The present condition of the Aborigines of this country is specially
fitted to awaken the sympathy of every feeling heart. They where
once the exclusive proprietors of this immense continent; but
successive inroads have been so rapidly made on their rights, that
they have been dwindled, as to power and numbers, into absolute
insignificance. Our ancestors fled from persecution and tyranny,
and sought in this region an asylum, in which, they might enjoy
civil and religious liberty. _They were not disappointed._ They
were received with kindness and hospitality by the natives, a fact,
which we their descendants should never forget. And what return
has too frequently been made for this generous conduct?--Unjust
and inhuman treatment,--the introduction of ruin amongst them--And
generally, the pernicious influence of bad example. Notwithstanding
these painful circumstances some of them occasionally visit the land
of ONAS, to light the calumet of peace and brighten the chain of
friendship, which uniformly subsisted between him and their fathers.
A journey of this kind was recently made to Philadelphia by a
number of Cherokee warriors. The earthly career of one of them, was
terminated in this vicinity, and his exequies were performed by his
brethren on the 6th of August last, in the woods back of Bartram's
gardens. This incident, has furnished the subject of the following
stanzas.