Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-08-31
Mr. ADAMS AND THE INDIANS.

Extract Of letter % the New York Anaa1i-.
can dated NIAGARA Fats. July "a
fIas vv5n ttrr prvSrIfer vi tnc INDUSTRIOUS
ex- President John Quincy Adams. He
arrived !ate on Saturday evening. after
long, rapid and fatiguiEg Journey. by way
Of Montreal ond Ogdensburgh. and yes
sfrday Smotning, accompanied by Gen.
Peter B. Porter, and other friends, went
10 the Tuscarora reservation. and attend.
ed the public worship Of the Indians
| ny. of whom, before and during the SER.
VICE, were lying in picturesque groups
under the trees about the chapel, with
their broadefoth blan keis, their ears, hats.
leggins and mocfasins gltteriug With
beads, medals. an d other 6nery The
little 3pappooses were snugly strapped I'd
Hat boards about as long as themselves,
with only the head exposed ehcssed
Hike Little Egyptian murhmies except hat.
Ethey were bandaged with embroidered
scarlet instead Of cetemenis. They we're
thus ii the laps o. the sapaws OF suspenti55 ]
led on their backs or leaned up against
trees or rocks, much as you would place
an umbrella against the wall crFin a corr
i ner. They loliedFtheir lii;le,tamny heads
i about, and wilh,theif bright black eyes
i gazed wonderingly. overihe beautiful, dol
mains Of their. fathers.
/ In The chapel the sermon vas rendered
into the Indian language, sentence by
sentence. by the chief, The congre gss
lion were about as sotnnoleat as white
Christians are apt TO be 4; and The new
lblue silk shall, in which (fnstead Of her
blsnkeD a young anfbealtifulIsquaw had
enveloped herselfproduced about as much
Sensation among the other lark bellies,
as any similar splendor would among the
paler beauties of a city congregation ~
The singing by the Indians was delight.
full, and i have rarely heard sweeter anil
! softer voices. Alter The services wessF
4 concluded, the ex President was desited
J 10 address them. When il was annouuc.
Fed that he would do sol the Indians look
4 ed and listened with great inieDness. II
3 I Mr.. Adams unpremeditated' discourse
was admirable, and delivered with much
feeling and effect Tile chief rendered
s ii, as he had done the sermon, sentence ~
: sentence. into the Indian language.
: Mr. Adams alluded 10 his advanced
age, and to this being The frsi time llat
he had ever looked upon their beautiful
) fields and forests-tflat he was truly hap.
E Ply 10 meet them there and join with them
! in The worship Of our common Parent
I reminded them that 10 years past be Hat
b addressed them from the position be t5el
z occupied in lansnage, at once that Of BIZ.
E station and bis heart, ''as. llisEChildfeh.' !
IS and that now, as a priva,sT citizen, he hail
y ed them il termsof equal,wsrmth and en-
10 dearmsnt as hisR brethren and sisters.7'--
lie He alluded, with a simple eloquehc,
n which seemed 10 move the Indians mucl
s.; 10 The care and love with which God IL
CARDS all bis children, whether savage
civilized, and. 10 the common dessin
which awaits them hereafter, howey,
he various their lot here. He touched brie
NIL ~ and forcibly Hpon.ihe topics Of The Sc
las mon which they had heard, and conclur
zee Cd withsa beautiful and touching benedi
re- lion upon Them. Among the eldsrs
- the congregation were several who Ii
lad fought at Fort Erie. Chippewa and I.u
his dy's Lane, under General Porter,
and whom they LOOK Up with affection !
ing reverence as their steady friend, and
mi the great counsellor and warrior,