The native American., 1838-07-07
Fr0M the Neao York Star.
AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.

We frequently advert 10 this interesting sub
jec because it has ever been strangely neglected,
and is, nevertheless, one that from its rare mate
rails and remarkable mounds to which no other
part Of the earth furnishes parallel, is theme of
fruitful inquiry, especially to the learned of Eu-
rope. One Of the most Ineligible articles we
have perused OH this subject is from the Natchez
cursion to the wonderful mound ten miles from
that city: a.
The distance Of the mound from Natchez is
about ten miles, bearing east north east. The
road is one leading to Fayette through Sclseftown
Leaving the village of Washington, and passing
the residence Of w. p. Mellen, ESQ. on the right
a mile and half from the latter place, brought
the company in view of the majestic mound,
lifting its warlike bastons and tower in broad
outline about mile to the left of the main
road to Sescrtown. Turning down lane at
right angles to the great road, the plantation OF
Walter Irwin, sen. Esq. Of Natchez, was reach
ed--on which, and near the residence Of w alter
Irwin, jr. Esq, the mound is located.
The appearance ofthe mound, approached from
the Faycte road, is that Of long straight battery
of earth with sloping. regular front and platform
at the top, with some moderate elevations or
towers upon the terrace, the whole of which is
overlooked by an abrupt tower at the western
end towards Natchez, rising nearly as high above
the terrace or platform as that does above the
circumjacent plain. The outline on the southern
side, first approached, is of the most imposing
and martial character. The traces of design are
so apparent that every observer must invountarily
feel that this is other than natural erection. So
enormous a pile, either thrown up or carved from
la primitive hill, in the singular shape in which
time still spares it to remain, must have been
the creation Of heads that planned and OF count
less multitude of hands that labored through long
periods Of time. The magnitude of the mound is
such that it's relative heights do not at first i'm
press the visiter with their full proportions; but
after struggle up the steep face of the mound to
the broad terrace, which in its turn becomes the
base OF the great western tower and of -four
other smaller mounds or towers,-ailer glance
at the general outline Of the foundation mound
which bears the resemblance of paralleogram
having regular southern side, and an irregular
bastion front on the north, and after walking
over the terrace, which includes an area Of about
five acres, gazing up at the stern western tower
itself a paralleogram, (once perhaps regular and
perfect one) OF about five rods in length by three
in breadth,--the mind becomes fully aware of the
vastness Of the creation and renders full mea
sure of homage to the proud unknown nation
that left behind them such mysterious hero
gyPhic OF power, speaking language of gran.
deur, yet without reict of single word that the
present age may translate into the elements o
aboriginal history.
| When walking on this vast terrace one car
but think of thousands who trod the same earth
centuries ago, of the battle songs that might have
rolled along in laundering volumes into the still
air above, of the chants over the dead, of the
ceremonies of wild and mysterious worship
and Of the dreadful hour, when before the tempest
of battle, or the anger of pestence national power