Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-09-25
THE INDIAN CHARACTER.
BY GEN. VIM. II. HARRISON.

| "An orroncouso opinion has prevailed in re-
laion to the character Of the Indians of y.
America. BY many, they are supposed to
be soics. who willingly encounter dcpriya-
tons. The very reverse is the fact: if they
belonged to either Of the classes of pliloso-
pliers which prevailed in the declining ages
of Greece and Rome, it is TO that of E;jicu-
rcans. For no Indian will forrgo an enjoy
mcnt or suffer an Inconvenience, if he can
avoid it, but under peculiar circumstances :;
when for instance, he Is stimulated by SOM.
strong passion-but even the qualification of
this he is ever ready to postpone, whenever
its accomplishment is attended with unlock
cd for danger, or unexpected harhships.
Hence their military operations were always
teeblc-thcir expeditions few and far be-
tween, and much the greater number aban-
doncd without an efficient stroke, from within
caprice or an aversion to cncounur difficult
ties.
"Bu if the Indian will not like Cato,
throw from him the pomps and pleasure
with which his good fortune furnishes him
when evils come which he cannot avoid, when
the sting and arrows Of ou,ragcs fortune
fall thick upon HIM, then will he call up all
| the spirit Of man in his bosom, and meet his
fate, however hard, like the 'bcst Roman Of
them ALL"
sit may be proper that should say somc-
thing more as to the character Of the now
scattered and almost extinct tribes winch so
long and SO successfully resisted our arms, land
who, for many years after, stood as Deepen
dants, acknowledging themselves under our
exclusive protection. Their character as
warriors, ha, already been remarked upon.
Their bravery has never been questioned,
although there was certainly Il considerable
difference between the several tribes, in this
rcspect-Wih all but the Wyandois, flight
in battle, when meeting with unexpected re-
sistancc, or obstacle brought with it no dis
grace. twas considered rather as an prin-
cipe Of tactics. And think il may be fair
" considered as having its source in that pc
culiar temperament of mind, which they Of
ten manifested, of not pre- sing fortune under
any sinister circumstances, but patiently
waiting until the chances Of successful issue
appeared to be favorable. With the Wyan-
dots, it was otherwise. Their youth we're
taught to consider any thing that had the ap-
pearance of an acknowledgment of superior
'ty OF an enemy, sdisgraceiul. In the bat
tie of the Mann Rapids, of thirteen chiefs,
OF that tribe, who were present, one only SUR
Vived and he badly wounded.'
As it regards their moral and Intellectual
qualities the difference between the tribes
was still greater. The Shawanoes, Della
wares, Mianis, were superior to the other
members of the conicdoracy. have known
individuals among them, of very high order
Of talents but these were not generally to be
relied upon for sincerity. The Little Tur-
! when General Wayne assumed the position Of Green
vile, in 1893, he sent for captain Wells, who com
| mnnded a company of scouts, and told him that she
wished him to go to Sandusky and take prisonerfor
the purpose OF obtaining Information" Wells, (who
having been taken from Kentucky when boy and
brought up amongst the Indians, was perfectly ac
qnainted with their character answered that he could
take prisoner, bur not from Sandusk y.'-"And why
not from sandusky?" BECAUSE" answered the
Cnptan' " ,h"e are only Wyandots there" Well, why
sad Wells "te'aoss wyandots vii not DO ,ah on alive