Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-03-17

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v retired from the towns and the neigh L
oorhood Of the whites. and burying them
selves In the deep forests, intricate swamp
and vast savannahs ottne III
terror, devoted themselves 10 a pastoral life |
and the rearing of horses and cattle
These are the people that received The
name of the Seminoles, or Wanderers
which they still retain.
!, Banram gives a pleasing picture of /
Them at the time he, visited them IN their |
wilderness; where their distance from
the abodes Of the white man gave them al
transient and quiet security. s This
handful Of people says he, possessed a
vast territory, all East and the greater
part OF, West Florida, which being natur-
ally cut and divided into thousands Of ISL
cts, knobs and eminences, by the innu-
merable rivers, lakes, .swamps, vast sa-
vannahs and ponds, form 50 many secure
retreats and temporary dwelling places
THAT efectually guard them from any sud-
den invasions. OF. attacks from their enc
mics: and being such swampy, ham,
mocky country, furnishes such a plenty
and variety of supplies for the flourish
ment of varieties, of animals. that can
venture to assert. that no part Of the globe
so abounds with game, or creatures fit for
the food of man. .-.. .r.
THUS they enjoy su perabundance of
the necessities and convcniences Of life,
with security of person and property, the
two great concerns of mankind The
| hides OF deer, bears, tigers, and wolves,
together with honey, wax, and other pro-
duetions OF. the country, purchase their
clothing, equipage, and domestic utensils,
! from the whites. They seem TO be free
from want or desire. No cruel enemy 10
| dread !; nothing to give them disquietude,
but the gradual eneroachments Of the
aObite people. Thus contented and undis.
! turbed, they appear as blilhe and free as
| the birds of the air, and like them as vol.
1 atile and active, tuneful and vociferous.--
4 The visage, action. and department of The
Seminoles, form the most striking picture
of happiness in this life; JOY, contentment
Hove and friendship, without guile or af
location. seem inherent in them. or pre-,
dominant, ID their vital principle, for i
leaves them but with the last breath ofllfe
, They are fond of games and gambling
and amuse themselves like children, in
relating eytravagans stories, to cause sur.
prise and mirh." 20, ..s., -. -
4 The. same writer gives. an engaging
4 picture of his treatment by these saVa
ges s ... -.....-z.l. ...at....- .... 81.
" Soon after entering the forests. we
were met in the path by small compa
ny of Indians, smiling and reckoning to
US long before we joined them. This
was family Of Talahasochte, who. hat
been out on hunt, and were returning
home loaded with barbacued meat. hides
land honey. The company consisted 0
: the man.. his wife and children, wei
q mounted on fine horses, with number 0
packhorses. The man offered us fawr
skin of honey, which we accepted, and a
parting | presented him with some fsl
hooks, sewing needles, &c. .,
n "On our return to the camp in the eve
ning, we were salLted BY party of youn!
Indian warriors, who had pitched thei
tents on green eminence near the lake
al small distance from our camp, unde
!; little grove of oaks and palms. Thi
!, company consisted ,ofseyeD young Semi
1 noles, under the conduct Of a young primo
or chief Of Tafahasochte, a town south
ward in the isthmns. They were al
dressed and painted with singular ele
gance, and richly ornamented with silyei
i lplafes, chains, &c.. alter the Ssminol
j, mode, with waving plumes Of feathers Of
d their erests. On our com;RR,1pto them
they arose and shook handS;, we alighte
:, and sat while with them by their cheer
J. full fire. A
!. 1.-THE young prince informed our chic
: that he was ia pursuit of a young fello'
s. who had fled from the town, carrying oil
Il with him one of his favorite young Wive:
: He said. 7merrily, he would have the cal
of both Of them before be returned. Fl
: was rather above the middle stature, an
the most perfect human figure ever saw
of an amiabe engaging countenance, al
s. and department; free and familiar in col
Of versation, yet retaining becoming grac'
x fulncss and dignity. We atose, took lea,
st ofthem, and crossed little vale, covere
oil with charming green turf, already illl
a. minated by the soft light of the full moor
r a.sSoon after joining our companions
le camp, our neignbors, the prince and b
to associates, paid us a visit. We treate
r them with the best fare we had, havin
Ig till This time preserved our spirituous Ii,
st aors. They left US with perfect cordial
Ne ty and cheefuiness. wishing US goodr
at pose, and retired to their own camp
IN Having'a band Of music with them, Gel
p sisting of drum. flutes, and a rattle goul
It. they entertained US during the night wi
III their music, vocal and instrumental.
ae "There is languishing softness al
It. melancholy air 10 the Indian convivi