The native American., 1838-03-17
AMERICAN SCENERY.
VIEW FROM MOUNT HoLYoKE.
BY N. p. WILLIS.

i VIEW FROM MOUNT HOLYOKE
II N. p. WILLIS.
j Probably the richest view in America, in point
OF cultivation and fertile beauty, is that from
Mount Holyoke. The bald face of this mountain,
which IS turned towards Northampton, is about
one thousand one hundred feet above the level of
the Connecticut river, (or Quonnectcut, as pro-
lnounced by the Indians,) and commands radius
Iof about sixty miles. The ascent at the side is
easy; and it is fashionable climb for tourists
whose patronage of ginger-beer and sundres
! maintains shanty and hermit on the top, and
keeps in repair series Of scrambling but conve-
nient ladders at the difficult points of the enter
prise. The view Immediately below presents a
singular phase of the scenery of the river, which
seems here to possess soul for beauty, and
loiters, enamored and unwilling to flow ON, in the
bosom of meadow which has no parallel in
New England for loveliness and fertility. Four
times the amorous stream turns to the west,
and thrice to the east, threading its silver tide
through the tender verdure as capriciously as
vein in the neck of beauty, and cheating twelve
miles OF direct course into twenty-four of coil and
current. The meadow is almost entirely unfenced;
and the river is fringed in all its windings with
weeping elms, wild flowers and shrubs, while up
towards the town the fields rise in slightly swell
ling teraces-forming foreground to one Of the
most sunny and cheerful villages in Massa-
|chusetts.
The more extended view embraces great va
riety of mountain range-Moccadhoe in the north
east, Saddle Mountain in the northwest, Mount
Tom (between which and Mount Holyoke the
Connecticut seems to have broken with the outlet
waters Of an immense lake, close on the south
west, and spurs of the Green Mountains advancing
and receding in the course of the Connecticut in
the north. Geologists speculate extensively on
the lakes that once existed in the bosoms formed
by these mountains-but we have not time to 90
back to the deluge.
| There is small hamlet at the foot of Mount
Hoyoke, on the eastern side of the river, called
by the Indian name Hiccmaun, and another at the
foot of Mount Tom, on the western side, called
Pasc0nnaitc, both Of which were burnt by the sa-
wages in the early settlement of the country, and
the inhabitants killed or taken captive. The
early history Of all these towns on the Connect
cut river is filled with events of Indian Warlare,
Northampton, by it's rich auvial land, allured the
first settlers of Massachusetts long before most Of
the country between it and the sea-coast possess
ed an inhabitant. These adventurous pilgrims
seated themselves in the midst Of an unprotected
wilderness, and surrounded by populous Indian
tribes; and, first purchasing the land at the In
dians' valuation, they defended themselves alter-
wards as they might from the aggressions of these
and others. The township of Northampton
: (called Nonotuc by the aborigines) was first
| bought in 1853. 1t was conveyed to John Pyn-
/ cheon for the planters by Wawdillowa, Nenes-
3 sahalant Nassicochee, and four others, tone of
t whom was married woman, who were styled
i the ''chief and proper owners" The price was
zone hundred fathom of wampum by tale, and ten
coats" to which was added an agreement TO
plough for the Indians, in the ensuing summer.
sixteen acres of land on the east side of Quonnec
ticut River. These sail bargained for themselves.
Or fho her hEyth thosro A -
aborigines of this country, observes correct
writer on this subject, are owners Of the lands on
which they dwell-men and women alike This
property in lands, held by the Indian women, is
a singular fact in the history of the savage ma
tons.
Three years after, rich interval near North
ampton, called Capawanke, and containing eight
or nine hundred acres, was sold to these same
planters by an Indian, named I.ampancho, for
fifty shillings, at two payments, "to his entire
satisfaction"
These two purchases give fair idea of the
Indian purchases made by our forefathers In tie
former, ninety square miles sold for hun
dred fathom of wampum and ten coats! Within
this tract were near five thoussnd acres of inter-
val land, worth at the present time perhaps eight
or nine hundred thousand dollars. Unjust as the
transaction seems, however, the price was ample
to the Indian, who could not have got so much by
keeping it, and for whom there was other
purchaser.
The settlers of Nonouc lived in comparative
harmony with the tribe about them; but in the
subsequent Indian wars they lived in perpetual
fear and agitation. The town was surrounded
with PALISADES, 8 the meetng-house' was fort-
fed, as were most Of the private houses, and
several forts were built within the town. Still
their dwellings were often burnt, their women and
children carried into captivity, and their time was
divided between war and agriculture.
A Good One.-A few days since firm and
honest old republican came into our office, and af.
ter subscribing for our paper, remarked, Il have
not acted with those who have distinguished
themselves as the Wing party, but have ever act
ed upon democratic principles. supported Gen.
Jackson, and voted for Martin Van Buren, but
am satisfied his measures wrong, and ! am
now opposed to him.
But, Sir, from what you have already seen of
tho effects of Mr. Van Buren's measures, what