Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-11-13
SHANAWASKAN.


The story of this young Indian has rlnde:-
gone both legal and philosophical investigation.
and proves full ofinterest Nature has cruel,
sported with his limbs, and entirely deprived
HIM OF the use of his lower extremities bui
has made him amends in the conformation OF
those parts which are the seat of sentiment
and understanding. His bust is uncommony
line, and though not twenty years old, his
countenance is expressive of thought and di--
nIty lie is an hereditary chief of the Saall
nation, and connected with chiefs of the Me
| NOMINEES. He has five sisters, ali handsome
persons, and well formed. His father was
Killed IN warfare, and he has now an uncle chn.f
of two large villages.
lie came TO visit the great nation, to see its
father and counsellor, and TO witness the eff
lects of power and civilization upon mems
lives and manners, not doubling Of that hos
pita!ity which the BigkniveS had always ex-
perlenced from his nation.
On quitting Detroit, where he had resided
some time, he brought letter from Major
Ge1eral Macomh TO Doctor Mitchll
The expectation of this poor stranger were
not happily confirmed. He and his conduc-
| tor Captain John Pearson, were, for the sake
oil subsistence, reduced to the extremity Of
sheWIng HIM as monster, in contiguity with
AN exhibition of monkies, parrots and SER
penis; and some persons, practising upon his
feelings, had possessed him with the idea that
the great medicine men, who we2t to look at
him, intended to dissect or ernbalm him for
their curiosity, and that, instead of seeing
the great father at Washington, he would he
| cruelty put to death and, conceiying that his
guide must be of the plot, aud understanding
That he wrote in blood, perhaps red ink, he
became alarmed and discOnteDtCd. He some
time ago, produced paper containing an eh-
treaty Tor pity and protection, and that hrs
case might be made known to the magistrates
of the country. Some persons having sug-
gested this to the Recorder of this city, ttlIe
honorable Richard Riker) he requested Mr.
Sampson to assist him in investigating the
truth and, upon return to f!obens CORPUS
and the production of the Indian by Captain
Pearson, strict scrutiny took place. lie
was at first able, by knowledge Though i'm
perfect of the French language, TO make his
Tears and wishes distinctly known but after
wards conversed very freely, in the Chippawa
tODg'te, with Mr. Schiefielin, former agent OF
indian affairs for the u. S. Mt Detroit. Ide
! earnestly cntreatcd TO be delivered from tn,
custody of Captain Pearson, and suffered t.
go with Il young man who lived in the house
where he was shewn and the Recorder after
swearing both MIR. Sampson and Mr.. Schief-
J fclin as TO their Interpretation, and with the
/ prccaution of a recognlzance for his forthcorn-
| ing the next morning, let him follow his choice.
Next morning, he stated that he had cross
cd = river; but being covered over he could
not describe the way he had gone He lad
been shcwn for money, none of which he had
received but had paid something for the ex
peuses. He was now entirely wcaned from
his new conductor, and has become recon-
ccd TO his former guardian and wllvn ralli-
ed upon his fears, he expressed hlnselfto this
effect
:" am a stranger, and alone and dishoart-
ened. Your hearts are strong, and without
fear; mine is as chd's | cannot discern
what is true or what is right Fly fathers
J heart (meaning the Judge is strong aud he
:, understands what is tit aud will do for mo
, what is best, and take care for me- You have
, kissed the great book 81 the Great Spirit. |
7 know and fear the Great SPIRIT, though am
: AN Indian; and have no doubt now that YOU
! will do what is right by me"
j Mr.. Schiefeln lad known Captain Pearson
b for more than twenty FIVE years he formerly
:. commanded vessels trading upon the lakes,
e and bore a good character. lie was, more.
. over, the bearer Of General Macomb's letter
q TO Doctor Mitchll added to this, Major For
9Th, then Oh his way bark TO Detroit alsG