Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-11-25
INDIAN ELOQUENCE,


cred in this town an interesting
address, on the subject Of the condi-
ton Of the Indians. Among other
topics, he introduced the success OF
missionary efforts, the light in which
Christianity is viewed. the benign IN
finence which its precepts have ex-
erted on their habits and dispositions.
and the progress which civilization 10
consequently making among them
Tn the course of the address he also
gave an account of Indian supersti.
tiOns. ,dteW o o' ''''
He commenced his address in the
following manner:
.In conformity to the request OF
friends, aud in compliance with my
sense of duty. I avail myself of this
opportunity to appear before this as
senbly and raise my voice in favor
of the aboriginal Inhabitants Of Anne
rics. i.
Convinced that sympathetic feel
ings begin to glow in the bosoms of
many Americans for the natives of
this country, I gladly present this
theme for your consideration. Be-
fore proceed, however. indulge me
che pleasure of informing you, that !
am one of the sons of the forest.--
Yea the image Of an Indian is spun
upon me. and aboriginal blood runs
in my veins. l have worn the ar
mour Of a Cherokee warrior, have
trsyersed the western wilds in pur,
suit of an Usage scalp. aad far to-
ward the setting Sun have gone to
ayenge The blood of my fathers
After describing the happy condi-
ton Of the natives when first visited
bv Europeans, he makes the follow
ing observation:
1t would be an useless attempt in
me to unfold to your imagination the
numbers of this people that have dis
apueared within the last three hum
dred wears, some Of whose nations
were once great and renowned. but
now they are gone, and their coun.
Gil fires are extingnished to burn no
more. And let me here affirm, and
let it be barne in everlasting remem-
brance, that their reductionin nan>
her commenced soon after their ac>
uuaintance with EUROPEANS, at the
introduction Of European vices, espe.
Ci.ny those produced hy ardent spi'
rits, under whose influence the In,
dians began to melt away
He afterwards alludes tn the situa-
ton in which the Indians found them
selves placed BY the struggles in this
country between the French and En-
eIish, and afterwards during the re-
evolutionary war.
In the bosom of country once
his. commenced the bloody struggle
which terminated in the peace and
independence of these United States.
The land of his ancestors, his be-
loved forests and delightful plains be-
came a scene of slaughter, and the
atre for the ambitious but direfui dis
play of European prowess. RePuis-
ed from cline to cline, their coasts
echoing With cries and agonies of the
dying, their villages destroyed. them
selves sharing dreadful fate, the In
dams were in CONSERVATION. AS ne
tu ned his snrroWfuI eyes toward the
north, he beheld a dark cloud gath
ering in Canada. An overwhelming
storm met his view in the south,
threatening tn deluge the whole coun-
try with blood. In the midst of con-
fusion and despair, the Indian was
compelled to raise the tomahaWk a.
eainst his red brethren, as well as
against the sons of Europe. Hence
rivers of Indian blood we're shed in
aiding the forces of Britain, or while
fighting for the freedom and liberty
of this renowned republic. The po-
sition in which the natives were
placed, especially 10 the revolution
AIRY war, was not only singular but
extremely dangerous. They were
surrounded by foreigners in every
quarter. For them to be neutral was
im oss,ble. They bad to fight or
die. But let me not be understood
that in all cases I justify the natives
for their conduct. Far from me to
speak in favor of cruelties and depre-
dations committed against the whites.
But !. bile condemn the conduct Ut
some Of my ancestors. while my soul
80 .lts rrou, the murder of MANY i'm.