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in which year Quebec was founded.*

Nor does the assertion, that the Leyden sufferers "fixed themselves at the bottom of the Massachusetts Bay," appear to be warranted by the fact: Boston, and not Plymouth, is at the bottom of Massachusetts Bay. There is reason likewise to apprehend that the reader will be led to form an erroneous idea of the Constitution of Massachusetts under the first Charter, by the paragraph relative to that subject in pages 11 and 12, in which it is said,

"An immediate compact with the king of Great Britain was thought necessary. Thus a Charter was early granted, stipulating on the part of the Crown, that the Massachusetts should have a legislative body within itself, composed of three branches, and subject to no control, except his majesty's negative, within a limited term, to any laws formed by their Assembly, that might be thought to militate with the general interest of the realm of England."

On a reference to the first Charter it will be seen, that no negative was reserved to the king: the only check was, so as such laws & ordinances be not contrary or repugnant to the laws & statutes of this our realm of England." In the first instance the Governor, deputy Governor, and Assistants were appointed by the king, but were to be afterwards annually chosen (with all other officers) by a majority of the freemen, at a general court, to be holden on the last Wednesday in Easter Term.t

• Charlevoix.

+ See the Charter in Hutchinson's Collection of Original Papers, p. 12, and in Hazard's Historical Collecdons, vol. 1. p. 248.

The following remarks occur amongst the "introductory observations," in vol. i. p. 15.

"In Virginia, Maryland, and some other Colonies, where the votaries of stronger party, the Dissenters of ev. the Church of England were the ery description were persecuted with little less rigour, than had been experienced by the Quakers from the Presbyterians of the Massachusetts. Virginia, in the early days of her An act passed in the Assembly of legislation, making it penal "for any master of a vessel to bring a Quaker into the province."...."The inhabit ants were inhibited from entertaining any person of that denomination. They were imprisoned, banished, and treated with every mark of severity, short of death,"

And in vol. iii. p. 4, we are informed that

"The two armies finally met in the Virginian fields, the germ of the new world, the first British plantation in its uniform adherence to, and its early America: a State dignified for [by] and firm defence of the rights of mankind."

Even in the "early days of her legislation," Virginia invaded the rights, even the most sacred "rights of mankind;" yet is she "dignified for her uniform adherence to, and early and firm defence" of them! How can so glaring an inconsistency be accounted for? It is probable that the author had not been informed, that above a century ago a law was passed in Virginia, which declared that "all negro, mulatto, and Indian slaves within this dominion shall be held to be real estate, and shall descend according to the manner and custom of land of inheritance, held in fee simple ;"t but could she have forgotten the thousands, and tens of thousands of bla

• History of Virginia.

t Laws of Virginia, 4th ann. C. iii, A. D. 1705.

evidences, which to this day exist, to prove that invading the rights of mankind has been the

customary and general practice of the inhabitants of that State? (To be continued.)

Religious Intelligence.

UNITED STATES.

SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE

GOSPEL.

(Concluded from p. 333.)

THE labours and success of the Rev. John Sergeant,* missionary among the Mahukkunuk Indians at New Stockbridge, near Oneida, with in a few years past, have much in creased. From fifty to one hundred of the Oneida pagans, as they are denominated, have occasionally attended on his ministrations, and he has also visited and taught them in their own village, to their apparent satisfaction and improvement.

In consequence of an invitation from the Onandaga Indians, who reside thirty-six miles westward of New. Stockbridge, Mr. Sergeant made them a visit in June last, when he was introduced into their council house, and addressed by their chief speaker, as follows:

"Father; we thank the great Lord above, that we have all been kept alive to this time. We also in a particular manner, thank Him, that he has taken care of you on the way, which leads to our fireplace. We thank you, that you have been faithful to your promise, and are come to make us a visit. We rejoice in this pleasant day, when we can see your face. A number of us are collected, and ready to hear and learn something for our good."

Mr. Sergeant then addressed them in a discourse of about four hours in length, on subjects he thought best

....

*Mr. Sergeant receives his annual salary, in unequal proportions, from the funds of the society in Scotland, for promoting Christian knowledge, the society for propagating the Gospel among the "Indians, and others in North-America, and the corporation of Harvard College.

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adapted to their capacities and circumstances, relating to their present, as well as future well-being. They then, by one of their chiefs, made him the following reply;

"Father, I speak to you in behalf of all. We thank you for communicating to us the mind of the great God. We thank the Lord, that he has given you health, that you have been enabled to come and visit us at this time, and speak to us from his word.

"Father; we now thank you in the name and behalf of all our chiefs, young men, women, and children, for the good counsel, you have now given us, respecting our good in this life, as well as the life to come. We will follow your advice, so far as we can.

"Father; you told us the Lord made the world, and all things that are therein, in six days, but rested on the seventh; that he had commanded all his children, of all nations, to rest on that day, to cease from all labour, play, or any worldly business; that they must meet together and worship him. This we see is right and good, and we promise you we will observe this in the best manner we can.

"Father; you have told us we must labour on our lands, and in this way obtain our bread; and likewise provide for our cattle, that they might increase, that we might have to sell to others, by which means we might get clothing for ourselves and chil dren. Father; this is likewise good advice, and we will do our best to fol low this good way.

"Father; you have told us we have but a small piece of land left, there

*The Onandaga reservation is about four miles square. The number of "souls in this tribe is one hundred and for ty-three, who live in twent-one houses, which, in general, are but wretched hab

fore we must keep it for ourselves and children. Father; we now let you know we are well pleased with this advice; all of us are united in this, that we will hold our land forever; that we will neither lease nor sell it. And we hope our children will always do the same.

"Father; we have all of us agreed entirely to forsake poisonous liquors; but we are sorry to find, that a few of us do fall away; but agreeably to your advice, we will try our best to reclaim every one."

MISSION TO THE WESTERN INDIANS.

In the spring of 1803, a delegation* from the Mahukkunnuk Indians, under the pastoral care of Mr. SERGEANT, visited their "grand fathers," the Delewares, who reside at Wanpekummekut, or White river, for the purposes of "renewing the ancient covenants of friendship which subsisted between their ancestors; of recommending to them perpetual peace with the United States; union and a firm government among themselves; of encouraging virtue, and recommending to them civilization, and the Christian religion." The delegates were well received by their "grand fathers," who are numerous, and considered as at the head of all the tribes around them, and "unanimously agreed to accept, and take hold with both hands, on all that was recommended to them." Encouraged by this success, the delegates agreed,

itations. Their place of worship, or council house, constructed wholly of bark, is a proper wigwam, twenty-five by forty feet in dimensions. Formerly they were pagans, and notorious for drunkenness; but for three or four years past, since they have embraced the doctrine of the Prophet, they are greatly reformed, as to their habit of intemperance, and give a degree of credit to the Bible, as the only rule of duty. They are highly esteemed by the white people in their neighbourhood. Their lands are excellent; but they have yet made but little progress in the arts of husbandry and civilized life.

• This delegation consisted of Hendrick Aupaumut, sachem, John Quinny, Solomon Quauquaughmut, chiefs, and five others. 'Vol. II. No. 8.

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at the end of three years, to make their "grand fathers" another visit, and to carry with them, if possible, one or more missionaries and schoolmasters. Accordingly, through their "father," Mr. Sergeant, they have applied to "the society for propaga ting the Gospel," among others, to give them aid in accomplishing their benevolent design. Their success in these applications has not equalled their expectations, nor has it by any means been proportioned to the magnitude and importance of the object. No pecuniary aid has been given to this project, in the opinion of many the most promising of success and usefulness of any which has been devised for many years, except one hundred dollars, by the society for propaga ting the gospel, toward the support of a schoolmaster.

Notwithstanding these discouragements, the delegation had determined to commence their journey the last of October, under the patronage of Mr. Sergeant. John Jacobs, one of the Mahukkunnuk Indians, has been engaged for a year, to reside among the Deleware nation, as a schoolmaster; who, added to his other qualifications for his office, is an excellent singer,

and intends to instruct in sacred musio. The following is the substance of the instructions given him by Mr. Sergeant;

"You are to proceed to the western country with your companions, and as soon as you shall have ascertained the most suitable place for the purpose, shall open your school, which shall be kept at stated hours regularly. You are to teach the children to read and write: and, in due time, psalmody. You will cause them to commit to memory, some psalms in your own language, if you find they understand it.

"On the Sabbath you will refrain from all labour, and every kind of worldly business and recreation. Should you be visited by any young people, on this sacred day, read to them, at your discretion, from the word of God.

"You will note in a journal, every thing important, and once in two months, if a convenient opportunity offer, transmit to me extracts from it, that I may know your situation and progress."

We hope this may prove an opening for great and extensive usefulness among the Indians in this quarter, where is a wide field for missionary labours, already occupied, in part, by the synod of Pittsburgh.

THE SENECA PROPHET, OR THE MAN OF THE GREAT SPIRIT.

Communicated for the Panoplist by a Missionary who visited him and his people.

A FEW years since, an Indian at the Alleghany river, half brother to the noted Cornplanter, gave out that he had communications from the Great Spirit, which he was commanded to make known to the different tribes of Indians. He was formerly a great drunkard, and despised by the Indians themselves, as an ignorant, idle, worthless fellow. Since his reforma tion, he appears meek, honest and inoffensive. By those best acquainted with him, he is considered as deficient in intellect. He converses but little. His countenance does not indicate much thoughtfulness. When questioned, however, his answers are pertinent, and his public speeches are sensible. He inculcates on his followers, that they sell not their Lands; that they refrain from the use of ardent spirits; that they put not away their wives, that they cultivate their lands; live industrious lives; and maintain the religious customs of their ancestors.

To one, who expressed his doubts of his having such communications, and used some arguments to show him he had not, he replied with his usual simplicity, "I think I have had such communications made to me."

At the meeting of commissioners with the Senecas, for the purpose of purchasing a tract of land at the Black-rock, this Indian was present, and opposed the sale of their lands. He related the communications, which he said he had received from the Great Spirit. Some of the communications he could not recollect, and asked his brother Cornplanter. When asked how he could forget such communications, he said at the time the Great Spirit told him these things, he related them to his brother; and that he was told 30 many things, he did not remember all.

Since this Prophet, as he is styled, arose, there has been a great reforms among the pagans of the Six Nations. The settlement at the Alleghany river, containing about 450 souls, a few years since, were a poor, idle, drunken, contemptible people; they are now become temperate, industrious, and comparatively wealthy. A mission from the Friends near Philadel phia, has much aided this reform, by counsels and example; but whether one would have succeeded without the other, it is probably impossible to determine.

This prophet says, he has had repeated visions, in which he sees three spirits or angels, who make communications to him. Sometimes in dreams or visions, he pretends to have seen devils flying, and hovering over their new town, Canadesago, seeking some place to light, but could find none, because the people were now orderly, temperate, and industrious; he then saw them fly to Buffaloe Creek, and light among the whisky casks. Sometimes, he says, he has seen idle, drunken Indians, clothed in rags and filth, in old worn out canoes, on lakes at a distance from shore, clouds gath ering thick and black, with awful thunder, lightning and tempest.

Sometimes sick persons send a shirt or some other article of clothing, to the prophet, that he may prescribe a cure. In such a case, he takes two handfuls of tobacco, puts their ends to the fire on the hearth, lies down and covers himself with a blanket, after he has arisen he prescribes for the disease.

He has stated to the Indians, that great judgments would follow them, if they disobeyed the commands of the Great Spirit, such as floods, drought, &c. The principal of the Friends' mission near these Indians, observed, that a missionary who lately visited them, had spoken much in the same way to them respecting the judgments of God, following the wicked, and that they had been visited, as their prophet had declared, especially, with a remarkable flood in the Alleghany river.

The fame of this prophet is great among the western Indians. He has once visited the Wyandots, and by particular desire expected soon to visit them again. He is deeply im

pressed with the opinion that judg. ments are coming on the nations, unless they reform. When he first arose as a prophet, he visited the President of the United States at the seat of government, accompanied by Cornplanter. The prophet with his adherents, gladly embrace every op. portunity to encourage whatever, in their view, tends to promote reformation. On this ground they advised the Indians to listen to the instructions of the missionary to the New Stockbridge Indians. Hence they were fond of thinking and saying, that a missionary, who lately spake to different settlements of Indians, urged the same things, as their prophet. One of the Onandagas, when asked why they did not leave their drunken habits before, since they were often urged to it, and saw the ruinous consequences of such conduct, replied, they had no power; but when the Great Spirit forbid such conduct by their prophet, he gave them power to comply with his request.

Some time since a disagreement

happened between the prophet and most of his adherents, and Cornplanter; in consequence, they have left Cornplanter, and removed further up the river, where they are building a new town. His nephews, who are sensible, and men of great renown in the nation, use their influence in his favour. He is consulted as the principal chief of the nation; but Red Jacket, a cunning and subtil chief at Buffaloe Creek, does not believe in him, but in his public transactions he pays him respect, as he is popular with the nation. He observed to the Agent for the Six Nations, that when the prophet made his speeches, his nephews sat contiguous to him on the right and left. On a certain occasion he had taken care to place some others next to the prophet, and he was not able to say any thing. He is held in great veneration by the people. One of the most distinguished of their young men gave it as his opinion, that the prophet would yet be persecuted and put to death, as the wicked put to death the Lord Jesus Christ.

Literary Intelligence,

UNITED STATES.

For the Panoplist.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT BOWDOIN COLLEGE.

The following account of the Commencement at Bowdoin College was intended for the Panoplist for September; but from various casualties it was not received till the close of December. We insert it at this late period, because we wish to bring into notice this infant and rising Seminary, planted in a new and thriving portion of our country, to which it promises to be a great blessing.

AFTER an anthem, accompanied by a band of music, the Throne of Grace was addressed in prayer by the Rev. Dr. M'KEEN, President of the Institution. The exercises of the young gentlemen, candidates for their first degree, succeeded as follows:

1st. A salutatory oration in Latin, pronounced by BENJAMIN TITCOMB,

in which an honourable and grateful tribute was paid to the Legislature of the State for their liberal grants, and to those of the BowDOIN family, who by their generous benefactions have obtained the honour of giving their name to the College, and gained the reputation of patrons of the sciences.. Other benefactors were respectfully remembered, and the addresses to the President and Instructors were the affectionate and amiable expres. sion of gratitude for paternal tenderness and fidelity, and of regret at bidding farewel to the interesting scenes of youthful pleasure and improvement; nor could the audience fail to sympathize with the Orator, when, unable fully to utter his feelings, he exclaimed, "Cura leves loquuntur ; ingentes silent."

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