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
competent to judge, will admit its fidelity, as far as it goes, to
the description of a young Indian warrior over the whole Mississippi
Valley, when prepared to take part in a public dance.
AN INDIAN TOAST.
When General Wayne was holding his treaty with the Indians at
Greenville, a young chief sat down at the dinner table, next to the
General. This was not much relished by the _White Chief_; but he
did not wish to give open offence to his _Red Brother_. The cloth
being removed, the wine began to circulate; when Wayne—thinking to
confound and abash the young chief—asked him for a _toast_. This
being interpreted and explained to this son of the forest, he filled
his tumbler with wine, and gave ‘_The Great Spirit_’—and after an
impressive pause, pressing his hand on his breast—he added, “_Because
he put it into the heart of man to make such good liquor!_”
SHREWDNESS.
“_He that delivereth it unto thee hath the greater sin._”
“I am glad,” said the Rev. Dr. Y——s to the chief of the Little Ottowas,
“that you do not drink whiskey. But it grieves me to find that your
people use so much of it.” “Ah, yes,” replied the Indian,—and he fixed
an arch and impressive eye upon the Doctor, which communicated the
reproof before he uttered it—“we Indians _use_ a great deal of whiskey,
but we do not _make_ it.”
LANGUAGE BY SIGNS.
It is pretty well ascertained that there exists among mankind a
universal language of signs, taught by nature herself. Voyagers have
always used these signs among savage and previously undiscovered
nations. They are always understood, and invariably form the basis of
intercourse. The former director of the Hartford Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb, informed the writer, that all the mutes who came to that
institution from different parts of the country, brought with them
signs and motions which were essentially the same, and which coincided
with those used in the institution. This proves that they are _natural_.
Andrew Ellicott, Esq., commissioned by the United States to determine,
in conjunction with the Commissioners of Spain, a line of demarcation
between the territories of both nations,—related to the writer a
curious trait in the savage character.
On his way down the Mississippi, a number of strange Indians came into
his camp, from the west side of the river. A Mr. Nolin happened to be
there at the time,—well known for his enterprize and skill in catching
wild horses in the Internal Provinces of Spanish America. He addressed
them in such of the languages as he was acquainted with—but was not
understood. He then conversed by certain signs. These were understood
by the Indians, and were answered in like manner. Thus (if the
expression may be allowed) a conversation ensued, in which not a word
was spoken:—“and this,” said Nolin, “is a sort of universal language
common to the Western tribes.”—(_See Major Long’s Expedition._)
LOGAN.
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