Jeffersonian Republican

Origin of the Human Races.

The Charleston Mercury, in giving some brief but interesting reminiscences of Nehemathla, a chief of the Seminoles, relates the following to show what is the tradition, among this tribe of the Indians at least; in relation to the origin of the white, red and black races: "In the progress of the negotiation at Camp Moultrie, in 1823, between the U.S. Commissioners and the Indians, it became important to ascertain the population of the Seminole nation. By request, a census was handed in by the chiefs, and on the commissioners asking if the statement embraced the blacks, and who were slaves, there was so violent a burst of indignation from Nehemathla as to require rejoinder and re-proof from those who represented the United States. On explaining the motive of the inquiry, however, that the commissioners 'in the allotment of territory,' were desirous of providing for the negro as well as the Indian, Nehemathla was reconciled to the supposed indignity cast upon his people, and the negotiation proceeded and terminated harmoniously. On the exchange of documents and treaties, the commissioners received the head chiefs of the Seminoles at an entertainment. On the removal of the cloth, (for Nehemathla, Blunt, and many others, were not ignorant of the forms and courtesies of the dinner-table, and while the glass was circulating, Nehemathla adverted to the unpleasant incident of the morning, in which he had exhibited so much temper. He stated that they had among them a wise man, a philosopher, who had communion with the Great Spirit, and that if agreeable to the commissioners, it would be gratifying to him that he should be heard, that they might read in his revealments the only apology he had to offer for the displeasure he had expressed on the negro being considered a member of the Red Family. The wise man commenced:-

"In the beginning, the Great Spirit made this earth and he was pleased with its hunting-grounds and rich soils, its mountains and valleys, its oceans and its rivers. He decreed that he would people it. He labored seven days and he made a negro. Though gratified at this first of human beings, into whom he had blown the breath of life, he was not satisfied. He worked seven days more, and produced an Indian. Though more pleased with this second than the first of his creation, he was not altogether reconciled to the Red Skin. He turned to seven days more to his labors, and the result was the White Man. He gazed with admiration upon this last as the perfection of his works But the negro and Indian were still alive, and what was to be done to promote harmony, and preserve peace. The spirit thought awhile, and assembled his three races of human beings, at the same time placing before them three huge boxes. On one was marked 'Hoes and Axes;' on another 'Bows and Arrows;' and on the third 'Books.' He said to the negro; ' as I made you first, in justice you shall have the first choice.' He selected the hoes and axes. The Indian became restless. frantic, with apprehensions, and under his native impulses, was almost in possession of the box of bows and arrows before the Great Spirit said: You now choose. The box of books fell to the white man; not by accident but design." With the most emphatic action, then said the Indian philosopher :-

" The Great Spirit has decreed that the negro shall fell the forest and till the soil to make subsistence for man. The Indian shall roam the wilderness, and canoe on the rivers, and in hunting and fishing seek his pastime and support. The white man shall read and gather these stores of knowledge, from which he is to derive the rules for instructing and governing the others. While these relations exist, peace and harmony will prevail; disturb them, and no other result can follow but annihilation to the Black and Red race. The negro and Indian will disappear before the march and rapacity of the white man."