| Title: | From Thomas William Magrath, Esq., Upper Canada, to the Rev. Thomas Radcliff, Dublin. |
|---|---|
| ID | 4555 |
| Collection | Authentic Letters from Upper Canada [Rev. Thomas Radcliff] |
| File | radcliff/13 |
| Year | 1832 |
| Sender | Magrath, Thomas Wm |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Erindale, Toronto, Upper Canada |
| Destination | Dublin, Ireland |
| Recipient | Rev. Thomas Radcliff |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 2304 |
| Genre | account of Indian customs |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Erindale, Toronto, January, 1832. My dear Sir, In your last, you express some disappointment at my not saying any thing of my Indian friends. I really forgot to do so—my father gives in an annual return of the state of his mission to the bishop, in which is included that of the Indian village of the Mississaguas. I send you a copy The village consists, as well as I recollect, of twenty-four houses, inhabited by about two hundred and thirty individuals. It is situated on a high bank of the river Credit, where what is termed the Pond of that river begins. On the flat immediately below the present village, the Mississagua Indians, and other tribes, were in the habit of encamping for the purpose of salmon-fishing, during the season. Their camp, at that time, presented the most heterogeneous mass of dirty wigwams, surrounded by heaps of fish bones, offals of deer, and putrid filth of every description. How different is its present appearance! laid out in beautiful enclosures, well cultivated by their own hands, and having borne in the last harvest, the finest crop of Indian corn ever raised in this country. It is gratifying to perceive, that instead of the drunken and savage brawls, which disgraced even their beastly orgies, happiness and peace have sprung up among them, good order, sobriety, and cleanliness in house and person. I think I hear you say,—how was this surprizing change effected? I answer by the Methodist clergy. Although I do not agree with them in politics, or as to church government, it is but fair to allow them every credit for their zealous exertions amongst the Indians, which have been most successful in several instances, as well at Rice Lake and Simcoe Settlements, as here. In passing through our village at an early hour, I have often heard the morning hymn sung by an Indian family, in a manner-that would surprise a European, and with greater sweetness than in many churches. Their demeanour is moral, their attendance at divine worship regular, and their observance of the church service, grave and attentive. There arc three chiefs resident in the village-—Lawyer, Crane and Jones—my friend Lawyer is certainly a very intelligent and clever fellow, but in council, they complain of his being sometimes a little long winded. Crane is a fine specimen of a true Indian. He stands six feet four inches in height, with a lofty carriage that would do credit to a guardsman, and "fearlessly looks heaven in the face” Mr. Jones, happening to dine with us in company with some friends, surprised the new comers of the party, by the perfect ease, and unembarrassed manners, with which he acquitted himself in all the modern attentions of the table, conversing naturally with both ladies and gentlemen, on light or graver subjects, with equal address. They were also struck with his dress, the full costume of an Indian chief—a coat (made in form of a shirt,) of deer skin, dressed in the Indian method without the hair, of a golden colour, and as soft as glove leather. On the front and behind the shoulders, are lappets, ten inches deep, beautifully punched in various patterns, like coarse lace or net work—all seams, (instead of being sewed) fastened with narrow stripes of skin cut into fringe for that purpose. The head-dress—a valuable silk, or fine cotton handkerchief, in turban form, worn by some tribes with feathers. Leggins,—reaching to the hip, and ornamented on the sides, serve as trowsers. Mocassins—curiously ornamented with porcupine quills, complete the drawing room habit; whilst the tomohawk, scalping knife, tobacco pouch, and rifle, equip the Indian for the woods. As he becomes civilised, silver ornaments previously worn in profusion are laid aside, and the European dress of his white brother is adopted. I have frequently met John Brant, the Mohawk chief, at the Government house, and in the first circles. He attends all our assemblies, and dances quadrilles much better than many of Garboi's pupils. His manners are perfectly those of a gentleman, and our ladies have no objection to "trip it on the light, fantastic toe," with a thoroughbred Indian chief. John Brant was returned as member for his county, to the last parliament, and made some excellent speeches in the house, but on a petition lost his seat, by some trifling informality in the Election. As amongst the "untutored" Indians are to be found all the worst traits of uncivilized life, so are there to be met, especially among the chiefs, noble specimens of dignified and rational character; and those that I have mentioned are not singular in this respect. But whoever desires the true and characteristic picture of the Indian, must read the inimitable portraitures of Cooper, in his unrivalled novels. The accuracy of their delineation I had the means of putting to the test. On a hunting excursion through the woods for some weeks, with two Indians, who carried my baggage, and a few others who joined me; happening to have "The Last of the Mohicans" in my pack, I read extracts to my party at night, around the fire, and the astonishment they expressed at a white man being able to describe their native scenes and characters so precisely, was a greater compliment to the talented author than any I can pay him; for the Indian seldom foregoes his self-possession, or evinces feelings of pleasure or pain by words or gesture. On this occasion they were highly pleased, and expressed themselves so. One night, when encamped on the shore of Lake Huron, our literary party was interrupted by the sound of many paddles, and we soon discovered that some new arrival had taken place. On going out, I perceived eleven canoes discharging their crews opposite our encampment. In less than twenty minutes there were fires blazing in all directions, and the cooking going on as if they had been there as many weeks. Shortly after, two chiefs came forward, shook hands with me in the free and friendly manner an Indian generally does, and, at my request, supped with me. They had come to that part of the lake to take white fish, which is the best fish; and, there, most abundant. Next morning I had a noble dish sent me as a present, by the Chief, Wagna; and on his signifying that they would take to the fishing ground at noon, I purchased one of their bark canoes and paddles, for five dollars, and joined the Fleet. Will you believe it? I never passed a more agreeable time in my life, than when surrounded by this party, at times 150 in number; nearly one hundred miles from any settlement, and I myself the only white man (not very white either) in the entire camp. My tent was pitched on a green bank, about twenty yards from the wigwams, with its door to the lake, into which I plunged every morning from my bed, and either joined my companions during the day, in hauling the net, or, taking my rifle to a deer pass, never failed of sport, as some obliging Indians were always ready to surround a portion of the Bush, and drive the game in the direction where I stood. This was generally at the entrance of the valley; and with two or three good marksmen below me, we seldom returned lightly laden. I always beat the Indians at a running shot, at which they are not expert; but whatever might be our individual success, all we shot went into the general stock; and whether I went out or not, my table, or rather my mat, was regularly furnished, with fish, duck, or venison, in profusion. With what pleasure I look forward to another such excursion! At night the shore was brilliant with the fishing lights in the canoes; and I had to walk but twenty paces into mine, to enjoy as fine sport as the most enthusiastic fisherman could desire. After a residence of six weeks with my Red Brothers, I prepared to return homeward, and felt much regret at parting from them, so marked was their kindness to me, and so good-natured their attention. When I fixed the day, every 'one had something to give; and had I accepted half what they presented, two canoes would have been insufficient to carry away the provisions. I embarked at five in the morning; when three miles distant from shore, the sudden swell of the lake, and black appearance of the sky foreboding storm, I directed the men at the paddles to turn back, and before we had got within a mile of shore, the waves (as is often the case in those lakes) running mountain high, we made every possible exertion, but very little way. The wind was right ahead, the canoe small, and freighted with six persons—but she rode it like a duck; we at length reached the land, nearly exhausted, and I was welcomed back with as much cordiality as if my absence had been for weeks instead of hours. Had we not returned we must have been inevitably lost; in a short time, however, I was safely lodged again in my old quarters. About dusk a canoe, with two Squaws on board, was observed struggling to make the shore. On inquiry, I found they belonged to our camp, had been about a mile along the coast, for some fish which had been left behind, and were blown out as they were rounding a headland close to us. We could observe them throwing out the fish, and the group on shore had hopes of their arriving in safety; none, however, attempted to go to their assistance, knowing that, in such a gale, both canoes would be endangered, as by a sudden collision they would be upset or staved to pieces; they, nevertheless, looked on with deep anxiety, when, as the little vessel rose on the summit of a wave, the foremost paddle snapt close to the hand of the Squaw that plied it, and disappeared. She lay down in the canoe, and her comrade could do no more than prevent it from turning. In a moment a canoe was launched, by two men, one of them the husband of her who still worked that which was in distress; they were making some progress to her relief, when it became so dark that we lost sight of both. The shouts of the two men to discover where the canoe lay were feebly answered by the unhappy women, and then all was still. I had a fire lighted on the beach, as a beacon to direct them, in the excessive darkness of the night.—The group around it formed the finest subject for a painter, that can be imagined .—There we stood, about eighty in number, gazing at the flame, blown by the wind in all directions, the light thrown strongly, but fitfully, on the features and figures of the Indians, but not a word was spoken.—At length the grating sound of paddles reached our ears; the light of the immense fire Mashed on the approaching canoe, and the persons it contained—the two enterprizing men, accompanied by one female!—Poor Segenauck,— the wife of an attached husband, who hoped and tried to save her,—was no more! They landed—not a question was asked—all retired to their wigwams in solemn silence. In a few minutes I was alone. The manly and dignified manner in which this melancholy occurrence was received—the solemn, but silent, tribute o'f regret paid by all to the memory of one of their tribe, thus suddenly called away, gave me a still more favourable impression of my Indian companions, and sent me to bed, with the storm in my ears, and its fatal result occupying my waking and sleeping thoughts till morning —I learned, then, from Segenauck's husband, that as soon as the canoes came near each other, the Squaw at the head, taking hold of the gunwale of that in which he was, cautiously stept in, forgetting, in the hurry and danger of the moment, to keep hold of that she had left, which, losing the weight in front, rose at once out of the water, was blown round and upset, without a possibility, on his part, of saving his unfortunate helpmate. The storm ceased in the night; the morning was very fine. I left the camp at break of day, and was soon out of sight of my kind and hospitable companions. I quitted them with a degree of regret, in which, I have since found, I was not singular. In Moore's "Life of Lord Edward Fitzgerald," we find that unfortunate nobleman expressing himself to the same effect; and I have heard many say, that those who were long in the habit of Indian society, were generally fascinated by it—as the excursion which I have described to you has left on my mind a similar impression; should I not, in the course of a year or two, be able to prevail on some fair friend to share with me the world's cares and pleasures, I shall resume the blanket coat, the mocassin, the rifle, the snow shoe, and only visit the haunts of the deceitful white man when my red brother gets tired of me. It is but fair, however, to state this clearly and candidly, as some considerate and tender-hearted fair one wishing to prevent it. might yet, by a flattering communication of her good opinion, induce me to break through my present resolution of living and dying an old bachelor!! Believe me, my dear Sir, Your's, &c. &c. T. W. MAGRATH. |
