Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-27
The Indian Chief.

The following beautiful story is old,
but literally true, and was first published
I in lecture delivered by William Tracy,
Esq, of Utica, on the early history Of
Oneida county:
One of the first settlers in Western
New York was Judge W, who estab-
lished himself at Whitestown, about four
miles from Utica. He brought his family
with him, among whom was widowed
daughter with an only child-a fine boy
about four years old. You will recollect,
the country around was an unbroken
forest, and this was the domain of the
savage tribes. gNH
Judge W saw the necessity OF
keeping on good terms with the Indians,
for, as he was nearly alone, he was
completely at their mercy. Accordingly
he took every opportunity of assuring
them of his kindly feelings, and to Sc
cure their good will in return. Several
of the chiefs came to see him, and all
appeared pacific. But there was one
thing that troubled him; an aged chief
of the Oneida tribe, and one of great in
Auence, who resided at a distance of a
dozen miles, had not yet been to see him,
nor could he ascertain the views and
feelings of the Sachem in respect to his
settlement in that region. At last he
sent him message, and the answer
was that he would visit him on the NOR
row.
True to his appointment, the Sachem
came; Judge W received him with
marks of respect, ~and introduced his
wife, his daughter and little boy. The
interview that followed was interesting.
Upon its result the Judge was convinced
his security might depend, and he was
therefore exceedingly anxious to make
a favorable impression upon the distin-
guished chief. He expressed his desire
to settle in the country, to live on terms
of amity and good fellowship with the
Indians, and to be useful to them by in
Producing among them the arts of ciyili-
zation.
The chief heard him out, and then
said: Brother, you ask much and you
promise much. What pledge can you
rive Of your faith2 The white man s
word may be good to the white man, yet
it is wind when spoken to the Indian"
81 have put my life in your hands,
said the Judge, "is it not an evidence
Of my good intention2 | have placed
confidence in the Indian and will not
believe that he will abuse or betray the
trust that is thus reposed"
$50 much is well, replied the chief,
" the Indian will repay confidence with
confidence; if yOn will trust him, he
will trust you. Let this boy go with
me to my wigmam-I will bring him
back in three days with my answer"
If an arrow had pierced the bosom of
the mother, she could not have felt a
deeper pang than went to her heart, as the
Indian made this proposal. She sprang
forward, and running to the boy, who
stood at the side of the Sachem, looking
into his face with pleased wonder and
admiration, she encircled him in her
arms, and pressing him to her bosom,
was about to fly from the room. A
gloomy and Ominous frOwn came over
the Sachem's brow, but he did not speak.
But not so with Judge W. He
knew that the success of their enter
p.ise, the lives Of his family, depended
on decision Of a moment.
"Stay, stay, my daughter" he said.
Bring back the boy, beseech you. he
is not more to you than to me. ] would
not risk hair ef his head. But, my
child, he must go with the chief. God
will watch over him. he will be as safe
in the Sachems wigwam as beneath our
own roof.
The agonized mother hesitated for a