Rev. John Kershaw, Mrs. Kershaw, and seven Children, Mr. Robert Hudson, Mrs. Hudson, Mr. G. Urling, Strand, Mrs. Urling, Two Children, Five Guineas each, Rev. Robert Newton, Salford, Mrs. Newton and Children, 2 -2 1226 226 2 12 99996 10 10 0 5 0 5 0 0 2 12 2 12 Rev. Robert Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Sims, Queen-Street, Five Children, One Guinea each, Rev. William Lord, Brighton, Mrs. Lord, Three Children, One Guinea each, Rev. Thomas Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, and two Children, Rev. John Bell, and Mrs. Bell, Manningtree, I TAKE the liberty of writing to you with more freedom than when I am performing an official duty, or detailing the statistics of the Mission. I shall never regret the pains which I have taken to be present at the Council, which has just been held at the new Garrison; the most interesting which perhaps was ever held in an Indian country. The 8th inst. was appointed for the surrender of those criminals who had killed the whites to Col. Arbuckle for trial. The Chiefs having requested me to be present on the occasion, I went with cheerfulness, yet with doubts and fears respecting any good result of the interview. So new and so strange would it be for the Osage Chiefs to deliver their men to be tried for their lives. They had attempted, last year to take a murderer to the fort, a young man for killing a Cherokee, and had not been able to do it. How then could they surrender six or seven of their chief warriors; what power had the Chiefs to do this? and who ever heard of criminals giving up themselves? all that we knew concerning the ways of these Indians led us to fear, that when the day to resign themselves arrived, the delinquents would shrink back and be missing. But God who has all hearts in his hands, ordered it in a different manner. It is to be kept in mind, that among Indians, the leaders of a war-party are accountable for all the mischief done by the party. They conduct the campaign, and give the orders, although they do not fire a gun. If, therefore, innocent blood be shed, the leaders are considered as the criminals. The leaders in the late affair were of course demanded. At the head of these, was the noted Mad Buffaloe, who sent his war-club to New-York. I mention his name with more regret, as he had so lately resigned into your hands his insignia belli. It would lengthen out my Journal, to give a full account of the superstitious mistakes, and deep delusions, by which he was led to the lamentable deed. Suffice it to say that he and others had lost relatives; that it is considered by the wrong to cease mourning, until they have slain or caused to be slain, some of their enemies; that they had just made an unsuccessful campaign against the Pawnees; that they were likely to return without avenging the manes of their deceased; and consequently that they could not put off the tokens of mourning, and put on signs of gladness; or, in other words could not shave and paint their heads, till they had destroyed some of their fellow-mortals. This led the deluded party to determine on sacrificing the first human beings which should fall in their way, and this happened to be a camp of Americans. re Of this war-party, Mad Buffaloe was prime leader. There were several others, called leaders, and a large number of young men in the party. Their leaders, like all warriors, are men of nown, heads of bands, and much respected among the people. It was the universal opinion that they would not submit themselves for trial. From their long delay, the officers at the Fort had reason to expect they would not. People, who are most acquainted with these Indians, were the first to say 66 they will never give themselves up." On the 7th, the whole town to the number of four thousand, had encamped at the falls of the Verdigris, four miles from the Fort. At 12 o'clock on the 8th, no Indians had arrived. The Colonel was in doubt as to what they designed to do. He had thrown up a breast-work of wood, enclosing the encampment and stores. He had made preparations to meet them, provided they should approach with hostile intentions. His mind was collected and thoughtful. His inquiries on my arrival, denoted some fear that they might become turbulent, if not terrifick. About one o'clock, it was announced that four hundred warriors were approaching. They forded the river about half a mile above the fort, and halted at a little distance in the most perfect order. Many of them brought their guns, bows and arrows, and tomahawks, which was said to be unusual when they met in Council. Indeed I could perceive some signs of fear in those around me, in the Fort. In a few minutes, the Colonel invited CLAMORE and the other Chiefs to an interview. The old Chief came forward in complete American dress, with the sash from his friend, Mr. LITTLE, of New-York, around his waist.-His shirt was of fine linen, and ruffled. Coat and pantaloons, of fine blue, formerly worn, perhaps, by some officer of distinction at Washington. CLAMORE is naturally a stately Indian, of about six feet in height, and his towering pink plume, rising a foot above his hat, gave him a noble appearance. Instead of a sword he carried in his hand his magnificent pipe. This was the first time I had seen the old Chief thus habited; and the moment I saw him in this attire, I felt a secret impression that something was to be done honourable to himself, and happy for the nation. His countenance was uncommonly placid. He seemed to feel his dignity, and when I took him by the hand, I perceived that he was friendly, and was thinking to do right.-This Chief, like all other Indians, and like all other men, has his failings; but I never meet him without feeling a strong attachment towards him, mingled with respect. I love 1 CLAMORE, and believe he loves and respects all our countrymen. He certainly has had many advantages above the bulk of the nation, and has a mind of great penetration. It has been said that he sometimes acts a double part for the sake of popularity; and that he has secretly opposed the reformation of his people through the instrumentality of this Mission. Be this as it may, his conduct on the memorable occasion before us, which is in perfect coincidence with all his publick declarations, evinces a disposition to do the thing that is best for his nation. There were present two good interpreters, viz. Mr. WILLIAMS and FRANCOIS MOGRE. The Colonel opened the talk, by stating that he was ready to receive those men, who were leaders in the party that killed the whites. To this CLAMORE replied, that his people wished to have these men tried by the commanding officer, at this place. The Colonel then fully explained to him his incompetency to try men for a trespass against the Civil Government; the tenor of our laws; the nature of the trial; the way in which it would proceed; and the care which would be taken to come at the truth, and to do justice. He also gave assurance, that the men should be conducted in safety to Little Rock, the seat of justice for this territory. This satisfied the Chiefs, and led them to request the Colonel to repeat the same talk in the hearing of all the people.-They then retired, and the old Chief harangued his people for twenty minutes, repeating the talk he had heard, and making promises to the unhappy men, that their families should be provided for. Thus the scene became more and more interesting to the anxious spectators. Will these men, after all, willingly submit? Can it be? was the secret inquiry that went round. A large Council Circle was formed, and the criminals were seated in the centre. The Colonel then repeated in the ears of the criminals the explanations and assurances already given; and a scene followed, as feeling as it was surprising-Of Roman Generals, resigning themselves, with more than Roman firmness, into the hands of our Government, to be tried for their lives. Mad Buffaloe, in full American uniform, first arose, and taking each of us by the hand, thus addessed the commanding officer: "American chief, it was by accident that those white people were killed. But at your word, I will go to answer for this offence." His voice was a little agitated, but full. His countenance, naturally fierce, and savage, was now bold and firm. As he closed, the Counsellors and Fathers round the circle, in very mild accents, pronounced what he had said to be right. This response was calculated to strengthen the criminals in their decision. The second then arose and said, "Chief, I have never wished to kill white men; no, when they have come to my town, I have, with pleasure, fed them. But since you wish me to go and answer for this affair, I will go." Another rose and said, "My great Father, I have lived in peace till you see my head is full of gray hairs, and now they are covered with sorrow. At your word I will go." In language like this, did each separately address the Colonel. Yes, my dear Sir, in language and manner affecting to the most insensible heart. To each, the old Counsellors responded a note of approbation, which bespoke the unanimity of the nation in the measure. There were present, also, delegates from the people of White Hair's village, the Little Osages, and Shungeh-Moineh's towns, to testify their satisfaction in having the criminals given up; and two of whom came forward and addressed the Colonel to that effect. Here, Sir, was a scene deeply affecting to my feelings. It almost overcame me.-I said, is this possible? Have these men, who never read a syllable of true greatness, a magnanimity so great? Are their savage minds capable of such a sense of honour. A general silence ensued. All were astonished. The criminals took their seats with a countenance neither malicious nor fearful, but honest and thoughtful. I may say with confidence that no one saw on that day a malicious look in an Osage. I would go further, and say, that since my arrival in this country, I have scarcely seen one of the nation cast a malicious eye. In a subsequent address, Colonel ARBUCKLE was led to remark, that they had conducted in a manner most honourable to themselves, and that he never entertained so high an opinion of the nation before. He told the prisoners, that had they been guilty, they would have taken to the Praire, and not appeared at the fort: that their very countenances indicated innocence; that it was not for him to predict the result of the trial; but that they could have done nothing more calculated to lead to a favourable result. Mad Buffaloe in particular gained great honour to himself. When the time came for them to bid adieu to their families, natural affection gained the ascendency, and they were led to request liberty to be with their friends two days longer. With this accustomed wisdom the Colonel removed the difficulty by assuring them that their wives and children might come to see them at any time while they remained in the fort. They then rose and followed the Colonel into the Garrison, where they were received by the soldiers, and conveyed away for safe keeping. During all this time, not a sigh nor a cry was heard among the people; a thing without parallel in the nation. For, usually on the smallest occurrence rather unpropitious, there is much crying and sobbing. Indeed, so far from opposing the measure, the women are all in favour of it ; knowing that it will save them and their children from being destroyed by war. The Colonel expressed the highest satisfaction at the conduct of the people generally, and treated them not merely as a friend, but as a father. He gave them the customary presents in food and tobacco; but was careful to give then nothing until they had done the business for which they came to the Fort. At night the Chiefs slept in the Commanders' tent, and the people generally returned to their camp.-Missionary Register. |