Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-05-12
4 SECOND pocAuGNTAS.

HORSE ~ EtpTeScRi4lreS-feO. -, 1919
MIR. Cooper, from the Committee on indian Ailurs
made The following Report;
The Committee on Indian Affairs, 10 whom was sub
mi.tsd communication from the Secretary of War,
recommending That pension be granted 10 alilly,
an Indian woman Of the Creek nation, report:
That 1t appears, frcm The communication Of the Sc.
creary Of War, and The accompanying statement of
Lieut.. Col. Hitchcock, es we'll from the published
and accredited history OF the period, that 1918, du-
ring the Indian in the South, Aly, the proposed
object o! the bounty Of the Government, saved the life
OF American citizen, who had been taken prisoner
By several warriors of her tribe and who was about 10
be put 10 death b, them, when he rescued by her
energetic and humane inlerposition Tie act OF this
Indian girl revves the recollection of event in
colonial anuaIs-t!e rescue OF Captain Smith by the
daughter Of Powhatan. the celebrated Pocahon,us
AliIy is the daughter of The Prophet Francis. dig.
celebrity from his by order OF Gen. Jackson
during The Indian OF lSl1-lo. At the time she
performed the action which ennotlng To her cha
racer she under sixteen years OF age, her nation
was at with The u. s., and her father Of
the most decided aud indeiagable enemies of the
white peopie-circumsances, all Of which 90 10 eAhi-
OFT her conduct in more excellent and exalted point
OF view. A the time the prisoner was brought IN by
his captors, ally and cccr sister we're playing on
the bank oil the Apalachcoa river in the vicinity OF
the Indian camp, when they startled in the mldet
of their sports by the peculiar cry which announ
ced that prisoner had been taken They immediately
went in the direction of the cry, and on arriving al the
place, found young white man stripped naked, bound
10 tree, and his capors preparing 10 put him 10 death
On observing this Mlly instantly went 10 her father,
whSeas before stated, was the Prophet Francis, and
principal chief Of the naton and besought him TO save
the prisoners life This lie declined, saying at the
same time, that he had power TO Go co. She then
turned his captors and begged them TO spare the lie
of the white man, but one OF them " no had lost two
sisters IN the refused to listen TO her suppications
in behalf of the prisoner, declaring that his life should
atone for the wrongs which he had received at the
hands of the white people The active humanity OF
Miliy, would not be DISCOURAGED. She reasoned and
entreated, telling the vnd,cve savage who was bent
the destruction Of The prisoner, tha, his death would
restore his sisters to life After long time spent
in her generous effort, she succeeded IN resculng tho
prisoner from the dreadful death 10 which he had been
doomed by his cruel capo.s The condition on which
his life finally spared was, That he would shave his
head after The Indian fashion, and adopt their dress and
manner of living. TO this he joyfuy assenied
Some time afterwards, the white nan sought hs be-
neiacress in marriage, but she declined and subse-
qnenly married Of her people. Her husband
IS dead Her father put 10 death in the war
of 1871 and 1915 and her mother and sister have since
died. She is now friendless and poor residing amongst
her people in their rev country, near The mouth of
Verdieris river. She has three children, boy and
two girls, all too young 10 provide for themselves,
and consequently dependent upon their mother for
support.
Under these circumstances, the Secretary Of War
recommends that pension oi eight dollars per month
committee strong argument IN favor OF this ois-
pensation of the bounty of The Government, only
IN the relief which will afford 10 The Immediate
cipent, whose conduct hos well deserved il, but
also in the effect which II is calculated TO produce by
teaching the still uncivzed, though gradually mprov
ing, people 10 whom she belongs the virtue Of huma
nity This Of the Government, furnishing at
proof of its gratitude and benevoence, will show
the the estimation in which deeds Of mercy held
by it, as we'll the rewards which il bcstows OIL those
who perform them.
The power Of the Government to confer such boun-
ties has been frequently exercised. IN 1924, Congress
passed act, granting 10 General Lafayette and his
heirs tw hundred thousand dollars and a township Of
land In 1884, &C, vas passed, granting 10 two
hundred and thirty five Polish Exiles transported
the u s. by order OF The Emperor of Austria, thirty
six sections of land within the limits of the Slate Of
Illinois or the Territory OF Michigan. The act by
which pensions granted to the widows of officers
and soldiers Of the army of the L. s, is exercise
of the power founded on the same general prn-
ciple But is enough TO say, that the Government
which does not possess the power to pay lis debts oil
gratitude and PEI Of 5ene6cence and chart
ty would be unworthy Of the respect and affections Of
lis citizens
| Believing that TIE ect of this Indian woman pre-
seats proper for The exercise of the gratitude
and bounty of the Government, the committee report
bill allowing her pension OF nnety-sx dollars per
annum during her life.
|