Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-06
GFrom the New York Mirror.
MoHONGO.

or the early life of this female we
know nothing; and, perhaps, little could
be gathered that would be worthy of
record. She is interesting on account
of the dignity and beauty other counte-
nance, and the singular nature Of her ad-
ventures since her marriage. She was
one of party of seven other tribe, who
were decoyed from the borders Of Mis-
souri,, by an adventurer, whose intention
was to exhibit them in Europe for the
purpose of gain. He was a Frenchman,
and was assisted in his design by half
breed Indian, who acted as interpreter
between him and the deluded victims of
his mercenary deception. The lndi-
ans were allured from home by the as
surance that curiosity and respect for
the Indian character, would make them
so welcome in Europe, that they would
be received with distinguished marks Of
respect, and loaded with valuable pres
ents. It's not probable that they under
stood that they were to be shown for
money, or that they had any knowledge
of the nature Of such exhibitions; but it
is obvious that their own views were
mercenary, and that they were melted
to travel by the alleged value of the
presents which would probably be made
to them.
Whether any other arguments were
used to induce these untutored savages
to embark in an enterprise so foreign
from their timid and reserved habits, we
have been unable to discover Itis only
known that the individual who seduced
them from their native plains, assumed
the character and dress of an American
officer, and by this deception gained their
confidence and it is more than proba-
bic, that as they only knew him under
this disguise, they were deceived into
the belief that he was acting under the
sanction of the government. Whatever
may have been the pretence, it was a
cruel deception; and it would be curl.
Gus to know what were the feelings and
reflections ofthose wild savages, accus-
toned to roam uncontrolled through the
deep forests, and over the boundless
plains, when they found themselves a.
) mong the habitations Of an enlightened
people, the objects OF intense curiosity
5 and the prisoners Of mercenary keeper
The delusion under which they com
| menced their journey was probably no
t dispelled previous to their arrival at New
York; those with whom they met or
their way, supposed them to be proceed
ing to Washington, on visit to the pres
: ident; and as the Indians were ignoran
of our language, it is not surprising thai
this singular device escaped detection.
At New York the party embarked fol
: Europe. They visited Holland, Germa
ny, and some other parts of the cont
r nent, and at last came to the French me
tropolis. Here the imposter was detect
ed. The pretended American officer
! had been at Paris before; he was recog
nized by his creditors, stripped of his
J borrowed character, and thrown into
prison; while the wandering savages
, were so fortunate as to find protector
J in Lafayette, whose affection for Ameri
ca was so great, that the native Of oul
, land, even though an illiterate Indian
was ever sure of a welcome under his
} hospitable roof He supplied them with
money, and caused arrangements to be
made for their passage to the United
States. During the voyage they were
attacked by the smallpox, and three o
them died, Among the victims was the
husband of Mohongo, who was now lef
to carry back to her people, with the va.
ried tale of her adventures, the bitter
story other bereavement.
The party landed at Norfolk, in Vir-
ginia, whence they were sent to Wash
ington city. They were kindly receiv-
ed at the seat of government, where di-
Tections were egivenfor their hospital en-
tertainment during theirAstay, and for
their safe conveyance to the Usage VII
lagos. They reached their forest home
in safety, and having done us the justice
to acknowledge that, although they suf-
fered much from the treachery of one of
our race, who alured them from the wig
vans of their tribe, they were indebted
to the white man for many acts ofkind-
ness and sympathy during their novel
and adventurous journey. They profess
to have been gratifed with the expedi-
ton.
The likeness of Mohongo, which is
published in the first number of the BIZ
ography of the Indian tribes of North
America" was taken at Washington, by
order of the war department, while Mo
honro remained in that city. Il is a