Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-06-28

NfNN11 NAAtAOy W0AG W. W ~
would add great weight 10 the opinions which
it expresses. Our opinion would be Of 1T
lie comparative value; but we have for days
sought for an opportunity to speak Of the un.
dertaking of Mr.. McKEsNKY as we think it
deserves, in the light Of a great National Me.
moral. The engraved and cclored delinea.
tons Of the features Of individual Indians are
6t ornaments of the work. and beautifully, as
well as accurately executed Wat. Int.
HISTORY OF THE NORTH AMERT
CAN INDIANS.
Within a few days, there has been placed
in the Congressional Library the first num-
Der of a history OF the North American In
dams. The design Of the very respectable
author is honorable 20 himself. his country,
and the age. lie proposes TO give a general
historical view of the numerous bands of
North American Indians, from the discovery
Of this continent by Columbus TO the present
period, and a -Par;icular account Of nineteen
tribes which reside within the bounds of the
United States. with copious vocabularies OF
their languages. and biographical sketches OF
one hundred and twenty distinguished chiefs.
warriors, and females, who have visited the
Seat of Government, aud whose portraits,
painted in a mastery style, by KING, are sus-
pended in the Indian Department OF the War
Office.
This most instructive, valuable. and splep.
did work. was long since announced as be-
ing in preparation. and it can be confidently
asserted that public expectation will be fully
realized.
For many years Col. McKENHEY was al
the head Of the Bureau of Indian affairs, and
made frequent excursions among The differ
ent tribes, as a commissioner for negotiating
treaties, which enabled him to become init
mately acquainted with the extraordinary cha
%racter, habits, manners, governments, and
religions, Of the primitive lords of this i'm
mense, region, he is therefore eminchtiy qua
lifted to execute, in an able and satisfactory
manner, the arduous and responsible labour
which he has so fortunately assumed.
The work will consist of twenty large folie
tiUraisons, each einbellished with six colored
portraits; but as IL is intended that it shall be
simultaneously published in this country and
Europe, there will necessarily be some delay
in its appearance, to enable him TO make the
requisite arrangements for accomplishing that
object.
The specimen which has been given Of this
superb addition 10 our historical and bioera-
tttifCdl lOflGCttOIc ~ III UdtitGS Vi Tilt WC3~
tern hemisphere is from the celebrated press
OF Messrs. Child and inman, of Philadelphia.
It's worthy OF all praise, for the beauty IN
faithful execution OF the Typography and en-
cravings. The latter are exact copies of the
original paintings, and have been Autograph.
ed with such consummate skill, and coiortd
with such exquisite taste and elegance, as TO
render them splendid monuments OF the ra,
pid progress and elevated character Of this
branch OF the fine arts, in that seat of sci
cnce, genius, intelligence, and enterprize--
that magnificent emporium OF commerce
the hourishing city OF the illustrious Penn.
The citizens of the United States, as wen
as the disciples OF letters throughout the
world, are under the greatest obl,g atoms TO
the accomplished author, for adventurously
undertaking this great national work. The
a~borgines of America are rapidly disappear
ing; and the period is not distant when that
i'll starred race must become extinct, at least
within the bounds Of this Union, and it is Of
infinite Importance that whatever relates to
this remarkable portion Of the great human
family should be now collected and transmit.
ted to posterity The red man has gradual
ly receded before the advance Of bis Anglo
Saxon conquerors He is no longer to be
seen on the borders of the Atlantic-his coan
trymen are fast passing beyond the mighty
river of the west, and the last remnant OF nu-
merous and once powerful nations will ex-
pire on the distant shore of the Pacific.
Who, then, in after times, that shall read
the early history Of the Colonies. and of the
National Republic, will not be deeply inter.
ested, in whatever relates to the intercourse,
alliances, and wars with the Indians, frem
the first interview of Smith with the kind and
affectionate Pocahontas, and Of Carver with
the magnanimous and faithful Massasoit, to
the recent conflict with the mastering tribes
OF the far Northwest, under Black Hawk,
their distinguished warrior. IL is not sufici-
ent, that the character, government and Gus
toms should be delineated, but exact repre-
sensations Of the persons, of this various and
strongly characterized people should be pre-
seIyed. Their physiognomy is as remarka-
bic and peculiar, as are their invincihie at
tachments to a savage life; their indomitable
chivalry 10 battle, their foriitude in ADVERSE
ty, and their wonderful talents in e)oqnence.
They resemble no other race now existing
upon the earth, unless some affinity is found
between them and the Tartars or Arabians;
but both Of those memorable nations have G.
WINGED a disposition TO advance IN the arts of
civilization, and made considerable progress
in refinement, at various periods of their e.
yentful history. Letters and science have
hourished among them. On the one side,
their disposition for intellectual improvement
has been developed, BY the conqnerors and
sovereigns of China; and on the other, in the
seminaries of learning and splendid cities,
which formerly fiourished 10 that vast region