American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-07
AN INDIAN COUNCIL.
A THRILLING SCENE.

"A oNGNEs
subjoined stirring sketch is from a new
by Judge Hale, entitled "The Wilderness
Pc War PATH" and is descriptive of the
sess and presence of mind Of Col. George
u Clark, at council at North Bend.
Indian council is one of the most impos-
*pectacles in savage life. 1t is one of the
OCCASIONS in which the warrior exercises his
of suffrage, his influence and his talents,
fivil capacity, and the meeting is conduct
j It'll all gravity, and all the ceremonious os-
fion, with which it s possible to invell
The matter to be considered, as we'll as asst
Eetails, are well digested beforehand, so tha-
Utmost decorum must prevail, and the Diet
be unanimous. The chiefs and sages-
saders and orators-occupy the most con-
tous seats; behind them are arranged the
ger braves, and still further in the rear APP
the women and the youth, as spectators.
IRE equally attentive. A dead silence reigns
ghout the assemblage. The great pipe,
ly adorned with paint and feathers, is
Fed, and, passed from mouth to mouth,
hencing with the chief highest in rank,
proceeding by regular graduation to the
lor order of braves. If two or three ma
be represented, the pipe is passed from
fparty to the other, and situations are
eously exchanged, before the business of
council is opened by the respective speak
4 Whatever jealousy or party spirit may
\ in the tribe, it is carefully excluded from
tdignfied assemblage, whose orderly con-
n and close attention to the proper subject
he them, might be initiated with profit by
n of the most enlightened bodies in Chris
om.
was an alarming evidence of the temper
prevailing among them, and of the brood
Etorm that filled their minds, that no pro-
ny of demeanor marked the entrance OF
Lbavages into the council room. The usual
Ealities were forgotten, or purposely dis
He'd with, and an insulting levity substituted
q place. The chiefs and braves stalked in,
an appearance of slight regard, aud seat
themselves promiscuously on the floor, in
"a of the commissioners. An air of lnso-
Ne marked all their movements, and showed
Eitention to dictate terms, or to fix a quar-
Epon the Americans.
h dead silence rested over the group; it was
|silence of dread, distrust, and watchfulness;
Eof respect The eyes of the savage band
Hted upon the banquet of blood that seemed
|Ady spread out before them; the pllage of
Mort and the bleeding scalps of the Amer-
4, were almost within their grasp; while
4 gallant little band saw the portentious ma
of the crisis, and stood ready to sell their
( as dearly as possible.
Ehe commissioners, without noticing the
orderly conduct of the other party, or ap-
|Fing to have discovered their meditated
|ichery, opened the council in due form
by lighted the peace-pipe, and after drawing
Wv whiffs, passed it to the chiefs, who re-
we'd it. Col. Clarke then rose 10 explain
bpurpose for which the treaty was ordered
Nth an unembarrassed air-with the tone Of
\ accustomed to command, and the easy as
,ance of perfect security, and self-possession,
Stated that the commissioners had been sent
Differ peace to the Shawnoes; and that the
Iesident had no wish to continue the war; he
Il no resentment TO crafty; and, that if the
4 men desired peace, they could have it or
|eral terms. 'lf such be the will of the
ADVANCES" he continued, "let some of the
pc men speak"
"a chief arose, drew up his tall person to it,
4 height, and assuming naughty attitude
Few his eye contemptuously over the com
Assioners and their small retinue, as if tC
Easure their insignifcance, in comparison
Ith his own numerous train, and then stalk
y to the table, threw upon it two belts O
Rmpum, ofdifferent colors-the war and tn
hce belt.
1"We come" he exclaimed, "to offer yol
D belts of wampum; they are of two differ
\ colors; you know what they mean; you cal
Ike which you like!" And turning upon hi
lel, resumed bis seat.
sThe chiefs drew themselves up in the con
Iousness of having hurled defiance in tn
eth of the white men. They had offered al
Pult to the renowned leader of the Lon
hives, to which they knew it would be har,
= him to submit, while they did not suppos
would dare resent it, The council-pip