The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-12-16

WHAT bowLEGs THINKS OF NEW YoRK:A
writer in the New Orleans Delta thus gives ms
Billy Bowlags' tthc Seminole Indian's) impression.
of Washington and New York, as derived from his
late Northern visit. Barring its profanity, it is r-
ther rich. .-.
was in Tampa Bay when Billy arrived from hi,
northern tour, and, being desirous Of knowing how
ne was pleased, invited him to call on me the nex,
morning. At the appointed time, Billy arrived at
my on'ce' and after giving him something to drink
which, II You should happen to omit, you would
pc very sure to incur the displeasure Of BiIIy-I
asked L''n 20 describe his tip to me; and he COM
nenced. well, said Billy, Sin our trip from
Fort Meyers to Savannah, saw nothing hut what
! mad been accustomed TO every day, and began
to doubt II all the tales had heard about the great
cities were true, but when arrived at Savannah I
thought to myself that the white people were not such
great lars after all, and when got TO Charleston
had not been told half
81 like the steamboats," said Billy, eswhen they
go on smooth water; but when they go on the big
water, they make me feel bad And the railroads,
now fast they go-you can't the trees hardly;
but ] think had pony before the war that could
run with them. Oh, yes! the railroads run fast;
but think my pony could beat them. When got
to Washington saw the Great Father had al.
ways understood that he an old man, and was
surprised to see him look young. The great
white ndlr, Dut his checks round. like
NINE; think he is about the same age as myself
told the Great Father that had come there for
justice, and ] didn't want him to suppose that
came there to beg. l told him that he was great
man and was great warrior. Oh, yes! ! saw the
Great Father, in the White House; told him that
no one could scare me from Florida; il wanted to
go, would; if did MT, would not.''
saw plenty of squaws. They all looked very
very pretty, hut they all looked alike. went to
New York. My God! wha! big place! So many
people and wag,ns.'' Any children, Billy" asked /.
"My God! don't ttk-there's nothing but children
like Washington la,ter than New York, for in
Washington you have plenty of to walk. In
New York the road full Of people just like grass.
The Great Father and everybody gave me presents.
but l could not bring haf''
After he had finished about the runev, he said:
81 told the Great Father l would see my people
and try and leave next srring. told him wanted
10 stay in Florida this winter''
He dsllkcs any one TO question him al out the
number of warrioAs in his tribe. S me one asked:
''Bil'y, how many have you in your triI el" He
Ab' aham," Ohc negro interpreter)-meaning the
delegation.
When it was time for him to leave, he shook
hands and said-"you mist give me another drink.''
As Billy never lets AN ocrasion to imbbe PASS,
were obliged to ''pour OUT After visiting some
in9rc Of his friends, Billy became so unmana gable,
that General Blake thc.ght it best to send him down
to Fort Meyers Just as he embarkins, a crowd
sathercred around him. Some one said-s'The
COWBOYS will he after You Billy, if you don't move
soon" ':D-n the Cow-boys!' said Billy; "ope Of
my men can whip a dozen Of them!''
Billy is very abusive when intoxicated and cursed
every one vino happened to come in his way He
was sitting down when The boat left, and some one
asked him to give the war-whoop he jumped up
and gave one of the loulesl ycs l ever heard f ON
an Indian. Billy Bowlegs is about five feet Sigh, in
chcs in height, rather stout, has round face, and
an expression one never tmgcts. He is said to he
possessed of more cunning than any ether Seminole
Chief that ever lived General Twggs tried seyera;
times to entgap him, but always failed. 1t is my
opinion he viii never leave Florida until driven
out by an army. an ce, tain he will not go next
spring.