The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-25

Joseph BrRnt, the Great Mohawk Chief,
The name of Joseph Brant the great Mohawk
omet, has wide fame, but | apprehend that his
true character is not well understood Most per-
sons think OF him as a distinguished warrior. while
lew seem to be aware that he was also a great
st tesman-an upright, energetic civilian, with sin
guary correct ideas of justice, and philanthropy
y some respects far in advance of his time and Of
the great mass Of the civilized world called Chris
tan. Braut died in 1907 and the following letter
extracted from the records Of his life, written by
ihs late William l.. Stone, shows so fully clear
and disciplined mind, as well as a phauthropic
"eaft, and wlthal the argument is so acute that
think It worthy Of transcrbng for general circula-
non and perusaI. This letter was written in the
early part OF the present century, at a time when
imprisonment for debt dlsgraced the code of almost
every State IN the Union, II not of every State ;
and before the subject of abolshng that senseless
and inhuman practice had been much thought of,
even by the wsest, most benevolent aud most cul-
tvated men OF our country. It was addressed to a
distinguished phIlanthropIst, who truly appreciated
brants char Cter, and knew the acuteness of his
intellect The remark, " In the government you
call civilized the happiness of the people is con
Stanty sacrificed to the spendor of empire is full
ot truth and suggestive Of thought. But here is
the letter
"IIy Dear .Sir-Your letter came safe to hand
10 give you entire satisfaction, must, perceive
enter into the discussion of a subject on which
have often thought.
My thoughts were my own, and being so diff
lerent from the ideas entertained among your peo
pie, should certainly have carried them with m,
10 the grave, had | not received your obligins
favor.
You ask me, then, whether, in my opinion
civilization is favorable to human happiness ii
answer to the question, it may be answered, tina
there are degrees Of civilization from cannbals Il
the most polite Of European nations. The ques
tton is not then, Whether degree of refnemen
IS not conducive to happiness; but whether you OIL
the natives Of this land have obtained this happl
medium. On this subject, at present,
presume, Of very different opinions. You will
however, allow me, in respects, to have hat
the advantage of you in forming my sentiments
/ was sir, born of Indian parents, and lived whi
a child, among those whom you are pleased to cal
savages | was afterwards sent to live among tn
white people, and educated at Of your schools
since which period have been honored, much be
youd my desserts, by an acquaintance with mum
Der of principal characters, both in Europe AM
America. After all their experience, and afte
every exerton to divest myself of prejudice, l an
obliged to give my opinion in favor of my own peo
pie. | will now, much as | able collect to
.,ether, and set before you some OF the tha
have influenced my judgement on the subject nov
before
:" In the government you call civilized, the hap
piness of the people is constantly sacrificed to tn
splendOr Of empire. Hence your codes Of crimina
and civil laws have had their oTgn-hence you
dungeons and prisons | will not enlarge on a
idea so singular in civil zed life, and perhaps disa
greeable to you. | will only observe, that, anon
US we have no prisons; we have no pompou
parade of courts we have written laws an
yeI Judges as highly revered among US as the
among you, and their decisions are as muc
regarded.
Property, to say the least, is as well guarded
and crimes are as impartialy punished. We hav
among us no splendid villains, above the control
your laws Daring wickedness is here never su
Tered to triumph over helpless innocence. Til
estates of widows and orphans are never devoure
by enterprIsng sharpers. In a word, we have II
robbery under the color of law. No person anon
us desires any other reward for performing braN
and worthy action, but the consciousness of ha'
ing served his nation Our wise men calle
fathers they truly sustain that character.
{" They always accessible. | will not Sc
TO the meanest OF our people; for we have nor
mean but such as render themselves so by the
vices.
The palaces and prisons among you, form
most dreadful contrast. Go to the former place
and you will see, perhaps, detOrmed piece
S0rth, assuming airs that become none but Il
Great Spirit above. Go to one of your prison
here description utterly fails Kill them, if "
please kill them too by tortures; but let the tC
ture last no longer than day. Those you CT
savages, relent; the most furious of our tormento
PXhaustS his revenge In a few hours, and dispatch
his unhappy victim with stroke Perhaps it
eligible that incorrlgIble offenders should son
times be cut off. Let it be done in way that
not degrading to human nature. Let such unhap
men have opportunity, by their fortitude,
making an atonement in measure, for
crimes they have committed during their liv
But for what many Of your prisoners contine
- For debt Astonishing! and will you ever again c
the Indian nations cruel? Liberty, to rational or
ture as much exceeds property, the light of
sun does that of the most twinkling star. But '
nut them on level to the everlasting disgrace
civilization. | knew, while | lived among
white people, many of the most amiable contr
debts, and l dare say, with the best intento
Both parties at the time of the contract, expect
find their advantage.
"Tbe debtor, we will suppose, by train of
avoidabe misfOrtunes, fails; here Is no crime,
even a fault; and yet your laws put II IN the po'
of the creditor to throw the debtor into prison,
ronfne him there for life : puns shment lnhnlt
worse than death, to a brave man! And serlc
vdeclare had rather die by the most severe
lures ever afflicted on this continent than langl
in one of our prisons for a single year Gi
Shirt of the Universe and do you call yourse
Christians? Does, then, the religion OF him wi
YOU call your Saviour, inspire this spirit, and
10 these practices Surely no. 1t Is recorde
him, that bruised reed he never broke Ce
then, to call yourselves Christians, lest you puo
10 the world your hypOcracy. Cease, loo', TO
other nations savage, when you are ten-told =
the children of cruelty than they"
IL will be remembered that the Mohawk lndl
of which tribe Brant was chiet-and m'
the principal chef-were, at an early day, IN
sN