Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

Languages Used:

• English

LC Subject Headings:

• Choctaw Indians -- Biography.
  
• Choctaw Indians -- History.
  
• Indians of North America -- Southern States -- Biography.
  
• Indians of North America -- Southern States -- History.
  
• Indians of North America -- Southern States -- Social life and customs.
  
• Indians of North America -- Southwest, Old -- Social life and customs.
  
• Slavery -- Mississippi -- History.
  
• Slaves -- Mississippi -- Biography.
  
• Tubbee, Okah, b. 1810 or 11.
  

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Assisted by Mrs. LAAH CEIL TUBBEE a descendant of the Mohawk Tribe, C. W.

        OKAH, in presenting to the public the following Testimonials from his kind friends, Madame ANNA BISHOP and Mr. BOCHSA, presumes they will be sufficient vouchers for his ability:

        DEAR SIR,--Your friend, OKAH TUBBEE, plays on the Flute most exquisitely; he evinces great musical taste, and deserves well to [illegible] with success.

I am, dear sir, yours, &c.

ANNA BISHOP.

DEAR SIR,--

        I have great pleasure in expressing to you my satisfaction respecting the abilities of OKAH TUBBEE. He is, indeed, a very remarkable person, and performs on the Flute admirably; it is astonishing that with a common wooden instrument, not possessing any additional keys, OKAH TUBBEE can play so well in tune, and have such a powerful tone. His variations on simple subjects are clever and neatly done, and no doubt he will succeed well.

Believe me, dear sir, yours truly,

CH. BOCHSA.

        On this occasion he will perform some of his most extraordinary and popular pieces on his One-keyed
Flute; Sauce Panana; Musical Tomahawk; Flageolet; Fife, with three fingers of one
hand, accompanying himself with Castinets with the other hand.

        THEY WILL APPEAR
IN THEIR RICH AND MUCH ADMIRED INDIAN COSTUME.

PART FIRST.

• The Evening's Entertainment will commence with a short
  Address by Mrs. Laah Ceil Tubbee,
  Giving an Interesting Account of her People.
• After which the Chief will introduce their YOUNG BRUCE, 2 years of age, in full costume of the Brave.
• 1.--Life in New York, his own much admired variations, on the Musical Walking Stick.
• 2.--Auld Lang Syne, Flute, unequalled variations arranged by himself.
• 3--Lauden's Boney Woods and Braes--Flute variations.
• 4.--Killey Cranky--Flageolette, by placing it in the nostril.
• 5.--Bruce's Address to his Army--Flute, also arranged by himself.

        AN INTERMISSION OF TEN MINUTES.

PART SECOND.

• 1.--Life let us cherish--Musical Walking Stick.
• 2.--Lord Hornbrook's Grand March.
• 3.--Aurora Waltz--Flute, in a new and much admired.
• 4.--Kinlock to Kinlock--his own beautiful [illegible] .
• 5.--Okah Tubbee's own Waltz--Flute, composed by himself.
• 6.--Marseilles Hymn--Walking-cane, in his own peculiar style.

        In offering this Entertainment to the Public, he hopes to give such a variety as will not fail to meet the approbation of all classes of the community; and in so doing, good order must be observed, as the performer depends upon his exertions to please, and by his respectability of person and performance to share the patronage of a generous public.

        Doors open at half-past 7,--Performance to commence at 8. Admitta nce ls. 10½d. Children, ls.

A SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF
OKAH TUBBEE,
(CALLED)
WILLIAM CHUBBEE,
SON OF THE HEAD CHIEF, MOSHOLEH TUBBEE, OF THE
CHOCTAW NATION OF INDIANS.

BY

LAAH CEIL MANATOI ELAAH TUBBEE, HIS WIFE.

TORONTO:
PRINTED FOR OKAH TUBBEE,
BY HENRY STEPHENS.
1852.

[Entered, according to Act of the Provincial Legislature, in the year One
Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-two, by Okah Tubbee, in the
Office of the Registrar of the Province of Canada.]

INDIAN CHARACTER.

        IN contemplating the Indian character, there is an interest thrown around it, which cannot fail to impress the mind of every inquiring person. Although the Indian race is fading away, their palmy days being gone, yet their is a charm thrown around their past history, and the most lively emotions are created in the mind of the patriot and philanthropist in contemplating their past and present history; and we are led to look upon the high and lofty bearing of the red man with the most intense admiration. There was a period in the history of the aborigines of North America, when they reigned as supreme lords over this vast continent. The Yonkoo tribe, which means literally conqueror, had undisputed away over the New England country. The term Yankee comes from the tribe of Indians styled Yonkoo. The English conquered them after a long and bloody contest; when blood had flown in crimson currents, and the shrieks of many an innocent and massacred female rent the air, and the red man's tomahawk was wreaking in the blood of its victim; and when they were subdued, the war chief, a proud and noble fellow stepped forth, and presented his tomahawk to the officer in command of the English forces, saying, "Me yonkoo," or conqueror, "but now you yonkoo." Hence the term has been twisted about until it has become Yankee.

        The English named the six States, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine, New England, in contradistinction to Old England. We Americans call the New Englanders Yankees. Odium sometimes is attached to the term, Yankee, yet candid and unprejudiced minds are willing to admit that the Yankees are a thorough and persevering people. The Massachusetts tribe, inhabited what is now called the State of Massachusetts, the name being derived from the tribes, as are the names of many of the States and Territories. All

Indian names are very significant. Take a few merely for the sake of illustration. Tubbee, means Big Chief, not only referring to a great and enlarged mind, but to a powerful tribe, as Chief of the Choctaw nation. Mississippi means father; hence the Mississippi is called the father of waters. How significant!--one of the largest rivers upon the face of the globe, taking its rise in the Rocky mountains, continuing through an immense valley, widening and deepening in its onward course, bearing on its broad bosom a world of commerce, wealth and enterprise, with six thousand trading and two thousand steamboats, moistening and fertilizing the soil of three Territories and ten States, until it pours its mighty waters into the Gulf of Mexico.

        It is difficult to arrive at a correct conclusion as to the origin of the Indian race; it is supposed by historians, sacred and profane, ancient and modern, that all the races which have been and now are upon the earth, are derived from Noah; that from Shem, Ham, and Japheth, sprang white, red, and black men, and from them the great variety of nations, kindreds and tongues. Some suppose that the Indians are descended from some of the tribes of Israel; that they pursued a northern course as far as Bherings Straights, and constructed some kind of floating raft, and crossed over where it is only about nineteen miles to one island, and nineteen to another, and took possession of the country before it was discovered by Americus Vespucius or Christopher Columbus. Indeed there is a strong evidence to support this view from tradition, and a similarity of features, &c, There is another fact worthy of consideration. The great number of mounds and tumuli, found in various parts of the United States and Mexico, and Central America, give evidence of their having been constructed by a race in possession of the arts and sciences. Whatever position the Indian may have occupied in past ages, one fact we must admit; that they were the rightful owners of the soil, since Transatlantics found them here, roaming unmolested over these vast domains. They then dwelt secure in their own leafy bowers; they smoked their pipes in their own wigwams, the young Indians chased the wild deer, and skimmed the light canoes over the murmuring streams and silvery lakes; the young Indian girls entwined the wreath around their raven tresses, as beautiful as their own lovely forms. But they have melted away, driven from their own lovely bowers. Nation after nation, and tribe after tribe have passed away. Philip, Logan, Blackhawk, Powhatan, Keokuck, and other noble warriors, have bowed themselves under the crushing weight of misfortunes; disease has spread a pestilence through the tribes; war has swept like a desolating ravager through their lands, and fire-water, like a hydra monster, has swept on its fiery course, carrying its millions to the grave. What a melancholy picture is presented in bold relief to the mind of the philanthropist. How scenes of the most thrilling interest come looming upon the vision. Behold a mother bidding a final farewell to the place of her nativity, to the spot where the light of heaven first fell upon her infant eyes! what tender emotions rush upon her memory! scenes of other days cluster around her, and that which is the most endearing, the tombs of her ancestors. View her standing upon the last green hill pressing her little one to her bosom, covering its little face with her burning tears; she moves on a few steps, and then for the last time bids her long and much loved home farewell forever; often in her migrations to the far west, do scenes of the past crowd upon her memory. At last, with a little remnant of a tribe, they arrive at the place of their new home, and finally, broken-hearted, they sink into the tomb. The white man often in his undue thirst for more land, and want of reflection, ploughs up the very bones of their children, and scatters them to the four winds of heaven. But I will not pursue this painful subject.

        There are features in the Indian character to which we invite your attention. An Indian never forgets an injury nor an act of kindness. There are instances on record where Indians have cherished for years feelings of revenge, and have finally avenged the injury. An Indian once in a fit of anger committed murder, and gave himself up immediately, but asked for time to enable him to raise corn, and provide venison for his family, which was allowed him; at the end of six months he came and told the friends of the person whose friend he had killed, that he had provided for his family, and as he had broken the laws of the Great Spirit, and of his nation, he must suffer the penalty and he was ready to die. The brother of the wife of the deceased arose, and deliberately clove his skull through with his tomahawk. They often return good for evil. An instance is related where an Indian applied to a white man for food and shelter, as he had been hunting all day and killed no game, and he was very hungry and tired, but the white man in an angry tone bid the Indian dog be gone. Sometime after this, the white man went out on a hunting excursion, but after hunting all day, was unsuccessful, and losing his way, being weary

and hungry, he was about to give up in despair, but seeing the smoke of a wigwam, he hastened to it, but what was his surprise when entering the lodge to find the very Indian he had driven away hungry from his own lodge. He expected immediate death, but the Indian bid welcome, with the utmost kindness, and his squaw prepared him food; be ate and drank, and then he laid down and slept free from all harm. In the morning the Indian gave him his gun, and accompanied him on his journey. Arriving near the white settlement, and pointing through the wood said, "There is the white man's home. You remember poor Indian hungry and tired, ask you give some food, and lie down and sleep in your wigwam; you say no, be gone you Indian--you come by and by to Indian lodge, you tired and hungry, you think Indian kill you, but no, Indian say no, you have wife and children who love you, me look on my squaw and papoose, me love 'em too, me say me no kill white man, and make sorrow and sadness come to his house--you are free, go white man, go to your home, make your wife and children happy, and don't forget poor Indian, how much he suffer, how the white man wronged him."

        I remember an instance which occurred in the days of my childhood, which is fresh in my memory. An Indian woman came to the house of my parents, and being very sick asked permission to remain a few days, which was cheerfully granted. On recovering, she left us, returning her thanks. Some months after she returned, bringing with her a number of beautiful baskets which she had made with her own hands, and a quantity of home-made sugar, which she gave to my mother--my mother went to pay her an equivalent, which the Indian woman positively refused, saying, "me sick squaw, you good to squaw, me never forget good squaw for her kindness to poor Indian squaw."

        THE RELIGIOUS CHARACTER OF THE INDIANS is very interesting. They universally believe in the existence of God, or the Great Spirit. They greatly venerate him. They feel that his great power has made all things, and that he is every where present, and sees all they do. They never profane the name or character of the Great Spirit. The Indian languages have no terms by which they can profane the Great Spirit. But alas, they have learned it in the English tongue. As also they have learned from the pale face the direful use of the fire-water, as they term whiskey, which is destroying thousands.

        The Indians feel and believe that once they were in favour with the Great Spirit, that he loved them, but now he frowns upon them. And

that they are subject to the influences of the evil or bad Spirit, to which they sometimes make offerings in order to propitiate him, so that he may not torment them. The Indians also believe in a state of rewards and punishments,--that those who do well among them, when they die will be received by the Great Spirit to a beautiful country where pure rivers flow, and lofty mountains rise, and extended hunting grounds present an abundance of every variety of game, and where the evil Spirit comes not, nor sickness nor death, nor any other affliction. But where there is complete happiness. They believe that those who do evil, or are bad men, will go to a country of an opposite character. A land of dreariness, and of chills. It will be situated in sight of the beautiful and happy country, but those in the bad country can never go to the good one, but must pine away in wretchedness and endless want. They have no knowledge of the Saviour until it is presented to them by the gospel, hence they know nothing of a way of pardon. Still oppressed by a sense of their sins, they are accustomed to make an offering of the first fruits of their grounds every year.

        The following view of the present condition of the Choctaw Indians, written in 1846, by a highly respected and devoted Missionary, and teacher at Fort Coffee Academy, Iowa Territory, REV. W. G. MONTGOMERY, will show that the Indian is not the degraded being that some would have him be, but that he has been endowed with a mind as susceptible of improvement as the pale face.

        The Choctaws have a pleasant, and on many considerations, an interesting country, lying between latitude 32 deg. and 35 deg. north. On the north, it is bounded by the Arkansas river, it being the line between them and the Cherokees; on the south the Red River separates them from the State of Texas, on the east they are bounded by the State of Arkansas, on the west by the Creek and Seminole Indians. They have perhaps more territory than half the State of Kentucky. Some portions are very fertile, especially the bottom and low lands on the rivers and creeks. There are a good many extensive praires, some of them are rich, others are too sandy to be productive. On the low lands there are extensive cane brakes and a bottom grass, which keeps green through the winter.

        The Porto, Cliamahu and Canadian rivers, with many other smaller rivers and creeks, are all tributaries of the Red River, and Arkansas,

and take their rise in, and flow their whole length through the Choctaw country. Steam boats go up the Arkansas River more than a thousand miles, passing several hundred miles into the Indian country. There is a high water in this river always in the months of June and July. There is much mineral wealth from ore, stone, coal, and salt springs, in their country.

        THE CLIMATE.--The winters are mild, the summers are very warm, and frequently dry. Cotton and corn grow here in abundance. That migratory disposition so characteristic of the Indian tribes, has in a great measure left the Choctaws, and they wish to be stationary. They do not wish to remove to any other country--they are now improving their lands, building houses, and planting vineyards. Many of these farmers have from ten, twenty, fifty, to one hundred acres in corn, and large fields of cotton. There are few, comparitively speaking, who live by hunting. The buffalo are gone, there are bear and deer, and many other kinds of wild game. During the winter season the whole creation seems alive with the various tribes of birds; the forests and prairies are made to resound with the melody of their notes, and the river and ponds and lakes, are covered with water fowls of various kinds; cattle, horses and hogs are raised in great abundance. He says, "I saw very few sheep among them. It is not uncommon for an Indian man to have five or six hundred head of cattle; I frequently saw from fifty to one hundred and fifty milch cows belonging to one man, the cows and calves are kept gentle by the following course; the calves are put into a pen or lot of an acre or more on the edge of a prairie and are kept in there during the day, and at night the cows are put into the same pen, the calves are turned out into the prairie, where they feed around during the night, and in the morning they are about the fence waiting to be let into the pen with the cows; in the fall they are branded and turned out and live during the winter upon the cane rushes and prairie grass. The horses and cattle are smaller than ours, their horses being most generally of the pony stock.

        Christianity has done much for this people, and is still doing more; they may be said to be redeemed from heathenism, and placed upon the high and elevated ground of civilization, the arts and sciences being cultivated by them to some considerable extent. They have a well drawn up and printed Constitution; republican in its character; the elective franchise it committed to the people; the members of the Council are elected every year; crimes are punished by fines and otherwise;

the murderer is shot by an officer called the Lighthorseman. There are Washingtonian Temperance Societies among them, and the Temperance cause has many advocates. The tribe may be said to be temperate. The white man is prohibited by law from selling whiskey among them. The new Testament is translated into their language, and many other little historical and religious tracts, hymn books, &c. &c. And now the weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares, and no longer is the war whoop heard, but songs of Zion may be heard from their cabins and houses, and places of worship are built for the true and living God. Oh! for the salvation of God to all the aborigines of the wilderness. By an act of their Council, they have set apart forever, more than six hundred thousand dollars, of their annuity money as a fund, the interest of which is to be appropriated to educational purposes. There are three National Academies now established among them, where twenty thousand dollars are expended annually for the education of their youth. The Fort Coffee Academy is located on the Arkansas River, and is under the control of the M. E. C. S. The Spencer Academy is within a few miles of Red River, and-under the control of the Presbyterian Church, Old School. The Armstrong Academy on Chiamechia river, is under the control of the Baptist Church. The children who enter these Academies are selected by the Trustees, two from each Indian family, some of them come one hundred and fifty miles without names, in their Indian costume. They are expected to remain four years, during which time they complete the following English branches of education; reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and geography, and learn to talk the English language. The senior class then enters upon the study of the ancient languages and the higher branches of the English. After going through a preparatory course, some members of this class will be sent to the best colleges and universities in the United States, where they will remain until they graduate. Each of the aforesaid Academies is expected to take under its care one hundred students, where they are clothed, boarded and instructed. The buildings for the female department at Fort Coffee are frame, and were put up at an expense of three thousand dollars. The boys are taught agriculture. They spend three hours a day on the farm at work; the girls are instructed in sewing, knitting, and the science of housewifery; these Academies are all on the manual labour system. There are several other missionary schools among them, (the Choctaws)

supported entirely by the money of the Missionary Societies, and there are now, at least five hundred of their children going to their schools and academies now in successful operation among them. Workshops are intended to be established with each of the three National Academies, and a part of each day spent in learning the different trades of mechanism. The population of this tribe is about thirty thousand.

INDIAN COVENANT.

        The following account given me a few years since in the Indian Territory by Pochongehala the son of the grandfather of the Six Nations, may serve to show how the Indians settle difficulties among themselves. It is a sketch of the Covenant and the ratifying of it made and entered into by and between the Six Nations and the Choctaws, and of their united effort to bring the Osages into it. Indeed, it was the commencement of a plan, originated entirely with the Indians, to effect a universal peace among themselves.

        When the Covenant was presented by the Six Nations to Mosholeh Tubbee and McIntosh, chiefs of the Choctaw Nations, it was readily received and an agreement formed between them. Then the wise men (or chiefs,) of the Choctaws and Six Nations went over the river to propose it to the Osages, and they would not treat with them, but offered to call the young men together, and all that might be wishing to take the Covenant. They then left them and returned to the Choctaw Nation, as the Six Nations had not finished their road*

        * Meaning plan.

        ** Used to signify an indefinite period.

        *** The Wampum is a symbolical representation worked in beads or painted; used by the Indians to express their wishes or ideas.

        In a few days they returned back to the Choctaws, and together went to treat with the Osages, sending six men before them (to the Osage Nation,) to remind them of the talk. Some of them were of the Six Nations, some Choctaws. Chief Tubbee was one. When they came near, knowing them to be warlike, they sent in a part of their men, the Osages said, in so many suns setting, and so many suns rising, their Chiefs and young men would be ready to meet them in Council. Agreeable

to the request of the Osages they returned, and found the Osages prepared for defence, with a kind of brush fort, ditched about inside and outside, piqueted with brush and poles. They wished to get the Osages word, and would not be repulsed by their warlike appearance. Their word was, that they would not all receive their Covenant, yet some of them had been weak enough to do so, and had hung the tokens in their ears. They are your men, but we are not, but choose to stand by ourselves. The Choctaws and Six Nations were friends, their errand was peace, and they asked, will you receive our Covenant? The Osages were very independent, and said they would not willingly, but told them as they were their grandfathers, they must make them do so, as children had sometimes to be whipped into obedience. The Chiefs that were treating with them, bade them to recollect that their grandfather was like a Bear; whenever he laid his toe-nail down, he was always sure to gain the ground. They told him they would come back in a few days in peace, as they should now return to the Choctaws, and when they returned to them again, if they received not the peace, they would cause them to do so by chastisement. They likewise so did. After they were whipped, they wandered between the two rivers, supposed to be the Mississippi and Missouri, but their grandfather followed them there, and then made them receive the Covenant of Peace. The Chiefs of the Six Nations were not willing to leave the Covenant with them, although they had made their road thus far, and the emblems thereof were worked on the Wampum, but chose to carry it back and leave it with the Choctaws, called in their original tongue, Oyataw, signifying a large Nation. The Mississippi River, they called Oyatawgah, because of its size, and having many snags. Now this people was called by them Oyataw. The Cherokee Nation claimed to be the same who treated with the Six Nations at this time, but the grandfather says it was the Choctaw, and that they knew no difference then between the Cherokees and Choctaws; but finding them all living on this great river, named them after it, as one great nation, the Oyataw. But they found the Choctaws many days afterwards, acknowledging the same men to have been their Chiefs. Furthermore, let the Council be examined; here we find the Cherokees have not got the Covenant of Peace left by the Chiefs of the North or Six Nations; neither the speeches, significations, or articles belonging thereunto, except a very few, neither do they explain or seem to know the use of these illustrations. Thus we are left to judge that they never really belonged to that portion of the

Oyataw but they have been separated away by their Chiefs and called Cherokees. But the Six Nations knew them in these days the Oyataw, One Nation. Furthermore, this has not been extended any farther in a proper manner, or any thing done as should have been, though the Chiefs have made many trials; except one Covenant of Peace made by George Herron, with the Camanches. This was rightly done, the only one that has been conducted after the pattern since the Six Nations and the Oyataw covenanted together with the Osages. Furthermore, let the old men of the Six Nations treat the Choctaw and Cherokee as seemeth them good; receive them as two nations, search out their chiefs, wise men, their fathers, and their families, and let them be received in order in the Covenant, or else consider them as one, the former Oyataw, and let the Six Nations ascertain and point out those of the families of their former Chiefs, namely, Tubbee, the McIntosh, that the braves of the Choctaws need no longer say, as they said to me in the Cherokee Council. "We have no head, no elderly wise men; the Tubbee is gone; his family, none of them survive him to our knowledge. We are babes in the sayings of our fathers, and request our grandfather of the Six Nations to teach us." I asked them for the Pipe of Peace given them by the Chiefs of the Six Nations, and described it by saying it was one half white and one half red. It could not at first be found. I thought this might throw some light on the gloom that darkened the hopes--even the dying request of the loved, the brave, the lamented Big Chief or Tubbee of the Oyataw Nation, respecting the youngest son of his, who was with the pale face. Furthermore, many evil designing men, have reported that this child was dead; others that Chief Tubbee had no such child, and now had no heir living. Others said there was such a person, but that his origin had never been traced out, and many disputed his being the son of their Chief. These statements were made at the last Council, when the Choctaws said if they could find him, they would serve him and love him. At length the Pipe was brought, having been found, among the Cherokees; the grandfather knew that it was left with Tubbee. The pipe was injured; the articles of the Covenant scattered among the two divisions. The braves understood not the talk of their grandfather. But their silent and confused faces showed they were children in the affairs of their nation, and they again requested to be taught; but the grandfather being grieved at heart, determined to seek out the lost one--the child of their worthy Chief, and divert his mind from his pale faced friends to his own people, if possible. He has

succeeded; he is proud and satisfied; thankful to the Great Spirit, that so fine a mind, so much national talent, upright principle, is concentrated in the son, the representative of the long distinguished line of noble Chiefs, the Tubbees. Grateful respects to the pale face friends for their care and attention to the grandfather, whose heart is warm, being pleased with his prize, as he bears a strong personal resemblance to his father, only the father was taller and heavier built. Now may the pale face and the red man dwell peacefully together, is the desire and prayer of the grandfather.

Respectfully,

POCHONGEHALA.

NARRATIVE.

SKETCH OF THE EVENTFUL LIFE OF
OKAH TUBBEE,
(CALLED)
WILLIAM CHUBBEE.

        [Here commences a true narrative, drawn up from his own lips.]

FIRST RECOLLECTIONS.

        THE first recollections of my childhood are scenes of sorrow; though I have an imperfect recollection of a kind father, who was a very large man, with dark red skin, and his head was adorned with feathers of a most beautiful plumage. I seem to have been happy then, and remember the green woods, and that he took me out at night, and taught me to look up to the stars, and said many things to me that made my young heart swell with sweet hope, as it filled with thoughts too large for it to retain. This scene soon changed, for I had a new father, or a man who took me to a new home, which proves to have been Natchez, Mississippi. I have no recollection where this intercourse took place with my own father, but from various circumstances which have since occured, I am led to believe that it must have been upon the Dancing Rabbit Creek, (Tombigbee) before the Choctaws removed from their old homes. I soon found this was not my own father, neither in appearance nor in action, and began to understand that I could have but one father. This man was white, and a slave woman had the management of his house, she had two children, who were older than myself, a boy and a girl; she was very fond of them, but was never even kind to me, yet they obliged me to call her mother. I was always made to serve the two children,

though many times I had to be whipped into obedience. If I had permission to go out an hour to play, I choose to be alone, that I might weep over my situation; but even this consolation was refused me. I was forced to go in company with them, taking with me, many times, a smarting back, after a promise had been extorted from me that I would remain with them and obey them. I soon found myself boxing heartily with the boys, both white and black, because they called me an ill name, and every thing but that which was true, for I could not and would not submit to such gross insults without defending myself, which is so characteristic of the red man. Her children were well dressed and neat; I was not only in rags, but many times my proud heart seemed crushed within me, and my cheek crimsoned with shame because of their filthy condition, and I often left them off in consequence, but soon learned to take them off and wash them myself, such was my abhorence of filth. I was compelled to go in a naked state to enable me to wash my clothes, and they upbraided me for my nakedness, but I replied, where did you ever see or hear of a child being born with clothes on? I was then a child too young to work, but did errands.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE BEARS.

        Messrs. Spencer Grayson and Joseph B. Davis, (son-in-law of Levi Pernell, who resided in Natchez, on Second North Street, as long ago as I can recollect,) entrusted me with the performance of several duties, which having faithfully executed, and thereby securing their friendship, I gladly learned that Mr. Davis had made successful application for me to accompany him on a visit to his plantation in the back part of the State of Mississippi. This was my first journeying, and Mr. Davis had to tie me upon the horse. Some laughed at the idea of his taking so small a child with him, but nothing could change his mind; he declared that I should have at least a few weeks pleasure. The woman who had the care of me was very angry with me at this time, and told Mr. Davis that she wished she had never seen me, and desired him never to bring me back; but he said, "Never mind, aunty, fortune will take care of him. I expect he will outlive us both." After travelling four or five days, Mr. Davis tried me without fastening me to the saddle. I could now manage my horse very well, and keep up also. About the third day Mr. Davis had grown careless about me, as I took good care of myself and horse, and he found he had lost his way while passing through

a cane brake. We wandered around for some time, and at length came to a strip of fence, decayed or thrown down, so that it was scarcely breast high to the horses. Mr. Davis in his hurry had forgotten me, and was thinking only of the road. He did not stop for the fence, so I followed suit, but soon stopped on the ground, the breath beat out of my body, so that I could not call for some time. Mr. Davis was out of sight. I got upon my horse again and rushed on in the course which I thought he had taken. I thought I discovered a small path, into which I reined my horse, but the care was so large and so tall that I could not proceed. I thought that I could go better on foot; so I contrived to get down, and groped my way along the little path. I had not gone far, when I found my path was much wider, but I did not get upon my horse again. I at length heard a noise which I could not understand, but I had heard people talking of wild hogs, and concluded that there were some near, as I could hear them snuffing, and as I thought, the young ones playing. I looked earnestly around, and to my astonishment saw two animals, which I knew must be bears, from the fact of having seen a tame one at Mr. Philip Brill's, at Natchez. The old ones walked up, smelling of me as they came; the young ones playing a little way off. I did not try to run, for I thought it was of no use. I expected they would kill me, but after examining me they turned and walked away, their young ones following them. My path had led me into the big road, and the bears took one way and I the other. I knew by the neighing of my faithful horse, and the answer he received, that I was near Mr. Davis. I hurried on, and soon came up with him, and found him on the banks of a river, standing by his horse. I told him what had passed, and he said that he had gone back to look for me, and happened to get his eye on me just as he saw the bears walk up to me. He embraced me, the tears gushing from his eyes; he said that he feared to try to rescue me, lest he should aggravate the animals, and thereby cause them to tear me in pieces before his eyes; that he in horror turned away, lest he should see me die, and when he heard the horse neigh he did not expect again to see me alive; but said he thought that wicked woman's wish was granted. He stated that it reminded him of his saying that Providence would protect me.

        We reached his plantation the next evening in safety; when after finishing his business on his farm, we started towards home together. At Greenville, he was unexpectedly called another way on business. We were within a few days ride of home, when he met an acquaintance,

Lawyer Smith, who was going to Natchez, and who offered to see me there. Mr. Davis thought it well that I should go home. I was sorry to part with my friend, but soon had the satisfaction of seeing him in Natchez, and hearing related from his own lips my narrow escape.

FISHING EXCURSIONS.

        A very aged man obtained of this unnatural mother leave for me to go with him to Shelling's Lake to fish. He set me holding his line, and showed me how to manage it, and oh, what a proud moment was this to my little heart, and with what ecstacy did I gaze upon the fish as I drew it out of its native element, struggling for life. I was so fortunate as to catch one more fish than the old man; this encouraged me much; a new world sprang up before me. I then began to contrive how I could possess myself of a hook and line. I could imitate many sounds, such as the mewing of a cat, the barking, howling, and growling of a dog, &c. Some gentlemen overhearing me, gave me a few pence. I was so delighted with the money which I received, that I could hardly contain myself; not because I loved money, but because it secured my wishes. I went twice with the old man, after which I went alone and caught twelve or fourteen dozen fishes. I took the money home to this unnatural mother, and asked her to buy me some clothes, for my fish brought me half a dollar a dozen; but she retained the money, and the only satisfaction I had, was to be compelled to follow her and her children to the store, and see her expend it for finery for her daughter, and then to carry it home. I had, however the satisfaction of retaining a trout and perch line, with a hook for each, which I had hid under the pavement, with a few pence; although they were steel, they were more valuable to me than silver or gold. After this little experiment when I wished to enjoy a fishing excursion, I was obliged to run away. I laid up money enough to purchase a suit of clothes; my bank was the brick pavement, my banker was my fish hook and lines, my cashier was my own hands, and my associates my own brains. At length I got a lawyer to obtain me a suit of clothes with my own money, but I not only had the mortification of having them taken from me, but given to her boy, and by way of interest received a sound flogging; and here I remember hearing her for the first time in her anger, call me an outlandish savage; although I could not understand it, yet it made a peculiar impression on my young mind. At

night, when I ought to have been sleeping, I was rolling on my bed, watering my pillow with my tears, thinking of the advice of my old friend, the coloured man, who was a preacher, and truly a good man, who taught me to pray and to hope for better days. When he died, I lost a true friend, and I was almost overwhelmed at the loss.

THE MUNCE FAMILY.

        About this time I became acquainted with a family by the name of Munce, who were always very kind to me. The house of Mr. Thomas Munce was kindly offered me as a home, when I was unable to obtain one in any other way. Mrs. Munce often took me upon her lap and consoled me in my grief, and taught me to think of my Heavenly Father, and to pray to him. They were true friends to me to the very last, and I can never express my obligations or thankfulness to them. I have seen them several times since.

FRUITS OF EARLY WHISTLING.

        By this time I had become quite a whistler, and by this method, and other means, had obtained quite a sum of money again, and I employed the same lawyer who had assisted me on a former occasion, to purchase me another suit of clothes, and the lawyer went and told the woman that he had presented them to me, and that she must let me wear them. She did so, and I was so thankful for it that I was willing to give her anything which I could make by my ingenuity. She could not bear to hear me praised, especially above her own children, and she forbade my receiving any more presents. I then hired out to doctors and lawyers to sweep their offices, &c. Some were kind enough to feed me and pay me something; others fed me only, and took me home to their families.

CRUEL TREATMENT OF THE COLORED WOMAN IN WHOSE
HANDS I HAD BEEN PLACED BY HER MASTER.

        I gave the woman my money, also the presents I received, but the more I gave her, the more she exacted from me. Child as I was, I could not allow myself to weep by day. If she found my pillow wet with my tears, she whipped me for that, and I formed a habit of going

alone at night, and lifting my heart to God in prayer, for his preservation; and that my father might return. When I stood thus alone, in the open air, a feeling of hope was within my heart, as I felt thus alone before God, with the stars, which, in my childish language, I called the eyes of heaven, gazing down upon me; here I gained fortitude to bear all my wrongs--here I determined to ask the white man, who brought me here, about my own father. I had now and then mentioned it to the woman, she always told with tongue and heart, begone! outlandish savage, you never had any father. As she was always angry at my inclination to be alone about this time, she gave me a severe whipping for climbing a bluff, which no other boy dared to, and thus spending a Sabbath with my thoughts, tears, prayers, and childish aspirations. This point was called Buzzard Roost. I have since thought she in her anger, forgot herself at this time, for she asked me if I did not know that this was the way Indians and all wild savages lived, and could not be tamed; that the white people could not make as much service of them, as they could of the blacks, for they would not work for them, but spent their lives in wandering about in the woods, both day and night, living with the wild beasts. Now I loved wild beasts, and my heart was swelling within me; I forgot her evil blows, as with clasped hands, and tearful eyes, my heart kindled with the most intense emotion at her recital. I cried out, Oh! tell me more, tell me more. she looked at me, said something about the strange wild light in my eyes--seated herself, and seemed in deep thought. She then said something which I did not understand, though I listened, for I thought she was going to tell me more. I think she said in a soliloquy, "what is bred in the bone will be in the marrow," consequently. when I hear the remark, my mind resorts to this scene of my childhood with peculiar emotion and intense interest. I accordingly asked the white man where he found me, and when my father would come for me. He seemed astonished to find I had any recollection of a father before I saw him. He told me I had been dreaming that he was not my father, bade me remember I was this woman's child, and she could do as she pleased with me; bade me never to mention this thing to any one, nor speak of it again to him; but told me that I would know more about it when old enough to work. Here I gave myself up to despair, and run away and went into the back part of the city. I had often been nearly starved, and thought I could stand hunger pretty well, and managed to climb up and sleep in an old

hay loft; but I became very hungry and knew not what to do, as I was unacquainted here, and wished to remain in secret lest I should be taken back. My spirits were so much broken that I could not enter into my old pranks to gain me friends. I sat myself down early in the morning, near a fine looking house, thinking what I should do. I could not bear to beg. There chanced to come to feed their dogs, some of the inmates of the house. As soon as their backs were turned, I hastened to the spot, and with all the strength I had, begged the poor dogs for a morsel of food to prevent me from starving. My hunger made it sweet to me. For some time I slept upon my bed of hay at night, and watched the shaking of table-cloths, and with the dogs picked up the crumbs that were thrown from the tables of the owners. I could not endure this kind of life, and began to search for work. I at length hired to assist in a brick kiln. I passed a few weeks here as happy as my feelings would allow, but a woman who knew my pretended mother, recognized me, and gave information. I was taken back. They had searched much for me, also advertized for me. The brick maker had heard of the search, but never supposed that it referred to me. He had often spoken to me of my red skin, saying I resembled Indian boys he had often seen about Natchez. I then had the privilege of asking what Indian savages meant, and received satisfactory answers. They told much of them which excited my curiosity; that brought to my mind scenes of my earliest recollection. They had faded from my mind, yet I determined, if my life was spared, I would visit that people. This unnatural mother, after her old custom, stripped me to give me a lashing; but at the sight of my bruised and lacerated body, she seemed to have some relentings, and I thought was moved for a moment even to pity. The reason of my being thus mangled, was in consequence of refusing to return. They beat me and lashed me so unmercifully with a cowhide, that my body was black and blue. She then said she wished she had never seen me or the man who had brought me there. She seemed to have given up all hopes of conquering me, and said she ought to tell all she knew and get rid of me, lest I should do something in my fits of anger of an awful nature. She then bade me put on my clothes and begone out of her sight, and told me to remember that at some future time she should punish me. I then went to Major Young of the U. S. Army, who was then stationed there, and through his influence I obtained a situation with a Physician, Dr. A. P. Merrill, who was also a Surgeon in the U. S. Army.

        While residing with this kind friend, it was often my place to show the applicant to the Physician. I soon began to read physiognomy, I became accustomed to the faltering step and pallid cheek of those who sought medical treatment for their own infirmities. When opportunity afforded. I listened attentively to the recital of their sufferings, and marked each word or gesture of the Physician. Now and then the aged man came, a dear child or perhaps companion must be seen quickly; I marked the anxiety that seemed to light up his care-worn features--saddened as it were, by a shade of despondency, which is so often visible on the features of those who have lived long, and their fondest hopes have been often crushed. Then came the husband or the father in prime of life, the deep feeling of his manly heart locked up by fortitude and strength of purpose. I could sometimes distinguish the firey zeal of youthful inexperience with sickness and sorrow by the very sound of the door bell. His agonized heart can scarcely brook the delay necessary to gain him admittance. His dear parent, or brother, or sister, or even a beloved bride, or the infant of his early love is touched by the destroyer, disease. His wants, hopes and fears are hurriedly made known. Again the female, though at other times timid and shrinking, has now gathered strength from necessity and is firm in her purpose. Thus this part of my duty became a pleasant study. My heart longed to be of service to them, to one and all, I immediately determined to become a Physician, should an opportunity ever offer. At length I mentioned my wishes to my benefactor. He set before me the care and toil attendant on the profession, the envy and malice often returned where gratitude alone was due, and kindly hinted that I could not read, and consequently could not prepare for the task unless I could receive a liberal education. This served to dampen my newly created hopes, for I had already began to take pride in self-acquired abilities. At length he told me that the Indian Doctors were equally as successful as himself, that I could learn of them, if I ever returned, their manner of using roots and herbs, and probably benefit our race by the knowledge. He jocosely added, this will be a new feature and also a great one in educating yourself. My purpose was instantly taken. The Doctor then informed me that whenever he could find leisure he would himself instruct me somewhat in anatomy, the probable causes of disease in the human frame, its effects upon the body and mind. His instructions were indelibly stamped upon my memory. As soon as opportunity offered, I set myself to work. I laid my plan before the medicine men of more

than one tribe and received their instructions, and their blessings. They demonstrated their statements by trials on domestic animals, upon sick friends and often upon ourselves. I soon gained much knowledge that has since been useful to me and also to the poor. When I returned to the settlements of the whites, I gathered and bought up a little lot of medicines; often have I received the heartfelt thanks of the poor of those parts, who had not means to apply to a physician of a higher stamp. I zealously refused all remuneration, except a keepsake was offered. There were but few of my friends who knew that I ever had such a thought. How eagerly I watched each symptom, the progress of the disease, and if arrested by my simple medicine, I carefully noted each change, thereby instructing myself, often acknowledging that practice makes perfect. I could speak several languages, and thereby make myself familiar with the sick emigrant, and many of them have gladly availed themselves of my cheap store, and thus be obliging friends. I should not mention my early practice here, only that I wish to let the public know that I have long had experience in the healing art, with those simple herbs.

        How long I remained with this kind gentleman, my memory does not serve me; it may have been a year. I was one day sent to the office of the surgeon, upon an errand, by some of the ladies of the officers of the Post. While passing from the office, a young man who was studying medicine with the Surgeon raised his window and called me. A lad about 16 years of age happened to be near. This lad was asking the young Surgeon if I lived there; when I came up, he, seeing me, said with a sneer of contempt, there comes your colored lover. He was very fond of Mary White, who was a special friend of mine, in consequence of her connexion with the dear Munce family, of whom I have before spoken, and became very jealous of me; consequently he was always tantalizing me with such epithets. When the lad spoke thus, all my Indian nature was aroused, and my very blood boiled in every vein, and my feelings were so intense that I called upon the Great Spirit, and conjured heaven and earth to know where I originated. I picked up a part of a brick, though I scarcely hoped to reach him, yet I aimed at his head with all my might; it reached him just as he happened to turn around to see what I was doing. It cut his lips and knocked out five of his teeth. The doctor had to sew up his lips. His friends made a search to see who was around me, and threatened to prosecute me. The Surgeon quieted my feelings, saying no harm

should befall me. They went to my unnatural mother to see what they could do with her. My runaway excursion was not yet settled for, and she said she could not do any thing about it, and they must take my body. She made many complaints about my violent and unconquerable temper, and said she had intended to have me imprisoned, and there whipped and starved, until my spirit should be tamed.

IMPRISONMENT AND CRUEL WHIPPING.

        The people were strangers to me, and the fathers of many other boys that I had boxed for the same insult, took advantage of this, and bore testimony against me that I was a dangerous boy when angry. They however spoke of my industrious habits and talents favorably, and upon the whole they concluded to confine me in prison, with now and then a flogging, with little to eat; according to the sentence of Esq. J. Tooley. I heard my sentence with sullen composure. They asked me if I was not sorry; I told them that if their laws and prison had power to keep my body, I was sure I had power over my own tongue; that I could not, and would not talk with them, and when I was sorry it would be before God alone. While I was in prison, a white man came to me, and said he had many things to say to me to which I must listen attentively. He told me that the woman called my mother was a slave, as well as the mother of the two children, but she was set free before the birth of these two children, consequently her two children were free, but I was their slave. This unloosed my tongue, and raised every angry passion of my nature. I loudly asserted that he had brought me from my own home, and had made me a slave; he bade me be quiet until he could tell me all; he then changed his tone, and told me I had a father, probably a white man, but as he did not come to buy me, I was consequently given over as a slave to the children. He said I must never reveal this. I told him I could not and would not make any such promises, for I would be sure to break them, and to spare himself the trouble of trying to console me with such base falsehoods. I told him this woman when angry called me different names; wishing she had never seen the wild savage devils, sometimes even calling me a white woman's child, which, beside her evil treatment, gave me every reason to believe she was not my mother, I told him that some strange mysteries hung over my birth, and I accused him of knowing what it was,

and on my knees implored him to unravel it to me if to none other, telling him by so doing he would console me. He turned coldly from me, while I stretched myself on the floor in despair, assuring him my blood was free, and pure. I crawled around where I could look him in the face, telling him he need not fear to rescue me from this place of abuse and digrace, that every step in after life should be to prove it, and honor him, but he said nothing. I then thought he would do nothing for me; I said, well, I will bear it; it will lay me in my grave, and there I shall be free. He was touched with my earnest importunity; gazed upon me a moment, then stooped, and raised me from the floor with his own hand, and he begged me to be calm, to compose the tumult of my feelings, saying it is a pity you should be wronged for the love of money, for let your skin be what it may, you have a noble heart. He promised me he would never wrong me, but strove again to obtain the promise he first wished; but I could not promise; he said he would use his influence to obtain my release; he bid me a kind farewell, wishing me kind friends, and better success for the future. I was then left alone for the night, and a part of the next day, after which I underwent a severe course of punishment, the severest of it being their advice as regarded names or epithets that I might receive, telling me I must even expect it, and bear it too, from the very fact of the woman known as my mother, having been a slave; but as usual I denied her being my mother, told them all I knew of myself before I knew her, which was new to them, and some of my enemies were thus turned to friends; they said it was not unreasonable to suppose that I was an Indian child, taken when small, for the purpose of making me a slave. Some asserted they had heard of such circumstances, and it was easily done, where there was such a diversity of color as there is in the South.

LIBERATED FROM PRISON.

        After whipping me until I fainted, they let me go from the prison, and I was allowed to remain with kind friends, who said if they had known of my troubles they would have interposed, and proved me a good child, with the exception of a violent temper which could not be denied; but when treated half right, I was industrious, obedient, gentle and kind; and was free from many faults that beset boys who had not only the advantage of being white, but whose parents moved in the

highest circles of society--that my manners were manly in the extreme; that I had many exalted and noble ideas, relative not only to men and things in this world, but also entertained the most elevated and exalted views of God and his attributes; and as I had received no education, other moral, mental, or physical, these thoughts must have been original. This leads me to believe that these ideas must have emanated from the Good Spirit, and that man is immortal, and will live eternally after he leaves this world.

A VISIT TO ALEXANDRIA--THRILLING INTERVIEW WITH THE
INDIANS.

        One day I walked down to the river, and found Steam Boats from every part of the great valley of the Mississippi. The captain of one of them, bound to Red River, who knew that I was unprotected, and without employment, asked me how I would like a trip to Alexandria, saying he thought it would improve my health and spirits. I told him if I could pay my expenses I would gladly go. I was soon on board, and the boat under weigh. Before we reached the place of destination, I frankly told the Captain my belief respecting my birth, and that I did not wish to return, but rather remain in that country to visit some of the Indian villages--he willingly permitted me to stay, and promised to, say nothing on his return respecting my retreat. I here felt reassured, and though I had no friends present, it was a comfort to know I had no enemies. I soon obtained sundry small jobs, which paid for my board, and something besides. I did not wish to enter into steady employment, as I intended the first opportunity to visit the Indians.

        Perhaps I should have stated, that I had seen Indians frequently in Natchez, but soon learned that when any of them came to town I was carefully and closely watched. It appears that some one always gave the necessary information to whoever I lived with, saying I had threatened to run away with them. Permit me to describe my feelings the first time I ever saw Indians. I had just stepped out of a door into the street as they were coming down the street; they were walking slowly, seeming to be looking at the buildings; I appeared nailed to the spot, my heart leaped with joy, yet a choking sensation amounting to pain seized me; confused ideas crowded upon my mind; they were near me, yet I moved not, until the keen eyes of one of them rested upon me; he

spoke, the eyes of the whole company turned upon me, and then upon each other, while as it seemed to me they uttered an exclamation of surprise; they came towards me; I was wild with delight, I thought I was their child, that they were seeking for me; I started and held out my hands, tears gushed from my eyes, I addressed them in a language to me unknown before; it was neither English, Spanish, or French; astonished, they spoke kind to me, smoothing my hair with their hands; an explanation now took place, as one could speak English; he said I had asked in Choctaw for my father, saying he had gone and left me, and I was with bad people; that I begged to know if he was not with them. They then asked for my mother. This pained me, I told them she was not my mother; they looked at each other, spoke faster and louder, and looked very angry: there had a crowd of children, and men and women gathered; the Indians loudly asked where and to whom does this child belong? Some one answered to a colored woman. The clouds seemed to grow darker on their wry, yet to me, sweet face, the same one said, to a slave woman, and he is a slave. The Indian held his hands high above his head and said, "but white man lie, he no good, him no slave no, bad white man steal him, his skin is red;" this was repeated in imperfect English by them all--me I love him--the crowd were some smoking, laughing, some mocking, angry and cursing. The Indians conversed in a low tone together, here some of the crowd interfered, and separated me from my new, but dear friends--while, all the time, "bad white man lie, he steal him, he no nigger, him Indian boy," now and then reached my ears. I was then torn from them. My feelings towards them I cannot attempt to explain.

        I here learned that the Indians often visited the village, that they came here and fished, and sold their fish to the inhabitants, and I determined to make their acquaintance here, and so get an invitation to their camps. As I still retained a love for the hook and line, it was just in my hand. The first Indian I met, assisted me in a friendly manner, which I returned, and was soon happy among them, for they seemed to regard me as a companion; they did not even ask for or look for other blood in me. I tasked my memory in bringing to mind, words often on my tongue though I had no recollection of their meaning. They told me it was the Choctaw tongue. I was over anxious to gain the friendship of those who spoke a little English, and as soon as I was sure of their confidence, I gave to them a history of my sorrows in part; it was night, and we were gathered around the camp fire, one of them serving as interpreter.

I had scarcely began before the pipe was laid by, one saying their hearts were sorry, and they could not smoke; the elder ones bent their eyes on the ground, their features settled into an immovable silence, their arms were folded upon their breasts; their very silence said to me, this is but another lesson in the deceitfulness of the pale face. The eyes of the younger ones were fixed upon me, and their features manifested a restlessness, and they manifested signs of revenge; they grasped their tomahawks firmly; my emotion soon prevented my proceeding. I showed them my back: that expression, eagh! eagh! eagh! so significant of high resolves, contempt, and indignation, &c., escaped the lips of the older, while an angry wail went forth from the young. Their leader spoke when all was silent; their interpreter gave me what follows: "Pale face alway say he friend, poor Indian get money, bad pale face get fire-water, then he friend; Indian got no money, then he got no friend; but he got hunting-ground, pale face want it, he fight a little, give little this, and little that, last poor Indian take fire water, he then loses sense, then white man get his home. The Great Spirit gave pale face children, houses, cattle, but this no enough; he love black slave. Indian skin no white, but dark red, so he think Indian make good slave; so he try him; but he no make slave; so bad white man steal papoose, may be he make good slave. "No, no, no, bad white man, he no good, he speak with a forked tongue." While he was speaking, not a motion was made, or any other sound heard; nor a leaf trembled; as he ceased my ears were almost deafened with the loud yells of indignation that burst upon me as they sprang to their feet and began dancing around me. This was a scene novel to me; I had roused their feelings for me, but knew not how to quell them.

        It was late before we laid down in our wigwams; we arose very early; they said they could not sleep, and were sorry for their brother's son, and their fears plainly showed that they were ill at ease. We washed ourselves all over, thoroughly; they gathered around the fire, standing in a circle, holding their left hand up to the Great Spirit; said a few words in their own tongue deeply serious, wet the fore finger with the same hand, dipped it in the ashes, beginning at the corner of the eye drew it downwards, imitating the trickling of a tear; their leader then spoke a few words, the others imitating him, at holding up the same hand, their eyes fixed on the morning sky as their words fell from their lips. They looked upon me as though they were reading my heart, instead of searching my features. I did not know how to act, but the interpreter

told me they were invoking the Great Spirit for me, and expressing sorrow for my situation. They then very gravely informed me that I must not fish for them any more, as I had caught more fish than they, and they were convinced that the Great Spirit had given me this as a gift to supply my wants, and he would be angry with them if they accepted of any which I could sell. To this I undertook to object telling them I had some little money and was their visitor, and had partaken of their bread, but still they answered, we also have partaken of your fish. My interpreter here motioned me to be silent; they believed a supernatural power would uphold me, and that these difficulties were suffered to gather around the path to test my honor; that the God of good, (meaning good and bad persons, habits, &c., &c.) of the pale face, and the bad alike, had come before me; if I choose the good; the Great Spirit would deliver me; I then wished to be cheerful, but as long as they let the ashes stay upon their faces, I scarcely spoke; but when this was taken off, I felt at liberty, and attempted to amuse them by telling anecdotes about myself which pleased them so much that they had a great powwow about it, and they were in perfect ecstacies about them.

ANECDOTES RELATED BY ME AT THAT TIME.

        I had stolen away one morning and repaired to the spot where I had hidden my fish poles under a flat-bottomed boat. On touching the poles I heard the cry which was like what I had always supposed to proceed from a negro baby, and which gave me the most horrid sensations, though I had never seen one, but had often heard white people speak of the peculiarity of their cry. Not doubting, I stooped down to examine more closely; it seemed in a sitting posture, leaning forward, looked young, and I felt all my former disgust return. I touched it with a pole; again it uttered a hideous cry; I snatched up my poles and returned to the lake. I could not but reflect that if it was human it was sensible of pain, cold and hunger. I was touched with pity, and returned, determining to serve it; but I could not reach it, it seemed frightened at me; I relinquished the idea and went back to the lake; I passed several hours in watching, expecting to see it emerge from its concealment, on being left alone. About one o'clock, a Spaniard came to me; I told him my exploit, spoke of its cries, and endeavoured to interest

him in its favour; he stooped down and examined closely, and said "ah, this Johny Crapo," and to my amazement drew forth a large bull-frog, whose head was nearly as large as my head; it still kept on crying like a negro baby. The Spanish man killed and dressed it, and sold it to some Frenchman for three dollars: another one opposite kept hallooing, "chubbe, chubbe, chubbe," I am coming; I started to go to it, and on the way passed two large mocasin snakes, but they did not molest me; I killed the frog and sold it for half a dollar. While I was fishing, I made a little basket to put my fish in, and when I went to put my fish in it, a large mocasin*

        * A species of poisonous snakes.

        I then returned to the village where I made many friends, French, Spanish, and one English family especially, who made me acquainted with a gentleman who was very wealthy, who resided in Mississippi; claimed me as his cousin, he was related to the family who became so friendly to me. Mrs. Kitchen, was a sister of this gentleman, which would have made us relatives. Captain Brown was going up to Natchitoches in a keel boat; he engaged me to accompany him. After having proceeded some miles up the river, I went on deck, surveying the scenery as we passed, having a pair of high heel shoes on made me very clumsy, and I fell overboard; the current was swift here and carried me down; as I was not an expert swimmer, I strangled; a young man saw me sinking, and dived in and rescued me from drowning; I came up out of the water farther down the river than he had expected; he by using all his exertions saved me as I was sinking the third time; I had not until this moment had any acquaintance with either the young man, or his father, but a brotherly feeling sprang up between us; we made our trip and returned

together, his father living opposite Alexandria, I went home with him; the young man proposed that I should assist him at the ferry; I worked with them three months; my Indian friends often visited me, and informed me that many of the Choctaws lived in Mississippi, and advised me to visit them.

RETURN TO NATCHEZ,

        About this time a gentleman living in Natchez landed here; he recognized me, and coaxed me to return with him, saying I had many friends in Natchez who were anxious about me, and had been much concerned about my absence. I found that to visit the Indian country I must return by the way of Natchez. He promised that my unnatural mother should have no controul over me; he said I should go to a trade and be used well. When I left Alexandria, many friends followed me to the boat, sending their best wishes. I returned to Natchez, having been absent nine months; my friends greeted me with smiles, complimenting me with my improvement.

MY SUFFERINGS IN CONNECTION WITH LEARNING THE
BLACKSMITH'S TRADE.

        By the advice of many individuals, I commenced the blacksmith trade with McCaffrey and Jeter; but at length when they dissolved, Mr. Jeter advised me to go and complete my trade with his brother-in-law, Mr. Russell. I had entertained such entire confidence in him that my spirits sank within me. I was totally unprepared for his unkind treatment. I wept again and again over his cruel conduct to me, and found that suspicion and jealousy, so contrary to my nature, and which had hitherto been strangers to me, had taken possession of my heart. I was entirely unconscious of other persons suffering the same painful emotions, which were gnawing like canker worms upon my heart, crushing down my young hopes; I was becoming poorer in flesh every day, but I still continued steadily at my work, to drive away my bad feelings. I do not know how old I was, but they made me three steps to raise me high enough to blow the bellows, and strike upon the anvil. Some months had passed in this fearful manner, when at length one day Mr. Russell came to me, and ordered me to strip for the whip; in vain I begged to

know what I had done to merit such usage; he only answered me with angry oaths, so loud that I stood in dread in silence, and obeyed, determining in my mind that this should be the last time I would do it. He used a whip known in the South as an overseer's whip. I fell to the floor after a few of the first blows, they were so severe; they seemed to take away my breath, and I thought my life; but I retained my consciousness of it until he ceased; I tried but could not arise, but my cries for help at first were so heart-rending, that although the shop was closed; people hearing my cries rushed through the back way and forced him to stop; they raised me up, but I knew it not; I had fainted; they took me away, and washed my body, bathed my wounds, which brought back a sense of pain, but it was only to faint again, while the blood flowed fast. On coming to myself again, I vomited freely, but soon fainted again from pain and loss of blood. A physician was called; he seemed alarmed at my situation, and said it might cause my death, the vomiting and fainting for twenty-four hours in spite of all their efforts continuing. Russell seemed very much alarmed, but I could not bear the sight of him, and would not permit him to come near me; he then gave orders to have every thing possible done for my recovery. What alarmed him most was that the people told him that if I died in consequence of his cruel treatment, they would put the law in force against him, which would be without any formal trial to tar and feather him, ride him on a rail, and then hang him without judge or jury, or the benefit of clergy.

        My freinds watched over me with all the tenderness that they would if I had been their own child. For the first three weeks I was compelled to lie on my stomach, and when I could change my position, I was compelled to rest on my knees, so that I have at least been in a humble position once in my life, if no more, from the force of circumstances; but I feel grateful to the Good Spirit that he has given me a heart to bow before him, and adore his goodness, and I shall even be thankful that he raised me up such kind friends; for had he not, I must have died, and now been sleeping beneath the green sod of the valley. The wounds in my back and sides were so deep that you could in some places see through into my stomach. My back was a complete running sore; it was well known that I was perfectly well on the morning that this circumstance took place, and then to see me in this situation, it was talked over again and again; and the people became so exasperated that they told Russell that if he did not leave, they would ride him out of town on a rail; this so alarmed him that he picked up his duds and moved away immediately,

He died a miserable death, being drowned in a ditch, in a fit of intoxication; making my prophecies true that God would punish him for his savage treatment of me. "Though hand join in hand the wicked shall not go unpunished." My friends took me away from Russell home with them, where I remained until I recovered.

        I had offers on every hand for employment; Mr. McCaffrey, who had ever been my friend, proposed that I should finish the blacksmithing with him; here I was treated as a member of his family; I worked very hard for some months, when I had a violent attack of the bilious fever, the only sickness I ever had in my life; I was almost unconscious, and suffered much for three weeks. I recovered slowly, and lingered some time under the effects, and the physicians advised me to travel for my recovery. I had some money, and insisted on the Doctor's taking some; and left for a while, starting for Brandywine; but my money giving out, threw me again upon my own resources. One night, being tired, I stopped at a little cottage where they treated me very kindly, and gave me a poor old horse which they had turned out upon the commons. I rode him on the level road, and walked up and down the hills; by this means I was enabled to reach Brandywine springs, where I soon made friends, and spent the fall and winter. I had sometimes visited ball rooms and acted as a prompter, my voice being strong and distinct. I was employed as a prompter. In the spring I returned to my employer, Mr. McCaffrey, and finished my trade.

        Many hours I occupied my mind in beating the time of some favorite tune with my sledge hammer. I seemed to work faster, and then it soothed the care of my mind, serving to drive away angry and sorrowful thoughts. Soon after I returned, I was chosen to play for the Natchez Cadets, and they elected me Fife Major--gave me my uniform, and on the fourth of July, 1830 or '31, (if I mistake not,) my feelings were of mingled gratitude and pride, for as we marched through the street I saw mortified countenances on every hand. I received many congratulations from friends and the highest hopes of the future took possession of my mind. I became a great favorite, loved on one hand as strongly as I was hated and oppressed on the other. My boss soon noticed the manner I executed music with my hammer; it was commented upon by the workmen, and by customers, and I got a dime a tune, many times even fifty cents, keeping at my work, throwing in now and then some imitations. Many horse shoes I made in this manner, and from my presents I managed to keep an extra suit of fashionable clothes, preferring white

linen for summer, as it suited the redness of my skin. And when the shop was not crowded, I had the privilege of stopping at five or six o'clock, and taking a pleasant stroll with my friends, who seemed to vie with each other to cause me by their kindness to forget the obscurity of my birth; but it seemed to haunt most of my waking hours; otherwise I should have been as happy as need be. I still continued practicing music, adding the clarionet to my practice.

        Late in the fall, some of the Indians I had seen at Brandywine came to see me. Mr. McCaffrey received them kindly, and told me I was free for the day. I had the inexpressible pleasure of a walk with them through the principal streets, introducing them to my friends, and as they were well behaved, we were invited to visit some of the grandees, where they publicly acknowledged me. This was very gratifying, as enemies always looked black to see me walking or talking with respectable white people, but now they had no time to look this way, seeming not to see me. We returned to Mr. McCaffrey's, had something to eat and retired. On rising I was warmly greeted by my shop mates, who told me my last march was the best one I ever made; but behind my back some white men who wished to see me held as a slave, sought out the Indians, and said, "whites no like black man, he like Indian best: eugh, was the Indian's reply." All silent, the Indian said with a little hesitation, "white man why you tell me this." The white man answered, "we see you Indians and slave boy walking together, eugh!" Again the white man proceeded, "may be you no know he slave. We tell you we like Indian heap" "eugh! No, said the Indian, we no know he slave--may be you no know it--may be white man lie heap." They knew they alluded to me, and angrily told them they would not believe, and soon left the city. Time moved on in this pleasant manner, without much interruption. I was steady at work--was well treated, nothing of importance occuring that I need relate, until the next fall, except that I began to save my money and to extra jobs. Such mending as I could do, my boss gave me the money for it, and also for making pot hooks, andirons, &c. when one day my heart was gladdened as the sound of boba-helah (which is friend, in Choctaw,) fell on my ear. There was a large party camped on the bluff, and had sent these after me. I was permitted to go after doing a job. I was very anxious to go, and when my work was done, I not only had the satisfaction of going with the consent of all hands, but had their congratulations on being the cause of the approaching festivity, as they were making

great preparations. They came for me at the house; I returned with them to the camp, from whence the whole company proceeded through the principal streets; I walked in front with the principal Chief, the oldest men followed next, the braves bringing up the rear. We walked quietly through the street, back to the camp on the bluffs; there I spent three days before they would let me go; they then conducted me home; I waited at the door until men, women, and children bid me adieu. I thought they did this to gratify themselves and please me, but I found it had great bearing in the minds of many, knowing that one Indian can tell another, and they told all that met them that this brother's son may be big Chief's son. They told me to learn my trade, and then come and see my people, and learn them. My extra jobs began to increase so as to employ every moment. I had learned to make gridirons, tributes, or iron stands, &c., and picked up all the scraps of iron, saved all the old horse shoes about the shop, which I began welding together, working late and early, for business in my line was increasing. I soon finished welding, and had iron enough to make a pair of shovel and tongs. My boss bought it for nails, giving me in return as much new iron, and enough over to make a pair of andirons. When I got them finished, I received $3 a piece for the three articles. My health was good--strength increasing every day. In this manner five years passed away, which released me from my trade. Mr. McCaffrey gave me a good suit of clothes, and by my own industry, and through his indulgence, I had saved {$}300. My friends had often told me to get papers or indentures to shew I had served my trade and was released honorably. My boss was very willing; but some opposed it. I looked back on the last five years, and felt I had enjoyed a sweet calm--my sky had long been clear--a cloud seemed gathering in the distance, from which a fearful storm arose.

MY FIRST EFFORT AT KEEPING HOUSE.

        A friend offered me a house on reasonable terms, which I fitted up with little expense, for my friends made me many presents in the household line. The front room had been a barber shop. I hired a barber, (William Hayden by name) to carry it on, whose custom was quite extensive. Here I kept young bachelor's hall, being determined that the lessons I had taken in my adversity, should now be of some use to me. I served as market boy and chambermaid.

        I had marched a few times with the Natchez Fencibles while at my trade, and now appeared with the Natchez Guards; soon after, Adam's Light Guards. This drew my acquaintances to my house. My prosperity seemed to gall my enemies sorely, so much so, that I was often abused and insulted in the street by black and white, when even at the head of companies. This was very painful to me, and served to mar the peace I had so long enjoyed without much interruption. Some time had elapsed since I left Mr. McCaffrey, and I had not got my indentures yet--I was much opposed. My enemies said that I could make money fast, and could afford to buy myself of the woman, and thus settle the dispute. This mortified me very much; indeed my feelings I do not attempt to describe. I was waited upon for an answer to the degrading proposition. What! I, with the consciousness of possessing a good heart, a fine mind; nature having lavished on me talents of the highest order, uncultivated as they were, they were beginning to be highly approved by many. Could I stoop to this? I was exceedingly careful in my manners, and now that the boy was somewhat polished in the man, why should they persecute me still? I firmly refused them; not that I valued the money so much; no, to have had them cease tormenting me, I would not have begrudged twice the amount; but to have it said that I had to buy my flesh and blood and this lofty spirit!--Oh! horrible thought! it stung my inmost soul, and almost maddened me into despair.

ENTICEMENT OF THE COLOURED WOMAN.

        The colored womam, of whom I have had reason to speak so often, had of late appeared to be uncommonly friendly. I felt that something was wrong. Having mentioned it to some of my friends, they argued that she had become repentant and wished to ask my forgiveness; others thought that she might probably confess and bring to light my true percentage, if I would only give her a chance; they advised me to do all I could to bring about at least a seeming reconciliation. I promised to do nothing to hinder it, but could not feel willing to even try to bring it about. Neither did I. Soon after, she dropped into my house, looked at my things, and made many comments, being in a fine humor; she invited me to come to her house; but before I had made a definite answer, she asked if I thought I had ever seen Sally Kelly before I saw her. I immediately recollected what Sally had said to me when I was between

ten and twelve years old, though I had no recollection of seeing her when so young, yet I led her to believe that I had. When somewhere about the age named, I met a very black woman in the street; she seemed very glad to see me, and yet big tears stood in her eyes; she asked me to shake hands with her because she was my first black mamma. One black mamma was too many, and I wished to be off, yet her words fast chained me there; she looked about the street, and up to the windows, I thought to see if any person was looking at her, still holding on to my hand, said to herself, (but my ears were open) "yes, this son of the broad forest Chief was brought to me first; though I was then and am yet very wicked, yet I never wronged an innocent child, and his bitter lamentations for his parents, especially his father, still ring in my ears." I had become impatient to know all she knew of me. She ceased speaking, but gazing inquiringly into my eyes, said, "you are young, and if you should tell they would beat me to death." She said if I would not tell until I was grown, she would then tell me all she knew of me; she bade me follow her down the alley and she would talk to me. She then said "Yes, child, the white man's blood possesses no more freedom than yours, yet they have made no distinction between you and the negro slave." She then said the white man who found me, and her master were great friends; that he had been on one occasion some time from home, and on returning he brought me there and wished to see her master alone; (she was the only woman there) so when they were alone, she slipped up and listened, for my appearance had excited her curiosity, for she had often heard them speak of stealing Indian children and making slaves of them, and she heard him say to her master, "Yes, I can get the shiners for him, for the old Chief is away and will search for him when he returns, and I can easily say I found him, and he will pay me for my trouble, and a present besides, and then I shall not have to raise him or run the risk of his dying." And as his colored woman and himself had parted in a quarrel, it was decided that I should be told that he had bought you below, and that I must learn you to talk, as it seemed you did not know how to speak with any sense; my master then asked him if you was old *

        * A name the whites had given Mosholeh Tubbee on account of large size.

you out myself; you seemed to be very anxious to go out, and ate very little, and either screamed and cried, or sat in sullen silence. I often listened to find out any thing concerning you, and at length found that your father supposed you had been destroyed by wild beasts, or stolen by some warlike tribe: he had vowed vengeance on whoever had the child. Now came many consultations; he feared to take you home lest he should suffer. Your father had not thought of your being with the white man: he believed they were friends. They now began to talk of keeping you as a slave: my own conscience smote me, and I threw out my hints, thinking to frighten them; but they carelessly told me I knew too much, saying they must find the child a mother, but I was so black that I would not do. I was glad of it. The man had long promised to set his woman free; he now offered her freedom if she would say she gave birth to this child, when they moved to Natchez. To this she agreed, and he set her free. We all moved to Natchez; she became known as the mother of you." She then turned to me and said, "Now if you can keep this until you are a man, I will tell you more; yes, you will know it all and be free and respected. I always knew it, and that has kept my tongue still; but I could not help telling you I was your mother first, and when you are about they are afraid I will tell it all, for I always took your part. So good bye; my heart is easier now; come and see me, and remember what I promise when you are grown, so mind your tongue."

        When alone, I endeavoured to stamp her words in my brain, saying them over to myself, for fear I should forget them. I had not seen Sally for some years; as some stolen goods were found to be harboured by her, she had to leave the city unexpectedly and unknown to me, and I had heard nothing of her since. I had never named her communication with me, and now that I was thus questioned, I determined to make use of my knowledge. I accordingly accepted an invitation to come to her house, and eat and talked with her. When I told her Sally was my mother before she was, she was silent some moments, and then said, "Yes, but we did not think you remembered her, or being with her at least." But she refused to tell me where Sally was, but she told me a story corroborating Sally's, alleging she had to do as her master wished. She opened a bureau-drawer and showed me a suit of fine clothes that the man had left when he went away, saying he expected to return when he left, but she should keep the clothes for his son; she told me her children were his. She then said that [illegible]

to the negro, but that any other child the whites could steal, that was not white, was just as much a slave as the negro; she then said she was going to tell me a little more and trust to my own good heart to do her justice. I motioned her to proceed, and she said that a white man had got me from old Bill Chubbee, the chief of some tribe of Mississippi Indians, and that because he was so big and fat they called him Chubbee; that he failed to come for me. Every thing turned against the man: he had prepared to give her children a part of his fortune. (At this time eatables were brought in, and I drank coffee freely, while she after waiting as long as she could, adds) "So he just gave you to them, and now we will do what is right; you are a fine young man, about 25 or 26, I think, though some may say not over 23." While she was speaking, a painful stupor seemed to come over me; I arose to go, but she detained me almost forcibly, saying I must hear her out; I sat down for I could scarcely stand, and I tried to rally myself, for I feared my feelings had overcome me; my head seemed ready to burst, while a dizzy sleepiness look possession of me; the old woman finished by saying, "You can make the children a few presents, and do something for me and we will give you up, and thus stop this quarrel." I told her I would never give a farthing as a present, or pay for the freedom with which I was born. I again rose but could not walk or scarcely stand. She told me I must not go, that I was too sleepy. I must go to bed; scarcely knowing what I did, I pulled off my coat and vest, and threw myself on the bed and went to sleep.

        When I awoke it was to a sense of the keenest pain; I seemed smarting. Could it be I felt the lash; yes, writhing under its torture, as it was laid upon my flesh, I endeavoured to rise, but I could not move. The blows seemed to fall heavy and fast, but how could this be possible? I had been too happy, I must be suffering under some dreadful disease, I thought I had the night-mare. But then by this time I had gathered my scattered senses and remembered that I was in bed, and found I was on my face, the sheet wound close about my head, my hands and feet tied fast to the bedstead. I remembered where I was, and our conversation, I then knew it was no night-mare, no dream, and I struggled with all my might to unwrap my head; at length I partly succeeded, and saw light again; the blows ceased, and oh, horror! there she stood, she whose guest I was, and now her prisoner. Even to this day, which I think of, or relate this disgusting scene, the same feelings return; I felt sick at heart; She soon spoke like this: "Sir I [illegible]

ken this plan to show you, you have a master; you have refused to give me anything for yourself, just as I expected, though I thought I would try you; you are so ungovernable that no one will buy you, and the people are fools enough to think that you do not belong to us, but I have got you now in my own power in spite of your fraud or cunning, and no craftiness of yours can release you. No, indeed; nothing but your word that you will buy yourself will do; I will take your word for what a slave man is worth; and now promise me quickly, and be like an Indian in keeping your word. You would hate to own you was whipped by me after you came out a fine gentleman. and if you please I will say nothing about it; if not, I will beat you until you are glad to promise." I then said "are you prepared, beastly woman, to answer to God and man for my life? I now solemnly say, I will never promise that." She then "saying you are in my power," began to lay on the blows. Now that I discovered my foe had tied me and my senses had returned, the reality of my disgraceful situation was plain before me, together with the smart of the keen lash seemed to give me lion-like strength, and with a few desperate leaps I succeeded in tearing the bedstead in pieces, breaking the cord that bound my feet, tearing up a pair of cloth pants for which I had just paid seventeen dollars. With the part to which my hands were fastened I felled the old woman, leaving her to pick up herself, while I rushed to the door where I soon gnawed my right hand loose, and seeing a friend of her's coming to her from a distance, I picked up a piece of brick and levelled him. My jaws and teeth were tired, and by way of experiment I found I could saw a rope in two with two bricks. I was soon loose but almost naked and bloody; with little hesitation I walked to her door; it was locked, I picked up a stick of wood, knocked in her window, and went in, got my coat and vest; but then I had no pants. I opened the drawer and took the suit she had shown me, dared her to move while I washed and dressed in these clothes, and left the house forever.

        The Officers of the United States Army kindly protected me from any insulting correction which my enemies might have undertaken to inflict upon me. I returned peacably to my own house, and attended to my own affairs as usual. My friends all said that I had suffered too much from her already, and that I had served her just right. But my enemies undertook to force me to buy myself; saying let me be what I might, I was given to the colored woman, and she had a right to me; and that it was impossible to sell me, for I was so well known and had

so many friends who all respected me too much to buy me, and all others were afraid of me.

A SHORT VISIT TO NEW ORLEANS.

        I left Natchez, determined, though I had good friends there, to seek others abroad. I proceeded to New Orleans. I soon made acquaintance with Mr. C. F. Hosea, Captain of the Old Louisiana Volunteers, who proved a very true and faithful friend. He introduced me to his musicians, who were very good friends; especially his drum-major, Mr. J. Noble. I played with them on the eighth of January, at a sham fight, where I found myself very much at home.

        I remained here but a very short time however, and went up the river to Vicksburg, where there was a party given, and they hired me to play on the flute, for which they gave me one hundred dollars for the night. I had several good jobs here, as well as good friends; yet some of the lower class began to find fault with my visiting, as news began to circulate concerning my fate at Natchez. My friends, however, did all they could for me. I staid near three months, saving while there three hundred dollars.

        It seemed that by an act of their state laws, all free people not white, must pay a license for living in the state. I was about to return to Natchez to make a visit among my friends. Some, however, wished that I would never go back again, but my mind led me back. My friends heartily greeted and welcomed me, but my enemies soon beset me again, and the officers of the city determined that I should take out a license in less than twenty-four hours, or leave the state. Several gentlemen of high standing in the city, viz. Esquire Tooley, General John A. Quitman, Mr. Ferrady, and Dr. Carr, united in their advice that I had better go and see Edward Turner, Judge of Probate. He gave me much good advice. He thought I had better on the whole, leave the state, as I should be constantly subject to annoyances from my enemies. I was grieved in heart, and determined, license or no license, I would leave the State; for although it was the supposed land of my birth, some of its sons were my bitter enemies. I had had the command of the military music; several colored men had applied for a place in the band, and on being refused would vent their spite on me, with their fists and canes. I paid several bills to the physicians, from these assaults, but at length told them I had the receipt in the pain and bruises, and they

must get their money from those to whom these liberties were allowed, or from their masters, who when they had the bills to pay, would put a stop to their outrages.

        I visited Mrs. Munce again, and her kind son-in-law, Mr. Cyrus Marsh, who had always been very kind to me. While visiting my acquaintances, some of the gentlemen proposed that a petition should be drawn up, and let all sign it who wished me to stay, and have it presented to the Court. They stated that I was not only worthy of citizenship but was of an unexceptionable character; that it was greatly desired by the ladies and gentlemen that I should remain, and enjoy the liberty of a citizen; also all the Military Companies were very anxious for my stay, as I was of great use to them; my enemies said if I could get so many signers they would give it up and say no more about it. I was willing to make the trial, and sure of success, gladly improved the opportunity of letting my enemies hear the high sounding titles of my friends. The aged matrons stepped forth to aid me; the mothers, the young and blooming wives; yes, many beautiful maidens, blushingly added their names to my list; all greeted me with wishes for success, and many tears were shed in supplication for me. My list was soon more than filled by dozens. I took it to the Clerk's office. Mr. A. North, and received a certificate for which I gave {$}3 with direction to go to Jackson, in order to get the Governor to sign it. I here met my friend Mr. Bob Shelby, and several other friends, who received me very kindly. They were astonished to see me there, and inquired "what brought you here"? "A fool's errand," said I, "and as I know you to be my friends, I ask your advice." I then stated that I had been prevailed upon, by several of the citizens of Natchez, and the officers of the Court of Adams County, to accept a certificate of good character from them, and get it signed by the Governor, and then present it to the legislature, petitioning them to grant me the privilege of living in the state, without being brought under the laws enacted for the African people. I stated that I had so far complied with their request, but had concluded to drop it and seek a home abroad. All answered, "that is right; exactly right." "What!" said Mr. Shelby, "will they ask you to stoop so low? they thus seek to cause you to assist in your own disgrace! Yes, leave the state! what has she ever done for you? I have thought I could play on the flute, but if I could play an instrument as I have heard you play, the world should be my home. Take courage and a bright future awaits you. They are pleased with you in Louisiana; return to them

again; seek your fortune among them." They made up a contribution and gave me, wishing me a long and happy life. I complied with their advice, and immediately returned to Natchez, to take my leave of my old friends. While remaining here a little time to close up my business, an awful Tornado occurred.

AN AWFUL TORNADO.

        I could but exclaim, Oh! my native city, I have seen you blessed with riches and prosperity, and in my adversity you turned on me your back, and I have lived to see you prostrated, laid low by the hand of him who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. Oh! that your sons had dealt in righteousness; that you might have escaped this outpouring of the weather, or at least have been better prepared to meet your doom. My language cannot describe the feelings of my heart, as I gazed from the hill down on the ruins. I was, at the time the wind came, in the house of A. P. Merrill, in company with a relative of Mrs. Merrill, John Francis Jurault by name. As dinner was nearly ready, we sauntered out on the back gallery. I had made Mr. Merrill's little son some popguns which he brought out. The balls were hanging on the China trees, and Jurault bantered me to shoot at them with him. This was about half an hour before the storm. I noticed a peculiarity, in the lightning that I had never observed before, and as I listened to the steady rolling of the deep-toned thunder, a strange awe crept over me. I said to John Francis, "listen! the very thunder can speak! and it is now admonishing us that we are spending our time foolishly when we should be thinking about God." "Poh! nonsense, said he, we are only trying to make noise enough to drown its bellowing." It had begun in the South, but was fast spreading to the North. As it neared the West it commenced blowing hard, growing very dark. Mr. Merrill now came home! haste had nearly exhausted his strength; he stopped a moment on the gallery; the wind seemed to take away his breath; I raised him up, caught him and rushed into the house; the table was set, and candles were lighted because of the darkness. The ladies had fled up stairs. And now the wind came from the North, the low, angry voice of the thunder sending dread into our very hearts; the house trembled so violently that I chose the open air, placing myself under the large tree, clasping it with my arms to keep my position. The heavens grew darker still, and daylight seemed shut out. I heard as it were a loud

explosion over head; again louder, and the third one seemed not only to deafen us, but laid prostrate much of the city. The tall tree seemed kissing the earth in humble resignation to the will of its Maker. In a few moments the dreadful rage somewhat abated, and I with difficulty reached the house, the door of which they had been unable to shut. All was upside down; indeed the lights were extinguished, the dinner table was upset, leaving the dinner on the floor, and throwing the doors wide open, (even the folding doors in the parlour, in spite of the lock) the furniture was all out of place, and a great part of it lay in heaps in and about the stairway; even the dining table was there, the table cloth hanging in one of the hinges. The ladies could not get down, the windows were gone, and the beautiful curtains, which had cost {$}100 a piece, were also gone; although they were hung with golden rings, yet the tempests had torn them away; the furniture was cleared from the stairway; the ladies in sorrow and weeping descended to the scene of desolation, which but a few hours ago was filled with tranquil pleasure; yet we were filled with thankfulness that our lives were spared through this awful hour.

SECOND VISIT TO NEW ORLEANS.

        Soon after this terrible catastrophe, I took all and went down to New Orleans, where I made my home about four years.

        I soon attached myself to Charles F. Hosea's Company or the Louisiana Guards, which afterwards changed their name to Washington Guards. I discharged my duties honorably, and gained the confidence and esteem of many warm hearted persons. I was elected Fife Major for the Washington Battallion, and as evidence of it I insert a true copy of the order.

SPECIAL ORDER.

Head Quarters Regt. Louisiana Volunteers,
New Orleans. 1st May, 1844.

        W. McCAREY*

        * William McCarey was the name by which I was called by the woman in whose hands I had been placed, and by which I was generally known at the South.

the Regt. Louisiana Volunteers with full power to regulate said field music agreeably to law and the usual custom in such matters.

By order of
COL. JAMES H. DAKIN.

BLACKSMITHING IN NEW ORLEANS.

        I here met my friend, Mr. Crane, with whom I had been acquainted in Natchez, and made arrangements to work with him at blacksmithing, as he had charge of Leed's Foundry. I continued steady at my business, making many improvments, until I had not only perfected the common blacksmithing but had acquired a good knowledge of the machinist business. Thus I continued to work for three years.

ROOMS FITTED UP--PARTNERSHIP FORMED--BAND TRAINED,
&c. &c.

        I rented rooms of a gentleman by the name of Pease in 2nd Municipality, on Circus Street, which proved a very pleasant location. I fitted up my rooms quite handsomely, and if they lacked anything in style or richness, it was my particular care to see that they did not in cleanliness. The smallest article was ever in its own place; everything being in perfect order. My acquaintance was not at this time as extensive as it was destined to become; but I strove to keep the friendship I had already gained, by strictly attending to all business or matters, which in any wise concerned me. Our pay-day was the first of the month, and the parade days were every Sunday; this was the custom of the city,--and custom I find grants license to please herself, whether right or wrong. Many times (having been ordered out at 6 o'clock and commenced parade at 8) I have led the company through the parade back to the drillroom, took my leave of them,--set out for my own room; and if I succeeded in getting there, I considered myself very fortunate indeed; for I generally served two or three companies a day, in pleasure excursions, &c. My Southern friends will remember the little Picayune complimented me often, for being pleasantly aroused from their sweet dreams, as they were luxuriating in a Sunday morning nap, after a week's toil and anxiety in which they could scarcely find time to indulge in sleep necessary to strengthen and invigorate the weary mind. Many

good words have not only the Picayune, but other papers given me;--for which I was, and am still and ever will be a thousand times obliged. They prophesied pleasure, fame, and wealth, if I would pursue a steady, straight-forward course. This I truly endeavored to do. As I had much leisure time through the day in some parts of the week, I determined to take care of some of these leisure moments and turn them to my advantage. I had an eye upon a friend of mine, and Italian by birth, who was dealing in fruit; I saw he was faithful to his business, attentive to his customers, and withal an excellent manager, yet had never made much stir in the world. He was very fond of me indeed, and had proved himself my friend. His name was Lazarus (a very good name indeed, but no better than he who bore it.) I accordingly would drop into his store when unemployed, and if I found him busy would lay to and help him. So five or six weeks passed. At length it was proposed that we should go in as partners; and it was no quicker said than done. Lazarus and myself were partners to our full satisfaction; but I still attended to my professional duties.

        Mr. Noble was my drummer, in whom I had the greatest confidence. I had a band who could not be excelled, and whom I could leave, if occasion required, though I endeavored to be at my post as much as possible; at least always if in the city.

        I thought I should like to see Havana, or at least the trees which bore the delicious fruit we were selling. I accordingly took passage on a fruit schooner. Being some little acquainted with the captain and crew, I had a pleasant voyage; and soon had the liberty of strolling through that garden of dainties, feasting my eyes and appetite thereon. In the meantime I obtained my fruit, and prepared to return. I here formed many acquaintances whom I still remember with pleasure.

        We enlarged our trade considerably, and our customers increased, and they often acknowledged that a few good tunes interspersed among the choicest of fruit, was just the thing. Here and at my rooms I made many new acquaintances, and though I have forgotten many of their names, yet their images and kindness continue to live in my heart; though some of them rest with the dead. Peace to their memory.

FREQUENT EXCURSIONS TO THE NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES
AND TOWNS.

        I visited Bayou la Fourche, Huma, Barataria-Bay, Thibodeaux, Franklin.

Donaldsonville. St. Martins, Jackson, La., (where I became acquainted with Major Dunn and family,) Vermonville, Opelousa, Bayou Playquemine, Point Coupee, St. Francisville, Point Hudson, Baton Rouge, Lafeyette, Algiers, &c., thus making myself acquainted with the people and country. Also visited Madison across lake Ponchartrain, and I really must not forget my kind old friend, Mr. Bell, who kept the Washington Hotel on the Ponchartrain Lake; who always made me at home in his own pleasant house. Also I cheerfully tender my humble thanks to the directors of the Ponchartrain and Nashville railroad; also the Carrolton railroad who have all acted a brotherly part towards me. Also the captains and crews of various steamers. In this pleasant manner Autumn and Winter came and passed, and in the Spring as I had been pretty regular at my business, I easily obtained permission to take a little trip up the Mississippi. I had often been invited to Nashville, Ten., and now determined to go and pay the place a visit. I accordingly took some cigars and candy, and a few of my instruments, and went aboard Capt. John Russell's boat, who went, however, only as far as Memphis; then went aboard the Cumberland, (The Captain's name I am sorry to say have forgotten.) The boat was heavily laden and a large number of passengers were on board of her. All was pleasant and quiet; sold all my cigars at the bar of the boat. In order to give the keeper of the bar a little respite. I had attended to his affairs for one day. At night after the captain and passengers had all retired, the boat being just at the mouth of the Cumberland river, all at once the boat trembled and stopped short as if some mighty hand had arrested her progress. The roof fell in, the partitions were broken down, the drawers were dislodged from their places, and the passengers from their berths, some were almost frightened out of their senses. Ladies were running in all directions, some screaming, some praying, while now and then came deep groans from some one greatly distressed. All was confusion. It was soon ascertained that a large snag had passed through the boat about midway, forcing its way through the captains's berth where he was asleep, injuring his spine so much that his recovery was deemed hopeless. The boat seemed fast filling with water.--The skiff was loosed and filled with passengers. Many jumped overboard and swam ashore; some who could swim well, taking with them some poor helpless female; for those who were left were nearly frantic with fear. I by chance got hold of the planks used in forming the stage to bring freight aboard. I told them that I thought I could manage to get two of them ashore; immediately three of them

jumped in and were clinging to the plank. I succeeded in getting them safe to the shore and then went back to the boat. But they had found that the snag could be taken out, which was done, and the hole partially stopped and the boat carefully and quickly steered to the shore. I then assisted to search out the skiff. They had left the oars and had floated on to a sand bar where they were awaiting day light, from whence we took them to Smithland where we all succeeded in getting quarters. The most of the lives and property were saved, and it certainly might have been much worse, but to see, as I saw my fellow mortals begging for help, was a scene I never wish to witness again.

        This completely turned my mind from Nashville, and I went with Captain Montgomery up the Ohio. I however changed boats several times at Cincinnati and Wheeling, I believe. I visited the band in Pittsburg. My acquaintance was somewhat limited. Having sold out, I took stage across the country to Cleveland, Ohio. While at Cleveland, I visited the Sandusky Indians. From Cleveland I went to Painesville and Chardon; and returning to Cleveland, sailed to Detroit. I then started homeward by way of Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. At Cincinnati I became acquainted with Captain Summons and family. I reached home in safety, and was ever glad to get home and see my old friends.

        I made frequent excursions during the last years of my stay in New Orleans. On one occasion I took passage on board the steamer George Washington, Mr. Egerton, Captain. And I take the liberty of saying that he was on the eve of being married to the accomplished Miss Catherine Oldham, of Louisville, Ky. I was introduced to the family, and many of the first families of that city. The day for the marriage to take place was fixed, and I played now and then for the Captain and his lady love, to while away the time, which seemed to hang heavy on their hands; but the wedding day at length arrived, and a bright affair it was too; afterwards they went down to the George Washington and had a ball; here my music was just the thing. During this time I saw the Hon. Henry Clay, for the first time. I knew nothing of politics, but I was much pleased with the man himself. I went to a convention of the whig party; Mr. Clay was the hero of the day. I often played at different political gatherings, without distinction of party.

        I visited Bay St. Louis and was welcomed by the citizens. When I visited a city I was lucky enough to find those whom I could esteem as friends, by playing some of their favorite melodies. Thus wherever I

roamed, with this unseen key did I unlock the heart of the stranger, and find the priceless treasure of a friend. O, where and what should I have been, had not nature planted within me this clue to that changeable organ, the human heart! With it I could disarm envy, avert the eye of suspicion, and although not able, even yet, to clip the tongue of scandal, yet have I trudged side by side with it, and gained more friends than it could make me enemies. When I returned, all of my acquaintances were very glad to see me; it was near the hour for reviewing, and as I was riding through the city, I met a carriage full of friends, who being the first people of the United States, were at liberty to act as to them seemed best, without the fear of enemies; they alighted from their carriage, and crowned me with a wreath of flowers, thus testifying their regard for me in honor of my uncultivated talents. This touched a tender chord