The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-02-05
A Thrilling Scene.
AN INDIAN COUNCIL.

avn oliu 10 VI tlC COOiuCSS DTSo-
euce of mind of COL Geo. Roger Clark at c oun-
Gil at North Bend - I'll 81 .
An Indian council is one Of the most imposing
spectacles in savage life 1t is one OF the few oc-
casions in which the warrior exercises his right Of
suffrage, his influence and his talents, in civil
pacity, and the meeting is conducted with all the
gravity and all the ceremonious ostentation, with
which it is possible to invest it The matter to be
considered, as well as all the details, are vel di-
gested beforehand so that the utmost decorum
must prevail, and the decision b. unanimous The
chiefs and sages-the leaders and orators--occupy
the most conspicuous seats behind them
ranged the younger braves and still further in the
rear appear the women and youthas spectators. All
are equally attentive. A dead silence reigns
throughout the assemblage The great pipe gaud-
lily adorned with paint and feathers, is lighted,
and passed from mouth to mouth, commencing
with the chief priests in rank, and proceeding by
regular graduation to the inferior order Of braves
If two or three nations be represented the pipe is
passed from one party to the other aud solutions
are courtcousy exchanged before the business of
the council is opened by the respective speakers.
Whatever jealousy or party spirit may exist in
the tribe, it is carefully excluded from this dgnfed
assembage whose orderly conduct. and close atten-
lion to the proper subject before them, might be
initiated with profit by some of the most enlight-
ened bodies in chrstendom.
1t was an alarming evidence of the temper now
prevailing nmong them, and of the broodng storm
that filled their minds, that no propriety Of de-
fbo of
councl-room. The usual formalities were forgot
ten, or purposcy dispensed with, and an insulting
levity substituted in its place The chiefs and
braves sta!kcl in with an appearance of light re-
gard, AMI seated themselves promisouousiy on the
fl)or in from; OF the commissioners. An air of in
science marked all their movements and shovel en-
intcnton to dictate terms, or to fix quarrel upon
the Americans.
A dead silence rcstel over the group; it was
the silence of dread, distrust and wachfulness
NOT of respect The eyes Of the savage banl
gloated upon the banquet OF blood that seemed
already spread out before them; the page of the
fort AMI the bee ling of the Americans were al
most within their grasp while that gallant little
band saw the portentous nature of ths crisis, an
bic.
The commissioners without noticing the disor-
dcrly conduct of the other prty or appearing to
have discovered their inme late treachery, openel
the council in dIe form. Tley lightcl tn. peace
pip and after drawing flew whfs passed it to the
chefs, who received it. CJlolal Clarke then rose
10 cX2aia til, purpose fos which the treaty WIS
ordarol With an uaombarrassed air. with th2
tone Of one acclstomsl to command, ana the easy
assurance of perfect security AMI elrpossesson h.
stated that the commissioners hal been sent to o,r
pence to the Shawanoo5 AMI that the Pfesilelt
had no wish to continue the war he hal no re-
sentiment to crafty and, that if the red men de,
sired peace they could have it liberal terms. "If
such be the will OF the Siawanoes," he concluded,
"let soma of the wise men speak" -...
A chief arose, drew up his tall person to its full
height, aul assuming hauyAIy attitude, threw his
eye coatemptuously over the commissioners and
their small retnuc as it to measure their insgni6-
cance, in comparison with his own numerous train
and thea stalking to the table, threw upon it two
b,lts of wampum, of different colors-tho war and
the peace belt.
| we come here" he exclaimed, " to offer you
two pieces of wampum they are Of different col
ors; you know what they mean ; you can take
which you like !" And turning upon his heel, he
resumed his seat.
The chiefs drew themselves up in the conscious
mss of having hurled defiance in the teeth of the
white men, They hal offered an insult to the re-
nowncd leader of the Long Knives to which they
knew it woUld be hard for him to submit, while
they did not suppose he would dare to resent it
The council-pipe was laid aside. Those fierce wild
men gaz2d intently at Clarke. The American saw
that the crisis had arrived they could no longer
doubt that the Indians understood the advantage
they possessed, and we're disposed TO use it ; and
common sense of danger caused each eye to turn
on the leading commissioner He sat undisturbef,
and apparently careless until the chief who had
thrown the belts npon the table had taken his seat
then with a small cane which he held in his hand,
he reached as if payfully, toward the war belt,
entanglng the end of the stick in it, drew it to-
wards him, and then with twitch Of the cane,
threw the belt in the midst of the chieIs The eff
feet was electric. Every man in council of each
party sprang to their feet the savages with a
loud exclamation OF astonishmeht, "Hugh ~ the
Americans in expectation of hopeless conflict
against overwhelming numbers Every man grasped
weapon ....
Clarke alone was unawed. The expression Of
his countenance changed to a ferocious sternuess
and his eye flashed, but otherwise he was unmoved
A bitter smile was slightly psrcaptibie upon his
compressed lips as he gazed upon that savage
band whose hundred eyes were bent fercely and
in horrid exultation upon him as they stood like 4
pack of wolves at bay, thirsting for blood, and
ready to rush upon him. whenever one bolder thar
the rest should commence the attack. It was on,
Of those moments of indecision, when the slight