The Sun.
London, England, 1821-04-23 00:00:00

THE NOTTOWAy INDIANS.

The only remains in the State of Virginia, of
the formidable tribe which once composed the Powhattan con-
federacy, are the Pamunkeys and Nottoways, with a few Mat-
taponies. We gave to the public some time ago, an account of
the present state of the Pamunkey and Mattapony Indians.
The following description of the Nottoways, we have received
from a friend who lately visited their settlement.
The Nottoway Indians, in number about twenty-seven, in-
cluding men, women, and children, occupy a tract of seven
thousand acres of excellent land upon the west side of Notta-
way river, two miles from Jerusalem in the county of South-
ampton.
The principal character among them, is a woman who is
styled their Queen. Her name is Edie Turner ; she is nearly
sixty years of age, and extremely intelligent : for although illi-
terate, she converses and communicates her ideas with greater
feeility and perspicuity than women among the lower orders in
society. She has a comfortable cottage, well furnished ; seve-
ral horses and cows ;_ and keeps her portion of the settlement
in a good state of cultivation. •
The ancient Nottoway or Powhattan language is only known
to the Queen and two other old Indians. This language is evi-
dently of Celtic origin, and appears equally harmonious and ex.
pressive as either the Erse, Irish, or Welch. It has two genders,
masculine and feminine ; three degrees of comparison ; 'and
two articles ; but the verbs are extremely irregular.
The old woman gave an account of the ancient superstition
or religion of the Nottoways ; from which one might suppose
that John Runyan had copied his Pilgrim's Progress.
The Nottoways believed, that the soul, after separation from
the body, was conducted by a Genius to the bank of a large
dark and gloomy river, the allotted residence of the wicked.
Acrosa this river lay a long pole, roundish and of polish smooth
as glass. The spirit was conducted by hit Genius along this
pole; having the same advice given which Lot's wife had,
" Never to look behind." The • consequence of diso-
bedience to this order immediately , proved fatal ; for the
unhappy spirit slipped his foot, and was instantly.
if
cipitatcd into the river of eternal punishment. But if he
reached the clip° ite bank in safety, a new trial was pre-
sented to him. He had to pass, conducted by the Genius,
through an extensive orchard, where trees of every description
presented to the sight the most delicious fruits; but to the
sight only; for if the spirit, neglecting the advice of the guide,
was Induced to touch any of the tempting clusters, he was im-
mediately transformed into a bear or wolf, or some brute ani-
mal. If the spirit was fortunate enough to escape from this
orchard of temptations, he entered a spacious forest abounding
with game of all kinds ; but if he did not in this instance also
follow closely his guide, he was doomed here to remain and
spend his eternity in the chase of animals. Passing from this
forest, he next entered an extensive plain, where groups of
men and women were indulging in every species of pleasure.
This was the region next to eternal bliss, and those were es-
teemed fortunate who even reached this elysium. But the few
who still had fortitude to resist all the joys which here present-
ed themselves, were admitted to the presence of the great spirit,
with him to dwell in everlasting happiness.
In the Nottoway river, adjoining the Indian land about five
miles from Jerusalem, an ore has been found, supposed by
some to contain silver, but the more probable opinion is, that
the specimens discovered are only sulphur, mixed with the
baser metals.

Four lots of the poorer part of the Indian settlement, each
lot containing 280 acres, were sometime since exposed to sale,
by an act of the legislature, for the purse of paying the debts
of the Nottoway Indians.—The first two lots brought four dol-
lars per acre ; the third five dollars ninety-four cents ; and the
fourth five dollars one cent. The terms of the sale were one
fourth cash, and three fourths in one, two and three years, se-
cured by a deed of trust given by the purchaser upon the
property.
The Nottoway tribe, if we may judge from the looks of the
few now remaining, were originally men of good appearance
and stature, not darker than a bright mulatto complexion.

THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON.—The
third General Court of this Corporation was held
at the Freemasons' Tavern, on Saturday last.
_At six o'clock, GRANT ALLAN, Esq., one of the
late Vice-Presidents, took the Chair, supported
on his right by General GORDON and. Sir HENRY
LUMSDEN, and on his left by J. MACbONALD,
Esq.---The minutes of the last General Court,
held on the anniversary of the battle, of Alexan-
dria, were read by J4.mEs GORDON DUFF, Esq.,
one of the Honorary Secretaries, .and confirmed ;
as were also the minutes of the meetings of the
Committee of Directors and other officers held
since the last Court, from which it appeared that
the Highland Society of Scotland had presented
tile Corporation with a copy of their transactions.
The thanks of the Court were unanimously voted
-to the Highland Society of Scotland for this va-
Arable present, accompanied by an expression of
the satisfaction felt by the Corporation at the co-
operation of that Society, in the attainment of
the common objects of the two Institutions. A
ballot for the election of the candidates for ad-
mission to the Corporation then took place, and
ate business of the Court was concluded. After
which the company resumed the festivities of the
day, and under the auspices of their excellent
Chairman they enjoyed that hospitable convi-
viality which has ever distinguished meetings of
Highlanders; and the several visitors w,ho were
present expressed themselves highly gratified by
their reception. John Macgregor, the Society's
piper, as well as Gow and his band, were in at-
tendance, and by their exertiens much contri-
buted to the pleasure of the day. Mr. GORDON
Derr succeeded Mr. GRANT ALLAN in the Chair,
and prolonged this social entertainment till near
midnight. The Highland dress was observed by
most of the company present, as well visitors as
Members of the Corporation.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL gives a full-dress din-
ner on the 3d of May, in honour of his MAJEST Y'S
birth-day.

The Public Days at Lambeth Palace, for this
Season, will commence on Saturday next, May
sth, and end on Saturday, May 26th.
On Saturday, his Serene Highness Prince Es-
TERHAZy returned to town from the Royal Pa-
vilion, at Brighton, in consequence of despatches
received from Vienna. The Princess remains at
Brighton.

The notice given by the Hon. H. G. BENNET,
in the House of Commons, for the extension of
the right of voting to great towns, was for Lord
JOHN ItussELL, who will bring it forward on
Wednesday the 9th of May.
WILLIAM, Marquis of Winchester, being asked
how he continued to he of the Council, in the
troublesome times of divers Princes, said, " I
never attempted to be the director of others, but
always suffered myself to be guided by the most
and mightiest. I have always been a willow,
and not au oak.

There is a species of retort so far superior to
the Common 'run of answers, that it may be very
properly styled the sublime. Of this kind is the
following :—FREDERICK the GREAT, king of
PRussrA,'asked Sir ROBERT SUTTON, at a review
of his tall granadiers, " If he thought an equal
number of Englishmen could beat them ?"
" Sir," replied Sir ROBERT, " I do not venture
to assert that; but I believe half the number
would try."

The expectation of the Royal Visit to Ireland
begins to decline. We had long since reason to
cease to be sanguine about it. It is not, how-
ever, altogether hopeless yet, which is all we
feel at liberty to say of Cc.-Trespon-
..
dent.)

D U-E L.
LORD firtERSHAM AND IVilt. W. WEparrinnlit.

CORRESPONDENCE PRECEDING THE DUEL.
Nor.
SlR—Upon my return home, at six o'clock this evening,
first saw your publication in this day's Morning Lost, and, in
consequence, lost no time in despatching an express to I,lrci
Petersham, at Brighton, who will instantly, upon receiving ivy
letter, return to town, and that moment you shall hear from n
I write this, Sir, to account for what may appear a delay on the
part of Lord Petersham, ,in not writing to you the moment Your
publication appeared. •

FOLE Y.

From yours, Sir, &c.
Hamilton-place, seven o'clock, Thursday
Evening, April 19, 1821.
P.S. Lord Petersham cannot return before seven or eigh
o'clock to-morrow.

No. H.

My Loan—l have this instant received your Lordship's let•
ter, and beg to state that.Y shall be at home at all hours to
morrow, and ready to answer all communications.

Bx,
J. WEBSTEP. WEDDERBURNE.
April 19, eight o'cloa, p. m.

No. 111.
SlR—Owing to a mistake, Lord Petersham did not receive
my letter till late this morning, consequently he is only just ar-
rived ; he now desires me to say, that it is absolutely necessary
you shotild either send a friend to me, or fix a time and place
of qaeeting to-morrow morning.
I shall be at home till 11 this evening, to. receive your reply.
From sour humble servant,
Hamilton-place, Friday evening, 7 o'clock, FOLE Y.
April 20,1821..

Nai. IV. •
MY LoRD---It was' with much surprise, after having been
detained at home the whole day, in consequence of your Lo7d-
ship's note of last night; that I have received one from you this
evening, desiring me either to send a friend to you, or fix a time
and place of meeting Lord Petersham to-morvow -Morning.
Let Lord Petersham distinctly state the grounds on winch he
calls upon me, and my friend will then be ready to receive
your Lordship, or any communication on the part -of Lord Pe-
tersham.

lam your Lordship's, &c.(Signed) J. WEBSTEI WEDDERBURNE.
Friday evening, 20th of April 1821.

No. V.

Hamilton-place, Friday evening, half-past ten.
SrR---It is with astonishment that f read your letter demand-
ing an explanation of the grounds upon: which Lord Petersham
now calls upon you for satisfaction. You have not contradicted,
but encouraged, a most scandalous and prejudicial report
against his personal honour lie calls upon you positively to con-
tradict it, or give him that satisfaction which is due 'to a gentle-
manlfalsely accused. The cause of your having been kept
waiting during the day has clearly been explained ; I must,
therefore, now repeat the necessity of your immediately fixing
upon the time andplace of meeting to-morrow, or giving under
your hand, for publication, a-contradiction of that scandalous
and false report before alluded to. Too much time has already
been lost to attend to explanations, that may, under some pre-
tence, be withdrawn.—From your's, &c. FOLE Y.
P. S. An immediate answer is expected to the above, directed
to Brookes's Club-house, St. James's-street.

No. VI.—To LORD FOLEY.
I am perfectly of Lord Foley's opinion, that too much time
has been lost in this affair, but I beg to ask, to wham is that
delay to be ascribed ?

Since every circumstance has been made public, and since so
much has passed between the parties,. I considered it necessary
on that account alone to demand " the diatinct grounds on
which Lord Petersham calls upon me." Lord-Foley- presents
me with an alternative which is wholly out of the. titacstion.
1 am aware of no " false report" in currency agamstLord Pe-
tersham ; and if. Lord Foley means . that I 'could be capable of
withdrawing any explanation. .I had once given, I must repel
such .an insinuation with- indignation; and I
.will not permit
any person to dictate that line of conduct to me, which is alone
consistent with my own honour to point out. ..
. I now, therefore, name three o'clock, p. in. at .Coombe Wood,
near Kingston, where I shall expect to meet Lord-Irtiteriliam.
(Signed) J. WEBS ER WEDDERBURNE.
No. VII.
SIR—I have received your letter, appointing three o'clock
to-morrow afternoon, to meet Lord Petersham at Coombe
Wood, which shall be punctually complied-with.
From youes,
Brookes's, Friday night.

FOLE Y.

THE DUEL.
A meeting, in consequence of the above correspondence, took
place between the parties on Saturday, at three R. in. attended
by Loid Foley and Mr. Kerr, the former as the friend of Lo
yd
Petersham, the latter of Mr. Webster Wedderburne, when,
after exchanging two shots each, without effect, the seconds in-
terfered, and the affair terminated.