Beschreibung:

ADAMS, JOHN, President . Autograph letter signed ("John Adams") to his nephew, W.S. Shaw, Montezillo, 21 June 1821. 2 pages, 4to, 255 x 200mm. (10 x 8 in.), corners a bit worn, two small brown spots (not affecting text), otherwise in good condition. ADAMS ON ALEXANDER MCGILLIVRAY AND THE RELIGION OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS A detailed letter concerning former President Adams's attempt to learn about Native American religion. "Dr. Jarvis in his seventh page has truly observed that 'the Indians are not communicative in relation to their religion.' I have made the same observation. I have...[a] strong and marked aversion to converse or say anything upon the subject. Many great Opportunities have presented themselves, in the old Congress and while I was Vice-President, and in the very numerous deputations from indian nations in all parts of the continent: and I always had a desire to learn something of their religion. But they discovered such repugnance, their interpreters appeared so inexpert in their own language as well as in the indian, that I was discouraged. And my mind was so oppressed with a thousand disquietudes...that I gave up the pursuit. In 1789 there occurred an Occasion which gave me great hopes. A large deputation of Kings, Warriors and Sachems from the Creek Nations came to New York with [Alexander] McGillvray at their head, to treat with the government. They were lodged near my house on Richmond-hill. They frequently visited me and some of them dined with me, but I could learn nothing from them...I asked...many questions concerning the religion of the indians but he manifested strong tokens of impatience and dislike. But when I pressed him pretty closely for some time he said with an arch smile 'Why we used to say that our customs most resembled the Jews.' When I urged him with questions concerning their belief in a future State he still betrayed great reluctance and would be silent. When I asked him whether they had any ideas of an existence after death...He answered with a malignant, scornful kind of smile, 'Why I believe very little. I have heard them say that men are like trees, when a tree dies it rots.' This was all [I] could obtain from him..." Alexander McGillivray (1759-1793) was born to a French and Native American mother and a Scottish father, and he was a Creek chief of the Wind clan of the Upper Creek Indians. During the Revolutionary War, McGillivray seved as a British agent, sent out war parties against the Patriots and attached himself to the Loyalist trader firm of Panton, Leslie & Company. After the war, he concerned himself primarily with the interests of his people (DAB).