The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-05-12
mo. rs.

| w tHlfl CDnuHfIPu us I'D bower.
where We were seated with some of
the head men the villagers not en-
gagged in dancing located tbemsel-
YES in an opposite arbor. The young
men. unusually dressed AID orna.
mentcd. had spurs attached 10 their
SNOWY long mDCasins. am with
checks blackened IN represent wills
kers, and faces painted. made lu-
dierpus appearance. Small terra
pin Shells ili,d with pebbles affixed
Ia the ancles Of the lcn ale dancers,
were their only Instruments Of music:
mllth laughter was excited by the
dancing and various amusing tricks.
The dogs responded To The Indian
yell, aud numerous owls, attracted
by the light, booted from The tall
hickorics and oaks adjacent. while
the roar Of alIigators added 10 the
diversity.
The indians hold an annual feast,
When their crops are gathered, mt
which, If adultcrers, who had fed Ia
avoid the punishment Of loosing
their ears, appear, they are pardon
cd. The Indians are well acquaint-
cd with many medicinal plants.
Their dwellings, are usually con-
stroctcd of logs the roofs of bark
or split pine are very tight the
sides OF the best are neatly lined
with clapboards, but without floors
or div isions, and much Infested by
lleas. They have little furniture.
Poticrs' ware of IA good shape aud
we'll baked, is made by females. The
chief OF Sanialasco. aided by small
bellows, anvil, hammer, and file,
manufactures with much ingenuity.
from coin, hadsomc ornaments Of
silver. We conyerscd frequently
with this intelligent ld man, through
the medium OF our Interpreter, n
shrewd native negro, Who spoke
ilnently Seminole and English. The
Chief mentioned All instance of In.
dian credul,ty. II is believed by the
natives, that II monster, with n large
serPent's body shining like silver.
whose breath is destructive TO all
that approach, occupies large sink
or cave in East Florida. guarding
n mine. Similar stories are cur
rent among Cherokecs. The Span
ish authorities made irnitless
search for this treasure q few years
since.
These Indians do not appear to
have form of worship, but believe
in Supreme Being. The chief in.
formed M that according to Indian
traditions, the world WIS created
by the Great Spirit that ho formed
three men, an Indian, n white, and
n black man--the Indian was tho
most pcriect---thcy were called into
his presence, and directed To select
their cmploymcnts the Indian
chose bow and arrow, the white
man n book, and the negro spade.
The chief had heard 0g our Saviour.
and his sufierings, but supposed he
had been put to death by the Span
iards.
The Indians are very unwilling
To leave their lakes, fertile hlIs, and
agreeable climate. tor the southern
reservation. that has little to re-
commend II except its being SO un-
desirable, that The Indians may re-
main there unmolested. The chief
said they had cherished a hope that
the whites would continue satisfied
with the coasts, and suffer them to
retain "a valuable remnant Of their
possessions. bat observed thai il was
the will Of the Great Spirit, Il they
must submit. II was with difficulty
the Scminolcs were induced to as
sent to the treaty ofcession,and they
would probably resist its execution
if they had any chance of success.
Several of the chiefs have rcserva-
tions, and are permitted to remain
in West Florida, with limited num-
Der OF followers. There are now
several Indian villages in the great
southern reservation.