Anecdotes of the American Indians, illustrating their eccentricities of character
History
Anecdotes of the American Indians, illustrating their eccentricities of character
Indians of North America -- Anecdotes
was surprised and taken prisoner by a squadron of horse under the
command of Governor Berkeley, who forthwith conducted him in triumph to
James-Town.
It was the governor’s intention to have sent this remarkable person
to England; but he was shot after being taken prisoner, by a soldier,
in resentment of the calamities he had inflicted on the province. He
lingered under the wound for several days, and died with the pride and
firmness of an old Roman. Indignant at the crowds who came to gaze at
him on his deathbed, he exclaimed; “If I had taken Sir William Berkeley
prisoner, I would not have exposed him as a show to the people.”
Perhaps he remembered that he had saved the life of Captain Smith, and
forgot the numberless instances in which he had exposed other prisoners
to public derision and lingering torture.
After the decease of their great enemy, the colonists had no difficulty
in concluding a treaty with the Indians, which gave tranquillity to the
province for a long term of years.
[Illustration]
THE BURNING OF SCHENECTADY.
The incursions of the Indians on our frontiers in early times were
usually the result of Spanish influence in the South, or French
influence in the North. The French reduced the incitement of Indian
hostilities to a complete system, and their officers and soldiers were
not ashamed to accompany the savages in their murdering and marauding
expeditions into New England and New York. Among all the recorded
instances of this kind, none appears to have been attended with more
atrocious circumstances of cruelty and rapine, than the burning of
Schenectady. This affair is marked by many traits of the very worst
description. The inhumanity of murdering in their beds the very people
who had formerly relieved their wants, is, perhaps, without a parallel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account