The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-09-14
From the Sunday Morning Ncws.
OF ST. LAWRENCE.

Who has not, while casting his eyes over
the magnificent expanse of the mighty St.
Lawrence, felt his soul moved with the
emotions which the subIimity of the view
irresistably arouses. Whether we behold
its silent yet majectc course between lake
Ontario and the first rapids, or those more
noisy and striking points where the water
rushes, with inconccivabe grandeur, over
its rocky bottom, our most prominent feel
ings are awe and admration.-We gaze,
like Coleridge's traveller, in the valley of
Chamouni, and from admiration of natures s
works are inseusiby led to admiration of
natures God. But independent of the sub
bIime emotions excited by the view Of so
large body of water moving in silent ma
jesty or rushing in headlong fury, the banks
on either side are crowded with scenes
which strongly arouse the feeling Of the
picturesque and beautiful. Almost every
variety of wood and field, and hill and dale,
that can charm the eye, are met within ITS
course.-Islands are interspersod through
out its entire length sometimes collected in
clusters, som ,times standing alone, and
presenting every variety of aspect from the
dark, rugged rock, rising in striking con-
trast to the sea-green water, to the thicky
wooded grove, rivaling in beauty our most
vivid fancies Of the farlamed residence of
Calypso and her nymphs. Around many
of these points tradition still fingers with
her stories of heroic daring, or of merciless
cruelty, which makes the heart beat high
with admiration of the virtues, or horror at
the atrocities of the original possessurs of
the soil. Could some of these tales be wor-
ked up in the felicitious stvle of the Last of
the Mohicans, they would form the theme
for many an exciting volume.-The recital,
however, is not devoid of interest, and
shall therefore offer no apology for relating
the following short aud simple Evolutionary
legend.
At the confluence of The Oswegatchie
was formerly situated the village of the tribe
which gives the name to the river. This
small and warlike nation is now entirely
extinct, and the spot where once the coun.
Gil fire blazed and the war whoop resoun.
ded, is now covered by the comfortabl,
dwellings aud well fielled stores Of n larg
and prosperous town. Bat the fame q
their virtues has not been entirely extin
guished-it still lives amid the remiscencc
of other tribes, which have as yet survive
tho corroiing contacts of the pale faces
but which are falling rapidly away. Th
Oswegltcaies were few in number, yet, b
their uuanimity in council, and bravery i
battle, they were enabled, for long tim,
to preserve their existence as nation, an
make themselves respected by their mo,
powerful neighbors. For great share
their power and influence they were indel
ted to the talents of one of their chief
Many stories Of whose heroism and wisdo
are still preserved, and it is one of the,
that intend to relate.
Ogasca was remarkable for his superb
cunning in stratagem, his GOODNESS in ba
tie, and contempt Of danger and hardshi
There qualities were united in frame
tremendous size and power but SD we
proportioncd were all his limbs, and
graceful his movements, that his extrao
dinary stature was not at all displeasin
On the contrary, he exceeded his fellows
much in personal appearance as in ment
and physical power. Many were the ga
ces Of admiration bestowed upon him
the dusky maidens Of his tribe, any one
whom would have liked the duty Of sprea
ing the deer-skin bed, or boiling the " hor
mony" in the wigwam Of the handsor
sachem.
Upon the opposite shore of the st. La
renee dweIt the small tribe or family of
Oxantahs, who had emigrated several ye'
before from near the head of lake Superi
Taey had been engaged in constant WI
fare with ON othse small tribe, and hsvi
been generally successful, their enemies,