Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-11-11
7MISgiNLL.ANYs
COLONEL TRUMBuLL.

The following extract from the forth COM
ing autobiography of this distinguished gen.
tleman, who has done so muchto illustrate by
his pen our national history, and especially
the period of our revolutionary struggle, will
be read with lively interest
"A NOBLE EXAMPLE OF EARLY TIMES.
About the year I776, a circumstance oc-
Cured, which deserves to be written on ada
mant. In the wars of New England with the
aborigines, the Michigan tribe of Indians, ear
.iy became friends to the English. Their ia
vorte ground was on the banks of the river,
now the Thames, between New London and
Norwich. A small remnant of the Mohegans
still exist, and they are sacredly protected in
the possession and enjoymento of their favorite
domain on the banks of the Thames. The
government of this tribe had become heredita-
ny in the family of the celebrated 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 royal race, an
excellent hunter as ever lived. When he had
somewhat passed the age of so, several mem
bers Of the royal family who stood between
Zachary and the throne of his tribe, died and
he found himself with only one between him
and the empire. In this moment his better
genius resumed its sway and he reflected Sc
riously. ''How can such drunken wretch
as am aspire to be the chief of this honora-
BILE race Can succeed TO the great Uncas?
1 will drink no more"
He solemnly resolved never again to taste
any drink but water, and he kept his resolu-
ton.
u had heard this story, and did not entirely
believe 1t; for, young as | was, had already
partook in the prevailing contempt for Indians.
In the beginning 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
customary for the chief of the Mohegans also
to attend. Zachary had succeeded to the rule
OF his tribe. My fathers house was situated
about midway on the road between Mohegan
and Hartford and the old chief was in the hab-
II OF coming few davs before the election
and dining with his brother Governor. One
Gay the mlschievous thought struck me, to try
.ne sincerity OF the old mans temperance
The family were seated at dinner, and there
was excellent home-brewed ale on the table.
addressed the old chief-"Zachary, this
Deer is excellent; will you taste il %
The Old man dropped his knife--leancd
forward with stern intensity of expression {;
his black eye sparkling with Indignation, was
flxed on me. John said he, you do not
know what you are DOING You are serving
inc devil, boy! ! tell you that am an In
dian tell you what am, and that, if I
should but taste your beer, could not stop
until got to rum, and become again the
drunken, contemplate wretch, yodr father re-
members me to have been. John, While YOU
I'VE, never tempt man to break good reso-
1ution! Socrates never uttered more vaIua-
bic precept. Demosthencs could not have
gwen 1t in more solemn tones of eloouence.
was thunderstruck. My parents were deep
~ affected; they looked at each other, at me,
1nd at the venerable old Indian, with deep