The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-06

c0nsarn."
Far from thinking that my humble name can
add aught to the interest of what write, am,
nevertheless, opposed to fictitious signatures, as
they too often accompany fictitious statements.
Respectfully, &C., BOYD REILLY,
From the. Syracuse Journal.
Indian Council Extraordinary.
From time immemorial the Iroqiois nations have
had their season for convoking the tribes Of the
several cantons.
During the past fortnight there have been held
daily at the Onondaga Castle q series of Indian
councils, preparatory to the commencement of the
new year. On Friday last celebrated the an
nual and important rite Of sacrificing the stohite
dog" The customary victim was inundated on the
flaming altar, with all the formality and circum-
stance OF ancient usage among the Iroquois, in
presence OF = pagan portion of the nation, and nu-
merous white persons, spectators. On Tuesday
last this browning festival of the Indian year. after
continuance Of nine days, was closed with the ex-
citing ceremony of the 'soov dance" These observ-
ances are continued in the midst Of Christian
community, with all the reverence solemnity and
zeal OF ancient times with punctuality and devo-
ton which show the regard these people have for
the institutions of their fathers and with what e-
nacity they still cling TO their ancient customs.
At this great festival. in grand council all va
cancies are filled which have occurred during the
year among the chiefs and sachems of the nation
and the new incumbcnts ON these occasions are in
Quoted into Office and installed with all the cerc-
mony of aboriginal etiquette, practiscd in olden
time.
At this season it is customary and appropriate to
adopt and initiate individuals Of other nations and
occasionally white people, into the Onondaga ma
ton, and consort them with particular families,
clans, and tribes On this OCCASION while the sires
and sages OF the nation were convened in solemn
council according to ancient usage, in considers
ton Of the high estimation in which he has long
been held by the Onondaga nation, j. v. III. Clark,
esq, of Manlius adopted and initiated as q true
Onondaga. and most cordially affiliated with the
oil ttN.rr -
known throughout all the six nations by the name
Go-yah-d a Rs- nah-has, (the red mans friend and
defender,) and to be everywhere accepted as bro
ther, n counsellor and warrior.
In these days il il a circumstance Of rare occur
renee 10 adopt and initiate a white person among
the 0nondagas, and is only admissible in cases
where the individual has done the nation dis
nnguished service, or has in some way become hon.
orably conspicuous among them.
AT a subsequent council and more advanced stage
of the proceedings at the council house, the same
individual was elected an honorary sachem Of the
Onondaga nation, and was duly invested with the
rights and privileges Of native incumbents.
IL may be worthy Of remark that more than two
hundred years have passed away since Christianity
was was introduced TtS among The onondagn Indian:
cans, have, each in their turn, established what
have been termed prosperous missions" among
them: With what success, present practices most
clearly indicate. For more than one hundred
years the French were predominant. For more
than half that time the English prevailed in all that
pcrtained TO trade, diplomacy, and political infiu-
encc Since the close Of the American Revolution,
the United States and the State of New York have
had the perishing remnant Of the Iroquois under
their influence, protection, and control STILL they
are in many respects an independent people, speak
ing their own peculiar language, governed by their
own laws, and adhering with unyielding pertina-
city 10 their primitive customs.
Discerning men have often and long ago foretold
that this the last Iroquois would be driven from
the home of his fathers or become voluntary exile
10 IN wca nd all tbosr
But the love OF country and the dread Of cxpatria-
ton attach them with wonderful adhesion 10 their
respective reservations. Although IL may be said
they are annually diminishing In numbers, and
drifting about like the last leaves Of autumn, still
they remain a living monument of the wildncss Of
their nature, OF their inhexibiliy Of temper and Of
their ancient power and grandeur,
Pens y Pens.
In the Mexican papers, received ON Tuesday, the
death Of Pena Pena IL announced. He was one
Of the most eminent lawyers his country ever pro-
duced; was an enlightened statesman, and poe
sesscd, withal, the frmncss and moral courage 10
withstand popular csmor, or defy the intrigues OF
measures he held conducive TO the public safety or
| the general welfare of the republic. II has been
the misfortune Of Mexico, that, In her history n
nation, few such men appear in place power, and
| those few, brief periods only.
Pchs Pena bccamc President Of the republic
al the close Of the war with the United States II
was under his auspices the treaty Of peace was
mace anu IL was MIN ~ was ratfucd, ntcr Her
rcrs, the president elect, fearing popular indiRna.
ton and the cabak Of the Santanists stunned the
responsibility Of advocating signing II, and OBJ
tanned the election Of Pcha Pens President, nd
interim, by Congress.
At the time commissioners visited Qucrctaro,
where the Mexican government then was, to con.
clude the negotiations, the bitcrcst hostility was
manifested BY the people OF all classes 10 the Amer
leans, and also deep seated aversion TO the settle
ment Of the difficulties between the two countries
on the terms agreed upon. The lepcros, compris-
ing foil half The population Of the city. stoned the
carriage Of the commissioners, and asssiled the
men composing the escort, whenever few Of them
appeared in the streets. Nor was the army better
disposed. Complaint made to the government of
these outrsgcs upon mission, present in Quercta-
70, upon the invitation Of the government ITSELF but
Pchs Pehs, though he expressed the most pro-
found regrets that such insults should have been
offered, Acknowledged his inability 10 prevent
them; confessed that he could not rely upon tho
army 10 restrain the people, aud begged the for
bcarsnce Of the Americans.
In the teeth Of tho insane desire TO procrastnate
the war, he made peace, and by his patriotism and
courage saved Mexico from national extinction.
He was Immediately succeeded by the weak, but
well -intcnded Herrera, who has since filed the
presidential chair.
Mexico, in tho death Of Pehs Pc7sa, has Lost one
Of her best and wisest men, and a pure patriot.
Tur CAR mr. fouw pptor Ii win - s~~v H.,