FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.
The present condition of the Aborigines of this country is specially fitted to awaken the sympathy of every feeling heart. They where once the exclusive proprietors of this immense continent; but successive inroads have been so rapidly made on their rights, that they have been dwindled, as to power and numbers, into absolute insignificance. Our ancestors fled from persecution and tyranny, and sought in this region an asylum, in which, they might enjoy civil and religious liberty. They were not disappointed. They were received with kindness and hospitality by the natives, a fact, which we their descendants should never forget. And what return has too frequently been made for this generous conduct?—Unjust and inhuman treatment,—the introduction of ruin amongst them—And generally, the pernicious influence of bad example. Notwithstanding these painful circumstances some of them occasionally visit the land of Onas, to light the calumet of peace and brighten the chain of friendship, which uniformly subsisted between him and their fathers. A journey of this kind was recently made to Philadelphia by a number of Cherokee warriors. The earthly career of one of them, was terminated in this vicinity, and his exequies were performed by his brethren on the 6th of August last, in the woods back of Bartram's gardens. This incident, has furnished the subject of the following stanzas.