Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-28
Thc oighth number of the Illinois Magazine c

The eighth number of the Illinois Magazine con-
tans an article entitled "Reminiscences of the Sci
OTTO Valley" in which the following anecdotc is re-
lated. When Virginia coded the territory north
west of the Ohio to the United States, the valua-
bic tract lying between the Great Scoto and the
Little Miami reserved fer the purpose of renu-
mcrating the officers and soldiers OF the Virginia
line, for their services during the revolution. In
1888 committee ut the head of which the
late Gen. Neville was appointed to examine the
tract of land, and report the result. They embark
ed at Fort Pitt. in "A Kentucky boat, with u few
rifemen, who were to serve in the double caparity
of guard for defence against the Indians, and
of hunters to procure subsistence for the party,
during their long and perilous expedition.
1.-The travellers continued their explorations I'M
I'll they came in sight of the Mississippi, when they
returned to the Falls of the Ohio After spending
few days here, they crossed the river, and enter
ed the great wilderness northwest of the OH o, on
their way to examine the Virginia Military District
On arriving tho Scioto, near tho Chillicothe
old town, their horses stolen by tribe of
Shawness; whilst negotiating for their restoration
and holding talk with the nation, as representa-
tlvcs from Congress- depucd for that purpose, "A
marauding party returned from an expedition a.
gainst the back settlement of Yrgina They display
cd several scaps, treph les of their success and
among their opinia spoiLa, on interesting coun-
try girl, about Is years of age. Her grief was
overwhelming, and when she found some OF her
countrymen in the camp of the savages, she threw
herself on her knees to them, and begged them to
rescue her from her wretched situation. Every ex-
erton made to procure her release; the party pro.
duccd all the money they had, amounting to sever
al hundred dollars, and offered it as her ransom;
they made large promises and threats on the part of
the States, but all in vain. Capt. Snip, who COM
mandcd the Indian marauding party, claimed the
poor girl his prize, and refused any compro.
mise. Alter much discussion and alteration,
however, the chief made a proposition; Col. n
had favorite servant large and fine LOOKING
mulatto man. The Indians have u peculiar fond
ness for slaves Snip agreed to give up the captive
girl Tor Patrick. Here was dilemma; Col. N was
Il most humane and benevolent man. he would have
made any sacrifice 10 have regained the unhappy
mald but he valued his slave as a fellow creature
and loved him brother. He would use no
force-Patric hated the Indians as cordially as did
Major Pasqui, and he heard the proposition with
lndlscrlbable horror. His master took him aside
and advlse him to take the place of the
girl, offering him his freedom, and all of
the money which had been collected for the
ransom; assuring him at the same time, that
In few weeks lie would certainly find an
opportunity of escaping. 1t was all in vain:
the possession of the world would not have Undue
ed Patrick to change masters. Finding every at
tempt truitlcss and not having sufficient numbers
to att lnpt force, the travellers were obliged to
bandon the ide Of iiberating the captive and leave
the unfortunate maid to her fate. They resumed
their Journey, and after much suffering and hair
breadth escapes from the scouting parties of differ
ent tribes hey arrived at Fort Pitt.
thirteen years afterwards, che treaty of Green.
vilEs was held with the Indians, by Gen WAYNE
On this occasion the prisoners who had been ia
ken during the previous inroads of the savages
were brought in to be given up. Major fitzpatrick
was then present, chief of me commissarv de-
Partm.nt Among the captives, he recognized the
girl whom he had left the Scoto in 1888. She
was the wife of her captor, Capt. Snip, and the
mother of five little savagcs, the eldest of whom
appeared in the csowd, armed with his bow and
arrows: she was perfectly reconcilod to her fate,
and refused to quit her husband to return to civil
lied society and her friends.