Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-03

New York and simultaneously, we believe, by a
publishinq-house in London. In these papers Mr..
PARKMAN made his first bow to the public A
slight acquaintance with their modest and talented
author induced us to commence reading them with
careful interest consideration which, as an in
centiye to attentive perusa their intrinsic merit
soon rendered superAuous The evident truthfulness
with which the writer's impressions were conveyed,
the vvidness of his descriptions of Western scenery
and e of the and customs of Indian tribes and
their sembarbarous associates in the remote Territory
Of Oregon less than the hearness with which his
narrative was written and the literary ability and taste it
evidenced caused predict for the result of his future
abors in the field he had selected for authora research
and effort a wide and lasting reputation.
Favorably however, we were impressed with the
Oregon 7a and confidently we anticipated from its
marked improvement in any succeeding effort of
its author assisted he would be by the experience
gained in his initial fight prepared greet
from his pen such work The History Of the Conspiracy
Of Pontiac work which do not hesitate to affirm
entitled rank with the best histories in the English
language.
We give readers better idea Of the object
of the work than by quoting the opening paragraph Of its
preface
"The conquest Of Canada event Of momentous
consequence in American history It changed the poit
cal aspect OF the continent prepared the for the in
dependence Of the British colonies rescued the vast
of the interior from the rule of military desposm, and
gave them, eventually, to the keeping of ordered de-
mocracy Yet to the red natives of the soil its results
were wholly disastrous. Could the French have main
tanned their ground the ruin of the Indian tribes might
long have been postponed but the ycse q Quebec
destined to melt and vanish before tho advancing Of
Ango-American power, which now rolled westward
checked and unopposed The history Of that epoch,
walls of suffering and ycssitude heroism and endurance
has been, as yet unwritten buried in the archives Of
Governments among the obscurer records Of private
adventure To it from oblivion is the object Of the
following work 1t aims to portray the American forest
and the American Indian at the period when both received
their final doom"
The in which this task has been executed by
Mr. Parman, the authorities he has examined
and coated in the preparation of his work-authortes
not only difficult of access but requiring, when obtained
great amount Of patient labor sf valuable and
reliable particulars from Of cumbrous and doubt
full detas-can only be appreciated by such win take
the pains peruse the volume with care remembering
that fact Is stated unsupported by good authority
event narrated but its historical sequence and that
the entire work has been accomplished in the face Of
obstacle formidable enough deter many from even the
most trifng literary labor.
"Several obstacles writes Mr. Parkman) shave re-
tarded the progress Of the work OF these Of the
most considerable the condition Of my sight seriously
though permanently impaired For about three years
the light of day nsupportable and every attempt at
circumstances the task Of sitting the materials and
posing the work was begun and finished"
In his Introductory chapter Mr. Parman sketches the
Indian character in that betrays the
mate artist thoroughly mbued with knowledge of the
characteristics Of his dusky sitter Every touch marks
the pracsed eye and the steady hand the various str
ing and antagonistc traits Of the red man. developed
in tribes, diverse but strongly impressed with
the pecuartes Of origin, brought together
IL
trait embodiment Of the bold features of race rather
than the diosyncraces Of individual is altogether the
most mastery wehave with As admits Of segregation
from the body Of the volume without losing its effect by
being deprived Of its literary frame work. and IL affords
favorable specimen Of the authors condensed and per-
spcuous STYLE perhaps do better than quote
as conclusion this hastily written notice of work
we pcruscd with infinite pleasure and which We
cordially commend to the attention of readers.
Rs.C
n0f the Indian character much has been written fool
sby, and credulously believed BY the rhapsodcs Of
pects the Of sentmentasts and the cxtravagancc
Of some who should have known better, a counterfeit
image has been cked out which might seek in vain for
s likeness through every Of the habtable earth
image bearing resemblance to It's original
the monarch Of the tragedy and the hero Of the epic poem
bear TO their living prototypes the palace and the
The shadows Of his wilderness home and the darker
tie Of his inscruabe reserve have made the Indian
warrior wonder and mystery Yet TO the eye Of
onal observation there is nothing unntegibe in him
He Is full IL s true Of contradiction He deems himself
the centre Of greatness and his pride is pros
against the fcrcest tormens Of fire and steel and yet
the same man would beg for dram of whiskcy pick
up ernst Of bread thrown him like dog from the
door o1 the traveller At moment he is wary and
70 the verge Of cowaroe at the next he sban
dons nnsen 70 very insanity Of recklessness and the
hao'ua sen restraint which throws impenetrabo veil
a beast a madnan - -
Inoonsstenc;cs strange they in our eyes,
when viewed under novel aspect are hut the ordinary
incidents OF humanity The qualities Of The mind are not
uniform IN their action through oil the r>,ations Of life
With different men and different races ~ men nr;de
vaor prudence, have different forms az nroncstat;on
and where in one instance they lie dormant in another
ey kecny awake The conjunction Of rreatness and
teness and pride, Is odor than the davs of
tie patriarchs and such anquatcd phenomena n;
ed under form in the rejecting, undisciplned mind
of savage call for special wonder but should Father
be classd with the other engmas Of the fahomless bu
man heart The dssectng knife Of might
lay bare matters Of less curious observation In the
breast Of every man.
Mature has stamped the Indian with hard stern
physiognomy. Ambition, revenge, envy, jealousy, are
his ruling passions; and his cold temperament IL little
exposed 10 those cemnate vices which the bane of
nilder races With him revenge Is IN overpowerng in