Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-09-21
MISCELL A n Y.
From tile Neao York Observer.
Selim, the Converted AIgerine.

Selim, the Converted AIserine.
The following narrative was committed tc
writing by an aged clergyman in Virginia, many
wears ago. and sent for publication by mission
ary of well known character, to the PanopI'st
II details an occurrence in the early history Of
the Western part of the State OF Virginia, which
was very singular in its nature, and which has
no parallel in the history of our country. 1t is
introduced by the writer with the following
paragraphs.
81 have long been of the opinion that even
the short account am able to give OF Sellm, the
Algerine, is worth preserving. presume that
no one else is able to give so full an account
of him as am myself. No other person has
had the same means of obtaining Information
with reference to him. When l had committed
this account of Selim to writing, thought 1t
not improper to add that OF the negro, in Hen
rico. because it bears in one respect, consider
able resemblance to the other.
Had Selm ever recovered his reason, so far as
to be able to write his own history, and give an
account of all the tender and Interesting olrcum'
stances OF his story, it would have been, with
out doubt, one of the most moving narratives to
be met with. All can write is The substance
of the story as it was related to me, most OF II
many years ago. have been careful to relate
every particular circumstance could recollect,
worthy of notice, and to make no additions and
very few reflections of my own. lpuollsh these
narratives for the sake OF few observations,
which they naturally suggest, and which think
seSsonable at the present time.
About the close of the war between France
and England, in Virginia, commonly called
Braddock's war, certain man, whose name
was Samuel Givins, then an inhabitant OF Au-
eusta county in Virginia, went into the WOODS,
| back of the settlements, to hunt Wild meat Ior
the support of his family, practice which ne
cessty renders customary for the settlers OF q
nav conntry. He took more than one horse
With him. that it might be in his power to bring
| home the provisions he might secure. AS he
was one day ranging the woods in quest OF
game he cast his eyes into the top of fallen
tree. where he saw living creature move.-
! Surprising it to be some kind OF wild beast, be
made ready to shoot it, but had no sooner OBJ
tained q distinct view, than he discovered q
human shape, which prevented the fatal dis
charge. Going to the place, ne found man IN
most wretched and pitiable condition; ms
person entirely naked, Except few rags tied a.
bout his feet and almost covered over with scaos
quite emaciated, and nearly tamished to death
| The man was unacquainted with the Enghsh
language, and Givins knew no other. NO infor'
nation. therefore, could be obtained as to who
he was, whence he came, or how ne got into
state so truly distressing. Givins, however
with the kindness of the good Samaritan, took
tender care of him, and supplied his emaciated
body with the best nourishment his present cir
cnmstances would afford. He prudently gave
| him but little at time, and increased the quan
titv. as his strength and the power OF digestion
| Increased. In q few days the man recovered
such degree of strength as to be able to ride
on horseback. Givins furnished him with ont
If those he had taken with him to bring home
his meat and conducted him to Capt. (after
words OolA Dickerson's, who then lived nea
the Windy Gave. Colonel Dickerson supplied
his wants. and entertained him for some month
with generosity that is more common among
roneb back.woodsmen than among the opulen
sons of luxury and ease.
i The poor man considered that he had no wa.
70 make his complicated distresses known, with
J ont the use of language. He therefore resolve.
n make himself acquainted with the Englisl
tongue. as soon as possible. His progress wa
surprising. He procured pen, ink, and paper
and spent much of his time in writing down re
markable aud important words, pronouncinl
them, and getting any person, who might D.
present. to correct his pronunciation. BY his IN
defatigable application, and the kind assistanc
of Col. Dickerson's family, in few months h
was so far master of the English language, as +
sneak it with considerable propriety. When b
fonnd himself able to communicate his ideas dis
tinctly, he gave the Colonel and others mos
moving narrative of his various misfortunes.-
He said that his name was Selim. He was Dor
of wealthy and respectable parents in Algiers.-
When he was q small boy, he was sent by hl
parents to Constantinople, that he might be ed
ucated there. He spent several years in tina
5 city, engaged in the pursuit OF learning. ID
: then returned to his parents in Africa Ate
spending some time with them, ne again lei
home. with the intention of finishing his educa
tion at Oons,antinople. The ship in which h
: embarked was taken by Spanish man -of-wai
: or privateer, and Selim became prisoner. In
Spaniards were at that time in alliance Will
France against England. Falling in with
French ship bound to New Orleans, they pu
him on board this vessel, which carried him t.
} the place of its destination. After living som
time among the French at New Orleans, the.
sent him up the rivers Mississippi and Ohio, t
the Shawanee towns, and left him as prisoner
; or hostage with the Indians, who, at that time
lived near the Ohio. There was also among
these Indians at the same period another pris
lOner--a Wnlte WOnan-WnO nau ueeu tahel
from the frontiers Of Virginia. Seiim inquired
of her by signs whence she came. The woman
answered by pointing directly towards the sun
rising. He was so lar acquainted with the &c
ography of America, as to know that there wer
| English settlements on the Eastern shore of tn
continent; and he rightly supposed the woma
had been taken prisoner from some of them.-
Having received this imperfect information, b
determined to escape, if possible, from his CAP
tivity.
His attempt to reach the white settlement
was certainly daring and hazardous undertak
: ing. He was stranger to the distance b
would huve to travel, and ignorant of the dang
ers to which he would be exposed. He had n
, , pilot but the sun no provisions of any kind, no
any means of procuring them. He had no gur
or weapon of any kind. He was thus badl
provided and yet under all these discouragin
circumstances, he rashly set out on his arduou
journey through an unknown wilderness of sey
eral hundred miles. Not knowing the extent {
the settlement which he aimed at, he appre
hended there would be danger of his missin
them, if he should turn much to the North @
the South. He therefore resolved to keep 8
directly towards the sun-rising as he possibl
could, whatever rivers or mountains might OF
struct hi. way. Through all these dificultie