Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-05
Tracing a Pedigree.

Some men are boas tful of their ancestry.
while others are entirely devoid Of all pride
Of birth, and have no more respect for the
genealogical table of their forefathcrs, than
they have for Poor Richards Almanac
The late John Randolph, Of Roanoke, used to
assert his belief that he was descended from
the celebrated Indian Princess, Pocahontas.
but it is not known that he ever established
his claim 10 that distinction.
Many years ago, there lived in near
State, a gentleman who took it into his head
that. like John Randolph he was Of Indian
descent, though, unlike John, he did not
know exactly the tribe to which his fore
fathers belonged. The idea was perfect
monomania with him, Notwithstanding the
efforts OF his friends to convince him of the
folly OF his prctenslons, To say nothing of the
absurdity of them, even if they could be
established. The iavorite notion, however,
could not be eradicated from his mind, aud
he promised his friends that he would one
day convince them that he was right in
his claims.
Having heard that deputation of Indians
were at Washington, on visit to their great
Father. the President, he promptly repaired
man who had them in charge, his friends in
the city were surprised 70 receive an invita-
ton 10 accompany him on u visit 10 the Red
Men, before whom he proposed to verify his
favorite pretcnsions. The party met AS re-
quested, and found the Indians sitting on
the floor, smoking their pipes. and mani
Testing but little appreciation OF the honor
Of the visit.
Having arranged his friends ut a respect
lul distance from the aged chief, who still
regarded the visitors with stolid indifference.
the young man stepped boldly from the cen
ire and presuming that it would require
some show of energy Ia arouse the chiefs
from their apparent apathy, he placed his
hand ON his breast and said with great fear
lcSSneSS.
NE Indan-long time ago"
The chief. who was not skilled in talking
English, took lis pipe from his mouth. but
cyinccd no emotion whatever. The speaker
then thinking that q more violent gesture,
and a louder tone, would be necessary, struck
his hand upon his breast with much force,
and said in louder tome
"ics-Me-lndan-lomg time ago!'
Without moving muscle OF his face. the
old chlci slowly arose from his sitting pos
ture. and turned his eagle eye on the speaker.
His friends say that the chief evidently un-
derstood, or, ut least, appeared to understand,
the meaning of the speech addressed to him,
and they gazed intently on the solemn pro.
cccding. The young man bore the search
ing glance of the Indian without emotion.
All felt that the time had come"
Moving sufficiently close 10 the speaker,
the Chief raised his hand, and carefully tax
ing lock of the young mans hair between
his finger and thumb, gently rubbed it be-
tween them for Il moment. All stood breath
less. Quietly withdrawing his hand, the
Chief uttered the slight peculiar Indian
grunt and said Mig" This altogether un-
expected denoument ended the interview,
and the diScom.ited descendant of the Tom
my-hawks retired with his friends, the lat
ter roaring with laughter, and the former
filled with most sovereign contempt for his
degenerate Indian relations. Amer.