The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-18

LAuRESs DlsrRIcr, July 26, ls47.
ORIGIN OF THE HUMAN RACES.
The "Mcrcury," of Charleston, in giving
some brief but interesting "reminiscences of
Nchemathla: a chief OF the Seminolcs, re-
lates the following to show what is the tra-
dition, among this tribe of Indians at least,
in relation TO the origin Of the White, Red
and Black races:
In the progress of the negotiation at
Camp Moultric, IN 1923, between the u. S.
Commissioners and the Indians, it became
important to ascertain the population of the
Seminole nation. BY request, a census was
handed in by the chiefs, and on the COM
missioners asking f,he statement embraced
the blacks who were slaves, there was so
violent burst of Indignation from Nehe
mathla as to require rejoinder and reproof
from those who represented the u. States.
On explaining the motive of the inquiry,
however, that the commissioners, in the al
lotment of territory, were dcsirous of pro-
vidng for the negro as we'll as for the Indi-
an, Nehcmathla was reconciled to the sup
posed indignity cast upon his people, and
the negotiation proceeded and terminated
harmoniously. On the exchange of docu-
ments and treaties, the commissioners re-
ceivcd the head chiefs Of the Seminoles at
an entertainment. On the removal of the
cloth, (for Nehemathla, Blunt, and many
others were not ignorant Of the forms and
courtesics Of the dinner table,) and while
the 6 lass was circulating; Nehemathla ad-
verted to the unpleasant incident Of the
morning, in which he had exhibited so
much temper. He stated, that they had
among them wise man, philosopher,
who had communion with the Great Spirit,
and that if agreeable to the commissioners,
it would be gratifying to him that he should
be heard, that they might read in his reveal
ments the only apology he had to offer for
the displeasure he had expressed on the
negro's being considered member of the
Red Family. The wise man commenced:
SIN the beginning the Great Spirit made
this earth, and he was pleased with its
hunting grounds, its rich soils, its mountains
and valleys, its oceans and rivers. He de-
creed that he would people it, He labored
for seven days and he made a negro
Though gratified at this first Of human be-
ings into whom he had blown the breath of
life, he was not satisfied. He worked Sc
ven days more and produced an Indian.
Though more pleased with this second than
the first OF his creation, he was not altogeth-
er reconciled to the Red Skin. He return
ed for seven days more to his labors, and
the result was the White Man. He gazed
with admiration, upon this last as the per-
fection Of his works. But the Negro and
Indian were still alive; and what was to
be e'done to promote harmony and preserve
peace. The Spirit thought awhile and
assembled his three races of human beings.
at at the same time placing before them three
huge boxes. On one was marked Hoes
and Ages, on another Bo1Us and AYroa0s,S
and onihe third Books Hesaid to the ne
gro, ,as Lmade you first, 10 justice, you shall
have the first choice; he selected the hoes
and axes. The Indian became restless;
and frantic with apprehension, and under
ibis native inpu ulsesss was almost in posses