Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-02-17
COAcOOCHEE2s TALK.

COACOOCHEES TALK.
We publish the following Indian Talk as
fine specimen of the native eloqence of
the sons of the forest. 1t also shows how
the love Of friends and relations may dwell
in the same breast with hatred for foes
how tender the heart may be toward one,
at the same time its vengeance is burning
toward another. We shall ere long fur
nish chapter on the philosophy Of these
conditions. sY af. ~"
The "talk of Coacoochee, or Wild Cat, |"
to Col. Worth and to his own people, ex-
ceeds, in point of pathos and deep feeling,
anything we have ever heard.
A captive in irons, he had been told by
Worth that he had been brought back
from New Orleans TO Tampa Bay for the
|purpossof aiding II bringing the war to a
close at once. He was told that he might
select FIVE Of his companions. who should
be permitted to go to his band, then in the
sVamps, and induce them to come in.
"Name the time" said Worth; ''it shal
be granted; but tell you, as wish you,
to tell your friends, that unless they fulfil
your demands, yourself and these warriors
now seated before us shall be hung to the
yards of this vessel when the sun sets on
the day appointed, with the irons on your
hands and feet, ! tell you this that we
may understand each other; do not wish
to frighten you, you are too brave man
for that; but what l say | mean, and I'll
DO it. 1t is for the benefit OF the white
man and thered man. This war must end
and You must end it"
Coacoochee rose, and turning to Col
Worth, said, IN a subdued tone, q was
once boy, then | saw the white man afar
of. l hunted in these woods with bow
and arrow, then with rifle. aaw the
white man and was told he was my enc
my. ! could not shoot him as | would a
wolf or bear; yet like these he came upon
me-horses, cattle and fields he took from
me. He said he was my friend; he abused
our women and children, and told US to
go from the land: Still he gave me his
hand in friendship; we took it; whilst ta-
king it he had a snake in the other; his
tongue was forked like serpent; he lied
and stung us. ! asked but for small
piece of these lands, enough to plant and
live upon, far south, spot where l could
place the ashes of my kindred, spot only
sufficient to lay my wife and child upon.
This was not granted me. was put in
prison; | escaped; have been again taken;
you have brought me back; am here, !
feel the irons in my heart. | have listen
ed to your talk, you and your officers have
taken us by the hand in friendship. |
thanls yel for bringing me back: Lean now
see my warriors, my women and children;
the Great spirit thanks you-the heart OF
the poor Indian thanks you. We know
but little; we have no books which tell all
things; but we have the Great Spirit,
moon and stars; these told me last night
you would be our friend. give you my
word: 1t is the word OF warrior, brave,
chiet-ltis the word OF Coacoochee. 1t
is true l have fought like man. SO have
my warriors; but the white man was too
strong for us. | wish now to haye my
band around me and go to Arkansas
You say must end the war! Look at
these irons Can | go to my warriors
Coacooche chained! No; DO not ask me
to see them. never wish to tread upon
my land unless l am free. II can go to
them unclaimed, they will follow me in
but | fear they will not obey me when |
talk to them in irons. They will say my
heart is weak. am afraid. Could go
free, they will surrender and emigrate."
He was told in the most impressive man
ner that he could not be liberated until his
entire band was collected at Fort Brooke
then he might 60 on shore and meet them
unshackled. He saw that his fate was in
evitable. The vessel was two miles from
shore, sentinels were posted in every part
of the ship, and escape by stealth or con-
trivance was impossible. AS the reality
forced itself upon his mind that there were
but two alternatives, he became sad, de-
jected. He gathered his warriors about
him, and selected five who were to go to
his band and inform them of the strait in
which their chief and his fellow-prisoners
were placed. es a.tr ea.l se...
elias not Coacoochee," said he "sat
with you by the council-6re when the wolf
and the white man was around us? Have
I not led the war-dance of the Seminole ?
Did not the spirit of our mothers, our
wives and our children stand around us ?
Has not nv soalninp-knife heen red with