Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-08-07
From the Norwich, Connecticut, Courier
TJNCAS

UNCAS.
As monument is about to be erected in
this city, over the grave of UNcAs, the chief
warrior and sycamore of the Mohecans, we
propose to sketch b, ief outline of his life
and character.
UNcAs was Pequot by birth, and his
ancestry, both on the paternal and maternal
side, was royal. His wife was Tatobam,
the daughter Of a sachem of that tribe. He
had himself been a sachem, probably under
Sassacus, the Pequot King, but on account
of some circumstances which are unknown,
he was found in open rebellion against him,
when the English commenced their first es-
Establishment in Connecticut. From his great
ambition, courage, and address, however, he
soon rose to commanding influence, and be-
came the chief sacbem OF the Mohecan tribe,
and that tribe soon became the most power
full in Connecticut. From the period in
which he obtained supreme power in the
Mohecan tribe, he professed strong attach
ment TO the whites, and volunteered his SER
vices in their aid against the Pequot and
other savage tribes which had opposed them.
The friendship of Uncas was of immense
benefit to the inhabitants of this state, espe-
cialy to the first settlers of this town. The
establishment of their camp in its vicinity,
was bulwark against their savage enemies.
Their spies always gave notice of their APP
proach, and more than once, premeditated
attacks upon our ancestors in this place were
thwarted by the discovery of the Indian SET
Elements.
We last hear of Uncas in 1880. He was
then very old, and probably died in OBSCURE
ty. He was buried in a pleasant grove near
Norwich falls. The following inscription
we have frequently read upon the slab which
covers his gravel
For beauty, wit and sterling sense,
For temper mild, for eloquepce,
For courage bold, for things werhagen,*
He was the glory Of Mobecan.
The Indian character, however bold, and
original as it is, has seldom exhibited such
a singular combination as that OF Uncas.
He was man of vigorous mind and power
full frame, having been educated in the sa
wage prejudices of the aborigines, he main
tanned through life solid and stable attach
ment to the whites, and hatred against their
enemies. With the fierce energy and strong
passions of an Indian warrior, he always ex-
drcised the power and prudence to control
them. Without education he exhibited the
cunning and shrewdness which could only
arise from deep thought and an accurate
knowledge of human nature. Urged onward
by powerful ambition, he worked his way
from an obscure savage of the Pequot tribe,
to be king and conqueror of the most impor-
tant tribe in Connecticut.
We rejoice that monument is to be erect
ed to his memory, right in the midst of the
scene Of his achievements. His canoe has
glided over our waters, his arrow and toma-
hawk have whistled through our glades; his
yell has echoed through our forests, and his
bones now sleep on our hills. We rejoice
that monument is to be erected to one who
was always friend to the white man, who
has assisted by his blood to build up monu-
ment in the defence of this state, of our own
glory and his achievements. G.
*The Mohecan term for good or, all is