THE INDIANS WERE A DOOMED RACE
THE INDIANS WERE A DOOMED RACE FROM THE TIME THAT THE VESSEL TOUCHED UPON THEIR COAST THEN THEIR WRONGS BEGAN AND THEY HAVE CONTINUED UNCEASING UNTIL NOW.
(Native Americans) Guthrie, J. An important and thought provoking 19th century essay written by J. Guthrie lamenting the plight of the Indian tribes since the arrival of the white man to their homelands.
(In full)
The American Indian
As my thoughts ramble over the history of the past ages of our country and as I reflect upon the many scenes that have transpired on this Side of the Atlantic during the last two hundred years my thoughts are turned to the fate of the original inhabitants of this continent and of their many Strugles against the usurping power of the Anglo Saxons who landed on their Shores and commenced a war of extermination against them in their forest homes and above the Smoldering bones of their forefathers as they lay in their peaceful Slumber knowing nothing of the terrible Strugles of their posterity with the white men to preserve their hunting grounds where their fathers lived before them and which now covered up their remains and hid them from the burning heat of the torrid sun at noon. The Indians will ____ for the _____ feet of stranger ____ Scoffingly over their fathers graves which they had made green with their flowing tears. The Statly forests where their council fires had often blazed in the dead stillness of the night were laid low in the dust beneath the axe of the Settler as it glittered beneath the Sun at early down until his beams were hid behind the western hills and every echo of the instrument Struck into the Indians heard with a desolating chill and their dark eyes flashed and in an unknown tongue they muttered vengance and with upturned eyes they Sought the aid of their departed Sires then throughout their land from tribe to tribe the echoing vengence rang. Then in the Stillness of the midnight hour Their terrible war cry came floating on the wind to the ears of the Startled white men. And many a mingled fern Told the Sad tale the red men sought revenge and many a desolate home did Show that this revenge was dreadful as the pent up fire of ____ Long and fierce the Indians battled for their home the deer lay unmolested in his retreat in the thicket of nibled the grass as at Spring from its gory bed and ____ he raised his head and listened as the Sound of the contest reached his ear as it was borne upon the passing breeze and at last driven from their homes in an unknown land they ralled for the final effort to regain the the inheritance of their fathers the departed warriors of by gone days hoping once more to build their wigwams above their graves long and well they fought in this their last resort to arms. They saw the ground around them heaped with the lifeless remains of their kindred and friends dispair ____ the few that remained and taking one last final look at their homes on the graves of their friends that they lived So well they turned their faces toward the Setting Sun and left them forever. And now on the Shores of the pacific they rehearse the Story of their wrongs and their dark brow ruffle as they talk of their former hunting grounds that they have lost by the Fraudulent dealings of the pale face but it is not an idea of revenge that now provides their breasts as they reflect upon their former glory that had forever passed away. But it is the feeling of dispair as they look upon the Small space that is left them of their once extensive possessions. Sadly they gaze on these rising pinnacles and ___ as they are built in the cities around them yes Sadly and Sorrifolly they view these increasing works of civilization. But the eyes of their conquerors look upon the Same with gladness and admiration little thinking their foundations are laid in injustice and finished as the reward of blood and oppression. Imagine to yourselves that you See in that far off land that bounds the great pacific’s raging waters the Small remains of that once powerful race observe that gray haired chieftain as he leans against that aged pine behold his pensive look no doubt but that he is one of those of his tribe that has seen better days when his race was surrounded by happy ____ and friends. He is thinking of that time that has now passed away and left him a sad moment to Show the dreadful wreck that has been made of his once powerful tribe of warriors brave and bold. Or perhaps he is thinking of his former home where his fathers bones are bleaching on the Sandy Shore.
While he longs for the time when his own Shall be laid in the Same peaceful Slumber and when his Spirit may seek in the spirit land the Shadows of those that have gone before him. The Indians were a doomed race from the time that the first vessel touched upon their coast then their wrongs began and they have continued unceasing until now. They keenly felt their ____ but they failed to avenge them and now is they gaze out upon the broad expanse of the ocean They recall their dream and they feel that in a few years they and their race will have passed away forever.
Efay By J. Guthrie
Efsay By J Guthrie
Written in ink on two bifolium stitched together to create 8 pages ( 5 x 8 inches) of which page 8 is blank. Several minor foxing spots, overall very readable and in vg cond.