Daily enterprise. (Wilmington, Del.) 1858-18??, 1858-04-03
A Seminole Tradition.

When the Floridas were erected into a ter
ritory of the United States, one of the earliest
cares of the Governor, William p. Duval, was
directed 70 the instruction and civilization of
| Tho natifes. For this purpose he called a
meeting Of the chiefs, in which he informed
them Of the wish of their Great Father at
Washington that they should have schools
and TEACHERS among themS and that their
children should be instructed like the children
Of white men. Tho chiefs listened with their
customary silence and decorlim to- a long
speech, setting forth the advantages that
would accrue to them from this measure, and
when he had concluded, begged the interval
of day to deliberate, on it.
On tho following day, q solemn convoca-
ton was held at which one Of the chiefs adj
dressed the governor in the namo of all the
rest. /" My brother,p said he, owe have
been thinking over the proposition of nour
Great Father at Washington, TO send teach
ers and set up schools among US. We are
very thankful for the interest he takes in our
welfare; but after much elaboration, have
concluded to decline his offer. What will do
very well for white men, will not do for red
men. L know you white men say we all
come from the same father and mother, but
you arc mistaken. We have a tradition
handed down from our forefathers, and we
believe it, that the Great Spirit, when he un-
dertook TO make men, made tho black man
it was his first attempt, and pretty well for
a beginning; but he soon saw he had bun
Igled; 80 he determined to try his hand again
He did 80, and made the red man. He liked
him much better than the black man, but
still he was not exactly what he wanted
So he tried once moro, and made the white
man ! and then he was satisfied. You see,
therefore, that you were made last, and that
is the reason call you my youngest brother.
"When the Great Sperit had made the
three men, he called them together and
showed them three boxes. The first was
filled with books and maps, and papers the
second with bows and arrows, knives and
tomahawks; the third with spades, axes,
hoes, and hammers. These, my sons,' said
he, are the means by which you are to live
choose among them according to your fancy
The white man, being the favorite, had
the first choice. He passed by the box of
working tools without notice; but when he
came to the weapons for war and hunting,
he stopped and looked hard at them. The
red man trembled for he had set his heart
upon that box. The white man, however,
after looking upon it for moment, passed
on, and chose the box of books and papers.
The red mans turn came next and you may
DO suro he seized with joy upon the bows
and arrows, and tomahawks. As TO the
black man, he had no choice left, but to put
up with the box of tools.
/" From this it is clear that the Great Spirit,
intended the white man should learn to read
and write to understand all about the moon
and stars and to make everything, even rum
and whiskey. That the red man should be
a first rate hunter, and mighty warrior,
but he was not to learn any thing from
books as the Great Spirit had not given him
any nor was he TO make rum and whiskey,
lest he should kill himself with drinking
As to the black man, as he had nothing but
working tools, it was clear he was to work
for the white and red man, which he has
continued to do.
awe must go according TO the wishes of
tho Great Spirit, or wo shall get into trouble.
d To know how 20 read and write, is very good
1 or white men, but very bad for red men,,
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