The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-04-03

Z
New England and pursued his studies to car
ry out the intention of his parents.
The breaking out of the revolutionary war
however, changed the whole plan OF his future
life. Instead Of going as missionary among
the Indians. he received the appointment Of
Indian agent with the rank of Major in the
army. He performed the duties of this office
during the war, residing most of the time in
the neighborhood Ofthe Oneidas. After the
war was over, the tribe presented him tract
of land in what was afterwards called West
morland, upon which he commenced settle
ment in 1856. 1t was few years after this,
that the incident occurred of which we are 10
speak.
l. An Indian had been murdered by some
white man who escaped detection. Indian
usages require, when a murder has been COM
mitted and the murderer cannot be detected
and punished, that some other individual of
the tribe or nation, to whom the murderer be-
longs, should be selected and taken wherever
he could be found, and sacrificed as an atone
ment for the offence. This is regarded as an
imperative duty,-that must undern no circum-
stances be omitted. Accordingly in this case,
when all attempts TO discover the murderer
proved unsuccessful, the chiefs and head men
D
the matter and see what must be done.
That some white man must be made sa-
crifce, was readily agreed upon; but who it
should be, was more difficult question to
settle. The minds of most of the chiefs seem
ed to be turned towards Major Dean, as
man of the highest standing and importance
anv where in that vicinity, and therefore the
most suitable TO be offered as an atonement
T hi I-o ,f, IL,
chiefs, however, argued that Mr.. Dean was an
adopted son of their own tribe, and therefore
not accountable TO the tribe for the acts Of the
whites. The debate was long and earnest,
and the first days council broke up without
coming to decision, leaving the subject to
be resumed the next day. In the mean time
one of the number, who was particularly
friendly TO Mr.. Dean, acquainted him with the
nature of the debate in the council.
Surprised and panied at the information, he
was at a loss what course 10 pursue. lie bad
built him a house which he occupied, and he
had wife and two chldren.STo attempt to
abandon his house and fee from that part of
the country would be almost equal to death;
and besides, should he undertake il. the prob
ability that he could escape with his family
would be small. He resolved TO remain and
2
the council. The debate was resumed again
the next day, and again he learned from his
friend that the question was still undecided.
This delay strengthened his hopes thatthe de-
bate would terminate in his favor. The coun-
Gil was continued for severaldays longer with
out coming to a decision, and he felt more and
more assured of his safety.
At last in the dead of night, he was sudden
ly started by adeath-whoop near his dwelling,
which he at once knew TO be a warning Of his
approaching fate. He had hitherto kept the
matter entirely from his wife, unwilling to give
cause of alarm while he had hopes of esca-
ping. But he now Informed her that he be-
lieved party Of Indians were approaching the
house to take his life. and desired her to re-
main quiet with the children in their apart
ment, while he would meet the Indians at the
door, and see if he could by any possibility
I turn them from their purpose.
! The party soon came up to the door and
entered the outer room. There were eigh-
teen in number, all chiefs and head men of
the tribe. After brief pause, the principle
chief gravely Informed Mr.. Dean of the nature
of their errand. He allued TO the recent muir
der that had been committed on one of their
nation, and told him plainly that their council
after long and deliberate discussion had Sc
lected him as the most suitable person TO be
sacrificed as an atonement for the DEAD and TO
appease the soul of their departed brother in
the land of spirits. They had now came to
execute the decree Of the council, and he must
prepare for immediate death.
Mr.. Dean calmly commenced reasoning
with them on the subject; urged the wrong
it was doing TO an honest person TO punish him
for the acts of the guilty; and that especially,
even TO their own laws, 1t was wrong for them
to sacrifice him in this case as he was an adop-
ted son of their own tribe. The chief replied
that the whole matter had been discussed n
long time and viewed in all lis bearings, and
that the decree of the council could not be
changed. Mr.. Dean addressed them again,
and enforced his arguments with all the skill
he was master of; but still he could see no
prospect of making any impression upon them
or averting the object of their visit.
In the midst of these arguments, the door
suddenly opened. and a squaw with blanket
around her entered the room. She was the
the wife of the head chief, and she it was who
had adopted Mr.. Dean as her son in his boy
hood. The chiefslooked on with astonshment
as she took her station calmly by the door,
for no woman was allowed TO enter their SOL
emn councils. After moments pause the
door again opened, and the wife of another of
the chiefs came in. similarly attired, and took
her station by the side Of the former. In a
moment more third came in and took her
silent staff Oh by the others.
After the surprise occasioned by this strange
occurrence had little subsidized. the head
chiefs rebuked the women for coming to the
solemn council, aud babe them retire and leave
the chiefs to pursue their business. The first
squaw replied firmly, that the council must
change its decision. The blood Of the white
man must not be shed he was her adopted
son, and they must let him alone and not harm
him. The chiefs with a more imperious tone
babe them BECOME, for the council knew its
own business. At once the three women
threw their blankets from their shoulders. and
each held in her cenched hand long sharp
knife, and each solemnly declared to the coun-
Gil, that if the least harm was offered to the
white man. they would plunge the knives into
their own hearts.
The effect was electric. The council re-
garded the strange scene as an indication OF
the will of the Great Spirit. They immedi-