-






-
-
Zºº ºzz/ºwevº Žerzºzºwº ſº wº
* * ºr ºf ºzºº ºf Zoº & Zºo scº Zºº. "
º, º ze, ZoZº. Zeº, º zºº ºve
º- * *







THE
iſ, ITT, º
OS A G E CAPTIVE,
ſºuthentic Eattattºº.
BY ELIAS CORNELIUS,
BOSTON:
sauvet T. ARMSTRoNG AND chocker & Baewºº,
NEW YORK: JOHN P. Haven.
1822.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wº.
District Clerk’s Office.
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the first day of
March, A. D. 1822, and in the forty-sixth year of the Inde-
pendence of the United States of America, Samuel T.
Armstrong, of the said district, has deposited in this office,
the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprie-
tor, in the words following, to wit:
“The Little Osage Captive, an authentic narrative; by
Elias Cornelius.”
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United
States, intitled, “An act for the encouragement of learn-
ing, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to
the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times
therein mentioned;” and also to an act intitled, “An act
supplementary to an act, intitled an act for the encourage-
ment of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts
and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies
during the times therein mentioned; and extending the
benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and
etching historical and other prints.”
JNO. W. DAVIS,
Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

ADWERTISEMENT.
-
It having been stated, in the notice for publishing the
Little Osage Captive, that the work would be accom-
panied with “several cuts;” it may appear strange that
it should have been issued with but two engravings.
The reason is, that when that notice was given, it was
expected the engravings would be prepared on wood,
instead of copper, as has been the fact. The latter, it
is well known, are more expensive than the former,
and being capable of a much finer execution—are es-
teemed more valuable. It was thought that a smaller
number prepared in this way would be more accepta-
ble than a larger number prepared in the other.
|
-
-
- - -
-
-
- -
- -
- -
-
-
-
-
- - -
- - - -
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- -
-
- -
- -
- -
-
- -
- - - -
-
-
- - -
-
- -
- - -
- - -
- -
- - -
- - - -
- -
- - -













PREFACE.
in the year 1817 the writer of the following nar-
rative, was employed by the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, to visit sev-
eral tribes of Indians, residing in the south west-
ern parts of the United States. The object of
the mission, was to converse with the natives
and obtain their consent to have schools, and
other institutions, established among them, for
the purpose of instructing them in Christianity,
and the most useful arts of civilized life.
While performing the duties of this appoint-
ment, the principal incidents occurred, which are
related in this little history. The facts which
it contains, are derived from the author's own
knowledge; or from the testimony of persons o
undoubted veracity. Some of them have been
*1

5 PREFACE.
published already, and have awakened a lively
interest in the religious community. But, as
they were imperfectly known, and lay scattered
through several volumes.of missionary intelli-
gence, it was conceived that they might be put
into the form of a continued narrative, and be
so combined with other facts not hitherto pub-
lished, as to make a useful and entertaining
memoir.
Such a memoir, it was thought, would be
especially interesting to children and youth; and
would serve to direct their attention to those ef.
forts which are made to enlighten and convert the
heathem. By the aid of parents and instructers,
it might perhaps, help to enkindle their zeal in
the missionary cause; and prompt them to those
early habits of exertion, in supporting it, which
are the sure means of its future prosperity.
It was the hope of interesting this class of
persons, chiefly, which led the writer to the
present undertaking. He believes that the time
has come, when new, and unparalleled exertions,
must be made to propagate the Gospel. The
present generation will do little more than be-
gin the work. To the rising generation, and
the generations to come, it must be left to carry
on and complete it.

PREFACE. 6
It is impossible, therefore, to say, how much
is depending upon the direction which is now
given, on this subject, to the minds of children
and youth. The views and prepossessions of
early life, are not easily lost. Should these, for
time to come, be in favor of missionary exer-
tions, the result would be auspicious, beyond the
power of present calculation. Let it every
where be deeply impressed upon the minds of
children and youth, that the wants of the hea-
then are pressing and great; and that it is the
duty of all, who have the means, to send them
the Gospel: let them, from the commencement
of their rational existence, be taught to think
much of the condition of the heathen, to com-
miserate their wretchedness, and to make fre-
quent sacrifices for their benefit; and who can
tell, what revolutions may be effected, in the
moral state of mankind, within the course of
another generation?
It becomes parents and teachers, and all, who
have the management of youth, to ponder
deeply the responsibility of their station, as
it respects the interests of this great cause.
It becomes every mother to consider it; and as
she moulds the pliant mind of her inſant child,
to be careful to impress it, with a conviction
of its superior excellence, and the strength

8 PREFACE.
of its claims to the support of every humane
and benevolent person. Who knows, but upon
her fidelity, may be pending the character and
state of future millions, both for this world, and
the next? Could the mother of the illustrious
Washington have known, that the future instru-
ment of her country’s independence, was en-
trusted to her care; how would she have felt
the motives to faithfulness increased? And shall
not every pious mother now, be stimulated
to unwearied diligence by the reflection, that
the infant son whom she holds in her arms, may
yet be enrolled with a Brainerd, or a Swartz,
a Buchanan, or a Martyn?
Should this little book afford any aid, to those
who are endeavoring to make an impression
upon the rising generation, in favor of the mis-
sionary cause, the writer will not have labored
in vain; and that this may be the effect of it, he
would ſervently commend it to the favor and
blessing of God.
Salem, Massachusetts.
Teb. 1829.

THE,
LITTLE OSAGE CAPTIVE.
-
CHAPTER I.
The author is travelling in the wilderness. Meets a party
of Indian warriors. Observes among them a little Indian
girl. Is told that she is a captive, who has been taken in
a war with another tribe. Her Indian owner shows him
the scalps of her father and mother. The author
entreats him to place her in the missionary school at
Brainerd. He consents; and the author addresses a letter
by him to Mr. Kingsbury.
THE little Indian girl, who is the subject
of this narrative, was brought to notice
by a remarkable interposition of Prov-
idence. In the autumn of 1817, I
was travelling from Brainerd, a mis-
sionary station among the Cherokee
Indians, to New Orleans. Early on

10 THE LITTLE
the morning of Saturday, November
15th, as I was journeying on horseback,
in company with three or four other
persons, we came to a small stream
which forms the eastern boundary of
the Chickasaw tribe of Indians, and
which the white people call, Caney-
creek. It was in the wilderness,
a few miles south of the Tennessee
river, and about two hundred miles
west from Brainerd.
As there are but few bridges in the
country, travellers are, commonly, oblig-
ed to ford the streams;–or where the
water is too deep to admit of this, they
drive their horses into them and make
them swim across; while they contrive
to get over, upon logs, or in some other
Way.
When we arrived at Caney-creek,
we found that we should be unable to
cross it, without much difficulty, as well
as danger. A heavy rain had fallen,

OSAGE CAPTIVE. | 1
the day and night before, and had rais-
edit to such a height, that its banks
were overflown in many places; and
every pit in the low grounds through
which it runs, was filled with water.
It was necessary, however, that we
should proceed on our journey as rap-
idly as possible. The Sabbath was
approaching; and we wished to observe
it as a day of rest. There were no
suitable accommodations for ourselves
or our horses, where we were; and
good accommodations, a few miles be-
yond. We spared no pains, therefore,
to overcome the difficulties of our situ-
ation. But all was in vain. After
toiling several hours, we were com-
pelled to desist, and stay where we
were, until the waters should subside.
Our disappointment was great; but
Providence had wise and good ends
to accomplish by our delay. Towards
evening, a company of Indians arrived
12 THE LITTLE
from the westward; and, being much
more expert in the use of their horses
than we were, succeeded in crossing the
creek. They proved to be a party of
Cherokees, returning from the country
which had recently been ceded to them,
by the Government of the United
States, on the west side of the Missis-
sippi river.
The country, which had thus been
ceded, lies upon the North side of the
Arkansaw river, about four hundred
miles above its junction with the Missis-
sippi. It had been given them, in ex-
change for other lands, belonging to
their tribe, on the east side of that
river. The Cherokees who emigrate
there, are called Arkansaw Cherokees,
to distinguish them from those who re-
main in their native country.
The party who have been mention-
ed, had been visiting their newly ac-
quired territory; and were returning


OSAGE CAPTIVE. 13
with the view of taking their families
thither, in the spring. As the object
of my mission was to confer with the
Indians, respecting the institution of
schools, and other means of instruction,
among them, I thought this a good
opportunity to ascertain the feelings
of the Arkansaw Cherokees on the
subject; and accordingly walked to the
place where the party had encamped
for the night.
There were a dozen or more of
them; and among them, one who could
talk a little English. They had built
a fire under a tall tree, which stood
upon agentle rise of ground, about half
a mile from the creek. Some of them,
were sitting upon the ground, and the
rest were standing. Their baggage
consisted of various articles of travel-
ling furniture; some sacks of corn and
other provisions; the skins of wild
heasts with which they made their
o
-
14 THE LITTLE
beds at night; several bunches of bows
and arrows—which, together with their
guns and tomahawks, were lying about
promiscuously upon the ground, and
presented a truly savage appearance.
The bows and arrows, with some
other things, I learned had been taken
from the Osage Indians, with whom
they had been at war. Some of them
were stained with blood, having been
taken from the bodies of the killed or
wounded.
These Osages are a large and pow-
erful tribe, whose country extends from
the waters of the Arkansaw, to those
of the Missouri. They are divided
into two nations; and are called the
Osages of the Missouri, or the Osages
of the Arkansaw, according as the
country they inhabit, is in the neigh-
borhood of one or the other of these
rivers. It was with the latter, that the
Cherokees had been to war; the coº
|







OSAGE CAPTIVE. 15
try they occupy, lying contiguous to
that which is claimed by the Osages of
the Arkansaw.”
But, that which most of all attracted
my attention, in the Indian group, I have
described, was a little girl, apparently
not more than five years old, who seem-
ed to be travelling with them. She
was the only female, and the only child,
in the company. Thinking it strange
that so young a person, should be trav-
elling with a party of Indian warriors,
I inquired whose child she was? They
replied,—she was a captive, whom
they had taken from the Osages in one
of their late engagements. I asked,
what had become of her parents?
When one of them went to his sack,
and took from it. Two scALPs ºf ſere,”
said he, “they are;” holding them up in
his hand before me. The poor child
gazed at them with astonishment, as
* For an account of the origin of the war, See Appendix.

16 THE LETTLE
though she knew not what to make
of it.
If ever I felt the deepest pity, it
was when I beheld this unoffending
prisoner. To the persons and language
of those about her, she was an utter
stranger. Her parents were dead; and
such were the horrid memorials, by
which the thought was to be kept alive
in her memory. She had travelled with
her new owners, more than five hundred
miles through a dreary wilderness;–
and knew not how much further she
might have to go. The season was
cold and rainy; and she had been expos-
ed to all its inclemencies, without a
shelter for nearly a month.
I went up to her, and attempted to
take her into my arms; but immediate-
ly she began to cry. The Indians
smiled, and said, she was afraid of me,
because I was a white man. She had
probably heard much of the cruelty
OSAGE CAPTIVE. 17
and injustice of the white people, and
had formed an idea that they were
even worse than the Indians.
How much I wished she could know
the feelings of my heart towards her.
But she understood not my language,
and there was no one present, who
could converse with her, in her own.
I endeavored, however, by treating her
kindly, and using the tenderest, and
most affectionate tones, when I spoke to
her, to gain her confidence; and make
her feel that I was her friend. I gave
her some cake, and a bright little cup
which I happened to have with me,
and she took them with cheerfulness,
The latter pleased her greatly; but
with the former, she seemed not to
know what to do. It was probably the
first time, she had ever seen any food of
this kind. -
In her appearance, the little Osage
captive wºretter than most children.
º











18 THE LITTLE
She had, it is true, the copper-color
which belongs to all the Indians of
America; but her features were so reg-
ular; she had so much mildness and
simplicity in her eye; and her strait,
black hair, hung down so loosely about
her neck, that one could not help call-
ing her a handsome child. Her dress
was poor, but better than Indian chil-
dren of her age, are accustomed
to Wear. She had something like
a bonnet, upon her head; and a loose
woollen blanket, was wrapped around
her, to shield her from the weath-
el".
I now thought of nothing so much,
as how I might obtain her deliverance
from captivity. Understanding that an
Indian in the company, had bought her
of the original captor, by giving a
horse for her, I addressed myself to
him; and tried to get his consent to have
her sent to Brainerd, at this timecalled
OSAGE CAPTIVE. 19
Chick-a-mau-gāh; where a missionary
establishment had been made, and a
school opened, for the education of In-
dian children. I assured him that she
should be fed, and clothed, and instruct-
ed, free of expense to him; and intimat-
ed, that if he preferred it, the missiona-
ries would bring her up as their own
child, and pay him a reasonable price
for her redemption.
Observing that he had an affec-
tion for the child, I appealed to his
feelings; and represented to him on the
one hand, the greatness of the calamity
which she had met with; and on the
other, how well it would be made up,
by allowing her to live with the mis-
sionaries, who would be the kindest of
fathers and mothers to her, and give
her an education which might make
her happy in this world, and in the
world to come.






20 - THE LITTLE
To my great satisfaction, he ap-
peared to feel what I said; and con-
sented, without much hesitation, to send
her to the school soon after his return
home. I then sat down, and wrote by
him to the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, the
superintendant of the establishment, de-
siring him to receive the orphan, and
iſ possible, to redeem her. The price
which her owner demanded, as nearly
as I can recollect, was one hundred dol-
lars. I knew, that it would be difficult
for Mr. Kingsbury to advance so large
a sum, consistently with other claims
upon the Institution; but I had no doubt,
the money would be refunded to him,
the moment an appeal should be made
to the public.
These arrangements being made, I
took my leave of the Indians, and of
the little Osage; and returned to the
place where I had stopped for the
night, with emotions which it would
OSAGE CAPTIVE. 21
be difficult to describe. I could not
help admiring the wisdom, and good-
ness of Providence, which seemed to
have detained me here, on purpose that
I might meet this company of Indians,
and rescue, as I hoped, an unfortunate
heathen child from captivity. The de-
lay was contrary to my own intentions;
and for a time, was a severe trial.
But I now saw that it had been ordered
in kindness, and felt sincerely thankful
for it.
On the morrow, the waters of the
creek had fallen, and I proceeded on
my journey, with my companions, at an
early hour. We had not advanced far
before we met several other parties of
Cherokees, more numerous than the
first, returning from the Arkansaw
country; among whom, we afterwards
learned, were other captives. But we
passed them without stopping, and had
no opportunity to ascertain the fact


22 THE LITTLE
In a little time, we were at the place
which we had labored so industriously
to reach the day before; and finding
the necessary accommodations for our-
selves and our horses, we observed the
remainder of the day, as a season, of
rest.
CHAPTER II.
A generous donation to redeem the Osage Captive. Diffi-
culties in the way of obtaining her release. The author
returns through the wilderness and visits the place where
she lives. On account of a supposed order of Govern-
ment her Indian owner declines giving her up. Applica-
tion to the Osages in her behalf. Application to the Gov-
ernment. President directs her to be placed in the
missionary school at Brainerd. She is brought to Brai-
nerd and is named Lydia Carter.
ºr will readily be imagined, that the
occurrences related in the last chapter,
left a deep impression upon my mind.
As I pursued my journey, I felt more
and more solicitous to know what would

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 23
be the result of the interview at Caney-
creek; and waited with some impa-
tience to receive letters from Brainerd.
On my arrival at Natchez, the capi-
tal of the state of Mississippi, I often
related the history of the Little Osage
Captive. It happened upon one of .
these occasions, that Mrs. Lydia Cat-
ter,” a worthy lady who lived a few
miles from Natchez, was present, and
heard the recital. Her heart was
touched with pity; and in a few days
I had the satisfaction to hear from her,
that if one hundred and fifty dollars
would ransom the child, she was will-
ing to appropriate that sum for the
purpose-
So unexpected and generous a dona-
tion, encouraged the hope, that she
was soon to be released from captivity,
and permanently placed in the mission-
since, Mrs. Williams of Brimfield, Mass.

24 THE LITTLE
ary family at Brainerd. But in this
we were disappointed. A letter re-
ceived from Mr. Kingsbury, after my
arrival at New Orleans, and more than
two months subsequently to the trans-
actions at Caney-creek, informed me
that the Indian, who claimed the child,
had called, but without bringing her
with him. It was also stated, that
he had refused to give her up at all,
except on the condition, of receiving a
negro girl, of her size, in exchange for
her. This, being a condition, with
which the missionaries could never
comply, it was impossible to say, how
long she might continue in her present
situation: besides, the disposition now
shown to make a slave of her, was cal-
culated to darken the prospect of her
speedy deliverance. -
It did not become us, however, tº
despond after the signal interpositions
of Providence which had been witness-

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 25
ed in her behalf. I resolved, on my
return from New Orleans, when I
should have occasion to pass through
the Cherokee country again, to visit
the Indian with whom she lived; and to
renew my endeavors to obtain her re-
lease.
Accordingly, in the spring of 1818,
having received the sum which had been
given to ransom her, I passed through
the wilderness, and called at the place
where she lived. It was a lonely hut
in the woods, far from the dwellings of
civilized people, and about sixty miles
from Brainerd.
Unfortunately, the Indian who owned
her was not at home. I saw his fami-
ly, however, and among them the little
captive, on whose account so much so-
licitude was felt. She appeared to re-
- member me, and the moment she saw
me, came running up with as much con-
fidence, as if I had been her father.
3

26 THE LITTLE
She seemed also to be quite happy in
her new situation; having found a num-
ber of little playmates in the family
with whom she lived. As I had no in-
terpreter, it was impossible to commu-
nicate my wishes to her; and I was com-
pelled to leave her, again, without be-
ing able to address her, in any more
intelligible language than that of looks,
and gestures, and the tones of my voice.
On the 14th of May, I arrived at
Brainerd; and was happy to find there,
that distinguished friend and servant of
the missionary cause, Jeremiah Evarts,
Esq; who was travelling for his health,
and had arrived a few days before me.
The best measures which could be de-
vised with Mr. Evarts and the missiona-
ries, were now taken, to procure the
release of the child, and to have her
placed in the missionary family.
But new, and unexpected difficulties,
arose. A report was put into circula:

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 27
tion, among the Cherokees, that the
President of the United States had
requested all captives, taken in the
war with the Osages to be given up;
and it was understood, that the In-
dian who had possession of this little
girl, did not feel himself at liberty, un-
der these circumstances, to relinquish
her to the missionaries, but was about
to return her to her own nation.
Of the correctness of this report,
we were unable to judge, with certain-
ty. On some accounts, it seemed likely
that it was true. It was very credita-
ble to the Government, and agreed with
their general conduct towards the In-
dians, to suppose, that they had thus
interposed their influence in the cause of
humanity. Such a step might also be
viewed by them, as the most probable
means of restoring peace to the tribes,
and preventing the recurrence of other
and still greater calamities.

28 THE LITTLE
Far, indeed, was it from our wishes,
to do any thing to defeat this benevo-
lent intention. But even supposing that
the request had been made, it was be-
lieved that an exception might be
granted in favor of the present case.
The child in question, was very young;
and but poorly able, to endure the
hardships of another journey, of sev-
eral hundred miles, through the wilder-
ness. Both her parents were declared
by the Cherokees, to be dead; and if
she returned, it was to be feared there
was neither kindred nor home to re-
ceive her. Why, then, might she not
be left at Brainerd, where so many ad-
vantages existed for promoting her pre-
sent, and future happiness? It was pre-
sumed that the Osages, themselves,
would be willing to have her left there,
could they be properly informed, of the
wishes of those, who were desirous of
giving her an education; and if they

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 29
should consent, the Government would
no doubt approve of the measure.
While we were thus deliberating on
the subject, information was received,
that a deputation of Indians, from the
tribe to which she belonged was soon
to meet at St. Louis, in the Territory of
Missouri, for the purpose of holding a
council with his Excellency William
Clark; Governor of the Territory, and
Agent of the United States, for that
tribe. We resolved, to take this op-
portunity to make known our wishes to
the Osages, and if possible, to obtain
their consent, to have the child left
at Brainerd. In pursuance of this
design, a letter was addressed by Mr.
Evarts to Governor Clark, acquaint-
ing him with the facts, and soliciting his
friendly aid in accomplishing the plan
which had been proposed.
No answer was received to this com-
munication, until late in the following
3%

30 THE LITTLE
autumn. In the mean time, Mr. Evarts
and myself, had taken leave of our
friends at Brainerd, and in the hope
that it might yet be called for, had
committed to them the ransom money
given by Mrs. Carter. Finding it con-
venient as we returned, to pass through
Washington, we determined to lay the
subject before the Government; and if
the President approved the measure,
to request that the child might be re-
ceived into the school by his authority,
and retained there during his pleasure.
It was thought that this course might
be taken, without giving any just
cause of complaint to the Indians. It
would not bind the President to any
measures, which would oppose the
wishes of the Osages;–at the same
time, it would remove a principal objec-
tion, in the mind of the Indian who
possessed the child, against giving her
up, and enable the missionaries, per-

os Agrº captive. ” 31.
haps, to ransom her without further
delay. -
Upon our arrival at Washington, we
conversed on the subject with the
Agent of Indian Trade, Thomas L.
McKenney, Esq., whose exertions for
the good of the Indians, are well known,
and entitle him to the gratitude of the
community. He approved of our de-
sign, and offered us all the aid in his
power.
Our next interview, was with the
Secretary of War, the Honorable
John C. Calhoun. From him we learn-
ed that the Government had not re-
quested the captives to be given up, as
reported among the Cherokees. He
received us with kindness and treated
our object, with deep and friendly in-
terest. He assured us, he would take
the first opportunity to lay the subject
before the President; and would inform
us of the result, We soon learned that
32 THE LITTLE
the President approved of the plan, and
would take measures to carry it into
effect. A letter was accordingly for.
warded, by the Secretary of War, to
Col. Meigs, the Agent of the United
States for the Cherokee tribe, author-
izing him to obtain the child and place
her in the school at Brainerd.
Thus, through the humanity of the
Government, whose conduct towards
the Indians has, in many other instan-
ces, been such as to do them the high-
est honor, we had a prospect of soon
gaining our object. The little girl,
whose freedom had so long been sought,
had become the subject of many
hopes and prayers;–and God, who had
so remarkably encouraged them, we
doubted not, had many blessings in store
for her.
On the 28th of Sept, the missionaries
at Brainerd, received the joyful intelli-
gence, that the Osage captive was








OSAGE CAPTIVE. 33
within four miles of them, and would
be sent to them, the first opportunity.
Unwilling, however, that her arrival
should be deferred another day, the
Rev. Ard Hoyt, who had succeeded
Mr. Kingsbury in the charge of the es-
tablishment, went immediately for her,
and had the happiness to introduce
her, himself, to Brainerd.
The scene which took place, in the
interview, first with Mr. Hoyt and
subsequently with the mission school
and family—is thus described in the
Brainerd Journal:
“On seeing the dear orphan, who ap-
pears to be four or five years old,he (Mr.
Hoyt) directed her to be told in Cher-
okee, for she does not understand Eng-
lish, that he would be her father.
She fixed her eyes with great earnest-
ness upon him, about half a minute;
and then, with a smile, reached him her
bonnet, as a token that she accepted
34 THE LITTLE
-
the offer, and would go with him. As
he took her on the horse before him,
she gave him some nuts, which she had
in her hand, and leaned her head on
his bosom, as if she had already found
a father. She was very playful and
talkative, for a while, and then fell
asleep, and slept most of the way to
the mission house.
“When first introduced to the family,
she seemed a little surprised, on seeing
so many gather around her; but the
children beginning to talk to her, in a
language she understood, her cheerful-
ness immediately returned, and she ap-
peared to be quite at home. It is said
she speaks the Cherokee language well
for one of her age, though it is but little
more than a year since her captivity.”
It was understood that if the mission-
aries succeeded in obtaining her, she
should be named Lydia CARTER, in re-
membrance of the lady who contrib-











OSAGE CAPTIVE. 35
uted so liberally for her redemption.
She was, accordingly, ever afterwards
called by this name. In concluding
their notice of her arrival, the mission-
aries say: “our feelings on the reception
of this exiled orphan, may be more
easily conceived than described. We
feel ourselves bound not only in duty,
but by the feelings of our hearts, to
train her as an own child.”
-
-
CHAPTER III.
The little Osage adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain.
Gov. Clark’s letter, communicating the result of the ap-
plication to the Osage chiefs. Intelligence of two other
Osage captives. One of them is rescued from slavery,
and placed, by order of Government, in the missionary
school at Brainerd,
We have now traced the history of the
Osage captive, from the time she was
first met with, at Caney-creek, to
the period of her arrival at Brain-
erd. For ten months, her case had
been in a state of suspense; and it was

36 THE LITTLE
not until much exertion had been made,
that her deliverance was effected. But
it was a rich reward for all the pains
which had been taken, that so good a
home was provided for her at last.
Here, it was hoped, she would long re-
main, and enjoy the protection of
friends, who not only loved her, but
would pray for her, and instruct her in
a knowledge of God, and of her Sa-
vior Jesus Christ.
All the members of the missionary
family regarded her with deep interest;
but to the Rev. William Chamberlain
and his wife, she became an object of
special endearment. To them,the imme-
diate care of her education was com-
mitted. They received her into their
family, and adopted her, as their own
child. She was taught to call them
father, and mother, and to feel towards
them as such; while they addressed
her as their daughter—and as the sister

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 37
of another little daughter whom they
had, whose name was Catharine.
It would be pleasant to proceed to
give some account of the manner in
which she spent her time with these
new friends; but there are some things
of an interesting nature connected with
her history, which deserve to be previ-
ously mentioned.
One of them is, the result of the ap-
plication, made through Governor
Clark, to the Osage Chiefs, for leave to
obtain her, and educate her at Brain-
erd. Not long after she had been
placed in the school, by the authority
of the President, a letter was received
from Governor Clark, which gave the
missionaries some uneasiness, and ma-
terially affected her future prospects.
The letter was addressed to Mr, Evarts,
and is as follows:–
4.

38 THE LITTLE
“St. Louis, Oct. 8, 1818.
“SIR-In compliance with the generous
and humane wishes expressed in your
letter of the 3rd of June last, I have
made several applications to the Osa-
ges. A few days since, in a general
council at this place, a formal applica-
tion was made directly to the father
of the child, (who was not killed in the
battle as the Cherokees supposed.)
He seemed much flattered at the inter-
est, his child had excited, but would not
consent to part with it, to be taken so
far off Indeed, the whole nation" ap-
pear to feel great repugnance at the
idea of trusting their offspring in the
hands of strangers, at a distance from
them. They all feel the force of par
* The word nation is frequently applied, by persons in
the western country, to a tribe of Indians. It may appear
singular, that bodies of people, so small as the Indian tribes,
should be spoken of in this manner; but when we consider
that they generally speak a different language, it does not
appear to be a very improper use of the word.

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 39
rental affection, but know very little of
social confidence.
Signed, WILLIAM CLARK.”
Many thanks were due to the Gov-
ernor for the kind interest which he
had shown upon this occasion. The
fact that the father of the child was
supposed to be still alive-though it
greatly surprised us, after all which the
Cherokees had said relative to the
death of both her parents, was a suf-
ficient reason why the application had
failed. For, as the Governor intimates
in his letter, there are no people more
fond of their children, than the Indians,
or more unwilling to part with them,
except where they know the individu-
als into whose hands they entrust them,
and feel assured of seeing them again
Whether, therefore, the Indian
mentioned by Governor Clark, should
prove to be the father of Lydia Car-

40 THE LITTLE
ter or not, and there were some
reasons for thinking he was not—the
fact that the Osages, considered him as
such, was a circumstance which could
not but render her continuance at
Brainerd, very doubtful. Still, the
missionaries had received her into
the school by the direction of the
President of the United States, and
they were not at liberty to part with
her except by an order from him.
They felt happy in thinking that Proy-
idence had committed her to them; and
would continue her under their care so
long as it was best. They resolved,
therefore, to proceed in educating her
and training her up, as their own child:
trusting in God, that he would bless
their endeavors to guide her into the
way of eternal life. Her adopted par
rents, having formed these views, dedi-
cated her to God, in the ordinance of
baptism, on the 10th of January 1819.

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 41
We are now to relate another inter-
position of Providence, scarcely less
remarkable than that which occurred
in the deliverance of the child, to
whose history we have been attend-
ing.
On the first of December 1818, Col.
Meigs, the venerable and worthy Agent
before mentioned, informed the mission-
aries at Brainerd, that a Cherokee, re-
siding in a distant part of the tribe, had
an Osage boy in his possession, who was
taken at the same time with Lydia
Carter; and, that, as he was about to
return to the Arkansaw country, he
would leave the boy with them, provid-
ed they would go after him. Informa-
tion was also received, that the same
Indian had in his family an Osage girl,
who was said to be Lydia's sister.
Upon receiving this intelligence, Mr.
Hoyt and one of his sons, set out in
pursuit of the children, hoping to obtain
*4 -

º
42. THE LATTLE
them both. They were gone nine days;
during which time, they travelled be-
tween two and three hundred miles,
and were obliged to lie out in the
woods several nights, and to suffer va-
rious other hardships. They saw both
the children, but were unable to obtain
either of them. The girl was, indeed,
Lydia Carter's sister; and appeared to
be about 15 years of age. The boy
was not more than four or five years
old. Mr. Hoyt did all he could to pro-
cure their release; but the Indian with
whom they lived refused to give them
up, and said that the Agent had misun-
derstood him.
Nothing more was heard concerning
them for several months. All supposed
that they had accompanied their owner
to the Arkansaw country, and were far
removed from the light of civilization
and christianity. But in August of the
ensuing year, the missionaries were told

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 43.
that the Cherokee with whom they
lived, had not removed,as was expected,
to the Arkansaw country, and that
probably he would not remove there at
all. They also learned, that he had
sold the boy to a white man, who had
moved into the tribe, and was living
there as an intruder. It happened not
long after, that Mr. Chamberlain, the
adopted father of Lydia Carter, had
occasion to travel near the place where
the man lived. He did not see the boy,
but ascertained that he had been sold
for the trifling sum of twenty dollars.
In a few weeks, information was com-
municated, that he had been sold again,
to another white man, for one hundred
and fifty dollars.
It was now evident that a plan was
laid to enslave the defenceless child;
and no time was to be lost in prevent-
ing the cruel design from being effected.
The missionaries conferred with their

44 THE LITTLE
friends on the subject, and Mr. John
Ross, a respectable young man living in
the neighborhood of Brainerd,offered to
go in pursuit of the boy, and to rescue
him. That he might be more certain
of gaining his object, application
was made by Mr. Ross to Col. Meigs,
for authority to take him where-
ever he might be found, and bring him
to Brainerd. The Agent, acting in the
name of the President of the United
States, issued an order accordingly;
and Mr. Ross, with two assistants, set
out on the 27th of September. When
he commenced the journey, he was
unable to tell certainly, where the child
was; but at length, at the distance of
250 miles from Brainerd, he found him.
On coming near to the place, it is stated
by the missionaries in their journal,that,
“he took the precaution to leave his
horses behind him, and approached
silently on foot. He found the boy en-

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 45
tirely naked, in the yard before the
house, and took him in his arms before
he made his business known to the
family. The man disclaimed all inten-
tions of keeping the boy in slavery,
and wished Mr. Ross to leave him a
short time, until they could prepare
him some clothes. But he refused to
leave him a moment, or to suffer him to
sleep from him a night.”
From the neighbors, it is further
stated in the journal, Mr. Ross learned,
that the man had said the boy was a
mullatto, born in slavery;-and that he
intended, in a few days, to take him to
market and sell him. He was also in-
formed that the same man had endeav-
ored to persuade another person to join
him in this horrid traffic; telling him that
there were a number of captives in the
Cherokee nation, whom he thought he
could obtain at a low price.

46 THE LITTLE
By this timely and disinterested
effort, another captive was obtained,
and saved from a state of hopeless
bondage. After an absence of thirteen
days, during which time he travelled
six hundred miles, Mr. Ross returned
to Brainerd, and had the pleasure of
committing the boy to the kind and
faithful guardianship of the missionary
family. He appeared to be much de-
lighted with his new situation. He had
forgotten his native tongue, but having
been much with the white people, he
could speak English with considerable
fluency. Although he was very young,
—being even smaller than Lydia Carter,
he discovered many traits of an active
and sprightly mind. On being told by
some one, that he would find a father
and mother at Brainerd—he answered
with quickness and animation, “Yes,
and bread too.”

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 47
By the missionaries he was named
John Osage Ross, in honor of his kind
deliverer. He was adopted by Mr.
Hoyt, as Lydia had been by Mr. Cham-
berlain, and was given to God in bap-
tism on the 12th of December 1819.
In January following, notice was com-
municated by the Agent, that the Gov-
ernment approved of what had been
done, and that the child could not be
removed from the missionary school but
by the authority of the President.
Thus, by a number of remarkable
Providences, two little captives, belong-
ing to the same tribe of Indians, were
rescued, and placed in an institution
which afforded them every advantage
for improvement. Another was still
in bondage: but whether it would be
possible to obtain her and place her
in the same institution with her ransom-
ed sister, could not be determined.
48 THE LITTLE
CHAPTER IV.
Situation and appearance of Brainerd. Its buildings; cul-
tivated fields; and grave-yard. Design of the institution.
Plan of instruction. Its advantages above other plans
of instructing the Indians. Its success. Death of Dr.
Worcester.
As the institution in which Lydia Car-
ter was placed, is one which has excited
deep interest among all the friends of
the missionary cause, it will be expect-
ed, perhaps, by my young readers, that
I should give some account of it.
It was begun by Mr. Kingsbury, who
has before been mentioned, in January,
1817. He had been sent out as a mis-
sionary to the Cherokee Indians, by the
American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions. At the time he se-
lected this spot for the seat of the
mission, there belonged to it a few acres
only of cleared ground, and three or
four log cabins which were occupied by











OSAGE CAPTIVE. 49
a white man who had married an Indian
wife. These, Mr. Kingsbury purchas-
ed; and without any assistant began to
make preparation for an establishment
which has since grown up into one of
great importance. In May 1818, it
received the name of Brainerd; in mem-
ory of David Brainerd, the excellent
missionary, whose labors were so much
blessed among the Indians in New Jer-
sey, about eighty years ago.
The place where the institution
stands, is two miles north of the line
which divides the state of Georgia
from the state of Tennessee, on the
south west side of a small river, called
Chick-a-mau-gáh creek. On approach-
ing it from the north east, you come to
the creek at the distance of fifty rods
from the principal mission house. Im-
mediately you leave the woods, and
crossing the stream, which is from four
to six rods wide, you enter an area of
5
50 THE LITTLE
cleared ground, on the right of which, ap-
pear numerous buildings of various kinds
and sizes. At the distance of a few steps,
stand a grist mill and saw mill, turned.
by a canal three quarters of a mile
in length, which conducts the wa-
ter from a branch of the creek in the
neighborhood. A little further, you
come to a lane, on either side of which,
are several houses occupied by labor-
ers and mechanics, of various descrip-
tions. Following the lane, which runs
across the cleared ground, you pass a
large and commodious barn, with some
other buildings, and are conducted di-
rectly in front of a row of houses, which
forms the principal part of the settle-
ment, and makes a prominent appear-
ance in the view of Brainerd.
Nearly in the centre of the row, is
the mission house, two stories high.
having a piazza its whole length, with
a pleasant court yard in front of it. It


OSAGE CAPTIVE. 5.
is occupied by the superintendant and
other missionaries. Behind it, and im-
mediately connected with it, is the din-
ing hall and kitchen for the establish-
ment. On your right, and at the dis-
tance of a few feet, stands another
building of two stories, which is used
for the instruction of girls. It is well
finished, and was built by the particular
direction of the President of the United
States, who called here in 1819, on his
tour through the western states. Many
smaller buildings are ranged upon the
right and left of these two, and afford
convenient lodging places for the chil-
dren, and other persons, connected with
the institution.
Passing onward, about thirty rods, to
the end of the lane which has been
mentioned, you come to the school
house for the boys; which stands in
the edge of the woods, and is large
enough to accommodate one hundred

52 rBE LITTLE
scholars. On the Sabbath it is used
also as a place of worship. The
whole number of buildings belonging to
the institution, exceeds thirty. They
are, most of them, however, construct-
ed of logs, and make but a plain ap-
pearance.
The ground, on the south east side
of the lane,” is divided into a garden, an
orchard, and several other lots, which
are neatly fenced in, and present a
pleasant prospect in front of the mis-
sion house. In a corner of the or-
chard, next the school house, is the
grave yard; where lie the bodies of
those who have died at the institution,
and among them the remains of that
great and good man, the Rev. Dr.
Worcester; who having worn out his
life in the service of Christ and the
heathen, ended his days at this place
on the 7th of June, 1821.
* The direction of the lane is north east and south west.
- - - - - - -
- - –
º |
º
º
s.
-
-
º
º
º
- - jºin
- º | | -
--- -
º º º º
- -
- º
|
-
º
º
ºº:
- -
-
-
º
-
º
| |
|
º
|
-
º



- -
- -
- -
- - -
- -
-
-
-
- - -
-
- - - -






OSAGE CAPTIVE. 53
The whole circumference of ground
which has been described may not,
perhaps, include fifty acres, but being
in the midst of a wilderness, whose deep
forests appear on every side, it presents
to the beholder a scene of cultivation
and of active and cheerful life, which
cannot but inspire him with pleasure.
To the Christian, who contemplates
the moral wilderness by which it is
surrounded, it presents a prospect more
delightful than tongue can express.
The design of the institution is to
instruct the natives in the Gospel; and
to teach them the most necessary arts
of civilized life. These ends are not
pursued separately; but are carried on
together. In this respect, the plan of
the institution differs from almost all
former missions to the Indians. For
while one class of Christians have main-
tained that the first thing to be done,
was to civilize the Indians, and then
#5
















54 THE LITTLE
convert them to christianity; another
class have contended that it was neces.
sary, first to convert them, and that
then they would become civilized of
course. It was conceived by those who
formed the plan of the Brainerd insti-
tution, that both these objects are so
closely connected, they may be pursued
at the same time.
To a person, therefore, who visits
Brainerd, the settlement appears like
that of a numerous christian family; the
members of which are employed in the
various duties of civilized and christian
life. Some are occupied in the field–
some in the workshop—and some in
the domestic cares of the family. The
children of the Indians who are brought
here for instruction, are provided with
schools according to their sex, and
taught the most useful branches in hu-
man and divine knowledge. When
they are out of school, a part of their

OSAGE CAPTIVE, 55
time is spent in relaxation, and a part
in labor. The boys are taken to the
farm, and taught the arts of husband-
ry; or to the shop of the mechanic,
where they are instructed in some use-
ful trade: while the girls learn to spin
and to weave, to knit and to sew, or
take their turns in waiting upon the ta-
ble, or serving in the kitchen. When
the hour for devotion comes, all are as-
sembled to offer unto God the sacrifice
of morning or evening prayer. On the
Sabbath, they repair to the house of
worship, and unite in its solemn ser-
vices. The Gospel is preached not
only to those who belong to the insti-
tution, but to as many of the natives,
from the surrounding country, as can
be induced to attend. The Congrega-
tion assembled upon these occasions is
not large, but one of the most interest-
ing which a minister ever addresses.
For besides the missionaries, and teach-

56 OSAGE CAPTIVE.
ers, and christian laborers, who with
their families attend—he beholds seat.
ed before him, from eighty to one hun-
dred Indian children, who are taught
in the English language, and are grow-
ing up in all the habits of a civilized
and christian people. Some of them
have already made considerable pro-
gress in their education, and, in the
judgment of charity, have been truly
converted to God. Assembled with
them, are many of their Indian parents
and friends, who listen with fixed and
silent attention to what the preacher is
saying, and not unfrequently drop the
tear of sincere and lively interest, while
he opens to them the word of God,
and shows them the way of salvation.
These things, the writer states, not
from information merely, but from what
his own eyes have seen. and his ears
heard, while sojourning a few weeks
at this delightful spot. He has seen

OSAGE CAPTIVE- 57
an Indian warrior who was famed for his
courage, melt into tenderness, on hearing
the love and mercy of God through Je-
sus Christ described; and he has known
him, the day after, to come several
miles that he might disclose the burden
on his mind, and ask the missionaries
the plain and solemn question:-"Can
you tell me what God wants me to do?”
And he has seen this same warrior,
humbly sitting at the feet of Jesus, and
rejoicing in him, as his all-sufficient Sa-
vior. The habits and feelings of the
savage were no longer perceived: they
were exchanged for those of the indus-
trious man, and consistent Christian.
Nor have these proofs of the pres-
ence and blessing of God, been seldom
witnessed. Numbers of the natives,
and others who reside in the vicinity of
Brainerd, have been induced to renounce
their sins, and embrace the religion of
Christ. Some of them have been orna.

58 THE LITTLE
ments to the church. Of the children
and youth, who have been instructed
here, and given evidence of piety, sev-
eral have already been the means of
much good to their acquaintance and
friends; and promise to be yet more
extensively useful to their tribe. Thus,
while one of them is instructing a school
of Indian children, at the distance of
one hundred miles from Brainerd, where
she has already witnessed the conver-
sion of her parents, and of some of her
other relatives:–another, who is her
brother, is pursuing his studies in the
missionary school at Cornwall, in Con-
necticut, and qualifying himself to
preach the Gospel to his ignorant coun-
trymen. Several other youths, whose
course of instruction was begun at Brai-
nerd, are expected to become missiona-
ries and teachers in their native tribe.
Some idea of their attainments, and of
the prospects they give of future use:

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 59
fulness, may be obtained from a few of
their letters published in the Appen-
Clix. -
But the good which this institution
has done, is not confined to those who
have been immediately connected with
it. It has proved to the world, that
the Indians may be civilized, and con-
verted to christianity. Thousands, who
before doubted whether this could be
done, doubt it no longer. A general in-
terest has been awakened for the In-
dians; and multitudes are endeavoring
to promote their temporal and eter-
nal happiness. Other causes have un-
doubtedly had an influence to bring
about this result; but they have begun
to operate chiefly, since Mr. Kingsbury
commenced his labors at Brainerd.
A place like this, then, will ever be
strongly endeared to the hearts of
christians. Here, it was, that the long

60 THE LITTLE
night of Indian darkness began to dis-
perse. Other attempts had been made
to do good to the natives, which
had cast some light over their pros-
pects; but, nothing had been done,
which seemed so much like the dawn
of an approaching day. Here, also, it
was, that the man, whose wise and
faithful counsels had contributed so
much to establish and build up the in-
stitution, was called, by a mysterious
Providence, to die. Scareely, had he
time to witness the success of his labors,
and to behold the answer to his pray-
ers, when his spirit fled to receive its
reward in heaven. At this consecrated
spot, his body is fast mouldering into
dust:-but while the name of Worces-
TER is revered and loved, that dust will
be remembered, and Brainerd, with
whose soil it has mingled, will not be
forgotten.

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 61
CHAPTER W.
Character and conduct of Lydia Carter while at Brainerd.
Progress in learning. Her religious feelings. Affection
for her adopted parents and friends. Her gratitude to
her benefactors. Recollection of her Osage parents.
The manner of her mother’s death.
Such was the institution, to which
little Lydia Carter, was brought. The
advantages which it afforded her, for
improvement, were great. If, in addi-
tion to this, we consider that Mr. and
Mrs. Chamberlain had adopted her, as
their own child, and, that they ever
after, treated her with the care and
affection, of the tenderest parents; it
may well be doubted, whether there
are many children, even in christian
lands, whose situation is happier, than
was hers. The manner, in which she
conducted, while at Brainerd, and the
progress she made in her education,
next claims our attention.
6
62 THE LITTLE
When she arrived at the institution,
the missionaries supposed that she
might be about five years of age. She
had no knowledge of the English lan-
guage; but so rapidly did she acquire
it, that in less than a year, from
the time she entered the school, she
was able to speak it, as well as chil-
dren commonly do, who have learned
no other language.
In a letter, recently received from
Mr. Chamberlain, he says: “She discov-
ered a very strong mind for one of her
age. She was apt to learn; but owing
to hardships, which she experienced
before she arrived here, she was sick
most of the time while with us, which
retarded her considerably in her educa-
tion.”
It will be recollected, that it was ten
months after she was met with at Ca-
ney-creek, before she was brought to
Brainerd;—and judging, from some





QSAGE CAPTIVE. 63
facts, which have since been disclosed,
it is probable that she had been taken
captive, two months before. So that
when she fell into the hands of the
Cherokees, she could not have been
older, than four years. This, was a
tender period of life, to undertake such
a journey through the wilderness, as she
had to perform. Nor will it appear
strange, that it should have injured her
health, for a long time after, when we
consider, that she travelled eight hun-
dred miles, at a most unpleasant season
of the year, and through a country,
which afforded only a scanty supply of
food.
Notwithstanding her health was so
poor, she still made considerable pro-
gress in learning. She could read in
easy lessons, and recite a number of
hymns, beside giving answers to ques-
tions in the catechism. The hymns, she

64 THE LITTLE
had learned to sing, as well as to re-
peat.
Her mind was early instructed in the
things of religion: and, although she
gave no decisive evidence of possessing
a new heart, her feelings were so seri-
ous and tender, that it seemed as if the
Divine Spirit had begun to operate upon
her mind. Mr. Chamberlain, speaking
of her character in this respect, says:–
“when Lydia first began to speak our
language, and hear something about
God, she would sometimes be almost
lost in thought; and would frequently
show the depth of her mind, by her
pertinent questions. When her moth-
er told her, that God made her, she
mentioned over several other things,
and wanted to know, if God made them
also. On being answered in the affirma-
tive, she wanted to know what God
was, where he lived,—and who made
him. She never appeared satisfied,

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 65
until she understood what was told her.
She frequently asked respecting things
of another world; and what would be-
come of people when they die.” It is
added, “she was particular, to say her
prayers morning and evening.”
In her feelings, she was remarkably
affectionate, and kind. “I think I never
saw a child,” says Mr. Chamberlain,
“who was more fond of its parents,
than she was of hers.” She was un-
willing to stay from them, even for a
night. And nothing could be more
painful to her, than the idea that she
might, one day, have to leave them to
return to her own tribe. The same
affection, was exhibited by her towards
her little sister Catharine Chamberlain;
whom she greatly loved, though she
was much younger than herself.
To her parents, and superiors, she
was obedient, and respectful, as well as
affectionate. She would sometimes do
*6

66 THE LITTLE
things which were wrong, but, it was
not with a stubborn and wilful opposi-
tion to duty; when she had acted im-
properly, she would confess her faults,
and appear to be sorry for them.
She was very grateful, for the favors
which she had received, both before
and after her arrival at Brainerd; and
she would often speak, in the tenderest
manner, of those who had been instru-
mental of herdeliverance from captivity.
The following anecdote, related by Mr.
Chamberlain, in one of his letters, illus-
trates this trait in her character, so
strikingly, that the writer hopes he
shall be pardoned for inserting it; not-
withstanding, it refers to himself. The
letter, was written a little more than a
year, after her arrival at Brainerd.
In it Mr. Chamberlain says, “Lydia
Carter appears to be a promising child.
She often speaks of you, and considers
you, as her deliverer. She was very

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 67
much disappointed a few days ago:-
she was out in the yard, and saw a per-
son ride up, whom she fancied to be
Mr. Cornelius. She ran in, with great
haste, and cried out, Mother, mother,
Mr. Cornelius is come. But the poor
child was soon undeceived, and hung
her head.”
In the midst of so many other
friends, she still remembered her Osage
parents; and she would sometimes
speak of the calamity which separat-
ed her from them. Of the fate of
her father, nothing was certainly
known; but in respect of her mother,
it was very different. Her death, had
made an impression upon her mind too
deep, ever to be forgotten. “At one
time,” says Mr. Chamberlain, “she re-
lated to me the circumstances of her
mother being killed. She said, as they
were sitting in the bushes, some men
came and shot her mother in the breast.

68 THE LITTLE
and the blood ran along upon the
ground. The men came then, and took
her, and put her on a horse, and she fell
off. She said, one time on her Way
here, she rode along through a creek,
and the water came up all around
her.” In confirmation of this state-
ment, Mr. Chamberlain says, “as near
as I can learn these things were true.”
It is delightful to think, how Provi-
dence had relieved her from all these
misfortunes, by placing her at Brainerd.
Here, she found a home, dearer to her
than any she had enjoyed before; and
parents were raised up, who had it in
their power to do far more to promote
her happiness, than those whom she
had lost.
USAGE CAPTIVE. 69
CHAPTER VI.
Intelligence received at Brainerd that the Osages had de-
manded the captives; and that an authorized Agent had
come to receive them. Intelligence confirmed, and the
Agent arrives at Brainerd with orders from Colonel
Meigs. Distress occasioned by this event. The captives
given up. Parting scene.
GREAT hopes were entertained, that
the interesting child, whose character
and conduct have been described, and
the little boy, who had been taken with
her, would be allowed to remain, and
grow up, under the care of those excel-
lent friends, who had adopted them as
their children. But God, who sees
things, not as man sees them, had other-
wise determined.
Ever since the arrival of Lydia Car.
ter, and, especially, after Governor
Clark's letter had been received, the
missionaries had felt some apprehen-
sion, that the Osages would demand
her in a formal manner, and that the


70 THE LITTLE
President, by whose direction she had
been left at Brainerd, would, feel him.
self obliged to grant their request. Two
years had nearly past, and the strongest
attachment had been formed between
her, and her adopted connexions; when
news came that the demand had been
made, and that she must soon be taken
from them.
The pain, which this intelligence
gave, both to the parents and the child,
may be learned from the following ex-
tract of a letter, written by Mr. Cham-
berlain, at the time. It is dated, Au-
gust 4, 1820. “My wife and myself
are in trouble at present, and wish your
prayers. We expect every day, to
lose our dear Osage daughter. There
has a man come from the Arkansaw,
for her and the other captives. Broth-
er Hicks" thinks they will be ob-
* Mr. Hicks is a half-blood Cherokee, the second be-
loved man, or chief of the tribe, and a member of the Mora-
vian church at Spring Place.

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 71
liged to go. I know they cannot take
Lydia, without orders from the Presi-
dent; but the man is waiting at the
Agency, probably for orders. We
have not dared to tell her, what the
prospects are; though she got some hint
of it among the children the other day.
She ran to her mother in great sur-
prise, and said, ‘Mother, they say some
people have come after me.-but moth-
er wont let me go, will she?' Her moth-
er could not answer her, and it passed
off. It will no doubt be as hard for
her to leave us, as for any other child,
of her age, to leave its parents; and I
think it will be as hard for us to part
with her, as though she were our own.
But the Lord will direct,”
In this state of suspense, everything
remained, until the 22d of August. On
that day, a person, commissioned by
government, arrived at Brainerd, with
72 THE LITTLE
orders to take Lydia Carter and John
Osage Ross. The letter, addressed
by Colonel Meigs, to the missionaries,
upon this trying occasion states, that
Governor Miller, of the territory of Ar-
kansaw, had been authorized by the
Government of the United States, to
settle a difficulty between the Arkan-
saw Cherokees and the Osages, who
were on the point of engaging in another
destructive war;--that the Governor
had met the parties, and brought them
to suspend hostilities, on condition that
the Cherokees should return the cap-
tives whom they had taken, and that
the Osages should give up certain men,
who had murdered three of the Chero-
kees;–that these conditions, having
been solemnly agreed to, on both sides,
the Government felt it their duty to
compel the parties to fulfil them; and,
finally, that Governor Miller, acting in
behalf of the United States, now de-



-
OSAGE CAPTIVE. 73
manded the delivery of the prisoners,
on one side; and of the murderers, on
the other. -
Colonel Meigs remarks in the letter,
that Governor Miller had assured him,
he would use his influence to have the
children returned to Brainerd again;
and then adds—“I am sensible it must
be painful to you to part with them; but,
it seems the only measure to be adopt-
ed, to prevent the shedding of much
blood. Mr. John Rogers, a kind and
humane man, will take the best possible
care of them. I request that the chil.
dren may be comfortably furnished,
with every thing necessary and proper
for their journey, and I will pay your
bills for the same. * * * * * I request
you, to deliver the two little prison-
ers, to Mr. Rogers. I am confident,
that he will be governed by your ad-
vice, and will, in every respect actºto-
wards them kindly, and tenderly.”
The effect which this communication
7.
74 THE LITTLE
produced, cannot be better described,
than by quoting the journal of the mis-
SIOmarles.
“This message,” say they, “was in-
expressibly distressing, to all the mission
family; especially, to those who had
adopted these children, as their own.
We had, some days since, been inform-
ed that the children were demanded,
and had reason to expect they must
be given up; but still, were not with-
out hope, that by some means they
might yet be retained, till they should
be prepared to carry the knowledge of
the Savior to their people. All hope
is now taken away. They must be
given up: not to the arms of death, but
to a call from the wilderness; to be
taken back, probably, to a savage life.
We can only commend them to the care
of that gracious Redeemer, to whom
they have been devoted in baptism,
and who is still able to preserve, and
bring them, where they can receive











OSAGE CAPTIVE. 75
that instruction, which we would gladly
have given, and by means of which they
may still be prepared for usefulness in
life, peace in death, and happiness be
yond the grave.”
The journal next states the effect,
which the communication had on the
children.
“John Osage Ross, being younger.
and not having been so long with us.
was not much affected. But Lydia
Carter, had become strongly attached
to us all; especially, to brother and sis-
ter Chamberlain, whom she called fa-
ther and mother. She knew no other
parents; consequently, the thought of
a separation, was peculiarly trying to
her, as well as to us.
“When she heard that Mr. Rogers
had come for her, which was early in
the morning, she, in company with
another little girl, escaped to the woods.
All the persons about the house, includ-
ing the children of the school, went in



76 THE LITTLE
pursuit of her, but without success. A
little after noon, one of our neighbors
came and informed us, that he had seen
them about three miles from this place,
on their way to the girl's father. Milo
Hoyt, was immediately sent to fetch
Lydia. When he came to the house
of the little girl's father, he learned that
Lydia had been there, but fearing some
one would know where she was, and
come for her, she could not rest con-
tented until she went two miles further;
making in all, five miles, which she
travelled through the woods to avoid
being taken.
“When she first saw Milo, she ap-
peared somewhat frightened, and began
to cry; but he soon consoled her, by
telling her some pleasing things, about
the man who had come for her, and
what she would see on the way. On
returning, she appeared cheerful; and
learning that we thought it best for her
to go, she said she was willing. This

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 77
relieved our feelings very much; as we
could never before make her consent
to go away on any terms; and we
feared, she would have been forced
from us. She remained very cheerful.
and sung in our family worship with her
usual animation.”
The following morning, was the time
fixed upon for her departure. Having
a trunk, and some other articles, which
it was inconvenient to carry, she desired
her mother to keep them; and, in
case she should never return, to give
them to her sister Catharine:–adding
pleasantly, ‘Here is a little handker-
chief, too small for me; I wish you to
give this to Catharine, whether I come
back or not.’”
In describing the final separation.
the journal says: “She remained com-
posed till just before they started; and,
then, appeared in deep thought. She
looked around on those she loved, for
the last time, and then dropped her
*7.

78 THE LITTLE
head, and the tears flowed profusely.
She walked out to the horse, without
being bidden; and, notwithstanding her
evident grief, she was not heard to sob
aloud, except when taking leave of her
little sister Catharine. Her whole ap-
pearance through this trying scene, was
like that of a person of mature age, in
like circumstances. It is the Lord; let
him do what seemeth him good.
“Little John, having been told from
the beginning, that if he would go will.
ingly, without crying, he would have
the horse on which he was to ride, and
the saddle and the bridle for his own;
went off smiling, and was apparently
much pleased with his newly acquired
property.”
The journal in concluding this affect-
ing account, expresses the hope, that
the children on their return to the
Osage country, would be taken into the
missionary school at Union, which had
been established a short time before by

USAGE CAPTIVE. 79
the United Foreign Mission Society.
But God had other purposes in view,
which as they respected Lydia Carter,
were soon to be accomplished.
CHAPTER VII.
The Captives, a few days after their departure arrive at
Creek-Path. The happiness of Lydia Carter on seeing
some of her Brainerd friends. She pursues her journey
and is taken to Governor Miller. Governor Miller takes
her with the other Captives to the Osage country. She
and little John are given back to the Governor. Lydia
returns with him as far as the country of the Arkansaw
Cherokees, and is left at the house of a white woman.
Her health having long been poor—she is taken sick and
dies. Conclusion.
It was on the twenty-third of August,
1820, that the captives left Brainerd.
The weather was very warm, and a
long journey was before them. After
travelling a hundred miles they came
to a settlement in the western part of
the Cherokee nation, called Creek-
Path. It is situated on the south side
of the Tennessee river, about thirty
miles from Huntsville, in the state of

80 THE LITTLE
Alabama. The place is interesting on
account of its being the residence of the
parents, and some other relatives of
Catharine Brown, who was one of the
earliest converts in the school at Brain-
erd. Catharine had returned to Creek-
Path when Lydia arrived, and was in-
structing a school of Indian girls. Some
of her other Brainerd acquaintance
were there also, who were engaged in
making preparations for a new missiona-
ry establishment. -
Her feelings, on meeting these kind
and sympathising friends may easily be
imagined. They served to renew for a
while the pleasure which she had lost.
One of Mr. Hoyt's daughters happened
to be there at the time, and returned
not long after to Brainerd. The mis-
sionaries, speaking of some intelligence
received by her, state the following
circumstances in their journal: “She
also informs that she saw our dear
little Lydia, on her way to the Osages

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 8 :
Lydia told her, she wished she could
write to her father and mother. Sister
A. told her, she would write for her, if
she could tell what she wanted to say.
She appeared pleased with this, and
began, and was able to say only a few
words, before she was so much affected
that she could not proceed. She said
she wanted her father and mother to
come to the Osage country and take
her.” -
The particulars of her journey from
this place have not been received. We
learn, however that she was taken to
Governor Miller in the course of the
autumn, and that by him, she was con-
ducted, with the other captives, to the
Osage tribe, the next winter.
And here in order to give a better
idea of her wanderings, it may be neces-
sary to add something further respect-
ing the geography of the country.
The river from which it takes its
name, is one of the largest which emp-

32 THE LITTLE
ties into the Mississippi from the west.
It is said to be more than two thousand
miles long, and is navigable almost to its
source. The country through which
Lydia Carter travelled, lies on the north
side of the river, and may be divided
into three parts. First, the Territory
of Arkansaw, or more properly that
division of it which is inhabited by white
people. Second, the country ceded by
the United States to the Cherokee In-
dians. Third, the country belonging to
the Osages. -
The principal settlements of white
people upon the Arkansaw river, are
at the Post of Arkansaw, Little Rock,
and Cadron; the former of which is six-
ty, and the latter four hundred miles
from the mouth of the river, reckoning
its various windings. The Cherokee
settlement is, perhaps, one hundred
miles further. Not far from it, on the
west side of what is called Illinois-creek,
and five miles above its junction with

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 83
the Arkansaw, stands Dwight. This
is a missionary establishment, begun by
the American Board in 1820, and nam-
ed in honor of the late President
Dwight, who was a distinguished mem-
ber of the Board, and a zealous friend
of missions. The great Osage village,
near which the Union Institution is seat-
ed, is two hundred and fifty miles still
further west. The whole distance from
the mouth of the Arkansaw river to the
Osage village is nine hundred miles;–
across the country in a straight line it
may be two or three hundred miles less.
Over this whole extent of country
Lydia Carter had once before travelled,
and was now to pass it again. Being
under the protection of Governor Miller,
she with the other captives left Little
Rock, early in 1821, and ascended the
river to the Osage country. The Gov-
ernor hoped that by restoring them to
the Osages himself, he could more easily
persuade them to fulfil the stipulations

34 THE LITTLE
which were made on their part the year
before, and thus put an end to the con-
test between them and the Cherokees.
But when he arrived, he found the whole
tribe bent upon war, and neither his so-
licitations nor their own engagements
could induce them to give up the mur-
derers.
What became of the other children
is not known. But Lydia Carter and
John Osage Ross, having been restored
to their tribe, or as the Osages termed
it, “having been raised from the dead”
—were given back to the Governor, by
his request. Lydia was to be returned
to her parents and friends at Brainerd
by the first opportunity, and John was
to live with the Governor and accom-
pany him on a journey which he was
soon to make to New England. The
Osages particularly requested that he
would take the boy to Washington, and
“show him to their great father, the

9SAGE CAPTIVE. 85
President.” Who they saw on their
arrival, or whether their parents were
still living is not known. It seems pro-
bable, from the fact that they were so
readily given back to the Governor,
that their nearest relations were not
there to retain them.
On the Governor's return, he took
them with him; and Lydia rejoiced
to think that a few months more of
wearisome journeying would bring her
to her dear friends at Brainerd. But
her wanderings were to be ended long
before she had crossed the wilderness
which lay between them. God, who
has promised that he will be a Father
of the fatherless, had provided for her,
it is hoped, a better home; and he was
about to remove her thither.
* It is understood that little John was taken to Wash-
ington for this purpose. He has since returned to the
Arkansaw country, and if we are correctly informed, is
living with Governor Miller.
8

86 THE LITTLE
From the time she entered the Ar-
kansaw country her health was poor.
In consequence of frequent and long
exposures to the weather she was seiz.
ed with the fever and ague, and was
never entirely well afterwards. When
the Governor returned with her from
the Osage country, he thought her too
feeble to proceed on her journey, and
concluded to leave her with the mis-
sionaries at Dwight, until she should
be better, and a favorable opportunity
should occur for sending her to Brainerd.
Several of the missionaries being ab-
sent, and no female having yet arrived
at the establishment, she was placed
under the care of Mrs. Lovely, a kind
and hospitable white woman, who is
the widow of a former Agent of the
United States, and lives about a day's
ride from Dwight. At what time, she
arrived here has not been ascertained.
but it was probably in the month of
March.

OSAGE CAPTIVE. 87
It is said that she had no attack offever
and ague, after she came to Mrs. Love-
ly's, but appeared to have been worn
out by exposures while she was weak.
Her strength failed rapidly; and death
was evidently near. But her mind was
calm, and a sweet resignation to the
will of God was shown by her, through
all her sickness. She frequently re-
peated the hymns which she had learn-
ed at Brainerd, and seemed to derive
comfort from them. They no doubt
led her to think much of that Savior
who died for her, and whom she prom-
ised her parents, when she left them,
that “she would always remember.”
In this state she continued for a few
weeks, and then expired—He, who
said, “Suffer little children to come un-
to me and forbid them not,” received
her, we trust,to dwell with him for ever.
May those who read her history, re-
member the means by which her last
moments were rendered so peaceful
38 THE LITTLE,
and happy. It was through the instru-
mentality of CHRISTIAN MissionAREs,
who were sent to the Indians, to teach
them the Gospel, and to show them the
way of salvation, that her mind was
prepared for death. Had there been
no missionaries to instruct her, she had
died without a knowledge of the Sa-
vior, or any of those consolations which
cheered and supported her in the
departing hour. -
Millions of others, in Heathen lands,
are still ignorant of the same Savior
What numbers of them will die before
the news of his salvation can reach
them! Who would not labor to save
them from their wretchedness, and
cheerfully deny himself of the gratifica-
tions of this life, for the sake of send-
ing them the Gospel. Let all who
enjoy its blessings, remember that God
has made it their duty to communicate
them to the destitute. Let children
and youth consider, that they are re-












OSAGE CAPTIVE. 89
quired to do something to send the Gos-
pel to the Heathen. How many of
them might give to this object a penny
a week or a penny a month, by ab-
staining from some unnecessary in-
dulgence. Were all the children in
our country to do this, they would raise
several hundred thousand dollars every
year; and their donations alone, would
be sufficient to send instruction to every
Indian child in America. Should the
children throughout Christian lands
do it, it would go far towards educat-
ing all the Heathen children in the
world. May the youth who read this
narrative be persuaded to embrace the
Gospel themselves, and do what they
can to send it to others:–and may they
live to see the time fully come, when
the wilderness and the solitary place
shall be glad, and the desert shall re-
joice; and the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters
cover the sea.
*8
LINES
composed by a lady on the death of the
LITTLE osage captive.
* If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
John viii, 36.
WHERE the tall forests’ sable plume
Deep shadows o'er the valley spread,
And where the cloud of Heathen gloom
Made nature’s solitude more dread,
Consoled by no enlight'ning word,
Bereſt of counsellor and guide,
In sadness, like some prison’d bird,
The lonely Osage orphan sigh’d.
But Christian sympathy, her woes
Beheld, while Zeala tribute gave.
And pure Benevolence arose
Like Him who came the lost to save.
Borne kindly to a refuge blest,
Where no oppressive foes intrude;
The ransom'd Captive's joyous breast,
Became the seat of gratitude.
Encircled by a holy band
Who shed o'er darken'd minds the day,
Humbly she rais’d the imploring hand,
And sought to brighter worlds the way.
Made free by Jesus, o'er the chains
Of cold mortality she sprung,
To range in bliss the heav'nly plains,
And praise Him with an angel's tongue.


APPºiſſ).TX.
For the gratification of my readers I subjoin the fol-
lowing specimens of Indian composition, nearly all of
which are extracts from letters received by my-
self, and are now published for the first time. From
these, it will be seen that the natives are not only
capable of improvement, but that they are, to a high
degree, desirous of possessing the means of instruction.
The extracts are, from letters of Indian youth; from
a correspondence with a converted Cherokee chief;
and from a correspondence with a Choctaw chief.
No alterations have been made except in the punctua-
tion, and in one or two words which appeared to have
been used improperly through inadvertence.
I.
ExTRACTS FROM THE LETTERS OF INDIAN YOUTH.
Nos.1 and 2 were written by a Cherokee youth in
the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall, in reply
to some inquiries addressed to him respecting Lydia
Carter, whom he knew at Brainerd, and at whose cap-
ture by the Arkansaw Cherokees, he was present.
They will be read with interest on account of the tes-
timony they bear to Lydia's character; and the history
they give of the war in which she was taken. The
writer is 18 or 20 years of age; and has been at
school about 3 years. The first letteris dated Jan. 4, 1822.
*}}EAR SIR,
“My knowledge of the little Osage captive
does not extend far,though I was one of the war-

92 APPENDIX.
riors, that traversed the Osage nation in pursuit
of blood, and was present at the Osage van-
quishment, by the Cherokees, and where Lydia
Carter was taken.
“To particularize the circumstances from her
first capture to the time of her reception at
Brainerd, I presume is not essential, as you are
much acquainted with them yourself. I could
not but be interested in her case when I saw her
at Brainerd. She spoke the Cherokee language
with a good degree of fluency considering her
age. The Rev. Mr. Chamberlain kept her in
his family, and I think loved her with paternal
affection; therefore she called him, Pa, and Mrs.
Chamberlain, Ma, and was truly a lovely daugh-
ter to them. The English language, she ac-
quired, in some degree, in a short time. Her
devoted parents early led her tender mind to the
subject of religion, and she was able to rehearse
a few of the most important answers in the cat-
echism. Lydia considered little Catharine Cham-
berlain as her own sister, and was very fond of
her.
“In fine, the dear girl was promising, amiable,
dutiful to her superiors, and the prospect of her
future usefulness among her kindred was truly
flattering. I lamented much when I heard of
her death, and remembered her poor wandering
people, that are yet walking in the shades of
midnight darkness. But the Lord will provide.
trust that the Board will not be discouraged in
their grand enterprise of evangelizing the hea-
then, wherein they are so ardently engaged.
“The missionary spirit, which is now so preva-
lent in this land, is, I trust, from above. I pray,

APPENDIX. 93
that the benign auspices of heaven, may still at-
tend the American Board, and that the long de-
graded Indians, whose minds have been held in
bondage, by the god of this world, may be
brought into the fold of Christ.
“The anticipation is truly animating when the
gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached to
every soul in America, and when righteousness
and peace shall reign to the Pacific Ocean.”
The other letter referred to, was written Jan.
17, 1822, in answer to further inquiries on the same
subject. It opens with an account of the origin of the
war between the Osages and Cherokees.
“Revenge you know, is one of the character-
istics of an Indian, and that was the principle
cause of the war between the Cherokees and
Osages. This war had been carried on for many
years, and in its commencement I think was oc-
casioned by a few hunters of both nations, being
on the same ground, and taking from each other
peltry and fur, till they began to stay each
other, I wish here to be understood correctly.
The above hunters, were not the leading men in
each tribe, by any means; but wild and bloody
men that regarded not the interest of their
countrymen, and so were the two nations obliged
to unbury the tomahawk of war. The engage-
ment took place 30 or 40 miles west of the
Osage village, and I presume 200 from the Ca-
dron, which is 30 miles from the Dardanelles.”
* The place of the Cherokee settlement on the Arkan-
saw river.

94. APPENDIX.
There were 600 of the Cherokees and their
allies, the Shawnees, and Delawares. As to the
number of combatant Osages I do not know;
perhaps they were not so numerous as their
enemies; and they did not stand to fight, except
a small company, who were immediately con-
quered. They fled from their encampments,
men, women, and children, to the mountains and
vales. Sixty souls were the number taken, and
killed, including women and children, and little
Lydia was one of the prisoners that were taken.
The Shawnees took some captives to their own
country. I do not know what became of Lydia's
parents, it is difficult to determine, as there was
much bustle at the time, and I heard nothing on
the subject afterwards. All the captives were
taken at the same time. The expedition was
in the year 1817, and I think, in the month of
October. General Ta-lon-tis-kee* was at the
head of the Cherokee army. Every warrior
(among Indians) is entitled to as many captives.
as he can take, and may dispose of them as he
pleases, and it was thus with the man that took
Lydia.
“Should this communication answer your
wishes, I shall feel happy. And may the Lord
our Savior bless you, in your useful enterprises
is the prayer of your unworthy friend.”
No. 3. Copy of a letter from a female convertin
the school at Brainerd, written in Jan. 1820, after she
* A Cherokee Indian, of unusual enterprize, who is
since dead.

APPENDIX- 95
had been at school two years and a half. It is ad-
dressed to a lady in New England who had opened a
correspondence with her, and who in a letter to the
present publisher says, “The hand writing of the epistle
is good, its orthography correct, and the composition
precisely as follows:” -
“DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,
“I thank you much for your affectionate let-
ter, which I received on the 23d of December.
0, how great, how rich is the mercy of our
dear Redeemer! who has made us the subjects
of his kingdom, and led us, as we trust from
death unto life. My dear sister, I can never ex-
press my gratitude to God, for his goodness
towards me, and my dear people. Surely it is
of his own glorious mercy, that he is sending to
us the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, in this distant
land, where the people had long set in darkness,
and were perishing for lack of the knowledge
of God. Blessed be his holy name! O my sister
let us rejoice continually in our Lord and Savior,
and as we have put on Christ, not only by out-
ward profession, but by inward and spiritual un-
ion, let us walk worthy of our high and holy
vocation, and shew the world, that there is
something in true religion. And may the Lord
give us strength to do his will, and to follow con-
tinually the example of our meek and lowly
Jesus. I thank you for the present you sent me,
which I received as a token of love. The
mission family are all well, and also the dear
children. Many of them are serious, and we
hope they love, and pray to God daily. O that
were more engaged for God, to promote his

96 APPENDIX-
cause, among these dear children, and my peo-
ple. I am going soon to visit my parents, which
is an hundred miles from here, and expect to
stay two months. I hope you will pray for me,
that the Lord would bless my visit, and renew
the hearts of my dear parents.
Your sincere friend and sister in Christ.”
No. 4. Extracts from a letter written by the same
person to her brother in the Foreign Mission School at
Cornwall, dated,
“Cherokee nation, ſlug. 1820.
* * * * “O dear brother, how much it would
rejoice my heart to see you this evening, and
converse with you face to face! But our good
Lord has separated us, perhaps never to see
each other again in this world. I often think of
the morning you left Brainerd. It was a solemn
hour, and I trust it was a sweet season to our
souls. We wept, and prayed, and sung together
before our dear Savior; and longed for that
blessed day, when we should meet, to part no
more. What is a short separation in this world?
Nothing compared to an eternal separation! How
thankful we ought to be then, my dear brother,
that we have a hope to be saved through the
blessed Lamb of God. Yes I trust when our
bodies shall die, our souls shall be raised above
the sky, where we shall dwell together, in singing
the praises of Him who bought us with his pre-
cious blood. I hope we shall meet our parents,

APPENDIX. 97
and brothers and sisters there. Since you left.
the Lord has reached down his arm, to take
sinners from darkness, into the marvellbus light
of the Gospel. Dear brother let us praise and
rejoice continually in the Lord, for his goodness
to our dear people, in giving them hearts to
love and praise his holy name. Surely the
Lord is with us here. We feel his presence.
Our dear father and mother are inquiring what
they shall do to be saved. Mother says she is
grieved to think her children are going to leave
her behind. But she says she will pray as long
as she lives, and that the Savior will pardon her
sins, that she may go with her children to
heaven.”
In another letter to the same person, of a more recent
date, she says:
* * * * “Although we may be separated
many hundreds of miles, the God of the Universe
whom we serve, will often give us, the enjoy-
ment of himself, which you know is of far
greater value than all this world can afford.
- Last Sabbath was a very solemn and
interesting day to us. Rev. Mr. W. from the
state of New York was here—a very pious and
engaged Christian. We were much refreshed
by his kind instructions. I think it was truly a
pleasant day to my soul. The sacrament was
administered, and we were permitted once more
tº sit at the table of the Lord, and commemorate
his dying love. Mr. S. was baptised. Also an
infant of Mrs. F. named Saºri wore sº.
The congregation were attentive and some of

98 APPENDIX.
them were affected to tears. I hope the time is
not, far distant, when all the heathen shall be
brought to the knowledge of the Redeemer.
We have recently formed a Female Society” in
this place. The members pay fifty cents a
year. I trust you will pray that we may be
blessed, and that we may be instrumental in the
great work of building up the cause of the
Redeemer. I can never be sufficiently thankful
to God for sending us missionaries, to teach us
the way we should go. We love them as our
own brothers and sisters. That you may enjoy
the light of our Savior’s countenance, while in
this short journey of life, and finally be received
to mansions of eternal glory, is the prayer of
your sister.”
No. 5. Copy of a letter from a Choctaw youth,
who left his native tribe in 1818, to obtain an edu-
cation at the Foreign Mission School in Cornwall.
It is addressed to the writer of the foregoing narra-
tive, who conducted him from his tribe to the School,
and taught him the English alphabet himself.
“Foreign Mission School, Cornwall, Conn.
JVov. 10, 1820.
“My very DEAR SIR,
“It is now a great while since I saw you
here, in this place, and therefore, I thought it
* This Society is composed chiefly of Indian females
who have been converted to Christianity.

APPENDIX. 99
would be convenient for me to write a few lines
to you, and send it by Mr. George Sandwich, who
is now expecting to set out for the Sandwich
Islands. May the Lord Jesus bless him, and
grant him consolation and success on his way,
and conduct him to his native country.
“Through the divine goodness, I yet enjoy a
comfortable state of health. I have great reason
to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has re-
cently renewed my wicked heart; and has
showed me the path of everlasting righteous-
ness above. I feel very thankful to God that he
has brought me to this Christian land,where I can
learn the good things of the religion of Christ,
—and also I am very thankful to those good
Christian people in this country, who are dear
to us, and supplying all our wants. I do earn-
estly pray to God every day, that he may pre-
serve me from the everlasting punishment. I
hope I shall persevere in the path of duty
which I have entered. I have lately felt a good
deal about my dear, poor, fellow perishing
countrymen, who are yet in the darkness and
the shadow of death; and they know nothing
about God, and the way of eternal life. But I
am extremely rejoiced to learn that my brother
D is becoming a religious man. We had
the pleasure of receiving a letter from him, on
the first of Nov. He says he wishes to go to
school, but has a great deal of business to do at
home. He says, he is not too old to go to
school, though he will be thirty years of age,
next January. I should be very glad to have
you to write a letter to him, as often as you
think convenient, and give him good admonition,

100 APPENDIX.
and encourage him to persevere in the path of
righteousness. -
“Now may the Lord Jesus Christ ever be
with you and bless you, in all your undertakings,
in doing a great deal of good in the world. I
wish to be remembered with sincere affection
to our dear, beloved, and venerable friend, Rev.
Samuel Worcester, for whom I have a strong
affection. -
I am dear Sir, yours respectfully.”
No. 6. The following is a copy of a letter
written in 1818, by a Cherokee boy to his hea-
then parents. He had been a member of the Mora-
vian school at Spring place about two years, and
was at the time 14 years of age.
“Spring Place, April, 1818.
“DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,
“I hope dear parents, that you will let
me live with the Christians till I be a man, and
once when I am come to our home, that I may
be able to tell you about our Savior; for you
never did hear about God how good he is to sin-
ners, that if any body would pray to him, he
would make him good and so live happy, and
when they die he will take them up into heav-
en. And now let us love him, for he came
down into this world to save us that we might
be saved, if we believe him. I hope now you
will pray to him, that he may make you good
and happy and all of you there, and I shall pray
for you too, and I hope mother, that you will

APPENDIX. 101
pray to God to make you like your brother.
he is a Christian and loves God. I hope I shall
be once like him, be a Christian and love God.
I will tell you about our Savior; he became a
child and grew up and went about preaching to
the people, but the wicked people went about
to kill him. At last he knew that he should de-
part from this world to go to his father, and that
he should suffer, and he went to a place, where
was a garden, and he prayed three times and his
sweat falling down to the ground, like as if it
was great drops of blood, and an angel came
and strengthened him, and he went to his disci-
ples and they were all asleep, and as he yet
spake, the people came and took him, and beat
him and sent him to the Governor; he scourged
him, and they put a crown of thorns upon his
head, and they crucified him, and two maleſac-
tors with him, one on the left and the other on
the right side, and they gave him vinegar to
drink, and one good man took him down from
the cross and buried him, and the third day he
rose again from the dead. And he went up into
heaven and now he lives forever, and sees all
what we do, and if we do right and pray, he
will bless us, and if wrong, he will punish us.
I hope you will think of this. But you cannot
speak English, but you can pray to him in your
own language. Pray to him who died on the
cross for us. Give my love to all.
I remain your dutiful son.”
%9

102 APPENDIX.
No. 7. Copy of a letter from a Cherokee boy about
thirteen years of age, who, when he came to Brainerd
could speak no English. He is what is called, a full
blooded Indian. The letter was written to the Author
of this little book.
* Brainerd, Cherokee JVation, Feb. 1821.
“My DEAR FRIEND, -
* * * * * * “I have been here to school
about two years and an half. A few years ago,
I did not know that there was such learning as
I have now got. But I often saw some of the
people, those that had been to school awhile to
some places, seeing that they had senses better
than those that had not been to school. Now
when this school was first commenced, I wanted
to come very much indeed. But they would not
let me come to school, because they thought
that I was most too sickly to take hold of such
work as that. But still I would not give up yet
—a little while after that, I was just ready to
come away without letting them know it. Miss
H. happened to send for me to come to her
house. O how glad I was to come to her house,
hoping that she was going to take me here to
school. When I got there her children were
just ready to come to school. I rode on behind
one of them. But yet not knowing that there
was a Savior that came down from heaven to
live, with his sorrowful heart, and acquainted
with grieſ, to save his people from their sins.
But now I know that he is holding his arms of
mercy, calling on me, and all the people of the
earth, both great and small, saying, “Come untº

APPENDIX. 103
meallye weary and heavy laden and I will give
you rest.”
* * * * * * “Last June on Thursday morn-
ing I was out in the field; in about seven o’clock,
I went up to the house, and I went into the porch
to see Dr. Worcester, but when I got to the door,
I saw him drawing the last breath. Alas! what
an awful thing it would be to see him drawing
his last breath, if he had not been the friend of
Jesus. But how great joy he had to rejoice
for leaving this sinful world, to go to that happy
world, where there is no sickness or death, into
the bosom of his father Abraham, on the right
hand of our Creator, to sing with the holy an-
gels the song of Moses and the Lamb. I hope
his children will try to follow their precious
father. They laid the body in a house about
two days and half, waiting for the Cherokees
to come and see it. About in seven or eight
o'clock, I saw some of my friends coming to see
the body of our great friend, that who has done
great good for the poor and benighted heathen
nations, that they might be brought to a knowl-
edge of Jesus Christ, and to hear what Mr. Hoyt
would say to them. After the body was laid in
the grave, we all went in the school house to
hear Mr. Hoyt. After when he had finished
talking to us, they all return to their home with
most sorrowful heart for losing their great
friend.”
Let it be remembered that these youth, a few years
ago, were wandering about in the forests of America,
ignºrant of christianity, and without any education
such as civilized persons enjoy. -
104 APPENDIX.
II.
EXTRACTs. FROM A coRRESPONDENCE WITH &
convertº D CHERokEE CHIEF.*
The piece which follows, was drawn up in July,
1818, and contains a short account of the rise and
progress of those improvements which had been made
in the writer's tribe, to that time. It is entitled,
“Sketch of the progress of Aboriginal Cherokees.”
“The great and good Washington said to the
Cherokees, “As you now find the game growing
scarce, and when you cannot meet a deer to
kill, you will remain hungry and naked, and
without other implements than the hoe to till
the ground, you will continue to raise scanty
crops of corn; hence you are exposed to suffer
from hunger and cold, and as the game are les-
sening in numbers, more and more, these suffer-
ings will increase, and how are you to provide
against them? and said, listen to my words, some
of you already experience the advantage of
keeping cattle and hogs; let all keep them, and
increase their numbers.”
“Such was the language held out to the Che-
rokees, which objects had directed the steps of
our former Agent, Silas Dinsmore, who, seating
himself in the centre of the nation, and held out
to the Cherokee warriors, the plough, the axe
and the mattock, with the pledge of the olive
branch, over the lands, encouraging them tº
* This chief learned to read and write the English lan-
guage when young.








- APPENDIX. 105
cultivate, and raise corn, cotton and stock on
the land, and stimulating the females, in the
language of a brother, with wheels, cards, and
the loom, to spin and weave their own clothing.
Yet such sudden changes of habits and pursuits,
were productive of jealousies, which was indeed
natural, but these jealousies subsided with the
advantages to the individuals, who had made the
first trial of the advices given them.
“Such were the inducement, which was held
out to the Cherokees, that made it necessary to
mature its advantages, before it could be per-
ceptible, and in the lapse of four or five years
they began to use some more industry in fami-
lies of raising cotton, for there were only twe
or three wheels, and cards, and no loom in the
nation, when these encouragements were brought
forward in our council; and to change to the
habits and pursuits which had been recommended
to them, they began to move to separate farms
from the towns; still the towns claimed jurisdic-
tion over those persons who had so separated
themselves from the community to which they
had belonged to.
“Seventeen years has passed, since the Chero-
kees have begun to separate themselves into
separate families, over the country which per-
tain to them, between the waters Tennessee and
Chattahouchie rivers, and in some instances
have gone over those rivers.
“Considerable advances have been made by
the Cherokees, since they have settled on sepa-
rate farms, in agriculture, and their own cloth-
ing, and these advances has been more or less

106 APPENDIX.
beneficial, in the circumscribing of our limits,
by repeated sales of our lands, and the game
less sought after now than a few years back, as
they begin to find that the products of the earth
and labor, are the sure pledges of independ-
ence.
“Numbers of private schools are kept in dif.
ferent parts of the nation, and other charitable
schools are established to educate the Cherokee
youth, which will promote the civilization and
christianization in a high degree.”
In another communication he says,
“Although separated by far distant and dis-
tinct family of the human race, yet but one flesh.
It will be the greatest comforts, and joy of my
life, to hear of your welfare, in the service of
the all atoning Master, who will prosper thy la-
bors among the Red men of America, that they
may come to the tree of life, and drink the
healing stream when thirsty, and that they may
sing the song of redeeming love, of God their
Savior.”
Exºrp. ACTS FRoºt A coprºspond ENCE WITH A
CHOCTAw CHIEF.
The letters, from which the following extracts are
made, were written at different times; and relate, chiefly,
to the institution of schools and other means of instruce
tion among the Choctaws.

APPENDIX. 107
* * * * * * * * * *
“I know, and all I can say for my nation, they
are people much in need for help, and instruc-
tion. And we look up to the Government of
the United States for instruction—and which I
do know, the establishment of this school,” will
be the means of the greatest work ever been
done for this nation.”
“I have just returned from the Choctaw trea-
ty, and I inform you that the Choctaws did not
sell or exchange their lands, with the United
States. The Choctaws said, that it is but two
years ago when nation sold a large track of
country to the United States, and therefore they
said that they had no more lands to sell—which
they cannot think to sell the land which we are
living on it, and raising our children on it.”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“I am anxious, and waiting to see the great
day to appear, before we poor distress’t Red
peoples—hoping that the day of light will come
before we Choctaws. We are ignorance, we
are in the darke, and therefore we must humbly
ask for help from our Christian brethren, as a
poor helpless children look up to their father
crying to have pity on them.
“I am much in hope McK. and I. fare sensible
the advantages of good education, and that they
will exert their utmost, all their abilities to im.
Prove their time in the very best manner.”
* * * * * * * * * *
* The school at Elliot.
* Brothers of the chief, at the Cornwali school.

108 APPENDIX.
“Dear friend, you will understand, that you
good people of the north, have led us to the
knowledge of great good, of white path. And we
Red people have listen to your good counsel,
and we Choctaws have discovered the day light
approaching, for us good by taking your counsel.
Lead us in this white path that we may find the
great joy and happiness as you do.” -
“There is a great many indeed in the nation,
whom it might be supposed they would care
nothing about learning, and that they should be
considered, that they are so ignorant that they
never would be brought about to believe that
learning, was good things; but to the contrary.
I am glad to say to you, this day, on this paper
that Choctaws are in throughout the whole
nation, are anxious for schools. Now I wish
to tell you how my nation are since they became
acquainted with our beloved Missionaries, and
never before seen a such a school, and not
more, or hardly year since, our Red children
were sent to this school at Elliot, and now they
can read and write some. Choctaw nation are
both hands are open for more missionaries, more
schools.” -
“You will excuse my bad writing as I did in-
form you, that I had only but six months school-
ing.”
THE END.
-
- -
-
-
- -
- -
-
-
- -
- -
-
- -
-
- -
-
- -
- -
- -
-
- -
- - - - - -
- -
-
- -
- -
- - - -
- - -
-
- -
-
- - -
-
- -
-
-
-
- -
- - -
- - -
-
-
- -
- -
-
-
-
- -
- - -
-
- -
.
- - - - -
-
-
- -
- -
- -
- - - -
-
-
- - -
- -
- - -




|-
|-
|-
-







C 2 Corne / ºr º, 3/"es
-
| 6 22 °
C. c.
H º
º
WILLIAM LCLEMENTS
LIBRARY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIVERSITY:/MICHIGAN