Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-01-13
nlislellaueolls.
Rev. z. Williams and the St. Regis
Indians.

We are much gratifed in being enabled to
lay before our readers an account of one Of
the most remarkable men at this time to be found
in America. We have known something of the
man for years. and have been thinking of going
on purpose to see him, with view Of getting up
ar authentic account for the public but the
trouble is saved by the following letter from J.
Stone, Esq, Of Ne~buryport, N. H., to Fl.
Knapp, Esq, of 81. Johnsbuy. who has commu
ted it 10 the st. Adams Messenger, from which
we transfer it to our columns. We think il may
be relied on for truth and accuracy. Ed.
address you at this time for the purpose of
stating curious question of history or romance,
which has recently been brought to my notice in
the person of Rev. Eleazar Williams, now
missionary of the Episcopal Church to the St.
Regis Tor Iroquos) tribe of Indians on the shores
of The st. Lawrence. 1t is probable that you
are acquainted with the gentleman and his his
tory, living, as you do, nearer his location than
myself and as he has just been through portion
of your State to plead his cause, His object in
this visit is to obtain help for bis mission, and
he appears very much engaged in it. He was
supposed to have been descendent of that Mr.
Williams, clergyman, who was carried into
captivity from Deerield by the Indians in 1904.
But another suppostion, which would appear
prima tacic to be extremely absurd, but which
on examination is made quite plausible, repre-
sents him as Louis 18th of France, the son of
the unfortunate Louis 18th and Marie Antoin-
et,e, who were beheaded in 1898 by the French
Jacobins.
You remember Burke's splendid eulogy upon
the Qu.en of France" There never lighted OH
this orb which she hardly seemed to touch,
more deligntid! vision" You are also familiar
with the details of the Revolution tie fall OF the
Grondiss, the Reign of Terror, &c.
History records the depth of the Dauphin in
1895. at the age of ten years, in the hands OF
Simon, shoemaker, and an agent of Robes
perre, when he had been at first tortured, lac
cordng to Tbels' history in order to make him
confess and substantate the charge of incest
which they had made against the Queen, and
afterwards subjected to course of i'll treatment
and abuse of so great severity as to deprive him
of reason and to destroy his health, and at last
as was supposed, of life by deliberate design
But it is now said that the physicians were Sc
Get royalists who devised plan for his escape,
being employed for this purpose by the Emperor
of Austria; the guards were brlbed or intoxica-
ted, the dead body of another boy was introdu-
ced night and exchanged for the living one !;
that the Dauphin was carried from France to
Holland, from Holland to England, and from
England to New York, atlfrst IN helpless con-
dition, and deprived of reason. but recovering
his health gradually. From New York pro,
ceeding to Lake George. pia Albany, and there
placed in the hands of an Iroquois Chief named
!, Williams.
e In 1899, being IA years of age, his reason
y was restored to him by sudden shock he expe
= rienced, aud Mr.. Williams recollecions of early
D lite do not extend beyond this period. A few
n years later Mr.. Ely OF Longmeadow, Mass,
n benevolent and charitable gentlemen, being de-
s slrous of obtaining and educating descenden
q of The Rev. Mr. WilIiams, Of Deerfed, one o
e whose daughters Einice) remained among The
e Indians aud married, sent gentleman TO Cana
i da for this purpose, and obtained Eleazar WHOM
he educated as an Indian Missionary, and in thi
= capacity he has abored for thihy-hve years
t, never snpposng himself any other. than the sol
,f of Thomas Williams, half breed Indian, uni
Is lS4l, when the son of Louis Philippe, Prlnc
= de Joinville, came to this country in Frenc
Ship, and enquired at New York 70
Eeazer Williams. Mr. Williams was the
g, stationed at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and met III
'g Prince at Buffalo, where he had an interview q
ne three DAYS, when the most serious and uncxpec
ie ted disclosures were made TO him. as he says
Id the esact purpor of which he does not commu
de nlcate. correspondence was continued be
l tween them for year and half after de Jor
:" vile left the United States But the matter re
W. manned an entire secret. not communicated
nd ha wife even, and affected him so deeply as
all iDjure his health, until he was embed, by tn
grace Of God to throw It off,"
In lS48 French gentleman (Belanger) die
at New Orleans, and left statement or dyin
confession. that he carried the Dauphin fro
1t, Paris in 1895, as before stated and placed hi
to in the care of Thomas Williams, an India
'r- Chief from Canada, who was then encamped
! !; the head Of Lake George. This brought II
on matter before the public, and it became subje
ne of inquiry and speculation, and in the July nur
~ Der of the Democratic Review for le49, an ar
Of Gle sppeared stating many particulars in rega