Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-20

quakes. We understand, they intended to
exchange with the United States their coun-
try on the East of the Mississippi, for
like quantity on the Arkansas
The tremendous effects of Earthquake
in this Territory, has revived an almost
| obsolete Indian rite in the mode of imploring
| the Deity, and p avert the divine dsplea.
sure. Temples are erecting in the Indian
villages, to make offerings to the Great Shi-
'H. The Shawanoes of the Maramec, {4O
miles from this place, have finished their
religious devotions. The following authen-
tic account of it may be interesting to our
readers.
| The Indian mode of worship, as hap
pened in consequence Of the late Earth
quake:
This alarming Phenomenon of nature,
| struck with such CONSERVATION and d,smay.
those tt'iocs OF Indians, that live within and
contiguous to that tract of country on the
mississippi, wheret the severity of the Earth
quake appears to have been greatest, that
they were induced to convene together in
order to consult upon the necessity of hav-
ing recourse to some method of relief, from
so alarming an incident-when it was re-
solved to fall upon the following expetlient
20 excite the pity of the Great SE,rit
| Aftera general hunt had taken place to kill
deer enough for the undertaking. A small
nut was builtto represent a temple, or T, lace
of Offering sacrifice.
The ceremony was introduced By . ge>
neral cleansing of the body and face. the
novelty ofthe occasion rendering it uDus,,-
ally awful and interesting. After neatly
sklnning their deer, they suspended them
ny the fore teet, so that their heads might
De directed to the Heavens, before the tenn
pie, as an offering to the Great Spirit. In
ehis attitude they remained for three days
winch interval was devoted to such penance
as consists i'll absolute HASTINGS; at night w.
ing upon the back upon fresh deer Skins
turning their thoughts exclusively upon The
happy prospect of immediate protection
that they may conceive dreams to that eff
fect, the only vehicle of intercourse between
them and the Great Spirit the old and
young men observing most rigorous absti-
hence from cohabtation with the women.
under the solemn persuasion that, for fa;-
'!ire thereof, instant death and Condemna-
ton awaited; and lastly, gravely and with
much apparent piety, imploring the atten-
ton OF the Great spirit to their helpless and
distressed condition acknowledging their
absolute dependence on him entreatinp
his regard to their wives and children de
claring the fatal consequences that must
inevitably ensuc by withholding his notice
namely, the loss of their wives and children:
and their total disability to master their
game, arising from their constant dread of
ms anger /; and concluded in asserting their
full assurance, that their prayers are heard
their object is accomplished by cessation
OF terrors, and gaTebecoming again plenty
and easily overcome.
On the lapse of the three DAYS. thus de-
Dictated, believing themselves forgiven fen.
every unwarrantable act of which they were
sensible, that the Offering was accepted 4:
they finally begin with mutual relation of
their respective dreams the scene is chang
ed to JOY and congratulation, by proceeding |
ravenously TO devour the sacrificed deer tn
alleviate their fast.
We are informed from a respectable |
source that the old road to the post of Ar l
kansas, by Spring river, is entirely DESTROYED
by the last violent shocks of EARTHQUAKES:
chasms of great depth and considerable |
length crosst the country in various directions.
some swamps havebecame dry others deem |
lakes, in some places hills have disappear |
ed.
by letters from Fort Madison Of the 9th |
INST. we learn,that the Winebagoes constant
~ hover about the garrison and fire on those |
VINO venture beyond the limits of the public |
ground. On the Sd, soldier Corporal Leo |
hard) VINO was permitted to go out to hunt,
was cut to pieces about 2miles from the Fort. |
hey have endeavored to shoot the sentry /!
but was discovered before they could obtain |
a proper distance. Friendly Indians say,
that the Winebagoes, Pottowatomies and |
hickapoos, intend to storm the fort as soon
as the ice breaks up.
Extract cfLetterS from CHICAGO and Peori-
as, receiUed IN tom q /ezo doys AFRO.
he Indians who have committed the
murders in Illinois territory are within a
few miles of this place, but they will not
De given up. Several attempts have been
made to obtain from the Pottowatomies. an
account of the number lost in the Wabash
aaair, they say there were only 40 or so kill
ed, and few wounded, who are getting
well they take pains to hide the number
-hey have lost. The Prophet is exerting
himself to collect his forces the Potowa-
omies are all tor war and are forming plans
% sack the garrison, and the Winebagoes
IRE assembled at Millewakee, 90 miles
w. from this place, to the amount of 500.
md breathe nothing but war and revenge
from every village nothing is heard but the
ong OF war, and it is expected to commence.
IS soon as few chiefs return, who went to
incomes to feel the pulse of Governor Har-
son."
The company of Rangers raised in the
limos, under the command Of Capt White
ideS nave marched to the most exposed sec
ion OF their frontier report says that they
re as fine company as ever trod the tent
d field,
FROM THE NATtoNAL INTELL1cExcER.
or APsIL IL.
FGyfheI Reflections on the present Crisis of |