Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-07-31
TIE ABoRIGrNEs.

TEE ABoRIGINEs.
rive can assure the reader that the fol-
lowing communication, TO use the language
of the writer, is no fiction" We are as
sured from the most respectable sources,
that the interesting incident mentioned,
occurred as related by our correspondent.
[Coanecticm Mirror.
Mr.. EprroR,-Sbould you believe that
the following will be interesting to your
readers, it is at your service. will only
observe, it is no fiction. The cireum-
stances occurred, and the speech was deli
vered, in the presence of Gen. Brown and
suite, and many other persons of the first
responsibility; some Of whom understood
the language, and can vouch for the cor
rectness of the translation. VIATOR.
The comparative rank which The Abort
gines Of this country hold in the scales OF
national intellectual talent, has been often
the subject of investigation. and by the ad-
vocates of their equality with other nations
in this respect, the speeches of Logan, ands
others Of their chiefs and warriors, have
been produced as incontrovertabie testimo-
ny of the business of their claim. All these
speeches. however, which | have seen,
are confined TO the subjects Of war. revenge
or policy. Indeed so little has ever been
heard from them on other subjects, that it
has been believed by many that they are
destitute Of those feelings which would give
being to illusions indicative OF the warmer
feelings of the heart. In this point ofviev
the speech annex, may be deemed Gu
riosity. Not that there is any thing really
new in the sentiments conveyed, but as il
was unexpected to hear them in such a
form, from an Indian.
In the course of a tour, the present sum-
mer, into the western states, was on board
the steam boat Walk-in-the- Water, on her
return from Mackinaw, where the speech
Of Maokawitta" was spoken of--and
copy Of it was furnished by an English ira
weller on board, with the following notice
of him. This gentleman first met with
Makcawitta, high up the Ottawa or Ottawa
river, in company with s or GOO of his
countrymen. He noticed him particularly
at that time, as being the most perfect man
in form and features he had ever seen, in
which opinion he was joined by all the pas
sengers in the steam boat. He was young,
not to exceed twenty, and perhaps little
exceeding the middle size his form & fea-
lures were purely Grecian-he was neat IN
his dress, and there was an understandable
grace and dignity in all his movements.
The morning after the arrival Of the
steam boat at Mackinaw, he, with from 8
to 700 Of his countrymen arrived there on
war expedition, against some OF the
southern Indians, and came on board the
boat. He ir mediately attracted the atten-
ton of the passengers and one OF the ladies
in sportiye mood, took ring from her
own, and placed it on bis finger. Macka'
itta knew not what to think OF this act'
until gentleman on board, who spoke MS
language, informed him that ring was
token of affection. Placing himself in
graceful attitude, be immediately addressed
the lady as follows:
You have conferred the best gift-thIs
&c ring-emblem of love-of love that en-
" dures while the Great Spirit endures.-
"My heart is touebed--it is yours for
ever.
81 will preserve this ring while live
" L will bear it with me over the mighty
waters, to the land Of the good spirits.
81 amhappY to be with you on this won
/" derful canoe, moved by the Great Spirit,
"and conducted by the big fish OF the
"great deep. wish to be with you till !
go to where my fathers have gone.
Take back the ring--and give me that
] (which value more--yourself."