Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-07-17
A Noble Example.

About the year 1776 circumstance occurred
which deserves to be written on adamant. In
the wars Of New-England with the aborgnes,
the Mohegan tribes of Indians early became
Friends Of the English. Their favorite ground
was on the banks ofthe river, (nOw the Thamesl
between New-London and Norwich. A small
remnant of the Mohegans still exist and they
are scarcely protected in the possession and en-
ioyment of their favorite domain on the banks Of
the Thames. The government ofthis tribe had
become hereditary in the family of the celebra-
ted chief Uncas. During the time of my fathers
mercantile prosperity he had employed several
Indians Of this tribe in hunting ANIMALS whose
skins were valuable for their fur Among these
hunters was one named Zachary, of the royal
race, an excellent hunter, but as drunken and
worthless an Indian as ever lived. When he
had somewhat passed the age of fifty, several
members Of the royal family, who stood between
Zachary and throne Of his tribe, died, and he
found himself with only one life between him
and the empire. In this moment his better genius
resumed its sway, and he reflected seriously
"How can such drunken wretch as am as
pire to be the chief Of this honorable race 3
What will my people say? and how will the
shades of my noble ancestors look down indig-
nant upon such a base successor? Can sue.
ceed to the great Uncas2 will drink no more
He solemnly resolved never again to taste any
drink but water, and he kept his good resolu
ton.
/ had heard this story, and did not entirely be
lieve it for young as was, already partool
of the prevailing contempt for Indians. In thu
beginning of May, the annual election of thu
principal officers of the (then) colony was he'll
at Hartford, the capital. My father attended of
fclaly and it was customary for the chief o
the Mohicans also to attend. Zachary had sue
ceeded to the rule of his tribe. My father
house was situated about midway on the roa
between Mohegan and Hartford, and the oil
chief was in the habit of coming few days be
fore the election, and dining with his brothe
governor. One day the mischievous though
struck me to try the sincerity of the old man
temperance. The family were seated at Dime
and there was excellent home-brewed beer o.
the table. addressed the old chief:
"Zachary, this beer is excellent-will yol
taste it ?"
The old man dropped his knife and fork
leaned forward with stern intensity of expires
sion-hs black eye sparkling with indignation
was fixed on me.
John," said he, you do not know what yo
are doing. You are serving the devil, boy J.
DO you not know that am an Indian? | tel
you that am, and that, if l should but tast
your beer, could not stop until got to run
and became again the miserable drunken wretc
your father remembers me to have BEEN John
while you live, never again tempt any man I
break good resolution"
Socrates never uttered more yaluabe nrt
cePt. Demosthenes could not have given il
more solemn tones of eloquehce | was TIM,
derstruck My parents were deeply affected
they looked at each other, at me, and at the We
erable old Indian, with deep feelings of awe ar
respect. They afterwards frequently remind,
me Of the scene, and charged me never to fc
get it, Zachary lived to pass the age of eight
and sacredly kept his resolution. He lies burr
in the royal burial place Of his tribe, near
beautiful falls of the Yantic, the western bran
of the Thames, in Norwich, on land now ow
ed by my friend, Calvin Goddard, Esq. Wis
ed the grave of the old chief lately, and repe
to myself his inestimabe lesson.-COh Trt
bulls Autobiography,