Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-11-23
From The Knickerbocker for October.
A Sc MlNOLE TRADITION.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

When the FlCridas were erected into terrific
ry OF the United States one of the earliest cares
of the Governor, WIN. p. Duval, was directed to
the instruction and civilization ofthe natives For
this purpose he called n meeting of the chiefs, in
which he informed them OF the wish of their
Great Father at Washington, that they should
have schools and teachers among them, and that
their children should he instructed like the chill
dren of whit, men. The chiefs listened with
their customary silence and decorum To u long
speech setting forth the advantages that would
accrue to them from this measure, and when he
had concluded, begged the interval of day 10
deliberate on it.
On The following day, solemn convocation
was held, at which one of their chiefs addressed
the Governor in the name of all the rest NV
BROTHER" said he "we have been thinking over
the proposition of our Great Father at Washing
ton TO send teachers and set up schools among US.
We are very thankful for the interest he takes in
our welfare but after much delberation, have
concluded to decline his offer. What will do We
ry well for white men, will not do for red men.
know you white men say we all come from the
same father aud mother, but you are mstaken.-
We have tradition handed down from our fore
fathers, and we believe it, that the Great Spirit,
when he undertook TO make men, made the black
man, it was his first attempt, and pretty well for a
beginning; but he soon saw that he bunged so
he determined to try his hand again. He did so,
and he made the red man. He liked him much
better than the black man. but still he was not ex-
aclly what lie wanted. So he tried once more
and made the white mainland then.he was salts
fed. You therefore, that you were made last,
and that is the reason | call you my youngest
! brother.
When the Great Spirit had made the three men
he called them together and showed them three
boxes The first was filled with books, maps and
papers: the second with bows and arrows knives
and tomahawks; the third with spades, axes hoes
and hammers. "These, my sons said he, are
The means by which you to live; choose
among them according TO your fancy
! The white man being the favorite, had the first
choice. lie passed by the box of working tools,
wlIhoutnotlce; but when he came to the weapons
for war and hunting he stopped aud looked hard
at them. The red trernbled for he had set
his heart upon that box. The white man howev-
or, alter looking upon it for a moment, passed on,
aud chose the box of books and papers. The red
mans turn came next, and you may he sure he
seized with JOY upon the bows and arrows and
tomahawks rs 10 the black man he had
choice len, bit to put up with the box Of tools.
From this it is clear that the Great Spirit inten-
ded the white man should learn to read and write;
to understand all about the moon and stars and
! to make every thing, rum and whiskey.-
That the red man should he first rate hunter
and mighty warrior, hut he was not to learn any
thing from books, as the Great Spirit had not Civ
en- hun any nor was he 10 make rum and wills
Key, lest he should kill himself with drinking
n h5to lie black man, rs he had nothing but work.
ing tools, it was clear he work for the white
and red man, which he has continued to do.
We must go according to the wishes of the
Great Spirit, or we shall get into trouble. 70
know how TO read and write is very good Tor
white man, but very bad for red men. 1t makes
white men better, bur red men worse. Some Of
I the Greeks and Cherokees learnt to read and
wrlte and they are the greatest rascals among all
the Indians. They went on 20 Washington and
SAID they were going to see their Great Father, to
talk about the good of the nation. And when
they got there they all wrote upon little piece
OF paper, without the nation at home knowing
any thing about it. And the first thing the nation
at home knew of the matels ,they were called to-
geher by the Indian agent who showed them a
little piece of paper, which he iod them was q
treaty, which their brothers had made in their
name, with their Great Father at Washington
And as they knew not what treaty was, lie held
up the little piece OF paper, and they looked under
1t, and 10! it covered great extent of country,
and they found that their BROTHER by knowing how
to read and write, had sold their houses, ard their
lands, and the graves OF their fathers; and that
the white manly knowing how to read and write
had gained them. Fell our Great Father at
Washington, therefore, that we are very sorry
that we cannot receive teachers among us; for
reading aud wiring, though very good for white
men, is very bad Tor Indians.