Rev. Mr. S---- and friend visit the Indians again--A day appointed
for a _talk_ about religion--Indians go to the Thames
Tunnel--Give the medicine-dance (wabeno) under it--Kind
treatment there, and _Chickabobboo_--The exhibition--Egyptian
Hall--Debate about the propriety of the Indians dancing
to make money--Great crowd--Woman screaming and lifted on
to the platform by Cadotte (afterwards called the "_jolly
fat_ dame")--She gives Cadotte a beautiful bracelet--Her
admiration of Cadotte--Evening gossip after their
exhibition--The amusements of the evening and sights of the
day--A clergyman asks an interview with the Indians and gets
offended--Exhibition rooms at night--Great crowd--The "jolly
fat dame" in full dress--She talks with Cadotte--Indians meet
the Rev. Mr. S---- and friend by appointment--Old Chief's
speech to them--Gish-ee-gosh-e-ghee's speech--Reverend
gentlemen thank them and take leave.
The morning after their first interview with the public at the Egyptian
Hall having been deemed a proper time for a visit to them, the Rev. Mr.
S---- and a friend called on me with a view to a further conversation
with them on the subject of religion, which had been postponed at
their request until after they had seen the Queen, which honour they
had now had. I spoke to the chiefs about it, and they said, "It is
very difficult now, for we have not time. Mr. Rankin has gone for the
carriage, and we are just going out to ride, but you can bring them in."
The old chief received them very kindly, and gave them seats, when the
Rev. Mr. S---- addressed them through the interpreter in the most kind
and winning manner. "My friends, I have been delighted to see by the
papers that your Great Mother the Queen has graciously received you
and made you some valuable presents; and I hope the time is come now
when your minds are at ease, and we can have some conversation on that
great and important subject that I proposed the other day."
The old man was at that moment painting his face with vermilion and
bear's grease, as he sat on the floor with a small looking-glass
between his knees, and the palms of both hands covered with his red
paint, which he was plastering over his face, and impressing on his
naked arms and shoulders. He was not in a condition or mood to make a
speech, or to hold a long talk; but he replied in a few words: "You
see, my friends, that it is impossible to talk long now, for my young
men, like myself, are all dressing and painting to take our ride,
which we take every morning at ten. We are going now to the show of
wild beasts, and we can't wait long; if we do, we may not see them."
The reverend gentleman very pleasantly and patiently said to him, that
he did not wish to take up any of their time when they had amusements
or exercise to attend to; but he hoped they would keep the subject in
mind, and give them some leisure hour when they could listen to him;
and proposed the next day at twelve o'clock. The old man said, "No; at
twelve they were to give their exhibition, which was, after that day,
to be given in the day and evening also."--"Well, at two?"--"At two we
dine."--"Well, what do you do after dinner?"--"Sleep."--"Not all the
afternoon?"--"Pretty much."--"Well, in the morning, at eight?"--"_In
bed_ at eight."--"What time do you breakfast?"--"About nine."--"Well,
then, say ten?"--"Well, ten."--"To-morrow?"--"No, next day." The
reverend gentleman then said, "Well, my good friends, we will come and
see you the day after to-morrow, at ten; and we hope you will think of
this important subject in the mean time." The chief said, "He would
be glad to see them, as he had promised; but they had so much to see
and to think of, that it was not probable they could have much time to
think about it; and as the Queen didn't say anything to them about it,
they hadn't given it any thought since they last met."
The Indians took their customary omnibus drive-- not on this morning,
as the old chief anticipated, to the menagerie, but to the Thames
Tunnel and London Bridge. To these they were accompanied by Mr. Rankin,
and looked upon them both as the wondrous works of white men's hands,
which they could not comprehend. When they entered the Tunnel, and were
told that they were under the middle of the Thames, and that the great
ships were riding over their heads, they stood in utter astonishment,
with their hands over their mouths (denoting silence), and said nothing
until they came out. They called it the "_Great Medicine Cave_," and
gave the medicine (or _wa-be-no_) dance at the entrance of it. Mr.
Rankin made a speech here to the thousands assembled, which I believe
was never recorded. They were met with much kindness at that place,
where they received some fine presents, and were treated, they said, to
some very good _chickabobboo_.
The scene at the Egyptian Hall on this evening was again very exciting,
the Hall being as full as it could pack, and the Indians in great glee,
which insured much amusement. I accompanied the Indians on to the
platform as before, and, as usual, introduced them to the audience,
and explained the objects for which they had come to this country,
&c.: they then proceeded with their amusements by giving a dance,
accompanied by their customary yells and the war-whoop, which was
followed by thundering applause. They then seated themselves and smoked
their pipes, while I explained the nature and object of the dance they
had just given. While I was thus engaged, some decided opposition to
the nature of the exhibition manifested itself, which might well exist
in the minds of persons unacquainted with the relative position in
which these Indians and myself stood; and which objections I felt quite
willing to meet at that moment.
The first interruption that I met with was from a man who had taken his
position in front of me, and whom I had seen several times endeavouring
to obtain a hearing. He at length took an opportunity when he could be
distinctly heard, and addressed me thus:--"Do you think it right, Sir,
to bring those poor ignorant people here to dance for money?" There was
a cry of "Put him out! put him out!" but as soon as I could restore
silence I said, "No, my friends, don't put him out; I wish to answer
such questions." At that moment another rose in an opposite part of the
room, and said--
"I think it is degrading to those poor people to be brought here,
Sir, to be shown like wild beasts, for the purpose of making money;
and I think, more than that,--that it is degrading to _you_, Sir, to
bring them here for such a purpose; and the sooner it is stopped the
better."
The audience, at my request, had held silence until this speech was
finished, when there was a general cry of "Turn him out! turn him out!
Shame! shame!" &c.
I waited as patiently as I could until silence was restored, when I was
enabled to get every ear in the house to listen to me; and I then said--
"My friends, I beg that there may be no more disposition to turn
any one out, for, if I can be heard a few moments, I will save all
further trouble, and, I venture to say, make those two gentlemen as
good friends to the Indians, and to myself, as any in the room. The
questions which they have naturally put are perfectly fair questions,
and such as I am anxious everywhere to answer to. The position in
which I stand at present is not, I grant, ostensibly, the one in
which my former professions would place me. I have been several years
known to the British public, from my labours and my professions, as
an advocate for the character and the rights of American Indians.
This position I have taken, and still claim, from a residence of
eight years amongst the various tribes where I have travelled, at
great expense, and hazard to my life, acquainting myself with their
true native dispositions, whilst I was collecting the memorials of
these abused and dying people, which you see at this time hanging
around us. In the eight years of my life which I have devoted to this
subject, I have preserved more historical evidences of these people,
and done more justice to their character, than any man living; and on
these grounds I demand at least the presumption that I am acting a
friendly part towards them, who have in their own country treated me
with genuine hospitality. (Hear, hear! and immense applause.)
"My friends, we come now to the facts, which it is my duty to
mention, and which I presume those two gentlemen are not acquainted
with. In the first place, I did not bring these people to this
country, but have always been opposed to such parties going to a
foreign country for such an object.[9] These Indians are men, with
reasoning faculties and shrewdness like to our own, and they have
deliberately entered into a written agreement with the person who
has the charge of them, and who is now in the room, to come to this
country, stimulated by the ambition of seeing Her Majesty the Queen,
whose lawful subjects they are, and make, if possible, by their
humble and honest exertions, a little money to carry home to their
children. (Immense applause.)
"These people are the avowed friends of the English in their own
country, and several of them are here to show the frightful wounds
they received in fighting Her Majesty's battles in the war of 1812.
(Applause, and Hear!)
"When they arrived, their first object was to see my collection,
which is known (at least by report) to almost every Indian to the
Pacific coast; and when they were in it, they decided that there was
the appropriate place for their dances, &c., and insisted upon my
conducting their exhibitions. By this it is seen that I met these
persons in this country; and in the belief that my countenance and
aid would render them subjects of greater interest, and therefore
promote their views, I have undertaken to stand by them as their
friend and advocate--not as wild beasts, but as men (though perhaps
'degraded,' as civilized actors degrade themselves on foreign boards)
labouring in an honest vocation, amid a world of strangers, wiser and
shrewder than themselves, for the means of feeding their wives and
little children. (Hear, hear, hear.)
"These people are here at an enormous expense, and the gentleman to
whom they have intrusted themselves has a tremendous responsibility
on his hands, for he must return them safe home, at his own expense,
after sharing the receipts of the expedition with them. They are
free men, and not slaves; and in a free country like this, who will
have the cruelty to say to them, 'Stop your vocation, and go to the
streets, like the poor Lascars, with brooms in your hands;' or the
kindness to say, 'Quit your dancing, and we will pay your expenses to
the shores of Lake Huron, and give you money to buy blankets and food
for your wives and little children'? (Hear, hear! and applause.)
"As for 'degradation,' I only hope, my friends, that I may always
live as free from it as I consider myself whilst by my exertions
I am promoting the honest views of these simple and unoffending
people; and for the name and honour of civilization I only wish that
the thousands of the enlightened world who are led into the Indian
countries by the passion to make money, would make it in as honest
a way, and as free from degradation, as the one in which these poor
fellows are labouring here to make a little." (Cheers and immense
applause, and cries of "No reply, no reply!")
[9] On a subject of so much importance to me, I deem proof
admissible and necessary, and therefore offer to the reader the
following letter from the former Secretary at War, Mr. Poinsett,
to whom I had written on the subject of an expedition, fitting
out in the United States, for such a purpose, several years
since:--
My dear Sir, Washington City, October 19th, 1839.
I received your letter of the 11th instant, and am much obliged
to you for the information of the contemplated speculations with
Indians in foreign countries. I have taken precautions to defeat
all such enterprises, and will prosecute the speculators, and
saddle them with heavy costs, instead of gains, if I can detect
them. I consider such proceedings are calculated to degrade the
Red Man, and certainly not to exalt the whites engaged in them.
With great regard,
Yours very truly,
_To Geo. Catlin, Esq._ J. R. POINSETT, Sec. at War.
A few days after I received the above letter an order was issued
from the department of war to all the surveyors of Atlantic ports,
prohibiting Indians from being shipped to England, or other
foreign countries, for the purposes of exhibitions, without the
consent of the Government of the country.
My two opponents by this time had lowered their heads and were lost
sight of amidst the crowd, and no other objections were heard from
them; and the poor Indians, who had enjoyed a good pipe in the mean
time, without knowing the nature of our debate, were rested and
prepared for their next dance. The audience at this time were all
standing, and wedged together, as it were, in every part of the
room; and amongst such a crowd, so closely packed, there were many
occurrences in the course of the evening which afforded much amusement
to the Indians, who were overlooking the whole of it from their
platform. The screams of one woman, who announced that "she should
faint unless she could get out," stopped all proceedings for a few
moments. It was decided on all hands to be impossible for her to reach
the door; and, being near the platform, she was at length lifted on
to it by the joint aid of the Indians and those below, and she then
took a conspicuous seat, as she supposed, for the rest of the evening.
Another now hallooed for help and fresh air, and, not being so near
the platform, was told that it was entirely impossible to get out,
unless she was lifted over the heads of the crowd. "Never mind," said
she, "I must go!" So she was raised by many hands, amidst a roar of
laughter and fun, every one over whose head she was passed, being
quite willing and ready to lend a hand, with a "Lay hold here! pass
her along," &c. The "jolly fat dame" (as she was afterwards called),
who had escaped from the surges and squeezes of the mass below, now
comfortably seated on the edge of the platform, and briskly plying
her pocket-handkerchief by way of fan, began to imagine her condition
in no way improved, inasmuch as her back was towards her friends the
Indians, and her jolly red face, of necessity, under the intense
glare of the chandelier, and exposed to the gaze of the audience,
who she imagined were passing their criticisms on her "good looks."
(_Plate_ No. 7.) More and more annoyed every moment at the idea that
her ruddy face was growing redder and redder as it was just in the
focus of all eyes in the room, and at the instant thought also that
(considering she was only coming into a crowd) her stays had been left
off, and her new poplin dress, with lace frill in front, not prudent
to wear, she had silently and unadvisedly resolved upon resuming her
old position, and with that view unceremoniously launched herself,
feet foremost, amongst the crowd of gentlemen below. Owing to several
circumstances--the density of the crowd, her rotund and unwedge-like
form, &c.,--there was an insurmountable difficulty (which she probably
had not anticipated) in bringing down with her feet to the floor, or
anywhere in that direction, the voluminous paraphernalia with which
she was circumvested. This state of semi-suspension (her toes merely
occasionally feeling the floor) became instantly alarming to her, as
well as conspicuous and amusing to the Indians and the audience; and
whilst she was imploring one party in the name of Heaven to lift, and
the other to pull, the strong and muscular arms of the interpreter,
Cadotte, gracefully raised her out of the abyss below, and, leading
her across to the back part of the platform, gave her a comfortable
seat, squatted behind, and in the shadow of the Indian group, amongst
shields and war-clubs, and other implements used by the Indians in
their various amusements.
[Illustration: N^o. 7.]
All was mirth and amusement during the remainder of the evening; and
the last position of the "jolly fat dame" (who it would seem had
strolled in on the occasion alone) proved exceedingly gratifying to
her, as it afforded her an opportunity of a few words of conversation
now and then with Cadotte, and of bestowing upon him a very splendid
bracelet which she took from her own arm, saying, as she gave it,
"Look here; you will always know me in a crowd, for on my left arm I
have the fellow to it, and I will always wear it for your sake, that
you may not lose sight of me." This gush of kindness had suffused the
uninvaded soul of this simple and fresh-grown young man, and, when the
exhibition had closed, gained her the kindness of his strong grip again
in easing her down upon the floor. His backwoods gallantry could not
allow her to wander about alone and uninstructed, and he glided down
from the platform on his soft mocassined feet, and, with his eagle and
ostrich plumes waving six feet and a half from the floor, was strolling
around by her side as the audience were withdrawing from the room,
and enlightening her by his descriptions of the paintings and Indian
curiosities covering the walls of the Hall.
The Indians in the mean time had shaken hands with the audience, and
received many fine presents, and having gathered their robes and
their weapons, and Mr. Rankin having announced to Cadotte that "the
carriage was ready," the poor fellow turned upon his heel and said, "I
am obliged to go." "I am so sorry," she exclaimed; "but look ye, can
you read?" "Yes, ma'am." "But can you read writing?" "Yes, a little."
"Oh, well, never mind, I'm going to be here every night--oh! it is so
charming to me! Good night, good night!"
The Indians were now off to their lodgings, and the greater part of
the audience also, leaving poor Daniel, as usual, in the midst of
some dozen or two of the most inquisitive and knowledge seeking and
devouring, to answer the accustomed routine of inquiries reserved for
this (to them) most profitable part of the exhibition.
He was assuring the crowd around him that "these people were _not_
taken with a lasso, nor were they taken in a pit (as some had
conjectured), but that they had _come in_ of their own accord," &c. He
was also showing the _real lasso_, and explaining that it was only a
cord with a noose at the end of it, which the Indians throw over the
wild horses' necks to catch them, and not "a _net_ or a _hammock_,"
to both of which he pointed, and which it seems many had mistook for
lassoes.
He had also commented upon several _real scalps_ which he had taken
down and was holding in his hand, saying, "Gentlemen, what nonsense to
talk about Indians eating the scalps! You see the scalp is nothing but
a small piece of the skin from the top of the head, with the hair on
it, and dried as hard as a bit of sole-leather: there couldn't be any
pleasure in eating a thing of that sort."
About this time the "jolly fat dame," having edged up in his vicinity,
touched Daniel on the shoulder, and at her nod and wink he followed her
to the other side of the room, when she said, "Well, you know _me_,
don't you, Daniel?" "Yes, madam, I recollect you very well; you used
to come here, some months ago, very often, to see the collection and
the tableaux." "Well, now," said she, "look here: those shoats there
will worry you to death; I'd let them alone; they'll go in a minute.
Ah, what a delightful scene this has been to-night! The _real Indians_
after all! what I never expected to see. I never was so happy and so
much delighted before--oh, dear me! they are _such fine_ fellows! I
shall be here every night. I can't keep away. How happy they seem! they
are clever--ah, that they are! I venture to say they are very clever
men. That Interpreter!--what's his name? for I have forgotten." "His
name is Cadotte, madam." "Ah, yes; stop a moment till I write it down,
lest I should forget. I don't like to forget things--I can't say that I
like to forget. How do you say? Cado--with two t's, or one?" "I believe
it is spelt with two t's, madam." "Yes, I dare say--_Cadotte!_--now I
have it! Well, it is wonderful! What a fine-looking fellow that Cadotte
is--ha!--what a tremendous powerful man! Oh, law me! he made nothing
of taking me up there. I suppose you saw him?" "No, madam, I was
'tending door; but I heard of it." "Why, bless me! I was no more than
a pocket-handkerchief to him as he lifted me on to the platform; and
you see I'm not a thing for the wind to blow away--oh dear!--and what a
tremendous hand he has! I never saw the like. When he took hold of my
arm it seemed as if he could have crushed it in a moment. I am sure he
is six feet and a half high." "No, not quite that, madam, but pretty
near it." "Well, really he is a giant, almost; and yet I am sure he is
young--not over 20 I am quite sure!" "No, madam, he is but just turned
18 I believe." "Oh, charming! and how wonderful! But you are jesting,
Daniel?" "No, madam, I may be mistaken, but I believe I am right."
"He can't be married yet?" "Oh, no, you may be sure of that--I don't
suppose he ever thought of a woman yet." "Bless me!--ah, well!--did you
see the present I made him, Daniel?" "No, madam, I have not." "Look
there! I gave him the fellow to that. He'll recollect me, won't he?
I took it off, and tried to buckle it on his wrist myself; but, law
me, what a tremendous arm he has got! it wouldn't go much more than
half way around! I thought _I_ had a pretty lusty arm, Daniel?--feel
it--clasp it round--take hold higher up--up there--I never wear
sleeves!--that's lusty, is'nt it?" "Yes, by jolly!" said Daniel, as
he was making a careful estimate of it; "that's a stout arm, madam."
"Well, mine is a baby's arm to that 'boy's,' as you call him. Ah, well,
Daniel, I am taking up your time, and I must go. I shall be here every
night, I assure you; and you will always let me in early? You see I
am not half dressed to-night. I want to get as near that corner of the
platform as possible when I come." "I understand." "Good night!" "Good
night! madam."
At this moment, or a moment after, Daniel closed the door upon the
last remaining visitors, and I stepped out from behind a green curtain
at one end of the platform, forming a little retreat into which I was
in the habit of withdrawing myself to avoid the crowd at the close of
the exhibition. Owing to this little accident, therefore, the reader
is in possession of the above ejaculatory conversation between the
"jolly fat lady" and Daniel; for as, in taking him to the "other side
of the room," she had most fortunately placed her back within a few
inches of the screen that was before me, bringing poor Daniel's eye to
mine directly over her shoulder, I was enabled to record, _verbatim et
literatim_ (which it might have puzzled poor Daniel to have done from
recollection, after the excitement of her jolly fat arm), precisely all
that was said and done on the occasion, as above related.
"Why," said I, "Daniel, that lady seems to be quite 'taken' with
Cadotte." "Taken! she's more than that--she's dead _in love_ with
him. I'll be shot if ever I saw the like in my life--the woman is
perfectly mad after him--and she's the same lady that used to come to
the _tableaux_ so often when you gave them in the Egyptian Hall, and
was repeatedly asking (as you'll recollect I told you) whether you were
actually married; and when I told her you were, she wouldn't believe
it. She's the same identical woman. I knew her in a moment, for I have
talked hours with her in the exhibition rooms; and didn't you hear her
call me Daniel when she spoke to me to-night? She appears to be quite
a lady. She used to come in quite a respectable carriage; and I'll
venture to say it has been standing at the door all the evening, and
I'll be shot but it will be there every night for a fortnight to come."
"Well, it is quite a curious case; but let us treat her respectfully,
and with politeness, on all occasions." "Oh, yes, certainly; she is
very civil and polite, and you may be sure, Mr. Catlin, that she will
receive no other treatment from me."
Under an agreement with Mr. Rankin and the Indians to meet them at
their lodgings after the exhibition, I repaired to their rooms,
and found them just finishing their beefsteaks and their jug of
_chickabobboo_. They were all in a merry humour, talking over the
curious scenes they had witnessed in the crowd. They said they thought
the Englishwomen loved to be squeezed in a crowd, for there were a
great many there, and they seemed to be very happy and goodnatured.
They were sure that they saw several persons quite drunk in the room,
and also believed that many of the ladies there must have been drinking
_chickabobboo_. They had several hearty laughs about the poor woman
who was passed over the people's heads; and also about the "jolly fat
dame," who was lifted on to the platform by Cadotte; and they teazed
him a long time with their jokes about her, and the beautiful present
he had received from her, and which they had seen her a long time
trying to fasten on to his arm.
Their jokes, which they were thus innocently enjoying, and their
_chickabobbo_, seemed to make them cheerful and happy; and I returned
home, myself pleased, and went to bed.
My desk was now becoming loaded with communications relative to the
Ojibbeway Indians, with more inquiries about their domestic habits and
warfare than I could possibly find time to answer, and more invitations
to dinners and parties than they could attend to; and on the next
day, amongst numerous applications for private interviews, were two
notes from reverend gentlemen, wishing opportunities to converse with
them. To them I answered that I should feel much satisfaction in
affording them every opportunity and every facility in my power, and I
recommended that they should come the next day at ten o'clock, when the
Indians were, by appointment, to meet several clergymen to converse
upon the subject of religion. One of those reverend gentlemen replied
to my note, saying, that "he should prefer a different audience from
that which I had named, and should feel as if I had acted entirely up
to the professions of my first note if I would use my endeavours to
obtain it;" to which I answered that "my only reason for recommending
that occasion was, that, as they had already had several short
interviews with clergymen, and had fixed upon that morning for a final
interview, I thought it probable it would be the only opportunity he
could have of hearing them state their religious belief." I never
received any further communication from this reverend gentleman, nor
did he attend the meeting named; and if I gave him any offence, it was
done while I was giving him what I thought to be the most friendly
advice.
The next night of their exhibition at the Egyptian Hall passed off much
like the preceding one; the Hall was crowded, and in the midst of the
crowd, at the end of the platform (as she had desired it), appeared the
"_jolly fat dame_" in _full_ dress, and fully equipped and prepared for
any emergency. She was in her "_stays_" and her _poplin_ and _lace_,
and loaded with trinkets; and although it was now the middle of winter,
that she might not suffer quite so much as she had done the night
before, she had brought a large fan, which the heat of the room and its
excitements made it necessary to keep constantly in motion. Daniel had
placed her where she could get some support by leaning on the platform,
and once in a while whisper a word to Cadotte, whose beautifully
embroidered mocassins were near to her nose when he leant forward to
listen to her, with the eagle plumes and ostrich feathers of his cap
falling gracefully down over her shoulders. She looked altogether more
lovely and "killing" that night than on the first; and, while she kept
more cool and considerate, was not lessening the progress which her
fascinations were making upon the heart of poor Cadotte, nor curtailing
the draughts of admiration which she was taking in at every breath she
inhaled, and at every glance that she had of his manly and herculean
figure as it moved before her.
What transpired in the bosom and the brain of this fair dame during the
evening, none but herself can exactly know; but, from the lustre of her
eyes, and the pleasure beaming from every part of her jolly face, it
was evident that peace and happiness, for the time, reigned within.
The dances and other amusements of the evening pleased all of the
audience well, and the "jolly fat dame" _supremely_. The Indians
returned to their apartments, and delighted themselves by counting
over their money and trinkets, with which they were well pleased, and
drinking their _chickabobboo_.
The next morning at ten o'clock, the hour appointed, the Rev. Mr. S----
and friend called, and were conducted by me to the Indians' apartments.
They were met with cordiality by the Indians and by Mr. Rankin; and
when the kind and reverend gentleman reminded them of the promise made
him for that morning, they all responded "_How, how, how!_"
They then, at the order of the chief, all spread their robes upon the
floor, upon which they took their seats, and at once were in _council_.
The reverend gentleman then, in a tone and a manner the most winning,
and calculated to impress upon them the sincerity of his views, told
them "he was aware that they were religious, that they all worshipped
the Great Spirit, but that he did not exactly know in what way; that
he did not come here to tell them anything to give them offence, but
with the hope of learning something more of their belief and modes of
worship, of which he confessed he was ignorant, and also of explaining
to them what he and the other divines in the civilized world believed
to be the best, if not the only true religion." (Here the old chief
lighted his pipe, which he commenced smoking.)
The reverend gentleman then explained, in the briefest manner possible,
and in the mode the best calculated for their understanding (and which
was literally interpreted them), the system of the Christian religion
and the mode of redemption.
When the reverend gentleman had finished his remarks, the old chief
filled his pipe again, and, sitting with his eyes cast down until he
had smoked it partly out, he handed it to the War-chief, and (instead
of rising, as an Indian does to speak on any other subject) the old man
rested his elbows on his knees and answered as follows:--[10]
"My friends--We feel thankful for the information and advice which
you come to give us, for we know that you are good men and sincere,
and that we are like children, and stand in need of advice.
"We have listened to your words, and have no fault to find with them.
We have heard the same words in our own country, where there have
been many white people to speak them, and our ears have never been
shut against them.
"We have tried to understand white man's religion, but we cannot--it
is _medicine_ to us, and we think we have no need of it. _Our_
religion is simple, and the Great Spirit who gave it to us has
taught us all how to understand it. We believe that the Great Spirit
made our religion for us, and white man's religion for white men.
Their sins we believe are much greater than ours, and perhaps the
Great Spirit has thought it best therefore to give them a different
religion.
"Some white men have come to our country, and told us that if we did
not take up white man's religion, and give up our own, we should all
be lost. Now we don't believe that; and we think those are bad or
blind men.
"My friends--We know that the Great Spirit made the red men to dwell
in the forests, and white men to live in green fields and in fine
houses; and we believe that we shall live separate in the world to
come. The best that we expect or want in a future state is a clear
sky and beautiful hunting-grounds, where we expect to meet the
friends whom we loved; and we believe that if we speak the truth
we shall go there. This we think might not suit white people, and
therefore we believe that their religion is best for them.
"If we follow the religion of our fathers we shall meet them again:
if we follow a different religion we are not sure of it.
"My friends--We are here but a few, and we are a great way from our
homes, and we shall have but little time to waste in talking on this
subject. When a few white men come into our country to make money,
we don't ask them to take up our religion. We are here away from our
wives and children to try to get some money for them, and there are
many things we can take home to them of much more use than white
man's religion. Give us guns and ammunition, that we can kill food
for them, and protect them from our enemies, and keep whisky and rum
sellers out of our country.
"My friends--We love you, and give you our hands; but we wish to
follow the religion of our fathers, and would rather not talk any
more on the subject." (_'How, how, how!'_)
[10] The numerous conversations held on the subjects of religion
and education with the three different parties of Indians,
in various parts of England, as well as on the continent, I
consider form one of the most interesting features of this work;
and as I have been present at them all, I have taken down all
the Indians' remarks on those occasions, and I have inserted
them in all cases in this book as I wrote them from their lips,
and not in any case from recollection.--AUTHOR.
When the old man had thus closed his remarks, _Gish-ee-gosh-ee-gee_
took the pipe and puffed away a few minutes as hard as he could, when
he spoke as follows:--
"My friends--The words of our chief, which you have just heard, are
good--they are the words of nearly all of our nation. Some of the
Ojibbeways say that the words of the white people are the best; but
we believe that they have two tongues.
"My friends--A few years ago a _black-coat_ came amongst us in the
town where I live, and told us the same words as you have spoken this
morning. He said that the religion of the white men was the only
good religion; and some began to believe him, and after a while a
great many believed him; and then he wanted us to help build him a
house; and we did so. We lifted very hard at the logs to put up his
house, and when it was done many sent their children to him to learn
to read, and some girls got so as to read the 'good book,' and their
fathers were very proud of it; and at last one of these girls had a
baby, and not long after it another had a baby, and the _black-coat_
then ran away, and we have never seen him since. My friends, we don't
think this right. I believe there is another _black-coat_ now in the
same house. Some of the Indians send their boys there to learn to
read, but they dare not let their girls go.
"My friends, this is all I have to say." (_'How, how, how!'_)
The reverend gentlemen kindly thanked the Indians for their patience,
and, telling me that it would be cruel and useless, under their present
circumstances, to question them longer, thanked Mr. Rankin and myself
for the kind assistance we had rendered them, and retired, leaving with
them as a present several very handsome Bibles. As I was leaving the
room I heard the old chief complaining that talking made his lips very
dry, and Mr. Rankin ordered for them a jug of _chickabobboo_.[11]
[11] The minds of the Indians had been so much engrossed for several
days with the subject of religion, that the inventive powers
of the little _Sah-mah_ (Tobacco) had been at work; and when I
called on them the next morning one of them handed me his ideas,
as he had put them on paper with a lead pencil, and I give them
to the reader (Plate No. 8) as near as my own hand could copy
them from his original sketch now in my portfolio. If the reader
can understand the lines, he will learn from it something of the
state of the arts in the Indian country, as well as their native
propensity to burlesque.
[Illustration: N^o. 8.]