The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-15
From the Baltimore Patriot,
JOURNEY OF LAFAyETTE
TIE COUNTRY OF THE CREE
INDIANS

| In Paris new periodical work has recent.
ly been established, called the Reuue .4meri-
came, which is devoted to intelligence and
particulars relating to this country. One Of
the numbers contains an extract from Mr..
lie Vassieur's Journal of Lafay tour
mong the Greek Indians. It is written with
SO much simplicity and spirit, that we can
not doubt the following translation will be
highly acceptable to our readers.
"Macon, pretty little town, which is now
tolerably well peopled, was not in existence
eighteen months ago. 1t seems to have aris.
Ell from the forests as by enchantment. 1t
is civil spot, lost amid the still immense
domains of thu first children Of America.
About league thence we are in the bosom
of virgin forests, and the tops of the trees
which seem as old as the world hang over
our heads. The winds sounded through
them by turns grave and shrill which M.
de Ch4teaubriand calls the voice of the des-
ert Our road was a sort of trench, at the
bottom of which the carriage of the Gener-
al rolled with difficulty, and was often in
dlnger of breaking. We followed on horse
back and thus arrived at the Indian Agen-
cy.
This is situated in the midst OF forests,
contructed for the convenience ot the Indian
| Chiefs and the Agents of the United States,
who hold their conference there. 1t was
there that the treaty was formed, after
Which the Indian tribes still inhabitants of
the left branch of the Missouri, consented
for considerable sum, to retire to the right.
The wear 1897 was assigned for their evacu-
alton. and it is not without pain that the In
dians see this conclusion of their ancient
/ Nbax, tutf \, AZ
the neighborhooel of civilized men notwith-
standing they dislike them. They accuse
their chiefs Of having betrayed them in max
ing this cession, and we are assured, that ii
has already cost the life of Macintosh, one
of the slgners of the treaty.
We passed the night at the Indian Agen
ev--the habitatinn was deserted. For fifty
wears the name of General Lafayette had
| lived among them by tradition, and an hun
dred Indians had waited to receive us; but
the delays which we experienced during oul
rout having tired their patience, they had
gone elsewhere to prepare reception. We
had 10 travel tfirty-two miles the next day
by roote still less practicable--Such g
storm as we have never seen in England
and which however do not wish to describe
assaied us and dispersed us during some
hours. Very happily we met with shelter
it was cabin raised by an American, moi
far from our road. Some Indian hunters
probably in the habit Of taking shelter there
were driving their clothing around large
fire. at which we took our place without be
ing known, and without attracting grea
deal Of attention. Mime, on the contrary
WAS very strongly excited by this meeting
the first, had had Of the kind. had heari
so much of these children OF nature, and hav
ing only lived in civilized country, hae
formed such singular ideas about them tina
the least of their gestures, the smalles
piece of their clothing or armour, excited II
me almost as much astonishment, as the In
dans in return seemed to feel upon seeins
us. As far as the language Of signs permit
ted | put to them number of questions
which they answered by pantomine at ono
expressive and laconic.
The immobilty Of the Indians has heel
mentioned to me as natural faculty, which
is sngularly increased in them by education
wished to have some experience upon th
point, not knowing how they would take it.
provoked one of them by some hostile
signs. hue-my anger though very well te'gn
ed, did not move him any more than the
play of a child. He continued his conversa'
ton without regarding me and without ex
messing either fear or disdain. After some
trials Of the same kind, and always met will
! the same imperturbable calmness, ! return
ed again to signs of kindness. offered te
, the Indians my gourd fullof brandy. Tha
succeeded better. They emptied il; show
ed them some pieces OF silver in my hand
and they took them away without ceremo
nv. Quilted them soon, ard it appeared tt
me that we parted good friends.
|, The err: ftfe storm permitted rat2 nee