The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-03-16
5 From the LoweH Patriot.
TALE OF NEW ENGLAND.
ORIGINAL.
From an unpuJhshed Work"

ORIGINAL.
From an unpublished Work"
The simplicity of the American people has been
equalled only by their republican freedom and up
right independence The manly virtues of the men,
and the modest artlessness of the women, have rem
dered every attempt at family superiority or domin-
eering influence Intellectual Good land, the foun-
daton of every fortune, free to the first proprctors
by a few years labor, yielded rich income to the
healthful aud robust cultivators.
If any distinctions arose in society, they were the
awards of virtue and industry, and were accessible
to every one. But Notwithstanding this, it was no
uncommon thing for emigrants on their first
arrival to bring with them the feelings and preu-
dces of the old world, and attempt by the display
of riches or an appeal to family connexions, to as
sumo a higher standing than the manners of the
times seemed likely to sustain. The tide of settlers
to the new world of America, had set in with such
strong current, that many wealthy persons were
induced to embark for specuaiions, or gain an as
sylnm for themselves and children, from the storms
of warlikc prosecutions, which were then raging in
many parts of the European states. The ancestors
of Lucian Davs had settled in Massachusetts
nearly Gig hty years. He, lad now of about eigf-
teen, had frequently been permitted to accompany
his father with band of friendly Indians up the
Merrimac river, for the purpose of surveying the ad
jacent country. On these occasions they were al
ammunition to secure game, or defend themselves
in any danger should arise from the surround
ing tribes of savages whose restessness had many
occasions been displayed depredations on the
colonies. By this means he had become acquainted
with the ravines, deiles, aud retreats of the
rounding forests, and the customs of the natives.
He was equally at home in the woods, where the
deer or moose was to fall before his aim, on
the farm where he was injured to the heathful
employment of husbandry.
Two years after, Lucian called to bear arms
against powerful tribe of Indians, whose settle
ments were the Quinebaug river, near its june
ton with Shetucket, where they unite and form the
Thames ut what is now Norwich in Connecticut,
This tribe had always been hostile to the whites,
who were often obliged to make them presents to no
inconsderble amount. And although many treaties
had been concluded with them the Indians would
remain quiet but short time before they would
menace the inhabitants with warlike invasions. TO
this, from intimidation, or policy, they had for a
long time submitted. The Indians finding them
selves successful in these attempts, began to make
more exorbtant demands, and the colonists, on the
other hand, determined longer to submit TO this
injustice, against which they had repeatedly, thougl
Intellectually demonstrated
They had lately sent two men with an escort o
friendly Indians, to obtain truce, who were con
Quoted by renegade into an ambush and murder
tackled by these aithless savages-several cattle
horses had been shOt-a number of houses set o
fire, and four children who out plumbin
excursion, were taken captives. But the Indian
paid dearly for their crimes. On their return the
were intercepted by hunting party, and after
skirmish of I" run and fire." rs this skukng separ
ate mode of fighting then termed, for two hours
the captves were retaken, and about twenty of til,
Indians were killed, without the loss of white mar
L..t t,roo nd ad fl,o Of tha Vr
dams fed. Receiving intelligence of this, the Co
lonaI Governor called special meeting of the in
habants ut which they decreed their total destruc
ton. 1t was for this purpose that Lucian wa
drafted The little army consisted of about thre
hundred and fifty whites, mostly young, the flow,
and hope Of the colony, together with about 200
friendly Indians from the neighborng tribes.
Their journey lay through a thick forest som
places of which were so overshadowed with inte
woven branches completely to shut out the sun
rays and unable them to penetrate the ground
others, steep and rugged hills intervened whic
4 covered with old broken-down trees and underbrus
much retarded their tresome march. 1t had bee
impossible TO conceal any thing from tlril sneme
and they were in consequence prepared Tor their n
ception. "We halted" says one Of the soldier
on their return, " about two miles from the India
village, all weary from the march, our camps wei
pitched on a bill that overlooked the wigwam
which we intended to have attacked next inornir
by day-break. AT midnight we were fred upon
the savages, who had discovered our arrival fro
the 6rst but had waited till this hour, conceyir
that by being surprised, should be thrown in
confusion and give them victory at single bio
But they were mistaken-they had approached
silently and the crack Of rifles first announced the
prossnce.-The companies organised with the grca
-est celsrity, aud but few minutes had elapsed b