fensive weapons, ready to strike him as he runs, in the same manner as is done in the European armies when soldiers, as it is called, ron the gauntlet. If he should be so unlucky as to fall in the way, he will probably be immediately despatched by some person, longing to avenge the death of some relation or friend slain in battle; but the moment he reaches the goal, he is safe and protected from further insult until his fate is determined.

If a prisoner in such a situation shows a determined courage, and when bid to run for the painted post, starts at once with all his might, and exerts all his strength and agility until he reaches it, he will most commonly escape without much harm, and sometimes without any injury whatever, and on reaching the desired point, he will have the satisfaction to hear his courage and bravery applauded. But wo to the coward who hesitates, or shows any symptoms of fear! He is treated without much mercy, and is happy, at last, if he escapes with his life.

In the month of April 1782, when I was myself a prisoner at Lower Sandusky, waiting for an opportunity to proceed with a trader to Detroit, I witnessed a scene of this description which fully exemplified what I have above stated. Three American prisoners were one day brought in by fourteen warriors from the garrison of Fort M‘Intosh. As soon as they had crossed the Sandusky river to which the village lay adjacent, they were told by the Captain of the party to run as hard as they could to a painted post which was shown to them. The youngest of the three, without a moment's hesitation, immediately started for it, and reached it fortunately without receiving a single blow; the second hesitated for a moment, but recollecting himself, he also ran as fast as he could and likewise reached the post unhurt'; but the third, frightened at seeing so many men, women and children with weapons in their hands, ready

to strike liim, kept begging the Captain to spare his life, saying he was a mason, and he would build him a fine large stone house, or do any work for him that he should please.“ Run for your life," cried the chief to him," and don't talk now of building houses!" But the poor fellow still insisted, begging and praying to the Captain, who at last finding his exhortations vain, and fearing the consequences, turned his back upon him, and would not hear him any longer. Our mason now began to run, but received many a hard blow, one of which nearly brought him to the ground, which, if he had fallen, would at once have decided his fate. He, however, reached the goal, not without being sadly bruised, and he was besides, bitterly reproached and scoffed at all round as a vile coward, while the others were hailed as brave men, and received tukens of universal approbation. HECKEWELDER,

CIVILIZED INDIAN GUILTY OF FORGERY.

The following are curious documents concerning the above fact. They are now first printed from the originals in my possession. There is something very simple and touching in the memorial of the Chiefs; but the letter of the offender himself is rather too canting. Education seems in his instance, to have obliterated every atom of real and native eloquence. It is to be hoped that he was sincere in his contrition; but real shame and sorrow seldom seek for fine phrases; and poor Josiah, it must be acknowledged, expresses himself too much like a Milliner's apprentice who had been studying the

Complete Letter Writer.". The penmanship is in a plain, strong hand. I have had the letter printed without any alteration whatever, in either spelling or punctuation. B.

To his Excellency De Witt Clinton, Governor of the

State of New-York.

The memorial and petition of the undersigned Chiefs Peace makers and warriors of the Muhbiconnuk or Stockbridge Tribe of Indians humbly representeth:

That whereas a certain young man of our Tribe by the name of Josiah W. Andrew had committed a forgery about one year ago last March, and was sentenced to the State's Prison at Auburn for the term, of five years. And we have thought it was our duty to write few lines to your Excellency on his behalf. Be it known to your Excellency that it is well known to all our Tribe, that previous to the crime for which said Josiah was committed, he had always maintained a good character, and was considered by the nation to be a good meaning, innocent, and inoffensive young man, and was never known to be guilty' of any heinous crime, only that he was subject to intemperate habits, which finally brought bim to the place where he is now in confinement. The said Josiah, has an aged and poor father who is very infirm, and wishes to see his son in order to have his help and to comfort him in his declining years, as he has no other son or daughter in this country to render him any assistance.

We therefore hope and pray your Excellency will condescend to have the goodness to pardon the said poor Josiah, as we have reason to believe that he will reform if he will be restored to society once more. And we believe he has already reformed by the information we have received from him.

This is the desire of the whole of our nation, and hope that your Excellency will hear us and grant us our request.

Done in a general Council, at New Stockbridge, this 16th day of January, 1821.

Hendrick Aupaumut,

Isaac Littleman, Jacob Kunkopot,

Elisha Konkapot, Solomon Q. Henduik, John Littleman, Abner W. Hendrick,

John Baldwin, Abram Man-maun-teth-e-con, Cornelius Aaron, John W. Quinney,

Thomas Palmer, Abram Pie,

Harry Aaron, Solomon U. Hendrick, Clk, Jacob Cheekthauron, Thomas J. Hendrick, Francis P. Aaron, William Tompson.

In behalf of the Tribe. ,

Auburn, December 24th, 1820. MR. SARGENT SIR,

I imbrace this oppertunity of conversing with you by way of writing to inform you of my health which is as good as I can expect, confined as I am within the walls of this drery and cold prison whilst I hope you and yours injoy the blessing and at your liberties which is the greatist blessing that mortals can injoy in this vain and delusive world but alas that bounty I have violated that fatal deed which my heart bleeds when I reflect but I am ditermined if ever I can again be restored to my former injoyments that I will put a double restrain on my conduct and never again violate the laws of my country. Mr. Sargent I hope you will be so good as to see my friends and will indeaver with them to assist me this ounce to my liberty for which favour I shall ever conceder myself under the greatist obligations-consider me sir as a mortal liable to the frowns of fortune for we are none of us exempt I hope you will not leave me to linger out my few remaining years in this wreatched abode 1 once more intreat you to have compassion on me as you expect mercy of your creator for each of us as mortals have kneed of mercy from that divine being I wish sir you would see my father

and see what has been the cause of my never receving any word from him as I never have receved any word from him since I was first arested ask him sir if he considers me dead because I have once done wrong tell him his erring son is yet alive and earnistly solisits your pardon and a pardon from the government against which he has offended I hope he with your assistence will soon restore me to my liberty and iny futer good conduct shall apologise for the past do not neglect me sir for I am heartyly sorry for my fault

Mr. Sargent I hope you will send me an answer as soon as you receve this give my love to my cousin Jacob Chicks and his family with all inquiring friends This from your unhappy but sincere friend

JOSIAH W. ANDREW, To the Rev. John Sargent, Vernon, County Oneida, N. York.

(with speed.)

ATTACHMENT TO THE MEMORY OF DECEASED

FRIENDS.

A distinguished Oneida Chief named Skenandou, having yielded to the teaching of his minister, (the Rev. Mr. Kirkland,) and lived a reformed man for fifty years, said, in his 120th year, just before he died, “I am an aged hemlock. The winds of one hundred years have whistled through my branches. I am dead at the top.” (He was blind.) “Why I yet live, the great good Spirit only knows. Pray to my Jesus that I may wait with patience my appointed time to die ; and when I die, lay me by the side of my minister and father, that I may go up with him at the great resurrection."