Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-05-14
4 YhfilliRg Scene,

4 Thrilling Scene.
The subioined stirring sketch is from a
new work by Judge Hale, entitled "The will
derness and the War PATH" and is de-
scriptive of the GOODNESS and presence OF
mind ofCol. George Roger Clark, at coun-
Gil at North Bend.
An Indian council is one of the mos. i'm
posing spectacles in savage life. 1t is one
of the few occasions in which the warrior
exercises his right Of suffrage, his influence
and his talents, in civil capacity, and the
meeting is conducted with all the gravity,
and all the ceremOnious ostentation, with
which it is possible to invest it. The
matter TO be considered, as we'll as all the de-
tails, are we'll digested beforehand, so that
the utmost decorum must prevail, and the
decision be unanimous. The chiefs and sa-
ges--the leaders and orators-occupy the
most conspicuous seats; behind them are
arranged the younger braves, and still furth-
er in the rear appear the women and the
youth, as Spectators. All are equally atten-
tive. A dead silence reigns throughout the
assemblage. The great pipe, gauoily adorn-
ed with paint and feathers, is lighted, and
passed from mouth to mouth, commencing
with the chief highest in rank, and proceed
ing by regular graduation TO the inferior
order Of braves. If two or three nations be
Represented, the pipe is passed from one
party to the other, salutations are courteous
ly exchanged. before the business nfthe ce"u-
Gil is opened by the respective speakers.
Whatever jealousy or party spirit may exist
in the tribe, it is carefully excluded from this
digniied assemblage, whose orderly conduct,
and close attention to the proper subject
before them, might be initiated with profit
by some of the most enlightened bodies in
ChliStendom.
1t was an alarming evidence of the tenn
per now prevailing among them, and of the
brooding storm that filled their minds, that
NO propfiety of demeanor marked the en-
trance of the savages into the council room.
The usual fol malities were forgotten, or pur-
posely disposed with, and an insulting levi
ty substituted in its place. The chiefs and
braves stalked in, with an appearance of
slight regard; and seated themselves promis-
cuousiy on the floor in front Of the commits
sioners. An air of insolence marked all
their movements, and showed an intention to
dictate terms, or to fix quarrel upon the
Americans. .
A deau silence rested over the group; il
was the silence of dread, distrust, and watch
fulness; not of respect. The eyes of the
savage band gi0ated upon the banquet OF
blood that seemed already spread out before
Them the pillage Of the fort and the bleed
ing scalps of the Americans, were almost
within their grasp; while that gallant little
bald saw the poftentious nature of the cri-
sis, and stood ready to sell their lives as dear
ly as possible. ..r .......
The Commissioners, without noticing The
disorderly conduct of the other party, or ap'
bearing to have discovered their meditated
treachery, opened the council in due form
They lighted the peace pipe, and after draw
ing a few whiffs, passed 1t to the chiefs. wht
Received il. Colonel Clarke then rose to ex'
plain the purpose for which the treaty was
ordered. With anunembarrassed air-with
the tone of one accustomed to command.
and the easy assurance Of perfect security
and self-possession, he stated that the com
missioners had been sent to offer peace to the
Shawanoes: and that the President had ne
wish to continue the war; he had no resent
ment to crafty; and, that ifthe red men de-
sired peace, they could have it on liberia
terms "If such be the will of the Shawan
oes.u he continued, '1et some Of the wise mer
speak" -
A chief arose, drew up his tall person L
its fall height, and assuming naughty at
titude, threw his eye contemporary ovel
The commissioners and their small retinue
AZ il to measure their insignificance, in com
parison with his own numerous tram, ane
then stalking to the table, threw upon II twe
belts of wampum, of different cciors-ih'
war and peace belt'
awe come" he exclaimed, "to oter you
two pieces of wampum; they are OF two dill
erent colors you know what they mean
Won can take which you like" And turn
ire upon his heel, resumed his seat.
The chiefs drew themselves up In th'
consciousness OF having hurled defiance II
the teeth of the white men. They had OF
fered an insult 10 the renowned leader OF I'M
Loag Knives, to which they knew it wou!'
be hard for him to sabmit, while they dl'
not suppose he would dare to resentit. III
councii-pipe was laid aside. Those ferc
wild men gazed intenIly at Clarke. In
American saw that the crisis had arrived
they could NO longer doubt that the Indian
understood the advantage they possessed
and were disposed to use il; and common
sense If danger caused each eye to turn Of
the leading commissioner. He sat undis
turbed, and apparently careless, until III