Public Leger, Volume 2, Number 62, Richmond, Wayne County, 28 May 1825 — Page 1

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FRIENDLY TO THE BEST PURSUITS

XCMBEU 62.

FRIENDLY TO THOUGHT, TO FREEDOM, AND To'

OF MAN,

peace' Cowper.

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AMERICAN PORTRAITS.

Frora th ? National Journal. PORTRAIT NO. III. THOMAS JEFFERSON. flith the same brightness of reputation

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin,

Thoxas Jefferson has a peculiarity of

character which renders him remarkable. iVithout being an orator, he writes witli reat eloquence. There is a charm in his compositions which is exceedingly captivatire; but his stle partakes less of simplicitr than of ornament. There is harmony :d hi? periods, and there are sentences in fcis productions which readily impress themselves upon the memory. It is tliis

hrmiMiy which enables us so easily to

recollect much of what fie has written,

for the same reason that w e remember poetry with greater facility than we do prcse. ft is necessary to attend to this ubt in giving a proper value to the man ;

tor it has been to him.a magician's wand,

ikt ha? gained for him immense populari

ty. Af'd yet in one respect, the compositions of Mr. Jefferson are not w t ll calguiifed to fix a sentiment in the heart, as ';.v--?iyf.:eh are more simple nnd natural. Vhn appear to have been constructed w ith fc.-lid embellishment, and the reader is be more affected "ii a first peru- ! Jy tho mu-ic than bv the thought.

yi 'iiiuerstand turn well, vou must read t.rn m rr than once; and it is this circum:;'rre which lias produced the charge of irxcrit v against him. Mr. Jefferson was bred to the profespiutthe law, in the practice of which, '! 'Vf ver, he was not among the most celf' r.tf d. He was a man of contemplation, "'3 his mind took a turn toward the purp of philosophy. The author of the H draft of the Declaration of Independence, his name was intimately associated that glorious event, and he enjoys unfading ,onor 0f ha ing eloquently "dkd those principles which were the mrr.on creed of all the enlightened revo-yticnar)-statesmen of America. In

no Dccame acquainted with the r';'cipal schools of science and art. and

11 1 the had in n nersona in llw nrirriri:il

vtmeiits of 'her revolution. His "feel;r'SMvore interested in the -uccess of the -Sru Fr,,.n , , .

. -v..., ,i jciorrners: and on his rr-

l!Jrn t the Uniff.? s..c

v. uiun j, ni.u in nit; siit-

r ; yarded as the Chief of the Uepublil", !rt ' distinction which he has on-

r t t ' t,K di?r,PPe;,r;iI,cc of party J ' It was of infinite advantage to him

Jf itiKaI career. The American r,tV, invariably prone to sympathize

m, rallied in ast numbers

Itn 'n,.l I,.. I.. i

, ,,rj net ,uuc me acKnowi-

'-y oratl

Cfjfi.riiu

people of every clime who con

need,

4r':i;'d him. r

ir-. , I . C . i

'atic oi ineir oninions.

.t;'tl lc department of Slate, he evinced ro'iJr'5 ':'!Ual l t,lc ofiife and exhibited ht! Ae (lcgrCe of tlu matical 'dc- In t,,e ire-lresidenc, he : a coJK.ctinn of parliamentary pVecc-

- imio .uiu ii uiuc in uis-

, ; ,nnd m the transaction of business.

in - -v, . ,,v, vuifi mar

ii .i . . .

u to i lie duel Al ,.ri.i, l..r..

.Ml ' Political contention; and in an uil snerrli r. a..

IJU' t t r uijcm texture

d l,;, VV,!S Vait,: opponents doubtt,i ' uorjaratim.c i.:i i.:, : i.

1?ratt(l t! ,,,; menus fcdic,rv rnnti-r,',J niori l,,e rou,ld of

iiw,' . out "'uillcss oppo-

a um"Mw duringthe whole eight Co,J"terf f ."""iration. A keen eni!'(alW,tlolain PIition3 and the

3Jy Vt e- U itnincd and occa- ' Jllcrestcd the rM!,lie. This al.o

wasuoav.iilinir, and. aiiorded a nm.j i,nni

very little an Executive who ptirsues, in general, right measures, has to fear from the paper pellets of his adversaries. - A prosperous commerce, an overflowing treasury, and the prevalence of peace, were sufficient answers to the licentious calumnies of the Press. xMr. Jefferson was not qualified for the duties imposed by a state of war. In this particular he confessed his dofiripnrv

Governor of Virginia. His courage, more moral than physical, was not suited for

martial enterprises; nor was he impelled by ambition to seek for military glory. In this he had the merit of knowing himself, and of acting up to his knowledge, but as a politican, he possessed almost inconceivable dexterity. Under the most placid appearances, he had the superior art of influencing and directing th will, nf a

1 nrgn majority of bis countrymen. He was fortunatejn avoiding differenceg with his principal colleagues in office, and is the only president who never changed the head of a Department. This was of incalculable benefit to him, in the, adoption and perfection of his measures Displace-! ments engender disaffection and rivalries: they excite new trains of political reflection.

render the calculation of chances busy.

create hopes that cannot he gratified add

weaken popular confidence in the stability

and wisdom of the Cabinet.

Of a philosophical turn, and familiar

with many subjects of study, Mr. Jefferson

sometimes mingled novel and speculative

ideas with his politics, which subjected him to imputations of eccentricity. They

were but tew, and none of them were serious. The only deviation from the established conceptions of practical men, that was costly to the nation, was his gun-boat

system, which, being better adapted to the

protection ol the shores of a close sea than the extensive margin of a vast and turbu-

lent ocean, has been by common consent ; consigned to oblivion. All his warlike

views were limited to defence, & had no reference to the necessity of rotaliatory aggression. The embargo vii5 founded in tho same policy. Every act of his administration relative to foreign powers, seemed to be for the purpose of averting hostilities. Negotiation succeeded negotiation: delay followed delay ; until Mr. Jeffekson went into retirement and left his successor to combat with an accumulation ofdilht ulties. It is no shght evidence of the authority which he exercised over the sentiments of his ft llow-citiz' iis considering their high spirit and undaunted valour.that amidst the insults, prevarications and outrages, upon our flag and commerce, he was able so

long to induce the majority to be patient

and devoted to the support of his pacific measures, respecting the soundnos of which wise and virtuous statesman still dis agree. Mr. Jefferson has funished our diplomacy with some excellent state papers; he I. as given us some valuable reflections on the fisheries; and a Report upon Weights and Measures, which may be serviceable, but whirh is too brief to be wholly satisfactory. He has contributed some papers to the American Philosophical Society, that do ciedit to his understanding; he has throw n a few raysof light into the obscurity of aboriginal tradition, and has developed to a certain extent the political prospects, the statistical resources and natural curiosities, of his native Commonwealth; to whose special interests, as w ell

as those ol the Union at large, he has manifested an ardent and unvarying attachment. He was the friend of. Ledy aid, and the patron of Lewis and Clarke's expedition; and is crowning the labours of a long life by promoting the establishment of the University of Virginia. In drawing the portrait of such an original, great attention is necessary to perceive and to express all its varieties. Mr. Jefferson has a warm imagination, which has now and then displnled the empire of his mind with his judgment. But the vi vidi less of that restless laculty decays with advancing age; and in several of his later writings, lie has shown that whatever may have been the strength of his allections or of his prejudices, of his love or hatred of individuals, they have been refined into mildness and benignity. Less of a regular author than an occasional writer, more capable in contemplation than in action, more adroit in seizing on circumstances with advantage than in erecting a permanent system of polity, he has been, and still is. : man of uncommon intellectual:

powers, variously employed. In every transaction in which he has been engaged, he has risen above mediocrity; in some instances, his genius has shone' with no little splendour; and had he confined himself to one branch of study, he would probably have elevated himself to the pinnacle of eminence. He will be indubitably counted among the extraordinary men of his day, and will occupy a distinguished place on the page of history with American worthies of the most exalted rank.

From Silliman's Journal of Science and Arts. SEMINOLE INDIANS. The Seminole Indians of Florida are derived from the LowerCreeks, and obtained

; their present location by conquest they

were once numerous, but have been reduced by wars to a small remnant, probably not exceeding two or three thousand, who are sociably grouped in small villages, principally in (lie secondary or rolling districts, uuityig the hunter, pastoral, and agricultural statesof society. The men hunt, erect dwellings and attend to the cattle They have many dogs of European species, but rarely use them in pursuit of game. On hunting excursions, they often he in ambush with theif rifles, on the bor-

! der of a thicket, and arrest the deer with unerring aim, a they issue forth at

dusk to gr.izy; on verdant prairies. Fire hunting with torches is sometimes resorted to at night the game remains stationary.

and it is easily killed: this mode is prohibited among the whites as dangerous. Fortunate nunters supply their less successful neighbours. The Seminoles formerly possessed large herds of fine cattle, but lost many during the late civil war. They have hogs and poultry. The male Indians r e ga rd a g i i c u 1 1 u ra 1 1 a !ou r a s d e g ra d i n g, hut every settlement has its enclosed and cultivated field, often extensive. The ground is prepared, planted and tended by females, with hoes, raising good crops of corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, beans, roots, and tobacco, on fertile hills, and rice in swamps. They milk, make butter, pro

cure wood and water, and do nil the drudgery. The wives and daughters of chiefs are not exempted from labour; some of the

principal Indians following the example of

their civilized neighbours, are proprietors of blacks, mostly born in the Indian region, and occupy separate villages. They are well treated rarely required to do much labour, except in pressing seasons, of tillage, have acquired the erect independent bearing and manners of the aborigines, and arc faithful. There is a mixed race in form and intelligence superior to the Indian and negro. The male Indians, in warm weather, are almost divested of clothing, but females are modestly dressed, ordinarily with short gown and petticoat, imitating the fashions of the whites from whom the materials are procured in exchange for skins, furs, mocasins, leather, venison, nut oil, Sec. Females have ornaments of silver in their ears, and arounS their necks and arms; married women wear plates of silver on their breasts, sometimes suspended by small silver chains these behave with modesty and propriety ; long slits are sometimes observed in the ears of both sexes. The men are fond of ardent spirits and tobacco, the only articles they ask forijportunateIv; but if refused, no dissatisfaction is ex

pressed. Wrhen presented with a bottle of whiskey, it is fairly distributed among the adult males present, but I observed none was offered to the women and children, who did not appear to expect or desire any, though often requesting tobacco and segars for smoaking, of which the smallest are fond. The Indians we had communication with were honest and fair in their dealings,

evincing no thievish disposition; we were received with kindness and hospitality, our wants supplied, nnd they cheerfully put themselves to considerable inconvenience for our accommodation. They are in general tall and well formed. The Seminoles differ considerably in their manners from northern tribes, being very curious, lively and inquisitive. Our clothes, arms, knives, umbrellas, &c. were carefully examined; and some marked on the ground with much exactness the component parts of a coat or other garments they fancied. Our mode of cooking and eating was to the natives a source of much amusement, and laughter, eliciting many humorous remarks. They are usually cheerful and tho intercourse of relatives and neighbours

VOLUME IL

evinced good feelings. At the Indian vu lage of Sanfalasco, not far from the liver Santa Fee, we witnessed the amusementof wrestling and dancing. Dances are held at night on a level hard beaten central spot; males and females move in Indian file around a fire, singing a wild song; there is little diversity in the steps, but the tunes are varied ; each" dance is terminated by a genera hoop. The chief conducted us to a bower, where tre were seated with seine of tho head men; the villagers not engaged io dancing located therflselves in an opposite arbor. The young men unusually dressed and ornamented, had spurs attached totheirshowy long mocasins, and withcheeka blackened to represent whiskers, and faces painted, made a ludicrous appearance. Small tarrapen shells filled with pehblea affixed to the ancles of the female dancers were their only instruments of music ; much laughter was excited by the dancing and various amusing tricks. The dogs re ponded to the Indian yell, and numerous owls, attracted by the light, hooted from the tall hickories and oaks adjacent, while the roar of alligators added to the diversity of sounds. The Indians hold an annual feast, when their crops aregathcred, at which, if a dulterers, who h?ad tied to avoid the punishment of loosbig their ears, apprjr, they are pardoned. The Indians are well ac

quainted with many medicinal planls.

I heir dwellings are usually constructed of logs; the roofs of bark or split pine are very tight; the sides of the best are neatly lined with clap-boards, but without floors or divisions, and much infested by fleas. They have little furniture. Potters' ware of a good shape and well baked, is made by females, x The chief of Sanfalasco, aid

ed by a small bellows, anvil, hammer and file, manufactures with much ingenuity, from coin, handsome ornaments of silver. We conversed frequently with this intelligent old man, through the medium of our interpreter, a shrewd native negro, who spoke fluently Seminole and English. The chief mentioned an instance of Indian credulity. It is believed by the natives, that a monster, with a large serpent's body shining like silver, whose breath is' destructive to all that approach occupies a large sink or cave in East Florida, guarding a mine. Similar stones arc current among Chcrokees. The Spanish authorities made a fruitless search for this treasure a few years since. These Indians do not appear to have a form of worship, but believe in a Supreme Being. The chief informed us that at cording to Indian traditions, the world was created by the Great Spirit; that he formed three men, an Indian, a white man, and a black man the Indian was the most perfect they were called into his presence, and directed to select their employments; the Indian chose a how and arrow, t; e white man a book, and the negro a spade. The chief had heard of our Saviour; and all his suffering, but supposed he had been put to death by the Spaniards. The Indians are very unwilling to leave their lakes, fertile hills, and agreeable climate, for the southern reservations, that has little to recommend it except its being so undesirable, that the Indians may remain there unmolested. The chief said they had cherished a hope that the whites would continue satisfied with the roasts, and suffer them to retain a valuable remnant of their possessions, but observed that it was the will of the Great Spirit, and they must submit. It was with difficulty the Seminoles were induced to assent to the treaty of cession, and they would probably resist its execution if they had any chance of success. Several of the chiefs have reservations, and are permitted to remain in West Florida, with a limited number of followers. There are now several

Indian villages in the great southern reservation. Newspapers in Schools.-1 Newspapers have been introduced as a part of the regular exercise of the scholars, in the academy at Pittsburgh. This cannot but have a most beneficial effect on the minds of the scholars, and we have long wondered that the practice has not generally obtained in our seminaries of education. It certainly must he as profitable to our youth, to be informed of the events of the day, both in our own country and in foreign lands, as it is to spend their time in reading the accounts of the quarrels of the godsend loves of the goddesses of heathcnmyUiology.