The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-02-19

P-So
tratcd aud unhngcd by the encouragement Of such
societies. The Christian religion. nc said we all knew
was the best but we cannot make all these Indians
religious at
Mr. Baldwin in reply, coutended that the object OF
the memorial the most harmless that could be ask
cd Of Congrcss-the petitioners were among the last
ia the world 10 have improper views or motives
there were not in the country any better or more
public spirited Inc'l they aimed extending the art
trihes-such purpose could not interfere with any
benevolent attempts Of the government.
Mr.. Wright, Of Maryland followed, with speech,
upon which am 10th even TO touch, so extravagant
, and unbecomng was it, in It's whole purport. he as
serted that the Indians religious and worship
ped with much arlor aud zeal the great unknown
spirit any other sect whatever--that no good was
done by converting them from their faith, because
their principles unhnged at the same timc-Cod
sring written his law in all their hearts and thoughts
nothing now was 10 BE done He illustrated his thesm
by the case of-the pig, which, no matter at what
disarce he be removed from his usual place Of abode,
without compass br logarithmg can find his way homo
through the pahlcss woods and wilderness" He rela-
ted the story Of robin which was once taken from
Duck crcsb to Philadelphia and left there but maxi
ing ITS escape, II Immediately flew back to the place
from which II was taken. lie averred that any meas
ures taken by the government change che religion or
the Indians, would he in the teeth of-tne Constitu-
ton The missionaries sent among the Indians, were
little better than spies among them to learn how to
cheat heF -" How do we know, said Mr.. w that
the Indians have not for their guidance better larc
than We, % VIC them with their whipping-Dosts
and las in every settlement No the law of God has
gFon them property in commos, and so they enjoy il
in freedom and with pleasure. Mr.. W. said he be-
lieved that the savage life which they enjcy-for he
was very fond Of the chase limscf-was more favor
able to the happiness Of the Indians than any new or
der of things which would nc introduced bv the eccle-
siasficS lie believed, he said that we were doing
wrong 70 those people by disturbing their habits and
feelings. 1t would he libel on the Creator TO say
that he had cxactcd from his creatures an obedience
to his law without inScrbing his law on their hearts.
IL might be asked at distance, after this was
7 q, whether Congress were really considered
as representing Christian country, that such
doctrines were suffered to be preached in that
hitioh ~ uaiFSi7di 81
1t happens that the utterer is universally re-
garded az not less stricken in mind than he is
in years But what mist astonish you and eve
~ is, that his district should not feel ashar1-
cd Of placing him in the legislaturc-tliat when
he addressed himself to lis constituents for their
votes, they did not give him an answer like that
of Henry the Fifth to Falstaf-
" We know thee not old man Fan 10 thy PRAYERS. &c.
When Voltaire returned thanks to Rousseau
for his dissertation in honour Of savage life, he
told him that he felt inclined, for the first time
since his childhood, to GO on all tours Mr..
Wright's discourse, though not enite as eloquent
as that Of the mad philosopher of Geneva, must
raise in every mind the same idea--the case Of
the pig was happily chosen among lis analagies,
You recollect Lord Rochester's " Satire against
Mankind" which lie was as well entitled 70
promulgate as Mr.. Wright what have quoted
Were ]. who, TO my cost already am
One of those strange, prodigious creatures, man.
spirit free, to choose for my own share.
What sort of flesh and blood pleasd to wear,
I'd he dog monkey, or a bear.
Or any thing, Int that vain animal
! Who is so proud OF being RATIONAL SC.