grand River,
where we saw thousands of acres of land,
on which the timber had been principally
Killed by tire within the 1 i*t year, and thou
sands of acre* which had, within a few
tears, been converted into a prairie by the
same cause.
On the 26th, Mr. G. arrived at Council Bluffs,
where the United elates’ Government has a garri
son. The distance from this place to the ferry on
Grand River, is 237 miles. The course is K. 39
deg. S. for the distance of 152 miles; then E. 55
deg. S. to the mouth of Grand River.
The fort i* situated in lat. 42 deg. 31 min.
N. on the Bluffs, about 140 feet above the
river. From the fort you have an exten
sive vievv of the liver for many miles above
and below. A second bluff appears on the
west, at the distance of about hall a mile,
between which and the fort there is a most
beautiful level, of rich soil, extending about
three miles north and south. The interval
on the Missouri opposite the Council Bluffs,
is about live miles wide, and continues about
the same width for many mites below ; but
as you ascend the riv er, the vale widen# for
about ten miles, when it is about 12 miles
wide. There are many lakes and ponds,
which contain, during the summer, an
abundant supply of wild fowl and fish.
Near the garrison there is about uOO acres
of land under cultivation, and worked by
the soldier*. Heavy rains fall almost eve
ry day, arid the low land on the streams
through the w hole country is inundated, i
Spent the week in exploring the country ini
Lie vicinity of the garrison, and in collect
ing information concerning the Indians
These who were at Washington last winter,
relumed in health, much pleased with their
journey.
Respecting the climate Mr. G. says:—
I have learned, from good authority, and
from mru who have been long acquainted
with the country, that in this climate, the
weather, in March, April, and the first part
of May, is invariably dry. Very tittle rain
f„IJs, and t!re streams are only swelled at
times by the melting cd’ the snow. About
the middle of May, the rains commence
gently, and in a ft;w days become very’ vio
!ent. They seldom, however, continue
more than 12 hours before they are suc
ceeded by about 21 of fair weather. This
alteration, in nearly the same proportion,
continues until about the 10th of June.
Heavy showers, are frequent until some
time in July, and less frequent and lighter
sh. wers till some time in August. The
rain then ceases, and very little again lalls
until the next May. There is but little
snow, anil the winter is generally dry.
Having stated the peculiarity of the seasons in
that country. Mr G. proceeds to account for it
on philosophical principles.
On the Rocky Mountains, which com
mence at the distcoce of from 500 to 700
miles to the W. end N. W. the snow falls in
vast quantities, and on the highest part.-
continues through the year. In that lati
tude, ana on such high land, Ihe sun produ
ces but little edi ct, until the middle of April,
when the snow begins to melt. The melt
ing increases during the months of May and
Juoe. Immense quantities of vapour, con
tinually produced, are wafted to the E. S.
E. by the cold winds which are constantly
Mow ing towards the warmer region?. This
vapour collects, and becoming condensed,
falls in the copious showers and heavy rains
which are experienced during the wet sea
son. Towards the latter part of June, the
evaporation begins to diminish ; the snow in
the lower country being all dissolved, and
none remaining but on the highest moun
tains by the first of August. As the sun be
gins to decline, congelation commences on
the mountains, the moisture is absorbed
from the atmosphere, and no vapour is car
ried to distant regions by the winds, which
now become dry. May not the same cause
produce the periodical wet and dry seasons
in,the vicinity of the Cordilleras through
North and South America.
On the 12th of June, he left the garrison, ac
companied I>J his interpreter anil two soldiers,
with a view to proceed to the Indian villages at
some distance. He determined lo visit the Ma-
Jiaw village first ; and on the 14th, encamped
tight miles north of it.
I saw many elk, (said he,) and in one
drove counied seventy. Saw several ante
lopes or mountain goats. They are of the
same colour as the deer, but resemble the
common goat io shape. They are much
the fleetest animal in this country. In size
they are between the common goat and
large.deer. We passed a village of balking
squirrels, or prairie dogs. They have the
appearance of the grey squirrel io colour
and shape, but are three times as large.
Their noise exactly resembles that of the
mailer kind of dogs. ’J'hey burrow in the
earth, and are never seen far from their!
habitation. They live on grass and herb
age ; and net n spear of glass is suffered to
grow within the. bounds of their villag<
On the first appearance of danger, they flee
to the month of their burrow, and when it
comes near, they enter, and can rarely be
driven out by smoke nr water. Thousands
dwell in the same village, forming a little
community. Their burrows are from ter.
to twenty feel npart, with a mound ot dirt
at the entrance, bf from one to two leet
in height, which serves us a watch tower.
On the approach of danger, they raise an
incessant harking. We were much annoy
ed during the night by the barking ot these
animals.
In the afternoon of the next day, Mr. Giddjng?
entered the Mahaw village ; which “is situated
on the batik of the Elkhorn, on a high prairie, sur
rounded by a beautiful and rich country, but des
titute of timber, excepting a small quantity on th
margin of Ih* river.” The manner of his recep
tion will be learned in the following extract:
1 was kindly received, end invited to four
feasts within an hour. The first was the
flesh of an elk, hniled without salt. It was
placed in a large howl or trough, around
which four or five guests assembled, each
taking his knife, and using his fiugers in
stead of a fork. If any remains, you are
invited to carry it away with you. You
may, if you please, give it to the master ot
the house, and he gives it to other*, who
surround the bowl to eat. The second’
feast was corn, which was also boiled with
out salt. In eating the boiled corn, spoons,
made of buflaloe horn, or wood, are used.
The other two feats consisted of corn and
dried pumpkiu boiled together. 1 have
been the more particular, as (he customs,
and (he manner ot treating strangers, among
all these tribes, is similar. These children
of nature know not the use of bread; and
have hut one kind of food cooked at the
same feast. The man, who gives the feast,
never oats till the guests have finished.
These feasts are considered as the highest
honour that can he conferred on a stranger.
The numerous aud extensive Mounds, in the
western states and territories, are evidently the
work of man. They have given rise to many in
quiries hih! speculations; and theories have been
formed as to their origin, none of which seem to
be so plausible, as that suggested at the close of
th following description of the manner in which
the Mahaws bury their dead.
I visited (heir burying ground, about 80
rod distant. It is situated on the top of a
blnfi", about 140 feet above the level of
their village. The ascent, however, is
gentle. Here I saw several of the tribe
collected, and mourning over the graves of
their departed relatives. They pulled
their hair, rent their clothes, beat their
| breasts, and howled in imitation of different
; kinds of wild bea!s. At times, they made
franfick gestures, and sung mournful songs.
Their manner of burying is various, accor
ding to the directions given by the person
before his death. In some instances, a
grave is dug three feet deep, and the corpse
placed tn it, and covered with earth in the
usual form among white people. Others
are buried in a sitting po=ture, partly in the
earth, and partly above, with a mound three
or four feel high raised over Ihe corpse.
Some are laid on a platform, made by driv
ing four forked stick- into the earth, laying
thereon two pole-, which reach from the
head to the foot, crossing these with short
er poles, and covering them with gra-s or
leave*. This platform i raised from four
inches to a fool high. At the head and foot,
a forked stick i driven down, and a ridge
pole laid in the forks. Against this, on all
sides, sticks and bark are placed, and the
whole covered with earth, generally clods
about two feet thick. Others are laid on
the earth, and a mound, seven feet high,
and in the form of a cone, raised over them.
No coffins are used; but wheD a grave is
dug, flat Stones or split sticks are placed be
neath, on the sides, and above the corpse.
r l he properly of the deceased is disposed
of according to his directions in his lifetime.
Sometimes a par* or all, is buried with him.
At other times, it is given away to relatives
and fiiends who come to mourn over the
grave. All who come to mourn, if they are
not near relatives, expect pay in presents.
The graves are placed from one to four
feet asunder, and the mounds often come to
gether at Ihe ba c e. Another is buried by
laying the corpse between two former
mounds, and over this is reared another
mound, the base of which re-ts upoD the
top- of the two former. In this burying 1
ground, which has been ued but three!
years, there is one grave and mound rest-1
ing upon two more, which are to be dis
tinctly seen; and the top of the highest is
between eight nnd nine feel above the iev
el of the adjoining ground; and many smal
ler moqnds resting upon others in the same
manner. Supposing this tribe to inhabit
their present village but a century, and
pursue the same method by burying their
dead, they would rise a mound forty or
fifty feet high, and many rods in circumfer
ence. May not this account for the various
mounds found in the Indian country?
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AT BATTI
COTTA.
An engraving of Barley Wood, the resi
dence of Mrs. Hannah More, near Bristol,
England, has been circulated by a friend of
missions, and the profits devoted to the sup
port of a school for girls, to be named Bar
ley Wood, and commenced under the care
of Mr. Woodward, at Batticotta.
Mrs. More, on hearing of this design,
made a donation of ten pounds to the school:
which sum was remitted to New Yoik, by
Mr Hogsdon, of Liverpool, and has produc
ed SSO. The collections from the sale of
the engraving, in this coun%, are consider
able. What a delightful spectacle !to see
Mrs. Mure, who has doue so much to digni
fy and adorn the female character in her
owu country, and throughout Christendom,
extending her hand in charity to the help
less females of a distant island, and endeav-
tilting to raise little children from their low
condition and make them heirs of iunier
taliljb
‘lße journal of Mr. Woodward contains j
some interesting notice* of missionary la-,
hour*. There was abundant encourage-,
meut to prosecute the various designs of;
the missionaries.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Just as the last page* of this number were
going to pre*s, very interesting intelligence ,
was received from the missionaries at the
Sandwich Islands, by the ship America, cap
tain De Koven, arrived at New York.
The letters are dated, Aug. 9th, which is
about six months later than the date of any j
communications, which have previously
come to hand. The joint letter conlinues
the histoiy of the mission down to the date
above mentioned ; hot dwells with particu
lar iuterest upon a visit from the Rev. Dan
iel Tyerman and George Bonuet, Esq. who
constitute the Deputation from the London
Missionary Society to the evangelized isl
ands of the Southern Pacifick. These gen
tlemen arrived at Woahoo about the middle
of April, and had remained there nearly
lour mouths. They were accompanied
there by Mr. Ellis, one of the missionaries
at lluahine, ar.d by two native teachers and
their wives, from the same island. Mr.
Ellis and these native teachers, (who had
been selected and set apart by the church
at Hnaheine for the purpose,) wore expect
ing to commence a mission at the Marquesas
Islands, till the chiefs of the Sandwich Isl
ands, with the full consent and approbation
of the American missionaries, invited Mr.
Ellis and onq of the native teachers to re
side there permanently; This measure
was adopted, after much deliberation, and
for reasons which are stated at length.
Messrs. Tyerman am) Bennet addressed
along and excellent letter to the Board;
full of the most fraternal sentiments, and of
judicious remarks on the subject of missions
in the islands of the Pacifick. They ex
preted to leave Weahoo soon ; to stop at
the Marquesas Islands; to touch at Port
Jackson, New Holland; and then return to
Loodon.
Mr. Ellis preached often to the Sandwich
Islanders, in their own language. Mr.
Bingham had preached and once prayed in
it. The natives were becoming more de-
I sirons of instruction than ever before.
| There were many encouraging circumstan
ces Our next number may be expected
to contain the particulars.
RELIGIOUS.
REVIVAL IN BOSTON.
From the Columbian Star.
Extract of a letter to a. gentleman in “Cahtm
bian College,dated Andover, Feb. 23, *23
Dear Brother—ls you have not already
heard, I will tell you news that will gladden
your heart. Boston, where Christians have
so long slept, and errour triumphed, Boston
is witnessing a glorious display of Divine
power and grace. About eight weeks since
our hearts were animated with hearing that
Christians in that city were awake, and sin
ners in Zion trembling. Sixty anxious souls
attended the first inquiry meeting. The
last intelligence slates, that it has spread in
to all the orthodox churches, and that some
of the Unitarians are affected, that two hun
dred sometimes attend the inquiry meetings
—and that Mi Dwight stated last Thursday
morning, that the prospect was more prom
ising than ever. They constantly repeal
the cry, “ brethren, pray for us.” About
the first of January, a pious and promising
youth of the Academy in this town was sud
denly called into eternity. This voice of
Divine Providence was not in vain—as by a
simultaneous shock, almost every heart
seemed at first affected—deeper solemnity
was seldom ever witnessed. Thirty were
previously pious ; of eighty others, some
reckon thirty, others only twenty, that give
satisfactory evidence of being b*m again.—
Several others in this place are hopefully
subjects of the work.
[The same letter slates that revivals are
going on in the towu9 of Wedborougb and
Shrewsbury. Eighty in the fermpr, and
fotty iu the latter town “ were reckoned
among the converts, and the work going on
with power.”]
In addition to the particulars in the pre
ceding letter, we find the following remarks
in other letters from Boston.
“ The whole aspect of things seems new. —
The strong holds of the enemy are begin
ning evidently to be shaken, the tokens for
good are various and almost innumerable,
and every thing seems preparing for a
great work. livlhe old South church, ap
pearances are encouraging. Mr. Wisner is
greatly encouraged by his prospects.
11 Mi. Dwight meets his Bible class once
a fortnight. It numbers considerably more
than 200, and is composed of youth from
several congregations. Mr. Wisner has al
so a Bible class, and so has Mr. Wayland, a
Baptist clergyman, and Mr. Fay, of Charles
town.”
The revival io Boston is most obviously
in answer to prayer, io May last, the con
gregational ministers in Massachusetts
agreed to employ an hour on each Sat
urday evening, in prayer for a revival in
the metropolis. We here see the advan
tage of concert, and learn the availing ef
ficacy of supplication.
Two Greek youths, Fazio Cavallizo, and
Anastnsius Caravilla, have arrived at Sa
lem, in the brig America from Malta and
Gibraltar. They were sent to this country
to be educated at the Foreign Mission
School at Cornwall, Connecticut.
MR. FREY.
Georgetown , S. C. March 12.
Mr. Editor —The Rev. Mr. Frey has tak
en his departure from us, bearing with him
the good wishes of the citizens of Gcorgo
town lt*waK indeed pleasing to murk tne
respectful attention winch was exhibited t”
this eminent apostle ot truth. Crowded
audience* attended the difteient churches
where he was mvit4d to preach, and witnes
sed with solemn emotions, his learned il
lustration* ot Gospel ”1 ruths. It was, how
over, more than pleasing to witness the
friendly reception wbtc)i he met from the
members of the Hebrew* Church. Serious
aud respectful atientioi) was paid to his
pal,lick lectures and private interviews clos
ed with mutual expulsions of friendship
evincing that liberality and benevolence for
which our HVhrew brethren have always
i been distinguished in this town.
May the remembrance ot his visit long be
cherished and its fruits appear to the glory
of God, and the mutual happiness of Jews
and Gentiles. PHILOS.
[ f Vinyam hit.
MISCELLANY.
MORALS IN MISSOURI.
Grand Jury Presentment.
We, the Grand Jury of the state of Mis
souri, impanelled for the county ot Cape
Girardeau, would present to our fellow cit
izens, tiie necessity of industry, and econo
my in their private affairs; and regret to
see in a state just emerging from a territori
al government, so much idlene.-* and dissi
pation, and the laws of our country 100 lit-
He respected both by individuals and offi
cers.
Persons not exercising the functions of
government, are not to lie viewed by the
eye of morality, in the same degree of tur
pitude as men exercising these functions;
and nothing can conduce to the establish
ment and permanency of good government
so much as moraliiy in the citizens, in the
instance of gambling, one of the most per
nicious vices, it is not uncommon to see
several pet sons assembled at the curd table,
and perhaps two-third* of the same, officers,
sworn to support the laws end constitution
of the state, which they daily violate.
The peace officers are frequently witnesses
of affrays in our streets, which they are
bound by law to take notice of, but lest they’
should lose (in the mercantile phrase) the
selling of a few yards of tape, or in seeking
popularity, lose two votes in apprehending
the rioters, they suffer the same to pass
with impunity.
Sabbath-breaking is a misdemeanor for
bidden by our laws, but we think we may
safely say, lor five years no notice ha 9 been
taken of the same, and for that reason it is
not uncommon to see on that day, that al
most as much labour is done as on those on
which labour is not prohibited. Sunday is
the time appointed, not only by our law,
but by the law of God, to be observed a* a
day of rest—but disregarding either, we
have instances too frequently of men (vitia
ted certainly in their habits) labouring
equally on that day as on any of the other
six.
We, the Grand Jury, express our strong
disapprobation of this conduct, and would
observe to our fellow citizens, that to be
six days industrious, will lay up a good store
for the seventh.
Signed, ROB’T. GREEN, Foreman.
And 18 other Jurymen.
FRIGHTFUL SACRIFICE.
The following letter, dated July first,and
addressed to the editor of the Calcutta Jour
nal, contains a melancholy narrative of the
immolation, or rather murder of a Hindoo
woman.
Sir—Prompted by curiosity to endeavour
to investigate the religious ceremonies of
the Hindoos, I was induced to attend the
self-immolation of a Hindoo widow at Bolly
haut yesterday. The preparatory cere
monies, if any, must, have taken place pre
vious to my arrival at the Ghaut, for I found
the unhappy victim of their idolatry in a
perfect state of insensibility.
Though 1 was aware her husband died at
so late an hour as twelve o’clock on Satur
day night, I laid aside all idea of grief for
his loss being the actuating cause of her
immolation ; and I was not disposed to think
I was wrong io so tloing, from the circum
stances attending this barbarous custom.—
It was about 20 minutes past 11 when lar
rived. The Brahmins were washing the
body of the corpse in the river, and a few
paces from litem sat (he apparently uncon
scious victim, his widow. She was 21 years
of age, beautiful to my conception, by far
the most bo os any native female I have ev
er seen ; combined with the beauty of her
face, her figure was perfect, which height
ened the distress, if possible, in the minds
of those who were witnesses of the sacrifice
and felt their inability to prevent it. The
latter, under any circumstances, I believe,
would have proved ineffectual to prevent
her dissolution, and that speedily ; forjudg
ing from her appearance (which was that
of stupefaction) I inquired of several Brah
mins, and among them I found men intelli
gently delivering their sentiments, and ex
cept in acquiescing in the detestable custom,
men with whom I thought our
views of Christianity might be pressed with
success ; they said it was her fate, and ad
ded, that if she were prevented or persuad
ed from her purpose, she would die before
three o’clock.
Upon this intimation I was led lo attend
more minutely to her situation, and I recur
to the first time I saw her ; siie was sitting
on the ground near the river supported by
two men, and as 1 said, in a state of insen
sibility ; her eyes were open, but appa
rently beyond the power of recognition of
surrounding objects. Hern she remained
until a paper wa? signed by several Brah
mins, who eagerly pressed upon the person
in whose possession is was. While this
was going forward, the Thannader asked
her the usual questions of her sacrifice be- 1
jpg voluntary, to which, m u feeble |
voice she replied affirmatively ; the per.
was then presented to her with whuh the
Brahmin? had previously signed the paper,
and she vvu* made to touch it as srgnific.ant
of her approval. The corpse beltg ‘aid
upon the funeral pile, she was raised from
the ground anil supported to the river, and
ufter being bathed, (for to bathe herself
was beyond her power) she was dressed by
attending Brahmins in a red scarf, and or
namented with flowers, and her head paint
ed with red where her hair parted ; she
was then led up to the pile, and performed,
merely and solely by the assistance of* eth
ers, the required ceremonies ; she was sup
ported round the pile seven times,and after
having performed her task her head fell on
the shoulder ol the man on her left hand,
and for upwards of ten minutes she was, to
tny idea, in a faint ; but in the sequel I was
vrtdl satisfied that the drugs which had beep
given her had begun effectually to operate.
The attendants wailed this time, I suppose,
in hopes of her reviving, and being able to
show somewhat of voluntary action in the
sight of seven European gentlemen who
happened to be present. But iu this they
were disappointed, for she remained per
fectly insensible to every object. Aud now
commenced a scene so horrible, so revolt
ing to every principle of humanity, that,
one’s blood shudders at the recital. They
lifted her up more dead than alive, and pla
-1 red her on the pile ; she had not the power
t when on it even to lay her arm over the
body of her deceased husband ; as well as
placing his head on her bosom. This was
enough for tne to see, and l left tiie scene
of murder, for no other term can he applied
to this “ infernal” transaction. The dec
larations of Brahmins that she would not
survive three o’clock, being a satisfactory
conclusion to my friend, that the drugs that
might have been administered to her were
of the most destructive nature; and it would
be well if the government would interfere
in a similar case of self-immolation, to post
pone the ceremony beyond the time
the death of the victim was so prophe
sied ; and if ft occurred, to subject the body
to the investigation of surgeons, in order to
discover the fact of murder or not. In the
instance 1 speak of the woman was perfect
ly insensible, and no part of this abomina
ble ceremony could be said to have had her
consent.
1 am, sir, yours, &c. an eye-witness.
w Mmrnmjm irT
MOUNT RION, MONDAY, MARCH 24,1823.
To establish and perpetuate the respectability
of a literary institution requires not only pecunia
ry resources commensurate with its object, hut a
government judiciously formed and prudently
| administered, and such an assemblage of talents,
I intlueuce and morals, as will secure the confidence
iof the community. However profligate publick
I manners may be, it is a fact which experience has
long since confirmed, that even the most dissi
pated men generally prefer an institution where
the morals of their sons will be sacredly guarded,
to one possessing equal claims In other respects,
where neither precept, itor example, nor influ
ence have a tendency to correct their wayward
passions and impress upon their minds their obli
gations as moral and accountable beings. We
are happy in believing that the community have
a respect for the word and ordinances of God—
they are willing, and more than willing that the
religion of Christ shall find its way into cur Col
leges and Universities, and they consider it highly
improper for men of irreligious or infidel princi
ples to occupy so responsible a station as that of
instructers of our youth. These appear, with ve
ry few exceptions, to be the sentiments of the
publick. But for us to express them, may he
considered by Mr. Cline’s correspondent as only
another specimen of that “ habitual cans” which
constitutes, “ on sucli subjects,” our whole char
acter.” As we have not yet been indoctrinated
in those liberal principles which render it a mat
ter of little consequence what a man believes,
provided he does not believe in Trinitarian Or
thodoxy, we must still be content to hear the
scoffs of the liberal and the enlightened, Jf'is
dom is surely theirs, and it will die with them.
We hope we rhall not incur the censure of ex
pressing a “ bitter solicitude” for other colleges
when we revert to the present flaltering prospects
of our “own Athenian Institution.” It is true
we cannot boast of any great things which it has
yet accomplished, but may we not expect greqt
things when we have every evidence to believe
that it is deservedly rising in the estimation of the
publick? A letter from a gentleman of the first
respectability residing at the seat of the College,
(an extract from which is subjoined) fully con
firms ns in the favourable opinions which we
have for some time entertained towards otir own
Institution. But as it is a principle by which we
intend, in our remarks, to be governed, that ws
will
li Nothing extenuate,
“Or set down aught in malice
we shall fearlessly “ obtrude upon the publick” onr
sentiments of approbation where we consider it
merited, and onr “ crude reprehensions ” of wliet
we shall consider censurable, especially when it
comes in hostile array against the doctrines of the
Cross,
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Ath
ens, to the editors of this paper , dated 12 Ul
March , 1023.
Gentlemen—Having my residence in this
place with a view to educate p:y children,
and of enjoying the blessings of health and
good society, you will not deem it intrusion
if I give you a short exposilion of the stale
and condition of our College and its appen
dages. Since the commencement of this
term, the institution here has never been at
any former period, in so promising and so
flourishing a condition. 1 have no hesita
tion in affirming, without the fear of contra-