Solomon Spalding - Manuscript Found - rough draft for the Book of Mormon?
THE
"MANUSCRIPT FOUND."
---- OR ----
"MANUSCRIPT STORY."
OF REV. SOLOMON SPAULDING;
INTRODUCTION,
Near the west bank of the Coneaught River there are the remains of an ancient fort. As I was walking and forming various conjectures respecting the character, situation, & numbers of those people who far exceeded the present Indians in works of art and ingenuity, I hapned to tread on a flat stone. This was at a small distance from the fort, & it lay on the top of a small mound of Earth exactly horizontal. The face of it had a singular appearance. I discovered a number of characters which appeared to me to be letters, but so much effaced by the ravages of time, that I could not read the inscription. With the assistance of a leaver I raised the stone. But you may easily conjecture my astonishment when I discovered that its ends and sides rested on stones & that it was designed as a cover to an artificial Cave. I found by examining that its sides were lined with stones built in a connical form with - - - - - down, & that it was about eight feet deep. Determined to investigate the design of this extraordinary work of antiquity, I
prepared myself with necessary requisites for that purpose and decended to the Bottom of the Cave. Observing one side to be perpendicular nearly three feet from the bottom, I began to inspect that part with accuracy. Here I noticed a big flat stone fixed in the form of a doar. I immediately tore it down and Lo, a cavity within the wall presented itself it being about three feet in diamiter from side to side and about two feet high. Within this cavity I found an earthen Box with a cover which shut it perfectly tite. The Box was two feet in length one & half in breadth & one & three inches in diameter. My mind filled with awful sensations which crowded fast upon me would hardly permit my hands to remove this venerable deposit, but curiosity soon gained the assendancy & the box was taken & raised to open it. When I had removed the Cover I found that it contained twenty-eight rolls of parchment -- & -- that when - - - appeared to be manuscrips written in eligant hand with Roman letters & in the Latin Language.
They were written on a variety of Subjects. But the Roll which principally attracted my attention contained a history of the author's life & that part of America which extends along the great Lakes & the waters of the Mississippy.
Extracts of the most interesting and important matters contained in this Roll I take the liberty to publish.
Gentle Reader, tread lightly on the ashes of the venerable dead. Thou must know that this Country was once inhabited by great and powerful nations, considerably civilized & skilled in the arts of war, & that on ground where thou now treadest many a bloody Battle hath been fought, & heroes by thousands have been made to bite the dust.
In the history given of these nations by my author you will find nothing but what will correspond with the natural sentiments we should form on viewing the innumerable remains of antiquity which are scattered over an extensive Country. This is an evidence of the author's impartiality and veracity. But if any should pretend that the whole story is fictitious or fabulous
To publish a translation of every particular circumstance mentioned by our author would produce a volume too expensive for the general class of readers. But should this attempt to throw off the veil which has secluded our view from the transactions o nations who for ages have been extinct, meet the approbation of the public, I shall then be happy to gratify the more inquisitive and learned part of my readers by a more minute publication. Apprehensive that skeptical illiberal or superstitious minds may censure this performance with great acrimony I have only to remark that they will be deprived of a great fund of entertainment - - - - of a contrary disposition will obtain. My compassion will be excited more than my resentment and there the contest will end.
Now, Gentle Reader, the Translator who wishes well to thy present and thy future existence entreats thee to peruse this volume with a clear head, a pure heart, and a candid mind. If thou shalt then find that thy head and thy heart are both improved it will afford him more satisfaction than the approbation of ten thousand who have received no benefit.
And now permit me to admonish thee, that if thou shouldst reside in or travel through any part of the Country
CHAPT. I.
AN EPITOME OF SOME PART OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE & OF HIS
ARRIVAL IN AMERICA.
As it is possible that in some future age this part of the Earth will be inhabited by Europeans & a history of its present inhabitants would be a valuable acquisition, I proceed to write one & deposit it in a box secured - - - - so that the ravages of time will have no effect upon it that you may know the author I will give a succinct account of his life and of the cause of his arrival which I have extracted from a manuscript which will be deposited with this history.
My name was Fabius The family name I sustain is Fabius, being descended from the illustrious general of that name. I was born at Rome & received my education under the tuition of a very Learned Master. At the time that Constantine arrived at that city and had overcome his enemies & was firmly seated on the throne of the Roman empire I was introduced to him as a young Gentleman of genius and learning & as being worthy of the favourable notice of his imperial majesty. He gave me the appointment of one of his secretaries, & such were the gracious intimations which he frequently gave me of his high approbation of my conduct that I was happy in my station.
One day he says to me Fabius you must go to Britain & carry an important - - - - to the general of our army there - - - - sail in a vessel & return when she returns. Preparation was made instantly and we sailed - - - The vessel laden with provisions for the army - - - Cloath -- knives
and other impliments for their use had now arrived near the coasts of Britain when a tremendous storm arose & drove us into the midst of the boundless Ocean. Soon the whole crew became lost & bewildered. They knew not the direction to the rising Sun or polar Star, for the heavens were covered with clouds; & darkness had spread her sable mantle over the face of the raging deep. Their minds were filled with consternation and despair. & unanimously agreed that What could we do? How be extricated from the insatiable jaws of a watery tomb? Then it was that we felt our absolute dependence on that Almighty & gracious Being who holds the winds & floods in - - - hands. From him alone could we expect deliverance. To him our most fervent desires assended. Prostrate & on bended nees we poured forth incessant Supplication & even Old Ocean appeared to sympathize in our distress by returning the echo of our vociferos cries & lamentations. After being driven five days with incridable velocity before the furious wind the storm abated in its violence. but still the wind blew strong in the strong as I now believe in the same direction. Doubtful whether the wind had not changed her point we gave the ship full sail & let her drive. On the sixth day after, the storm wholly subsided, the sun rose clear and the heavens once more appeared to smile. Inexpressible was the consternation of all the crew. they found themselves in the midst of a vast Ocean. No prospect of returning. All was lost. The wind blowing westwardly, & the presumption was that it had been blowing in that direction during the whole of the storm. No pen can paint the dolorous cries & lamentations of the poor mariners, for the loss of friends for the loss of everything they held
most - - - - At length a Mariner stept - - - - the midst and proclaimed. Attend O friends & listen to my words. A voice from on high hath penetrated my soul & the inspiration of The Almighty hath bid me proclaim. Let your sails be wide spread & the gentle winds will soon waft you into a safe harbor. a Country where you will find hospitality. Quick as the lightnings flash joy sparkled in every countenance. A Hymn of Thanksgiving spontaneously burst forth from their lips. In full confidence that the divine prediction would be accomplished they extoled the loving kindness and tender mercies of their God & promised by the assistance of his grace to make ample return of Gratitude. On the fifth day after this we came in sight of land, we entered a spacious river & continued sailing up the - - - - many leagues until we came in view of a town. Every heart now palpitated with joy, & loud shouts of gladness expressed the enthusiastic transports of our souls. We anchored within a small distance from shore. Immediately the natives ran with apparent signs of surprize & astonishment to the bank of the River. After viewing us for some time, & receiving signs of Friendship, they appeared to hold a counsel for a few minutes. Their King then stept forward to the edge of the bank & proffered us the hand of friendship, & by significant gestures invited us to Land, promising us protection and hospitality. We now found ourselves once more on terra firma, & were conducted by the king & four chiefs into the town whilst the multitude followed after, shouting & performing many odd jesticulations. The King ordered an entertainment to be prepared for his new friends which consisted of - - - - fish boiled beans & samp - - - - The whole was placed under a wide-spreading Oak in wooden dishes. A large clam shell
& a Stone Knife were provided for each one. The king then came forward with about twenty of his principal subjects, & con seated us (being about twenty in number) & seated us by the side of our repast. He and his company then took seats in front. After waving his hand & bowing all fell to eating & a more delicious repast we never enjoyed. The repast being finished, our attention was called to a collection of about one thousand men & women who had formed a ring & invited our company to come forward into the midst. After gazing upon us for some time with surprize we were permitted to withdraw & to take our stand in the Ring. About forty in number then walked into the middle of the Ring & began a song with but a discordant and hideous modification of sounds, & such frantic jesticulations of body that it seemed that chaos had bro't her furies to set the world in an uproar. And an uproar it was in a short time for the whole company fell to dancing, shouting, whooping, & screaming at ontervals, then dancing jumping & tumbling with many indescribable distortions in their countenance & indelicate jestures. In fact, they appeared more like a company of devils than human Beings. This lasted about one hour. They then took their places in a circle & at a signal given gave three most tremendous whoops, they then instantly dispersed playing many antike capers & making such a confused medley of sound by screaming, whooping, screeching like owls, Barking like dogs and wolves & bellowing croaking like Bull-frogs, that my brain seemed to be turned topseturvy, & for some time I could scarce believe that they belonged to the human species.
CHAPT. II.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE SHIP'S
COMPANY & MANY PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE NATIVES.
As no alternative now remained but either to make the desperate attempt to return across the wide boisterous Ocean, or to take up our residence in a country in a land of savages inhabited by savages & wild ferocious beasts, we did not long hesitate. We held a solemn treaty with the King & all the chiefs of his nation. They agreed to cede to us a tract of excellent land on the north part of the town on which was six wigwams & engaged perpetual amity & hospitality & the protection of our lives & property. In consideration of this grant we gave them fifty yards of scarlet cloth & fifty knives With this present they were highly pleased.
Arrangements must now be made for - - - - settlement. Vessel & cargo had received no material damage & by striping the vessel of its plank we could erect a house in which we could deposit the whole cargo in safety. All hands were immediately employed, some in procuring timber which was hewed on two sides & then locked together, some in procuring shingles & some in striping the vessel of its plank; & having a large quantity of nails on board, in ten days we finished a very convenient store-house, sufficiently spacious to receive the whole cargo. We also built a small house adjoining which was to be the habitation of
the Captain & myself. Having secured all our property, we then found it necessary to establish some regulations for the government of our little society. The Captain whose name was Lucian & myself were appointed judges in all matters of controversy & managers of the public property to make bargains with the natives & barter such articles as we did not need for necessaries. As we all professed The next thing to be done was to to believe in the religion of Jesus Christ we unanimously chose Trojanus, the mate of the ship, a pious good man to be our minister, to lead our devotions every morning & evening & on the Lord's day.
But now a most singular & delicate subject presented itself for consideration. Seven young women we had on board, as passenjers to viset certain friends in Britain. Three of them were ladies of rank & the rest were healthy bucksom lasses. Whilst deliberating on this subject a mariner arose whom we called Droll Tom Hark, ye shipmates says he. Whilst tossed on the foaming billows what brave son of Neptune had any more regard for a woman than a Sturgeon but now we are all safely anchored on Terra firma, our sails furled & ship keeled up, I have a huge longing for some of those rosy dames. But willing to take my chance with my shipmates, I propose that they should make their choice of husbands. The plan was instantly adopted. As the choice fell on the young women they held a consultation on the subject & in a short time made known the result. Droll Tom was rewarded for his benevolent proposal with one of the most sprightly, rosy dames in the company. Three other of the most cheerful resolute mariners were chosen by the other three bucksom Lassies. The three young Ladies of rank fixed their choice on the Captain the Mate & myself. Happy indeed in my partner,
I had formed an high esteem for the excellent qualities of her mind. The young Lady who chose me for a partner was possessed of every attractive charm both of body & mind. We united heart & hand with the fairest prospect of enjoying every delight & gratification which are attendant on the connubial state. Thus ended the affair. You may well conceive our singular situation. The six poor fellows who were doomed to live in a state celibacy or accept of savage dames, discovered a little chagrin & anxiety. However they consoled themselves with the idea of living in families where they could enjoy the company of the fair sex, and be relieved from the work which belongs to the department of women.
Our community might be said to be one family, tho' we lived in seperate houses situate near each other. The property was common stock. what was produced by our labor was likewise to be common. All subject to the distribution of the judges, who were to attend to each family & see that propper industry & economy were practised by all.
The Captain & myself, attended with our fair partners & two mariners, repaired to our new habitation, which consisted of two convenient apartments. After having partook of an elligant dinner & drank a bottle of excellent wine our Spirits were exhilerated & the deep gloom which beclouded our minds evaporated. The Captain assuming his wonted cheerfulness, made the following address. "My
sweet good soul'd fellows, we have now commenced a
new voyage. Not such as bro't us over mountain billows
to this butt end of the world. No, no, our voiage is on dry
land, & now we must take care that we have sufficient
ballast for the rigging. Every hand on board this ship -
clasp hands & condescend to each other's humour. This
will promote good cheer & smooth the raging billows of
life. Surrounded by innumerable hordes of human beings,
who resemble in manners the Orang outang, let us keep
aloof from from them & not embark in the same matrimonial
ship with them. At the same time, we will treat
them with good cheer & inlighten their dark souls with
good instruction. By continuing a different people &
prefering our customs, manners, religion & arts & sciences
& other things another Italy will grow up in this wilderness,
& we shall be celebrated as the fathers of a great &
happy nation."
May God bless your soul, says one of the mariners, what would you have us do who have had the woful luck not to get mates to cheer our poor souls and warm our bodies. Methinks I could pick out a healthy plum lass from the copper colored tribe that by washing & scrubing her fore & aft & upon the labbord & stabbord sides she would become a wholesome bedfellow. I think, may it please your honour, that I could gradually pump my notions into her head & make her a good shipmate for the cupboard & as good hearted a Christian as any of your white damsels & upon my Soul I warrant you if we have children, by feeding them with good fare, & keeping them clean, they will be as plump & as fair & nearly as white as your honour's children. Upon this I filled the bottle with wine & observing to honest Crito that he was at liberty to make the experiment if he could find a fair - - - - to his liking. I then expressed the great pleasure I received from the addresses of the speakers & wished drank success to the new voige. All drank plentifully, & the exhileration
produced the greatest cheerfulness & hilarity. By this time the Sun had hid his head below the horizon & darkness invited all the animal creation to sleep & rest. We retired two & two, hand in hand. Ladies' heads a little awri, blushing like the morn & - - - - But I forgot to mention that our society passed a resolution to build a church in the in the midst of our vilage.
CHAPT. III.
MANY PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE NATIVES.
Interest as well as curiosity invited an acquaintance with our new neighbors. They were called in their Language Deliwanucks. They were Tall, bodies weel proportioned, strait limbs, complections of a brownish hue broad cheek bones, black wild roling eyes, & hair black & course. To strangers they were both - - - - true to their engagements, ardent in their friendship, but to enimies implacable, cruel & barbarous in the extreme. Innumerable hordes of this description of people were scattered over an extensive country, who gained their living by hunting the elk, the deer & a great variety of other wild animals by fishing & fowling & by raising corn, beans & squashes Shooting the arrow, flinging stones, wrestling, jumping,
hoping, and running were their principal amusements, & prizes would often be staked as a reward to the conqueror. Their clothing consisted of skins dressed with the hair on, but in warm weather only the middle part of their bodies were incumbered with any covering. The one half of the head of the men was shaved & painted with red & the one half of the face was painted with black. The head was adorned with feathers of various kinds, & their ears & noses were adorned ornamented with rings formed formed from the sinues of certain animals, on which were suspended smooth stones of different coulors. Thus cloathed, thus painted, thus ornimented a Deliwannuck made a most terrif - - - - They held festivals at stated times which varied in the manner of conducting them, according to the object they had in view. At one of their annual festivals their ceremonies were particularly singular & different from any that were ever practised by any nation. Here a description would give us some idea of their religion, & would gratify the curiosity of an injenious mind.
When the time arrives, which is in September, the who whole tribe assemble. They are dressed & ornimented in the highest fashion. The women in particular have their garments & heads so adorned with feathers, shells, & wampum, that they make a very brilliant & grotesque appearance. The form a circle: their countenances are solemn. A Speaker mounts a stage in the midst. At this moment two Black Dogs led by two Boys & two white Dogs led by two young damsels enter the circle & are tied together. The Speaker then extended his hands & spoke. Hail, ye favorite children of the great and good Spirit, who resides in the Sun who is the father of all living creatures & whose arms encircle us all around, who defends us from the
malicious designs of that great malignant Spirit that pours upon us all the evils we endure. He gives us all our meat & our life & causes the corn & the fruits to spring up & makes us to rejoice in his goodness. He hath prepared a delightful Country to receive us, if we are valiant in battle or are benevolent & good. There we can pick all kinds of delicious fruit, & have game & fish in abundance & our women being improved in beauty & sprightliness will cause our hearts to dance with delight. But wo unto you wicked, malicious, mischievous mortals. Your lot will be cast in a dark dreary, mirey swamp, where the malignant Spirit will torment you with musquetoes & serpents & will give you nothing to eat but toads, frogs & snails. But my dear friends, all hail, here is a custom which is sanctioned by time immemorial. Look steadfastly on the black dogs & let not your eyes be turned away, when they are thrown on the sacred pile & the flames are furiously consuming their bodies, then let your earnest prayer assend for pardon & your transgressions will flee away like shadows & your sins will be carried by the smoke into the shades of oblivion. When this solemn expiatory sacrifice is ended then prepare your souls to partake of the holy festival. Each one will receive a precious morsel from these immaculate snow colored dogs, in token that your offenses have all evaporated in the smoke of the holy sacrifice. & that you are thankful to him the Benevolent Spirit, for the abundance of good things that you enjoy, & that you humbly anticipate the continuance of his blessing that he will defend you against the evil designs of that malignant Spirit, who gives us gawl & wormwood, & fills our bosom with pain & our eyes with tears. He then proclaimed, let the sacred pile be erected & the solemn sacrifice performed. Instantly about one
hundred men came forward with small dry wood & bundles of dry sticks & having thrown them in one pile within the circle, they sat the pile on fire. The black dogs were knocked on the middle head, & thrown on the top, in a moment all was in a blaze & the flame assended in curls to heaven. The whole company assumed the most devout attitude & muttered in sounds almost inarticulate their humble confessions & earnest requests.
When the dogs were consumed & the fire nearly extinguished, the ceremonies of their sacred festival began. The white dogs which were very plump & fat were knocked on the head & their throats cut. Their hair was then singed off, having first their entrails taken out, & being suspended by the nose before a hot fire, they were soon roasted, thrown upon a long table & desected into as many pieces as there were persons to swallow them. The company immediately formed a procession, one rank of men the other of women, the men marching to the left & the women to the right of the table, each one took a piece & devoured it with as good a - - - - if it had been the most delicious morsel. Having completed these sacred ceremonies with great solemnity, the whole company formed themselves into a compact circle round the stage ten musicians immediately mounted, & facing the multitude on every side sang a song. The tune & the musical voices of the singers pleased the ear, whilst the imagination was delighted with the poetic inginuity of the composition. The multitude all joined in the chorus with voice so loud & multifarious that the atmosphere quaked with terror, & the woods & neighbouring hills sent back by way of mockery, sent back the sound of their voices, their vociferation improved by ten-fold confusion. Perhaps, reader, you have
the curiosity to hear the song. I can give you only the last stanzy & the chorus.
"For us the sun emits his rais
"The moon shines forth for our delight.
"The stars shine forth extol our heroes prais
"And warriors flee before our sight.
CHORUS.
"Delawan to chakee poloo
"Manegango forwah toloo
"Chanepant, lawango chapah
"Quinebogan hamboo gowah.
The solemnities are ended & in their opinion their poor souls are completely whitewashed & every stain entirely effaced. A little - - - - will now dissipate the solemnity & inspire them with cheerfulness & meriment. The whole tribe repair to the top of an hill, at one place their is a gradual slope a small distance & then it desends about twenty-five feet in an almost perpendicular direction, at the bottom of which is a quagmire which is about ten feet in length. & the soft mud is about three feet deep. At each end the ground is soft, but not miry. Down this declivity twenty pair of very supple & sprightly young men & women are to desend. If by their dexterity & agility they escape the quagmire, a piece of wampum will be the reward of each fortunate champion; but if they plunge in their recompense will be the ridicule and laughter of the multitude. In making this desent, six young women & five young men by a surprising dexterity in whirling their bodies as they descended, cleared themselves from the quagmire. The rest as their turns came plunged in & came out most wofully muded to the great diversion of the Spectators. The incident which excited the most meriment hapned when the last pair desended. by an unlucky spring to clear himself from the
quagmire he bro't his body along side of the declivity & roled his whole length into the midst of the quagmire, where he lay his whole length in an horizontal position on his back neither heels up or head up, but horizontally, soft & easy. But alas, when one unlucky event happens another follows close on its heals. The fair plump corpulent damsel his affectionate sweetheart came instantly sliding with great velocity. She saw the woful position of her beloved. She wished him no harm, she raised her feet, this bro't the center of gravity directly over the center of his head, here she rested a moment, his head sunk, she sunk after him, his heels kicked against the wind like Jeshuran waxed fat, but not a word from his lips, but his ideas came in quick succession, tho't he, what a disgrace to die here in the mud under the pressure of my sweetheart, however his time for such reflections were short, the tender hearted maid collecting all her agility in one effort, dismounted & found herself on dry land in an instant, not a moment to be lost. She seized her lover by one leg, & draged him from the mud, a curious figure extending about six feet six inches on the ground, all besmeared from head to foot, spitting, puffing, panting & struggling for breath. Poor man, the whole multitude laughing at thy calamity, shouting, ridiculing, none to give thee consolation but thy loving and sympathetic partner in misfortune.
Upon my soul, exclaims Droll Tom, Stern foremost, That bouncing Lass ought to have the highest prize for draging her ship from the mud. She was cleaning the filth from his face.
CHAPT. IV.
A JOURNEY TO THE N. W. & REMOVALL
Gracious God! How deplorable our situation. Are we doomed to dwell among hoards of savages & be deprived of all social intercourse with friends & the civilized world? & what will be the situation of our offspring? Will they preserve our customs & manners, cultivate the arts & sciences, & maintain our holy religion; or rather will they not degenerate into savages, & by mingling with them become the most - - - race of beings in existence. Who can indure such reflections, such heart-rending anticipation? They pour upon my soul like a flood & bear me down with the weight of a milstone. O that my head were waters & my eyes a fountain of tears, Then my intolerable burthen should should be poured forth in a torrent & my soul set at liberty. But behold, the light springs up & beams upon my soul. She brings in her train Hope that celestial Godes, that sure & strong anchor that dispenser of comfort & pleasing anticipation, & that dispeller of corroding grief & blank despair. She bids me review the exploded reasoning of a great philosopher & compare it with my own observations, perhaps the result will point out a safe road to the land of our nativity.
Thus I reasoned respecting the solar system of which the earth is a part. Provided the earth is stationary according to the present system of philosophy, then the sun the moon & the plannets, being at an immense distance from
the earth, must perform their revolutions round her with inconceivable velocity; Whereas, if according to the platonic system, the earth is a globe & the sun is stationary, then the earth by a moderate velocity - - - perform her revolutions. This scheme will represent the solar system as displaying the transcendant wisdom of its Almighty architect, for in this we behold the Sun suspended by Omnipotence & all the plannets moving round him as their common center in exact order & harmony. In this we can easily account for days & nights & the different seasons of the year. When the earth presents one part of her face to the sun it is day, & when that part is turned from his beams it is night. When she varies to the South the sun shines upon us in a more perpendicular direction, the sun beams become more dense & the heat increases, as she turns back the heat decreases in proportion as this part of earth loses its perpendicular direction, & to the sun & the cold becomes more intense in the same proportion. This account for the various seasons of the year appears correct & consistent & highly honourable to the divine perfection.
But behold the other system. The earth firmly fixed on a firm foundation; perhaps as some say, on a giants back who stands on a - - - back. Its surface widely extends nearly horizontal, & its cut down & its sides cut down strait or perpendicular to the very bottom, below which is a fathomless abiss. Pray, Mr. Philosopher, what man was ever there & looked down & what prevents the Ocean, unless it is damd with earth & rocks, from pouring down & loosing itself in this horrible abis? But how extensive is this teraqueous surface? Indeed I am of opinion if this
system is true, I am nearly at one end of it. But the hypothises is too absurd & inconsistent. The earth must be of a spherical form & a westerly course will lead us to the land of our nativity. Perhaps this is a part of the eastern continent, or perhaps only a narrow strip of the Ocean intervenes? On no other principle can we account for the emigration of the ancestors of those innumerable hords of human beings that possess this continent. Their tradition is that their ancestors came from the west, & they agree in their information that at the distance of fifteen days journey in a westerly direction there are nations vastly more numerous, powerful & civilized than themselves.
The earth therefore must be of a spherical form a Globe & a westerly course will lead us to the land of our nativity. On what principle can we account for the emigration of the ancestors of those innumerable hords of human beings that possess this Continent? Their tradition tells them that they emigrated from the westward. From this I draw the conclusion that the sea, if any, which intervenes between the two Continents at the westward is not so extensive but that it may be safely navigated. I have also learned from some of the natives We are also informed by some of the natives that at the distance of about fifteen days journey in a north westerly course there is a great river which runs in a south westerly direction, they cannot tell how far & that along the banks of this river there are great towns & mighty kings & a people who live in a state of civilization. From all these considerations I am determined to remove, pursue a westerly course, & seek the delightful country of
my ancestors. I immediately communicated my determination & the reasons on which it was founded to our little Society, who joyfully acquiessed. It was thot to be the most prudential to find out the disposition & character of the inhabitants. who were settled along the great River lest we should fall into the hands of Robbers. For this purpose my man Crito & myself & a Delawan for an interpreter set forth. We passed through a country interspersed with vilages, inhabited by the same kind of people as the Delawans, until we came to a great Mountain. Having passed over this, we had not traveled far before we came to the confluence of two great rivers which in conjunction produced a river which was called Owaho, deep enough for the navigation of ships. Here was a lagge to wnor city inhabited by a different race of people from any we had seen before. We were immediately conducted to the King & were received who received us very graciously, & having asked a number of very pertinent questions & received answer to his satisfaction, I then made known to him our business & had all my requests granted. As we proposed to move into his territory, he offered to furnish us for our convenience, with four Mammoons & four men to manage them. These were an animal of prodigious magnitude even biger than the elephant, which the natives had tamed & domesticated. They were very sagacious & docile & were employed in carying burthens & in drawing timber & in plowing their land. Their hair at the Spring season was about seven inches in length & was of a fine wooly consistence, & being sheared off at the proper season, was manufactured into coarse cloth. And the milk of the females which they produced in abundance afforded a very holesome nutriment. Having thus succeeded beyond our
expectation, we made as much expedition to return as possible. We arrived in safety without any material accidents. The Little Society I had left were greatly rejoiced on our returne, & highly pleased with the account we gave of the country we had visited, & at the sight of those extraordinary & prodigious animals Mammoons which we had bro't to convey our baggage. No time was lost to make preparation for the journey. The Captain, Mate & myself went to the King and held a conference with him & the chiefs & obtained leave to depart, tho' with apparent regret & reluctance. Sacks were provided from coarse cloth to receive the most valuable part of our goods & furniture. These were thrown across three of the Mammoons. The other was caparisoned in a manner too tedious to describe for the accommodation of our women & children. They were all mounted upon him & rode with great convenience & safety. Being thus prepared & ready Thus having resided among the Deliwans two years, & being prepared to take our departure. The King & his chiefs & many of his principal Subjects came forward to take an affectionate farewell. This was done on both sides with with mutual expressions of the most ardent & sincere friendship & the most earnest wishes & prayers for future prosperity & happiness. Having taken our final adieu I observed honest Crito sheding tears very plentifully. You seem to be affected, said I. God bless your honour said he, when I think how kind & generous these poor Deliwans have been to us, I can not help feeling an affection & friendship for them. We were obliged to anchor amongst them, we were strangers, & helpless, & they were ignorant Savages, yet they held out the hand of kindness, & treated us as brothers & sisters. Have they not fulfilled the law of Christian charity? O that they were
good Christians, may God forgive their ignorance & unbelief & reward them for their kindness & genosity. We passed on. No obstacles impeded our journey until we came to the great river Suscowan, which lies runs between the Deliwah River and the great moun mountain. The water being too deep for fording, we built a small boat & with this at several times, we conveyed the whole of the baggage & company & baggage across, except the managers of the Mammoons, who mounted them & forded & swam across. We then proceeded on by slow marches. - - - But in crossing the great mountain we had some difficulties to encounter, but however met with received no material damage, but finally arrived safely at the great city Owhahon on the twenty-fifth day after our departure from Deliwan.
Fatigued with a long & difficult journey great joy & gladness were visible in every >u>in countenance & all were disposed to establish our residence here, until further information could be obtained & further measures concerted to prosecute our journey to Europe. The King & his principal officers proffered us every assistance necessary to make our situation agreeable. They assigned us in compliance with our request conformity to our desire a number of houses on the bank of the river at a little distance from the city. We made him some valuable presents in return, which he received as a token of friendship, but not as a compensation. For such was the high sense of honor which this prince sustained, that when he made a present he would take it as an insult to offer him anything as a compensation.
Having now once more become settled our little community continued the same regulations which they had established at Deliwan & all things proceeded in peace & our affairs prospered.
CHAP. V.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE OHONS, & MANNER OF
PROCURING A LIVING.
I am now to describe A SOECIES nation who have but little resemblance to those to those innumerable tribes of savages who live along the coasts of the Atlantic. Their complexion, the form & construction of their bodies, their customs manners laws government & religion all demonstrate that they must have originated from some other nation & have but a very distant affinity with their savage neighbors. As to their persons they were taller on an average than I had ever seen in any nation, their bones were large limbs strait & shoulders broad. Their eyes rather small & sunk deep in the head. Their foreheads were prominent & the face below tapering in such a manner that the chin that was formed nearly to a point. As to their complexion it was bordering on an olive tho' of a lighter shade. Their eyes were generally of a dark brown or black. Their hair of the same color, tho' I have sometimes seen persons whose hair was of a reddish hue.
They clothed themselves in choath which was manufactured among themselves from the hair of the Mammoons & from Cotton, which was transported from the South west ward. The men wore shoes & long stockings wide trousers, a waistcoat & a garment with wide short sleaves, which came down to their nees, & in cold weather a cloak over the whole. The covering for the head was
generaly a kind of a Cap which ran up high & tapered to a point. This was generally made of fur skins & was ornimented with feathers. It had a small brim in the shape of an half moon to project over the forehead. The women besides stockings & shoes wore a short petecoat a shirt of cotton a loose garment with sleaves which they girded round them with belts & a cloack. They had various orniments such as ribbons made from cotton & coulored with different coulars, the most beautiful feathers that could be obtained & shells of various kinds. Indeed the higher class of women were extremely fond of ornament, & wore placed a large share of their happiness in the brilliancy & gaudy appearance of their garments. The people obtained their living generally by the cultivation of the Land, & the manage by tending & managing certain animals which had been so long domesticated that they had lost their wild nature & become tame. Corn, wheat, beans, and squashes & carrots they raised in great abundance. The ground was plowed by horses & generally made very mellow for the reception of the seed.
It was the occupation of a certain part of the men to tend upon the tame animals, to drive them to pasture & keep them from straying, & feed them when the snow was on the ground. Two men would tend twenty Mammouth, which were indifferent whether they fed on grass or cropt the bushes. When these animals were fat their flesh was highly esteemed. They had droves of Elk, which they had so tamed & tutored that they could manage them as they pleased. These had their tenders (several words illegible) & would follow them like a flock of sheep. & it was but seldom that any would leave their companions. The elk constituted a considerable part of their animal
food. The horses were managed in the same way & the people tho't their meat to be a savoury dish. They had large numbers of turkies & gees, which thou' originally wild, yet by treating them with great familiarity by croping their wings & feeding them they frequently they discovered no disposition to ramble off, but would propagated their species & laid eggs in abundance.
Hunting and fishing were the employments of some others followed mechanical buciness & others carried on a bartering trade to the Southwestward, in order to furnish to furnish the people with cotton & other articles whose production was not congenial to their climate. By pursuing these various employments they generally had an abundance of provision & were at all seasons comfortably cloathed. And here I would remark as one striking characteristic of this people, that they observed great neatness in their dress, in their cookery & in their houses.
The manufacturing of lead Iron & lead was understood but was not carried on to that extent & perfection as in Europe. A small quantity of Iron in proportion to the number of Inhabitants served to supply them with all the impliments which custom had made necessary for their use. By hammering & hardening their Iron they would convert it nearly into the consistency of Steal & fit it for the purpose of edged tools.
The potery business was conducted with great ingenuity & great quantities of stone & earthen ware consisting of every kind of vessel of every construction which were needed for family use, were manufactured in every part of this extensive country. They would These vessels they ornimented with pictures with the likenesses of
various kinds of animals & trees & impressed upon them such coulars as would strike the fancy with delight. The females of the high Class most welthy Class would often have a large & superfluous quantity of this brittle furniture to decorate one apartment of the house. The vessels they arranged in such order as to make a display of taste & impress the mind with the agreeable sensation of beauty.
In architecture there can be no comparison with the civilized nations of Europe. In their most wealthy & populous Cities they their houses & public buildings exhibit no eligance, no appearance of wealth and grandeur, all is plain & nothing superfluous. But convenience seems to be the whole object they had in view in the construction of their buildings of every kind.
Their houses were generally but one story high built of wood, being framed & covered with split clapboards or shingles, & in the inside the walls were formed of clay, which was plastered over with a thin coat of lime. Their houses seldom consisted of more than three apartments. As to their chimneys they built construct a wall of stone about five feet hight for the fire against which they build their fire, from the top of this wall they construct the chimney with thin pieces of split timber, on the inside with wet dirt or clay of which they plaster wet dirt or clay which completely covers & adheres to the timber & prevents the fire from having any operation upon it. The inside of their houses as the women generally practise neatness, makes a much better appearance than the outside.
It is my opinion says Trojanus that this people display a taste in building which is formed upon the true principles of Reason. Their houses are sufficiently spacious for convenience. No expense or Labour are thrown away in
building useless apartments or in erecting their houses higher than what convenience requires. The whole catalogue of ornamental trumpery is neglected. This in Rome produces more than half the Labour & expense in building. Yes says Lucian, and without this these labouring people must starve for the want of employment & the citizens of the Roman empire would be deprived of the honor of possessing a splendid Capital & of the exquisite pleasure of beholding the greatest exhibition of human ingenuity in the eligance the splendour the purity & beauty of their houses, their palaces & public edifices. True indeed, replies Trojanus, men may be dazed & delighted with such objects for the moment, But could not wealth be better bestowed upon to promote the interest of the community & for charitable purposes & these artists better employ their strength & ingenuity in producing some substantial benefits to themselves and others? Rejoins Lucian, the course reason dictates is to avoid extremes. A slab coulared world would tire the senses by its uniformity & too much orniment & splendor, would cease to please by its frequency.
Besides, lofty houses can more easily be overthrown by tornadoes or tumbled down upon our heads by earthquakes. The course, says Lucian that reason dictates is to avoid extremes. A slab coulored world by its uniformity would tire the senses, & by its possessing too much ornament & splendor it would cease to please. (But the wonder wont cease when it is considered that mankind with but few exceptions to walk in the tracks of their fathers & to pursue the road marked out by their education)
CHAP. VI.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LEARNING, RELIGION &
CUSTOMS OF THE OHONS.
Learning appears to be so important to the nature of man & a convenient share of it so easy to obtain, that some may wonder why it is not universally defused thro' the world. But If we can place any reliance on the dark annals of antient history, it is certain that letters are indebted for their existence to the inventive genius of certain extraordinary characters. Egypt & Chaldea contended for the honour of being the first who i- - - d letters. Perhaps they were invented in each nation nearly at the same time. But Let this be as it may could no other nation in the world produce as great geniuses as Egypt or Chaldea? * (* Note. The most probable conjecture is that they were communicated from one nation to the other.
)Is there any natural obsticle to prevent their production in America as well as in Asia? Whatever may be the reasoning of some on this subject, the fact is that I found Letters or some share of learning, tho' in a very imperfect state among this people. At present I shall wave the account of its introduction & shall merely describe the state of learning as it existed among the Ohons. They had characters which represent words & all compound words were had each part represented by its appropriate character. The variation of cases, moods & tenses was designated by certain marks placed under the characters. They generally wrote on
parchment beginning at the right wrote from the top to the bottom, placing each character directly under the preceeding one & having finished one column or line they begin with write the next on the left of that & so continue on until they cover the parchment if the subject requires it. It is a work of considerable labour & time to obtain such a knowledge of their characters & the application as to be able to read with fluency & to write with ease & accuracy.
In their principal Cities and Towns the government appoints learned men to instruct the sons of the higher class of Citizens & in the course of four or five years they will make such proficiency as to become tolerable schollars.
The works of the learned are not very voluminous. Records are kept of the transactions of their Government. Their constitution & laws are committed to writing. A sacred Roll in manuscript is preserved among the Records of their Emperors & kings. & are dispersed thro' the Empire & much pains taken to deffuse the knowledge of them among the people. In all their large towns & Cities they have deposited under the care of a priest a sacred Roll which contains the tenets of their Theology & a description of their religious ceremonies. This order of men publish comments upon these sacred writings. They publish some tracts on moral philosophy & some containing a collection of proverbs & the wise sayings of their sages.
But the kind of composition in which they most exult is poetry. In poetic numbers they describe the great events which take place & the exploits & mighty achievements of their heroes. In soft elegies they describe paint the Amours of Lovers & in pathetic strains they delineate the calamities and sorrows of the unfortunate.
In their assemblies it is very common for a certain class of the learned poets to entertain the company ( - - - line gone - - - -) with a resital of poetic pieces describing the batles & exploits of their warriors, or to sing some amourous or witty ballad. As for theaters they have none. But as a kind of substitute there are actors who entertain the people by pronouncing dialogues or plays in which they display all the arts of mimicry & express in their countenance their gesture & the tone of their voices the different passions of the human mind. As only a small portion of the people are instructed in the arts of reading & writing, of consequence the great mass must possess a large share of ignorance, but not so great a share as savages who have no learning among them. They hear the conversation & the lectures of their sages, they are entertained with Their poetic orators entertain them with the productions of their poets, containing the history of great events & mighty achievements. Their actors divert & please them by exciting the various passions at the same time communicating instruction & correcting the natural savageness of manner by & as the epics they rehearse contain many ideas & sentiments tending to expose the deformity of vice & the folly of superstition & the disgustingness of rude & clownish manners, the people are of consequence improved & considerably refined & add to this their living in compact towns or considerable cities in which there is a constant & reciprocal communication of ideas, which of course would have no small effect to inform their minds. To all these causes combined the Ohons great mass of the people are indebted for possessing a considerable share of knowledge & civilization.
RELION VII.
In every nation there is some kind of Religion & in every religion, however adulterated & corrupted, ther are some things which are commendable, some things which serve to improve the morals & influence mankind to conduct better than what they would do provided they pursued the natural dictates of their depraved mind. without any restraint As this sentiment is an established maxim which has been believed in every nation from the earliest ages in every nation, hense it has been the policy of all governments to encourage & protect some kind of religion. In examining the religious systems, sentiments & precepts which are believed & practiced throughout this extensive Empire & which are encouraged & protected by the government. I found some things which are common to the various systems of theology in Europe and Asia, & some things which have no resemblance to either. From the sacred Roll as it is denominated I shall extract the tenets of their theology & a description of their religious ceremonies. It expresses them to this effect.
"There is an Intelligent omnipotent Being, who is self-existent & infinitely good & benevolent. Matter eternally existed. He put forth his hand & formed it into such bodies as he pleased. He presides over the universe & has a perfect knowledge of all things. From his own spiritual substance he formed seven sons. These are his principal
agents to manage the affairs of his empire. He formed the bodies of men from matter. Into each body he emitted infused a particle of his own spiritual substance, in consequence of which man in his first formation was inclined to benevolence & goodness. There is also another great intelligent Being who is self-existent & possessed of great power but not of Omnipotence. He is filled with infinite malice against the good Being & exerts all his subtlety & power to ruin his works. Seeing the happy situation of man he approached so near as to tuch his soul with his deleterious hand. The poison was immediately defused & contaminated his passions & appetites. His reason & understanding received no injury. The good being looking upon his unhappy offspring with infinite love & compassion, made a decree that if mankind would reduce their passions & appetites under the government of reason, he should be enjoy blessings in this world, & be completely happy after death his soul quits his body. Death dissolves the connection. Material bodies are prepared for the souls of the righteous. These bodies can pass thro' any part of the universe & are invisible to mortal eyes. Their place of residence is on a great & city vast plain, which is beautified with magnificent buildings, with Trees fruits & flowers. Here they enjoy every delight which No imagination can paint the delights the felicity of the Righteous. But the wicked have no etherial are denied ethereal bodies. Their souls naked & incapable of seeing light, dwel in darkness & are tormented with the keenest anguish. Ages roll away & the good Being has compassion upon them. He permits them to take possession of ethereal bodies & they arise quick to the abodes of delight & glory. Now, O man, attend to thy duty &
thou shalt escape the portion of the wicked & enjoy all the delights of the righteous. Avoid all acts of cruelty to man & beast. * (* No crime is so horrid as maliciously to destroy the life of man.)
defraud not thy neighbours nor suffer thy hands secretly to convey his property from him. Preserve thy body from the contamination of lust, & remember that the seduction of thy neighbours wife would be a great Crime. Let thy citizens be numbered once in two years, & if the young women who are fit for marriage are more numerous than the young men, then wealthy men who are young & who have but one wife, shall have the privilege with the permission of the king to marry another until the numbers of the single young men & the single young women are made equal. But he that hath two wives shall have a house provided for each & he shall spend his time equally with each one.
Be grateful for all favours & forsake not thy friend in adversity. Treat with kindness & reverence thy Parents. Forsake them not in old age, nor let their cheeks be furrowed with tears for the want of bread. Bow down thy head before the aged, treat thy superiors with respect, & place thy rulers & thy teachers in the most honourable seats. Let Rulers consult the welfare of the people & not agrandize themselves by oppression & base bribes. Let Religious Teachers walk in the road which leads to celestial happiness & lead the people after them. Let Parents restrain the vices of their children & instruct their minds in useful knowledge. Contention & Strife is is the Bane of Families & the destruction of domestic happiness, being yoked
together the husband & wife ought to draw in the same direction. Their countenances will then appear beautiful shine with the effulgent Beams of friendship & love, peace & harmony will attend their habitation & their affairs will prosper.
Hold out the hand of kindness & friendship to thy neighbor, consider him when reduced to indigence & distress. He is as dear to the great & good being as what thou art. & thou hast an opportunity to manifest the disposition of thy heart To afford him relief will be pleasing to thy Maker & an expression of thy gratituge.
Envious & malicious souls are almost incurably contaminated with that hellish poison which which was first disordered the soul of man. Partake not of their guilt by joining them in the malignant work of slander & detraction. Their intended mischief returns upon their own heads, & the slandered character of the innocent & just shines forth with increasing luster. Let the stranger find an hospitable resting place under thy roof. Give him to eat from thy portion that when he departs he may bless thee & go on his way rejoicing.
Industry will Say not to thyself I will indulge in inactivity & idleness & lie upon the bed of sloth & slumber away the precious moments of time, for in this thou art unwise, for unwise disease will attend thee, hunger will torment thee & Rags will be thy clothing. Let industry & economy fill up the measure of thy waking moments. So shall thy countenance display health & sprightliness, plenty shall supply the wants of thy family & thy reputation shall be respectable.
But I behold a being in human form from whom I turn away with disgust & abhorrence. He is covered with so much dirt & filth that no ethereal body is provided for him nor can he be received into the abodes of the blessed. Suffer not thy bodies or thy garments to remain long besmeared with dirt & filth. Cleanliness prevents many diseases & is pleasant to the sight. But from a dirty filthy mortal we turn with disgust & abhorrance. As the great Author of our existence being is benevolent to all his offspring, so it becomes us to be benevolent to our fellow beings around us. Oou country is one body & we are part of its members. We are therefore bound to maintain the rights & privileges & the honour & dignity of our Country at the risk of our lives. Great rewards attend the brave: their exploits & achievements in contending against tyrants & in defending the Rights of their Country will be celebrated on the plains. But the vision now expands & directs our contemplation to fix on his attributes, whose spiritual substance is commensurate with infinity. As only a single particle from his substance constitutes our souls, how small how diminutive must we appear in the view of Omniscience. We must therefore contemplate his attributes thro' the medium of his works, & admire with profound reverence & adoration his wisdom goodness & power which are visible in the formation & arrangement of all material bodies and spiritual beings. He requires us to supplicate His favours, & when received to express our gratitude. As our passions & appetites often get the ascendence of our reason, we are therefore bound to confess our faults & implore forgiveness.
Now that you may know and keep all these thing which were made known by divine inspiration, it is ordained
that on every eighth day, ye lay aside all unnecessary labour, that ye meet in convenient numbers & form assemblies, that at each assembly a learned holy man shall preside, who shall lead your devotions & explain this sacred Roll & give you such instruction as shall promote your happiness in this life & in the life to come. Once in three months ye shall hold a great festival in every city & town, & your priests shall sacrifice an Elk as a token that your sins deserve punishment, but that the divine mercy hath banished them into shades of forgetfulness.
Be attentive, oh man, to the words of truth which have been recorded & & respect to all the commandments which have been written for your observance. Your Maker will then be rejoiced to see you rejoice in the participation of his favour & to behold your faces brighten with the cheering benign beams of cheerfulnesss.
AN ACCOUNT OF BASKA CHAP VIII
Among the great & illustrious characters who have appeared in the world in different ages as instructors & reformers of mankind, Baska holds is entitled to a conspicuous place.
The place of his nativity is not recorded. But the first notice which is given of him is his appearing at the great City of Golanga, which is situate on the Banks of the Siota River. He was attended by his wife & two little sons. The fashion of their garments was different from the natives. Their complexion likewise was of a little whiter. They were Baska was grave solemn & sedate reserved in his conversation, but when he spoke wisdom proceeded from his lips. His fame spread rapidly thro' city &
country, & he was celebrated as a man of the most brilliant & extraordinary talents. He was conducted to the King & introduced to him. The King asked him from what country he came. His reply was, at a great distance from the westward. He then asked him induced him to come into his country. He replied.
CHAP VIII
Perhaps reader, before we describe the government of the Ohons, it might be proper to relax our mind by with a few sceches of Biography. The character which will best connect with the history of the learning & religion & the government & laws of the Ohons is that of the great and illustrious Lobaska.
He is the man who first introduced their present method of writing who first presented them with the sacred Roll which contains the tenets & precepts of their religion, & who formed their political constitution as it respects the connection of various kingdoms or tribes under one government.
There are many anecdotes, which tradition has handed down respecting this extraordinary man, which have the complexion of fables the miraculous & hence I conclude they must be fabulous Such as his As for instance he is represented as forming a curious machine by which & having placed himself upon it he mounted into the Atmosphere &
assended a great height & having sailed a considerable time distance through the air, he descended slowly & received no damage & that multitudes of astonished Spectators had a number of times seen him perform this miraculous exploit, & that he declared that when he took these excursions, his extraordinary wisdom & knowledge was communicated to him. If he did in fact perform such exploits no wonder that he managed an ignorant people as he pleased. But as it is not my intention to amuse my readers by a splendid relation of fables, I shall confine myself to facts which cannot be contested. The place of his nativity is not recorded. The first account given of him was his appearance in the great City of Golanga which is situate on the Banks of the Siota River. When he entered that city he was attended by his wife & four sons the the eldest of whom was about eighteen years of age. He himself appeared to be about forty. His personal appearance was commanding being of middling Stature of a bold frank countenance & eyes lively & penetrating. In his general deportment he was cheerful yet displayed much sedateness & gravity. He was affable & familiar in conversation but not loquacious, he never would converse long on trifling subjects, had a wonderful facility to intermix some wise sayings & remarks that should improve & of turning with dignity and gracefulness the attention of the company to subjects that were important & interesting. None could then withstand the energy of his reasoning, & all were astonished at the ingenuity of his arguments and the great knowledge and wisdom which he displayed. His fame spread thro' the City & multi & country & multitudes frequently assembled & importuned him to give them instruction. Always cheerful to gratify the curiosity & comply with the reasonable
requests of the multitude, he entertained them by conversing with them familiarly & by exhibiting public discourses. All were charmed with his wisdom & eloquence, and all united in pronouncing him to be the most extraordinary man in existence, & generally believed that he had conversation with celestial beings, & always acted under the influence of divine inspiration. The people were very liberal in their donations, which enabled him to support his family in affluence. Having thus in a short time established a character with respect to wisdom & eloquence to any man who had ever appeared before him in the nation, he then at an interview which he held with the king & the chiefs told them that he had invented the art of expressing ideas by certain marks or characters, and having explained the nature of the subject to their full satisfaction, he then proposed to establish a school for the instruction of the sons of the principal subjects of the King. The proposal was received and accepted with much gratitude & cheerfulness. A house was immediately prepared for the accommodation of Schollars, & in a short time the number amounted to nearly two hundred. But here it must be observed that the art of making & applying the characters to the words which they represented, was taught principally by his sons. They had all received an education from their father & even the youngest who was but about eleven years old could read & write with great correctness. & facility. He superintended their instruction & very frequently gave them lectures on scientific & moral subjects, his schollars made great progress in learning & delighted their parents with the improvement they had made in literature civilization & refinement. He still continued to associate among the people, & was indefatigable in his labours to dispel their
ignorance, correct their superstition & vices & to diffuse a more accurate knowledge of the mechanical arts. The manufacture of Iron in particular was not known. This he taught a number by showing them how to build a small furnace, & to cast iron ware & then how to build a small forge & there refine pigs, & convert them into Iron.
He had resided among the Sciotans about three years, & the happy effects of his labours were visible to all observers. A great reformation had taken place in the morals & manners of the people, Industry had increased, & agriculture & the mechanical arts had received great improvement & houses were built on a more commodious & eligant construction. But not willing to stop here the benevolent mind of the great Tobaska meditated a more important revolution. Now was the propitious era yo had arived & the way was prepared for the introduction of that system of Theology, which is comprized in the sacred Roll.
In the first place he read & explained the whole system to the King & the chiefs of the nation, who cordially gave it their approbation & gave permission to propagate it among the people. Under a pretense that this system was revealed to him in several interviews which he had been permitted to have with the second son of the great & good Being, the people did not long hesitate, but received as sacred & divine truth every word which he taught them. They forgot their old religion which was a confused & absurd medley of Idolatry & superstitious nonsense & embraced a religion more sublime & consistent, & more fraught with sentiments which would promote the happiness of mankind in this world.
Whilst the Siotans were thus rapidly progressing in their improvements they were unhappily disturbed by the
certain prospect of war. Bombal, the King of the Kentucks, a nation that lived on the south side of the great River Ohio, had taken great umbrage against Kadokam the King of Siota. This Bombal was the most haughty & the most powerful prince who reigned in this part of the western Continent. It had been the custom for several ages for the King and chiefs of the Kentucks to have the exclusive right to wear in their caps, a bunch of blue feathers, which designated their preeminence over every nation. The Siotan princes envying them this distinguished honor & considering themselves as being at least their equals assumed the liberty to place bunches of Blue feathers upon their caps. This in the opinion of the Kentucks was an unpardonable offense if persisted in, & a most daring insult upon their supreme dignity. A messenger was immedi After a solemn Council was held with his chiefs, Bombal, with their unanimous consent dispatched a messenger to Kadokam, who thus proclaimed.
Thus saith Bombal, the king of kings & the most mighty prince on earth: Ye have insulted my our honour & dignity, in assuming blue feathers, which was the badge of our preeminence. Know ye that unless you tear them from your caps, ye shall feel the weight of our ven-geance.
Kadokam replied. Tell your master that a great Company of Wolves made an attack upon a City to rob the citizens of their deer and elk, & they let forth their dogs upon them, which attacked them with such fury, & courage that they fled mangled & torn, to a most dreary swamp. Here they by the most tremendous the most plaintive howling, they lamented their sad disaster & disgrace.
An answer so shrewd & insulting it was expected would soon be followed by an invasion. Measures must
immediately be taken for the defense of the kingdom. Lobaska was invited to sit in council. All were unanimously of opinion that to comply with the haughty demand of Bombal, by tearing the Blue feathers from their caps would be degrading the honour of the nation & a relinquishment of their natural right, that they were likewise sensible that the most vigorous exertions were necessary to save the country from ruin. The opinion & advice of Lobaska was requested. It is my opinion says he that by using a little stratigem, this war might be bro't to a conclusion, which will be honourable to this kingdom. We will pursue, says the King your advice & directions. I shall be happy says Lobaska to assist you with my best advice. Call immediately into the field an army of three Thousand men, provide two thousand shovels five hundred mathooks & five hundred wheelbarrows, & one hundred axes. I will give directions how to make them. Not a moment was lost. The army was assembled, & impliments provided with the utmost expidition. & they marched down the river to a certain place where the Army of the Enimy must pass in order to arrive at the city of Golanga. At this place the hills or mountains came within less than a mile of the river, & a flat or level land intervened. Here Lobaska directed that a canal should be cut from the River yo the River to the Hill. That it should be eight feet wide & eight deep & that the dirt which they dug should be thrown into the river. That the canal except what should be wanting to lay over thin pieces of split timber, which should be extended over the canal, and so weak & slender that the weight of a man would break them down. This novel invention invention was soon carried into effect & the work compleatly finished.
Every precaution was used to prevent any intelligence of these transactions from getting to the enimy.
In the meantime Kadokam bro't into the field seven thousand more of his warriors, men of brave hearts & valiant for the battle. The indignant king of the Kentucks had by this time assembled an army of Thirty Thousand men, who were ready at the risk of their lives to vindicate the preeminence of their nation. & the transendent dignity of their King & his chiefs. Had of this At the head of this army Bombal began his march to execute his threatened vengeance on the Siotans. As he entered their country he found the viliges deserted, & all the movable property conveyed away. not a man or wom was to be seen until he came in view of the army of Kadokam, who was encamped within a small distance of the Canal. Bombal halted & formed his men in two Ranks, extending from the River to the Hill. He had a reserved core, who were placed in the rear of the main body, Having thus arranged them for battle he went from one wing to the other, proclaiming aloud, we have been insulted, brave Soldiers, by these cowardly Siotans. They have assumed the blue Deather the badge of our preeminance & exalted dignity. Behold it flying in their Caps. Will your highborn souls submit to behold such Dastards place themselves on equal terms with you? No, my valiant warriors, let us revenge the insult by the destruction of their puny army, & the conflagration of their city. Make a furious charge upon them & & the victory is ours. Let your motto be blue Feather & you will fight like wolves robbed of their puppies. Hadokam had by this time formed his army in order of Battle close to the edge of the canal & extended them only in one rank only from the River to the Hill. As the Kentucks approached
within a small distance, the Siotans gave back & began a retreat with apparent confusion, notwithstanding the pretended efforts of the King & his officers to prevent their retreating. Bombal, observing this commanded to rush forward on the full run, but to keep their ranks in order. This they instantly obeyed as one man, & as soon as their feet stept on the slender covering of the canal it gave way & they fell to the bottom, some in one position & some in another. A disaster so novel & unexpected might have appalled the stoutest & filled their minds with amazement & terror. Nor did this complete their misfortune of the army of Bombal. An ambush of the Siotans, who lay on the side of the hill opposite to the reserved Corps of the Kentucks, rushed down upon them in an instant. Surprize & terror prevented resistance, they threw down their arms & surrendered. The retreating army of Hadocam immediately returned with shouting to the edge of the Canal. Their enemies, who but a moment before thot themselves invincible & certain of victory, were now defenceless & wholly in their power. When Lobaska was present & saw the success of his stratigem, his great soul disdained revenge on an enimy helpless & prostrate enimy. He conjured the Siotans not to shed one dop of Blood, but to be generous & merciful. Bombal had now recovered from his surprize & seeing the deplorable situation of his army, his haughty soul felt the keenest anguish. Where says he is the King of the Siotans? Here I am says Hadokam. What is your re-quest my brother? Reduced says he by a stratigem the most ingenious & artful to a situation which subjects us wholly under your power, & in which you can take ample revenge, I now implore your generosity & compassion for my army. Spare their lives & then name your terms, & if
I can comply with them without degrading the honour of my crown, it shall be done. Your request says Hadokam is granted. Surrender your army, & let your army return in peace. As for your majesty & the chiefs of your nation who are present, you will give us the pleasure of your company in our return to the city of Golanga, there we will execute a treaty of peace & amity, that shall be advantageous & honourable to both nations. These terms were accepted & the Kentucks returned in peace to their own Country not to describe exploits & bloody victories, but the curious stratigem of Lobaska.
The two kings & their splendid retinue of princes having arrived at Golanga every attention was paid by the Hodokam & his chiefs to their honorable visitors. Hadokam made a sumptuous entertainment at which all were present. The next day both parties met for the purpose of agreeing to terms of peace & perpetual amity. What are your terms says Bombal? Lobaska, says Hadokam, shall be our Arbitrator. He shall name the terms his wisdom will dictate nothing which will be dishonourable for either party. Your proposal, says Bombal is generous. Lobaska shall be our Arbitrator. Lobaska then rose. Attend, says he to my words, ye princes of Siota & Kentuck. You have all derived your existence from the great Father of Spirits, you are his children & belong to his great family. Why, then have you thirsted for each other's blood? for the blood of Brothers? & what has, & what has produced this mighty war? A blue feather, may it please Your majesties, a blue feather, a badge of preeminence. It is pride; it is unruled ambition & avarice which devastate the world & produce rivers of human Blood. & the wars
which take place among nations generally originate from as trifling causes as the blue feather.
Let this be the first article of your treaty that any person may wear a blue feather in his Cap, or any other feather that he pleases.
Let this be the second, that the individuals of each nation may carry on a commerce with each other & that they shall be protected in their persons & property.
Let this be the third, that I shall be at liberty to establish a school or schools in any part of the dominion of Kentuck & furnish them with such instructors as I please That none shall be restrained from hearing our instructions & that we shall be patronized & protected by the King & his chiefs.
Let this be the fourth, that perpetual peace & amity shall remain between both nations & as a pledge for the fulfillment of these articles on the part of the princes of Kentuck, that the eldest son of the King & four sons of the principal chiefs, shall be left as hostages in this City for the term of Term of Three years. These terms met the cordial approbation of both parties & were ratified in the most solemn manner.
Thus happy was the termination of the war about the blue feather having taken place Lobaska proceeded with indefatigable industry & perseverance in his benevolent scheme of enlightening & reforming mankind. And how happy would it be for mankind if all wars about as trifling causes as this might terminate in the same way. The benevolent mind of Lobaska soared above trifles viewing all mankind as brothers & sisters he wished the happiness of all. He then made provision in the treaty with the Kentucks
for the introduction of schools in Kentuck amongst them. This was the first step, which he foresaw would introduce improvement in agriculture & the mechanical arts, produce a reformation in their morals & religious principals & a happy revolution in some part of their political institutions.
Bombal had become so captivated with Lobaska, that he invited him to bear him company to his own dominions. He consented, & when he had arrived at the royal City of Gamba, which is situate on the River Kentuck, he there pursued the same course which he had done at Golanga, & his success answered his most sanguine expectations. The people were now prepared for the introduction of a school. He returned back to Tolanga, & sent his second son & three of the most forward scholars of the Siotans to establish a school at Gamba.
In the meantime his intention was to make some amendments in the government of Sciota. But as there were several Cities & a great number of viliages that acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Sciotan king, which still were ignorant of the principles & doctrines which he taught, he found it necessary to visit them & to introduce instructors amongst them. In this work he was engaged about two years, & the happy effect of his labors were now visible, in various kinds of improvement & in the reformation of manners morals & religion. The way was now prepared to introduce his system of government. The chiefs of the nation were invited to attend a grand council at Tolanga. When they were met, Lobaska rose, & presented them with the following constitution of government.
The king of Siota shall be stiled the Emperor of Ohion & the King of Siota, his crown shall be hereditary in the oldest male heir of his family. The cities & vilages who acknowledge his jurisdiction or who may hereafter do it, shall be entitled to protection from the Emperor. If invaded by an enemy, he shall defend them with the force of the Empire. Once every year, the chiefs shall meet at Golanga to make laws for the good of the nation.
These young men having imbibed the spirit & principles of their great preceptor, spared no exertions to instruct the schollars & to diffuse useful knowledge amongst the people. The happy effects of their Labors were visible in a short time. The people The people embraced the religion of Lobaska & became more industrious & civilized. In their various improvements in agriculture, the mechanical arts they & literature they even exeled the Sciotans, & appeared to be as prosperous & flourishing. Even Bombal himself declared that the termination of the war about the blue feather, which at first appeared unfortunate, yet as it occasioned such happy effects among his people, it gave him more satisfaction & pleasure than the reputation of being a great Conqueror, what he could have received from the reputation of being a great Conqueror.
CHAP. IX.
GOVERNMENT & MONEY.
The people who were denominated Ohians were settled on both sides of the River Ohio from & along the various branches of the river. The settlements extended to a great distance in the time of Lobaska, but how far it is not mentioned. They lived in comfortable villages or towns. except the cities. We might except the cities, Golanga on the River Sciota & Gamba on the which River Kentuck. The various villiges or towns formed independent sovereignties, & were governed by their respective chiefs.
Excepting the Cities of Golanga & Gamba, whose Kings claimed jurisdiction over an extent of country of about one hundred & fifty miles along the River Ohio & about the same extent distance back from the River, the remaining part of this extensive country was settled in compact vialiges or towns & These formed independent sovereignties & were governed by their respective chiefs. Frequent bickerings contentions & wars took place among these chiefs, which were often attended with pernicious consequences. To remedy these evils & to facilitate & accomplish the general & benevolent plan, of reforming & civilizing the Ohians, Lobaska had formed a system of Government, with a design of establishing two great Empires, one on each side of the River Ohio. Their different constitutions were on the same plan & were presented by the hand of Lobaska to the respective kings of Sciota & Kentuck.
The Sciotan Constitution was comprised in these words.
The country east of the Great River Ohio shall form the Empire of Sciota. At the head of this Empire shall be placed, with the title of Emperor, Labamack the oldest son of Lobaska. The office shall be hereditary in the eldest male of his family. He and his sons successively shall marry natives of the kingdom of Sciota & all their daughters shall marry within their own dominions. He shall have four counsellors. He, with the advice of his counsellors, shall have the exclusive right of making war & peace & of forming treaties with other nations. He shall be the commander in chief of all the forces of the King & the King of Sciota shall be next to him. All controversies between the rulers or chiefs of the different tribes shall be referred to the decision of him & his counsellors, & he is authorized to compel a compliance. He shall hold his settings annually in four different parts of the Empire. The King of Sciota & the chiefs of the different tribes shall hold their offices & exercise the same authority in civil matters that they have done. They shall be ameniable to the emperor & his counsellors, whose duty it shall be to inquire into all complaints against them from their subjects & to redress grievances & punish for oppression & injustice by fines. He & his Counsellors shall have the exclusive priviledge of coining money. They may likewise lay taxes for the support of the government & for the defence of the nation. They shall coin no more money than what is necessary for the convenience of the people, & in such quantity only that the value shall not depreciate. In time of war he shall appoint the officers of his army except where the chiefs chuse to command their own subjects. In this case they shall be
subject to the command of the Emperor. The people in every City town or village shall respectively chuse one or more Censors, whose duty it shall be to enquire into all malconduct of rulers, & all vicious & improper conduct of the priests & the people & they shall pursue such measures to obtain justice & to produce a reformation of morals in the offenders as the laws shall direct.
In order that the priests & instructors of learning may know & perform their duty for the benefit of civilization, morality & religion, Lambon the third son of Lobaska shall preside over them & shall have the title of high Priest, & the office shall be hereditary in the eldest males of his family successively. There shall be associated with him four priests as his assistants. They shall exercise a jurisdiction over all the priests of the Empire, & shall see that they faithfully perform the duties of their office. They shall attend to the instructors fo learning & shall direct that a suitable number are provided thro'out the Empire. It shall likewise be their duty at all suitable times & places to instruct Rulers & people in the duties of their respective Stations, & to labour incessantly to persuade mankind to restrain subject their passions & appetites under the government of Reason. that they may secure happiness to themselves in this life & immortal happiness beyond the grave. The people shall make contributions, in proportion to their wealth, for the support of their priests. If any refuse they shall be denied the priviledge of their instructions & shall be subjected to the ridicule & contempt of the people.
For the convenience of the people & for the easy support of the government it is necessary that there government shou should be something which shall represent property, & which is of small weight. It is therefore provided that
certain small pieces of iron stamped in a peculiar manner shall be this circulating medium. Each piece according to its particular stamp shall have a certain value fixed upon it. It shall be the peculiar prerogative of the Emperor & his counsellors to direct the coining of these pieces, which shall be denominated money. No more money shall be coined than what will be for the benefit of the Empire, nor shall the Emperor & his counsellors receive any more of it than an adequate compensation for their services. They shall keep an account of the amount of money coined annually & the manner in which it has been distributed & expended. This account shall be submitted to the examination of the King of Sciota & the chiefs of the Empire. The Emperor shall always be ready to receive the petitions & complaints of his subjects. He shall consult the welfare of his people & save them from oppression & tyranny & and by his beneficent acts shall gain their affection & obtain the appellation of a just, a good & a gracious Prince.
When Hadokam, King of Sciota had received this plan of government, he immediately assembled all the chiefs or princes within his kingdom. Lobaska pointed out the defects of the existing governments, & the excellencies of that form which he presented for their acceptance. His reasons could not be resisted, they unanimously agreed to establish it as their constitution of Government. Labamack accepted the office of Emperor and his four counsellor were appointed. Lambon was ordained high Priest & his four assistants chosen. The new government was now put in operation. The various tribes living contiguous to the Empire seeing its prosperity, solicited the privilege of being received as parts of the Empire. Their requests were granted. Improvement & prosperity attended them. This induced other
contiguous Tribes to request the same priviledge, & others still adjoining them came forward with their petitions. All were granted & the same regulations established in every part. Within about three years from the first establishment of the Empire, Lobaska had the pleasure of seeing his son reign over a territory of more than four hundred miles in length along the River Ohio; & of beholding a nation rapidly progressing from a state of barbarism, ignorance & wretchedness, to a state of civilization & prosperity.
Having now beheld the happy result of his experiment at Sciota, Lobaska made a second viset to Bombal king of Kentuck. The second son whose name was Hamback, was present at the city of Gamba. at His youngest son Kalo attended him. he made known his plan of revolution to Bombal, who cordially acquiesced & called together his princes. They unanimously agreed to place Hamback on the throne of the Empire south of the Ohio River, & to ordain Kalo as their high Priest. With the exception of names & places, the constitution of government was the same as that which the Sciotans adopted. The same measures were purpued to insure it success. A great & flourishing Empire arose & barbarous tribes connected themselves with the Empire, & under the fostering care of the government became wealthy civilized & prosperous.
Thus, within the term of twelve years from the arrival of Lobaska at Golanga, he had the satisfaction of beholding the great & benevolent objects which he had in view accomplished. He still continued his useful Labours & was the great Oracle of both Empires. His advice & sentiments were taken upon all important subjects, & no one ventured to controvert his opinions. He lived to behold the successful experiment of his institutions, & to see them acquire that
strength & firmness as not easily to be overthrown.
Having acquired that renown & glory which are beyond the reach of envy, & which aspiring ambition would despair of attaining, at the age of eighty, he bid an affectionate adieu to two Empires & left them to lament in tears his exile -- exit.
These two empires continued to progress in their improvements & population, & to rival each other in prosperity during the reign of Ten successive Emperors on the throne of Sciota. Peace & harmony & a friendly intercourse existed between them. No wars took place to disturb their tranquillity, except what arose from the surrounding Savages, who sometimes disturbed the frontiers in a hostile manner for the sake of gaining plunder. But these attacks were generally repelled & defeated, without much loss of blood. They were in fact of such trifling consequence as to make no perceptible impediment to prevent the population improvements & prosperity of both Empires, & happy, thrice happy would it have been for them if they had still continued to have pursued the amicable & benevolent principles, which first marked the commencement & progress of their institutions.
CHAP. X.
MILETARY ARRANGEMENTS, AMUSEMENTS, CUSTOMS
& EXTENT OF THE EMPIRES.
The customs & amusements of a Nation evince the state of society which exists among the people. When the two Empires of Sciota & Kentuck had commenced their new career on the plan which was formed by Lobaska,
they adopted this as a true maxim that to avoid war it was necessary to be in constant preparation for it. It was the wise policy of of the two governments to make such military arrangements as never to be surprized by an enimy unprepared. In every city town and villige the people were required to provide military impliments, & to deposit them in a secure place. These magazines were to contain a sufficient quantity of arms & warlike implements to furnish every man who should be able to bear arms should be destitute. In order that every man might have sufficient skill to use them to advantage, great pains was taken to prepare him by teaching him the arts of war.
The knowledge of military tackticks as they it was then attainable, was likewise defused among the people. Young men from sixteen to twenty five years old were required to take the field four times in each year. & to spend sixteen days during each time in learning the military art, & in building fortifications. And very able-bodied men were required to spend eight days in each year in the same employments.
In consequence of these regulations a rivalship existed among the different sexions of the Empire to exceed each other in skill & dexterity in their military manoevers. Hence it was a general custom in every part of the country for different bodies of men to meet yo engage in feigned battles once every year, in order to make a display of their improvements in the art of war. Premiums were given to those who were the most expert in shooting the arrow or in managing the spear & the sword. Their amusements were generally of the athletick kind, calculated to improve their agility & strength & prepare them for warriors.
Wrestling, slinging, & throwing stones at marks, leaping ditches & fences & climbing trees & precipices were some of their most favorite diversions. And as they took great pains to perfect themselves in these exercises, it would astonish Spectators of other nations, to observe the improvement they had made & the extraordinary feats of agility & strength which they exhibited.
Other diversions, which had no tendency to fit them for war they seldom practiced, except when in the company of women, being taught by their religion the social virtues, they manifested a great regard for the rights of the other sex & always treated them with attention civility & tenderness. Hence, when in company of the fair sex it was curious to observe that when in the company of women they easily exchanged the warriors ruged & bold attitude of the bold warrior for the complasant & tender deportment of the affectionate galant. The amusements which were pleasing to the female mind were equally pleasing to the men, whenever they held their social meeting for recreation. These meetings were frequent among the younger class of Citizens, whether married or single. Various kinds of amusements would frequently be introduced at such times for their mutual entertainment, but that which held the most conspicuous place was dancing . But their manner of Dancing was different from that of the polished Europeans. Gracefulness & easy attitude were not so much studied in their movements as sprightliness & agility, & those tunes which admitted the greatest display of activity & sprightliness were generally the most pleasing fashionable. Hence those whose bodies were formed for the quickest movements if they keept time with the music, were the most admired. In small assemblies it was fashionable to amuse
themselves with at playing with pieces of parchment. This they denominate the Bird Play. Each piece of is of an oval form & of convenient length & width & on each one is portraid the likeness of a Bird. All the birds of Prey that came within their knowledge have the honour of being represented on these pieces of Parchment. On the other pieces are portraid other birds of different kinds. The whole number of the pieces amount to about sixty. These are promiscuous placed in a pack & dealt of to the company of players whose number does not exceed six. The person then, who has the greatest number of carnivorous Birds by a dexterous management, may catch the greatest number of the other Birds & thus obtain the victory.
During these enterviews of the different sexes & even in their common intercourse with each other they are always very cheerful & sociable & often display that fondness & familiarity, which in Europe would be considered as indicative of a lascivious character, but in this country are considered as what good manners requird. Nothing rude nothing indecent or immodest according to their ideas of the meaning of these terms, are admissible in company, & absolute lasciviousness would meet the most severe reprehension. When a young man wishes to settle himself in a family state he proclaims it by wearing a red feather in his cap. This is considered as an admonition to the young women who would not receive him for a husband, to avoid his company, whereas those whose inclinations towards him are more favourable admit his attentions. From this number he selects one as the object of his addresses. He obtains an enterview & proposes a courtship. If the proposition accords with her wishes, they then agree on a time when he shall make known the affair to her parents, whose
approbation being obtained, he is then permitted to viset her ten times in sixty days. At the expiration of this time the bargain for matrimony must be finished. Otherwise there must be a final termination of the courtshi or a postponement of the courtship, for the term of one year, or else a The parties are at liberty during the postponement to But if the parties are pleased with each other, the contract is made & the time for the celebra performance of the nuptial ceremonies is appointed. An entertainment is provided made friends are invited & the Bridegroom & the Bride present themselves in their best apparal. The company form a circle & they take their stand in the center. The father of the Bride speaks. For what purpose do you present yourselves They answer, to join hands in wedlock. Our hearts are already joined, & we have made a solemn contract covenant to be true & faithful to each other. The company then all explain, "Blessings will attend you if ye fulfil, but Curses if ye transgress. They are then conducted into a log, round which a Rope is tied. The Bridegroom takes hold of one end of the rope & the Bride the other; & being commanded to draw the log into the house, They pull in opposite directions with all their might. Having worried themselves for some time to no purpose to the great diversion of the company, the parents of both parties step forward & giving them a severe reprimand, command them to draw in the same direction. They instantly obey & the Log is easily drawn to its destined place. The rest of the time is spent in great cheerfulness, & meriment. They partake of the entertainment & conclude with customary amusements. The Bridegroom & bride are now desirous to form a family by themselves. If their parents are
of sufficient ability they furnish them with a convenient house & such furniture as will be required for family use & such other property as they need to enable them to obtain a comfortable living. But if their parents are poor they receive a pittance & contributions from relations & neighbors, & are placed in such a situation that with proper industry & econimy they can live live above indigence & enjoy life agreeably. At the time they enter their new habitation they are attended by Priests & by their relation & friends. They kneel in the centre of the Room & the Priest places his right hand on the head of the Bridegroom & his left on the head of the Bride. After explaining & enjoining, in the most solemn manner the various duties of the married state, he concludes his injunctions with these words. "My Dear children, I conjure you as you regard your own peace & felicity, as you would wish to acquire wealth & respectability & set an example worthy of emitation, that as you are now yoked together to draw in the same direction. They then rise & he presents each with a piece of Parchment on which is written Draw in the same direction. All the duties of the conjugal state, in their opinion are comprized in this injunction Command.
As the Priests & the Censors were vigilant & careful to required to see that parents restrained the vices of their children & instructed them in the knowledge of their religious principles the effects were very conspicuous.
Having been early taught to restrain govern their passions & to regard the practice of virtue as their greatest good, it was generally the case that love friendship & harmony
existed in families. & when parents were treated by their children with great tenderness & respect.
Parents manifested an anxious solicitude for the future welfare & respectability of their children, & in their turn children treated their parents with respect & reverence. Nor did they forsake them in old age, but paid, provided liberally for their support &
But we are not to suppose that in the most virtuous age of the nation all were virtuous. Far from this. But with such punctual exactness were the laws executed, in the most prosperous state of the nation, that vice & impiety had but few advocates & the wicked were ashamed of their own characters. Tho' every vice was prohibited by law, yet the penalties were not severe. Murder alone was punished with death. With respect to other Laws, they were calculated to wound the pride & ambition of the transgressor, & produce shame & regret. Adultery was is punished by obliging the Culprit to wear a pair of Elk horns on his shoulders six days, & to walk thro' the City or vilage once each day, at which times the boys are at liberty to pelt him with rotten eggs. The thief is compelled to make ample restitution. For the third offense he is covered with tar & feathers & exhibited as a spectacle for laughter & ridicule. Pugilists or boxers, if they are equally to blame for fighting, are yoked together at least one day, & in this situation are presented to the view of the multitude. They must wear the yoke until the quarrel is settled. Such being the nature of their penal laws & such the punctuality of executing the penalties on offenders that crimes were far less frequent in this country, than in Europe, where the Laws are more severe, & offenders more often escape punishment. Tho' learning civilization & refinement had not arrived at
that state of perfection, in which they exist, in a great part of the Roman Empire, yet the two Empires of Sciota & Kentuck during their long period of peace & prosperity, were not less happy. As luxury and extravagance were scarcely known to exist especially among the common people, an happy equality was hence there was a great similarity in their manner of living, their dress, their habits & manners. Pride was not bloated & puffed up with enormous wealth, Nor had envy fewel to inflame her hatred & malice. As the two Empires were not displeased with each other's prosperity & happiness & the two governments had no thirst nor jealous of jealous of each others power, & as the governments were not infected with thirst for conquest, Peace of consequence waved her olive branch, & the malignant passions lay dormant. Avarice & corruption did not contaminate the ruling powers nor bribery infest the seats of justice. The people felt secure in the enjoyment of their rights, & desirous to raise up families to partake of the same blessings which they enjoyed.
We can now trace the causes of their increase & prosperity, To a religion which presented powerful motives to restrain vice & impiety, & encourage virtue. To the difusion of a competent share of learning & knowledge to enable the people to understand their rights & enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse. To the establishment of political institutions, which gugrded property & life against oppression injustice & tyranny. To the knowledge which the people obtained of agriculture & the mechanical arts & their habits of industry & econimy. To the mild nature of their laws & the certainty of executing the penalty upon transgressors, & to such an equality of property as to prevent the pride of wealth & the extravagance of Luxury. To
such causes may be ascribed the rapid increase of population, & the apparent contentment & felicity which extended thro' every part of the country of the Empires. We might add like wise the long peace that continued & the friendly intercourse that existed between the two rival Empires. A peace which had no interruption for the term of near five hundred years. During this time their villages & cities were greatly enlarged; new settlements were formed in every part of the country which had not been inhabited, & towns a vast number of towns were built, which rivaled as to number of inhabitants, those which existed at the time their imperial governments were founded. Their settlements extended the whole length of the great River Ohio to its confluence with the Mississippi, & over the whole country on both sides of the Ohio River, which are watered by streams which empty into it. And also along the great lakes of Eri & Michigan, & even some settlements were formed in some part of the country which borders on Lake Ontario. Such was the vast extent of the country which they inhabited, & such the fertility of the soil, that many millions were easily fed & supported with such a plenty, & competence of provision as was necessary for their comfort & happiness.
During the time of their rising greatness & tranquillity, their policy led them to fortify their country in every part, the interior as well as the frontiers. This they did partly for their own safety, provided a war should take place, & they should be invaded by an enimy, & partly to keep alive a military & improve a warlike spirit, & the knowledge of military tackticks. Near every vilage or City they constructed forts or fortifications These were generally of an oval form & of different dimensions according to the number
of inhabitants who lived in the town. The Ramparts or walls were formed of dirt which was taken in front of the fort. A deep canal or trench would likewise be formed. This would still increase the difficulty of surmounting the walls in front. In addition to this they inserted sticks pieces of Timber on the top of the Ramparts. These pieces were about seven feet in length from the ground to top, which was sharpened. The distance between each piece was about six inches, thro' which they would shoot their arrows against an Enimy. Some of their fortifications have two Ramparts which run paralel with each other, built in the same manner with a distance between of about two or three perches. Their gates are strong & well constructed for defense. Within these forts are likewise a number of small houses, for the accommodation of the army & inhabitants, in case of an invasion & likewise a storehouse for the reception of provisions & arms. A country thus fortified, containing so many millions of inhabitants hearty & robust & with habits formed for war, might well be supposed as able to defend themselves against an invading enimy. If they were beat from the frontier, they would still retreat back to the fortifications in the interior & there make a successful stand. But what avails all the wisdom, the art & the works of men, what avails their valour their strength & numbers, when the Almighty God is provoked to chastise them, & to execute his vengeance in their overthrow & destruction.
CHAP. XI.
As the Sciotans & the Kentucks had maintained with each other an unterrupted peace & friendly intercourse for the space of four hundred & eighty years, it seems almost incredible that a Cause which was of no great importance to either nation, should excite their resentment against each other & produce all the horrors of war. But such was the unhappy effect of an affair, which had no regard to a single person except the imperial families of the two empires & the king of Sciota. As these families had were dessended from the great Lobaska, they had, during the reign of all their Emperors been in the habit of visiting each other; but as each Emperor & his children were required not to marry out of their respective dominions, no intermarriages had taken place. They however claimed relationship, & still continued to each other the appellation of our dearest & best beloved Cousen.
A Cousen of this description who was the eldest son of Hamboon, the Emperor of Kentuck, arrived at the City of Golanga with a small but splendid retinue of Friends. At that time Rambock, who was the fourteenth Emperor, was seting on the throne of Sciota. He received the young Prince with apparent sensation of the highest pleasure, & spared no pains to manifest towards him by his treatment the greatest esteem & friendship. The Emperor had an only son, whose name was Moonrod. He ordered him to attend the young Prince & to treat him with every token of affection & honour.They spent their time in receiving visets from the officers of the government, in viewing curiosities, & in the assemblies of the first Class of young citizens who met for recreation.
Elseon, for this was the name of the young prince, was soon after his arrival introduced to Lamesa, the eldest daughter of the Emperor. She was a young Lady of a very fair & beautiful countenance. Her features & the construction of her person were formed to please the fancy, whilst the ease & gracefulness & modesty of her deportment were very pleasing to all her acquaintance. Her mind was replenished with the principles of knowledge & virtue & such was her vivacity and the ease with which she expressed her ideas, that all were delighted with her conversation. No wonder that this fair imperial damsel attracted the attention of Elseon; & at their first enterview enkindled a spark in his boosom, which he could hardly prevent from being discovered thro his blushing countenance & the embarrassment he felt in conversation. He strove to erase those tender impressions which she had made on his heart, but in vain; every renewed enterview only served only to fix her image deeper in his mind with & to make the flame of Love more difficult to extinguish. He reasoned on the obsticles in the way of obtaining this young lady for his partner, but instead of cooling only ser it only increased the ardor of his passion, & produced a resolution that with the consent of Lamesa, nothing should prevent the attainment of his wishes.
To a mind thus ardent which possessed the native courage, resolution & perseverance of Elseon, the most gigantic obstacles would vanish into vapour. Nor was it long before he found that a correspondent passion was excited in her breast. The moment she first saw him, her heart palpitated, her face was covered with crimson, she turned her eyes & attempted to speak, her tongue stopt its motion in the midle of a period. She hamed, sat down &
observed that she was not well. A description of this scene is painted by a Sciotan bard in poetic numbers. He represents the young Lady as recovering in a short time from this state of agitation & confusion, & as being afterwards composed & of having a better command of her passions. To follow the poet in the description which he gives of Elseon, to whom he attaches a countenance & figure superior to other mortals, & qualities which produced the universal esteem & admiration, would not comport with the faithful page of history. Suffice it to say that Lamesa was captivated with his person, & was impressed with those ideas & sentiments that her happiness fled except when she either enjoyed or anticipated his company. After Elseon had firmly determined to marry Lamesa, he was impatient for a private enterview with her to disclose his sentiments. This occurred in a short time. They were together in one of the apartments of the Emperors palace, the company had all retired I have said he in a low voice to Lamesa, conceived that opinion of you that I hope you will not be displeased if I express my feelings with frankness & sincerity. You must, she replied, be the best judge of what is proper for you to express. I am always pleased with sincerity. As the sun, says he my dear Lamesa, when he rises with his radiant beams, dispels the darkness of knight; so it is in your power to dispel the clouds of anxiety that rest upon my soul. The Crown of Kentuck will be like a Rock on my head, unless you will condesend to share with me the glory & felicity of my reign. Will you consent to be my dearest friend & companion for life? There is nothing, she replies, would give me more pleasure than a compliance with your request, provided it shall meet the approbation of my Father. But how can he consent, when our Constitution
requires that his daughters should marry in his own dominions? Besides, my father intends that I shall receive the King of Sciota for my husband. By performing, says he, the ceremonies of marriage at Talanga, we shall literally comply with the imperial constitution, as Talanga is within the dominions of your Father. But as for the King of Sciota, do you sincerely wish to have him for a husband? No, she quickly replies speaks anger sparkled in her eyes. No. the King of Sciota for my husband. His pride, his haughtiness, the pomposity of all his movements excite my perfect disgust. I should as leave be yoked to a porcupine. Several
These Lovers, as you may well conjecture, said many things too tender & endearing to please the taste of the common Class of Lovers. in this enterview, which lasted about four hours, they exchanged the most transporting expressions of love, made the most solemn protests vows of sincerity & perpetual friendship & finally agreed that Elseon should make known to the Emperor their mutual desire to be joined in wedlock. The next day he wrote to the Emperor as follows.
May it please your most excellent Majesty. Permit me to express my most sincere gratitude for the high favors & honour, which thro' the beneficence of your Majesty I have enjoyed in your dominions. I am likewise impelled to request a favour, which to me would be the most precious gift, that is in the power of your Majesty to bestow. Having contracted an acquaintance with your most amiable daughter Lamesa, & finding that a correspondent affection & esteem exist in our hearts toward each other & a mutual desire to be united by the solemn covenant of mariage, I
would therefore solicit Your Majesty's permission, that such a connection may be formed.
Such a connection I conceive, may in its effect be very salutary & beneficial to both Empires. It will unite the two imperial families in a nearer in the bond of consanguinity, & fix upon them an additional obligation to cultivate friendship, peace & amicable intercourse. It will strengthen the sinues of both governments & promote & promote an happy interchange of friendly offices. As to the objection that might arise from the constitution requiring, that the Emperors daughters should marry in his own dominions, this according to its literal meaning can have respect only to the place where the Emperors daughters shall marry. If by your Majestys permission, I should marry your daughter Lamesa in your dominions it will be a literal fulfillment of the constitution. From this ground therefore, I conceive that no objection of any weight can arise. Will your majesty please to vouchsafe me an answer to my request.
Signed, Elseon. Prince of Kentuck.
This letter was presented to the Emperor by Helicon, an intimate friend of Elseon. The Emperor read it assumed the aspect of deep consideration, walked the room a few moments, then took a seat & told Helicon that he might inform the young prince that he should receive an answer in a ten days.
But why this few Ten days, a long time for two ardent lovers to remain in suspense, But the Emperor must consult his counsellors, his priests & the last & most fatal counsellor of all the King of Sciota, who presumed to claim the hand of the fair Lamesa. The affair became public. The popular sintiment at first favoured the connection.
The Emperor's counsellors & his priests were at first inclined to recommend an affirmative answer. But the interest of the Sciotan King soon prevailed. This produced a different view of the subject. The Counsellors perceived that such a connection would be a most flagrant violation of the true meaning & spirit of the constitution, & the priests considered that it would be an act of the greatest impiety, as it would transgress an explicit injunction of the great founder of their government & religion. This opinion had vast Weight on the minds of a greatmajority of the people. The more liberal sort vindicated the cause of Elseon. This produced great debate altercation & confusion thro' the City. All were anxious to know the Emperor's decision.
On the tenth day the Emperor transmitted to the prince the following answer to his letter.
To our best beloved Cousen Elseon, Prince of Kentuck. The letter we received from your highness has impressed our hearts with a deep sense of the honor & benefit, which you intended uor family & Empire. At first we were inclined to accept of the alliance you proposed. But having examined & considered the subject with great seriousness & attention, we find that to admit your Highness who is not a citizen of our Empire to marry into our family, would be a most flagrant violation of the true meaning & spirit of our constitution. & an impious outrage on the sacred memory of its Founder For these reasons we must solicit your Highness not to insist on our compliance with your request.
Signed. Hambock, Emperor of Sciota.
As Elseon had been informed of the complexion which his affair had assumed in the court, & through the City, he was prepared for the answer which he received.
Without manifesting the least chagrin or Resentment,
he appeared to acquiesce in the decision of the Emperor. He displayed his in his countenance, his conversation & deportment, his usual cheerfulness & vivacity. He continued his amusements & associated with company with the same ease, gracefulness & dignified conduct which he had done before. At the same time, his determination was fixed to transport the fair Lamesa into his father's dominions. The first enterview which he had with her after he received the Emperors letter, he informed her of its contents. She trembled, paleness began to cover her face, & had not Elseon received her into his arms, perhaps she would have falen from her seat. However, by a few soothing words and caresses, she was restored to her former composure & recollection. Believe me, quoth he, "my dearest Lamesa, you shall be mine. This heart shall be torn from my bosom, & these limbs from my body, nothing else shall prevent our union & compleat enjoyment of happiness. Can the ancient scribbling of a great sage or the decree of an Emperor prevent the streams from uniting with the ocean? with the same ease & propriety can they prevent the union of our hands, since our hearts are united. With your consent, you shall be mine. Is it possible, she replies, is it possible to disregard the authority of an indulgent & beloved parent & disobey his command? This I never did. What if he should command you, says Elsean, to marry the King of Sciota? would you obey? He might she replies, with more regard to my happiness, command me to plunge a dagger into my heart. I cannot endure that supercilious bundle of pride & affectation.
At this moment her maid entered the room & gave her a letter. I received this letter, she says, from your Brother,
who told me it was from the Emperor. Lamesa opened it & read.
My Dearest & Best Beloved Daughter.
Having the most tender & affectionate regard for your future welfare & felicity, we have concluded a treaty of marriage between you & Lambul, the King of Sciota. This alliance will be honourable to our family & be productive of many benefits to the Empire. On the tenth day from this time the nuptial ceremonies will be celebrated consummated in our Palace. You will be in readiness & yield a cheerful compliance with our will.
Signed, Bambock, Em'r of Sciota.
Had the lightning flashed from the clouds & pierced her heart, it could not have produced a more instantaneous effect. She fell into the arms of Elseon, the maid ran for a cordial. Elseon rubed her temples & hands and loosened the girdle about her waist. Within about an hour the blood began to circulate. Elseon to his inexpressible joy felt her pulse beginning to beat, & perceived flashes of colour in her face. With a plaintive groan, she once more opened her eyes to the beams of day, & in a kind of wild destraction exclaimed, Ah, cruel, cruel Father, why have you doomed your daughter to a situation the most odious & disgustful. As well might you have thrown her into a den of porcupines, opossums & serpents. With such animals I could enjoy life with less disgust & torment, than with this mighty King of Sciota, and An alliance with him an honour to our family, an honour to the descendants of the great Lobaska! What wicked counsellors have deceived my Father, & induced him to throw me into the arms of this hateful monster? Ah, whither shall I fly & escape my barbarous destiny. I am your protector, says Elseon. I am your friend
& will conduct you beyond the loving & gigantic grasp of Sambol. His loathsome arms shall never encircle my dear Lamesa. Consent to my request & we will be within ten days at the City of Gamba. There you will be esteemed as the brightest Orniment of my Father's empire. No onger, Oh Elseon, she exclaimed, can I refuse my consent to your proposal. When a compliance with my fathers commands will entail wretchedness & misery thro' life, Heaven will pardon my disobedience. Yes, Elseon, I will go with you, & place my happiness in your power. rather than fall into the hands of this haughty Sambul."
What could she say more to express the feelings of a heart struggling under the operation of different passions & opposite motives? She has taken her resolution, love has gained the preeminence over every obsticle.
At this resolution, Elseon was transported with joy. He now proceeded to form his plans for their flight. On the fourth day after, he called upon the Emperor & requested his permission to depart to his own Country. The Emperor importuned him to tarry and be one of the guests at Lamesa's wedding. But he declined by urging as his apology the anxiety & impatience of his father for his return. Permission was granted, & the Emperor aded that he should do himself the honour to furnish the prince with an escort when he left the city. Elseon replied that he was not fond of much parade, he would wish the escort might consist of the Emperors soldiers, only his friend & his daughter & with each of them a friend. These says he, are my dearest and best beloved cousens, for
whom I shall ever retain the most sincere friendship. Nothing can afford me more pleasure, says the Emperor, than to comply with your request.
Elseon took an affectionate leave of the Emperor & on the second day after, being prepared for his journey he set off with his three friends & their servants. Moonrod, prince of the Empire, & Lamesa with her two sisters, with each of them a friend, attended him on his journey about twenty miles. They all tarried at a vilage over night.
Imagination alone can paint the pleasant & happy scene. Elseon was transported with joy. He prest her to his bosom with all the ardor of inthusiasm, & she yielded to all his tender & innocent embraces with a grateful sensibility & modest resignation.
The invention and ingenuity of Elseon must now be employed in forming a plan for their flight to his Father's dominions. As he appeared to acquiesce in the decision of the Emperor, & had maintained the same cheerful deportment, none were suspicious of his design. The Emperor & the whole court still manifested toward him every token of high respect & sincere friendship. Without any hesitation, the Emperor complied with his request, that his dear cousins, the son & the three daughters of the Emperor, with each of them a friend, should accompany him about twenty miles, on his return to Kentuck. The retinue of the young Prince consisted of four of his most intimate friends & their servants. He took care to send their baggage on by two servants one day before they set out. The morning arived, t he sun shone with radiant splendor, not a cloud intervened or was seen to float in the atmosphere. It was the fourth day after Lamesa had received the letter which doomed
her to the embraces of Sambul. The Emperor, his Counsellors, his Priests & principal officers assembled, & having invited the young prince & his friends to meet them, they entered the circle with great ceremony. The Emperor then addressed the Young Prince, thanked him for the honour of his visit & expressed his firm determination, to maintain a sincere friendship & an inviolable peace with the government of Kentuck. Elseon replied that the whole sentiments would meet the cordial approbation of his Father, who retained the same sentiments of friendship & peace toward the government of Sciota. He then thanked the Emperor & the whole assembly for the high respect they had shown him. This was done with that frankness & apparent sincerity that the whole assembly were highly pleased. The Emperor then embraced him & gave him his blessing. Customary ceremonies were mutually exchanged by the whole company, & even tears were seen to drop from every eye.
As the whole of this parade indicates no flight of Elseon & Lamesa, we must now view them with their select company of friends seting out on a short journey. All mounted on horses, they rode about twenty miles to a village where they halted. An eligant supper was provided, they were chearful & sociable, none appeared more so, that Elseon & Lamesa. The next day Elsean requested the company of his dear cousens a short distance on his journey. When they had rode about two miles they halted & proposed to take their leave of each other Lamesa & her friend, without being perceived by the company, rode on. It was a place where the road turned, & by riding one rod, they could not be seen. The rest of the company entered into a short conversation & passed invitations for reciprocal visets
& friendly offices. They then clasped each others hands & bowing very low, took an affectionate farewell. But where are Lamesa & her friend? During these ceremonies their horses move with uncommon swiftness, her heart palpitates with an apprehension that she might be overtaken by her brother. But now a friend more dear, her beloved Elseon, with his companions, outstrip the wind in their speed. & within one hour & half they overtake these fearful Damsels. They all precipitate their course, casting their eyes back every moment to no purpose, her pursuers. But pursuers had not sufficient time to overtake them. They safely arive on the Bank of the Great River. Elseon & Lamesa were the first that entered the boat; the rest follow. & such was Elseon's engagedness & anxiety to secure his fair prize, that he even seized an oar and used it with great strength & dexterity. As their feet stept on the opposite shore, Elseon claspt his hands & spoke aloud, Lamesa is mine. She is now beyond the grasp of a pompous tyrant & the control of a father whose mind is blinded by the sordid advice of a menial junto of counsellors & priests. She is mine & shall soon be the Princess of Kentuck. Their movement is no slow thro' the remaining part of their journey. They at length arive at the great City of Gamba. We may now contemplate them as having new scenes to pass thro' Not to delineate the parade which was made at the court of Hamboon, for the reception of his son, Lamesa, & their friends, or to describe the joy that was exhibited in every part of the city on their arival, & the universal surprize occasioned by the story of the flight of these two Lovers. Suffice it to say, that those who beheld Lamesa did not blame Elseon.
As Hamboon was not very punctilious in his regard
for the constitution, being possessed of very liberal sentiments, Elseon found no difficulty in obtaining his consent to marry Lamesa. On the fourth day after their arival, Elseon & Lamesa, with each of them a friend appeared on a stage, which was erected on the public square of the City. The Emperor & Empress with his counsellors, his Priests his officers, & all his relations, with the principal Ladies of the City, formed a procession & surrounded the stage. The common Citizens being a great multitude, took their stands as they pleased. The Emperor & Empress then mounted the stage, & united Elseon & Lamesa in the bond of wedlock according to custom. & as pulling the Log was an indispensable ceremony one was provided with a rope around it on the stage. The Bridegroom & Bride played their parts in pulling the rope with such dexterity & gracefulness, that the whole assembly was most pleasingly entertained. When all was ended, the whole assembly claped their hands & cried, Long live Elseon & Lamesa. & giving three huzzas, the common citizens dispersed. The rest repaired to a sumptuous entertainment, & spent the remaining part of the day & evening in conversation, singing & recreation.
CHAP XII.
The reader will recollect that Elseon & his friends left Moonrod & his friends in a very pleasant mood without the least suspicion, that Lamesa & her friend had deserted them. When they had arrived at the vilage, what was their surprize when they found that Lamesa & her friend were not
in company, nor had any one any recollection of her being in company, after they had stopped to take their leave of Elseon. Moonrod & the other gentlemen immediately rode back with the greatest speed to the place where they had halted, & not finding any traces of her Lamesa the conclusion was then certain that she had prefer the company of the young Prince & was on her way to Kentuck.
Pursuit would be in vain. Their only alternative was to hasten back and carry the doleful intelligence to the Emperor. Their speed was nearly equal to that of Elseon. Without waiting to perform the customary ceremony of entering the palace, Moonrod immediately rushed into the Emperors presence, &exclaimed, your daughter Lamesa has been seduced by Elseon to leave our company unperceived, & has gone with him to Kentuck. Nothing but the pencil of the Limner, could paint the Astonishment of the Emperor. He rose, stood motionless for a moment, then staring fiercely on Moonrod he spoke. is it possible, is it possible, are you not mistaken my Son. I am not, says he, my most excellent Father. I am not mistaken. This morning we attended Elseon a small distance from the village where we lodged. When we had halted to take our leave & our attention was all engaged she and her friend she & her friend rode off unperceived by any of our company nor did we miss her until we arived again at the vilage. We have made full search & enquiry, & find that she has absolutely gone with the young prince to Kentuck. What an ingrate says the Emperor, what a monster of hypocrisy Did the honourable attention we have shown him demand such treatment? How has he insulted the dignity of our family & outraged the high authority of our government. This affair will demand the most serious consideration. O Lamesa,
Lamesa, my darling, my best beloved child, was it possible for you to be so deceived by that artful prince, was it possible for you to disobey the command of your indulgent father? as they stept on the covering top of the canal, the thin pieces of timber broke & they all plunged in & found themselves in an instant at the bottom of the canal. Surprised & terrified & they soon found themselves in no situation to vindicate their exclusive right to wear blue feathers in their caps. They were compleatly in the power of their enimies who returned quick upon them. They demanded quarter & surrendered themselves prisoners of war. And giving up their arms, their demand was granted. In the meantime a party of Sciotans who lay in ambush, on the side of the Hill rushed down upon the reserved corps of the Kentucks, who, being filled with consternation at the direful disaster of their companions, surrendered themselves prisoners of war without a struggle. Thus in a few moments, by pursuing the stratigem or plan of Lobaska, An army of thirty thousand men were captured, & the pride & haughtiness of a mighty Prince was humbled. Not a drop of blood was shed to accomplish the whole.
& bring upon our family such wretchedness & dishonour. Fame with Her Thousand tongues commenced her pleasing employment, & as swift as the wings of Time she wafted the inteligence thro' the City with many distorted & exaggerated particulars. All was astonishment confusion & uproar. Resentment enkindled her indignant sparks into a flame & the general cry was revenge & war. The Sciotan King was walking in his parlour, feeding his imagination with the pleasing prospect of his future glory & felicity. I am, quoth he to himself, honoured above all the other princes of the Empire, & even above the heir apparent to the imperial crown of Kentuck. Who could be admitted except myself to marry this fair Lamesa, the eldest daughter of the Emperor, the most amiable the most accomplished & the most honorable Lady in the universe. This is a distinction which will place me on equal ground with the Emperor himself, & command from all my subjects the homage of their highest respect and reverence. Besides I have a soul that can relish the charms of the beautiful maid. She will adore me as her Lord & think herself highly honoured & exceeding happy to submit to my most endearing & affectionate embraces." But ah, mighty Sambul, you little tho't how soon this delightful prospect would be reversed, & that your soul would be filled with chagrin indignation & revenge. A messenger burst into his parlour & announced the astonishing tidings of Lamesas elopement. She has absolutely gone, says he, to become the wife of Elseon & the empress of Kentuck. Not the wondrous & instantaneous roar of ten Thousand thunders instantaneously thro' the atmosphere could have produced greater surprise. His countenance was all amazement. It was for a moment covered with paleness, his lips quivered, his knees smote together & his gigantic body trembled like the shaking of a tower under the effects of an earthquake. But soon after a little silent his reflections & cogitations caused the blood to return with a ten-fold velocity into his face. it assumed the colour of redness & clinching He assumed the attitude of terrific majesty & poured forth his feelings in a voice more terrible than the roaring of a volcano. How have I been abused, dishonoured, insulted &
outraged. How have my prospects of glory been instantaneously blasted & my character, my character become the ridicule of a laughing world. What felicities of enjoying the imperial maid in my arms, adoring me for her husband are now vanished. & by whom am I thus disgraced insulted & injured? By the mock prince of Kentuck, an effeminate stripling, a cringing & plausible Upstart. He has robed me of the fairest orniment of my kingdom, she Lamesa, who was mine by solemn contract, & must he now revel in her charms which are mine, & pride himself in those deceitful arts by which he has seduced her, & stolen her from my enjoyment? No, ungrateful & insidious monster, your triumph shall be of short duration, & this arm shall viset your crimes upon your head with a ten-fold vengeance. Having poured forth a torrent of the most dreadful imprecations & menaces, he left his parlour & walked forth to consult his principal officers on the best plan to obtain revenge.
In the meantime the Emperor, less haughty & indignant, & possessed of sentiments more humane & benelent, sent an invitation to his Counsellors to attend him. They were unanimous in the opinion that the offense of Elseon required reparation. But should war be the consequence, if he refused to return Lamesa? On this question, two of the counsellors contended that an humble recantation would repair the injury done to the honour of the imperial family & the authority of the government. The other two insisted that they should demand in addition that would not be sufficient But that they should demand in addition ten Mammoth which would be an adequate compensation, but they all deprecated the horrors of war. In the midst of their debetes which were managed with great coolness & impartiality,
Sambul presented himself. I have come forward says he, may it please your most excellent majesty, to demand the fulfillment of that solemn contract which you made to deliver me your eldest daughter in marriage. She has been surreptitiously carried off by the young prince of Kentuck. She is mine by contract & your majesty is bound to deliver her to me. I demand Let her be immediately demanded, & if the Emperor, the father of the young prince shall refuse to return her, this will implicate him in the same crime & be a sufficient cause of war. In that case war will be indispensable to vindicate the honour of our respective crowns, & the rights of the Empire. I should then give my voice for war, & would never sheathe my sword until torrents of blood had made expiation for the ingratitude baseness & perfidy of the young Princy. An humble recantation or the delivery of ten mammoth, would this be a sufficient reparation for such an offense so flagitious? No, the very proposal would be an insult on the dignity of our government. Can anything short of the repossession of the fair object stolen, of the invaluable prize feloniously taken from us, be an adequate compensation? Nothing short of this can heal our bleeding honour. appease the indignation of our subjects, & reinstate friendship & an amicable intercourse between both Empires. Let this be your demand that Lamesa shall be returned. Let a refusal be followed by an immediate declaration of war. Let the resources & energies of the nation be called forth. Assemble your armies & pour destruction upon all who shall oppose the execution of our revenge. I myself will lead the van & mingle my arm with those who fight the most bloody battles. Heroes shall fall before us, their towns shall be laid in ruins, & carnage shall glut our indignant swords.
When further deliberation had taken place, the Emperor & two of his counsellors adopted the advice of Sambul to demand Lamesa & an envoy was immediately despatched to the Emperor of Kentuck with the following letter.
May it please your most gracious majesty. Nothing could have given us more pleasure than the disposition you manifested in sending Elseon, the heir apparent to your crown to viset our family. We treated him as our dearest Cousen & as our most intimate friend. He was invited to associate with our children, & to consider himself whilst he tarried as a member of our family. Such being the confidence we placed in his rectitude & honour, that he assumed the liberty to contract the most intimate acquaintance with Lamesa, our eldest daughter. This produced an agreement between them, that with our consent they would be united in marriage. Nothing would have been more pleasing than such a connection. But we found that it would be a most flagrant violation of the true meaning & spirit of our constitution, & an impious outrage on the memory of its great founder. For these reasons, we signified our pleasure that Elseon would not insist on our compliance with his request. He appeared to acquiesse in our decision. & we afterwards contracted with Sambul, King of Sciota to give her in marriage to him.
But the after conduct of your son, may it please your most gracious majesty, did not correspond with the high confidence we placed in him. With deep regret & the most painful sensations we are compeled to declare that he has committed a crime which has disturbed our peace & happiness,
dishonoured our family & outraged the authority of our government, & the rights of our Empire. He has formed a plan to transport Lamesa into your dominions. To accomplish this, he made use of the most insidious arts, He took advantage of our clemency & indescretion, & the high respect we manifested towards him, & without our consent & contrary to our will, he has succeeded in transporting to the city of Gamba in his perfidious design. Lamesa is doubtless with you in the City of Gamba. A crime which of such malignity, committed against the honour & interest & dignity of our family government & Empire demands reparation. Your majesty will perceive that the only adequate reparation which can be made, will be the return of Lamesa to our dominions. We therefore demand that she be conveyed back with all possible expedition.
No other alternative can prevent the interruption of that confidence friendship & peace, which have long continued between both Empires, & save them from the horrors & calamities of war.
Signed, Rambock, Emperor of Sciota.
When Hamboon had received this letter, he immediately invited his counsellors to attend him, & laid it before them, &, as it was a subject of vast importance to the Empire, he likewise invited his priests and principal officers to join them in council. The various passions appeared to operate in the course of their consultation. To avoid Hostilities, with all its attendant calamities, was what they most ardently desired, & some contended that if no other alternative could be agreed upon, it would be for the interest of the Empire & the best policy to return the princess. but others reprobated this measure as pusilanimous, & cowardly
& advised if no other reparation would be received, to retain the princess & maintain the conflict with a manly & heroic firmness. What, say they, do not honour & justice require that we should defend the rights of the imperial family? If the Sciotan government should demand that we should send them our Emperor or Empress, would not honour impel us to spurn at the demand, & reject it with indignation? Their present demand is as preposterous & as insulting. No satisfaction will they receive for the supposed injury, except that we should seize the Princess of the Empire, tare her from the bosom of her consort & transport her to Sciota. Are we capable of an act so unjust & inhuman, so base & disgraceful? As the debates were proceeding, Elseon rose. May I says he -- claim your attention a moment? Undaunted by the cruel demand & haughty menace of the Sciotan government, I am willing to abide your decision. If transporting Lamesa into our dominions when she has been most unjustly & inhumanely denied me for a companion, is a crime so perfidious & flagitious as of such mighty magnitude, then inflict a punishment that shall be adequate to the offense. But if the Almighty, whose benevolence is infinite, has designed the union of hands where hearts are united, I have then transgressed no divine law, but have obeyed the divine will. I am therefore innocent of any crime. I have an undoubted right to retain Lamesa for my wife, & no government on earth have any authority from heaven to tear her from my bosom. Nor will I submit to such an event, so long as the life blood circulates thro' my heart & warms my limbs. If war must be the consequence of my proceedings, which transgressed no principles of honour justice or humanity, were both innocent & hounourable, it will give me the most painful feelings. I shall deplore its calamities,
but will never shrink like a Dastard from the conflict. The Sciotan King, who is at the bottom of all the mischief shall never behold me fleeing before his gigantic sword, or skulking to avoid a single combat with him. You have therefore no other alternative but either, first to slay your prince, & then like cowards to send back your princess to Sciota, or else to make immediate preparations to meet their threatened vengeance with fortitude & courage.
This speech of the young prince united the whole council. & they unanimously agreed to reject the demand of the Sciotan government. A Letter was written & an Envoy dispatched, with instructions to attempt a reconciliation. He precipitated his journey to the court of Rambock, & when he arrived, he delivered him the following letter.
May it please your most excellent Majesty. Next to the welfare & prosperity of our Empire, we should rejoice in the welfare & prosperity of yours. It is therefore with extreme regret that we view the unhappy difference, which has arisen & which threatens to involve the two Empires in the calamities of war.
Had you demanded a reparation for the supposed injury which would consist with the principles of justice & the honour of our crown & government, it should be given you with the utmost cheerfulness. But to return you Lamesa, who has now become the princess of Kentuck, would be tearing her from the arms of an affectionate husband & breaking the bond of solemn wedlock. As the compliance with your demand, will subject us to the commission of such injustice & cruelty, it must there fore be our duty to declare that we will not return the young princess. & as such an event would destroy her happiness as well as that of her affectionate consort, we shall permit her
to tarry in our dominions & grant her protection. We are however desirous that an honourable reconciliation may take place, & a good understanding be restored. To effect this most important & very desirable object, we have given full authority to Labanko our beloved brother, the bearer of this Letter, to negotiate a settlement of our difference. provided you will receive anything as a substitute for what the object yo have demanded.
Signed, Hamboon, Emperor of Kentuck.
The mind of Rambock was not formed for the perpetual exercise of resentment, & malice, & having conversed a considerable time with Labanco, who apologized for the conduct of the young prince with great ingenuity his anger abated & he felt a disposition for the restoration of friendship. But the indignation & malice of Sambul encreased with time, his dark soul thirsted more ardently for revenge & nothing would satisfy but blood & carnage, He employed instruments to assist in faning the sparks of resentment, & blowing them into the flames of war. Not content to represent facts as they existed, & in their true colours, monstrous stories were fabricated & put into circulation, calculated to excite prejudice & rouse the resentment of the people against Elseon, & the whole Empire of Kentuck. He had recourse to a class of men who were denominated prophets & conjurors to favour his design. They had for many ages a commanding influence on the minds of a great majority of the people. As they pretended to umderstand, have art of investigating the councils & designs of the heavenly Hierarchy, & to have a knowledge of future events, the people listened with pleasure to their representations. predictions & tho't it impious to question or doubt their fulfillment. A small company of these necromanceers
or juglers assembled on the great square of the City, & mounted a stage which was provided for them. The citizens attended It was a prodigious concourse of all classes of citizens The of all descriptions both wise & simple, both male & female. They surrounded the stage & were all attention. All anxious to learn the decrees of heaven, & the future destinies of the Empire. Drofalick, their chief prophet extended his arms & cast up his eyes to Heaven. Quoth he, Heaven unfolds her massy gates, & opens to my view a prospect wide & vast. The seven sons of the great Spirit seize their glittering swords, & swear these shall not be sheathed till blood in torrents run & deluge the fair land of Kentuck I behold enemies martialing on the celestial plain, & hear warriors & heroes cry, Avenge the crime of Elseon. I hear a thundering voice proceeding from the great throne of him who rules the world, proclaiming thus, Corn shall not grow in the Sciotan fields, nor mammoth yield their milk, nor fish be taken in the snare but pestilence shall roam, unless Sciota shall avenge the crime of Elseon. Drofalick ended his prophesy. Hamack then arose & in his hand he held a stone which he pronounced transparent. Thro' this he could view things present & things to come, could behold the dark intrigues & cabals of foreign courts, & behold discover hidden treasures, secluded from the eyes of other mortals. He could behold the galant & his mistress in their bed chamber, &count all their moles warts & pimples. Such was the clearness of his sight, when this transparent stone was placed before his eyes. He looked fiercely & steadfastly on the stone & raised his prophetic voice. I behold Hamboon with all his priests & great officers assembled around him. With what contempt he declares he despises all the Sciotans. They are, says he, cowards
& poltroons. They dare not face my brave warriors. Here I see four men coming forward bearing an image, formed with all the features of ugliness & deformity. This they call Sambul the King of Sciota, the whole company break forth into boisterous Laughing. Ah, see & they are cuting off his head with their swords. Yes, & are now kicking it about the palace. Here is a pole. it is stuck upon that & carried thro' the City. Oh my loving sparks, Elseon & Lamesa, what makes you so merry? Why Elseon says he has outwitted the Sciotans, he has got the prize & he little regards their resentment. Hamack was proceeding with such nonsensical visions, when the whole multitude interrupted him with a cry, Revenge, Revenge, We will convince the Kentuckans that we are not cowards or poltroons. Their heads shall pay for their sport in kicking about the pretended head the head of our pretended beloved King. We will avenge the crime of Elseon. The great & good Being is on our side & threatens us with famine & pestilence, unless we avenge the crime of Elseon.
The arts of these Conjurers were the consummation of Sambuls plan to produce in the minds of the multitude an enthusiasm & rage for war. He now repairs to the Emperor & solicits him to assemble his counsellors, immediately, proclaim war & concert measures for its prosecution. The Emperor replies that they should soon be assembled. but as to war, it was a subject which reguired great consideration.
Early on the next day his counsellors -- priests & principal officers met him in the council room. He laid before them the Letter of Hamboon, & added observed that tho' the government of Kentuck had refused to return Lamesa, yet they had offered to make to our government a recantation,
for Elseon's crime, & to pay us almost any sum as a reparation for our injury. The council sat silent for some time. At length the venerable Boakim arose.
I must beg, says he, the indulgence of your majesty, & this honourable council a few moments. Never did I rise with such impressions of the high importance of our deliberations, as what I now feel. The great question to be decided, is peace or war. If peace can be preserved with honour, then let us maintain peace; but if not, then let us meet war with fortitude & courage.
As to the great Crime of Elseon, no one presumes to present an apoligy. Even their own government acknowledge that he has been guilty of a great Crime. But is it of such malignity as to require the conflagration of towns, & cities & the lives of millions to make an expiation? Can no other reparation consistent with justice & humanity be received? Or must we compel in order to have an atonement made for the crime of Elseon compel the government of Kentuck to commit another crime to separate, to tear from each others embrace the husband & wife? Such a reparation as this, we cannot in justice expect. Shall we then accept of no other? Cannot our bleeding honour be healed without shedding blood without laying a whole Empire in ruins? Such refined notions of honour may prove our own ruin, as well as the ruin of those on whom we attempt to execute our vengeance. The calamities of war have a reciprocal action on the parties. Each must expect to endure a portion of evils, how large a portion would fall to our share in case of war, it is not for us to determine. While thirsting for revenge, we contemplate with infinite pleasure, their armies routed, & their warriors bleeding under our swords their helpless women & children expiring by thousands, & their
country in flames. But reverse the scene. Suppose the enimy have as much wit, as much stratagim, courage, strength & inhumanity as what we you possess, & such may be your situation. When the floodgate is once opened, who can stop the torrent, & prevent devastation & ruin? We ought therefore It was never designed by the great & good Being that his children should contend, &destroy that existence which he gave them. they all have equal rights & ought to strive to maintain peace & friendship. This has been the maxim of our fathers & this the doctrine taught by the great Founder of our government & religion. Under the influence of this maxim, our nation has grown to an emence multitude, & contentment & happiness have been universal. But why can we not enjoy peace with honour? What insurmountable obstacles are there to prevent? Why truely a recantation & -- (word illegible) -- are no compensation for the injury? For other offenses these are accepted, & why must the offense of Elseon be singular?
The Emperors daughter, we presume is happy, nor can it be a disgrace to the imperial family that she has married the son of an emperor, the heir apparent to his crown. But she was to have been the wife of Sambul, the King of Sciota We can therefore with honour to our government accept of the reparation offered. & thus preserve the blessings of peace. But if we suffer resentment, pride & ambition to plunge us into a war, where will its mischiefs, where will its miseries end? As to both empires are nearly equal as to numbers & resources, I will venture to predict their eventual overthrow & destruction.
Boakim would have proceeded, but Hamkol rose & interrupted. It was impudence in the extreme, but he had much brass & strong lungs, & would be heard further than Boakim.
"Such sentiments, says he, may comport with the infirmities of age, but they are too degrading & cowardly for the vigor of youth & manhood. If we suffer insult, perfidy & outrage to pass off with impunity, we may afterwards bend our necks to be trodden upon by every puny upstart, & finical coxcomb. No. Let us march with our brave warriors into the dominions of Hamboon. His effeminate & luxurious Court will tremble at our presence & yield the fair Lamesa into our possession. But if they should still have the temerity to refuse, we will then display our valour by inflicting upon them a punishment, which their crimes deserve. Yes, our valiant heroes shall gain immortal renown by their heroic exploits & by the destruction of all shall who Sciota will ever after have the preeminence over Kentuck, & compel her haughty sons to bow in our presence. Let war be proclaimed. & every kingdom & tribe from the River to the Lakes will pour forth their warriors. anxious to avenge our countrys wrongs. Scarce had he done speaking. And Lakoonrod, the High Priest arose. He was in the interest of Sambul & had married his sister. He had taken great umbrage at Elseon for saying that the priesthood had too great an assendancy at the court of Hambock. And lifting up his sanctimonious eyes slowly toward heaven, & extending his right reverend hand a little above an horizontal position, he spoke.
When the laws which are contained in our holy religion are transgressed, it is my duty as High Priest of the Empire to give my testimony against the transgression. Elseon, the heir apparent to the imperial throne of Kentuck has
been guilty of Robery & impiety within our dominions. He has robed this Empire of an invaluable treasure, & as his crime is a most flagicious transgression of our divine law it must have been committed in defiance of the high authority of heaven, therefore it is an act of the greatest impiety. The injury the insult & the outrage has not been committed against us alone, if this was the case perhaps we might accept of reparation; but it is committed against the throne of Omnipotence & in defiance of his authority. No reparation can of consequence be received, except it be a return of the stolen treasure, or the Blood of the Transgressor. Nothing else can satisfy the righteous demand of the Great & good Being. He therefore calls upon the civil power to execute his vengeance, to inflict an exempleary punishment. And as it is his cause & you are imployed as his instruments, you may be assured that his almighty arm will add strength to your exertions, & give you a glorious victory over your enimies. The mighty achievements of your warriors shall immortalize their names, & their heads shall be crowned with never fading laurels. & as for those who shall die, gloriously fighting in the cause of their country & their God, they shall immediately receive etherial bodies, & shall arise quickly to the abodes of increasing delight & glory.
He said no more. He had discharged some part of his malice against Elseon, for saying that the priesthood had too much influence in the court of Rambock. The door now opened & it was seen that Sambul at the head of a great multitude of citizens, had taken their stand in front of the house, all crying with a loud voice, Revenge & war. Long live the Emperor & King. We will avenge their wrongs. This uproar & the harang of the high Priest determined
the wavering mind of the Emperor. But the venerable Boakim & Bilhawa opposed the torrent & stood as stood firm They boldly affirmed that a war was impolitic & unjustifiable. But the Their opposition however, was in vain. The popular voice was against them & the other two counsellors Hamkal & Gammack gave their vote for war urged with great vehemence that war should be declared.
In vain were all the reasonings of the venerable Boakim & Bilhawan. The other two counsellors, Hamkol & Gamanko joining the Emperor, they proceeded to make out a declaration of War. It was in these words.
War is declared by the government & Empire of Sciota against the government & Empire of Kentuck. The Sciotans are required to exterminate with distinction of age or sex all the inhabitants of the Empire of Kentuck. They are required to burn their houses & either to destroy or take possession of their property. for their own use & benefit. This destruction is demanded by the great benevolent Spirit & the government of Sciota.
Signed. Rambock, Emperor of Sciota.
A copy of this declaration was given to Labanco the brother & Envoy of Hamboon. He demanded a guard to defend him against the rage of the common people, who discovered a disposition to plunge their swords into the heart of every man whose fortune it was to be born on the other side of the River. Labanco was guarded as far as the River & conveyed across in safety. He repaired to Gamba & there he proclaimed the intelligence of the declaration of War & there made known all the proceedings of the Sciotan government.
Fond Parents
I have received two letters the 10th jan 1812 the last mentioned Mr. Kings disnmission from you, which no doubt is great trial to you Christian Minister is great loss to any to any people - - - - teaches us the uncertainty of all sublinary enjoyments & where to place our better trust & happiness.
Hambolan, King of Chiauga, was the next proud chief who appeared at Tolanga, with a chosen band of warriors. He had fifteen thousand who boasted of superior strength & agility. Their countenances were fierce & bold, being true indicators of their hearts which feared no danger. They were always obedient to the orders of their king, who always sought the most conspicuous place for the display of his valor. Possessed of gigantic strength & of astonishing agility, he was capable of performing the most brilliant achievements, which would almost exceed belief. His mind was uncultivated by science & his passions were subject to no restraint. His resentment was quick & fiery & his anger knew no bounds for expression Nothing was concealed in his heart, whether friendship or enmity, but always exhibited by expressions by expressions strong & extravagant. He had a soul formed for war. In the bustle of the campaign in the sanguine field where heroes fell, beneath his conquering sword his ambition was gratified & he acquired the highest martial glory.
Ulipoon, King of Michegan received the orders of the Emperor with great joy. War suited his nigardly & avaricious soul, as he was in hopes to obtain great riches and the spoils of the enimy. Little did he regard the miseries & destruction of others, if by this means he could obtain wealth & agrandize himself. A mind so contracted & selfish, was not capable of imbibing one sentiment of generosity or humanity or even of honour. None however, were more boistrous than he for war. None proclaimed their own valour with so loud a voice. Yet none were more destitute of courage & more capable of treachery, baseness & cruelty. Yet with the sounding epithets of patriotism, honour & valour he proceeded with great expedition to collect a chosen band. of dauntless warriors the consisted of Eighteen thousand warriors. Their martial appearance entitled them to a commanded of more generosity & valour than the niggardly & treacherous Ulipoo.
Nemapon, the King of Cataraugus made no was prompt to comply with the imperial requisition. Tho' he preferred the scenes of peace & being very fond of study & of the mechanical arts, his mind was replenished with knowledge & & he took great pleasure in promoting works of ingenuity. He was famed for great wisdom & subtlety penetration of mind. was capable of forming great plans & of prosecuting them with vigor & perseverance. He was deliberate & circumspect in all his movements, but was always quick, on any sudden emergency, to concert plans & to determine. had the full command of his mental powers in every situation. & even when dangers surrounded him, could instantly determine the best measures to be pursued. He preferred the scenes of peace, but could meet war with courage & firmness. At the head of a select band of Seventeen thousand men, all completely armed & anxious
to meet the foe, he marched to join the grand Army.
Not far behind appeared Ramack, the King of Geneseo. With Furious & resolute, he had made the utmost expedition to collect his forces. Nor did he delay a moment when his men were collected & prepared to move. At the head of ten Thousand bold and robust warriors he appeared at the place of general rendezvous within one day after the King of Cataeaugus had arrived. He boasted of the rapidity of his movements & tho he commanded the smallest division of the grand army, yet he anticipated distinguished laurels of glory, not less than what would be obtained by their first commanders.
When these kings with their forces had all arived at Tolanga, the Emperor Rambock ordered them to parade on a great plain. They obeyed & and were formed in solid coilums. The Emperor then attended by his son Moonrod, his Counsellors & the high Priest presented himself before them. His garments glittered with ornaments, & a bunch of long feathers of various colours were placed on the front of his cap. His sword he held in his right hand & being tall & straight in his person, & having a countenance grave & bold, when he walked his appearance was majestic. He was the commander in chief & such was the high esteem & reverence, with which the whole army viewed him, that none were considered so worthy of that station. Taking a stand in front of the army he brandished his sword. All fixed their eyes upon him & gave profound attention. He thus made an address.
Brave warriors. It is with the greatest satisfaction & joy, that I now behold you assembled to avenge (one of the most flagitious Crimes of which man was ever guilty.
Ingratitude & perfidy, seduction & Robery, & the most daring impiety against heaven have been perpetrated. within our dominions. The young Prince of Kentuck is the monster who has been guilty of these Crimes. Our most amiable daughter Lamesa he has seduced, & contrary to our will has transported her into his own country. Wishing to avoid the effusion of human blood, we offered to withhold our revenge, if the Emperor of Kentuck would restore our daughter. But he has refused. He has implicated himself & all his subjects in the horrid Crimes of his son. Their whole land is now guilty & every man woman & child are the proper objects of severe chastisement. The great & Good Being is indignant towards them, & views them with the utmost detestation & abhorrence As we have received our power from him he requires that we should not only avenge our own wrongs, but likewise execute his vengeance on those perfidious ingrates & monsters of wickedness & impiety That this is his divine will has been clearly investigated by our holy prophets & priests, who have given us the most indubital positive assurance that success shall attend our arms. that we shall be enriched with the plunder of our enimies. that laurels of immortal fame will crown the achievements of our warriors, & that they shall be gloriously distinguished on the plains of Glory. like suns & stars in the firmement of heaven. Our cause is just, the celestial powers above are on our side. they have brandished their swords & sworn that blood shall deluge the fair Land of Kentuck. You have done well my Brave warriors that you have assembled around the standard of your Emperor. I will conduct you to the field of battle & direct your movements. My son Moonrod, whose arm like mine
is not enfeebled by age, will mingle with the boldest combatants & lead you on to victory. By the most valorous exploits by blood & slaughter, we will convince our enimies that we are not cowards & poltroons. Their ridicule & derision shall be turned into mourning & lamentation. & we will teach their effeminate & luxurious government not to despise the hardy & brave sons of Sciota.
In full confidence that we shall gloriously triumph & add immortal lustre to our names, we will now march forward we will & avenge the injuries done to the honour of our Imperial government & the rights of our Empire & all the celestial beings above shall rejoice in the execution of divine vengeance.
He said no more. The whole army with one voice proclaimed Long live the Emperor. We swear that he shall never find us Cowards & Poltroons. The Emperor then ordered them to march by divisions & each king to lead on his own subjects. They began their march toward the Land of Kentuck. Their provisions & baggage were borne on the backs of mammoth. Each man had a sword by his side & a spear in his hand. & on their breasts down to their hips & on their thighs they wore pieces of mammoth skin to guard them from arrows & the weapons of [-----] & on their Caps they wore bunches of long feathers. Their garments were short so as not to encumber them in Battle. Thus equipped & mounted, they moved on in exact order until they arrived at the great River. Here they halted to provide boats to transport them across. Their baggage & provision were borne on the backs of their mamm mammoth, which carried prodigious loads
And here we will leave them for the present & take a view of the proceedings in Kentuck.
When Labanco had presented to Hamboon, the Emperor of Kentuck the declaration of war & related the proceedings of the Sciotan government he immediately assembled his counsellors who unanimously agreed to make the most active & vigorous preparations for war. The Emperor sent forth his mandates to all the princes of his Empire requiring them to assemble the most courageous warriors in their respective kingdoms & to march to the City of Gamba. All the princes of the Empire were quick to obey the requisition of their Sovereign. The army assembled & paraded on a great plain before the City. Hamboon attended by his two sons Elseon & Hanock, & by his counsellors & three of his principal priests, walked out of the city & presented himself before his army.
His garments were of various colours & his Cap was adorned with a bunch of beautiful Feathers, which waved high in the wind. In his left had he held a spear & in his right a sword. His countenance was bold & resolute, & such was his gracefulness & elocution, when he spoke that all eyes were fixed upon him. & all ears were attention.
Brave warriors My brave sons says he, I extremely regretted the necessity of calling you from your peaceable employments to engage in the bloody scenes of war. But such is the violence the malice & ambition of the Sciotan government that nothing will satisfy them but hostilities between the Empires. They have proclaimed war even a war of extermination against our dominions. Nor was it in our power to prevent this most dreadful calamity unless we tore asunder the bond of wedlock between the prince & princess of the Empire. & transported her like a Culprit into their dominions. This was the only alternative which they offered to accept, to prevent this terrible crisis. &
why the rigor of this demand? Was it because the young Prince had violated any law either human or divine? No; it was because the King of Sciota had fallen in love with the Princess, & wished to have her for his wife. But as she viewed him with the utmost hatred & disgust, he has been disappointed. To gratify his malice & revenge he has roused the Sciotans to take arms, & threatens to deluge our land with the blood of our citizens & to lay our country in ruins. It is a war on their part to gratify malice & revenge & nothing will satisfy their malignant passions but our compleate extermination. On our part it is a war of self defence of self preservation, a defence which will extend to our wives & our children, & to all the blessings & endearments of life. We must eithe our property torn from us & our houses in flames & our dearest friends expiring in agonies & even like cowards suffer them without resistance to cut our own throats or we must meet them like men determined to vindicate our rights, & to retaliate all their intended mischiefs. Nor need we fear the event of the contest. Infinite benevolence will reward our situation. & grant us that assistance which will give success to our efforts. You, my brave sons will be inspired with courage, your hands will be strong for the Battle, & their warriors will fall before you like corn before the reapers sickel. With all their mighty boasting & high confidence in their superior cunning & prowess, they are men formed of the same materials which we possess. Our swords will find a passage to their hearts, & the vital blood gushing forth they will fall prostrate at our feet. Let us march then with courage to meet the implacable foe, determined either to die gloriously fighting or to obtain victory.
Having thus spoken, the whole army with a loud voice replied, Victory or death. Lead us on to victory. At the head of this army which consisted of one hundred & fifty thousand men, he marched toward the great River. They arived at the bank & beheld the Sciotans all busyly employed in making preparation to cross the River.
The Empress, the Princess Lamesa, & the Emperors daughters attended by a few friends & their servants arrived at the place where the army was encamped. As soon as Elseon heard the news of their arrival, he hastened to the place & found the company had alighted at an hous & that Lamesa & her friend Heliza were in a room by themselves. As soon as he entered Lamesa arose. The gloom & anxiety which were for a number of days displayed visible in her countenance at his appearance were dispelled. He received her into his arms with an affectionate embrace, & expressed the greatest pleasure at seeing her once more. The tears ran down her cheeks, for a moment she was silent, she raised her head & replied. O Elseon, were it not for you I should be the most wretched being in existence, & yet my love for you has been the cause of all my present affliction. If I had never seen you, those horrid prospects which now present themselves to my view, would never have been. But you are innocent. nor am I guilty of any crime. Buth how can I endure to behold the calamities which must fall upon both nations in consequence of our connection? Two empires at war, spreading carnage & ruin, warriors bleeding on the field of Battle; helpless, innocent women & children perishing in the agonies of death, & towns & cities in flames. Ah horrid prospect. Have you & I my dear Elseon produced these dreadful calamities? Is our conduct the cause which must We are not says he, my
dear Lamesa, responsible for the horrid effects of malice & revenge which may be occasioned by our innocent conduct. If men will be so indignant towards each other, because we do right as to massacre & do all the mischief they can, we may deplore their weakness & depravity; but have no more reason, to make ourselves unhappy on the account than if these effects were produced by some other cause. They alone are responsible for their crimes & have reason for unhappy reflections.
But how can I endure, says she, to see my dearest friends become each others implacable enimy? To see them mutually engaged to destroy each others life? My Father for whom I ever had the greatest affection, & my only Brother are now at the head of one hostile army, & your father & you, my dearest husband, are at the head of the other. When these armies meet, should you not plunge your sword into the heart of my Father & my brother, & would they not do the same by you if in their power? When such scenes present themselves to my view, they pierce my soul like dagers & produce the keenest anguish. O that I could fly to my Father & on my bended knees implore forgiveness.
Yes, says Elseon, when you have done that, he will give you to the mighty Sambul for his wife.
No, never says she, never would I submit. I abhor the monster more than ever. He is the most malignant scoundrel in existence. To gratify his revenge whole Empires must be laid in ruins. What punishment more just than that he himself should fall in battle. & endure the agonies which his vengeful soul is bringing on others? But as for my Father & my Brother, they have, by his artifice been deceived. I conjure you if you have any regard for
my happiness, not to take their lives if in your power. Rather that my hands should be stained with the blood of your dearest friends I will present my bosom to their swords. Their lives, says he, are safe from my sword, but hark, there is an alarm. An expres arived & informed him that the Sciotan army had found means to get their boats down the River in the night unperceived, & had landed without opposition about three miles below them the Kentuckian encampment Elseon then, embraced his wife & said when your protection & my honour call I must obey. He left her in tears imploring heaven to protect him, & runing swiftly to the army he took his station.
CHAP. XIV
Hamboon, mounted on an eligant horse richly caparisoned, rode thro the encampment proclaiming aloud, every man to his station. Seize your arms & prepare for Battle. All his princes quick to obey his commands instantly repaired to their respective divisions. & gave orders to form their men into solid collums. When this was done, they marched a small distance to the pl & paraded on the great plain of Geheno. They were now prepared for the hostile engagement. Their officers of the highest Ranks marched along their in front of their divisions & by their speeches they inspired the men with boldness & courage. They ardently wished to behold their enemies, & to have an opportunity of displaying their valour in their destruction. Hamboon then commanded his principal officers to assemble
[continued from top of p. 115] around him. When they were collected which was in front of the army, he then addressed them. "
I wish for your opinions, my brave & heroic commanders had each a chosen band of warriors, who were ordered as soon as the battle should begin to march between the divisions & charge the enimy. in order to break their order & throw them into confusion The design of this arrangement was to break their ranks & to throw them into confusion.
The command of these bands were given to Elseon, Labanco Hanack & two counsellors of the Emperor, Hamul & Taboon. The momentous period had arived. Each grand army were now ready, were anxious for the Combat, & sanguine in their expectations of obtaining a glorious victory. Musicians with instruments of various kinds were now playing thro' every division of both Armies. They blowed horns pipes & a kind of trumpet, & beat with sticks on little tubs whose heads were formed of parchments. The melody was truly martial & calculated to inspire each warrior with an ardent desire for battle & the most daring heroisms. All was hushed. The musicians fell back in the rear. There was a perfect silence thro' both armies. Each Emperor with their swords brandishing rode were in front & facing their respective armies. Near three hundred thousand spears were glittering with the reflection of sun beams. Not a cloud to be seen in the east. The sun shone with unusual brightness, in the west a dark cloud began to arise & distant thunder was heard to rumble. Hambook proclaimed with a voice which was heard from the right to the left March march, my brave warriors, & fight like heroes." Hamboon saw them beginning to move but not
changing his countenance, which was placid & bold, he proclaimed, Stand firm my brave sons. Let your arrows fly thick against your enimies as they advance & finish with your spears & your swords their destruction. The Musick again played & both armies gave a tremendous shout. Spears & swords
When the Sciotans had advanced with a firm & moderate step, within a small distance of Hamboons army, they both armies discharged arrows with with such unerring aim & celerity that many brave warriors on both sides fell prostrate. Others were sorely wounded & retired back in the rear. Their places were immediately supplied & the second Rank cloped & took their stations in the front. Each man fixing his spear horizontally & about as high as his breast the Sciotans rushed forward with heroic yels & horrible shoutings & made a most tremendous & furious charge upon the Kentucks. They received them with firmness & courage spears met spears & many were bent or broken & others were thrust on both sides into bodies of heroes whose blood gushing forth they fell with horrid groans pale & lifeless on the sanguine plain. Neither army gave back, but, being nearly equal as to strength & numbers they poured forth upon each other with a lavish hand the implements the weapons of death & destruction. Determined to conquer or die, it was impossible to conjecture which Emperor would have gained the victory had the divisions or bands in the rear of each army remained inactive. But anxious to mingle charge with the boldest warriors, the Kentuck bands led on by their heroic princes rushed between the divisions of the grand army & made a most furious charge upon the Sciotans. They broke thro' their ranks,
piercing their indignant foes with deadly wounds. Heroes fell before them & many of the Sciotans being struck with surprise & terror, began to retire back. But the bands in the rear of their army instantly rushed forward, & met their furious combatants. The battle was now spread in every direction. Many valiant chiefs who commanded under their respective Kings, were overthrown & many thousand robost & brave warriors, whose names were not distinguished by office, were compeled to receive deadly wounds & to bite the dust. It was Elseons fortune to attack the division led by the valiant Kamoff. He broke his ranks & killed many warriors. While driving them furiously before him, he met Hamkol at the head of many Thousand Sciotans. Hamkol beheld the young Prince & knew him & being fired with greatest rage & thirst for revenge, he urged on the combat with the most driving violence. Now, he thot was a favourable chance to gain immortal renown. Elseon, says he, shall feel the effects of my conquering sword. The warriors on both sides charged each other, with incredible fury, & Elseon & Hamkol met in the centre of their divisions. I have found you says Hamkol perfidious monster, I will teach you to rob our Empire of its most valuable treasure. He spoke & Elseon replied. Art thou Hamkol, the counsellor of Hamback. Your advice has produced this blood & slaughter. Hamkol raised his sword & had not Elseon defended himself from the blow he never would have spoken again. But, quick as the lightning Elseon darted his sword thro' his heart Hamkol He knashed his teeth together & with a groan tumbling headlong with a groan expired.
The battle raged. Labanco attacked the division of Sambul. His conquering sword had killed two chief &
his band performed the most brilliant exploits. Sambul met him & like an indignant panther he sprang upon him & while Labanco was engaged in combat with another chief Sambul thrust his sword into his side. Thus Labanco fell lamented & beloved by the subjects of the Empire of Kentuck. Hamack His learning wisdom & penetration of mind, his integrety firmness & courage, had gained him universal respect & given him a commanding influence over the Emperor & his other Counsellors. He was viewed with such respect & reverence that the death of no man could have produced more grief & lamentation & excited in the minds of the Kentucks a more ardent thirst for revenge. The officers of his phalanx exclaimed Revenge the death of Labanco. Even lightning could not have produced a more instantaneous effect. With tenfoldrage & fury his warriors maintained the conflict & redoubled their efforts in spreading death & carnage. Even The mighty Sambul trembled at the slaughter of his subjects warriors & began to despair of victory he began to fearing that his intended revenge was turning upon his own head. During this slaughter of Sambuls forces Hamack was engaged in battle with Habelan King of Chiauga. No part of the war raged with a more equal balance. Warriors met warriors with such equal strength & courage, that it was impossible to determine on which side was the greatest slaughter, even their heroic chiefs prudently avoided a combat with each other & emploid their swords in overthrowing those of less distinction. The field was covered with the bodies of heroes besmeared with blood, which was spread thick on every side. In the mean time, Hamul & Taboon who led on the other reserved divisions of the Kentucks were fiercely engaged in spreading the war thro' the ranks of the Sciotans.
Hamul compelled to the division commanded by Sabulmah to fall back, but still they fought as they slowly retreated, & being reinforsed by a body of troops in their rear, they continued the conflict & maintained their position. The slaughter was emence & each party boasted of the most brilliant atchievements.
Taboon made his attack on the division of Ulipoon, commanded by Hamelick. The Sciotan ranks were broken & they must have fled in confusion had not Rameck supported them with his division warlike band. The contest now became bloody furious & equal feats of valour were displayed by contending heroes. The thirsty earth was overspread with the dead & dying bodies. of thousands & saciated their its thirst by copious draughts of human blood. Hamelick himself was slain, but not until his sword was crimsoned with the blood of enemies. But The dubious war appeared at last determined. Hamback beheld his army giving ground on every hand. He rode throout their divisions & endeavored to inspire them with persvering courage. But in vain. They could not withstand the impetuosity the numbers & strength of their Enemies. Aided by the advantage they had obtained by the arrangement they had made to manage the conflict. The Sciotans began to retreat. Such was the situation of both armies, they the Sciotans must have principally have been overthrow & destroyed if the Kentucks had been permitted to continue the havoc & slaughter they had begun. But how often are the most sanguine expectations disappointed by the decrees of heaven. At this awful period whilst the atmosphere was repleate with the multifarious sounds of the clashing of swords & spears, the playing melody of the martial musick
- - - - the shouts of the conquerors & the shrieks & groans f the dying, even then the heavens were overspread with clouds of the most sable hue, which had blown from the West. The thunders roared tremendously & the flashes of lightning were incessant. The wind began to blow from the west with great violence the hail poured down from the clouds & was carried with great velocity full in the faces of the Kentucks. They were unable to see their enimy, or continue the conflict. Hambock & his princes immediately rallied their retreating forces & facing round encouraged them to fight courageously since the great & good Being had miraculously interposed in their behalf. The Kentuck army were unable to continue the conflict. They were obliged in their turn to retreat. But such was the violence of the storm that the Sciotans could not take any great advantage of the confusion of their enimies. They however pursued them to the hill which had been in the rear of the Kentucks, overthrowing & killing some in the pursuit. But as the hill was overspread with trees, which broke the violence of the wind. Hamboon commanded his men to face their pursuers. The Sciotans, finding that their enimies had the advantage of the ground, & being intolerably fatigued with the battle, which had lasted near four hours retired a small distance back, & as soon as the storm abated, they marched beyond the ground which was strewed thick with the slain. Thus ended the great battle on the plain of Geheno. Both There they encamped & as the storm had now subsided, both armies proceeded to make provision to refresh themselves, being nearly exhausted by the fatcagus fatigues of a most bloody contest, which had asted nearly five hours. That day afforded them no time
to bury their dead. The sun did not tarry in his course, but hid himself below the horizon & darkness spread itself over the face of the earth. The warriors, with their spears in their hands extended themselves upon the earth, & spent the night in rest & sleep. Next morning they arose with renovated vigour. Their thoughts were immediately turned to the sanguine field. Many warriors say they, lie there pierced with mortal wounds & covered with with blood. Their spirits have assumed etherial bodies, & they are now receiving the rewards assigned to the brave on the plains of glory. But they demand of us that we should secure their remains from the voracious jaws of carniverous beasts animals by interring them in the earth. But how can this be done, unless both armies will mutually agree to lay down their arms during the interment, of the remains of their respective warriors. Hamboon dispatched a messenger to Hambock, who agreed to an armistice for the term of two days, & that ten thousand men might be emploid from each army in burying the dead. It was indeed a melancolly day. The conquest was not desided. Neither army had gained a victory, or had reason to boast of any superior advantage obtained or any heroic atchievements, which were not matched by contending warriors. An emence slaughter was made. Hear one hundred thousand were extended breathless on the field. This was only the beginning of the war & what must be its dreadful calamities if it should continue to rage? If a few more battles should be faught, & the enfuriated conqueror should turn his vengeful sword against defenceless women & children & mingle their blood with the blood of heroes, who had fallen bravely fighting in their defence When both armies viewed the emence slaughter that had been made of their respective friends, instead
of cooling their ardor for the war it only served to encrease their knowledge & their thirst for revenge.
Ten thousand men from each army, without arms marched to the field where the battle was faught, & having selected the dead bodies of their respective warriors, they carried as many of them together as what could be done with convenience & then diging into the ground about three feet deep & throwing the dirt around in a circular form upon the edge of the grave they then deposited the bodies in it, covering the ground over which they had dug with the bodies & then placing others pon them until the whole were deposited. They then proceede to throw dirt upon them & to raise over them a high mound. In this manner they proceeded until they had finished the interment. The bodies of the chiefs that were slain were carried to their respective armies, & porforming many customary solemnities of woe, they were intered & prodigious mounds of eart were raised over them. After the funeral rites were finished & the armistice had expired, the hostile Emperors must now determine on their further plans of operations.
The field was widely strewed & in many places thickly covered with human bodies extended in various positions on their sides their backs & faces. Some with their arms & legs widely spread, some with their mouths open & eyes stairing. Mangled with swords spears & arrows & besmeared with blood & dirt. Most hideous forms & dreadful to behold. Such objects excited horror & all the sympathetick & compassionate feelings of the human heart. As both Emperors had agreed to the suspension of arms for
the purpose of burying the remains of these of the heroic warriors, ten thousand men from each army entered the field & began the mournful employment. They dug holes about three feet deep & in a circular form, & of about twenty or thirty feet diameter. & in these they deposited the bodies of their deceased heroes & then raised over them large mounds of earth. The bodies of the chiefs who had fallen were carried to their respective armies, & buried with all the solemnities of woe. Over them they raised prodigious mounds of earth, which will remain for ages, as monuments to comemorate the valiant feats of these heroes & the reat battle of Gaheno.
After the funeral Rites were finished, & the armistice having expired, the hostile Emperors must now determine on further plans for operation. Hamback requested the advice of his principal officers, who were unanimous in their opinion that it was their best policy to retire back, to the hill, which was opposite to the place where they landed, & there wait for reinforcements. This they effected the next night without being prevented by their enimy. Hamboon the next day marched toward them, but not thinking it good policy to attack them at the present took possession of the hill in plain view of the Sciotans, & there encamped with his whole army. As the Sciotans sallied out in parties to plunder & to ravage the country, these were pursued overtaken & met by parties of the Kentucks. Many bloody skirmishes ensued with various success, & many feats of heroism were displaid on both sides. Wherever the Sciotans marched, devastation attended their steps, & all classes of people without distinction of age or sex, who fell into their hands became the victims of their infuriated malice. The extermination of the Kentucks appeared to be their
object, not considering that it might soon be their turn to have such cruelties retaliated upon themselves with threefold vengeance. They likewise had a further object in view, hich was to provoke Hamboon to attack the main army, whilst posted in an advantageous situation.But it was Hamboon's policy by placing garrisons in different stations, & by patroling parties to prevent the Sciotans from plundering & destroying his towns, & from obtaining provisions from his country & in this way to compel them to cross the river or to attack his army in the position he had taken. While the two Emperors were thus manoevering & seeking by various arts & stratigems to gain advantage over each other, a very extraordinary incident of heroism & the display of the most sincere & ardent friendshop trsnspired. displayed transpired which is worthy a place on the historic page. Insidents transpired of heroism &friendship. In the dominion of Hamboon there lived two young men who were bred in the same village, having minds formed for the exercise of the noblest principles & possessed of congenial tempers. They early contracted the greatest intimacy & formed towards each other the strongest attachment. They joined the standard of Hamboon & in the great battle of Geheno they fought side by side & performed exploits equally bold & heroic they eat at the same board & drank of the same cup & in all their excursions they attended each other, & walked hand in hand. As these two friends were seting in their tent one evening, Theljard who was the oldest says to Hamkon something whispers to me that this night we can perform a most brilliant exploit. The Sciotans have held a great festival & until midnight they will be employed in singing & in dancing & in various diversions. Being greatly fatigued, when they lie down to rest their
sleep will be sound. We may then enter their camp by slyly getting round them by their centinels unperceived & make a most dreadful slaughter. Your plan replied Hamkion is excellent. It is worthy of the character of an hero. I will join you. I will either triumph with you in the success of the enterprize or perish in the attempt. Perhaps we may atchieve a glorious deliverance to our Country by destroying our cruel enimies. They both taking their swords & tomahauks repaired toward the camp of the Sciotans, in order to reconoiter & find where they could enter & not be perceived by the Centinals. The Moon shone bright but would set about three oclock in the morning. This was the time they had fixed upon to begin the massacer of their enimies.
At length all became silent, the moon disappeared & these young heroes had accomplished their plan in getting into the camp of the Sciotans unperceived. They found them lying in a profound sleep, for the fatigue of the day & revels of the night had bro't weariness upon them, & considering when they came down that the vigilence of their guards would secure them fro surprize, they slept with an unusual soundness, but their vigilence could not prevent an unsuspected destruction. The Tomahauks & swords of these daring youth soon caused hundreds to sleep in eternal slumber, & so anxious were they to finish the destruction of their enimies that the day began to dawn before they had cleared themselves from the camp of their enemies Scarce however had they past the last Centinel & the alarm was given. The Sciotans beheld a most terrible slaughter of their warriors, & being fired with indignation sallied forth in parties in every direction. Kelsock & Hamook had nearly gained the encampment of the Kentucks, & Hamkoon
with a party of Sciotans had overtaken Hamko. Kelsock was so far in advance that he was now safe from all danger, but, turning his eyes round, he beheld Hakoon seize his friend, who was attempting to defend himself against the party. Kelsook turned instantly & runing furiously back cried, Spare oh spare the youth, he is innocent. I alone contrived the slaughter of the Sciotans, too much love to his friend induced him to join in the enterprize, Here is my bosom, here take your revenge. Scarce had he spoken & Haloon plunged his sword into the heart of Hamko. The young hero fell & with a groan expired. Kelsock instantly rushed upon Haloon & darted his sword thro' his heart. Prostrate he tumbled at the feet of Hamkoo. But Kelsock could not long survive. A spear pierced him in the side. He cast his eyes on the lifeless body of his friend & fell on his lifeless body it, he embraced it & never breathed again. Ah heroic youths, in friendship ye lived & in life & death ye were joined.
Forty days had now expired since the two armies had taken their different positions. Each had received large reinforcements which supplied the places of the slain. Experience had taught them to use stratigem instead of attacking under great disadvantages & yet to remain long in their present situation could not possibly terminate the war successfully on the part of the Sciotans. Rambock considering the obsticles which attended [---] prosecution of every plan at last by the advice of Sambul & Ulipoon, determined on a most rash & desperate enterprize, an enterprize which would in a measure satiate their revenge, provided that it should even produce the annihilation of the army. As soon as darkness had overspread the earth at night, Rambock marched his whole army towards the City of
Gamba, & such was the stillness of their movements that they were not perceived, nor was it known by Hamboon that they had marched until the morning light. As soon as the Kentucks found that the Sciotans found that had abandoned the place of their encampment & found the direction they had gone, they immediately pursued them with the utmost expedition. But too late to prevent the intended slaughter & devastation. The Sciotans without delaying their march by attacking any forts in their way, merely entered the vilages kiling the inhabitants who had not made their escape & burning their houses. They arived before the City of Gamba. Great indeed was the surprize & terror & consternation of the Citizens. Many fled to the fort. A band of about three thousand resolute warriors seized their arms, determined to risk their lives in the defence of the City. The leader of this band was Lamack the eldest son of Labanco. He inherited the virtues of his excellent Father & even thirsted to revenge his death, by sacrificing to his manes the bones of his cruel enimies. He posted his warriors in a narrow passage which led to the City. The Sciotan Emperor immediately formed his plan of attack. A large host selected from all the grand divisions of his army marched against them. They were commanded by Moonrod. He led them on against this galant & desperate band of Kentucks & made a most furious & violent charge upon them. But they were resisted with a boldness which will forever do honour to their immortal valour. Many hundreds of their enimies they pierced with their deadly weapons, & caused heaps of them to lie prostrate in the narrow passage. Such prodigious havock was made on the Sciotans by this small band of valiant citizens who were driven to desperation & whose
only object was to sell their lives dear to their enemies., that even Moonrod began to despair of forcing his way into the City thro' this narrow passage. Being informed by a treacherous Kentuck of another passage, he immediately dispatched a band of about four thousand from his army to enter the city thro that passage & to fall upon the rear of the Kentucks. This plan succeeded. These heroes now found the war to rage both in front & rear & part facing their new assailants, they attacked their new assailants them with incredible fury. What could they do? Resistance was now in vain. They could no longer maintain the bloody contest against such a mighty host. Lamack then commanded the survivors of his little band to break thro' the ranks of his last assailants, & to retreat to the fort. It was impossible to withstand the violence of their charge. They broke thro' the ranks of their enemies, & made a passage over the bodies of heroes, thro' which the retreated & marched to the fort. About seven hundred with their valiant leader thus made their escape & arived safe in the fort. The remainder of the three thousand sold their lives in defence of their friends & their country. This battle checked the progress of the enemy which prevented an emence slaughter of Citizens, as the greatest part had opportunity by this means to gain the fort. As soon as all resistance was overcome & had subsided, the Sciotans lost no time, but marched into the city & commenced a general plunder of all articles which could conveniently be transported. Ulipoon tho careful not to expose his person to the deadly weapons of an enimy, was however very industrious in this part of the war. None discovered so much engagedness as himself to grasp the most valuable property in the City. But expecting the Kentuck army to arrive soon, they must
accomplish their mischief with the utmost expedition. The City they sat on fire in various places & then retired back & encamped near the fort intending on the next day, unless prevented by the arival of Hamboon with his army, to storm the fort & massacer the whole multitude of citizens which were there collected. Behold the conflagration of the city, The flames in curls spread towards heaven, & as the darkness of the night had now commenced, this added to the horror of the scene. The illumination spread far & wide & distant villages beheld the redening light assend. as a certain pioneer of their own conflagration should the war continue to rage. But mark the sorrow & lamentation of the poor citizens now encircled by the walls of a fort.Happy that they had escaped the intended massacer of a barbarous unrelenting enimy, but indignant & sorrowful at beholding the ruins of all their property, & even filled with the greatest anxiety lest Hamboon should not arive in season to prevent the storming of the fort. But their anxiety soon vanished.
When the shades of evening began to overspread the earth Hamboon & his army had arived within five miles of the city. They beheld the flames beginning to spread. The idea was instantly realized that an indiscriminate slaughter had taken place. What were the distracted outcries of the dwellers of the city. Fathers & mothers brothers & sisters wives & children? n addition to the destruction of all their property, they now had a realizing anticipation of the massacre of their dearest friends & relations. Such was their anxiety to precipitate their march that it was scarcely in the power of their commanders to retard their steps, so as to prevent them from breaking the order of their ranks. They determined however to make the utmost expedition, & if they found their enimy, to take ample vengeance. But when they arrived & found that the greatest part of the citizens were safe in the fort, this a forded no small alleviation to their anxiety & grief. But their thirst for revenge & their ardent desire to engage the enimy did not in the least abate.
Determined that the Sciotans should have no chance to improve the darkness of the ensuing night, to make their escape, every preparation was made to attack them the next morning. This was expected by the Sciotans who were wishing for another opportunity to measure swords with the Kentucks. & as soon as the morning light appeared they marched a small distance to a hill & there they paraded in proper order for battle. Scarcely had they finished their arrangements when they beheld Hamboon's army marching towards them. He halted within about half a mile of the Sciotans, & sent out a small party to reconoitre & discover heir situation. In the meantime he ordered Hamack his son to march with twelve thousand men around the S ciotan army & lie in ambush in their rear in order to surprize them with an attack after the battle should commence.
As the two armies were paraded in fair view of each other the expectation was that a most bloody engagement would take place immediately. The cowardly mind of Ulipoon was not a little terrified when he beheld the numbers & the martial appearance of the enimy. But his inventive genius was not long at a loss for an expedient which he imagined would extricate himself from all danger. He repairs to Hambock & addressed him to this effect. May it please your your majesty. During the first battle it was my misfortune to be prevented from being at the head of my brave warriors & displaying my valour. It is my wish now to perform feats of heroism which shall place me
on equal ground with the most valiant princes of your Empire. With your permission I will lead on my division & storm the fort of the Kentucks. This will fill their warroiors with consternation & terror. You may then obtain an easy victory & destroy them with as much facility as you would so many porcupines. Besides, by attacking the fort at this time when they are not expecting such a manoever, the imperial family will be prevented from making their escape & I shall then be able to restore to your majesty your daughter Lamesa. The Emperor, being pleased with the plan granted to Ulipoon his permission to carry it into effect. Ulipoon did not wait a moment. But immediately returned back & commanded his forces which consisted of about seventeen thousand to march. He was careful to see that they carried with them at the same time all the plunder they had taken in the City of Gamba, & particularly that portion which had been set apart for himself. But nothing was further from the heart of Ulipoon than to fulfill his promise. He had no intention to risk his person in the hazardous attempt to storm the fort. But his determination was to march with the utmost expedition to his own dominions. & to carry with him his rich plunder. Having marched towards the fort until they had got beyond view of the Sciotan army. He then ordered them to turn their course to the great River to the place where they had left their boats. In this direction they had not proceeded far when they were seen by a number of pioneers, whom Hamack had sent forward to make discoveries. As his band were not far distant, they soon gave him the intelligence. He immediately dispacht an express to Hamboon, informing him that he should pursue them as their object probably was to ravage the country, & recommending not to attack
the Sciotans until further information from him. Hamack's division were not discovered by Ulipoon & of consequence he proceeded in his march without suspecting any anoiance from the enimy. happy in the reflection that he had greatly enriched himself by a prodigious mass of plunder & not in the least troubled about his fellow warriors, whom he had deserted on the eve of a most hazardous engagement. Hamacl pursued him, but was careful not to be discovered. When the sun was nearly down Ulipoon halted & encamped. During the night, Hamack made his arrangements. He formed his men into four divisions & surrounded the enimy. Their orders were as soon as the morning light began to appear to rush into Ulipoons encampment & to massacer his warriors without discrimination. The fatal moment had arived, & punctual at the very instant of time, the attack was begun on every part. & such was the surprize & terror which it produced that the Sciotans were thrown into the utmost confusion, & it was impossible for their officers to form them into any order to make defence. Every man at last attempted to make his escape, but wherever they rushed forward in any direction, they met the deadly spears of the Kentucks. It is impossible to describe the horror of the bloody scene, for even humanity recoils at beholding. Humanity sympathy & compassion must drop a tear at beholding the uproar & confusion, the distress & anguish, the blood & carnage of so many thousand brave warriors. whose great isfortune was to have a coward for their commander who were reduced to this situation by the cowardice & & nigardly & avaricious disposition of their commander. But only three thousand made their escape. As for Ulipoon he was mortally
wounded & lay prostrate on the field. After the slaughter was ended, in passing over the field of the Slain Hamack beheld this illfated prince an object truly pitiable to behold. In the agonies of death & wreathing under the most acute pains he exclaims Alas my wretched situation. It was avarice, cursed avarice which induced me to engage in this horrid war & now my the mischief and cruelties I intended as the means to acquire wealth & aggrandizement are justly turned upon my own head. He spoke & deeply groaning he breathes no more. The gallant Hamack droped a tear & feeling no enmity toward the lifeless remains of those who had been his enimies he ordered three hundred men to bury remain on the ground & commit their bodies to the Dust. This says he, is the will of him whose compassion is infinite. He then directed Como, his chief captain to pursue the survivors of Ulipoons army & to destroy them if possible. With the remainder of his own troops, he returned back to cary into effect the order of Hamboon. Como overtook & killed about a thousand of the wretched fugitives. The remainder escaped to their own land except about fifty who fled to the army of Hamboon & gave him the dreadful intelligence of Ulipoons destruction. Great were the amazement & consternation of Hambock & his whole army. They now beheld their situation to be extremely critical & dangerous & saw the necessity of the most vigourous & heroic exertions. What says Hambock to his princes is our wisest Course to pursue? Sabamah, Hancolll & Wunapon advised him to retreat without loosing a moment, for say they we have taken ample revenge for the crime Elseon. To effect this, we have thrown ourselvs into the heart of their country, have lost a large division of our army & are so weakened by our losses that we are in
the utmost danger of being defeated, & even annihilated. It must therefore be the height of folly & madness to prosecute the war any further in this country. But Sambul & the other other princes condemned this plan as pusillanimous & disgraceful & proposed to steal a march on the Kentucks & to storm their fort, before be ore they should be apprized of their design. This last advice met the approbation of the Emperor, Nothing says he can save our army from destruction but the most daring atchievements. That they might gain the fort without being perceived by the Kentucks, it was necessary that they should march some distance in the direction where Hamack had encamped in order to cooperate with Hamboon, when he should commence the engagement. When the night had far advanced Hambock's forces were all in readiness & began their march for the fort. They proceeded about two miles & a small party in advance discovered Hamacks warriors. This discovery produced an alter ation in Hambocks plans. He directed Sambul to proceed against the fort, whilst he as soon as the light should appear would attack Hamack. Sambul was highly pleased with this command, as a victory would ensure him the capture of Lamesa. & afford him an opportunity to obtain revenge. He arrived at the fort just as the blushing morn began to appear. Great indeed was the surprize which his arival produced. On three sides he stationed small parties who were ordered to massacre all the citizens, who should attempt to make their escape. With the main body of his army, he made an assault upon the fort. Amazement & terror seized the minds of the whole multitude of citizens in the fort. This enterprize of the Sciotans was unexpected, as they were unprepared to
defend the fort against such a formidable force. Lamack however placed himself at the head of about one thousand warriors & attempted to beat them back from the wall & prevent their making a breach. But it was impossible with his small band to withstand the strength of such a mighty army. They broke down part of the palisades and entered the fort thro' the breach & immediately began the massacre of the defenceless multitude without regard to age or sex. Sambul being anxious to find Lamesa rushed forward with a small band & surrounded a small block house. He then broke down the door & entered. Here he beheld all the ladies of the imperial family & many other ladies of distinction. He instantly sprang towards Lamesa in order to seize her, but was prevented by Heliza who stept between them & falling upon her knees implored him to spare the life of Lamesa. Scarce had she spoken when the cruel monster buried his sword in her bosom, & she fell lifeless before the eyes of her dearest friend. Lamesa gave a scream & looking fiercely on Sambul she exclaimed, Thou monster of villainy & cruelty, could nothing satiate your revenge but the death of my dear friend, the amiable Heliza? Here is my heart I am prepared for your next victim. Ah no, says Sambul, your life is safe from my sword. I shall conduct you to my palace & you shall be honored with me for your partner. Insult me not says she, thou malicious bloody villian. Either kill me or be gone from my sight. My eyes can never indure the man who is guilty of such monstrous crimes. Set your heart at rest, says he, my dear Lamesa. I will convince you that I am a better man than your beloved Elseon. His head shall soon satiate my revenge. & then you shall be the queen of Sciota. At this instant a loud voice was heard. The Kentucks
are marching with a prodigious army towards the fort. Sambul turning to his warriors present ordered them to guard the women in that house & not permit any of them to escape. For says he, I must go and destroy that army of Kentucks. Great already had been the slaughter which the Sciotans had made of the citizens in the fort. Those who had attempted to escape by a gate which was thrown open were met & massacred by the Sciotan warriors on the otside, but their progress was arested by the appearance of Elseon at the head of thirty thousand warriors. They had marched with the greatest speed, for they were informed by an express that the Sciotans had invested the fort. When Sambul beheld them he instantly concluded to with-draw his army out of the fort, & to try a battle with them in the open field. His orders were immediately spread thro' every part of the fort where his men were employed in killing the defenceless & in fighting with the little band of desperate heroes, whom Hamack commanded. The Sciotans were soon formed & marched out of the fort & paraded in proper order for battle. Elseon, observing this commanded his two men to halt, & made his arrangements to rush forward & commence the attack. Having brandished his sword as a token for silence he then spoke.
"My brave warriors," The glorious period has arived. for arived us to display our valour in the destruction of our enimies. What monstrous cruelties have they perpetrated? Behold your city in ruins, listen to the cries of your murdered friends whose innocent blood calls for vengeance. Consider the situation of those who are surrounded by the walls of yonder fort, how many thousand are massacred. & how many must share their fate unless you fight like heroes. By our valour we can effect their deliverance & rid our land of the most disgraceful murderers that ever disgraced humanity. Their standard is that of the Sciotan king, whose malice & vengeful disposition have produced tis horrid war. Urged on by his malignant passions. he has engaged undertaken a most desperate & mad enterprize. He has thrown himself & his army into a most critical & dangerous situation.
Fight as you did at the great battle of Gaheno & your enimies will lie prostrate in the dust; & your names shall be illustrious. Rush forward my brave warriors, & let your motto be victory or death.
Not a moment when his warriors were stimulated for the combat did Elseon tarry, but marched with precipitation prepared to make a most furious charge. Sambul was ready to meet him, & marched forward with equal boldness & celerity. The charge was tremendous, not the dashing against each other of two mighty ships in a hurricane upon the boisterous ocean could have been more terrible. Each warrior fearless of danger met his antagonist, determined to destroy his life or loose his own in the contest. The battle extended thro every part of both armies. As warriors fell in the front ranks their places were supplied from the rear. & reserved Bands rushing between the divisions were met by others of equal strength & valour. Helicon, the intimate friend of Elseon beheld Sambul who was encouraging his warriors to fight bravely. As no other alternative remained for them but victory or death. When Helicon beheld him, his youthful mind felt the impulse of ambition, He sprang toward Sambul & challenged him to the combat. Sambul gave him no time to repeat the challenge but rushed upon him with more fury than a tiger. & with his
sword he struck Helicons head from his body. Thus fell the brave the amiable youth, whose thirst for glory impelled him to attempt an exploit too rash & daring. Warriors fell on every side & the field was covered with the dead & dying heroes. A messenger ran & told Elseon of the fate of Helicon who commanded the left wing of his army & that Sambul had broken the ranks & was making indescribible havock of his warriors. What intelligence could have been more shocking. Elseon could not refrain from tears for a moment. Ah Helicon says he, thou hast been more dear to me than a brother. Heaven demands that I should revenge thy cruel death. He instantly selected a small band & marched with the utmost speed to the left wing of his army. He ralied his retreating warriors & engaged in the conflict with tenfold fury. Soon he beheld the mighty Sambul whose sword was crimsoned with the blood of his friend, & Sambul cast his eyes upon him & as he beheld him his malice instantly inkindled into such a furious flame that his reason fled for a moment & he raved like a madman. both heroes sprang towards each other. Their warriors beheld them & being mutually inspired with the same sentiments the respective bands retired back, & left the two indignant champions in the space between.
Ah ingrate exclaimed Sambul. Robber & perfidious scoundrel, after securing the Emperors daughter & who was my wife & transporting her from our dominion have you the temerity to meet my conquering sword? This sword which pierced Labanco & cut off the head of Helicon & which has destroyed hundreds of warriors more mighty than yourself, shall be plunged into your cowardly heart, & your head shall be carried in triumph into the City of Tolanga, & there it shall be preserved as a trophy trophy of my superior strength and valour.
Vain boaster says Elseon I rejoice to meet you; that The Benevolent Being will now terminate your career of bloody crime. This sword shall pierce your malignant heart, & cut of that head which has ploted the ruin of my country.
Sambul eager for revenge could hear no more He sprang forward aimed a thrust of his sword at Elseons heart but Elseon turned the point of his sword from him with his own & then darted his sword into his left arm. which caused the blood to gush forth. Sambul was now more indignant than ever. & raising his sword he threw his whole strength into one mighty effort with an intention to divide his body in twain, but Elseon quick as the lightning sprang back & Sambuls sword struck the ground with a prodigious force, which broke in the middle. He himself had nearly tumbled his whole length but recovering & beholding his defenceless situation, he ran a small distance, & seizing a stone sufficiently big for a common man to lift, he threw it at Elseon. It flew with great velocity & had not Elseon bowed his head his brains must have quitted their habitation. His Cap however was not so fortunate. Having met the stone as he bowed it was carried some distance from him & lodged on the ground. Elseon regardless of his Cap ran swiftly upon Sambul whose feet having sliped when he threw the stone, had fallen upon his back & had not recovered. Spare oh spare my life says he, & I will restore peace to Kentuck & you may enjoy Lamesa. No peace says Elseon, do I desire with a Man, whose sword is red with the blood of my friend. He spoke & plunged his sword into Sambuls heart. The
Sciotans beheld the huge body of their King pale & lifeless. Consternation & terror seized their minds. They fled in dismay & confusion. Elseon pursued them with his warriors & overtook & killed thousands in the pursuit. About two thousand made good their escape, & carried the doleful tidings of Sambuls death & the slaughter of his army to their own land, & indeed their escape was owing to the great anxiety of Elseon & his warriors to visit their friends in the fort & to ascertain the extent of the massacre that Sambul & his army had made. After pursuing the Sciotans about six miles, Elseon & his army returned in great haste & entered the fort. Great inexpressibly great was the joy of the citizens when they beheld them re-turning with the laurels of Victory. & when they were informed of the destruction of so many thousand of their enemies. But as great was their grief & lamentation when they beheld & reflected on the vast number of citizens & of Elseons warriors who had fallen by the sword of the Sciotans. But no death produced such universal regret & sorrow as those of Helicon & Heliza. The one was the intimate friend of Elseon & the other of Lamesa. They both possessed hearts which were formed for the most ardent friendship & love. Their acquaintance produced a sincere attachment. They exchanged vows of perpetual fidelity & love to each other, & only waited for the termination of the war to fulfill their mutual engagement, to unite their hands in wedlock. But their pleasing anticipation of conjugal felicity was destroyed by the cruel sword of Sambul. Naught availed the innocence & the amiable accomplishments of the fair Haliza. She must fall a victem to satiate the revenge of a barbarous tyrant. Had Helicon known when he attacked the savage monster, that he had assasinated his beloved Heliza, it would have inspired him with the added desire for revenge & added vigour to his arm & keenness to his sword. Ah, said A Kentuck bard represented the etherial form of Heliza as arriving on the celestial plain, & being told that she must wait a short time & Helicon would arrive & conduct her as his partner to a delightful bower which was surrounded by the most beautiful flowers & delicious fruits, & where the singing of musickal birds would charm them with their melody.
When Elseon had entered the fort, he found that Lamack with his little band had made prisoners of the Sciotan warriors whom Sambul had left to guard the imperial ladies, & that the Sciotans had done them no injury nor even insulted them with words. Says Elseon, for this honourable treatment of my friends I will show these enimies compassion. Go, says he to them, return in peace to your own land, & tell your friends that Elseon will not hurt an enimy who has done him a favour. The time of Elseon was precious. He spent but a few moments with Lamesa, in which they exchanged mutual congratulations & expressions of the most tender & sincere affection. She conjured him to spare the life of her father & brother & not to expose his own life any farther than his honour & the interest of his country required. I shall cheerfully says he, comply with every request which will promote your happiness. He embraced her, & bid her adieu. As the situation of Hamboons army might require his immediate return, he lost no time to regulate matters in the fort. But leaving five thousand men to bury the dead attend the citizens he marched with the remainder which consisted of about twenty thousand to Hamboons encampment. When Sambul marched his division against the fort, it was
Hambock's intention to have attacked Hamack the next morning, but perceiving that Hamboon had been apprized of his movements & was then within a small distance ready to cooperate with Hamacks division, Hamback altered his plan & determined to wait for the return of Sambul. As for Hamboon he concluded to wait until Elseon's return. These determinations of the hostile Emperors prevented for the time, any engagements between the two grand armies. But when the fate of Sambuls division was decided & Elseon had returned with the joyful news of his victory, the Kentucks were all anxious for an immediate Battle
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