The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-19

COLONEL TRuMBuLL.-The following extract
from the forthcoming Autobiography Of the dis
tinguished gentleman who has done so much to
illustrate by his pencil our national history, and
especially the pride of our Revolutionary strug
gle, will be read with deep interest
A Noble Example of Early Iimes.-About
the year 1776 circumstance occurred, which
deserves TO be Written adamant. In the
wars of New England with the aborgines, the
Mohegan tribe of Indians early became friends
of the English. Their favorite ground was on
the banks of the river (now the Thames,) be-
tween New London and Norwich. A small
remnant of the Mohegans still exist, and they
are sacredly protected in the possession and en-
joyment of their tavorite domain en- the banks of
the Thames. The government of this tribe
had become hereditary in the family Of the Gel
ebrated Chief Uncas. During the time of my
fathers mercantile prosperity, he had employed
several Indians of this tribe in hunting animals,
whose skins were valuable for their fur Among
these was one named Zachary, of the roy al
race, an excellent hunter as ever lived. When
he had somewhat passed the age Of fifty, scve-
raj members of the royal family, who stood be-
tween Zachary and the throne of his tribe, died,
and he found himself with only one left between
him and the empire In this moment his better
genius resumed its sway and he reflected ser-
ously. slow can such drunken wretch as ]
am aspire TO be the chief of this honorable
race2 Can succeed to the great Uncas2
will drink no more"
He solemnly resolved never again to taste
any drink but water, and he kept his resolu-
ton.
had heard this story, and did not entirely
believe it; young as was, had already par
took in the prevailing contempt for Indians. In
the b, ginning Of May the annual election of the
principal officers of the Chem colony was held
at Hartford, the capital.
My father attended officially, and it was Gus
tomary for the chief of the Mohegans also to
attend. Zachary had succeeded TO the rule of
of his tribe. MY fathers house was situated
midway on the road between Michigan and
Hartford, and the old chief was in the habit of
coming few days before the election and di-
ming with his brother governor One day the
mischevous thought struck me, to try the sin
cerity of the old mans temperance. The fam
lily were seated lat dinner, and there was excel
lent home-brewed beer on the table. | addressed
the old chiei-"Zachary, this beer is excellent
will you taste itn'
The old man dropped his knife and fork
leaned forward with stern intensity of express
sion his black eye sparkling with Indignation
was fixed on me 'John," said he, "you do not
know what you are doing You are serving the
devil, boy! tell you that am an Indian ]
tell you that am, and that if should but taste
your beer, could not stop until got to rum,
and become again the drunken, contemplate
wretch, your father remembers me to have been.
John, while you live, never tempt any man to
break good resolution Socrates never ut
tered more valuable precept Demosthenes
could not have given il IN more solemn tones OF
loquence. ! was thunder truck. My parents
were deeply affected; III Y looked at ZACH other,
al me- and at the venerable old Indian. with
deep feelings Of awe and respect. They after
wards frequently reminded me Of the scene,
J and charged me never 10 forget il. Zachary