American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-11-25
From the .Aeo FORK Daily advertiser.

about the United States for the last years, and ex
hibed natural curiosity, died lew days since
in that CITY, We hope for the honor oil the United
States that no other such human exhibition as This
will ever be permitted in this civilized and Christian
country This unfortunate man belonged to the
Sacs, numerous and powerful tribe inhabltng the
ba nks OF the Mississippi, between Priarie du
Chen and ST. Louis. Shawiskanan, the son OF
their late Chief nephew of the present, was the le-
Igitimae successor after the death Of his uncle.
lie possessed more than ordinary talents, and was
highly respected among his countrymen probably
being considered, according to their suPerstitinus
motions, as superior being in consequence OF the
Extraordinary deormtes OF body under which he
labored. II was regarded by his tribe Us wise
and prudent counsellor, and possessed over them
istrong and important influence.
That a man ofthis character, connections and in
luence among large tribe of Indians, should have
been carried from city to city. and from place TO
place, as Show and curiosity, to be gazed and
wondered az, is subject not merely OF regret--it
can scarcely tail to excite strong and general repro
baton. In what maner this poor savage was drawn
away from his friends and nation we do not know ;
but that il was!done decetlu1y aud frauGuentiy,
| there is much reason TO believe. He who had
charge of him ceartainly imposed grossly upon the
public in some particulars. Among other mis-
Representations which he practsed, he constantly
told persons who visited the Indian that he could
not speak English, but that he understood French.
| A gentleman who was a lew weeks since IN Provi-
ldence where Shawiskanan was then eXhibltlng cal.
4 led TO see him and fortunately found him alone.
Having understood that he could not speak En-
/ glish, be add essed him in French; upon which the
i Indian replied, that he understood English better
than French, requested the gentleman to take a
seat and en- cred into conversation with him con-
corning his situation. In the course OF this con-
versaton, he complained much Of the hardships to
\ which he was sutlectcd--said his keeper : a
tIta1, 4bash he nTA1 fn he an na
\ and repeated several times and with great EN-
lphasis that he was bad man, and he could ht him
Iif lie hnda nliiM.' In short time the keeper
came in, and Very soon informed the gentleman that
. the Indiangslld not speak Engsh---and at the
, same time'took much pains TO assure him hat he
4 was himself an American. 1t was perfectly appa.
rent that the Indian in fear Of his keeper aud
burst in his presence, show that he understood
Il English. When spoken TO in that language, he
turned to Flhe keeper for an interpretation who
went through the farce of transating the CONVERSE
4 ton into ba barous French. All this time Shawis-
kanan silly expressing to The stranger the ut
most contempt for the keepers conduct at thus at
tempting TO impose upon him.
4 In consequence Of the facts disclosed at This in
tervew, a representation made TO The head of
1.-THE proper Department at Washington, Tor the pur
q pose Of aseertaining whether measures might not
D be adopted to rescue this miserable child OF tile
forest and of misfortune from the power Of his un-
b feeling, and sordid keeper An answer was immedi
aely recieyed il which it stated that The laws of
S the Union contained no provision by which the In
c dian could be aiken away from the custody Of the
E man but that it might probably be effected by
the laws of the state where he might be found and
lit the reasonable expenses OF his transporation
back his tribe and friends would be betrayed by the
, government Measures were promptly taken TO ac'
: lcompllsh desirable obi ect and the necessary
: documents forwarded few days since 20 Prov
him ~ be here efll Oosf
ssncerey regret the death otthe unfortunate chief,
: probably in some measure caused by the hardshps
he endured,apd the wounded feelings he experien-
! ced
Ill An attempt made in this city two years ago,
y when Shawskanan first exhibited here to rescue
n him from his keeper, hu for some other,
IS il did not succeed. Had he been reformed to his
TRIBE, there is every reason TO believe it would have
been considered by them as distinguished act Of
: kindness and Friendship. much lighter aifort
u than this may be naturally considerably them, has
J., frequently given rise TO savage war.
: But in whateyer manner it nigh; or may affect
: the Sacs; ASS civilized, humane, and Christian
n peope, we are bonnd tn consider this and any
ther exhib ton ot human beingsor the mere vulgar
: show, degrading 10 character. This poor,
Ignorant, deiolmed savage is said 10 have been an
bject OF aeciiop and respect his wild and unin
structed nation X is understood that they regarded
: him object Of the greater reverence because
he the subject Of great misfortune. They look
ed up to him as their counsellor and guide, and as
!, their future sovereign and head Here he
placed, for the mere qualification of sordd avarice,
=, upon footing with apes and monkeys with wild
beasts OF the forest, aud monsters OF the deep.
We hope most sincerely that the legislatures of
The will thihk ii object Of sufficient impor-
S lance, prohibit under penalties, The ex-
hbiton OF living human beings as objects OF curl
0 osty and speculation: Decency, well as human