Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-08-18
LVDLAN TRAITS.

The Knickerbocker for July. just pub
lished. has the first of series of letters
from the Indian country, which is agree
ably written, and promises well for the
rest. Here is one of its anecdotes, the
history of an inciden. which took place
at Mackinaw, on the occasion OF tndl-
an council, held for the purpose of enter
ing into treaty with the United States,
IN: z. Evenimg Post.
"One day one of the Ottowa chiefs
came to the commissioner, and told him
that one of his young men had killed a
Chippewa, and he wanted that officer n
give him present, with which he could
attempt to buy forgiveness. Ofcourse he
was we'll supplied and the ceremony
was performed just on the banks of the
Straits. The two bands met, each sur
rounding their chief. Between them, on
the ground, the present was placed. The
criminal was seated near his present, but
on the Chippewa side. He sat with his
head hanging down, in an attitude ct
calmness and resignation. becoming that
of a martyr. The Ottowa chief stepped
forth from the ranks of his people, and
addressed the Chippewas. He said one
of his young men had killed their friend,
but it had been by accident. They had
brought him forward to atone for the
deed but as they were now all brothers
of the same family, he hoped the Chippe-
was would spare his life.
"The Chippewas consulted among
themselves. There were few moments
of anxious suspense for, if the Chlppe-
was had refused to accept the present. a.
ny relative of the murdered man would
have had right, according to the Gus
toms, to step Immediately from the ranks,
and with his tomahawk Stay him on the
spot. The Indians alone were unmov-
ed, the criminal not manifesting the least
concern. Any appearance of anxiety on
his part would have caused his certain
death, or have branded him with the STAN
of cowardice for life, to which death
would have been far preferable. The
commissioner was not without anxiety.
The Chippewa chief, in answer to his in
quiries, had previously expressed his be-
lief that the young man would be spared,
but that would depend upon the voice.of
his band He would use his influence in
favor of mercy. You can judge how
closely the commissioners watched every
movement, for he was determined that
no such deed of blood should be acted in
his presence, and to save the young man
at all hazards. They suspected as much
probably from his manner; and his pre-
sence, thought, helped to produce fav~
orable result.
s. Be that as it nay, after short con-
su!tation, the Chippewa chief spoke to
the assembled multitude. His words
were few. and spoken with great dignity:
Z" Brothers. you have struck US. One
of our old women mourns for her SOC.
One of our young men has no longer any
one to hunt for her. Our band has lost
brave warrior, and our faces are black
with sorrow. A dark cloud rests upon
US, but the Great Spirit can drive it away.
1t will do us no good to make you sorrow
also. We forgive you. Take your
young man home, and let our pity teach
him to avoid the fire. water
"This was admirably said and done.
The language was beautiful, the manner
calm and Impressive and | could not
but think how infinitely superior this
Judgment and its manner was to the hor-
rible solemnity of the white mans con-
demnation of murderer to the dcgrad-
ing death of the gibbet.
"The young man arose from his seat,
and walked across to minele with his own
tribe, ard one of the near relatives of the
deceased stepped forth and bore the bun
die of presents to his band. There was
silence for few moments when the
Ouowa chief expressed the thanks of bis
tribe, and general dispersion followed.
The gravity and silence of the whole as
sembly added very much to the impress
sive character of the ceremony. There
were at least thousand Indians present
all males. 1t was near the bench; a
slight surf was rolling in, and its hollow
murmuring was the only sound heard,