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 :