The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-04-20
THE NATcHEz INDIANS.

lousy observed in the court Of tho Great
Sun Of the Natchez Indians. Upon his
accession 70 the throne, he appointed two min
'stersat war, two mastsrs Of ceremonies and
fom guardians of the Temple, two officers to
egulate the proceedings in treaties Of peace
and war, one who had the inspection Of the
public works, and four who were charged with
the management Of the public feasls, We
gather tho history OF these Indians from their
own tradition. This was not vague, loose,
broken, disconnected and Doubtful story, but
cleas exPlick and certain. Every precuhton
was used 70 preserve il in all it's truth, and pu-
rity. 1t was conveyed from one to another by
frequent conversations or lectures, and as it
was mos' faithfully transmitted, It was called,
'EThe Ancient Word" This precious deposit
OF the nation, whichincluded knOwlrdge Of
cir sciences and arts as well as tho chroni-
cles OF their origin and history, and the revola-
tions Of their religion, was not careessy COM
mitted to all indlfferently nor permitted to be
made the subject Of ordinary, rambling talk;
but It was cpnfided 1nly to few who had se-
lected for their prudence and ability, and who
were designated from their earliest youth and
educated especially to receive IT, It par
took much Of the characteracter OF some an
clent oral Communications existing at the pres
enl day known only TO the inilia ed, Of whose
accuracy as well as antiquity there can be no
doubt.
Atthe time Of du Pratz, the Chiel Guardian
of the Temple was one OF the persohsln whom
it was reposed, and it was from this officer
thathe received his Information respecting tha /
people. We will abrdge his account while we
retain the language of lne guardian of the
Temple.
"Belore we removed to this spot. we ihhab-
tied territory situated nearly under the sun.
II was fertile and beautiful land, stretching
far along the great water. In vain the orig
ina people of that country, descending from
tho mountains, sought to expel us from the
soil. WeropuIsed them in the very mouths Of
theirmoualains and they advance no further
Generations had passed away. aud there came
to that Ian in Aba'ing villages from the rising
sun an army of FIRE Warriors They were
men with boards, white but swalthy, and they
bore weapons that killed fair off with loud
report. They had also other large arms that
destroyed many persons at once with noise
that shook the earth like thunder. They made
war upon that original people and some of
our nation volunteered to join them, and he
number OIL the original people destroyed by
them was as the blades grass upon the prai.
res" .
In reply to question Of Gu Pralz as to who
II at Original people were, the Guardia Il Of the
emple said
e We have always styled them 'lho original
reople Of that country because our ancient
word has always taught that when we arrived
there, we found them in great numbers they
appeared to have been there long time
They had numerous villages, both large and
small, all of which were built Of stone, and
often ia them were houses large eaOugh 10
Contain the whole inhab tants Of our villages.
They had temples built with teat skill and
labor, anlthoy m1nuIacturel the most beauti-
fu articles from gjld, silver, stone, wood
cloth, feathers an every other material" s
Butt said du Pratz, from whence did
your own people originate2' The Guardian
OF the Temple replied-'U Upon this subject the
ancient word is silent, except that it teaches
that our ancestry in coming hither followed
the sun aud cane 10 the place Of his setting.
After long journey. during wqich all were
nearly at the point Of death, they finally arriv'
ed IN the country which nave described
Ask no more, for upon this, the ancient wore
contain no more :"
From what he had learned, the curiosltv O.
our author was greatly excited, and he de-
termined to push his enquiries farther. HI
sought an interview with the Great Sun, anC
to effec it, he invited him to dinner. Afte
dinner he entered upon The subject, and pro-
duced the notes which he had taken OF biz
Conversation with the Chief Guardian Of tn,
Temple. The Gteat sun remurked-tTnis /
well. The Guardian of the Temple is instruc'
ted in tn ancient word. tis treasured in hIl
soul. Nevertheless, recite to me what you
have placed upon your speaking paper, that
may learn il dught has been Omltted.' While
du Pratz read the recital, the Great un placed
his shands over his eyes as If to enablehImseI
to be entirely absorbed in what he heard ll'
smiled occasionally and at the conclusion HI
taised his head and laughed heartily. Upor
being qn STONED by du Pratz as to the cause
Of his mirth, he SAID - Your talking papt
charms me-. 1t iS wonderful thus to be able
to record all that you see and hear. You are
happy ina science by which you have procured
in day all that concerns our nation and
which your informant has been years in obtair
ing. But old as that man s he knows nC
Emors than ! do, for the ancient word relates n,
more. sAt
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