Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-08
OSCEOLA-or POWELL

The n Y. Star contains n letter from Mr. G. Cat.
lin, dated at Fort Nlourie, Sullrans Island. near
Charleston, January "a He was adding TO his Indian
Gallery, by taking the portraits of the Indian Chiefs,
who are confined there There were $50 Seminole prl-
Of war; chiefs. warriors, women and children
MIR. Cnin gives brief account OF Nck'e o.pah, the
first GIRL chief Of the naon-bu most of his letter is
devoted 10 the chief, whose heads this article
The following are extracts:
"There restless spirit among them OF different
castc-one who sits and broods his nations cala-
mites with broken heart, and pines and slckens in
agony which but himself can know or ieel-l mean
Osceoa, owell or he and all the other chlels dis
nclly pronounce it, Assoc a.-From the time have
spent with this Chief and the familiar interviews have
had with him in conversation, have been able TO form
pretty correct notion OF the feelings and character, us
well history, OF this extraordinary man. Creek by
birth, he left his tribe whilst boy, and sought
asylum amongst the Semnoles, where he has been
reared. and where he has ourlsheG SINCE His father
white man. by the name OF Powell, who aban.
doned him and sent him vagrant upon the world 10
cater for himself He soon became tavotIte amongst
the Seminoes and from his force Of character and ge
MUS alone he has risen 10 the highest honoEs OF the ma
ton.
"From such facts, appears he is entirely 'seli:made
man, and OF an extraordinary character, which is
conclusirey proved by the fact that he acknowledged
and followed by all the chiefs Of the nation their
head chief. Though lie is but demi savage in
blood yet he speaks word Of English and in his
actions and feelings is perfectly Indian any
| ever saw.
81 thought at first, like thousands of others who take
but glance al him, that he eieminae and
is, but little acquaintance Und familiarity with
him. became fully convinced that the character
Of this is not 10 be learned by the transient visitor
who him but moment, and in that moment pri-
soDe, whitening under broken spirit, endeavorng 10
raise snlrk and smile to meet the gazing world who
Gocking to him. These smiles are soft and beau
tul, and many but those, who, like myself, have
heard him pour forth his grels in the simperng of
actual chdishness, and then instantly rally, and rouse
himself into the indignant sernness OF the warrior and
hero will easily that those smiles based upon an
agony that regularly preys upon his substance His face
is certainly Of the most expressive kind ever have
SEEM capable of the most vivid and striking exhibition OF
the human passions that possibly be imagined bear
ing upon lis front the predominant chaacc impress
of s;ernncss and and excessive IN
the pursuits of lie"
lie has mind Of wonderful construction, calcu
lated 10 folify and yet destroy itsea lurking cunning
capable Of gliding with the warmth and glowing plea
santness Of sunshine the wbng tempest that's raging
| in his SOUL and in his nr and chidishness des
troying him. He smiles aud fawns and anguishes be.
fore the gazing world but in his solitude or when lie tells
in confidence his tales of grief though mild and smiling
dew drops mosten his eyes at moment yet the burn
ing hero rushes through their sockets at the next-hs
brows jet their balls Of fre-is noslrs and his DO
som swell with impatence-and his cIenched teeth ale
sci in silent oa,s OF !rrelractabe revenge Naturally Of
u restless and impatient dsposilion-n his captive in
tervlews with the civilized world he slnies-but in his
solitude lie greves and pines with broken heart The
world who have barely him, shake the hand Of
laughing lawn but those who listen 10 his crcfs as
have done, will see the sternness of Roman and in his
agony beautiful statue Of Vengeancc.-A mind thus
organized and enrasfed by such circumstances have
is!ien 10 s lot must soon destroy lis tenement There