The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-23
THE DEATH OF KING PHILIP.
[BY WASHINGTON IRyrNG.l

1t is said that when the Indian chieftan, King
Philip, had long borne up against series OF mis-
cries and misfortunes the reachcry of his followers
reduced him to utter dependency The spring OF
hope was broken; he looked around, and all was
danger and hope extinguished; there was no eye to
pity, or arm that could bring|delivcrance
With scanty band Of followers, who still remain
ed true to his desperate fortunes the unhappy Phil
ip wandered back to the vicinity of Mount Hope,
the ancient dwelling of his fathers. lie wandered,
like spectre, among the scenes OF former. power
and prosperity, bcre of home, of family, and friends
Even at his last refuge of desperation and dcs-
pair, sullen grandeur gathers round his memory.
We picture him to ourselves seated among his care
worn followers brooding in silence over his blasted
fortunes, and acquiring n savage submity from the
wildness and dreariness of his lurking place. De-
feated, but not dismayed crushed to the earth but
not humiliated F.; he seemed to grow more naughty
beneath disaster, and to experience a fierce salts
faction in draining the last dregs of bitterness.
Little minds tanned and subdued by misfor-
tunes, but great minds rise above them. The idea
of submission awakened the fury of Philip, and he
smote to death follower who proposed an expe-
dent of peace. The brother of the victim escaped,
and in revenge betrayed the retreat of his chietan.
A body of white men and Indians were imme-
dately despatched to the swamp where Philip lay
crouched, glaring with fury and despair: Before
he was aware of their approach, they had begun to
surround him. In a little while he saw five Of his
trusest followers laid dead at his feet all resistance
was vain he rushed forth from his covert, and
made headlong attempt to escape, but was shot
through the heart by renegade Indian of his own
nation.
Such was the fate of the brave but unfortun nate
King Philip; prosecuted while living, slandered
and dishonored, when dead. IT, however, we con-
slider the prejudiced anecdotes furnished by his en-
I'M in hon, oco oh
and lofty character, sufficient to awaken sympathy
for his fate, md respect for his memory. We find
that amidst all the harrnssing cares and ferocious
passions OF constant warfare he alive to the soft
er feelings of connubal love and maternal tender
ness, and to the generous sentiment of friendship
The captivity of his beloved wife and only son is
mentioned with exultaton, causing him poignant
misery the death of any near friend is triumphant
ly recorded as new blow on his sensibilities bu,
the reachcry and desertion of many of his followers
in whose affections he had onfded are said to have
desoated his heart, and to have bereavcd him of ali
further comfort.
! lie was a patriot, attached to his native soil O
prince, true to his subj jects and indignant of thei
wrongs; soldier, daring in battle firm in adyersity
patient of fatigue, of hunger of every variety
lily suffering, and ready to perish in the cause h,
had espoused. Proud Of heart, and with untamea
bic love Of natural liberty, he preferred to enioy
among the beasts ofthe forests, or in the dismal an,
famlshed recesses of swamps and morasses, rathe
than bow his naughty spirit to submission, and liv
dependent and dcspiscd in the case and luxury o
the settlements.
With heroic qualities and bold achievements tha
would have rendered him the theme of the poet AM
the historian, he lived wandcrcr and fugitive il
his native land, aud went down, like lonely bark
founderng amidst darkness and tempest; withou
plying eye to weep his fall, friendly hand
record his struggle.