A NATIONAL PAPER, PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JVMtI FENNO, No. 34, NOPTH ■ftFTtjiS TRt.£PHILADELPHIA [No. 102 of Vol. IV.] For the GAZETTE of the UNITED STATES. IBIMJCHT4 O.M *B« STATE OF AMERICAN INDIANS. (Continued from Nt>. t,q, of ikis Gazetted) No- VII. Tils civilization of the Indians is a fubjeft so very important, and yet ft> little in veftioated, that in the firft attempt to bring it before the public, little more than an enu meration of expedients can reasonably be pefted. Let the following ohfervations there fore be considered as intended to excite the public investigation of the fubjeft, rather than fts a regular and digested plan proper to be carried into e(fe<ft. The experience of past age;, and of na tions in Ginilar circumstances, may serve to guide our relearchas in this new and interest ing inquiry. Tn the history of the progress of nation? from ivirb irifm to civility, we find that tn9 worfliip of the Deity—the institution of mar riage, and the eitablithment of private pro perty—have entered into the foundation on which the fuperftrufture of civil society has b~«n trrefted. These are necessary to give form an J permanency, to its establishment. Each of these isofitfelf inefficient—it is their union and joint influence, with the cffc&s that naturally result from them, that give lociety its perfect form. The investigation of each of these principles which compose the foundation of civil society, merits attention in the divelopement of this fubjecl. Some remarks upon the firft of them, will be the substance of the present essay. The idea of a Supreme Being, is either ori ginally inftampt upon the human mind, or is among the firft imprelfions whi,ch it receives from theexercife of its own powers. All men at times fee! their dependence upon a Superior, and seek occasionally, by external homage, to deprecate his anger and ferure his favour. It is perhaps impoflible to efface this impi eflion from the'human heart—it is the Knjt which connects material with immaterial existence. It is uncertain how far civil go vernment would be practicable without the aid of these sentiments. In its best form, it is far from being a perfect work. The li mited" eStertTßf its law;—the imperfection of its fanftions—the inequalities and diftinftions which it creates—with the temptations to fraud, injustice and cruelty, are calculated to cxcite envy and inquietude in the minds of the least fortunate members of the commu nity; who, without the co-operation of reli gious principles, would be continually endea voring to throw off all legal restraint, and to dissolve the bands of the society, in order to riot on the spoils of the public, or to re eftab lilh it on a foundation more agreeable to their wishes and interests. The belief of a Supreme Being—infinite in power, wisdom, purity, justice and goodness— of a future ftatc—of retribution—of an uni versal judgment, and of an eternal award penetrates the heart, arrests the eon faience, and restrains the impetuosity of the paiHons— It leads to obedience and submission, by an nexing the idea of duty to the facrifices of pcrfona! interest, to the present order o things, and by the profpeft of a period whei an equitable distribution (hall be made by thi Sovereign of the Universe. A rut by enforcing the rights of inipertfeft obligation—-by inculcating the exercise of the fecial virtues—by reftralning fscret crimes— by corroborating the authority of the laws, and by giving additional energy to their fac tions—it is admirably calculated to remedy the inconveniences, and supply the defclts of civil government. These principles are Am ple and uniform, adapted to every capacity, find suited to every stage of society and age of the world. In rude and ignorant times, men not hav ing compact of mind enough to trace these impre'fions to their source, or to deduce all things from one simple cause, followed tlie impulf.- of their imaginations and their pas sions, In this state of mens' minds, every deviation from the ordinary coui'fe of things alarms their fears, and they have recourse to superior and invifihle powers to relieve them from the evils which theydiead. They ascribe to a diftinft cause every uncommon event— sod by tbefe means, multiply their Gods with out number. They clothe them with the pafKons and weaknefles of mortals, and pay them an homage that corresponds to their origin and tlieir attributes. Men of superior sagacity have availed themselves of this weakness—augmented the reputation of tbe cut rent superstitions, formed them into fyf teni. and made them the bafu of their laws and policy. The introduction of laws and government in most nation-;, of whose origin we have any diftinft tradition, was effe&ed in this manner. Tbe holy religion tlrat we poffbfs, is indeed in every Ifneament different from the systems of superstition wh'ch the ignorance and credu lity of mankind have invented. The one lets before u» a ttandaid of perfect excellence, which we are commanded at our peril to imi Wednesday, May 22. 175)5. tate—the other clothes the ofcjifis of its wor lhip with the frailties of men. The one in fctfeft lends to putity and virtue—the other, to depravity and folly. What life may be made of true religion in civilizing lhe Indians, I will not pretend to determine —But that it may be of some service, I think evident. If superstition and falle religion were found ne ceffiry to the eftabliftlraent of civil fociery and cvvjl laws—Purely true religion is equally nece!Tary, and will b« equally eHeciu.il. Such is the attachment qf the Indians to their man ners and cuftoijii—fach the ilrength aud vio lence of tiieir paflions, and such the nature and. number of their vices, that no change can be introduced among them in these refpecls but by interfiling the strongest paflions of the human mind- No sentiments so easily rcach the heart, and none so powerfully imp''efs the mind, as thofe_ which relate to religion. The doctrines, the precepts, and the institutions of religion, are all calculated to enlighten, to humanize and to interest the human mind— to foften the manners, and to extend and Strengthen the social affe&ions. No principle will be so efficacious in chang ing the habits of the savages, as religion— This is evident not only from the nature of tilings—the constitution of the human mind, arid the power of superstition in pad ages— but from the experience we have actually had of the ef&&s of it on the temper and manners of the Indians. The success of Mr. David Braincrd among the Indian 1 ? in New-Jersey, has been laid be fore the public. By the indefatigable exer tions and well directed zeal of that pious and judicious miiHonary, a considerable number of the fa-vages. were prevailed on to forfake their wandering way of life—to form them fir lyes into a society, and to attend to agriculture. He established a school among them, and the youth made great proficiency even during his residence among them.* In the history of the Five Nation*, we are informed that by the exertions of two suc ceeding miflionaries, they were reformed in a great measure from the vice of drunken nefs—from the practice of divorcing each other on frivolous pretence I !—from the exer cise of cruelty to their prisoners, and in some measure from their propenfrty to war.f—, From fucli favorable beginnings, what might not he expected from a vigorous prosecution of similar measures. From these experiments we may infer, the religion, pure, simple, and unadulterated by superstitious ceremonies, or any falfe mix. ture, would be a powerful inftrumeot in ef fecting the civilization of our American In dians—and a well digefled plan for this pur pore deserves the patronage of the benevo lent. NO T % /« addition to these inflances, / milht mention the Jkccefs of the fcfuits in Paraguay % in South-America : They brought the Indians to live in towns, /o cultivate the ea*th, to exercise the arts, ra submit to civil fit*- ordination, tiwi to aspire to liberal improve ments. * Life of Brainerd, p. 177 — 304. + Colden's Hijfory of the Five Nations. FROM THE FEDERAL GAZETTE, OF SATURDAY LAST Yeflerdax afternoon, the citizens of Philadelphia, agreeably to a notification for that purpose, at tended a meeting in the State house garden. An address congratulating Mr. Genet on his arrival was read, and unanimoujly adopted—lt was im mediately presented to the Mimfler, at the City tavern, if at follows: To Edmund Charles GENET, Minister Ple nipotentiary i'rpm the Republic of France, to the United States, —THE ADDRESS ps the Citizens qf Philadelphia. S I R, The Citizens of Philadelphia are anxious to convey their congratulations upon your arri val, in terms the raoft cordial and acceptable. We have, with pleasure, on former occalions, acknowledged our obligations, and declared -our attachment to the people of France J but, at this moment, we are peculiarly gratified, by recognizing, in the Minister of our firft and hell Ally, the representative of a Free Re public. Impressed with the value of our political independence ; recollecting, with an honest pride, tlie Glory and Success, which, in the pui 'uit of that o"hje£t, crowned the virtue and foititude of America; and ettimating the prefer, t reputat on a.id prosperity of the union, as blessings resulting from the Revo lution ; we cannot without gratitude, consi der, bow great a portion of our triumph and our happmefs, was derived from the zealous and dilinterefted aid of your countrymen ; nor can we without diffiir.ulation, fupprels our joy, that the cation, which so generously contributed to relcue the liberties of America, has, at length, with unpai allelled magnani mity, effablifhed her own. From such feelings, fir, we have been na turally led to contemplate the druggies of France with a paternal eye ; sympathizing in all her calamities ; ard exulting in all her 405 successes r but there is another interest, the of Freedom and Equality, which adds to the force of our aitivtion;, arid rgndars the caule of France important tq every re public, and dear to all the human race. Be allured, therefore, that jnftly regard ing the cultivation of republican principles, as the best fecuritv for the permanency of our own popular governments, we reft our favorite hopes, at this momentous erilis, 011 the conduct of France ; and, earnestly giving to the national exertions our wishes and our prayers, we cannot refill the plealing hope, that although America, is not a party in the ex'fting war, ihe may still be able, in a Bate of peace, to demonstrate the sincerity of her friendfhip, by affording very ul'eful afliltance to the citizens of her filter republic. The well-earned character of a republican and a patriot, has enf'itred for you the warm est fentimants of personal refpedtand esteem : and, whiie the law of nations, and the rights of treaty, give dignity and energy to your oflicial ftatiors; the endeavors of the citizens will nor, wetriift, be jneffe£hial, in render ing your reiidence in Philadelphia, agreeable to you, and honorable to ourselves. Signed by order of the rtteettngi!' r ' "CHAREES- PIDDLE, Philadelphia, t jth Way, 1793. Attfft. ROBERT HENRY DUN KIN, 'Sec'ry. THE A N S H' £ R. Citizen Genet IVliniiler Plenipotentiary from the Republic of France, to the Citizens of Philadelphia. CITIZENS, IF gratitude be not acknowledged a virtue imong the despots, it is evidently fnch a inorvg freemen. Of this-truth I have re ceived abundant proofs on my journey from Cbarlefton tfl Philadelphia. In every pla(;e tbe general voire of the people convinced me in a most sensible manner of their real fenti pients and sincere and friendly difpofitipns towards the nation which I have the honor to represent, and for the advancement of that common cause which (he alone supports with lb much courage. Citizens, your address has completed my fatisfaftion, and I alfure you that the dayyoitr Brethren In France stall receive it wtil fee 4' day of gladness to them. This I anticipate, that from tbe effe.ft it has had upon rayfelf, it will have the fame upon then), fgm those wife and liberal those just and excellent ideas which chara&erize it. In my private capacity of a citizen, I am highly flattered with the favorable opinion yon have formed of me; and I promise to make every exertion in my power to render tnyfclf worthy of thjt good opinion, and to jnftify the confidence my country has repo r td in me. My conduit while among you ftiall he to the heighth of our national political principles—An unbounded openefs shall be the constant rule of my intercourse with those wife and virtuous men into whole hands you haveentruftcd the management of your pub lic affairs. I wili expose candidly to them the great ohjefts on which it will be our bu linefs to ddiberate ; and the common interest oif both nations will, I have no doubt be the cdmpaf's of our direction ; for without such a gilide, what would become of both nations, txpofed as we mutually are to there fentment, the hatred and the treachery of all the ty fHhts of the earth, who, you may reft assured, Ate at this moment armed not only against France, but against liberty itfelf. ' (Signed; GENET. Foreign Intelligence. FRANCE. NATIONAL CONVENTION. March 24. Dutnoyrier on the 12th in ft. -wrote a let' ter dated Louvain, which it was not thought prudent at the time to read- It is as follows : Citizen President, THE fafety of the people is the supreme law ; I havejuft aban doned conquell almost certain, by quitting the victorious part of the army ready to enter into the heart of Holland, to Apr to the support of that portion which has experienced a check, owing to physical and mo ral causes, that I mean 10 devflope with that franknefs which is more than ever neceflary, and which would always have tended to the welfare of the Republic, if all her agents had made use of it in the ac counts they gave, and if it had been liltened to with more complacency than deceitful flattery. You know,citizen representatives, in what a dangerous llaie y f difor " [Whole No. 424.] ganizatiorr the Belgic army hats been placed, by a minister and o(li iers who draggrd France rn the brink of ruin, i his mjniffer aijd" those officers have been changed ; but far from punifliing them, Pache and HalTenfratz have parted ro the important station of heads to the Paris police, and from that nipment the capita] has seen renewed iri the (treet Lombard, scenes of blood and maflacre. I presented to you, in the month of December, in four memorials, the grievances that ought to be re d relied. 1 informed you of the on ly mean? which could put a stop to the evil, and give to our armies iheir vigor, and to ourcaufe all the jultice which ought to 'characterize it. These memorials have been thrown aside ; you are not acquaint ed with themorder them to fye presented to yon, you will there firtd predicted whal lias lince hap pened ; you will also in them find the remedy ro the other dangers which surround us, and pienace our infant republic. The armies of Belgia united in the countries of Aix la Chapelle and Liege, have there fuffeted every species of want,, without murrquiiug, but continual ly weakened by fitlfiiefs and con jtant Ikirmifhes with the $nemy,Bt>d by the desertion of many of the of ficers and f>!diers to the amount of half their origins,! llrength. It is only lince General Buernon ville is at the head of the miniltrjj, that the wants of the army and re cruiting begins to be thought of. But he has been in lb fiiorc a time, that we feel that spi rit qJ which we have been the vic tims. This was our fituation,when on the firft of February ypu tho'c it due to the honor of the nation to declare war against England and Holland. From this moment I bu ried the remembrance o,f all toy grievances ;—I no longer thought of resigning, which you will find mentioned in the memorials abeve alluded to ; all my thoughts were given to the fafety of my country. 1 endeavored to be beforehand wli'h our enemies, and this reduced army forgot all its fufferings to attack Holland. While, with new troops, just from France, I was taking Bre da, Klundert, Gertruydenberg, and was preparing to extend my con quests, the Belgic army, under Ge nerals remarkable for courage and civifm, undertook the liege of Ma eftricht. Every thing was wanting for this expedition, the new was not yet on foot.—The ancient was bad in every view. Money was plenty, but the new formseftabli/h ---ed at the national treasury prevent ed the use of that money. I cap not yet detail the immediate causes of the check our armies expp rienced.as I ain jufl arrived ; not only they have abandonee! every hopepf taking Maeltricht, but they have fallen back in confufion and with loss. The magazines of every kind which were begun to be colle<n?d at Liege, have /'alien into thehandt of the eneiny, as well as part of the field artillery and that belonging to the battalions : Thij retreat jias drawn on us new euemies, and here | will develope lite cause of our misfortunes. There has e*er exifted,in human events, a reward for virtue a punifhtnem for vice. Private indi viduals may escape the effects of this providence, which n>ay be cjiij fd what you pleale, because they are ioipeiceptible points : but rffd liiUory, and you will find that a peo ple never escape it. As long as our caofe was jh?t ps juitice we the taemj :
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