Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-10-27

Inc washington CORE spOndent OF
the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser,
writes an interesting notice of a visit
by Billy Bowlegs and his companions
to one of the picture galleries in the
Smithsonian Institute:
Quite a scene was exhibited on
Tuesday at the Smithsonian Institu-
ton: not the less interesting because
unanticipated. Expectation had not
been exhausted upon it. 1t was the
introduction of the Seminole Indians
to the beautiful collection Of pictures
in the Western gallery. They are
chiefly portraits of the various Indian
chiefs who have attained celebrity
among their tribes, have been val
liant in war, or wise and skilltul in
peace and its negotiations. 1t is in
deed brilliant collection, convenient
in location, happily arranged, and
visited by thousands. 1t is seldom
that visitors may not be seen there,
with the free explanatory pamphlet
in hand, eargerIy contemplating these
fine specimens, richly colored and
displaying to a great advantage those
gorgeous hues in which the Indian
much delights to robe himself
But to see those living savages,
dressed in their coats OF many colors,
gazing on the images Of those war
riors of different tribes, whose fame
had reached their ears, was quite ex-
citing. call them savages, but the
Florida Indians present do not so well
answer to the name as the Canaan
ches, Winnebagoes, and many others
that have paid their respects to their
great father, surrendered their lands
and subscribed to the treaties offered
them. Though clothed in their ma
tive costume, which is abundantly
picturesque-their head dresses Dor
dering even more than usual on tn
oriental style-they have more
civilized air, less wild expression of
countenance, and some OF them even
speak the English language-quite
an assnilating trait. Among them
are Billy Bowlegs, Abraham the in
and John Jumper. The
first. though less lofty in height than
any of his companions, is their well
known chief, astute, diplomatic and
determined. This was the first view
of him. 1t was sudden and striking.
behcld swarthy man, of low stat
ure, in the midst of the signs of civil
ization, surrounded by curious and
watchtul pale faces, yet as complete
ly absorbed in the study of these saw
age portraits, as if he had suddenly
met with the tribes of live warriors
While himself observing these objects
so intently, ne in fact was the obscr-
we'd OF all observers"
| stood directly opposite him to scan
his features, but he took no notice of
me whatever. When he arrived at
the part of the gallery where the por-
traits of the old Florida Chiefs are
his features kindled with
high enthusiasm; he talked to his
comrades with great fluency, his
whole person was animated So
when the portrait Of any renowned
warrior met his eye, it became fred
with an expression Of martial ardor
more safe to look upon in that hall,
than amid the everglades of Florida.
felt rising emotion Of pity for the !,
warrior, who was contemplating -.
shadows Of former power, that served /
but to remind him of the departed
sovereignty of the wilderness, and
OF an empty compliment to the mem
DRY OF the once mighty men who had
bowed to the supremacy of advanc-
ing civilization, and retired within
the narrow limits prescribed to them
by the irrisistable government of the
whites.