A DIALOGUE BETWEEN AN ENGLISHMAN AND AN INDIAN

Eng. (walking in the road overtakes Ind.) Who is this? Have I not seen you before?

Ind. I'm Joseph Yannhoontough. You once saw me at Onoida.

Eng. You appear serious. What's the matter, Joseph?

Ind. As I was walking alone today, I have been pondering on the opinion the English entertain of us, poor Indians!

Eng. Do you think they entertain an opinion of you worse than you deserve? Are you not sensible, you are a savage, cruel race ?

Ind. I know we are an uncultivated and unpolished people; but I am inclined to think, there are some among the Europeans, and their descendants, as bad as we are, on many accounts.

Eng. You are a vile, barbarous race! Your tenderest mercies are cruel! You delight in devastation and massacre ! With what hellish pleasure do you murder defenceless women and children ! You delight in every impious act, that men are capable of perpetrating. I wish you were all destroyed, and sent to the ******

Ind. Sir, I acknowledge, the Indians have been very cruel; but I am indeed very sorry to find you thus disposed! You discover a temper, in yourself, not much better than that, you so severely censure, in the Indians.

Eng. What? Do you defend the conduct, —the barbarous conduct of savages? —I have heard something lately, that makes me so angry, I can hardly refrain *****

Ind. May I ask what that is, Sir?

Eng. Why I have been informed, that Doctor W - k keeps a number of Indian boys yet; and has been lately soliciting contributions to support them, at his college. I am surprised to think any one can imagine, that Indians will ever learn anything, but to serve Satan. Rather than expend money on Indians, in such a way, and for such a purpose, I would throw it into the ocean. I would cheerfully contribute powder and bullets, to kill you also.

Ind. It is happy not only for us Indians; but indeed, Sir, for society in general, that there are some men in the world, who are possessed of generous souls, and actuated by principles of virtue and religion. But, I fear, you are blackened with a character sadly contrasted to theirs. Because the Indians are uncivilized, you would kill them all! Does this temper quadrate with Christianity? or indeed with humanity? Upon your principle, ought not the most of the Europeans to have been extirpated a thousand years ago, when they were in a state similar to that of the Indians? Indeed, Sir, I suspect, that if you had sufficient power, you would be as fierce a destroyer of mankind, as cruel a tyrant, as ever existed.

Eng. You seem to talk very learnedly, and with fluency. Have yon been one of Doctor W-k's scholars?

Ind. Sir, I have been one;— and my soul blesses that generous man. But if you will be pleased to attend, and keep yourself from being carried away with a torrent of rage, I will endeavor to demonstrate, that you are are mistaken in your opinion, that the American Indians surpass all other people, in cruelty.

Eng. If you have anything to say on this subject I will hear you; although I'm persuaded, you can never make that appear.

Ind. Did not the Spaniards exercise such acts of cruelty towards the Indians of Mexico and Florida, and South America, as must make every humane mind, that attends to their horrid massacres and devastations, shudder ? They wantonly butchered near twenty millions of these natives, and plundered their countries of almost infinite wealth. Without provocation they would cut off the noses and ears of the Indians, and give them to their dogs. Yea, they hunted them with their hounds, and boasted of the number they had killed in a day! Were the Indians ever guilty of barbarity superior to this?

Eng. I know nothing about the Spaniards; but suppose, they are pretty much like the Indians.

Ind. I would, by no means, defend the cruelty, and bad conduct of my brethren, the Indians; but are the English always more merciful than they ? Did not Major R-rs promiscuously kill men, women and children, at St. Francois ?

Eng. Come, come, because you have got a little learning, you mean to dispute me; do you ? I wish you, and all the rest of Doctor Whee—k's Indians were sent to Guinea, or had your throats cut.

Ind. Sir, you use me very ill,—if I am an Indian. Do you discover the temper of a christian, when you wish destruction to whole nations ? Have you one spark of that generous benevolence to mankind, which stamps a dignity on the human soul, when you regret, that endeavors should be used to civilize and christianize an unpolished and savage people; yet capable of improvement, and of being made good'members of Society? Ought you not to have malevolence branded on your forehead, when you curse pious men for using endeavors for this purpose In case it is decreed, by Divine Providence, that the Indians must be extirpated, ought not those, who have opportunity and ability to use vigorous efforts to save them ? When you shall be calm; and moderation shall succeed in the place of rage, I trust, you will be fully sensible of your impious disposition. I hope you will yet exhibit a meek, merciful and benevolent temper of mind. Surely, I wish you no hurt, although I am grieved you should thus discover a mind replenished with the malice of Satan.

Eng. S'blood! Joseph I hardly know what to say. You seem to talk fluently. Perhaps I have been too much prejudiced against the Indians. (Curtains fall).

March 4, 1779.