Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-08-27
JIM - - C'1ei o1kee 1f1Foos9'o
Indian Traditions.

II bHt written documents may remain IN
changed while the earth shall abide The
history of the discovery Of America is a
flesh now as it was when first communicated
Ito the inhabitants Of the worldson account o
preserved documents, while the astonish
,Iment of the aboriginal inhabitants, excitee
Isby the first appearance of strangers, coule
.Isearcely beaold just as it was at this no very
fremote period of time since then. Such, ir
some emeasure,m must be the traditions among
/ the Cherokees as handed down from that
time to this. But some of the aborigina
| American tribes had a certain mode of pre-
serving the ahistonY of important events.
The histofy of transactions between the
different tribes onsthe Atlantic side of the
continent on different occasions, is still pre-.
seIved; which. strange as the assertion may
seen is bound TO be entirely obliterated by
the civilization of the tribes. Iallude TO the
preserved wampums, pipe, tobacco. etc
Perhaps, Tobacco Will, is now the only man
living, who can explain each strand of beads
correctly in the Cherokee nation. Are they
of too little importance to get him TO explain
them while they are noted down with the
view OF the preservation? A general history
OF certain important transactions they GER
tainly are, and should they be suffered to be
/ entirely OOlitoTateQ.
| An old Cherokee once recited an old ira
dition which was something in this style:
When the Cherokees first received an in
timatlon that strange people had come out
from the ocean. they and the Shawnees were
met in council on very extraordinary
occasion, Il perceive that the late Major
Lowrey in his speech to the different tribes
in June, 184s, has said Senecas, or Mohawks,
instead of Shawnees.)
At that time the Cherokees, as warriors,
were formidable people. The Shawnees
were also brave and a numerous tribe.
long and bloody war had existed between
these tribes, which finally resulted to the
disadvantage Of the Shawnees. Repeated
inroads upon their territory were thinning
their numbers. This induced the Shawnee
chief to sue for peace. A large deputation,
composed of men and women, was sent out
to accomplish this object. 1t was in the
spring
At this time the Cherokee county extend
ed OH the borders of Virginia, North and
South Carolinas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Geor-
gia and Alabama. The residence of the
great Cherokee chief was near Virginia.
Before the white man ever trod the Amer
lean shores-or before the sound of an axe
was ever heard in the land the Cherokees
were then tilers of the soil At the arrival
of the Shawnee deputation. the Cherokee
chief was found laboring in his little field Of
corn, beans. peas, pumpkins, potatoes and
melons. There were none at his residence
except his daughter The unlocked for de-
putatlon had come to the village and had ap-
preached the residence Of the chief unseen
by any, bearing tokens of their peaceful in
;entions The chiefs daughter babe them
be seated, and hastily walked out TO the field
to tell her father of this event He hastily
left his work and went to the house with his
daughter He passed the deputation as if he
had not seen them, got his pipe and tobacco
to go to the Gah-te-ye, town house.) Those
laboring in the field had suspected something
from his abrubt manner Of leaving the field
and had followed him. The depntation
seated themselves wherever they could, and
the Cherokee warriors TO themselves Not
a word escaped from the mouth OF the chief
for three days. There was an intense anxiety
manifested by the members of the deputa-
tion. The chief seemed TO be in a deep study
and to weigh every consideration with re-
gard TO the honor Of granting peace 10 those
whom the looked upon as inveterate en-.
emies, although vanquished in most Of their
battles.
On the fourth day, the chief came earlier
to the to,pn house, and seated himselfin front
Of the doorway under an arbor When the |
depntation came marching up, he then babe
his people to 60 and meet Aem with similar |
tokens Of peace and friendship as worn by |
them-and grand dance ensued
Wampums, etc, were then for the first |
lime exchanged as rem mbrances Of agree
ments, or as instruments of agreements.
At the end Of seven days. part Of the de-
putation intimated their desire TO return, bnt |
I number remained and intermarred with
he Cherokees.
On this occasion, the Shawnee spokesman
,aid: $50
shall now return to inform my people Of
he success Of nay mission. From the sea-
'hore, strange sounds have struck my ear!
strange knocking sounds proceed from the
crest! Ishall 60 and ascertain its meaning.
n thirteen moons, shall come and inform
ny brother Of its meaning.
The report brought in thirteen moons
vas that strange people had come from the
,cean. c.
% An Arkansas editor is responsible for
he following:
On Wednesday, green horn popped into
ur Office with "quarter section Of ginger
read under each arm, and bottle Of e John
Iarley Corn in each ofhis breeches pockets,