The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-02-22
ABORIGINAL AFFECTION.
from Longs Expedition 10 the Rocky
Mountains

beautiful sqnaw, OF one of The most dis
tlnguished families of the Omawhaw ma.
ton. This match on the part aC the hus
band, Vas induced BY the follawing cir
cnmstance. Bong an active, intelligent
and enterprising man. lie had introduced
the American trade to the Missouri Indi,rs,
aud had gained great confidence among
them by his bravery and Ingenious drporl
mrnt But he AT length perceived that his
Influence was gradually declining IN couse
qa.nce Of the presence and wives Of many
rival traders, to whom his enterprise had
opened the way, and that his customers
were gradually forsalSlug hin.
Thus circ1mstaaced, in ordrr 10 gain tine
ground he determined to make natriun
NAL alliance with one Of the most powerful
families OF the Omawhaws. In pursuance
OF this resolution, he selected squaw,
whose family and friends were Just such
"a he drsrled and addressed himself to
h r p rents agrreabIy to the Indian custom,
aud informed them that he loved THEN
daughter aud that he was very sorry To
see her in state of poverty common 10
her nation, and although he possessed a wife
among the white people, yet he wished to
have one also OF the Omawhaw natiOn.-
II they should transfer their daughter to
him in marriage, he would obligate him
self to treat her kindly aud as he hid
commenced a permanent trading estab
lishment in their country, he would dwell
during portion of the year with her, and
the remainder with the white people, as the
nature of his occupation required. His
establishment should be her home, and that
of her people during her life, as he never
intended to abandon the trade. In return
he expressed bis expectation that for this
act the nation would give him their pei
tries, in ORDER that he might be enabled to
comply with his engagement TO them
He further promised thai if the match
proved fruitful, the children should be
made known to the white people, aud
would robabIy b. qualified 10 continue the
trade after his death.
The parents replied with thanks or his
liberal offers, and for nis disposition 10
have pity on them, they would not oh
lect 10 his connection and hoped thai
their daughter would accept him as a nus
band.
The parents then retired and opened the
subject 10 their daaghtr they assured her
that her proposed husband WAS great man
z eater than any of the Omaw haws-
that he would do much for thenl--and
concluded by requesting her to acqnrsce
III the wishes of the white nan. She re
piled, that all they said was without dnab
true, and that agrceably TO his request, she
was willing to become his wife.
The agreement being concluded, the ira
der made presents agreeably 10 the custom
of the nation, and he conducted his iutcIes
ting prize to the house.
The ensuing aulum she had he pleasure
of seeing him return, having no. couc,iv
ed for him the most tender attaChmrui.-
Upon his sst the following season she pre
seated him with fne daughter, bon da
rirg his aascuce, and " HON she had nursed
with the fondtst attention. With the IA
fant in her arms, she daily seated herself
Quite bank Of d ii, er, ard followed the
downward course with her eye, to gain the
earliest notice of hi, approach. Thus the
time passed on. The second year a IA
taer greeted a sen, and obtained his sqraw's
reluctant consent TO take their daughter
with him or his return voyage TO the coun
try ofthe white people But go sooner had
be commenced his voyage, although she
had another charge upon which to lavish
her caresses, than her maternal fondness
ovetpowered hey, aud she ran crying and
screaming along the river side in pursuit of
the boat, tearing out her long flowing hair,
and appearing to be almost berelt of rea
son. On her return home she gave away
every thing she possessed, cut off her hair,
went in deep mourning, and remained in
eonsolable. She would often say that she
we'll knew her daughter would be better
treated, than she could be at home, but
she could rot avoid regarding her own 81
tuation 10 be the same az if the Wahconda
one of the deties) had taken away her
own offspring forever.
One day IN company with ak other
squaws, she was engaged in her agrlCultu
raj labors, her infant being secured 10
his cradle like board, which SHE had re
cllaed against a tree at short distance
They we're discovered by war party of
the Sioux, who rushed towards them with
the expectation of gratifying their ven
geance by securing their scalps. Nm cx
clamatiou from her companions directed
her attention TO the com mon enemy, aud
in her flight, she fed preclpltately, but
suddenly recoleciing her child, She swiftly
returned, fell in the face of the Sioux,
sna,ched her child from the tree and Turn
ed To save its life more precious than her
own. She was c,os.ly pursued hy "nr of
the enemy, when she arri.ed al fence
which separated her from the trading
house. A moments hesitation here would
have been fatal, and eXerting All her
strength, she threw the child, with It's
board, as far as she could ON the opposite
sid. -
Four Of the sqnaws were tolnahawked
aud the others escaped, Of which mum
Der the mother was one, having succeeded
IN bearing off her child uniniurrd.
l'hp tralnr IN hig arrival AT the settle