The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1874-10-29
Penn's Treaty with the Indians.

Penn's Treaty with the Indians.
This took place in November. 1852
In nm open boat. with few cumpan-
ions. clothed ia his simple Quaker COS
tune. and surrounded with nllth en-.
blcms of peace. Pom landed on the
west bank of the Delaware, whcro the
foundations of Philadelphia were soon
to be laid. Here he met the Indians
for the tirsttimc. Underneath alargo
elm tree, numerous delegation of
the Lonni Lenapc tribe had already
assembled to receive their sovereign.
Other treaties with the natives Of the
continent had bcon for the purchase
of hands; but this was for u higher
purpose. They had the year before
received n letter from tho great PRO.
prietary, through William Markham,
/ his agent. declaring himself equally
responsible with them, to one and
tho same God, who had written his
laws in their hearts; and that they
were equally bound to love. and help.
and do good to one another. Now
he had come to redeem his word
I'VE meet, he said, ION the broad
pathway of good faith and good will;
no advantage shall be taken on either
side, but all shall be opcnncss and
love. | will not call you children
for parents sometimes chile their
children too severely nor brothcra
only: for brothers differ. The friend.
ship between me and You | will not
compare to n chain for that the
rains might rust, or the falling tree
might break. We arc the same M if
one man body were to bo divided
into two parts; we are al one flesh
and blood,
These wero now words 20 fall from
the lips Of white man on the ears
of the Indian. They wero prepared
for friendly lyassurancos; but when they
heard them uttered with the dignity
and earnest tenderness which charac
tcrizcd the great and goodman whom
they talked with. all the fcrocity Of
their savage natures melted away.
. The rich and abundant presents were
then opened. The chiefs gathered
around, and as they handed the
/, wanpum belt they declared, I'VE
will live in love with William Penn
and his children as long rs the moon
and the sun shaliendure. And there
under the sheltering arms of the
r. broad elm, the golden sun was pour
ing his light upon tho strange group,
|, On. .all sides tho majestic pines were
SHOOTING their tall spires into heaven.
4 The squaws-thelr pappooseS lad
: carelessly on the grouhd-wcro in
y specting the presents with all the
: curiosity of woman; while tho stern
+, old warriors, erect ms the monarchs
of the forest around them, pledged tC
this messenger of peace their i.delity
, forever. At evening they accompanied
:. Penn and his companions to the
It boat; and it glided away over tho bo
e som of the calm Delaware, Oh its re
turn to Chester.
: From this time Penn became n be
, loved name. lie mado frequent visit
to the Indians in their villages h.
enjoyed their simple but large hos
- pitality Of their cabins, where tn
= rude tables were loaded with will
* game-deer from the forest. bird
1t from the skies, and fish from tn
It streams. The yellow hominy an,
It the roasted acorns steamed from tn
y board, and their drink was the crys
~ tai water, "brewed 10y natures 5 ow
=, Arch Chemist in his cool rocky hills
This apostle Of peace entered hearth
into all their amusomeDts; no joine
W v, in their athletic games he playe
T. with their pappoosos, and kissed tn
~ tawny cheeks of the dreamy-eye
g maidens. His cheerful laugh was a
- ways heard from the cabin wher
mirth and irolic were going on. I'll
= little savages climbed his kaees an
y, learned to love him.
" .. Nor was this any hollow truce, I
~ ~; be broken by either party. Rigl
e' hearty goodwill prevailed betwee
the proprietary aud all his India
subjects. They were his childrei
ce and he was their loving father Pre-
y ents of wild game were continual
rs sent TO him. The robes of bears frol
Y. the Pennsylvania forests, and I'll
"a skins of buffalo from the distant pra
or ries, were their unfailing offering
pc All things which they could besto
N, to increase comfort or heighten lux
&c ury were sent TO his dwelling, not I
3 much az peace. offerings, but rath'
: as tokens Of flial yeneration an