The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-02-23
osCEoLA.
Fosr MouLrsIk, Sullivsn's Island, |
near Charleston. Jan. "A. 1888. (

- n
Coahsjo, and King Philip, are the chiefs ;
and of them, as we'll as OF several others, l
have already secured the portraits, which |
shall bring to n. York in few days.
Mckee pah, who is the frs, ciril chief
Of the patton, and was at the commencement,
of the war the owner OF an hundred negroes,
is stately and dign,tied man, proud OF
his superintendent flesh, and equally so OF
his title of General" as be Is iamIliarly
called. This fat dignitary, and also Cloud,
and several others, seem lolerably quiescenI
and not disposed to grieve away their tat IN
their present confinement; but there IS one
restless spirit among them OF a different
cast-ene who sits and broods over his ma.
tion's calaml,ies with a broken heart, and
pines and slckens in an agony which none
but himself can know or feel mean D.
sceola, POWELL or, he and all the other
chiefs distinctly pronounce il As-se ola.
From the time have spent with this
Chief, and the familiar interviews | have
had with him in conversation, have been
able TO form a pretty correct notion OF the
feelings and character, as well as history,
of this extraordinary man. A Creek BY
birth be left his own tribe whilst boy, aud
sought an asylum amongst the SemlnoleS;
where he has been reared, and where ne
has flourished since. His father was
white man, by the name of Powell, who
abandoned hun and sent hun vagrant upon
the world TO cater for himself. lie soon
became favorite amongst the Semlnoles
aud from his force of character aud genius
alone, be has risen TO the highest honors OF
the nation.
At all the ball plays, and other manly
sports, Powell was reputed first IN The na'
ton and his name YVES changed to Asse
la from the fact that he could drink great
quantity of the &c black drink" (called as.se.
o.la) which was prepared from some bitter
and nauseatlng herbs, and drank prepare.
tory to the fast and feast OF the green corn
da0ee.
From such facts, i, appears ne Is entirely
" selfmaie man" and ole Ut an extraor.
binary character, which IS coDc!usvely
proved BY the fact that ne IS acknos lodged,
and followed, by all the chiefs OF the nation,
as their head war chief. Though he IS but
DEM savage 10 blood, YET ne speaks 30! a
word of English aud 10 his actions and feel
ings is as perfectly an Indian as any slan |
ever saw. La statue he - about the mld
die SIZE and 10 his features there IS no
striking popularity 10 stamp them out OF
mediocre, but pleasing symmetry OF pro-
portion, upon which the lights aud shadows
of passion and feelings are seen 10 play with
perfect effect. There Is at times spread
over them the most benIgnant and expires
sive smiles, even to perfect efamlnacy and,
al others, they are darkened with The stern
ness of Brutus, or the agony Of dying
gladiator. 10 fact, hEis the perfect beau
ideal Of an Indian prlnce-gracetul IN bis
movements, and mid almost TO chlldishness
in MS intercourse with the world. his
hand is small and delicate TO the touch as
that Of female, aud the loseliest OF them
are continually fockIng around bum 10
groups to feel It's gentle grasp, and catch
the Iaurushng looks from his down cast eve
TO bestow upon him some beautiful tlnsel
or plume, and levy upon ms raven locks Tor
a small and precious keepsake Of As lola.
| thought a, first, like thousand OF others
who take but a glance a, hun, that he was
efi.m,nate and womanish but on a little &C.
qualntance and familiarity with him, | be.
came fuy convinced, that the character OF
this man Is not TO be learned BY the tran
scient visitor, who sees him but moment
a prisoner, whitening under a broken spirit,
endeayorinr to raise q slDlrk aud smile &c
meet the gazing world who are tiocklng TO
see hinl. These smiles are soft and beau
tltu. and are many; bu, those, who, like
myself, have heard hun pour forth his grlels
10 the slmpering tears Of actual chiidishuess,
and thea instantly rally, and rouse himseI!
into the indignant sternness OF the warrior
and hero, will easily see that those Smiles
are based upoI. an agony that regularly
preys upon his substance. Ills tace y Ger
tainly one Of the most expressive kind ev-
er Lave seen-capab,e Of the most VIVID
and striking esh biiion Of the human pas
sions that can possibly be imagined, b'duug
upon its front the predominant characters
nc impress Of sternness AID reserve, aud ex
cessye perseverance, ~ hi pursuits Of life.
His manner uf dress aud ornament IS such
as greatly 20 intrrlere with the Jul D vel
ooment of his true character. HIS hair IS
cut close to the head except, ,uperbun.
dance which is left On the forehead, flowing
down to his ewes, and large tufts producing
from his temples in front OF bis ears, nd
dropping down near to the cIav'cle, resetnb-
linz. or rather IN ali probability orr Zinatlng