The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-09-08
TRADITION on TnE cHocrAws.

Inc loIlowlng tradition OF the origin Of the
Choctaws wa narrated by Pitchlin, their ed.
ucated haIf-breed chief. who is we'll known
to many of the citizens Of Mobile. AS this
tribe was the original tenants of the SOIL
the Mobiles and Tensaws being but 5ubdivis.
ions-the legend will have particular inter.
est for our readers. The magnificent sea ;
alluded to is probably the Pacific Ocean, and
the mighty river or great highway Of
way waters the Mississppi:-[N. o. Crescent.
"According to the tradition Of the Choc-
laws, the first Of their race came from the bos-
ON Of a magnificent sea. Even when they
first made their appearance on the earth, they
where SO numerous as 10 cover the sloping ard
sandy slofe Of the ocean; fat as the eye could
reach, and for a long time did they follow the
margin of he sea before they could find a
place suited to their wants. The name Of
their principal chief has long been forgotten,
but it is we'll remembered that he was o prophet
of great age and wisdom. For many moons
did they ttavel without fatigue, and all the
time were their bodies strengthened by pleas
ant b%reezes, and their hearts, on the other
hand, gladdened by tho luxuriancc of per-
petual summer. In process Of time, however,
the multitude was visited by sickness, and one
after another were left on the shore the dead
bodies of old women and little children
The heart of the Prophet became troubled,
and, planting a long staff that he carried in his
hand, and which was endowed with the mi
rOCulous power Of an oracle, he told his peo-
pie that from the spot thus designated they
mustturn their fa%cestowards the unknown will
dcrness. But before entering Upon this pOr-
tion of their journey, he designated a Ger
tain day for starting, and told them that they
were at liberty, in the mgantime, to enjoy them
selves by feasting and dancing, ana perform
ing their national rites.
sit was now early nmlorhing, and the hour
appointed for starting. Heavy clouds and fly
ing mists rested upon the sea, but the beau,i-
full waves melted upon thu shore as joyful as
ever before. The staff which the Prophet had
planted was found leaning tow ards the North
in thai direction did the multitude take up
their line Of march. Their journey lay across
streams, over hills and mountains, through
tangled forests and over immense prairies -
They were now In an entire strange country,
and as they trusted in their magic staff, they
planted it every night with the utmost care.
and arose in the morning with great eagerness
to ascertain the direction towards which it
leaned. And thus they travelled for many
days, when they found themselves upon the
margin of an O~-kk-nG-ChittO, or great highway
Of water. Here did they pitch their tents,
and having planted their staff, retired to re-
pose. When morning came, the oracle told
them that they must cross the river before
them. They built themselves a thousand RATS,
and reached the opposite shore in safety -
They now found themselves in a'country Of
surprising l%ovliness, where trees we're SO high
as almost TO touch the clouds, and where game
Of every variety, and the sweetest fruits, were
found in the greatest abundance. The Gow-
ers OF the land were more Brilliant than any
they had ever before seen, and so large as Of
ten to shield them from the sunlight Of noon.
With the climate Of the land they were de-
lighted, and the air they breathed seemed to
ill their bodies with a new vigor. So pleased
were they with all they saw, that they built
mounds in all the most beautiful valleys they
passed through, SO that the Master Of Life
might know that they were not an ungrateful
people. In this new country did they con-
clue to remain, and here did they establish
their national government, with It's benign
laws.
slime passed oh, and the ChoCtaw nation
became so powerful that it's hunting grounds
extended even to the sky. Troubles arose
among the younger warriors and hunters Of
the nation, until it came to pass that they
abandoned the cabins Of their forefathers, and
settled IN distant regions Of the earth. Thus
from the very body Of the ChOctaw nation
have sprung those other nations which are
known as the Chichasaws, the CherOkebS, the
Creeks OF Mhskogees, the Shawnees and the
Delawares. And in the process of time, the
Choctaws founded a great city, wherein their
most aged men might spend their duysin peace,
and because they loved those Of their people
who had long before departed into distant re-
gions, they called this city Yazoo, the mean
ing Of which is, { Home Of tile People who are
Gone r"-Mobis Register.
e" s.t
Tba bandeomnst anecimen of the an M nr;nt.