The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-11-22 00:00:00

A FEMALE RED INDIAN.

The following extract from s letter of an Offi-
cer of his Majesty's ship Drake, gives an account
of un unsuccessful but meritorious efhort to esta-
blish a communication with the original inhabitants
of the Island of Newfoundland :

" Early in June we sailed to Tullingate, for the purpose
of takinng on board one of the Aborigines (commonly called
Heil Indians) of Newfoundland. She was taken last winter,
in tf.-• Bay of Exploits, by Mr. Paytonoind a party of nine ur
ten men, who bad a kited of skirmish with two ur three of her
tribe, in which one of the Indians was unfortunately killed.
From Tulliogate we proceeded with our new female ac-
quaintance to Fortune Harbour, situated in the Bay of Ex-
ploits. The object of the expedition was to endeavour to
open a friendly intercourse between the unfortunate natives
and his Majesty's subjects. Strung hopes were entertained
that the- female, from the great attention and kind treat-
ment she received, would have been of considerable service
in opening the desired communication ; she, however, proved
of no use; but, whether from stupidity, or from entertain-
ing some suspicion that our intentions were not friendly, it
is difficult to determine. This much I can say, that to me
and some others she appeared remarkably dull and stupid,
her face bring utterly devoid of expression. It is said,
in some of the English papers, that she acquired the Eng-
lish language with facility; butt this I beg to deny. She could,
indeed, apply Yes and No, pretty correctly; but no other
words did she fully comprehend. 'Tas true the could pro-
noutice almost any word, and say " Pretty, ever! pretty ;"
just as a parrot would say, " Pull, pretty poll." She was
five weeks on board the Drake, and was never once oh-
'erred In endeavour to make herself understood, either in
her own, or in any other language. She has a strong resem-
blance to the Malays ; and, I believe, po • el of a con-
siderable share of their cunning, but destitute of their vin-
dictive spirit. When taken, she was d r din a large cas-
sock that reached to her ankles, made from the skins of deer
and martins; hut afterwards she assumed the English garb.
_ . . . .

•' The boats of the Drake fell in with I Wigwams,
pitched close to the beach ; however the Indians, on dis-
coveting them approach to the land, scampered into the
woods and were no more seen. They are represented
to be as cautions and watchful as beasts of prey. The
few articles necessary fur their mode of living are uncouthly
rude—their clothing is entirely made from the skins of Jeers,
bears, Coxes, ficc. They are supposed to have no settled place
of abode, but roam where they are most likely to fall in with
fish and game : the latter they ■re said to kill very dexte-
rously with a clumsy bow and arrow."

At a meeting of the Committee, holden on Thurs-
day last, on the subject of Mr. OwErf's plan, pre-
sent. the Duke of KENT, Dr. FUDGE, Mr. W.
Tooxe, Mr. S. BOURNE, and a few other Gen-
tienlen, a Resolution was made, that, nil account
of the inadequacy of the fund., and the impracti-
cability of the scheme, the Committee should re.
store to the public the trust that had been confided
to them.

Mr. CORBETT'S family are arrived at the place of
their former residence. Batley, from America. It
is confidently asserted that COBBETT sent to this
country. in the same vestel, the bo►es of Tow
PAINE.

It is understood that the Corporation of London,
desirous of commemorating the signal services of
the Duke of WELLINGTON, in addition to the other
testimonies of their approbation, have just named
the new building-, now erecting on the lower distinct
of Moorlit Ids, " The Wellington Amphitheatre."
On Monday eve 1111 l g, a person named JON?, FISH
was apprehended at a public-house, about two miles
from Preston. fur having a pike in his possession.
The pike was found in the breast-pocket of his coat ;
and on searching under the seat where he had been
sitting, two ball-eartridg,es, a flint, and a Manchester
Observer. were found. Ile underwent a bug exa-
mination on Tue►day ut the Sessions Room, before
the Rev. Dr. WHITAKEIL, when it was deemed ad-
visable, from want of further evidence, to remand
lulu till next day, when the charge of having anus
unlawfully in his possession was substantiated, and
lie stood committed for Lancaster Castle. lie it-
utediately found bail—himself in 1004 sod two
sureties in SOL tech.