CHAP. IV.] TOMOCHICHI AND OTHERS VISIT ENGLAND. 31 you shall say unto me, I will tell them faithfully to all the kings of the Creek nations." The king's answer, though short, was, in the highest degree, conciliatory, and what was termed gracious.* When the chiefs were introduced at court, his majesty received them upon his throne, in the presence chamber, attended by the officers of state, and a numerous court. They were introduced by the Duke of Grafton, chamberlain of his majesty's household; and, after the ceremonies, they returned to their apartments, at the Georgia office. Their first care, after returning from court, was to inter their deceased companion, which was accordingly done with great ceremony, in the burialground of St. John the Evangelist, Westminster, according to the custom of the "Cherokee Creeks," which was in the following manner:-"The deceased bing sewed up in two blankets, with one deal board under and another over him, and tied down with a cord, was placed upon a bier, and carried to the place of interment. There were only present at the time of his being put into the grave, King Tomo, and some of the chiefs, the upper church warden of the parish, and the grave digger. When the corpse was laid in the earth, the clothes of the deceased were thrown into the grave; after this a quantity of glass beads were cast in, and then some pieces of silver; the custom of those Indians being to bury all the deceased's effects with him." Although we have the names of all the chiefs given us that went over with Mr. Oglethorpe, we have not the means of knowing which it was that died. Indians often died on their visits to Europe. One of the five Iroquois chiefs died in England, † in 1710, and of his name too we are ignorant. Mr. Oglethorpe's chiefs, after having been showed the chief curiosities in and about London, were taken to Spithead, where the English fleet lay, that they might go on board and view the tremendous ship Britannia, and some others of great magnitude. On the 30 October, 1734, a little past noon, they embarked at Gravesend, on board the Prince of Wales, for Georgia. Of Tomochichi, who was the most prominent character among them, we have yet a little to add. He lived until he had attained his 97th year, and died 15 October, 1739, five years, wanting 15 days, after he sailed from England. He resided, at the time of his death, about four miles from Savannah. He was highly beloved by the English, having always been their particular friend, fought for them in war, and aided them by his counsel in peace. He was aware of the approach of death, and expressed but little desire to live longer, as he should be unable to aid his allies any more against the Spaniards. For General Oglethorpe he expressed the greatest tenderness, and entreated the Indians to bear in remembrance the kindnesses with which the king of England bad treated him, and hoped they would always remain his subjects. Having expressed a wish that his body might be buried among the English in Savannah, accordingly, his corpse was there interred in Percival Square, with military parade, and General Oglethorpe ordered a pyramid to be erected over it, with an appropriate inscription. ‡ Thus are traced the first steps in the history of Georgia, and thus did every thing promise a continuance of that friendship so well begun by General Oglethorpe. Nothing was left undone, while the Creek chiefs were in England, to impress upon their minds exalted ideas of the power and greatness of the English nation. The nobility were not only curious to see them, but entertained them at their tables in the most magnificent style. Multitudes flocked around them, conferring gifts and marks of respect upon them. The king allowed them £20 sterling a week, during their stay, and it was computed that, at their return to America, they brought presents to the amount of £400 sterling. After remaining in England four months, they embarked at Gravesend for Georgia. They were conveyed to the place of embarkation in his majesty's carriages. § In the invasion of Georgia by the Spaniards, in 1743, many Indians were drawn into the controversy, on both sides. Toeanoeowi, || or Tooanohowi, a nephew of Tomochichi, was shot through the right arm, in an encounter with Harris, Voyages. † Kalm's Travels in America, i. 210. Harris. |