Litchfield enquirer., 1852-01-22
Litchfeld County.
Extract from Judge Ch4rch's Historical
Afdress at THE L,tchfeld Coaaty Ju>
bHee august IL, 1851.

/ "'y o""NSN S0S''"h. eAteuu'hS oPeE az
most the entire limits # the County, indi-
| eating, as he believes, region Of mountains
and rocks-of bleak and frozen barrens.
lie turns his eye from it, satisfied that this
is one of the waste places of the Sta,e--af-
fording nothing pleasant for the residence
Of men. He examines mach more com-
placenily the map of the coast and the
navigable streams, But let the stranger
leave the map, aud come ard see He
will find the mountains which he anticipa.
tel-but he will find streams also. lie viii,
find forests too, or the verdant hill>sides
where they have been: and he will see
the cattle on a thousand hills, and hear the
bieatins flocks 10 many dale and glen.
and he will breathe an atmosphere of
health and buoyancy, which the dwellers
in the city and on the plain know little Of.
Let him come, and we will show him that
men live here, and women TOO. over whom
it would be ridiculous for tho city popula-
ton to boast; yeomanry well fitted to
sustain the institutions Of a free country.
We will show him living, moving mon
but more than this, we will point out to
him where, among these hills, were born or
reared, or now repose in the grave, many
ofthe men of whom he has read AMI heard,
whose names have gone gloriously into their
country history, or whn are now almost
every where giving IN honorable name 10
the County Of Litchfsld, and doing service
to our State or nation.
The extensive and fertile plains of the
Western country may yield richer harves;s
than we can renp; the slave population Of
the South may relieve the planter from the
toll experienc by Northern farmer; and
the golden regions of California may sooner
Gil the pockets with the precious metals;
and all this may s:and in strong contrast
with what has often been called the rough
and barren region of. I.itchfeld hills But
The distinguishing traits of New England
country, which we love so well. are not
there TO give sublimity to the landscape,
fragrance and health TO the mountain a.
mosphere, and energy and enterprise to
mind and character.
Not many years ago, I was descending
the last Hill 10 Norfolk in sage coach. in
company with Indy Of the West, whose
former residence had been in That town.
AS we came down upon the valley Of the
Housatonic, with full heart and suffused
eyes. she exclaimed, Oh. how love these
hills an streams! How much more pleas
ant they are 10 me than the dull prairies
and the sluggish and turbid waters of the
Western country!' 1t was an eulogy,
which, If not often expressed. the truth Of
ii has been thousand times felt, before:
Our Indian predecessors found but few
spots among the hills Of this County, which
invited their fixed residence. Here was
no place for the culture of ma ize aud beans,
the chief articles Of the Indians vegetable
food. Their settlements were chiefly con-
fined to the valley of the IIousa tonic, with
small scattered clans at Woodbury. and
Sharon. The Scaticoke tribe, at Kent,
was the last which remained anongus. II
was, taken under the protection of the
Colony and State its lands secured for ils
support. These Indians have wasted down
to few individuals, who, believe. still
remain near their fathers sepulchers, and
remind as that native tribe once existed
there.
We have seen but little to prove that the
Original American race ever inhabited
here. 1t left no monum ents but few arrow
heads, which are even now occasionally
discovered near its former homes and upon
its hunting grounds, -and scuIptured fe-
male figure made Of stone, no, many years
ago was found 10 this town, and is now de-
posted at Yale College.
There are other monuments. to be sure,
ola later race of Indians; but they are of
the white mans workmanship,-the quit.
claim deeds of the Indians title TO their
lands! These are fouad in several Of The
Towns in the County, and upon the public
records, signed with marks mneonth. and
names unspeakable. and execrted with all
the solemn mockery Of legal forms. These
are still referred TO, rs evidence Of fair
purchase - Our laws have seduously pro-
iected the minor and the married woman
from tie consequences of their best con-
sidered acts; but a deed from an Indian,
who knew neither the value Of the land he
was Fequired to reIinqnish, nor the amount
OF The consideration he was to receive for
il, nor the import or effect Of the paper
upon which he scEib6led his mark. has
been called q fair purchase
- God and Liberig-ths good mars motto.