Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-10-15
WAS A BRAVE CHIEF.
Logan, Friend of the Whites and
Protector of Indians.
Was Driven to Vengeance by the
Cruelty of Bloodthirsty Soldiers
Who Killed Every Member
of His Family.
Especial Washington letter.


(CTN speaking of animals of Ameri-
ca, the theory of NJ. de Button,
the Able Raynal and others,
presented itself to consideration,
wrote Thomas Jefferson. "They have
supposed that there is something in
the soil, climate and other circum-
stances in America, which occasions
animal nature to degenerate, not ex-
cepting even man, native or adaptive,
physical or moral. This theory, so ut,-
founded, and degrading to one-third of
the globe, was called to the bar of fact
and reason"
That such a theory ever was adj
vanced by civilized and educated per-
sons was news to the writer, but it is
contained in an old publication which
was recently handed to the correspond
ent by deliver in library lore, one who
delights in studies Of minute details of
history. The pamphlet is worn and
somewhat faded, manifesting anti
putty, and it contains Jefferson's let
ter dated Philadelphia, December 81,
1897, with great deal of interesting
and valuable matter upon n historical
topic.
In the years 1871 and 1882 Jefferson
compiled the "Notes on Virginia. for
the information of the secretary of the
legation of France to this country. A
few copies were published in Paris in
the year 1874 and given to particular
friends. In the letter quoted Jefferson
says: "Combating in these Notes the
contumilous theory of certain Euro
pean writer's, whose celebrity gave cur
rency and weight to their opinions,
that our country, from the combined
effects of soil and climate, degen-
Grated animal nature in the general,
and particularly the moral faculties
of man, I consider the speech of
Logan as an apt proof of the contrary,
and used it as such; and copied, ver-
batim, the narrative had taken down
in 1774, and the speech as it had been
given us in better translation by
Lord Dunmore."
It seems that the genuineness and
authenticity of since celebrated
speech by Logan, the bereaved Indian,
"A4NAA 4AAs OS1ASASOA Aou
with the purpose thus disclosed, had
been questioned. The speech has been
published in school books for more
than century; and here is Jeffer-
sons account of it's origin: "As soon a
found that the story of Logan could
be doubted, I determined to inquire
into it as accurately as the testimony
a in of Low 0f y
years, would permit, and that the re-
suit should be made known either in
the first new edition which should be
printed of the Notes on Virginia. or
by publishing an appendix.
81 had only concurred with thou
sands and thousands of others in be-
lieving a transaction on authority
which merited respect. The story Of
Logan is only repeated in the Notes
on Virginia. precisely as it had been
current for more than dozen years
befone they were published. When
Lord Dunmore returned from the ex-
petition against the Indians, in 1774,
he and his officers brought the speech
! OF Logan, and related the circum-
stances connected with it. These were
SO affecting, and the speech itself so
fine model of eloquence, that it be-
came the theme of every conversation,
in Williamsburg, particularly, and
generally, indeed, wherever any of the
officers resided or resorted. I learned
it. in Williamsburg, believe, at Lord
Dunmore's. The speech was pub
lished in the Virginia Gazette of that