The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-06
Miscellaneous,
From 'The Wilderness and War Path by
James Hall. ..... ..... -
Goodness of Col. George Roger
Clarke at North Bend, Ohio.

Clarke at North Bend, Ohio.
An Indian council is one of the most i'm
posing spectacles in life. 1t is one of the few
occasions in which the warrior exercises the
right ofsuffrage, his influence and his talents
III civil capacity, and all the ceremonous
ostcntation with which il is possible TO invest
it. The matter to he considered, as well as
all the details, are well designed before hand,
so that the utmost decorum must prevail and
the decision be unanimous. The chiefs and
savagcs-the leaders and orators-occupy the
most conspicuous seats; behind them are ar
ranged the younger braves, and still farther
IN the rear appear the women and youth, as
spectators. All are equally attentive. A dead
silence reigns throughout the assemblage.-
The great pipe gaudily adorned with paint
and feathers, is lighted and passed from
mouth, commencing with the highest in rank
and proceeding by regular gradation TO the
inferior order of braves. 1.-two or three ma
lions be represented, the pipe is passed from
one party 10 another, and salutatons are cour-
teously exchanged, before the business of the
council is opened by the respective speakers.
Whatever jealousy or party spirit may exist
in the tribe, iii carefully excluded from this
dgnifed assemblage, whose orderly conduct
and close attention TO the proper subject be-
fore them, might he initiated with profit by
some ofthc most enlightened bodies in christ
Cndom.
1t was an alarming evidence ofthc temper
now prevailing among them, ofthe hoodmg
storm that filled their minds; that no
propriety ofdemeanor marked the entrance
ofthe savages into the council-roon. The us
ual formalitics We're purposely dispensed
with, and an insulting levity substituted in
their place. The chiefs and braves stalked
in, with an appearance of little regard, and
seated themselves promiscuously on the floor,
III front of the commissioners. An air of in
science marked all their movements and
showed an intention TO dictate and fix quar-
rel upon the Americans.
A dead silence rested over the group; it
was the silence of dread disrust, and watch
fulness; not of respect. The eyes ofthe saw
age band gloated upon the banquet of blood
that seemed already spread out before them;
the pillage of the fort,and the bleeding scalps
Ofthe Americans were already in their grasp;
while that gallant little band saw the porten-
tons nature of the crisis, and stood ready TO
sell their lives as dearly rs possible.
The commissioners without noticing the
dsorderly conduct ofthe other party, or up
pearing to have discovered their meditated
treachery opened the council in due FORM
They lighted the peace-pipe, and after draw
ing few whiffs, Gen. Clarke then rose to
explain the purpose for which the trenty was
ordered. With an unembarrassed air, with
tone ofone accustomed to command, and an
easy assurance of perfect security and self
possession he stated thai the commissioners
had been sent TO offer peace to the Shawnees;
that the President had no wish to continue
the war; that he had no resentment to graft
fy; and that ifthe red men desired peace, they
could nave it on reasonable terms. ''If such
be the will fthe Shawnees," he concluded,
let some oftheir wise men speak"
A chief arose, drew up his tall person to its
full height, and assuminga naughty attitude,
threw his eye contemporary over the com
missioners and their small retinue, as if to
measure their insignificance, in comparison
with his own numerous train, and then stalk
ing TO the table, threw upon it two belts OF
wampum, of different colors-thc war and
the peace belt.
sNVe come here said he to offer YOU two
pieces of wampurn; they are ofditferent col
ors; you know what they mean; you can take
which you likep aud turning upon his heel
resumed his seat.
The chiefs drew themselves up, in the con-
seriousness of having hurled defiance in the
teeth of the white men. They had offered an
insult to the renowned leader of the Long
Knives, to which they knew would be hard
for him to submit, while they did not suppose
he would dare to resent it. The council
pipe was laid aside. Those fierce wild men
gazed intentiy at Clarke. The Americans
saw that the crisis had arrived; they
could no longer doubt that the Indians under
stood the advantage they pcssessed,and were
disposed to use it, and common sense Of
danger caused each eye to be turned Oh the
leading commissioner. He sat undisturbed
and apparently careless until the chief who
had thrown the belts upon the table had
taken his seat; then with a small cane which
he held in his hand, he reached as if playful-
ly, towards the war belt, entangled the end
of the stick i'm it, drew it towards him and
then with twitch ofthe cane threw the belt
i'm the midst ofthe chiefs. The effect was G.
lectric Every man in the council of each
party sprang to his feet, the savage with u
loud exclamation of establishment ''Hugh'
the Americans in expectation of hopeless
conflict, against overwhelming numbers. Ev-
cry hand grasped.
Clark alone was unawed. The expression
of his countenance changed to ferocious
sternness and his eyes flashed, but otherwise
he was unmoved. A bitter smile was percep-
tible upon his compressed lips as he gazed
upon that savage band whose hundred eyes
were bent fiercely and in horrid exultation
upon him, as they stood like pack ofwoves
mt bay thirsting for blood, and ready to rush
upon him whenever one holder than the rest
should commence the attack. 1t was one of
those moments ofdecision when the slight
est weight thrown into eitherscale will mako
it preponderate, moment in which bold
man conversant with the springs of human
action rnay seize upon the minds ofall around
him, and sway them at his will.
Such man was the intrepid Virginlan.---
He spoke and there was no man bold enough
to gainsay him.-None that could return the