The native American., 1838-02-10

4
adopting, of cultivatng locks over the ears, whic
might be properly styled ssa la Posceil. - Bac
OF this is passed around his head, with great taste
/ a richly embroidered handkerchief or shawl, il
the form of Moorish band or Turkish turban
supporting two or three ostrich plumes, whicl
fall quite back in horizontal position. fAf
The ancient and native form of dress he still
adheres to; the tunic and maneau, the leggin
and moccasins; but the approximation Of thi
tribe to civilization has substituted the maseria
OF callcoes and fustians in place of skins SO tina
the base OF his dress is of civilized manufacture
lbut adorned and manufactured according to thei
own whimsical taste. Silver ear-drops are pen
dant from his ears-silver, breastplates, in form
of crescents, and profusion of beads and trnket
fall over the breast-a broad and beautifully gar
nished belt crosses his left shoulder, to which il
attached his bullet-pouch and horn. Around his
waist he wears blue. sash of exquisite workman
ship, interviewer with white and blue beads--his
garters, which very broad, and embracing the
greater part of the calf of his leg are Of the Same
material, tightly bandaged over his leggins O
scarlet cloth, and his moccasins are of buckskn
ornamented with beeds and hawk bills Such
with his rifle in his hand, and his knife in his
belt, (his only weapons) is As-se-o-la, the fallen
Prince and Hero of Florida.
have listened much and faithfully to the mar
rations Of this man, and drawn other information
from those who have been longer and more init
mately acquainted with him, and am fully con-
vinced that there is something Of the most ex-
traordinary nature in the true character of this
mana something that bears an impress which
can never be forgotten or erased. He has mind
of wonderful construction, calculated to fortify
and yet destroy itself-a lurking cunning, capable
of gliding with the warmth and glowing pleasant
ness Of sunshine the whiring tempest that's raging
in his SOUL and even in his mirth and childishness
destroying him. He smiles and fawns, and Ian
gulshes before the gazing world; but in his soli-
tude or when he tells in confidence his tales OF
grief, though mild and smiling dew drops moisten
his eyes at one moment, yet the burning hero
rushes through their sockets at the next-hs
black brows jet over their balls of fire-his nos
trils and his bosom swell with mpaticnce
his clenched teeth set in silent oaths of ire
tractable revenge. Naturally ola restless and i'm
patient disposition-in his captiue interviews with
the civilized world he smiles-but in his solitude
he greves and pines with broken heart The
world who barely see him, shake the hand of a
laughing fawn; but those who listen to his grefs
as have done, will see the sternness Of Roman,
and IN his agony a beautiful statue of Vengeance.
mind thus organized and enthralled by such
circumstances as have fallen to his lot must soon
destroy its tenement. There are elements in
such spirit that wage deadly war with the
body, when thwarted and chained down to pri-
son-his physical strength is rapidly giving way,
and would be very much surprised if he should
survive many months or even weeks in his pre-
sent confinement, and under his present agony OF
feeling. 1# " aa
More anon. In great haste, .s8
Respectfully yours, &c.
, stfs GEORGE CATLIN.