The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-05-19
was brought to his lodging, and only a short
time before he expired.
DESTRUCTION OF PEIypsCoT FALLS.

The Androscoggin River issues from a
chain of lakes in the North Western part of
the State Of Maine, bearing the same rela-
ton to its streams as do the inland seas OF
Pour Canadian boundary, to the majestic
stream of ST. Lawrence. Seeking passage
to the ocean, it pours in direction towards
the west. Then it turns south and pursues
direct course till it meets mountain bar
rier, when it again changes its channel, fow-
ing eastward for the distance OF nearly fifty
miles, between the ranges of these hills
which close down upon its path, leaving on
ly space enough for the stream and the in
tervale. At length it finds an outlet among
the mountains, and after traversng long
extent of country and scattering fertility
along its banks, joins its tributary waters to
those of the sea- But this circuitous course
is impeded by many distractions. Near
the present village of Lewistown, the waters
are precipitatcd over mass OF rocks stretch
ed across the channel. They do not rush in
one broad and unbroken sheet over the ledg-
cs but by tumbling from ledge to ledge. are
dashed into foam and rain-bows are painted
OH the spray rising from the commotion.
Here was a scene of remarkable desolation
to the savagcs, and this spot of the entire
destruction of once flourishing nation.
The Rockmego tribe, (if we do not misre-
member the nancy were formerly settled ma
nv miles above these falls The scite of their
settlement was chosen with admirable taste
and Judgment. The wide plain recedcd
from the margin of the river, and spread in
to a rich and beautiful intervale. The fer
tility OF the alluvial soil, exhausted by the
uxuricnt growth of maze, was restored and
revived by the deposits of the annual Hoods
The stream gliding TRANQUILITY by, with a
7 md
whose wigwams were on its borders. The
rude implements of agriculture, the vessels
of culinary art, and the bones of former ten
ants and owners of the land, are frequently
disintcrretl in the places of their ANCIENT hab-
itaton. III this beautiful situation the tribe
was established. Remote from the scene
of that warfare, wagcd by their countrymen
against the White intruders in the eastern
country, they had shared little in the con-
test and escaped from its devastating effects.
Their strength was reserved for an enter
prise to be fatal in its termination.
The irritation that prevailed among the
rcd men, and prompted them to dig up the
war hatchet, had extended to the warriors
of this retired clan. About the year 1888 an
expedition against the village of Brunswick,
was projected then in its infancy. Apprised OF
its feeble and almost defenceless state. the
savages Justly expected that it would fall an
easy preyto their overpoweling force. 10 the
keen desire of revenge, was the hope OF rlcA
plunder, and so firm was their confidence,
that they resolved to abandon their own set
tlemcnt, while they paid a bloody visit TO
the white inhabitants. After celebrating
according to oldcn customs, the rite to pro-
pitiate the malignant deities they worshIpp-
ed. they embark ed themselves and their fam
lies in their canoes. Their fortune and their
simple riches were deposited in place
Of safety and concealment, and the whole
tribe were iloated down the streams The
shadows Of evening fell on the river before
they arrived at the falls. They sent two OF
the company forward to kindle fires ON the
shore Just above the rocks, that they might
rest during the night, to RECRUIT their
strength for the morning work OF destruc-
ton. From mistake, or treachery, or some
untold reason, the fires were lighted below,
and the blaze gleamcd up among the pines
at the foot of the descent. The fleet came
on. and deceived by the signal, the warriors
were carried into the swift current, where no
human power can save, before the error was
discovered A resistless current bore them
onward aaA they had scarce time to raise
the death song, before the fearless warri-
or;. and the timid females, the young and
the old. the strong and the weak, were
hurled over the cataract. The pride and
population of the whole tribe perlshed
from existence, and the cries OF agony were
lost in the uproar of the waters 1he bte-
less corscs of the Indians were borne on the
waves of their native river by the town they
had devoted TO the flames, and its lnhabl-
tants had abundant cause of gratitude to that
oyerruling Providence which had interposcd
to preserve them from murder or from a
homeless captivity. Of all who went forth
with the certainty of success, save the two
who occasioncd the disaster, none escaped
to tell the tale of ruin.
The revered historians of the period have
not given any account of this event i'll their
annals. 1t rests upon the authority of tradi-
tons, preserved in the neighbouihood OF its
occurrence and if any fact can be establish
ed hv the multitude of those who testify TO
its truth, or confirmed by corroborating EVIL
tcucc. this may be received as certain.
! On the hills near the falls there was once
} large and populous settlements hese
were surprised and eXterminated by the En-
r,ish soldiers. On the field OF slaughter the
bones of the slain are often ploughed up, and
military implements of curious workman
/ shin. rnstcd and broken are often discover
ed. The marks of fires of their camps are
i still visible, and shells, the remains of form
cr feasts are strewed around.
Different colours o. fmourning In Europe
bJocEi is GENERALLY used because it represent.