Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-10
ron TIE NATIONAL IsrsLLIoEscER.

WAsnrNaroN, SEprxMpER 5,

HE mUhDEh OF LOdAN'S FAMlL1,
WAsHISaros, SEPTEMBER 5, 1858.
To BaASTz MAYER, Esq, Baltimore:
DEAR Sin: Having attentiyely read the discourse
delivered by you before the Maryland Historical Society
on its Sixth Anniversary 9th May 1851 which you
kind enough to send me- and compared it with Colonel
RICHARD SPARKs's Narrative, enclose you the lat
ter together with Mr. JAMES MAoorrss letter of expa
nation, addressed TO me.
AS it is to be presumed the exhibit Of the statement OF
COL Sparks conflicting it does with old and respect
able opinion, win be scanned with critical accuracy,
beg leave to say how this information into my pos
session.
mentioned TO you in former letter that while travel
ling through Florida Georgia, and Alabama, on mission
confded to me by the late Administration became very
much interested in the old Indian traditions Of the
try through which passed This history, full Of
mantle and thrilling association rapidly sinking
obyion and, alas what little remains lies buried in
the fading memories Of few pioneers who daily
yng with them to the grave every trait of the Indian
character.
Among those brief and hasty sketches picked up in
my wanderings found that it only from old
enthusiastic settler reliable information to be obtain
ed. Such person was Mr.. Magofhn. Living amid the
past in district whose very name e. Old ST. Stephens
seemed to recall as much Of antiquity exist in the
New World, he delighted in relating Indian tales, incl
dents of border warfare the struggles of the early set
tiers, sc. He found willing and anxious listener
and thus many night whiled away between Us
One evening, while looking scsrc papers, hoping
to discover something about the course of De Sotos
petition" saw an old paper marked Murder of Lo-
gans family by COL Cresaps men, Fort stoddert Ala
bama, November 1872 Its authenticity could not be
doubted the writer was present, and seized upon
with ayidity.
After read the paper I" Col Sparkss narrative
related by himself speaking Of in which he
actor, of course much gratifed to find him
roborating Mr. Jeersons statement regarding Logans
speech for if Col Sparks is correct Logan did make
the speech to his people he Sparks being present
And Mr. Magofn repeatedly assured me that he only
took down at the time brief sketch of COL Sparkss
marks though he distinctly recoeced that Col Sparks
spoke of "Logan's speech" thrilling and eloquent
Effort and the strange and exciting effect it had upon his
hearers at the time.
As to Gibsons testimony it is Ito say the leas very
singular. That Logan, after they had been drinking
should have taken him (Gbson) into solitary hicket
burst into tears and broke out into passionate eacu
laon and he Gibson should remember it all the way
six mles) back to camp and then write it down deli
vred by Logan, is indeed strange Where Girty all
this time? Is it not probable that Gibson
of tbc white men" whom Col Sparks aludes to as be-
ing present when Logan made the speech? There had
been speech made somewherc, in repeated
TONS spoken of extraordinary Speech and !"
veral attempts rehearsal Of it, had been made when
probable the charge to COL Cresap crept in for
Logan according to Sparks, always exonerated Cresap
from any participation in the murder We know that it
only to vindicate Cresap's the Hon. Luther
Martin attempted to discredt the speech" given by
Jeferson and let here add singular fact that Sparks
had never heard Of jefferson Notes.
On reading over Gen. G. 4. Clarks letter. find it diff
fers materially from Col. Sparkss statement that
let others decide which is correct though Clark
agrees with Sparks that Logan the author of the
speech and wrong to Cresap." AS 60 Aslews lead
ing the men who committed the murder Sparks speaks
confidently and the of 0reathouse is not mentioned
by him. while he that at the time of the murder
Cresap was and FASTENED at to stop it; the
complete evidence Of his Innocence.
might dwell upon other points in the evidence against
the authenticity Of "Logans speech but it is
cessary my object being not much to detect as
to present to you what little had picked up to throw
light upon this interesting point Of history The gna
actors and narrators have alike passed away and
not recall them from the grave say who is right His
tory only teaches by example,; and alas the prom
Of time subjects Of doubt while
:" 0mnes eodem cogmur, omnium
Fersatur serius ocius
Sors exitura"
With regard remain dear sir, your obliged servant,